quinta-feira, 25 de setembro de 2008

Wacky Beauty Tips That Work


Toothpaste on a zit? Vinegar in your hair? Some of that ridiculous-sounding advice you've heard in passing is really right on
By Cosmopolitan

You've been told this line before: "Okay, I know it's weird but ..." What follows is surprising advice — about anything from clearing up a zit to taming a flyaway — that totally does the trick. Call it word-of-mouth beauty. Sure, these tips might sound strange at first ("You put diaper cream where?!"), but there's a logic to them. We rounded up tons of such pointers (from pros as well as real girls) and tested them at Cosmo. Though a few clunkers had to be kicked to the curb, all the rest, presented here, are real gems.

1. Powder Your Roots
If your hairline starts to look greasy, dig up a big, fluffy makeup brush, and dip it into a pot of loose powder. Tap it once on the back of your hand to remove the excess, then dust it over your roots. It mops up oil and blends into your strands, so no one will know you didn't shower.

2. Scent Strands with Perfume
Spray a light shot of fragrance into the bristles. Run it through strands from roots to ends and your hair will smell amazing throughout the day.

3. Cure Calluses with Vaseline
Slather on the petroleum jelly, and put on socks before bed to dissolve tough calluses overnight. (I do!)


4. Spot-Treat Smudges
Dip a cotton swab in eye-makeup remover, and trace it along your lids to erase any slipups or goofs when there's no time to redo your whole look.

5. Fix a Flushed Face
If you turn red and stay that way after exercising (like seriously red for hours, even though you're healthy and hydrated), take an antihistamine like Benadryl when you leave the gym to reduce redness.

6. Soften Your Bod with Avocado
Take a ripe avocado, remove the pit and skin, and mash it up in a bowl. Slather it all over your body, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Your skin will be so soft — avocado is a natural moisturizer.

7. Super-Glue a Nail
Instead of tearing off your nail when it breaks, put a tiny dab of Super Glue over the split, and paint a generous layer of your favorite nailpolish shade over it. Go for an opaque option to camouflage and seal the crack.

8. Use Makeup Remover on Stubborn Lipstick
Don't try to rub off red lipstick (which makes it smear across your mouth — not so sexy). Instead, take a cotton ball or tissue, dip it in makeup remover, and just dab to erase the dark stain fast.

9. Tame Brows with Eye Cream
Pat any kind of rich eye cream over brows to help keep them hydrated and banish those icky white specks that look like dandruff.

10. Buff with Baking Soda
If you find yourself streaking (not glowing) after applying self-tanner, put some baking soda on a loofah, and scrub away the stripes.

11. Brush on Hair Spray
For the final step of your blow-dry, spray hair spray onto your brush, and run it through strands from roots to tips. This way, your do isn't so plastered and stiff but still holds volume and shine.

12. Boost Body Lotion with Baby Oil
If you're craving shiny legs that aren't greasy, blend a drop of baby oil into your normal body lotion for extra luster.

13. Dab Essential Oil on a Hangnail
Put on apricot oil, the kind found in health-food stores, to protect cuticles from turning rough and raggedy.

14. Quell a Cold Sore with Cream
When a cold sore is coming on, dab a bit of thick moisturizer, like Aquaphor, over it to prevent it from getting worse.

15. Freeze Your Eyeliner
If the tip of your eyeliner pencil crumbles and smears on your lids, store the liner in the freezer for 15 minutes before use so the tip is firm and goes across your skin smoothly.

16. Use Toothpaste on a Zit
Use just a pea-size amount. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the oil so the pimple won't get more clogged, then wash off.

17. Heat Up Your Curler
If you have stick-straight lashes, try blasting your metal eyelash curler with a hair dryer for a couple seconds to heat it up so your lashes bend more easily. And use a waterproof mascara. The formula dries faster than other mascaras, so it sets the curl more effectively.

18. Use Soap Without Water
You know those fancy bars that are actually too pretty to use? Toss them in your underwear or tee-shirt drawers to make your skin smell delicious. (I do!)

19. Groom Brows with a Toothbrush
Mist an (unused!) toothbrush or eyebrow comb with hair spray to help flatten and tame unruly brows.

20. Put Diaper-Rash Cream on Dry Spots
Slather on a thick layer of diaper-rash cream to heal cracked elbows and feet.

21. Lubricate Your Lashes
An easy way to draw attention to your eyes without putting on a pile of makeup is to comb petroleum jelly lightly through the tips of eyelashes to get a subtle sparkle.

22. Spike Lotion with Bronzer
If you don't have time to book a self-tanning session, mix a few pumps of body bronzer with regular hand lotion and pat it on your legs for a gradual dose of healthy beachy color.

