Tag Archives: beauty

Your Perfume May be Increasing Your Risk for Diabetes

Many people in the United States are being exposed to a chemical called phthalates, which is found in every day things like perfumes, scented lotions, industrial paints, solvents, packaging, scented candles and almost anything else containing fragrance.

In Environmental Health Perspective’s recent study on diabetes and phthalates, they attempted to see if there was something connecting the two. The study was only done on women since the phthalates levels seem to be higher in them than men. The National Health and Nutrition Examination surveyed about 2,350 women. Each woman gave urine samples for chemical testing (questions on diabetes status and phthalates levels were not gathered at the same time which makes the study cross-sectional).

What the examination revealed was that per 1,000 women, there were 40 extra diabetes cases in the women who contained higher phthalates levels compared to those with lower levels. That means the risk of diabetes is twice as high in women who contain higher phthalates levels. Something to consider is that people who have diabetes might have higher phthalates levels because of the particular medications and medical devices that are used to actually treat the disease. Phthalates chemicals are found in many of these products as well. This study did not rule out this detail. (more…)

How People’s Most Beautiful Women Stay Fit and Healthy

Today, People Magazine announced its annual list of the World’s Most Beautiful Women; the magazine hits newsstands tomorrow, April 27. Gracing the 2024 cover is new mom and Hollywood super star Beyonce, who will be joined by nearly 180 other women who define beauty.

The top ten list includes some of the biggest television, music, and movie stars of the past year. What we like about all of them, including Miranda Lambert, Charlize Theron, and Christina Hendricks, is that they all embrace fit, active, healthy lifestyles. None of them are doing anything too extreme and all trying to practice moderation for the most part, not an easy task in the land of indulgence.

We’ve rounded up the diet and fitness techniques of this year’s top 10 most beautiful women.

View How the Most Beautiful Women Stay Fit Slideshow

Teen Model Posts Severe Acne Make Up Video, Plus What to Eat for Clear Skin

Think of your biggest insecurity. Now imagine revealing that insecurity to millions of people on the Internet. Sound like fun? We didn’t think so either.

But that’s exactly what 19-year-old model Cassandra Bankson did when she posted a video of herself on YouTube with completely bare skin to show others her severe acne. Bankson then demonstrated how she uses make up to cover up her biggest insecurity: her make-up free skin.

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‘The Beauty Detox Solution’ Claims Our Skin Reflects More Than Just Our Diet

You’ve heard the saying we are what we are eat. (In that case, paint me a peanut butter-covered banana.) Well, a new book called ‘The Beauty Detox Solution’ is bringing new evidence to this argument, and even suggests that our skin reflects more than just our diet.

Author Kimberly Snyder – clinical nutritionist and renowned celebrity beauty expert – wrote the book not only from a place of passion, but also from a place of experience. After enduring beauty troubles herself, Kimberly traveled the world to study ‘age-old beauty secrets’ and discovered that what you eat is the ultimate beauty product.

And what’s more? The health of our internal organs can also be apparent in our skin – a science referred to as ‘face mapping.’ In a recent appearance on The Today Show, Kimberly shared about the connection between laugh lines and our lungs; lines across our forehead and our colon; and the consumption of probiotics to treat acne.

Beyond face mapping, Kimberly goes a step further and recommends a beauty and diet regimen that rids your body of toxins so you can look and feel your best. While we haven’t seen the diet firsthand, based on several Amazon reviews, it’s strict, but effective and mostly raw. And includes a lot of green smoothies. (more…)

5 Beauty Secrets for the Holiday Season

It’s time to start decking the halls— and decking yourself for all the holiday parties in the coming month. Here, genius hair and makeup tips from Lindsay Watts, cosmetology expert and teacher at Empire Beauty Schools that’ll leave you dazzling, stat.

What’s the easiest hairstyle to whip together for a holiday party?

Keep six to eight bobby pins on hand in your desk— you can do almost anything with this little handful of lifesavers. Twist a quick messy bun at the back of your head, secure with the pins, and you have a perfect up-do that looks effortless but flattering. To make it a little more interesting, do the same technique, but pull the hair to the side of your head, sweeping strands to one side in the front: stunning!

What’s the hot party nail look this season?

There are so many great nail trends right now. I always love red nails for holiday and crimson is a great color for long-lasting gel manicures, which are super high-shine. Some nail technicians are actually rubbing grit buffers over these shades for a more matte look. These manicures will take you right through the whole holiday season, and with all the extra things on your to-do list, there’s no better time to have a manicure that you can forget about for two weeks. (more…)

12 Anti-Aging Herbs and Nutrients for Better Health

By Michelle Schoffro Cook for Care2.com

Trying to maintain a youthful appearance but don’t want to undergo the knife, Botox, or some other invasive procedure? Natural herbs and nutrients can help. Here are 11 of the best ones for anti-aging:

1. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): ALA is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radical damage. It also helps to recycle other antioxidants like vitamins E and C, giving you greater protection against free radicals. Free radicals are to blame for aging and disease, including skin damage and wrinkling.

2. Bilberry: Packed with antioxidants, bilberry is potent medicine against many age-related concerns. It is helpful to preserve vision and prevent degenerative eye diseases.

