Wardrobe Basics - Items Every Women should have?

Weather you are just starting out in this world and need to put a foundation wardrobe in place or if you are giving your wardrobe a refresher here are some wardrobe ideas to help you get started.

Two pairs of dark slacks - either black or navy blue. Go with a slim cut in a wool crepe or a seasonless cotton.

One pair of dark slacks for the evening with a fuller cut. These can be a fabric that drapes either a light wool or jersey mix.

Two pairs of jeans -one hemmed for heels and the other hemmed for flats. Jeans that are hemmed for heels you should see just the toe box.

Three skirts - a pencil skirt, a A-line skirt which incidentally looks good on all body types and a skirt in a neutral fabric so you can mix and match with others items like tweed, wool or boucle.

Shirts - A white button front shirt and a few t-shirts.

Three sweaters - The fabric should be a lightweight, merino or cashmere.

• One should be black and match your black trousers.
• The second one should be more neutral like off-white, camel or taupe.
• The third sweater should just simple be a sweater that you love and feel great in. Nothing too dressy - one you can wear to the office and with jeans.

Two Jackets

• A tailored jacket that matches your black pants.
• A sporty leather jacket

Three coats

• A classic trench coat or raincoat with a zip -out wool liner for multiple seasons.
• A knee-length transition coat that works for day and night.
• A winter coat in a wool or cashmere blend or if you live in a warmer climate try tropical wool.

Dress

• A little black dress

Three Bags

• A classic leather style with clean lines that works for everything.
• A catch all fun tote bag
• A envelope shaped, bracelet style for the evening.

Shoes (5 pairs)

• A pair of black pumps 2.5-3.5 inch heel in a the current style.
• A evening shoe with a close toe in a black satin.
• A pair of tall black boots
• Bad-weather boots
• A pair of sneakers or tennis shoes.

What is Retin-A?
Also known as tretinoin is a prescription anti wrinkle treatment and has been shown to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production.

How do antioxidants work?
They destroy rogue molecules that break down collagen and make skin more susceptible to wrinkles.

What are peptides?
Peptides and retinol have been shown to stimulate collagen production.

What is genistein?
A plant hormone found in mainly soybeans and it has been know to protect skin from photodamage a that can cause wrinkles and skin cancer.

What are Retinoids?
They can reach the skin's middle layer where increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production which thickens the skin and helps smooth out wrinkles.

A combination of acids are applied to the face in varying strengths. The acid solution peels away layers of skin. Superficial peels increase cell turn over and are used to improve skin texture. It is unlikely you will experience significant wrinkle reduction.

A medium or a deeper chemical peel also encourage collagen production and are more effective for treating wrinkles. The deeper the peel the more painful and the longer the recovery time. Most people experience redness and flakey skin for at least a couple of weeks.

Dry Skin Relief

Does dry skin cause wrinkles? No, this is a myth.

Some causes of dry skin are:

Cold weather and low humidity

Central heating can make air dry which can cause dry skin.

Aging - Lower estrogen levels, thinning skin, and the fact that our skin can not produce enough oils are some of the reasons our skin is more prone to dryness as we age.

Dry skin affects people who have skin type I or II more frequently.

In some cases dehydration, malnutrition, diabetes, eczema or low thyroid hormones can cause dry skin.

Treating dry skin:

When you shower use lukewarm water and don't take long showers or baths.

Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp to seal in moisture.

Use mild soap and avoid perfumed soaps.

Use a humidifier at home.

Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol.

Don't wash your face too frequently.

Use moisturizers which contain emollients. Emollients, such as urea and mineral oils, soften skin and provide a barrier to keep moisture in and harmful agents out. Your moisturizer should also have lipids (fat or waxes) such as cholesterol, lecithin or glycerol.

Dry skin can cause flaky and rough skin. To get rid of the layer of dead skin use a gentle exfoliant containing alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid.

Wear sunscreen.

Apply moisturizer frequently.

Best lip gloss in a pot

Nars Lip Lacquer in Butterfield 8

Best tube lip gloss
	Mark Juice Gems squeeze on Lip gloss in Juicy pomegranate, - great gloss without a frost or glitter to it with and fuzzy fun applicator.

Best Lip Gloss for colorless shine
Wet N' Wild Glassy Lip Gloss in Reflection - feels great on the lips and is so easy to apply.

Best Sheer Lip Gloss

Clinique Glosswear for Lips Sheer Shimmers in the sunset. Superlight, nonsticky texture.

Best Tasting Lip Gloss

Shu Uemura Lip Gloss in Orange Marmelade -tastes like a creamsicle.

Best lip gloss with a wand

Shiseido the makeup lip gloss in Champagne sparkle.

Are you trying to deemphasize your full lips?

If your lips over-power your face be selective with your lipstick. Try neutral tones and don't wear any lip color that is too glossy or shiny.

Don't use lip liner, but if you like the look, soften edge with your finger or a Q-tip.

What Eyebrow Teezers should I use ?

Square Tip: Best used for removing coarse hairs or several hairs at a time.

More Eyebrow Tweezing Tips

Tweeze immediately after showering or apply a hot washcloth to loosen hair follicles.

The Pencil trick ---Hold a pencil vertically along the side of the nose. Eyebrow should start at outside edge if pencil.

Just a tip: If you leave a bit more space will widen close-set eyes

Hold pencil to outside of eye. This is where the eyebrow should end.

Smooth brows with a little moisturizer to help hairs slide out.

Brush brows up to find a natural arch.

Draw in the desired shape beforehand with a soft eye shadow pencil.

Just a tip: Don't use an eyeliner pencil. It will cause you to pluck too much.

Tweeze under the brow first, plucking in the direction of the growth.

Just a tip: If your plucking becomes too painful, apply a little anbesol (yes, that pain reliever for teeth also numbs the brows)

Using an eyelash comb, comb brows upwards and trim any hairs that extend beyond the natural top or brow bone.

After tweezing, soothe the area with cool, wet tea bags.

Eyebrow Waxing

All about waxing your eyebrows.

Waxing is a quick and relatively easy alternative to plucking your eyebrows. Most beauty experts recommend getting your eyebrows waxed professionally but that can be expensive - up to around $10-$15 dollars depending on the salon. If you are confident and then here are some tips for waxing your eyebrows yourself.

