Researchers Say Nuts to Low-Fat Diet Alone

Health Search Drug Search Explore and compare medications Nov 09, 2011

Need to get your LDL cholesterol down (maybe way down) but your low-fat diet just isn't doing it? Try upping your intake of nuts, including soy nuts. Add a bowl of oatmeal (these are the best fast food choices) or barley soup, some soy milk, and a little cholesterol-fighting bread spread. Done.

In a new study, people who ate a diet rich in these foods lowered their LDL cholesterol by at least 13% in just 6 months. The shocker: A comparison group that ate a diet low in saturated fat got only a 3% LDL reduction. Talk about surprises. (Another surprise: Oatmeal and walnuts make you feel happy, too.)

A One-Two Punch
Lesson learned: Cutting back on saturated fat, while a healthy idea in general, isn't enough to get your LDL where you want it. It's stubborn stuff. To smack it down, you need drugs (here's a 101 on which) or foods rich in three specific ingredients: plant sterols (phytosterols), soy protein, and sticky (viscous) fiber.

These ingredients may not sound all that tasty, but the foods they're in are! (Who doesn't love cashews?) They're also easy to find, quick and simple to eat, and so filling that they'll likely help you lose weight while lowering your LDL cholesterol. How effective are their ingredients? Other studies have found that diets rich in them could cut your LDL cholesterol as much as a low-dose statin drug. Yowza.

To knock down your cholesterol, here's how much to eat of what:

Mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, peanuts, the works): a small handful a day. Nuts are full of protein, heart-healthy fats, and -- critical here -- LDL-fighting phytosterols. Soy protein: two to three servings a day of soy milk, soy nuts, and tofu (total: 25 grams of protein). This alone can drop your LDL by 10%. Spreads high in plant sterols (think Benecol, Take Control): about two tablespoons a day. That's enough to reduce your LDL levels 5% to 17%. Sticky fiber: about two servings a day of oatmeal, barley, beans, lentils, or a psyillium supplement (Metamucil). The sticky, viscous fiber in these foods can lower LDL by 5% to 10%.

Sometimes you feel like a nut? That's a good thing. Discover more super-healthy foods:

How to Lighten Your Skin Naturally

As you grow old, freckles and dark sports may start arising. The skin tone changes with time and it does not remain as light as it used to be. Constant exposure to sun can also result in a darker complexion. These undesirable changes can be very frustrating if you are not ready to embrace them.

The good news is that you can lighten your complexion in natural ways. Restoring the natural glow of a weather-beaten skin is possible in easy ways.

Below you will find a compilation of useful natural whitening tips:

Natural Skin Lightening MethodsPrepare a Natural Skin Lightening Cream

Lemon juice and egg white can be used to create a natural skin lightening cream at home.

Take equal amounts of egg white and lemon juice.Mix these two and heat them on a small frying pan. Wait until the mixture turns semi-solid.Now remove the paste from the pan and keep it inside a jar. Let the jar cool down in a refrigerator.Apply the paste on your skin and wait until 15 minutes before rinsing.

It is very effective for removing sun tan. Use this cream every day until you get the desired skin tone.

Use Sunblock Regularly

One of the easiest ways to keep your skin fair and glowing is to use sunblock on a regular basis. Any moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or above can be used as a sunblock.

In the morning, wash your face and apply the moisturizer. The layer of moisturizer on your skin will protect you from sun for a long time. It will prevent undesirable changes in skin tone.

Also, sunblock prevents many other skin diseases caused by harmful ultraviolet rays. Age spots are most prominent in areas around your hands. So, remember to apply sunblock regularly in these areas.

Exfoliate at Least Once a Week

Get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliating at least once a week. Exfoliation is more important if your skin is developing dark spots, freckles and skin damages due to old age. Dead cell removal naturally lightens your skin complexion. The skin will also appear brighter as you continue with this practice for over a month.

Take two tablespoons each of brown sugar and oatmeal and mix them with a quarter cup of milk.Thoroughly stir the mixture until you get a semi-solid paste.Start scrubbing your face slowly by using this paste. Be as gentle as possible. Scrubbing shouldn't result in further skin damage.When you are finished with scrubbing, rinse your face with clean water and apply a moisturizer in the end.Use Homemade Skin Lightening Mask at Least Once a Week

Homemade masks are most commonly used to lighten skin in a natural way. Apply the mask and relax comfortably on the couch or watch TV. Using homemade mask at least once a week will produce noticeable results in two or three weeks.

Preparation and application of a homemade mask is quite easy.

First of all, take one tablespoon each of cucumber juice, lemon juice, tomato juice, and sandalwood paste.Carefully apply the paste on all areas of your face. Now you need to wait until the paste dries on your face.Rinse your face with clean water and apply moisture in the end.

Regular application of a homemade mask will give you a naturally glowing skin within 4 weeks.

Use Licorice Extract

A natural skin whitening component called glabridin is present in licorice extract. You can find licorice extract at your nearby health store. If not, you can search for licorice extract on some online health stores.

In the morning and evening, wash your face and apply a thin layer of this extract. Licorice extract should be applied before you moisturize the skin.

You can keep licorice fresh for a long period of time if you store it in a cool and dark place. Some people develop allergic reactions to licorice extract.

Before you apply the extract on face, apply a small amount of the extract on your arm to test for the allergic reaction.

Use a Natural Skin Bleaching Mask

It is very easy to make a bleaching mask at home.

Take a glass of boiling water and steep a teaspoon dried fennel in it.Wait for at least 40-60 minutes. After about one hour, remove all herbal stuff from the glass of water.Add a tablespoon of buttermilk to this water. Directly apply the water and buttermilk mixture on your face in a gentle manner.Let the bleaching mask stay on your face for at least 15-20 minute and rinse with clean water.

Your skin is a part of who you are. It is one of a few things that make you unique and beautiful. Take a good care of your skin by following skin lightening tips mentioned above and remember to love it no matter what color it is.

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30 Beauty Tips for Women

Caring for aging skin is extremely important in regards to fighting off wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Of course, there are also surgical methods to keep aging skin from being visible; however, these methods leave women looking stiff and ungracefully-aged. Since this is the case, the latest trends revolve around using organic and natural beauty products.

Unfortunately, it isn't always easy to obtain natural and organic products, but there are household items available to help you age gracefully, while also allowing you to save money in the process. In addition to organic products, you can promote beauty through a variety of other ways, which we’ll cover in this list of .

Beauty Tips for Women: beautiful skin, healthy hair...Sun Damage

It’s pretty difficult to avoid the sun's rays, but you'll be better off seeing less of them when possible. After all, the sun causes skin damage, which leads to fine lines and wrinkles that will show up in your later years. And the tanning beds that provide artificial sunlight aren’t much better than the sun, so they should also be avoided. Now that we’ve established this, here are some tips.

#1 Tip: It may seem as though sunblock isn't necessary during the winter, or on overcast days when the weather is cold; but you should still take precautions to protect yourself. The sun will come in contact with your skin as soon as you step foot outside, which means it’s important to stay protected even if you’re only checking the mail. Also, your clothes are not a barrier and do not protect you from the sun, so always apply sunblock over your body.

#2 Tip: The sun is strongest between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so be especially cautious during this time period. Hats can be fashionable, and women have been wearing them for years now to protect themselves from the sun. In short, always remember to wear a hat when you're outside. Sunglasses also are important, fashionable, and keep wrinkles at bay as long as your glasses block at least 99% of UVA sunlight.

Benefits from Good Food

Your mother has been telling you for years to eat your vegetables, and if you're not eating them by now, you should seriously consider revisiting her advice. It has been proven that having a healthy diet enhances the health and appearance of your hair, teeth, nails and skin. And not only do vegetables and fruit work from the inside-out, but they can work from the outside-in when you make your own masks and scrubs at home using things found in nature.

