Spring Makeup 2008

Spring Makeup 2008

Spring Makeup Step by Step

Now, is the time to get yourself a spring makeover!
Spring is here and there are some great trends to check out!
Spring makeup is all about looking happy, sexy and healthy. Have fun with a vibrant color palette. Spring is all about fresh, new colors coming into life - when colors haven’t matured yet, they’re actually blooming, blossoming in front of us.
It should look like the face is beaming from within.

Find out how to get a beautifully balanced makeup and how to get all pieces come together.

Skin

Skin is the most important aspect of any makeup look – beautiful, glowy skin is very important. To achieve that, first of all use a very good moisturizer all over your skin and give it a time to settle in before you start using a light-weight foundation. Also, if you’re your skin tends to be a little bit dry, use a reflective pigment product – it’s a primer that has a little shine in it and you have to apply it on the key areas of the face, or all over and it really promotes that super healthy glow to the skin.
Just remember, when applying foundation, the main idea is not to cover the skin – is to give it an even color, without looking heavy.

Trick!

Before using the foundation, warm it up a little in your palms, then pick up small amounts at a time with a thick brush and gently brush forward until it’s completely blended into the skin. You’ll notice how the color will pick up naturally and it will become skin-like and luminescent.
That’s the look you want to get – not too much, but enough get an even, smooth canvas.

Don’t use too much powder, however if your skin is oily it’s ok to press a little bit of powder down through those oily T-zone areas, so that you don’t feel too shiny.

Lips

In spring, you want your lips to really grab focus by drenching it with lip gloss. To achieve this look all you need to do is to trace the outer edges of the lips nicely, but soften that pencil down. You may even fill your lips just a little bit with the pencil in order to create just a nice even blush, then gloss generously your lips. You can see how lips catch light and they appear fuller.
Trick!
After you applied your lips gloss, trace little vertical strokes on the lower lip to make the gloss go over the full of the lip, so that light will bounce off easily and to make lips pop out more.

Eyes

Spring eyes are all about color. Pick some beautiful reflective pigment for lids and brow bone, to drench your lids with gorgeous reflective shades: soft, pearly pinks, violets, blues, greens, even metallic gold and silver. Don’t be afraid to use color around the eye – this is the appropriate season to brighten up the eye.
If smokey eyes or cat eyes are your favorites, you can still wear them, just make sure you’ll replace blacks and greys with beautiful, fresh colors.
When lining the eyes, don’t use a hard pencil: use blues, greens and violets, to match it with the eye shadow you are using – just to make the lashes look a bit thicker. Apply mascara - wiggle the wand at the base of the lashes and then pull up.
Also, don’t over exaggerate your brows, keep them nice and soft – you don’t want them rigid looking – you want just as slight bit of a whispy look that soften the eyes.
First use a small grooming brush and just gently brush the brows upward. Then if you need to fill them in, take your pencil or powder and add just a touch.

Cheeks

Don’t be afraid to go a bit crazy with the blush.
Take your blush brush and instead of sweeping color on the cheeks, use a popping technique while applying it. Just put some color on the tip of the brush and pop.
This will create a flushing look, the color will just gently and slowly come forward on the skin. It’s almost like the color is pushing up out of your skin.
When you get that effect, skin will look like it’s alive. This will really define a look that’s really fresh and healthy glowing.

Fashion Trends for Spring 2008 Part 3

Fashion Trends for Spring 2008 Part 3

Trend: Color splash
The new season's palette is made up of classic, versatile neutrals punctuated by playful splashes of invigorating brights, hopefully encouraging fashionistas to explore new and creative ways to combine colors. The spring '08 color palette perfectly reflects the cheerfulness of the season. Energizing red, eye-popping neon shades of orange, yellow and pink, cool, waterborne blue and eco-friendly green will play a key role this season.

Trend: Fantasy prints
Whoever said fashion is not an art was certainly proved wrong this season, as runways included many a museum-worthy style. Whipped up filmy leopard-print dresses, the distinctive dip-dye fabric, in which colors gradually intensify from dark to light, polka dots and stars brush-stroke patterns, and whimsical scrawls played a big role on fashion week.

What is Chlamydia ?

What is Chlamydia ?

is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In 2006, 1,030,911 chlamydial infections were reported to CDC from 50 states and the District of Columbia. Under-reporting is substantial because most people with chlamydia are not aware of their infections and do not seek testing. Also, testing is not often done if patients are treated for their symptoms. An estimated 2,291,000 non-institutionalized U.S. civilians ages 14-39 are infected with Chlamydia based on the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.

Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix (opening to the uterus) of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured and is probably more susceptible to infection, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection.

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.

Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon.

Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may acquire chlamydial infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner.

If untreated, chlamydial infections can progress to serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences. Like the disease itself, the damage that chlamydia causes is often "silent."

In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflamatory disease (PID). This happens in up to 40 percent of women with untreated chlamydia. PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Women infected with chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

To help prevent the serious consequences of chlamydia, screening at least annually for chlamydia is recommended for all sexually active women age 25 years and younger. An annual screening test also is recommended for older women with risk factors for chlamydia (a new sex partner or multiple sex partners). All pregnant women should have a screening test for chlamydia.

Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testis), causing pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility.

Rarely, genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis that can be accompanied by skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra (Reiter's syndrome).

In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.

There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine, other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.

Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline (twice daily) are the most commonly used treatments. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative.

All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated. Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.

Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be encouraged for women three to four months after treatment. This is especially true if a woman does not know if her sex partner received treatment.

The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia.

CDC recommends yearly chlamydia testing of all sexually active women age 25 or younger, older women with risk factors for chlamydial infections (those who have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners), and all pregnant women. An appropriate sexual risk assessment by a health care provider should always be conducted and may indicate more frequent screening for some women.

Any genital symptoms such as an unusual sore, discharge with odor, burning during urination, or bleeding between menstrual cycles could mean an STD infection. If a woman has any of these symptoms, she should stop having sex and consult a health care provider immediately. Treating STDs early can prevent PID. Women who are told they have an STD and are treated for it should notify all of their recent sex partners (sex partners within the preceding 60 days) so they can see a health care provider and be evaluated for STDs. Sexual activity should not resume until all sex partners have been examined and, if necessary, treated.

Fashion Trends 2008 - PART 2

Fashion Trends for Spring 2008 Part 2
Trend: Hey boy, hey girl! The suit in its many guises was a welcome antidote to the season’s ultra feminine floral blooms, the fetish-style bustiers and dramatic flamenco-inspired ruffles. Some designers gave the classic two-piece a Gothic, punky edge and the main focus was on the shoulders. The bigger, the better. Meanwhile, other designers showed small, shrink-to-fit jackets with equally narrow skirts and pants.

Fashion Trends for Spring 2008 Part 1

Preview of Fashion Trends - Spring 2008

Trend: Transparencies
After a season of bold jewel tones and almost-blinding metallics shocking the wardrobes of women everywhere, designers have swept the runways for spring 2008 with a refreshing breeze of softer, neutral and washed-out hues in transparent, gauzy fabrics that play with the light of the new season.

Preview of Fashion Trends - Spring 2008

What styles you’ll be shopping for come March 2008?

The old trends get refined, pared down or vamped up. This makes them seem so much more polished, creating a new desirable appeal and regenerates the fashion kudos. What's born on the runway will be incorporated into everyday clothing styles offered on the market. Keep your eyes open when shopping this spring season. Take what you witnessed and incorporate it into what you already have or create something fresh utilizing what you witnessed/learned.

Rihanna's New Short Hairstyle: The Pixie Cut
Rihanna got a new makeover!






Yes, she went from mid to short and she debuted a new short pixie cut at the NRJ Music Awards in France.
Rihanna carries out this chic short pixie hairstyle to perfection.
It’s a fabulous and flexible haircut that suits her perfect heart shaped face.

The hair has been layered and razored all over, closed-cropped layers frame the face, short and close around the ears and neck. Notice that nearly all of the layering on the top of the head is long.
Long peek-a-boo bangs have been added to change the geometry of the hairstyle and to draw attention to the eyes.

Your face is emphasized with this cut, so you should feel good about your skin and your features if you're going to try this style.
Long side-swept bangs make this a great hairstyle for anyone with a high forehead.

This hairstyle is fun and easy to maintain and is also a fabulous option for all ages, hair texture and face shape.

Create this style on your own by applying a mousse or gel throughout the hair.
Blow-dry the hair using a large round brush, directing all the layers under and down.
To add the extra smooth finish, run sections of bangs through a flat iron.
Finish off with hair spray.



Short haircuts are timeless; they can make you look younger and at the same time more intelligent. They can boost your confidence and simply make you feel more in control.
It's a great option for women who want to project a strong yet feminine image and spend less time managing their hair.

Five Myths and Five Tips for Breaking into a Career as a Fashion Designer

For many women, becoming a fashion designer is a lifelong dream.We all love to wear beautiful clothes and make ourselves feel good from the inside out.

We often imagine what it feels like to actually make money doing something this great: dressing people up and making them feel good, models catwalking the runway gracefully to showcase our designs, stylists working frantically at the backstage and we are introduced as “the designer” at the closing. Ah, pretty tempting, indeed, but somehow it feels so surreal. Can I actually become a fashion designer?

Despite the misconception that only those who graduate from New York prestigious fashion schools can make it big in this highly lucrative and competitive field, many fashion designers literally work their way up working from home.

Karen and Warren Hipwell, for instance, started and still operate design studio from their residence in Massachusetts. Despite their humble start, now their products are sold in 110 retailers nationwide. Pure luck? Think again.

You, too, can become a fashion designer even if you have never worn “designer” clothes, don’t have a fashion degree, can’t draw or sew, and live far away from New York or Los Angeles. These are no more than myths. Let me briefly explain them to you.

Myth One: I have never worn “designer” clothes.
Reality: All clothes, including those in your closet, are designed by fashion designers. Many people confuse designer “collection,” which means high-priced seasonal line designed by top designers, with “the person” who designs clothes.

Myth Two: I don’t have a fashion degree.
Reality: Unlike the medical professions, which require extensive classroom and hands-on training, you can learn how to design anywhere. No special education is needed. You’ll be surprised to know that many established designers don’t have any special training.

Myth Three: I live far away from New York or Los Angeles.
Reality: While NY and LA are great places to find an internship position with established designers, fashion is a part of life and fashion designers can be found everywhere. Whether you live in a city of millions or a town of 10,000, there must be at least a few local fashion designers.

Myth Four: I cannot draw or sew.
Reality: Nobody can at the beginning. Strong motivation and perseverance are more important than how well you can draw or sew. Such skills can be learned easily (including using some free resources).

