How To Safely Workout In The Heat

 I just got back from Washington State and it was extremely hot.  Several of the family got together to walk around the subdivision so we'd get a good walk in but we only made it about half way through due to the heat.  We ended up catching a ride back since we weren't sure it was a good idea to continue.  We all agreed we should have left at 7 AM instead of 9 AM.

Since the predictions for many places is continued hot weather, some of it hot enough to set new records, I've decided to look at ways one can continue exercising in hot weather safely.  The problem with exercising in hot weather is that your body, is that your core temperature increases and if it is also sufficiently humid, you will have trouble cooling.  Normally, your body cools by sweating but if it is too humid outside, your won't cool as well because the sweat is no longer evaporating as quickly. Consequently, your heart beats harder as it works to keep your body cool. 

Always check the temperature and humidity before you head out.  If the temperature is too hot, look at scaling it back so you don't overheat.  Everyone should be more cautious in hot weather. If you decide to exercise in hot weather, choose light colored clothing that is designed to wick sweat from your body. Light colored clothing reflects light while dark clothing can make you hotter just as wearing a helmet or protective clothing can.  In addition, make sure you wear sunglasses that are designed to block UV and use a sunblock rated at least a 30 or higher that is waterproof so you don't sweat it off.  Beside to apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you leave and reapply regularly.

Before beginning your workout, take a cool shower and if you wash or wet your hair, leave it wet so it has a cooling effect as the hair dries.  This will help you stay cooler during your workout. Furthermore, it is important to consume the proper liquids to stay hydrated. First and foremost is good old water but if you are working out for at least an hour or it is extremely hot, consider drinking a sports drink was they contain electrolytes and potassium which are great for rehydrating your body.

It is important to exercise only during certain times of the day.  Look at exercising before 10 AM and after 3 PM because the 10 to 3 time period is usually the warmest part of the day. If you find it too hard to exercise outside, consider switching to a water based exercise such as swimming or a water aerobics so you stay cooler.  If you'd prefer a land based workout, look at moving indoors to a gym or at home if you have the proper equipment.

No matter what form of exercise you choose to do during hot weather, make sure you listen to your body.  If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or tired, take a break or wrap it up.  You do not want to overdo it and end up with heat stroke.  Please take care and err on the side of caution.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Ways To Exercise Without Working Out

 I am getting ready to head home.  I have been in a town near Seattle and the temperatures have risen early in the day and by 10 AM it was too hot to do anything.  They say today will set a record for the area and it is predicted to get up to 100 or higher.  Who wants to exercise right now with temperatures so high.  

Fortunately, there are ways to work out without exercising in traditional ways.  Many of the following suggestions can be worked into your everyday routine and you don't get sweaty.  Others can be done in comfortable places.

Many shopping malls open early for walkers.  Just plan to go in an hour early and walk around the mall as many laps as you can at a good pace.  The nice thing about most malls is that they have air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter so you can get out.  I love to walk but right now the heat is rather dangerous so the mall offers me the perfect alternative so I can stay cool.  It is also great, if I can't get out early enough to take advantage of the early morning temperatures.

Another way to add in exercise is during your morning routine as you get ready for work or to go out.  When you are brushing your hair or putting on make up, try standing first on one leg and then the other leg.  When you are brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes, do squats otherwise you end up just standing around.

If you take the bus or train to work everyday, get off one stop early or if you drive, look to park at a lot that is two or three blocks further away from work so you can incorporate a nice brisk walk both in the morning and evening.  Then when lunch hits, do not order lunch delivered to your desk.  Instead, head out and walk somewhere to get lunch.  If you bring your lunch, head out to eat at the park, or other place. 

If you receive a call on your cellphone, enjoy a short walk while talking to someone instead of sitting down.  You can walk around your house, check out your yard, or head around the block at a moderate pace to burn calories.

When you go shopping, choose the basket rather than the shopping cart because the basket becomes heavy as you add groceries.  This makes you burn more calories and you can get a bit of strength training as you lift the basket up or let it go down.  In addition, if you choose the longest checkout line, you can burn calories just holding a heavy basket while you stand straight.  You could also raise yourself so you stand on the balls of your feet with your heels off the ground.  It is easy to perform multiple repititions while in line.

