Over-plucking
Yes, shapely, contoured eyebrows are fabulous and can add a lot of sophistication to your look. Scraggly or invisible eyebrows, on the other hand, are just that - scraggly or invisible. For the $12 or less it can cost to have your brows professionally waxed, it's worth the money to have someone else shape your brows. You should have them done professionally at least once, so that you know what they should look like. After that first time, it's easy to take care of the strays as they grow back in.
If you insist on doing it yourself, be careful not to remove too much hair. Selective plucking may be your best option. Pluck just after you've showered so hair pops out more easily. Brush your brows into place, and then using a good set of tweezers, gently remove hair from under the arch of your eyebrow and outside the natural brow line. Do a little at a time, stepping back periodically to inspect your work from a distance.

Unnatural tan
A deep, sun-drenched tan looks great but too much time in the sun can be bad for you skin and for your health. Tanning beds have only marginal benefits in terms of reducing our exposure to harmful UV rays, so many women turn to tanning lotions to achieve that sun-bronzed look.

Be aware! Not all tanning and bronzing lotions are created equal. Some will give your skin a sickly orange tinge while others are difficult to apply and end up streaky. Do a small test patch in a normally covered area to find out how the lotion will look on your skin. This takes a little extra time, but the effort is worth it. You want a natural-looking tan, not an application of finger paint.

In addition to choosing the wrong kind of tanning product, many women (and men) forget to apply it all over. The backs of the legs are difficult to reach, but it is essential to have even coverage over all visible parts of your body. This includes your hands. You should wear gloves while applying bronzer to the rest of your body to avoid over-colorization, but when you're finished, don't forget your hands or you'll end up with a reverse farmer's tan!

Unsightly feet
Nasty-looking feet can absolutely ruin a great pair of sandals. Don't put a lot of effort into shaping and painting your toenails without taking a good look and feel of your heels, too. We can see our toes, so they often hog the attention we give our feet, but others can see our heels and bear witness to the neglect we may inflict. Avoid this beauty faux-pas by beginning a daily regimen of care long before you intend to show off your lovely toes. By using a foot file or rough scrub brush every day in the shower, you will soon see softer heels. Dry your feet well to prevent any bacterial growth between your toes, and apply a moisturizing AHA or BHA foot lotion. Your feet will thank you if you apply more lotion again before going to sleep.

If your heels or other rough spots like the often-calloused area by your little toe are too out of control, you should get a professional pedicure to smooth away the imperfections.

Garish makeup
Not all colors were meant to be worn by all people. All those lovely lipstick shades might look great in the store, but not so good on you. Choose neutral colors for daytime use and slightly bolder colors for evening. Remember that colors change under different light, so what looks good in the cosmetics section of the department store, might not look the same under your office lights. Consult a cosmetician (it's usually free) to find out what your best colors are and build from there.

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Stretch marks are usually found in a series as small, indented streaks. They are generally rough and uneven. In women with light skin, they are usually a pink or reddish-brown color. They might sometimes almost look purple. For darker skinned women, stretch marks are usually brown.

Genetics plays a larger role in whether or not you will develop stretch marks. So, if your family members, particularly your mom or sister, have stretch marks, you are more likely to get them as well.

To help avoid getting stretch marks, it is important to monitor weight gain closely. Pregnant women need to put on weight as a natural part of the childbearing process. You should, however, be careful not to gain more weight than what is recommended by your doctor. Pregnant women should not, of course, starve themselves in order to avoid stretch marks. You should, however, take care to watch your diet and put pregnancy weight on slowly. This gives the skin more time to gradually stretch to accommodate for the growing baby inside.

The last trimester of a pregnancy is when you generally put on the most weight. This is because this is when the baby is doing most of its growing. To help avoid stretch marks during this time of the pregnancy, and at any other time, be sure to regularly apply lotion to the skin. Make sure to consult with your doctor, first, however, because some lotions can be harmful to unborn babies.

Lotion helps decrease the likelihood of developing stretch marks because it helps keep the skin flexible. Likewise, drinking plenty of fluids helps maintain your skin's elasticity. Therefore, if you are pregnant woman, you should be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Fortunately, stretch marks generally fade after your extra weight is lost. For women who gain stretch marks during pregnancy, stretch marks usually fade to a slightly lighter color than the surrounding skin, though the etching will always remain.

