Tips to make your eyes pop with makeup.

http://www.fashionstylemag.com/2014/beauty/makeup/simple-makeup-tricks-from-experts-to-make-your-eyes-pop/

International Women's Day 2014 - HER FABULOUSNESS

International Women's Day 2014 Theme: HER FABULOUSNESS

Women's equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women's Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

HER FABULOUSNESS is the 2014 theme for International Womens' Day in Singapore. The United Nations declares an annual theme (see below) but in Singapore we have opted to select our own theme "Her Fabulousness" to celebrate the fact that women are not only strong, empowered and multi taskers but are beautiful, sexy and soft too. All aspects of a woman should be celebrated. Not just women's contributions in the public sphere.

In line with this, my company THE LITTLE ESSENTIALS will be sponsoring an event to celebrate International Women's Day in Singapore on March 7th (actual IWD is March 8th). Please see link below for details. If you are in the country, please stop by and receive free drinks, an enticing goodie bag, a fashion show and lots of entertainment ... See links below for event details. Hope to see you there.

https://www.facebook.com/events/213123522216168/?notif_t=plan_user_joined

https://www.facebook.com/TheLittleEssentials

_______________________________________________________________

Each year International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day.

Some groups select their own International Women's Day theme, specific to their local context. For example, the European Parliament's 2013 theme was "Women's response to the crisis" and their 2012 theme "Equal pay for work of equal value".

The United Nations declares an annual theme:

- 2013: A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women
- 2012: Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty
- 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology
- 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
- 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
- 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
- 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
- 2006: Women in decision-making
- 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
- 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
- 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
- 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
- 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
- 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
- 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
- 1998: Women and Human Rights
- 1997: Women at the Peace Table
- 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
- 1975: United Nations recognizes International Women's Day

What Causes Shaving Burn? How Do You Deal With Razor Burns After You've Got It?

Shaving may result in skin having cuts, abrasions and irritation. These side effects can be minimised by using a sharp blade, applying plenty of lubrication and avoiding pressing down on the shaver. A shaving brush may also help prepare the skin for shaving by smoothing the skin's surface. Alternatively, you can buy a shavers which only has a single-blade or wire-wrapped blade. This will keep the blade slightly farther away from the skin. 

However, if none of these suggestions work, you may have skin that cannot tolerate shaving at all. Try using an epilator which whisks hairs out from its shaft or a depilatory cream that dissolves hair above the skin's surface instead.

Cuts

Cuts from shaving can bleed for about fifteen minutes. Shaving cuts can be caused by blade movement perpendicular to the blade's cutting axis or by regular / orthogonal shaving over prominent bumps on the skin (which the blade incises). 

Common methods used to stop shaving-induced bleeding include: 

(1) pressing any simple alcohol onto the cut with a cotton swab until the bleeding stops.

(2) placing a small piece of tissue or toilet paper onto the cut. 

(3) applying styptic pencils and styptic liquids. 

(4) placing a small amount of petroleum jelly on the cut after most of the bleeding has ended. This stops the bleeding without forming a scab. 

(5) applying a small amount of aluminum chlorohydrate. This is commonly found in roll-on deodorants. 

Shaving in or just after a cold shower can help prevent bleeding because blood flow to the skin is reduced in these conditions due to vasoconstriction caused by the cold water. 

Razor Burn vs Razor Bump

Razor burn is an irritation of the skin caused by using a blunt blade or shaving incorrectly. It appears as a mild rash 2–4 minutes after shaving, which is when hair starts to grow through sealed skin. It usually disappears after a few hours to a few days, depending on its severity. 

 A rash at the time of shaving is usually a sign of lack of lubrication. Razor burn is a common problem especially among those who shave coarse hairs on areas with sensitive skin like the bikini line, pubic hair, underarms, chest and beard. The condition can be made worse by shaving with a blunt blade, dry shaving, applying too much pressure when shaving, shaving too quickly or roughly and  shaving against the grain.