Start by prepping the eyebrow

Brush the brush into place with toothbrush or clean mascara wand, so that their natural shape is neatly defined. Next, apply an astringent such as witch hazel to anesthetize the skin under the brow. Discover your natural brow shape by standing several feet away from a mirror, and following these simple steps

The length of the eyebrow

Hold a ruler parallel to your nose, and level with the inner corner of the eye, to work out where the brow should begin. If your eyes are close together, make the gap between the brows wider. If your eyes are far apart, don't wax the start line of the brow too much so that they are closer together. Mark the correct point with a dot.

The curve of the eyebrow

You can assess where the highest point of the curve/ arch should be by holding a ruler from the edge of the nostril past the outer edge of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and up to the eyebrow. Mark the spot with a dot.

Now line up the dots in a gentle arch to draw on the ideal shape of the eyebrow that you want to achieve. This will give you a guideline to go by when applying the wax. You should aim for a smooth arched brow that tapers slightly at the outer ends.

What to consider when applying the wax

I recommend that you buy a professional waxing kit - basically a jar or tub of wax which can be warmed up in boiling water and applied with a small applicator or spatula, and (usually muslin) removal strips. Each product varies slightly, so be sure to read the manufacturers directions carefully

Warm up the wax to optimum temperature and use the small spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to the growth. Make sure that you only use a small amount of wax on the spatula to avoid the wax dripping when it is applied. Apply wax with the hair growth under the eyebrow, (i.e. in the same direction that the hair grows in). Be careful a little goes a long way and make sure to avoid letting the wax dry

The hair removal process

Never wax above the eyebrow, only shape from below. Waxing from under the brow will widen your eyes and help to get the line even. This will make you look younger and much more glamorous if done correctly! As soon as it is applied remove the wax against the hair growth, (i.e. in the opposite direction that the hair grows in). This is done by gently smoothing a piece of cotton muslin over the waxed area, pulling the skin taut with one hand, and pulling the muslin off with the other.

It is a good idea to take a little hair off at a time, especially if you have fairly this growth. You will be surprised how much difference a little hair removal will make to your appearance.

The final step

Any straggly hairs left over after waxing can be easily plucked out using a set of good tweezers. Apply a soothing balm like tea tree oil onto the area afterwards. You should avoid direct sunlight, acid based facial treatments, and liquid makeup for several hours.

To give the gorgeous new eyebrow shape emphasis, use an eyebrow pencil or tinted brow shadow to subtly fill in any gaps, and even out the natural color tone. Congratulations you have successfully waxed your own eyebrows!

While the primary purpose of eyebrows is to sheild our eyes from sweat and rain, they also serve as a powerful marker of expression. Beautiful eyebrows are one of the most crucial aspects of beauty care.

What to look for in mascara?

If your mascara has already started to dry out take it back for a refund or a new tube. To prevent your new tube from drying out, don't pump the wand into the mascara. This carries air down into the tube, speeding up the drying out process.

You should also avoid choosing a brand that offers a big brush. A large brush means that the tube has to have a larger opening, which allows more air to enter the tube, and means it will dry out faster.

What is normal? How many lashes should fall out weekly?

This is perfectly natural for a few lashes to fall out but remember to be gentle when you remove your mascara. Never wipe or pull at the lashes. It is also a good idea to pay attention to how much mascara you use. The more you use, the harder it is to remove and the wear and tear on delicate lashes can cause them to fall out.

Additional tips to avoid eyelash lost: Avoid waterproof mascara as they are the hardest to remove.

Do I need a special eye moisturizer?

The answer is that it depends how sensitive your skin is. For most people a face moisturizer will work well but around the eyes the skin is thinner than the skin on the rest of the face so it is very sensitive. To avoid irritation, eye creams tend to have lower levels of active ingredients. Eye moisturizers also contain substances not found in face creams like caffeine to reduce puffiness, vitamin K to minimize dark circles.

Beauty Tip: Full and beautiful Eye Lashes

Applying Mascara -Apply mascara from outer lash to inner lash sweeping brush slowly from root to tip being careful to not let it dry between coats.

Are you a blond that has trouble getting your lashes to stand out?

Try a clear mascara first then try a lash thickening mascara and you should have better luck.

How to Apply Eyeliner?

Line lash from inner to outer corners. For a softer look, use contoured bending tip to blend.

Applying eye shadow to achieve big beautiful eyes?

Most eye shadows are merchandised in 3 or 4 complementary shades with 2 neutral colors which is what I call the base color and the darker color which is what I call the accent color and a lighter color which is what I refer to as the highlight color.

Apply base color on the eyelid and apply the accent (darker color) from lash line to the brow (in the crease of the eye). Use the highlighting color for highlighting the brow bone.

Beauty Tips: How to create beautiful big eyes?

Why do I need eye foundation?

Everyone should use eye foundation because it makes your eye make-up last longer, prevents creases in your eye shadow and prevents smudges. This is especially important in the summer months when you tend to sweat more and due to allergies your eyes may be itchy and watery.

How do I apply eye foundation?

Use either the supplied wand or make-up sponge to apply across the eyelid an up to the eye brow? Eye Foundation tends to be thicker then most foundations - so keep in mind a little goes a long way.

Fashion Jewelry

Skin jewelry are sensual and feminine. It includes short necklaces, earring, rings and bracelet. Silver and gold jewelry used together looks contemporary. If both metals are mix with pearl it breaks up the overly feminine look. If you�re going out to a formal dinner, use crystals or rhinestone. It will look perfect for the night. For casual look, you can combine a short choker with long strands. With a turtleneck, dangling earrings looks fabulous but if you are at work never use dangling jewelry. It doesn�t work with an office look. Chokers are nice and elegant but they don�t usually work on short, thick necks. They look good on long faces and neck. Necklaces length that stops at the breastbone looks good on women with big bust. For tall women, a necklace with thirty-four to thirty-six inches gives them a good balance. To make the right choice and to assess how all the different length looks on you use a full length mirror. In buying pearls, to check if it�s genuine, rub a pearl gently across the bottom of your teeth. If the gem feels mildly abrasive like the sand then you can tell that it�s real.

Bracelets are feminine, fun and sexy. Cuff bracelets comes in a same shades and places as beads. Skinny bangles either gold, brass, silver also looks good in great numbers. Chain-link bracelets can look stylish if you mixed them with narrow bangles. Ivory beads and wood beads look good with silver and gold.

