Your Perfect Make-Up at 60 - The Essentials

Perfect make-up used to be easy and fun didn't it? Are there just too many complications now? Uneven skin texture and tone, crepe-y lids, darkness below your eyes. If you are dissatisfied with your make-up read on...
The cosmetic industry is spending millions on developing make-up products designed exclusively for women of 50 and 60+. They have thought of everything. There are lighter than air foundations with more coverage, finely milled, solid eye shadows that won't form creases, creamier lipsticks containing skin care and plumping agents.
The cosmetic companies have done their homework but have we?
We all want to look our best every day and especially on occasions when the limelight is on us. Birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and big nights out. We need to learn some basic make-up techniques to achieve a natural looking daytime make-up that minimises imperfections and a couple of magic spells to crank up the glam factor for evenings. At 20 or 30 we didn't need these techniques for a perfect make-up, we just whisked a pretty shadow across a soft, even eye lid and traced a lipstick over moist lips. Want to know how to do it today?
First we need to put your make-up in the best light.

• My most essential piece of equipment is a 10x magnifying mirror with suction pads that I stick on the window. Good eyesight or not, the day light allows you to see every eyelash and brow hair and blend colours to perfection. No more guess work.

Next choose the best anti aging cosmetic products.

• A Primer to improve skin texture and even out tiny wrinkles and smooth drier areas.
• Anti aging foundation in a mousse or liquid chosen to best suit your skin and coverage needs.
• Concealer comes in various shades and we can learn to combine them to totally erase any darkness.
• Solid eye shadows that are easy to apply without getting colour under the eyes. These in a variety of the softest shades with a dark chocolate or aubergine to accentuate the eyes at night.
• Lengthening and thickening mascara with no filaments to darken the under eye later in the day.
• Brow powder or pencil, sharp and in a shade that melts into your eyebrow colour.
• Anti aging lipstick in soft complimentary colours avoiding shades that make your teeth look yellow.
• Blusher to add freshness and contour. Probably the make-up category surrounded by the most confusion.

The bottom line is we need to learn how to achieve the perfect make-up using the right tools to apply these fantastic make-up products. But where? You can always ask the beautifully made-up girl at the beauty counter, but let's face it, who wants to do that? There are some excellent books and there are online beauty courses and beauty guides. The time invested will increase your confidence and show you how to work the magic of make-up. It is possible to cover and minimise imperfections, highlight your best features and achieve a soft natural looking make-up at the same time.
Put your make-up on in the best light. Learn how to use the right tools and choose the best products. Invest a little time and show the world a confident, younger looking you!

By Carol Engelmann

 

Anti-Aging Cream -- Is There Danger Lurking Within?

The anti-aging industry is booming. Aging baby boomers seem to be obsessed with preserving their youthful look. Anti-aging preparations claim to make you look younger as you get older. But are the ingredients in these products safe?

Here are 10 ingredients to avoid in anti-aging preparations:

Propylene glycol is a strong irritant, a neurotoxin (toxic to the nervous system) and may cause kidney and liver damage. It may cause delayed allergic reactions, acne and contact dermatitis. It absorbs quickly and is a penetration enhancer, i.e. it increases the absorption of other ingredients in the product through the skin into the bloodstream.

Diazolidinyl urea is a skin irritant and a potential cause of dermatitis. It is a formaldehyde releaser. Formaldehyde is a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) as determined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Imidazolidinyl urea is a strong irritant. It causes contact dermatitis. It's also a formaldehyde releaser.

Phenoxyethanol is a skin and eye irritant with a rose fragrance. It can cause contact dermatitis and is harmful if absorbed through the skin.

DMDM hydantoin is another formaldehyde releaser. It may cause contact dermatitis and has cause caused cancer in experimental animals.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is an irritant, a sensitizer and causes contact dermatitis. It may cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in products containing nitrogen compounds. It may also contain nitrosamine contaminants not listed on the label.

Parabens (ethyl-, methyl-, butyl- and propylparaben) are endocrine disrupters. They disturb the hormonal balance in the body. They are absorbed through the skin and may irritate the skin. They have been found in breast cancer tumors, but it is not known if they had a part in causing the tumors.

PEG-n (4-200) is an eye and skin irritant and is hazardous on large areas of the body. It may be contaminated with dangerous levels of the carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane.

HGH is human growth hormone. Some products may contain HGH or ingredients that stimulate the body to produce it's own HGH. Ironically, the hormones don't slow the aging process, they just hide the symptoms. Animal studies have shown that those animals which produce more growth hormone in old age have a shorter life span, not longer. Studies have also shown that HGH causes carpal tunnel and diabetes. And it has not been adequately tested.

Ultrasomes, keratinocyte growth factor and DNA enzyme complex are known bioengineered ingredients that are used in some anti-aging products. The biotech industry is not very open about bio-engineered or genetically modified ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. They're not required to identify ingredients that are bioengineered and they're not required to state on the label that a product contains bioengineered ingredients. The safety of bioengineered ingredients has not been adequately studied.