Myth Five: I don’t feel comfortable working in a high-profile industry.
Reality: Well, this glamorous image is no more than the most over-rated trait of the fashion industry. This image is created by the media with the help of fashion publicists and marketers to boost sales. Thus, the purpose is pure business. The better the coverage, the better the sales will be. Fashion designers work very hard for 18 to 24 months to deliver the best designs of the season.

Now you’re ready to plunge into this often-misunderstood field, here are some tips:

First, a fashion designer is an artist and an entrepreneur in one. Why? Because if you design in the name of art without considering the marketability, it’s very likely you won’t be successful. Many designers fail because of this.

Second, you can choose your design specializations from a long list of classifications. Trivial items, such as beach and leg wears, are highly profitable products and relatively easy to produce compared with haute couture pieces.

Third, understand what your career goal is. You can choose whether you want to work for others or for yourself. Whichever one your choice is, apprenticeship is always a great option for new designers.

Fourth, keep up with the industry trends and news. Travel and read a lot to be informed and inspired. New insights will keep your creative skills fresh and ready to roll.

Fifth, persevere. Perseverance is the most important virtue of all because without it, nothing can be completed. Perseverance is your ticket to the peak of your career.

few tips that will greatly extend the life of your panty hose.

First: keep a bad pair of hose around and before you even start getting dressed run your finger nails over the hose if any snags occur file your nails till all snagging stops, Then do the same for your toe nails

Second: keep your toe nails clipped shorter than the tip of your toe. A long toe nail will create a pressure point between the nail and the shoe and damage the stocking.

Third: the use of pretty hands & feet ( A dead skin exfoliator that removes dead and rough skin) using it regularly will eliminate rough skin that could snag your hose.

Fourth: use hand lotion on your hands before putting hose on and a tiny bit on your heel also helps .

Fifth: hand wash your hose regularly in cold water and woolite or some other light soap . ( before I started doing the above safety precautions they never lasted long enough to be washed) all in all the above precautions should get you a whole lot more mileage from your hose .

Also watch out for Jewelry that snags and sparks from cigarettes. I've lost more hose from people bumping my cigarette in night clubs.

TEST SKIN FOR OILINESS OR DRYNESS

Wash face thoroughly with PH balanced soap. No deodorant soaps, no other kinds of soap. Do not apply creams or lotions. Wait three hours.
Use one of the following: onion skin paper, facial blotting paper, eyeglass cleansing papers or cigarette papers. Cut the paper into four 1- inch square parts.
Mark them 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Hold #1 on the forehead, #2 on the cheek, #3 on the nose and #4 on the chin. Hold each in turn for a count of ten.
Now, take a look at the papers in a good light, preferably natural lighting.

a) Those papers that come away dry or unmarked indicate areas of dry skin.

b) Those papers that come away with a slight oily residue indicate areas of oily skin.

c) Those papers that come away with a heavy oily residue will tell you where your skin is very oily.

d) If you have garden variety combination type skin, paper #2 will be dry and papers 1, 3, and 4 will have some residue, more or less, depending on the oil level of the skin.

e) Slight residue on all four pieces indicates normal skin. You can use this method to determine what type of skin care you need on all parts of your face.

Sweating too much?

The average man sweats about 1-1.5 litres of liquid a day – do some exercise or go the gym and you can lose about 3 litres in just an hour. But for 3% of the population, those figures are far higher and it's a big problem.

A Harris survey undertaken in the US found that 66% of people perceived a visibly sweaty person as nervous; 49% thought s/he was overweight; and 25% thought s/he was unhealthy. That sounds pretty bad, but according to the same survey, sweating isn't as bad as farting, burping, leaving your flies open or going bald.

So how can you tell if you've got a serious problem or whether you're just like any other guy? Ask yourself these three questions:

Did you begin to sweat more recently?
"Most people who suffer with primary hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating - first report the problem when they're children or teenagers," says Dr John Eisenach, from the Mayo Clinic colleage of Medicine. But secondary hyperhidrosis, which consists of unusual bouts of sweating, often begins in adulthood. If you've begun to experience heavy bouts of perspiration, see your GP. It could be a symptom of an infection, an overactive thyroid gland, or even certain medications.

Does your sweating occur in particular social situations?
If your explosion of perspiration tends to occur when you're under pressure, faced with problems or in the middle of a row, then cause is less likely to be physical and more likely to be psychological. "This is fairly common," says Dr Autumn Braddock, of Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the Mayo Clinic. "You're having a fear response. Our bodies have been fine-tuned over the years to become intensely activated when we sense fear and that generates heat, which causes perspiration."

Does the bed get soaked at night?
If it's a hot summer's night, this might be okay, but otherwise get yourself checked out by your GP as it could be a symptom of Hodkin's disease, HIV or a medication side-effect.

Do you sweat all over?
If one part of your body – ie your left hand side - sweats a lot more than the other it could be a sign of a neurological problem. Again, see your GP and ask to be referred to a neurologist.

The treatments
If you're not immediately on the phone booking an appointment with your GP, and think your sweating is more psychological than physical, try these options:

Mitchum. This extra-strength deodorant contains aluminium zirconium tetracholorhydrex gly - and the more often you use it, the more effective it becomes. Dryclor is a similar product. Both are available from chemists.

