Get Javine's natural look !
Monday, June 18, 2007
Labels: Get the look
Where does skin color come from ?
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Skin color is an excellent example of genetic control at work. Skin color depends on the degree of melanin found in skin cells. The amount of melanin is pre-determined by the genetic blueprint of some genes in each cell. To be exact, there are two genes that control the production of melanin, each of which has a dominant and recessive expression. This leads to a possible 16 combinations of genotype when coding for skin color, as seen below.
Key # Genotype 1 M1M1M2M2 2 M1M1M2m2 3 M1M1m2m2 4 M1m1m2m2 5 m1m1m2m2 | Phenotype Black Skin Dark Brown Skin Brown Skin Light Brown Skin White Skin |
Although there are 16 possible combinations in expressing the skin phenotype, there are 5 different possible genotypes that the genes of melanin can express for, as indicated above. Each expression of melanin has an accumulating effect on skin tone, until maximum expression of melanin through 4 dominant alleles leads to a black skin phenotype.
Therefore, when any person is born, they will be one of five colours. After this, external factors such as UV sunlight from the sun will change the skin colour away from the genetic expression of its initial colour.
Eye Colour
Melanin is also present in the iris of the eye, therefore its accumulating effect on colour determines the colour of the eye depending on how many dominant and recessive alleles are expressed. The coding for brown eyes is dominant to the coding of blue eyes.
Albinism
Albinism is an occurrence caused by a deficiency of a particular enzyme in a biochemical pathway. The resultant effect is that no melanin is present in the organism, which show pale eyes and white hair/skin. This is not a lethal occurrence in organisms, provided they are not over exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which can be carcinogenic.
More information about the way genes control and determine the make up of our body is investigated upon on the next page.
Tips for Curly Hair
Curly hair is the most difficult to maintain because it breaks easily, is prone to frizz and dryness, so it needs special care. Follow these easy tips below on a regular basis for super healthy, strong, slick and shiny curly hair.
2. Never apply shampoo to the top of your head. Always start at the nape of your neck.
3. Don't shampoo too often as it will dry out your hair and make it frizzy. Shampoing too often strips your hair and scalp of its natural oils. A good rule of thumb is to wash hair no more than twice a week.
4. After shampoo, rinse hair with warm water before applying conditioner. (never hot water as it dries out the hair). Warm water opens hair shaft so it absorbs conditioner better.
CONDITIONING
Then start with small hair sections at a time, and comb from the ends and work your way up to the roots until hair is detangles. Comb gently. Never start detangling from the top because this breaks the hair. This evenly distributes the conditioning product, makes combing your wet hair a breeze and avoids hair breakage.
4. Avoid using narrow toothed combs and brushes, use wide-toothed combs instead which has less of a tendency to cause breakage and frizzing.
5. Rinse hair with lukewarm or cold water, this will seal the hair cuticles, reducing frizz and make your hair look shiny and silky
6. In the final rinse, add either lemon juice, apple vinegar or beer (good quality brand like Guiness), this will make your hair really shiny as it will change the PH of your hair and seal cuticles.
STYLING
1. Never wrap your hair in a towel like a turban. This bends the hair shaft and causes hair breakage. Instead, place the towel on your head like a veil and gently squeeze out excess moisture.
2. Let your hair air dry to reduce frizzing, blow dryers' heat breaks hair. If you need to your hair to dry quickly, blot your hair with a towel, but do not rub it.
3. Blow dry methodically if you can't air dry or are straightening your tresses. This can take practice and time, but it is worth it. Use a big round brush that will allow you to smooth your hair as you dry. Always blow in a downward motion. Running the dryer over hair up and down causes the cuticle to frizz and split. Divide hair into sections with curler pins and dry one section at a time.
4. Avoid brushing, curly hair should never be brushed unless you straighten it or brush the front when wearing a ponytail.
