Tuesday, 09 February 2010
-
Dynamic Wrinkles: What Lines Are You Creating ?
Frowning, scowling and squinting through the day ? You'll have wrinkles at 80 anyway, better make sure they are laugh lines.
Dynamic wrinkles are made by repeated facial movements. These are often Botoxed, which works by paralysing the underlying muscles. But these kind of wrinkles are actually the least aging of the three kinds of wrinkles. You'll notice that the "sexy old ladies" in advertisements retain a lot of their dynamic wrinkles, it´s the static wrinkles and the wrinkle ridges that are Photoshopped away.
Personally I'm not a fan of Botox, because the lack of facial mimicry due to paralysed muscles makes the face look sad, and often even weird. For the same reason I'll never try to stop laughing or smiling so as not to create wrinkles. Laughter is one of the sexiest things on this planet.
So, which wrinkles are you creating ?
We're creating dynamic wrinkles with every facial movement and expression. Looking around me, I'm surprised how many people walk around with scowls on their faces, frowns or annoyed expressions. Some of us do have serious worries on our mind, but most are scowling at the weather, the public transport, noisy kids, the prices of vegetables at the supermarket, the hair their cat has shed. It´s worse in some cultures than others, and some of the most guilty people come from the wealthiest countries with the best living standards. Go figure.
How many times a day do you frown ? Try this test: glue a piece of cloth tape between your eyebrows, keep it on for a day (or at least the times when you're alone). This will make frowning difficult, and you'll be aware of every time you frown. Try it also at night, some people sleep the night through with a scowl or grimace.
Frowning is just another habit
How many times did you catch yourself frowning, scowling and grimacing ? Why ? Was the cause worth the annoyance ? Were you frowning at the weather or some other thing that was beyond your control anyway ? Are you a Virgo that frowns at every paper on the street ? Does the frowning help in any way ? Does stressing and worrying about that issue help ?
Maybe you should take things lighter ? Like smiling at the rain ? Or smiling more often ?
You can try this test for other face parts. I realised that I wrinkle my forehead by raising it all the time, it's an unnecessary reflex and looks weird. I could totally live without it.
Squinting
How about the under-eye area ? Are you squinting because your contact lenses prescription should be changed ? (Mine changes every couple of months). Do you squint in the sun ? You might need sunglasses, especially when wearing contacts, since they make the eyes more sensitive to sunlight.
Smoking
If you smoke, just google "smoker´s wrinkles". That should cure you.
Face movement isn´t bad !
Instead of trying to make your face immobile, try increasing it´s suppleness by exercising it.
You'll have wrinkles at 80 anyway, better make sure they are laugh lines.
Friday, 05 February 2010
-
Weekend Reads 05-02-2010
* How to remember your Kegels
* Celebration of Love: weddings that are not just frugal, but creative. I love this, because I see the wedding day an opportunity for fun, not a dreaded stress-producer.
* The Naked Redhead is not dead, she only killed her old RSS feed. Check out her No 'Me' Day, V-day, and Back Off My Baby Maker.
* Are you an innie or an outie ? Learn how to organise for each style.
* Organic food is up to 40% more nutritious, organic milk up to 60%
* How to save up for the Big Stuff You Dream About
* Darn, this has to be the best use for a brooch yet.
* Principles for evaluating websites. Worth reading till the very end.
* If Obama can find time to get into shape, so can you.
* Amazing thrifting tips
* Today the Radical Self Love Workshop begins !
Thursday, 04 February 2010
-
Three Kinds Of Wrinkles
There are three kinds of wrinkles, and each has different causes and needs to be treated differently:Dynamic Wrinkles
These wrinkles are caused by repeated muscle contractions. The facial expressions that we repeat most commonly create these lines. The most common are frown lines, crow's feet, smokers lines, the horizontal lines on the forehead, and laughter lines. That's the kind of lines that get Botoxed.
These wrinkles are caused by the loss of skin elasticity (break up of skin collagen) due to age, sun damage, environment, nutritional problems, etc. These wrinkles look like cross-hatch or very fine lines in places like the cheeks or forehead. They are called 'static' because they are visible even on poker-faces. You can't Botox these lines, and their appearance make the face look tired (dynamic wrinkles without static wrinkles make you look freshly old
Static Wrinkles
These are more folds and grooves than wrinkles, and are caused by "sagging of the underlying facial structures", which in plain English means that your facial muscles are limp. A typical wrinkle fold is the groove between the nose and the mouth.
Wrinkle FoldsComing up: a detailed view about each kind of wrinkles, how to prevent or treat them. I feel a bit of a humbug, writing about wrinkles at the age of 26, but I've stumbled on a couple of interesting things which I think are worth sharing.