Iontophoresis. This treatment involves putting your hands and feet in water that's charged with a low-voltage electrical current. It does actually seem to work!

Liposuction. You can get your underarm sweat glands sucked out, scraped away (called curettage) or sliced out.

Botox. This wrinkle-decreaser can also block the release of sweat-triggering acetylcholine in your armpits, as well as your hands. Good success rates.

Missionary magic

If sex was weight lifting, the missionary position would be the bench press. It's a mainstay in our society and the ideal pose for pregnancy. Lie between her spread legs, so that you're lying on top of her and are face-to-face. While supporting your weight on your elbows or hands, insert your erect penis up into her, so it's parallel to her vaginal walls. Variations can include her wrapping her legs around your waist to change the shape of her vagina, which will alter the sensation for both of you.

MEN & CONDOMS

It is quite common for men to have a few problems with condoms. People sometimes find that the process of putting on a condom interrupts the flow of their love-making and their erection subsides.

One way of coping with this is to become comfortable with condoms and good at putting them on quickly. Have you tried practising with condoms on your own, perhaps when you are masturbating? Some people find it easier to keep their erection if their partner helps them put the condom on.

Another trick that works for some people is to avoid thinking that penetration always happens as soon as the condom is on. Carrying on with foreplay after you've put the condom on gives time for your erection to come back. Then all you have to do is check that it is still on properly before you enter your girlfriend.

It can often be a bit stressful having sex with a partner for the first time. Stress and anxiety are other factors that can affect your ability to keep an erection. Here's where communication can help.

Impotence Day

It's generally reckoned that one in ten of all men experience what doctors call 'erectile dysfunction'. But this can only be a rough estimate as just a small proportion, around 10%, come forward for professional help. Many men are too embarrassed even to talk to their partner about the problem. That adds up to a lot of people suffering in silence.

Over the past year and a half, the 'just ask' advisors have answered well over 100 questions about erection problems. Only a small proportion were from people suffering from the kind of impotence that requires a medical solution.

now you see it, now you don't

The majority of questions were from young men experiencing what we might call temporary impotence – they had no erection problems generally but in certain situations their penis refused to rise to the occasion, or went limp just at the crucial moment. For these people the most likely underlying issue seemed to be anxiety connected with penetration – the pressure to 'perform'.

John's question is typical of this kind of thing. He's 16 and has a steady girlfriend. They've had sex quite a few times but now he can only maintain his erection for masturbation and oral sex.
Sarah's question gives a sense of how impotence can affect relationships. Like John, her boyfriend is losing his erection when it comes to intercourse. She's concerned that she doesn't turn him on enough and regrets that she made a joke about him being impotent.
Tom, too, is having trouble with his erection when he tries to enter his girlfriend. Like John he thinks the problem is psychological and he's worried about letting his girlfriend down.

drink and drugs

Another common reason for erectile dysfunction is the effect of alcohol, recreational drugs, and medication. Alcohol is well known to encourage 'brewer's droop' but other drugs like marijuana and cocaine can do the same. Some medicines – particularly antidepressants and blood pressure treatments – can have unwanted sexual side-effects too.

Peter is getting embarrassed because he hasn't managed to have full sex with his girlfriend at all. He does mention that he's always been quite drunk. Could this be the problem?

Kamal hasn't been able to make love for some time. Could it be something to do with his depression medication?

long-term loss

Where men are suffering from permanent impotence the cause is usually – in over two-thirds of cases – physical. Erectile dysfunction is quite common in men with diabetes, and abdominal surgery, particularly prostate surgery, often results in erection failure. Problems with the blood vessels supplying the penis are another common cause – this is why smoking, which affects blood flow, can be a factor.

Perhaps it's not surprising that the incidence of erectile dysfunction rises sharply with age. Many of these conditions are themselves more common in older men.

The good news is that in the vast majority of cases men who take the problem to their doctor can be treated successfully. There can't be many people who haven't heard of Viagra, but it isn't the only solution out there. There are new drugs being developed all the time and many men are helped by other methods such as vacuum pumps, injections and, sometimes, surgery.

But so often men prefer to keep the problem to themselves rather than ask for help. At the same time, doctors don't routinely discuss the sexual implications when they are treating male patients for those conditions linked to impotence. It's not just the men themselves that suffer. Partners are affected too and erectile dysfunction can be a huge pressure on relationships. Psychosexual therapy and couple counselling can help, either on its own or alongside other treatments.

Andi wrote to 'just ask' saying that her husband's impotence was destroying their marriage. He is one of the nine in ten men who don't feel they can talk to their doctor.
Another man became impotent after cancer treatment. His partner wrote to 'just ask', explaining the strain on their relationship. Again, he doesn't seem to be getting treatment for his problem.

condom problems?

This is one cause of temporary erection problems that deserves a special mention, particularly as National Impotence Day falls right at the beginning of Contraceptive Awareness Week (14-20 February). Quite a lot of men, it seems, have no trouble getting and maintaining an erection, until it's time for them to put that condom on.

Findley, aged 16, lost his erection the first time he and his girlfriend tried to have sex – it was the condom that seemed to be the problem.

Campbell, 19, had the same problem, this time with more than one partner. He felt he was coming too soon as well, but seemed to already know that it could be because he was thinking too much instead of relaxing and having fun.

It's great that neither of these men thought the solution to their problem was to forget about the rubbers altogether. Remember, condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections as well as unwanted pregnancy.

