Whether you are showing off a new ring or shaking hands with an acquaintance, well-groomed nails help improve the look of hands and make a better first impression. If nails have tiny white spots, called leukonychia, there really isn’t much you can do to get rid of them. These spots are usually caused by some trauma to the nail or nail bed. The best course of action is to let these grow out on their own and cover them with polish until they do. Even a fleshy pink color like those used in French manicures will reduce the appearance of the spots.

If your nails seem to be brittle and split often, try taking a daily biotin supplement. This will increase your vitamin B intake which will also improve the health of your hair…a bonus! Using a strengthener can also get the job done. A great and inexpensive product is Sally Hansen’s VitaSurge Strength Gel. Applying this product daily will add the extra vitamins to your nails that they are missing. Keeping hands and cuticles hydrated will also make nails smoother and less brittle. Be sure to moisturize every time you wash your hands and rub a little extra into the cuticles while you’re at it.

Nails that look yellow are usually stained due to lifestyle choices. If you smoke or wear dark polishes most of the times, your nails will look more yellowed. A short soak in some warm water and dish soap can brighten up the nails for a while, but using a more neutral polish and avoiding things that yellow the nails will keep the whiter and brighter longer. Going “au natural” for a couple days and allowing the nails to air after a good buffing will also improve their natural color.

Choose the right shade for your foundation if you wish to establish that flawless skin appearance!  Are you fair, medium light, or darker-skinned?  Be careful because artificial lighting in many stores often be insulting to the complexion.

Testing colors on your hand and wrist is also not only  a waste of time but also deceptive. The nature of your skin on your arm is different from  your face, and the color will be too. The truth is that any part of the body other than your face may be darker or lighter than other parts.  The only spot to effectively test the shade is the area where it is going to be worn.  This is why department stores are a great place to test foundation colors since they will let you try it right in the store, Just be sure to use one of the alternate lighting sources that they often have available.   Be sure to remove any foundation you are currently wearing in order to test the color.

Choose foundation that appears similar to what you believe is your own shade, then choose a few shades up or down from which to compare. Typically, yellow-based foundations look the most natural, and warm on medium light, and darker skins. Be careful with a pinker base, which works more effectively on cool complexions, because it can often enhance reddish tones that you are trying to conceal.

You also need to evaluate your foundation color every season, as the skin color changes during the year, and also at critical points in your life such as adolescence, and pregnancy.

A number of make-up counters will offer free samples. These help buyers to test out the color, and its application to enable them to purchase in confidence.

As the increased exposure of sun safety factors is increasing, SPF protection it is very important when choosing foundation for a perfect appearance. This will hold off premature aging, as well as add life to your foundation by stopping you against tanning darker than its shade. If you’ve got oily skin, try to find oil-free formulas, because they blend evenly, and for a matte finish you can include powder rather than liquid to oily regions of the skin.

Choosing foundation for a perfect appearance is the starting point to reaching an exquisite complexion, so, if you think you’re ‘medium light,’ tests this along with other shades in natural light before purchasing.

To make the most of your eye shape, pay attention to the colors you choose and the application method you rely on. Try some of these tips to get the most out of your shape:

For Asian Eyes – Use black or black/brown eye liner to create a thick line along the top lashes. Blend gently for a smoky look and then apply a thinner line under the bottom lashes.

For Wide Eyes – Apply deeper shadows to the inner half of the lid and a lighter shades on the outer half. Then blend for a subtle transition between colors.

For Close Eyes – Go the opposite of the Wide Eye folks and apply the lighter shades to the inner half of the lid and the darker shades to the outer half. Always remember to blend!

For the Four-Eyed – Use a black, perhaps shimmering, mascara to really play up your eyes and bring them out from behind the glasses. Be sure to use an eyelash curler and two coats of mascara. Allow a few seconds for the mascara to dry completely before putting the glasses back on.

No matter what your eye shape, remember to play up the color as much as possible and use proper application techniques to make the most of your eyes.

We strive for those perfectly plump eyelashes that we can bat at the next cutie to walk by, but how do we get them? And how in the world are we supposed to sort through the myriad of choices when it comes to quality products? It is completely possible to find quality mascara for a reasonable price at your local drugstore.

