Perfect beauty is an elusive concept, but if you can feel good about yourself by enhancing your looks, you may find more joy in your life. Makeup and clothing is an issue for many teenage girls. Mineral makeup is the latest breakthrough in women's cosmetics. Most mineral makeup is safe for sensitive skin. It gives a natural "bare skin" appearance while evening out skin tone and covering up acne and blemishes. Many women deal with dry skin at some time during the year (usually winter). There are simple beauty tips you can follow to reduce the affects dry skin such as drinking plenty of water, avoid over-washing and taking vitamin E. Having clear, hydrated, glowing skin is a common goal among many women.

Beautiful hands and nail care start with basics, and not having raggy, bleeding cuticles is a primary step in having presentable hands. Nail-biting usually starts in early childhood as a toddler with some people never outgrowing it, while others only return to an earlier to nail-biting in times of stress. Nail biting may result in the transportation of bacteria that are buried under the surface of the nail that are hard to clean and easy to get in the mouth. About 50% of children between the ages of 10 and 18 bite their nails at one time or another. The best lip looks rely on knowing the best colors for your skin. Use these lip to keep your makeup beautiful and your lips smooth and soft. The best lipsticks are long-lasting, perfectly colored and made with ingredients that enhance not only your look .

Teen Girls Beauty Tips

1. Always cleanse your skin to remove makeup.

2. Sunscreen protect your looks for the future.

3. Drinking water and eating right helps to keep your eyes clear.

4. Powder or mineral makeup offers a way to brighten the skin without heavy foundation.

5. Use daily gentle scrubs and try weekly purifying masks help keep pores clear and skin fresh.

6. If you are acne prone, try foundation.

7. Neutral colors look good on both cool and warm complexions.
by Simon Merkel

It's summer time ladies and I know most of you have spent the last couple of months working to build up that perfect tan for that special day when you have to get into your swimsuit for the first time and make your debut in front of the world. I know that sounds dramatic but isn't it true? The last thing we want is embarrass ourselves, friends, family, and/or children by going out looking like a ghost, like our skin has never seen the light of day. If you are busy like me and haven't had the time to build up that perfect tan and need a quick fix before that fabulous vacation you have been oh so needing in a week, there are some great new healthy ways to get that natural sun kissed look we want without the risk of getting a nasty burn. As a Plus Size Model it is unacceptable for me to show up to a shoot sunburn or with crazy tan lines, so I have learned many ways to getting a quick, safe, and natural looking tan.

As women we all have different skin types and our skin is very important to us, so we must take time to nurture it with a daily skincare regimen. Whether it's a variety of different products and steps in your regimen or as simple as a daily moisturizer we have become more educated and aware of the fact that the sun does in fact damage our skin and cause premature aging and serious diseases such as skin cancer. As a result of this we are now having to take precautionary measures like applying sunscreen daily before heading outdoors and even limiting our sun exposure as much as possible. Because of these serious risks many of us are giving up on tanning altogether and I am here to tell you that there is still hope.

In this article I am going to share with you a variety of tanning options that are out there today besides the traditional sun bathing. Tanning options ranging from sunless tanning products or self-tanners, the "spray tanners" mystic vs. airbrush tan, and commercial tanning beds. This will give you a breakdown on what they are and do exactly so that you can figure out what is best for you and your budget.

Sunless tanning products, self-tanners, or tanning extenders: These home products are generally available over the counter and can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and are commonly sold as creams, gels, lotions and sprays you apply to your skin. The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Sunless tanning products typically go on clear, and you might see results after about an hour. Full color appears within eight to 24 hours. Some products contain a tint, which darkens
your skin right away. When applied to your skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in the outermost layer of skin to temporarily darken the skin's appearance. The coloring doesn't wash off, but it gradually fades as the dead skin cells slough off. In most cases, the color is completely gone after five to seven days. Prices for these products range from $6 to $37.