Testicular cancer: keep your eye on the ball

Men can be very sensitive about their balls at the best of times. The idea of testicular cancer seems to be one that many men would prefer to ignore – according to research by NetDoctor.co.uk, about four out of five men in the UK don't bother to check themselves regularly for changes in their testicles. This is worrying because, if it's caught early, testicular cancer is one of the most treatable of all cancers.

Testicular cancer is actually not very common, but it has been on the increase for the last 25 years or so. It's also more of a problem among younger men, causing more deaths in the 15-35 age group than any other type of cancer.

The good news is that over 95% of men who seek treatment in the early stages are cured. As with so many diseases, the crucial thing is to get treatment as early as possible. Get to know your testicles, examine them regularly, and if you notice a change see your doctor as soon as possible.

few questions and answers that might help you:

Q: I found a lump on my ball. I was wondering if it may be testicular cancer. Please help!

Kelvyn, 14

experts reply:

It's good that you have checked your balls. Most lumps turn out to be nothing to worry about, but any changes in your testicles should be checked out as soon as possible.

As you have noticed a change, it is important that you seek medical advice. Your doctor is used to advising young men on their sexual health, so please try not to be too embarrassed. There could be a variety of reasons for the lump you have found, for example a cyst or infection, but do make an appointment with your GP.

Q: I am worried I may have testicular cancer. Over the past week I have had a slight pain in my left testicle. After reading some information on this I have noticed that in all cases the testicle is removed. Could you give me some more information?

Morgz, 21

experts reply:

Any prolonged pain in the testicles, or unusual lumps and bumps, should be discussed with your doctor, They will be able to examine you and offer advice and appropriate treatments if necessary. Sometimes, if you haven't been used to examining yourself, you might find a lump that you had not been aware of, but this may be part of the normal anatomy of your testicles.

Q: My right testicle is about twice the size as my left testicle. Could this be cancer or is it just normal?

Sean, 17

experts reply:

You must be feeling quite worried about this. What I can tell you is that one testicle is often slightly larger than the other. Have you noticed whether your testicles have always been this size, or has this changed recently?

Unfortunately cancer is a possibility with any lump in the scrotum. However, most swellings in the scrotum turn out to be non-cancerous. It is important that all lumps in the scrotum are examined by a doctor. This may sound embarrassing but doctors deal will problems like this every day.

Q: I have a girlfriend, and we are both virgins. I think we are going to have sex some time soon. The problem is, I felt my balls and have felt a little lump on it and it hurts when I touch it. Do I have cancer? I am still young. I am too scared to go to the doctor's. Please help.

Greg, 16

experts reply:

You sound very worried about this. As you have noticed a change, it is important that you seek medical advice. Your doctor is used to advising young men on their sexual health, so please try not to be too embarrassed.

There could be a variety of reasons for the lump you have found, for example a cyst or infection. Also, you don't say whether the lump is on the outside of scrotum, or actually on the testicle itself. It doesn't have to be cancer, but do make an appointment with your GP, especially if it is causing you discomfort.

Q: I had one of my testicles removed three years ago due to cancer. The cancer was completely removed and I feel fine. However, it's affecting my confidence in asking women out, and possibly having sex, because I feel I'm 'less' than I should be as a male. Is it worth having surgery to gain a second testicle? I've never talked about this before.

Max, 26

experts reply:

As long as your testicle is functioning properly – that is producing sperm – you are physically able to have sex normally and father children. Having one testicle does not mean you are less of a male. On a psychological level, however, you are struggling with a lack of confidence about asking women out.

Asking someone out can be a nerve-wracking experience for anyone, but if you are feeling low about yourself it can sometimes feel impossible. This can be due to expecting the other person to be as judgemental of you as you are being of yourself. This is not necessarily going to be the case. Being yourself, open and honest is generally what attracts people to you. Making the effort to try and feel good about yourself as a whole person could make a big difference.

It sounds like you are focusing on just one part of your body and judging your whole self by it. Bodies are only one aspect of who we are as individuals, and it is often useful to try and focus on other aspects to get a more balanced view of who we are. Most people will be unhappy about some part of their body, but for some people this dissatisfaction can become the main focus for their self-belief.

One way of trying to improve a negative body image is to try and build up self-confidence. Doing a course to improve self-esteem may be useful.

SOMETHING ABOUT MEN:

PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer diagnosis has been going up for some time. Since 2003, it has been the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, with over 27,000 new cases each year. The latest information from the Office of National Statistics reveals that one in 11 men has a lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer.

But only half of us know that prostate cancer is the top male cancer, according to a poll commissioned by the Prostate Cancer Charity. And nearly 90% of people polled don't know what the prostate gland does. This highlights the urgent need for more public awareness.

The aim of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week is to make the most common male cancer common knowledge.

Embarrassed?

A big part of the challenge is overcoming men's embarrassment and unwillingness to talk about problems in the trouser department. Research by Men's Health magazine, carried out for the Institute of Cancer Research, found that over a quarter of men have trouble talking to their doctor about potentially embarrassing problems. Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of the Institute, said, 'There is still a great taboo around prostate and testicular cancers. We want men not to be embarrassed about their bodies, but to go to their GP if they have concerns.'

Ask!!!

