Monday, May 31, 2021

Walking With Weights

 

Most of us just walk while wearing a good set of shoes, proper clothing, and a path that takes us around an area we like but sometimes, you see a person out there with either hand weights or those ones that strap to your hands.  I know one walk I use from a DVD recommends weights as a way of helping imitate walking up hills.

Unfortunately, there is some conflicting information about using weights during your walk.  Many believe the only way to change the intensity of your walk is by walking faster, increasing your distance, or including hills in your walk.  Others state that using hand weights, ankle weights, or wrist weights cause your body to focus on certain muscles.

Those who believe in using weights, say it is best to use weights between one and three pounds because that amount will increase your heart rate and help you burn more calories without causing possible injuries. Furthermore, if you choose too heavy a weight, it can change your posture and your stride. In addition, if your knees are bad or other issues, use the lighter weights.

When walking with weights, it is important not to increase your swing or change the swing into curls.  If you do that, you are adding in a strength training element which could hurt you because it puts extra stress on joints or leads to a muscle imbalance which makes it easier to injure yourself.  Furthermore, many state that if you want to carry weights, wrist weights are the best choice because you will not elevate your blood pressure the way hand weights do.  Just make sure you continue doing your regular arm movement.  If you do not own any weights, carry a bottle of water in each hand and you'll get the same results.

According to one piece of research when people carry around one pound of weight in their hands, they tend to walk faster. In addition, the little bit of extra weight is good for those who do not want to increase their speed or the total distance walked. 

It has been suggest that using a weighted vest rather than wrist weights, ankle weights, or hand weights is the best way to use weights because the extra weight is being added to your frame rather than at the periphery.  If a person wears a vest weighing 10 to 15 percent of their body weight, they will burn more calories without feeling as if they are working harder. In addition, wearing a vest also encourages your bones to build new cells which helps your bone density.  However, do not use a vest if you have issues with your back or neck.

Finally, do not use weights more than a couple times a week to get the most effect from their use.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.



Saturday, May 29, 2021

Friday, May 28, 2021

Best Rate For Walking.

Summer has come and in most places in the northern hemisphere, temperatures are rising and the longer days bring a cheeriness missing during winter.  It is time to head outdoors to take full advantage of the beauty.  This is the time to enjoy a nice walk around the neighborhood.  I have a couple of real choices for nice long walks but one tends to be mosquito laden while the others have me walking by a noisy highway.  

It is said that the average adult walks at a speed of 3 to 4 miles per hour or about one mile every 20 minutes but the actual speed depends on a lot of factors such as level of fitness, age, sex, and your height.  I don't walk that fast because my walking partner has a physical disability and can't get to that speed so we take it as fast as he can but when I'm by myself I generally go about that speed.

In addition, there are other factors such as age.  When a person is in their 20's they are more likely to walk about 3 miles per hour but as they age, their top speed drops to just over 2 miles per hour by the time they reach their eighties.  Furthermore, women tend to walk a bit slower then men at all stages of their lives.  

Usually, experts suggest one use a brisk pace but they don't state an exact speed because a brisk pace varies from person to person.  The best definition of a brisk walk is when a person walks faster than they normally do so both the heart and respiratory rates increase. In other words, a person should be slightly breathless or a bit sweaty at the end of the walk.  Some experts will say a brisk walk is 100 steps per minute or 3 to 3.5 miles per hour but that is only if you are in extremely good shape.  I prefer the first definition because it fits everyone.  My mother walks quite slowly so her brisk is my slow stroll and my brisk leaves her way behind.

A brisk walk is classified as moderate exercise which is what is suggested for everyone.  In fact, it is recommended everyone spend at least 150 minutes per week participating in moderate exercise. In addition to helping your breathing and heart rates, a brisk walk can also help other systems in your body.  It also improves our memory, heart health, and helps keep weight under control.  Furthermore, walking faster means a person has better mobility which helps a person be healthier.

If possible make sure part of your walk takes you up hill or up an incline because that helps a person's health.  If you happen to live in a flat area where there are no hills, find a building with stairs and walk up and down them to make your walk a bit more challenging. I've got a nice hill about two miles from my house so I walk up it and then back down before I head home.  

One way to improve your ability to walk is to just do it.  Start with a short walk and just go a few steps further past where you want to turn around or stop.  Each day continue walking just a bit further to increase the distance and improve your fitness level.  I usually set a goal of a place such as the power pole at the top of the hill or the elder home at the turn.  I don't worry about distances such as one mile, I prefer to look at places as my goal.

