How To "Brazilian Wax" (Or, What to Expect When You Sign Up to Get One)

Brazilian bikini waxes were introduced to New York in 1987 by seven Brazilian-born sisters and remains a popular hair removal method in the US.

The "Brazilian" differs from a regular bikini wax because hair is removed in the front, back and everything in between. Most of the time a "landing strip" is left in the front, but some clients opt for everything removed.

The "Brazilian" has most recently been in the press since the state of New Jersey announced in spring 2009 it may ban "genital waxing" after a couple residents were hospitalized with infections.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 15-30 minutes

Here's How:

1. Most waxings occur in a private room with a door. You'll be left alone to remove your pants and underwear and you'll be asked to lie on a table with clean paper or sheets. It is possible that you may be provided with a paper thong and you can certainly ask for one.
2. Because you only need 1/4 inch of hair for the wax to grab onto, your waxer may trim pubic hair to the correct length. A general rule of thumb is that hair needs to be a quarter-inch if it's fine, a half-inch if it's coarse, according to Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare spas. Any shorter and it's too hard for the wax to grab onto. You'll be sent home if hair isn't long enough.
3. The waxer will liberally apply talcum powder to the skin. Talcum powder keeps hot wax from sticking to skin.
4. The best waxers are fast, which means less discomfort for you.

   The waxer will dip a wooden waxing stick into a pot of hot wax and then spread it onto your skin and hair. She will then apply a cloth strip over the still-warm wax, pressing firmly so the cloth, hair and wax adhere to one another. When the wax has cooled, she will pull the strip off, in the opposite direction of your hair growth, pulling the hairs out by the root.

   You might request a hard wax, which is thicker and is peeled off when cooled. It can be less painful, according to Barshop.

5. If the waxing is too painful, ask the technician to apply strips to smaller areas at a time.

   Waxing usually starts in the front and moves toward the back. You may be asked to help hold skin taut.

6. Since the Brazilian means everything off except for a "landing strip" in the front, don't be surprised when the technician removes the hair between the buttocks. Yes, for most people, hair grows there. If you want to be completely bare, this is called a "Hollywood" wax.
7. Once the waxing is complete, the waxer will tweeze any stray hairs and she may trim the remaining landing strip, or even create designs (if there are patterns for this, I do not know where they exist). Some women even opt to dye the remaining pubic hair.
8. The waxer will spread soothing lotion over the waxed areas. Apply aloe lotion or a hydrocortisone cream if you develop bumps, redness or ingrown hairs.
   
9. Don't forget to get the name of the waxer so when you make another appointment you can get the same person so you don't have to bare all for another complete stranger (wink). Typically, you'll need to wax every 2 to 4 weeks and the more you do it, the less painful it becomes.

Tips:

1. The procedure, like any waxing, can be very painful at first, but frequent visits usually cut down on the pain factor as does 2 Advil an hour before your procedure. You can also apply a topical anesthetic, such as "Relax and Wax No-Scream Cream," 45 minutes before the procedure.
2. The downside of a Brazilian wax... while it lasts 3-6 weeks, the hair will grow back -- albeit finer and lighter -- and you'll have to do it again.
3. Another downside... hair has to be a certain length before it can successfully waxed. Hair needs to be a quarter-inch if it's fine, a half-inch if it's coarse.
4. Another down side... you might experience red bumps or ingrown hairs, caused when hairs grow curled under the skin. Avoid ingrown hairs with regular exfoliation and a scrub that contains salicylic or glycolic acid. Treat existing ingrown hairs with an acid-based solution. Good ones include Vaniqa, by prescription. Get rid of burns or rashes with a hydrocortisone cream, which soothese irritation.
5. Book the appointment for at least a week after your period. As for the embarrassment factor -- we like to think getting a Brazilian can't be any more embarrassing than a typical visit to your gynecologist's office. These technicians have seen it all before.

What is Threading?

Threading is an ancient Middle Eastern technique that is becoming common in the United States with threading shops popping up in every big city as we speak. Many of the top beauty editors in NYC get their brows threaded rather than waxed. (I am a big fan of the thread and get mine done in a little shop in the subway at Rockefeller Plaza).

How does it work? An aesthetician uses a doubled-up strand of cotton thread to twist around individual hairs, then pulls them out from the roots. The procedure is used mainly on the eyebrows and upper lip.

Threading is faster than tweezing. The average eyebrow procedure takes about 5 to 10 minutes, while tweezing takes about 20 minutes.

Cost is relatively cheap: it starts at $5. We suggest trying a professional threading job, then maintain your new brow line yourself with tweezers.

Beauty Secrets of the 'Desperate Housewives'

Society has come a long way now that TV's hottest stars are (gulp!) over 40. Finally Hollywood has learned what many of us have known all along: Women are sexy at any age. Since 'Desperate Housewives' came out, America has been transfixed. So how do these women manage to look so hot at 30, 40 and older? We've collected all their beauty bits and pieces from TV, magazines and more and here we share them with you.

Teri Hatcher's beauty secrets. US Weekly reports the secret to Teri's look is the old adage, 'less is more.' Since Teri is 40, less makeup makes her look fresher. Her makeup artist and hairstylist, Don Malot, adds a luminescent liquid to her foundation to make her skin 'dewy and glowy.' He also uses a brown shadow with shimmer to make Hatcher's brown eyes stand out.

How to get her hair. Although Hatcher has naturally wavy hair and wore soft curls on the red carpet the night she won the Golden Globe, she prefers it straight. Since even wavy hair can look flat (and flat, straight hair is not 'in' at the moment), Malot gives it extra body by applying Redken Spray Starch to damp strands before drying Hatcher's hair straight.

How to look 30 when you're 40. InStyle Magazine pulled together a photo gallery of her hairstyles from 1986 to now. Check it out. You'll notice she's grown out her once short locks. This is a great hint for those of you over 40: don't go for short-short hair or over-coiffed do's. Instead, opt for a shoulder-length shag with layers. Avoid the blunt cuts.

Plastic Surgery: Has she or hasn't she? The UK's Daily Mail puts Hatcher under the plastic surgery microscope. Experts debate whether she's had an under-eye lift (Hatcher tends to have baggy eyes), Botox and a nose job. Hatcher admitted to using Botox on Oprah in April, 2006. See photos from then and now and then judge for yourself.

Eva Longoria's beauty secrets. Longoria, the only star on the show under 40 (she's 31) tells Us Weekly, "I don't overdo the hair and makeup." Like Hatcher, she knows the secret to looking young is to not pile on the makeup. Instead, Longoria adds color to her dark looks by adding a bit of gold shimmer cream from Girlactik to her cheeks & forehead. The actress also loves the line's Star Shadows in Timeless & Satin.