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Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin Warns Black Women not to Sacrifice Their Health for Their Hair

Growing up as a little girl, I can remember my mom spending a lot of time straightening my hair. She would go through the process of washing and pressing it, then she would section it out into some nice, pretty ponytails and I would head outside to play. On my way out the door she would yell, “Don’t sweat your hair out!,” a phrase most black women heard growing up.

What my mom meant was I shouldn’t go outside and get all sweaty, because that would reverse all the work she had just done. Any moisture on my hair would result in it becoming puffy and curly again. Many women grow up with the mentality of avoiding any type of sweat for fear of messing up their hair. Some even go as far as avoiding exercise in the name of beauty.

Black women have the type of hair that requires a lot of maintenance, and if time and money are spent in the beauty salon getting it styled and straightened, most aren’t likely to hit the gym and allow sweat to ruin it. Unfortunately, when this happens, health suffers. Some may think avoiding workouts to keep their hair intact isn’t a big deal, but the issue is serious.

In fact, Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin made an appearance at the recent Bonner Brothers International Hair Show in Atlanta, an annual show that features around 60,000 hair stylists. Dr. Benjamin, who is an African-American woman, wants to make sure black women know that a hairstyle shouldn’t keep you out of the gym.

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Mantras to Boost Your Mood

A mantra is a repeated word or group of words believed to have the ability to create a change due to the power of their specific vibrational qualities. The use of mantras originated in Vedic philosophy, which is a predecessor of Hinduism, to enhance the spiritual experience. A classic example is the mantra Om, which is used to invoke a connection with the body, the mind, and the soul, to the universe.

Today in America, mantras are used for just about anything and can be made up of just about any words. While you can practice reciting mantras traditionally with Sanskrit or Hindu words such as Om, any word or group of words will work as long as you fully believe in the power of change they instill.

To gain a boost in your self-esteem, mood or attitude, choose all or one of the following mantras. Be sure to pick a mantra that you resonate with, as this will make it a lot easier to trust in a positive outcome. If none of these mantras are of interest to you, make one up! Repeat your mantra silently in your mind or out loud several times a day and take note of the changes that occur.

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Miss Mexico Gains Six Pounds and Loses her Crown

Six pounds of weight gain will strip you of a pageant crown. At least, this is the claim Cynthia De La Vega, former Miss Mexico, is making.

La Vega, a model, was crowned Miss Mexico in September at the Nuestra Belleza Mundo pageant. La Vega placed second in the pageant, qualifying her to represent Mexico in the Miss World contest. However, she will no longer be doing so as she was officially withdrawn last month. Pageant organizers claim the 19-year-old had a “lack of dedication and discipline.”

La Vega voiced a different opinion as she was interviewed on Good Morning America recently. She explained that her weight gain of six pounds is what lead to her dismissal. La Vega further explained in a press conference how her coach has had her on a specific diet during this season. The entire ordeal has left the model very upset and she admits to feeling deceived.

This isn’t the first time pageant contestants have made these claims. Recently, 17-year-old Domonique Ramirez’s crown was revoked too. Ramirez was a sash bearer for Bexar County, Texas. Ramirez also claims that she was dismissed due to weight gain. Again, the pageant officials stated other reasons for their decision.

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10 All-Natural Beauty Treatments

By MyDailyMoment.com Editorial Team

Pretty is as pretty does. And while it might seem like it’s clothes and cosmetics that make the woman, the reality is all-natural beauty boosters are actually found in the place you’d least expect it. We’re talking about your food.

Shiny hair, glowing skin and bright eyes are all the by-products of healthy habits like proper diet and physical activity.

While the right wardrobe and makeup can go a long way in making you look attractive and feel confident, there are natural beauty boosters that can do the same and have a positive impact on your health, too.

When it comes to reviving your appearance, it’s “super foods” to the rescue. You may be a skeptic, but many fruits and vegetables actually contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can work from the inside out to enhance your beauty. Consider them a food fountain of youth.

Below you’ll find a few tips about natural beauty boosters that can be found in common foods:

Load Up On Antioxidants: Foods high in antioxidants and vitamins can help slow the aging process by protecting the body against free radicals. Antioxidant rich foods include broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, red grapes, berries, spinach and tea.

Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamins and Minerals: For great hair, eat foods that have Omega 3s, vitamin B12 and plenty of protein. Try eggs, olive oil, nuts and fish. (more…)

Texas Beauty Queen Stripped of Crown for Being Too Fat

Domonique Ramirez, the 17-year-old beauty queen Domonique Ramirez from Bexar County, Texas, is suing Miss Bexar County pageant officials for revoking her crown for gaining too much weight.

The organization claims that it wasn’t her weight that cost her the crown, but Ramirez “didn’t take her responsibilities seriously,” and would arrive to events late, “with no makeup, a dirty sash and a broken crown.”

Ramirez claims this isn’t true, and pageant officials stripped her of her crown for gaining weight. The pageant board’s spokeswoman, Linda Woods, admitted to telling Ramirez to “get off the tacos, get off the chips and the soda,” but Ramirez claims that Woods told her she was “just way too big,” and that “this is not going to work” during a photo shoot.

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