pandora-newsletter

Tips To Better Eye Care

2008-06-24T12:31:00.008+08:00

Dark Eye Circles are most commonly caused by lack of sleep, but in addition, ageing, heredity, fatigue, allergies (like eczema and asthma), sun exposure and stress can darken the pigment around the eyes as well. Many studies have shown that smoking or drinking too much alcohol, coffee, soda and other highly-caffeinated beverages will only worsen dark circles.

It is extremely important that we use preventative measures in protecting this vulnerable part of our faces, but for those of us who have not been historically diligent in this area we should use products for skin protection, as well as products specifically formulated to address our concerns.

As the eyes are one of the most precious part of the body, one should not feel shy in spending a little more amount for this type of product. It's important to note, when applying an eye cream, only a small amount is necessary. About the size of a pea is more than enough for each eye. Always use your ring finger and apply with light patting motions inside the orbital bone (that’s the bone you feel surrounding your eye socket). Do not put it on eyelids or over-apply as irritation may occur

Proper application of eye treatments will enhance your product experience and produce the best results. Use the product as directed by the manufacturer’s label. And remember, no eye product should cause burning or stinging in the eye – if this occurs discontinue use immediately.

In addition to use of a high quality eye treatment there are some other ways to protect and maintain the skin surrounding your eyes, including the following:

Get a sufficient amount of sleep.
Use sunscreen.
Wear sunglasses that provide sufficient protection to your eyes and the surrounding areas.
Maintain adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water.
Limit your intake of caffeine, soda and alcohol.

What Causes Someone to Become Obese?

2008-06-10T14:10:00.015+08:00

The Simple Truth

The core reason people become overweight or obese is fairly simple:

If you take in more calories than are required by your body on a daily basis (known as "energy imbalance"), those surplus calories will be converted into fat.

If this energy imbalance continues for an extended period of time, it will lead to overweight or obesity.

Tendency for weight gain differs from one person to another due to pre-existing factors like genetics, health problems, general activity level, and mobility issues. Your metabolism dictates how effectively the calories you take in are used. Each person has their own individual daily caloric needs, called the Basal Metabolic Rate.

Calories In/Calories Out

When you take in more calories than your BMR requires, those excess calories turn into excess weight. Think of your incoming and outgoing calories as a checking account that must be balanced. When you eat and drink, the food or beverage's calories are either used or banked.

If you do not spend the calories efficiently, the "extra income" is stored in your body as fat. Your fat cells grow and multiply ... and you gain weight.

Other Possible Causes

It's important to remember that there are other, underlying causes that can contribute to one's tendency to become overweight or obese.

There are some factors in weight gain that we simply have no control over. For example. some illnesses may lead to weight gain, such as Cushing's disease.

Certain medications like steroids and antidepressants may also cause weight gain.There are also other underlying issues that often lead to weight gain, such as genetics, environmental factors, psychological issues, physical inactivity due to injury or illness, and eating disorders, such as BED (binge eating disorder).

The Bottom Line

The good news is, regardless of the cause(s) -- including any uncontrollable contributing factors -- monitoring calorie intake and increasing activity levels is an effective way for almost anyone to reach and maintain a healthier weight.

KUNG FU PANDA!!

2008-06-07T21:10:00.002+08:00

KUNG FU PANDA!!

Hi Ladies!! I just watch it this afternoon...I quite like it...Had a good laugh...Must Watch...I would rate it 7/10. Check out the website to know more!!

http://www.kungfupanda.com

It's only '16 sen per litre in Venezuela '

2008-06-07T20:20:00.001+08:00

It's only '16 sen per litre in Venezuela '

Jun 5, 08 6:28pm

Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has accused the government of being ‘stupid’ for repeatedly saying that our new petrol retail price of RM2.70 is low when compared to other countries in the region.

“As a raw oil producing nation, Malaysia should be compared with other oil exporters such as UAE (RM1.19 per litre), Egypt (RM1.03 per litre), Kuwait (RM0.67 per litre), Saudi Arabia (RM0.38 per litre), Nigeria (RM0.32 per litre) and Venezuala (RM0.16 per litre),” she argued.

“To compare prices with Singapore , Thailand and Indonesia is obviously flawed,” the PKR president said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made an unpopular decision to increase fuel price by 40.6 percent, effective today.

Wan Azizah was also curious about the government’s subsidy facts.

