Have you got what it takes? Can you compete in the sparkling and completive world of glamour and beauty? Beauty competitions are getting more popular all the time. There are adult competitions and children’s competitions sprouting up all over. Almost any time, you can turn on your television and enjoy a new beauty competition or beauty show. Let’s see what it takes if you want to be a part.

There are beauty pageants and beauty contests. Although these contests are usually designed to score physical beauty, often a personality, talent, and character questions are incorporated. You’ll find almost all are for young ladies and women. Rarely are boys and men involved in beauty competitions. Instead, men are more often seen in body building competitions.

Is a beauty contest right for you? They are not what they once were. After so many popular celebrities and entertainers getting their start in beauty contests, they no longer have the stigma of being shallow. They have evolved to encourage men and women to develop skills to showcase at the contest. They also gain confidence and become very comfortable speaking in public and being in unfamiliar places. Nowadays, beauty contests also offer those who join a sense of belonging and a sense of accomplishment. Not everyone can be an athlete or a whiz at spelling. Beauty contests are another outlet for those to show off their own talents.

If you want to find a beauty contest in your area, go online. You’ll find it’s your best bet for finding news and information on upcoming events. Type ‘beauty contest’ into any search engine and you’ll get thousands of results. You can type in your location and the age range you are looking for to help narrow the websites down to ones that are appropriate for you. You can also visit your local book store and check out any books on pageants and contests. Also, take a look at the magazine rack and look for the beauty pageant section. Most large chain bookstores will have a great selection of magazines from which to choose.

Although you may not consider it right away, you can also network with others in your area who are involved in the beauty contest scene. They can be a fantastic resource for where to find outfits for the beauty contests, where to find seamstresses to create your wardrobe, and to brainstorm the best ideas for your success. They will also offer general support and a community to work with to help you along. Remember though, there is also the competition factor before and after the contest. So, choose your friends wisely and try not to be too sensitive. Keep the competition healthy.

What if you win? The prize can vary from contest to contest. The larger and more popular the contest, the bigger and better the prize. Some range from medals, trophies and make up to promotional items to big cash prizes and cars. So, there are great gifts to be had. If you are just a beginner, start out small until you are ready to take on the world. If you have some good experiences, or even if you crash and burn, don’t be discouraged. You’ll know soon enough if this is the right thing for you. If it is, keep at it. We’ll be looking forward to seeing you on TV one day.

Knowing your skin type is absolutely necessary in order to make a right decision about a proper skin care or treatment, which is suitable for your particular skin needs. The initial quality, or type, of your skin is genetically determined – meaning that you are born with it.

However, the health and beauty of your skin later in life largely depends on what you eat and how you take care of yourself. A popular Russian saying states that, after the age of 30, a woman looks the way she deserves …To always look great, the first step is to determine your skin type so that you can match it with the best recommended methods to improve your look and slow the aging process.

Generally, we can single out five basic skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive, with each having particular characteristics and requiring specific care and/or treatment.

To determine your type, use a simple test with a clean facial tissue (or paper) to wipe your face in the morning, when you have just woken up:

1. Normal Skin …

If you skin belongs to a normal type, the tissue will not reveal any traces of oil. Your skin should feel vibrant, elastic, and supple. Normal skin is the least problematic type.

It looks clean and smooth and has a good circulation and healthy complexion. Even with a minimum care, it will look good well into your advanced age.

2. Dry Skin …

If your skin is dry, the paper will be clean, too, but your face skin will feel flaky, dry, and tight after you have wiped it.

Dry skin can easily develop a sallow tone, wrinkles, and fine pores, and it is very prone to aging and irritating. It might still look great on a young person, but, to keep it healthy, you should apply thorough care and use regular skin or beauty treatment with natural masks and moisturizers.

3. Oily Skin …

If you have oily skin, the paper will have spots of facial oil on it, corresponding to the areas of your cheeks, nose, and forehead. Oily skin is problematic – it usually looks greasy, thick, coarse, and shiny, has enlarged pores, and tends to break into acne.

A good thing, though, is that oily skin is not prone much to aging and wrinkling. Careful cleaning, minimizing of carbohydrate consumption, and avoiding rich creams can be helpful in improving the quality of oily skin.

4. Combination Skin …

If you skin is combination, like that of most women, the tissue will have traces of oil coming from your nose and forehead, but will be clean in the areas that touched your cheeks.

