• The darkness of knees and elbows comes from dead skin that happens to show up more on people of color. The friction of leaning on the elbows and kneeling on the knees contributes to the darkening of these particular body parts. You can always try products that lighten the skin by visiting a doctor or buying over the counter ointments. Below is a simple recipe that will help out with dark knees and elbows. Give it a few weeks to see any changes.

    1. After cleaning knees and elbows rub with lemon to bleach and remove dead skin. Cucumber slices are known to do the same thing or you can combine sugar with lime juice for the same purpose.

    2. Afterwards you can moisturize with coconut, olive, or some type of oil.

  • According to FreeDictionary.com polymers are " Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule". So, what is the big deal for people creating their own products or who are consumers? Polyquaterniums are a great inclusion in hair and skin care products since the desired qualities of merchandise (such as moisturizing and conditioning) are enhanced by this category of ingredient. This happens due to the cationic (positive) nature of polyquaterniums that will help to reduce the harshness of surfactants that helps to dry out hair.

    Polyquaterniums, unlike cationic conditioners such as BTMS, can be mixed with anionic surfactants to serve as the conditioning agents that are used in shampoos that condition as well.

    Like conditioners such as BTMS it will rest on top of the hair strand and form a film that increase the moisture and manageability to hair by

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  • Braids and weaves: Braids and weaves can make the hair thin and create hair loss that is known as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. This type of hair loss occurs at the crown and spreads. The problem is the tight strain and tension that is placed upon the scalp and hair with braids and weaves creating scarring. Unfortunately, the only viable solution for this type of hair loss is a hair transplant which is not always an option since the potential donor sites may be impacted as well. The scalp has been scarred so hair can not be stimulated to grow by taking medication.

    The hairline referred to as "edges" which is the hair located closest to the ears, forehead, and neck will break off from wearing braids. Braids constantly and consistently pulls at the root of hair that "edges" are very sensitive too being pulled and stressed all the time. For ideas regarding new hairstyles check out hairblogs or www.youtube.com for different hairstyles. This website features tutorials of

    Read More »from Hair Loss: Part Two
  • Yes, those wonderful calluses that make our feet look great when wearing sandals or high heels is the focus of this post!

    Causes: Calluses are very thick, rough, and dry areas of skin. The skin forms calluses as a way of protecting itself from repetitious friction and pressure. Calluses can be caused by poor fitting shoes, not wearing socks with shoes, repeated pressure from hand tools, and improper walking motion. And ladies, high heel shoes can cause calluses from the pressure the shoe places on the heel.

    Treatments: Well, not wearing high heels will eliminate getting calluses if this is the cause of the problem. If this is impossible then decrease the amount of time wearing high heels or wear shorter heels. Wear properly fitted shoes and socks as well. If the calluses form on the hands then wear gloves when using tools or lifting heavy objects. Wear gloves when gardening or performing repetitive movements that place pressure on the hands.

    Using moisturizing products

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  • Carrier oils are beneficial for the hair and skin due to the nourishment and moisture that is provided in abundance. There are numerous carrier oils that are extremely heavy, in terms of, thickness and heaviness which is great for dry hair, yet, there are carrier oils that are considered to be "dry" or said to have "astringent" qualities. These types of carrier oils have a light or dry feel on the skin and absorbs very quickly due to the many tannins and catechins that can be found in the chemical composition.

    Tannins and catechins are subcategories of polyphenols which provide anti-oxidant properties to oils. Astringent oils will also lessen the oily feeling (but not get rid of) of some oily products or ingredients. Anti-oxidants aid in extending the life of oils by delaying spoilage.

    "Dry" carrier oils, such as calendula oil can be combined with heavier carrier oils such as olive oil to reduce the texture of heaviness and oiliness. Carrier oils are used to give massages

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  • Hydrosols are the products that remain after roots, barks, plants, flower, or seeds are steam distilled. Hydrosols can also be the remnants of the essential oil making process. Unlike essential oils a hydrosol can be applied directly to the skin without dilution since this ingredient contains some elements of essentials oil but to a lesser extent. Be aware that often hydrosols do not have a strong smell if any. Often the essential oil and hydrosol may smell very differently from one another.