She recounted that Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Shahrir Samad recently said that the oil subsidy was RM56 billion.
Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamad Yakcop stated that the amount is RM28 billion. And a third source, the government’s 2007 financial report marks it at RM12 billion.

The opposition leader estimated that the figure should be closer to RM8-10 billion.

The public, she said, rightfully feel cheated.

Wan Azizah urged the government to review its decision on the fuel hike as it has a huge effect on the Malaysian public, which currently spends 25 percent of their income on transportation.

Oil companies

Turning her attention to oil companies, the PKR chief said it was common knowledge that oil companies were paying only US$30 for the exploration of each barrel of oil, and selling the raw oil for US$130 per barrel.

This hefty profit, she claimed, has been enjoyed by oil companies for the past three years.

“Why isn’t the government implementing additional taxes on the extraordinary profits of the oil companies, rather than choosing to increase fuel prices?” she asked.

Wan Azizah said it was possible to sustain the old petrol price of RM1.92, or better still reducing it, if oil companies were taxed more, along with oil, steel and cement producers.

“Why are these companies so important to them, while the public has to suffer?” she asked.

She expressed concern that the government has spent RM40 billion for double-tracking railway project that interconnects Padang Besar with Johor Baru yet is reluctant to pay RM13-15 billion for fuel subsidies.

“Why did they not use the RM40 billion to build comprehensive LRT rails to fix public transportation system as an effort to reduce petrol usage?” Wan Azizah queried.

Gift For Dad For Father's Day?

2008-06-07T01:07:00.001+08:00

Wondering what to get for your dad on Father's Day? Most fathers already seem to have everything they could possibly need, which makes choosing Father's Day gifts a challenge. Instead of the old standbys -- another tie, golf balls -- this year give him something he can really use...Check out some ideas we got for you...

Father's Day Car-Wash Kit

Fill a galvanized bucket with car-washing necessities like a chamois or diaper cloth, soap, wax, glass cleaner, natural sponges, and a squeegee; then attach a coupon for three car washings.

Dad's Car Travel Kit

A box full of tools for the road is a useful gift for fathers who travel a lot. Use a sturdy cardboard box that will fit under a car seat. Cut self-adhesive Velcro into small pieces and attach to a tire gauge, flashlight, Swiss Army knife, compass, and other useful tools. Adhere the matching Velcro pieces to the inside of the box top to hold the tools in place. Fill the box with other travel necessities: maps, a pencil, and a notebook for jotting down directions, all neatly rubber-banded together. A hand-printed card on the front of the box states clearly what's inside: "Dad's Travel Kit."

Isn't it a great idea ladies...Why wait?...Go make one for your dad now! I m sure he will be surprised....HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

How Much Do You Know About Breast Cancer?

2008-06-06T23:12:00.003+08:00

We have been very busy with our daily life routine, work work work..but then we still hang out with friends and of coz shopping frequently...But do we actually do monthly checks on our breast or even know how? Hmmm.....

Let me help you to know more about Breast Cancer and it could save you your breast and your life. Learn more about it..Don't be Ignorant!! Love yourself...

* Print this out now and put it up on your wall. Do email or forward this to all your female friends.

Too Young?

" Cancer can be missed by a mammogram due to greater density of breast tissue in younger women"

Think Again!

- EARLY DETECTION CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE-

______________________________________

"7 TIPS TO COMBAT BREAST CANCER"

_________________________________________

WHY DO THE BREAST SELF-EXAM?

There are many good reasons for doing a breast self-exam each month. One reason is that it is very easy to do and the more you do it, the better you will get at it. When you get to know how your breast normally feel, you will quickly be able to feel any change, and early detection is the key to successful treatment and cure.

When to do Breast Self-Exam?
The best time to do breast self-exam is right after your period, when breast are not tender or swollen. If you do not have regular periods or sometimes skip a month, do it on the same day every month.

NOW....How to do Breast Self Exam:

1. Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind you head.

2. Use the finger pads of your three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps or thickening. Your finger pads are the top third of each finger.

3. Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. If you're not sure how hard to press, ask your health care provider. Or try to copy the way your health care provider uses the finger pads during a breast exam. Learn what your breast feels like most of the time. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal.

4. Move around the breast in a set way. You can choose either the circle A, the up and down line B, or the wedge C. Do it the same every time. It will help you to make sure that you've gone over the entire breast area, and to remember how your breast feels.

