The Total Money Makeover

REVIEW 4 STARS - extremely good

How the blurb describes the book:

Build up your money muscles with America's favourite finance coach.

Okay, folks, do you want to turn those fat and flabby expenses into a well-toned budget? Then get with the program, people. There's one sure way to whip your finances into shape, and that's with The Total Money Makeover!

By now, you've heard all the nutty get-rich-quick schemes, the fiscal diet fads that leave you with a lot of kooky ideas but not a penny in your pocket. Hey, if you're tired of the lies and sick of the false promises, then take a look at this - it's the simplest, most straightforward game plan for completely making over your money habits.

And it's based on results, not pie in the sky fantasies. With The Total Money Makeover, you'll be able to:

Design a sure-fire plan for paying off all debt-meaning cars, houses, everything

Recognise the 10 most dangerous money myths (these will kill you)

Secure a big fat nest egg for emergencies and retirement!

Where Financial Peace gave you the solid saving and investment principles, this book puts those principles into practice. You'll be exercising your financial strength every day and quickly freeing yourself of worry, stress, and debt- and that's a beautiful feeling. The total money makeover- it's the one financial workout that assures everything will work out.

Reviews in the blurb:

"For families and individuals hoping to protect and grow their portfolio, Dave's counsel is vital. He has dispensed a fortune in good advice." Bill First, MD, Republican Senate Majority Leader

"Already a best-selling author and a star on the radio, Dave Ramsey has done it again with the Total Money Makeover" Sean Hannity, Hannity and Colmes on Fox News Channel

"Been there and back. Here is some trusty and valued input to get your mind and your money on the good foot. Dave Ramsey tells it like it is." Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top

Our Review:

Dave Ramsey is one of America's top home budgeting advisers. He has several books, runs classes, a home budgeting radio show, and even has his own Television Show. While The Total Money Makeover is not his first book, you don't need to have read any other Dave Ramsey book to understand this one.

Dave was not always a money guy, In fact, he went bankrupt. He decided to change himself and focus on the basics. He famously declared after going bankrupt, "I did it my way, and my way wasn't working." He really wanted to be honest with himself, and he really wants you to be honest with yourself.

You can really tell while reading this book why he has become popular. He tells it like it is and gives straightforward advice. Plus he is not afraid to call ideas or ways people spend money "stupid". In short, Dave is not afraid of stepping on people's money spending ways, if he doesn't agree with them.

He lays out his easy step by step guide to reaching your own money goals. However, sometimes it feels like he lacks some of the finer details, preferring to give you the big picture.

He has quotes throughout the book which give you small glimpses into his money ideas:

"Over 97% of people don't systematically pay extra on their mortgage."

"When your spouse gets the raise you are expecting, don't raise your lifestyle with it. Save more! Invest more!"

"To make more money, you have to plan to make more money. Some people's problem is income, not spending."

The book is littered with interviews of people who have used Dave's services in the past to turn their budgets around. They tell their own tale of money woes and then their newfound budgeting talents. Most of these stories are extremely inspirational. However, due to their being a lot of them they can get a bit boring.

The advice in the book is truly great. And anyone who reads this book, regardless of if you are Bill Gates or flat broke; you will be able to take something away from it to help your money situation.

But what kept striking me over and over again while reading is he uses general ideas to describe what to do. He doesn't get down to the nitty gritty and tell you what you should be doing day-by-day or purchase by purchase. Had he included more of this, this book would have been rated the full five out of five stars. However, it still rates an extremely good four out of five.

Pros:

Very straight talk on what you should and should not do in your budget.

Has lots of very inspirational stories from people who have turned their financial lives around.

Adds a sense of humour, not only about the book, but about money in general.

Talks very openly about his past and how he became bankrupt. (interesting)

Cons:

Does not tell you how to do it on a day-by-day basis. Only gives a general guide.

Has too many inspirational interviews with people, can become a tad boring.

The Total Money Makeover

Nelson Books

Written By Dave Ramsey

My name is Adam Goulding and my story is quite simple. Four years ago my bank balance was so low paying rent was a big problem. March 15th 2005 was the day rock-bottom was hit emotionally and financially for me.

Then like a flash of lightning, a thought so extremely simple, yet a powerful realisation hit me. Whatever happened in my life with money up to March 15th 2005 wasn't working! Most decisions about my money to then were wrong.

Then my girlfriend, Renee (now my wife) let me in on her system for growing money.

Now I have written a book on getting out of debt and a free monthly newsletter. Myself and my wife have turned our household budget around. Saving money in all sorts of ways. Plus getting rid of our credit cards and loans. Find it at http://www.mrhomebudget.com.au My nick name is now Mr Home Budget.

