Beauty Tips Guides

Cosmetic Surgeons are popular and have been for some time for cosmetic surgery. Anyone who can make your skin look younger and more gorgeous, or handsome, may not be all that bad, if you can afford their costs of course. Most cosmetic surgeries are elective, so that means the decision to have a procedure done is very personal to you and you alone.

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to have this kind of surgery, so, before you start searching for a plastic surgeon, search within yourself and decide if those reasons really make sense. If you truly feel that cosmetic surgery will make a difference in your self-esteem and ultimately your life, then you are probably ready to start shopping around for a cosmetic surgeon.

All cosmetic surgeons are not created equal, so you have to gather several opinions to make an informed choice that will best suit your needs. For instance, some physicians focus only on procedures for the face, while others may target breast surgery or liposuction. Take the time and do a little research to narrow down the particular doctors who perform the procedures that you want accomplished on you. Once you have several names on your list, the next step is to ask some questions. You want to make sure that they will listen to what you want and need, while making the best medical decisions based on their personal assessment of your condition.

Here are seven questions to ask your potential cosmetic surgeon:

1. What procedure do you suggest for my goal of a facelift, brow lift, laser skin resurfacing, forehead lift (or whatever your goal is)? By leaving this a rather open-ended question, the cosmetic surgeon has the chance to show you how much he knows. Each may have slightly different answers as to how to help you achieve your goal. You job is to determine which sounds the best for your lifestyle.

2. How many years and how often have you been performing this procedure? Obviously, this question is asking the skin specialist how much experience he really has. You want someone who has been around the block a few times. Tied in with this question could be inquiries as to the surgeons schooling and whether they keep up with the latest technologies and continuing education. Hospital privileges and Board Certification are also important to know.

3. What results can I expect from this cosmetic surgery? This is a realistic expectation to have. You want to know the possibilities. Ask your plastic surgeon about computer imagery to compare a before picture and a realistic expectation of what your results might be.

4. Can you tell me the possible risks and problems I might encounter? Being warned ahead of time is important in case the operation is not quite what you expect. Sometimes, it is your personal medical history that could make achieving your dream results difficult. Other times, it could be a reaction to anesthesia or an infection at an incision site. Preparedness is helpful for peace of mind.

5. How long will it take to recover from the cosmetic surgery? No two cosmetic surgeons are the same, nor may they use the same surgical procedures to accomplish your goal. Each situation is different and recovery times will also depend on your own general health. The healthier you are to begin with, the quicker you bounce back to real life.

6. What is the cost of getting this skin care treatment? Again, each procedure is different with doctors charging different rates. Also, in some cases, insurance may pick up the tab. Sometimes, payment plans are an option. Ask in advance what their fees and other costs cover. Will it take care of post-operative care and follow-up visits?

7. If I smoke, does it matter? Be sure to tell them if you smoke or not. If you are a smoker, this could potentially have an impact on your recovery time and even the choice of anesthesia and other medications, especially those for post-operative pain.

All of these questions and much more are a part of the process in choosing the best cosmetic surgeon for your needs. If you manage to find a good cosmetic surgeon, the whole operative and recovery process will be a whole lot better for you. And soon you will have a new look and life.

Ken Black is the owner of, a website about skin care, including Cosmetic Surgery.

Women have been wearing cosmetics for thousands of years. Archaeologists have evidence of men and women using cosmetics in Egypt over 6000 years ago! Wealthy Egyptian women would paint their nails, massage their faces with creams and oils, apply lipstick and eyeliner, and even color their hair. Obviously, things haven’t changed that much over the last few millennia!

The most important thing you can do when applying makeup is to start with a clean face. A clean face gives you the perfect palate for applying the rest of your cosmetics. A dirty face, on the other hand, will make it much more difficult. A clean face will also help keep your skin look clear and healthy.

After you have thoroughly cleaned your face, apply foundation smoothly and evenly. When applied correctly, it should not look like you’re wearing foundation. The purpose of foundation is to smooth out your skin colors to cover up any blemishes and to help you put your cosmetics on better. Your face should feel light and natural. If it is obvious that you’re wearing foundation, or if your face feels like it’s covered with guck, then you’ve put too much on. Also consider if you have the right type of foundation. To work properly, the foundation has to match your skin tone as closely as possible.