By incorporating movement into your daily routine, you could easily add another 30 to 40 minutes throughout the day.  One does not have to perform exercise all in one go, it can be spread  throughout  the day.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Summer Fun

 

Summer fun.

Summer Time

Summer time treat

Bar Shampoo and Conditioner

 

The other day, I discovered a new store.  It advertised sustainability and claimed to carry many things to make like more ecologically safe.  I had to check it out because I'm always on the lookout to make my travels so much easier.  I discovered shampoo and conditioner in bar form.  

I've never heard of either of these in bar form.  Shampoo bars are actually a solid form of shampoo made up of raw or plant based ingredients.  These usually do not have sulfates that liquid shampoo can have.  They are considered gentler on the hair and can be extremely hydrating. 

Furthermore, these can cut down your carbon footprint due to requiring less packaging. They also make traveling easier because they are a solid, not a liquid and they can last up to 80 washes.  To use, you wet your hair first.  Then with wet hands, rub the bar between your hands to work up a lather before massaging the lather into your hair and scalp. When done, rinse it out.

Many bar shampoos resemble bar soap but are often made with more oils but are free of SLS, chemicals, fragrance, detergents or preservatives. It is best to find a brand that does not use palm oil or a palm derivative since the way they produce palm oil is not ecologically sustainable. If made properly, bar shampoo is good for your hair and it removes residue from your hair.

When your hair is clean, rub the solid bar conditioner into your wet hair or  rub the bar conditioner between your hands to create a creamy paste to apply to your hair before rubbing it in and then rinsing it out. One mistake people make is not to use enough conditioner.  It is recommended the conditioner is applied from roots to ends. Most conditioner bars last for between 40 and 80 uses and can replace two to three bottles of conditioners.

I was out with a friend and we both bought one shampoo bar and one conditioner bar.  I got them for my next trip so I don't have to take bottles of shampoo and conditioners with me but she got them because she was out at home.  She used her and said she really loved the way this product left her hair.  I like the fact, they are a lot lighter and so easy to pack. 

For some people, shampoo bars and conditioner bars are great but for others, the conditioners tend not to work as well on hair that tends to tangle.  It is best to try them to see how they work for you.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.

Apologies for this being a bit shorter but I've been helping to plan my mothers funeral which will be Sunday. I'm hoping to get back to normal by Wednesday of next week. 

Hairstyles and Face Shape.

 

When I was a teenager, all the books on beauty had a section devoted to choosing the proper hairstyle for your face based on shape.  The books advised one to find a bar of soap so you could use it to outline your face on a mirror in order to discover you face shape but I could never get anything done right.  I finally just grew it out and let it do its own thing.  

That's been a few years ago.  I began to wonder if the same rules are around today because many of us find a style and stick with it for most of our lives because we like safe.  I know the one time I cut my hair, the reaction I got from family members was shock and a variety of comments.  I haven't been willing to try something different since then.

Yes, the idea of choosing your hairstyle based on the shape of your face is still around and still recommended.  In fact, it is felt that getting a hairstyle based on the shape of your face is better than just selecting something from a magazine is much better because the latest hair styles may not look good on you.  

Now, it is suggested you take a selfie of your face with your hair tied back and then use a digital pencil to trace the outside edge of your face.  This will help you identify the shape of your face because you compare it to a charting find the one that matches best.  Most faces can be classified as oval, rectangular, square, heart shaped, diamond, round, triangular and oblong.  

If you have a rectangular shape, it is recommended one softly layer the hair and keep the hair so it is not overly long so that the cheekbones are enhanced and the corners of the face are disguised.  If you prefer a longer style, make sure it has waves or curls to add volume and soften corners of the face.  For updos, select softer romantic styles such as chignons rather than the high tight buns.  As for bangs, choose soft rounded bangs instead of square cut. 

People with oval faces are considered lucky because they can choose from a larger variety of styles but for styles that stand out, select a longer style or a short blunt bop or lob.  For long hair, avoid the layered look but add curls or waves so the hair does not drag down the face.  On the other hand,  a square face has a broad forehead, wide cheeks, and a strong jawline so one needs to select a style with a side part, long, airy layers, or a short cropped bob with side swept bangs.

