Friday, November 18, 2011

30 Days to a Better Butt



Sideways Step, Starting Position

1. Starting position: Stand with feet slightly apart. Bend your knees and lean forward into a crouching position.



Sideways Step, The Move (a)

2a. The move: Staying in the crouch position, take a fast step to the side with your left foot.



Sideways Step, The Move (b)

2b. Quickly bring your right foot over to meet the left foot, tapping the ball of the right foot on the floor. Repeat by stepping your right foot out, with your left foot coming to meet it. A rep includes movement of both left and right feet. For an added challenge, quicken the pace.



Kickback, Starting Position

1. Starting position: Get down on knees and forearms.



Kickback, The Move

2. The move: Starting with the left, bend leg at a 90-degree angle, then flex foot and lift toward the ceiling. Being careful not to move pelvis, pulse foot three to four inches toward the ceiling. After 15 reps, switch legs.



Kickback, Variation

3. Variation: To increase difficulty and isolate the muscles you're targeting, use a resistance ball. It comes in three sizes and is about $30 in most sporting goods stores. Place the ball (we used a medium) between the calf and thigh of the leg you are lifting. Repeat from Step 2.



Backward Lunge, Starting Position

1. Starting position: Stand with feet hip-width apart.



Backward Lunge, The Move

2. The move: Step backward with left leg, keeping heel off floor. Bend both knees until right thigh is parallel to floor and left thigh is perpendicular to it. Pause, then return to starting position. Click arrow to see a variation on this exercise.

Backward Lunge, Variation

3. Variation: Repeat from Step 2, holding onto a chair and placing top of foot on resistance ball (ball will slide).



Lifting Crunch, Starting Position

1. Starting position: Lie on your back with knees bent, feet slightly apart, arms down at your sides.



Lifting Crunch, The Move

2. The move: Squeeze glutes together and tighten your abdominals. Continue to squeeze glutes as you raise your pelvis toward the ceiling, lifting as high as you can. Hold for three counts. Keeping glutes tight, slowly lower your pelvis down to the floor, starting with your midback and ending with your tailbone.



Lifting Crunch, Variation

3. Variation: Rest calves on ball. Repeat from Step 2.

Via Exercises to Tone Your Butt in 30 Days - Real Beauty

Retail Therapy: The Sheer Trend



If You're Slender…
Pick a knit fabric that will cling to (and accent) whatever curves you've got. Sweetheart necklines also create the appearance of a feminine bust-line. Opt for a sexy tease, and look for dresses like this one with a polka dot panel and arm-lengthening covered sleeves.



If You Want to Hide a Tummy…
Look for an interesting neckline that'll steal all the attention. The romantic, buttoned V-neck of this poet's blouse is dreamy to the point of distraction. Good thing, since the roomy middle section is perfect for accommodating a few extra pounds.



If You Want to Cover Your Upper Arms…
Love the look of gauzy blouses but terrified of baring your trouble zones? These sleeves are double-layered mesh, giving you and your upper arms extra coverage from scrutiny. Plus, the dainty flowers are girly and add more camouflage from any jiggle.



If You're Short…
Lengthen your bod by shopping for blouses with vertical seams, ruffles, or piping. This pick's fluttery accents are a flirty way to stretch out your torso, giving the impression of extra inches.



If You Want to Enhance Your Bust…
Shop for a fun print like these bright stripes. The busy pattern will trick eyes into making your build look bigger, and a flouncy ruffle at the neckline will fake some bust, too.



If You're Busty…
A high-necked frock paired with full sleeves can feel a bit dowdy. Keep your chest covered, but show a little skin with these sweet-but-sexy lace cap sleeves. They're trendy, but easy to wear no matter your undergarment needs.


Via Sheer Clothing 2011 - Flattering Sheer Clothes - Real Beauty

33 Weird and Whacky Beauty Facts



Milk & Honey Bath

Lactic acid, found in milk, is a natural skin-softener, said Darrell McCurtain, a therapist at the Golden Door Spa. If filling an entire tub feels too indulgent, try using a small basin to soak feet or hands, or add a few cups to your bath water. Throw in a few teaspoons of honey to capture its anti-bacterial effect.