Take advantage of the warmer, sunnier weather and enjoy a walk around the neighborhood.  Look for the hidden flowers, listen to the birds, and enjoy the wind as it tickles your ear.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  It doesn't take long before you'll find yourself walking miles.  Have a great day.



Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Vitamin B-3's Roll In Skin Care.

Everywhere you look, you find that your body needs various varieties of vitamin B to function from B-12 to one of the latest, B-3 for your skin.  It is said that B-3 is giving vitamin C some competition right now.  Vitamin B-3 is also known as niacinamide and it is how you'll see this ingredient listed on face serums.  This vitamin has acquired the reputation for both brightening and hydrating the skin.

Vitamin B-3 is water soluble vitamin that cannot be synthesized by the body. This means we get it via the food we eat and via topical applications for the face.  The nice thing about this particular vitamin is that it can be used both morning and night. 

Vitamin B-3 has the ability to restore cellular energy, help repair damaged DNA, and reduce the effects of UV damage.  In addition, it can fight off internal and external stressors that cause your skin to break down, leading to premature aging. In addition, it can help cut down on the formation of brown spots on the skin.  It is also decreases redness, provides hydration, helps manufacture healthy fats for glowing skin, while strengthening the skin barrier. It is said to be good for people with sensitive skin and it is excellent for people who find other skin products irritating.  Vitamin B-3 is often found in sunscreens to help prevent damage to the skin. 

Although niacinamide is gentle on the skin, it is important to check its concentration because if there is too much of it in the skin care product it can cause issues so look for a concentration of between one and two  percent. Any higher concentration might make your skin red or even dermatitis. It is important to choose a product that allows the B-3 to penetrate the skin for maximum effectiveness.

Furthermore, vitamin B-3 can be found in several different.  The nicotinamide also known as niacinamide is actually the amide form of B-3 while niacin is the acid form.  In addition, niacin is more easily found in drugstores and is often suggested as a way of lowering cholesterol ratios but can cause the body to flush bright red. So it is important to make sure the B-3 listed as the amide ending.

Although it is recommended that people not combine niacinamide with vitamin C because when they combine they form an acid which can cause redness but which eventually forms into nicotinic acid with extreme heat but under normal circumstances, it is fine but if you have sensitive skin, you might want to use only one or the other.

So if you see niacinamide on the label, you know more about it.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to know.  Have a great day.


Monday, May 24, 2021

Peptides In Skin Care

 

I admit, I am always looking at new products with new ingredients to try.  I saw one I decided was interesting because the serum contained peptides. I haven't had a biology class in many years and I do recognize the term but couldn't remember what it was.  Peptides are also known as polypeptides and they are naturally produced by the skin.

Peptides are one of the amino acids the skin uses to make proteins such as collagen which is made up of three polypeptide chains, keratin, or elastin.  Thus when you use a skin care product containing peptides you are helping stimulate the production of collagen by your face.  Unfortunately, the collagen molecule is too large to be absorbed into the skin but the peptides can so they are easily used by the body.

Furthermore, our bodies begin to loose one percent of the collagen in our skins each year as we pass the age of 30. There are at least three versions of peptides.  signal, carrier, and neurotransmitter.  The one we want are signal peptides because they are the ones that communicate with other cells that it is time to make collagen rather than the others who have different jobs. There are some products which claim the neurotransmitter peptides works in the same way botox does to eliminate wrinkles but there is concern the product is unable to penetrate deep enough in the skin to be effective.  Carrier peptides are responsible for transporting trace minerals to the areas of collagen production.  

There are definite benefits to using peptides such as reinforcing the skin barrier.  The skin barrier is what protects the skin from bacteria, pollution, ultraviolet rays, and other things but it can be broken down by over exfoliation, exposure to smoke, and pollution.  Since peptides are used by the skin to produce collagen, the collagen helps increase hydration which plumps the skin and lips to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. In addition, peptides are found in elastin fiber which is another type of protein made and used by the skin. These fibers also help the skin look younger with fewer wrinkles.  

The actual way peptides work is that when they are absorbed into the skin, rather than sitting on top, and signals cells that it is time to produce collagen and elastin fibers. There are things you have to look at when selecting a product with peptides so you get the correct one.  The product should be a serum or moisturizer rather than a cleansing product so the peptides stay on your skin longer.  

