Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
33 Ways To Make Your Eyes Look Bigger
From erasing dark circles to lengthening wimpy lashes, we got the scoop from top-tier beauty pro's on how to troubleshoot tired eyes.
Stencil Your Brows
"Before you tweeze, use a beige pencil to color over the hairs you want to remove. This takes the guesswork out of grooming and prevents you from over-plucking," says makeup artist Charlotte Willer, whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss.
Lash Out
"To get your longest-looking lashes, start by taking the tip of the mascara wand and apply formula directly to the ends of your lashes in an upwards direction," advises Madonna's go-to makeup maven, Gina Brooke. "For thickness, wait a few seconds, and continue to apply mascara to the base of the lashes using quick right-to-left strokes. This all works to coat the lashes as much as possible."
Twin Peaks
"Using two different eye shadow shades from the same color family creates instant dimension on your lids," explains celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey. "I did this for Katy Perry when she attended the Smurf's premiere, and the effect was dazzling."
Pop It and Lock It
"To appear more doe-eyed, concentrate color at the middle of the lash lines," notes celebrity makeup artist, Sarah Lucero (Katherine Heigl and Olivia Wilde are fans). "You can apply a thicker line on the top lashes and fade it out to the sides, but keep the color focused on the highest and lowest points to emphasize the widest section of your eye shape."
Get the Blues
"Experiment with blue-hued eyeliner," says QVC-regular, Laura Geller. "The cooler tones will make the whites of your eyes appear brighter."
Go for Seconds
"Doubling up on mascara coats along your top lashes will create a lifting effect for droopy lids. I like to use wands with angled bristles so I can catch every hair," says makeup artist, Daniel Martin, who routinely created the face look for this season's Chris Benz fashion show.
Curl It On Up
"When you curl your lashes, start at the root of your lash and gently pulse the curler shut three times. Then, move the curler half way up the length of your eye lashes and repeat. This will ensure that you'll get a natural curl, instead of a funky crimp," explains wedding makeup expert, Raychel Wade.
Follow the Crease
"To get the most out of the natural contour of your eye, only apply liner as far as your crease extends," explains celebrity makeup artist, Joanna Schlip (Eva Longoria and Jessica Simpson are among her many clients).
Use a Top Coat
"After applying mascara, use a dermatologist-tested top coat to make your lashes look inky black and shiny," recommends Brooke.
Color Wheel (and Deal)
"As a general rule of thumb, warm sandy shades are great for women with green eyes. Pinks and golds complement brown-eyed girls. And blue hues work for everyone," says Bailey.
"Curl your lashes!
Everyone says it, but few people do it daily," Brooke notes.
Kohl It
"Try soft, kohl eye pencils if you have trouble blending other formulas. When in doubt, use a Q-Tip to feather the pigments towards your crease. This will emphasize the hood of your eye," says Wade.
Lighten Up
"Especially if you're wearing glasses, use light colors on your lids to draw attention to the shape of your eyes," Geller adds.
Go Bright
"If you think smoky eye makeup makes your eye area appear smaller, experiment with brighter shades to get an exaggerated look without the moody side effects," recommends Wade.
Try Peach
"Salma Hayek actually taught me to use peachy, pink concealers, instead of yellow-based ones, to erase under-eye circles. The orange undertones are better for camouflaging blue tones," Bailey tells us.
Splurge When Needed
"Invest in a quality eyelash curler. The extra padding and gentle hinge technology will make it harder for you to accidentally break any hair follicles," warns Bailey.
Swoop For Coverage
"After you apply concealer to your under-eye area, use a makeup sponge to lightly buff out any globs. To prevent distracting streaks, you should blend all the way out to your temples to catch any lingering foundation traces," Bailey adds.
Beam Some Light
"Don't be afraid to use a light, illuminating highlighter to open up the eye area," explains Geller. "You won't look like a glitter-happy middle schooler if you brim soft, light reflective pigments along the inner corner of the eyes and the contour of your brow bones."
Mind the Line
"Always remember to keep the majority of color and product around the lash line," says Lucero. "This creates structure and shape, which ultimately helps to enhance eye size."
Try Creams
"As colder, drier months approach, try a cream-based eye shadow to prevent flaky lids," recommends Bailey. "They don't crease as much as powders, and you won't need to prep the eye area to ensure staying power."
Go Ombre
"A great eye-opening trick is to apply a light color eye shadow on the base of your eyelid and a darker color at the crease. This adds dimension to you face," Willer tells us.
Go Natural
"To really make your eyes pop, dab a pearl-colored eyeliner along the inner corner of your eyes to illuminate the area around your nose," notes Willer. "The key is to choose a beige pencil instead of a stark, white one, because it looks more natural."
Blend Away
"When applying shadow in the crease, extend your brush strokes up towards the contour of the brow bone to illuminate the curve of your profile," Schlip says.
Outsource
"Don't be afraid to try false eyelashes," recommends Lucero. "There's a reason why they're so popular."
Tidy Up
"Groom your brows!" exclaims Wade. "Even if you have a nice, natural arch, a few errant hairs can pull attention downward. Keeping a clean shape will also make your eyelids look bigger."
Warm Shades
"For more impact, sweep warm-colored eye shadow shades along your lower lashes," notes Brooke. "This draws attention to the whole contour of your eye."
Powder Power
"Shade your natural eye contour with a pressed powder two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone," adds Martin. "This trick creates the look of having larger eyes without using a lot of makeup. Plus, it always looks great in pictures."
Dot the Line
"After you apply mascara, dot liquid eyeliner between your lashes to fill in any sparse spots. This will also help to elongate the line of your eyes," Martin adds.
Let It Gel
"Use soft pops of color to draw attention to your eyes," advises Schlip. "I like gel liners in purple, navy, green, or violet, because I can smudge them easily into the crease after application."
Stick to Liquids
"Use liquid concealers instead of cream-based ones to cover your under-eye area," Bailey says. "They won't settle into lines and creases like thicker, opaque formulas."
