SUMMER IN VANCOUVER: Low-cost fashions for the high season

A long-held philosophy of mine is there’s very little practicality in spending a fortune on a summer wardrobe. What with grass stains, perspiration, sand dust, and inevitable drips of double-chocolate gelato, shorts and short-sleeved linen shirts rarely make it to the back of the closet come fall.

Experience has also taught me frugality when it comes to summer accessories. For example, it’s an undeniable fact that the amount spent on a pair of sunglasses is inversely proportional to how long I have before they disappear. Were I to throw down $515 for the much-coveted Tom Ford Cyrille aviators, I’d doubtless lose them within the week. Conversely, the two-toned, Tijuana street-kiosk el cheapos I purchased one hungover Spring Break in the mid-’90s are still kicking around.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t spend for the summer; just choose wisely. Remember, the more you spend now, the less you’ll have to splurge when the fall collections hit stores in August.

Sunglasses
Ladies, you’ve probably salivated over a pair of oversized Pradas in much the same way fashion-conscious men long for this season’s must-haves, the aforementioned Tom Ford aviators. But times being what they are, you should probably lower your expectations and your overhead. If you’re in the market for aviators, the best deal going has got to be Banana Republic’s (pictured at right, $98; BananaRepublic.ca for nearest location). Sure, their price may seem a little steep to some, but only until you consider their provenance: Banana’s eyewear is designed and manufactured by Italy’s Safilo, the people who design and manufacture sunglasses for Prada, Gucci, etc. If you’re in the market for cheaper and more cheerful, check out the $20 shades (“inspired” by the big brand names) from Toronto’s Mercury Sunglasses, available locally at Dream (311 West Cordova, 604-683-7326, DreamVancouver.com).

Hats
Like sunglasses, a summer hat has become something of a necessity, for reasons of health as well as fashion. I may dream of hitting the beach with a braided leather Makins trilby, but I usually wake up with a start when a gust of imaginary wind blows my $350 headpiece into the ocean. But if Gap’s paper pork-pie hat (pictured, $29.50; GapCanada.ca for nearest location) or, better yet, an H&M;two-tone straw trilby ($9.90; HM.com for nearest location) were to end up in the drink, well, that’s just the price of summer on the water. Similarly, if I were a Kits Beach baby and the proud owner of a hot-pink Eric Javitz floppy terry sun hat, I’d never be able to relax for fear something would happen to my $150 investment. The hot-pink floppy straw hat from Joe Fresh (pictured, $9; Joe.ca for nearest location) is so cheap, you’d feel not the slightest twinge of guilt should you run out of kindling and use it to light a beach bonfire.

Sandals
The last — but by no means least — of the summer accessories trifecta is the sandal. Sure, I’m in love with the beach-cum-runway distressed brown leather look of the John Varvatos A-frame thong sandal for men, and Tori Burch coral pink thongs for women. Who wouldn’t be? But I don’t know if I could really enjoy bumming around the backyard in $200-plus flip-flops. For men’s everyday streetwear, I recommend the simple leather lines of Aldo’s Sudbury ($70; AldoShoes.com for nearest location) or Old Navy’s leather thongs (pictured, $24.50; OldNavy.ca for nearest location). For the ladies, Aldo’s flash of patent turquoise, Karrenberg (pictured, $50), or the metallic sandals in silver at Old Navy (pictured, $19.50) or gold at H&M;($19.95) should see you from the office to the patio party in style. Still too rich for your blood? Troll the couch for a few bucks and head on over to the flip-flop wall at Old Navy, where $6-$7.50 will get you a pair of beach slippers in countless colour combinations.

