Winter brings with it frosty nights, sparkling snow, crisp air, crackling fires … and dreaded hat hair. The bitter weather can make it difficult to have good hair days, but there are ways to keep hair strong, healthy and shiny even if it is stuffed under your ski hat.

“You need to pay extra attention to your hair in the winter even more than other times of the year,” says Brian Magallones, celebrity stylist for Garnier Fructis. “The dry air and harsh weather can strip strands of moisture leaving them dull and straw-like.”

Magallones shares the following tips for keeping hair fabulous and healthy all winter long.

*Schedule a trim every six to eight weeks. Snipping away brittle and split ends is an instant hair makeover.

* Shampoo every other day with a moisture-rich product and condition your hair every time you shampoo. “Preferably, use a conditioner that contains strengthening vitamins like Garnier Fructis Moisture Works,” says Magallones. “This will protect hair from damage caused by hot styling tools -- hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons -- used often this season for special occasions like holiday parties.”

* Be sure to use the lowest heat setting on the hair dryer and take warm, not hot, showers to avoid over drying hair. Do still dry your hair, though. Going outside with a wet head can cause hair to freeze and break.

* Cold temperatures and warm hats can cause flyaways. A shot of a static-preventing spray or a light sweep with a fabric softener sheet can stop static from making your hair stand on end.

* If you’re wearing a hat, fix hair by adding texturizing paste or freshening spray to restyle and shape hair.

* Use a room humidifier to add moisture to the air and drink lots of water. Being hydrated on the inside can make your hair and skin look hydrated on the outside.

* Get highlights. Winter hair is exposed to less sun and can be darker and duller than in summer. They also brighten up any complexion.

Healthy winter hair may take a bit of extra work, but with a little added moisture and vitamin fortified shampoos and conditioners you can turn nasty, weak and dry strands into strong and beautiful locks that will shine all winter long.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The snow. The slush. The sleet. It's enough to make even the most beautiful skin shiver. Before you settle in for a long winter's nap, grab hold of these beauty-boosting winter skin care tips that are sure to beat your winter blahs — and put a warm smile on your face.

• Skip the soap — which can leave skin feeling dry, itchy and irritated – and treat your skin to an at-home microdermabrasion treatment, such as Mary Kay's two-step TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set. Used once or twice per week, this treatment may help polish your skin back to its natural beauty. "The super-exfoliating cream gently removes dull skin, to reveal more radiant, healthy-looking skin," says Debra Joseph, director of marketing and communications at Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. "Post-exfoliation, follow up with our nourishing serum to instantly smooth, soothe and soften the appearance of the skin, readying it for the next step in your skin care routine."

• If your skin is positively parched, Joseph recommends lavishing it with Mary Kay's Intense Moisturizing Cream. "Vitamin E, marine extract and minerals like copper, magnesium and zinc in a creamy, dreamy formula work to leave skin feeling hydrated for up to 10 hours."

• And don't forget about your winter-worn body. For a refreshing treat that's sure to wash away your winter blahs, pamper yourself with Mary Kay's Body Care Collection in two mood-boosting botanical blends. "Whether you choose Lotus and Bamboo for it's clean crisp scent, or Red Tea and Fig for its soothing sweetness, our body care collections are a perfect pampering treat during dreary winter months," says Joseph.

Each collection includes Loofah Body Cleanser to buff away dry skin, Nourishing Body Lotion to moisturize and Deo Body Spritzer for a burst of scent that freshens skin. Joseph suggests teaming all three of these botanical body care products for "a cozy, at-home spa experience."

With just a little help from these beauty-boosting winter skin care solutions, available exclusively through Mary Kay independent beauty consultants, your skin will glow from head to toe — maybe enough to melt the snow.

You can locate an independent beauty consultant online at www.marykay.ca or toll-free at 1-866-455-5454.
News Canada

Office parties, Christmas parties, Hanukkah parties, whatever the occasion, the holidays are a time to dress up and enjoy the festivities. Like any important party or event, some little extra attention needs to be paid to one's hairstyle. However, much like etiquette at these parties there are also holiday hair dos and don'ts.

