Weight loss tips by prevention.com

Snug tops and low-riding pants make the need to lose love handles and have a lean waist more apparent than ever. But there's an even better reason to aspire to a trim midsection: your health. A waistline of 35 or more inches puts women at risk for life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Smart eating, aerobic exercise, and ab-tightening moves such as the ones below will help you lose love handles and keep you out of the danger zone.
The moves target the obliques on the sides of your torso. Do two or three sessions a week, with a rest day between workouts.
Seated Knee Drop

Keeping your spine straight, sit back on your sit bones with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, ankles touching. Place your hands on the floor behind you for balance.

Contract your abdominal muscles, and lower your legs to the left until they are about 6 inches from the floor, keeping your ankles pressed together and your shoulders forward. Your feet will roll, but they should stay on the floor. Hold for a second, and then use your abs to slowly pull your legs up and over to the right. Don't let your knees simply fall to the side; keep the move controlled. Repeat from side to side for 1 minute.


Side Crunch

 Lie on your right side with your legs extended. Wrap your right forearm across your waist and rest your right hand on the left side. Bring your left hand behind your head, so your left elbow points toward the ceiling. An easier version: Don't lift your leg; lift your upper body only.

Using the obliques on your left side (not your right arm), pull in your abs and lift your right shoulder off the floor about 2 to 3 inches, while raising your left leg about 12 inches. Hold for 2 seconds, and then slowly return to the starting position. Start with 5 to 8 reps on each side, and work up to 12 to 15. Do one or two sets with 1 minute of rest in between.

Skin Care tips by mayoclinic.org

Good skin care — including sun protection and gentle cleansing — can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

Don't have time for intensive skin care? You can still pamper yourself by acing the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

1. Protect yourself from the sun

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.
For the most complete sun protection:

• Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
• Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.
If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

• Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
• Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
• Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
• Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

Makeup tips and treatment by listotic.com

21. Downward Strokes

Although you want to wash your face and apply your moisturizer with upwards strokes to help lessen fine lines and a sagging face, the opposite is true for foundation and powder. Most of us have a little bit of hair on our face, and it tends to grow downwards. If you apply your makeup with upward strokes, it will cause your “peach fuzz” to stick strait up, making it more noticeable.

22. Eyebrows & Face Shape

A lot of us ignore our eyebrows (or have over plucked them into non-existence) not realizing how important they are in defining our face. There isn’t one shape that is the best, it really just depends on your unique facial features and shape. Just like contouring, your eyebrow shape and thickness can help soften your face shape.

23. DIY Tinted Moisturizer

This works just as well as a B&B cream, hiding imperfections with a really natural look; simply mix your favorite facial moisturizer with a little bit of concealer. This way you can customize it with just the right amount of coverage.

24. Instant Eye Lift

This quick and easy illusion will give you an instant eye life. Draw an arch directly above your eyebrow with your favorite highlighter, and blend with your finger. This makes your arch look raised, making the whole eye area look like it’s been lifted.

25. Wash & Save Your Wands

Instead of tossing them in the trash when your mascara expires, wash and repurpose those wands! You can use them as an eyebrow brush, even applying a bit of color before sweeping across your brows. Or, spray with hairspray and use them to brush and keep your eyebrows in place.

26. Clump-Free Lashes

It may seem like a waste, but if you want clump-free lashes (so hard to achieve, right?!) , you have to wipe your mascara wand off on a tissue before each application. This way you can apply several coats seamlessly.

27. Blemish Secret

Instead of using that bulky tube of concealer to cover your blemishes, rub a bit of it on an eyeliner brush for more precise control.

28. Soften The Line

Although I like liquid liner and it’s ability to really define the eyes, I’m not really a fan of the harshness of it. And, if it’s not applied perfectly, imperfections really stand out. To soften the look, sweep a metallic brown shadow over the liner. This not only diminishes the hard-line, but also helps hide imperfections.

29. Make It Last

Keep those lips kissable by sealing the deal. After your lipstick is applied, hold a tissue over your lips and apply powder over the tissue. This creates a matte look that lasts much longer.