23. Air-Dry Your Curls
Let your hair dry indoors before going out in the cold. The curls will be really bouncy and piecey-perfect.

24. Press a Tea Bag on Splotches
If your skin is sensitive or just looking irritated and puffy for some reason, steep a bag of green tea for a minute or two, let it cool down, and dab it over your face. The antioxidants in the tea take down inflammation.

25. Shave with Conditioner
Ran out of shaving cream? Do double duty by coating your stems with a thick hair conditioner. It softens the hair so it's easier to shave off and makes legs feel amazingly silky. (I do!)

26. Amp Shine with Vinegar
Mix one part vinegar with four parts carbonated water, and soak dry hair. Leave on for 15 minutes before you shampoo to lock in shine and combat dullness.

27. Exfoliate Your Pits
If your underarms start to look dry and flaky, an easy trick is to exfoliate them with a gentle face scrub to keep that skin pretty when going sleeveless.

28. Customize Your Body Lotion
Instead of shelling out for an expensive perfumed body product, you can make your own by pouring a few drops of fragrance into any scent-free lotion. Rub it on-the scent will last for hours. (I do!)

29. "Brush" with Mouthwash
If you're too wiped out after a late night of partying to clean your teeth, rinse with water and mouthwash, then use a dry toothbrush on the area where your teeth hit your gums.

30. Make an Egg-White Mask
To revive tired, dull skin without hitting the spa table, try this: Crack open an egg in a bowl, separate the yolk, and use the egg whites to make a face mask. The proteins help to heal and restore skin's moisture. Leave it on for five minutes, and rinse off. (I do!)

Reprinted with permission from Hearst Communications, Inc.

5 comentários:

Mírian Mondon disse...

Cutting calories key to weight loss: study AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Eating heart-healthy, low-calorie foods and exercising is the key to losing weight regardless of levels of protein, fat or carbohydrates, a new study has found

The research, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health, seems to argue against blanket use of diets that do not necessarily limit calories but call for eating certain foods such as vegetables or proteins, at the expense of others.

The NIH study of 811 volunteers, 38 percent of them men and 62 percent women, aged 30-70 and either overweight or obese, looked at diets that have been popular in the United States in recent years, even as the number of obese Americans has soared.

The "Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS LOST) study found similar weight loss after six months and two years among participants assigned to four diets that differed in their proportions of these three major nutrients," said researchers.

"The diets were low or high in total fat (20 or 40 percent of calories) with average or high protein (15 or 25 percent of calories). Carbohydrate content ranged from 35 to 65 percent of calories.

"The diets all used the same calorie reduction goals and were heart-healthy low in saturated fat and cholesterol while high in dietary fibre," said researchers, whose study is published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Participants lost an average 13 pounds (5.9 kilos) at six months and maintained a nine-pound (four-kilo) loss at two years.

"These results show that, as long as people follow a heart-healthy, reduced-calorie diet, there is more than one nutritional approach to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight," said Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, director at NHLBI.

"This provides people who need to lose weight with the flexibility to choose an approach that they're most likely to sustain: one that is most suited to their personal preferences and health needs," she stressed.

Sixty-six percent of US adults are overweight and of those, 32 percent are obese, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show.

Anônimo disse...

Weight-loss goals: 10 tips for success
How do you set successful weight-loss goals? These 10 tips can help.
From MayoClinic.com

Weight-loss goals can mean the difference between success and failure. Well-planned weight-loss goals keep you focused and motivated. They provide a plan for change as you think about and transition into your healthy lifestyle.

But not all goals are helpful. Unrealistic and aggressive weight-loss goals—for example, losing 10 pounds each week or fitting into your high school jeans—undermine your efforts. They're difficult, if not impossible, to meet. And if your goals are beyond reach, you're more likely to feel frustrated and discouraged and leave your weight-loss plans by the wayside.

So how do you create weight-loss goals that will help, not hinder, your weight-loss efforts? These 10 tips can get you started.