First, do try something new and different for the holiday party, but don't wait until the day of the party to attempt to create the style for the first time. According to the essential looks ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional, Kathy Simon, it is best to test the hairstyle at least a couple of times before the day of the party. "This way when the big day comes around, you have the perfect style in mind and you know exactly what to do with it."

Simon also gives us her tips on which styles to aim for the holidays. Do try a sleek updo this season. Sleek ponytails, chignons and French twists are definite holiday styles. The key to these looks is maintaining a smooth finish with lots of shine. There are various products that help you achieve this, like hair serums or sprays with a hint of sparkle in them. However, be wary of over using product. Start off with a little and slowly build if necessary.

Body and texture are still a big hit this season, so do try curls as they are fun and glamorous, but don't accentuate the look with any added accessories in the hair. "I would avoid accessories in hair," says Simon. "I would put the bling somewhere else." She suggests a great necklace or bracelet or to make a statement with a bling-worthy dress.

"The looks this season are sleek and classy or full and sexy, you really can't go wrong with this kind of versatility," says Simon. "Also, they're looks you can definitely do yourself."

Mmm... with only a few weeks left, better start trying out some of those looks now.

News Canada

Fashion: What's fresh for this season and beyond…

By Laura Minquini

(NC)—The holiday season is a great time to show off the style maven in you while debuting chic new trends for next year. Most of us shop on a budget, but that shouldn't stop you from creating a glam new wardrobe to hit the holiday party circuit. Here are a few tips and tricks to becoming a fashion diva this Christmas (without breaking the bank).

Ring in the old

Before you complain that you have nothing to wear, take another look inside that closet. Clothes or accessories from years past can still make a great outfit. That cute beret you wore a few years ago isn't old, it's vintage. With hats making a spectacular comeback this season, it's time to dust off that chapeau – an easy way to make a stylish coat even more chic.

Go Classic

A key to a great wardrobe is having classic, timeless pieces that last from season to season. Invest in tailored pieces – a coat, a pair of pants or a dress – to mix with seasonal trends. A white dress shirt and a snazzy cashmere cardigan are always great closet staples because they never go out of style. To build a classic wardrobe without going over-budget, check online stores like eBay (www.ebay.ca), to find fantastic new and vintage items for a lot less than retail.

Accessorize

To keep your look current, mix trendy pieces with your classic items. This is the season of the glove – not just to keep your hands warm, but as accessories to complete the party look. Pick up a great pair of long leather gloves or short, brightly coloured satin numbers to wear indoors with a knockout dress. You'll be the height of fashion this winter.

Splurge

If you're looking to splurge this season, do so on a great pair of shoes or an amazing bag. They can completely transform an outfit, so they're definitely worth the investment. Not sure whether to spend or save? Invest in pieces that are well-made and classic. Trendy accessories or seasonal items should be kept on the cheaper side.

Look to the future

A great fashionista can always spot upcoming trends. If you're looking to buy pieces that will last into the new year, then pick up a shot of colour. In 2008, bright colours will dominate the fashion industry in clothes, bags, shoes and jewelry. To grab the latest trends before they're on retail shelves, check online sites like eBay.

Laura Minquini is a fashion contributor to a number of Canadian magazines and national publications and the fashion expert on the eBay Canada Style Squad.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Be it an Irish themed wedding on Saint Patrick's Day or just a special dream wedding, Irish wedding bells make for really pretty gifts. Although giving bells as gifts has become an Irish tradition, these creative pieces of art make beautiful Engagement gifts for any couple Irish or not.

Although clear crystal bells are more popular, my personal favorite is this Mouth Blown Lead Crystal piece by Belleek China which I think is also fit for gift-giving on any other appropriate occasions such as a wedding, a post wedding party or even a housewarming party. It is named the 'Make-up Bell' and it symbolizes just that - Kiss and Make Up.

According to ancient Irish tradition, engaged couples were presented with a crystal bell. Whenever an argument brewed all it took was for one partner to ring the bell and the dispute would be instantly settled. What better occasion gift for any couple!

