Botox Injections: A Closer Look

Just about everyone has, at one time or another, heard about Botox Injections.
Botox is the most popular non-invasive procedure on the market today because the
Benefits of Botox are great with little risk involved.

Botox blocks your nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that
cause wrinkles. This will give your skin a smoother, more rejuvenated
appearance. That is all and well, but what are the draw backs to Botox? The only
drawbacks are almost non existent when weighed with the obvious benefit of
reducing the appearance of age defining wrinkles. Your Botox injection may take
15 years worth of wrinkles off your neck or face, but regrettably, it will
certainly not last forever. You will have to receive further injections on a
fairly regular basis. Around every four months you will need to go back in and
get a refresher injection. Some people choose to turn this into an advantage by
converting the cosmetic procedure into a social event called a Botox party. A
Botox party is in essence, a group of people sharing the Botox experience with
one another usually for company over the simple joy of finger food in a catered
lobby of a lucky doctor. Sharing your exsperiance may help to ease some of the
fear involved with trying something new. You are also able to see live Before
and After demonstrations. If after all of this you still are not pleased with
your youthful new appearance, then you are in luck because the drawback is also
your advantage. You will not have a terribly long wait for the effects to wear
off.

Botox is very safe when administered by a competent professional in a medical
setting. Botox injections are for good reason the fastest-growing cosmetic
procedure in the industry, according to the American Society for Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In 2001, more than 1.6 million people received
injections, an increase of 46 percent over the previous year. Botox has been FDA
approved since April 2002 and was found to officially reduce the severity of
frown lines for up to 120 days.

If you are interested in Botox, locate a Botox Plastic Surgeon today at
www.SleepingSwan.com

Botox is a registered trademark and owned by
Allergan, Inc

You are welcome to reproduce this article:
Botox
Injections : A Closer Look as long as a live link to http://www.sleepingswan.com
is provided. SleepingSwan.com can help you find not only
Botox Plastic
Surgeons but other types of Cosmetic
Surgeons that will enable you to completely make over your entire appearance.

Makeup Tip: Beautiful Eyes

Eyes have been called the windows of the soul because of how much they communicate. Eyes give your face energy and individuality. They do not have to be a certain size or shape to be considered pretty - all eyes have their own unique beauty. When makeup is applied to look natural it will bring out the eye's true color and enhance the eye's beauty. When you feel good about your makeup you will be more confident and will have one less thing to worry about.

A subtle application of eyeliner, shadows and mascara work together to create magic and make your eyes look their best.

Eye Shadow

Eye shadow is meant to highlight and define the eyes. Eye shadow is used to create depth to bring out the beauty of the eyes. A dark color used on the lid will make the eye appear smaller, while a lighter color will make it appear larger. That is what eye shadow is about creating illusions. These are the basic techniques for the following eye shapes:

Small eyes: Don't use too much shadow or liner - it will make you eyes look smaller. Apply a light color on eyelid, use a darker color in the crease and use a highlighter under the brow.

Large eyes: Wear darker shadow on the lid and extend it to the crease. Use a flat color under the brow to highlight.

Deep-set eyes: Use light colors on the eyelid and under the brow. Use a medium color in the crease. Emphasize the outer corners with shadow.

Wide-set eyes: Use darker colors on the inner corners of the eye.

Hooded eyes: Apply light colors on the lid. Use darker colors from the center of the eyelid to the outer corners and blend.

Round eyes: Make round eyes longer by using color all around and extending toward the outer corners.

Asian eyes: Apply highlighter under the brow. Use light shadow on the inner half of the lid and a darker color on the outer half.

1. Light colors cause the eyes to open, dark colors will cause the eyes to recede

2. If you have very light skin avoid dark shades

3. Be careful with shimmer - they will bring attention to imperfections and wrinkles.

4. The eye area is the first to show age don't tug on the skin.

Eyeliners:

Eyeliners are meant to define the eyes so they should do just that, not be the focal point of your makeup. Eyeliners come in various colors and forms liquid, pencil etc. Keep the eyeliner natural. Pencils are available in many colors (for the best look stick to black or brown) and can be sharpened for a fine line. For a smudged effect use a sponge tip shadow applicator or an eye shadow brush. When your pencils are too soft refrigerate them. When they are too hard soften them by holding them between your fingers.

To line the eye, start on the lower lid, just beneath the lashes. When you are finished always smudge the line with your sponge. Stay as close to the lash line as possible. On the upper lid, draw a line form the inner corner to the outer corner, thickening the line toward the outer corner. After the age of 40 keep the line in between the lashes.

Mascara and the creation of beautiful lashes:

Mascara frames your eyes and can make your face come alive. Mascara softly accentuates the eye while thickening and darkening the lashes; it is the finishing touch for eyes. There are several different types to choose from, thickening, and waterproof to smudge proof. Waterproof will need a special remover and smudge proof will wash off easily. It is not a good idea to wear waterproof mascara for extended periods of time since it has a tendency to dry the lashes.