A heart shaped face means both the forehead and cheeks are broad but with a narrow jawline and chin.  The hairstyle should help disguise the forehead and cheeks so a longer side swept cut does this.  One can also choose curls or waves that begin below the ear to balance out the look.  If you prefer a shorter hair cut , look at side swept pixie or a bob or lob.

A diamond shaped face means you have a narrower forehead and chin with wider cheekbones.  Look at a medium length or a long layered cut, that can easily be tousled and has a deep side part. If you'd rather make your jaw appear wider, choose a chin length bob. One can also wear a nice straight back ponytail easily. For a round face where the face has a length and width that are about the same and rounded cheeks, one should consider long layered styles  with layers beginning at the jaw line or short chopped pixie cuts. Avoid single length cuts. 

Triangular faces have a jawline wider than the forehead. The best hair cut is one that is layered so the layers end around the eyes, cheekbones, and collarbone. If you want a shorter hairstyle, then choose a choppy pixie cut and if you want bangs make sure they are short and sweep across your face or go for wispy.

If in doubt, discuss this with your stylist before choosing a style.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day. 

Death in the family.

 

Be back Wednesday, My mother just passed and I have things I must do.

Perhaps This?

Looks good.

Dining Out

What's for dinner?

Types of Face Powder

Last time, we learned a bit about the history of face powder and today, I'm looking at the types of face powder.  Face powder can make ones skin look fresh and awesome at the same time.  In addition, it smooths out ones natural skin.  Fortunately, face powders can be used with or without makeup. 

Face powders are often used to set or finish your makeup and there is a difference between those two types of powder.   The setting face powder does exactly that - it sets your foundation so it lasts longer while the finishing powder often blurs pores and makes the texture softer.

Now on to the different types of face powder as you'll have more choices than just lose or pressed.  Lose powder comes in jars and has finer particles so it provides a lighter weight coverage.  Pressed powder is semisolid,  carried in a compact, and if too much is applied it can look as if its caked on.  Many people love the translucent powder which is a see through powder so it doesn't change the color of your foundation or concealer.  It is used to prevent shine and matte the surface. 

A finishing powder is used mostly to cover pores and fine lines. In addition, it comes in a variety of colors but translucent powder can be used as a finishing powder if one places a thicker layer of powder over fine lines, pores, or even under the eye, let it sit for a few minutes so the warmth from the skin can heat it up and dust off what's visible. This technique can create a beautiful complexion.

Then there are mineral face powders which are made out of minerals sometimes combined with vitamins and often has fewer chemicals than other types of powders. It is great on top of mineral foundation but could be used with regular foundation.  If you have dark rings under your eyes or blemishes you want covered, use a yellow toned powder known as banana powder. In addition, it sets concealer and corrects color.  There is also a dewy face powder made for the dryer skin.  It is finely milled, provides hydration, and slides on so that it doesn't settle in lines and creases.

Now, if you have dry skin, use a small touch of powder applied with a huge brush so you don't inadvertently dry your skin out even further. Apply it after the moisturizer and foundation. On the other hand, if you skin is oily, use translucent powder to help keep the shine down but if you have a more mature skin, use a finishing powder to reduce noticeable fine lines. 

If you aren't sure, use it to make you look even more polished and fantastic.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Face Powder Part 1

 

Growing up, I remember my great aunts and grandmothers all finishing off their makeup with a layer of face powder.  If their faces became shiny, they'd pull out the powder and dab the shine away.  A fashionable lady always carried her lipstick and compact so she could touch things up as needed. 

Women have been using face powder since ancient times.  In Roman times, women used a white face powder made out of orris root and other things.  Roman women wanted light skin so they'd meet the ideal.  In China, women used rice powder with other things to create the pale face and cover any imperfections.

There was a reason the early face powders were white.  The whiter and smoother a woman's skin, the higher her social class and status within society. This idea of perfect white skin continued for centuries up to the Middle Ages.  In fact, women during the Middle Ages often used flour as face powder to obtain the white skin and would bleach their skin with lye to get rid of freckles.  The powdered face became the epitome of beauty during this time period. 