It seems to be a little disgusting when you are detoxing or cleansing. Your body shows some signs that you have built up toxins. These toxins can affect your whole body fitness and health.

There are times that you feel sluggish and feel the stressful. Your body may experience continuous aching, diarrhea, constipation, and feeling of clumsiness. Rapid weight gain and the incapacity to lose the excess weight can also be signs of having toxins in the body.

Moreover, the toxins found in the body are found and stored on your fat cells. For Americans who are taking the usual American diet, a person may consume 70 trillion garbage cans for each cell. In detoxing your body and cleaning that unwanted garbage in your cells, you should pay attention on your elimination organs.

There are particular organs in your body that deal on cell waste management. These organs play a major role in the detoxing process for a fit and healthy body.

1. Your liver is the organ that recycles the unwanted chemicals in the body. It sorts out the toxins and places them to the organ for elimination during the process of circulation. The principal elimination organs will back up the liver on where these toxins will be stored and then eliminated.

2. The lymph glands also play an important role in eliminating the toxins. A network of tubing brings out the excess waste of the cells from the body and to the final eliminating organs. The appendix, thymus, tonsil, and spleens are major lymphatic glands that help the major organs of the body in cleansing and detoxing.

3. The kidneys help in the water management of the body. They are the ones that keep the good chemistry of the blood alkaline by eliminating the dissolved acid waste. You can help your kidney to function very well by drinking plenty of water. It is much better if you drink fresh alkaline juices and purified water. You may take ½ ounce of alkaline everyday to see positive results on your body weight.

4. The lungs are the organs that keep the blood air purified. They allow the oxygen to go directly to the bloodstream. It is also responsible in removing waste gases that are found in every cell of the body. Deep breathing and fresh air is very helpful in keeping the lungs healthy and free from toxins. If you are in the urban area, it is recommended that you find an oxygen rich area where you can perform deep breathing.

5. The colon is a solid waste management organ in your body. Medical practitioners have found many peolpe that may have an 80-pound mucus and rubber like solid waste that are found on the walls of the colon. Detoxing and cleaning the colon can be a real tough thing to do. However, having a free waste colon can certainly provide you good benefits of having a clean and healthy body.

If you are experiencing some signs of detoxification, you may try doing a regular walking exercise. Exercise is a good key in having a fit and healthy body. Many diet doctors also suggest that you drink plenty of lemon water. This is an effective way of maintaining a very good circulation and can increase the rate of detoxification inside the body.

In this world of advanced technology it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not – especially if you don’t know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond,however.

First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists, walk away.

Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake diamonds are not durable – natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks.

After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase; therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike.

I love the combination of sparkling bright diamonds with white gold. They really go beautifully together and are a must have for any jewelry collection and also for the holiday party season that is almost here.

I found some pretty Diamond Stud Earrings online at http://www.JewelryVortex.com and specifically loved their princess shaped studs.

And if like me, you love bargains and specials, Jewelry Vortex also offers free shipping, free engraving and free gift boxes on all purchases!

Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to healing the mind, body and spirit. For thousands of years, people have used Aromatherapy as an aid to physical and emotional well-being. And Acne, a common skin disorder is not left out when it comes to aromatherapy treatments.

Here are some essential oils that can be used for acne scars treatment and acne removal:

Tea Tree Oil
Neroli
Niaouli
Palmarosa
Yarrow

Special oil blends are available for curing cystic acne. All these aromatherapy oils, in addition to good skin care and a healthy skin cleansing routine will help you get rid of acne in no time.

Bright and bold colors are making an appearance everywhere with the onset of summer. Whatever the trends, summer always brings out the peppiest of colors in dresses. But many women make a mistake of wearing heavy makeup with bold colors which creates an imbalanced look which is too loud. Day time summer makeup should be kept to a natural look when wearing bright colors to strike the right balance.

Here are tips on how you can create a natural makeup look:

1. Apply a little oil-free light foundation to your face to make it look even. Don't use foundation generously as it will show terribly in the harsh sun. And make sure to rub the foundation very well to avoid and makeup lines.