30. False Eyelash 101

If you’ve ever attempted this beauty-aid, you know that it can be quite trying! But, false eye lashes can bring your look from drab to fab in just a few patient minutes, and is definitely worth the time for special occasions. The key is knowing how to apply them from the get-go, otherwise your frustration will prevail.

31. The 3-D Lip Effect

So simple and stunning! Use your finger to stamp a little bit of frosted blush or eye shadow to the center of your bottom and top lip.

32. When To Toss It Out

As much money as we spend on our beauty products, it’s hard to let it go, but at some point your makeup becomes unhealthy for your skin and eyes. This is especially true for anything that gets applied around your eyes, so it’s important to give your makeup drawer a good clean out every once in a while.

32 Makeup Tips, Tricks and Treatment That Nobody Told You About (1)

32 Makeup Tips, Tricks and Treatment That Nobody Told You About (2)

Makeup tips and treatment by listotic.com

11. Make Eyeshadows Pop

Have you ever purchased a vibrant color of shadow that once applied appears rather dull? The key to making those colors pop is a white base. Use a white eyeliner and cover your entire lid before applying the color of your choice.

12. The False Eyelash Look

False lashes can be a pain, not to mention time consuming! Here are a few ways to get the look without the hassle:
1. After curling your lashes, apply a thin layer of powder before applying your mascara. I just sweep a small blending brush across my compact and apply it to the top and bottom of my eyelashes. I’ve also heard that some people use baby powder, although I think they both have virtually the same effect; creating a base that makes them appear much fuller.
2. Apply two coats of mascara to the bottom and TOP side of your lashes, but wait 3-5 minutes in between each coat, otherwise they tend to get clumpy (not cute).
3. When applying your mascara, you don’t want to just move your mascara wand from the base of your lashes up. Make sure you are moving the mascara wand back and forth while going up. The left and right motion will make sure every lash is covered entirely, all the way to the tip.
4. Almost done! Now, check your lashes for any gaps. Use the tip of your wand to apply another coat of mascara to individual lashes where they look sparse. Even better, use a fine tipped liquid eyeliner to fine tune and fill in any gaps.

13. Lash Curling Secret

Get the most out of your lash curler by pinching at the very base of  your lashes, and then lifting the curler up into an inverted position. This creates double the curl and lasts much longer!

14. Heat Your Lash Curler

Hold a blow dryer up next to your lash curler for about 3-5 seconds. The heat works the same way as it does with your curling iron, giving you those flirty lashes that will last all day.

15. The Perfect Match

This is the one thing that no matter how well it’s applied, if it’s the wrong color, it will look terrible! We all dread that our foundation will give us a ghost face or even worse, that dreaded orange jaw line. Because your neck isn’t exposed to the sun as much as your face, it is much better for matching your true color.

16. Business Card Trick

When applying mascara, hold a business card behind your lashes and apply it in a back and forth motion starting at the roots. You can really put it on this way, coating every lash fast!

17. Secret Eye Lift

Sweep a light pink matte pencil across the entire length of your brow bone to create the illusion of a higher arch, and then blend, blend, blend! It should not be detectable.

18. Proper Contouring

When applied right, contouring can define your cheekbones and jaw line, reduce the look of a double chin, minimize a larger nose, and lift sagging eyes. It’s basically using makeup to highlight and accentuate your features. This is especially important for photos, as the camera tends to pick up shadows and highlights better than the naked eye.
There are actual contouring and highlighting powders made just for this, but you can also use a bronzer or powder that is a few shades darker than your skin, and a foundation that is a few shades lighter for highlighting. For the most part, your t-zone and under eye area is where you want to highlight, and the outer portion of your face, underneath your cheekbones, and your neck is where you want to define with a darker color. Keep in mind, blending is key for a natural look! This may take some practice at first.

19. The Line Saver

I’m always checking my eye makeup in the case that my eyeliner isn’t in it’s original place. Certain eyeliners are more prone to this, especially those that aren’t water proof, but I don’t like using waterproof makeup because it’s so darn hard to get off! I always feel like I’m ripping my lashes off in the removal process. To keep your liner behaving, sweep loose or pressed powder right under the eye liner on your bottom lid. It creates somewhat of a barrier, preventing your eyeliner from traveling downward.