Avoid off brands where the price seems to be too good to be true…these will clump and make a mess. Once a brand has been chosen, start thinking about the different formula options and what your personal needs are. Options such as lengthening, thickening, and waterproof are the most popular. For contact lens wearers, waterproof seems to be the best option. If you can forgo the waterproof option, try mixing and matching mascaras. Start with a swipe of lengthening and then top it off with a coat of thickening. Along with formula options, there are now color and shimmer options.

Although a shimmering mascara can be subtle and brighten the eyes, avoid glitter-rich products unless you are in a fashion shoot or off to a Halloween party. Soft blacks, charcoals, and black/browns can work for most people for either day or night. If you’re looking to mix things up, try a color that will make your eyes really stand out like plum for blue eyes and purple for green or brown eyes.

After the product has been selected, proper application is crucial. Use the hairdryer to heat up an eyelash curler for better results. Then use the shimmy method of application. Shimmy the wand from side to side as you slowly drag it the length of the lashes. This will help to separate the lashes and avoid clumps. Most of us can skip applying mascara to the bottom lashes, but if you need the illusion of wider eyes, a light touch of the wand to the bottom lashes is fine.

Creating your own scent can be fun.  Whether you are trying to create a perfume, spritz, or lotion, spend some time exploring the different smells available to you and create something that is uniquely yours.  Everyone has their own preferences.  Smells bring back memories and emotions depending on how you associate them to things in your past.  Start somewhere with a scent that you like or that appeals to you.

If you’re not sure where to start, try sniffing essential oils at your local whole foods store.  If you find a place with a ‘scent bar’ take some note cards and spend some time mixing and matching the different smells that appeal to you.  When exploring scents, there are several categories to know:

Florals are usually the smell of a romantic.  These nodes can range from the delicate scent of violets and roses to the more exotic moonflowers to the more potent musk and sandalwood.

Fougere means ‘fern-like’ and is a popular category for men’s scents.  These smells are usually grassy and crisp, like pine.

Fruity smells create a warmer feeling when they pass the nose.  Citrus is among the lightest of the fruit smells while papaya and passion fruit tend to be stronger.

Orientals are better for evenings and cooler weather.  Scents like amber, clove and cinnamon fall into this category.

Oceanic is light and clean.  These smells include sea breezes and fresh air.

Woodsy (or chypre) is the perfect scent for the outdoorsy.  Patchouli and oakmoss are this category’s most popular.

Once you’ve decided on something you like, adding those oils to an all-natural lotion will create the perfect after-shower moisturizer just for you.

For most, the hair on our heads is all we really want.  Desiring to remove unwanted hair on other areas of the body is an ever-growing industry.  There are several methods available to remove this unwanted hair, but very few of them will take care of the hair permanently or on the first try.  When looking into the options, be sure to select the method or combination of methods that is best for you depending on cost, time, skin-type and hair.

Threading is used in beauty clinics and mall kiosks for removing facial hair.  The results are similar to plucking and not permanent.

Waxing is done by applying a heated wax to the hair followed by a strip of waxing paper. Hair is then ripped out by the root.  Although this lasts longer than shaving, it can cause some discomfort and skin irritation.

Depilation is a process that uses chemicals to dissolve the hair.  This usually lasts as long as waxing but has the major side effect of skin irritation due to the chemicals melting away skin cells as well as the unwanted hair.

Electrolysis uses fine-gauge needles that are inserted into hair follicles.  Then an electric current is applied to the root, burning the hair root and stopping the production of more hair.  This procedure lasts longer than others, but requires repeated treatments up to 18 months to be a permanent solution.

Laser treatments are becoming more affordable thanks to newer and more cost-effective treatments being introduced.  Although this may currently be the most effective way to eliminate unwanted hair, it is not always permanent and not for everyone.  Those with light skin and dark hair will see the most benefit.  Laser hair removal works by emitting light at different wavelengths into the skin which normally targets the melanin.

Staying healthy is an essential part to any beauty regimen.  Detoxifying the body can help to improve overall health and well-being.  Of course, avoiding processed foods and living a more natural lifestyle is ideal, but in today’s fast-paced world that is often easier said than done.  To help counter some of the toxins taken in daily through from the environment, try some (or all) of these at-home practices.