2. Next, powder your face with pressed powder to make your face look fresh. Again, do not use too much of anything. Only use a quantity that is necessary to cover your entire face and keep you looking fresh.
3. Give your face some color by using a light bronzer. Use a shade that is only slightly darker than your skin tone.

4. Add a touch of blusher to your cheeks for a glowing look. Avoid using too much of blusher during the day. Save it for the formal evening parties.

5. Keep lip makeup to a minimum. If you can do without lipstick, just use a clear lip-gloss and keep lips nude. If you must have lipstick, use a lighter, more natural shade to complete your fresh, natural makeup look.

Looking for more ideas and advice for makeup application? For more face makeup tips, eye makeup ideas and lip makeup tips, visit us at http://www.Lakx.com.

If you have a long face and are looking for a new haircut, don’t go ahead till you have read this article. After reading this article, you will be well equipped with information on what suits you best and what an absolute no-no for your face shape is.

Here we list some tips and haircut suggestions you should carefully go through and follow before having your hair cut:

1. Keep in mind that you need to create width on the sides of your face to minimize the oblong look that you currently have. You need to choose hair cuts which add volume to the sides and stay away from those that create volume over the head making your face seem longer than it already is.

2. Bangs are the easiest way to achieve a balanced look for a long face. Long, side swept bangs will quickly and easily make your face look much less longer and add instant style quotient.

3. Get your hair cut to chin-length. This creates an illusion of width on your face. Chin-length bobs look smart and stylish and are a good option if you are not averse to having a short haircut.

4. Medium or long hair can be treated with curls or waves to add volume. Avoid curls in short layered hair as it will create volume on the top of your head instead of the on the sides and will not give you the desired look.

5. Layered hairstyles are a must if you intend to keep your hair in medium or long lengths. Straight long hair will make your face seem more oblong.

6. ‘U’ or ‘V’ shaped haircuts will help in giving width at the sides and hiding away all the length of the hair at the back.

7. In general, try to stay away from very short or very long hair and stay with medium and long-medium hair length.

Looking for more haircuts and hairstyles for your face type? You can find lots of ideas for DIY Hairdos and Hair care tips at Lakx.com.

How to Get Rid of Extra Tan

Tanners, sun-bathing and sunless tanners have had their effect and it seems you have slightly overdone it. So now how do you get rid of this extra tan? Here are some simple tips to speed us the process of removing the extra tan.

1. Exfoliate: Exfoliating regularly will help quicken the process if the tan is caused by self tanners. As dead cells are removed gradually, your original skin tone will come to sight.

2. Avoid More Damage: Till you get rid of this extra tan, try to avoid full sun as much as possible. Use a good sunscreen and try to stay indoors during the hottest hours.

3. Blotch free: An effective way to get rid of blotchiness is baking soda. Dampen your skin and apply dry baking soda, massaging in circles. This is a safe and effective homemade recipe for exfoliating.

4. Soak if off: Simply soaking in your bath tub will help you get rid of the unwanted tan on your face and body. Sunless tanners color the outermost dead skin cells brown and long hours of soaking will remove those cells.

5. The Natural Course: If your sun tan is mainly natural, you will have to simply leave it that way to go on its own. Stay out of the sun and use a good sunscreen and eventually, your tan will disappear.

6. The Chemical way: Rub in lotions containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) to reduce tan lines. And if you simply must, use products with hydrogen peroxide or apply it directly with a swab of cotton. Don’t use this method on sensitive areas.

To sum it up, it is safer to go the natural way always and long baths and exfoliating are sure to work most of the time. And be assured that the extra tan will surely go away naturally. Just try to avoid more sun damage.

Looking for more practical tips for skin care? Find general skin care tips for all ages and summer skin care tips at http://www.Lakx.com.

I have missing from the scene for sometime but you will soon see why. Dot Com Women has launched a new partner site dedicated completely to beauty and fashion and I am one of the editors!

