Recommended Hair Products

Here are some products that I absolutely love.


Shampoo/Conditioner:

I have always been a huge fan of Herbal Essences products. They are cheap, smell great and normally work wonderfully. One of my favorites of theirs is the None of Your Frizziness shampoo/conditioner.It makes your hair insanely soft and definitely helps control the frizz. It has a great scent thats not too overpowering. This and the Long-Term Relationship by them have always been my go to choices. Recently though one of my friends convinced me to try their Touchably Smooth shampoo/conditioner and I absolutely regret buying it. It made my hair greasy and oil, I had build up and it looked like I had roots. I have never in my life had greasy hair or roots so I was so confused on why the product did that to my hair. I'm still not sure but I am assuming it was just too moisturizing for my hair and my hair clearly was moisturized enough. Which makes me think that they should clearly state on the bottle "for dry hair." I have also tried many other brands such as Aussie, Garnier Fructis, and Pantene. Aussie brand always made my hair feel dry and stripped down.

For some reason Garnier Fructis's shampoos smelled strange to me so I never liked getting them again. And Pantene's products always seemed to weigh my hair down. Finding the right shampoo is a guessing game and one that you must have to keep trying at.

Styling Products:

Any girl with wavy or curly hair knows that styling products are your best friend. Letting those bad boys air dry only works for a few lucky people. Styling products help combat frizz, hold the shape of your hair and a bunch of other things. There are many different types of styling prodcuts such as, mousse, gel, spray gel, and styling cream. My go to product is Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves spray gel. It has been the only product that makes my waves look natural and not crunchy. It can be sprayed on your hair when it is damp or dry which is an extra bonus. It gives just enough hold so that my hair is flying away from me but not to much that it look like I am one of those people who dunked their head in a tub of gel. I recommend this to all of my friends and to everyone who asks. I used to be a big fan of mousse but over the years I realized it made my hair very dry and it always had that crunchy factor. Sometimes if I feel like I need a little extra hold or some volumizing I will use mousse though.

Hairspray:

Hairspray to me is hairspray. If it holds your hair in place then it works. I normally tend to get Suave's Light Hold Hairspray just because it is cheap and it work really well. It does not make my hair stiff but does enough to keep it in check. Aussie and Treseme hairsprays also work really well. The one hairspray I have never liked is Aussie's Sun Kissed Hairspray because it adds a little gloss to your hair so if you want to spray more of it sometimes it makes your hair look extra shiny and occasionally greasy.

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Help With How to Stop Blushing

Blushing is the reddening of someone's face involuntarily because of emotional stress and feelings of embarrassment and guilt. Social anxiety is the main cause of blushing. Scientists speculate that blushing is because of an overactive nervous system. Performance situations can also make an individual experience blushing. Women tend to blush more easily than their male counterparts do.


The difference between blushing and flushing is that blushing is localized to the face while flushing extends throughout the whole body. Flushing also lacks a mental stimulation source. Being overly sensitive to emotional stress will make the cheeks go to a rosy color.

On the positive side, blushing is a sign of virtue in that the blushing individual can be trusted easily compared to an individual who rarely blushes. Blushing has also been associated with giving. Most people who blush frequently are good givers. They are rarely selfish.

The fear of blushing is called erythrophobia.

Tips to Stop Blushing

If you want to reduce or stop blushing, try to employ the following tips. These tips are simple and practical. They will help you slowly overcome the emotional stress you encounter in some situations.

Unmasking

The trick to overcoming blushing is to draw the attention to it yourself. If you are an overly sensitive person, ensure that you avoid feeling bad about blushing and instead concentrate on the task. This seems hard but when you crack a joke about blushing then the situation becomes bearable and the blushing stops.

Simply remember that your unconscious mind produces the blood rush and not your conscious mind. Stop feeling responsible for some situations. For example, if you are talking to a crowd, focus on delivering the speech not on reading the perceived facial expression of your audience. Your responsibility is to deliver the speech in this case. The facial expressions of your audience should be their business at that time, not yours.

Mental Exercises

Creating a mental picture of that which causes you to blush and viewing yourself in that situation will enable you to process the scenario. You will find out that you often blush in situations that are not worth the effort. By analyzing such scenarios repeatedly, you will develop the ability to overcome instances of blushing. Blushing will not be as frequent as it did before the mental exercises.