The standard of the white face continued through the time of Queen Elizabeth.  It was during this time that working women decided to follow the standard by using flour instead of the white powder used by the upper classes.  In addition, actors at the Globe Theater used a mixture of white lead and vinegar to obtain the white face but unfortunately, it irritated their skin and was not healthy at all.

The idea of such pale skin continued almost up to the 20th century but the materials used changed so they used more powder without the toxic ingredients.  In fact, women began using a bit more powder during Victorian and Edwardian times.  It was easy to find recipes to make your own face powder or you might buy some in unmarked envelopes.  By the 1920's powders were quite popular and appeared in different shades such as white, natural, or flesh.

At the beginning of the 20th century, women who wore makeup would wear it so that their face looked absolutely but when the 1920's hit, flappers disagreed.  They would pull out their compacts to retouch their faces so everyone knew they wore makeup at tables rather than heading to the ladies room to do it discretely.  Face powder was the big makeup used because most foundations were nothing more than tinted moisturizers that disappeared.  They relied on face powder to provide the proper color.

Companies manufactured various colors for all people.  C.J. Walker and others began making colors appropriate for darker skins in the 1920s and 30's while other companies made tones for folks like me with fair skin.  The development of colored powders changed the ideal from white skin to natural skin so women could be tan, nude, or any other shade.  It freed women from the rigid idea of beauty. Then in the 1960's Bill Nye from Hollywood created the Banana powder which had a yellowish tint and helped eliminate the redness of skin.  Over the following years, it became normal to include powder as part of the normal routine.

On Friday, I'll have the second part of this article and it will focus on the different types of face powder available and their uses.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.  

Primer? Yes or No?

If you read enough about foundations and make up you'll see that it is often recommended that one use a primer before applying the foundation.  Is primer really needed?  Especially if it is a hot day.  

Lets start with what a primer is.  A primer is something that is put on underneath everything to create a smooth base that helps keep all the make up on all day long. 

In addition, using a primer can reduce the amount of foundations and other products used on the face. It forms a barrier between your face and the other products.  

Specifically face primer will smooth out any pores in the skin, prevents too much shine, and there is a primer available for every type of skin and just about every problem.  In addition, one can use a primer that hydrates, smooths and illuminates all in one.  

When you go out to buy a primer, make sure you buy the proper one.  Primers come in many different forms.  If your skin is oily, look for a matte primer that contains silicon because it provides a barrier to keep the oil away from your makeup.

For dry skin, pick up a hydrating primer that contains hyaluronic acid or antioxidants to help moisturize the skin and keep it in good shape.  On the other hand, if you have significant redness in your skin or your skin is extremely sallow, choose a color correcting primer to help counteract these so your skin appears more normal.  If you are older, you might look at a blurring primer because it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles thus making you look younger.  

Furthermore, primers have been created to help with other areas.  If your eye shadow will not stay on for the whole day, invest in a primer designed especially for eyes.  Eye primer can correct color of the eyelid, smooth it, nourish it, and keep the eyelids natural oils from seeping through so your eye shadow lasts longer.  There is also a mascara primer to help the curl stay longer while adding volume and length.

If your lipstick tends to bleed, try using a lip primer. A lip primer makes the lips smoother so the lipstick won't bleed, hold the color longer, and can help nude lips if you don't want to wear lipstick.  Finally, is a nail primer for your nails so the base coat helps the polish stick more evenly and longer. 

Face primer is quite easy to use.  After you using your moisturizer, allow it to be absorbed for a few minutes before applying the face primer either with your fingers or with a makeup sponge. start at the center of your face, working outward until you have your whole face covered and let it dry for a couple of minutes before you apply your foundation.  Finish your face as normal but make sure your primer goes with your foundation so if you use a silicon primer, make sure the foundation is also silicon based.