#3 Tip: Sticking with the food theme, when you're baking or cooking, add some ingredients that are anti-inflammatory like ginger, cinnamon and turmeric. If you’re wondering why this is important, consider this: when you are exposed to things that trigger inflammation inside your body like air pollution, the body becomes stressed and your systems are strained, which leads to fine lines. But when you ingest foods that are anti-inflammatory, you are lowering the chances of getting fine lines later on. Here are some other food concepts that you can associate with enhanced beauty.

#4 Tip (Vitamin C): By eating strawberries, papaya, broccoli, oranges and bell peppers, you're combating wrinkles and dryness because of the vitamin C that’s found in these foods. Vitamin C smoothes skin, and is able to clean up the free radicals produced from ultraviolet rays. The skin needs vitamin C to produce collagen, which makes the skin less prone to wrinkles. There are cosmetics on the market that offer vitamin C as an ingredient, but eating the vitamin C is a better way to boost your collagen since it’s more natural.

#5 Tip (Lycopene): Found in foods like carrots, watermelon and tomatoes, lycopene is a substance that helps to keep your skin smooth. Research has proven that lycopene improves the texture of skin, so you'll be better off eating garden vegetables and fresh produce to boost your skin's concentration of lycopene.

#6 Tip (Isoflavones): Eat plenty of tofu, soymilk, and edamame for a healthy boost of firming collagen action. It has been proven that people who eat foods with isoflavones have fewer wrinkles from ultraviolet radiation than those who consume foods that don't have isoflavones. Also, it’s believed that isoflavones help to keep collagen from breaking down.

#7 Tip (Omega 3): Tuna, salmon, trout, and sardines are all loaded with omega 3, which keeps your skin looking youthful by preserving the collagen in skin.

#8 Tip (Green Tea): When choosing to drink green tea instead of coffee, you're hydrating your body, boosting your metabolism, and loading up on free radical-neutralizing polyphenols, which have been proven to help prevent cancer.

Hair Care Tips

Hair is one of the most versatile parts of a beauty regimen, and having healthy hair is just as important as having healthy glowing skin. Hair is easily damaged with blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons that women use daily. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid using tools that could potentially damage your hair. The items you need can sometimes be found at a grocery store, and will cost much less than a bottle of product loaded with unnecessary and harmful chemicals.

#9 Tip: Avocado hair masks are great for dry hair, but can also be used to keep your hair from becoming dry. Avocado is high in fat and protein, thus making it nourishing while taking care of frizz. To use this food on your hair, take half of an avocado that has been peeled, an egg, two tablespoons of olive oil, castor oil and wheat germ. Smash all of the ingredients together in a bowl, and then massage the mixture onto your dry hair, working your way from the ends to the roots. Once you've covered all of your hair, use a shower cap or plastic bag to cover the strands for 20-30 minutes. Try putting a warm towel around your covered head until the time is up; it will boost the condoning process.

Next, rinse the mixture completely out of your hair, and then shampoo as normal. Dry hair should get this treatment once a week until back to normal, and normal-to-oily hair that is being treated as a precautionary treatment only needs this process twice a month. Check some recipes for hair masks.

#10 Tip: After showering, your hair is at its weakest point, and will be vulnerable to breaking, falling out and/or split ends. To keep your hair from breaking, splitting or falling out, don't rub a towel on your hair; instead gently squeeze your strands with your towel to remove as much moisture as you can.

#11 Tip: It is best to wait for your hair to dry before sleeping since this can cause hair to fall out. And to reduce the chances of hair falling out while sleeping, use silk pillowcases on your pillow, or wrap your hair in a silk scarf. Silk is the best fabric for preventing night time hair loss.

#12 Tip: For hair that is lacking volume, bounce and shine, massage an egg and mayonnaise mixture onto your hair, working from the scalp to the ends. Leave the mixture on for 15-20 minutes with a shower cap or plastic bag covering your strands, then rinse, shampoo and condition as normal. Repeat once a week for optimal results.

#13 Tip: Soaking your hair in whole milk will also bring back the shine to your hair. This process takes longer than the method in Tip #10, but it also sounds more appealing to most people. Massage your scalp with whole milk and work your way down to the ends. Leave the milk on your strands for no less than and hour, and then rinse without shampooing or conditioning. On the following day, shampoo and condition as normal, and get ready to notice the difference the milk made. You will need to repeat this process once or twice a week for glossy locks.

#14 Tip: Your skin isn't the only target the sun has to destroy. When you're outdoors, your hair is also exposed to the sun, and the sun drains the life out of hair - taking its moisture, shine and volume down to zero. In order to avoid this unpleasantness, use hats, scarves, and umbrellas as a shield against the sun's harmful rays. If you feel daring, try using the SPF sunblock used on skin in your hair; use a small amount to rub throughout your strands. You might also want to try putting your hair in a bun or braid when you know you’ll be in the sun for extended amounts of time.

Skin Remedies

Many areas of the skin have a tendency to become dry, itchy and callused if they’re not taken care of. Fortunately, there are products on the market for healing dry skin, taking care of callused feet, and creams that treat itchy skin; but there are also home remedies that cost less, and work better than anything you can buy in a bottle.

#15 Tip: Use a coffee, sugar, and vanilla mixture on the knees, elbows, and feet or other areas of the skin that are rough. This combination not only smells good because of the relaxing scent of vanilla extract, but it also works because the coffee has very strong antioxidants, and the sugar works as an exfoliator to smooth skin.

#16 Tip: To create the scrub described above, gather a one-fourth measuring cup, teaspoon of vanilla extract, half cup of fresh coffee grinds and a cup of sugar. Once you’ve done this, mix olive oil with the vanilla extract in a small bowl. In a slightly larger bowl, put the grinds and sugar together, and then pour the liquid ingredients into a bowl holding the sugar and coffee grinds. Next, mix the ingredients together to make a paste. When you are finished, take the bowl into the shower with you, and shower as normal. Before getting out of the shower, start massaging the scrub onto your skin, and keep in mind that you are able to use this scrub over the entire body for increased circulation.

Avoid using the scrub on broken or sensitive skin and your face. For skin that is dry and bumpy, use this scrub twice a week, instead of once a week like with normal skin.

#17 Tip: Avoid dark knees and elbows by moisturizing two times daily. If you happen to run out of lotion in your home, use olive oil to massage onto dry knees and elbows. It is important for your joints to stay hydrated so they don’t become dry and unattractively dark. You should also pay special attention to your elbows and knees in the shower when you’re exfoliating the body. Also, rub your joints a few seconds longer than the rest of your body to keep the skin from darkening.

General Tips for Looking Youthful

#18 Tip: Change your lip color to a lighter shade for an instantly younger, more youthful mouth. Go a little further by adding just a dab of gloss to the middle of both your upper and lower lips. This gives you a fuller lip, which is great for those who normally have thin-looking lips.

#19 Tip: Use self tanning lotion on your legs to mask spider veins, cellulite, and give the legs a slimming appearance. If you're afraid of not blending the lotion in all of the way, follow up with a highly absorbing lotion that contains Aloe; this will help to even out lines that might have been left from the tanning lotion. For an allover tan that looks like you've been to the beach, put self tanning lotion on before going to bed, and remember to let it dry or you'll tan your sheets too! When you wake up in the morning, you'll have some color without the expense of going on a vacation or having to suffer through sunburn.