Forehead Wrinkle Makeup

Forehead wrinkles are known as frowning wrinkles. These wrinkles appear either in vertical lines in between the eyebrows or horizontal lines underneath the hair line. These are caused with the growing age same as wrinkles around eye, cheeks and chin. Few people would observe wrinkles on the forehead in early thirties. One of the reason for this is lack of skin moisture improper skin care. Thus, one should drink lot of water and always keep skin hydrated to avoid premature wrinkle formation on head from Dry skin. Also use a good moisturizer containing sun screen with SPF 15 minimum once in a day. However, once frowning wrinkles are formed precautions could be taken not let it further increase and hide it with the touch of makeup.

Hide Frowning Wrinkles with Makeup: There are few products that are produced specially to put out of sight the wrinkles on forehead and other facial areas. Wrinkle filler, instant wrinkle creams and anti wrinkle makeup foundation are quite effective in hiding the undesirable soft lines on the forehead. Depending upon the intensity of wrinkles these products could be used. If the wrinkles are too much and very prominent then wrinkle filler has to be used else a good anti-wrinkle foundation would be sufficient.

Step 1: Clean the face with regular face wash and wipe it off gently with the clean towel. Cleansing milk can also be used for cleaning the face.

Step 2: Apply the moisturizer with SPF 15 sun screen block all over the face. Ensure to apply thoroughly on forehead and other wrinkle prone facial areas.Step 3: If the frowning wrinkles are very much noticeable then first put the wrinkle filler smoothly on the forehand along the lines. This should be omitted if the wrinkles are still thin lines.Step 4: Take little liquid anti-wrinkle foundation on the palm and with finger tip apply it on the forehead and on the rest of the face. Blend it well using a clean sponge. Pick up the foundation shade close to the skin tone.Step 5: Next put concealer on unwanted thin lines. Merge well.Step 6: With the help of the brush or puff apply the face powder to give the uniform look to the entire face.

With these simple makeup steps one could easily hide the frowning wrinkles and look fabulous. In case if the person is in hurry and cannot spare time for applying makeup then instant wrinkle cream is good alternative to cover the frowning wrinkles. Just apply it as any other regular cream with special attention on wrinkled facial areas and blend it well. Within couple of minutes the positive results can be seen. It is always recommended to use organic-based makeup products and natural wrinkle remedies and having antioxidants and vitamin E as it holds the skin elasticity intact and protects the face from premature wrinkles.

These products are efficient in concealing the wrinkles. However, it is very crucial to remove the makeup or the wrinkle creams applied on the face before going to the bed in night. This should never be ignored. With the right makeup and application one can always look beautiful and stunning. Try it out!!.

Herbal Skin Care Tips

Here are 22 practical Herbal Tips for Skin Care from the experts! Very easy to use and effective.

1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.

2) Cut some beet root into small pieces and grind them. Squeeze juice from beet root and massage to your face for 5 minutes. Shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour.

3) Mix sandalwood powder with rose water and add 4 to 5 drops of milk in it and apply on to your face and body. Shower after 15 minutes with warm water.

4) Mix honey in water and drink daily in the morning to keep your skin shiny and smooth.

5) Warm honey and mix with lemon juice and apply on to face. Wash after it dry.

6) Mix Turmeric, sandal powder and olive oil and apply to body. Shower after 10 minutes.

7) Massage your skin with milk. Milk has moisturizer, it will keep your skin smooth.

Use humidifiers and keep room temperature moderate to keep your skin away from dryness.

9) Hot water blushes your skin and you don’t feel fresh unless you have bath with little cold water. If you have shower for a longtime, dead skin will be automatically be removed. Do not rub with towel, be gentle on your skin.

10) Take food which contains more A and C vitamin.

11) Grate carrot and boil. Massage that mixture to body to get fair and smooth skin

12) For natural bleaching: – mix milk and lemon juice. The

milk will break as soon as you mix the lemon juice in it. Use that mixture to massage on your body. It works as natural bleaching.

13) Mix turmeric and cream on the top of milk, massage that mixture to body.

14) If you go into sun your skin will lost the fair ness. To get your skin color to normal take equal quantities of cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply on to skin. Shower after 10 minutes.