Fill 'Em In
"The best way to look wide-eyed sans makeup is to keep your brows thick and full," explains Schlip. "If nothing else, use a pencil to fill in any bare spots along your arches before you head out the door."
The Bottom Line
"An easy way to enlarge eyes with minimal effort is to line your lower lids with a shimmering shadow," adds Lucero. "Avoid dark hues for daytime, but try mixing in bolder navy, plum, or gunmetal pigments to get a sexier look for happy hour."
Get Pouty
"Wearing a bright lip color with no mascara or shadows on your eye can also make your eyes look bigger," Martin notes. "Just be sure to cancel out any uneven tones around the eye first with color-correcting concealer."
Via Real Beauty
Stencil Your Brows
"Before you tweeze, use a beige pencil to color over the hairs you want to remove. This takes the guesswork out of grooming and prevents you from over-plucking," says makeup artist Charlotte Willer, whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss.
Lash Out
"To get your longest-looking lashes, start by taking the tip of the mascara wand and apply formula directly to the ends of your lashes in an upwards direction," advises Madonna's go-to makeup maven, Gina Brooke. "For thickness, wait a few seconds, and continue to apply mascara to the base of the lashes using quick right-to-left strokes. This all works to coat the lashes as much as possible."
Twin Peaks
"Using two different eye shadow shades from the same color family creates instant dimension on your lids," explains celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey. "I did this for Katy Perry when she attended the Smurf's premiere, and the effect was dazzling."
Pop It and Lock It
"To appear more doe-eyed, concentrate color at the middle of the lash lines," notes celebrity makeup artist, Sarah Lucero (Katherine Heigl and Olivia Wilde are fans). "You can apply a thicker line on the top lashes and fade it out to the sides, but keep the color focused on the highest and lowest points to emphasize the widest section of your eye shape."
Get the Blues
"Experiment with blue-hued eyeliner," says QVC-regular, Laura Geller. "The cooler tones will make the whites of your eyes appear brighter."
Go for Seconds
"Doubling up on mascara coats along your top lashes will create a lifting effect for droopy lids. I like to use wands with angled bristles so I can catch every hair," says makeup artist, Daniel Martin, who routinely created the face look for this season's Chris Benz fashion show.
Curl It On Up
"When you curl your lashes, start at the root of your lash and gently pulse the curler shut three times. Then, move the curler half way up the length of your eye lashes and repeat. This will ensure that you'll get a natural curl, instead of a funky crimp," explains wedding makeup expert, Raychel Wade.
Follow the Crease
"To get the most out of the natural contour of your eye, only apply liner as far as your crease extends," explains celebrity makeup artist, Joanna Schlip (Eva Longoria and Jessica Simpson are among her many clients).
Use a Top Coat
"After applying mascara, use a dermatologist-tested top coat to make your lashes look inky black and shiny," recommends Brooke.
Color Wheel (and Deal)
"As a general rule of thumb, warm sandy shades are great for women with green eyes. Pinks and golds complement brown-eyed girls. And blue hues work for everyone," says Bailey.
"Curl your lashes!
Everyone says it, but few people do it daily," Brooke notes.
Kohl It
"Try soft, kohl eye pencils if you have trouble blending other formulas. When in doubt, use a Q-Tip to feather the pigments towards your crease. This will emphasize the hood of your eye," says Wade.
Lighten Up
"Especially if you're wearing glasses, use light colors on your lids to draw attention to the shape of your eyes," Geller adds.
Go Bright
"If you think smoky eye makeup makes your eye area appear smaller, experiment with brighter shades to get an exaggerated look without the moody side effects," recommends Wade.
Try Peach
"Salma Hayek actually taught me to use peachy, pink concealers, instead of yellow-based ones, to erase under-eye circles. The orange undertones are better for camouflaging blue tones," Bailey tells us.
Splurge When Needed
"Invest in a quality eyelash curler. The extra padding and gentle hinge technology will make it harder for you to accidentally break any hair follicles," warns Bailey.
Swoop For Coverage
"After you apply concealer to your under-eye area, use a makeup sponge to lightly buff out any globs. To prevent distracting streaks, you should blend all the way out to your temples to catch any lingering foundation traces," Bailey adds.
Beam Some Light
"Don't be afraid to use a light, illuminating highlighter to open up the eye area," explains Geller. "You won't look like a glitter-happy middle schooler if you brim soft, light reflective pigments along the inner corner of the eyes and the contour of your brow bones."
Mind the Line
"Always remember to keep the majority of color and product around the lash line," says Lucero. "This creates structure and shape, which ultimately helps to enhance eye size."
Try Creams
"As colder, drier months approach, try a cream-based eye shadow to prevent flaky lids," recommends Bailey. "They don't crease as much as powders, and you won't need to prep the eye area to ensure staying power."
Go Ombre
"A great eye-opening trick is to apply a light color eye shadow on the base of your eyelid and a darker color at the crease. This adds dimension to you face," Willer tells us.
Go Natural
"To really make your eyes pop, dab a pearl-colored eyeliner along the inner corner of your eyes to illuminate the area around your nose," notes Willer. "The key is to choose a beige pencil instead of a stark, white one, because it looks more natural."
Blend Away
"When applying shadow in the crease, extend your brush strokes up towards the contour of the brow bone to illuminate the curve of your profile," Schlip says.
Outsource
"Don't be afraid to try false eyelashes," recommends Lucero. "There's a reason why they're so popular."
Tidy Up
"Groom your brows!" exclaims Wade. "Even if you have a nice, natural arch, a few errant hairs can pull attention downward. Keeping a clean shape will also make your eyelids look bigger."
Warm Shades
"For more impact, sweep warm-colored eye shadow shades along your lower lashes," notes Brooke. "This draws attention to the whole contour of your eye."
Powder Power
"Shade your natural eye contour with a pressed powder two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone," adds Martin. "This trick creates the look of having larger eyes without using a lot of makeup. Plus, it always looks great in pictures."