My Top 5 Sunless Tanning Products:

1. Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tan

2. Jergens Natural Glow

3. St. Tropez Self Tanner

4. Tan Towel Tanning Mist

5. Bare Minerals Faux Tan

Today sunless tanning products no longer leave you with an orange-brown, streaky looking tan but leave you with a even, natural-look if applied correctly and carefully. To achieve the best sunless tan, follow these tips I found helpful:

* Choose a product that is 1 to 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone so at first your tan looks more natural. Remember you can always go darker the second time around.

* Before using the product, wash and exfoliate your skin to remove excess dead skin cells. Women should shave their legs prior for an even application.

* Always do a spot check to make sure the color is right and that you do not have any sensitivity to the product

* Apply the sunless tanning product evenly and lightly. Use less product on dry skin or thickened skin, such as over your ankles, knees and elbows. These areas tend to absorb more product.

* After you apply the product to your face and body, wash your hands immediately to avoid coloring to your palms. Be sure to remove any product from under your fingernails. Then use a cotton ball to apply the sunless tanner to the top of each hand.

* To prevent staining your clothes, wait to dress until the sunless tanner dries completely, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Mystic, Airbrush tanning: This service is offered generally at a tanning salon or spa and is applied to all parts of your body - including your face - to ensure an even color. Like the products above both options are UV free and dermatologist recommended.The Mystic tanning is a process that lasts less than a minute where you stand in a booth and listen to a voice command that leads you through the process which sprayers shoot out an Aloe Vera based self tanner, evenly all over your body and dries instantly. With Airbrush tanning session an associate at the facility sprays your body with sunless tanner and is able to tailor the color to your distinct liking. This process takes less than 10 minutes and you are able to leave immediately after. The spray solution is typically made up of Aloe Vera, Vitamin E & C, Bronzer, and DHA. Whether you prefer to do-it-yourself or not both are great ways to get a quick sun-kissed look for up to 7 days. There is some maintenance to these processes as you are to shower and exfoliate prior to your session, you must not have on any oils, perfumes, or deodorant, after your session you must not shower or sweat for up to 8 hours, and lastly it is imperative to moisturize twice a day to ensure that your tan lasts. These sessions can cost anywhere from $25-$60

Are sunless tanning products safe?

Sunless tanning products are generally regarded as safe alternatives to sunbathing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers DHA safe when applied to your skin. Though generally recognized as safe, sunless tanning products do carry some risks, depending on how they're used and applied. If they are sprayed over your entire body this creates a potential for the product to get into and around your eyes, near your nostrils or onto your lips. The risks, if any, of inhaling or ingesting DHA are unknown, so close your eyes and hold your breath while the tanner is applied.

Commercial Tanning Beds: Come vertical and horizontal to allow you to lie down or stand while tanning, whichever is more comfortable for you. These capsule like tanning beds have a lid that is lined with tubular ultraviolet lamps and a glass or plastic bed that you can lie down on. The lamps are made of quartz which allows their internal air pressure to be higher than regular ultraviolet lamps thus filtering unwanted UVB rays. All commercial tanning beds have a timer that automatically turns off the lamps at a preset time, as a requirement by FDA regulations. The actual process of tanning is made possible by artificial UVB and UVA rays which have the exact same composition as the sun rays. When choosing a tanning bed at a tanning salon you should choose a high pressure bed over a low pressure bed
that offers the lowest amount of UVB (burning effect). Prices for a session can range from $7 for a low pressure, high UVB (burning effect) bed to $35 for a high pressure, low UVB (burning effect) bed. The lower the UVB (burning effect) and more protection you have from burning the higher the price.

How safe are Commercial Tanning Beds?