Red Wine

We cheered the news that red wine is good for our health, and McCurtain told us it's fab for your skin, too! "The antioxidants and polyphenols found in wine are good for softening skin, and they're easily absorbed through through it as well." Similar to the milk bath, fill your whole tub if you're feeling luxe (or lush), or try in smaller doses like a foot or hand soak.



Boxers

Curly-haired ladies should borrow a (clean!) pair of their man's boxers to dry their locks, since a towel's fibers can actually increase frizziness. Simple cotton is far less agitating. "My best friend will literally jump out of the shower and wear her boyfriend's boxers on her head to help dry her hair and keep it up and out of her face so she can put makeup on," said Dallin James, hair stylist at the Marie Robinson Salon.



Lettuce & Spinach

Fight wrinkles and keep hair and nails healthy by fortifying your diet with lots of silicone-rich foods, suggests beauty nutritionist Paula Simpson. Smart buys include Romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumber, bell pepper, and tomatoes (including the skin).



Celery Seed

Start digging through your spice rack–Simpson identified celery seed as a natural diuretic to combat bloating. She suggested a simple tea recipe to reap the benefits: Pour one cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of crushed seeds, steep for 10 to 20 minutes, and sip.



Parsley

"Ever wonder why there's a fresh sprig of parsley on your dinner plate when you're at a restaurant?" said Simpson. It might be that your host wants to help you avoid awkward conversations later. "It's thought that parsley contains antibacterial properties helpful for fighting bad breath." To make it work for you, chew on a fresh sprig–dried versions won't work.



Honey

As an esthetician at Utah's Golden Door Spa, Jodi Ranson has learned a thing or two about caring for dry, cracked lips. "Honey! It helps to heal and hydrate, plus the anti-viral properties make it good for healing cold sores, too."



Green Tea Bags

Chilled, already-steeped green tea bags are an easy way to fight puffy circles in the morning. Ranson recommends steeping two and letting them sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. The coolness will feel amazing, and the brew's caffeine will help increase micro-circulation.



Caffeine

Espresso shot before your next run, anyone? An American College of Sports Medicine study found that consuming caffeine such as coffee, iced tea, or soda (diet!) can help increase physical performance during your workout. "Drink a caffeinated beverage before your workout!" suggested Dr. Elizabeth Applegate, a professor at UC Davis.



Lemons

Lemon juice combined with tea is an easy fix for oily hair. "The lemon works as a great astringent but doesn't ruin the pH balance of the hair and scalp," explains TRESemmé celebrity stylist Jeanie Syfu. Do half lemon juice, half black tea and rinse through clean hair.



Olive Oil

"If you have untamable curly locks, try mixing a dime-sized amount of olive oil in with your regular styling cream. You'll get smooth texture and unbeatable shine," said DuWop's National Training Manager, Jason Garner.



...And Again

Garner's quick and easy tip to "make your body feel like silk"? Yup—more olive oil! "After a shower while your skin's still damp, apply olive oil all over your body and pat dry with a damp towel." It's moisturizing and dead sexy.



More Olive Oil

In a pinch, olive oil can remove eye makeup! "A small amount of olive oil on a cotton pad can gently remove the toughest makeup," says Joette Balsamo, makeup artist at the Marie Robinson Salon. "Just be sure to remove any oil residue with a clean pad dipped in water." Is that a walk-of-shame tip, or what?



Moisturizing Lotion

Celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger said to try using your regular moisturizing lotion as conditioner for your hair. "It's great hydration for your scalp!"



Avocados

This guac-like concoction works wonders on your hair, too. Hershberger's recipe calls for mashing up one to two avocados (depending on how much hair you've got), working through your hair, and letting sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.



Cranberry Juice

Take a bottle of cranberry juice into the shower with you next time, says Hershberger. A quick rinse will boost hair's shine–especially if you're a redhead!

Read more: Weird Beauty Facts and Myths - True Beauty Myths - Real Beauty



Salt

Save money on sea-salt spritzes by bottling your own. Combine water, a few teaspoons of sea salt and a dash of olive oil in a spray bottle, shake, and spray, said Hershberger.



