Headwear Etc Blog

ARA) - What’s the one thing every woman in the world has in common? The desire to be beautiful; and throughout the centuries, different cultures have gone about achieving it in different ways.

In Israel, women soak in the Dead Sea, known worldwide for its healing properties and beautifying effects on the skin. In Brazil, they sit on the beach and rub sand with suntan oil into their thighs and buttocks to break up cellulite and keep their skin supple and smooth. The secret of the Japanese geisha’s smooth, flawless skin is camellia oil, which contributes moisturizing, conditioning, nourishing and softening benefits to the skin. The anti-aging secret in China is Silver Tip White Tea, which is produced exclusively in the high mountains of the Fujian province.

Long before the health benefits of Silver Tip White Tea were discovered, Chinese emperors of the Song Dynasty enjoyed it as a drink with exquisite taste and aroma. The “magic” drink was prized for relieving fatigue, delighting the soul, strengthening the will and enhancing vision. Many even claimed it was an important ingredient in the elixir of immortality.

White Tea comes from the silver tip of the Camellia Sinensis tree — which is cropped to the height of a bush. The tips are hard to come by. They only emerge once a year, during a few short days each spring. “Once harvested, white tea is neither rolled nor oxidized, but simply dried in natural sunlight. The minimal processing is what enables it to keep its healthful properties, which include a high antioxidant level and the ability to stop free radicals (molecules that have become highly reactive and destructive due to contact with an outside stimulus such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution and smog) from harming the body,” says tea master Barry Cooper, chairman of the Cooper Tea Company, based in Boulder, Colo.

Until recently, White Tea was virtually unknown outside China as a skin care agent. Now it’s available to women world-wide as the main ingredient in Origin’s “A Perfect World Collection.” Origins is a cosmetics company that produces high quality skin care products for women, men, babies and pets.

“Silver Tip White Tea is highly concentrated in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can protect the skin. Origins realized the value of this ‘natural wonder’ and started using it in their cosmetics,” says Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, professor of nutrition at Tufts University in Boston, Mass.

There are six different formulas in the line. “A Perfect World” for Eyes is an extra gentle cream-gel that hydrates and helps restore the delicate skin around the eyes. White Tea Skin Guardian creates a shield, safeguarding skin from stress, pollution, and other environmental aggressors, leaving it free to renew, repair and protect itself. The Creamy Body cleanser with White Tea is a lotion you can use in the shower to clean the skin without stripping it of already scarce protective surface oils. You can use the Intensely Hydrating Body Cream and Highly Hydrating Body Lotion with White Tea, after a shower to keep skin moist and radiant. “A Perfect World” Liquid Moisture with White Tea is intended to be used as a face moisturizer.

“Silver Tip White Tea has three times more polyphenols than green tea, and research has proven it can protect skin against the dangerous radiation caused by ultraviolet light — particularly against the risk of skin cancer,” says Dr. Blumberg.

“Soaking in it has medicinal benefits too,” adds Cooper. “There have been numerous studies where the tea has helped patients recover from sunburn faster.”

Applying Silver Tip White Tea extracts directly on the skin isn’t the only way to take advantage of its healing properties. You can also get it into your system by brewing it into hot or iced tea and drinking it. Origins loose leaf and prepared White Tea beverages are available in the same stores that sell the cosmetics line —

Courtesy of ARA Content

Eye Makeup Tips and Tricks
Define Your Eyes - Eye Makeup Tips and Tricks
By Kathryn M. D’Imperio

No matter if blue, brown, hazel or green, eyes have been referred to as “windows to the soul,” giving those who exchange glances the power to better grasp one’s personality and emotions. Eyes reveal joy and elation as much as they uncover sadness, melancholy and distress. Sometimes pensive, mischievous or mysterious, eyes can let us in on little secrets we might otherwise miss in dealings with people we know and love.

Eyes can exercise a special power of seduction by casting an enchanting gaze in another’s direction. A wink can signal a special understanding or remind another of an inside joke or amusing memory. Eyes also key into flirtation a great deal. Cartoons and old movies always show the femme fatales batting their long, dark eyelashes in an attempt to attract the men.

No matter what your motives, playing up the looks of your eyes will bring a natural definition to your facial features while accentuating perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic on your visage. The main makeup components you may want to consider when dressing up your pretty peepers are mascara, eye shadow and possibly eyeliner, though sometimes pressed powder or a light foundation will work wonders for circles under the eyes.

