Fishtail Braid

The fishtail braid has been seen on the red-carpet being worn by celebrities of all ages and backgrounds, from Blake Lively to Kim Kardashian.

There are a lot of variations in braid styles , but this unique braid is all the rage right now, and can be sported at upscale events, if a celebrity can wear it on the red carpet, you can wear it to any event, and more casually as well. If you're wearing your braid as an evening look, then make it sleek and have the braid run down your back. If it's a bit more casual, then opt for a messier braid that is placed off the side.

That said, don't hesitate to wear the messy version of the fishtail braid for a more formal event. It may seem counterintuitive to do so, but the messiness of the hairstyle will counterbalance the structured feel of an evening gown or look, creating an overall unique look that works well. Read the rest of my article at Vista Magazine.

Image courtesy of Pinterest.

Benefits Of A Cold Shower

With the recent heat wave, I've been day dreaming about nice cold showers that wash away the humidity, sweat and general disgusting-ness that I've absorbed throughout the day. 

But apart from my own needs to counter the weather, turns out there are multiple health and beauty benefits associated with taking a cold shower:

• An instant change in temperature is said to increase your mental alertness and relieve your body of fatigue. So next time you're in the shower, start with a brief hot shower and quickly switch over to a cold shower. 

• Switching back and forth between hot and cold water is also said to improve circulation.

• Researchers have found that two to three minute cooler showers (around 68 degrees) daily can treat depression.

• Cold water makes the cuticles of your hair close so that its flat, making hair shiny and smooth. 

• Hot water showers open your pores, leaving them vulnerable to getting clogged. Thus, in theory, a cold water shower should shrink your pores. 

Image via Pinterest.

Beauty In Flight

Traveling overnight is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you can arrive at a destination while multi-tasking with getting some sleep, but on the other hand, it’s hard to arrive feeling like you look your best. Here are a few beauty tricks you can implement to make the most of your red-eye traveling—whether you’re going by plane, train or car—so that you can pamper yourself while getting a little shut-eye and still arrive looking fantastic.

Click here to find out 7 Beauty Tips for Red Eye Traveling.

Image via Google Images; specifically here.

Ice Cubes For Your Pores

Pores are the tiny openings on our skin that house our hair follicles and oil glands. Many people suffer from enlarged pores (especially around the nose due to the number of oil glands).

Two easy ways to reduce pores:

1. Rubbing Ice Cubes on the face tightens the pores and increases blood circulation.
2. Take one egg white and beat it until it is well whipped. Apply a thin layer on your face and wait for it to dry. After dried, wash your face.

Combat Swelling with a Frozen Metal Spoon

Ever woken up with swollen eyes, either due to fatigue or due to crying your eyes out? A quick fix to getting rid of that swelling is a frozen metal spoon!

Keep metal spoons in your freezer. When required, remove on and position the bowl of the spoon on swollen area of your face. Swelling should go down considerably!

Cell Phone Acne

I recently (and by recently I mean 1.5 years ago) got an iPhone and ATT's dropped calls have been the bane of my existence, the pain in my ass and the zits on my face. The latter could be non-metaphorical!

Evidently, you should ideally clean your cell phone with antibacterial wipes every day (or at worst, once a week) in order to eliminate the bacteria on your phone that gives your face/cheek/chin acne.

When New Yorkers were asked by ABC what they thought was dirtier--a toilet seat, bottom sole of your shoe or your cell phone--the vast majority chose toilet seat. Reality? Your cell phone! In fact, your cell phone may have 18x more bacteria than a toilet handle!

It's estimated that half the phones in the world contain staph bacteria, which is responsible for spreading skin infections and meningitis. The germs come from your face and your hands.

Essentially, if you don't clean your cell phone...it's like you're rubbing a urinal on your face. Your call!

Makeup Expiration Dates

I ashamed to admit I have makeup in my drawer from 8 years ago and while I want to throw it away because it's old, I also don't want to because they're not even close to being used! 

In my defense, this makeup is mostly eyeshadow, but still.

Everything has an expiration date and so does makeup! Check out this video from Good Housekeeping that talks about makeup expiration (specifically mascara and sunscreen):

Below are a list of beauty products, how long they last, and a little tidbit on why you shouldn't let them expire:

Mascara: 3 months
Liquid eyeliners: 3months
Pencil Eyeliners: 2 years
Cream Eye Shadows: 6 months
Powder Eye Shadows: 2 years

Lipstick: 2 years
Lipgloss: 2 years
Lipliner: 2 years (or more)

Liquid Face Makeup: 6 months
Face Powder: 2 years

Nail Polish: 1-2 years
Sunscreen: 6 months
Hair Products: 1 year
Perfume: 2 years (but can be longer)

Skin Care:"Acne creams and other over-the-counter products that contain drugs are FDA regulated and usually carry expiration dates. But cosmeceuticals (products claiming to have anti-aging and skin-changing benefits) are not regulated, and once they’ve been used, they shouldn’t be kept for more than six months — or, if they’re in pump bottles, a year"

I can only speak for myself when I say that I definitely don't follow all these little guidelines. But rest assured I am going to be more cautious of anything that goes near my eyes.

Information Source: Here and here