    The fragrances of hydrosols are sometimes enhanced by adding synthetic ingredients. Hydrosols are known by different names such as floral waters, distillates, flower waters, and hydroflorates.

    Although, some suppliers make a distinction between floral waters/flower waters and hydrosols. According to some manufacturers who make a distinction floral waters are obtained by straining essential oil that has been mixed with distilled water for a certain length of time or by combining grain

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  • Fatty acids are what, in part, compose oils and are considered essential or essential. Essential fatty acids are those that are not naturally produced by the body while non-essential fatty acids are produced by the body. Essential fatty acids must be obtained through taking supplements, foods, or a topical application. Fatty acids are a result of the breaking down of fats that produce a chain of hydrocarbon. In order to have healthy skin, hair, and scalp fatty acids are a necessity.

    So, what do fatty acids provide the hair, skin, and scalp? Fatty acids provide nutrients but in a variety of ways as each has different properties. Fatty acids provides conditioning in numerous ways for the hair such as helping to reduce frizziness, providing moisture, penetrating the hair shaft, enhancing softness, and much more. Obtaining and maintaining moisture within the scalp is critical in achieving healthy hair and scalp. This critical moisture can be secured through the use of oils and

    Read More »from Fatty Acids: Good or Bad for Hair & Skin
  • When I was 5, I had a few "naughty" behaviors: chasing boys and skinning my knees, stealing candy at the checkout line, and getting into my mom's makeup stash.

    I've obviously grown up since then, and, yes, I now pay for my candy, but my obsession for getting into all the makeup I can certainly didn't fade -- with one caveat; I only really like "safe" colors. I can never have too much peach-colored lip gloss and you'll find 10 subtly different pale pink nail polishes in my bathroom cabinet. And while I'm perfectly happy in my beige/pink comfort zone, every season, I stare in unadulterated envy at the Fashion Week models decked out in the newest crazy makeup colors that I just know wouldn't look right on me.

    Related: The Best Red Lip Makeup for Your Skin Tone

    And this flurry of shows wasn't any different. Wild, fluorescent orange eyeshadow and purple lips looked amazing on the glamazons, and again, I lived vicariously through their brazen nonchalance before returning

    Read More »from 8 Crazy Makeup Trends You (and I) Can Actually Pull Off
  • vintage skincarevintage skincareI'm going through a bit of a nostalgic phase. Maybe it's because I've been wearing my grandmother's blond fur stole a bunch, or maybe it's because Leap Day made me yearn for the simpler times when there were only 365 days in a year; whatever the case may be, I'm super into learning about what ladies did way back when. Earlier this week we discovered their Anti-Flirting rules from the 1920s and today we've got a vintage video from 1937 of Hollywood starlet Constance Bennett giving skincare advice.

    And me oh my, it's brilliant for so many reasons. Notwithstanding the gorgeous sleigh bed, the maid, and Constance's singsong voice, the best part of the video is that it highlights the fact that women have been doing the same thing for decades.

    More from The Stir: Angelina Jolie's Naked Leg Was a Fashion Fail

    Makeup and skincare haven't changed that much in the last 70 years, as evidenced by Constance's routine. It's hard to really improve on such a classic practice. Sure our

    Read More »from Vintage Skincare Tips Are Still Useful Today (VIDEO)
  • lipsticklipstickI once read a survey that claimed that a third of American women won't leave the house without their makeup on. As a mother who is just happy to have a kid whose teeth are brushed and clothes on when it's time to get going most days, I'm going to be honest with you. The luxury of fixing one's self up in the comfort of my own bathroom is over-rated!

    More from The Stir: 5 Beauty Tools No Mom Can Live Without

    Those of us with too little time on our hands have perfected the art of getting our beauty rituals on anywhere but the house. Case in point: I carry tweezers everywhere because when you find a few seconds to pluck, you take advantage of them -- wherever you are. But a quick eyebrow grab at a stoplight has nothing on some of the crazy makeup fixes some of my friends have copped to. Trust me ... you have to read 'em to believe 'em:

    -- Under my desk at work. I've also been known to floss under there too or even pluck an eyebrow hair here and there!

    -- I was in the

    Read More »from You Won't Believe What Women Will Do Under Their Desks at Work

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