Combination skin has patches of both dry and oily skin, and it requires different types of care in relation to particular facial areas.

Dry zones, which are usually located on the cheeks and around the eyes, should be treated with rich creams and moisturizers, while oily areas, usually on the forehead and nose, will benefit from frequent and thorough cleaning.

5. Sensitive Skin …

Sensitive skin is usually very dry, tends to feel tight, and becomes inflamed and irritated easily. Typically, sensitive skin develops reddish and scaly areas, can be itchy and tingly, and is prone to breaking into spots. It is the most problematic and fragile type of skin, which needs a very special type of care. To get the right body products for this skin type too requires great research.

So, what type of skin do you have? Have you found great skin care products that work beautifully for your skin? Please do share…

What’s aging you: Yellowing teeth

A white smile is a surefire way to look younger and healthier. Most drugstore kits work just as well as a pricier trip to a professional – if your teeth are sensitive, just wait a little more time between each treatment. Post-whitening, try to stay away from stain-causing drinks like coffee, dark soda, and red wine (or make sure to rinse these away with water after drinking).

What’s aging you: Thin lips

Our lips lose volume as we age, but fake-looking collagen implants don’t seem to be the answer. Instead, use a glossy lip plumping product for a temporary (but noticeable) boost. At home, keep your lips smooth and shiny by exfoliating with a washcloth, or with a mixture of brown sugar and honey.

What’s aging you: Dull skin

We obsess over wrinkles, but it’s often discolouration (usually due to sun damage) that makes people look older than they are. Brighten up dull skin and help fade pigment spots with a moisturizer loaded with vitamin C (or ascorbic acid). It acts as a natural exfoliant and removes that glow-stealing layer of dead skin cells. It’s also an antioxidant, which means it helps prevent future damage. And of course, keep slathering on that sunscreen.

What’s aging you: Heavy makeup

Thick foundation and powder can settle into wrinkles and will actually draw more attention to them. The key is to illuminate your skin rather than try to cover it up. Use small amounts of concealer where you need it, and add a highlighting cream to your cheekbones and around the outer corners of your eyes to reflect light away from any lines.

What’s aging you: Coarse hair

If grey hairs bother you, a semi-permanent hair dye will let you cover them up without straying too far from your natural shade. Plus, these types of dye usually don’t contain ammonia, which can damage your strands. If you’ve decided to embrace the grey, keep it silky with a gloss or an intense conditioning treatment every few weeks.

“I would say that at least 50 percent of women think they have sensitive skin,” says dermatologist Dr. David Bank. “They have a hard time finding products that won’t cause a reaction.” That reaction, called contact dermatitis, falls into two categories: allergic and irritant. Allergic indicates that the immune system is displeased, while irritant reactions stop at the surface. It’s something Lynne Greene, Clinique’s global president, became all too familiar with on a recent trip to Asia. “I went to Singapore, which is one climate; Japan, which is another; and finally Shanghai, which has a lot of pollution,” she says. “By the time I boarded the plane home, my skin was tremendously red and reactive.” But while the detrimental effects of environmental aggressors may be beyond our control, what we put on our skin can be monitored, says Greene. And a number of reactions, both allergic and irritant, can be traced back to one of these culprit ingredients:

PHTHALATES: A plasticizing ingredient commonly listed as DBP or di-n-butyl phthalate, it is used most often in the beauty world to give nail polishes increased pliability. Considered to be a potential carcinogen and possible cause of birth defects, allergic rashes and eczema, they are already banned in Europe. When shopping for lacquers, look for phthalate-free formulas. Neither Zoya nor Spa Ritual has ever used the ingredient in its lines, while Essie, OPI, and Sally Hansen altered their formulations in recent years to get rid of it.

SHEA BUTTER: It may seem completely harmless, but anyone with a nut allergy could find themselves with a heightened sensitivity to it. “I have seen reactions among those with nut allergies to both shea and cocoa butter,” says Dr. Ellen Marmur, author of the new book Simple Skin Beauty. “Even organic or natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions.”

TRICLOSAN: Flu season and the ongoing swine flu epidemic have made hand-washing a frequent ritual, and in some cases, it’s the soap that causes the itchy rashes creeping up on palms and fingertips. If your hands are inflamed, steer clearof any soaps or sanitizers with this antibacterial agent.