Eye Shadow

Depending on the hues you wish to use, you can get a little colorful and creative with the wide selection of products for eyelids on the market. No longer do you have to sift through dozens of shades of eye shadow powder looking for the perfect blend…now you can accessorize your eyes with a beautiful array of powders, creams and glittery dustings. Traditional eye shadow powders are very easy to use with small applicator brushes and foam pads. For a dimensional look, blend two colors of powder or one color of powder atop a cream shadow base.

With cream-based eye shadows, less really is more. The cream shadows generally come in small squeeze tubes that really enhance the look of your eyes with a light application across the lid, reaching up to your brows if you wish.

Not sure about colors? Go with something neutral the first couple of times until you get the hang of it. Apply a light dusting of bronze, tan or other shimmery transparent color for a gentle hint of color.

A sudden patchy loss of hair may be due to the condition known as Alopecia Areata. This condition is relatively common, and as many as 1 in 1,000 people may suffer from it at some time. The cause is unknown and occasionally it becomes very widespread and severe.

The causes can be numerous, but the good news is that it is many times due to an imbalance in the person’s system, which if rectified, will result in complete regrowth of hair. An effective set of blood tests is necessary to reveal any imbalances. Some of the most common causes are medications, pregnancy, birth control pills, thyroid malfunctions, anemia, syphilis, and arthritis. Whatever the cause may be, the body’s response is to initiate an autoimmune response, whereby the body perceives the follicles as foreign objects, and attempts to reject them from the system. A careful review of your medical history and the bloodwork we outline below should help identify the problem.

With Alopecia areata, usually, given time, the hair reappears on its own, although in persistent cases, steroid injections may help. Sometimes the condition becomes severe or recurrent, and the patient may even lose eyebrows and lashes (Alopecia Totalis) or all body hair (Alopecia Universalis). Overall, 50% of people experiencing AA before puberty will have more troubles with this condition throughout life.

There is no treatment which can provide a total cure for severe Alopecia Areata. A multifaceted approach has included the use of irritants such as dithranol and systemic steroids. Treatment with immune enhancers is occasionally useful but can cause unpleasant side-effects. Topical Minoxidil with or without oral steroids for short periods has been used. Cyclosporin may have dramatic effects but they are usually temporary. In deciding how to treat Alopecia Areata, the age of onset and severity are key factors.

Diagnosing Alopecia Areata

In order to accurately diagnose this condition, two things are needed: An educated physician, blood tests, and a brief clinical history.

Finding a Doctor: The American Academy of Dermatology has a Physician Referral Service. There you can type in your city and see a list of dermatologists in your area. Click each name and find the section labeled “Specialties”. If Alopecia or Hair Loss is not listed verbatim, read through the rest of their profile and see if it is mentioned. If you are unable to find a specialist in your area, make use of the AAD’s more broad Statewide Search. You will be presented with all the registered Dermatologists in your state by City. Some have profiles, some don’t, but all have contact information. It is worth the work to print out a list and call them one by one, and inquire as to the physicians experience with Alopecia Areata.

Cutting Your Cancer Risk

Take control of your cancer risk

Knowing which lifestyle factors have an impact on cancer risk worldwide is important, but how can you tell which factors actually affect your life?

You can start by looking at the list of modifiable risk factors and asking yourself how you measure up. Remember, these are risk factors you control. While you should feel good about the positive lifestyle decisions you’ve made, you also know when you are doing something that isn’t good for your health. It’s important to be honest with yourself.

Is your weight is higher than it should be? Do you know your body mass index? Do you smoke even the occasional cigarette? Do you exercise regularly? Do you know the difference between moderate alcohol intake and problem drinking?

If you’re less than totally honest with yourself, you’re not alone. A recent survey of New Yorkers found that only 39% of obese adults described themselves as obese. If you are only dealing with a couple of extra pounds right now, it might not be a problem. But adding a pound or two every year with the promise to “take it off in the summer” can add up over time, and that extra weight may eventually add up to a big health problem.

If you only smoke the occasional cigarette, you may be telling yourself it doesn’t carry the same health risks as being a regular smoker. But “social” smokers should beware. Even light smoking (one to four cigarettes per day) can carry a hefty health toll, increasing your risk of dying from lung cancer and other ailments.

But acknowledging you could improve in certain areas and actually doing something about it are two different things. After all, why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? Making different lifestyle decisions can be very difficult. These are habits that have developed over years and understanding their effect on your chances of developing cancer and changing them isn’t always easy.