15) Massage mustard oil to your skin for 5 minutes and have shower with gram flour or mild soap.

16) Mix cream on the top of milk and all-purpose flour and apply that paste on to your skin avoid eyes, eyebrows and lips. Shower after 5 minutes. This will make skin smooth.

17) Mix curds (yogurt) with wheat flour and apply to your skin and take shower after 5 minutes.

18) Grind rose petals and mix with cream on the top of milk and apply to your body. Shower after 10 minutes.

19) Scaly skin is a result of fluorine deficiency. Fluorine is the anti-resistant element of the human body, the absence of which creates problems in the blood and spleen. Since cooking and heating foods destroys fluorine, it is better to eat uncooked raw fruits and vegetables. Other foods rich in fluorine are goat milk and cheese, rye flour, avocados, sea plants and cabbage, cream whey and cottage cheese.

20) Wrinkle skin is a result of Sodium deficiency and makes skin sticky. Cucumbers are ideal for combating and preventing sodium deficiency because they are not only high in sodium, but also help in keeping the body cool, a great summer’s treat.

21) Skin rashes are the result of silicon deficiency. To avoid pus and rashes, eat plenty of sprouts, alfalfa, barley, tomatoes, spinach, strawberries and figs.

22) Skin eruptions are the result of Chlorophyll. And are found in wheat grass and other green leafy vegetables

Herbal Skin Care – 3 Natual Ingredients You Must Know About

Let’s face it, herbal skin care has been in practice since ancient times, however, now it has been altered in a big way.

Unfortunately, herbal treatment for the skin has been replaced by synthetic (chemical-based) skin care practices. And yes, even the skin care products that are classified herbal have been commercialised. Why?

Because when the organic or herbal products are mixed with preservatives (like parabens), those synthetic chemicals increase the products shelf-life. In my books, that doesn’t sound too healthy to put on your face.

We know that the big brand skin care companies add synthetic ingredients, but if you’re looking for a truly natural (no chemicals added) skin care product — what are some natural ingredients to look for?

After reseaching effective natural ingredients, I found a line of skin care products that can be classified as herbal skin care. Proven, clinically tested (on human volunteers) ingredients are extremely important, since, after all you want to nourish your skin with the most effective, natural and safe products possible.

Here are a few natural ingredients to look for when searching for herbal ingredients for the skin:

1) Jojoba Oil — comes from the seeds of the jojoba plant originating from California and Mexico. It’s grown for the liquid wax (jojoba oil) in its seeds because the make-up of jojoba oil is very similar to that of human sebum (the oil secreted by the skin). This means that skin accepts it well (without threat of breakouts or reactions), helps to balance your skin’s sebum, deeply moisturizes your skin and reduces fine lines and stretch marks.

2) Active Manuka Honey – when used topically, this honey is able to support the skin’s own cell renewal and helps in the formation of stronger collagen (the protein in skin responsible for its elasticity). It fights the damaging free radicals (a cause of skin aging) because it contains natural antioxidants. This particular type of honey can penetrate deeply into the skin to nourish, rejuvenate and make the skin look younger and softer.

3) Phytessence Wakame – will not harm the skin because it’s a variety of Japanese Sea kelp used in lotions and creams for keeping skin smooth and elastic (younger looking). Also, the active ingredient in wakame protects the skin against damage caused by UV rays.

The last natural ingredient that is very exciting to note is called Cynergy TK. Cynergy TK is a unique patented form of bio-active keratin and because it is very similar to the basic protein found in human skin this means it is effective in rejuvenating the skin. Cynergy TK was tested in human clinical studies and shown to: increase collagen and elastin production; boost skin elasticity and moisture; sustain 14% improvement in skin moisture retention (over 18 days); and, sustain 42% improvement in skin elasticity (over 18 days).

