Category Archives: Beauty & Beauty Products

When looking for the latest and most exciting in teeth whitening kits with lights, it is important to keep a few important things in mind. The first thing to remember is the intensity of the light source itself. There are basically two kinds: standard home units and those with red and blue lights. Both can be effective in whitening your teeth but the difference lies mainly in the strength of their light sources. These two light sources tend to be stronger and therefore should not be used in tandem with each other.

Most teeth whitening kits with lights will contain either a single light or a pair of them, usually blue and red. They may also include bleaching agents. Bleaching agents are used because they add that extra bit of brightening to the whitening process. The effect is often compared to the effect of flashing your curtains. Bleaching agents tend to work very fast however and should be used with caution.

A typical product will contain either a gel or a paste. The gel is placed in a tray and lit up. As the trays are moved over your teeth the bleaching agent will work its magic. Typically a whiter smile can be achieved after the first application and after repeated applications of the result is very dramatic.

However this isn’t the end of the line; some people have found that using a combination of the gel and the whiting agent works better than just a whitening kit with a single light. For those who don’t have the time to apply the gel themselves it may be worth considering a kit with a combination of LED light and whiting agent. The LED lights used are similar to those used on electric pens. LED lights designed for home use tend to be slightly brighter than the ones used in dental practices, but they are still bright and quite portable.

The result of a whitening kit with a combination of lights is a whiter smile that lasts a lot longer than the best whitening gel. It is also a safer way to get that celebrity smile that you have always wanted. In terms of safety the main thing to look out for is to make sure that the kit you choose is made by a well-known and reputable company. This can usually be checked on the company’s website.

If you want a really simple teeth whitening kit you can always try a bleaching LED light tray. The bleaching gel is stored in a clear plastic cup and the LED light tray just fits into it. You can then fit the plastic tray into your mouth so that the gel is applied directly. To do this simply press the plastic tray into your mouth and hold it there for a few seconds. Then remove it and your teeth will be whitened as normal.

Cleaning your face is a big part of skin care but can sometimes feel like your doing It wrong. So many misconceptions surround cleaning your face and can keep you from confidently washing. I have put this article together to debunk some of those big face cleaning myths.

Wash Twice a Day

Over washing has been proven to rob your skin of its moisture and could lead to irritation. It can be a little confusing sometimes when trying to keep your skin clean. There are two principles to remember when keeping your skin clean. Clean your skin in the morning and night if your skin is excessively oily. Wash your skin after exercising or doing something that causes you to sweat heavily. If your skin is very dry just cleanse in the evening and skip the morning cleansing.

Toner needs to be in your skin care regimen

This is a very common thing that I hear all the time I need Toner in my skin care regimen. Many people dont know that alcohol-based toner removes natural oils. This is not good. Breakouts occur when your skin is in an excess of oil, but natural oils are healthy and ok. If you use an alcohol-free toner you can still get that feeling that many love from alcohol-based toners.

You need to spend a ton on skin care

Im sure you know how expensive skin care can get! With many skin care products being at a premium price You can definitely save money in skin care and beauty in general. You can save those more expensive products like retinol for leaving on instead of washing them down the sink. Minimizing your product usage can save you application time and a lot of money.

Your pores should be closed

This is a huge misconception and so many believe that they need to close their pores. Your pores dont actually open and close. Your pores can harden which is why many use steam to open up their pores but in reality they are softening hardened oil in their pours. When you use methods of heat or cold on your skin you can actually cause problems like redness. If you really want to increase your circulation skip the facial massage and increase your exercise.

Acne occurs when you skip washing your face

Im sure you have heard it before If you skip washing your face youll get acne!. If you skip washing your face you are definitely doing your skin no favors, but this isnt the only reason you would see acne. Acne is caused by a couple of things sebum, inflammation, clogged pores, and bacteria. This is a big myth that many believe, it’s just simply not true.

Skip the moisturizer if you have oily skin

Your skin needs moisturizer. Some people think that because their skin is oily and acne prone they can just skip this step of the skin care process, but this isnt the case. The way you can cater to your skin type is by changing the amount of moisturizer that you apply. If you have oily skin this requires the least amount of moisturizer to keep your skin balanced and healthy. Even though you may have oily skin, you still need a moisturizer for nourishing your skin and keeping it hydrated.

Some cosmetic products and looks would seem out of place on the everyday face, but make fun looks one can wear to a special party or event.

Most makeup experts agree that daily makeup application should lean more toward natural then creative, but there are a few time when one can really have fun with makeup products that they usually wouldnt wear. These include parties and special events. Here are a few ideas of cosmetic products and looks that work for party makeup.

False Eyelashes

False lashes can be a hassle and overwhelm the face if worn daily, but they can add fun and spice to party makeup and give you a very full set of eyelashes. There are many different types of false lashes available. These include strips and flares or individual lashes. They also come in many different styles. For a fun, yet sophisticated party look find lashes lined with glitter or that have glitter strips throughout the lashes.

