Christmas 2007: Hottest beauty and skin care gift ideas for women – Part 1
Women can be very easy to shop for, especially of they like beauty and skin care products. There are so many great items out there to choose from!
Let’s start with women’s fragrances. This is usually a gift that women love, and sometimes there is nothing that can make a woman feel more beautiful than a lovely scent that she knows makes her noticable. First, when buying a woman’s fragrance, a person needs to know the woman they are buying for well enough to know her taste in scents. Does she like floral scents? Citrus? Woodsy? Once this is known, the process of choosing a scent is not entirely painful. Or, a person can always go with the tried and true and buy a gift set of a scent that she already loves.
Another great idea is body care items, such as body wash, body scrubs, and lotions. These are items that will pamper her and make her feel relaxed, and also indulge the senses at the same time. Products that feel great on the skin and smell wonderful are always nice. Some great places to shop for these products are The Body Shop, Bath and Body Works, and Victoria’s Secret.
A great book for women who love beauty and skin care is “Beauty: The New Basics” by Rona Berg. It is full of great tips and any information that anyone cares to know about beauty.
One of the best gifts you can give a woman who likes beauty and skin care is a trip to the day spa. Get a gift certificate and let her choose what she wants to have done. There are so many treatments to choose from at day spas! Massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, and hair treatments are just a few. If you are feeling adventurous and know the woman you are buying for, book a day at the spa for you both (if you are a woman yourself, a girls day it will be, if you are a guy, you will get to spend more time with her and relax at the same time). Book a few treatments that you will both like and surprise her with a day of rejuvenation and YOU! Remember to make sure that the treatments will be enjoyable and comfortable for you both.
A word of caution, unless you really know the person you are buying for, it may be better to stay away from facial treatment products and makeup. If you don’t know the skin type and the colors that they prefer you may be sorely disappointed to find that the product you bought does not suit them at all.
No matter what you get, make sure that you put some thought into it and do a little digging to find out what she likes. This will make your gift more personal, enjoyable, and fitting to her taste.
Women’s Products
women’s products that provide easy handling and usage features are generally used by many women all over the world. Women are generally engaged in different types of work that many be more or less time consuming. So to deal with this problem there are many products designed for women or may be called women products. Women products should be designed in such a way that it contains distinct features from other women products of similar category. This is because every woman likes to have distinct, stylish and fashionable look than other woman.
Women Products that give assurance of safety and care mostly command high demand among women. Every woman likes to purchase cheap women products from the nearby markets or from advancing online services. Different product deals with different women in different age groups. Even many skin care products are available for women of different complexion and skin texture.
Now-a-days every woman likes to have slim and healthy posture. In that relation weight loss products for women command a very high demand. In advancing world women are also engaged in many outdoor work especially office work, in such case there is less time available for shopping with working women. So in order to cope with their time scarcity problem they switch on to online shopping. There are many women care products, which are available online such as skin care products, weight loss products, women beauty products, face products for women, hair loss products for women, weight gain products for women, women hygiene products, etc.
Online services are also providing smart women products like women self defense products. Thus switching on to online facilities is the best way to purchase products for women.
What beauty products every woman should have – Part 2
A woman’s confidence is related to her appearance, and the appearance of our faces is extremely important when making a first impression. I speak from experience in my work environment and as a former sales consultant for a major cosmetics company. I now use the line of cosmetics my daughter distributes, which has given me the opportunity to compare the philosophy and products of more than one manufacturer. As the first person to greet clients in the office, I need to look my best and give special attention to my appearance, especially my face and makeup.
Beauty products can be categorized as skin care products and makeup. Both are necessary for a finished look. Using the correct products for one’s skin type will improve the health and appearance of facial skin, and there are many studies documenting how women’s confidence and self-esteem are improved by the proper use of makeup. Right or wrong, research indicates that women who wear makeup are generally perceived more favorably by employers and the public at large.
Since even expensive, expertly applied makeup cannot adequately disguise problem skin, skin care items are the first necessity. Both skin care lines with which I am acquainted recommend a cleanser, a masque, a toner and a moisturizer, each with their specific function. Of course there are the additional “supplements” which may or not be needed to put your best face forward. Finding a consultant who can advise you and provide you with samples of her products is very helpful, especially if you are trying a high-end line. It can be a shock to learn the cost of these items, especially if you are used to picking up products at WalMart or the drugstore! It is worth it, though, as you will learn when you start to faithfully use your new skin care products.