How to look 20 when you're 30. Do highlight your best features. Longoria, for example, shows off her legs, not her cleavage. If it's your eyes, play them up. If you have full lips, show them off with a gloss or dare to go red. Don't use a thick concealer, it will settle into fine lines highlighting your flaws. For a dewy glow, try Longoria's favorite foundation, Laura Mercier Foundation .

Marcia Cross's beauty secrets. More than the other stars on the show, Cross is known for her porcelain complexion. How does she keep her skin so gorgeous at 43? Us Weekly reports Cross uses the ultra-luxe and super-hydrating Crème de la Mer to keep her skin soft. She then applies a creamy foundation and tops it all off with a pressed powder. For lips, she uses glosses by Dessert Beauty (try Desserts Deliciously Kissable Plumping Lip Gloss in Dreamy.

Want Cross's hair on 'Housewives'? Newsweek reports that when Cross showed for the photos for the magazine's article in late 2004, she balked when asked to pose as Bree Van Der Kamp. It seems Cross didn't want to pose in her character's trademark 'do, the flip that has helped make her famous. But if you want the look it's easy to do, simply blow dry your hair straight but flip the bottom up with a round, steel brush. The aluminum barrel on these brushes rely on the heat and act as a curling iron for your hair.

Nicollette Sheridan's beauty secrets. Us Weekly reports Sheridan treats her face to monthly customized Super Performance Facial Treatments ($200 a pop) at L.A.'s Jim Wayne salon. These facials help treat her skin (which is dry & sensitive according to her facialist, Octavia Ellington). As for her hair, Jim Wayne cuts her trademark blonde locks in long layers for a 'young, sexy, hot look,' he tells Us. The makeup artists on 'Housewives' use pink tones on the actress, who is reportedly a 'gloss maven' and prefers Jessica Simpson's link textDessert beauty line.

Has Sheridan or hasn't Sheridan? Whether or not Sheridan has gone under the knife has been under debate for years. Her post-Knots Landing face drew notice from gossip columnist Liz Smith, who dubbed it 'startlingly exotic' & 'a little transgendered-esque.' Sheridan immediately fought back with a statement that called Smith's allegations, 'malicious and patently false rumors… sprung whole cloth from ... feverish, overactive and inaccurate imaginations.' She even had plastic surgeon Frank Ryan examine her face without finding a single scar. Judge her transformation for yourself on InStyle . AwfulPlasticSurgery.com debates whether Sheridan has had breast implants.

How Does the Clarisonic Skin Brush Rate?

My fellow bloggers Christina at ebeautydaily and Stevie at beautybuzz have gone ga-ga over the Clarisonic Skin Brush.

We'd heard good things about the brush (Drugstore.com's reps tell us it's one of the best buys of the year), but when Christina went so far as to make it her #1 buy for 2006, we decided to jump on the bandwagon and tell you about it. Christina loves what it's done for her skin and at around $195 it should do WONDERS. If you love the idea of an electronic skin brush (created by the makers of Sonicare), then this is the brush for you.

Best Eye Creams

A woman typically starts to develop lines around her eyes in her 30s. It's important to use eye creams that add moisture and volume to the delicate skin around the eyes. Look for eye creams with one of three ingredients: retinoids which stimulate cell growth, peptides which boost collagen production and antioxidants, which fix free radical damage caused by sun damage and other environmental factors.

The Secret to Anti-Aging Products: Sticking With It

I'm back on Retin-A after a couple years off, not because I have acne, but because I love how Retin-A makes my skin look and feel so great after just a couple weeks of use. Retin-A, you'll recall, was THE pimple medicine of the 90s, before Accutane took over. Dermatologists have known the anti-aging benefits of Retin-A for years and many skincare experts (who have their own lines, mind you), swear vitamin A is their secret weapon when it comes to their own skin care.

Some bits about Retin-A and other anti-aging products:

1. It's best to use Retin-A under the guidance of a dermatologist. Here in the U.S., it's not an over-the-counter product. Yes, I have to say this, even though I get the stuff over-the-counter in Mexico.
2. You will peel. My skin is currently peeling in patches, a minor annoyance in my quest for dewy, youthful skin. This is typical the first two weeks with Retin-A.
2. Gotta wear sunscreen. Skin is extra-sensitive to the sun. You have to very careful to stay out of the sun when on Retin-A.
3. Stick with it. Many women abandon skincare regimens because they can't stand the redness or peeling and think it's not working.

Hollywood Secrets to Looking Younger

"It is said that no star is a heroine to her makeup artist." -- Richard Corliss, American writer

If you are like me, you're constantly surprised when you find out how old some of Hollywood's hottest and still-working celebrities are.

Who knew Susan Sarandon was past 60, or Christie Brinkley (a face of Cover Girl) was born in 1954. Of course, looking young in Hollywood means avoiding an early, forced retirement, but just what ARE these celebrity secrets? And better yet, how can you and I benefit from what they use and what they know?

Keeping skin in gorgeous condition is an incredibly time-consuming and expensive job requirement for the typical celebrity. But here are a few secrets I've uncovered for you, plus tips on how you too can get younger-looking skin.

Secret 1: Injectable fillers

To treat those deep smile lines, forehead wrinkles and crow's feet, celebrities turn to hyaluronic-acid fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm or Juvederm Ultra Plus (for deeper lines).

Procedures must be done by a professional and the cost is $600-$1,000 a needle. Results can last up to six months.

Secret 2: Botox is still hot

Botox is certainly not a secret, but according to dermatologist Tina Alster of Washington, D.C., in the April 2007 issue of Harper's Bazaar, "Botox remains the gold standard for treating crow's lines and wrinkles."

Botox works by paralyzing the muscles beneath wrinkles. If used too much, Botox use can be obvious, as witnessed by several actresses including Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman and Marcia Cross who've fallen victim to "unmoveable forehead" jokes. Botox costs about $300-$500 per treated area. Results last three to six months.

Secret 3: They go under the laser

As we age, our collage production slows down significantly making our faces appear thinner, and more gaunt (on the plus side, collagen depletion shows off great bone structure). Boosting collagen production is big business in Hollywood and more and more celebs are turning to laser skin resurfacing to boost theirs.

How it works: Lasers such as Fraxel -- currently the most popular laser on the market -- are able to penetrate deep within the skin to treat damaged skin. According to Fraxel's official Website, the laser creates microscopic tears deep within the skin which trigger the body to naturally produce more collagen in the repairing process.

Cost is about $1,000 a session. Like most laser therapies (including hair removal, which I underwent), you'll need three to five sessions spaced about a month apart.

Secret 4: They get chemical peels

Yes, yes, yes, of course celebrities (the male ones as well) are constantly getting eye lifts and face lifts and the bags removed from under their eyes, but what so many of them are doing that you and I aren't is exfoliating, chemically. And therein lies our secret number four.