In addition, peptides can be used in conjunction with vitamin C, niacinamide, antioxidants, or hyaluronic acids but never with alpha hydroxide acid.  Side note: do not use vitamin C and niacinamide together and more on that Wednesday.  Make sure the product you choose lists peptides close to the top.  It might be listed as palmitoyl which is another name for peptides.  Peptides are safe enough to use twice a day, in the morning and evening.

So if you decide you want to check out products with peptides, you now have a better idea of what they are and how they work.  You also know more about what type of product to select.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear. Have a great day.


Friday, May 21, 2021

Bee Venom In Skin Care

I came across a new ingredient in face creams as I was shopping for a new bottle.  Several brands included bee venom.  These caught my attention.  According to their claims, the bee venom had some nice side effects such as eliminating or reducing wrinkles.


Of course many creams claim to have ingredients that will reduce wrinkles but not all of them work. The idea is that when you apply anything containing bee venom, the ingredient is supposed to make your skin think it has been “stung” so that it produces more collagen to fix the skin.


In addition, it is said to reduce a type of enzymes produced by exposure to sun, and other environmental issues that decrease the production of collagen and elastin fibers. It also increases collagen protein production and can help cases of acne.  


 I found a study conducted in South Korea which looked at the effectiveness of bee venom on wrinkles. The bee venom had been gathered under specific conditions and tested over a period of time. According to the study, the bee venom decreased the total number of wrinkles, total area, and wrinkle depth. However, the sample size of this particular study consisted of only 22 women so the results may not apply to the general population. 


According to another article in Allure, bee venom is a great way to help eliminate acne because it reaches down below the surface. It is said to be good for both regular and cystic acne. In addition, it is possible to use bee venom with other ingredients without fear of issues.


Dermatologists recommend anyone who plans to use skin care products containing bee venom to conduct a skin test before using.  It is possible to have allergic reactions if you are allergic to bee venom thus the patch test recommendation.


No matter what product you use with bee venom, it is strongly recommended, it be used in the evening as part of your regular routine. This way, it has the best chance of working as effectively as possible. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Strange Exercise Fads

If you pay any attention to infomercials on late night television, you might see some interesting exercise machines and workouts but what crazy things did they have before the media and before the current exercise crazes.  Some are really crazy while others have been around on and off.


The last time this made an appearance was during the 1960’s when people tried to “jiggle” their fat away using a motorized set of belts that helped vibrate the fat on your body. Although it went away, a more modern version appeared in which the machine shocked the abdominal muscles with an electrical current to shrink them and firm them up.

Back in the early 1900’s, when stretching became the preferred method of exercise, someone came up with the idea of shrinking their shadow.  The person would stretch and move their body around so their shadow became as small as possible.   Many of the stretches used back them are the same we use to warm-up or cool down.

Then late in the twentieth century or early in the twenty-first century one of the shoe companies came up with a shoe that was supposed to help a person tone their rear when they wore them. The shoe had a rocker bottom so they were a bit unstable as if you were walking on sand and thus burn calories and firm up muscles.  Although shoe makers made quite a few claims, a study revealed the shoes did absolutely nothing for the wearer.

In the 1950s someone designed the workout vest so people could wear it while relaxing and supposedly it would make them fit.  Unfortunately, it had several design flaws which caused the government to ban it.  The government felt that there was the possibility of harmful side effects when using electrodes to stimulate muscles. Before it was banned, the inventor sold over 400,000 vests to the public.

Then in the 1970’s some brilliant person invented the Sauna Hot Pants. These inflatable shorts supposedly allowed the wearer to lose weight by sweating fat from the stomach and thighs rather than having to diet and exercise.  These didn’t catch on and didn’t seem to work.

Back in Medieval times, a French knight recommended climbing up between two walls as a great way to exercise and get fit without having to do anything else.  I don’t know if it became popular but there is a modern version of this being done now.

Finally, there were weights one had to wiggle them with enthusiasm.  If one used them, one could improve muscle tone and get fit but the reality is that there needs to be some sort of resistance involved.  In addition, it came in a limited number of weights and the workout only lasts for 6 minutes,  not enough time to do much.  Traditional weight training is much better.

So here are a few odd and weird exercise ideas through history. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.

Monday, May 17, 2021

What is "Clean" Beauty?