20. The Lip Cheat

As it turns out, we weren’t all blessed with Angelina Jolie’s lush lips. Now, there are a few tricks to making them appear larger (a glossy lip being one), but for a more dramatic effect, don’t be afraid to line your lips just outside of your natural line. When I say just outside of your natural line, I mean slightly. You don’t want to look like a clown by over doing it!

32 Makeup Tips, Tricks and Treatment That Nobody Told You About (1)

32 Makeup Tips, Tricks and Treatment That Nobody Told You About (3)

Makeup tips and treatment by listotic.com

With a few tips and tricks, you don’t have to be a professional to have fabulous looking makeup. It’s taken me years to learn my face shape, what colors flatter me, how much to apply, and how to apply it so that it looks beautiful and natural. But, I think I’ve finally perfected my morning routine! You don’t have to spend hours doing it, either. Once you have the know-how, you’ll see just how much makeup can accentuate your best features and hide those that aren’t as favorable. Here are a few makeup tips and tricks that you’ll wish you had known a long, long time ago!

1. Repurposed Plastic Spoon

Use a plastic spoon to easily apply mascara on your bottom lashes without getting any on the skin under your eyes. It also helps you to accomplish a much thicker coat.

2. Blush For Your Face Type

In order to apply blush where it will be most flattering on you, first determine your face shape. Blush not only adds color, but also contours and defines your cheek bones. The way you apply your blush can accentuate your best features and also soften those that are perhaps too prominent.

3. Scotch Tape Eye Stencil

This unconventional beauty aid will help guide you when applying eye liner and shadows, especially if you’re going for a more daring look such as the “cat eye”. It will also help you achieve an even and balanced look for both eyes.

4. Disguising Under Eye Bags

Most of us tend to just sweep a layer of concealer to the entire under eye area, but to really conceal bags, it’s best to highlight the crease and then apply a darker shade to the actual puffy area.

5. Eye Highlights

The placement of highlights is very important when trying to create naturally beautiful eye makeup. Your lighter colors (whites, creams, and pearls) should be applied in the inner corners, the middle of the eye, and just under your brow bone. Apply your lightest colors first, and then move on to your darker shades.

6. How To Fix Clumpy Mascara

Let’s face it, this happens to every tube of mascara over time. The problem is it dries out and then starts to form unattractive lumps. To help prevent this, don’t pump your mascara trying to get more on your wand; you’re basically pumping air into the tube causing it to dry out even faster.
Although mascara should be replaced every 3 to 4 months, I use to replace mine much sooner just because it dries out so fast and creates undesirable results. But, there’s an easy fix for that! Add a drop or two of Visine (or any brand of eye drops) into the tube, and then rub the wand around inside. The Visine softens the mascara liquid, making it apply as if it were a brand new tube!

7. Lipstick Ready

Use a baby toothbrush to exfoliate your lips. To really get the job done, you can make a homemade lip exfoliate with sugar and coconut oil, or easier but not as effective, cover your lips in lip balm or petroleum jelly before scrubbing.

8. Make The Best Of Your Eye Shape

As important as your color choices are, the placement of your shadows and liners is just as critical; you can create just about any illusion that you want. With careful placement, you can make your eyes appear wider, closer set, more prominent, deeper set, etc. Determine what shape of eyes you have, and then accentuate them accordingly.

9. Make Eyes Appear Bigger

If you don’t already own a white pencil, invest in one now just for this simple trick! Instead of lining your water line with dark eyeliner, use a white pencil to create the illusion of a bigger eye. If you squint your eyes a little at this picture comparison, you’ll see what a difference it really makes.

10. Tightlining

What is tightlining? It’s a way of applying your liner right in between your lashes. This is a great way to appear as though you’re not wearing any makeup at all, yet adding a little bit of color and definition to your eyes, and making the base of your lashes appear thicker.

32 Makeup Tips, Tricks and Treatment That Nobody Told You About (2)

32 Makeup Tips, Tricks and Treatment That Nobody Told You About (3)