If you are bodybuilders, it is important to put on muscle mass slowly. Quickly adding on muscle mass will force the skin to stretch beyond its ability. Therefore, a bodybuilding program should be designed to slowly add on bulk.

If you are not pregnant and are not a bodybuilder, the best way to avoid stretch marks is to simply monitor your diet and maintain a healthy body weight. Drinking plenty of water is still recommended, as it helps keep the skin more pliable.

If you still develop stretch marks, which many women do during puberty as their bodies rapidly grow, there is little that can be done to get rid of them. Although there are many lotions and creams on the market claiming to be able to get rid of stretch marks, there is no proof that they work. There are also surgeries available to help with lessening the visibility of stretch marks, but they can't get rid of stretch marks completely.

Instead, the best option is to cover up the stretch marks. Many women use over-the-counter sunless tanning lotions to do this, or they get a sunless tanning treatment from a salon. These lotions help even out the skin color, since the pigmentation of stretch marks is lighter than the rest of the skin. Getting a real tan, however, does not have the same effect because stretch marks are scarred tissue and scarred tissue does not tan the same as healthy tissue.

Through precautions and a healthy lifestyle, you can avoid getting stretch marks. Some of life's big changes, such as puberty and childbirth, however, can make avoiding stretch marks nearly impossible. Therefore, it is important to apply lotions and drink plenty of fluids to keep the skin elastic and, if all else fails, cover up those stretch marks and chalk it up as just another part of being a woman.

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Start your instant makeover with a look at your skin. A clean, smooth complexion is the base of a glowing face, so assess the condition of your skin. Is it oily, dry or normal? Are there any eruptions or blackheads that should be treated and removed? Use a gentle cleanser and exfoliation pad to remove excess oil and dead skin, and then rinse your skin with cool water. Blot gently and apply your favourite moisturizer, preferably one with built-in sun protection. Be sure not to rub your face as you are applying the moisturizer - particularly around the super-sensitive skin near your eyes, and to smooth body lotion from neck to toes. Many women apply facial moisturizer every day but neglect to care for the rest of their skin, even though it, too, is subject to wear and tear from dryness and environmental pollutants.

Experts agree that a new hair cut is a great way to change your look and boost your mood. But if you're only looking for a temporary change, consider styling your hair differently. You don't need a salon to do this! You just need to be adventurous. Is your hair short and unfussy? Add a little gel for a sleek and sophisticated look. Get out your curlers if you normally wear your hair straight, or your straightening iron if your regular hair style is curly. The demands of everyday living often drive women to simply tying back their hair with little regard to how it works. Take a few minutes to wash, condition, and style your hair to see a dramatic improvement in your appearance and sense of confidence.

The natural look is nice, but applying makeup is an easy way to glam up your look without expending a lot of effort or time. Take advantage of the season's trend toward pretty mauve lipsticks and dramatic, multi-tone eye shadow. Eyeliner has also made a comeback, so use it to make a bold statement for an evening out on the town. Mascara is an absolute must and takes literally seconds to apply. Also, if you haven't already done so, take a few minutes to have a professional cosmetician recommend colors and shades that will complement your hair, eyes and skin.

Choose a dynamite outfit and accessorize. Dressing up isn't just for special occasions. Chances are, if you look sloppy, you feel sloppy, so put on a great pair of jeans, a soft sweater, heeled boots and a pair of earrings before heading to the grocery store or to your son's soccer game. Going out for dinner? Let your dinner companions ooh and aah when you arrive in a fabulous dress or pantsuit. Even if you consider the choices in your closet a little on the dull side, you can always mix and match to add excitement to your wardrobe. Add a flirty silk scarf or unusual brooch to a conservative outfit for instant visual interest and appeal.

Your most powerful beauty tool is a big, genuine smile enhanced by sparkling, lively eyes. When you're happy and relaxed, it shows in how you look, feel and behave, so do whatever it takes to allow you to smile. This might mean taking a short nap to catch up on your rest, de-stressing with some time in front of the television with your favorite reality program, pursuing a hobby, exercising, sipping a coffee or hanging out with a friend. Make time for a few 'you' moments each day. Having and enjoying this time is just as vital as any other appointment, so make it a point to set aside at least 20 worry-free 'you time' minutes each day. You'll feel better, look better, and your smile will be absolutely gorgeous.