Try to prepare for events that may cause you to blush. This means that you should picture the event before hand and be confident about what role you will play in it. When the event actually occurs, your blushing possibilities will be reduced because you already feel good about the outcomes. The body responds by exuding confidence and in turn, ridding you of the blushing.

Be Confident

If you are not confident about yourself, you will most likely blush. Confidence has the power to overcome all blushing. Sometimes, you do not realize how attractive you are when you feel confident. This factor will make you appear to know what you are talking about and it will win you respect in the end. When you realize that you are respected, you walk confident.

Blushing will become history and more confidence builds up. If you are finding it hard to build confidence, try reading self help books that try to build confidence. Other ways to build confidence is to assure your own self of your worth repeatedly.

If you stand in front of a mirror, point at your reflection and say, "you there, you are amazing", the mind shifts to concentrate on your awesomeness leading to increased confidence.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been used to treat severe cases of blushing. The method employs the relaxation and worry free soothing method. Here the individual is positioned in a relaxing state then asked to focus on his blushing tendencies. The professional overseeing the hypnosis process establishes the reasons of blushing. The psychologist then attempts to pinpoint which reason affects the individual most.

Once the process is over, the doctor may ask the patient a series of questions. The questions asked are used to confirm the doctor's reasons and treatment is given. Treatment may vary depending with the individual. The individual may require a series of therapy sessions to build confidence or the blusher may be referred to a physiologist for a physical check on underlying conditions.

Other methods in hypnosis involve the attention to help an individual cool down after blushing. He may also be taught how to remove the attention from the fear of blushing or to relax in stressful circumstances.

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Essential Oils: Your Key To Combating Wrinkles

Essential oils and wrinkles have been a subject of much discussion among medical professionals and homeopaths. There is some debate as to the effectiveness of these natural oils in fighting the signs of aging, but many people have used them and seen positive results so the evidence of their usefulness is mounting.

What we do know for sure is that chemical based ingredients can be harmful to the skin, causing it to dry out and become red or cracked. Since many popular skin care products rely heavily on synthetic ingredients, their overall effectiveness is necessarily limited. This leaves us to consider the benefits of essentials like fish oil and wrinkles.

Wrinkles are a natural byproduct of aging. They can be caused by a number of factors including poor diet, excess sun exposure and smoking, but the most common cause is loss of elasticity in the skin. This happens gradually over time and is the main reason for the link between essential oils and wrinkles. Many of these oils are believed to stimulate circulation and encourage new cell growth to help combat the loss of elastin and collagen.

Oils derived directly from natural sources like plants and animals contain healing properties that can have a wide-ranging effect on the body. One of the most visible forms of this is on the skin. By providing a natural source of moisture, they can soften and smooth the skin and by working deep beneath the surface can provide comprehensive healing. That's why there has long been an association between ingredients like Grapeseed, Olive and fish oil and wrinkles.

These are just a few of the natural moisturizers that can make a real difference for your skin. Because of their unique healing properties, homeopaths in particular have tapped into the link between essential oils and wrinkles to formulate all-natural products that are among the most effective on the market today.

If there were a connection between fish oil and wrinkles, you'd think taking a fish oil supplement would be enough to combat the effects of aging on the skin, but that's not true. While taking fish oil is certainly recommended, it's just one step of an overall natural approach to healing. For long lasting results, you need to take that approach one step further by using 100% natural skin care products specifically designed to combat aging.

Fortunately, there is just such a line of products available that not only takes advantage of the link between essential oils and wrinkles, but also has built on it by combining those ingredients with natural emollients like Shea Butter and powerful antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Together, these natural ingredients represent the best possible weapon against wrinkles, sagging and puffiness.

Wrinkles are a fact of life, but that doesn't mean you have to sit back and accept them. Using the healing power of essential oils and other completely natural ingredients, you can fight back and win the battle against aging. Tap into nature's goodness and keep your skin looking and feeling young and healthy for life!

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Various Aspects of Skin Care

Let's face it, your face is important. It is the first thing people notice on you, well, usually. It's not surprising that you want to put your best face forward. Your best face is one that is clear, blemish-free, youthful and glowing. Of course, all of this can be hard to accomplish. You need the help of good skin care products. There are so many products -- creams, moisturizers, toners and exfoliators - that your mind can go into a frenzy. Where do you start? What is this for? Let's look at the breakdown of all these products and see what will work best for you.