5. Use a leave-in conditioner on your hair daily or every other day.
6. Avoid gels and mousse as they tend to dry curly hair. Curly hair needs moisture, moisture and more moisture. Opt for leave-in conditioners, moisturizing lotions, puddings, creams, serums, balms, pomades etc
7. Avoid styling products with grease or drying alcohol. Grease won't moisturize your hair but make it greasy and unhealthy looking.
8. Avoid using narrow toothed combs and brushes, use wide-toothed combs instead which has less of a tendency to cause breakage and frizzing.
9. Use Rejuvenate Texturizing Mist on days when you do not shampoo your hair to revive your curls and give them a fresh, bouncy look.
10. Before applying a styling or finishing product to your hair, really rub the product into your hands as if you were applying hand cream. This will help you to control the product and distribute evenly.
MAINTENANCE
1. Deep treat your hair with heat at least once a week but not too hot or it can break your hair. Your thristy tresses will thank you.
2. Also try to use a natural hair recipe at least once every two weeks and let it sit on hair all nigt if you can. I do this with olive oil once a week. I use olive oil alone or with a little honey and I leave it all night and sometimes all day when I stay in. It leaves my hair really well conditioned. You can add heat with those natural recipes
3. Get your split ends trimmed at least 4 times a year.
Avoid using a razor on your hair. Razors give rise to split ends.
4. Choose a hairstyle, which you can maintain easily.
EXTRA TIPS TO STOP FRIZZ
Most of the tips above are all about reducing frizz so read each section carefully.
However this section will give you additional cool tips to stop and prevent frizz.
1. Avoid playing with your hair or touching it as much as possible, the more friction that occurs on your hair will cause it to tangle and/or frizz.
2. Always rinse with the coldest water you can stand after using a shampoo and conditioner. The cold water "locks down" the hair cuticle and makes hair appear slicker, less frizzy
3. Use quality products to stop frizz
4. Do not use a hair brush. Using a hair brush on thick hair and "frizzy" prone hair will cause split ends. Use a wide toothed comb to detangle hair when hair is saturated with conditioner, and finger comb only when hair is dry. In the morning when you wake up, if you have "bed" hair, spritz your hair with leave-in conditioner and finger comb it into place.
5. Air dry your hair instead of using a blow dryer or hair dryer (the kind with bonnets attached to a hose). This will also cut down on split ends. Using a curling iron or hot rollers is acceptable, but this can also damage your hair if not done properly.
6. Do not rub your hair with towel. A towel worsens the cuticle and causes them to stand.
Labels: Tips for curly hair
Hair cuts
Friday, June 15, 2007
Labels: Hot or Not ?
Fashion faux pas
Makeup
Au Lait Milk Bath Powder
Monday, June 11, 2007
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Hollywood Cookie Diet
The First Delicious Way to Lose Weight. Eat a cookie, Skip a meal. Lose weight with delicious meal replacement cookies.
Each cookie is individually wrapped for eating on-the-go. Take a tasty meal with you to the office, on the road, on the plane, to the gym, or anywhere else you go.
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Egyptian Magic Cream for Body Face and Hair Is Over The Top INCREDIBLE
Vogue asked the top 100 male/female celebrities what beauty products they loved the most, and yes, the celebrities declared that Egyptian Magic was their beauty secret.
Here's the scoop:
· It doesn't clog pores
· Adds an amazing glow and hydrates body, face and hair
· Perfect after-shaving lotion, softens hands and feet
· Super lip and eye gloss
· Great hot-oil treatment for hair - hair will shine
· Daily hair conditioner
· Heals chapped lips
· Eases irritation from mosquito bites
· Treats burns, and blemishes
· Great for eczema
· Soothing for diaper rashes
· Pregnant woman love it to keep their expanding belly moisturized
· Great prep for use on skin pre-surgery and post-surgery, and on and on!