Sometimes you will see beauty products advertised as “Clean”.  These are part of the “Clean” beauty movement.  These products are formulated without any ingredients that are or suspected to be dangerous to humans.  Honestly, most of us don’t think about what is in the products we use. We are more concerned with what it does and is it the right color rather than any potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, oxybenzone, triclosan, artificial fragrances, etc.  Clean beauty products should be safe for humans and for the environment. 


Unfortunately, companies in the United States can still include certain ingredients which have been found to be potentially harmful because the FDA has only banned 11 cosmetic ingredients while Europe has banned over 1,300.  In addition, companies in Europe face more stringent regulations than those in the United States because most of the regulations in this country are over 80 years old. This means that any company can claim their products are “clean” or “natural” since much of this area is unregulated.


Furthermore, companies can label certain ingredients under umbrella terms such as fragrance without listing the actual ingredients.  Or they can use terms such as “Natural” or “Eco” to describe their product since neither term is regulated and it really means nothing.  These terms make it seem ecologically friendly and much “greener” than they really are.


In addition, not all products advertised as natural or green are 100 percent clean as some actually contain toxic or questionable ingredients. There are many synthetic ingredients that are perfectly safe and acceptable in “clean” products. Although the term “clean” beauty indicates it should  be preservative free, products such as face creams etc should include a safe method of preservation as a way of stabilizing the formula. 


The best way to make sure your products do not contain potentially harmful or harmful ingredients is to read the ingredients list.  Look for ingredients such as Parabens including Propylparaben and Isobutylparaben, fragrance, chemical UV filters such as Octinoxate or Oxybenzone, Diethanolamine (DEA), Triclosan, Phthalates (often listested as fragrances) such as Dibutyl Phthalte, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS), Polyethylene (PEG) such as PEG-10 Laurate, Formaldehyde, or Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA).


It is nice to think that everything we buy is safe but it isn’t like that so if we want clean products, we need to read the ingredients list on all our beauty products to make sure they have no hidden surprises.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.

Friday, May 14, 2021

The History Of Exercise Machines.

I came across one of those old videos advertising some sort of fitness machine.  It had a belt that supposedly giggled your body in such a way as to help you loose fat while you stood there.   I don't know if it was successful but it was fun to watch.  There are machines that were created years ago that are still in use to day.

For instance, the treadmill has been around for a while but not as a form of exercise.  Originally, it was used by prisoners to grind grain, or pump water beginning early in the 19th century.  It was seen as a way for prisoners to make an honest wage but they used a treadmill that looked like a rolling pin and prisoners stood next to each other.   Eventually, the fitness scene discovered them.  The early ones were quite small with connected wooden slats that rotated around two drums with a waist high hand rest and people who used them wore hard shoes as protection.  By the 1930s, fabric replaced wooden slats, so the base was longer and the hand rest was higher and more comfortable.

The treadmill as we know it, was developed in the 1960's by a mechanical engineer named William Staub. The man read a book by Dr. Kenneth Cooper which lead him to create the treadmill.  Dr Cooper felt that a person who ran a mile in eight minutes four to five times a week resulted in a better level of fitness than someone who did an aerobics workout.  At first, only the medical field used treadmills but Staub wanted a line of commercially available treadmills so he produced the PaceMaster 600 which became a success and these were soon found in Gyms throughout the country.  

Then we have the rowing machine that are actually designed to mimic rowing a boat and first appeared around 1871.  The first machines used flywheels and ratchets to create the movement but by the 20th century, the machines became hydraulically driven.  Now, the machines fall into one of two groups.  The first are the motion machines with foot stretcher and handle while the second is the damper type that uses hydraulics.  

Of course, weight lifting equipment has been around for centuries.  The first free weights known as halteres which were made of stone or metal and were used in many of the original events in Ancient Greece. Over time, the halteres developed into dumbbells and barbells used in today's gyms but it was the machines that are more recent.  

During the last quarter of the 20th century, when bodybuilding gained in popularity with both men and women, a man named Arthur Jones built the first weight lifting machines.  He designed them to replace the use of free weights so that people who were not weight lifters, could train or develop muscles in a safe manner. He developed and marketed the Nautilus line of machines.

What might surprise you is that stationary bikes in one form or another have been around since the late 1700's but the type we associate with today's appeared on the market in the 1930's. The Exercise is said to work muscles used during bicycling, horseback riding, and rowing and it marketed itself as being for home use through the 30's, 40's and 50's where it did well but it exploded in the 1960's when an interest in fitness took off.  Then in 1968, the first electronic stationary bicycle made it's appearance.  The $4000 machine provided information such as the number of calories burned during the ride or the pulse rate. 