Dot the Line
"After you apply mascara, dot liquid eyeliner between your lashes to fill in any sparse spots. This will also help to elongate the line of your eyes," Martin adds.
Let It Gel
"Use soft pops of color to draw attention to your eyes," advises Schlip. "I like gel liners in purple, navy, green, or violet, because I can smudge them easily into the crease after application."
Stick to Liquids
"Use liquid concealers instead of cream-based ones to cover your under-eye area," Bailey says. "They won't settle into lines and creases like thicker, opaque formulas."
Fill 'Em In
"The best way to look wide-eyed sans makeup is to keep your brows thick and full," explains Schlip. "If nothing else, use a pencil to fill in any bare spots along your arches before you head out the door."
The Bottom Line
"An easy way to enlarge eyes with minimal effort is to line your lower lids with a shimmering shadow," adds Lucero. "Avoid dark hues for daytime, but try mixing in bolder navy, plum, or gunmetal pigments to get a sexier look for happy hour."
Get Pouty
"Wearing a bright lip color with no mascara or shadows on your eye can also make your eyes look bigger," Martin notes. "Just be sure to cancel out any uneven tones around the eye first with color-correcting concealer."
Via Real Beauty
Heart Attack: 7 Signs You're Having a Heart Attack
Heart Attack Red Flags
Extreme fatigue
In the days or even weeks before a heart attack, more than 70% of women experience debilitating, flulike exhaustion. You may suddenly feel too tired to cook dinner or lift your laptop.
Mild pain
Rather than the elephant on the chest, women may feel less severe pain--and not always in the region of the heart. Pressure or achiness can occur in the breastbone, upper back, shoulders, neck, or jaw.
Profuse sweating
You may find yourself suddenly drenched in perspiration for no apparent reason, or your face may be pale or ashen.
Nausea or dizziness
Prior to a heart attack, women often have indigestion or even vomit. You may also feel like you're about to pass out.
Breathlessness
Almost 58% of women report panting or inability to carry on a conversation because they couldn't catch their breath.
Sleeplessness
Nearly half of women have trouble falling asleep or wake up during the night in the weeks before a coronary.
Anxiety
"Many women experience a sense of impending doom or fear before a heart attack," says Dr. Legato, though experts don't necessarily understand why. Nonetheless, it's real and it matters. "That's your body telling you to pay attention. Trust those instincts," she advises.
Your Three-Step Survival Plan
1. Call 911 Don't make the common mistake of driving yourself to the hospital: You're endangering yourself and others on the road. And don't ask someone else to take you. In the ambulance, treatment can begin immediately, and the driver can speed you to the nearest medical center equipped to deal with acute cardiac arrest (because not all hospitals are).
2. Take an aspirin Keep a supply of full-strength uncoated aspirin in your home and purse, and chew and swallow one with water as soon as symptoms start. This can help prevent blood clotting and the damage it causes.
3. Get pushy at the ER--or have a friend or relative be your advocate. Forcefully say, "I think I'm having a heart attack," and insist on seeing a doctor within 10 minutes of arriving. The number one reason women give for not getting medical attention-they don't want to bother anyone--doesn't improve your chances of survival. Not only should you get an EKG to check your heart function, but you should also insist on blood tests to detect heart damage, because EKGs are not always as accurate for women as they are for men. Do not leave the hospital until you've been evaluated by a cardiologist.
Via Prevention
Extreme fatigue
In the days or even weeks before a heart attack, more than 70% of women experience debilitating, flulike exhaustion. You may suddenly feel too tired to cook dinner or lift your laptop.
Mild pain
Rather than the elephant on the chest, women may feel less severe pain--and not always in the region of the heart. Pressure or achiness can occur in the breastbone, upper back, shoulders, neck, or jaw.
Profuse sweating
You may find yourself suddenly drenched in perspiration for no apparent reason, or your face may be pale or ashen.
Nausea or dizziness
Prior to a heart attack, women often have indigestion or even vomit. You may also feel like you're about to pass out.
Breathlessness
Almost 58% of women report panting or inability to carry on a conversation because they couldn't catch their breath.
Sleeplessness
Nearly half of women have trouble falling asleep or wake up during the night in the weeks before a coronary.
Anxiety
"Many women experience a sense of impending doom or fear before a heart attack," says Dr. Legato, though experts don't necessarily understand why. Nonetheless, it's real and it matters. "That's your body telling you to pay attention. Trust those instincts," she advises.
Your Three-Step Survival Plan
1. Call 911 Don't make the common mistake of driving yourself to the hospital: You're endangering yourself and others on the road. And don't ask someone else to take you. In the ambulance, treatment can begin immediately, and the driver can speed you to the nearest medical center equipped to deal with acute cardiac arrest (because not all hospitals are).
2. Take an aspirin Keep a supply of full-strength uncoated aspirin in your home and purse, and chew and swallow one with water as soon as symptoms start. This can help prevent blood clotting and the damage it causes.
3. Get pushy at the ER--or have a friend or relative be your advocate. Forcefully say, "I think I'm having a heart attack," and insist on seeing a doctor within 10 minutes of arriving. The number one reason women give for not getting medical attention-they don't want to bother anyone--doesn't improve your chances of survival. Not only should you get an EKG to check your heart function, but you should also insist on blood tests to detect heart damage, because EKGs are not always as accurate for women as they are for men. Do not leave the hospital until you've been evaluated by a cardiologist.
Via Prevention
8 Lazy Ways To Flatten Your Belly
How to get flatter abs without starving or sweating—fast
1. Stand up straight
Standing up taller can make you look 5 pounds slimmer, says Deborah L. Mullen, a certified strength and conditioning specialist in San Luis Obispo, CA. How can you make it a habit? Try Pilates. According to a 6-month pilot study of 18 chronic back pain sufferers, Pilates is one of the best ways to improve posture and strengthen your ab and back muscles.