Make no mistake about it, if you want effective harbal skin care ingredients that give you healthy and younger looking skin, learn more about what Cynergy TK and the other ingredients mentioned in this article can do to help nourish and moisturize your skin. Visit my website today.

Herbal Skin Care: 7 Things You Must Know

Let me ask you a simple question… Do you know the main ingredient in your skin moisturizer? I’ll bet you don’t. I just presumed mine was something natural, and good for you, because it was a leading brand. When I actually checked the label it read like a chemical factory!

This started me on my education in natural and herbal treatment for the skin.

Let me fill you in on the 7 most important things you might not know about herbal skin care.

1. Just because it is made by a company you trust, and costs a lot, doesn’t mean it’s all natural. Synthetic ingredients are usually cheaper, and more readily available. If natural ingredients are not extensively used, the products will be cheaper to manufacture. A great example of this is Manuka Honey from New Zealand. A lot of natural skin care products are adding this ingredient ,as it promotes healing and rejuvenates skin. Unfortunately it has to be imported from New Zealand and not manufactured in a lab.

2. You should not put anything on your skin that you could not eat…You read that right. What you put on your skin eventually ends up in your body through absorption.

3. A truly herbal treatment for the skin should not contain paraben. An artificial preservative found in a lot of cosmetics.

4. Herbal skin care should not have sunscreen chemicals in their formulas. Zinc or titanium dioxide are two natural sunscreens, but they should be applied separately, when needed. They should not be included in your make up or moisturizer.

5. There is a second reason your cosmetics should not contain sunscreen. Everyone needs some sun exposure everyday for adequate production of Vitamin D.

6. Natural products do not contain fragrance. Most fragrances that stay with a substance are not natural, and are a source of irritation for a lot of people. Natural fragrances are very fleeting.

7. Herbal skin care has been around since the beginning of time. It’s nothing new, some companies have simply gotten away from it due to the profit motive. One of the biggest advocates of herbal treatment for the skin was Cleopatra. It is well documented that she was one of the most beautiful women of all time and used only natural cosmetics.

Herbal Skin Care Provides Natural Protection

The idea of using botanicals to help maintain healthy looking skin is not new as herbal skin care is believed to have been in use by ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. However, the idea of picking up a plant and rubbing all over their face and other areas of the body may not be appealing to everyone. Besides, if they do not know what they are looking for, such as accidentally grabbing a handful of poison ivy, the result can be catastrophic.

It is not the plant that offers herbal skin care its benefits, as it is the oils in specific plants that can offer renewal of the skin. During those first thousand or so years, there were not the additional threats to the skin such as tanning booths and chemical laced cosmetic products and many agree that herbal skin care goes back to the basics of using only natural products instead of those grown in a laboratory.

Replenishing the body’s diminishing supply of retinol and collagen to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle free while maintaining its elasticity can best be done by the use of herbal skin care instead of man-made products. Over the years, some of the natural products have been hard to come by and to mass produce the product, experiments were able to reproduce many of them through artificial means.

Great Skin Not Grown In The Lab

While many chemicals have been used to create different hormones and substances produced by the human body, skin is the one thing that cannot be duplicated. Every person must take care of what grows naturally, and by using herbal skin care can provide it with a natural repair mechanism to keep it looking young and healthy.

For many, wrinkles are considered a badge of honor in the aging process, but for others, they want to keep their skin looking as young as they feel. By eating right and exercising they take care of their overall health and simply want the best herbal skin care for their skin that they can find. Moisturizing the skins begins from the inside by keeping the body hydrated, but sometimes exposure to dry climates requires the use of herbal skin care deep moisturizers to replace the moisture deep inside the skin and not just on the outside.

Finding the right herbal skin care product for the right skin type can take some time on a trial and error basis, but many herbalists understand what products work the best in the different situations. Those with exceptionally dry skin may need more natural moisturizers than others, but with age comes the need for some sort of herbal skin care product to help protect what grows naturally.