15 Ways Smoking Ruins Your Looks ( Look In The Mirror!)

If you smoke, you already know you need to quit. It's bad for your heart, lungs, brain, and even your sex life.
But let's face it: You'd have kicked the habit yesterday if smoking's ill effects were a bit more obvious. What if each cigarette created a black pockmark on your face, for instance?
Well, smoking does damage your looks. Discover 15 ways smoking is ruining your appearance.

Bags under your eyes
Don't you hate it when you can't get a good night's sleep—and it shows on your face?
If you smoke, you're four times as likely as nonsmokers to report feeling unrested after a night's sleep, according to Johns Hopkins study.
Why the lack of shut-eye? It's possible that nightly nicotine withdrawal could be causing you to toss and turn. And unfortunately, poor sleep doesn't equal pretty.

Psoriasis
To be fair, psoriasis is an autoimmune-related skin condition that can show up even if you never touch a cigarette.
However, if you do smoke, your risk for the scaly skin condition goes up—a lot.
According to a 2007 study, if you puff a pack a day for 10 years or less, psoriasis risk goes up 20 percent; 11-20 years and your risk is 60 percent higher; and for those who pass the two-decade mark, the psoriasis risk more than doubles. (Even secondhand smoke during pregnancy or childhood is linked to a higher risk.)

Icky teeth
Wouldn't you love to have a set of dazzling white, Hollywood-like choppers? If you smoke, you can kiss that dream good-bye.
It's the nicotine in cigarettes that can stain teeth.
So in addition to the escalating costs of buying and smoking your cigs, add in the cost of tooth whitening. A professional procedure to clean your teeth costs an average of $500 to $1,000.

Premature aging and wrinkles
We can all appreciate a wizened visage—on our favorite nonagenarian that is. Wrinkles look anything but wise when they show up on a relatively young person who smokes.
And show up they will. Experts agree that smoking accelerates aging, so that smokers look 1.4 years older than nonsmokers, on average.
Why the wrinkly face? Smoking hampers the blood supply that keeps skin tissue looking supple and healthy.

Yellow fingers
The nicotine in cigarette smoke can not only make your teeth (and the walls of your home) brown, but it's also notorious for staining fingers and nails as well.
If you search the Internet, you can find a number of home remedies, including lemon juice, bleach solutions, and scrubbing with steel wool. Ouch.
Wouldn't it be easier—and less painful—to just quit?
Thinner hair
As if the wrinkly skin wasn't enough, smoking hurts your hair too. Experts think the toxic chemicals in smoke can damage the DNA in hair follicles and generate cell-damaging free radicals as well.
The end result? Smokers have thinner hair that tends to go gray sooner than nonsmokers. That is, if they have any hair at all.
Men who smoke are about twice as likely to lose their hair as nonsmokers, after taking into account factors that increase the risk of baldness, such as aging and genetics, according to a 2007 study in Taiwan.

Scarring
Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, a narrowing of the blood vessels that can limit oxygen-rich blood flow to the tiny vessels in the face or other parts of the body.
This means your wounds will take longer to heal and you’ll have scars that are bigger and redder than you would in a nonsmoking parallel universe.

Tooth loss
Smoking puts you at greater risk for all kinds of dental problems, including oral cancer and gum disease.
In fact, according to a 2005 U.K. study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, smokers are up to six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
Wouldn't you rather be doing, well, anything other than sitting in a dentist's chair?

Natural glow is gone
Ever notice how smokers' skin sometimes seems off? You're not alone. A 1985 study came up with the term Smoker's Face to describe certain facial characteristics, such as wrinkles, gauntness, and a gray appearance of the skin, caused by smoking.
Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, which displaces the oxygen in your skin, and nicotine, which reduces blood flow, leaving skin dry and discolored. Cigarette smoking also depletes many nutrients, including vitamin C, which helps protect and repair skin damage.
Wound healing
Several studies have found that smokers do not heal as well after surgeries such as face-lifts, tooth extractions, and periodontal procedures.
So once cigarettes wrinkle up your face, you'll have a harder time correcting the damage with cosmetic surgery than people who've never smoked. (And your surgeon might not even perform the procedure until you agree to kick the habit.)