Select a shade of mascara that complements your coloring. Dark shades on pale eyes with brown lashes will darken them and will look harsh. Stay away from blues and other colors since they will ruin your look.

Lashes that are hard to curl may need the help of an eyelash curler. Curl your lashes before you apply mascara - hold for ten to twenty seconds.

To apply mascara look straight into your mirror with your chin slightly lifted so you can see your lashes. Insert the wand only once and twist, don't pump. Pumping can break the brush bristles and distribute the mascara unevenly and will dry out the mascara faster. Start by rolling the wand from root to tip in an upward motion. Reinsert the brush and apply again. If your eyelashes are thick and long they may clunk together. If this happens let them dry and then separate them with the corner of an eyebrow brush.

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

Knowing Your Skin Type Is The First Step in Choosing Proper Skin Care

In order to care for your skin properly you must first determine the type of skin you have.

There are 5 types of skin: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination and Problem Skin.

Normal:

The skin is soft, supple and smooth. It is fine-textured and free of blemishes (with the exception of periodic blemishes). It has a nice glow and never feels oily or dry. Less than twenty percent of women have this skin type. If this is your skin type you are fortunate; however, this does not mean that you shouldn't take care of it.

Dry:

This type of skin to has a fine texture and is transparent looking. It feels tight and drawn without moisturizer and tends to have fine lines around the eyes and mouth. It feels especially dry after washing and may have whiteheads around the eyes and dry patches. This type of skin needs proper care because it shows signs of aging early.

Oily:

The oily complexion is greasy, sallow and course. It has large pores and tends to have pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Within hours of washing the oiliness will reappear and makeup is usually absorbed quickly.

Combination:

This type of skin is oily in the T zone and the rest of the face is dry. The T zone is the forehead, nose and chin. The extent to which both areas are dry and oily may vary; however, both areas require a separate cleaning routine to restore them to balance.

Problem Skin:

Problem skin is usually oily and has a course texture and is subject to acne. It has large pores, blackheads, red blotches and may become more irritated under stress. If the problem is serious it will require the assistance of a dermatologist.

There are also 2 skin conditions that may occur either together or separately and may occur with any skin type. These are sensitive and allergic conditions. If when applying skin care products you begin to sneeze, wheeze, itch or breakout you are probably allergic. Skin that appears thin, pale and flushes easily and may be sensitive and be subject to allergies. If this is the case, treat your skin gently and use hypoallergenic products.

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

Beauty Consultant Reveals Secrets to Beautiful Skin

If you're like many women you are confused about how to choose the proper skin care. Or maybe you have some knowledge of what is available but you are not sure what is a good choice for you. Cosmetics come in many forms and deciding which is good for you is often a matter of personal taste. However, in order to make a good decision here is some basic information that you should know.

Cleansers: Are used to cleanse the skin of impurities and restore it to its natural oil balance.

Types of Cleansers

Soap: Almost everyone uses it. If you have dry or oily skin be sure your soap is helping correct the problem. Medicated soaps are meant for acne and problem skin, hypoallergenic soaps are meant for sensitive skin and there are drying soaps for oily skin and oily soaps for dry skin. If you have problem skin it is best to see a dermatologist.

Liquid Cleansers: Are made for all types of skin. A good cleanser goes deep into the pores to loosen and lift excess oil and makeup.

Creams: Are used for dry skin

Pad Cleansers: Are thick wad of absorbent material and are good for touch ups throughout the day.

Grains: Are coarse cleansers that are used for oily skin

Refreshers: Are used to complete the cleansing process. They help tone; sooth and rehydrate the skin keep complexions clear and clean.

Types of Refreshers:

Astringents: Are meant for oily and normal skin types. They usually have alcohol as an ingredient that will stimulate the complexion and close the pores. This is not a product to use on dry skin.

Toners: Are mild refreshers and are meant for normal and dry skin.

Fresheners: Are recommended for dry, sensitive or problem skin.

Moisturizers: Replenishes moisture and nourishes the skin.

Types of Moisturizers:

Moisturizers for normal skin: Helps maintain the moisture in normal skin.

Moisturizers for dry skin: Helps restore skin's natural moisture balance.

Oil Control Moisturizers: Help control excess oil and prevent blemishes

Emollients: Are rich creams suited for extra dry skin that replenishes the natural supply of the skin's oil. This moisturizing cream forms a protective shield that minimizes moisture evaporation and allows increased hydration of dry areas.

Masks: Exfoliates dead surface cells as it hydrates and moisturizes the skin.

Types of Masks:

Facial Masks for normal to dry skin: Help relax facial muscles and remove dry flaky skin.

Facial Masks for oily skin: Refines skin's texture and deep cleans to help control surface sebum.

Pore Packs: Are designed to eliminate blackheads and reduce blemishes. Mostly used for oily skin.