#20 Tip: Use a cream highlighter on the corners of your eyes. This trick will help hide crows feet and shadows that are oftentimes forgotten about, and you will have wide and bright eyes that don't look tired. Next, take a powder that is one shade darker than your natural skin tone to use on both sides of your nose, chin or jaw line, and below the apples of your cheeks. This creates the illusion of having a slimmer face, and any woman can appreciate this.

#21 Tip: Drink plenty of water and avoid sodas. Taking things a step further, there is a secret to burning extra calories when it comes to water. Always ask for ice water because it uses up calories when your body warms the water up to body temperature. In fact, put ice in everything you drink for a little boost of calorie burning action. Moving to food, eat fresh fruits and vegetables before every meal so that you get plenty of food without packing on the pounds. Celery and pineapple are said to be no calorie snacks, so eat up!

#22 Tip: Use oil blotting sheets throughout the day if your face tends to become oily often. Oil blotting sheets are a better way to soak up excess oil without adding more powder to your face. Speaking of powder, it’s best to avoid this altogether because it can sink into your wrinkles and add years to your face.

#23 Tip: After you apply your black mascara, go over it with a blue mascara. It won’t look blue, however, the blue hues in your lashes will give the illusion of having sparkling white eyes, which gives an appearance of youth. In addition to this, always curl your lashes so that you look awake and perky. If you have redness around your eyes that make you look tired or unfocused, use a peach colored pencil to line the inner rims of your eyes. This will help brighten the windows to your soul, and make you feel and look more awake.

#24 Tip: Look for firming body creams and moisturizers that include seaweed, caffeine, ginseng and mushroom extract. Firming and keeping your skin toned is a big part of staying young. The best time to apply firming body creams is before bed, in the morning and after showering.

#25 Tip: Put your eye cream and moisturizers in the fridge to keep them cool, which makes these products even more beneficial. When you wake up in the morning, your eyes can be puffy, dark, and have visible veins; but once you massage cool, soothing lotions and creams onto your face, your puffy eyes will disappear. For an extra bonus, look for eye creams that contain ceramides or niacinamide to strengthen your moisture barrier and reduce irritation.

#26 Tip: For flower soft lips, dampen a washcloth with warm water, and rub your lips to remove flakey skin. Then use a heavy moisturizing lip balm and smother your lips with it. Assuming you do this, you’ll go to sleep and wake up with healthy looking lips that are flake-free. If this method doesn't take care of your chapped or flakey lips, there are exfoliating products on the market that are specifically-designed for lips. You can purchase them at any beauty supply store, and at online beauty sites too.

#27 Tip: If do-it-yourself hair treatments aren't your thing, find a deep conditioning hair mask to use. Next, wrap your hair up in a towel, and leave it wrapped for 20 minutes before rinsing it out; this will make your hair silky and shiny like a child's head of hair. You should use a deep conditioning hair mask once a week for extremely damaged hair; however, some deep conditioning masks cause build-up on your scalp, and will require a clarifying shampoo or baking soda for it to be removed.

#28 Tip: Add a serum into your daily routine for the highest levels of wrinkle-fighting ingredients. When you choose to use a serum along with your other face creams, wrinkle creams and moisturizers, you are boosting the power of the wrinkling fighting ingredients found inside. For the best results, use serums twice a day along with your other face products.

#29 Tip: You're never too old to pretend you're a princess, so sit up straight and walk with your head high. Practicing good posture will keep you from looking like an elderly woman with a hunchback when you are older. In regards to keeping good posture, hold your ears above your shoulders, and your shoulders above your hips. If you can pull this off, you'll be feeling like a princess in no time.

#30 Tip: You have every right to experiment with your hair style, hair color and clothing. Okay, so you won’t want to dye your hair blue, but since you will be covering up grey hair eventually, there is no harm in trying highlights or lowlights. You can even grow your hair out, get bangs or try a loose curl perm. When you change up the way you look, it is an automatic mood boost that will keep you up to date on popular trends.

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How to Get and Maintain the Perfect Eyebrow

Eyebrows create symmetry on the face. That's why women with perfect eyebrows look more beautiful. The sad truth is that most women often neglect to groom or shape their eyebrows, which can lead to a less beautiful overall image. So here, we will describe some beauty tips for the best way to achieve and maintain that perfect eyebrow to enhance your overall beauty.

Using clear mascara, brush your eyebrows straight up. You will then need to use some small scissors to carefully trim all the hairs that extend past the natural shape you want the top of your eyebrows to be. Brush each brow back into it's natural shape after you have finished trimming.Using an eyebrow or eyeliner pencil, draw along the side of your nose and up towards your inner eye to make sure that the inner edge of your eyebrow is lined up with the very inner corner of your eye.Do the same thing with the eyeliner pencil, drawing a line that intersects from the side of your nose up to your iris. This will be where you make your arch.Once again, to determine where your eyebrow should end, draw a line from the side of your nose up past the outer corner of your eye. Wax or Tweeze away any hairs that are out side of where you marked. You are actually shaping the eyebrow now to make it beautiful.Brush eyebrows with the clear mascara once again to keep in place and use an eyebrow pencil or liner to fill in any sparse areas.

That's it! Maintain your brows by repeating these steps once every 2-6 weeks, depending on how fast your eyebrow hairs grow. Please enjoy more articles and beauty tips.

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Can't Get to the Gym? Drink This!

Wine lovers, rejoice! On those days when you're pressed for time and just can't squeeze in your 30-minute walk (you do take one, yes?), pop open a bottle of vino.

A surprising new study has found that resveratrol -- the heart-protecting ingredient found in red wine -- may also help fight the muscle loss associated with too much sitting around.

Use It or Lose It? Maybe Not
Looking for ways to prevent some of the toll spaceflight takes on astronauts -- muscle wasting, bone thinning, insulin resistance -- scientists subjected two groups to weightless conditions for 15 days, and gave one group resveratrol supplements. The supplements group emerged with their muscles, bones, and insulin systems humming along. The group that did without resveratrol wasn't so lucky.

The effects of space flight and a sedentary lifestyle are similar, say scientists, and while resveratrol is no substitute for skipping exercise altogether, it could be a way to slow muscle deterioration if you're sidelined by an injury or chained to your desk during a nonstop work week.

Wine: It Does a Body Good
Resveratrol is an antioxidant that's abundant in the skin of red grapes, which is why red wine has such a stash. While its ability to maintain muscle mass needs to be confirmed, resveratrol is one of those plant nutrients that's been piling up health benefits left and right. Among the latest: Recent research has found that resveratrol helps reduce body fat, contains powerful anti-cancer agents, and might help you live longer. We'll drink to that!

If red wine isn't your thing, you can still reap the rewards by munching on peanuts or a handful of blueberries -- both contain the natural chemical -- or red grapes, of course! Or those supplements.

30 Minutes to a Bigger, Better Brain

Health Search Drug Search Explore and compare medications Oct 18, 2011

Here's a relaxing, 30-minute practice that may boost brain power while lifting your mood and your memory. We're talking about mindfulness meditation.

The stress-reducing benefits of meditation are well documented, but how this ancient Zen practice works to improve well-being is little known. That said, a new study has revealed that meditation may enhance key structures in the brain responsible for learning, memory, and emotion control.

Mind Your Gray Matter
In the small study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were taken before and after an 8-week program that combined about 30 minutes a day of full-body progressive relaxation, yoga, and seated meditation. Compared to a control group, the mindfulness meditation participants experienced an increase in gray matter concentration in the hippocampus, the cerebellum, and other key brain regions responsible for cognitive function and emotion control. The researchers suggest meditation may be an effective tool to reverse certain downsized brain regions commonly seen in people suffering from depression and anxiety. (Related: Learn more about how to cope with anxiety and depression.)