To apply your eye primer, apply it either with your finger, a sponge, or a brush on the eye lid. Eye shadow primer comes in many different colors but white is often used to make shadow colors more vibrant. Apply the primer to the eyelid and let it dry a bit before applying eye shadow.  When applying the eye primer, make sure you apply it to the entire lid from the lashes to the top of the lid and make sure it is smoothed and blended well.  

When you use mascara primer, curl your lashes first, then apply the primer from the base of your lashes to the tips and apply the mascara itself before the primer has a chance to dry so do one eye at a time.  Lip primer may be applied with a wand or squeeze tube or with a finger from a pot.  

The general rule on primers is if you have great skin and makeup stays on by itself all day, you may not need it but primers can help your make up stay on better and longer when its hot out or if you need a bit extra help.  I tried wearing mascara during the winter up here in Alaska but my lashes kept ending up with ice crystals and my mascara dripped off when I warmed up.  I'm thinking that the mascara primer might have helped my mascara last through low temperatures.  Let me know what your are thinking, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Rainbow Kitten.

 

Such a colorful kitten.

Beautiful Butterfly

 

So beautiful. Like a rainbow!

What To Do If You Don't Own A Set Of Weights.

 

I just moved and I am not sure which box has my weights.  I own a 3 pound set and an 8 pound set but I have no idea where they are at the moment.  So I have to use a substitute so I can continue my workouts.  Fortunately, there are so many things I can use until I find my regular weights.  In addition, I can use substitutes when I'm traveling so I don't have to haul them with me.  I know many of you are thinking that most hotels have a room with fitness equipment but that isn't necessarily true when staying at hotels overseas.

If you buy milk in those half gallon or gallon jugs with handles, you can use those by filling them with water, sand, cement, or dirt.  The handles allow you to lift weights just as you would your dumbbells.  The total weight of each milk jug will be determined by the material used to fill it.  If you don't have milk bottles around, you could use laundry soap bottles with the handles filled with soap, water, or sand. However, if you don't want anything that large or heavy, you could use two small water bottles filled with water or sand.

On the other hand, you can grab a pair of canned foods to use.  Canned foods, especially the smaller 16 ounce ones are really great if you are just beginning but you can use larger cans such as the #10 ones like you would use a medicine ball.  These are especially good for tricep kickbacks. 

You could also grab a couple bags of beans or rice and use them for bicep curls or other move needing a lighter weight. Both rice comes in bags ranging from 1 to 25 pounds but those that weigh 5 pounds or less.  One can also use packages of flour since they come in 2, 5, and 10 pounds but you'd want to place these in plastic bags or shopping bags so there are handles to use. On the other hand, if you have a couple cans of paint around the house, you can use those for bicep curls or to work triceps. 

Do you every buy potatoes, onions, apples, or oranges in bags?  You can use those bags of fruits and vegetables as weights.  You would hold them with your hands wrapped around the top.  In addition, these usually come in 5 to 10 pounds and are good to replace heavier weights.  

If you have 32 ounce boxes of plant based milk, soup, or other liquid, these are perfect to use instead of the normal 2 pound weights.  I usually have boxes of almond milk or regular milk around the house and since they are boxes, they are fairly easy to grasp.

Speaking of shopping bags, you can put anything such as multiple cans, boxes of milk or soup, rice, beans, flour, or sugar to make them easier to use as weights. You could even use books, or logs in the bags. The use of shopping bags opens up the possibility of using so many different items.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Skipping As Exercise.

I love walking but hate jogging or running because it puts a bit more pressure on my shins but I sometimes  go crazy and do something a bit different when I decide to skip instead of walking around my neighbor.  I admit, it sometimes feels a bit weird to skip as an adult but it is fun.  Sometimes one just has to let the inner child out and go for it.

Most people think of skipping as something only children do and most of us did it as a child but when be hit the teenage years, we left it behind.  I suggest that we need to revisit skipping because it is a great form of exercise.

Overall, skipping will improve muscle tone, helps coordination, works on balance, and improves flexibility. Skipping specifically tones the legs and thighs wonderfully and engages hip flexor muscles and abdominals which help stabilize a person's body.  It also improves heart health and blood pressure. Since skipping is classified as a high intensity cardio workout.  Furthermore, it helps build bone density, improve endurance, and agility.