BALSAM OF PERU: Fragrance is the number-one cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and Balsam of Peru, a resin that is actually a conglomeration of scents, is often responsible. Because of its phototoxic ingredients, when the skin is exposed to sunlight, brown or reddish streaks called berloque dermatitis may occur wherever the scented product or perfume was applied—dermatologists report many incidents of berloque behind the ears. The key is to look for products that are totally fragrance-free — which is not the same as unscented. “Unscented means that a product can containa masking fragrance to camouflage its pungent, unpleasant odor,” says Bank. “Fragrance-free means truly no fragrances.”

FORMALDEHYDE: While most beauty products won’t include this ultra-common makeup, skin, and haircare preservative on the ingredient list, many will have a formaldehyde-releasing agent like imidazolidinyl urea or quaternium 15, which can be equally reactive. Therefore, those who experience an allergy or irritation to formaldehyde actually have a list of names to be on the lookout for. Nowadays, two of the most frequent places where contact may occur are the nail and hair salon. “The most common cause of eyelid dermatitis is the formaldehyde in nail polish,” says dermatologist Dr. Marsha Gordon. “After you polish your nails, there is a day or two when the finish is not rock hard, and that’s when formaldehyde may be released. Your hands may not show redness because that skin is tough, but when you touch your eyes while washing or moisturizing, you can end up with dermatitis there.”

PARABENS: They are the darlings of preservatives among mass manufacturers since they’re cheap and stable. It can be downright difficult to find products that don’t contain parabens like methyl, propyl, and benzyl hydroxybenzoate. Those who experience redness or a rash can avoid them entirely by seeking out lines such as Aubrey Organics, Burt’s Bees, Dr. Hauschka, and Weleda, whose formulations are all paraben-free.

ACIDS: While the majority of acids — azelaic, alpha hydroxy, benzoic, lactic, sorbic — are tolerable in modest doses, cinnamic can pose a problem. A tartar-fighting agent in toothpaste, it can be the reason for itchy eruptions on the lips and around the mouth. Look for toothpaste without cinnamic acid (like Tom’s of Maine), or if you’re attached to a brand that has it, dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross recommends applying Vaseline around the mouth and chin before brushing to form a barrier.

PPD: Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is found in most permanent hair dyes. Those who are allergic will likely develop a rash not on the scalp but around the hairline on the forehead and neck and behind the ears. According to Gross, allergy to PPD seems to increase with age. Avoid contact by requesting PPD-free dyes or opting for henna and color rinses that don’t contain the irritant.

RETINOIDS: Most dermatologists will concur that despite a laundry list of antiaging and acne-fighting benefits, retinoids are also a classic irritant. “They make your skin more sensitive to the sun in the summer and more prone to dryness in the winter,” says Gross. “What really matters is the net concentration that you apply to your skin. Using something weaker more often is better than something stronger that can only be tolerated a few times per week.” Marmur also has a little retinoid magic trick: “If you want your antiaging without the red, raw skin, put on your retinoids for 15 minutes at night, then wash it off with a mild cleanser. I call it ’short-contact antiaging.’”

eating healthy

Today’s research shows that the health of our skin is in our hands, or more specifically, what our hands put into our mouths.

“Our skin is fed from the inside,” says Dr. James Ntambi, a professor of biochemistry and nutritional science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. According to research done by both Ntambi and his team, and other institutions, the commonly held and largely dermatologist-promoted belief that what we eat does not affect our skin is not entirely true.

Along with Dr. Ntambi, top dermatologists like Dr. Nicholas Perricone, author of The Clear Skin Prescription, and Dr. Alan Logan, who wrote The Clear Skin Diet, believe that eating antioxidant-rich, healthy foods will lead to improved, smooth skin. Like other body parts, our skin, which happens to be our largest organ, is at its best when we feed it well.

Below, we break down the most beneficial and harmful foods for the skin, and put to rest some untrue beliefs about the linkage between what we eat and the state of our faces.

The Myth
Eating fatty foods is bad for your skin

The Truth
This is true of saturated fats, but not all fats. Too much saturated fat, commonly found in many processed foods and junk food, can lead to an increase in sebum production, and therefore acne. Unsaturated fats, like those in olive oil and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, and avocados, are good for the skin and help it to absorb vital nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K.

The Myth
Milk causes pimples.

The Truth
It depends. Many naturopaths are quick to call milk out as a “chemical stew” that contributes to unhealthy skin. While the hormones found in much of the milk we drink are unappealing, people who notice milk makes their skin break out may be lactose intolerant. If drinking cow’s milk gives you pimples, there are always alternatives, such as goat, almond, rice, or soy milk.