Studies conducted on people who frequented tanning beds have found that excess exposure to tanning beds can cause the same amount of damage as the sun. Other studies have found that people who regularly tan with commercial tanning beds are likely to withstand radiation levels to the eyes as much as 100 times that of outside sunlight. Katie Buyer, 2007

Personally, I have always been a huge fan of sun bathing and love spending a day at the pool with the family. I strongly feel that as long as you keep your sun bathing to a minimum and always apply your sunscreen then there is no reason to hide from the sun unless of course your doctor has told you to do so. The fact is that the sun produces melanin (the pigment that protects the skin from UV rays naturally) in your skin and stimulates the production of vitamin D in the body which is healthy for us and the best part of it all is that it's free. Happy Tanning!
by Danielle Line

Organic makeup has been getting a lot of attention lately, and many makeup companies are now including it in their product line. Many people still don’t know what organic makeup is and if it is different than regular makeup. In a nutshell, organic makeup is devoid of any chemicals, dyes or anything that could potentially clog your pores.

It still looks the same when worn, and most of the products you have come to love can be found in an organic makeup format.

Organic makeup is full of natural products and minerals that are healthy for your skin, will not clog your pores and will make your skin appear flawless. Here is my recommendations for the top three organic makeup companies.

Bare Escentuals Makeup
This is one of the first companies to come out with all organic, mineral based makeup products. They are by far the most popular brand, and this is the company that essentially started the whole organic makeup revolution.

Organic Wear Makeup
This brand can be found at most drugstores so it is easily attainable and reasonably priced. All their makeup is free of harsh chemicals, parabens, and synthetic preservatives. The containers are all 100% eco-friendly in order to preserve the environment. How can you not respect a company that goes the extra mile to protect our earth.

Bare Minerals
A specialty product manufactured by parent company Bare Escentruals, Bare Minerals has a great line of foundation powders. It lasts all day and will keep you oil-free.

Try one of these organic mineral makeup brands and see for yourself how great and light they can feel on your skin. You are sure to get compliments on how flawless you look, and you can rest assured that the gorgeous look is not coming at the cost of using potentially harmful chemicals.
by Kara Cameron

If you suffer from acne and still love to apply makeup, then this revolutionary product is your best solution. It is a mineral based powder that has been clinically proven to effectively heal your acne and other blemishes. It's an acne treatment in powder form and applied just like any mineral makeup. It has a translucent tint which diffuses the look of blemishes so it acts like makeup and at the same time heals the skin from breakouts. The product is called RareMinerals Blemish Therapy by Bare Escentuals.It contains natural ingredients from the healing properties of zinc, sulphur (kills bacteria on the skin) and exfoliating and renewing properties of RareMinerals (TM) concentrate. It penetrates to your skin and stop new pimples from forming and helps clear blackheads. This therapeutic powder can be used on its own or under your mineral makeup or moisturizer during the day. It is also best applied at night so you can continually heal your skin while sleeping. With mineral based products, it challenges these old practices of having a clean, makeup free face before you sleep; and not applying too much makeup on your blemishes so your skin can breathe. You can suitably apply this mineral powder all day and night! This is unlike the popular acne treatments that comes in ointment or cream which can leave your face looking shiny and greasy. This is a natural makeup and acne treatment treatment in one.The natural and non-irritating properties of this powder makes it suitable not only for acne sufferers, but for people with sensitive to normal skin of any age. So you do not need to suffer and look bad with pesky blemishes, let your skin radiate using 100% mineral based ingredients from this product at a very affordable price.
by Anne Gilbang

Who doesn’t wish to look good? Looking good and having good skin are not irrelevant topics. In fact, these two are highly interdependent. Bad skin can snatch away the title of being beautiful even from the most beautiful of faces.
Types of skins
Speaking about skin care, you must first understand the various skin types and the product system at large. There are normally three types of skins: Normal, Oily and Dry. Then there are combination skins, with a tendency to be normal to dry or normal to oily. At last, there is sensitive skin, which suffers infections very easily. Skin care products are also available for skin types that suffer from Acne and other problems.
Methods of skin care
Natural skin care is the most preferred way of keeping skin healthy. Natural skin care involves people following skin care tips, eating the right food and using organic or natural skin care products.
Skin care products
There are a variety of skin care products available on the market, including Dermalogica, Md formulations, Alpha-h, PRIORI, Asap skincare and Murad. The organic and natural range of PRIORI is widely acknowledged for effective anti-aging skin care products.
Makeup is also used by men and women to make their skin look glowing and attractive. Makeup is available for cheeks, eyes, lips and skin. There are many makeup products used to make skin look even and consistent. These include powder foundations, concealers, primers and finishers. Bare Minerals and Glo Minerals are two of the reputed make up product lines.