1.      Drink plenty of water.  A well-hydrated body is better equipped to eliminate toxins on its own.  Hot water is especially effective because it is more potent and flushes the body’s systems better than cold.  To make sipping on a warm glass of water more appealing, add some lemon juice which also improves the function of the liver, the body’s natural detoxing machine.

2.      Walk briskly 15-20 minutes each day.  By keeping a brisk pace, circulation and sweat increase and the body is more able to cleanse the lymphatic system.  The act of walking also improves colon function by utilizing the lower abdominal muscles.

3.      Try the ancient Ayurvedic practice of dry skin brushing.  By using a natural bristle brush over the entire body (except the face) in long strokes moving toward the heart, toxins are eliminated.  This also removes dead skin cells and debris which encourages the body to release even more toxins.

4.      If sipping hot water isn’t appealing, try enjoying some other detoxifying drinks such as apple and cranberry juice.  Green tea is a natural detoxifier and anti-inflammatory that can be even more effective when flavored with lemon, ginger, or peppermint.

5.      Soak in a nice warm bath that includes either Epsom or seaweed salts.  Both of these will help to pull toxins from the skin and encourage the release of toxins from vital organs.

6.      Practicing yoga daily can also help to release toxins in the body.  A simply version of the Sun Salutation done in the morning and at night will help to increase circulation and massage vital organs that will aid in the detoxifying process.

Beauty treatments and makeup for celebrities may be out of your budget, but it’s still fun to think about what is really out there. With the average cost of spa massages ranging from $85-$140, more people are enjoying these special treatments from time to time.  Day spas and resort spas around the world offer the standard experiences of various massages, body wraps, aromatherapies, and acupressure at fairly reasonable costs.

However, there are some extra-special treatments out there for those who are really looking to indulge.  These treatments range from $500 for a six-hands stone massage in Hawaii to over $5000 for an Evian bath in South Beach that uses rose petals and 1000 bottles of Evian water.

Some of the more popular and luxurious treatments being offered to the rich and famous these days include facials with 24-carat gold dissolved in the mist that is gently massaged until absorbed and massages that use over $1 million dollars worth of diamonds.

If that financial commitment is beyond your wallet, there are some more reasonable alternatives that include beer or wine baths and massages at various breweries and wineries, caviar shampoo treatments, and white chocolate raspberry body wraps.  Whatever your budget, there is an indulgent moment waiting to be enjoyed.

Whatever look you are trying to achieve, here are some styling tips to help with the everyday styles that so many of us sport.

*To create an easy, wavy, natural look, gently use your fingers or a pick to untangle wet hair.  Add a small amount of anti-frizz or shine enhancing product and let hair air dry.

*Permed hair often requires a bit of perking up between shampoos or on the mornings when a full-styling session doesn’t fit the time constraints.  Start by lightly misting hair with water and then pushing curls into place with your fingers.  Keeping a spray bottle with water and a few drops of essential oil in your favorite scent will really kick up the overall effect of this quick fix.

*Pomade is the perfect product in a pinch.  It can be used (very sparingly) to remove static, control flyaways, or create a glossy shine to dull hair.  Always start pomade by gently rubbing between palms and applying to ends first.

*Once that beautiful braid is completely, finish the look by applying a little gel or pomade to the little loose hairs around the face and nape of the neck.  After smoothing on a little product, a hairpin can help hold things in place until dry.  These products can also be applied to damp hair before braiding to help keep everything in place.

Some people have it and some do not…hair with natural volume that is.  If you are among those who have been blessed with voluminous hair, congratulations!  On the other hand, if you haven’t and still crave volume, don’t despair.  It can still be achieved!  In addition to using volumizing shampoos and conditioners, there are also supplements that can be taken to help hair.

B-vitamins, zinc, and iron can help boost hair volume and growth and are the key ingredients that help prenatal vitamins seem to work so well.  During the styling process, creating the illusion of volume is also possible.  Try blow drying hair while bent over at the waist and flipping hair upside down.

Applying hairspray while flipped over this way will also help to volumize hair, but be sure to avoid putting a stiff layer of laquer on the top of the hair as it will weight it down and reduce the voluminous look.