Ways to prevent razor burn include keeping the skin moist, using a shaving brush, using a moisturising shaving gel, shaving in the direction of the hair growth, resisting the urge to shave too closely, applying minimal pressure, avoiding scratching after shaving, avoiding irritating products on the shaved area like perfumes and using an aftershave cream with aloe vera or other emollients.

It is good to prepare the skin for shaving by cleansing the area to be shaved with a wash containing salicylic acid, to facilitate the removal of oils and dead skin. Putting a warm, wet cloth on one's skin helps as well, by softening hairs. This can also be done by using pre-shave oil before the application of shaving cream. One other technique involves exfoliating the skin before and after shaving, using various exfoliating products like bath mitts and luffas. This process removes dead skin cells, reducing the potential for ingrown hairs and allowing the razor to glide across the skin smoothly decreasing the risk of the razor snagging or grabbing causing razor burn.

In severe cases, razor burn can also be accompanied by razor bumps, where the area around shaved hairs get raised red welts or infected pustules. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) is a medical term for persistent inflammation caused by shaving. 

Myths

Shaving does not cause hair to grow back thicker, coarser or darker. It may appear this way as a cut hair has no taper. The fact that shorter hairs are harder than longer hairs also contributes to this myth. 

Hair may appear darker after it grows back because hair that has never been cut is often lighter due to sun exposure. In addition, as humans grow older hair tends to grow coarser and in more places on the face and body. For example, a teenager may start shaving their face or legs at around 16, but as they age hair will start to grow more abundantly and thicker, leading some to believe this was due to the shaving, but in reality is just part of the ageing process.

www.thelittleessentials.com

Why Do Some People Have Large Pores?

OUR ORGANIC TEA TREE OIL NOT ONLY HELPS SHRINK PORES BUT MINIMISES RAZOR BURN. ADD 1 PUMP TO A GLASS OF WATER. PAT DOWN AREA WITH COTTON PAD IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHAVING. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TEA TREE OIL.

Reasons For Large Pores 

Oily Skin

Our bodies produce sebum, an oily substance we secrete to make the skin waterproof and to keep it from drying out. People who naturally have oily skin tend to have larger pores. This happens because when oil and dirt collect in your skin, your skin swells and your pores look larger than they normally would. Some people may also associate large pores with severe acne, but this isn't always the case. One reason for the misconception may be that small divots formed by acne scarring may look like enlarged pores.

Age

As you get older your skin loses its elasticity, which can cause pores to look bigger. Furthermore, sun has an accumulative effect. Meaning, the older you are, the more you've been exposed to the sun. This affects the appearance of pores. It makes your skin thicken, causing skin cells to collect around the edges of your pores, which stretch them out.

Sex

In general, males tend to have larger pores than females. Women might experience enlarged pores more often during hormonal changes, particularly during menstruation.

Genetics

If one or both of your parents have large pores, you might also have or eventually experience a similar condition.

Many of the factors which contribute to large pores are unpreventable. So, generally the best thing to do is disguise it.

Treatments for Large Pores

Large pores cannot actually shrink. That doesn't mean, there is nothing you can do. The appearance of pores can be temporarily reduced.

Keep Your Face Clean

Use a gentle cleanser twice a day, especially after you perspire to prevent oil from building up. Don't scrub too much. Over-dry skin compensates by producing even more sebum. Similarly, be sure not to scrub your skin with a washcloth or other abrasive materials. Using an exfoliating cleanser once a week will help, because it breaks down dead skin cells that clog pores and gives your skin a smoother appearance. Pore-minimising creams contain ingredients that boost the skin's production of glycoaminoglycans, which help to firm the skin around pores, minimising their appearance.

Retinol Creams

Applying a topical retinoid solution will only reduce the appearance of large pores. But you can also dissolve bacteria that cause acne and treat sun damage at the same time. You should always use sunscreen to protect your skin and keep large pores from becoming worse.

What Is Cellulite? The Basics!

ALL ABOUT CELLULITE

Cellulite is a condition in which the skin appears to have areas with underlying fat deposits, giving it a dimpled, lumpy appearance. It is most noticeable on the buttocks and thighs, and usually occurs after puberty.