You can visit the website at:

http://www.Lakx.com

Lakx.com is filled with practical tips on skin care, hair care, nail care, fashion advice and makeup tips. They also have a Nail Art designs gallery to which you will soon see some of my own designs added. Will keep you posted on that!

Lots of sun and of course, Age, does it to your skin. Little brown spots appearing and scar your face. These spots are also known as lentigos, or senile/solar lentigines or Liver Spots (although they are in no way related to Liver).

A nice resource for learning more about this skin problem is given below. They list causes and remedies for removing Age Spots.

age spots

With the feminine styles hitting the stores for the oncoming spring season, I found the perfect, dainty Chelsea purse at Kiki James's website. My favorite is the very chic Ivory Croc purse which is crafted from Italian calf-hide with a crocodile print and lined in soft velvet and is very roomy. And the coolest thing is that for another £10.00, you can get it personalized with embossed initials! Check it out and many options and colors to go with your wardrobe for Spring 2007.

While you are there, I am sure you will not be able to resist taking a look at the fabulous line of leather gifts they have to offer. The leather journals and leather photo albums are best buys when in doubt for gift ideas. The Wedding products are wonderful and I simply loved the Heart Trinket Boxes. You might also want to take a look at their Travel products and Men's Leather products for sensible and practical purchases.

Whoever said leather goodies were just limited to boring business organizers! Take a look at this website and I am sure you will agree with me.

If you are planning to add some fresh new skirts and dresses to your wardrobe for this spring, you might need to know the following trends for the season:

1. Go for light and easy fabrics

2. Figure flattering dresses are in

3. Wrap and shirtdress are a must to show off a great figure.

4. Hems are just below the knee - perfect for daytime or evening!

Here's a quick list of some wadrobe must haves for the oncoming Spring season:

1. Shorts will give the required young and fresh look.

2. Pants, whether full, three fourths, capris are all a must.

3. Checkered Prints - Gingham, Plaid, Madras Checks.

4. Metallic - Add a hint of shimmer and shine with metallic prints.

5. Crochet - Crocheted tops and lace edges are still doing the rounds. Lots of detail, but stylish cuts will do the trick.

My friend's getting married next month! And that of course means a lot of shopping. She loves my knowledge of the fashion industry and depends on my choice so guess who is the lucky girl she chose to take along for her Wedding jewelry. No prizes for guessing - It's Me!

Since she will be wearing an heirloom gown, we jumped straight to the jewelry part. Our first choice was the Jared Jeweler as I had a personal recommendation for them. A Vintage inspired ensemble and a Man's ring was chosen by us in just one hour.

However, we couldn't decide upon the other items on our list and came back to try our purchases with the bridal gown. We plan to hit Brighton Jewelry next for some hair accessories and anklets they have that I heard a recent bride raving about. We are also checking out many a Jewelry Directory for more jewelry shops specializing in Vintage style tiaras and/or hair accessories.

Another thing my friend has decided to go for is a Jewelry Armoire. Along with her precious purchases, she is also to receive exquisite vintage jewelry sets from both, her Mom and Mom-in-Law. Lucky Girl! We are still weighing the pros and cons of a full-fledged wooden armoire versus a Jewelry Vanity. I will keep you posted of what is finally chosen.

Want to get these terms clear in your head for once and for all? Read on:

Ready-to-wear or prêt-à-porter is the fashion design term for clothing marketed in a finished condition, in standard clothing sizes (in casual usage, off the rack or "off-the-peg"). Some fashion houses or fashion designers create ready-to-wear lines that are mass-produced and industrially manufactured, while others offer lines that are very exclusive and produced only in limited numbers and only for a limited time. Whatever the quantity produced, these lines are never one of a kind.

The antithesis of ready-to-wear is different depending on whether it concerns women's or men's fashion. In women's fashion high-end clothing made partly incorporating features requested by the client and to her exacting measurements is called haute couture.

e.g. Chanel, Dior, Lacroix etc.

In menswear, it is usually called bespoke.

e.g. Savile Row, Cesare Attolini, John Lobb shoes etc.