Cleanse Away

The key to a great complexion is to start off with a great cleanser. You need a product that will deep clean to unclog pores which can lead to things like acne and blackheads. In addition, there are cleansers for different skin tones. If you have oily skin, look for a cleanser specifically designed for oily skin. The same thing goes with dry skin. If you suffer from oil around the T-area (forehead and nose) and maybe dryness on the cheeks, check out a combination cleanser. You should be able to use your cleanser every day, preferably twice a day, for the best results.

Quench Your Skin's Thirst

After you cleanse, a good moisturizer is a must in your skin care routine. A moisturizer is going to replenish your skin and put back the vitamins and nutrients that it craves. The right moisturizer will give your face the perfect, healthy glow without leaving you shiny. You should look for a moisturizer that gives your face a nice, refreshing feeling. For younger faces, try a nice, lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin soft and supple. For more mature faces, choose a moisturizer that is a little more heavy duty with anti-aging agents to keep your skin firm, youthful and glowing. You may have to check out several moisturizers until you find the right one, but once you find it, your face will thank you for it.

Special Skin

Some people have special needs, so of course there is skin care to address these needs as well. If acne is a problem for you, check out creams with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These products can dry out the pimples quickly, leaving you acne free in a matter of days. If you have large, noticeable pores, check out a toner. They are designed to shrink the appearance of pores with just a few swipes of a cotton ball. If your skin looks dull or listless, find a good exfoliator. It will help remove this dead layer of skin and help speed up cell turnover.

When it comes to skin care, everybody is different and has different needs. What may work for one person may not work for another. Sometimes it takes many trial and errors to pinpoint your perfect products. In the meantime, check out online reviews to see what others are saying. You are bound to find your perfect routine after a little effort and research.

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Get a Toned Stomach Quickly And Easily With These Tips

By way of your eating habits to your career, just about any facet of your way of life influences your degree of fitness. Keeping fit is one of several secrets of living a lengthy and healthy life. Many individuals feel that the only real method to get a tone stomach would be to adhere to a demanding exercise routine and eat infrequently. Nonetheless, as this article will explain to you, one can find limitless methods for getting the physical exercise you need while still having a sinful indulgence every so often.


Working On The Core:

If you are working on your abs with crunches, leg raises and other exercises that round your back, make sure you complement them with lower back exercises. Targeting your abs without also working out your back can lead to lower back pain and poor posture so make sure to target both areas equally.

Use a combination of upper ab exercises and lower ab exercises to work out your entire core. Sit-ups and crunches can lead to better upper abs, but ignore the lower abs. However, there are many other exercises that work out these areas, such as planking and leg lifts. A combination of the two can lead to a more well-rounded individual.

Goal Setting and Tracking:

Be realistic about the goals that you set for yourself. If you set a goal that there is no way to actually accomplish, you will find yourself feeling downhearted and discouraged about keeping up with the fitness and diet plan that you have started. You will quit altogether and be stuck where you are for a long time.

Take a picture of yourself as you progress with your work out. Looking back at your former body with a fond sort of disbelief can be helpful to some people. If you need to push yourself to keep going forward, you should look backwards and see what you've been trying to prevent. Through good diet and proper exercise you should be able to see a nice change between monthly pictures.

Some people try to exercise their abs every day. This can actually be counterproductive. Abs need rest too! Because of this, allow approximately 2 or 3 days for your abs to rest after a hard ab workout.

Get support in your workouts:

Having a peer or friend to train with you will also be a big help. Not only will this keep you accountable to each other, but a little friendly competition will help push you further. Not only will working out together help but also make your meal plans and diet goals together too. Diet is the easiest thing to lose track of and is also the most important factor in your stomach toning success second only to the workout itself.

You can follow all of these simple words and notice an increase in the way you look and feel in no time. Fitness is not to be taken lightly and by maintaining a proper routine you will steadily increase your body's physical and mental fortitude. No matter how big or little the change will be, you can accomplish that toned stomach.

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Secret Training Technique to Lose Pounds FAST!