Do Your Homework
Mindfulness meditation is a practice rooted in the ancient Buddhist tradition of quieting the mind and body in order to focus awareness on the present moment rather than dwelling on negative past experiences, today's problems, or worries about the future. The meditators were also asked to integrate mindfulness techniques into everyday tasks, such as shopping, exercising, cleaning house, and eating. Talk about a convenient, do-it-yourself way to boost brain power and buoy your mood. (Related: Practice mindful eating to eat less and lose weight.)

Getting started takes just 10 minutes. Use these 5 how-to steps to launch your practice and discover the benefits of meditation for yourself.

RealAge Benefit

Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16 years younger. Take the RealAge Test!

References

Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Holzel, B. K. et al., Psychiatry Research 2011 Jan 30;191(1):36–43.

Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger. Take the RealAge Test  Copyright 2010 RealAge

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The 3 Things to Monitor For Maximum Health

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Health screenings are absolutely critical — why wouldn’t they be? After all, if you had a chance to see ahead of time that you were headed towards harming yourself, you would naturally want to take steps to avoid that type of pain in your life. It’s just common sense.

Unfortunately, the world of health care can be a tricky world to navigate through, as there’s a lot of things that you will need to figure out. One thing that you can do to boost your health is to start thinking about the type of screenings that you can do on your own in order to make sure that your health is headed in the right direction.

The first thing that you really want to be aware of is what you’re eating. A lot of people think that they know exactly what they’re taking in everyday, but after you keep a detailed food diary for a week you might be surprised! The other benefit of having the food dairy is that you can actually have your doctor look over it with you in order to make changes.

However, that’s not the only thing that you need to focus on. Your blood pressure matters as well. In order to really make sure that you will be able to get things under control, you need to have a blood pressure cuff. The digital versions aren’t expensive, and it’s a good way to make sure that you aren’t super stressing your body. The harder your heart has to work, the higher risks you’re taking of having problems as time passes.

Want Stronger Bones? Develop a Passion for Purple

Health Search Drug Search Explore and compare medications Nov 07, 2011

Prunes, or dried plums, are full of healthy surprises. Once mainly known as a laxative in a box, the wrinkly fruit recently rose to diet stardom thanks to evidence that it boosts fat loss and heart health.

Now it turns out that, in the world of fruits and vegetables, prunes are all-stars at building bone density.

This became evident when a team of state university researchers from Florida and Oklahoma gave one group of postmenopausal women 10 dried plums every day for a year, while a second group ate 3.5 ounces of dried apples. All the women in both groups took daily doses of calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D (400 IU).

The prune eaters wound up with significantly denser bones in their forearms and spines than the apple eaters. Why? The prunes slowed the rate of bone breakdown, which starts outpacing the rate of new bone growth as you age. A related lab study on animals found that eating dried plums could restore bone mass after the loss had already occurred. Yes, as in menopause. Way to go, prunes!

Just how impressive are prunes? "I have tested numerous fruits, including figs, dates, strawberries, and raisins," one of the researchers noted. "None have come anywhere close to producing the effect on bones that prunes do."

Read what Drs. Oz and Roizen have to say about prunes' surprising health payoffs.

Osteoporosis 101: Get the lowdown on keeping up with your bones.

Bone up on bone health: Get tips for stronger bones with this health assessment tool.

RealAge Benefit

Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger. Take the RealAge Test!

References

Comparative effects of dried plum and dried apple on bone in postmenopausal women. Hooshmand S. et al., British Journal of Nutrition 2011 Sep; 106(6):923–930.

Short-term effects of a snack including dried prunes on energy intake and satiety in normal-weight individuals. Farajian P. et al., Eating Behaviors 2010 Aug; 11(3):201–203.

Dried plum reverses bone loss in an osteopenic rat model of osteoporosis. Deyhim F. et al., Menopause 2005 Nov-Dec; 12(6):755–762.

Dried plums improve indices of bone formation in postmenopausal women. Arjmandi, B.H. et al., Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine 2002 Jan-Feb; 11(1): 61–68.

Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger. Take the RealAge Test  Copyright 2010 RealAge

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More Reasons to Indulge in Chocolate

Not that you need another reason to indulge in chocolate (you probably already know it's good for your blood pressure), but isn't it delightful, delicious, and delectable that there is one? Eating chocolate shaves your risk of "cardiometabolic disorders," a cluster of conditions that nobody wants, including heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. (Taking this vitamin also helps protect you from this nasty threesome.)
Here's the big surprise: We're talking all kinds of chocolate, not just the dark types. Even milk chocolate and cups of hot cocoa have benefits.
We're also not talking slight improvements. Research reveals that consuming a healthy amount of chocolate reduces your risk of heart disease by 37% and stroke by 29% versus eating little or none. (Not coincidentally, it also lowers your bad LDL cholesterol.) In addition, it shrinks your risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 31%. These impressive numbers emerged from an analysis of seven studies involving more than 100,000 people.
What's in chocolate that makes it so good for you? Loads of potent plant antioxidants called polyphenols, including flavonoids. Yep, the same good-for-you substances found in blueberries, wine, green tea, and olive oil, as well as many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Among polyphenols' many powers is the ability to sooth inflammation in your body. Internal hot zones are linked to all kinds of trouble, from memory damage to joint pain and accelerated aging. (Learn more about chocolate as a healthful treat.)
A Little "Dose" Will Do Ya
Like wine, the trick with chocolate is to indulge daily without overindulging. A little goes a long way, because most chocolate contains about 150 calories per ounce, including lots of sugar and fat. Overdo and you could actually increase the health risks you're trying to prevent. In most of these studies, people had an ounce or two a day. Even smarter: Get your fix in a cozy cup of hot chocolate made with real polyphenol-rich cocoa powder, no-fat milk, and sugar-free sweetener. Bingo! All the benefits, none of the bad stuff.
Eat chocolate, die happy, and live longer. Sweet.
Another surprise: Chocolate may also be good for your brain and even your teeth!
A creamy complexion: That cup of hot cocoa can also do nice things for your skin.

GOOD HEALTH

Good Health: Make a Habit of it

  Habits - we all have them. Some are good, and some are bad. Good habits are the ones to keep and bad habits are the ones to lose. It sounds simple, and it can be. Breaking bad habits begins by recognising the habit; the next step is creating the plan to break the habit.

While every habit is different and will require a different approach, there are some similarities to overcoming any bad habit. Consider these beginning steps to set you on your path to a healthier life:

1. Focus on one habit you want to overcome.
2. Determine what you want to achieve.
3. Set small, realistic goals -- breaking a big task into several smaller tasks makes it more manageable.
4. Seek a support system or friend to help you through the rough spots.
5. Jump in and start working towards those goals!

Habits take time to form, and time to break. Remember this common rule of thumb: Most habits take 21 days to make or break. That's only three weeks to a better, healthier life.

Most habits start out as an occasional activity and build into habits over time. If you understand how habits are formed you can use the knowledge to develop good habits and avoid creating bad ones.

  Habits are formed by repeating an activity or behaviour regularly over a period of time. We tend to walk a certain way and talk a certain way because we repeat these activities over and over. Habits happen in much the same way.

Many times the best path to overcoming an unhealthy habit is to replace it with a healthy habit. Try these five steps for replacing your habits:

STEP 1: Recognise your habit.

It is as simple as it sounds. Recognise your unhealthy habit and when you are most likely to fall into it. Write down your reasons for wanting to stop, and keep the list posted in a prominent place in your home or office.

STEP 2: Pick a replacement activity.

Figure out what you can do in place of your habit. If you crack your knuckles, consider buying a rubber ball to bounce or squeeze. Consider creative replacements to habits such as music or art. Write down your reasons for wanting to start this new and healthy habit, and keep this list posted next to your list of reasons to quit.