Club Soda

Hershberger suggests fighting frizz with seltzer. Rinse clean hair with unflavored club soda to smooth strands.



Toilet Seat Covers

"When in dire need, a toilet seat cover can be used as blotting paper," said LORAC creator and celeb makeup artist Carol Shaw. Sometimes shine-fighting is just that important.



Apple Cider Vinegar

After spending time as a celebrity makeup artist, Shaw's learned a thing or two about relaxing. Her easiest recommendation? Taking a bath with a few cups of apple cider vinegar to detox and de-stress.



Black Tea

Beat stinky feet by soaking tootsies in a black tea bath. C.O. Bigelow Proprietor, Ian Ginsberg, said the tea's tannins are good at neutralizing odor.



Baking Soda

Polish-free nails look prettiest when clean—Ginsberg's trick is sprinkling baking soda on a lemon wedge and rubbing it on nails for a fresh white look.



Brushing Your Hair

We've all heard the old wives' tale that you should luxuriously brush your hair every night...well, it's actually true! "One hundred strokes a night for lustrous looking hair," says Ginsberg. "The oils disperse through the hair and keep strands and scalp healthy."



Another Lemon Trick

Forget pricey creams and serums. Ginsberg's pick for a brighter complexion is probably already in your kitchen (or at least at the neighborhood grocery store). "Rub a lemon on your face!"



Silk Pillowcase

Protect your lovingly cared-for strands even while you sleep. Edward Tricomi, lead stylist and co-owner of Warren-Tricomi salons, suggested investing in a silk pillowcase. It will help avoid tangled tresses, keep your style longer, and, most noticeably, make hair silkier.



Beer

Beer here! Lager lather is good for your hair, according to Jovani Van Orden, hairstylist at the Golden Door Spa at Waldorf-Astoria Park City. "The proteins from the malt and hops coat the hair and build it up, repairing damage. Plus, it leaves your hair with wonderful body!" Boil 3/4 cup of beer until it reduces to 1/4 cup, let cool, and add to 1 cup of regular shampoo.



Flax Seed Oil

Stimulate lash growth the natural way by dabbing flax seed oil on your lash line with a Q-tip, says IT Cosmetics Head of Creative Operations, Jacqueline Finnan. It contains omega-3, -6, and -9, along with B vitamins and lecithin to repair lash damage and get them growing.



An Herbal Poulitice

Fight acne with a time-tested poultice (an herb paste wrapped in cotton cloth). Josie Feria, Director of Spa Operations at Lapis spa, suggests grinding a mixture of herbs, such as dandelion and yellow dock, and slowly adding warm water to achieve a paste consistency. Once blended, put the paste into a clean piece of cotton fabric, secure, and let sit on affected area until the paste has dried. Helpful for fighting acne-inflamed skin, the trick is also good for sunburned skin.



Chamomile Tea

Steeped chamomile tea bags can do wonders for your complexion. Edyta Perkowska of New York's Haven Spa recommended using them warmed for irritated spots on the face, and chilled to combat puffy eyes.



Egg Whites

Oily skin? Paint a thin layer of egg whites over a freshly washed face to help fight shine, suggested Perkowska.



Oatmeal

Plan a spa day at home next weekend with this easy oatmeal mask. Perkowska's recipe calls for cooking a serving of oatmeal with milk and reducing the amount called for to ensure the mixture stays super thick. Leave on for 10 minutes for exfoliating super-power.



Mint

Tired of trying to fight oily strands? Prevent them with this easy mint-infused shampoo, courtesy of InStyler celebrity hairstylist Dean Banowetz. Add a few bunches of mint to water, boil, strain, and add the minty water to your regular shampoo (use a 2-to-1 ratio, with more shampoo than water). Cleanse and condition hair as usual, using the mint concoction weekly.

Mayonaise

Frizzy locks will benefit from a staple cookout condiment–mayo! Banowetz said to combine two teaspoons of natural eucalyptus tree oil with 1/4 cup of mayo and use in the shower post-shampoo, letting it saturate your locks for ten minutes.

Via Weird Beauty Facts and Myths - True Beauty Myths - Real Beauty
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