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You can get away with an amateur make-up application, but for a really professional-looking job, you need the right beauty tools. So, toss away your Q-Tips and those little freebie brushes and sponges that sometimes come with your make-up. It's time to build a small collection of essential beauty tools that will enhance your look and give you a greater payoff for the money you've already invested in make-up and other beauty products. For a couple hundred dollars, you can have the kind of tools any professional would be proud to use. You don't need to buy them all at once, you can spread the purchase out over time.

Brushes
Good brushes are among the key tools used by make-up application professionals. They are not, however, a one-size-fits-all solution to your make-up needs. There are different brushes for different jobs, and you will get the best results if you choose the correct brush for what you are trying to do. Some of the must-have brushes include:

Foundation brush - use it to achieve a superior natural finish when applying either cream or liquid foundation. Experts suggest putting a small spot of foundation on the back of your hand and then dipping the foundation brush into that before applying the foundation with downward strokes spreading out near the jaw and hairline. Synthetic-bristled brushes use less product that natural-bristled ones, which are more absorbent.

Concealer brush - concealer is meant be used in small amounts to cover blemishes and other imperfections. A small-tipped brush is perfect for applying just the right amount of concealer to camouflage blemishes without a caked-looking build up. If you need concealer under your eyes, as opposed to using it to hide a pimple, consider a small-tipped brush with a wider base you can use for precision application and easy blending.

Blush brush - also called a powder brush, a blush brush should be large, with a dome-shaped head. You can use the same brush to apply blush of bronzer and to top it with a light-as-air coat of translucent face powder for a sheer effect. Sable hair brushes are the choice of experts when it comes to blush application.

Eye shadow brush - cream or shadow eye shadows should be applied with a sable brush. Selecting a dense, angled brush will give you more vivid color while an all purpose brush (a steal for under $10 in most drug stores), results in a softer look.

Eyeliner brush - supremely fine bristles make these brushes the best for defining the top and bottom of your eyelids with all kinds of eyeliners. Sable brushes are best for powdered liners while synthetics work best for liquids.

Lip brush - stiff synthetic lip brushes give you the control necessary to define your lips. They also work well to give a smooth finish to dark colors or to add gloss for extra shine.

Miscellaneous Tools
There are more kinds of beauty tools available than most of us can imagine. Thankfully, we don't need most of them. Aside from the brushes mentioned above, here are some of the essentials you should add to your make-up kit if you don't already have them.

Tweezers - great for ridding yourself of any pesky stray facial hairs. A basic pair will do fine, but for the best control splurge on a Tweezerman.

Lash curlers - with a few exceptions, most of us don't have lovely, curly lashes. This inexpensive tool will help you open wider for more dazzling eyes. Using a bit of heat can improve the curl you achieve with even a simple lash curler.

Cleaner - make-up brushes and tools can carry bacteria and should be cleaned regularly. Brush cleaners are available if you have a lot of brushes, but you can give your tools a weekly shampooing just as easily. Before drying on a folded towel, use your fingers to re-shape your wet brushes. Aside from removing unwanted bacteria, cleaning your tolls will also help preserve them for years of use.

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The eyes are generally considered the most beautiful part of the body. They are seen as "windows to the soul," and few people decline to comment on a pair of striking eyes. luckily, the eyes are also the easiest features to enhance. It can be done simply or elaborately, but however you do it, your eyes can be made to "pop" and catch attention, drawing others' gazes away from less attractive areas of the body to the eyes.

One way to enhance your eyes is to enhance your eye lashes. Many people simply wear mascara to accomplish this. However, mascara can be messy and annoying. Additionally, it can also spread infection and disease to the eyes. Eyelash extensions can be a desirable alternative to wearing mascara to lengthen and thicken the lashes. Lash extensions are small, individual pieces of synthetic material that are made to look like real lashes. They are as light as real lashes, and they attach directly to the top of the lash, rather than the skin of the eyelid (like false eyelashes). This can enhance the natural beauty of the eyes in a very natural way.