Warts
For reasons that aren't entirely clear, smokers are more susceptible to infection with human papillomavirus, a large family of viruses that can cause warts—including genital warts.
While genital warts are caused by sexually transmitted types of HPV, smoking is also a risk factor. Even taking the number of sex partners into account, women who smoke are nearly four times as likely to have genital warts as nonsmokers, according to one study.

Skin cancer
Smoking is a leading cause of cancer, including lung, throat, mouth, and esophageal cancer, so it should be no surprise that cigarettes can also increase your risk of skin cancer.
In fact, according to a 2001 study, smokers are three times as likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common type of skin cancer, than nonsmokers.

Stretch marks
The nicotine found in cigarettes damages the fibers and connective tissue in your skin, causing it to lose elasticity and strength.
Stretch marks, red skin striations that can gradually fade to a silvery hue, form when you gain weight rapidly. Anyone can get stretch marks with rapid weight gain (such as in pregnancy), but cigarettes can be a contributing factor.

Flabby tummy
Cigarettes can be an appetite suppressant, and often smokers have a lower body weight than nonsmokers. However, a 2009 study in the Netherlands found that smokers had more visceral fat than nonsmokers.
This deep fat pads internal organs and can accumulate in your midsection, ultimately increasing the risk of other diseases, such as diabetes.

Cataracts
More than half of Americans will have developed some degree of cataracts by age 80. Cigarette smoking can increase the risk of cataracts by putting oxidative stress on the lens of the eye.
In fact, continued smoking can add up to a 22 percent increased risk of cataract extraction, according to one study. And it's not too late to quit the amount of cigarettes smoked was a more important risk factor than how long someone smoked.

Courtesy of MSN Health And Fitness

Fix Your Broken Beauty Products

Just because the bottle of our favorite beauty product breaks, it doesn’t mean we need to chuck them into the trash can. Real Simple Magazine comes up with seven fab ways to fix your lipstick, nail polish, and other beloved products.

 Nail Polish Bottles That Won’t Open

 Cause: Each time you remove the brush, you probably swipe it against the bottle’s edge to get rid of the excess polish. Some drips down the outside and dries, and it’s as good as glue. And no one has yet come up with a polish formula that sticks to nails but not glass.
 Cure: As a first step, use a jar gripper or wrap a rubber band several times around the cap to give you a better grip. If that doesn’t do the trick, run hot water over the bottle to loosen the dried polish, then try again.
 Preventive tip: “When you finish polishing your nails, use a little polish remover on a tissue to clean around the rim of the bottle, then store the bottle upright,” says Kristi Fuhrmann, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.

Broken Lipstick

 Cause: Because they’re made of waxes and emollients, lipsticks become unstable if they aren’t kept at the right temperature, explains New York City makeup artist AJ Crimson. “If you’re not storing it at room temperature, or if it gets too hot in your purse, a lipstick can melt and lose strength, which makes it more susceptible to breaking completely,” he says.
Cure: Mash the bullet back into the tube and apply with a lip brush. If it’s too far gone for that to work, scoop what’s left into an empty lip-gloss pot, use a blow-dryer to melt it into place, and let set.
Preventive tip: If a lipstick looks as if it’s melting, put it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes so it can regain its consistency.

Shattered Powder Eye Shadow or Blush

Cause: You bumped it or dropped it. And because compacted makeup is usually less than a quarter-inch thick, says Crimson, it’s very fragile. Extremes in temperature can also make pressed powder more prone to breakage.
Cure: Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the compact and use a butter knife to smooth the powder back into shape, says Fuhrmann. Let dry before using. If the damage can’t be repaired, you can crush the cosmetic completely, transfer it to a small resealable bag or jar, and use it as loose powder.

