Beauty Tips
 

I'm bored and always interested in beauty tips so ladies how about we discuss the topic of beauty tips and exchange them so that others can learn things about upkeeping out beauty.

So I'll start us off...

Got time and need to wash your hair but you have braids-take a qtip and astringent and go around the scalp.

Tea tree oil works wonders on dandruff.

Putting on an alphahydroxy cream and leaning over a steaming bowl works on cleansing the face.

Soak aching feet in peppermint oil and a warm water.

And I have tons more to come.

Vaseline sometimes is just a bit too thick. Some lotions can be too thin! So,..I mix the two. When I do that it lasts quite a while versus using just one by itself.
Especially in the summer months. I just hate re-applying over and over again.

I wrap my hair at night to cut down on the heat and to add shine I mix my wrapping lotion with a little of Pink Oil Moisturizer. Shake it up to mix. When I comb down my hair the next day, no need for oil sheen because my hair already has that shine to it. Works wonders!

[This message has been edited by Miss_Nik (edited April 19, 2001).]

To help soften the areas around the feet, apply your favorite lotion or cocoa butter on them. Sleep with socks on overnight and continue this for about a week. The vitamins/ingredients in the lotion will be absorbed and you can "feel" the difference. You can also lotion your hands and slip socks over them too while you sleep http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Hydrocortisone cream under the eyes keeps down swelling and bags and also slows wrinkling.

Some that work for me...

-apply baby oil or cocoa butter oil while still wet after coming out of the tub or shower; this locks in the moisture in your skin

-lotion hands and feet (a little dab will do ya) every morning and every night and after each hand washing

-apply olive oil to your wet hair and cover with a plastic cap or bag for at least 15 minutes, pat dry with towel but do not rinse; this is an excellent hot oil treatment about once a month



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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

In the winter exfoliate once a week to keep dry/flaky skin away.

Have a ME DAY once a week/month to keep in tune with yourself.

Cocoa Butter on the skin to reduce blemishes

Shea Butter for body, hair, face moisturizer.

Sally Hansen liquid silk wrap for strong nails.

Does anybody have any ideas for under eyes dark circles? Besides sleep I can't find time for that http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

the411 on Beauty...

Here are some of my personal "tricks" for hair, skin, make-up, and weight loss. Normally I don't share my secrets, but since I love y'all so much, here goes...


HAIR (APPLYING RELAXERS)

Now, ya know you should ONLY relax your new growth, but that's quite difficult, I know. SO-- If you're giving yourself a relaxer with one of those home perms known for drying out your hair, you NEED the following:
1. That ghetto, dark brown hair gel (you know what I'm talkin' 'bout)--preferably Ampro or LeKair.
2. Porosity Control conditioner
Thoroughly saturate the hair with the gel. It will act as a filter that will keep the hair from "absorbing" too many chemicals (this is a MUST if your hair is already damaged from heat and chemicals). Carefully apply the relaxer, doing your best to stay on the new growth. I suggest very thin parts (with a rat-tail comb). Also, depending on how you normally style your hair and where your "burn-zones" are, have a system for where you apply the relaxer first. I usually wear my hair in a short bob with a part in the middle or on the sides, so I always do the back (i.e. "kitchen") and the center (where the parts would be) first. Now, once you've applied the relaxer, thoroughly cover the hair with the Porosity Control. This will help the hair maintain it's pH balance and avoid over-processing those areas where you've (accidentally) relaxed more than the new growth. You could actually comb through the hair now without severely weakening it. Porosity Control will also "loosen" the consistency of the relaxer, making it less pasty, and thus earier to rinse out.

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SKIN

Queen Helene Mint Jolep face mask is a MUST-HAVE if you suffer from oily, acne-prone skin. I suggest putting it on oily areas and letting it stay on over night to shrink pores. You could also put it on pimples to dry them out because the clay is medicated, but gentle. In the morning, use an exfoliating cocoa butter cleanser (Queen Helene has this, too) to remove the dead skin cells and smooth out the surface of the face.