STEP 3: Become habit conscious.

Try to be very aware of your habit. Spend some time each day reviewing your reasons for wanting to quit this habit, and consider how your life will be once you are rid of it.

STEP 4: Replace your habit.

Make an effort to practice a new healthy habit at every opportunity. Even if you aren't ready to give up the old unhealthy habit, continue practicing your new habit. You want it to become a part of your everyday routine.

STEP 5: Stop the old unhealthy habit.

Don't put it off - stop that habit today! No matter how long it takes, only you have the power to overcome your habits.

Love TV? Do This During Commercials

Health Search Drug Search Explore and compare medications Oct 25, 2011

Are you a TV addict? Try this: When your favorite show breaks for commercial, get off the couch and step in place.

Too much time watching The Real Housewives or ESPN contributes to weight gain and obesity because it often replaces pursuits that burn more calories. Experts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hypothesized that having people get up and step in place during all the commercials would help address that.

The researchers measured the calories that 23 adults burned while resting, sitting, standing, stepping in place, and walking on a treadmill at 3 miles per hour. Then the participants watched TV for an hour while lounging and for another hour while stepping during commercials.

Participants burned no more calories while sitting and watching TV than they did just resting. But when they stepped in place during commercials, they racked up an average of 25 minutes of physical activity and 2,111 steps to burn 40 calories per hour -- all without breaking a sweat or losing track of who was voted off Dancing with the Stars. (Related: Try these other anywhere, anytime exercises.)

Need more tips for curbing the TV habit?

Don't eat while watching TV. (Here’s how paying attention when you eat can help whittle your waist.)Plan your viewing ahead of time so you watch what you really enjoy and skip the rest.Make your muscles work even while you sit. Swap the couch for an exercise ball.

Just be sure those steps during the commercials don’t lead you to the kitchen for a snack!

RealAge Benefit

Exercising regularly, expending at least 3,500 calories of energy a week, can make your RealAge 3.4 years younger. Take the RealAge Test!

References

Energy cost of stepping in place while watching TV commercials. Steeves, Jeremy A., et al., Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Live Longer with This Diet

Health Search Drug Search Explore and compare medications Oct 24, 2011
Want to live a long, vigorous life? Add to your other healthful habits the Mediterranean diet.
You’ve probably heard about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. New research reveals that combining this way of eating with three other healthful lifestyle behaviors may boost longevity, especially in women.
Food for Thought
Dutch researchers followed more than 120,000 men and women for a decade to track their habits and mortality rates. People who ate a Mediterranean diet, didn’t smoke, maintained a healthy weight, and exercised regularly lived the longest. And for women, following the Mediterranean diet was significantly related to lower mortality.
Going Greek
Sometimes called “the world's healthiest cuisine,” the Mediterranean diet emphasizes lots of plant proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, along with nuts and moderate alcohol consumption. (Yes, you can have a glass of wine with dinner.) It’s also low in refined grains, red meat, and sweets.
Mediterranean Magic
Here are three more good reasons to adopt this diet plan:
It promotes healthy arteries to protect your heart.It may help regulate blood sugar levels to slash your diabetes risk.It battles belly fat.
Best of all, Mediterranean food is delicious and easy to prepare. Try it for yourself with this Roasted Cod with Warm Tomato-Olive-Caper Tapenade recipe.
RealAge Benefit
Eating nonfried fish three times a week can make your RealAge up to 3 years younger.
Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger.

What Foods Cause Acne?

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Diet and acne... many people say that foods don't affect acne, some people say it does. Well, they are both right in my opinion. All depends how your body, your skin reacts to certain foods and what skin type you have - if you don't have acne problem, foods may not cause you problems, but for those with acne problem, certain foods can make it worst.

In my opinion, if you are reading this article I assume that you have acne problem, bigger or smaller, anyway it affects your life some way and you are looking for solution. My advice is - you should care what you eat, you should avoid certain foods, and you should have your eyes open and observe if your acne problem is getting worse after eating certain foods - because each of us may react different and what we can do is to observe our own bodies, simply to know our bodies like we know our favourite movie. Sounds strange? Believe me, so many of us don't know own body, especially how certain foods affect it.

In my opinion, foods are so important in our life and if we can, we always should care what we eat to make our internal systems stronger, it's hard to see how internal organs look like, but if they work properly we will be healthy.

I want to give you an example about something you can see: if you want to build strong body, big muscles and be simply strong man (or woman)! You have to exercise, practice, give your body muscles proper stimulation, it will make your body stronger - adding special foods into that, your body will be stronger even faster, because of proper nutrition. In acne battle is the same, just food is even more important.

It's good to use other treatments, like: proper cleansing, antibiotics and effective lotions - but without proper dietiary plan, they will not be as sufficient as they could be - even if you will get rid of acne using antibiotics, it may come back after a while if your diet is bad and you have to answer if you want to go for acne antibiotics again?

I guess you know that antibiotics always have some side effects. Read about the causes of acne and some crucial rules to follow to get rid of acne (one of them is to avoid certain foods - there are four more ruleslisted there).

It's great to start with restricted diet and after a while, when your acne problem is getting smaller, you can try with foods that you removed from your menu, maybe it will not affect you - you will observe. There always should be balance, between what to eat and what not to eat, sometimes we just like so much foods we should avoid and we have to let go our restrictions, we shouldn't be to hard on ourselves with our diets but it's great to know what food causes what problems in our body and be able to accept cause and effect.. and most important, always smile on the way!

So let's go to the most important part, to the list of foods that may cause the acne problem:

List of foods you should remove from your acne diet:Nuts - and products that are made with nuts: such as peanut butterChocolates - in any formsCola and other dark drinks - it's ok to drink light colored sodasSpicy foods - especially if you use sauces you buy in stores, homemade chilli sauce with fresh peppers are not that bad.Salty foods - like french fries, chips and other. If you want to eat salt, please use it while cookingPizza - oops!Dairy productsLess sugar - it may cause problems, so consume less sweet products - I know it's hardLess fried foods - again something with "less". So enjoy fried foods, but not all the time

Well, I hope you are not depressed now! In the list you can see "less sugar" and "less fried foods" - I would recommend to remove sugar and fried foods for some days to see how your body reacts and then include a bit if wanted.

Feel that there is nothing left to eat? Well it's simply not true. I will give you in case the list of foods you can eat and it's the same long!

Stay with that list of foods to help acne problem:MeatChickenFishVegetables and fruitsCereals and grainsCoffee and teaBread

You may also try herbs for acne - but before using herbs it's recommended to consult first with doctor if you should use certain herbs and for how long. Read about good vitamins for acne.

It will all depends on how advance acne you have to get rid of your acne problem. As it was mentioned before, after getting rid of it, add foods from your "not to eat" list, one by one and give yourself few days how your body reacts. Now, you have to decide which list of foods you will choose. I believe both: you will avoid eating foods from the first list and enjoy foods on the second list.

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Tips to make your lips naturally pink.

Nice smile and pinkish lips add to your beauty. Smile with crackled and chapped lips looks odd. Smiling with chapped lips is also painful for the people. Here are some useful tips for the people to get naturally pink lips to look more gorgeous. In fact all people must take care of their lips. Follow the tips given below to take care of your lips:

• Use branded lipsticks and remove the lipstick before going to sleep.
• Take some turmeric powder and add in the milk cream. Do 5 minute massage of this mixture on your lips for proper care.
• Make it your routine to rinse your lips with cold rose water to get softer and fresher lips.
• Apply lip balm or Vaseline on your lips on regular basis for soft lips.
• Very easy remedy to take care of your lips is to apply some milk cream on your lips before sleeping. Leave this cream on your lips for whole night and get up with softer and shinning lips.
• Massage your lips with glycerin.
• Take lemon ridges and scrub your lips. It will remove all darkness of your lips and your lip’s skin will become fresh.
• Massage your lips with beet slice for natural pink lips.