5. Now examine your left breast using right hand finger pads.

6. If you find any changes, see your doctor right away.

For ADDED Safety:
You should also check your breasts while standing in front of a mirror right after you do your breast self-exam each month. See if there are any changes in the way your breasts look: dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, or redness or swelling.

You might also want to do a breast self-exam while you're in shower. Your soapy hands will glide over the wet skin making it easier to check how your breast feel.

REMEMBER:

A breast self-exam could save your breast and save your life. Most breast lumps are found by women themselves,but,in fact, most lumps in the breast are not cancer. BE SAFE, BE SURE!

Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) Tel: 03-7954 0133

The National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) Tel: 03-2698 7351

College of Radiology Malaysia,Tel: 07-932 5228

Breast Cancer Centre, Pantai Medical Centre, Tel: 03-2296 0837

To learn more, please visit:

http://www.radiologymalaysia.org/

http://www.cancer.org.my/

Don't just READ it but PLEASE....PLEASE DO IT LADIES!!....LOVE LIFE.. :)

Natural Weight Loss

2008-05-20T17:58:00.001+08:00

Add on years by shedding some extra pounds! These days, upwards of 60 percent of Malaysians are obese or overweight.

Correspondingly, the rates of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are skyrocketing. Here are some ways to cut your risk of being counted among the statistics and lose the weight.

Slimming SolutionsTraditional Chinese medicine works to maintain a healthy and balanced body system. A healthy weight can be maintained when the body is working optimally, stress is low, and spirits are peaceful and content. It is when the body is out of balance that digestive weaknesses arise, your metabolism shifts, and adipose tissue (fat cells) accumulates.

Here is what you can do to achieve a healthy weight:

1. First of all, avoid any fad diets and fast-acting solutions that guarantee incredible weight loss while you watch television and eat deserts.

2. Focus on being fit rather than being thin. Aiming to be thin often means restricted eating, over-exercising, and anxious obsessing about weight - there is nothing healthy about this mindset.

3. Eat five small meals per day. Find a small bowl the size of your two palms when they are placed next to each other - this should be the size of each meal. Eating throughout the day keeps you from becoming famished and overeating at your next meal.

4. Your last meal of the day should be no later than 7 p.m.

5. Eliminate candy, sugar, and soda from your diet. Instead of candy, chew on some fresh peppermint leaves or cinnamon sticks. Use honey sparingly as a replacement for sugar.

6. Eat more complex carbohydrates and ample quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables. Keep dairy to a minimum because most dairy products are high in saturated fat, which is not healthy for your cardiovascular system when consumed in larger amounts. Opt for the lower fat dairy products such as low-fat or non-fat milks, cheeses, and yogurt. Avoid fatty foods, processed or fried foods.

7. Drink plenty of water - at least 60 ounces a day. It is especially beneficial to drink plain hot water, as if you are drinking tea without the tea or sugar. Also, drink a tea made from boiling a lemon (with the peel).

8. Eat soup at least once a day. A low-salt nutritious soup rehydrates the body while also nourishing and flushing waste from the body. It has been found that people who eat one or more soups each day lose more weight than those who eat the same number of calories but don't eat soup. (Seek out homemade soup, because canned soups are filled with salt and chemicals.)

9. A 30-minute daily walk can do wonders for your metabolism. Try taking a walk 30 minutes in the morning or 30 minutes in the evening, two hours before bed. For toning you might replace one of the walks with some stretching activities such as tai chi or a mild form of yoga.

Cut the Fat with L-carnitine

L-carnitine, an amino acid produced in your liver, helps regulate fat metabolism and promotes fat loss making it essential in any weight loss program. L-carnitine also helps reduce triglycerides and increase good cholesterol, thereby protecting the heart. Rich sources of L-carnitine include meats, fish, poultry, wheat, avocado, milk, and fermented soybeans.

Top 5 Daily Habits For Your Longevity.

2008-05-20T17:24:00.001+08:00

Is it really possible for anyone to live happily to 100? The good news is that your body was designed to be 100 - you just have to get out of the way.Getting out of the way means taking an honest look at the habits and lifestyle you are living with today. Most of us have developed habits that limit our true health potential.

But don't let these bad habits of the past discourage you - it is never too late to make new choices. What you did in the past can be changed, and your body will respond in kind. What matters is what you do from this moment forward.

Top 5 Daily Habits For Your Longevity.

It takes 14 to 21 days of repetitive behavior to form a new pattern in your brain. Once the pattern is formed, it becomes an automatic behavioral response.