Since the explosion of digital devices, treadmills, rowing machines, and weight lifting machines have become digital so user can keep track of their stats as they exercise.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Beauty Tools That Range From Cool To What??????

The other day while reading a couple of articles on various tools designed for the face, I came across several  interesting tools that left me either intrigued or flabbergasted because I'd never thought they existed.  Some things, a person might use while others belong in a science fiction movie. 

The first one I'd like to share is the heated eyelash curler.  Yes, you read that correctly, a heated eyelash curler.  The heated eyelash curler uses heat to help curl your lashes while locking in the curl so it lasts longer.  It's like a small hair curler for your eyelashes but comes in two varieties.  The first one, a clamp heated eyelash curler looks like the regular clamp curler but both sides of the clamp curler are heated The other, a wand heated eyelash curler has a comb attached to the end of the wand that you comb through your eyelashes and hold the lashes up.  This version is gentler on lashes than the clamp variety.

Next is a lip stamp and I'm not talking about the ones you use to put a lip print on all your letters.  It is a stamp designed to apply the lipstick to your lips perfectly.  There are several different shapes of lips from pouty to natural. The idea is you put your lipstick on the stamp and then apply it to your lips.  Along with the lip stamp is the lip scrubber which is used to prepare your lips for lipstick.  The idea is to apply something like coconut oil or balm to your lips and then massage it into your lips using the scrubber.  

On the other hand, there are some strange things like the face stretcher which is an elasticized mask you wear on your face to exercise it.  It looks like something from silence of the lambs and it is supposed to tighten your skin while improving blood circulation but it doesn't say anything about how it works.  Instead of doing the whole face it is possible to get the upper face stretcher for the eye area which looks like something worn by Zorro.  The description says to simply wear it for 10 minutes everyday and it will automatically pull back the skin around the eyes and make your eyes look bigger.

Then there is the smile face lifting trainer which is a set of lips you place in your mouth and then pull the heart attached to them and they begin vibrating.  Supposedly the vibrations both trains and exercises the mouth and cheeks so your face begins to look younger.  The manufacturer recommends one use this three times a day.  If you don't like this, you could get the mouth exerciser figure which looks like a primitive creature with hands held up and feet spread apart.  You pop this in your mouth and then spend three minutes closing your mouth and then opening it so you exercise the muscles around the mouth and jaw as a way of countering aging and sagging skin.

You could try the tongue turn which is a set of lips that fit on your own lips.  You use your tongue to feel for each of the nine bumps located on the tongue turn.  Using this is supposed to push your sagging cheeks back to their youthful position so you look younger.  If you'd prefer something a bit less unique, check out the reusable wrinkle tape which is placed on five different places on the face to help "stretch" you face back to it's original, youthful, shape.  

All of these looked unique and not something I'd like to try.  I'm not sure how the last few help cause our face to return to it's original shape.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear. Have a great day.




Monday, May 10, 2021

Weird History of Lipstick

 Base, concealer, foundation, eye shadow, mascara, and finally the finishing touch is lipstick to complete the look every woman has created for herself but lipstick hasn't always been acceptable or safe. Lipstick has been around for a very long time, since about 3500 BC when Queen Schub--ad of Ur painted her lips with a mixture of white lead and crushed gems.  In ancient Egypt both men and women wore lipstick as a way of signifying their status.  They often used magenta, blue-black, or orange in addition to the traditional red.  

Once the use of lipstick reached Greece, members of the higher classes used lipstick as a calling card until it fell out of favor and became associated with prostitution.  In fact, the Greek government passed a law requiring prostitutes to wear lipstick so everyone knew their profession and they would not be able to deceive anyone.  If they were found out during the day without their lipstick, they could be punished for posing as "respectable ladies". On the other hand, the more wealthy women has makeup artists who applied their lipstick every day.  

Unfortunately by the time the Middle Ages arrived, the church discouraged the wearing of lipstick by associating it with Satan.  The Church in England claimed that women who wore lipstick and makeup were incarnations of Satan because they were trying to challenge God and his creations. In addition, parliament claimed that if a woman used lipstick and makeup to entice a man into marriage, she could be convicted of witch craft.