Natural Remedies for Hair Loss

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There are different causes for hair falling. Most of the women experiences lots of hair loss after delivery, and many men go bald in their middle age. Hair loss or baldness can result from heredity, underlying medical condition, or even certain medications.

Because of hormonal changes, damage or irritation some hair follicles tends to have a shorter growth phase and they produce thinner, shorter hair shafts. The hair goes through a cycle of growth and rest. The course of each cycle would vary with different individuals. However, as a general rule the growth period or phase of a scalp hair, known as anagen, classically lasts 2-3 years.

During this period, the hair grows around1 centimetre a month. Then the resting phase starts. This resting phase is known as telogen. The telogen phase lasts for around 3-4 months. When the resting phase ends, the hair strand would fall out and new one would start to grow in its place, that is, anagen (growth period) begins for this new hair strand.

In normal case most people would shed 50 to 100 hairs, in a day. We have around 100,000 hairs on our scalp, so falling off, say 100 hairs a day wouldn’t cause us to go bald. But in extreme cases, due to different factors, shedding rate starts exceeding the rate of re-growth, then it can lead to thinning of hairs, or even baldness.

With ageing, it is natural for our hairs to thin out, gradually. But is there a way that we can make this process slow; or if hair loss is not due to ageing, but other factors, can it be stopped naturally?

Yes there are different home remedies which can prove to be very beneficial, in preventing or stopping untimely hair loss. Some of them are as mentioned below:

Gooseberry and Coconut Oil Remedy

Take some pieces of gooseberry, and boil them in pure coconut oil. Sieve the oil, and store the oil in a glass container. Apply this oil everyday on your scalp, massaging nicely with fingers in circular motion. This is a very effective remedy against baldness or hair loss.

Coconut Oil and Lime Juice

Daily application of Coconut oil mixed with lime or lemon juice can prevent hair loss, and at the same time ease dandruff.

Black Gram and Fenugreek

Cook the black gram and soak Fenugreek seeds for some hours. Now combine the two and make a paste of the mixture. Apply the paste from root to hair tips and after some time shampoo your hairs with a chemical free shampoo. This won’t only stop the hair loss, but also would lengthen the hairs.

Fenugreek Seeds

Soak Fenugreek seeds for some hours. Make a paste of seeds, by adding some water. Oil you hair, preferably with warm coconut oil and then apply this paste to the roots of hair nicely. Leave it on for at least one hour, and then wash. Repeat this process for a minimum of one month. This is an extremely effective remedy against the hair loss.

Liquorice

Take a piece of Liquorice. Grind them into paste using milk, and also add a pinch of saffron. Applying this paste daily stimulates the hair growth.

Shana Seeds

Take the powder of Shana Seeds and mix it with a few drops of essential oil. You can use Sesame oil or coconut oil. Regularly apply this paste to the scalp. This is another very effective remedy against the hair loss.

We spend so much money for buying chemicals that shows us the false hope of stopping our ageing process or do something wonderful to our body and hairs; but as a matter of fact, these all are toxic to our bodies. All the remedies are available in our kitchen, whether you need natural skin tightening remedies, or remedies against hair loss. They are not only cost effective, but natural and hence harmless.

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Homemade Beauty Recipes

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Enjoy recipes for natural products you can prepare at home and see if and how they help you with the problems you are trying to find solution for. There are several benefits of homemade products: they are usualy cheaper, you know exactly the ingredients and it's a lot of fun too. Enjoy reading and if you know any of them, share your opinion, so it will be easier for other readers to decide if they are worth attention.

Natural Products You Can Prepare at Home

They are not hard, what you need is... ingredients. Most of them you should easily find in store near you:

Home Remedy for Blackheads - enjoy simple home recipe for blackheads and learn what to do to get rid of blackheads at home.

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks - learn how to make creams to treat stretch marks, article contains 3 interesting recipes.

How to Lighten Your Skin Naturally - recipes for: natural skin lightening cream, homemade exfoliator, skin lightening mask and skin bleaching mask.

Homemade Acne Masks for Face: Natural Acne Treatments - enjoy recipes for acne masks - you can choose from 9 recipes, based on ingredients you should easily find in your kitchen. They are safe, natural and you won't need much time to prepare them.

Homemade Hair Recipes: Conditioners, Shampoos and More - enjoy recipes for: herbal shampoo (for dark hair, greasy hair, fair hair and dandruff), aloe conditioner, herbal lotions (for fair hair, dark hair and weak hair), poultice compress (for hair loss and growing hair) and hair conditioning oils.

Homemade Hair Treatments: Healthy Hair Masks - enjoy recipes for hair lotion (to make your hair strong and shiny, or for shiny and soft hair), milk lotion (if you are looking for remedy for dry and brittle hair) or recipes for hair masks and compresses (for strengthening fragile and dry hair).

Homemade Herbal Shampoo - another recipe for homemade shampoo, where you can also read how to wash your hair properly.

Natural Remedies for Hair Loss - here you can find some natural remedies for hair loss you can try at home. There are several recipes listed, to prepare them all you would need: gooseberry, coconut oil, lime juice, black gram, fenugreek seeds, liquorice, shana seeds. But you don't need them all, so enjoy reading about natural remedied for hair loss and then decide if any remedy looks interesting to you.

Homemade Recipes for Sensitive Skin - recipes for flax seeds, dry and sensitive skin, yolk, honey, milk and vegetable masks and cleanser for sensitive skin.

Masks for All Types of Skin - recipes listed under combination skin masks, but can be used for all types of skin.

Homemade Face Masks for Oily Skin - several recipes for oily skin masks, some of them can be used on combination skin as well (for oily parts of the face).

Natural Homemade Remedies for Dry Skin on Face - take note that some recipes there are the same as for sensitive skin. Recipes for masks listed here can be used also on atrophic skin, senile skin, wasted skin and dry parts of combination skin.

Do not forget about tips and secrets on our blog:

Face Masks to Prepare at Home - read about types of facial masks, benefits they may bring you and find some simple, easy recipes for skin care masks to prepare at home.

Damaged Hair: Homemade Conditioners for Damaged Hair - recipes for homemade conditioners, if you have damaged or dry hair.

Celebrities Beauty Secrets - some recipes and methods celebrities use, so they look young and beautiful. Enjoy reading your favourite celebrity secrets.

Homemade Herbal Skin Care Masks - check how you can use well known herbs as your beauty ingredient. Recipes for: oily, tired, mature, dry, normal and sensitive skin.

... and check our categories where we have essential oil recipes and weight loss diets.

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101 Beauty Tips and Tricks for Men

Beauty Tips > 101 Beauty Tips and Tricks for Men

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Think beauty is only important for women? Not in today’s world where more and more men are discovering the benefits of maintaining a healthy and attractive look. If you’re a man who is in need of some quality beauty tips, we have more than enough advice to offer throughout this guide of 101 beauty tips and tricks for men.