When your facial skin is looking smooth and supple, you are ready for the “fun stuff”. Because your skin is healthy, it looks good, and you can often get by with a minimum of make up. Foundation evens out your skin tone and provides an even palette for your color products. A high quality foundation can be considered part of your skin care regimen, as it provides protection for the skin from contaminants in the environment, and often contains a sunscreen, as well. Foundation can look terrible if it is improperly applied. Foundation should exactly match your skin tone, or it will not look natural. It does not go on the neck-it should end at the jawline. Make sure there are no “misses”
Assessing organic skin care products – Part 1
In the realm of skin care products there are many, many choices. But as our society is becoming more and more label conscious, we are noticing some things are not right. Animal testing on beauty products (anything put out by Proctor and Gamble is suspect), harsh chemicals that age the skin and cause adverse allergic reactions, etc are all factors that tell us maybe we should look elsewhere for our skin care products. Full moon organics was the first thing I tried and they were amazing. They make lotions, lip balms, soaps and the price for their products is typically under $10. Most of their products are 80% organic or better and include natural ingredients such as calendula balm (a balm made from calendula flowers that has proved to help diaper rash, dry skin, sun burn and other skin conditions) and grape seed oil (a great antioxidant). They are of course labeled as being cruelty free. I found these products at a local health food store. Nature’s Gate, a company that primarily makes all natural skin care products has started an organic line. These products are typically under $10 and include shampoos, conditioners, lotions, hand soaps, body soaps, etc. They are 75% organic or better. I found these products at a health food grocer and was very impressed with the quality and affordability. They too are cruelty free. Another product line to consider is Avalon Organics, these products as well (you guessed it) I found at the local health food store. These products are also 80% organic or better and include lotions, body scrubs, soaps, shampoos and conditioners, facial moisturizers, toners, etc. Avalon Organics are more expensive than Full moon organics and Nature’s Gate, but are comparable in price to Oil of Olay and the like. They are also labeled to be cruelty free. Another factor to consider is deodorant. Many mainstream deodorant’s/anti-perspirants made for women have an ingredient that has been linked to cancer (aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY). Avalon organics and Nature’s gate both make deodorants free of this harmful chemical, but the Nature’s Gate variety I have found is not as effective as the Avalon Organics. I have never had any adverse reaction to these products. As a person with very sensitive skin, the lack of reaction is very important to me! Non-organic products made by major companies have “sensitive skin” versions and though I have tried them and they have worked in a pinch, I prefer to put things on (and in for that matter) my body that have ingredients that I can pronounce! I am proud to say that there are more and more every day, and that consumer choice is playing a big part in that!
Men’s Products
Like women, men are also fond of different men products. Men are also concerned about their physical beauties. Just like a woman, a man can also get different kinds of men’s product right from head to the toes.
As compared to women, men’s scalp appears to be oilier. So as far as possible there is a need to use hair products like shampoos and conditioner although they have short hairs. Thus the use of hair products for men will definitely prevent dandruff and prevent the scalp from drying. But it is essential to choose the right shampoos and conditioner so as to give the more softener look to hair.
Even there are many facial products for men. Facial products are useful to reduce the oiliness of the face that gives smoother and soothing skin layer. Facial products include products like shaving creams, facial foams, facial scrubs and toner, etc. Such products help to reduce or eliminate facial oils and dirt.
Beauty products for men consist of lotions, perfumes, sprays and deodorants. Such products are very much essential to give a pleasing personality to a man. It is necessary that men should apply deodorants every day after bath. In order to add more fresh feeling, perfumes and sprays are applied.
Men often find it difficult to get men products as they may lack knowledge of such products or they may not have so much of time to purchase the products of their necessity. So to scope with this problem there are many websites and articles that provides knowledge and availability of products for men. Within few minutes one can get best products for men. Such online services provides products like bald men products, men skin care products, men hair styling products, best shaving products for men, men grooming products, weight loss products for men, men styling products, etc.
With all the above mentioned products, online services also deal in many upcoming new men’s products.
Natural homemade herbal beauty and body care products
They say that even during the deepest darkest days of World War II women still managed to scrape together money to buy lipstick. The moral of the story is that women will always care about their looks and their skin – no matter what.
Although commercial beauty and skin care products have advanced substantially in the last few decades and can now almost promise eternal youth, many women still prefer natural beauty products. And if you have the time and the ingredients, making your own products is a wonderfully therapeutic and beneficial hobby.
Here are a few time-tested ideas for making herbal beauty and body care products.
Facial cleansing
Rose-water has been used for centuries as an alternative to water and soap. Boil 6 cups red rose petals in 4 cups of water (collect rain water if you can) for 15 minutes, Cool, strain and keep in a glass bottle in the refrigerator.
To remove heavy make up make a cleansing cream by melting one measure of anhydrous lanolin and half a measure of aqueous cream in a double boiler, stirring continuously, adding 3 measures of almond oil and one measure of rose-water, then removing from heat and pouring into an opaque jar or bottle.
Astringent lotion
Simply mash some strawberries and apply to the face for a bracing toner.