Earrings are the accessory closest to the face. You need a full length mirror to show whether the proportion is right. Wearing gold or pearl buttons are suitable for daytime use. Dangling earrings are good for evening, weekend or at home look. For oval-shaped face a round medium sized earring like a big circle with pearl in the middle will look good. For round face or jaw wide use a flat, slender drops or oval button earring looks best. A pear shape earrings, wider at the bottom will be flattering to triangular face. A clip earring can be used if your ears are not pierced.

Rings comes in different settings. when you are buying a diamond ring. To tell if it�s real or not, look through the back of the cut stone while holding it above newsprint. If you can see even small letter, then it is fake. Real diamonds distort the print. The birthstone rings are forever classics. Simple and slim baguette band, gold cigar bands and insignia rings look good on short fingers.

Jewelry Care and Maintenance

Gold
Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid in a small bowl of warm water.
Immerse for 10 to 15 minutes and then gently clean with a soft bristle brush.
Rinse with lukewarm water, then dry and buff with a soft cloth.
For quick fix, dip in rubbing alcohol. Rinse and then dry.
The best way of storing gold jewelry is by wrapping them individually to avoid scratches.
To maintain the luster, it should be taken off before shower or housework.
Soap makes it dull. Chlorinated water eats up the metal, so avoid wearing them in chlorinated water.

Silver
A commercial cleaner should be used if it�s tarnished. Dipping it with very hot water might help too.
You can use a paste cleaner for jewelry with intricate design and then wipe it with a clean soft cloth.
In storing silver, it should be place in a dry box, keeping it away from light, air and dampness.
You can wrap then in a tarnish preventive bag or cloth.
The best way to prevent tarnishing is using it frequently. Don�t use in chlorinated water.

Diamonds
A mixture of equal part of water and ammonia or rubbing alcohol can be used in cleaning diamonds.
Immerse it for a few minutes and clean it with a soft bristle brush.
To prevent form scratching during storage, wrap them individually.
Bleach, chlorinated water or other household products can damage and discolor the mounting.
It should be taken off before working.

Pearls
After wearing, wipe with a soft water-moistened cloth to remove residue.
If you are wearing them several times a week, once a year moisten a soft clean cloth in a solution of one part mild dishwashing liquid to 20 parts lukewarm water, and rub each pearl individually.
Wipe off with a damp, clean cloth and buff dry. Let the pearls air dry overnight.
In storing it should be stored separately to avoid scratches.
Don�t put them in a plastic bag. Pearls need air to maintain it luster.
Use a chamois clothe, satin bag or wrap in tissue.
Put on pearls after applying cosmetics, perfumes, and hair spray.
Using it frequently will maintain the luster of the pearl because natural skin oil can be absorbed.

Gems
Immerse each stones in mixed mild dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water for a few minutes.
Clean with a soft bristle brush and then pat dry with soft clothes.
It should be store separately to avoid scratching.
Don�t expose to saltwater, chlorine, or detergents, which may slowly erode the finish and polish of the gems.
If your gems are set in metal follow the cleaning method recommended for metals.

Diana Vreeland, Vogue�s editor-in-chief in the 1960s and a noted figure in the world of fashion, once said in a memorandum to the Vogue staff that �Nothing gives the luxury of pearls.� These words have truly captured the beauty and essence of the pearl, for indeed, nothing else can express luxury and elegance as subtly and yet as powerfully as a set of pearl jewels worn with style. Pearls have graced the necks, wrists, heads and fingers of the wealthy and powerful, the noble-born and royal, the famous and affluent. Included in this exclusive circle of women who are known well for their love of pearls are Coco Chanel, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana.

Pearls are gemstones formed by certain species of bivalve mollusks, like oysters and abalones, the only gemstones to be created by an animal and highly valued for their innate luster and iridescence. The process in which they are made is actually a manner of self-protection of the oyster. A foreign body enters or is introduced in the shell to irritate the oyster. The oyster then coats this intruder with nacre, also called mother-of-pearl, until the pearl itself comes to be. Though they are usually white, pearls come in different range of colors, such as pink, gold, blue, gray, green and black, depending on the species of the oyster that produced it.

Pearls are classified according to their origins, as well as according to their shape. Natural pearls are ones found in the wild. They are very rare and are, therefore, very valuable and expensive. On the other hand, cultured pearls are pearls formed by artificially inserting the irritant inside the oyster shell and then leaving the oyster to do its work for a certain period, as short as six months and as long as six years. The procedure of cultivating oysters for pearl harvesting was first developed in Japan by Kokichi Mikimoto in the late 19th century.

Pearls can also be either freshwater or saltwater. As the name implies, a saltwater pearl is produced by a mollusk in the sea. A saltwater pearl can be a natural one or a cultured one. By contrast, a freshwater pearl is one that came from a mollusk living in a river or a lake.

While perfection in a pearl is not something that can easily be guaranteed, a perfectly round, spherical shape is the shape most desired on pearls. The rounder a pearl is, the more valuable and the heftier is its price. Pearls, however, can also come in other shapes, like teardrops and pears. These kinds of pearls are not round, but the symmetry they show is still considered beautiful. Baroque pearls, however, are irregularly-shaped pearls; they are unique and beautiful in their own way, but their shape has rendered them the least valuable among pearls.

Diamonds may be a girl�s best friend, but pearls are the companion of an elegant and stately woman. They go well with almost anything, but most especially with the little black dress. A choker or a single strand of opera-length cultured pearls can become the dividing line between the ordinary and the stylish. It may be a bit of an investment, but in the end, it is all worth it.

Some of us underestimate the power of the purse. I do not mean this in the economic or the financial sense. What I meant to say is that most of us women consider the purse as something to hold whatever items we need to carry with us whenever we go out.

But the thing is, beyond being a container for our lipstick, our car keys, wallet, and all those things we could not possibly survive a trip outside our houses without, a purse is a fashion accessory, and a powerful one at that too. A purse underscores your look and accentuates the curves of the body. We may not realize it, but whoever looks at us most likely gets his or her eyes drawn first to the purse we are carrying. Therefore, a purse can build your look up or destroy it completely.