Tip in Total #1
There is something mysteriously intriguing about a man with a five o’clock shadow, but for some men, it’s more like a five o’clock disaster. If your hair grows back in a weird way or is different colors, try to maintain your facial hair by keeping a clean-shaven face.Tip in Total #2
Don’t be afraid to use concealer to hide any imperfections on your face - it’s not like you’re using lipstick, eye shadow, or blush. Everyone gets pimples, and everyone wants to hide them.Tip in Total #3
Start using moisturizer every day to maintain healthy skin. Men and woman both get wrinkles, so there is no reason not to take care of aging skin.Tip in Total #4
Start using facial cleansers for your face instead of using the soap you use on the rest of your body. You’ll have healthier skin as well as fewer breakouts.Tip in Total #5
Having bags under your eyes is a sign of not getting enough rest, so get a full 8 hours of sleep to look fresh and bright in the morning.Tip in Total #6
If you still have those irritating bags under your eyes, dab a little Preparation H under them. It works like magic!Tip in Total #7
When you’re going to be exposed to the sun, wear sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent you from squinting, and potentially causing more wrinkles on your face.Tip in Total #8
If you’re bold, you can wear a subtle oil-free foundation or translucent powder to keep the oil off of your face.Tip in Total #9
When you are shaving your face, use a razor with a moisturizing strip so that you are less likely to have irritated skin when finished.Tip in Total #10
While you want to keep the hair on your head growing, it’s preferable to keep hair from growing out of your nose. Use a specialized trimmer to keep your nose hair at bay.Tip in Total #11
Your eyebrows are two separate patches of hair, and you should keep them apart by tweezing regularly. Just remember, unibrows are only attractive on dogs.Tip in Total #12
Trim your eyebrows if they are big and bushy. Sometimes all you need to do is use a small pair of scissors to trim them down a little.Tip in Total #13
While blackheads might be harder to notice than acne, they’re still noticeable close-up. So use nose strips to rid yourself of unsightly blackheads.Tip in Total #14
Since you’re already using the trimmer, you might as well trim your ear hair in the process.Tip in Total #15
The old saying, "Never stick anything bigger than your elbow in your ear," is completely wrong! Clean the wax out of your ears with a q-tip every few days.Tip in Total #16
Eye cream moisturizers are great for reducing fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. When applying eye cream, make sure to use your ring finger because it’s the weakest, and too much pressure causes more wrinkles.Tip in Total #17
Get the blue eyes you’ve always wanted with colored contact lenses. Contacts have become some of the best accessories to this day, so don’t be ashamed to use them!Tip in Total #18
Eye liner is becoming very popular in the male community, and it’s not considered gay anymore! Just a little liner can make your eyes pop.Tip in Total #19
Using toner is a good way to rejuvenate your skin, and keep it oil-free. It comes in spray form, so all you need to do is spray a little on your clean face.Tip in Total #20
If clean-shaven isn’t your look, at least maintain your beard or goatee. Before trimming it, use conditioner to soften the hair, dry it off, then begin trimming.Tip in Total #21
After shaving, sometimes you’ll develop razor irritation - a.k.a. ingrown hair - that looks like acne. Obviously you want to prevent ingrown hairs, so be sure to shave with the hair instead of against it.Tip in Total #22
In addition to shaving with your hair, you should also avoid using dull blades and take it slow when shaving so to prevent irritation or bleeding.Tip in Total #23
Staying on the subject of sensitive skin, avoid products with lots of alcohol because they can cause even more irritation than not shaving correctly.Tip in Total #24
In your haste to rush through shaving, sometimes you might miss a spot or two and not even notice it. Always do a thorough check after shaving, and/or keep a razor in the car to pick up missed spots.Tip in Total #25
If you notice a few pimples starting to present themselves on your face, grab some toothpaste and dab a little on top of the new pimple to dry it out. Don’t forget to wash it off before you leave the house though!Tip in Total #26
One of the first things a person notices about you is your smile. And if they notice that your smile contains lots of cavities and food particles, you aren’t making a very good first impression! Brush, floss, and visit the dentist to keep your teeth healthy and debris-free.Tip in Total #27
If you’re having trouble remembering to put chap stick on during the day, you can apply a liberal amount right before you go to sleep; this will help with the flakes and cuts we tend to get during the winter. Plus your lips will be plump and healthy when you wake up!Tip in Total #28
While brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can go a long way to preventing tooth decay, sometimes it’s just not enough. Visit the dentist regularly as a backup in case you miss something while brushing.Tip in Total #29
Along with keeping your teeth pretty, you should also ensure that your breath stays fresh. Carrying mints and/or gum around is the best way to avoid dragon breath.Tip in Total #30
As everyone knows, brushing your teeth is a great habit to get into. But leaving toothpaste around the corners of your mouth is not! So when you get done brushing your teeth, make sure that there’s no crusty white residue around your mouth.Tip in Total #31
Chapped lips are not only annoying, but they don’t exactly scream, ‘kiss me!” either. So keep chap stick on hand whenever the weather gets cold.Tip in Total #32
White teeth isn’t only for girls these days - everybody should be striving for white teeth. Luckily, you don’t have to go to a dentist to brighten up your smile, you can just get some whitening products from the store and do it yourself.Tip in Total #33
Next time you’re in the barber’s chair, ask for a hot oil treatment. Your hair will be shiny and pleasant to touch when you’re done!Tip in Total #34
If your hair is starting to thin out on top and on the sides, use the appropriate products like Rogaine to maintain the hair that you do have.Tip in Total #35
Sometimes hair re-growth products just don’t cut it, and you lose your hair anyways. When this happens, hair transplants are your best option for restoring hair.Tip in Total #36
Few guys can pull off the shaggy, unkept hairstyle. Keeping this thought in mind, get your hair cut whenever it starts growing over your ears or turning into a mullet in the back.Tip in Total #37
While using conditioner might seem like a good alternative when you’re out of shampoo, it will actually make your hair look even greasier than not washing. So don’t ever substitute conditioner for shampoo.Tip in Total #38
Comb your hair! Even if you have short hair, it can look messy and unkept. Keep your hair from looking messy by running a comb through it after a shower.Tip in Total #39
Sometimes your hair sticks up all over the place; to tame the strays, use a little hair spray and pat them back down.Tip in Total #40
Choosing a shampoo that doesn’t leave a residue is essential. Shampoo residue clogs pores on the head, which can lead to scalp irritation or even acne.Tip in Total #41
While you’re picking the perfect shampoo, look for a product that removes DHT (dyhydotestosterone). DHT causes hair to fall out by restricting blood flow to hair follicles, and will eventually leave you bald.Tip in Total #42
Another important subject regarding shampoo is dandruff, or skin cells shedding on your scalp. If you’ve got a dandruff problem, you may have to switch to prescription strength shampoo.Tip in Total #43
Despite what shampoo commercials suggest, never shampoo more than once a day. Shampoo strips your hair of essential oils, so over-shampooing can cause your hair to be dry and damaged.Tip in Total #44
Even if you stick to shampooing once a day, it’s still a good idea to use conditioner. Conditioners moisturize, strengthen and repair your hair.Tip in Total #45
If you happen to run out of shaving cream, you can always use some peanut butter to shave. Just remember to hold the jelly!Tip in Total #46
If you’re completely bald on top, just shave your head. It will look classy, and ten times better than being bald with a few patches of hair does.Tip in Total #47
Don’t be afraid to change your hair style. Most guys go and get the same hair cut year after year. Ask your stylist for a new and more current style to look fresh and interesting.Tip in Total #48
If you have noticed your hair getting gray, use some hair dye to liven it up. A professional could easily do this for you if you’re afraid of messing something up.Tip in Total #49
Even those who aren’t going gray can benefit from hair dye since it can provide a sexy, new look. Do some research on hair dyes by looking at reviews, and choose one that will give you the desired look.Tip in Total #50
Use hair products. The kind you choose doesn’t normally matter as long as you’re using something like gel, pomade, or even moose.Tip in Total #51