Makeover Your Small Bathroom Within a Budget

There are several ways to live your dull and tired bathrooms without spending huge money. As several things are available in the market for bathrooms makeover within your budget, so you can renovate your bathroom easily. Every day we use our bathroom, so it's a nice thing to give your bathroom a spacious and artistic look that will relax and invigorate your self in preparation for a day ahead. Let's have a discussion how we can make our bathroom more loving and caring.

Let's start the bathroom makeover with a theme so that it can be visualized easily with a proper direction. In bathrooms design trend the nautical and aquatic themes are most popular and you can use these themes. In case if you are having trouble in getting a better theme then you can use themes from other rooms in your house. Theme such as contemporary, rustic, period and country are few of the great ideas to start your bathroom makeover.

Now this is the time for improving the flooring of the bathroom. If your carpet is old enough and looking awkward then you should replace with inexpensive vinyl. If you already have a Vinyl flooring and you want it to have a make over then use a primer and paint it with a new color best match to theme of your bathroom. You also can cover the vinyl flooring with cheap vinyl tiles.

Paints and colors are the key vehicle in the journey bathroom s design and decoration. Paint on the walls and ceilings can make a big difference in your bathroom's look and feel. Few colors can work fine in the bathrooms such as Aquamarine, refreshing blue-greens, soothing blues and purples. These are the popular colors refresh and revitalize you bathrooms

Use fabrics such as shower curtains, bath mats and towels best match to the theme of your bathroom to add some extra feels to your bathrooms. Also don't forget to use some beautiful and decorative accessories such as: beautiful wall hanging pictures, candles, pot plants and many more according to the theme of your bathroom.

If you have a small bathroom, then you have to be very careful to wards the space of the bathroom. Storage space is is the major drawback of the small bathrooms. So before go for a small bathroom decoration just think what looks you want to give your bathroom whether it is modern looks or traditional looks. So this is is your first responsibility to think of the theme you would like to give your bathroom. If you are not able to think of a better theme or design of your bathroom, you should take the help of a professional bathroom designer or decorator.

If you don't want to take the help of professionals, try bathrooms design guide, laife style gallery and interior decoration magazine. These decorating sources will provide you a lot of information about the furniture to be used, excellent color schemes and accessories for your bathrooms according to the theme.

Bathroom Storage space:

Space saving furniture is the best way of creating a clutter free bathroom, especially if you have a small bathroom where it becomes mandatory for maximum use of the space. A space saving bathroom furniture is slim which can set in your bathroom easily and no need to compromise with design of the bathroom. Due to it's slim and reduce in depth size it can be fitted easily to a small bathroom. In your bathroom furniture you can store medicines, cosmetics, towels, cleaning products and many more.

This article was written by Mr. Rudradatta Rath provided courtesy of Pure Bathrooms, which is an online bathroom shop dealing with all range and brands of products for bathrooms. Purebathrooms.net sells bathrooms, taps, showers, whirlpool baths, radiators, bathroom accessories and furniture online throughout uk.

The Newest Freshest Look With Bratz Makeover Game

Find your own unique fashion and style with these cute teenagers where fabulous is the number one term to describe them- the Bratz! The Bratz have a very busy celebrity life and yet they make each moment of their lives the best. Want to join with their dashing and expressive fashion? Join them in bratz makeover game!

Cool teenagers who are simply sweet, cool, and glamorous, Bratz give a big bang in the dolls fashion world as these pretty girls have their adventures at their TV series!

There is classy Cloe - the beauty editor of Bratz Magazine. A romantic pre-teen at the heart and total lover of chick lit with happy endings. She is an advisor in her "Ask Cloe" column. Then we have Sasha - the girl with the big dreams - her ambition is to be a record producer with her own billion dollar fashion line. As the music editor, she's got the inside track on all the cool clubs, parties, bands and dance moves. Next is Yasmin - she writes the features and have the expertise in social issues. She's so totally into worthwhile causes. Lastly we have Jade. She is the one who is always seen in the coolest outfits among the four, though all of them are fashion conscious, unsurprisingly she's the magazines fashion editor.

Now join their breathtaking lives and be a star also with bratz makeover game! Nothing can be more exciting than seeing your favorite teenage stars in their dashing and awesome dresses as they prepare for the ramp! Choose one of the Bratz in bratz makeover game. Change her dress, give her some make up and put on the jewelry. Give her the newest makeover, freshest look and see the artistic side of you!

A total make over would not be complete with just the dress and the make up. What is missing? How about the hair? See what can be done with the highlights and the lowlights. Choose a new hairstyle and viola! A new fresh superb fashionista get-up!

You may also try to give Bratz the sizzling hot look and a darker skin tone for that healthy tanned look. Learn how to put up flirtatious glance and let them project themselves with oozing confidence. It's so exciting to play the bratz makeover game!

Though the Bratz can have a very hectic schedule with their lives, now you can have a handy experience with them with just a single click. Play bratz makeover game and catch a glimpse of the new glam that you gave them.

