Five Body Parts You Never Heard Of

Did you know? There are certain parts of your body that you see everyday but you may have no idea what they're called! Bella Sugar reveals five beauty-related body parts you probably never heard of until now!

5 BODY PARTS YOU DIDN'T KNOW EXISTED

Philtrum

Definition: The vertical ridge that lies from your nose to your upper lip.
Usage: By patting on a little bit of concealer in the philtrum, it "gives the illusion of two perfect peaks without having to go through the trouble of lining lips," according to Shu Uemura's Gina Brooke.

Canthus

Definition: The corners on either side of the eye, right where the upper and lower lids come together.
Usage: Use a pinkish concealer... around the canthi for a brightening pick-me-up.

Eponychium

Definition: Another way to say cuticle — as in fingernails, not hair.
Usage: To keep polish off your cuticles, just place the polish wand's brush a tiny bit away from your eponychia to start. Then, give the brush a small push forward and finish off by stroking back up toward the free edge. Voilà! The polish stays on your nails, and not your skin.

For the rest of the story, click here!

Beauty and Bacteria?

We've all been through it: the inevitable make-up counter samples. While it's great to get free stuff, did you know that you could be getting a lot more for free than you'd want? I'm talking about bacteria here. And it's lurking on that innocent-looking make-up brush.

Here's an interesting article from Bella Sugar on make-up counter hygiene:

BEAUTY AND BACTERIA: A LESSON IN MAKEUP COUNTER HYGIENE

When it comes to sampling chips and dip at a barbecue or sampling makeup at the beauty bar, I've always maintained the same philosophy — no double-dipping allowed. But, even if you don't see the double-dip in action, it doesn't mean the product is safe; in fact, when it comes to makeup, more often than not, it isn't.

The truth is that even if you practice good hygiene, the thousands of mall visitors who frequent the same makeup counter, and even the workers behind it, probably don't. That's what Dr. Elizabeth Brooks of Philadelphia's Jefferson Medical College found when she conducted an extensive study on public makeup testers. Her research revealed staph, strep, and even E. coli bacteria on makeup testers, and on high-traffic mall days, like Saturdays, the percentage of contamination on tester products was 100 percent.

But even Dr. Brooks, who's tested hundreds of makeup counters and has seen the worst of it, isn't afraid of the germs lurking in the samples — she just knows how to handle it. You, too, can brave the beauty bar when you practice safe makeup application. Learn how when you read more.

* Don't dip — Whenever possible, use sample products that don't require finger dipping. Squeeze bottles of creams and lip glosses are always a better alternative to lotion jars or pots of lip gloss.

* Forgo communal tools — Never use shared brushes, and always opt for disposable applicators instead.

* Wipe it clean — Remove or scrape the top layer of lipstick, and always wipe the surface of makeup samples with a tissue and some alcohol. Don't test any products where the top surface cannot be removed, like a face cream or eye cream.

* Be mindful of where you apply — The study also showed that cosmetics used around the lips, eyes, or nose are the worst, resulting in the spread of afflictions like cold sores, conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Therefore, avoid any products that must be directly applied to the nose, eyes, or mouth, especially mascara.

* Be your own healthy advocate — If you don't see rubbing alcohol or disposable applicators, ask for them, and don't be afraid to ask for individual samples as well. Just because they're not out on the counter doesn't mean they're not available.

This article was originally posted here! Check out the site for interesting beauty advice.

Eat Your Way to Gorgeous Hair

Did you know that you can EAT your way to gorgeous hair? Now, now, I don't mean chugging down your shampoo! That's dangerous!

If you're a busy-bee-momma, I'm sure you don't have time to blow-dry your hair to perfection everyday or tinker around with bottles of styling products.

But you can still make your hair look great on a daily basis by eating certain foods! And here's a HUGE plus: these foods will make your body healthy too!

I recently read from Yahoo! Health the following "superfoods" that would get you on your way to incredible hair (and a healthy bod):

SUPERFOODS FOR INCREDIBLE HAIR
Iron
Iron helps bolster hair growth. Find it in meat, shellfish, fortified grains and leafy greens.