Medically, cellulite is also known as adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, and gynoid lipodystrophy. But it more commonly known as orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin or hail damage. 

3 Grades of Cellulite

Grade 1 - Cellulite is not visibly noticeable but an anatomical change under the  microscopic is detected.

Grade 2 - In addition to anatomical changes cellulite skin is pallored, is lower in temperature to the touch and has decreased elasticity.

Grade 3 - Skin is visibly orange peeled, along with all Grade 2 signs. Although cellulite affect both sexes, Grade 3 is more common in females. This is because women have more fat and connective tissue.

What Causes Cellulite?

The causes of cellulite are not well understood, but there are several theories that have been put forth as explanations. Among these are:

• Hormonal factors - Many believe hormones like estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones and prolactin are part of the cellulite production process.
• Genetics - Genes may predispose an individual to cellulite production. These may be gender, race, slow metabolism, distribution of fat underneath the skin and poor circulation.
• Diet - People whose diets are high in fat, carbohydrates and salt but too little fibre are likely to have greater amounts of cellulite.
• Lifestyle factors - Smokers, those who are sedentary and those who sit or stand in one position for long periods.
• Clothing - Clothing which restricts blood flow may increase cellulite formation.

How Can Cellulite Be Prevented?

Eating healthy, low fat foods, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress are recommended to prevent cellulite. In addition wearing thongs, boy-shorts or looser fitting undergarments can prevent cellulite.

www.thelittleessentials.com

What is a Wrinkle Exactly? How does damage in each layer of your skin contribute to wrinkling?

A wrinkle or rhytide, is a fold, ridge or crease in the skin. Permanent wrinkles typically appear as a result of ageing or weight loss. Age wrinkling in the skin is promoted by habitual facial expressions, ageing, sun damage, smoking and poor hydration just to name a few. 

HOW DAMAGE IN EACH LAYER CAN CONTRIBUTE TO WRINKLING

Epidermis

The epidermis is the outer layer and functions as a barrier to the external environment. The cells of the epidermis move from the bottom layer of the epidermis to the top layer building up a large amount of keratin and developing a tough outer shell. Once these cells reach the top layer, they flake off. If this process becomes abnormal the skin can look dry and scaly. 

Dermis
The second layer of skin is the dermis which contains the skin's connective tissue. There are various types of connective tissue. Collagen gives the skin its strength, glycosaminoglycans gives the skin its turgor and elastin fibres gives the skin its elasticity.

Dermal-Epidermal Junction
The junction between the dermis and the epidermis is an important structure. The dermal-epidermal junction interlocks forming fingerlike projections called rete ridges. The cells of the epidermis receive their nutrients from the blood vessels in the dermis. The rete ridges increase the surface area of the epidermis that is exposed to these blood vessels and the needed nutrients.

Subcutaneous Tissue
The bottom layer of skin is the subcutaneous tissue containing fat cells. These fat cells provide insulation to the body and make the skin look plump or full.

REASONS SKIN WRINKLES

The Effects Of Time

As a person ages the epidermal cells become thinner and less sticky. The thinner cells make the skin look noticeably thinner. The decreased stickiness of the cells decreases the effectiveness of the barrier function allowing moisture to be released instead of being kept in the skin. This causes dryness. The number of epidermal cells decreases by 10% per decade and they divide more slowly as we age making the skin less able to repair itself quickly.

The effects of ageing on the dermal layer are significant. Not only does the dermal layer thin, but also less collagen is produced, and the elastin fibres that provide elasticity wear out. These changes in the scaffolding of the skin cause the skin to wrinkle and sag. Also, sebaceous glands get bigger but produce less sebum, and the number of sweat glands decreases. Both of these changes lead to skin dryness.

The rete ridges of the dermal-epidermal junction flatten out, making the skin more fragile and making it easier for the skin to shear. This process also decreases the amount of nutrients available to the epidermis by decreasing the surface area in contact with the dermis, also interfering with the skin's normal repair process.

In the subcutaneous layer the fat cells get smaller with age. This leads to more noticeable wrinkles and sagging, as the fat cells cannot "fill in" the damage from the other layers.

