healthy and beautiful

Well you all knew honey was meant to be had for such things as coughs, colds, sugar replacements, etc, but how many of you knew that it provides the perfect remedy to cracked lips (or even heels for that matter!)? All you have to do is take a lip brush (I’ll write more on the various makeup brushes in another article) and apply a slather of natural honey on your smoochies. Get and use plain honey on your body. There are those with synthetic flavors and preservatives, but the best is to go a la natural. Applying honey to your lips also gives them a natural sheen, just as a lip gloss would. If you’re going to take a nap on the ground in a spot where you know there are bitsy bugs and/ or ants, I’d advise you to wait on the honey application. Otherwise though, it’s a healthy, foolproof way to care for your lips. Some popular brands of honey are: Dabur, BeeMaid, Honeywell, Honey Gold, etc. Dabur Honey was ranked the ‘best buy’ by the CERS (Consumer Education and Research Society) after tes...

It sounds simple, but it's really easier said than done. If you find that you're constantly breaking out with blackheads, pimples, boils, etc, try washing your hair every second day to keep oil and dander off of your face. Earlier I'd written on how it's important to change your pillowcases and sheets often to cure dandruff. The same remedy can be applied to treating acne.

Not many people know this, but rose water is an excellent natural make-up remover for both men and women. Not only does rose water act as a perfect tonic for your skin, it is also a natural remedy for making your skin look clear, fresh and alive. Using rose water on your skin at least once a day, leaves your skin looking healthy and glowing. All you need is a cotton ball and a few dabs of rose water. Gently dab - not rub - it onto your skin and let it work its magic. The best way to use it is right before bed. That way it has all night to sink into your skin and leave it looking fresh and pure again. Rose water is also a great skin 'healer' from the everyday wear and tear of dust, pollution, heat, etc.

Today I was searching Facebook, My Space and other such sites for an idea of what people could be looking for in modern health and beauty. I came across a few Facebook profiles of friends. I am now convinced I've found something that everyone is searching for, but few have found - fashion and artistically draping your body. There is this cute little family band that go by the name King Family. Going through their pictures I've come to the conclusion that either they really know their bodies and how to adorn them, or they've got a really good hair stylist, wardrobe counselor, make-up artist, etc. Their wardrobe is superb and a definite must-find-out-about. I will likely write them this week and find out what their secret is. In the meantime, you can anticipate some really good Fashion Fundas that are sure to be coming up if they agree to spill the beans about it! Wish me luck in getting them to divulge their secrets ;)

There's a reason people who are rounder than others should not wear extremely baggy clothes. The reason? It makes them look even heavier. Fashion Funda: If you are a heavy-set person, instead of buying the biggest clothes you can just so they fit, try getting your own clothes stylishly tailored just for you. If nothing else, at least you will have the liberty of coming up with your own styles and fashion. You don't need to be a size zero to look or feel sexy! Just remember that the more stylish you make yourself look, the more confident you will feel. Good luck with that clothes choosing and shopping!

Did you know that the first ever successful face transplant was of a woman in France who was mauled by her dog? This was not long ago, in 2005. Her name was Isabelle Dinoire and she was 38 years old. She was lucky, but others were not. On June 8th, Laurent Lantieri - the surgeon who performed the transplant operation - reported that his patient had died due to cardiac arrest. The victim? A man from France who was undergoing the world's first ever face AND double hand transplant operation after he was disfigured in an accident. This was in April. He died not even three months after the surgery when being treated for an infection that had set in on his face. Cardiac arrest claimed what could have been a stunning medical victory. So are face-transplants, plastic surgery and transplant operations successful? Although science and medicine have come a long way, many believe that one can only guarantee a 50/50 chance for a positive outcome.

As much as this may sound like your mother giving you unsolicited advice.. ;) take care of the skin around your eyes. Treat it as gently as you can. The skin around your eyes is the most delicate skin on your body and takes wear and tear less easily than other parts of your body. As it is less elastic than other areas of skin, it wrinkles easier and once wrinkled, only plastic surgery and extreme care can help it to look as untouched as it once was. For you women, use cotton balls and lotion, toner or make-up remover to wipe away the cosmetic products used. For you men, use cotton balls and facial toner to wipe away dirt, dust and any concealer or eye-liner you may be wearing. Using cucumber helps to de-stress the eyes, but it is just a myth that it can help cure wrinkles. Take care of your eyes and the gentle, smooth skin covering around them. They are the only pair you've got.