As you develop new healthy habits, they will begin to replace bad habits. These healthy lifelong habits are adapted straight from the time-tested traditions practiced by centenarians all around the world, and I can say with certainty that they will transform and rejuvenate you!

Eat five small meals a day.

In the Western culture, meals are taken three times a day, but it is much better to eat five smaller meals. When you eat smaller portions five times a day, you deliver a steady stream of nutrients, blood sugar, and energy to your body throughout the day.

Additionally, eating this way is less taxing on the digestive and metabolic systems and also reduces your risk of heart disease.

Climb the stairs instead of using elevators.

The health benefits of a daily exercise program cannot be stressed enough. Regular exercise can help promote physiological well-being, strengthen the immune system, maintain joint mobility, increase energy - and the list goes on.

Look for opportunities all through your day to work in physical activity. Power-walk, run, or ride your bike instead of driving. Begin a daily tai chi practice. Join a gym and actually go! Practice safely and watch your health results pile up.

Laugh it up!

We know from research that laughter and joy boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural killer cells that help protect the body from illness and cancer. Laughter also increases the release of endorphins, compounds that give you a sense of well-being, in your brain. Without a doubt, joyful people live longer and healthier lives.

Drink 8 glasses of water every day.

Water is essential for all healthy body functions. Centenarians from around the globe cite their native water as the source of their health and longevity - and the scientists agree with them. What they all have in common is pure water sources located far from any city, free from chemicals and toxins.

Choose filtered water; the best filtration processes are the ones that use activated charcoal, which removes the impurities but leaves the water-soluble minerals. Also, do not store water in plastic containers because the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can leach into the water.

Unwind with meditation.

Stress is the root cause of most of the diseases that shorten our life span. In our modern society stress will continue to increase - unless you find techniques to manage it. Meditation is the best way to release tension and revitalize your being. It teaches you to breath properly, which is critical for eliminating up to 70% of your body's toxins and wastes. It also quiets your mind, lowers your stress hormones, and teaches self-discipline, which is a necessary attribute to achieving your health and longevity goals.

Try this beginning meditation:Sit comfortably on a chair or the floor. Breathe naturally and close your eyes. Each time a thought appears, put it inside a balloon and let it fly up into the sky and disappear. Do this until the thoughts are exhausted. After a bit, your body will feel very light, and your mind will become still. The first few times it may take a while, but it will get easier and faster with practice.

Beauty Fresh From Your Kitchen

2008-05-15T19:10:00.002+08:00

Try these ingredients from the pantry in a different way: as refreshing beauty treatments. For example, cucumber juice is soothing to the skin, and olive oil makes a wonderful all-natural moisturizer. Before using any ingredient on your skin, test a small amount on the inside of your arm, and wait twenty-four hours, says New York City dermatologist Robin Ashinoff, M.D. If there's no reaction, it's safe to use on your body and face.

Cucumber
Place chilled cucumber slices over the eyes for several minutes to relieve puffiness caused by fluid retention.

Lemon
Soak fingertips in a shallow bowl of lemon juice for two minutes or so to help whiten stained or discolored nails.

Olive Oil
Massage a small amount of olive oil into dry areas, such as lips, elbows, and heels, to moisturize and soften skin.

Tea
Use a cold strong brew as an astringent unclog pores. Make a compress from weak brew to soothe a sunburn.

For Minty-Fresh Breath
Do snack on fruits and vegetables to stimulate salivary glands; a dry mouth fosters bad breath.

Eye Soother Natural Remedy

2008-05-15T19:05:00.002+08:00

The skin in the eye area is especially thin and sensitive, so it flares up fast when you're stressed and fatigued -- or surviving on a less-than-perfect diet. Natural remedies, though, can lessen redness or puffiness almost as quickly as it appears. Many remedies use simple ingredients that are already in your kitchen. With the help of Dr. Jeanette Jacknin, a holistic dermatologist and author of "Smart Medicine for Your Skin," we've assembled five of the most effective solutions.

Chamomile, Green, or Black Tea Bags
Chamomile tea, a natural anti-inflammatory, helps ease redness and puffiness around the eyes. Green and black teas contain compounds called tannins, plus caffeine. Tannins have an astringent effect on the skin and shrink swollen tissue, while caffeine constricts blood vessels to reduce swelling.