If you are having trouble picking the right color of foundation, talk to a cosmetics consultant at one of the cosmetics counters at your local department store. If you’ve only put a bit too much foundation on, you can blot at your skin with some toilet paper to remove the excess foundation without having to start from scratch.

If required, you can then apply some concealer to your face with your fingers. Concealer can be particularly useful around your eyes so any dark circles don’t have you confused for a racoon! No matter where you use concealer, always remember to blend, blend, blend. If the concealer is not blended into the rest of your face, it will only draw attention to the spots your are attempting to cover up.

It is only after you’ve washed your face and applied foundation and concealer that you’re ready to move on to the more noticeable cosmetics such as eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick.

The ancient Egyptians mainly made their cosmetics from clay and oils (with the occasional dash of mercury). Modern cosmetics are made from an unbelievable array of products. Lipstick often contains fish by-products and blush can contain mica, a translucent mineral! While the Food and Drug Administration controls what can be used in cosmetics, the precise ingredients are often protected as trade secrets.

If you really want to know what’s going on your face, you can chose to buy organic cosmetics that will make their makeup from simple, natural materials. This can also be a useful strategy if you are concerns about animal testing. If you only want to buy cosmetics that have not been tested on animals, make sure to inquire whether the cosmetics you are purchasing were tested on animals or not.

Steve DOlan is a cosmotologist who likes to experiment with the latest in cosmetics. Find out the latest and greatest at Cosmetics

Mineral cosmetics are the entirely new breed of cosmetics that defy your imagination and senses! They are new and revolutionary, natural and safe on your body! These are the new generation skin cosmetics preparations that have caught the attention of millions of people, who are desperately looking for a set of cosmetics, which is harmless and beneficial. Mineral cosmetics are also creating new and snazzy trends in the world of cosmetics, with its immense appeal and great ingredients. These wonderful cosmetic items are also the products of Mother Nature and its contents are absolutely safe for general use.

What are mineral cosmetics? In essence, they are the new age cosmetics prepared from natural minerals and inorganic pigments that abound the Mother Nature. Hundreds of natural mineral compounds like mica, titanium dioxide, zinc and iron are redefining the cosmetic industry with their wonderful healing and rejuvenating properties. Currently, these natural components are being used widely to make hundreds of cosmetic products, which range from a simple bowl of talcum powder to more sophisticated eye creams.

When you use these cosmetic products, you stand to gain several benefits and advantages like:

1. These products are natural, and they look and feel exotic,

2. These products can stay on your body throughout the day

3. They are excellent and non allergic on any part of your body

4. They do not dry up your skin by removing the moisture

5. They will not cause any inflammation on your skin

6. There are no harmful residues and chemicals that can spoil the look of your skin

Synthetic cosmetic products create allergies and wrinkles on your skin after an extended usage. Once the effect of age sets on your body, these dangerous additives will create harmful chemical residues in your skin to make it sag and loose its elasticity. Ideally, you may wish to avoid all cosmetic products that contain chemical ingredients. The best alterative would be to use beneficial mineral cosmetics that contain only the natural ingredients that are fresh and rejuvenating. These products have a long shelf life and display wonderful healing properties, even after a lengthy period of time.

Mineral cosmetics are also known as organic cosmetics, and they are true to their name with some of the best known natural ingredients. Most of these superb products contain a wonderful ingredient called “Multan Mitti” (fine and loose soil that is rich in zinc and iron), that is powdered very finely, at a particle rate of mili-micrometers. These special products are very gentle and smooth over your skin and provide a protective layer against environmental pollution and harmful UV rays. You can pick up a big catalogue of products that range from simple mineral foundation powder jars to complex mineral liquid makeup kits. Hundreds of cosmetics firms manufacture wonderfully composed and exquisitely packed cosmetics products for their consumers.