· You'll save time, money, energy and space in your shower, handbag, or suitcase
As Seen In:
Vogue, Allure, Daily Candy, Lucky, Shape, People
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Brazilian Beauty Tips
Babassu oil is a light, non-greasy natural emollient that moisturizes the skin. It is excellent for dry as well as normal and oily skin types. The physical and chemical properties of Babassu oil are most similar to coconut oil. In temperate climates Babassu oil, unlike olive or almond oils, is actually a semi-solid creamy texture at room temperature and melts upon contact with skin, which is at a warmer temperature.
Babassu oil can be used “straight up” applied to the skin, as a massage oil, or in the bath, but is usually combined with other essential oils.
The first step would be to make a long warm shower washing and cleaning your pubic area. Then, trim down your pubic hair with scissors or with a shaver till it will have a length of a quarter inch.
Use a hard wax (A low temperature one) for a less painful process. Smooth the wax with a pre-waxing oil before applying it over your hair. This oil keeps it from sticking to the skin, and allows the wax to be used without strips, making for a much more comfortable experience. As the wax cools, it basically shrink-wraps each hair and pulls it out from the root. You may remove some stubborn hair with a set of tweezers.
Use a big mirror and move into any position you think will be more comfort - put your legs up, on the sides or even over your head. If you feel the pain is unbearable stop until you feel you are ready to go on.
once you finished with the waxing process and you are happy with your brazilian bikini wax, you should apply a soothing lotion on your bikini area.
If done correctly, your pubic area will stay smooth for anywhere between 14 and 25 days. We advice you to go to a professional salon to do your first brazilian bikini wax. After watching the therapist and feeling the discomfort and pain you will be able to decide whether you wish to give yourself the next brazilian wax.
Beauty Secrets from Ancient Egypt
After you have let the paste cool enough so that it won't burn, you spread it on your skin, cover it with cotton strips of cloth, and then rip the cloth off like one does a bandaid. Most find sugaring less painful than waxing.
Due to many requests from readers for this recipe, I have looked hard for what I have finally found and give you here, what I think is the best formula:
Equipment: Candy thermometer
Remove from the heat and let cool enough to pour into a jar without breaking or melting the jar. (Note that this jar will be reheated in the future. Make sure it is safe for whatever for of reheating you plan to do -- in the microwave, or in a pan of water. Rip clean cotton fabric in 1" inch strips. Make sure the cotton isn't too coarsely woven.
Using a dull knife or Popsicle stick, spread the cooled sugar onto your skin. Cover with the cloth strips, let set for a few minutes, and then rip off quickly as you would a bandaid.
In the future you can reheat the mixture to a warm and not hot temperature (see above), and reuse. Note that reheating will thicken the paste.
Hair colors
What hair colors best suit olive to brown tones ?
Here's what we think...comment to tell us if you agree or not.
Labels: Hot or Not ?
Beauty Tips from Ancient Moroccan Tradition
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Moroccan red clay or lava clay is used as an additive and by itself in beauty masks, soaps, and lotions. Make your own facial mask with Moroccan red clay for dry skin by adding enough honey or olive oil to make a paste. Apply the paste to the face for 15 to 20 minute and rinse with tepid water. Use plain water or coconut oil with the clay for oily skin.
Deep clean your skin without drying it out using Moroccan Rhassoul Clay and honey. Clays can be drying to those with already dry skin so we balance the Moroccan clay that draws out the impurities from your pores, with a natural moisturizing humectant, honey. Added to this mask is antiseptic orange peel and detoxifying Red Sandalwood extract, which makes this mask perfect for those with oily skin or large pores. It will refine your pores and smooth your skin.
Argan oil has been used for centuries to treat the skin and hair to maintain beauty and youthfulness. Add the argan oil to olive oil or coconut oil for a moisturizing hair and skin treatment.
Labels: Body lotions reviews
Labels: Face Masks reviews
Labels: Natural skin care recipes
Labels: Natural haircare recipes
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Labels: Day time makeup
Labels: Evening makeup
Labels: Hot hairstyles...get them now
Labels: lipbalm reviews, lipgloss, Lipstick
Labels: What is my skin type?