How to Use
Steep two chamomile, green, or black tea bags in just-boiled water for three minutes. Remove them from the water and place in the refrigerator until cooled. Place one bag over each eye and relax for 15 minutes.

Chilled Spoons
In this case, it's the cool temperature of the metal spoons that constricts blood vessels, which helps decrease redness and puffiness in the eye area.

How to Use
Place four metal spoons in a glass of ice water. When chilled, place one spoon on each eye, following the contour of your eye socket. As the spoons begin to warm, switch them with the spoons chilling in the glass of ice water. Continue this process until swelling subsides.

Cold Milk
As with the spoon method, temperature is key; cold milk constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling. The fat in whole milk soothes dry, irritated skin.

How to Use
Pour ice-cold whole milk or cream into a small bowl; soak two cotton balls in the liquid. Then squeeze out the cotton balls slightly and put one over each eye. Once the cotton balls warm up, soak two more and repeat for up to 15 minutes.

Cucumber Slices
A classic remedy for puffy, irritated eyes, cucumbers contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help reduce swelling.

How to Use
Rest two 1/2-inch-thick cucumber slices on a bed of ice to chill. Once cool, place one slice over each eye, lean your head back, and relax for 10 to15 minutes. Remove the slices and rinse your face with cool water.

Egg Whites
Egg whites act as an astringent, making your skin appear tighter and smoother. They are also high in vitamin B2, or riboflavin, which is associated with improved circulation.

How to Use
Beat two egg whites until stiff, and then apply to the under-eye area using a brush. Let the mixture dry for about 15 minutes; rinse well with water. Jacknin also recommends adding a drop or two of witch hazel to the beaten whites, which further reduces swelling and keeps the egg whites from drying too rapidly.

How To Fix Tired Eyes

2008-05-15T17:55:00.002+08:00

You can learn a lot about a woman by examining her eyes. They express love, joy, excitement. But at the same time, more than anywhere else on the body, the eyes show early signs of sun damage, stress, and illness.

"The skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest you have," says holistic cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jeanette Jacknin, author of "Smart Medicine for Your Skin." Pair that fragility with a small pad of underlying fat that all but vanishes with age, and you're left with little to guard against wrinkles or disguise veins. As a result, the slightest damage readily becomes visible.

The best solution? Take a holistic approach. Natural and nature-inspired remedies supply you with a powerful arsenal.Restorative ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and essential oils extracted from herbs, teas, and other plants can help mend this vulnerable area.

Here, our experts offer simple lifestyle changes, quick fixes, and product suggestions to tackle puffy eyes, dark circles, crow's feet, crinkled lids -- and send those bags packing.

Beating Crow's Feet

Sun exposure and aging diminish skin's elasticity; UV rays and pollution cause inflammation and cell damage. As a result, repeated expressions (smiling, squinting) form creases. Look for products containing evening primrose, jojoba, sesame oils to hydrate skin and maintain flexibility; aloe to speed healing; and antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E to help fight free radicals and sun damage.

The Cause
Sun exposure and aging diminish skin's elasticity; UV rays and pollution cause inflammation and cell damage. As a result, repeated expressions (smiling, squinting) form creases.

OR Try
Swissline Force Vitale Corrective Eye Moisturizer

Swissline Ageless White Eye Gel-C

Fighting Bags

For a quick fix, place cucumber slices (for astringency) or chilled caffeinated tea bags (for tannins) on your eyes for 15 minutes to tighten skin and absorb fluid. But eat vitamin C-rich foods to support collagen production.Tap the eye area lightly while moisturizing to help dissipate excess fluid. To reduce water retention, drink water, limit alcohol, and get more rest.

The Cause
With age, cells produce more free radicals, which indirectly break down collagen and elastin, causing skin to lose elasticity and structure. A pad of fat, the eye's "shock absorber," bulges outward, while fat below the eye thins. Water retention amplifies the problem.

Essential Steps
Eat vitamin C-rich foods to support collagen production.Tap the eye area lightly while moisturiz-ing to help dissipate excess fluid, says Cox. To reduce water retention, drink water, limit alcohol, and get more rest.

Quick Fix
Place cucumber slices (for astringency) or chilled caffeinated tea bags (for tannins) on eyes for 15 minutes to tighten skin and absorb fluid.

