Wednesday, April 15, 2009

In the Market for Hair Extensions in NYC?

The best hair extensions in NYC are not always easy to come by. That being said, you should not give up on your search until you get what you want. There are many types of hair extensions available in the Big Apple. Some of them will suit your needs, some of them will not, and some will be stuck in between. Do your best to find the best hair extensions, as well as those that will fit your budget.

Rodolfo Valentin hair extensions are popular among those in New York City, as well as thousands of others throughout the world. His "Hair Infusion" system is among the best, and this is something to keep in mind if you are in the market. At this time, many of the hottest celebrities are relying on his hair extensions. A select few of them include Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Faith Hill, Tyra Banks, Britney Spears, and Shakira among many others. Do you want to join these celebrities at the top? If so, buying the right hair extensions can put you on the right path.

It is not easy to find the best hair extensions in NYC. For this reason it is a good idea to start by taking a closer look at what Rodolfo Valentin has to offer. You should be able to find something that suits your looks and style.

Now that you know just how big this market is, it is your time to shop for the best hair extensions NYC. Soon enough you will have what you need and will be moments away from improving your look.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Homemade Honey Beauty Recipes

Honey is a natural "humectant" which means it attracts and retains moisture. Honey has the natural ability to attract and retain moisture Honey can be a great beauty product, especially when used for a facial mask. Stir 1 teaspoon honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing, pour mixture through hair. Facial Toner-In blender, puree 1 Tablespoon honey with a peeled, cored apple. Smooth over face; leave on 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Moisture Mask -Mix 2 Tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Smoothing Skin Lotion-Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Honey's natural antioxidant properties help to protect the skin from the damage of the sun's rays and also help support the skin's ability to rejuvenate should damage occur. Honey Cleansing Scrub-Mix 1 Tablespoon of honey with 2 Tablespoons finely ground almonds and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water. Firming Face Mask-Whisk together 1 Tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin (available at drug and beauty stores) and enough flour to form a paste (approximately 1/4 cup). Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Hair Conditioner-Mix 1/2 cup honey and 1/4 cup olive oil. (Use 2 Tablespoons oil for normal hair.) Work a small amount at a time through hair until coated. Cover hair with a shower cap; leave on 30 minutes. Remove shower cap; shampoo well and rinse. Dry as normal. Milk and Honey Cleanser to refresh depleted skin and leave it feeling silky smooth.

Types of Homemade Honey Beauty Recipes

1. Honey Cleansing Scrub-Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

2. Firming Face Mask-Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin and enough flour to form a paste (approximately 1/4 cup).

3. Hair Conditioner-Mix 1/2 cup honey and 1/4 cup olive oil. (Use 2 tablespoons oil for normal hair.) Work a small amount at a time through hair until coated. Cover hair with a shower cap; leave on 30 minutes. Remove shower cap and use shampoo.

4. Facial Tonerp-In blender, puree 1 tablespoon honey with a peeled, cored apple. Smooth over face; leave on 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

5. Moisture Mask-Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

6. Smoothing Skin Lotion-Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

7. Skin Softening Bath-Add 1/4 cup honey to bath water for a fragrant, silky bath.

8. Hair Shine-Stir 1 teaspoon honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing, pour mixture through hair.

Author : Juliet Cohen
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Homemade-Honey-Beauty-Recipes/920873

What Does 'Hypoallergenic' Mean Anyway?

The word “hypoallergenic" is a term that probably most of us have run across. It is used in advertising and placed on product labels of shampoos, moisturizers, make-up, and even jewelry. Most people think it means that a product that is hypoallergenic won't react with their allergies. But is this really what it means?

Cosmetics advertisers first used the word in the 60's. It comes from the Greek prefix hypo, which translates to below or less. So the word translates to “less allergens". Since it's inception it has been widely adopted and used by advertisers, manufacturers, and marketers to sell products that claim to be gentler on the skin than other products similar to it. But is this really true?

The American Food and Drug Administration has stated, “ Hypoallergenic cosmetics are products that manufacturers claim produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products. Consumers with hypersensitive skin, and even those with "normal" skin, may be led to believe that these products will be gentler to their skin than non-hypoallergenic cosmetics. There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term "hypoallergenic." The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Manufacturers of cosmetics labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity claims to FDA. The term "hypoallergenic" may have considerable market value in promoting cosmetic products to consumers on a retail basis, but dermatologists say it has very little meaning."

The FDA attempted to put regulations on products that claimed to be hypoallergenic in 1974. It stated that a product could be labeled hypoallergenic only if studies were conducted on human subjects and it showed a significantly lower reaction to allergies than products not making the claim. It then said the companies had to conduct these tests on their own and (most importantly) at their own expense. This of course caused major problems and companies immediately began lawsuits against the decision, claiming that the tests “would pose an undue economic burden on them." The two biggest challengers of this attempt at regulation were Almay and Clinique, two manufacturers of “hypoallergenic" cosmetics.

The FDA tried again to regulate the use of the word on June 6, 1975 by still requiring companies to do scientific studies but the procedures for the tests were changed to reduce the cost to the manufacturers. This still didn't sit well with the companies who apparently wanted no regulations on what they were producing. Cosmetic companies challenged the FDA decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals, which ruled that the regulation was invalid. The court said the FDA's definition of “hypoallergenic" was unfair because a lack of evidence that consumers perceived the term in the way it is described by the organization. The result? Manufacturers can continue to advertise and label their products “hypoallergenic" without any kind of regulation or standard set forth by the government. Consumers have no assurance that a product labeled “hypoallergenic" is any less reactive than any other product. Theoretically, a company could put out a product that is “hypoallergenic" that is full of toxins and allergens.