Tuesday, 02 February 2010
-
Wrinkles At 18 -- Reader Question
I got an email from a lovely reader:Is it ok to use anti-wrinkle cream on your eyes if you just start noticing wrinkles?I am 18 years old and have incredible thin skin around my eyes. When I laugh it gets very wrinkled - and I have days they sort of 'stay' in my skin after I laughed!I started wondering how my eyes would look in 10 years, and started to worry and think maybe I should start to use cream on my eyes against wrinkling...But recently I read a health article on young girls in their 20s that use this... And it said there is something in those creams that make it worse if you have 'young' skin.
Hi there ! At your age the cause of wrinkles is not 'old' collagen and repeated facial expressions, but rather very dry skin around the yeas. So I wouldn't advise you to use typical anti-aging creams: a lot of over-the counter ones have too few active ingredients anyway and are loaded with silicones, while prescriptiones ones are pretty strong.
Let's talk about your dry under-eye skin. they are caused by things like genes and eating habits, and intensified by cold weather, indoor air-conditioning or heating, chlorine in swimming pools, and so on.♥ To moisturise your under-eye skin, I'd advise oils.
For the day, Jojoba oil is very light and will not look greasy. It will help to protect the skin from the environment.
For the evening, try alternating something with vitamin C and vitamin A+E.
For the vitamin C you can get a moisturiser with it, or try this home made vitamin c serum (more effective in my personal opinion).
You can get vitamin A+E capsules from the pharmacy (I'm talking about the ones you eat !) Get one made of natural ingredients, instead of synthetic. The pharmacy seller will probably help you with that ! Pierce the capsules and dab on the contents on the problem area.
The reason vit C should be applied in the evening is that it makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. And the vit A+E oil will look greasy, so you might not like to use it during the day.
Try applying the oils after washing the face, it kind of seals the moisture in. Apply the oils gently, using the ring finger, massage the eye corners from outside to inside. Don't pull the skin, just glide !♥ Which brings me to cleansing: remove eye make-up with oil, or rich cleansing milks. A lot of typical cleansers and make-up removers are pretty drying.
♥ What you eat and drink is very important when it comes to skin. What we put in our body has much more effect on ourskin than what we put on it. Take a look at your diet: do you eat too much sugar, salt, heavily processed food, coffee, cola, too much animal products ? (You are 18, so I'm assuming you don't smoke or drink much). Ideally you should eat a lot of fresh, unprocessed veggies, fruits and nuts. You need Vitamin C in your diet (that's the vitamin very important in fighting wrinkles). Since this vitamin is very sensitive to heat, oxygen or water, so try to get some fresh, raw fruit or veggies every day.
Foods rich in Vit C: prepare to be surprised !
♥ Don't forget to hydrate yourself from the inside: drink more water !
♥ Also, when was the last time you've been to the oculist ? You might be squinting due to sight problems or because your glasses /contact strength has changed (mine changes every few months).
I hope this helped, and I hope you keep on laughing !
Monday, 01 February 2010
-
The Easiest Root Lift Ever
For those of you fed up of intricate blow-drying for root volume: try this at home. After washing your hair, tie it on the top of the head, and air-dry. The bun will look as sexy as Little My's in the picture above, so feel free to wash your hair in the evening and sleep with the bun. It's guaranteed to give lift and volume when you open the bun !
Oh, and use a soft scrunchie, not an elastic that will pull or break the hair.
And here's another tip: don't condition the roots, only the tips !
Friday, 29 January 2010
-
Weekend Reads 29-01-2010
* Disturbingly creative environmental ads. Also, a list of companies that test on animals.
* How does willpower work ? Rather like a muscle, it seems ! Especially interesting for those of you trying to develop new habits or trying to stay fit.
* 3 Quick Questions That Can Help You to Cut the Irrelevant Stuff Out of Your Life
* How to share space with your significant other. A guide on cohabiting, and also on maintaining and respecting space in relationships.
* Lessons My Cats Have Taught Me About Life. Cute.
* Cleaning vs organising. Is there a difference ?
* 10 Fashion & Beauty Tips You'll Love to Try I saw a photo of two scarves worn at the same time, it can look really stylish when done well !
* So.... what if dishwashers were not greener ? I know if I had one I'd have to buy way more dishes than I have, otherwise I'd never get it even half full.
* The Happiness Project: browse inside the book. I vote it really cool.
* Looking for the perfect jeans ? Look and learn. You don't need to buy this very brand, but watch how a dark wash, mid rise, slight flare, proper length and right back pocket placement can work wonders. Don't blame me if you end up throwing away all your acid-washed jeans.
* Establishing a purpose and focal point for your room. For rooms that "don't work".
* Today, make some fairy wishes.
* Why I hate fashion. Great piece ! I still love style, though.This ice-cream vendor in Istanbul is amaaaaazing. I love the confused Japanese tourist !
As always, do share anything that I might enjoy, whether it's your own post or something lovely you found online !
Have a delicious weekend !