Another way to enhance your eyes is by using eye shadow. It does not follow that the shadow has to be dark and imposing, leaving other people no choice but to notice your eyes. Rather, light eye shadow often looks more attractive and helps the eye look more open and lighter. Eye shadow with a shimmer has become especially popular as it adds a pleasing sheen that attracts attention to the eye without immediately repulsing the attention. Additionally, flesh colored, non-shimmering eye shadow can be used below the eyes to reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Enhancing your lips is another hot topic when it comes to flaunting your good looks. A moist pair of lips (not slimy and wet, mind you) are a pleasure to behold and to listen to. When you wear lipstick, make sure that it is a moisturizing lipstick that also contains sunscreen. The lips do not have the melatonin that is present in the skin to offer protection against the sun. Therefore, lips exposed to much to the sun easily dry and crack, but one need not wear lipstick to enhance the lips. Even a faint lip gloss can draw attention and give the lips a more natural beautiful look. Lip liner is a very valuable tool in helping enhance the look of the lips by making them appear thicker and fuller.

Just a touch of light rouge on the cheeks can help draw the eye up the face, resulting in a face that does not look quite so chubby. The key is to not overdo the blush, just adding color so that there is the look of a healthy glow. By carefully following the cheekbone almost to the edge of the hairline, it is possible to accent the cheeks while drawing attention away from a little extra fat that might be present in the face. Pinching the cheeks can also help, and it looks more natural, but this can fade away and be painful and annoying to boot.

Finally, it is possible to enhance one's natural beauty by careful use of skin care products. There are many creams designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other fine lines, as well as to moisturize and exfoliate. Exfoliation adds a glow to the face, as dead skin cells are sloughed away to reveal young and healthy cells beneath. These skin care products can smooth the surface of the face and allow for a healthier glow. Additionally, face creams made with parelastin help keep the skin supple, and there are creams that help firm the skin to more naturally reduce sagging.

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The good news is that we do not always have to spend a lot of money to look good. There are plenty of products that can be found inexpensively, and even more that can be found around the house. These products work very effectively and they will not break the bank. Many of them are all natural and in a world where all natural cosmetic solutions often cost more than the synthetic, it can be reassuring to provide your own natural solutions. They will help you save money, all while looking good and feeling even better about it.

Of course not everything can be done using household item. Eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, and other makeup products really need to be bought at the store. But you can save money by purchasing a quad with two colors you like normally would instead of purchasing individual compacts of eye shadow. Additionally, most of the common brands sold, like Cover Girl and Maybeline, are rather inexpensive. While buying very expensive makeup can make a difference, most of the time people will not be able to tell whether you are using a $50 bottle of foundation or a $4 bottle of foundation. There is no point in spending extra money to impress people who do not even know that they are supposed to be impressed. Really, purchasing from respected brands that are not necessarily high end can be one of the best cosmetic money saving decisions you make.

Other ways to get bargains on beauty products is to purchase through the mail or the internet. There are many companies that are respectable and that offer discount prices on fragrances, body care, and cosmetics. By searching the internet or getting a catalog, it is possible for you to save money on a variety of products.

Other beauty products - the bubble baths, facial masks, and moisturizers - can be found more easily and for much less. It is even possible to create acne reducers and skin toners using common objects from around the house. These things allow you to get the best bargain of all since they cost very little and can almost be considered free because you probably would have bought them anywhere.

Some of the more common beauty bargains that you may find in your cabinets include fruit and common items like powdered milk and eggs. Many fruits can be mashed into purees that are very helpful as beauty aids. Strawberries act as an alpha hydroxy and bananas can actually help reduce wrinkles. A special mask made from tomatoes and powdered milk can help you fight acne, and every one knows that avocado makes a great mask, and that cucumber slices can reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Egg white can act as toners, and the little pieces of skin that cling to egg shells can also be used to fight acne.

For makeup removal, you can use petroleum jelly. Simple massage the jelly over the area and then take a tissue and remove the makeup. Not only does this common household item cost much less than expensive makeup removers, it is also less expensive than mineral oil or baby oil. Petroleum jelly can also help soften and smooth your hands and feet. Even a thin layer of mayonnaise worn for 15 minutes can help smooth out rough skin.

No need for those expensive skin softeners. With a little ingenuity, you can save a great deal of money each year on cosmetics.

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Gradual Tanning
When choosing your sunless tanning lotion, try to find a brand that offers gradual tanning. If the label says gradual tanning, then the lotion is easy to apply correctly. These gradual lotions bronze your skin lightly each time you apply them. They can be used everyday in place of your normal lotions. Because they only tint your skin, you don't have to apply them perfectly in order to get natural look results.

