Saturday, August 6, 2011
The 10 Commandments of Anti-aging
1. WEAR SUNSCREEN—AND NOT JUST AT THE BEACH.
Rain or shine, "liberally applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains both UVA and UVB protection every day is the single most important thing you can do to prevent sun damage and skin cancer," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day. We love Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Sunblock SPF 50 (for normal skin), Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen (for oily skin), and Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen SPF 40 (for sensitive skin).
2. QUIT SMOKING.
In addition to causing cancer and bad breath, smoking cigarettes "destroys collagen and elastin and decreases levels of estrogen, which is necessary to keep skin firm," says New York City dermatologist Fredric Brandt.
3. USE A RETINOID.
It's the best way to slow down the clock with a cream. "Retinoids minimize the appearance of existing age spots and fine lines and prevent new ones from forming," says New York City dermatologist Heidi Waldorf.
4. STAY HYDRATED.
No, Diet Coke doesn't count. "The more hydrated your skin, the better your wrinkles will look," says Montclair, New Jersey, dermatologist Jeanine Downie. "Drink lots of water, cut back on coffee and soda, and moisturize regularly."
5. SLEEP WELL.
The expression "beauty rest" actually has some science behind it. "Not only does your skin require downtime to repair itself, but sagging skin and puffiness around the eyes make wrinkles look much worse," says Great Neck, New York, dermatologist Jeanette Graf.
6. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT.
Not surprisingly, yo-yo dieting isn't great for your skin. "Skin loses elasticity over time," Waldorf says. "The more your weight fluctuates, the harder it is to snap back into shape."
7. EAT RIGHT.
"Your skin receives nutrients not only from creams and treatments, but also from the food you eat," Waldorf says. "The more balanced your diet, the younger you'll look. And if you're not taking a multivitamin, start now." To keep skin happy, eat more fatty fish (such as salmon), dark green vegetables (like broccoli and spinach), almonds, and walnuts. Drink lots of antioxidant green tea. And lay off the refined sugar and booze—both cause aging inflammatory reactions in the skin.
8. GET MOVING.
"Exercise increases blood flow to the skin and promotes a glowing, healthy-looking complexion," Downie says. "Working out for just 30 minutes four or five days a week can make a huge difference."
9. TRY TO RELAX.
The mind-body connection is a powerful one. "Do whatever you need to do to decompress," Waldorf says. "Stress causes cells to age faster, which absolutely shows on the skin."
10. DON'T PICK.
You got the same advice when you were a teenager. "Sun damage causes dark spots as you age, but so does picking at your blemishes," Waldorf says. "And since the skin takes a lot longer to repair itself as you age, the spots won't disappear right away."
How to Find Your Most Flattering Part
Your part is one of those simple little things that can change your whole look: a deep side part can make a low ponytail sophisticated, for example, while a middle part gives your style a hippie chic vibe. The right part is also crucial to choosing a flattering style, says Travis Parker, a hairstylist in San Diego and L’Oréal Professionnel National Portfolio Artist, who works with celebrities including Cindy Crawford. Here are Parker's easy rules for finding your best part:
Side parts look best on narrow faces, says Parker. If you sweep your hair to the left side, for example, more of the right side of your face will show, creating the illusion that your face is a tad wider.
Middle parts are well suited to wide faces. Framing both sides of your face symmetrically will help define your cheekbones, and elongate the nose and chin, explains Parker.
Here's one more cool tip on face-flattering hairstyles: If you're wearing summer's trendy side ponytail or bun, take a look at your nose, says Parker. If your nose angles to one side—no matter how subtle the curve—position your hair over the opposite shoulder.
Side parts look best on narrow faces, says Parker. If you sweep your hair to the left side, for example, more of the right side of your face will show, creating the illusion that your face is a tad wider.
Middle parts are well suited to wide faces. Framing both sides of your face symmetrically will help define your cheekbones, and elongate the nose and chin, explains Parker.
Here's one more cool tip on face-flattering hairstyles: If you're wearing summer's trendy side ponytail or bun, take a look at your nose, says Parker. If your nose angles to one side—no matter how subtle the curve—position your hair over the opposite shoulder.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Are you using the wrong cleanser?
Great skin is one of your best assets, so it's essential to use the right cleanser for your skin type. Get it wrong and you could cause unnecessary oil slicks, pimples or dry patches. Here's how to identify your skin type and the best way to cleanse:
Normal skin
Normal skin feels smooth, has small pores and an equal balance of oil and water. "Wash with a soap-free cleanser or pH-neutral product," advises Sydney dermatologist Dr Tanya Gilmour. You'll also need two cleansers for different seasons, changing from a gel/foam cleanser to a richer milk cleanser during colder months, the National Skin Institute says.
Dry skin
Characterised by patchy and flaky skin, even if you're face isn't usually dry, it can dehydrate during winter or summer months if you sit in a heated or air-conditioned office. "It's due to heating or air-con in offices and cars — also people don't drink as much water as they should," the National Skin Institute says, explaining why so many of us have dehydrated skin.
Try QV Face Gentle Cleanser ($11.99) for mild cleansing. Because dehydrated skin has more dead skin cells attached to the surface of the skin, scrub them away with a gentle cleanser and exfoliator in one.