Preventive tip: When traveling, place cotton puffs over each eye shadow, blush, or powder before closing the case, says Crimson. Store them in a cool, dry place. 

Clogged Hair-Spray Pump

 Cause: “A clogged nozzle typically occurs when a small amount of resin, which is what gives hair spray its stickiness and holding properties, dries and sticks to the exit hole in the sprayer,” says Mark Frey, director of marketing for personal-care products at Meadwestvaco Calmar, a leading manufacturer of packaging.
Cure: Hold the nozzle under warm running water, then remove the residue with a tissue or use a toothpick to gently scrape away any debris lodged in the hole.
Preventive tip: After each use, run the nozzle under warm water, then dry with a tissue. Store hair spray with the cap on in a cool, dry place. If you use hair spray only occasionally, buy small cans to avoid buildup in the nozzle over time, says Kevin Marshall, the group creative director at Marc Rosen Associates, a package-design and branding firm in New York City.

Jammed Lotion Pump

Cause: It’s either a clog (a bit of lotion in the hole of the pump has hardened) or a pump defect (one of the mechanism’s many parts is misaligned), which causes the whole gizmo to fail, says president and CEO of MD Skincare Carrie Gross.
Cure: If a clump is the issue, run the pump under hot water, then use a toothpick, a needle, or a bobby pin to dig the blockage out of the hole. If this doesn’t work, and the pump itself is the cause, take it out and pour the lotion into a plastic cosmetics bottle (available at drugstores).
Preventive tip: After each use, wipe away any lotion sitting at the tip of the pump with a cotton swab.

Broken Perfume Pump

Cause: The pump tops of many fragrance bottles have crimped collars to prevent leaks. If these are misassembled, the perfume won’t make it to the nozzle. Other possible culprits? A faulty pump spring or a pump that is poorly attached to the dip tube (that strawlike thing). “The dip tube can also come loose in the bottle,” says Doug Virtue, president and CEO of Virtue Development Company, which creates packages for fragrances, skin-care products, and other cosmetics. “Unfortunately, there’s no way to reattach it.”
Cure: “Return it to the store where you bought it,” says senior director of packaging development for Revlon Ray Garofano. Before buying, ask what the return policy is on faulty packaging.
Preventive tip: Try a spritz before you buy (though that’s no guarantee your purchase won’t break later).

Missing or Broken Aerosol Cap

Cause: “If the cap is broken, it may have been assembled with greater force than necessary,” says Garofano. “This can cause the cap to spread slightly, making it weaker.” If, on the other hand, the cap has pulled a disappearing act, it probably wasn’t securely attached to begin with or it got jostled loose with use.
Cure: Fortunately, many companies use the same packaging, so try taking a cap from another bottle, says Marshall. Gently press it down onto the stem, being careful to point it away from your face.
Preventive tip: Replace the cap by pressing it gently and directly on the center of the nozzle.
Article courtesy from Real Simple

Food Portions V.S Serving Size

In the new year, most of us had already made our new years resolutions to eat and live well. Little things like portion control becomes difficult because our portions are just simply too large.
Dinner with family and friends can be difficult, most restauants will usually serve large piortons. Instead of trying to eat the entire meal (I know you paid for it), next time take the remainder of your meal home in a carry out container.
Even when you are charting your daily food process, your documentation can become decieving because you may eat more or less that needed to be concidered a true serving.
I hope this list will serve as a guide in your daily progress of health and wellness