Protein
Protein is the building block of every strand, but it can be high in fat. To keep your saturated fat intake low, opt for lean cuts of meat, mix light meat with dark, or choose seafood.

Biotin, B6 and B12
Biotin, B6 and B12 promote new growth within the follicles. Good sources include whole-grain breads, oatmeal, skim milk, lowfat cheese, eggs, salmon, nuts and nut butters.

Zinc
Zinc strengthens natural oils that coat the hair shaft, creating shine. Feast on meat, nuts, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and yogurt.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps promote cell renewal in the scalp. Get your fill in the form of brightly colored fruits and veggies. Strawberries and kiwis are surprising super sources, as are raspberries, mangoes, oranges and red bell peppers.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also a hair helper; look for it in apples, apricots and sweet potatoes.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants found in herbs, dark chocolate and fresh berries promote a healthy scalp by sparking cell turnover.

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here. There's also breakfast, lunch and dinner menu suggestions there so don't miss out!

PONDER, PONDER, PONDER...
Got tips of your own? What's your beauty regimen for your hair? If you could have any celebrity's hair, whose would you choose?

Cheerios!
Rach

Model Mommy

Don't you think that some women just have EVERYTHING? Take supermodel Claudia Schiffer, for example. She's gorgeous, she's got killer style, she's successful, and she's handling pregnancy like any random catwalk on the runway! Plus, this is her third one! Don't you think she's definitely looking extra good with that "baby glow"? A model mama, if you ask me!

How does she do it? Well, ladies, she's sharing her baby beauty and style musts! In a recent article from the Celebrity Baby Blog, she reveals her pregnancy beauty routine and how she still manages to look effortlessly beautiful:

"She may be sporting a baby bump, but Claudia Schiffer’s still a force in fashion.

Monday, the mom-to-be (for the third time!) was named Model of the Year at the 2010 ELLE Style Awards in London, but she mostly had babies on the brain.

In a loose fitting black jersey dress by Emma Cook, Miu Miu heeled booties and an Alexander McQueen clutch, the supermodel dished to PEOPLE’s Celebrity Baby Blog on how to do maternity chic.

“I’m not the sort of person who likes to wear tight clothes when I’m pregnant, but I’m not a fan of maternity dresses either, so my advice would be to get things a few sizes bigger and have them tailored to fit.”

When it comes to her pregnancy beauty routine, Claudia — who’s expecting in May — swears by a mixture of oils and creams for her ever-expanding belly.

“I do like to put a lot of cream on my tummy, as long it’s natural. I think it really works to help stretch marks and make the skin really nice and soft.”

As for her favorite products, she says: “I use several! Balance Me oil is really good, Mama Mio has a thick buttery cream which is amazing and I also use this French organic oil too — I alternate them.”

And just how does the supermodel maintain her mum-to-be glow?

“During my first pregnancy, I started to eat organically and healthily because that was the first time I actually thought about what I was putting in my body. I’m still doing that today and I’m also just taking it easy, not working out too much, just enjoying this time in my life.”

To read the article, go here.


PONDER, PONDER, PONDER...
Do you have your own pregnancy beauty routine? How did you deal with the stretch marks? Did you go an a special diet? What would you advice first-time moms? Being preggers doesn't mean you can't look your best! Share your "survival" secrets here and let's make some more model mommas!

Cheerios!
Rach

Image courtesy of Celebrity Baby Blog.

Sexy in 3... 2... 1....

So maybe it's not as easy as ABC to get a sexier body. But while we're working on it, how about a little "cheat"? Get sexier hair! And here are 10 easy ways that you can achieve it according to the beauty gurus at InStyle magazine.



1. Add Volume
"Sexy hair should have natural texture and volume," says LA hairstylist Giannandrea, who has created sultry looks on stars like Eva Mendes and Drew Barrymore. He suggests spraying hair evenly with volumizer and combing through before drying. However, since movement is key to sexy hair, he warns against additional products because "heavy styling aids can cause the look to go limp."