OR Try
Swissline Force Vitale Anti-Pufiness Eye Awakener

Fixing Dark Circles

For immediate results, look for a concealer that is close to your natural complexion--lighter tones will make circles look gray.Or try plumping up thin skin with a fast-absorbing oil like jojoba. Try foods rich in vitamin K because it helps fortify blood-vessel walls, and use a daily topical treatment with vitamin K. Also aim for more downtime and sleep.

The Cause
Nasal congestion widens surrounding veins; related inflammation may lead to dark pigment deposits. Stress and poor diet can weaken blood vessels, which may break, creating a bruise-like undertone. Fatigue strains eyelid muscles, engorging blood vessels, and can produce a wan complexion, making circles appear darker by contrast. For some, dark circles are genetic.

Essential Steps
Eat foods rich in vitamin K, because it helps fortify blood-vessel walls. And use a daily topical treatment with vitamin K. Also aim for more downtime and sleep.

Quick Fix
Only cosmetics deliver instant results. Cox says to look for a concealer that's close to your natural complexion -- lighter tones will make circles look gray. Or try "plumping up" thin skin with a fast-absorbing oil like jojoba.

OR Try
Swissline CellShock Cellular Eye Care Against Dark Circles

Preventing Crinkled Eyelids

To quickly prevent, use a cream eye shadow, or apply a hydrating primer underneath your usual powder to help retain natural moisture. Or use a light eye cream in the morning and a rich cream at night; tap the eye area lightly with your finger until the product is absorbed to stimulate circulation. Use a gentle, hydrating makeup remover or cleanser. Don't scrub harder to remove stubborn makeup; instead, gently wash the area again. Eliminate talc-based eye shadows, which sap moisture.

The Cause
Skin produces decreasing amounts of oil over time, so eyelids tend to become dry and fragile. Loss of elasticity and fat, plus thinning skin, compound the problem and contribute to small folds in the lids. Eye shadows and cleansers can dry, too. With diminishing protection, too much scrubbing and overly absorbent powders can make matters worse.

Essential Steps
Use a light eye cream in the morning and a rich cream at night; tap the eye area lightly with your finger until the product is absorbed to stimulate circulation, says Cox. Use a gentle, hydrating makeup remover or cleanser. Don't scrub harder to remove stubborn makeup; instead, gently wash the area again. Eliminate talc-based eye shadows, which sap moisture.

Quick Fix
Use a cream eye shadow, advises Cox, or apply a hydrating primer underneath your usual powder to help retain natural moisture.

OR Try
Swissline Ultimate Radiance Youthful Eye Contour Capsules
Swissline Force Vitale Corrective Eye Moisturizer
Swissline Ageless White Eye Gel-C

Beauty Basics

2008-05-15T17:47:00.002+08:00

Beauty Basics
Achieving a natural look is not just about products. Following these tips will minimize the amount of makeup you need to wear.

1. Only apply foundation where you need it. This will reduce your exposure to potentially irritating or harmful ingredients.

2. Curl your lashes. This does more to wake up your look than a pile of products, says Petty, since curling lashes makes your eyes appear wider. Scrivo suggests starting at the base of your lashes, curling in several steps as you inch the curler outward toward the lash ends.

3. Invest in a professional brow shaping. Clean, arched brows emphasize the eyes and cheekbones for a naturally polished look, even without makeup. A professional can determine the best brow shape for your face, and you can maintain that shape with occasional tweezing. When tweezing at home, use a brow brush to groom the hairs up, then out, which lets you see strays.

4. On most days, stick to more neutral, sheer colors for lips. They won't look as obvious as they wear off, reducing your need to constantly reapply. Finally, a touch of sheer or rosy gloss applied to the center of your lips will reflect light and make them appear fuller.

Firming Your Core

2008-05-15T16:50:00.002+08:00

Sweat through an ab workout and you want nothing short of rock-hard results. But did you know that by engaging these muscles, you do more than sculpt a bikini-ready bod? Considered your "vital center" in yoga, your core is critical to overall health. "It's not only the seat of the digestive system, but also where we hold tension and experience deep emotions," says personal trainer and yoga instructor Roman Szpond, owner of Inner Strength studios in Watertown, Massachusetts. "By focusing on this area, you improve the quality of your digestion and stimulate diaphragmatic breathing, which can relieve the proverbial âknot' in your stomach." Use the following workout, a combination of complementary core strengtheners and stretches, to tone your belly -- and build a stronger, more centered you.

1. Core Balancer (pictured above)
What it does: This stabilizing isometric strengthener works the upper and lower ab muscles. To stay balanced here, you'll use several muscles in concert, which makes more effective use of them.