 This attitude change with Queen Elizabeth I come to the throne because she believed that lipstick was so powerful that it could protect the wearer from illness.  It is said that she wore a half inch of lipstick on her death bed.  Her attitude spread out to the common people who embraced it's reputation and some even used it instead of money.

The idea of wearing lipstick diminished by the time of Queen Victoria especially once she prohibited it during her years of mourning because she felt it was both dishonest and impolite but that didn't stop women from making their own, exchanging recipes, and appearing on the black market.  However, lipstick became acceptable when actresses took it from the stage to the general population and the women's suffrage movement decided that wearing lipstick was a way to show female emancipation.  It was a move against societal dislike of lipstick.

A little bit later,  the movie industry blossomed with women such as Clara Bow, wore bright red lipstick in the photos and the average woman wanted to have the same look by wearing lipstick to emulate them. Then during World War II in America and the United Kingdom, women were told that it was their patriotic duty to wear lipstick.  In fact, many of the women who served in the military during World War II received tubes of lipstick as part of their kit.   

Since then, lipstick has remained an accepted part of a woman's look.  Of course there have been times when it's been perfectly acceptable for both men and women to wear lipstick.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.









Saturday, May 8, 2021

Friday, May 7, 2021

Unusual Beauty Products

 Every once in a while, I love looking for weird or bizarre things and today I’ve found some very interesting beauty items that look odd and will keep you entertained.  The beauty items go from lips to under eye to masks and more.  Some things, I’d never hear of before.  So we are off to explore the bizarre.


First up are the temporary lip appliques that remain on your lips for 4 to 8 hours.  To use it, you choose a pattern, cut it out, place it on your lips and dampen it so it attaches to the lip much like those temporary tattoos you used as a child.  The applique comes in packages of three that  are vitamin enhanced and go on smooth and shiny.  These can be found at violent lips with  several patterns from galaxy to the american flag.  The appliques come off easily with just a bit of baby oil.


Do you have trouble putting on eyeliner and eyeshadow or just want something a bit different?  There are temporary eyeshadow and eyeliner tattoos one can apply to the eyelid.  I saw some that were like a tiger stripe of orange and black, while others come in a beautiful pattern.  These are easy to apply and use.  You can find a wide variety of choices on Amazon if you want something different.


Next are the natural silk cocoon facial cleaner balls.  These cocoons are a byproduct of silk production thus contain the key protein - sericin which is great for the face. Sericin contains 18 amino acids and is great for retaining moisture.  Sericin is also said to have anti-wrinkle and anti-aging properties as well as moisturizing the skin and improving skin elasticity. Furthermore, sericin is said to improve collagen production while helping the skin barrier.  


The silk cocoon facial cleanser balls look like small styrofoam balls with a small opening in the end.  To use them, you soak them in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes to soften them.  Then put the cocoon on your finger and gently rub it in a circular motion across your freshly washed face. Take time to focus on problem areas since they work as an exfoliator.  It is easy to find these balls on line at places such as Amazon.


Another one that uses magnets are magnetic facial masks.  These face masks are like any other face mask except they contain iron particles and they are removed with magnets.  The magnetic face mask is said to remove impurities while revitalizing the skin and decrease the signs of aging. The damp mixture is smoothed over the face and once it has dried, a magnetic wand is run over the skin to remove the mask.


The facial mask is made out of a mud that is filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and oils.  When the mask is removed with a magnet, the interaction between the magnet and magnetic particles creates a microcurrent that helps the skin improve its ability to heal itself.  The price for a magnetic face mask can run up to $250 for the setup 


These are just a few of the bizarre things for the face.  I’ll explore more another time.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Magnetic Eyelashes

 

I do not wear false eyelashes even when I’m on stage because I’ve never gotten the hang of putting them on nicely. One of my students told me about magnetic eyelashes which according to her are much easier to apply and remove and you don’t have any sticky residue left on the eyelid to scrape off.


Magnetic eyelashes rely on magnets to attach the eyelashes either to a magnetic eyeliner or a magnetic strip placed above and below your lashes which hold the eyelashes to the top of the lid.  It is recommended that people not use the type that sandwiches your own lashes very often because it can lead to the loss of eyelashes.  Many brands of magnetic eyelashes can be washed and reused multiple times rather than being used only once. 