The Myth
A low glycemic index diet will improve acne.

The Truth
A study by the American Journal of Nutrition found that a diet that has a low glycemic index, which means more whole grains, beans, and vegetables, and less white pasta, rice, bread, and sugar, significantly reduced acne lesions in participants. If you eat a diet with a high glycemic index, your body will create more sebum, which can block pores and cause acne, so a diet with a low glycemic index does the opposite by maintaining an healthy overall complexion.

The Myth
Chocolate causes pimples.

The Truth
This is half true, unfortunately. It’s not necessarily the chocolate, which in its darkest, purest form has antioxidant properties that are actually quite good for our bodies, it’s the sugar and fat in most chocolate bars that contribute to a spotted, wrinkled complexion. Not only do high levels of sugar and saturated fats found in chocolate bars and other candy contribute to excess lipid production in our sebaceous glands (a.k.a. pimples), but they can also decrease collagen and elastin in our skin, robbing it of vitality and youth, and causing wrinkles.

The Myth
Drinking 8 glasses of water is good for your skin.

The Truth
Some docs, such as celebrity derm Dr. Perricone, suggest drinking as many as 10 pure glasses of water each day to keep skin fully hydrated. When skin gets too dry, it not only loses important vitamins and becomes more vulnerable to the elements, but it also starts producing more oil to make up for the dehydration, which can lead to clogged pores and pimples. If you find it hard to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water throughout the day, try starting in the morning before breakfast and carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day.

The Myth
Vitamin A prevents acne.

The Truth
Vitamin A is an important part of skin health. Basically, if you don’t have enough Vitamin A in your system, your sebaceous glands produce excess lipids, causing pimples, but if you have too much vitamin A, while your pimples might not be the issue, other parts of your body, like your liver, may be negatively affected. The optimal daily intake with food and supplementation is about 15,000 IU.

The Myth
Tomatoes are nature’s sunscreen.

The Truth
Although tomatoes contain high levels of vitamins A, C, and lycopene, a carotene antioxidant that can help protect the skin against the sun, even eating an abundance of tomatoes will only give you an SPF of about 3, which is not nearly enough. You still need to wear sunscreen. Tomatoes will help protect, nourish, and make the skin more resilient, but because lycopene isn’t dietary soluble unless it is cooked, try to eat foods that contain cooked tomato pastes and sauces to get the maximum benefits.

The Myth
Vitamin supplements are OK for skin health in lieu of a nutritious diet.

The Truth
While supplements certainly help, there’s nothing like the real thing. Dr. Ntambi was recently involved in one of the National Institutes of Health panels and says they “came up with the conclusion that vitamin supplements don’t hurt us or do any harm, but you cannot rely on them entirely for full beneficial effects.” Eating a nutritious diet combined with the supplements you need is your safest bet for optimal skin health.

The Myth
Omega-3 fatty acids are good for skin.

The Truth
Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the production of leukotreine B4, which causes inflammatory acne. Because many people don’t enjoy the taste of fish, and a diet high in fish is required to get the optimal levels of omega-3 in our systems, Dr. Ntambi suggests taking a daily omega-3 supplement. However, he also urges us to try to acquire a taste for fish because it has so many other nutrients in it. You can also get your omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts, avocados, flaxseed oil, and some leafy green vegetables.

“Factory-made bras don’t fit all body types the same,”  says Anna Castellani of the Bra Smyth,a New York City store/catalog that specializes in bra alterations and special orders. To find one suited just to you:

1. Forget your supposed cup size.
Don’t discount the possibility that you may need to go up or down a cup. When you try on the bra, the fabric should not gap, flatten or squeeze you anywhere.

2. Leave yourself room to breathe.
“Most people are wider across the back than they realize,” says Castellani. To ensure a comfy fit — as well as to prevent skin-pinching and back bulges — fasten the middle clasp, then check your rear view. Any sign of fabric strain means you need a larger band size.

3. Get wired (or not).
Underwires provide the most support for B-cups and above. (A-cups may get better shaping from a wireless, lightly lined or padded bra.) The wire should rest flat against your breastbone, and its tips should not poke you under the arms.

4. Stock up.
“When you do find a bra that fits, buy as many as you can afford so that you’re not strapped if the style gets discontinued,” says Castellani.