2. Lots of Layers
There's a reason wind machines are a photo-shoot staple: Hair that's tousled is more provocative than stiff, straight planks. So fake the breezy effects of a blower with swinging layers. If you have medium to thick hair, ask your stylist for choppy layers all the way around your head. If you have fine strands, all it takes is a few chin-grazing pieces in front.

3. Condition First
For silky strands, apply a treatment mask to dry hair for 10 minutes before you shampoo. This allows natural oils to penetrate the cuticle and soften it from within. After rinsing, lather your scalp with a gentle shampoo to remove dirt and residue.

4. Knotty is Nice
The most appealing looks aren't perfect. Gisele Bundchen's mane man Harry Josh tells us how to re-create her signature rumpled style: "Flip your hair upside down and give it a good shake. Then flip it back over, scrunch the crown, and finger-comb the ends."

5. Veer Off Center
"A low side part works on every face shape," says Josh. Use the end of a rattail comb to draw a line from the hairline at the outer corner of one eyebrow diagonally back to the center of the crown. It creates a sultry swoop in front while maintaining balance on both sides.

For the rest of the tips, check out the article here!

Shoe True! ;)

We all see them everyday. Superwomen who walk sky-high in those luscious high-heel shoes like it was any other walk in the park. Either these women have the best composure in the universe to be smiling through the pain or they just know how to work those shoes without punishing their feet.



I'm thinking it might be the latter. Here are some tips from none other than J. Alexander of America's Next Top Model to look good in those heels without destroying your feet:

• Buy heels half a size too big to allow a bit of swelling. When your feet hurt, your whole body hurts, and it shows on your face. The point is to look good in those shoes.
• In heels, much of your weight falls on the balls of your feet, which means that walking requires a whole different motion than you'd use when wearing flats. Aim for a heel and ball-toe motion--the heel and the ball hit the ground at the same time.
• Take longer steps than you normally would--it causes you to lean back a little bit, which looks very graceful.
• Drinking and heels do not mix. Every teetering, wobbly step will show the world that you've had one too many.
  

Original article from Yahoo's Shine website.

Photo from sxc.hu.

A Little Self Love

This month of love, open yourself to a whole lotta lovin' by giving yourself a little pampering! Now we don't want to be shallow and obsess over whether we can be as ageless as Madonna at 50. We already know there's so much more to life than that. But we do want to brave those golden years looking golden ourselves, don't we?



Here's your cheat sheet to battling premature aging--yup, it's not too late!

1. Use sunscreen.
At 50, signs of sun damage will start to show. So start early and apply your sunscreen daily to avoid age spots later in life. The new recommendation for sunscreen is 30 SPF.

2. Do not pick at your face.
It is always tempting to pick that blemish or blackhead, however doing so can leave scarring.

3. Do not go to bed with makeup on.
I am guilty of this and I always wake up with a blemish. Leaving your makeup on can clog pores and cause skin irritation.

4. Eat right.
This means less processed foods and more food with the right fatty acids, such as the Omega-3 fatty acids. Processed and fast foods contain so much sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. These ingredients do nothing for your health or your skin.

5. Give up sweetened beverages.
High-calorie drinks such as soda just add pounds and do nothing to promote great skin. Consider herbal teas and water to stay well hydrated.

6. Do not take long, hot showers.
Although this is tempting during the long, cold days of winter, hot showers strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving your skin dry, flaky and sometimes itchy. Consider a warm and shorter shower. Not only will you be eco-friendly, your skin and your water bill will also thank you for it. After your shower, pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer. Also consider a moisturizing cream or gel that will moisturize as you clean.

7. Simplify your skin care routine.
It is so tempting to buy the newest and greatest skin care product, however, it would be best to understand what your skin care needs are. Visit a dermatologist for a consultation or do enough research and come to understand your skin type and needs.

8. Do not smoke.
Smoking does absolutely nothing for your health or your skin.

The original article, as well as loads more beauty tips, can be found at Yahoo's Shine website here.

I will add another tip to this list, though. And I personally think that in the long run, this tip will outlast the others:

9. Be at peace with yourself! Sure, we don't look like supermodels and we don't have the bucks for cosmetic repairs (I don't plan on having any at all, though). But being at peace with who you are as a woman gives you a glow that outshines any star on that red carpet! And lasts you the longest, too!