Everybody says they have the answer to losing weight fast and safely but I am going to let you in on a little secret. You will NEVER lose weight if you don't TAKE ACTION!


People talk about how self-help books and CD programs don't work but that is not true. The trick is that you have to actually DO what the programs say to do. Unfortunately, most people get a sense of accomplishment from buying the program but when it arrives in the mail they just set it on the shelf and forget about it.

WARNING: Only read further if you are willing to TAKE ACTION. Be better than most. Set yourself apart.

If you want to lose ten pounds or more in the next one to two weeks, I have the answer. It doesn't involve any fancy supplements or weight machines. As a matter of fact, you can do this outside with only a pair of shoes and a stopwatch.

Here it is... write this down. MOVE... movement burns calories and that is how you lose weight. You burn more calories than you take in (aka EAT). I'm not going to preach about how diet is important to over health. If you want to lose weight, I don't care about WHAT you eat I just care about your getting off of the couch and MOVING.

Here are the specifics of the program I did that allowed me to lose ten pounds in three sessions. No joke. This is exactly how I did it.

You can mimic this, as I said, with a pair of sneakers and a stopwatch.

Get on the treadmill at your gym or fitness center and set the incline to level 6 with a speed of 6. Once the treadmill gets to the proper speed and incline, step up on it with your feet to the side (not on the moving track). Wait for the clock to hit an even number and jump onto the moving track for 30 seconds then jump off for 30 seconds. Repeat this for a total of 10 minutes. That is phase one.

Phase two. Pump up the incline to 10-12 and drop the speed to 3. Now repeat the 30 seconds on 30 seconds off routine just like before, for ten minutes. If you aren't able to do these speed and incline settings, adjust them accordingly but make sure you DO IT. There are no excuses here. You will start out thinking this is too easy maybe. Don't be discouraged because you will hit the wall at about 15-17 minutes.

My favorite phase is the final phase. In this phase, you lower the incline to ZERO and set the speed as fast as the treadmill will go. Once again, repeat the 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off for ten minutes.

SUCCESS! Now you have just done thirty minutes of intense cardio training... CONGRATS! You are an action taker and not a couch potato that expects to take a pill to get thin. You have my admiration and respect.

Once you master this technique, you can alter the time intervals from 30 seconds to a full minute on and off plus incorporate some weight lifting as well. You are a rockstar!

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Long Slow Distance Running Is the Old Person's Way to Fitness

The reason adults run in the name of fitness is because of what they hear as they get older. I look at children; if you told a child to go run do you think they would jog or sprint? Well, having four kids my kids never jogged anywhere. When I was young we ran hard than walked to get where we had to go. Jogging is the old person way to fitness.

The reason we slow down as we age is because we train to become slow. We lose fast twitch muscle fibers by training slowly for years that is the reason when you reach your forties, fifties and beyond you worry about injury and you tend to move slower.

So what do you expect to happen over years of slow training? Your body will adapt to slow training. There is no law that says you have to train slowly when you get to a certain age. Just because you see someone jogging down the road doesn't mean everyone needs to do it.

If you spotted someone on the side of the road doing pushups you would think the person was insane. Just because society say's one think doesn't make it right.

If you don't know by now looking at society and haven't realized how people will just follow the masses and these people never seem to stand out they are just like everyone else.

If you are one of the many who follow the masses and want to be mediocre than that is okay, but being mediocre sucks!

You will hear many arguments about whether or not running is the key to ultimate physical fitness. Most people have no idea what real physical fitness is.

As a matter of fact most runners are rail thin and look like a number two pencil in running clothing a stick figure running in the name of fitness. Many people will tell you to do what works for you, well if being thin and bony is your thing keep on doing it. Look at marathon runners or tri-athletes they are all thin.

More and more studies are being done and the research is stating that this type of training is reversing the health and fitness benefits of running long distance.

Sprinters are muscular, strong and explosive and look younger while distance runners seem to look more aged.

Distance running is an easier type of training; it is much easier than explosive training, which is why it is the exercise of choice. Bottom line is if you train slow like an old person, you will get exactly that a slow and weak body.

Try it for yourself. Go for a two to three mile run one day. Then a couple of day's later try some sprints. Sprint one minute walk 30 seconds repeat this for 10 minutes. It should be no problem for a distance runner to do 10 one minute sprints. But you will find out different.