Fact. That’s right — just like groceries, your beauty and hair products have a shelf life, too. The expiration date depends on the beauty product. Here are a couple common ones:

Mascara and Liquid Eye Liners: 3 months

Liquid Face Makeup, Cream Eye Shadow: 6 months

Powder Face Makeup, Powder Eye Shadows, Pencil Eye Liners, Lipstick, Lip gloss: 2 years

Myth 2 : Sleeping on your back may prevent wrinkles.

Fact. After hearing this, we’re never sleeping on our sides again! The American Academy of Dermatology says that sleeping in certain positions may result in “sleep lines.” After time, these lines can turn into deep-set wrinkles, so flip over and get your shut-eye on your back.

Myth 3:  Consistently wearing dark nail polish can turn your nails a yellowish hue.

Fact. This was tough news to take since dark nail polish is definitely in this season, but not to worry — this yellowing is temporary, not harmful, and can also be avoided! Before painting your nails a deep dark hue, paint on a layer of clear base coat to protect your nails from any discoloration.

Myth 4: I pluck one gray hair, multiple gray hairs will grow back in it’s place.

Fiction. This isn’t true — which is good because some of us were starting to worry! While plucking gray hairs won’t make more grow back in its place, it’s not a good habit to get into since it can damage the root.

Myth 5: Teeth whiteners can damage tooth enamel.

Fact. Make sure you follow the directions line by line when using teeth whitening products. If these products are used improperly or too frequently, it can result in permanent damage to your teeth.

Myth 6: Certain cleansers can make your pores smaller.

Fiction. Pore size is genetic, so although there are tons of products out there claiming to shrink the size of your pores, they don’t work to minimize pores permanently. What they can do is temporarily make your pores appear smaller. Hey — we’ll take what we can get!

Myth 7: Avocados can make a great skin mask.

Fact. Sounds weird, but it works! Mash one ripe avocado and mix it with a little bit of lemon juice. Apply this mask to your face and neck for an over-the-counter toner/firmer.

Myth 8: Spot reducing exercise works.

Fiction. If this were true, we’d be the happiest people on earth! Sadly, you can’t just pick one spot and do certain exercises to trim fat where you want. Aim for total body workouts like running or swimming with light free weight exercise to lose more weight and look fit and trim overall.

Myth 9: Tanning in the sun clears up bad skin.

Fiction. No way! Sun exposure just causes additional skin irritation and damage. Make sure to cover your face with a good oil-free sunblock to prevent any additional irritation if you’re going to be out in the sun.

Myth 10: Obsessive face washing can eliminate acne.

Fiction. We know it seems backward, but over-washing your face will dry it out and remove natural oils, which will put your face into over-oil production mode. Stick to washing your face twice-daily, once in the morning and once at night.

By Rachel Hayes

If you go from: brunette to reddish brown

SHADE SHIFT: Even if you keep your strand switch within a similar color family, you have to adjust your makeup — the undertones in your hair and cosmetic colors need to match.

MAKEUP FIX: “Our eye is trained to interpret color harmony as beauty,” says Surratt. So if you add, say, auburn highlights, you should ditch cool shades like bright blue and opt for warmer makeup hues such as tawny, champagne, and even a swipe of soft gray.

DIY Facial Peel Recipes

Are you tired of creamy and sticky facials? Here is the remedy to create your own natural facial peels right in your kitchen. Find out how you can have a beautiful complexion by making a soothing and refreshing mask that will clear your pores and eliminate dead cells leaving a spotless skin behind.
Facials are top notch elements of the skin care routine. Especially if we long for a constants flawless skin. Indeed their application might require a few minutes, however it is worth making a habit of their use to remove the oil excess and dirt from the surface of our complexion.

Even more because a careless skin care can lead to different disorders and acne. The key to achieve the desired effect with facial lies in the proper preparation of the skin for the peeling. It is essential to remove makeup and create a clean canvas for the following rituals.

Fruit Juice Facial Peel

Papaya and Pineapple Peel

Cucumber and Tea Peel

Learn how to make soothing Homemade Facial Peels for a beautiful complexion.

cheekbones.

Eva Longoria attended the Hollywood Reporter’s Annual Women in Entertainment event wearing an uber-sexy wavy hairstyle with lots of volume and great shape. Her hair is parted to one side, then blown out for smoothness and body at the crown. Ends were wrapped from mid-shaft to ends around a medium-barrel curling iron.