Ever notice how your foundation looks when it's applied to scaly, dry skin? You look older and ashier. The celebrities sheer a few years off their faces in under an hour with a professional chemical peel. Chemical peels work by removing the damaged top layers of skin.

A mild, glycolic acid chemical peel will set you back $150-$300, but you can get similar results in just one month with MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel. It's about $68 for 30 daily applications.

Secret 5: Professional makeup artists do their makeup for big events

OK so you and I can't have Mally Roncal on hand every morning before we go to work, but even celebrities don't go out in full makeup every day. But for big events? Oh yes they do.

You and I can look red carpet perfect before events by hitting the makeup counters at department stores or beauty salons.

Usually it's proper etiquette to buy a few products when you get your makeup done at a beauty counter, but for a fee you can have your makeup done professionally (I advise calling ahead to schedule an appointment). If there's no charge, at least tip well. I had my makeup done professionally at the John Barrett Salon at Bergdorf Goodman and as I walked home a group of men outside a gay bar practically ransacked me with compliments. It made my night.

Secret 6: They are filmed in tons of makeup

I have seen the paparrazi shots of Heidi Klum without makeup and can I just say Girl Ain't All That. She's pretty of course, but she had major undereye circles and pasty skin. Then there's my all-time favorite story about Tyra Banks told to me by a security guard at NY's Bliss Spa. Even Tyra admits she's not all that. So what can you learn from this? A little bit of the right makeup can go a long way.

Secret 7: They stay out of the sun

Nicole Kidman is famously afraid of the sun. She stays out of it at all costs. In fact, many celebrities simply avoid that sun by wearing hats and slathering on sunscreen. They know the sun is the No. 1 cause of prematurely aging skin.

You and I can avoid the sun by not only wearing hats, but getting in the habit of wearing sunscreen every day, no matter the weather. (I'm also a big fan of teaching sons and daughters about sunscreen very early in life).

Secret 8: They are all about retinols

To keep fine lines from becoming wrinkles, actresses in their 20s turn to retinoid creams. I have read of dermatologists who swear of all the antioxidants, peels, scrubs and injections, retinoids are the best way to wipe years off your face.

Turn Back Time: Are These Products the Secret to Youthful Skin?

"There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A few years ago a friend suggested I consider Retin-A as an anti-aging lotion. "Why in the world would you use this stuff? You have flawless skin?" I told her. I had always thought of Retin-A as something found only in the medicine cabinets of pimply teens. "Honey," she said, "This is WHY I have flawless skin."

My friend was about a decade older than me -- in her late-30s -- and she wasn't the first flawless-skinned woman I would come to know whose dermatologist prescribed Retin-A as a way to combat fine lines and wrinkles.

Now that I'm in the business of beauty and skincare, I know much more about products that really do turn back time, so to say, and reduce lines and wrinkles.

The Secret to Youth: Collagen

Collagen is the key to healthy skin that tends to age well. The change in the pH level of the skin caused by just a few uses of a retinoid product such as Retin-A or AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) can help generate collagen. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber," dermatologist Dennis Gross said in the October 2005 issue of O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores."

The best way to keep collagen from breaking down is avoiding the sun at all costs. Dermatologists warn that up to 90 percent of wrinkles, dark spots and sun damage are caused by sun exposure. This is why they're always preaching the use of sunscreen . However, if the damage is done, you can try to recoup the gorgeous skin you once had. To find out your best option, read on.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A really cuts down on the wrinkles, perhaps better than any other type of skin product. I would recommend skipping the over-the-counter vitamin A products and consider getting a prescription from your doctor for Retin-A, Renova or Retin-A Micro. These contain the ingredient "tretinoin," which is proven more effective on fine lines and wrinkles than retinol, found in most OTC products.

Keep in mind that you shouldn't expose skin to the sun when using Retin-A, Renova or Retin-A Micro. You'll want to cover up with sunscreen and a hat. Vitamin A makes skin very susceptible to skin damage.

Retinoids

Retinoids are the tamer, non-prescription versions of the vitamin A derivatives listed above. Retinoids contain a less harsh Vitamin A derivative called retinol. These products are less potent and therefore great for weekly upkeep.

Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids

AHAs and BHAs are better options for women who find the Vitamin A products dry out their skin. AHAs are acid extracts that tend to be more moisturizing. You'll want to look for products that include glycolic (an acid extract from sugarcane), lactic (milk) or citric (citrus fruits).

Diminish Signs of Fine Lines with a 3-Step Program

If you have a big event like a wedding (or your high school reunion) and want gorgeous skin, you can follow a three-step program many celebrities use to get ready for awards shows and red carpet premieres.

Renowned dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD, spilled his three-step secret for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to Harper's Bazaar a few years ago and I kept the article so I can share his secrets with you. Here's how to get glowing skin just in time for a special event.

Step 1: Cleanse with a salicylic acid cleanser

Lancer suggests you cleanse face, neck and upper chest with a 2% salicylic acid cleanser. Salicylic acid cleansers are typically used to treat acne, but work well as exfoliants by getting rid of dead skin cells.

Angela Palmer, About.com's expert on acne, explains more about salicylic acid in this article.

Check out my list of the best salicylic acid cleansers available, including a few you can get at any local drugstore.

Step 2: Follow cleanser with a five percent glycolic acid toner

Lancer suggests this second step to bring blood flow to your face, neck and chest. While I wouldn't recommend toners for every day use (they can be drying on anything but the oiliest of skin), I researched toners and can recommend Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner.

Step 3: Finish with a slather of moisturizer

The secret here is using the right moisturizer. Lancer suggests an aloe-vera/retinol-blend moisturizer (he suggests you look for the ingredient "retinol palmitate"). This ingredient tightens pores and plumps skin.

As Seen on TV: Does the Smoothaway Hair Removal Kit Work?

The Smoothaway Hair Removal kit is one of the products on TV I was skeptical about and had to try. The pads are covered in crystals that buff away unwanted hair and dead skin, leaving skin soft and hair-free. So did it work? Surprisingly, yes. This "As Seen on TV" product is a keeper. The buffer removed hair painlessly, just as it claimed and left my legs super soft. The hair that grew back in was less coarse than it is with a razor. I would recommend this for the legs and even the arms and chest. It's supposedly great for guys who are sensitive about the hair on their backs and chest

Are You "Overcleansing " Your Skin?

Your skin naturally acts as a barrier, meaning it keeps out what it's supposed to (dirt) while keeping in the good stuff (moisture and yes, some oils). When you over-cleanse your skin, you strip your skin of the oils that keep skin healthy and balanced.