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MAKE-UP

I suggest adding 1 or 2 drops of an oil-free moisturizer to your favorite foundation and mixing it together before applying. This will keep your skin soft and alleviate that "cakey" look that some make-ups give you. What's EVEN BETTER than foundation is Fashion Fair's Oil-Control Lotion. It has a light brown pigment in it that conforms to ANY black woman's skin color (light or dark). I don't like foundation, so I put a light concealer under my eyes and on dark spots (like pimple marks), then I apply the Oil Control Lotion. It gives you a smooth, matte finish because it "blocks" oil instantly. Then, I take a big blush brush and apply a few sweeps of a feathery light pressed powder. Instead of re-applying pressed powder later for oil control (which just adds build-up), I use oil-absorbing film sheets (by M.A.C.) to fight shine because it won't mess up the make-up.

For a dramatic look for the eyes, apply your eye shadow in 3 layers of colors. Apply a lighter color right under the arch of the eyebrow to accentuate the arch. By "light", I mean something a little lighter/brighter (preferably with subtle sparkles) than your natural skin color. At the crease of the eyelids (above the eyeballs), apply a darker color from corner to corner because it will really make the eyes stand out. Then, on the lid, apply a more dramatic color. Next, take a clean (make-up-free) blush brush and do a quick brush over the entire lid to blend the three colors for a gradient, transitioning effect. Follow up with a carefully applied eyeliner in a soft black or brown, and a few strokes of L'Oreal Volumizing mascara.

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WEIGHT LOSS

In the past 11 months, I have lost exactly 40 pounds! In the beginning, I tried EVERYTHING under the sun that was on the market for quick weight loss, but I realized that there is no such thing--at least not when it comes to staying healthy and keeping the weight off. HOWEVER, in addition to eating right and exercising, three things have helped me more than I can ever express!
1. Xenadrine RFA-1 diet supplements
2. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day
3. Chewing sugar-free gum
Xenadrine gave me the energy boost I needed to work out and eliminated my binge tendencies by suppressing my appetite. However, you should know that any supplement with ephedrine is NOT SAFE FOR EVERYONE. Do your research before taking it, and never start with the full dosages.

Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day is like giving your body and mind a spa treatment. It addition, it curbs your appetite, which makes it easier for you to eat only when you're supposed to. Plus, you feel fuller faster, so you don't over-eat.

Sugar-free gum is great for satisfying a sweet-tooth and fighting the urge to nibble on junk foods. Plus, research shows that, by chewing gum, the average person burns at least 11 more calories per hour at rest(depending on how often you chew gum), because gum-chewing is exercise.

I have many more weight-loss tips, so if you have questions about my regimen, just let me know!

the411

WHEW!!!
And I'm Out!


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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

Make your own vitamin skin moisterizers and conditioners by buying whatever shampoo or lotion you want and buying the vitamins separate let the vitamins dissolve in your shampoo or lotion and it will be rich with vitamins.

Exfoliating with oatmeal on the legs is cool.

Always soak your razors in alcohol before shaving to illiminate some of the itching with irritation. Remember shaving also exfoliates the skin.

Putting eggs in your hair keeps the shine, why I don't know but it enriches my natural color. My hair is brown so I don't know how this works with color treated or black hair.

Also if you have a family history of mixed decent you might be like me and have hair that only tends to get kinky when permed. Instead avoid the perms and the heat and go natural you'll go through a nappy stage until hair gets use to not being chemically dependant but that can be illiminated with the proper moisture balance.

read somewhere that it is good to soak your feet in tea with alot of lemon slices

My Beauty Secrets Revealed
 

Here are a few things that I live by:

1. VITAMIN E Supplements: Ladies, this is the vitamin to add to your diet that will only give you positive side effects. Take anywhere from 800mg - 1,000mg daily for the following benefits:
- promotes healthy hair, skin, and nail growth
- i break the gel caps open and apply the liquid directly to the ends of my hair to prevent split ends and I'll apply it to my dry areas (ie elbows, heels of feet, etc.) daily.
- It is an antioxidant so it helps your body fight the daily toxins that cause us to have bad hair, complexions, etc in the first place!
- It is good for your heart (lowers cholesterol and promotes circulation)

2. Leave in Conditioner - Now sometimes a leave in conditioner can leave my hair feeling "not so clean" and make it hard for me to comb out, so I only put the leave in conditioner on the ENDS of my hair. By doing this, my hair still has a lot of body, but yet my ends are not dry.

