The Best Advice On ... Radiating Beauty
1. Love your face the way it is and the way it will age. And be sure to embrace the qualities that make you unique. If all we do is focus on our imperfections, we'll never recognize our individual beauty. (March 2003)

2. Give yourself a beauty treat at least once a week. Get your nails done, have your hair blown out, buy a new lipstick ... The point is: You deserve to take care of you, and often it's often the smallest indulgences that can make a dramatic difference in how you look and feel. (March 2003)

3. Make caring for your complexion a priority. It's never too early in life to start pampering your skin; you don't have to wait for problems (think dry skin, acne and more) to develop. Cleanse, moisturize and protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays today. (September 2004)

The Best Advice On ... Keeping A Youthful Glow
4. Wash your face before going to bed -- no matter how tired you are. Makeup left on overnight can block pores (triggering breakouts) and give skin a dull cast. (February 1986)

5. Slough off dry, dull skin. One of the quickest ways to get a radiant complexion is with a gentle exfoliating scrub, which literally sloughs off dead, dulling cells on the skin's surface-- and allows newer, healthier and more radiant skin cells to shine through. (December 2000)
2006 UPDATE Recent innovations like at-home peels and home microdermabrasion kits are more effective than ever before, allowing users to get results similar to those of services offered in a dermatologist's office.

6. Try, really try, to reduce stress in your life. Studies link it with a weakened immune system, which in turn can trigger everything from acne flare-ups to eczema. Exercise, a good night's sleep and a healthy, balanced diet are all things that can help soften anxiety's impact on the body -- and the skin. (September 2001)
2006 UPDATE Check out 10 Ways to De-stress Anytime, Anywhere, page 104, for real-life ways to beat stress.

7. Put an end to body breakouts. Clean pimple-prone body skin (back, shoulders, buttocks) at least once a day with an acne wash or with a wipe/pad that contains breakout-busting salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide; regular use of either will help clear skin and prevent new pimples from forming. (March 2004)

8. Know your skin's triggers. If you have sensitive skin, avoid perfumed, anti-bacterial and deodorant products, which can easily aggravate it. And look for the words "for sensitive skin" and "fragrance free" on product labels. (January 2002)

9. Eat foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Bright-colored citrus fruits, berries and orange or red vegetables are packed with antioxidants, which experts say help maintain youthful skin. Salmon, tuna, walnuts and flaxseeds all offer omega-3 fatty acids, which help form the skin's lipid layer -- responsible for keeping skin hydrated and smooth. (November 2002)
2006 UPDATE A healthy diet overall -- one that offers a range of vitamins, minerals, proteins, grains and healthy fats -- is more important for your body and skin than any single ingredient. See Shape.com/eatright for healthy diet advice.

10. Develop a relationship with a local dermatologist. You don't need to wait for a skin problem to develop to book an appointment. Yes, a board-certified dermatologist can help treat everything from embarrassing blemishes to serious conditions like skin cancer, but he or she can also advise you about the right products for your skin and discuss how your skin will age. (August 1992)
2006 UPDATE To find a dermatologist in your area, click on aad.org, the American Academy of Dermatology website.

The Best Advice On ... Applying Makeup The Right Way
11. Lighten up. Avoid heavy foundations and powders, which can settle inside pores and make them seem larger. (March 2000)
2006 UPDATE New makeup technology -- from tinted moisturizers and pore-minimizing foundations to radiance-boosting tints and super-natural mineral makeup -- make getting a healthy, natural glow easier than ever.

12. Wake up your eyes. A concealer or eye cream with light-reflective pigments (look for ingredients like "mica" on labels) will brighten eyes instantly. (February 2003)

13. Become a pro at applying eyeliner. To make eyes appear larger, use a darker shade near the top lashes and a lighter shade (in the same color family) on the lower lash line. Don't line eyes all the way around with the same color. (January 2001)

14. Get kissably soft lips. Exfoliate lips with a toothbrush every morning, or use a lip-exfoliating product. An added benefit: Lipstick will go on smoother. (April 2003) 15. Plump up your pout. Use a lip pencil that's slightly darker than your lipstick to line just outside your lips. Next, apply lipstick, then dab a spot of foundation onto the center of lips. Top off with gloss. (March 2002)
2006 UPDATE New lipsticks and glosses offer color plus plumping agents like cinnamon, ginger and cayenne pepper, which work by temporarily boosting blood flow to the lips, triggering a swelling effect.

The Best Advice On ... Healthy Hair
16. Coloring your hair? Get a trim too. The tinting process weakens hair and almost always guarantees you'll end up with split ends when the color is rinsed out. A tiny snip after chemical processing, and every six to eight weeks after that, will keep your locks lustrous and healthy. (September 2003)

17. Switch up your shampoo. Summer's salt water, chlorine, extra sweat and the sun's ultraviolet (UV)rays can leave hair brittle and weak. Now's the time to change to a more hydrating shampoo to keep hair shiny and soft. (July 1995)

18. Rinse pool water out asap. Dousing your head with tap water after swimming will prevent algaecides in pool water from turning blond hair green; it also rids the hair of drying chlorine residue. (August 2002)

19. Wake up with silkier strands. Before bed, work a tiny amount of deep conditioner into dry ends of hair. Shampoo out in the morning. (October 1997)