Foundation Protection: Foundation protects the skin by keeping moisture in and dirt out with the added benefit of a flawless finish. This is a step that some women skip because they don't quit know how to apply it and are not getting the right look. A couple of suggestions: make sure you have the type that is compatible with your complexion, test the color on your jaw line and it should be the same color as your complexion and make sure you have exfoliated (if not the foundation will show up as flaky).

Types of Foundation:

Full Coverage: used for normal to dry skin for extra hydration.

Medium Coverage: used for normal to oily skin.

Whatever your skin type take care of it by keeping it clean. Cleanse, tone and moisturize every morning and every night. Irregular or improper cleansing causes skin problems and makeup that is left on the skin will dull the skin's surface; while oil and dead skin cells will clog the pores and cause blackheads.

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

Fuller Lips Without Injections or Surgery?

Once again, very full lips are one of the most sought after "assets", thanks in large part to a very popular and sexy actress that seems to appeal to both men and women. Plastic surgeons say the most often requested lips they would like to imitate are Angelina Jolie's. And who can blame them? You can't deny the sensuality and femininity of a full pair of lips. Lips that are fuller can really balance out the face,
and add to the attractiveness and symmetry of the overall facial structure. Full, soft looking lips seem to compliment and soften any woman's face and bring out their most feminine, sensual and sultry features.

You may be one of the lucky women who has been blessed with a perfectly pouty and full smile, but if you're reading this article you are probably seeking to enlarge, enhance, or otherwise increase the volume and fullness of your lips. But who really has the money or inclination to go have a costly, and many times painful, procedure performed which may not even
produce permanent results? Not to mention, most of these procedures are, in fact, not permanent, and do require recurring visits every six months.

This can really add up, and the results may not even be as natural as you desire. So the question is, if you want fuller, larger, sexier lips, what are your nonsurgical choices, if any that are safe AND effective?

It seems like every day a new cosmetics company is popping up on the internet claiming to have the one lip enlargement product that really works. How are you to tell which of these lip enhancement products really lives up to it's claims? We all know that most of them probably are just a waste of good money. Most lip enlargement creams, gels and glosses work by actually irritating the outer layer of cells, causing it to swell slightly and turn a deeper color. Other lip enhancers use light reflection through high shine or gloss to trick the eye and make the lips appear fuller. Most of these do not result in any truly noticeable difference to the naked eye, and do not last more than one hour.

There are a few products that have been shown to help increase moisture and volume over time with repeated use (for reviews and suggestions
http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/best-cosmetics-online-reviews.html ).
Do not expect a dramatic increase by the use of these products alone though. The best, most dramatic natural lip enlargement can be achieved through combining the use a quality topical lip product along with a lip enlargement pump. A lip enlargement pump is a small hand-held device that gently suctions the lips outward, pulling fliud in to the lips and creating a dramatically fuller set of lips for a few hours at a time. They are inexpensive, and you only need to buy it
once and you're done. I do however recommend you purchase a few so you have one for home and one for on the road. The best part about this device is that, over time and with regular use, you will notice your lip size really has increased, even after the initial effect of lip "plumping" has worn off.

One word of caution though, if the pump is used for too long with each individual treatment, or the suction is too vigorous and severe, it will cause your lips to bruise. So start slow, and be sure you are not in discomfort as this is a sign the lips may bruise. Be cautious and mindful of this, and stick to the recommended treatment times. If the suction is too much, reduce the pressure by releasing the nozzle until it is a comfortable "tugging" sensation. This device is truly a great way to achieve a dramatic increase in lip size, and is a great "special occasion" beauty tool. It is a Hollywood standby for photo shoots and a favorite trick of models and actresses to get the lips extra plump and full.

Another tip for maintaining moisture and fullness of the lips, besides using a good lip enhancer and a lip pump (if so desired for dramatic effects), is to keep you body hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water at all times, and be sure to apply your lip product whenever it wears off. Keeping the lips hydrated is part of the trick to keeping them as full and flushed as possible, so they stand out, instead of blending in with the rest of your face. Avoid dehydrating ingredients such as mint and camphor.

Here's an interesting fact: Did you know that your lips actually get fuller during the times of your monthly cycle when estrogen levels are elevated? You may have thought you were imagining that your lips are fuller during certain times of the month - but you weren't!

So, now you know that you really can achieve fuller lips without the surgery and injections. As long as you are dilligent in administering the treatments as recommended, and choose the best products, you are on your way to a perfectly full, soft set of lips!

Danna Schneider is the webmaster of the beauty and makeup product review and advice website CosmeticsGalore.com http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com and her new dedicated natural breast-enhancement site http://www.natural-breast-guide.com. - providing reviews and research on everything from natural breast enhancement and lip enhancement products and cellulite treatments to self tanners, acne treatments, and makeup.

She is a cosmetics and beauty product researcher and enthusiast.