There are 2 skin care products that provide the foundation for beautiful skin. A good skin care moisturizer cream and anti-wrinkle cream should be the primary tools in an anti aging skin care program.

Skin care moisturizer creams include ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, sunscreens and sunless tanners. They may also contain ingredients that claim to boost your body's production of collagen and elastin, diminish stretch marks, smooth out wrinkles, paralyze muscles, unblock pores, and exfoliate dead skin cells.

There's no guarantee that any skin care moisturizer cream will live up to all of its claims. It may not even contain its advertised ingredients.

Moisturizers are considered cosmetics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates moisturizers in a different manner than it does drugs. Basic skin care advice starts with a good quality skin care moisturizer and wrinkle cream. To make the most of your moisturizing routine:

1. Find a skin care moisturizer cream that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft. You may need to try several brands with differing ingredients before you find one you like.

2. Cost has no definite relationship to effectiveness. Just because a moisturizer is expensive, doesn't mean it's more effective than a cheaper product.

3. Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing. Pat or blot your skin until it's just barely dry, then apply moisturizer immediately to help trap water in the surface cells.

4. Apply moisturizer to your hands and body. Apply after bathing, showering, before exercising outdoors in cold weather, and every time you wash your hands. Although often ignored, your hands are more exposed to the elements, especially soaps and chemicals, than is any other part of your body.

5. Don't use heavy creams on your face unless you have excessive dryness. You can use heavy, oil-based creams on your legs, hands, and feet because those areas are drier.

Good skin care advice starts with avoiding the sun, washing the skin gently, and applying moisturizer regularly. These tips will help delay the natural aging process and prevent skin problems. This simple skin care advice will help you protect your skin to keep it healthy and glowing for years. The most important way to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. Ultraviolet light (the invisible but intense rays from the sun) damages your skin, causing deep wrinkles, dry, rough skin, liver spots, and more serious disorders such as noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) skin tumors. In fact, many of the changes seen in aging skin are actually caused by a lifetime of sun exposure. Smoking accelerates aging of your skin and increases wrinkles. Skin changes from smoking can appear in young adults after 10 years of smoking. Cleansing is an essential part of caring for your skin. The key is to treat your skin gently:

1. Use warm water and limit bath time

2. Avoid strong soaps

3. Avoid irritating additives

4. Remove eye makeup carefully

5. Pat dry

6. Moisturize regularly

Many wrinkle creams and lotions sold in department stores, in drugstores, and on the Internet promise to reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage caused by the sun. They may improve the appearance of your skin, depending on how long you use the product and the amount and type of the active ingredient in the wrinkle cream. The effectiveness of anti-wrinkle creams depends in part on the active ingredient or ingredients. Here are some common ingredients that may result in slight to modest improvements in wrinkles:

1. Retinol - A vitamin A compound

2. Hydroxy Acids - Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and poly hydroxy acids are all synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits.

3. Coenzyme Q10 - is a nutrient

4. Copper Peptides - are a trace element found in every cell

5. Kinetin - A plant growth factor that may improve wrinkles and uneven pigmentation with minimal irritation.

6. Tea Extracts - Green, black, and oolong tea contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Start your program with a good quality moisturizer and an all-natural wrinkle cream. You must avoid the sun and cigarettes to ensure the products work effectively.
by John Russell