The current skincare products developed and produced by Shiseido include "Pureness", "The Skincare", "Benefiance", "Bio-Performance", "Suncare", "UV White", and the newest line, "White Lucent". Each of these lines of skincare products include make-up removers, cleansers, softeners (toners/astringents, all alcohol-free) and moisturizers. Some of these lines, however, have other products that other lines do not have. Shiseido has recently also developed a line of skincare specially formulated for men, as the products listed above are generally for women.

The line labelled "Pureness" is targeted toward younger consumers, often with oilier skin types. This line also includes a weekly scrub and a blemish targeting cream. The containers made for this line are characteristically light blue in colour.

"The Skincare" is for slightly older skin, and therefore has a more moisturizing effect. Uniquely, this line carries an eye cream. These containers are light pink to cream in colour.

"Benefiance" is formulated for older skin, another step up from "The Skincare". Most of their containers are glass and are beige in colour.

"Bio-Performance" has more targeted products—predominately, its eye cream is the most popular product in this line and is greatly effective in preventing fine lines and dark circles around the eyes. Product containers are coloured gold.

"Suncare" products include sun protection, self-tanners, and makeup. Sun protection products range from SPF 19 and 135 and provide a broad spectrum sun protection against UVB and UVA rays.

"UV White" and "White Lucent" are two lines of products used to whiten the skin and also to provide whitening action to targeted areas.

Shiseido also markets the Zirh line of men's skincare products.

Did you know that the Waist-hip ratio is a significant factor in judging female attractiveness?

Women with a 0.7 WHR (waist circumference that is 70% of the hip circumference) are invariably rated as more attractive by men. Diverse beauty icons as Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy, Sophia Loren, Kate Moss, and the Venus de Milo all have ratios around 0.7

I am still struggling to lose the extra weight gained during the holidays and can always use some motivation. I stumbled upon a great website on weight loss tips which also has a section on Weight Loss Success Stories showing before and after photos as well. It is always inspiring to read such stories and I am sure you will find a lot of motivation from them.

Check out all the latest trends for the coming spring on my favorite website that tells you all without beating about the bush:

http://www.RamptoStore.com

Absolute Essential Oils are oils that are obtained from solvent extraction of the plants, this process creates a natural mixture of fats, essential oils, waxes & other plant materials. Alcohol is then used to extract the absolute. These methods are used to extract the "Essence" from the flower petals where normal distillation would distort the delicate natural perfume of the plant.

3 Absolute essential oils are generally used in aromatherapy, these are Rose, jasmine & Orange Blossom(Neroli) while the other absolutes are often used in the high quality perfume industry to create all those sought after designer perfumes that you can create yourself using these fine Absolute oils.

Absolute essential oils differ from distilled essential oils because they are well known to hold extremely high perfuming or therapeutic power and therefore need to be used in very low concentrations. Absolute oils are generally thicker than distilled essential oils and rose absolute can actually solidify in the bottle at room temperature's, yet also quickly liquefies when held in the hand for a short time. Using these pure absolute oils you will achieve a powerful concentrated perfume and natural aroma coupled with the therapeutic benefits of using pure absolute essential oils to use in your aromatherapy home fragrance or perfume making blends.

This essential oil is extracted from the flowers by steam distillation.

Known as 'flower of flowers', this exotic, sensual oil soothes, relaxes and uplifts the spirit.

Excellent skincare oil suitable for all skin types.

Use at night before peaceful sleep.

Also has sensual properties.

Usage: bath; massage; vaporisation; skin and beauty care; and perfume.

What you eat today shows up on your skin later. That makes proper eating habits the easiest way to ensure a glowing skin. Here are some foods you should include in your diet to get a healthy glow:

1. Water - lots of it

2. Fish

3. Carrots

4. Tomatoes

5. Cucumber

6. Sweet Potatoes

7. Broccoli

8. Spinach

9. Foodgrains rich in Vitamin E

10. Hazelnuts

11. Almonds

12. Coconut

Winter does it to all of us but you need not buy expensive foot care products to cure cracked heels. Here are my favorite remedies for cracked heels:

1. A daily moisturizing regime. Every night before going to bed, I soak my feet in luke warm water for 10 minutes while I read another chapter of the book in hand. Then I generously slather a good hand and body cream on my feet (especially well on the heels) and go to bed.