How to do it: Start by lying on your back, arms over your head and feet hips-width apart. Take a deep inhale and, as you exhale, pull your upper body and lower body upward so that you form a V. Reach your fingers toward your toes and keep your gaze upward, compressing your abs and drawing the navel toward the spine. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then gently lower down. Repeat 3 to 5 times. (To modify, leave your legs up and just lower your upper body, lifting up again to reach your raised legs.)

2. Winding Crunch
What it does: Simultaneously strengthens and lengthens the upper and lower body; stretches shoulders and hips.
How to do it: Lying on your back, cross your left arm under your right, winding your arms around each other so that your palms touch. Wrap your right leg over your left leg (if you can, tuck your right foot behind your left calf) with knees bent. Take a deep breath, reaching arms and legs away from each other, and then crunch, reaching elbows toward the knees. Lift your upper and lower back slightly off the floor to work the entire abdominal area. Then release your back down to the ground. Exhale and repeat. Do 3 sets of 10.

3. Modified Fish
What it does: Opens up the abs and chest to help calm the body and facilitate breathing.
How to do it: Start flat on your back, then lift up onto your forearms, tucking your hands under your buttocks for stability. Begin to arch the chest, releasing the muscles, widening your collarbone.Rather than drop your head back as in traditional Fish pose, which can strain the neck if done improperly, Szpond suggests keeping your chin tucked. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, letting your breath rise and fall naturally, your chest open up, and your abs relax. To come out of it, remove your hands and lie down flat, relaxing into the ground.

4. Yoga Bicycle with Oblique Hold
What it does: Works the oblique muscles (which run along the sides of your core.
How to do it: Pull your knees toward your chest and put your hands behind your head, elbows bent in toward your knees. Reach your right elbow toward the left knee, extending the right leg, then switch, alternating 10 times. On the last rep, freeze, reaching your arm past the outside of the knee for a count of 3. Do 5 sets.

5. Twisted Stretch
What it does: Releases the abs.
How to do it: Lie flat on your back with knees bent and arms overhead; take a deep breath and exhale releasing both legs to your left side. Reset for a few second, then reverse. Extend your energy up the arms and out through the fingers. Feel the tension in your ab muscles release. Take a few slow deep breaths. Rest and repeat 1 to 3 times.

Gentle Yoga Poses

2008-05-15T16:13:00.001+08:00

A morning yoga practice composed of the following poses can counter the fiery energy of the hot summer season. This series is designed to energize without overheating and can be done at home in as little as 30 minutes.

1. Bow (Dhanurasana) Lie face down, hands by your sides, palms facing up, legs together. Bending at the knees, bring your heels as close to your buttocks as possible. Raise your head, keeping your chin on the floor, then reach back with your hands and grasp your ankles firmly. Pull with your legs and arms, raising your head, chest, knees, and thighs off the floor. Raise your clasped legs as high as possible, keeping the spine relaxed. Rest your entire body weight on your navel. Breathe in and slowly exhale. Hold for five to10 breaths, then release. Repeat the pose two times.

2. Thunderbolt (Vajrasana) Start by positioning yourself on your hands and knees, then sit back on your heels and look forward. Keep your spine straight and place your palms on your thighs. Breathe in and then slowly exhale. Hold the position for five to 10 breaths, then exhale completely.

3. Spinal Twist (Vakrasana) Sit on the floor with your legs together and outstretched, hands flat on the floor behind you. Bring your palms near your buttocks. Bend your left knee and place your left foot by the inside of your right knee. Twist from the center of your torso, bringing your right shoulder toward your left knee. Place your elbow outside the knee, keeping your torso lifted up. Keep your left hand on the floor behind you. Twist your neck and body as far as is comfortable toward your left hand. Breathe in and then slowly exhale. Hold the position for five to 10 breaths, then slowly release. Repeat on the other side. Repeat the entire sequence two to four times.

4. Leg Lift (Viparitakarani) Lie on your back and raise your legs above you at a 90-degree angle. Hold the pose for five to10 breaths, then bend your knees to release. Repeat the sequence two to four times.

5. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) Lie face down, arms bent and palms flat on the floor at each side of your chest, fingers pointing toward your head. Tuck your toes under and lift up to your hands and knees. Exhaling, press your feet and hands into the floor and raise your buttocks, straightening your knees and pulling your thighs back. Keep your spine straight. Extend your chest back toward your thighs. Keeping your elbows and knees straight but not locked, press heels into the floor, push your hips up, and pull your shoulders down. Breathe in and exhale. Hold for five to 10 breaths, then return to your hands and knees. Repeat two to four times.