If the event one is going to is not too formal one may even try colored lashes or ones made with feathers. Most lash sets come with lash glue and directions. Be careful to follow them closely and have fun with this first creative party look.

Glitter can be intimidating, but is great for a party look. One can buy glitter by itself or buy products that already contain glitter in them. Many eye shadows, eye liners, mascaras, blushes and lip colors are made to sparkle. Just dont wear too many of these products at once and end up looking like a human disco ball. If one wants the lips to sparkle, dont use glitter products on the eyes and vice versa. Another way to use glitter is a powder that can lightly be sprinkled over the face after the application of makeup for an over all glow.

Its not just the face that can be glittery; there are glitter body lotions and hair products that would look great at a party as well. The number one thing too remember with glitter is that less is more so keep it classy and dont use too much.

Creative Eye Makeup

Eye makeup is a fun way to dress up a party look. One can experiment with different colors of eye shadow, eyeliner and even mascara. They can mix colors and match them in ways they wouldnt dare usually. Some eye makeup colors that usually look good on everyone are plums and purples, golds, silvers, navy blues, emerald greens and most other jewel tones. Experimentation is needed to find the perfect look so one should set aside a good amount of time for doing their makeup before a party.

These looks may not be suitable for ones everyday makeup routine, but they can really liven up a party look in a fun and creative way.

Modern make-up is a breeding ground for bacteria and other nasties that do our delicate skin no good. And other beauty procedures, such as waxing and tanning, also pose significant health risks if not conducted safely and sensibly.

Eye Make-up

Bacteria adore eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner, particularly if youve been using it for years and even more so if you share it with your friends.

A study in the UK found that a quarter of women shared their eye make-up, even though many of them suffered from highly contagious infections, such as conjunctivitis, and were using products that were over five years old.

If you regularly suffer from itchy, watery or red eyes, check the use-by date on your favourite mascara. Throw away any eye make-up thats at least a year old, and replace mascara every six months. Replacing applicators is just as important. Using an old applicator with a new product will contaminate it.

Dont use your friends products; buy each other new ones as birthday or holiday gifts rather than risk sharing more than just a good night out. Always remove eye make-up before going to bed and dont put it near your eyes when testing a new product in a shop; use your hand instead.

If youre a contact lens user, these good practices are doubly important, as is washing your hands between applying make-up and putting in or taking out your contact lenses.

Pedicures & In-Salon Treatments

If you can afford treatments at a clinic in Harley Street, or high end beauty salon treatment, I think it is quite safe to say you will not see adverse effects from your beauty treatment, But if like most of us you use high street salons, it pays to be caustious.

Another potential source of infection is the pedicure. Poor sanitary procedures and the foot spas used in nail salons can transmit germs and fungal infections. Over one hundred women were infected at a US nail salon that didnt adequately clean its foot spas. Boils affected the womens lower legs and many were left with scars, especially those who had shaved their legs before going for their pedicure.

Before you book your pedicure, ask about safety practices and disinfection at your chosen salon. Ask whether they have movable foot spas rather than ones connected to chairs, as the movable type is easier to clean. Postpone your appointment if you have a cut, lesion or insect bite on your lower leg as broken skin will increase your risk of infection. Dont shave your legs the day before you go; the tiny abrasions caused by shaving can also allow bacteria to get into your skin.

The US state of New Jersey is working on banning genital waxing after two women were injured during a Brazilian. They both ended up in hospital. The problem occurs when the wax is ripped off the very thin and sensitive genital skin. The skin can be damaged and become infected and the infection spreads quickly. Women may be too embarrassed to go to the doctor, prolonging the problem. The danger is particularly acute for women with diabetes who have poor circulation, increasing their risk of serious infection.

If you really do want a Brazilian, get a professional with good hygiene standards to do it. Trying to do it at home will not only lead to poor results, but will greatly increase the risk of your injuring or burning yourself.

When you go to asalon, make sure the person waxing you uses gloves and fresh wax that hasnt be used on someone else. Dont get a wax during or near your period as the skin around your genitals will be even more sensitive to bruising and damage. Ask for natural waxing products to reduce the risk of irritation. And stay away from the salon completely if you have any kind of skin damage, irritation or infection, or youre taking drugs for acne.

Sunbathing and Tanning

The classic holiday brochure photo of bronzed families lolling by a pool belies the very real risk of sun cancer from too much summer holiday beach time. Its far healthier to use the winter months to perfect your fake tan, and then use it throughout the summer to look good and stay safe.

If you must lie in the sun, dont do it in the middle of the day and use a high SPF sunscreen. Use a daily moisturiser that contains sunscreen of at least SPF 15, even in winter, and especially if you spend a lot of time outside or live somewhere thats consistently sunny. Tanning salons are no cure either; sunbeds are no safer than lying in the sun.