People with oily skin have a tendency for zealous cleansing in effort to get rid of the sheen. The result is skin that feels taut and tight. This is actually NOT good. Be careful of cleansers with alcohol which will strip skin of its essential oils. Skin that feels taut and tight after cleansing is a clear sign that you may be overcleansing or using too harsh a cleanser for your skin type. Some effects of overcleansing include:

• Rashes. Products that should sit on the skin (think sunscreen) will permeate skin if skin's natural barrier is damaged.
• Adult acne. Cleansing your skin more than twice a day can trigger a panic response and send your oil glands into overdrive. Plus, if moisturizers don't soak into the skin -- instead sitting atop skin -- then you may be prone to acne.
• Seborrheic dermatitis (flaking red scales around the scalp & on the t-zone).

The key here is balance. You want your skin to feel 'dewy'. Taut & tight is bad, dewy and moisturized is good.

How to Get Rid of Wrinkles

No one likes wrinkles, which are caused when collagen breaks down deep in your dermis, far below the skin's top layer. The key to improving or preventing wrinkles is two-fold: You need to stimulate collagen production while keeping free radicals such as the sun, stress and pollution from causing more damage. You have a number of options available to help you turn back time a bit without going under the knife.

Here's a rundown of 5 options currently on the market that are created to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Better yet, most of these can be bought over-the-counter:

1. Sunscreen. Sun damage is the #1 cause of wrinkles. Wonder what your skin would look like if it was never exposed to the sun? Look at your bottom. Wrinkle-free, eh? That's what your skin would look like it it was kept under cover all the time as well. A good rule of thumb: If it's daylight outside, you need sunscreen, no matter how cloudy it is. In the June, 2005 issue of InStyle Magazine, Dr. Fredric Brandt, dermatologist to the stars, suggests using a 'two-finger scoop' of sunscreen daily to the face & neck. Also, don't forget the top of your hands. Dermatologists report seeing women with young faces & old hands all the time. Check out this list of the best sunscreens on the market. Note which sunscreen is the absolute best on the market.

2. Vitamin A (retinoid) creams. To prevent wrinkles or keep them from worsening, look for products containing vitamin A like prescription Retin-A, Differin or Renova.

Used nightly (or every other night), vitamin A creams stimulate collagen renewal and prevent skin cells from breaking down. Women in their 20s and early 30s can use these to keep fine lines from turning into deeper furrows. I've been trying one percent Retin-A on my skin for the past month and I've noticed a marked improvement even though best results can be seen in about 6 months. (Just make sure you never go out without sunscreen when you're on these Vitamin A products, your skin is extra susceptible to sun damage).

Don't want to go to a doc? A great over-the-counter anti-wrinkle product is RoC Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Wrinkle Treatment. Matrixyl is a newer ingredient that is becoming very popular and is touted as being great for sensitive skin. Check this list of products containing Matrixyl.

3. Alpha-hydroxy acids or microdermabrasion. If you're in your mid-30s & worried about wrinkles you might try exfoliating once a week with a alpha-hydroxy acid (AHAs) or a microdermabrasion kit. Don't use both & be careful not to over-exfoliate. Chemical exfoliators (the AHAs) work great on oily or combination skin, while the physical scrubs (microdermabrasion) are great for very sensitive skin (make sure it's in a creamy base).

AHA's are glycolic or lactic acid formulated to increase collagen in sun-damaged skin. They are also known to reduce pore size, redness, blotchiness & fine lines. I love MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel ($68 for 30 applications at Sephora).

Microdermabrasives smooth fine lines & get rid of dead skin. I've tried several kits & like Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion In A Jar. I also like Lancome's RESURFACE-C MICRODERMABRASION Resurface-C Microdermabrasion Kit. A less expensive, but still excellent option, is L'Oreal ReFinish Microdermabrasion Kit.

4. Antioxidants. Free radicals -- the unstable oxygen molecules produced by pollution, stress & sun -- are a skincare nightmare. They attack healthy skin cells & cause collagen breakdown, all of which lead to wrinkles. Antioxidants like green tea, vitamins C and E, and coenzyme Q10 work together to neutralize free radicals. A cocktail of these antioxidants are like a multi-vitamin for skin, according to dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross.

The most popular antioxidant on the market right now is prescription Prevage, a cream that is made with idebenone, a synthetic antioxidant and 'star chemical' dermatologists swear by. Another excellent (over-the-counter) option is Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum, which clinical studies show reduced sunburned cells by a whopping 96 percent. Elizabeth Arden's Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment also gets high marks from dermatologists.

How to use it? Use antioxidants both orally and topically. IN Elle Magazine, dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, swears by Heliocare vitamins. Topically, antioxidants are great for bolstering UV protection. Apply an antioxidant serum containing vitamins C or E, Co-Q, alpha-lipoic acid, grean or white tea, pomegranate or idebenone under your sunscreen (see products below). The antioxidants will fight those free radicals the sun generates. Some great products include:
1. Nivea Visage All Around Protection Oil Free SPF 15 Lotion
2. Estee Lauder Future Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Crème SPF 15 ($45)
3. Clinique Superdefense Triple Action Moisturizer SPF 25 ($39.50)
4. Murad Energizing Pomegranate Treatment
5. DDF Daily Matte SPF 15
6. Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer With White Tea

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals caused by UV rays. Free radicals are those buggers responsible for fine lines, age spots and skin cancer. Great antioxidants include Prevage cream available by prescription. We also read great things about Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Acid serum. This boosts the skin's protection against UV rays.

What is Botox?

What is Botox? Botox is basically a purified form of botulinum toxin. According to the November 2006 issue of O Magazine, when injected Botox smooths lines by 'blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions.' Unfortunately the results wear off after three to six months and at a cost of $300, that can become a pricey addiction.

A recent study suggests women who get Botox starting in their late 20s develop fewer wrinkles than women who age naturally. The national study (probably funded by the pharmaceutical company that creates it) used twins in their experiment. The found the twin who got Botox injections in her mid-20s developed fewer lines than her sister.

Botox is becoming increasingly more popular. In November, 2006, the New York Times reported a clinic that offers Botox has opened in a Dallas mall. Expect more of these to crop up over the next year or so.

What are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are meant to lift away the dead upper layers of skin. They are painted onto the face by a dermatologist or trained cosmetologist. The higher the concentration and the longer they are left on, the deeper they work. There are three basic types of peels, all which are formulated with acid: Glycolic or salicylic acid (best for oily skin) and trichloroacetic acid (or TCA) which goes super deep. The TCA peels will likely cause redness and flaking a few days after use.

Chemical peels cost about $100-$300 a pop for glycolic and salicylic peels. You'll need a series of three to six to see the best effects. TCA peels cost about $250 a pop.