* Personalize your goals. Set goals that are within your capabilities and take into account your limitations. Also, take into account your personal fitness level, health concerns, available time and motivation. Tailoring your expectations to your personal situation helps you set achievable goals.
* Aim for realistic weight-loss goals. Healthy weight loss occurs slowly and steadily. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. To do this, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day through a low-calorie diet and regular exercise. Losing weight more rapidly usually means losing water weight or muscle tissue, rather than fat.
* Focus on the process. Make your goals "process goals," such as exercising regularly, rather than "outcome goals," such as losing 50 pounds. Changing your process—your habits—is the key to weight loss. Make sure that your process goals are realistic, specific and measurable. For example, set out to walk for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
* Think short term and long term. Short-term goals keep you engaged on a daily basis, but long-term goals motivate you over the long haul. Your short-term goals (for example, running 30 minutes every day) can become stepping stones to reaching long-term goals (running in a marathon).
* Write it down. When planning your goals, write everything down and go through all the details. When and where will you do it? How will it fit into your schedule? What do you need to get started?
* Pick a date. Timing is crucial, often making the difference between success and failure. Choose a definite start date and don't put that date off for anything. Be sure to account for life circumstances that might hamper your efforts, such as work or school demands or relationship problems. You may need to resolve some issues before starting.
* Start small. It's helpful to plan a series of small goals that build on each other instead of one big, all-encompassing goal. Remember that you're in this for the long haul. Anything you undertake too intensely or too vigorously will quickly become uncomfortable and make you more likely to give it up.
* Plan for setbacks. Setbacks are a natural part of behavior change. Everyone who successfully makes changes in his or her life has experienced setbacks. Identifying potential roadblocks and brainstorming specific strategies to overcome them can help you stay on course.
* Evaluate your progress. Review your goals each week. Were you able to successfully meet your goals last week? Think about what worked and what didn't. Make plans for how you will reach your goals this week.
* Reassess and adjust your goals as needed. Be willing to change your goals as you progress in your weight-loss plan. If you started small, you might be ready to take on larger challenges. Or, you might find that you need to adjust your goals to better fit your new lifestyle.

Anônimo disse...

Best Anti-Aging Foods
These six food groups hold the "power" to help you lose weight and turn back the clock.

1. Produce

Piling your plate with fruits and vegetables is a no-brainer when it comes to weight loss — they're low in calories, high in nutrients, and filling — but the latest studies show that certain ones can provide surprising anti-aging benefits.

There's buzz about blueberries, for instance, for their memory-boosting potential. But berries of all hues are antioxidant-rich, reports Navindra P. Seeram, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in Kingston. That means they combat free radicals, molecules that can cause widespread cell damage and are linked to chronic inflammation. Unlike the inflammation that occurs when you sprain an ankle or strain a muscle, the type that contributes to aging is persistent, and thought to be at the root of most chronic diseases, from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes to Alzheimer's, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Berries' beauty bonus: They're chock-full of vitamin C, another potent antioxidant that may help keep your complexion looking smooth by fighting those pesky (skin-damaging) free radicals.

To keep your vision sharp, set your sights on spinach and other dark leafy greens. These veggies are prime sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, plant pigments that protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. Leafy greens are also rich in vitamin K, a nutrient that plays a role in reducing bone loss and preventing fractures.

How to Pick the Perfect Produce

2. Protein (Try these One-Dish Dinners)

This key dietary component becomes even more critical starting in the 40s, when muscle mass begins to decline by up to 1 percent a year. That drop slows metabolism, which makes the pounds pile on more easily. The double whammy consequence: Added weight puts your health at risk, and down the road, diminished muscle mass can throw off your balance (upping chances of a fall), sap your strength, and even threaten your ability to recover from an illness or accident.

To hang on to your metabolism-boosting muscle — and keep you feeling full after meals (another protein plus) — experts recommend eating plenty of skinless chicken and turkey breast, lean beef and pork, eggs, beans, and seafood. And don't forget protein-rich dairy: Minerals (primarily calcium, phosphorus, and potassium) in fat-free milk and yogurt as well as low-fat cheeses help to keep blood pressure healthy, pudge in check, and bones strong. News flash: Calcium can't build bone if you're not getting enough protein, and current recommendations — about five ounces a day for a 145-pound woman — are too low, says Robert P. Heaney, M.D., professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha. Our Anti-Aging Meal Plan provides about 11 ounces of protein daily.

Another reason to spoon up some yogurt: Eating at least 1/4 cup every day led to a 60 percent lower risk of gum disease and a 50 percent lower risk of tooth loss in a Japanese study published in the Journal of Periodontology. The effect is thought to be linked to the probiotics in yogurt, but not in most other dairy.

Easy Yogurt Breakfast Recipes
Cut Up a Chicken the Easy Way

3. Omega-3-Rich Fish

Fatty acids in seafood help quench the flames of chronic inflammation. In addition, "there's very good new data suggesting that omega-3 fats from fish act on an area of the brain that leads to improved mood and attitude among healthy people," says Artemis P. Simopoulos, M.D., author of The Omega Diet. These improvements in outlook lead to feeling healthier and more vigorous, she explains. The omega-3s in fatty fish like salmon and tuna have the most potent anti-inflammatory effects. But it's smart to consume omega-3s from plant sources, like walnuts and flaxseed, too — especially if you're not fond of fish.