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The Pilates Way To A Six Pack

Most experts agree than for you to get six-pack abs it is vital to pay close attention to your diet. Let no one to mislead you that you can simply exercise and get abs while eating whatever you want. One of the most effective ways to get six-pack abs is to lower the amount of calories you take. You also need to be aware that spot reduction is next to impossible. Even though you need abs workouts to get six-pack abs, they are only part of a large program. You need to perform a full body workout in addition to your abs exercises. Here are five steps you can take to achieve this without any equipment:


Interval training - This is an effective way of blasting your belly fat and achieving six-pack abs. warm up with a 5-minute jog then sprint for about 30 seconds. Start to jog again for 1 minute this time then sprint again for 30 seconds. Keep doing this for about 20 minutes and then finish off with a cool down jog of 5 minutes. Do this work out for three days a week, skipping one day each time.
Body weight training - The aim of this training is to burn calories and helps you gain muscle. This is one of the ways to get six-pack abs. This training includes workouts like push-ups, squat jumps, burpees, bear crawls and tuck jumps. Start with 12 reps of push-ups with single leg lifts, 15 reps of squat jumps, 10 reps of bear crawls and 12 reps of burpees. Do at least four sets of each exercise. To perform one set of bear crawls, get into a high-plank position and walk on your hands and feet across the room and back.
Abs workouts - Most of these workouts start with you lying on the floor with your face to the ceiling. These workouts include double crunches, standard crunches, bicycle crunches, reverse crunches, Russian twists and leg raises. They define your midsection by targeting the entire abdominal region. Do 10 reps of four sets of each exercise. Perform these workouts right after your interval or body weight training. Crunches are one of the most efficient ways to get six-pack abs.
Maintaining proper form - You will not get six-pack abs if you are doing the right workouts but with poor form. Know how to do each workout with the proper form and never compromise your form over speed. Always go at a slow and controlled manner to feel it. If you are sloppy, then all your hard work will be counterproductive. Always exhale on the exertion of every workout and inhale on the recovery.
Using the Pilates way to get six-pack abs has worked effectively for many individuals. One of its greatest advantages is that you do not need any equipment, and most workouts are short. This is a huge relief for persons who really desire to have six-pack abs but cannot afford expensive gym equipment or personal trainers. It also says time if you are if to you time is an issues.

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Chiropractor Adjustment Side Effects

Though not all patients experience them, the side effects of chiropractic adjustments include soreness, a feeling of tiredness, and headaches. These side effects may present themselves within an hour of undergoing treatment, and they may last for as long as 24 hours after the chiropractic adjustment. It is normal for patients to experience some side effects after a chiropractic adjustment and such reactions are not cause for concern. Research has indicated that side effects are more likely to affect women, and that the side effects are more likely to affect a patient at the beginning of a series of treatment sessions when compared to patients at the end of a series of treatments.

Soreness

The most common side effect of chiropractic treatment is discomfort in the joints or muscles that were treated during the chiropractic alignment. Less frequently, patients will report an achy feeling in an area that was not directly manipulated during the adjustment. For many patients, the discomfort is quite mild and fades over the course of the next day. Some patients may prefer to treat the discomfort with ice packs or pain medication, but this is not necessary.

Fatigue

A percentage of patients that undergo a chiropractic alignment will experience increased fatigue in the hours after treatment. Patients that are worried about experiencing side effects after a chiropractic adjustment may want to schedule their appointments at the end of their workdays so they can take a nap if needed. Some patients report feeling fatigued after a session with the chiropractor, and then getting a renewed sense of energy. Either way, it is ideal for patients to be at home and have some free time to rest or work off any extra energy.

Patients that undergo a chiropractic adjustment, along with the use of massage or heat packs, may be particularly susceptible to fatigue after an adjustment. This is because massage and heat packs can make the patient more dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water before and after your chiropractic appointment may help reduce the feelings of sleepiness after surgery.

Headaches

If your chiropractic adjustment involved the muscles of the neck or realignment of the cervical portion of the spine, you may be more likely to experience a headache after treatment. The degree of pain is relatively low, and can be controlled with pain medication. Although headaches after chiropractic care are fairly common, they go away within a day.