Not able or willing to pay those prices? You can buy over-the-counter peels that work just as well, but take up to a month to see the results from just one visit to the dermatologist's office. My hands-down favorite is MD Skincare Alpha Beta Face Peel.

Dry Skin: Dry Skin Fixes for Hands, Feet, Body, Face and Lips

There's nothing worse than dry, itchy skin. Dry skin can happen any time during the year, but is most prevalent in winter (hence the term, "winter itch"). Find out why your skin tends to be dry in winter and how to solve dry hands, feet, body, face and lips year-round.

Why Do I Suffer From Dry Skin in the Winter?

In winter, low temperatures, low humidity and strong, harsh winds deplete skin of its natural lipid layer, which keeps the skin from drying out. The dry air from furnaces and other heating sources also suck the moisture out of skin.

To keep your skin feeling dewy and moist all year-round, follow these dry skin fix-it tips.

Dry Skin Tip: Keep Water Lukewarm, Not Hot

Hot water robs skin of moisture causing dry skin, so it's best to shower in lukewarm water. If you can't bear this rule -- I can't -- try to keep your showers short and try showering only once per day. This also means skipping hot tubs (another rule I simply cannot bear). The hot, hot temperature, combined with drying chemicals, is torture on dry skin.

The same rule applies to hand-washing: Wash hands in lukewarm, never hot, water (this is a rule I firmly abide by). If your skin turns red, the water is simply too hot.

Dry Skin Tip: Moisturize After Showers or Hand Washing

Moisturizer is the key to soft, supple skin. Apply product when skin is slightly damp. For best effect, pat skin dry instead of rubbing with your towel before application.

The skin on my legs can drive me crazy with itchiness all year round. I find I prefer oils to lotions on for the body. Renowned makeup artist Pati Lubroff got me hooked on organic extra virgin coconut oil, which you can buy in health food stores or online. Simply massage the coconut oil all over the body. Trust me, this will get rid of dry, itchy skin and the oil isn't sticky like lotion tends to be.

Antibacterial soap in public places can be harsh on hands, so I like to keep hand salve in my purse (my hands-down favorite is Kiehls). To keep cuticles soft, massage in olive oil.

Extra tip: I love keeping moisturizer and facial water on my desk at work. I spritz Evian Mineral Spray , and then dab on moisturizer. The water locks in moisture and leaves my skin refreshed even in harsh office heat.

Dry Skin Tip: Exfoliate on a Weekly or Semi-Weekly Basis

Moisturizer is much more effective on properly exfoliated skin. Use a scrub in the shower and exfoliate facial skin with a mild scrub made for the face.

It's best to scrub skin when it's dry, according to Marcia Kilgore, the founder of Bliss Spa in New York, in InStyle Magazine. Apply scrub to dry skin before you turn on the water (mix with lotion if it's not moist enough). Massage the scrub into skin for a few minutes for best results.

Extra tip: Dry brush skin before a shower with a body brush to remove flaky skin (it's more effective than brushing wet skin).

Dry Skin Tip: Invest in a Humidifier

Ever notice how older people in desert climates look like leather? The moisture in the air is actually good for skin. If you live in a low-humidity climate or you are around furnaces in the winter, invest in a humidifier.

I once read that your skin needs more than 30 percent humidity to stay properly moisturized. A room heated by a furnace can have as little as 10 percent moisture. In the winter, consider sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom. Keep doors closed so the moist air doesn't escape the room.

Dry Skin Tip: Skip the Drying Soaps

Soaps can be drying. Stick with a creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin or petrolatum, such as Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash, or Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash(my current drugstore pick).

Extra tip: Simply can't skip the bath? Skip the bubbles, which can contain harsh foaming ingredients and opt for bath oils or oatmeal scrubs, which are great for soothing itchy skin.

Dry Skin Tip: Baby Your Hands & Feet

Hands and feet can suffer terribly from dry, itchy skin. Put on moisturizer and gloves BEFORE you head outdoors in the winter, and consider lathering up your feet in thick moisturizer and sleeping in cotton socks at night.

Extra tip: Cover feet in a thick moisturizer, wrap feet in Saran Wrap, then pull on a pair of socks for a couple hours. Try to sit or lie down while the moisturizer soaks in or risk sliding into a full split and pulling your groin muscles. The same treatment can be done on hands, except try plastic bags and keep hands in a pair of socks. A half-hour should do you.

Dry Skin Tip: Stay Hydrated But Don't Go Overboard

Many people believe if they drink more water, they'll hydrate skin. But I've read time and time again that this is a myth and you simply cannot moisturize skin from the inside out.

That said, a small study recently published by the University of Hamburg (and reported in Allure magazine), suggests people who drink relatively little water could see a significant benefit in skin hydration if they started drinking nine eight-ounce glasses of water per day. What does this mean? Probably that dehydration does affect skin, but a normally hydrated person isn't going to see major benefits by drinking even more water.

My advice: don't expect bottled water to save you from dry skin and the winter itch.

Dry Skin Tip: Don't Forget Your Lips

Licking your lips will not moisturize them and instead will help dry them out. Lips retain less moisture than other parts of the body, so they tend to dry out more quickly. A simple lip balm helps, as does my all-time favorite lip trick learned in high school from "Seventeen" magazine: moisturize your lips with Vaseline. Take a toothbrush and "brush" your lips in a circular motion. This will remove dead flakes and leave your lips soft and supple.
If you have the bucks, try: Kinerase Lip Treatment (about $38).

Dry Skin Tip: Protect Your Face, Too

If you have super, duper sensitive skin, consider avoiding rinsing your face with tap water, which can contain harsh minerals that are especially drying to the skin (Dr. Dennis Gross once told me New York water contains a lot of harsh minerals, while Seattle water, for example, does not. Go figure).

Consider Fish Oil Pills

New studies show omega-3 fish oil pills may soothe super dry skin. Patients who took fish oils pills in a study reported in Allure magazine, saw significant results within a few weeks. "You can see, within six weeks, the skin, hair and nails improve markedly," according to skin expert Dr. Andrew Weil in Allure. Ever since I started taking fish oil pills in March, 2007, I have received numerous compliments on how amazing my skin looks. So there you have it.

5 Dos and 5 Don’ts to Help Slow the Aging Skin Process

Maybe you're in your 20s or early 30s and you think you can't possibly have (gulp) aging skin yet. Well, you're wrong. Your skin's 'youthfulness' has less to do with age than how it's been treated, so if exposed to sun, smoke and stress, your skin will start ‘acting old,’ losing collagen, glow and elasticity. Lines will develop and pores can seem more pronounced. It's easier to prevent damage than to repair it but the good news is you CAN reverse skin damage.

Here are 5 dos and 5 don’ts to help slow down and reverse the aging process and leave your skin glowing at any age.