2. Oils help! Any vegetable oil or olive oil massaged well over cracked heels daily helps immensely. Pull over a pair of socks and leave overnight.

3. Exfoliate and Moisturize. After soaking feet in water, use a foot scrub to gently rub and remove dead skin. Then moisturize and leave overnight for soft feet next morning.

White eyeliner keeps appearing at almost all fashion shows and I even see a lot of it at discos and parties. A little bit of white makes your eyes look bright. Some tips to keep in mind while applying white eyeliner:

1. Whiteliner can be used to line the lower lid in the sixties fashion.

2. Don't apply and re-apply liner to make it more hard. Stark white tends to look scary and you can save that one for the next Halloween party.

3. In fact, even 'not-too-overdone' white liner may look too bright and scary. Go for an off white color instead.

4. A white pencil is enough to do the trick.

5. Soften the liner with a swab of cotton.

6. If you just need to brighten your eyes without any dramatic effects, just touch up with a white pencil on the inner corner of your lower lid.

7. Create more highlights for a nighttime party by using a soft touch on the brow line and dabbing with cotton.

8. For more drama, extend the white liner to the outer corner of the eye as opposed to the inner corner.

Some good choices for white eyeliner are:

Shiseido The Makeup Eyeliner Pencil in White
Estée Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil in White
Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Eye Pencil
Yves Saint Laurent Long Lasting Eye Pencil No. 2 Glacier White
KHOL White - Soft Smudge Eye Liner Pencil/Shaper KK-36

The beautiful French braid is easy to do if you are willing to do some practice.

Here's a step by step how to make a French braid:

1. Comb hair well and if hair is too flyaway, dampen it or use mousse or gel.

2. Take a section of hair forming half a circle from the center of the forehead by back-combing.

3. Divide this section of hair into 3 parts and start braiding as a simple braid.

4. Everytime you use the left side section to braid, use a tail comb to identify another smaller section from near the left side of the half circle section to add to the left side hair section. See pic.

5. Similarly, everytime you use the right side of the hair, add a section of the hair from the right side of the half circle section to add to the right side hair section in your hand.

So, in a nutshell, to make a French braid, you need to make a simple braid starting from the top of your head and adding little equal-sized sections of hair from the remaining hair (except the section you separated at the beginning) every time you braid.

'Sugar and Spice' Shampoo from VO5 - Cinnamon and Gingerbread and everything nice! I managed to get a bottle of VO5's limited edition Christmas shampoo which I missed last year when it was launched.

I must say it made me feel sooooo Christmassy. The trademark slender shaped bottle filled with thick red shampoo with little gingerbread men and stars all over were enough to bring in the festive spirit when I turned the bottle over to read this:

"Mrs. Claus lovingly selected from her kitchen just the right ingredients for this deliciously fragrant holiday shampoo with essences of Cinnamon and Gingerbread."

And on applying the shampoo I found it to be as festive as it looked. My hair smelled of all the lovely smells coming from my Christmas pantry and felt really great. The shampoo had gentle cleansing properties and even added more volume to my fine hair. A great, great gift idea for the holidays which is unfortunately already a rare thing to obtain. Let's hope for another special edition from VO5 next Christmas!

P.S. And not to forget some more fine print:

"This product is not tested on reindeer or other animals."

and

"Recyclable at the North Pole if facilities exist".

Sequins have given way to shiny and shimmery fabrics for the upcoming Spring/Summer season. Gold, silver, foil embelishments, sparkling shirts and sheeny fabrics and flats are the new trend.

Accessorize with an oversized shoulder bag!

Dress up top to bottom in bright yellow this Spring Summer and radiate energy. Many designers including Valentino showcased yellow outfits in recent fashion shows which included single dresses, tops and skirts both yellow, tops and pants etc. with the yellow ranging from nright to golden hued.

Valentino showcased a beautiful golden/mustard outfit with the top having lacy layers at the bottom and pants with lace at the bottom.