Skipping requires a bit more energy than walking and can cover more distance in a shorter period of time than walking.  Research indicates that skipping produces about half of the peak force on the patella or knee joints that running does.  In addition, skippers experience about 30 percent less stress on the knee hinge where the tibia, femur, and patella meet than joggers.   Those who skip burn about 30 percent more calories than joggers but skipping does not cover the distance as well as jogging.

It has been found that skipping offers more support via the natural gait of step and hop on the first leg, step and hop on the other foot while jogging produces more stress since the jogger is either landing or launching at all times. The process for skipping provides enough support that it cuts down on the force experienced when the leg hits the ground. 

Although skipping produces less stress on the knees, it can produce more repetitive stress on the ankles and calves so it is suggested that skipping be mixed in with other forms of exercise such as alternating walking with skipping. Skipping is usually done outside where there is space.  It can be done on the beach, in the yard, on a trail, on a running track, or inside down the hall way or around your back yard.

It is important to wear a proper pair of shoes like cross trainers to provide the correct amount of support as you skip.  When choosing to skip, one needs to warm up with walking or marching.  Once you start skipping, it is important to keep moving and keep the jumping low rather than trying to clear hurdles.  Start with shorter periods of time, adding a minute or two until you are skipping for longer periods. 

If you want to change up things, add some skipping into your routine.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

  

Eyebrow Threading

When I first heard the term eyebrow threading, I imagined someone sewing loops of dark hair through the eyebrows to make them look better but it refers to a method of hair removal.  The technique is the primary method used to shape eyebrows in Asia where it originated. The process requires the technician to roll a twisted cotton over hairs above and below the eyebrow which yanks the hairs out by the follicle. 

Although it sounds painful, the level of pain depends on the individual. Some people hold on to the chair with tight fists while others just ignore it.  Most people experience it as an unusual feeling but not one that hurts. What it does is to allow the technician to be precise and only remove the hairs that are outside the desired brow shape. Due to it's nature, one can remove a line of hairs one row at a time.

Furthermore, threading can remove regular eyebrow hair or peach fuzz and it is very sanitary because each and every thread is thrown away after it is used once. One advantage to using this method of hair removal is that the replacement hairs all grow in at the same time.  Some people pluck incoming hairs after a couple of weeks but it is recommended that the process be repeated every four to five weeks to reshape the eyebrows.  As far as cost goes, it costs about the same as eyebrow waxing.

Furthermore, this method is considered the gentlest because only the hair is removed.  There is no skin involved, no pulling, no straining, no chemicals, just the thread.  Threading is considered to be a better choice for those with acne or sensitive skin.  However, the thread rubs against the skin so it might cause a small amount of redness due to friction but a small application of aloe vera gel or tee tree gel takes care of the problem.  The whole process takes between 10 and 15 minutes.

This method is not recommended for any other part of the body since it takes too long and most other hair is thicker and tougher than eyebrow hair.  Due to the closeness of the cotton thread, it might mess up your makeup so you might skip it when you get this done. This is a method that should be done by a professional because it is difficult to do it yourself. 

When you go in for your first consultation, the practitioner should look at the shape of your face, do a brow mapping to determine the best shape for your eyebrows. Then when the technician is carrying out the eyebrow threading, the skin around your brows should be held taught.  If the job is not properly, the hairs can break, which leads to unevenness and possibly result in ingrown hairs.  Furthermore, if the eyebrow threading is done too often, the follicles can be damaged and the hair stops growing.

The cost ranges from $10 to $70 depending on where it is done.  So it doesn't cost a lot and takes less than a quarter of an hour.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Maybe Here?

Maybe to here?

Time To Fly!

 

Time to fly!

Eyebrow Lamination

People are always looking for ways to fix their eyebrows so they look nice, neat, and perfect.  I came across another way of doing eyebrows.  It's called eyebrow lamination.  No you don't use a machine to add some sort of plastic covering.  Eyebrow lamination means that your brows end up with a high shine and are slicked down and is sometimes referred to as an "eyebrow perm".  The technique originated in Russia.