• Do stop smoking. Ever notice the skin of a lifelong smoker? It can appear wrinkly like a squashed paper bag. The fact is, smoking is the 2nd biggest cause of skin damage after sun exposure. Why? Nicotine constricts blood vessels and decreases the flow of oxygen to the skin. Not good things.
  
  
• Do use an AHA or BHA (also known as retinols) every day. A daily application of a one percent prescription retinoid lotion (such as Retin-A or even better, Tazorac) can erase years from your face. AHAs used properly not only take off lots of dead skin, but can seem to take 10 years off as well by reducing fine lines. (Keep in mind these products do NOT shrink pores. Your pore size is completely hereditary, so don't believe promises of permanent reduction). Over-the-counter options such as RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (see compare link below to buy) are good, but prescription creams work the best. Extra tip: You must stay out of the sun if you use retinoids. You are extra-susceptible to sunburns.
  
  
  
• Do exfoliate once a week. Choose a formulation that's best for your skin type. Chemical exfoliators (glycolic or salicylic acid) are best for oily or combo skin, while scrubs found in microdermabrasives work best for sensitive skin. Some tried-and-true products we love include Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar:
  
  
  or Lancome Resurface C Microdermabrasion
  
  
  
• Do use an eye cream daily. Eyes are one of the first places to show aging. The skin around the eyes is extra thin so you'll want to protect it from the sun with eye cream with SPF. A great one is: Clarins Eye Contour Care SPF30.
  
  Or try Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 30 Eye Cream:
  
  
  
• Do invest and ingest antioxidants. 'Antioxidants' is a huge word in aging prevention. A huge proponent of antioxidants (found in green teas and beta carotene) is dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD. To get the best possible protection against free-radical damage, Baumann suggests in Elle magazine that you take both oral and topical antioxidants. Get antioxidants in pill form by taking Heliocare vitamins.
  
  
  

Baumann also suggests less-expensive Olay Vitamins Total Effects Beautiful Skin and Wellness vitamins:

What Type of Skin Do You Have?

There are five basic skin care types: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is determined by how much -- or how little -- oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication and even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty the New Basics," details the five different skin types. Here's how to tell what skin type you have.

Berg suggests you take the "skin test." Wash your face, pat it dry, then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper and press on different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will stick, pick up oily spots and become translucent. If the paper doesn't stick or pick up any oily spots, your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) then you have combination (or normal) skin. About 70 percent of women have combination skin.
Here are the five different skin types and their characteristics.

• Type 1: Oily Oily skin tends to shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to blackheads and blemishes. You might experience some tightness.
  
  
• Type 2: Combination/normal This skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone.
  
  
• Type 3: Sensitive Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic and can be rashy.
  
  
• Type 4: Dry Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. You have a tendency towards fine wrinkles, flaking and red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.
  
  
• Type 5: Aging or sun-damaged This skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone -- especially around the cheeks and jawline -- with leathery texture and broken capillaries.

4 Basic Skin Care Needs

There's tried-and-true ways to properly care for your skin, from the right way to cleanse your face, to the best moisturizers and sunscreens.

Before we start with the proper daily 4-step skincare routine, you'll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged.

The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen Step 1: Cleansing

Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. See the best cleansers for your skin type.

You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. There's no need to spend $40 on a fancy wash. Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty," a French cosmetics executive once told her, "Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down." We agree. Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin.

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. If you have dry skin, consider cold cream like Pond's, which the French use. Simply apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed (if you have hard water it can be especially harsh on skin). Most women prefer the water method: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries). Also be careful about overcleansing skin, see signs you are overcleansing your skin.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave. There are several ways to exfoliate skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. My favorite microdermabrasion kit is made by Lancome.

In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take off five years from your face. Can't afford the price tag for a monthly peel? Try some over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month. I prefer MD Skincare's.

Retinoids (such as Retin-A or the more moisturizing Renova) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber," dermatologist Dennis Gross said in O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores." Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver. I'm addicted to Retin-A, which I pick up in Mexico on my yearly jaunts.

Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, "toners are only for copy machines"). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it's up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.

Step 3: Moisturize

While I know of at least one famous beauty editor who swore skin doesn't need moisturizer, basically everyone else I've read disagrees and is an adamant believer in it. A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin (Berg calls this the "Saran Wrap effect"). So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize -- this can clog pores.Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to "thicken" this area. Yet other experts (including the beauty editors of Allure in their new book) claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen

O Magazine ran an article featuring interviews with several top skin care experts and dermatologists . Every single one of them said sunscreen was the most important part of your skincare regimen. It was the secret they would pass on to their daughters.

The number-1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: One for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains Mexoryl (found in my favorite sunscreen La-Roche Posay) or Helioplex, found in Neutrogena products.

Make Your Own Homemade Face Mask

You can use basic ingredients found around the house to make your own simple, hydrating masks. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, mud or clay-based masks are great for balancing out your skin. Dry skin will benefit from hydrating masks made from glycerin, honey and oils. Ginseng or green tea masks are great for soothing sensitive skin.

Masks (homemade or otherwise) should stay on for 10-15 minutes, should follow with a thin layer of moisturizer.

Here are recipes we've gathered over the years arranged by skin type.

Should I Splurge on a Cleanser?

Save your money on the cleanser and instead spend it on the products that actually spend time on your face. Why? You're basically paying for the package and the luxurious ingredients when it comes to cleansers. And you're just washing it off.

Basic drugstore cleansers do an excellent job of removing excess oils and dirt. You don't need fancy ingredients for that. Even the fanciest dermatologists and skincare specialists recommend basic drugstore cleansers and moisturizers to clients.

You're better off spending money on luxurious moisturizers that don't strip your face, but rather lock moisture in.

Does drinking 8 glasses of water a day keep my skin moist?

No. Despite years of having this drummed into our heads, this is not true. It is good to keep your body, including your skin, hydrated, however the outermost layer of skin does not absorb water since it is made up of dead skin cells. Moisture level of skin is not determined by internal factors, but rather external ones, such as cold or hot air, dry heat and by the number of oil-producing glands you have. So if you want to hydrate your skin, exfoliate it weekly with a sea-salt scrub or other exfoliator to remove dead skin then apply a rich moisturizer while skin is still damp. Want to hydrate your insides then by all means, drink your 8 glasses of water a day.

How Much Should I Exfoliate?

Women should exfoliate using a scrub once or twice a week. You want to be sure not to overexfoliate or use a product with granules that can tear at the skin (I'm thinking of those hard, rock-like exfoliators you can buy over the counter, avoid those at all costs). Rub the product in a circular motion for 30 seconds and then wash off. If you have oily skin, large pores or acne-prone skin, you can try an at-home microdermabrasion system.