The one small victory that the FDA seems to have had is that at least now manufacturers are now required to put the ingredients on the labels of the products so that consumers can avoid substances that they know they are allergic to or have had problems with in the past. As consumers, we must be aware of ingredients in the products we use because apparently the companies who make them aren't very concerned about our health over their profit margins. There is no doubt that some products out there that claim to be hypoallergenic actually are, but if you are a smart consumer and concerned for you and your family's health, you'll do the research yourself and not rely on these companies claims. Hypoallergenic? More like hypohonest.

Author : Michael Usry
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/What-Does-Hypoallergenic-Mean-Anyway-/1821

Dying Hair - How To Avoid The Most Common Mistakes

Dying your hair is a quick way to get a new look or the cover some gray hair. But if you do not follow some basic instructions, the dye can hurt your hair and make it very dry. Try to avoid any drastic changes of hair color, go for a hue similar to your hair color, so it can blend with the color of your eyebrows. You can choose to go to a beauty salon to dye your hair and you can do it by your own, at home. Anyhow, here are the most mistakes in dying hair that you can avoid.

There are different types of hair dye you should know about. When you use permanent hair dye, you make a decision for a quite long duration. When it grows, you can dye the roots, so the general aspect of your hair is not ruined. The ammonia and peroxides in the permanent hair dye cause dryness to the hair and the sun and the salt water make the color fade. You can also use a long lasting semi-permanent dye, that usually washes off after you wash your hair about twenty times. The last type of hair dyes is the semi-permanent that lasts about 6-12 washes. It is very useful when you try to see if a certain color fits you.

There are some rules you must know when you start the procedure of dying your hair. It is best to read the instructions printed on the boxed of the dye and to apply them word by word. It can save you from a lot of trouble.

The mistakes you need to avoid are quite important. The first one that you should avoid is trying to dye your hair when it is dirty or tangled. So clean it well and trim the ends.Another common mistake is to use hair conditioner prior to dying. Dye must be applied only on clean hair, so a little bit of shampoo is enough.

Do not make the mistake to choose a color that looks best on the model in the commercial. Seek professional advice for your ideal hair color.

Always check for allergic contents. If some substances are bad for you, avoid those brands that have them. If you are allergic to something in your dye, you will experience some irritation on the skin or even hair loss. Better do some tests before the next step.

Another test must involve a few strands of hair. If it is the right color, go ahead and dye it all.One of the usual mistakes is to stain all your skin and clothes. Use some protection like a towel around your neck and gloves that must come with the hair dye kit. Any stains on the skin can be removed with alcohol.

If you decide to dye your hair a color that does not fit you, you will be very disappointed. Choose a shade appropriate to your natural hair color and dye the roots from time to time.Remember to rinse the hair with cold water after dying.

In order to lighten up the color or to get your hair to your natural color use Liquid Tide. Avoid, by any means, to over dye your hair.

The dye for your hair that grows on the head is not good for eyebrows and eyelashes. Ask for medical help if hair dye affects your eyes.

Author : Graham Lavery
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Dying-Hair-How-To-Avoid-The-Most-Common-Mistakes/947353

Types of Cosmetics

Make-up and cosmetics are used all over the world by all kinds of different people. Cosmetic products are defined as, a substance or preparation intended for placement in contact with any external part of the human body. This definition can include a variety of products.

Shampoos and soaps are products that usually contain some kind of fragrance and clean the skin by the use of surface-active agents, or surfactants. These surfactants are molecules that have both lipophilic and hydrophilic, or fat soluble and water soluble parts. The fat soluble part of the product clings to the oil and dirt as the water soluble part allows the lipophilic part to be washed away. Detergents for dishes and clothes work in pretty much the same way but will have different ingredients that make them more harsh for use on hard, solid surfaces. It is usually not a good idea to try and use these detergents on the body and hair, for it can lead to irritation.

Lipstick is another cosmetic product that contains hydrophilic properties. They are manufactured by combining wax, a non-volatile oil such as beeswax with castor oil, and water. The combination produces a thick substance that is water-insoluble and spreads easily on the lips. Because of its lipophilic properties, lipstick wont dissolve on the lips when exposed to saliva or liquid from drinks. Other lipsticks will have a dye in them that react to amino acids on the top layer of the skin. This makes the the product appear blue or green in the container and change to red when applied to the lips.

When water is lost on the top layer of dead skin cells faster than the living cells under them can absorb the moisture our skin becomes dry. This is when we need the help of a moisturizer. When the skin becomes dry and scaly, moisturizers can assist by preventing further water loss, known as occlusion, and by adding humectants, substances that increase the hydrophilic properties of the skin. Humectant moisturizers contain substances such as alpha hydroxy acids or glycerine and add moisture to the top layer of skin while occlusive moisturizers form a waterproof layer over the skin that reduces moisture and allows the bodys natural rehydration process to return the layer to a normal level.

Author : Michael Usry
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Types-of-Cosmetics/1817