I have a friend whose 79-year-old mom has so much joy oozing out of her that she sometimes looks and feels like someone in her 20s! She is at peace with herself and with the path that she has chosen in life. That happiness spreads to everyone who meets her. She's quite possibly the most beautiful person on earth!

Photo from sxc.hu.

Party Perfect Hairstyles

What's even better than a hoppin' holiday party? You being glam in that hoppin' holiday party, of course! And don't give me any old excuse that it's just with some of your closest friends anyway or a bunch of relatives. Unacceptable! You've been a hardworking mommy all year long, forgotten to shower several times (admit it), and average only three hours of sleep per night! This is that one time when you can unleash your inner goddess and not have to explain yourself.

So take out that favorite dress, put on some bling and glam up with these celebrity hairstyles with easy steps and handy tips from totalbeauty.com.

Ravishing like Reese




Channel Reese Witherspoon's classically glam layers by following these steps:

Step 1: Apply thickening lotion to wet hair to add lift before blow drying it.

Step 2: Create a bit more volume at the back of your crown by teasing a three-inch square section. Smooth a top layer of hair over the teased area with a brush to hide it.

Step 3: Use a curling iron held vertically to add soft waves all over. Start the curls at ear height, so the top of your hair remains straight. And be sure to wrap your hair around the iron, instead of clamping it in. Set the look with hairspray.

Click her for more celebrity styles.

While you're at it, top your new 'do with girly hair accessories and get ready to sign a few autographs!

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Makin' Over Momma

Motherhood is beautiful. But sometimes, the momma isn't! With so much to do and so little time, a lot of mothers have no more time or motivation to bring out their inner goddess. Oh, come on, you know you have it! It would be quite a shame to keep hiding your best side from the world. What a bleak world we'll all be living in if mothers aren't there to brighten it up. Sometimes, all it takes is one uniquely pretty hair accessory (a lot cuter if it matches your daughter's!) and you instantly brighten up both your mood and your look.

Well, since it is No Slippy Hair Clippy's mission to make the world prettier one girl at a time, we figured, why don't we start with the wonderful ladies that those little girls will aspire to be?

I found this article from parenting.com that is loaded with helpful and easy tips for my dear ladies to get your groove back on. Here's an excerpt of De-stress in 5 Minutes or Less:



Take a (virtual) vacation
"I close my eyes and visualize being on a luxury ocean liner," says Alisha Bush, a mom of one in Madisonville, Tennessee. "I feel the rhythm of the waves and inhale the smell of the ocean." (Try it yourself! See, the beach chair's waiting for ya!)

Crank up some tunes
Play music that brings up good memories. "Many people find they have a visceral reaction to something they heard in their youth," says Suzanne Hanser, chair of the Music Therapy Department at Berklee College of Music, in Boston. Choose anything that triggers a positive image, like your wedding-dance song or the music that played during a first date or at the first rock concert you went to as a teenager.

Laugh it off
Numerous studies show that laughter lowers your levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. So go ahead and giggle out loud at your husband's bad knock-knock jokes-- it'll make you both feel good.

Rub the right way
No, we're not talking about getting a massage; we're talking about giving one--to your baby. Research shows that when women massage infants, their levels of the stress hormone cortisol drop, which in turn calms them down, says Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Click here for the rest of the article.

Here's a little more from me:

Glam up! You don't have to channel those Hollywood A-listers to feel like a million bucks. As I said, sometimes, all it takes is that one little detail that makes you stand-out. It could be that heirloom necklace that your grandma gave you, it could be adding a little shimmer on your lips, it could be a unique hair accessory, it could be getting a gorgeous new manicure.

Be bold! Prettify yourself and don't be shy about it! I've noticed that ladies are a little more daring with their choices these days. Headbands with large floral designs and bold colors a la Leighton Meester are all the rage now. Ultra-feminine styles are becoming trendy once again. But be careful not to get too carried away!

So moms, go ahead and get started to beautiful, hopefully stress-free days ahead!