Men may find it hard to talk to their doctor, but some seem to feel more comfortable about contacting 'just ask' for advice about sensitive subjects. In the last few years lots of men – and a few women too – have sent us questions about the prostate. Many people were concerned about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis – two conditions of the prostate that can be unpleasant to live with but are not life-threatening. Others were concerned specifically with cancer.

Starting with the most basic question of all, Sam wrote in to ask what prostate cancer is.

Robin, aged 59, had a similar question, asking for straightforward information about the disease.

Andy was more concerned about the symptoms of prostate cancer. He was experiencing a frequent need to pee during the night but, like so many men, was nervous about going to see his GP

Testing and diagnosis

Quite a few visitors to the site were concerned about testing and diagnosis. One of the few women to ask a question about prostate cancer wanted to know if there was a blood test for the disease.

Jim knew about the test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is done as part of the diagnostic process, but he wanted to know more about interpreting the results of a test.

Michael, 51, was also aware that a blood test was available but was having trouble persuading his doctor to do the test for him. This was a particular worry because there was a history of prostate cancer in his family.

Causes

Some questioners wanted to know about the causes of prostate cancer. Information about the causes is rather sketchy: genetics appears to have some influence, though perhaps not as much as the effect of diet and lifestyle.

51-year-old Ade was interested in finding out whether there was any connection between benign prostate enlargement and the development of cancerous cells.

Colin, aged 47, had an unresolved problem of pain in the pelvis. He thought it might be an ongoing infection of the prostate and wondered if this might make him more likely to develop prostate cancer in the future.

One 27-year-old questioner had heard that prostate cancer was caused by too much sex. Fortunately we were able to reassure him.

New approach to treatment

In fact, most prostate cancers grow so slowly that treatment is not necessary at all. Unfortunately there is currently no good way of telling the difference between a slow cancer and a fast one that needs radiotherapy, surgery or hormone treatment. This could mean that many men are opting for invasive treatment they may not need.

To try and tackle this problem, The Institute of Cancer Research is running a research project at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey. The research is investigating an approach to prostate cancer called 'active surveillance'. Rather than going straight for a treatment option, men are given a PSA test and a rectal examination at regular intervals. They also have a biopsy (where a small sample of the tissue from the tumour is removed) every two years. If during this time a man's PSA level rises significantly, his prostate cancer will be treated.

The research is led by Dr Chris Parker, who says, 'Active surveillance may spare two thirds of men the side-effects of treatment, without compromising survival.' That's important news for men when you consider that the side-effects can include impotence, incontinence and infertility.

'Active surveillance' might sound just like another way of saying 'watchful waiting', which is the long-standing approach to many cases of early prostate cancer. Watchful waiting involves periodic examinations and tests, with hormone therapy if the cancer appears to be developing. As Chris Parker explains, active surveillance is different: 'Whereas watchful waiting involves relatively lax observation with late, gentle treatment for those who develop symptoms of progressive disease, active surveillance involves close monitoring with early radical treatment for those with signs of progression.'

Over 60 men have joined the study in the last 12 months, the team plan to recruit another 200 over the next few years.

Spring’s Most Important Fashion Rule

Starting off Spring on the right foot is very important. Not only does your Spring style say a lot about you, but it can also alter your mood. So instead of wearing something drab and dreary, put on something cheerful that will put you in a good mood and get everyone’s attention too!
As always, every season there is “the rule” that everyone must obey. This Spring’s most important rule is remembering to keep everything chic, simple, and fresh. That means throwing out your old winter makeup, getting a new do, and a fresh, new spin on your wardrobe. Let’s start with your makeup!

FRESH MAKE-UP



This winter, we saw a lot of blues and violets on the eye lids and lots of reds on the lips. Fortunately, Spring has brought us a fresh burst of ideas which doesn’t include strong, overpowering colors. It’s very important that you keep your make-up simple and fresh. Wearing too much make-up can make you look old and tired. A fresh perspective on your make-up will do you wonder. Go on a make-up spree and choose new soft and vibrant colors. Choose peachy-pink tones for your cheeks and lips for a beautiful stained look. Tired faces are so out…bring in the new!!!


IN THE NAME OF FASHION





If you have beautiful long locks, the last thing you probably want to do is chop it all off. But this Spring brings us hot trends including shorter, more sophisticated hair. Anything that is chic, easy to up-keep and cute. Think Kaite Holmes or Rihanna - who doesn’t love their fabulous cuts? So if you’re daring enough, head to the salon this weekend and ask your stylist to re-create a star’s look. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll look more revived, refreshed and younger too! The bottom point: chic and sophisticated!


RE-INVENT YOUR WARDROBE!





Now that you have fresh makeup and a chic new do, all you need is a hot wardrobe. Pick up simple, basic things that you can combine with multiple outfits and get multiple uses out of. Flowy fabrics are very hot this Spring, so keep that in mind. Don’t go for super-tight fashions. Instead, keep it simple and flowy. Pick soft and sheer fabrics. Colors you can wear this spring: white, neutrals, peaches, pinks, yellows, greens, and these are just a few. Keeping your outfit fresh and simple is the key to looking fabulous.

Beachwear Tips

Where do you wear beachwear? Anywhere. Beachwear is not just for the beach or the pool.
Are you going on a cruise or taking off to a resort?
Think “bikini beachwear” for sunning by the pool or those days along the sandy beaches.
But you will also want other summer beachwear as well, like dresses, skirts and pants.
For shopping or dining or even a night on the town, there are many beachwear options in many different styles and patterns that will assure that you are not breaking the dress codes while still enjoying the comfortable, cool and sexy feel of summer or the tropics.