Thankfully, finding the perfect purse that will flatter the body is not as hard as we thought it is. The key to finding the perfect purse is proportion: you should always match your purse with the size and shape of your body. The general rule is that large bags go with large bodies, while small bags go with small bodies.

If you are short and slight in build, you should pick a bag that is small and holds close to the body. Never get a big purse because it will drown you and make you appear lost beside it.

If you are the type that is tall and thin, a medium-sized bag will work best for you. In choosing a shoulder bag, though, pick something that fits nice and close under your arm and against your waist. Bags like that will create the illusion of curves on your lean body and will draw the eyes to your face.

Ladies with big hips will want to draw the eyes to the face and away from their lower bodies as well. The kind of bags that will do that trick for them are shoulder bags that hang just above the hips.

On the other hand, ladies with top-heavy figures will want to draw attention to their legs instead of to their upper bodies. Messenger bags, bags that have long straps or perhaps a handbag will do that for them. The size of the bag that will work best for top-heavy ladies is the slightly large one.

Plus size girls should stay away from bags that are too small; bags that are too small will only make them look bigger. They should avoid shoulder bags, but instead go for bags that are just a tad wider.

If you have that perfect hourglass figure, then any kind of bag is perfect for you. Any bag you choose would be flattering to your body. However, remember that the rules on proportion still apply even to ladies with the perfect curves. Do not get a bag that is too large or too small for your body.

Always remember that proportion is the rule for finding the perfect purse. Keep this in mind and the perfect purse will never be hard to find.

All mothers are working mothers, whether she is a stay-at-home mom or a corporate-climbing mom. Being a mother, regardless of whatever other avenues she may choose for herself, requires hard work. It just so happened that some of them choose to do it full time while others choose to juggle it with a career. The ones who seem to have the best of both worlds are those who opt to mind their families while running a business from home.

But in the quest for trying to balance everything, it is not uncommon to find a working mom who does not find much time for herself. Everything should be kept simple � her clothes, her hair, her makeup, everything. There simply isn�t any room or any time for making a fuss.

However, even busy mothers need to look trendy and fabulous too, especially when she moves in corporate circles. But how can a mom look the part of an elegant, sophisticated woman and still be able to deal with the kids and the housework?
Here are simple fashion tips to make life easier for the working moms:

Separates. The working mom should not limit the contents of her wardrobe to one-piece numbers like dresses and jumpsuits. Oftentimes, if there is nothing but dresses and jumpsuits in the closet, what happens is that mom runs out of clean things to wear and does some mad digging for something clean in her closet. This is a definite time waster; keeping separates will reduce cut this out.

Blazers. Blazers and jackets are quite flexible. Wearing one over a skirt or slacks gives mom the professional look for when going to work. They also go well with jeans and leggings for when taking the little ones to their softball game.

Skirts. Mom�s skirts should be of a solid color, with as little pattern to them as possible so that they can be mixed and matched. They should be of medium length, not too long or not too short, so she would not have any problems if she has to run across the playground after some bully who just tried to beat her kid.

Pants. Pants are also flexible items to have in mom�s wardrobe. Pair them with a blazer and they are great for boardroom battles. Slip on a windbreaker or a T-shirt over them and mom is ready for some after-school shindig with the kids.

Blouses. The simple, button-down types with regular sleeves are the perfect ones for the working mom. They give the less hassle when mom is wrestling with baby.

Undergarments. It is hard to dig through the underwear draw and yet not find a clean one that will suit mom�s outfit. Perhaps it would be best for her to just buy them in one color and to buy pieces that can also mix and match.

Fabrics. The working mom should start avoiding clothes that are labeled �dry clean only.� These pieces, while they look nice, take too much time and money to actually keep clean. The clothes the working mom wears should be made of comfortable and washable fabrics, things that can keep up to the busy and sometimes messy life of a woman struggling with a career and kids.

Smart dressing is very important if only because what clothes we wear and how we actually wear them tells a lot about the kind of people we are. They say that clothes make the man, or woman, as in our case, and it is indeed true.

We do not have to be fashion gurus or runway models to be able to look the part of the smart dresser. Most of the time, all it takes is to be neat, clean and presentable, and to be presentable, you have to use a bit of common sense and to avoid these everyday fashion pitfalls. You may find some of them funny, but woe to you if you are found guilty of such errors. Read on, learn and enjoy.

The everyday fashion pitfalls that you should avoid include:

Wearing outfits that are see-through. We always hear that less is more, and that adage is definitely applicable here. The less skin seen on you is oftentimes a lot better than baring it all. A touch of modesty does not hurt. Besides, wearing see-through clothes make you look on the slutty side, so it is best to shy away from them altogether.

Carrying a belly bulge. Even the slimmest women can be ruined by wearing pants or skirts that are too tight at the waist. A waistband that is too tight pushes up the flesh of the abdomen, and it is quite ugly to look at. How can you breathe when your pants or skirt is too tight, anyway? Make sure that the waist of your bottom garment fits just right � not too tight, and not even snug.

Sporting an underarm cleavage. If the flesh on that part of your breast which meets the underarm bulges up, it means that the sleeve holes of your top are too tight and that your bra does not fit you snuggly. It also means that you should get a bra that is just the right size for your breasts. A right-fitting brassiere has cups that are just low enough to easily rest against your breasts.

Dragging hemlines for pants. Do the hems of your pant legs get caught in your shoes when you are walking? The solution to this problem is to have the legs of your pants sewn in such a way that when you are wearing mules and such footwear, they are long enough not to get caught in.

Squeezing in the sleeves. It is the autumn season and winter is fast approaching. Because it is cold, sweaters have become a necessity. Now, there are nice, warm sweaters out there that have really bulky sleeves. If you are going to wear a jacket or a coat over them, make sure that the sleeves of this jacket or coat are wide enough to accommodate those bulky sleeves.

Showing sweat stains. Sweat stains are very unsightly. If your clothes have them on the underarms and they would not come out with washing, consider wearing these clothes for doing heavy chores like yard work instead. If you have a problem with your sweating, use a deodorant and consult a doctor.

Unsightly panties. If you think panty lines are horrible, you should look upon bunched up panties with even more horror. If your panties are too old and too stretched out already, give them a rest and throw them away. Neither should you wear panties the straps of which show outside the waistband of your pants. It is so dumb and so unneat.