Beauty Secrets of the 'Desperate Housewives'

Society has come a long way now that TV's hottest stars are (gulp!) over 40. Finally Hollywood has learned what many of us have known all along: Women are sexy at any age. Since 'Desperate Housewives' came out, America has been transfixed. So how do these women manage to look so hot at 30, 40 and older? We've collected all their beauty bits and pieces from TV, magazines and more and here we share them with you.

Teri Hatcher's beauty secrets. US Weekly reports the secret to Teri's look is the old adage, 'less is more.' Since Teri is 40, less makeup makes her look fresher. Her makeup artist and hairstylist, Don Malot, adds a luminescent liquid to her foundation to make her skin 'dewy and glowy.' He also uses a brown shadow with shimmer to make Hatcher's brown eyes stand out.

How to get her hair. Although Hatcher has naturally wavy hair and wore soft curls on the red carpet the night she won the Golden Globe, she prefers it straight. Since even wavy hair can look flat (and flat, straight hair is not 'in' at the moment), Malot gives it extra body by applying Redken Spray Starch to damp strands before drying Hatcher's hair straight.

How to look 30 when you're 40. InStyle Magazine pulled together a photo gallery of her hairstyles from 1986 to now. Check it out. You'll notice she's grown out her once short locks. This is a great hint for those of you over 40: don't go for short-short hair or over-coiffed do's. Instead, opt for a shoulder-length shag with layers. Avoid the blunt cuts.

Plastic Surgery: Has she or hasn't she? The UK's Daily Mail puts Hatcher under the plastic surgery microscope. Experts debate whether she's had an under-eye lift (Hatcher tends to have baggy eyes), Botox and a nose job. Hatcher admitted to using Botox on Oprah in April, 2006. See photos from then and now and then judge for yourself.

Eva Longoria's beauty secrets. Longoria, the only star on the show under 40 (she's 31) tells Us Weekly, "I don't overdo the hair and makeup." Like Hatcher, she knows the secret to looking young is to not pile on the makeup. Instead, Longoria adds color to her dark looks by adding a bit of gold shimmer cream from Girlactik to her cheeks & forehead. The actress also loves the line's Star Shadows in Timeless & Satin.

How to look 20 when you're 30. Do highlight your best features. Longoria, for example, shows off her legs, not her cleavage. If it's your eyes, play them up. If you have full lips, show them off with a gloss or dare to go red. Don't use a thick concealer, it will settle into fine lines highlighting your flaws. For a dewy glow, try Longoria's favorite foundation, Laura Mercier Foundation .

Marcia Cross's beauty secrets. More than the other stars on the show, Cross is known for her porcelain complexion. How does she keep her skin so gorgeous at 43? Us Weekly reports Cross uses the ultra-luxe and super-hydrating Crème de la Mer to keep her skin soft. She then applies a creamy foundation and tops it all off with a pressed powder. For lips, she uses glosses by Dessert Beauty (try Desserts Deliciously Kissable Plumping Lip Gloss in Dreamy.

Want Cross's hair on 'Housewives'? Newsweek reports that when Cross showed for the photos for the magazine's article in late 2004, she balked when asked to pose as Bree Van Der Kamp. It seems Cross didn't want to pose in her character's trademark 'do, the flip that has helped make her famous. But if you want the look it's easy to do, simply blow dry your hair straight but flip the bottom up with a round, steel brush. The aluminum barrel on these brushes rely on the heat and act as a curling iron for your hair.

Nicollette Sheridan's beauty secrets. Us Weekly reports Sheridan treats her face to monthly customized Super Performance Facial Treatments ($200 a pop) at L.A.'s Jim Wayne salon. These facials help treat her skin (which is dry & sensitive according to her facialist, Octavia Ellington). As for her hair, Jim Wayne cuts her trademark blonde locks in long layers for a 'young, sexy, hot look,' he tells Us. The makeup artists on 'Housewives' use pink tones on the actress, who is reportedly a 'gloss maven' and prefers Jessica Simpson's link textDessert beauty line.

Has Sheridan or hasn't Sheridan? Whether or not Sheridan has gone under the knife has been under debate for years. Her post-Knots Landing face drew notice from gossip columnist Liz Smith, who dubbed it 'startlingly exotic' & 'a little transgendered-esque.' Sheridan immediately fought back with a statement that called Smith's allegations, 'malicious and patently false rumors… sprung whole cloth from ... feverish, overactive and inaccurate imaginations.' She even had plastic surgeon Frank Ryan examine her face without finding a single scar. Judge her transformation for yourself on InStyle . AwfulPlasticSurgery.com debates whether Sheridan has had breast implants.

5 Must Have Accessories

A sleek gold clutch will match all your formal wear and also looks hot with jeans and a cute top.
The days of matching your shoes to your handbag are long over and so is basic black. A tan handbag is far more versatile and flattering.

A stack of gold bangles add instant class to any outfit — day or night. Just don't wear them to an interview or important meeting when you don't want to risk being jangly.
You're never fully dressed without a belt. Sport it with slacks, jeans, dresses and atop of cardigans.
Diamond studs are to the new millennium as pearl earrings were to the 80s. That is to say, an elegant touch for all your outfits. Forget buying the real thing and go with a pair of believable fakes.

How to straighten hair with a flat iron

Everyone loses between 40 and 120 strands a day, depending on how much hair you have, your age and your hair's growth cycle. People with fine hair tend to have more of it and therefore will lose more of it than their thicker-haired sisters and brothers. Your hair also thins as you get older, particularly after menopause for women. But unlike aging men, the thinning tends to stop after awhile.

Here are common causes of thinning and hair loss:

1. Seasonality. You'll lose the most hair in the fall -- typically November and December when hair reaches maturity in its growth cycle.

2. Diet. Hair loss can occur through poor dieting. According to dermatologist George Cotsarelis, M.D., director of the University of Pennsylvania Hair and Scalp Clinic, iron deficiency may be the cause. He states in the April 2006 issue of "Ladies Home Journal," it might be worth checking your levels with your doctor and take a supplement if they're low.

3. Aging. Marc Avram, MD, a Manhattan hair transplantation specialist, told Elle Magazine, "As we get older, follicles shrink, producing skinnier, shorter strands; then the follicles start to die off. That rate and the extent of that process is a matter of genetics."

3. Pregnancy Some women experience hair loss with pregnancy or as part of post-pregnancy hormonal changes. Other women experience hair loss when going on or off (usually off) the birth control pill.

4. Illness or intense stress Sometimes hair loss occurs as a result of illness. Stress, excessive weight loss, iron deficiency and thyroid problems can also cause hair loss.

If you're really worried, ask your doctor, however, experts say you really only need to worry if your part is getting wider or you can see your scalp through your hair. For severe cases, you might consult a "trichologist," a physician who specializes in hair loss.