Jessica Cassity, Prevention’s senior fitness editor and a certified Pilates instructor, suggests two moves you can actually do while you’re still in bed that will set you straight for the day:
1. Belly Ins: Draw belly to spine.. Slowly, flattening lower back to bed by using your core (not your butt or legs), press belly down on an exhale, release on an inhale. Do 10 times.
2. Roll and Reach: Sit upright with legs bent and pressed together, feet flat on the bed. Reach forward over knees, palms down. Slowly, roll halfway down, then twist right. Reach right fingertips to the low back diagonal (if you’re facing the foot of your bed, you’ll reach toward to top right corner), while stretching left fingertips forward. Twist back to center, bringing right arm front and rolling up to sit. Repeat to left for one rep. Do 8 reps.
2. Dress in belly-flattening fashions
The right outfit can pull off a multitude of belly-flattening miracles. Meg Goldman (meggoldman.com), a New York City stylist who dresses women of all shapes and sizes—including curvy Weight Watchers success stories—shares her best belly-flattening tips.
•Choose fabrics wisely. Avoid lightweight knits, Lycra, and other stretch fabrics that highlight and emphasize rolls or bulges. Opt for woven fabrics (like woven cotton, silk or rayon blends, and lightweight wool blends) that skim the body rather than cling to it.
•Shop for a shift dress or wrap dress. The shift is a great way to show off your arms and legs, if they’re your best assets, drawing less attention to the midsection. The wrap creates a waistline and shows off a beautiful neck and bust.
•Pick tops made of woven fabrics as well. Shirts with detailing around the neckline and accessorized by a great piece of jewelry draw the eyes up to the face—and away from the stomach and hips. Blouses and tops with a small ruffle down the center are good for diverting attention away from the midsection as well. Wrap tops also slim quite nicely if they aren’t made from thin, stretchy fabric.
•Cinch your waist with a wide belt in a dark color. This separates the hips and bust, drawing the eyes to the center of the body. Look for one in soft leather that will mold with the body’s natural curves.
•Experiment with small patterns, like florals and geometrics, which tend to disguise bumps and rolls. Wear floral tops with a solid dark bottom to slim your lower half.
3. Turn in an hour earlier
You’ll be less likely to overeat the next day. Eating right and exercising regularly help ward off both stress and belly fat, but only if you’re getting enough sleep. Skimping on sleep causes levels of the stress hormone cortisol to rise, along with levels of deep abdominal fat. "There’s a definite association between lack of sleep, increased stress hormones, and weight gain," says Auburn University exercise researcher Michele Olson, PhD. In a 6-year study, Canadian researchers found that adults who averaged just 5 or 6 hours of shut-eye a night were 35% more likely to gain 10-plus pounds and were nearly 60% heavier around the middle than those who slept 7 to 8 hours. Now that’s a reason to skip Leno.
4. Swap soda for Sassy Water
A nice carbonated beverage can hit the spot when you’re thirsty. But you’ll have to skip the bubbles while you’re on a middle-shrinking mission—nutritionist Palinski says the gas will make your belly poof up right away. Drink plain old tap water to stay hydrated—and make sure you get at least eight glasses a day.
One delicious alternative: Flat Belly Diet Sassy Water (the eating plan’s signature drink). The special ingredients aren’t just there for flavor, either: The ginger helps calm and soothe your GI tract.
5. Munch more whole grains and protein
Trading refined carbs for whole grains is not only healthy, it can actually help you shed belly fat, too, according to research from a Pennsylvania State University study. Dieters in the study who ate whole grains shed more than twice as much abdominal fat as those who ate none. Whole grains reduce the production of insulin, a hormone that encourages fat storage, making it easier to lose belly fat. Add another belly fat‚Äìfighting component to your meal by packing in protein-rich foods. In a Danish study of 60 men and women, those following a diet that included 25% of calories from protein lost nearly twice as much fat after 6 months than those eating a diet with 12% protein. Include a serving of lean protein with each meal and snack—eggs for breakfast, a turkey sandwich for lunch, low-fat or fat-free yogurt or milk for a snack, and grilled fish and vegetables for dinner.
6. Have watermelon for dessert
The amino acid arginine, abundant in watermelon, might promote weight loss, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition. Researchers supplemented the diets of obese mice with arginine over 3 months and found that doing so decreased body fat gains by a whopping 64%. Adding this amino acid to the diet enhanced the oxidation of fat and glucose and increased lean muscle, which burns more calories than fat does. Snack on watermelon in the summer, and eat other arginine sources, such as seafood, nuts, and seeds, year-round.
7. Add this cupboard staple to your diet
The primary substance that gives ordinary vinegar its sour taste and strong odor may fight fat, suggests new research presented at a recent meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science. In a study of 175 overweight Japanese men and women, those who consumed a drink containing either 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks had significantly lower body weight, BMI, visceral fat, and waist circumference than the control group that didn’t consume any vinegar. Researchers credit vinegar’s acetic acid, which may switch on genes that pump out proteins that break down fat.
8. Go slowly at meals
Under stress, we tend to scarf down even healthy food. In fact, research has linked this behavior to bigger portions and more belly fat. But Elissa Epel, PhD, a researcher on stress eating at the University of California, San Francisco, hypothesizes that slowing down, savoring each bite, and paying attention to feelings of fullness may lower cortisol levels along with decreasing the amount of food you eat, thereby shifting the distribution of fat away from the belly.
Via Prevention
1. Stand up straight
Standing up taller can make you look 5 pounds slimmer, says Deborah L. Mullen, a certified strength and conditioning specialist in San Luis Obispo, CA. How can you make it a habit? Try Pilates. According to a 6-month pilot study of 18 chronic back pain sufferers, Pilates is one of the best ways to improve posture and strengthen your ab and back muscles.
Jessica Cassity, Prevention’s senior fitness editor and a certified Pilates instructor, suggests two moves you can actually do while you’re still in bed that will set you straight for the day:
1. Belly Ins: Draw belly to spine.. Slowly, flattening lower back to bed by using your core (not your butt or legs), press belly down on an exhale, release on an inhale. Do 10 times.