Coming up with the perfect outfit to match our figure can be difficult at times. Not all women are built alike, so what may look good on someone else may not look good on us, especially when the other woman�s body type is different from us. Also, it is not always good to rely on the fashions displayed by runway models on the catwalk. Let�s face it: designers generally love stick-thin women, and runway models are several sizes smaller than the average woman.

But whether we have the body that makes for a walking mannequin or not, there is no rule out there that says that we cannot wear clothes that flatter our figures and remain fashionable. After all, it is us ordinary women that make fashion designers rich. All we have to do is to choose carefully the clothes we wear so that they enhance our assets and play down our liabilities.

How should we dress to flatter our figures? It depends on what type of figure we actually have, and there are basically six types of figures.

The skinny type. The skinny type is, well, skinny. Skinny women are those whose bodies are thin, angular, and yes, with very little fat in them. What skinny women would want is to create the illusion of curves, and this illusion of curves is achieved by creating bulk through layering clothes � vests over tops or dresses over trousers. Aside from layering, wearing clothes with extra details like ruffles, pleats and gathers also add bulk to the body and make it seem curvier.

The top-heavy type. Top-heavy women are women who have bulkier upper bodies and busts that are bigger than their hips. What they would want is to create a balance by playing down the upper body. This can be done by wearing dark tops, or tops that have monochromatic prints, and then pairing them with light-colored pants or skirts. Wearing necklines that give the illusion of length, such as V-necks, will also help tone down the bulky torso.

The bottom-heavy type. Bottom-heavy women are those who have hips that are bigger than their upper bodies. Women with these body types ought to draw the attention away from their hips by wearing light-colored tops that enhance the cleavage and pairing them with sober, dark-colored skirts or pants. The eyes can be further drawn to the torso through the use of chunky necklaces, dangling earrings or long chains around the neck.

The long and lanky type. Women with long and lanky bodies have more flesh than the skinny ones; they are also generally taller. But they have the same concern: how to create the curves that they do not have. The layered look also works for women with this body type. Wide skirts or pants with wide legs in light colors will also work, but never pair them with tops with a low cut.

The petite type. Petite women are those whose bodies are short, lean and thin, but straight. They are small-breasted and do not have waists. These women would need to create the illusion of a waist by wearing a bold belt that greatly contrasts with their tops or their dresses, or full skirts.

The curvy type. Women who have curves should feel good no matter what the sizes of those curves are. Curves are beautiful, and they should be enhanced by clothes that skim the body, like wraparound dresses or blouses, or clothes with fabrics that drape the body. Baggy clothes should be avoided because they only add unwanted bulk.

Banana Facial Cream

This recipe is for supple skin as well as maintaining the skin's natural glow. Banana is also wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment.

You will need:
Ripe Banana

Procedure:

Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over your face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold water. Then gently pat dry.

Natural Facial Hair Remover

This recipe will remove facial hair.

You will need:
Egg white
Sugar
Corn Flour

Procedure:
Blend the egg white with sugar and corn flour. Blend it well until it becomes a sticky paste. Apply the mixture to your face. When it dries gently peel it off. Repeat this three to four times a week.

Body Glitter Recipe

What you need:
3 tablespoons of unmedicated aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon very fine glitter, color desired
1 drop essential oil with fragrance desired (optional)
Food coloring (optional)

Procedure:
Add as much glitter to aloe vera gel as you like (you can always experiment).
If you are using food coloring, mix a few drops at a time in with your gel until you get the desired color.
Add essential oil, if desired.
Stir to blend, then store at room temperature in a small, airtight jar or container.
Enjoy the body glitter!

NOTE: Some people are sensitive to essential oils. Test the body glitter on the inside of your arm before applying to face. DO NOT USE NEAR YOUR EYES.

Protein Hair Treatment Recipe

What you need:
1 ounce soy sauce
1 cup warm water

Procedure:
After you shampoo, pour this over your hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse out.

Super Body Hair Treatment Recipe

What you need:
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons unflavored gelatine
1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon stale beer

Procedure:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
Comb or brush into your hair.
Cover your hair with a plaster shower cap or wrap with a sheet of plastic wrap. Cover with a thick terrycloth towel.
Leave this hair treatment on for 30 minutes, then rinse in warm water.
Shampoo your hair.

Avocado Scalp Soother Recipe

What you need:
1 egg
1/2 avocado, peeled and mashed
2 tablespoons wheat germ oil

Procedure:
Process egg in a blender until frothy. Add the avocado and oil, blending until smooth. Use right away.

If you have long hair, divide your hair into several sections and apply the paste first to the scalp and then work outward, massaging the paste along the hair shaft.

Cover your head with a plastic cap and leave on for 30 minutes.

To cleanse your hair, rinse first with warm water for 5 minutes and then use any mild shampoo.

Beach trips, picnics, camping and other outdoor activities can be very fun but sometimes it can leave you scratching.

Here are some remedies for body itch:

1. If your skin got dry and irritated caused by chlorine or salt water.
Try using hydrating, soothing agent such as glycerin or calming cream, you can find some in the store.

2. During camping and you get a red, itchy rash due to poison ivy or poison oak.
You can reduce skin irritation by applying some anti-inflammatory like hydrocortisone or some available products can be found in the shop such as cooling sprays or skin relief cr�me.

3. To reduce itchiness due to insect bites. Try some antibacterial like tea tree oil or cooling agents like camphor.

Fashion experts have differing views on the French manicure. Some think that the French manicure has gone pass� and outdated, while some are of the opinion that the French manicure is a classic that will never go out of style. But whatever the fashion gurus think, many women go for the French manicure because of its simplicity and the natural look that it evokes. The French manicure also gives the nails that clean, well-groomed appearance that is neither flashy nor fussy.

But first, what is a French manicure? A French manicure is a style of polishing the nails wherein white paint is applied to the tips of the fingernails, and the rest of the nails are given a pink coat or painted with sheer polish that is colored either pale pink or very light beige. The French manicure is very good for short nails and nails that have a moderate length.

Before you start giving your nails a French manicure, make sure you have followed the general rule for putting on nail polish. You should prep your nails first by removing old nail polish with acetone remover. Then go and clean your nails and give them a trim.