3. NEVER, EVER SLEEP WITH MAKE-UP ON!!! If your skin is like mine, you are guarenteed a PIMPLE within a week!

4. About 2 years ago, I had a blemish problem. And not just regular pimples, but the painful bump-like ones. Well, my doctor perscribed RETIN-A MICRO and it cleared up my comlexion entirely within 2-3 weeks! I only used the cream until I finished the tube (which was for about 4 months) and I have not had pimples since (except when I don't follow Rule # 3) :p

5. Mayonaise makes the best deep conditioner for out type of hair. If you can't stand the smell, add a small amount of your favorite conditioner to kill the aroma.

6. To fight dandruff: Mix 3-4 drops of iodine into a castor-oil hair grease (I like Bonner Bros. Super Gro with castor oil). The iodine kills the dandruff while the castor oil moistures your scalp. It will cure any existing dandruff that you have and prevent any further problems.


When I think of some more, I'll post them........

I do not know who it was on this thread, but SOMEBODY mentioned Lancome the other day. I went by their booth today and I gotta say it:

LANCOME IS MY NEW ISHT!

Their foundation is soooo great! I wasn't in love with their lipstick colors, but foundations and concealers were AMAZING! I am newly converted. The MAC people were being SUCH biatches (and they all looked like vampires- soooo hit!), so I just left and was very politely greeted by a Lancome rep who then just introduced me to a whole new world!

Girl, I left MAC for LANCOME about 3 months ago. I too LOVE their foundations and powders. There eyeshadows go on really well too.

My input...
 

For those ladies that use sponges to apply powder, you should replace it every 4 to 6 weeks because bacteria easily builds up and we don't want to get ugly pores on our face. It's best to use brushes to apply powder, mascara, etc. Love yourselves ladies!

Congratulations 411!!! Girl, I'm proud that you've done that! Keep it up!

Maybe it's a transition thing- a post college product. I could not have afforded lancome in college, but now that I am working I can do it. Ahh changes, lol.

But I am officially a convert. It is worth the extra 10 or 15 dollars.

A couple of summers ago I worked at a clothing store where I had to stand on my feet for hours at a time in high heeled shoes. Since then my feet have yet to recover. They don't look bad but, there just one thing I wish would go away. I'm not sure if it's a corn or not but I wanted to know if any one knows a way to get rid of it.

Forgive me if this sounds disgusting.

I had to try it, to make sure it works before I told you.

But washing your face with cold water, Closes/minimize pore size on your face. Leaving it smooth. *Within 7 days.*

Especially when you exfoliate.
A good MILD scrub, *fragrance, free,* helps too wash way all dead, dry, flaky skin.

Witch Hazel is good to use as an astringent. If anyone knows how to create your own mask using oatmeal PLEASE let me know. :o

My hair is really frizzy. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.:confused:

Kera Kare has a glosser called Silk N Seal that is absolutely worth every bit of the $23. Unlike some glossers that weigh you hair down, this WILL NOT! And just a small dimes size will do (that's how much I use, and my hair is very long). Just put that amount on your hair before you blow dry and you will not have to worry about frizz, whether you wear your hair, relaxed, pressed, or natural. Whenever I flatiron my hair, I can go outside when its raining, foggy, or misty and my hair will not frizz one bit.

Thanks, Honeykiss1974.:D

WANT THAT SALON SHEEN that lasts for days
 

I have been meaning to post this but kept forgetting until just now when I did it.