2. Roll and Reach: Sit upright with legs bent and pressed together, feet flat on the bed. Reach forward over knees, palms down. Slowly, roll halfway down, then twist right. Reach right fingertips to the low back diagonal (if you’re facing the foot of your bed, you’ll reach toward to top right corner), while stretching left fingertips forward. Twist back to center, bringing right arm front and rolling up to sit. Repeat to left for one rep. Do 8 reps.
2. Dress in belly-flattening fashions
The right outfit can pull off a multitude of belly-flattening miracles. Meg Goldman (meggoldman.com), a New York City stylist who dresses women of all shapes and sizes—including curvy Weight Watchers success stories—shares her best belly-flattening tips.
•Choose fabrics wisely. Avoid lightweight knits, Lycra, and other stretch fabrics that highlight and emphasize rolls or bulges. Opt for woven fabrics (like woven cotton, silk or rayon blends, and lightweight wool blends) that skim the body rather than cling to it.
•Shop for a shift dress or wrap dress. The shift is a great way to show off your arms and legs, if they’re your best assets, drawing less attention to the midsection. The wrap creates a waistline and shows off a beautiful neck and bust.
•Pick tops made of woven fabrics as well. Shirts with detailing around the neckline and accessorized by a great piece of jewelry draw the eyes up to the face—and away from the stomach and hips. Blouses and tops with a small ruffle down the center are good for diverting attention away from the midsection as well. Wrap tops also slim quite nicely if they aren’t made from thin, stretchy fabric.
•Cinch your waist with a wide belt in a dark color. This separates the hips and bust, drawing the eyes to the center of the body. Look for one in soft leather that will mold with the body’s natural curves.
•Experiment with small patterns, like florals and geometrics, which tend to disguise bumps and rolls. Wear floral tops with a solid dark bottom to slim your lower half.
3. Turn in an hour earlier
You’ll be less likely to overeat the next day. Eating right and exercising regularly help ward off both stress and belly fat, but only if you’re getting enough sleep. Skimping on sleep causes levels of the stress hormone cortisol to rise, along with levels of deep abdominal fat. "There’s a definite association between lack of sleep, increased stress hormones, and weight gain," says Auburn University exercise researcher Michele Olson, PhD. In a 6-year study, Canadian researchers found that adults who averaged just 5 or 6 hours of shut-eye a night were 35% more likely to gain 10-plus pounds and were nearly 60% heavier around the middle than those who slept 7 to 8 hours. Now that’s a reason to skip Leno.
4. Swap soda for Sassy Water
A nice carbonated beverage can hit the spot when you’re thirsty. But you’ll have to skip the bubbles while you’re on a middle-shrinking mission—nutritionist Palinski says the gas will make your belly poof up right away. Drink plain old tap water to stay hydrated—and make sure you get at least eight glasses a day.
One delicious alternative: Flat Belly Diet Sassy Water (the eating plan’s signature drink). The special ingredients aren’t just there for flavor, either: The ginger helps calm and soothe your GI tract.
5. Munch more whole grains and protein
Trading refined carbs for whole grains is not only healthy, it can actually help you shed belly fat, too, according to research from a Pennsylvania State University study. Dieters in the study who ate whole grains shed more than twice as much abdominal fat as those who ate none. Whole grains reduce the production of insulin, a hormone that encourages fat storage, making it easier to lose belly fat. Add another belly fat‚Äìfighting component to your meal by packing in protein-rich foods. In a Danish study of 60 men and women, those following a diet that included 25% of calories from protein lost nearly twice as much fat after 6 months than those eating a diet with 12% protein. Include a serving of lean protein with each meal and snack—eggs for breakfast, a turkey sandwich for lunch, low-fat or fat-free yogurt or milk for a snack, and grilled fish and vegetables for dinner.
6. Have watermelon for dessert
The amino acid arginine, abundant in watermelon, might promote weight loss, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition. Researchers supplemented the diets of obese mice with arginine over 3 months and found that doing so decreased body fat gains by a whopping 64%. Adding this amino acid to the diet enhanced the oxidation of fat and glucose and increased lean muscle, which burns more calories than fat does. Snack on watermelon in the summer, and eat other arginine sources, such as seafood, nuts, and seeds, year-round.
7. Add this cupboard staple to your diet
The primary substance that gives ordinary vinegar its sour taste and strong odor may fight fat, suggests new research presented at a recent meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science. In a study of 175 overweight Japanese men and women, those who consumed a drink containing either 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks had significantly lower body weight, BMI, visceral fat, and waist circumference than the control group that didn’t consume any vinegar. Researchers credit vinegar’s acetic acid, which may switch on genes that pump out proteins that break down fat.
8. Go slowly at meals
Under stress, we tend to scarf down even healthy food. In fact, research has linked this behavior to bigger portions and more belly fat. But Elissa Epel, PhD, a researcher on stress eating at the University of California, San Francisco, hypothesizes that slowing down, savoring each bite, and paying attention to feelings of fullness may lower cortisol levels along with decreasing the amount of food you eat, thereby shifting the distribution of fat away from the belly.
Via Prevention
10 Unexpected Natural Cleaners
Around-the-house staples that moonlight as dirt-busting superstars.
White Bread and Ketchup
Use white bread to: Dust an oil painting. Gently dab a slice of white bread over the surface to pick up dirt and grime.
Use ketchup to: Remove tarnish from copper and brass cookware. Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth and rub it on pots and pans. They should go back to their coppery color in minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel.
Oatmeal
Use it to: Scrub very dirty hands. Make a thick paste of oatmeal and water; rinse well.
Rice
Use it to: Clean the inside of a vase or a thin-necked bottle. Fill three quarters of the vessel with warm water and add a tablespoon of uncooked rice. Cup your hand over the opening, shake vigor-ously, and rinse.