Once you are done cleaning and trimming your nails, go ahead and apply a base coat to your nails. Keep this base coat thin and even. Afterwards, put a tip guide to your nail. This is supposed to cover the lower part of your nail as well as follow the curve of your nail tip�s natural white. When you are done with that, apply white polish to the exposed tips of your fingernails, and then let them dry. Keep the area that you will paint white thin. If you go too widely on the white paint, your nails will look chunky. Also, if you do not feel comfortable with stark white tips, you can use off-white polish instead.

When the white polish on the tips of your fingernails is dry, remove the nail tip guides thoroughly. And then, paint the entire length of your nails with a beige polish. Two coats of this polish may be necessary. After this, put a layer of top coat on your nails. This is the last step; after putting on the top coat, dry your nails and make sure they dry completely.

To extend the life of your French manicure and to keep your nails nice and looking well-groomed, you should make it a point to apply an extra layer of top coat on your nails every night.

For all its seeming simplicity, putting on a French manicure can get really tricky. Most drugstores and beauty shops sell readily-assembled nail polishing kits especially made for the French manicure. If you need extra help, you can find these kits very useful.

If you want to try out the French manicure but you are afraid to do it yourself, you can always visit a nail salon and have your nails done there. French manicure often costs extra than a regular polish because of the d

It really depends on who looks at it, but hair found on the face, on the back, on the chest, under the arms, on the legs and in the bikini area is generally thought to be unsightly. Such unwanted hair prevents us from wearing some types of clothes, like sleeveless tops, skirts or skimpy bikinis. It also affects our self-confidence to a certain degree.

We women really spend some time and effort into getting rid of the unwanted hair on our bodies. Shaving is the most convenient way of doing it, but also the most time consuming. Sometimes, shaving the underarms and the legs can be a daily chore, and it puts us at risk of having in-grown hair. Some women resort to plucking and waxing, but oh boy, don't they hurt. Besides, they grow back, anyway.

There is a way, however, of dealing with unwanted hair more permanently, and that is undergoing laser hair removal treatment. In laser hair removal treatment, a dermatological surgeon focuses a laser on the part of the skin that is to be treated. The laser then creates a reaction in the melanin in the hair follicles of the treated area. The reaction is supposed to make the hair strand shed and to discourage the hair follicle from producing new cells that will lead to hair growth. Laser hair removal treatment takes four to six sessions to complete, as hair enters different phases of growth.

Laser hair removal treatment, however, works best only with people who have fair skin and dark hair. The laser machine is set to react to the melanin in the skin, so dark-skinned people stand the risk of having their skin being burned by the laser. The laser focused by the machine also generally does not react to blond or red hair, because hair with such colors does not have enough melanin in the strands.

If you think you are a good candidate for laser hair removal treatment, the first thing you should do is to check out the dermatological clinics in your area. You can come up with a list from the phone directory or from the Internet. Look for a clinic where the one operating the laser machine is a real doctor specializing in dermatology or cosmetic surgery. If you are comfortable with it, you can also go for clinics where the machine is run by technicians, as long as there is a doctor supervising the session. Read reviews as you make your list, or you can ask your friends or family members who have undergone the treatment for recommendations.

Once you have picked a clinic, the next step would be to make an initial consultation with the doctor of your choice. Visit the clinic and take note of how clean the premises are and how friendly and helpful the personnel in the clinic are. When you come face to face with the doctor, ask him questions about the field he or she is in, about the machine he or she is using, and the credentials he or she has. Ask as well what form of payment the clinic accepts.

If you already feel confident with your choice, then go ahead and make a schedule for your first session. On every session, all the people involved in the treatment - the doctor, the technician and you - should be wearing eye protection. After all, it is laser you people will be handling, so it is important to keep the eyes protected on every treatment. The treatment is not really painful, but the doctor or the technician will nonetheless apply a gel on your skin to make it numb.

The parameters of the laser hair removal treatment, such as the condition of the skin on the area to be treated and the condition of the hair, will be entered into the machine. The laser will then be allowed to pulse on the skin briefly to check if the data entered on the machine is correct, and then the treatment commences.

After every session, take a couple of days off to rest if you think it is necessary. Keep the treated area clean and moisturized, and use only products that are gentle on the skin. Avoid exposing yourself to the sun, because if your skin gets darker, the effectiveness of the succeeding sessions might lessen considerably. If there is a little swelling, apply an ice pack or cover the skin with soft and clean cloths soaked in ice water to relieve the swelling.

It is possible for complications to arise after each session of the treatment. If the swelling does not go away and blistering of the skin is present, you should go and see the doctor who did the treatment on you as much as possible. They should be equipped to handle such complications.

Laser hair removal treatment is a good way of getting rid of unwanted hair permanently. However, you must remember that this treatment is not for everybody. Consider your choices carefully before going through the proc

Wouldn�t you like to have luscious, kissable red lips? A lot of women are afraid of painting their lips a bright, vivid red for various reasons, but mostly because they are not sure if they can wear red well.

But contrary to what a lot of women think, it is not that hard to put bright red lips on effectively and make it work for you. It is a matter of knowing how and what you should keep in mind when you do.

First, you should pick a shade of red that suits the color of your skin. Take note that the paler your skin tone is, the bigger the red lipstick will make your lips look. If your skin has a pinkish tone, you should opt for plum reds. On the other hand, if you have yellowish tones on your skin, a red lipstick that looks warm and with a brown base would flatter your skin more.

Red lipstick also makes the lips seem bigger, pouting and more prominent. This is good for women with thin lips; a good red lipstick will add volume to their lips. For women with fuller lips, however, may want to use red lipsticks that are more dark-hued, such as reds with browns or reds with blues or purples, rather than the bright hues. Using reds with browns or blues will minimize their lips.

To apply your red lipstick that will give you the maximum effect, put first a light layer of foundation over your lips. When the foundation has dried, dust your lips with face powder. Afterwards, line your lips with a lipliner, but make sure that your lipliner matches the color of your lipstick. This is especially important if your lipstick tends to bleed from your lips.

When applying the lipstick, use a lip brush rather than smearing the stick on your lips. This will keep you from putting on too much. Always start at the middle of your lip and work your way to the corners. When you are done, blot it out with a tissue and then apply a second layer. This will make your lipstick last longer on your lips.

Speaking of making your lipstick last longer, you can dust your lips with a thin layer of face powder when you are done applying your lipstick. This will help you gain a few more hours on the lipstick. Other things to keep in mind are to avoid chewing on the lips and to keep the lips moisturized.