To get the desired look, rub it all over your body and wait for it to dry. Don't worry if you think the results will be too light. You will definitely be able to tell the difference. If you want a darker tan after the first application, just wait until the next day and repeat the process. Each application will last about four days, if you shower daily. For a streak-free tan, this is the way to go for sure.

When to Apply
It is best to apply self tanner on a clean body. This allows the sunless tanning lotion to soak into your skin nicely. You should always wait about ten minutes after the application before getting dressed. If you are worried about ruining clothing, then pick a time you can frolic around nude in your house. Before bed is also a good time, because you won't come in contact with anything but the sheets.

It is best to exfoliate before self-tanning, which you can do in the shower before application. Simply use a "puff" and scrub your body as usual. This will keep the sunless tanning lotion's color from sticking to your dry areas. Concentrate on knees and elbows.

Water and Your Tan
Do not shower for twelve hours after application. Do not do the dishes or get wet for twelve hours as well. Of course you can wash your hands, but be careful about getting too much water of your forearms. This can cause streaking.

For a foolproof hand tan, apply the sunless tanning lotion to your body. Then, to avoid turning your palms orange, wash your hands. After washing your hands well, squeeze a small amount of sunless tanning lotion on a tissue and rub it on the back of your hands and fingers. This will allow only the backs of your hands to get the tan.

Spray Tans
There are several options when it comes to spray tans. You can get spray tans in a can so that you can apply them yourself, you can go to a salon and have a technician spray you, or you can step into a spray tanning booth for your application. With tans in a can, you can control the areas and the amount of tanning solution you put on your skin. Cans of tanning solution are relatively inexpensive and extremely easy to use. You can use most on all areas of your body, including your face.

If you want a faux tan that is sure to be evenly applied however, you should hit the salon. For around $35 you can get a professionally sprayed on tan. The process may be a little intimidating for some as you must either be nude or wearing a paper bikini. The results however are very realistic. The same technique is done with the spray tan booths, except there is a machine doing the tanning instead of a live technician. Booths will cost around $15 for each visit and produce a tan for up to a week.

Getting a sun-kissed look without the sun is one of the smartest things you can do. Although a tan is the perfect accessory to any outfit, it does not have to be from the sun to be beautiful. With more options than ever in self-tanning there is no excuse to lay out in the sun anymore and risk problems down the road.

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The diet crusade is something that has been somewhat of a plague on American society for some time. Americans, particularly women, are in many cases encouraged to diet, and in some cases starve themselves, to obtain what society deems "the perfect body." In fact, it is not a cutback in calories that these women truly need. By being made to feel good about the way they look, women would find that their overall outlook on themselves and their lives would improve drastically. Women who feel good about the way they look are happier in their day to day lives, are less hung up about what they eat and counting calories, and are less likely to have problems with depression and/or anxiety.

Although diets can provide a route to a healthier lifestyle, extreme dieting can pose a major problem. Eating right rather than compulsively and daily exercise can be paired to present the best lifestyle choice and to increase your self esteem. It is shown that people who take time to exercise each day feel less stressed about work and home life, and also benefit from the rewards of exercising the human body. If you have a jam-packed schedule simply find twenty to thirty minutes each day to fit in some kind of exercise. You will be surprised at how wonderful it makes you feel.

There are a number of other ways to help you boost the image you have of yourself. These things can be as simple as writing down a compliment to yourself each day. Recording one thing you like about your appearance each day will soon add up to a list of traits that you will find add up to one thing - beauty. In order to have a positive outlook on yourself and your life, you must put yourself in positive situations. It is important that you surround yourself with positive people. People who put you down for any reason are not worth having in your life. The right people can make all the difference in making you a happier, more positive feeling person. As important as friends and family are, taking time for yourself is also vital. Perhaps book a relaxing appointment at a local spa. You will be surprised at how taking the time to fit in a facial or manicure will make you feel pampered and beautiful.

In keeping a positive outlook on yourself there is one thing that is the most important of all. It is imperative that you refuse to buy into the negative attitudes that plague our culture. With supermodels being put on a pedestal and average people being bombarded with the concept that they are not as beautiful as these super thin models, the idea of what is healthy and beautiful has been completely skewed. Being six-feet tall and 120 pounds does not make someone beautiful. Beauty shines from the inside out. Having a positive attitude about yourself will reflect through and be evident to everyone around you, no matter what your size.

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