Tea
Use it to: Scour rusty garden tools. Brew a few pots of strong black tea. When cool, pour into a bucket. Soak the tools for a few hours. Wipe each one with a cloth. (Wear rubber gloves or your hands will be stained.)
Glycerin
Use it to: Remove dried wax drippings from candlesticks. Peel off as much wax as possible, then moisten a cotton ball with glycerin and rub until clean.
Club Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Use club soda to: Shine up a scuffed stainless-steel sink. Buff with a cloth dampened with club soda, then wipe dry with another clean cloth.
Use hydrogen peroxide to: Disinfect a keyboard. Dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide to get into those nooks and crannies.
Cornstarch
Use it to: Clean grease spills on carpets. Pour cornstarch onto spots and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming.
Rubbing Alcohol
Use it to: Erase permanent-marker stains from finished wood floors or solid-surface countertops. Pour rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and apply.
Via Real Simple
White Bread and Ketchup
Use white bread to: Dust an oil painting. Gently dab a slice of white bread over the surface to pick up dirt and grime.
Use ketchup to: Remove tarnish from copper and brass cookware. Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth and rub it on pots and pans. They should go back to their coppery color in minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel.
Oatmeal
Use it to: Scrub very dirty hands. Make a thick paste of oatmeal and water; rinse well.
Rice
Use it to: Clean the inside of a vase or a thin-necked bottle. Fill three quarters of the vessel with warm water and add a tablespoon of uncooked rice. Cup your hand over the opening, shake vigor-ously, and rinse.
Tea
Use it to: Scour rusty garden tools. Brew a few pots of strong black tea. When cool, pour into a bucket. Soak the tools for a few hours. Wipe each one with a cloth. (Wear rubber gloves or your hands will be stained.)
Glycerin
Use it to: Remove dried wax drippings from candlesticks. Peel off as much wax as possible, then moisten a cotton ball with glycerin and rub until clean.
Club Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Use club soda to: Shine up a scuffed stainless-steel sink. Buff with a cloth dampened with club soda, then wipe dry with another clean cloth.
Use hydrogen peroxide to: Disinfect a keyboard. Dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide to get into those nooks and crannies.
Cornstarch
Use it to: Clean grease spills on carpets. Pour cornstarch onto spots and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming.
Rubbing Alcohol
Use it to: Erase permanent-marker stains from finished wood floors or solid-surface countertops. Pour rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and apply.
Via Real Simple
What Is Your Body Language Saying?
How to read the subtext in your movements—and in those of others.
How to Read Faces
Brushing Hair Off Your Face
This movement, a combination of nerves and flirtation, helps call attention to and frame your feminine assets (think face and neck). No wonder it’s a staple of a promising date.
Smiling
Botox be damned! The only real smile, says Anita Barbee, a professor of social work at the University of Louisville, in Kentucky, is one in which eye muscles are engaged. People who grin for more than five seconds and only with their lips can be faking it. Frequent smiling in the workplace can make a person seem less serious.
Blinking
The normal blink rate is six to eight times a minute. But under stress, you’ll blink more often and somewhat more dramatically. Want to know who’s freaking out and who’s as cool as a cucumber at the next big meeting? The eyes have it.
Nibbling Your Lips
If you bite, suck on, or lick your lips when under pressure or in an awkward situation, you’re attempting to comfort or soothe yourself, says psychologist Carol Kinsey Goman, the author of The Nonverbal Advantage ($22, amazon.com).
Scratching Your Nose
Don’t get caught in a lie. “When a person fibs, it’s often accompanied by an adrenaline rush,” says psychologist Michael Cunningham, a professor of communication at the University of Louisville. This release causes capillaries to expand, making the nose itch. Another tall-tale tell: a sustained glance. A liar often overcompensates for being perceived as shifty by focusing a bit too intently on the person he is fibbing to.
Sending Darting Glances
This catch-your-eye game, usually played in guy-girl situations, tends to mirror your scattered thoughts. Does he like me? Do I like him? Do I want him to come over here? Also, unlike a direct gaze, the back-and-forth variety is a protective measure: If he doesn’t approach you, you won’t feel rejected.
Nodding Your Head
If you nod in clusters of three, the speaker will sense your interest, and this can lengthen her response threefold, says Goman. Word to the wise: Nod only once when trying to escape Chatty Cathy.
Closing Your Eyes
By rubbing, covering, or closing your eyes for longer than a blink, you’re trying to keep out certain auditory or visual cues. It’s a survival mechanism to prevent the brain from processing anything undesirable or threatening.
Lowering Your Gaze
This meek gesture is an unconscious bid for public support—a favorite tactic of small children, not to mention the late Princess Diana. It often elicits a parental response. If someone does it to you, she may be searching for your empathy. Be gentle.
Pursing Your Lips
Narrowing the red margins of your lips is a clear sign of anger, says Paul Ekman, professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco. Why? When a person is not truly mad, she typically can’t feign this gesture, even if she tries.
Tilting Your Head
Cock your head to the side when hearing a friend’s sob story. This movement indicates that you’re interested and listening. On a more literal level, you’re revealing and angling your ear to her, physically showing that you want to hear every detail.
Raising or Furrowing Your Eyebrows
“Raised eyebrows, one or both, is a true expression of piqued curiosity and interest, while lowered eyebrows can indicate negative emotions, such as confusion and fear,” says Laura Guerrero, a professor of communication at the Arizona State University Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, in Tempe. If you’re not interested in a good or bad way, your face will remain still and unanimated.
Looking Up or to the Side
Want a little glimpse into the way someone’s memory works? Notice where the person moves her eyes. When recalling something that was seen, a person will angle her eyes skyward, as if trying to picture it. When remembering something heard, she will look toward one of her ears, as if listening for it. Especially emotional experiences tend to be relived through introspective downward glances.
How to Read Bodies
Standing With Legs Together
This conservative stance denotes deference, says Goman.