You should also remember that if you are going to paint your lips a vivid red, you should compensate and keep your makeup balanced by toning down on the eye shadow. Vivid red lips go with light eye shadow; better yet, lay off the eye shadow completely if you are going for red lips and just put mascara on your eyelashes. If you are going to pair bright red lips with heavy eye makeup, you will only end up looking like a clown.

Not all of us may be aware of this, but if we are careless with the use and storage of our makeup, our makeup could end up infecting and damaging our skin.

How is this possible? Most cosmetics available out there have water as one of their main ingredients. Water is a favorite breeding ground for different kinds of germs, and some of these germs can infect the skin and make us sick. Of course, most makeup products have chemicals in them that are meant to preserve the makeup and prevent the germs from infesting in the product. The thing is, constant exposure to heat, sunlight and humidity can make these preservatives weak.

There are also many products out there that claim to be natural and preservative-free. These types of cosmetics are actually more vulnerable to becoming germ cultures since these cosmetics lack the chemicals that are supposed to kill the germs.

Scary and horrifying as the idea of the makeup we are using becoming breeding ground for germs, it is actually possible to prevent germs from making habitats out of the cosmetics we use. We only need to make sure that we are observing proper hygiene in storing and using our makeup and makeup tools. Here are a few suggestions for use and storage of makeup:

1. Keep the makeup products and tools stored in a place that is cool and dry. Exposing these products to direct sunlight should also be avoided.

2. Makeup containers should be closed tightly when not in use.

3. Pencils, whether eyebrow pencils, lip-liners or eye-liners, should always be covered tightly when in storage and sharpened after every use.

4. Products that come in stick form, such as stick foundations and blushes, should be wiped off thoroughly with a clean tissue after every application.

5. Avoid using makeup if suffering from any kind of skin infection. Whatever items that are used during an outbreak should be thrown away, or the infection will only keep recurring.

6. When putting on makeup, use disposable applicators that are clean and dry rather than our own fingers.

7. Never share makeup and makeup tools, even with your mothers, sisters or closest girlfriends.

8. If the product changes in color, texture, smell or even taste, dispose of the product and shop for a new one.

9. If the product�s consistency is no longer the same as it was when it was new, never add water or saliva to makeup. Just throw it away and get a new one.

10. We should also remember to wash the makeup tools that we use, the applicators, the brushes and the spongers, at least once a week. There are good cosmetic cleansers out there for this very purpose, but mild soap and dishwashing liquid can also do the trick. We should make sure to dry our makeup tools very carefully before putting them away.

Eyes. Gold on the eyelids make the eyes pop and shine. Put gold on your eyes by applying gold eye shadow to your lash line, then working up to your brow bone. After that, put on a neutral matte shadow on your brow bone. If you want to go for all-out gold eyelids, dot your eyelids� inner corners with gold cream, then line your lower lash line with the product. Afterwards, blend. A reminder, though: if you want to wear golden eyes, keep the rest of your face neutral.

Skin. If you are planning on baring a little skin by going sleeveless or wearing a tube top or a low neckline, you can add a touch of warm glow on your skin by coating your skin with moisturizer, then adding a layer of fine gold powder. Take care that the powder you are putting on has particles that are really crushed finely, or else they will look like big glitters. Having big glitters on the skin is so high school, not grown-up chic.

Cheeks. Putting gold blush on your cheeks puts light and life on your face. Your face will look more brilliant and alive with gold on your cheeks. To do this, simply brush on gold powder or highlighter on your regular bronzer.

Lips. A touch of gold on your lips will make it more full, plump and pouty. A gold lip gloss puts in a lot of drama on your makeup if swiped lightly over a dark shade of lipstick. Just dab the stuff on the center of your lip though, rather than coating your entire lips with it.

Whatever tone of skin that you may have, putting on a touch of gold will make it shine with warmth and glow with glamour. A touch of gold will also add character and drama to your entire look, giving you a face that no one has undoubtedly seen before. Whether it is for a night out for partying or just a general party mood, gold makeup is something special that you can always get away with, even if it is not the holiday season.

y Kathryn M. D'Imperio

Time and again purses left in automobiles result in molten lipsticks, smeary eye shadow and super-sticky mascara. Makeup applied to one�s face fails to fare much better, with smudgy eye makeup and smeary foundation rubbing off every which way.

Looking your best becomes a bit trickier when the warmer weather teases your tresses and melts your makeup quicker than you can bat an eye. A fully made-up mug may not be conducive to looking fresh and fabulous on a hot, sticky day, but a few heatproof makeup tricks and tips could really help you save face, literally!

Lip smackin� fun, refreshing spray and sun protection�

For a cool, tasty treat, keep a stick or two of your favorite lip balm in the refrigerator. Fruity favorites become even more refreshing when chilled. Many brands of Chap Stick, lip gloss, lip balm and other lip treatments now offer products with SPF 15 to prevent burned lips. Keep an eye out for these sweet treats, as few things taste worse than burnt lips!

While adding items to your refrigerator, consider placing an invigorating body spray in the fridge to chill for a super-uplifting pick-me-up during the day�s hottest hours. For skin protection from the sun, also keep an eye out for special facial and body lotions that contain sunscreen along with the beauty ingredients for soft skin, greaseless feel and a nice fragrance.

Women who desire to be beautiful almost always start with their hair. There is nothing like a head of soft, fluffy hair that looks thick and full of body. Hair like that always catches the eye. Thin and lanky hair that lies flat against the scalp rarely if ever looks flattering.

To achieve this full-bodied look, women resort to using various products � shampoo, conditioners and styling aids. Subjecting the hair to chemical treatments like coloring, bleaching and perming also results to this. Blow-drying the hair also fluffs it out. Unfortunately, too much of these products and processes can lead to hair damage as well.

Each strand of our hair is made up of cuticles covered with scales. These scales are responsible for protecting the hair from damage. Ideally, these scales are supposed to lie flat against the cuticle, but when the hair is permed, bleached or colored, the chemicals involved in the process open up these scales to treat the hair inside as well. The open scales cause the hair to fluff out, making the hair look thicker and fuller. This is also what happens when the hair is exposed to heat from blow-drying or using hair irons and curlers. The danger to having the scales of the hair open, though, is added vulnerability of the hair to chemical build-up, as well as to probable damage of the cuticle from ultraviolet rays, leading to dryness, frizzing and split ends.