Extra tip: If you're a woman you won't experience male-pattern baldness. Women's hair tends to thin all over. The only FDA-approved hair loss treatment is minoxidil. Minoxidil works in 60-70 percent of cases by improving the follicle's ability to produce hair.

Are You "Overcleansing " Your Skin?

Your skin naturally acts as a barrier, meaning it keeps out what it's supposed to (dirt) while keeping in the good stuff (moisture and yes, some oils). When you over-cleanse your skin, you strip your skin of the oils that keep skin healthy and balanced.

People with oily skin have a tendency for zealous cleansing in effort to get rid of the sheen. The result is skin that feels taut and tight. This is actually NOT good. Be careful of cleansers with alcohol which will strip skin of its essential oils. Skin that feels taut and tight after cleansing is a clear sign that you may be overcleansing or using too harsh a cleanser for your skin type. Some effects of overcleansing include:

• Rashes. Products that should sit on the skin (think sunscreen) will permeate skin if skin's natural barrier is damaged.
• Adult acne. Cleansing your skin more than twice a day can trigger a panic response and send your oil glands into overdrive. Plus, if moisturizers don't soak into the skin -- instead sitting atop skin -- then you may be prone to acne.
• Seborrheic dermatitis (flaking red scales around the scalp & on the t-zone).

The key here is balance. You want your skin to feel 'dewy'. Taut & tight is bad, dewy and moisturized is good.

How to Play Up Brown Eyes With Pale Skin

I recently got a question from a high school student in England who wanted advice on how to do her makeup for prom. Amii has pale skin and big brown eyes, she said, and wanted to know how to do her own makeup for prom. This was the advice I gave her.

I suggest playing up your eyes since they seem to be your best feature. Apply a deep brown liquid eyeliner along your upper lashes. Pick out an eyeshadow palette that you like for your lids and apply the lightest shade on the entire lid up to your browbone, then take the darker shade and shade it into the crease. Be sure to blend, blend, blend. If you want a stronger look, apply a pencil liner to the bottom lids and smudge the line with your finger so it looks most natural.

I like the way a white eyeliner applied at the inside corner of the eye makes eyes pop. That's a trick all the makeup artists use.

Apply a couple coats of dark brown or black mascara.

Make sure your brows are cleaned up, either with a professional wax or a tweeze. This will do wonders for your look. Too many girls make the mistake of not cleaning up their brow line.

I also strongly suggest playing up your pale skin with a pink blush. If you want to look "tan," apply bronzer on your forehead, cheeks and nose, all the places where the sun hits.

If you have oily skin, apply powder and keep blotting papers in your purse. These papers soak up oils without ruining your makeup. If you have dry skin (few teens do), sweep a moisturizer over your face before you apply the bronzer and blush. The dewy look is youthful.

Keep lips light so they don't overpower your eyes. If you want color, try a pink lip liner and shade lips in. The color lasts longer than lipstick. Sweep a gloss over lips and you're good to go.

Photo Gallery of Asian Hairstyles

Hair Style photo galleries. Is your hair style outdated? Browse these latest hair styles and see which one suits you most, then print it out and take it to your hairdresser. Whether you want to go short, stay long or find a cut in between, there's a new style for you here.

About Cosmetic

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and gels, deodorants, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, bath salts, butters and many other types of products. A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up," which refers primarily to colored products intended to alter the user’s appearance. Many manufacturers distinguish between decorative cosmetics and care cosmetics.
The manufacture of cosmetics is currently dominated by a small number of multinational corporations that originated in the early 20th century, but the distribution and sale of cosmetics is spread among a wide range of different businesses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which regulates cosmetics in the United States defines cosmetics as: "intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions." This broad definition includes, as well, any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. The FDA specifically excludes soap from this category.

The first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage was found in Egypt around 3500 BC during the Ancient Egypt times with some of the royalty having make up such as Nefertiti, Nefertari, mask of Tutankhamun, etc. The Ancient Greeks and Romans^{[citation needed]} also used cosmetics. The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing poisonous mercury and often lead. The ancient kingdom of Israel was influenced by cosmetics as recorded in the Old Testament—2 Kings 9:30 where Jezebel painted her eyelids—approximately 840 BC. The Biblical book of Esther describes various beauty treatments as well.

In the Middle Ages, although its use was frowned upon by Church leaders, many women still wore cosmetics. A popular fad for women during the Middle Ages was to have a pale-skinned complexion, which was achieved through either applying pastes of lead, chalk, or flour, or by bloodletting. Women would also put white lead pigment that was known as "ceruse" on their faces to appear to have pale skin.

Cosmetic use was frowned upon at many points in Western history. For example, in the 1800s, make-up was used primarily by prostitutes, and Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors. Adolf Hitler told women that face painting was for clowns and not for the women of the master race.^{[citation needed]}

Women in the 19th century liked to be thought of as fragile ladies. They compared themselves to delicate flowers and emphasised their delicacy and femininity. They aimed always to look pale and interesting. Paleness could be induced by drinking vinegar and avoiding fresh air. Sometimes ladies discreetly used a little rouge on the cheeks, and used "belladonna" to dilate their eyes to make their eyes stand out more. Make-up was frowned upon in general especially during the 1870s when social etiquette became more rigid.

Actresses however were allowed to use make up and famous beauties such as Sarah Bernhardt and Lillie Langtry could be powdered. Most cosmetic products available were still either chemically dubious, or found in the kitchen amid food colorings, berries and beetroot.

By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use by women in nearly all industrial societies around the world.

Cosmetics have been in use for thousands of years. The absence of regulation of the manufacture and use of cosmetics has led to negative side effects, deformities, blindness, and even death through the ages. Examples of this were the prevalent use of ceruse (white lead), to cover the face during the Renaissance, and blindness caused by the mascara Lash Lure during the early 1900s.

The worldwide annual expenditures for cosmetics today is estimated at $19 billion. Of the major firms, the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring Company (now owned by Liliane Bettencourt 26% and Nestlé 28%, with the remaining 46% are publicly traded). The market was developed in the USA during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor. These firms were joined by Revlon just before World War II and Estée Lauder just after.

Beauty products are now widely available from dedicated internet-only retailers, who have more recently been joined online by established outlets, including the major department stores and traditional bricks and mortar beauty retailers.

Like most industries, cosmetic companies resist regulation by government agencies like the FDA, and have lobbied against this throughout the years. The FDA does not have to approve or review the cosmetics, or what goes in them before they are sold to the consumers. The FDA only regulates against the colors that can be used in the cosmetics and hair dyes. The cosmetic companies do not have to report any injuries from the products; they also only have voluntary recalls on products