GRAINS	1 SERVING SIZE LOOKS LIKE…
1 cup of cereal	Fist
1 pancake	Compact disc
1/2 cup of cooked rice, pasta, or potato	1/2 Baseball
1 piece of cornbread	Bar of soap
MILK	1 SERVING SIZE LOOKS LIKE…
1 1/2 oz cheese	4 stacked dice or 2 cheese slices
1/2 cup of ice cream	1/2 baseball
FATS/OILS	1 SERVING SIZE LOOKS LIKE…
1 tsp. margarine or spreads	1 dice
FRUITS & VEGETABLES	1 SERVING SIZE LOOKS LIKE…
1 med fruit	Baseball
1/2 cup of fresh fruit	1/2 baseball
1/4 cup of raisins	Large egg
1 cup of salad greens	Baseball
1 baked potato	Fist
LEAN MEAT & BEANS	1 SERVING LOOKS LIKE…
3 oz. meat, fish, and poultry	Deck of cards
3 oz. grilled/baked fish	Checkbook
2 tsp. peanut butter	Ping pong ball

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

MLK ...Not Just Another Day Off

 

  “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”

 Did you know Martin Luther King's day of observance was made law in 1983 under President Ronald Regan but wasn't acknowledged by every state in the U.S. until 2000. Regan believed another federal holiday would create more government bloat. The King holiday would become the 10th national holiday, giving federal workers another paid day off at an estimated cost of $18 million in 1983 dollars. (I am still not a Regan fan! LOL)

Dr. King took steps of faith everyday hoping to change the lives of African Americans everyday. I wonder what he would think today if he knew the entire country celebrated his life today by making it a national holiday.

Regina King Rocks!

Regina King  is clearly one of the hardest working African American women in Hollywood. From Southland to the Boondocks, she proves that she is not a one trick pony.
I know she's been rocking this look for a while but I am really feeling her short and sexy cut. She wears it super short in the back with long bangs combed forward. This is a trendy hairstyle but, with regular visits to your stylist, you can maintain this look with ease.
 Regina King covers the February issue of Essence, in which she opens up about her time in the business (26 years so far!) and what really matters to her: her 15-year-old son, Ian Alexander, Jr., and her man, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. By the way, she's not engaged but is happy in her relationship. This is an article that is worth a read in your spare time.

Morning Meditation

I've come to realize that in order for God to open another door for you, the one you came through has to be completely closed......

Have a great day!

Four Mistakes that Clients Make

Here are four mistakes that I see clients make all the time in the salon. Do any of  these mistakes apply to you?

1. Not being realistic  When you pick out your hair style, please be mindful of  what looks good on you. Your stylist will give you the best advice when picking out a style. If your stylist says "that may not be the best shape for your face" , she may be on to something. Forcing a style that may not work (hair cut or color) will only create a problem for you, and may cost you more money to fix.
2. You invest in color, but you wont invest in a color shampoo and conditioner  The only way to maintain color is to keep it moisturized and fresh at all times period. It is no secret  that the lighter the color, the less pigment is in the hair. Conditioners are a must to keep hair looking healthy. Blonds and reds start to look shabby when proper color conditioners are not used. Remember your hair is one of your best accessories. The next time you question that conditioner ask yourself would you knowingly  walk on a worn heel or would you get it repaired?
3. You bring a photo of a short hairstyle but  you want a longer version  This can be tricky. If you want a longer hair style, you should just find that picture. Showing a style that you don't want will only confuse  your stylist and possibly give you a result that will leave you unsatisfied. 
4. You have dark hair, and you want to go blond but you want this to be a low maintenance style   Good luck with this one. There is no such thing as low maintenance hi-lights. In most situations like this, if  you have lightened the hair this many stages, you will have to do a lot of conditioning  between visits.   

Top 5 Questions To Ask Yourself When You Are Looking For A Hair Stylist

 Finding a professional hair stylist that can meet your individual style and hair care needs can be difficult at times, even if you’re great at networking, but it's worth the time investment to locate the right one for your look and hair. Ask  yourself these five questions if you ever find yourself looking for a hairstylist.