Clubkinis and halter top beachwear will be awesome additions to your summer or vacation wardrobe to mix and match with your beachwear skirts or your jeans.

With just a few beachwear items, you can create many different looks and styles that are all your own.
With beachwear- anything goes. It’s all still a matter of your own personal style. Sometimes just throwing on a fun summer skirt over your swimsuit and walking the sands of the beach can give you a sense of freedom that is much more powerful than the hottest bikini.

Shopping for bikini beachwear? Most women already know what type of swimwear they are looking for through trial and error and those countless and frustrating trips to the dressing rooms. We usually know what is the best fit for us, whether it’s underwired tops, string bikini bottoms, full coverage, slight coverage, tankini, French cut,
Brazilian…

It’s possible the beachwear that is available in our local shops may be limited, but the internet is not. We don’t have to settle on this issue and we can find exactly what we want via internet shopping.
So refine those searches and be specific about what you are looking for, metallic beachwear, crocheted or ruffled beachwear, gauze and lace, (or even sheer beachwear), resort or cruise wear, exotic beachwear… even a lambskin bikini, if that’s your style.
So, define your style! Decide what you love and want and go get it.

Best Beachwear

You got weight problems, wider hips, DD or E cup sizes?

We give you some tips to hide delicate any flaw!


Do's


For those of you with a bit of tummy wobble, try one the very flattering Tankinis which give bust support and lift but fall softly round the tummy to hide our imperfections.

The overall look is much more flattering than a one piece and the added bonus is, while noones watching, you can roll them up and get a tanned tummy!

You can also choose one piece but with vertical prints top to visually lenghten your body.

Don'ts

Don't opt for Retro Pant with straight cut and low on the leg because they're too wide and they shorten your body visually and make your legs thick and short.

Plus, avoid light colors!

Acne - Pimples?

Acne occurs when hair follicles are clogged by dead skin cells. Hair follicles produce an oil called sebum. If this oil builds up in the clogged pore it becomes infected, and the hair follicle becomes inflamed. If the follicle bursts, the infected matter inside the pores spreads across the skin, infecting the surrounding area and creating new pimples.

Treatments for acne

Acne can and does cause enormous suffering for those who are affected by it, and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Early treatment should limit the severity of acne and prevent the physical and psychological scarring that can be caused by acne.

Available treatments for acne today include medicated cleansers, exfoliants, benzoyl peroxide, Retin A, topical antibiotics, physical treatments, oral antibiotics, intralesional corticosteroids, hormonal therapy, systemic corticosteroids, accutane, and natural treatment formulas.

Benzoyl Peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide is the undisputed king of over-the-counter acne medications.

Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is a mild astringent that dries the skin and removes dead skin cells.

Topical antibiotic: These kind of externally applied antibiotics are formulated as water-alcohol solutions, creamy lotion, gels, and ointment. They are very effective in mild-to-moderate acne and dry up pustules quickly.

Tips for Beautiful Look

1. Don't pick pimples.
2. Drink lots of water.
3. Keep astringents away from irritated skin.
4. Go easy on the stress.
5. Check your diet. Fruits and vegetables are important for healthy skin and overall well-being.
6. Research products before using them to make sure they are right for you.
7. Do facial exercises and get facials.
8. Use olive oil to keep the skin supple.
9. Keep your hands away from your face. Hands carry germs that are often transferred to our faces.
10. Don't smoke.
11. Cut down on alcoholic beverages. They dehydrate the skin.
12. Use makeup, in moderation.
13. Wash your face at least twice a day.
14. Don't sleep with makeup on. Your pores need to breathe.
15. Steam yourself. It's great for the skin and reduces stress.
16. Exercise.
17. Use homemade body-buffing salt, made from coarse kosher salt, safflower oil, and your favorite essential oil.
18. Get a shower brush to reach the middle of your back. This may reduce the appearance of blackheads.
19. Try vitamin E oil for scars.
20. Condition the lips. Our lips are often overlooked until they begin to peel and crack.
21. Take a skin softening milk bath.
22. Don't forget suntan lotion and sunscreen
23. Lemon juice is excellent for embarrassing skin discolorations.
24. A full body massage is a great relaxing agent as well as a way to get circulation flowing through your entire body to improve your skin.
25. Never scrub your skin. Gently massage it.
26. Use soap that is skin-friendly. Some soap can be very harsh on your skin and leave a build up that keeps your skin from looking its best.
27. Keep all beauty accessories and tools clean to reduce the risk of germs infecting your skin?

Aging Skin
Aging is a normal appearance, but you can reduce to slows down or keep skin aging with personal frequently watch. Quality daily skin look out, orderly life practice and well-balanced diet, and crisis free surroundings are the key points you can initiate with to gain control on aging skin.
The skin ages for a numerous reasons. It will naturally age with increasing loss of flexibilityas collagen and elastin within the epidermis slowly becomes less elastic. Also it has been proven that sun light speeds up the ageing process of the skin caused by UVA and UVB wavelengths from the sun. The other external factors such as the free radical produced in the vehicle exhaust gases, dirty industrial processes and smoking can further speed the ageing process of otherwise healthy skin.