Acne-prone skin
"Acne affects a large proportion of the population — even adults," Sydney cosmetic surgeon Dr Fabian Baez says. "It's not just something that affects teenagers." Try cleansing with a medicated clearing gel that sloughs off dead skin and helps reduce oil, which can clog follicles and lead to breakouts, avoiding products with soap or perfume.
Remember that the most effective treatments for acne are prescription-based and can only be prescribed by a dermatologist. If your skin suddenly breaks out, head straight to a skin doctor's clinic.
Ageing skin
Dr Gilmour says you can wipe 20 years off your skin's age with a great skincare regime. "Nothing is more true than the saying 'prevention is better than cure' when it comes to limiting the signs of early aging," she says. "Starting a good skin care regime early is vital to keep yourself looking good as you become older." That means using a cleanser containing anti-ageing ingredients, such as Nu Skin's ageLOC Gentle Cleanse & Tone ($70) and wiping your skin gently with a cotton wool pad.
Sensitive skin
With a tendency to be either oily or dry, sensitive skin is easily disturbed by the use of incorrect skincare products. Choose cleanses containing natural ingredients such, which will condition and smooth. Try Dermalogica's UltraCalming Cleanser ($53) with a complex of red hogweed, oat kernel, ginger, bisabol and essential oils.
Normal skin
Normal skin feels smooth, has small pores and an equal balance of oil and water. "Wash with a soap-free cleanser or pH-neutral product," advises Sydney dermatologist Dr Tanya Gilmour. You'll also need two cleansers for different seasons, changing from a gel/foam cleanser to a richer milk cleanser during colder months, the National Skin Institute says.
Dry skin
Characterised by patchy and flaky skin, even if you're face isn't usually dry, it can dehydrate during winter or summer months if you sit in a heated or air-conditioned office. "It's due to heating or air-con in offices and cars — also people don't drink as much water as they should," the National Skin Institute says, explaining why so many of us have dehydrated skin.
Try QV Face Gentle Cleanser ($11.99) for mild cleansing. Because dehydrated skin has more dead skin cells attached to the surface of the skin, scrub them away with a gentle cleanser and exfoliator in one.
Acne-prone skin
"Acne affects a large proportion of the population — even adults," Sydney cosmetic surgeon Dr Fabian Baez says. "It's not just something that affects teenagers." Try cleansing with a medicated clearing gel that sloughs off dead skin and helps reduce oil, which can clog follicles and lead to breakouts, avoiding products with soap or perfume.
Remember that the most effective treatments for acne are prescription-based and can only be prescribed by a dermatologist. If your skin suddenly breaks out, head straight to a skin doctor's clinic.
Ageing skin
Dr Gilmour says you can wipe 20 years off your skin's age with a great skincare regime. "Nothing is more true than the saying 'prevention is better than cure' when it comes to limiting the signs of early aging," she says. "Starting a good skin care regime early is vital to keep yourself looking good as you become older." That means using a cleanser containing anti-ageing ingredients, such as Nu Skin's ageLOC Gentle Cleanse & Tone ($70) and wiping your skin gently with a cotton wool pad.
Sensitive skin
With a tendency to be either oily or dry, sensitive skin is easily disturbed by the use of incorrect skincare products. Choose cleanses containing natural ingredients such, which will condition and smooth. Try Dermalogica's UltraCalming Cleanser ($53) with a complex of red hogweed, oat kernel, ginger, bisabol and essential oils.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Fur flies over Fendi fashion show in South Korea
SEOUL: Scores of animal rights activists demonstrated on Thursday outside a fashion show in the South Korean capital in protest at a decision by Italian designer Fendi to include fur.
"The company of blood, Fendi, the city of blood, Seoul," read one banner outside the venue, a newly completed floating island on the Han river.
"Fur is cruel," read another.
City officials earlier threatened to cancel the event unless all fur items were removed from the catwalk, but later relented after organisers apparently agreed to reduce the number of such items in the show.
An AFP correspondent saw about 12 fur garments in the autumn/winter collection, fewer than the 20 originally planned.
But an estimated 80-90 protesters outside the venue were not appeased.
"A lot of Europeans reject the idea of using fur for clothes, so now luxury companies are rushing to Asia instead to cash in," said Jo Hee-Kyung, head of the Korea Animal Welfare Association.
His members were there to convey a message from the people of Seoul, he said.
Among the demonstrators were elementary schoolchildren, who held stuffed toy animals and wore rabbit ears. "It hurts so much, don't skin us," they chanted.
Police said about 100 plain-clothes officers were on duty but no incidents were reported.
"The company of blood, Fendi, the city of blood, Seoul," read one banner outside the venue, a newly completed floating island on the Han river.
"Fur is cruel," read another.
City officials earlier threatened to cancel the event unless all fur items were removed from the catwalk, but later relented after organisers apparently agreed to reduce the number of such items in the show.
An AFP correspondent saw about 12 fur garments in the autumn/winter collection, fewer than the 20 originally planned.
But an estimated 80-90 protesters outside the venue were not appeased.
"A lot of Europeans reject the idea of using fur for clothes, so now luxury companies are rushing to Asia instead to cash in," said Jo Hee-Kyung, head of the Korea Animal Welfare Association.
His members were there to convey a message from the people of Seoul, he said.
Among the demonstrators were elementary schoolchildren, who held stuffed toy animals and wore rabbit ears. "It hurts so much, don't skin us," they chanted.
Police said about 100 plain-clothes officers were on duty but no incidents were reported.
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