Keep those hair care products off of your hairline! Leaving gel or mouse on your skin can lead to pimples.Tip in Total #52
Since the hands are the heart’s landscape, you need to take special care of them. No one wants dirty finger nails caressing their body, so make the trip to the nail salon and get a manicure at least once a month. It’s not like you have to get a full set of fake nails,…you’re just getting your nails polished so they look fresh and clean.Tip in Total #53
When trimming your nails, make sure that they are consistent lengths, and that there are no pointy edges on the sides.Tip in Total #54
Rough, callused hands are not pleasant to the touch or pleasing on the eye. To soften rough hands, soak them in warm water mixed with olive oil each day for 5-10 minutes.Tip in Total #55
Another tip for keeping your hands from being rough and callused is wearing gloves in the winter. This is especially the case on cold windy days!Tip in Total #56
Use lotion on your hands as frequently as possible to keep them soft and moisturized.Tip in Total #57
One thing many people may not realize about hands is that they can develop sun spots and other nasty imperfections through over-exposure to the sun. Keep your hands out of the sun just like the rest of your body.Tip in Total #58
There is nothing worse than cuddling with someone, and being attacked by their disgustingly long toenails. When you trim your toenails, do it when they are dry, use a large set of clippers, and don’t cut them so short that they’re painful!Tip in Total #59
Another way to keep your feet from coming between you and a partner is to get a pedicure. If you don’t want to spend the money, you should think about purchasing a pumas stone and use it in the shower. Your feet work hard all day, every day, and they need to be taken care of like the rest of your body.Tip in Total #60
Always make sure you wear clean socks. Smelly feet are one of the biggest turns offs, and this can easily be avoided.Tip in Total #61
If you’ve been afflicted with the dreaded athlete’s foot, dry your feet frequently and put anti-fungal cream in between your toes.Tip in Total #62
Most men have callused, rough heels because soft feet aren’t considered essential for men. But if you really want to have nice feet, you should soak your feet in warm water for 5-10 minutes, then use a file on them to reduce the roughness.Tip in Total #63
Just because back hair is hard to shave doesn’t mean you have a green light to let it go unchecked. Buy an extended shaver specifically for back hair to make the process easier.Tip in Total #64
Sunless tanning lotions aren’t only for female skin. Apply the lotion after you shower, and remember to wash your hands immediately after application.Tip in Total #65
An obvious tip is to shower every day. When showering, use soap and water on every nook and cranny. It’s amazing how many people out there think that a shower consists of standing under the water for five minutes.Tip in Total #66
Drink plenty of water because it will make your skin look healthier, and you younger.Tip in Total #67
Whether or not you choose to completely shave your pubic hair is a personal choice; however, you should at least trim your pubic hair.Tip in Total #68
While you’re in the barber shop, make sure they shave the back of your neck to prevent it from getting too hairy. Also, check the back of your neck in the mirror from time to time to ensure that it’s clean-shaven.Tip in Total #69
If you tend to sweat a lot, try trimming your armpit hair. The less hair there, the less bacteria, which will make you smell much better!Tip in Total #70
David Hasselhoff may have thought his chest hair was hot, but it’s definitely not. If you have what looks like a small animal on your chest, you should shave it off immediately.Tip in Total #71
Those who have trouble keeping their body hair under control might want to consider hair removal treatments. Laser, electrolysis and waxing are three common methods for taking care of the problem.Tip in Total #72
By exercising and eating healthy meals, you’ll gain more energy, and become a happier person all-around.Tip in Total #73
One essential shower product you should always have is body wash. Body wash tones, moisturizes and softens your skin, which are three things that soap doesn’t always do.Tip in Total #74
Never leave the house without first applying deodorant! Keep a stick in your car or locker at work if you tend to forget.Tip in Total #75
If you don’t feel like sunless tanning lotion is doing the job for you, perhaps you should visit the salon and jump in a tanning bed.Tip in Total #76
Don’t become a tanning addict. Tanning beds are great for getting a quick, streakless tan, but over-tanning can lead to wrinkly, leathery skin when you get older.Tip in Total #77
Just like your face, your body needs to be exfoliated once a week so that you don’t get body acne. Find an exfoliating body wash at any drug store, and make sure you actually use it!Tip in Total #78
Pay attention to the shoes you wear. You could have the most amazing outfit, but totally ruin it with dirty or mismatched sneakers.Tip in Total #79
Wear clothes that actually fit you. It’s not only stupid to walk around holding your pants up, but it looks trashy too.Tip in Total #80
Why do all of the work to keep good hygiene, then blow it by wearing dirty or poorly-pressed clothes? Wash your clothes on a regular basis and iron them if they’re wrinkly.Tip in Total #81
Dress in colors that are flattering to your skin tone. If you have fair skin, it’s safe to say you shouldn’t be dressing in all black unless you’re going for a gothic look.Tip in Total #82
Eye color can play a big role in what you choose to wear everyday. If you have blue eyes, you should try wearing blue and green more often to highlight one of your best features.Tip in Total #83
If you have pets that shed, keep a lint roller on hand so that your clothes don’t look like they are growing fur.Tip in Total #84
Don’t use undershirts as everyday outerwear. Undershirts are not to be worn alone because they instantly give off the wrong impression if worn in the wrong way.Tip in Total #85
Wear socks that match your pants: Black pants = black socks. Brown pants = brown socks.Tip in Total #86
Socks are relatively cheap and inexpensive. So why are people walking around with holes in their socks!? Case in point, only wear socks that are hole-free.Tip in Total #87
Never wear socks with sandals. This is a cardinal sin of fashion!Tip in Total #88
In warmer months, wear light colors in cotton fabrics because they absorb less heat, and will minimize your sweat stains.Tip in Total #89
Sometimes men put the perfect outfit together only to ruin it with the wrong winter coat. So it’s important to find at least one good coat that goes well with your clothes.Tip in Total #90
If you don’t own an iron, or just don’t like to iron, grab your clothes from the dryer as soon as they are done, and fold them right away. Wrinkles aren’t attractive!Tip in Total #91
A couple sprays of cologne will do wonders for your aroma. Make sure to spray cologne on your pulse points like the necks and wrists to make it last all day. Check how to properly apply cologne. Tip in Total #92
Just remembering to spray cologne on yourself isn’t enough; you also have to use good quality cologne. Avoid the cheap stuff and buy a high quality product that will keep you smelling great.Tip in Total #93
Don’t smoke. Smoking gives you wrinkles around your mouth, makes your fingernails yellow, and gives you cancer. Nothing else needs to be said.Tip in Total #94
Use products specifically for anti-aging. Whether you’re 22 or 52, it’s never too late to start using anti-aging products. Some of the best ones include Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Retinol (Vitamin A derivative) and green tea.Tip in Total #95
If you’re looking to stay youthful for years to come, sunscreen is essential. Make sure you wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or better.Tip in Total #96
Some people see the cleanliness of your car as an extension of who you are. This is why it’s crucial that you keep trash picked up, and the car smelling good with air fresheners.Tip in Total #97
Some people get locked into using the same brand for every grooming product they buy. But while one brand may work great for shampooing, the same brand may not be adequate for shaving. Diversify!Tip in Total #98
Instead of keeping a wallet in your back pocket, put it in your front pocket! It seems like a lame idea, but it helps with the alignment in your back. Also, you are less likely to get mugged this way!Tip in Total #99
Body odor, gas, and bad breath are often the cause of one thing: what you eat. So go easy on the onions and skip the garlic next time you eat out.Tip in Total #100
Just because you’re not a princess doesn’t mean you have the right to slouch! Bad posture automatically gives people the impression that you’re insecure and uncomfortable with yourself. It also makes you look thinner, so remember stomach in, chest out, shoulders back, and head up.Tip in Total #101
Body language is the most natural form of confidence, and you want to have body language that exudes strength and boldness. To practice good body language, set your feet about seven inches apart, with one a little in front of the other.

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