Less Common Reactions

Less common reactions to chiropractic care include nausea and dizziness.

More serious side effects, such as stroke and bleeding have been reported.

Patients that are considering any type of medical care should research the potential risks and side effects of treatment. This includes the more natural, alternative methods of medicine, including chiropractic care. Being aware of the benefits and possible limitations of treatment can help you make a more educated decision with regard to treatment. If you feel that treatment of vertebral subluxations (vertebrae that have moved out of their optimal position) will improve your overall health and well being, contact a local chiropractic center to schedule an adjustment.

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Back Pain and Cauda Equina Syndrome

Back pain is a health complaint that almost everyone has had at some point, whether they have felt it for a day or suffered it for several weeks. There are a myriad of statistics surrounding back pain, some claim that 9 out of 10 adults will suffer it at some point in their life while others claim that the proportion is 4 in 5 adults. Other statistics state that, in the United States, back pain is the fifth most common reason to visit a doctor. No matter which statistics are the most accurate, they all show that back pain is a concern for many people.

Pain in the back can be categorised in a number of ways. Often it is classified by the area that the pain is felt in - these categories are: neck pain, middle-back pain, lower-back pain and tailbone pain. The most common type that people are affected by is lower back pain. Alternately, the problem can be categorised by how long it lasts. Pain that lasts less than six weeks is known as 'acute', pain that lasts between six and twelve weeks is 'sub-acute', and 'chronic' pain is where it has lasted for longer than twelve weeks.

As there are so many different types of back pain there are also many different causes. The most common types of pain in the back are as a result of strain or stress on the spine. Putting stress and strain on your back is more easily done than you might think. Poor posture, either when standing, driving or sitting, is a central cause of back problems. Other causes may be lifting something awkwardly or incorrectly, not doing a warm-up/cool down when exercising or sleeping on a bad or broken mattress. Back problems can often be work related, such as resulting from sitting badly in front of a computer monitor all day or neck strain from tension in the neck muscles from emotional or physical stress.

Back pain can differ between people; in many cases one person's back pain can be completely different from another's. Some people may suffer short piercing bursts of pain while others may have to endure a constant dull ache. Some may find that the pain stays in one place while others have pain that moves to different areas. A large proportion of back related problems are not caused by serious illness, and will usually get better within twelve weeks. Patients are often prescribed painkillers to deal with the pain but there are other methods that may help. Heat therapy has been shown to help with pain, such as a hot bath or a hot water bottle but a cold compress may work just as well. Massage and specific exercises and stretches are also often recommended.

There can be a more serious underlying problem, however, if you find that you are having other symptoms as well as the back pain. If you are suffering from a fever or have had unexplained weight loss as well as a long lasting back pain, it is important that you discuss this with your GP. Other important symptoms may include swelling in the back, numbness in your saddle area or loss of bladder control. Other forms of back pain that may indicate a more serious problem could involve progressive weakness in the legs, back pain sustained after a car accident or fall, or back pain in patients who have a history of cancer.

One of the most severe health problems that can be caused by a serious back problem is Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES). This is a very rare, but very problematic, condition that usually results from direct trauma in the spine. The Cauda Equina is the bundle of nerves that are located in the base of the spinal cord that control lower limb sensation amongst other things. The Cauda Equina was named 'horse's tail' in Latin, by the anatomist Andreas Lazarius in the 17th century, because it appeared to resemble a horse's tail. Cauda Equina Syndrome is caused by the compression of these nerves and can cause long term health problems if it is not diagnosed or dealt with quickly enough.

Symptoms of CES can include loss of sensation in the legs, a numb sensation in the buttocks or bowel or bladder problems. The syndrome is often caused by compression or trauma to the Cauda Equina, for example through penetrative trauma, ballistic trauma, tumours or lesions, lumbar punctures, central disc prolapse or as a result of chronic spinal inflammatory conditions. CES can only be diagnosed through an MRI scan and once it has been diagnosed, immediate action should be taken. Medical negligence cases can arise from instances where there is a delay in diagnosis or treatment as the sufferer can end up with permanent damage to their health, such as problems with mobility or bladder/bowl dysfunction. CES is very rare, but should not be ignored if seemingly common back pain results in more serious symptoms.

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