The Sun 
Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin ageing. Most of the photo-ageing effects occur by age 20. The amount of damage to the skin caused by the sun is determined by the total lifetime amount of radiation exposure and the person's pigment protection.

Effects on the Epidermis - Changes in the epidermis caused by the sun include thinning of the epidermis and the growth of skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas.

Sunlight Effects on the Dermis - In the dermis, sun effects cause collagen to break down at a higher rate than with just chronologic ageing. Sunlight damages collagen fibres and causes the accumulation of abnormal elastin. When this sun-induced elastin accumulates, enzymes called metalloproteinases are produced in large quantities. Normally, metalloproteinases remodel sun-injured skin by manufacturing and reforming collagen. However, this process does not always work well and some of the metalloproteinases actually break down collagen. This results in the formation of disorganised collagen fibres known as solar scars. When the skin repeats this imperfect rebuilding process over and over wrinkles develop.

Free Radicals
Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that have only one electron instead of two. Because electrons are found in pairs, the molecule must scavenge other molecules for another electron. When the second molecule looses its electron to the first molecule, it must then find another electron repeating the process. This process can damage cell function and alter genetic material. Free radical damage causes wrinkles by activating the metalloproteinases that break down collagen. There are several factors that start this cascading process including exposure to even small amounts of UV radiation in sunlight, smoking, and exposure to air pollution.

Hormones
It is likely that there are skin changes as a result of the hormonal effects of menopause or decreased estrogen production. However, studies in humans have not documented which skin changes are specific to decreased estrogen and which skin changes are a result of sun exposure or just normal chronological ageing. In animal experiments lack of estrogen can cause a decrease in collagen levels of 2% and a decrease in skin thickness of 1% per annum.

Muscle Use
Habitual facial expressions cause the skin to wrinkle as it looses elasticity. Frown lines between the eyebrows and crows feet radiating from the corners of the eyes develop as the tiny muscles in those areas permanently contract.

Gravity
The effects of gravity make the loosening of the skin more apparent as skin sags more. This causes jowls and drooping eyelids.

www.thelittleessentials.com

The Basics : Reasons and Treatment for Dry Hair

The Basics : HOW TO TREAT DRY HAIR 

Why Is Your Hair So Dry?

Scalp isn't Making Enough Oil

Hair has no natural lubrication. It relies on oils made in the hair root to keep your hair moisturised and looking lustrous. As you age, your roots naturally make less oil, leading to dry hair. Furthermore, a very dry scalp will peel and shed. This is dandruff.

Damaged Hair Cuticles

Each strand of healthy hair has a protective layer called the cuticle. Just as shingles shield your home from rain and sun damage, the cuticle shields your hair from heat damage. In a healthy cuticle, the layers lie tightly together and keep moisture in. When a cuticle’s layers separate and peel away from hair, its ability to hold moisture is compromised – some oil escapes.

What Can Damage Your hair?

• Over-washing or using a harsh shampoo strips away your hair's natural oils.
• Blow drying your hair too often, especially with alcohol-based styling products.
• Using heated hair straighteners or curling irons.
• Exposing your hair to lots of sun, wind or dry air.
• Applying chemical treatments, including dyes, perms and relaxers.

The Solutions

• Wash your hair less often. You may be able to get away with washing once or twice a week instead of every day (many people can). As a bonus, when you shampoo less frequently, you won't need to blow dry and heat-style it as much.
• Use a mild shampoo made specifically to help dry hair. It contains fewer drying detergents.
• Use hair products that don’t have alcohol. They are drying.
• Follow the shampoo with a moisturising conditioner. It will keep cuticles lying flat so they hold in natural oils.
• Massage jojoba oil or coconut oil into your scalp to replenish moisture.

After you've tried these techniques, if your hair is still dry and brittle, ask your stylist about a professional deep conditioning treatment. Be warned! Your dry hair may be a symptom of a larger health issue if it is accompanies by fatigue, intolerance to cold, muscle weakness or hair loss.

www.thelittleessentials.com