Some of the notable advantages of mineral cosmetics are:

1. These products are highly UV resistant, and help prevent dangerous rays from damaging deeper layers of skin

2. They are also anti-inflammatory and non-allergic

3. These products do not have talc substances in them, and hence help your body to retain moisture for a long time

4. Use these wonderful products to lend a silken touch to your skin

5. These superior products can help your skin to breathe more oxygen and assist the body to generate new skin cells

6. These products are healing and recuperative

7. These products are excellent for all skin types

As mineral cosmetics products are the creation of nature, and due to their magical properties, they are already gaining attention of millions of men and women. People simply love the exotic fragrance and rich smoothness of these products. With no chemical residues or total absence of allergens, these exquisite products are considered the best of nature and thought to be surreal for its great qualities and magical properties.

Margaret Tan, a part-time beauty consultant writes a range of diverse articles on skincare and makeup. Find out more articles related to mineral cosmetics and makeup essentials at http://www.practical-make-up-tips.com

With its aisles and aisles of colored vials, the world of perfume can perplex someone who does not know her way around. As daunting as exploring perfumes and fragrances may seem, any newcomer can pick up a basic knowledge of the taxonomy of perfumes, which will help her choose the one that best suits her.

Traditionally each and every perfume is put into to a specific group or family. These families all more or less reduce to six different categories of fragrance, floral or sweet, sporty or clean, green or natural, musk, woody or chypre, and oriental or spicy. Every person’s taste in fragrance varies. Some people like a specific family, and some people like them all.

The only thing that is certain about fragrance preference is that it can chance with time. As a girl matures into a woman, her tastes in fragrance will likely mature as well. A young woman who is enthusiastic about the sparkling smell of floral perfumes may gradually grow to like the more powerful, deeper scent of woody or even musk perfumes.

Floral or sweet fragrances are the most popular category of fragrance. They get their dominant smell from one or several flowers. A perfume whose aroma is made up of only one flower is called a soliflore. Floral fragrances have a light, playful quality to them, and are for a woman who likes to have a lighthearted air. They conjure images of carefree spring time, or can be bubbly and enthusiastic.

Some noteworthy examples of floral fragrance are Chanel No. 22, Estee Lauder Pleasures and White Lineny, L’Air Du Temps by Nina Ricci, and Joy by Jean Patou.

Sporty or clean fragrances are named for their freshness, a quality that roughly akin to the smell of a warm shower or a good soap. These fragrances are found most often in eau de colognes. Given their refreshing nature, women who are active or athletic may find sporty fragrances appealing. Some classic sporty fragrances are Estee Lauder Alliage, Lily Chic by Escada, Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren Polo for Women and Tommy Girl.

The natural or green perfume family is so named for the homey, natural smells it provides. Think of pine forests or oceanside walks and you come close to the aroma of a natural perfume. If these sorts of activities inspire you, perhaps you would like a natural fragrance. Examples of natural perfumes are Burrberry London, Calvin Klein Truth for Women, Poison by Christian Diro, and True Star by Tommy Hilfiger.

Musk fragrances are strongly suggestive and sexy. They are powerful and meant for the women who is through playing games and knows what she wants, or for the sort of wordless communication that is so effective between lovers and would-be lovers. Musk fragrances give off the strongest aroma of all the fragrance families. They are derived from the male musk deer from the Himalayas, muskrats, and musk oxen. Common musk perfumes are O Oui by Lancome, Shalimar by Guerlain, L’Aminant by Coty, and Dolce & Gabbana for Women.

Chypre or woody perfumes are sometimes also referred to as earthy. This family is made up of fragrances which contain bergamot, jasmine and oakmoss. Woody fragrances can be described as a mixture of the flavors of custard and apricot, and seem to suit the woman who sports birkenstocks. Popular examples of chypre and woody perfumes are Chanel No. 19; Envy Me by Gucci, Paloma Picasso Perfume, and Romance by Ralph Lauren.

Oriental or spicy is used to describe the last perfume family. These perfumes, which can also be called ambers, are made up of animal scents and vanilla combined with wood and flowers, or both. Oriental fragrances are spicy and exotic, and stand apart, and so are perfect for the woman who can stand on her own two feet with confidence. Some popular perfumes that are in the oriental family are Emeraude by Coty, Estee Lauder Youth Dew, Lancome’s Magic Noir and Tresor, and Opium by Yves Saint Laurent.

Now you know the basics of how fragrances are categorized. Armed with this knowledge of the perfume families, head on down to the fragrance shop nearest you. You will have an edge! Now you know which family suits you best!