Moisturiser
Melt 1 T beeswax over low heat and in another container melt 1 T lanolin and 1 T cocoa butter. Gradually stir the lanolin mix into the beeswax. Now warm 11/2 T calendula oil and 1 teaspoon glycerine together and then stir it slowly into the beeswax mixture. Dissolve t of borax in 2 T warm comfrey infusion (steep one cup comfrey in 2 cups boiling water, cool, discard comfrey leaves) and mix well into beeswax mixture. Continue stirring until them mix is thick and cool, then stir in 6 drops of petitgrain essential oil. Bottle or spoon into jars. This cream is especially good for dry skin.
Hand and body cream
Whisk the following ingredients together and store in a screw-top jar:
2 Tablespoons lanolin, one T liquid paraffin, 3 T aqueous cream and 2 T herbal infusion. Make the infusion by steeping one cup of a scented herb such as geranium flowers, lavender, or basil in 2 cups boiling water until cooled, then strain and discard the leaves.
Herbal bath
Make herbal bath bags of gauze or muslin (10×8 cm, or 4×4 inches is a good size) and fill them with up to four herbs of your choice. You can use fresh or dry but obviously the fresh ones have to be used immediately. Close the bag and hang three or four bags over the hot water tap so that the water flows through the bag into the bath. For relaxation choose chamomile, jasmine, of lime flowers. For stimulation, choose basil, bay, ivy, lavender, mint, rosemary, sage or thyme. To combat fatigue, use fresh grape leaves.
There are numerous recipes for all kinds of beauty and body products and some become quite complicated, but once you have the basic non-herbal ingredients, you can have a lot of fun especially with creating bath products. Do remember that just because it’s natural it does not mean that you can not have an allergic or sensitive reaction to some herbs. Be particularly careful with agrimony, cowslips, cucumber, henna, ivy, lime blossom, lovage, nettles, pennyroyal, primrose and violets.
Some ideas sourced from Bremness, L “The complete book of herbs” and Roberts, M “Treasury of herbs”.
How To Look Young Without Beauty Products!
The regular use of anti-ageing skin care products is becoming normal these days; this is due primarily to the fact we are all living longer and want to continue looking younger as we age. This group of beauty products generally works by enabling the synthesis of collagen, the main protein of connective tissue in animals and the most abundant in our body; almost 25 percent of the protein in skin is actually collagen. Collagen is related to other anti-ageing substances found in the body and other substances; known as antioxidants, they are the body’s method of slowing down the ageing process.
You probably know many anti-oxidants by name, including vitamin C, the use of which is still, even now, hotly debated in the science and nutrition community. Unfortunately all skin care treatments that use vitamin C have the problem of atmospheric oxidization to contend with once the product is exposed to the air.
Other skin care treatments which mimic the effects of vitamin C are being tried all the time which are hoped to be more stable in the atmosphere and also cheaper to produce. These new anti-oxidant products are not quite as good as vitamin C although other naturally occurring compounds, vitamin E and lipoic acid can achieve the same effect.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and component of human blood whose purpose is to help increase the body’s immune system; one particular disease it may help to prevent is certain types of cancer. Lipoic acid is found in every single human cell and helps provide energy; an additional function is to repair skin damage caused by the normal aging process.
Phytochemicals form the other category of anti-ageing skin care products which are special chemicals that are extracted from plants with a variety of that are used in skin care today. Phytochemicals prevent occurrence of certain types of cancer; examples of these are:
*Cancer that attacks the Prostate
*Breast Cancer in Women (and occasionally men)
*Cancer of the Colon
All of which are on the increase globally.
Surprisingly, the group of vitamins; B5, B6, and B12 have also shown that they can be used to help reduce the effects of ageing. The field of anti-ageing skin care products is vast and needs a great deal more research. Although current regimes are quite effective, there are many ways to combat the effects of time; with the number of genetic discoveries made in recent years, it is only a matter of time before conquering the effects of age is commonplace.
In time it is hoped that less expensive and more reliable anti-ageing skin care products will become available for a larger number of people to use. A person should never accept that everything science devises in relation to skin care and anti-aging is always going to be the best; in some respects the real way ahead lies in our own hands as there are many things we can do to reduce the signs of aging – naturally. Natural methods are known, but few people actually follow them; what proportion of the population actually eats healthily, takes plenty of exercise, drink sufficient water and obtain restful and regular sleep?
Besides all These great methods for anti-aging there is now an easier solution. The new “AGELESS EXTRA” from Univera is the new health product of the century. Backed-up by science driven research and a mission to help lives in all ages, the company Univera is quietly making it’s mark in the “wellness” industry. The “Ageless Extra” has the most “ORAC” score content comparing to any product on the market right now.