The Best Advice On...Hair Removal

20. Calm tweezer trauma. After plucking, press a cold washcloth to the spot. (December 1989)

21. Shave as a last shower step. This way, hair can soften in the warm water for smoother, nick-free results. (June 1999)

The Best Advice On...Sun Protection
22. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sand and water reflect 60 percent of UV rays, so even under an umbrella, you may be exposed. (July 2001)

23. Mix up your anti-agers. To better protect skin from the aging effects of the sun, treat it with a medley of antioxidants -- a polyphenol like green tea, vitamin C and/or a form of vitamin A (retinol); dermatologists believe they work better than any one ingredient alone. (May 2006)

24. Protect your eyes from the sun's rays. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more transparent. Why? The natural, skin-firming tissue collagen found there breaks down faster than in other areas of the skin, which is why lines show up here first. (The sun's UV rays speed the breakdown.) Experts recommend dabbing on an eye cream with SPF 15 or higher every day. (February 2003)

25. Check (and recheck) your moles. Research shows that people who take digital photos of their moles (or have their doctors do it), and use the shots to monitor their skin from year to year, were better able to detect suspicious changes during self-exams. Remember: Check yourself monthly from scalp to toes, and have your dermatologist give you a professional exam yearly. (July 2004)

Beauty Tips For Lankan beauties

• Wednesday, 01st Aug 2012
  40+ Beauty Tips | Look Years Younger with Makeup
  
   
  Look years longer with our over 40 makeup tips! It's time to update your beauty routine and try new, innovative cosmetic formulas to create youthful and stunning makeup looks.
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  Makeup can be tricky. If you're stuck with the same makeup routine you've done for years, it can be as aging as an out-of-style wardrobe. Yet, while there are many trends in makeup, the best bet is to leave the crazy colors to the teens and create a naturally stunning look. But that doesn't have to mean makeup-free. In fact, certain makeup tips can make your face look years younger without having to resort to expensive skin-care products or extensive – and painful – anti-aging plastic surgery. Here's how to use your cosmetics to create a younger look:
  
  Prepare your skin
  Before you apply a drop of makeup, be sure your skin is exfoliated once or twice a week. Sloughing away dead skin cells will actually allow your makeup to absorb better into your skin, rather than “sitting” on the skin, which can create a “cakey” look. Be sure to moisturize your skin and ensure you have SPF protection either in your moisturizer or foundation.
  
  A great foundation
  Apply a pore-minimizing primer. You can find this in powder or liquid form, and it's one of the newest ways to really create a flawless canvas for your makeup. A new type of product known as BB creams actually combine a primer, moisture, anti-aging ingredients and a bit of color for coverage. Or you can opt for a lightweight foam-like foundation or even a spray foundation that you apply with a sponge. With a primer, you don't need a heavy foundation.
  You may also like

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  Chanel Fleur de Lotus 2012 Makeup Collection
  
   
  Resisting the mesmerizing beauty of colorful makeup pigments becomes more and more difficult as renowned makeup brands such as Chanel are competing to create the most flattering makeup hues. One of the best examples of fabulousness in makeup is given by Chanel's Fleur de Lotus makeup collection, so take a peek at the products and tell us what you think!
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  The magical world of makeup never ceases to amaze us as each season new innovative textures and pigments are created by makeup developers and since the sky seems to be the limit, the attention is constantly focused on the latest collections revealed. One of the go-to brands when it comes to makeup, Chanel, put on display its creativity by launching various makeup collections this year including the Fleur de Lotus, a makeup collection that is in perfect sync with the season and which aims to accentuate femininity using fresh and fab pigments.
  
  Chanel's Fleur de Lotus 2012 makeup collection displays a wonderful palette of floral inspired pigments (flower gardens have been a huge muse for makeup creative directors), particularly lotus flower pigments which aim to create a fresh and seductive look that is perfect for the spring/summer season. The essence and elegant allure of the lotus flower has been perfectly captured by Chanel, so no wonder that these sizzling pigments will lure you into giving them a try.
  
  As a girl can never have too much makeup, check out the fab high quality products featured in Chanel's Fleur de Lotus makeup collection and find out which ones make you feel like a true goddess.

Makeup Basics

Learn the 3 steps for everyday application―and a few tricks to give your look a boost.

Step 1: Even Out Your Skin Tone

If You Want a Basic Look: Use Concealer

• Using a fine, densely bristled brush, apply a small amount to the inner corner under the eye.
• Draw a crisscross over any redness or discoloration that needs to be covered. (This distributes color more evenly.) Cover the top of a pimple rather than the area around it.
• Using your index finger, blend with a light tapping motion.

• Choose the right shade: If your concealer is too light, it will accentuate dark patches.
• Don't rub the makeup from side to side, which will actually remove the product from the skin. Pat it gently.
• Keep concealer away from the outer corners of the eyes, where it can highlight fine lines.

If You Want a Boost: Use Foundation

• Look for areas that are discolored or need evening out.
• Using a flat foundation brush, a wedge sponge, or your fingers, lightly dab a small amount of the product in the center of these areas only (not the whole face).
• Blend the color into your skin working in downward and outward strokes so that fine hairs on the skin lie smoothly in the direction of their growth.
• Apply concealer over foundation.

• Don't slather foundation all over, like moisturizer.
• Remember to blend along the hairline, under the jawline, and in front of the ears to avoid a makeup "mask."