6. Corpse (Savasana) Lie flat on your back with your arms at your sides, palms up, and your feet spread apart. Focus on your breath. Become aware of each part of your body and consciously relax it. Start with your right leg, working part by part from toes to groin, then relax your left leg in the same way. One at a time, relax your hands and arms, working from fingers to shoulders. Then relax your lower abdomen, upper abdomen, chest, and throat. Then relax your back, from lumbar region to mid-back, neck, face, and head. Aim to spend one-fourth to one-third of your practice in Savasana.

Weekend Revival: 10-Step Weekend Revival Plan

2008-05-15T16:01:00.001+08:00

Morning Yoga
Greet the day with a gentle yoga routine. Poses such as Bow Pose, Downward Dog, and spinal twists help balance pitta.

Breakfast
For the first meal on each of these two days, eat a large bowl of fruit salad with a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. This meal will help your body get rid of accumulated toxins. If you find orange juice too acidic, you may substitute pitta herbal tea (available at Indian grocery stores) or any other fresh fruit juice of the season. You may also prepare a blended fruit smoothie in place of the fruit salad. In a blender, combine a large banana with 1/2 cup of your choice of seasonal fresh fruits and 1/2 cup of water to thin it out.

Spa Treatments
Spend an hour or two luxuriating in the pitta-balancing spa treatments. On Saturday, you'll focus on your skin and body; on Sunday, you'll treat the hair, hands, and feet.

Down Time
Spend the late part of the morning as you like -- reading an interesting book, listening to music, writing in your journal, gardening, painting. The choices are endless. It is important, though, to spend time unwinding and doing what you want rather than what you think you should do.

Lunch
After your morning yoga and spa therapies, enjoy a large raw salad made with fresh seasonal green vegetables such as cucumber, celery, and sprouts. Choose pitta-balancing herbs and spices like cilantro and basil to add flavor. Eat your lunch slowly and mindfully, focusing on the flavors and textures of the ingredients. To unlock your mind, reflect on the view from your window, or even the sight of indoor plants and flowers, while you eat.

Rest
Rest is important to calm the mind and allow the physical body to deal with fatigue. After eating, take some quiet time to listen to music, read, or take a short nap for half an hour to an hour if you are sleepy. If you are tired but cannot fall asleep, then simply rest your mind and body by lying down and emptying your mind of thoughts.

Exercise
Your retreat will be enhanced by a brisk walk, preferably in the open air so you can breathe fresh oxygen directly into your lungs. Stay conscious of good posture, and warm up by starting out at a slow pace then building to a brisk pace. Keep your chest out, swing your arms wide, and breathe through your mouth. Walk for 20 to 30 minutes. If you prefer, swimming is also a good exercise for balancing pitta.

Digestive Meditation and Care
This is an ideal time to tune in to and become familiar with your digestive system. Place your hands first on your stomach and become aware of any slight movements, feelings, or sounds. Do the same with your small intestines in your midriff area and then with the area under your navel. Mentally prepare for your next meal by noticing whether you are hungry or not. Resolve to eat only as much as you need to fill three-quarters of your stomach (this typically translates to about as much food as will fit into both your cupped hands). Using a little bit of oil, massage your stomach in round circles, moving clockwise. This will help you digest the last meal and prepare your body for the next.

Dinner
Dinner during the retreat should consist of steamed vegetables. As with lunch, use fresh, green seasonal vegetables -- the greener the better. For extra flavor, add fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, parsley, and sage, or pine nuts, sesame seeds, or pumpkin seeds. As with lunch, eat slowly and mindfully, which will allow for complete digestion. An hour or so after dinner, enjoy an herbal tea.

Bath and Bedtime
Run a bath prepared with ingredients to balance pitta -- rose, neem, jasmine, basil. You may use fresh or dried leaves and herbs; bundle a handful of ingredients in a piece of muslin cloth to make a tea bag for your tub. Or, if you prefer, add a few drops of essential oils directly to the bathwater. If you like, use candles, fresh flowers, and music to aid relaxation. As you soak in the bath, close your eyes and breathe deeply, releasing tension with each exhalation. Keep yourself warm after the bath and go to bed, relaxed and at peace.