For both men and women, having a full head of healthily growing hair is an essential key to having a good self-image. We spend so much money on products that will ensure that our hair is healthy, glossy and full of life, products such as shampoos, conditioners, styling aids, and so many others. A great many of us also go to salons on a regular basis to keep our manes as beautiful as possible.

The condition of the hair is so important that it can actually boost our self-confidence or aid to its collapse. So when the hair is lost, it can cause so much trauma and uncertainty on the person experiencing the hair loss.

For some of us, hair loss is inevitable. It can be because we have inherited genes that make us predisposed to losing our hair once we reach a certain age. Hair loss can also be a sign of illness in the body, or a result of having that illness treated, such as the way people undergoing chemotherapy lose their hair. It can also be because we exert too much pressure on our hair strands with constant styling.

We should take note that it is perfectly alright to lose around 50 to 100 hair strands a day. Our hair grows to a certain length for a certain time before our scalp sheds it to lead to the growth of new hair. Sometimes, it looks like we are losing more than 100 strands a day, but that could be because hair previously shed got tangled with the other strands and only got freed with the shampooing or the brushing.

If ever hair loss does happen to us, we should remember that it is not the end of the world for us. There are solutions to dealing with hair loss such as medication, transplantation or replacement.

When you go to a hair restoration clinic, you can expect the doctor to advise you to take medication first to treat your hair loss. Or, he or she could diagnose that your hair loss may be the result of another underlying illness, and he or she will look for symptoms of such illnesses in your body. Anyway, if the doctor tells you to take medication first, he or she will either prescribe to you the drugs Propecia or Rogaine.

Propecia is the brand name under which finasteride is marketed. Finasteride is a formulation that is intended to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that is thought to be responsible for hair loss. Propecia is taken orally, but its effect lasts for only as long as the drug is consumed. Women are not usually prescribed to take finasteride, because it can result to birth defects on male babies.

Rogaine, on the other hand, is the brand name of minoxidil. It is applied topically on the scalp. Just like finasteride, the effects of minoxidil last only as long as the drug is used.

If you wish to undergo hair transplantation surgery, your attending doctor will have to determine if you are a candidate for such a procedure, because not everyone can go through this kind of treatment. But if you do proceed through the surgery, what the doctor will do is to graft individual hair strands onto your scalp, imitating the natural growth pattern of your hair as closely as possible.

For people who do not wish to spend so much money on surgical procedures or on medicine that may or may not work, there is always alternative medicine like acupuncture. Some experts claim that acupuncture works in encouraging hair to grow back onto the scalp. What acupuncture does is to stimulate nerve endings on the scalp and improve the circulation of blood to the scalp. With increased circulation, more nutrients are brought to the scalp, encouraging new cells to develop in the hair follicles. The blood flow also enables the quicker repair and replacement of damaged cells.

If medication and hair transplantation does not work, there is always hair replacement - another term for wearing a wig. Wearing wigs can be fun, trendy and stylish. The really good wigs are now made so that the wearer does not have to fear the wig being blown away by the wind or skewed by sudden movement. If you choose to wear wigs, just take care to wash them often so it does not irritate your skin.

Hair loss can be inevitable for some of us, but it is not the end of the world. There is always a solution to it.

So you�ve got the all-new look, you�ve got the long gorgeous mane you�ve always wanted to have, and you�re feeling like a total goddess thanks to your longer locks. But they�re not going to stay beautiful unless you really make the effort to take care of them. Your extensions might not be your real hair, but that doesn�t mean you should just neglect them. We�ve got hair extension care tips for you right here, so take the time to check them out.

First and foremost, you have to keep your hair clean. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner or better yet, ask your stylist what kind of products would work best your hair and your extensions. When taking a shower, it�s recommended that you gradually wet your hair instead of putting on the full pressure of water on your head right away, which could cause a lot of tangling.

Going to the pool or the beach? Feel free to toss around your newly-lengthened tresses while you�re frolicking in the sand or lounging around beside the pool. But when the time comes for you to take a dip, tuck your hair under a swim cap. Chemicals and saltwater can do great damage to your hair. Wash your hair afterwards in case some of these seeped into your cap during your swim.

Don�t worry about putting your hair in buns, braids and ponytails. Your hair will still hold up when styled in different ways. Just make sure you use some good clips and bands which won�t stretch out your hair.

If you�re going to style your hair, remember not to use too much heat because it could turn your hair frizzy. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and let it air-dry afterwards. If you really must use a hair dryer, go with ionic dryers for best results.

An important reminder for you would be to stay away from coloring or perming your hair yourself. As always, consult your salon first and leave all treatments in their hands.

Following these simple tips will keep your extensions looking nice and natural. Best of all, you will get to keep your goddess-like locks for a longer period of time!

Black hair can convey lots of different images. It could make you look like a total Goth girl or make you look like the perfect Oriental doll. Done right, it could make you look like a raven-haired goddess with long, cascading tresses.

Not everyone is cut out to sport black hair, though. Before you head to your stylist and declare your intentions to blacken your locks, go over these few guidelines first.

• Black hair is your goal, but it�s not advisable to choose a totally charcoal-black shade. Hairdressers say a really deep black sometimes makes hair look fake, so a dark brown-black shade would look better.
• Consider your skin color. They say black goes with everything, and that�s more or less true with black hair. You could have dark skin, have a glowing tan, or olive complexion and you�re going to be able to pull off black hair just fine. Fair skin also does justice to black hair, but make sure you�re not extremely pale, unless you really are going for a Goth look.
• Take your cue from stars who have turned their manes black. While she�s ordinarily gorgeous in every look she�s experimented with, Angelina Jolie once looked sinister in black at the 2000 Oscars. Ashlee Simpson used to be an aspiring black-haired rocker chick when she emerged into the music scene. Britney Spears shocked everyone when she dyed her normally blond hair a stunning black. Burlesque artist Dita Von Teese is a natural blonde, but established her signature style with glossy black curls.

Having second thoughts about getting black hair? Get yourself accustomed to a darker hair color by getting a deep brown shade first. If it turns out gorgeous, let the color settle in for several months and give your hair time to relax before getting another treatment. Then you can launch your new look and go all out black.