The process takes thin or unruly brows that have gaps or been over plucked smooths them, and orient the hairs so they are in a more vertical line.  They look like you've gelled them.

In addition, the process takes less than an hour, creates the illusion of hair growing back in, and is both noninvasive and temporary. They use a type of lotion that sets the brow hairs into a specific  and it lasts between 6 and 8 weeks.  The actual process begins with painting the brows with a lifting cream designed to break down bonds in the brows so their position can easily be changed. The brows are then brushed into the desired position and a neutralizing lotion is applied to reestablish bonds.   Finally, an oil is applied to the brows to replenish them due to the chemicals applied in the lotion and neutralizer. 

Once the brows are laminated, they can be tweezed, tinted, or waxed. Since the brows undergo chemical treatment, it is possible the skin may end up irritated so the skin is dry, red, and flakey.  In addition, the skin might end up swelling, peeling, or break out in a rash. Since the eyebrow is close to the eye itself, there is a possibility that the chemicals could end up in the eye. The chemicals used can also cause breakage of the hairs, dryness, or hair loss just like the hair on your head when its over processed so using oils and conditioners helps prevent this from happening.

One way to ensure your laminated brows last longer is to apply a clear gel to them since the process can cost between $50 and $100.  It is also recommended that a person not undergo the process any sooner than 6 weeks or the hair in your brows could undergo significant damage.  

When looking for someone to do the brow lamination, you need to ask certain questions of the practitioner before allowing them to do it.  Ask them how long they've been doing this. What type of credentials or licenses do they have to do this? How much does it cost?  Also ask to see a portfolio of their work so you can see it.  Finally, ask them about possible side effects and what to do after the process.  Ask if they are available afterwards in case of questions or issues.

Many people love this method since it leaves your eye brows nice and full and only needs to be done every month and a half to two months.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

 

Dancing For Exercise.

 

I love to dance.  I've loved to dance since I was a child but I always associated it with ballet and modern dance.  I loved it so much that I took dance classes to fulfill my PE credits.  Unfortunately, I knew I'd never be a professional dancer since I'm too tall, too fat, and have wonky hips but for exercise, I can enjoy dance because I'm doing it for fun.

Dancing is a really good workout for the whole body.  It gets your heart going, improves balance, can make you sweat, and helps with coordination.  In fact, you will burn about the same number of calories in a 30 minute dance class as you do jogging.  Furthermore, there are so many choices from middle eastern dancing, to hip hop, to social dancing that you won't get bored.

Although dancing is classified as a medium intensity workout, it really depends on the type you choose.  You'll burn more calories doing a salsa as opposed to waltzing but the choreography will challenge and keep your brain active.

As stated earlier, dancing is good for the whole body but the parts it effects depends on the type of dance.  It can engage the core muscles, help the arms since you are usually holding them in certain positions or moving them in a pattern, work your lower body muscles including quads and ham strings, engage the gluten, and use your back muscles.  In addition, since it uses your own body weight, it helps your bone density which is important as you age.

Furthermore, dance and dance inspired workouts help with flexibility, raise your heart beat, builds muscles  through the use of your own body weight, and is either a low or high impact depending on the type of dance chosen. After a good session,  you feel better because it causes your body to release endorphins. It can be done at home, in a studio, or outdoors depending on the type of dance and if you are taking lessons.

Dancing also helps improve your blood circulation, works towards controlling cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood.  It also helps reduce stress levels which in turn helps your blood pressure.  The music itself is great for motivating people to move their bodies.  It is hard not to move when there is a great beat going.  If you dance in a class or dance group, it allows for more socialization.

Over the years, I've collected a bunch of dance videos because I've spent a lot of time working in places with no dance studios, no dance classes, nothing.  I usually end up popping a video in to follow or I throw on a CD and just dance to the music free style.  I love the 50's and 60's because most tunes have a solid beat that is easy to follow. When I dance at home, I don't compare myself to others.  I am the star of my own show but when I finally move back to a large enough place, I might just start lessons again.  

You don't have to have CD's because there is youtube or the radio to find danceable music or even lessons on hip hop, African, middle eastern, swing, and so many others.  Give it a chance if you've never done it before.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.