If you’re confused about how these risk factors may affect you, ask your doctor.

And next time your doctor asks you questions about your lifestyle - for example, if you smoke or if you exercise regularly - be honest. Admitting your habits aren’t always the healthiest can feel embarrassing, but your doctor is there to help, not judge. When it comes to getting help to make the changes you need to cut your cancer risk, your doctor is a valuable resource - but they can only help you make those changes if you tell them what areas you need help with. There’s no health benefit to sticking your head in the sand.

Information:

Regular exercise, including walking, decreases your risk of death, heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, some cancers, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, and obesity. It also improves overall health, helps osteoarthritis and diabetes, boosts HDL (good cholesterol) levels, and lightens mood.

As long as there are no medical conditions that contraindicate walking (such as predisposition to falls or advanced degenerative joint disease), walking is an excellent, inexpensive form of exercise.

Thirty minutes of physical activity (walking or other physical activity) on most days is recommended by the Surgeon General. A brisk 30-minute walk burns about 200 calories. Walking slowly for 30 minutes uses 100 calories. Even making a few minor changes, such as parking farther from work or from a store and walking the extra distance, can make a difference.

Guest Article by Michele Narcavage
Note: Michele Narcavage is the President of Awake In America, Inc.
Would you ever think that Thomas Edison, Napoleon Bonaparte, Salvador Dali, Winston Churchill, and Presidents Kennedy and Reagan had something in common? In fact, each of them enjoyed a regular nap.

Many people find that a 20-30 minute nap is restorative, especially during the normal afternoon circadian ‘dip’ that usually occurs between 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Napping can help maintain or even increase alertness and performance, sharpen memory and reduce symptoms of fatigue, especially during long periods of being awake. A nap can also help people adjust to the hour of sleep lost when Daylight Saving Time returns, at 2:00 am Sunday, April 2. However, napping, in general, is no substitute for a good night’s sleep, says Awake In America and the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).

“Naps can help people boost their alertness and performance - IF they are healthy and usually get sufficient sleep at night.

But naps will not reverse total sleep debt and shouldn’t be thought of as a substitute for a good night’s sleep,” says Mark Rosekind, PhD. “If you get sufficient sleep at night on a regular basis, you should not need a regular daytime nap,” he adds. Dr. Rosekind is president and chief scientist of Alertness Solutions in Cupertino, CA, which specializes in fatigue management issues.
While napping isn’t a widespread occurrence at U.S. workplaces, one-third of respondents in NSF’s 2000 Sleep in America poll said they would nap at work if it was allowed. NSF’s 2005 poll found that more than one-third of America’s adults take two or more naps a week, and these last an average of 50 minutes.

Awake In America’s president, Michele Narcavage, recommends a nap of around 30 minutes. “Even a shorter nap can take the edge off of sleepiness but you want to avoid getting into a deep sleep, which can occur after a longer nap of around an hour, causing you to awake groggy instead of feeling refreshed,” she notes. This sleep inertia or grogginess and disorientation that can occur when you awake from a deep sleep usually disappears in l0-l5 minutes, but the accompanying lack of alertness can be critical at the workplace or when engaged in other activities such as driving.

If and when you nap, Ms. Narcavage offers the following tips:

Determine an optimal nap time. Try not to nap too late in the day which can disrupt your nighttime sleep. If you are having difficulty sleeping at night, don’t nap during the day.
Find the right environment. Make the most out of your nap time and avoid surrounding distractions. Find a quiet place, block out light and noise; use an eye mask and/or ear plugs if necessary.
Be sure to make a good night’s sleep a regular daily activity - on average, between 7-9 hours are recommended for most adults.
Establishing this regular sleep habit may help you kick a nap habit. Do you know your real sleep need? Try to determine how many hours of nightly sleep you need to be alert and at your best performance throughout the day; then establish a nightly routine and make time for your needed sleep.
Here are some additional tips to help adjust to the return of Daylight Saving Time:

Try to sleep a bit more than usual a few nights prior to and immediately following the time change to help reduce any sleep debt you may be carrying.
Take a nap in the afternoon on Sunday if you need it, but not within a few hours of your regular bedtime. Remember, napping too close to bedtime can disrupt nighttime sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving understanding of sleep and sleep disorders, and by supporting sleep-related education, research, and advocacy.