Have you ever gone to hairdresser:p and just love the level of sheen that your stylist gives you that lasts until you wash it again? I know for me no matter what I did @ home, I could not get the same level of sheen UNTIL last Thanksgiving, I was home and went to my aunt's stylist and learned a new trick. After she took my aunt's roller wrap down, she would use an oil product or a glosser, apply it, rewrap my aunt and cover her with SARAN WRAP, put her back under the dryer for approximately 10 minutes, take her out, comb out said wrap and VOILA!!!! sheen for days. So now I do it at home and it has improved my sheen.:D

Re: WANT THAT SALON SHEEN that lasts for days
 

LMAO @ U for picturing U @ home with Saran Wrap over your wrap under the Dryer!!!

But you know I going to try it too!!!

Oatmeal Mask
 

I found this just now on the web, hope it helps.

Oatmeal Facial Mask
1 cup oatmeal
1-3 drops of Almond oil
Hot water

Let the oatmeal soak in the hot water until soft. Carefully mix in the almond oil. Add ground apricot pit for a facial scrub.


If you have dry skin, try this:
Ingredients:
1 tsp. olive oil
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. honey
oatmeal, ground or you can also use infant oatmeal


Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, using enough oatmeal to make a paste. Smooth the paste all over your face. Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse with tepid water. Pat dry. The honey locks in moisture from the egg and olive oil, and the oatmeal soothes and softens the skin. Your skin should look and feel softer and smoother and you should notice and nice healthy glow.


If you have normal skin, try this:
Ingredients:
1/4 cup cooked peach
2 strawberries
1/4 cup mashed papaya
1 tsp. honey
Ground or intant oatmeal, enough to form a thin paste


Mash the fruit together and add oatmeal to make a paste. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. The fruit acids will remove dead skin and leave you with a beautiful, hydrated glow. The oatmeal calms the skin.


If you have oily/acne-prone skin, try this:

Ingredients:
1/2 apple, cooked to softness and mashed
1 tbsp. honey
ground or intant oatmeal


Combine all ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse with tepid water.

The oatmeal soothes irritated skin and absorbs oil. The fruit acid in the apple removes dead skin and clears the pores, and the honey contains anti-microbial properties to cleanse and refine.



Here are some other tips for staying beautiful without spending a fortune:


- Olive oil can be used as a moisturizer for dry skin.

- To reduce the redness of blemishes, cut a slice of potato and apply it to the blemish as you would a compress--you'll be amazed at the difference!


- For combination skin, try using two different masks. Use a mask for oily skin on the T-zone and a moisturizing mask on the cheeks and neck.

- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day--this cleanses the body and skin, as well as keeping skin hydrated.

:D You're so kind!!!

*taking notes*
For anyone with dry, cracked lips: brush your lips with your toothbrush after you brush your teeth. Very gently, and in a circular fashion. Pat dry, and then apply a thin layer of Vitamin E oil on your lips. Your lips will be kissable in a few days. Vitamin E oil is good for a lot of things, I'm noticing!!

Oil sheen dries my hair out. It will make it shine for an hour and then it just dries out. My stylist got me hooked on silica spray for shine instead. My favorites are Bilage or Kera Kare. They are alcohol free and add the greatest shine ever and also help de friz. They smooth hair that is starting to swell right out. I love it.

Re: WANT THAT SALON SHEEN that lasts for days
 

Shoot, I need to buy a dryer. These days, I'm avoiding hot irons because I burned a decent portion of my hair off -- Velcro rollers are my secret. I relax and color my fine hair.
Heck, I was wearing a moo-lai until my (biological) sister cut my hair and evened it.

Re: Re: WANT THAT SALON SHEEN that lasts for days
 

EEEEEEKK!!! :eek: :eek: Velcro rollers don't take your hair out? Velcro rollers, for me, are along the same line as those terrible sponge rollers, that should have never been invented. I use the netted roller (that you stick the pins in). They are very gentle on my hair.

Re: Re: Re: WANT THAT SALON SHEEN that lasts for days
 

Naah, I've never had excessive hair loss problems w/Velcro rollers. I've had more issues with overly hot curling irons and breakage.
But I'm with you on the sponge rollers -- those are awful, even in combination w/end papers. I'm on a hair kick these days -- since I can't go to my regular stylist (my biological sister) this week, I'm being forced to find one.

My secret are Aveda products. I've been using them just by themselves for just over a year and have been going to an Aveda salon and my hair has grown tremendously and is the healthiest its been in a while

How about help with these?
 