Angling Yourself
Do you align yourself with the head honcho at work? Most people position their bodies or feet toward the person who has captured their focus. Coming to attention and squaring your chest at the sight of your boss is a sign of respect. Another note about proper alignment: If someone approaches you and a friend in the middle of a conversation and you want to give the newcomer a nonverbal invitation to join in, angle your bodies outward by 45 degrees. This subtle sign of inclusion shows the person that she is welcome.
Standing With Legs Apart
This position, feet and legs shoulder-width apart, signals dominance and determination, says Goman. When asserting your side of an argument or discussion, stand your ground—literally. For an extra boost, place your hands on your hips. This is a traditional position of power.
Leaning
No surprise here: You lean toward people you like and pull away from those you don’t. On a date? Take note of your companion’s direction—and yours. Subtly mirroring movements builds trust.
Shifting Your Weight From Side to Side or Front to Back
“The way you move your body reflects your attitude,” says Goman. Constantly transferring your weight from one foot to the other or rocking forward and backward is a comforting movement that indicates you are anxious or upset. Basically, this is a physical representation of what is going on in your head: You are betwixt and between many unsettling thoughts and can’t stop moving from one to the other.
Massaging Your Forehead or Earlobes
These soothing actions counter feelings of uneasiness or vulnerability—for example, when you are seated in the front row of a lecture hall and hope not to be called on. The same goes for hugging your sides or rubbing your legs when you’re sitting. Stroking the nerve endings in some of these body parts helps lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Crossing Your Arms
Don’t be too quick to leap to conclusions: This pose doesn’t always mean anger, but when coupled with crossed legs, it is a defensive position. Take note of the surroundings. More often than not, this stance means a person is cold. Also, many people simply find it comfortable, says Cunningham.
Walking
The way you tread speaks volumes about how others see you. Fast strutters come across as productive and competent, looking as if they have somewhere important to be. Those with a “bounce in their step” are perceived as having upbeat personalities. For a purposeful stride, walk from heel to toe. (Interestingly, most men land on their heels; most women, mid-arch.)
Sitting
When in doubt, spread out. Taking up space, such as by fanning out your papers in the boardroom instead of stacking them in a small pile, screams importance. Likewise, sitting with your legs apart assures others that you are large and in charge.
How to Read Hands
Opening Up Your Hands
By spreading your hands as if serving someone a treat off a tray, you are indicating that you are open to new ideas being offered. Facing your palms down or clenching your fists shows you have a strong position—one that may not be so flexible.
Flailing Your Arms
You’re not out of control. Research shows that those who gesture when they speak seem energetic, agreeable, and warm, while those who gesticulate less are seen as logical and analytic. Keep in mind that moderation is key; overly animated gestures that border on frantic make you appear unbelievable and less powerful. If you fear you may be too animated, perhaps in a job interview, hold on to something when you talk.
Hiding Your Hands
Stashing your hands in your lap, stuffing them in your pockets, and holding them behind your back are movements of deceit—you’re hiding something. “A person may be telling you one thing, but these cues indicate you’re not getting the whole story,” says Barbee.
Picking at Your Nails
Messing with cuticles is a sign of low confidence and timidity. Try steepling your fingers (hands folded together with index fingers extended) so you can’t pick and you instead appear self-assured.
How to Read Feet
Pointing Toes In
Even if you’re sitting up straight with your shoulders aligned and your head up—all signs of an open body position—your feet may be betraying you. If they’re cocked inward, big toe to big toe, this indicates that you’re closing yourself off because you feel awkward or insecure.
Fidgeting
Ever notice that you become more physically active—you tap your heels, slide in and out of your shoes, bop your foot up and down while crossing your legs—the more uncomfortable you feel? This is because these kinds of moves relieve tension. Fidgeting may also mean that you want out of a situation and your body is getting ready to take flight. The bottom line? At least in professional settings, cross your ankles to calm those fidgety feet.
Crossing Your Legs
Pay attention to the direction in which you cross your legs. In a seated conversation, people tend to point the toes of the top leg toward the person who they feel is the most approachable. The kicker? Lifting your toes means your feelings toward said person are extra-positive.
Pointing Toes Toward the Door
When you’re having a conversation with someone but her feet are angled toward the door, she may be unconsciously saying that she’s ready to cut the talk short and move on.
Via Real Simple
How to Read Faces
Brushing Hair Off Your Face
This movement, a combination of nerves and flirtation, helps call attention to and frame your feminine assets (think face and neck). No wonder it’s a staple of a promising date.
Smiling
Botox be damned! The only real smile, says Anita Barbee, a professor of social work at the University of Louisville, in Kentucky, is one in which eye muscles are engaged. People who grin for more than five seconds and only with their lips can be faking it. Frequent smiling in the workplace can make a person seem less serious.
Blinking
The normal blink rate is six to eight times a minute. But under stress, you’ll blink more often and somewhat more dramatically. Want to know who’s freaking out and who’s as cool as a cucumber at the next big meeting? The eyes have it.
Nibbling Your Lips
If you bite, suck on, or lick your lips when under pressure or in an awkward situation, you’re attempting to comfort or soothe yourself, says psychologist Carol Kinsey Goman, the author of The Nonverbal Advantage ($22, amazon.com).
Scratching Your Nose
Don’t get caught in a lie. “When a person fibs, it’s often accompanied by an adrenaline rush,” says psychologist Michael Cunningham, a professor of communication at the University of Louisville. This release causes capillaries to expand, making the nose itch. Another tall-tale tell: a sustained glance. A liar often overcompensates for being perceived as shifty by focusing a bit too intently on the person he is fibbing to.
Sending Darting Glances
This catch-your-eye game, usually played in guy-girl situations, tends to mirror your scattered thoughts. Does he like me? Do I like him? Do I want him to come over here? Also, unlike a direct gaze, the back-and-forth variety is a protective measure: If he doesn’t approach you, you won’t feel rejected.
Nodding Your Head
If you nod in clusters of three, the speaker will sense your interest, and this can lengthen her response threefold, says Goman. Word to the wise: Nod only once when trying to escape Chatty Cathy.