Is your hair falling out? Were you one of those who used to wake up in the morning to brush your thick hair and now, thanks to your hair fall, you are reduced to waking up to seeing at least 50 strands of loose hair spread out over your pillow? The time to stop your hair fall is now. It can be a thing of the past. Start by understanding the core root of the problem. Why does your hair fall out? o A common myth is that a severe case of dandruff makes your hair fall out by handfuls. This however, is a myth and not a fact. Dandruff is a condition of the scalp caused by dead skin cells being shed. This does not affect the hair to a point where it falls out in handfuls. o An important thing to remember is that losing or ‘shedding’ upto 100 strands of hair in a day is normal. The body easily replaces the fallen hair and as such, is part of a natural process. o It could be due to a poor intake of vitamins – namely, the vitamin B6 and folic acid which is essential for hair repair and healthy s...

Especially in summer months and dry climates, it can be quite a feat (no puns intended) to keep your feet soft and pleasant-looking. For women who wear open shoes, and men who wear sandals, keeping your feet clean and neat can be difficult when all day the sun and dust are working against the best of your efforts. I read an article that a friend of mine had written in which she said that she found an effective feet softener – easy to use, quick and result-friendly. She said that she applies cocoa butter to her feet at night and wears socks to keep the moisture cream from rubbing off while it works its magic. By morning, you can remove your socks and actually feel the difference in and on your feet. I found my friend’s advice to be spot on. Needless to say, if you need this remedy for any other part on you, just make sure you remember to wear a covering that is not too loose so as not to rub off the cocoa butter moisturizing cream. If you need to cream up your legs, wear tights or stock...

Did you know that Aloe Vera is one of THE best purifiers for your skin? Among other benefits, this wonder plant has provided skin relief since time immemorial. It is also one of the only known natural vegetable sources of the crucial vitamin B12. Other benefits of Aloe Vera include: - Natural support to the immune system - Helps energy levels to rise - Maintains healthy skin and combats effects of aging - Natural way to replenish the body with vital mineral and vitamins - Has natural detoxifying abilities - Improves digestion - Increases protein absorption - Anti-inflammatory agents - Anti-bacterial/ viral - Weight loss - Curing digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome - Natural body cleanser - Curing cancer, constipation, diverticular disorders, haemorrhoids, heartburn, heart disease, HIV, immune stimulation, indigestion, insomnia, kidney disease, leg cramps, vaginitis, vaginal douche - Aids in white blood cell production - And is a general heal...

Without a doubt, the answer is a yes. How well you maintain your hands and feet is a sure sign to others of the level your general personal hygiene and the importance you place on it. Sporting unkempt hands or feet is the quickest way to convey to those around you that you are untidy, careless or consider your outward appearance a non-priority. They say that God looks on the heart, but I’m sorry to say that we humans aren’t quite so forgiving. We judge character by the outward appearance and right or not, there isn’t one man or woman alive that doesn’t look at you and in an instant assume you are something or another. Well okay.. maybe there are a few who don't do that. There still are some pure folk left on this earth. But that said, the majority of us aren’t quite so agreeable. For those lot, if you want to come across as 'together' make sure your extremities are well looked after. Maintaining and giving care to your hands and feet doesn’t need to take forever. I do it wh...

Strange, but true. Banana is an excellent conditioner. Many companies make banana hair conditioner, banana hair masks, banana shampoo, etc. but the best banana hair treatment I have ever used, was the one I made for myself. Must sound pretty odd, huh? It isn't complicated at all though to make yourself a homemade conditioner. At least you know what's in there, so you can judge it according to your hair type. All you need to do is blend a banana in the blender until it's smooth, and then apply it to your hair. Leave it on for about 1/2 hour to an hour and then wash your hair normally with your regular shampoo. You will find that after applying the banana to your hair, your hair becomes naturally glossy and easy to manage. It is much softer as well. For this reason, using banana on your hair is great especially for those with rough or dry hair, or for those that experience extreme summer months and dry heat. It's excellent for preventing and repairing hair loss as well. ...

While searching for some tips on lip care, I came across a site called themenpen.com. My initial reaction was to laugh at the title and to write it off as not being for me, since well, I’m no he. I was about to exit the site when I read one of their taglines: “There’s nothing gay about covering up a zit when you go out!” I couldn’t have agreed more and hence my article here!  Make-up has been largely thought of as for women. In modern times, the thought of using beauty-enhancement products on a man was seen as ‘gay’ or ‘faggish’. This largely helped to condition the international view of the fact that men should not (be allowed to) wear make-up as it is something only women do. However, I beg to disagree. Cosmetics have been introduced for men as far as back as the early civilizations and perhaps even beyond that time. As a kid I can remember seeing Egyptian rulers in our textbooks and thinking that it was odd how they wore kajal. Reading further into that although, I found that eye ma...