Thursday, 28 January 2010
-
Greening My Bread And Hot Chocolate
I've made running my errands is now a little greener. Inspired by this, and deciding I Am Not A Paper Cup is cool, I picked myself a reusable tumbler. Looks way better than plastic cups, and holds the hot chocolate hot much longer. I choose minimalist white, but I can't decide whether I want to exchange it for a black one with flowers appearing on it when something hot is poured inside. I can't decide whether that's stupid or cool. I suppose I could customise the white cup by decorating it, but I'm too lazy.
The bread bag was my own idea. I realised I'm throwing away hundreds of paper bags in which they give you bread from the bakeries. It seems really wasteful to use a new one each day, so I got a couple of cotton bags that fold up really small. I wonder what the ladies at the bakery will think of it.I love to take little steps which make me a bit eco-friendlier, without much effort. Got any more ideas for me ? Which green thing or routine makes you happy ?
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
-
Freya Bras With Wider Underwires Do Exist !
Freya bras are known for narrow underwires (also for colour & fun patterns, and a full size range). While they are perfect for more closely-set boobs, girls needing wider underwires usually go for Panache or Fantasie. If you have been drooling over my Freya bras post but you can't wear narrow underwires, here is a chance for you to get a piece of the action !
Here are some Freya models that have wider underwires than a typical Freya:- Antoinette
- Eleanor (pictured above)
- Pollyanna
- Rio
- Tia (tight band, unusual for Freya)
- Tigerlilly
- Madison
Stretchy band reminder:
Most Freyas have a very stretchy band, so you should try a band size lower than usual. Don't forget that it means that you need to simultaneously go up a cup size, since cups are always relative to the band. So, 65D -> 60DD
Where to buy these beauties ?
Some great online stores and Ebay.
PS. A big warm thanks to those who answered my survey ! If you haven't yet, please do, it's only 2 questions !
You might also want to read:
* Does this bra fit ? How can I tell ?
* Table Of Tight And Loose Bra Bands
* Bra cup relativity: there is no such thing as "B" !
* Even Rihanna gets it wrong
* Bra Matrix Central *
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
-
Why Many Shampoos For Oily Hair Are Not Good For Oily Hair
Typical shampoos meant for oily hair work by cleaning aggressively, and don't solve the problem. In fact, they often make it worse.
First of all, hardly anyone has oily hair. What most have is an oily scalp, which may be combined with oily, normal or dry hair.
So what does someone with an oily scalp want from a shampoo ? You might answer: clean hair, so that I can show myself in public without looking like Severus Snape.
That's what most shampoos do: they clean the oil away, leaving your hair squeaky clean. But only till the next day. If you don't shampoo your hair every two days or every day, you'll look like Snape. that's because the detergent in the shampoo irritates the oil glads, making them produce even more oil.
A good shampoo should cure the problem, not just clean up the symptoms. Ok, the shampoo is not omnipotent, since it's only topical. Drinking less coffee and more water and fixing your diet works wonders for the hair. But back to the shampoo: first of all, it should not contain harsh detergents, aka SLS. Shampoos meant for greasy hair are loaded with it. SLS is also used in degreasing engines, that should give you an idea how strong it is. Throw it into the trash, and find something gentler. The first few days or weeks you hair will be greasy, because it will take some time to notice the gentler shampoo and calm down.
Note: when you are using a SLS-free shampoo, you should avoid those silicones that won't come off the hair without SLS. There is a list of the 'good' and 'bad' silicones here.
I used to have a very greasy scalp, and I went from L'Oreal and Head&Shoulders something to a home-made shampoo* for oily hair (the ingredient that helps with the oiliness is tea-tree oil). It worked so well that after some months I realised that my scalp isn't oily anymore, and now I make shampoo for normal hair. Oh, and I shampoo twice a week.Photo by Patrícia ManhãoYou might also want to read:
* Oily scalp & dry hair, and other "combination hair" problems
* How to shampoo: the ultimate guide !
* Is there a right way to comb your hair ?
* more *
Saturday, 23 January 2010
- browse entries:
- older »
All written content, unless otherwise specified, by Eternal*Voyageur
All images are readily available in various places on the Internet and believed to be in public domain. Venusian*Glow (http://eternalvoyageur.xanga.com claims no credit for any images featured on this site unless otherwise noted. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear here, please contact me and they will be promptly removed.
I have stolen the above copyright notice.
Featured posts
Links
* Si dawson
* EFT
* Give It To Me Raw
* xkcd
* Unclutterer
* Normal Breasts Gallery
* Bra Fitting Cicade
* k.o.Kaina
* You Look Fab
* snowy night, washington heights
* The Space Between My Peers
* ARFotography
* An Indian Summer
* Rang
* ProBlogger
* yes yes
* Help Others.org
* yes and yes
* Freecycle
* Garden Guides
* N.E.E.T.
* Fly Lady
* Earth Clinic
* Travel Blog













e-mail updates
Facebook
Twitterfeed