Sunflower of Burnham Park, photo by PH Morton
Thought for the Day
God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but (also) on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.
– Martin Luther (1483-1546)Thought for the Day
29 January 2017
Tag: BEAUTY AND SKINCARE
Be The Ella Not the Cinder of Cinderella
– Jean Morton
(Cinder – drab grey ashes; Ella – Hebrew for goddess)
There are times when we feel like Cinder, the downtrodden would be princess, slaving away from day to day doing chores and worrying about earning a living as well, thus we forget our inner Ella, the goddess.
This is especially true as we pass the first flush of youth and before you know it, youth is just a distant wistful memory of yesteryears. We feel that time had passed us by and all we can do is look back in regret.
But this shouldn’t be the case. It is time to empower ourselves.
As something I heard from the witty and dry sense of humour of the English, “You are only as old as you feel or the woman you feel.” 😉 So if you feel 20 at 40, then good for you. And if you are 60 and feeling a 20, God bless your lucky soul! hahaha
I am afraid that there is no fountain of youth or a single formula or a potion to take. But alas, looking and feeling young is a combination of things that you have to live by. Sometime it is about mental attitude; it is all in the mind. Think yourself young can have a positive effect on you.
1001: Secret of Looking Young & Feeling Young
To start our compilation of 1001 Ways of feeling Youthful and Vibrant, GlobalGranary have started a list. We hope that in during the course of time some of you will be commenting and adding your own tried and tested youth defying formula.
- Cut down on alcohol intake.
- Cut down or give up sugar.
- Cut down or leave processed meat on the supermarket shelves. Processed meat contains a lot of preservatives and nitrates.
- Cut down or avoid salt.
- Eat oil fish such as mackerel and sardines which are high in Omega 3 fatty acids, good for your brain, eyes and joints.
- Do not vanish red meat from your diet as it is rich in iron needed as we get older.
- Give up smoking.
- Get enough zzzZZZzzz (sleep)
- Vanish that stress.
- Time to start the exercise regime again. Flex those muscles.
- Chicken is good source of selenium which repair the DNA, it is also anti-cancer, good for brain function as one age.
- Consume chocolate daily especially the dark ones as they can help reduce circulation problem by 27 per cent, thus can lower blood pressure.
- Instead of adding salt to your food, garnish it with herb. Have little pots of ready supply of basil, coriander and parsley on your kitchen window, to add to your cooking.
- Start or join a walking club. 15 minutes of brisk walk everyday or 30 minutes three times a week should be beneficial to your cardiovascular.
- “I think eating well, and being positive and happy, are the best ways to stay young. A smile is the best facelift.” – Olivia Newton-John
- Learning or speaking a second language can enhance the agility of the brain.
- Stand up straight. Pulling your shoulder down and your stomach in whether sitting down or walking down the street can take ten years off you.
This is good news for beauty products consumers, like myself. At least when we do not get the desired effect or what some adverts show us that we can achieve by using their products, we won’t feel like total losers or much worst keep piling more make-up until we look like caricatures of the living dead! LOL
Even the very beautiful are photoshopped nowadays, where does that leave us?
The Beautiful, Photoshopped!
Natalie Portman’s Dior mascara ad banned
ASA found that Dior Show mascara advert was likely to mislead customers
By Sophia Moir
The banned Dior Show mascara advert featuring Natalie Portman © DiorAn advert for a Christian Dior mascara has been banned after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled it was misleading to customers.
The new look Dior Show mascara, modeled by Hollywood actress Natalie Portman, appeared alongside the text: “Lash-multiplying effect volume and care mascara.
“The miracle of a nano brush for an unrivalled lash creator effect. It delivers spectacular volume-multiplying effect, lash by lash.”
However, rival cosmetics firm L’Oreal complained that the advert misleadingly exaggerated the likely effects of the product.
Dior refuted the claims, arguing that the fact there had been no complaints from customers meant the advert did not exceed expectations of the product.
It admitted it used Photoshop to edit Portman’s lashes post-production, which was “primarily used to separate/increase the length and curve of a number of her lashes and to replace/fill a number of missing or damaged lashes”.
Dior added that a “minimal amount” of retouching also took place to increase the thickness and volume of her natural lashes.
The ASA investigated and found that the advert was likely to mislead and ruled the advert could not appear again ‘in its current form’.
I was asked by my Fil-Am friends to watch on YouTube the recent Vice Presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. They wanted perspective from someone who can be above partisan; I am `it’ apparently as I am not in anyway American. Well I started watching the debate and thought both sides were doing their best. But then the camera would pan into Biden. He was smirking, condescending, doing hand gestures and interrupted a few times. Out of a sudden I noticed also his turkey neck. It gave him a not so appealing profile which was a stark contrast to his obvious handsomeness.
I must admit that his wattle really destructed me from my mission of watching the broadcast; all I can think of was the turkey neck and how to get rid or avoid getting one. I know I am shallow. LOL
This article is what I found from Channel Four website.
Vanish Turkey Neck (Wattle)
It’s no good buying expensive anti-ageing creams and dieting half your lifetime, if you don’t look after your neck. Never fear. There are ways to keep your swan-like neck and decolletage smooth and sexy through the years.
– Cleanse thoroughly and gently and moisturise.
– In your 20s get used to applying your moisturiser to your neck as well as your face. As you get older, it will become habit.
– Don’t be stingy about using the cream on your neck, you may pay a little more now but it’ll be cheaper than a face-lift in the long run.
– Treat your neck to the occasional mask. And exfoliate too but remember to be gentle.
– Wear a SPF15 or over on your neck every day and if you have short hair, apply it to the back of your neck and the sides too. A wide-brimmed hat will also protect your neck in the sun too.
– Gently massage your neck with an upward stroke. This will stimulate the skin – be careful not to pull or stretch the skin though. An occasionalsalon facial will also help.
– Putting on weight can result in an unsightly double chin. Try and eat healthily.
– Remember your posture – straight back and chin up will keep you looking taller and your neck slimmer.
– Sitting at a computer can result in your neck and shoulders becoming tense and hunched. Ensure your computer and desk is at the correct height and take regular screen breaks. While sitting at your desk, doslow exercises by turning your head from one side to the other and dropping your ear to your shoulder slowly and repeating on the other side. Yoga and Pilates will also keep your upper body and neck supple.
– Try these simple facial exercises to tone up your neck. Do them every day if you can.
– Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling while keeping your lips closed and then start a chewing movement. You will feel the muscles working in your neck and throat area. Repeat 20 times.
– Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed. Pucker your lips together in a kiss and stretch the kiss, as if you were trying to kiss the ceiling. Keep your lips puckered for 10 counts, then relax, bring your head back to its normal position and repeat 5 times.
Homemade Skin Care
Egg Yolk Face Mask
Look into your kitchen cupboard for a good and effective anti-aging treatment.
This recipe is a good formulation against dry skin. The egg white as well as the yolk have good astringent quality.
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp potato flour
Add the honey with the yolk and flour in a bowl.
Stir until making a paste.
Apply evenly to the face and leave for 20 minutes.
Rinse off in warm water and pat dry your skin.
Repeat this 2 to 3 times a week.