Mírian Mondon disse...

The Seven-Day Anti-Aging Diet Meal Plan
Want a spash of 2% milk in your coffee (8 calories a tablespoon)? Go ahead! Every day you have 50 free calories to spend as you please — or save up for splurges. Be sure to check out our full list of treats.

Day 1
Breakfast

* 1 Oat and Almond Breakfast Bar
* 6 oz. fat-free plain yogurt or 4 oz. low-fat cottage cheese
* 15 red or purple grapes or 1/2 small grapefruit
* Coffee or tea

Lunch

* 1 serving Black Bean Soup
* Salad: 2 c. salad greens, 1/4 avocado, and 1 segmented small tangerine. Toss with 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
* 3 Triscuits

Snack

* 4-5 deli-thin slices (about 1.5 oz.) ham spread with 2 tsp. honey mustard, rolled in a lettuce leaf

Dinner

* 1 serving Chard-Wrapped Salmon
* Asian Rice: 3/4 c. cooked brown rice, 1/2 green onion, chopped, 1/2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce, and 1/4 tsp. Asian sesame oil
* 17 steamed baby carrots

Extra

* 5 oz. red wine or 1 oz. baked whole-grain chips and 1/3 c. salsa

Day 2
Breakfast

* Savory breakfast sandwich: Split 1 whole wheat English muffin. Top each side with 2 Tbsp. grated light Jarlsberg cheese, and toast until cheese melts. Layer 1 oz. extra-lean deli ham between halves
* 1 small tangerine
* Coffee or tea

Lunch

* 1 (5-oz.) can Bumble Bee Easy Peel Sensations Seasoned Tuna Medley (any flavor)
* 1 whole wheat pita bread
* 1/2 c. prepared tabbouleh salad (such as Cedar's)

Snack

* 1 hard-cooked egg with 1 Triscuit or one 100-calorie pack pistachios (about 30)

Dinner

* 1 serving Whole Wheat Rotini with Walnut Pesto

Extra

* 5 oz. red wine or Berries in Red Wine

Day 3
Breakfast

* 1 c. Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal (or 150-calorie portion of another whole-grain cereal), 1 c. fat-free milk, 1/3 c. blueberries (fresh or frozen)
* 2 tsp. ground flaxseeds
* Coffee or tea

Lunch

* 1 serving Spinach and Strawberry Salad
* 1 part-skim mozzarella string cheese
* 4 Ak-Mak crackers

Snack

* Starbucks Grande Cappuccino or Tall Latte made with fat-free milk (no whip) or 1 mini bag Jolly Time Healthy Pop

Dinner

* 1 serving Walnut-Crusted Chicken Cutlets
* 1 c. Simply Potatoes Mashed Sweet Potatoes heated in microwave
* 1 c. green beans, steamed and seasoned with freshly ground black pepper

Extra

* 5 oz. red wine or 1 pkg. World of Grains Cookies


Day 4
Breakfast

* Banana-Peanut Butter Smoothie
* 1 slice whole wheat cinnamon-raisin bread, toasted, spread with 1 tsp. light butter
* Coffee or tea

Lunch

* 1 Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers Rotini & Zesty Marinara Sauce (sprinkled with 2 tsp. Parmesan cheese)
* 1 small apple

Snack
# 1 Mini Babybel Light cheese and 1/2 c. red or purple grapes

Dinner

* 1 serving Spring Vegetable Risotto with Shrimp

Extra

* 5 oz. red wine or 1 tin Sweet Riot Cocoa Nibs

Day 5
Breakfast

* Cheesy Cinnamon Toast: 1 slice whole wheat cinnamon-raisin bread, toasted and spread with 2 Tbsp. part-skim ricotta. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts. Drizzle with 1 tsp. honey
* 1 small banana
* Coffee or tea

Lunch

* 1 Kashi Pocket Bread Sandwich (any variety)
* 8 oz. fat-free milk
* 8 baby carrots

Snack

* 50 steamed edamame (green soybeans) in the pod or 1 stalk of celery spread with 1 Tbsp. peanut butter

Dinner

* 1 serving Stuffed Tomatoes with Lean Ground Beef
* 3/4 c. steamed Swiss chard, mixed with 1 tsp. golden raisins
* 1 whole wheat pita bread

Extra

* 5 oz. red wine or 1 serving Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce

Day 6
Breakfast

* Honeyed Fruit Parfait to Go: Divide and layer into large paper cup 1 c. assorted chopped, mixed fresh fruit (your choice), 8 oz. fat-free, plain yogurt, and 1 Tbsp. chopped nuts or ground flax or wheat germ. Drizzle with 1 tsp. honey
* Coffee or tea

Lunch

* Greek Salad Pita: Spread 1/4 c. hummus inside 1 whole wheat pita. Add 1/2 c. baby salad greens, 2 tomato slices, and 2 Tbsp. feta cheese. Sprinkle with red wine vinegar
* 1 small banana

Snack

* 1 pkg. South Beach Living Dark Chocolate-Covered Soynuts or 1 Mini Babybel Light cheese with 2 Triscuits

Dinner

* 1 serving Turkey Cutlets with Mixed Berry Sauce
* 1 c. Minute Ready-to-Serve Brown & Wild Rice
* 1 c. steamed broccoli sprinkled with 2 tsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Extra

* 5 oz. red wine or 1/2 c. light ice cream (about 100 calories) topped with 1/4 c. raspberries and 2 tsp. mini semisweet chocolate chips

Day 7
Breakfast

* 1 serving Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs
* 1/2 whole wheat English muffin, toasted and spread with 1 tsp. light butter
* 1/2 c. cubed cantaloupe
* Coffee or tea

Lunch

* Soup & Sandwich: Open-Faced Jarlsberg Sandwich with Greens plus 1 c. Campbell's Select Harvest Savory White Bean with Roasted Ham soup

Snack

* 10 medium strawberries, sliced, with 1 1/2 tsp. brown sugar, topped with 2 Tbsp. part-skim ricotta

Dinner

* 1 serving Southwestern Chicken Salad
* 1 oz. baked whole-grain tortilla chips
* 1 orange

Extra

* 5 oz. red wine or Starbucks Tall Tazo Green Tea Latte (hot or iced)


Note: All calorie-free beverages are allowed — especially coffee and tea. All meals and snacks are interchangeable within categories, so you can sub one breakfast for another, for example, or swap two snacks. We've also included our favorite healthy convenience foods to make the meal plan simpler.

Mírian Mondon disse...

Anti-Aging Healthy Snacks
Low-calorie extras to enjoy on Good Housekeeping's Anti-Aging Diet

Our Anti-Aging Meal Plan provides everything you need to look younger and get thinner. We've even made room for extras — like a splash of milk in your coffee or honey in your tea. Every day, you can have up to 50 "free" calories to use any way you'd like. (Or save up for two or three days so you can have a 100-calorie or 150-calorie treat.) You can choose an item that's already on the menu (say, extra crackers or another egg) to have seconds, or select a different food or drink that you want to splurge on (our lists can help you keep a calorie tally).

Up to 50 Calories:
1 tbsp 2% milk - 8 calories
1 tsp sugar - 16 calories
1 tsp honey - 21 calories
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese - 22 calories
1 tbsp reduced-fat sour cream - 26 calories
3 slices (1 oz) deli thin lean ham - 30 calories
2 tbsp Cedar's Cucumber Garlic Tzatziki with 5 celery stalks - 35 calories
2 Ak-Mak crackers - 46 calories
1 Sargento Reduced Fat Colby-Jack cheese stick - 50 calories
1 Mini Babybel Light cheese - 50 calories

Up to 100 Calories:
1 hard-boiled egg - 70 calories
1 6-ounce container of Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (any flavor) - 80 calories
1 Nature's Path Organic Pomegran Plus Waffle - 80 calories
2 Blue Horizon Organic Chinese-Style Shrimp Spring Rolls - 87 calories
1 small banana - 90 calories
1 Tall Skinny Latte from Starbucks - 90 calories
Any 100-calorie snack pack - 100 calories
1 Whole Treat Organic Fudge Bar - 100 calories
5 Triscuits - 100 calories
3 Hershey's Bliss Signatures in dark chocolate - 100 calories

Up to 150 Calories:
1/2 cup Edy's Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream - 110 calories
1 Kashi Chewy Cherry Dark Chocolate Bar - 120 calories
1 5.3-ounce container FAGE Total 2% Yogurt with Fruit (any flavor) - 130 calories
1 Pack World of Grains Cookies - 130 calories
1 Kozy Shack Original Rice Pudding - 130 calories
1 Bumble Bee Sensations Easy Peel Bowls Sundried Tomato & Basil - 130 calories
1 Tin Sweet Riot Cocoa Nibs - 140 calories
1 Kahiki Naturals Chicken Egg Roll - 140 calories
21 almonds - 150 calories
14 baby carrots with 1 packet Wholly Guacamole 100 Calorie Snack Packs - 150 calories
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