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as inexpensive perfume at http://www.cheapcologneandperfume.com

Choosing safe products can be a daunting task without the proper knowledge and tools. Many product packages are deceptively designed to make you believe that the product inside the package is herbal, all natural, safe and gentle, when in fact the product contains little or no natural or herbal ingredients, is contaminated with carcinogens and is irritating to the skin. This is the case because of the lack of regulation in the cosmetic and personal care product industry. But armed with a little knowledge and some helpful tools, there is much you can do to protect yourself.

Here are 10 things you can do to make safer and healthier choices when selecting your toiletries.

Read the ingredients on the label.
The packaging may say such things as natural, herbal or hypoallergenic. This has nothing to do with what’s really in the product or how safe it is. Manufacturers make a lot of claims on the package to “sell” the product. They can do this because some of the terms don’t have official definitions and they can use them however they want. To really find out what’s in a product, you must read the ingredients in the small print, you know, the ones that you sometimes need a magnifying glass to be able to see.

Interpret and understand the ingredients.
Once you find the ingredients, you have to be able to know what they are and if they are safe, harmful, questionable or untested. A great many ingredients have chemical names that only a cosmetic chemist would understand. However, you don’t have to be a cosmetic chemist. The book, Dying To Look Good, makes it easy for you to choose products with safe and healthy ingredients.

Choose products without parabens.
Parabens are xenoestrogens or endocrine disrupters. They disturb the hormone balance in your body. They are also skin sensitizers and have the potential to cause allergic reactions. They have been found in breast cancer tumors, but it is not known if they cause breast cancer.

Stay away from products containing amines.
Chemicals that fall into the category of amines can combine with nitrosating agents to form nitrosamines, which cause cancer. Nitrosamines are formed during the manufacturing process when an amine combines with a formaldehyde-releasing preservative. Some of the amines commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products are Cocamide MEA, Cocamide DEA, TEA, sodium lauroyal sarcosinate and amino methyl propanol. Several of the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives include sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin and diazonlidnyl urea.

Steer clear of products containing talc.
Talc is found in talcum powder, baby powder and makeup. It is a carcinogen if it contains asbestiform fibers. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in cosmetic-grade talc is unregulated in the U.S. Some research suggests a link between talc and ovarian cancer.

Be cautious about products that contain fragrance.
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients used in frgrances. A single fragrance may contain hundreds of different chemicals. Some of the chemicals used in fragrances are hazardous, such as benzyl chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, methylene chloride, toluene and phthalates. Fragrances may also contain chemicals that cause cancer. Even products listed as fragrance free may have fragrance added to mask offensive odors.

Avoid D&C and FD&C Colors.
Most D&C and FD&C colors are derived from coal tar which is a carcinogen. Most coal tar colors are potential carcinogens, may contain carcinogenic contaminants and cause allergic reactions. These colors must be certified by the FDA to contain not more than 20 ppm of lead and arsenic, but the certification does not address any other harmful effects these colors may have on the body.

Beware of products containing chemical preservatives.
Chemical preservatives can be irritating and are the number one cause of contact dermatitis. Some preservatives you should watch out for are benzethonium chloride, BHA, BHT, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone.

Watch out for “and other ingredients.”
This means there are one or more ingredients that the manufacturer considers a trade secret and does not want to list on the label.

Be wary of products with long lists of ingredients.
Many of the chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products have not been tested or have not been adequately tested. Even those that have been tested have only been tested individually, not in combination with other ingredients. Nobody knows the effects of the many different ingredients used in thousands of different combinations, the effects of using numerous different products, one on top of the other, or the effects of repeated use of ingredients or products over time.

Protect yourself and your loved ones. Become a label reader and learn how to decipher the ingredients for safety.

Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. has been researching ingredient safety since 1991. She is the author of three books, including the new, second edition of DYING TO LOOK GOOD. To learn more about the safety of ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products, visit www.dyingtolookgood.com.

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 prducts 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 be listed on the label. 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.

Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. has been researching ingredient safety since 1991. She is the author of three books, including the new, second edition of DYING TO LOOK GOOD. To learn more about the safety of ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products, visit www.dyingtolookgood.com.