Look for products with safe ingredients like aloe vera, essential oils, shea butter, grape seed oil, emu oil, antioxidants like vitamins A,C and E, green tea and Co-Q10. But also remember, it's more than just skin care. Slowing the aging process involves eating a healthy diet with lots of healthy anti-oxidant rich foods and enzymes, regular exercise, stress reduction and adequate rest. It's vitally important to pay attention to your whole body, not just your skin.

By Christine Farlow

Anti Aging Skin Care: "Pharmaceutical" Cosmetics

Have you ever heard the new buzz term "cosmeceuticals"? This nifty term refers to the fusion of two areas, one which cultivates necessary medications which control our bodily processes internally, and the other, which manipulates our body from the outside, cosmetically improving our appearance.
You guessed it, the first is "pharmaceuticals" and the second is "cosmetics". The joining of these two fields, both extremely lucrative, and arguably necessary, is called "cosmeceuticals", and this exciting new breed is causing a stir in the beauty community lately.
Although they have been united in this new genre of cosmetics, the two are very different when it comes to government and advisory board regulation. Pharmaceuticals, at least in the US currently, are heavily regulated by the organization known as the FDA, while cosmetics are not government regulated.
Why? Cosmetics are not regulated by any government agency because they are not considered a device that alters bodily chemistry of function internally in any way, nor are they advertised as substances that change the chemistry of the body.
Currently, cosmetics manufacturers are walking on eggshells to keep this paritcular pharmaceutical and cosmetic distinction in tact, as precious dollars could be lost if the new breed of cosmeceuticals were government regulated.
Even if a wrinkle cream currently marketed had the ability to actually "get rid of wrinkles", cosmetic marketers are very careful to still note that they only decrease or eliminate the "appearance" of aging and wrinkles, since this still technically is not pharmaceutical in nature.
Some of these new cosmeceuticals which feature high grade vitamins and various proteins and peptides actually do "get rid of wrinkles" and remove signs of aging though, although they still are careful to avoid this overzealous marketing for fear of FDA regulation.
Cosmetic companies specializing in anti aging have come up with everything from potent vitamin extracts, to skin tightening complexes with antioxidants, restructuring aids like peptides and other skin cell regenerators, and a host of other interesting sounding ingredients that keep popping up as the latest in age reversal and age prevention.
And which of these latest "cosmeceutical grade" anti aging and wrinkle creams is best? Well, it's hard to say, because there are now quite a few in competition with one another that do contain ingredients that are beneficial in different ways.
If you're looking for a fresher and brighter look, with more cell turnover, you may turn to a formula with acids such as alpha hydroxy and other fruit derived acids, or one loaded with antioxidants.
If you're looking for more of a quick fix, skin tightening formula, you may choose a formula with ingredients like copper, hyaluronic acid and DMAE, which is a substance that is found naturally in the skin of certain fish and is excellent for almost instantaneous firming and toning.
Either way you slice it, women have the best options for anti aging and wrinkle fighting in the here and now, than they ever had in the past.
The best part is, it only stands to get better, with the constant development of new anti aging products. As long as the cosmetics companies keep responding to increasing consumer demand for anti aging aids, we will have consistent upgrades in cosmeceutical offerings.
The downside? Some of it can become a bit pricey, but remember, a little usually goes a long way, so you may actually be going through the "expensive" stuff at a fraction of the speed you would go through a cheaper, lighter formula. And who can put a price on looking and feeling young? Call me vain, shallow, or narcissistic, but I'll pay the extra money, as long as I get serious results!
By Danna Schneider

Ways to Diminish Wrinkles(AGEING)

1. Prevent the Ageing Signs

Limit the Exposure to Sun, Alcohol and Cigarettes
Prevention is better than cure so try to avoid some of these things like sun, smoke and alcohol in order to prevent the ageing signs from coming earlier. You should apply a quality sunscreen on the face while going out. It also prevents from skin cancer.

2. Deep Breathing
It is good for your skin if you wake up early in the morning and take some deep breaths in the fresh air.
3. Water
Water always does good.Drink plenty of water and have a wrinkle-free fresh skin.
4. Flax Seed Oil
You need to drink flax seed oil at least four times a day. Start from drinking at least 1 tablespoon of flax seed oil in the morning when you wake up. Try to make sure that you are not allergic to flax oil or it may cause diarrhea.
5. Acupressure Point Massage
One of the best home remedies to diminish wrinkles is to massage on the acupuncture points on the face. Use your fingertips to massage the face by applying pressure on the specific parts of the face in circular round motions.
6. Get Adequate Sleep
 If you do not get enough sleep then there are a lot of chances that your skin cells may break down and if you get an adequate sleep, it will help in producing a hormone known as HGH (human growth hormone) which maintains the skin to remain elastic and thick. Usually the wrinkles start to form when the skin gets thin.
7. Don’t Squint
It is also said that squinting promotes the skin wrinkles. When you go out in the sun, your eyes are not used to it and similarly when you are out somewhere and you are in the direction of the sun, you may require to squint. This squinting overworks the facial muscles which eventually forms the wrinkles. Always wear sunglasses which would help in the protection of the eyes from sun damage as well as from squinting.
8. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as much as you can as there are a number of vitamins and minerals in the fruits which prevents the face wrinkles and also keep the skin fresh.