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Find out what your hair type is
(See chart below)
There are many ways for determining hair types. Scroll up to read more. Don't worry about understanding everything, I've added pictures below so you can easily determine what your hair type is. So just go to the pictures section below if you don't want to read the explanations and you'll do just fine.
Scroll up to read more about hair texture, porosity, elasticity and
There are 4 different numbers you'll fall into (hair wave patterns):
1- Straight Hair
2- Wavy Hair
3- Curly Hair
4- Kinky Hair
(kinky hair is sometimes labeled as curly hair)
Within those 4 numbers there will be many more different categories depending on your hair texture, (yes you can have straight hair with a coarse texture just like you can have curly hair with a fine texture), hair elasticity, hair porosity and hair density. Don't worry, it seems a bit confusing now but it's not. Just look at the chart below and you'll know immediately where you fit in.
IMPORTANT NOTE 4 MULTIETHNIC HAIR: Although I have featured pictures of caucasian women in the chart to have a wide range of examples available for you (some are white latinas), multiethnic curly hair have DRASTIC DIFFERENT needs than, let's say Nicole Kidman’s curly hair. Caucasian hair tends to produce more sebum (oily secretion created by the sebaceous gland). That's why multiethnic curly hair requires more oil. When looking for products, check if the box mentions natural oils and quality ingredients. But make sure the products are not too oily as multiethnic haircare tends to need less oil than black haircare...with too much oil the hair can get greasy.
++ CURLY HAIR has the most variety and different textures/waves pattern combination possible out of any hair type followed by wavy hair.
(FOR CURLY/WAVY HAIR: Remember no 2 hair is exactly the same, those are only examples...obviously you can achieve many types of curls using curling irons and rollers, so the images below apply to your NATURAL hair either right after shampooing and conditioning and air-drying or after you use leave-in conditioning or other lotions and air dry your hair but WITHOUT BRUSHING OR COMbING your hair -but no curling iron or rollers-)
Note: There is no universal way of naming curly hair types, people usually use their own labels, the one I am using is the most frequently used. Curls are usually rated according to TEXTURE and WAVE of the curl. The rest tends to vary or follow along)
S1 | Fine and Thin CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of S1 | |
S2 | Medium hair texture with body CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of S2 | |
S3 | Coarse hair texture (not same as curly coarse) CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of S2 |
WAVY HAIR CHART
W1 | Fine texture with natural waves CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of W1 | |
W2 | Medium Texture with longer waves CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of W2 | |
W3 | Thicker hair (but not coarse) with very wavy hair CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of W3 | |
C1a | Fine texture with tight curls CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C1a | |
C1b | Fine texture with loose curls CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C1b | |
C2a | Fine to medium texture with tight curls CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C2a |
Note: Beyoncé has HIGH density hair here, not coarse texture. Its density is high but texture fine-medium. |
C2b | Fine to medium texture with loose curls CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C2b | |
C3a | Medium texture with tight curls medium thickness CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C3a | |
C3b | Medium texture with loose curls CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C3b | |
C4a | Medium to coarse texture, very thick with small tight CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C4a | |
C4b | Medium to coarse texture with loose curls CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of C4b |
This hair is very tightly coiled, and very fragile. It appears to be coarse, but is actually very fine, with tightly packed thin strands. The reason it is so fragile is because it has fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type, so it has less protection. Many people with kinky hair use chemical relaxers to make their hair easier to control. Kinky hair can be tightly coiled hair that when stretched has an “S” pattern, or that has a “Z” pattern. The “S” pattern has more moisture than the “Z” pattern. Some people would say kinky hair starts with C4b medium to coarse texture...it really is up to you to decide
K1 | Coarse texture, thick hair with small to tiny ringlets CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of K1 | |
K2 | Very Coarse texture, dreadlocks CLICK for products that work best on this hairtype |
Examples of K2 |
Labels: What's my hair type ?