But one need not worry as plants and fruits that are available in abundance play a major role in the protection of the skin. Plant oils may be used to form a protective moisturizing layer that reduces water loss from the epidermis of the skin and hence increases the hydration of the skin. This increases the 'plumping' of the tissues, contributing to a smoothing of the wrinkles.

Tips on Anti Aging Skin

The rejuvenation of the skin has also become an important aspect of modern cosmetic care. Many professional techniques are used. These range from plastic surgery for total or partial face lifts, chemical peeling, collagen implants, and laser therapies and so on.

We have been working with natural substances for skin rejuvenation, as we found that natural extracts, used in specialized treatment, help to minimize the signs that we associate with ageing.

You can use a clinical procedure consisting of specialized cleansing and toning, followed by use of the some good mask, which has been endowed by modern techniques and perfected by the substitution of herbal extracts. It should have the extracts that are known to stimulate the regeneration of new cells.

Among these are Saffron, Aloe Vera, Rose, Bael, Mint and so on. The mask ingredients are applied on the skin and allowed to harden. As it hardens, the mask generates heat and creates the ideal temperature at which the skin's capacity to absorb products is enhanced.

The heat increases blood circulation to the surface. As the mask cools down and becomes hard, it tightens the pores and tissues, sculpting the jawline. It also helps to minimize wrinkles, improve muscle tone, skin elasticity and revitalizes the skin.

The mask acts as a complete cosmetic treatment, because it helps to improve the skin's normal functions. It restores balances, improves cell respiration and speeds up the process of cell renewal.

In fact, it is a mini face-lift. When the mask is hard, it comes off in one piece, leaving the skin tighter, rejuvenated and porcelain-like.

Botanical Skin Care

There is plenty of confusion when it comes to botanical skin care as most people equate botanicals to natural ingredients. However, the Food and Drug Administration equates all natural products, even those extracted from plants and herbs as being chemical in nature. Realistic or not, the approach to botanical skin care is similar to that of using chemical peels and chemical skin defoliation. The ideal situation is being able to maintain the body's natural moisture to help maintain the body's largest organ…the skin.

The use of botanicals in all types of treatments has been around since about the fourth century, as more humans began to experiment with plants and how they could treat a variety of ailments and problems. While skin care may not have been high on their list of priorities at the time, the use of botanical skin care has grown into its own industry in the last decade. Whether using all natural products or the chemically designed products to imitate the botanical plant structures, the use of skin care products continues to grow.

Some of the most popular botanical skin care products are shea butter jojoba. Shea butter is derived from the kernel of the karite tree, also named the tree of life, and has a profound effect on the amount of moisture retained by the skin. Jojoba is a natural skin moisturizer and closely resembles the sebum of the whale, and also works to soften the skin.

Preventing Dry Skin Part Of Botanical Skin Care

Helping to maintain soft and moist skin begins by eliminating the factors that cause dry skin. For years, honey was used as a botanical skin care product as it also provided protection against the sun and other environmental problems that dries the skin as well a helping to replenish moisture in the skin.

It is also well-documented that remaining hydrated helps to prevent dry skin from the inside, reducing the dependency on topical skin moisturizers and many of the botanical skin care products that cannot be classified as organic, may contain ingredients that counteract the moisturizers being applied. They may also contribute to clogged pores, which can lead to an outbreak of acne.
When choosing botanical skin care products, reading the ingredients, usually listed on the label, can offer hints of whether there may be chemical products or other oils that may cause other skin conditions while moisturizing the surface of the skin. If using commercially prepared products, the all natural botanical skin care products will probably be more expensive than those created in a lab.

Cleansing Skin Care for Everyday Use

Our skin is a vital part of our body; it helps to protect us from dangerous elements and to help cool our body. One of the more important aspects of skin care is cleansing. Cleansing skin care is necessary for our skin to breathe and be free from clogged pores and impurities. These clogged pores promote acne and other skin imperfections that arise from skin that is not maintained properly.

Make up and oil from our skin contribute to clogged pores and impurities. The right cleansing skin care regimen must be applied to your face and body to promote clear and blemish free skin. Not only do our faces need to be cleansed from everyday dirt but our bodies need it too. Everyday exposure to dust, wind and smoke of every kind can contribute to clogged pores. The proper cleansing skin care regimen must be observed to maintain your skin.

Tips for Proper Cleansing Skin Care

One thing that you must remember is that cleansing skin care does not necessarily mean expensive skin care products. You can cleanse your skin with just ordinary inexpensive products that work just as well as pricier ones. The important thing is that the cleansing skin care products are gentle and devoid of harsh chemicals that can dry out skin. Water temperature must also be just right or even warm to promote better skin care. Water that is too hot may damage you skin while cold water can dry out the skin.

Some people like to use toners as part of their cleansing skin care regimen. This is fine as long as you stay away from toners that contain alcohol and are labeled as photosensitive. The way you apply the cleanser and toner must be gentle enough to cleanse your skin but not damage it. Forcefully scrubbing skin can damage it and bring about other consequences. Cleansing your face must be done to a minimum since too much washing or cleansing skin care can dry it out too.

After your daily cleansing skin care, you might want to moisturize it to provide the daily defense against the weather and the elements. Moisturizing is the best way to maintain the suppleness and elasticity of the skin.

The Best Time to Cleanse the Skin

Probably the ideal time to cleanse the skin is when you arrive home from work or before you sleep. This is the right time because you do not need to go out anymore and expose you skin to environmental factors that add to skin problems.