Closing Your Eyes
By rubbing, covering, or closing your eyes for longer than a blink, you’re trying to keep out certain auditory or visual cues. It’s a survival mechanism to prevent the brain from processing anything undesirable or threatening.
Lowering Your Gaze
This meek gesture is an unconscious bid for public support—a favorite tactic of small children, not to mention the late Princess Diana. It often elicits a parental response. If someone does it to you, she may be searching for your empathy. Be gentle.
Pursing Your Lips
Narrowing the red margins of your lips is a clear sign of anger, says Paul Ekman, professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco. Why? When a person is not truly mad, she typically can’t feign this gesture, even if she tries.
Tilting Your Head
Cock your head to the side when hearing a friend’s sob story. This movement indicates that you’re interested and listening. On a more literal level, you’re revealing and angling your ear to her, physically showing that you want to hear every detail.
Raising or Furrowing Your Eyebrows
“Raised eyebrows, one or both, is a true expression of piqued curiosity and interest, while lowered eyebrows can indicate negative emotions, such as confusion and fear,” says Laura Guerrero, a professor of communication at the Arizona State University Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, in Tempe. If you’re not interested in a good or bad way, your face will remain still and unanimated.
Looking Up or to the Side
Want a little glimpse into the way someone’s memory works? Notice where the person moves her eyes. When recalling something that was seen, a person will angle her eyes skyward, as if trying to picture it. When remembering something heard, she will look toward one of her ears, as if listening for it. Especially emotional experiences tend to be relived through introspective downward glances.
How to Read Bodies
Standing With Legs Together
This conservative stance denotes deference, says Goman.
Angling Yourself
Do you align yourself with the head honcho at work? Most people position their bodies or feet toward the person who has captured their focus. Coming to attention and squaring your chest at the sight of your boss is a sign of respect. Another note about proper alignment: If someone approaches you and a friend in the middle of a conversation and you want to give the newcomer a nonverbal invitation to join in, angle your bodies outward by 45 degrees. This subtle sign of inclusion shows the person that she is welcome.
Standing With Legs Apart
This position, feet and legs shoulder-width apart, signals dominance and determination, says Goman. When asserting your side of an argument or discussion, stand your ground—literally. For an extra boost, place your hands on your hips. This is a traditional position of power.
Leaning
No surprise here: You lean toward people you like and pull away from those you don’t. On a date? Take note of your companion’s direction—and yours. Subtly mirroring movements builds trust.
Shifting Your Weight From Side to Side or Front to Back
“The way you move your body reflects your attitude,” says Goman. Constantly transferring your weight from one foot to the other or rocking forward and backward is a comforting movement that indicates you are anxious or upset. Basically, this is a physical representation of what is going on in your head: You are betwixt and between many unsettling thoughts and can’t stop moving from one to the other.
Massaging Your Forehead or Earlobes
These soothing actions counter feelings of uneasiness or vulnerability—for example, when you are seated in the front row of a lecture hall and hope not to be called on. The same goes for hugging your sides or rubbing your legs when you’re sitting. Stroking the nerve endings in some of these body parts helps lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Crossing Your Arms
Don’t be too quick to leap to conclusions: This pose doesn’t always mean anger, but when coupled with crossed legs, it is a defensive position. Take note of the surroundings. More often than not, this stance means a person is cold. Also, many people simply find it comfortable, says Cunningham.
Walking
The way you tread speaks volumes about how others see you. Fast strutters come across as productive and competent, looking as if they have somewhere important to be. Those with a “bounce in their step” are perceived as having upbeat personalities. For a purposeful stride, walk from heel to toe. (Interestingly, most men land on their heels; most women, mid-arch.)
Sitting
When in doubt, spread out. Taking up space, such as by fanning out your papers in the boardroom instead of stacking them in a small pile, screams importance. Likewise, sitting with your legs apart assures others that you are large and in charge.
How to Read Hands
Opening Up Your Hands
By spreading your hands as if serving someone a treat off a tray, you are indicating that you are open to new ideas being offered. Facing your palms down or clenching your fists shows you have a strong position—one that may not be so flexible.
Flailing Your Arms
You’re not out of control. Research shows that those who gesture when they speak seem energetic, agreeable, and warm, while those who gesticulate less are seen as logical and analytic. Keep in mind that moderation is key; overly animated gestures that border on frantic make you appear unbelievable and less powerful. If you fear you may be too animated, perhaps in a job interview, hold on to something when you talk.
Hiding Your Hands
Stashing your hands in your lap, stuffing them in your pockets, and holding them behind your back are movements of deceit—you’re hiding something. “A person may be telling you one thing, but these cues indicate you’re not getting the whole story,” says Barbee.
Picking at Your Nails
Messing with cuticles is a sign of low confidence and timidity. Try steepling your fingers (hands folded together with index fingers extended) so you can’t pick and you instead appear self-assured.
How to Read Feet
Pointing Toes In
Even if you’re sitting up straight with your shoulders aligned and your head up—all signs of an open body position—your feet may be betraying you. If they’re cocked inward, big toe to big toe, this indicates that you’re closing yourself off because you feel awkward or insecure.
Fidgeting
Ever notice that you become more physically active—you tap your heels, slide in and out of your shoes, bop your foot up and down while crossing your legs—the more uncomfortable you feel? This is because these kinds of moves relieve tension. Fidgeting may also mean that you want out of a situation and your body is getting ready to take flight. The bottom line? At least in professional settings, cross your ankles to calm those fidgety feet.
Crossing Your Legs
Pay attention to the direction in which you cross your legs. In a seated conversation, people tend to point the toes of the top leg toward the person who they feel is the most approachable. The kicker? Lifting your toes means your feelings toward said person are extra-positive.
Pointing Toes Toward the Door
When you’re having a conversation with someone but her feet are angled toward the door, she may be unconsciously saying that she’s ready to cut the talk short and move on.
Via Real Simple
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