1) How to get rid of that bikini irritation, those nasty bumps???
2) How to keep your ends really healthy
more to come...

I've been wanting to try Aveda. Where do you purchase their products because I can't seem to find them anywhere.

Diva_01, you might want to try exfloliating before and after you shave. Also, try not to shave to often. This will prevent some of the irritation depending on the severity of the irritation. I don't know what else to do and I'm looking for answers myself. The exfloliating is a great start though.

I usually purchase the products from my salon because thats all they use so they sell it there but there are also Aveda stores in a few malls around here. But if you go to www.Aveda.com they have a section where you can find a store or salon in your area and they will have the products (the stores tend to be really helpful in finding the right product for your hair type).

Re: How about help with these?
 

Diva 01, I can't really say anything about the bumps, since I am a licensed cosmetologist, I can speak on number 2. I always tell people to make sure you get your ends clipped at least every six weeks. If you don't clip your ends, they WILL start splitting. Also, a good conditioner is key. I believe using a deep conditioner every other week, and using an instant conditioner on the opposite weeks. An intensive, deep conditioner should be used at least every six weeks (i.e. Aphogee treatment). But the next important thing, under clipping your ends is, KEEP THE HEAT TO A MINIMUM. It is the worst thing for your hair. And remember... there is no way to repair split ends. I don't care what the labels say on all those hair products (they're just trying to sell their products). If your ends are split, there's only one solution... cut those raggedy things off!!!

Candy Girl I'm from Chicago too. There is an Aveda boutique on Michigan Ave right by the Cheesecake Factory and North Face.

problem senistive skin
 

I am 33 and have been using these products sicne high School and i swear by them!!!!

Clinque! clinque! Clinque!

I have been using the 3 step system snce teenagehood and i am 33 now and i swear i love my skin. I use their dramtically moisture lotion and swear by that too.

there whole line is pretty darn GREAT! from make up removers to moisturizers to make up i love them!

My second is Estee lauder perfume! i cannot find anything else better then "beautiful" and "tusconey" ok a close second would be Calvin Klien's ,"eternity" and "Escape".

For the hair well i love paul Mitchell's tea tree line. as well as Biolage and Sabastian products.

I have such a thing for lotion and soft skin and will try anything it is by Camille Beckman. Their the ones that come in the round jar with the flower on top and can find them in any craft/and or gift shops. I use that nightly and put gloves on when i feel like my hands are getting rough as well as my feet.

For soft skin i use African royal six oils after a bath and or shower. The lady that does my hair and nails turned me on to that oil and i swear by that as well. If i dont have that i use just the run of the mill baby oil to lock in all moisture.

These are some of my great picks for beauty. Being blond and fair skin and always in the sun i need to find products that will pamper me and treat me good. I like the idea of the one i saw above with the hydroxy lotion and a bowl of sterammy hot water.
PS....taking a "ME" day is always good if you cant afford a spa. clear the mind and treat the body and pamper the heck out of yoru self!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura

CrimsonAngel thanks for informing about the website. There are so many hair care products and I wouldn't know where to begin. I really would need to go to the store so they can help me out.

Thanks to you too Niecy. I know exactly where its located. Now all I need to do is save a little money. Those prices are no joke.

Thanks!
 

Note: I am not the one with bikini irritation!!!!
My friend is, but don't tell her I told you!
But here's another question, what's the best way to exfoliate in that area without irritating it further???

LOL, Diva_01 thats what they all say. ;) (just kidding)
I would suggest using a loofah before and after shaving. The culprit may also be shaving the area to often. Maybe if she cuts back on shaving and let the area heel with the exfoliating and maybe some sort of after shave cream for that area, it will go away.

One of my friends did an internet search and she came up with a product called PrimaShave. I don't know if it worked because I really don't care to know. I'll ask her just for your friends benefit. I also saw and commercial for Bikini Zone the other day. I'm not sure if this works either.

With all this being said, she does have options. She might want to do an internet searh as well on bikini irritation.

Beauty Secrets from Essence.com