The magnetized eyeliner is a much better choice because it lays on top of the eyelid and the eyelid helps support  the weight of the eyelashes.   Furthermore, it is best to try the magnetic eyelashes before the big night in case of an allergic reaction to the product but magnetic eyelashes are considered much safer than those requiring glue.


It is important to read the directions on the package carefully because each brand is a bit different so it is important to do this before trying to apply them.  Second, please do not share the eyelashes with friends because you don’t want to transfer eye infections from one person to another and always remove them before going to bed.


To prepare to apply the lashes one should take time to curl your natural eyelashes with an eyelash curler so the magnetic eyelashes have a solid base.  Next apply two layers of mascara to make your natural eyelashes bigger and more solid so when the magnetic eyelashes are attached, it all looks more realistic and natural. One note here, you do not want to apply mascara to the magnetic eyelashes because it makes them look clumpy and destroys them.


These types of eyelashes come in pairs, one for the top and one for the bottom. Begin with the top layer. When you are ready to attach the magnetic eyelashes, you need to bend them into a rainbow shape so they will fit your eyelids better. Begin by placing the lash in the middle of the eyelid, then attach the outer edge finishing with the inner edge to prevent too much movement.  A second way is to hold the top lashes and then attach the bottom lashes with tweezers.  Either way, place the lash close to the lash line on top of the eyelid, then take the bottom part and place it under your natural eyelid so the two magnetic strips stick.


The other type of magnetic eyelashes is one lash that is attached to the eye via a magnetic eyeliner.  This type is simpler because you apply the magnetic eyeliner to the lid and place the eyelashes over that so the magnets in the eyelash sticks to the magnets in the eyeliner.  If you choose this type of lash, besure to shake the eye liner so that the iron oxides are better distributed. All you do is put the eyeliner on, let it dry, then attach the eyelashes.  


I need to try these sometime.  I’d go for the ones with the magnetic eyeliner because they are simpler and there is less chance of an eye infection from wearing a layer underneath the eyelid.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.

Monday, May 3, 2021

Oils To Hydrate The Hair

Unfortunately, my hair tends to run dry at the ends, especially by the second or third day.  I have to use some sort of oil on my hair to help it be healthier and less dry.  Hair is made up of three layers but it is the third layer that furnishes the natural oils produced by the hair.  It is these natural oils that make the hair shiny and healthy while keeping it from breaking.  Unfortunately, swimming in chlorine, living in a dry climate, use of hot styling tools, or use of chemical straighteners, or perms can dry out the hair.


Fortunately, there are ways to make sure hair has enough oils to bring back it’s beauty and bring it back to life.  One way is by using oil either before washing hair or during the week depending on the type of oil.  For instance, coconut oil is a great one to use before washing with shampoo and conditioner but it is best to make sure it is in liquid form before applying to hair.  Let it absorb into your hair for at least 20 minutes minimum but longer is better. 


Other oils that can be used in this way are olive oil, avocado oil, or almond oil.  All of these oils are composed of fatty acids which help repair your hair and can soften it so it looks fantastic. No matter which one you choose to use, take time to comb the oil through your hair before washing it so the strands are all properly covered.


The other class of oils that are good for the hair are referred to as carrier oils.  Normally carrier oils are used with essential oils but are wonderful for the hair.  Argan oil is one which is high in fatty acids and vitamin E and then there is castor oil which can help dandruff while benefiting the condition of the hair.  On the other hand, jojoba oil is filled with vitamins that are good for the hair and so is macadamia nut oil.


Argan oil comes from nuts produced by the Argan oil tree. It is called “Liquid Gold” due to its beautiful golden color but it is recommended people use the organic all natural form since it will not have undergone a lot of processing.  In addition to helping hair, it also provides UV protection from the sun and heat while adding moisture.


Jojoba oil is made from the Jojoba plant. It is similar to the oil naturally produced by our scalp so it doesn’t interfere with our scalps natural production of sebum.  In addition, it is able to penetrate the hair shaft and follicle consequently, it is able to work from the inside out and it moisturises the hair beautifully.


Any of these oils in small amounts can be worked into the hair, allowed to remain for 10 to 20 minutes before being rinsed out.  The other thing one can do with these carrier oils is to use a small amount on the hair and let it remain so hair is looking renewed but not oily.


So if your hair needs a bit extra moisture, don’t be afraid to use any of the oils listed above.  I tend to use argan oil and find it does a great job of moisturising my hair without leaving it greasy and stringy.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.