1. Do I like your style? One of the best ways to find a great stylist is by looking around you. Check out your friends or even people that you see in your daily travels. They may have a hairstyle that you like. Next time you see someone with a hairstyle that you like, stop her and ask her where she gets her hair styled. Most women will be flattered that you noticed and will always tell you who is styling their hair. You may want to get three to five referrals and give each salon a call for a consultation.            
2. Consultation -(A Must)! Once you find out the address and phone numbers to your potential stylists, call and set up your consultation. Some salons offer complementary consultation while others may charge a fee. make sure you find out salon policies before you confirm your consultation. A good stylist will not have any issues with meeting with prospective clients for a consultation.
3. Time Management  When you are searching for a hairstylist, he or she should have great time management skills. Drop by the salon. Check out the vibe for yourself. Do the stylist look rushed or stressed? Is the salon organized? Make sure that your stylist does not over book appointments. This could become a problem if you are on a schedule of your own or you begin to worry about how long your visit will take. All of these things can take away from a relaxing salon experience.
4. Hairstyle Maintenance  (How do I take care of this?)  When you pick out your hairstyle, make sure that it is something that you will be able to maintain. Whether it is a high or low maintenance style. Some trendy styles can be very high maintenance and can difficult to maintain in between visits. make sure you have a clear understanding  before you pick up your style. No matter what style you pick  your stylist should be able to give and explain your hair care regimen.
5. Will I get the V.I.P treatment?  Every client should feel special every time they book an appointment. A great  stylist will recognize the value of each client and ensure great customer service by treating each customer with respect

These five rules should always be at the top of your list when looking for a hairstylist.

Morning Meditation

Why look behind you, you can't change it. Why fret over the future, it's not here. Why don't you live for today, and make it so wonderful it's worth remembering.
So live your life....live each day to the fullest.

Inexpensive face mask treatments from your cupboard

I came across this list of home remedies while clearing out some old papers (yes I am still doing new years cleaning so don't judge me).  These are ingredients that are at arms length all the time. Why not give them a try. If we can ingest these things in our  bodies, we can surely use them on our  faces. My personal favorite is the honey mask MMMMMMMHH!

Everyone has at least one of these ingredients in their home and if you don't you should probably make your way to the nearest market or drug store as soon as possible. No more excuses, lets go!


MAYONNAISE  Apply whole egg mayonnaise on your face (right from the jar) for about 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.


 PEACH & BRANDY  Mash up a peach (use ripe, canned or frozen) and mix in a tablespoon of brandy. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse off.

 TOMATO MASK  For oily skin, mash up a ripe tomato and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm (not hot) water
.
 BANANA MASH   Mash up a very ripe banana. Add just enough honey to make a soft pulp. Apply over face and hair. This is such a great firming mask that aging movie stars have been known to put it in the cups of their bras to make their breasts "perky." (Just make sure that you don't use too much honey and you use a sturdy bra.)

HONEY MASK  Apply pure honey (straight from the bottle) to your face and neck. Allow it to set until dry (about 15 minutes). Rinse with very warm water.

 MILK OF MAGNESIA   Apply it straight from the bottle. Let it dry for about five to ten minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then gently pat your face dry with a fluffy towel.

PEPTO BISMOL  This is a face mask particularly suited for those with sensitive skin. In the same way that this product coats the stomach, it gently caresses the face. Apply it straight from the bottle, using a cotton swab. Allow to dry, then rinse with cool water.

Morning Meditation

Without pressure and heat there would be no diamonds. It's how you cope with life's difficult situations that determine how bright you shine.

Just thought I would share some morning positivity. Have a great day!

Happy 2011! Was 2010 a wash out? Make 2011 a year to remember

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

I hope everyone had a fun filled new years celebration last night.

I spent my new year's day cleaning out clutter, Physically and mentally. I Wouldn't even go on line to blog until sunset because I wanted to clear my mind of all the negative clutter from 2010.

I know this is going to be a great year so lets claim it now!