Stephanie Bailey is a game enthusiast of http://www.bratzgames.biz an online Doll games. She create her own personalized virtual games online. She love to play with young girls which they enjoy the lovely doll and Bratz Games

Beauty Tips - A Personal Makeover Takes Just 3 Simple Steps

If you're looking for a change, and you specifically want to look and feel younger, you might be surprised to hear that you can do three simple things to make yourself look and feel better. The health and beauty tips you'll learn here are easy to do, yet totally effective.

The three steps to a natural beauty makeover include diet and exercise, hair and fashion and makeup.

Let's look at the first step first - diet and exercise.

We've all heard that diet and exercise are essential to a healthy body. What you may not know is that through diet and exercise, you can help your body to age well and you can change your entire look.

With diet, you can affect weight loss, which is an automatic youth booster. (Generally, thinner people look younger than heavier people.) If you change your diet to include more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein, you will also have a positive effect on the condition and overall look of your skin.

Exercise helps to tone you and define muscle. As you age, it also helps to keep your muscles flexible and your overall body lean. In turn, you look younger because you are lean, toned and can move easily (and not slowly with stiff joints).

The second crucial step to making yourself over is paying attention to hair and fashion.

As we get older, it's common to forget about changing our hairstyle periodically and changing our overall clothing style.

But doing so is really important and here's why - when you continue wearing the same hair and clothes that you wore when you were much younger, there's nothing about you that says "fresh" and "young".

But paying attention to fashion and hair enough to make simple changes can make a huge difference in your overall look.

To affect a makeover-like change with hair and makeup, consider doing a few things. Change your hairstyle at least once a year (even if only a tiny change) and even consider a little color or highlights to freshen it up (and cover the gray, if applicable).

Also consider adding a new piece of clothing or a new accessory to your wardrobe every single season. Focus on something that's trendy or current, like a colored leather bag, or a white patent belt. Whatever seems to be the trendy thing for the season, add just a piece to your wardrobe to keep it current.

Finally, pay attention to makeup. Between hair, fashion and makeup, you can look "made over" in just hours, but often we focus on hair and clothing and forget makeup. That's a common but unfortunate mistake and here's why - changing the way you apply makeup and the beauty products and supplies you use can provide a significant benefit to you.

To create a small improvement in your looks through makeup, look through some current magazines and pay attention to what the models are wearing. Are the lips heavy and dark, or light and glossy? What about the eyes - is charcoal in right now, or pastel colors? Once you have a sense of what's current, add one or two elements to your own makeup look.

You might have thought of a helath and skin beauty makeover as a multi-step and complicated process, but if you apply these three simple tips to your life, you will look and feel better, as well as years younger. And when you do it, it feels great.

Want to look years younger - in just minutes? Then use the anti aging wrinkle cream that works in minutes. See Marcus Ryan's review site and find out which are the best wrinkle cream and anti-aging cream products that gives results and get these natural beauty supplies as trial offers to have you look years younger than your age.

Give Your Home a One-Day Household Makeover

Women get tremendously excited over the opportunity for a beauty "makeover." It's fun to have a professional make up artist discover your best features and make them stand out. It is flattering to learn what "interesting features" a total stranger can find on the face that is so familiar to you.

Of course you realize that your own hand will never duplicate the work of artistry reflecting back through the mirror. You know that by the next morning, the experience will be history and you will have returned to your former unglamorous state, but for a few hours you felt truly pampered and cared for, the center of attention. It was well worth the time and money.

Why can't we give this same kind of "makeover" to our home? We realize that the final product of a "household makeover" will not remain in the same state forever, either, but the benefits will linger much longer than the concealing stick of a makeup artist.

Plan a week or two in advance to give your home this one-day special treatment and you may actually find yourself looking forward to it!

Change the sheets

Do laundry

Run the dishwasher

Clean toilets

Run a feather duster on all hard to reach places

Clean mirrors

Dust

Run the sweeper

Shake area rugs outside

Sweep the patio and porch

Run the Shop Vac in the garage

Drive the car through the car wash

Finally, treat yourself to a simple manicure and a luxurious bath complete with bubbles and cup of tea.

You will feel wonderful about the day's accomplishments for weeks afterwards!

Terri Emmett has three online courses: BIBLE PROPHECY: 100 STEPS TO ETERNITY, [http://www.prophecyguide.net]; THE ORGANIZER'S CLUB, [http://www.organizersclub.com]; and THE ORGANIZED HOUSEKEEPER’S SIX-WEEK CHARM COURSE, http://www.charmcourse.com; in addition to many other informational sites focusing on Home and Family.

Does Your Life Need a Makeover?

How many times have you said things like:

"This is NOT how I thought my life would turn out"
"My life is so boring"
"I feel stuck"
"I wish I could just start over"
"My job sucks!!"
"My life sucks!!
"Why does life always have to be a struggle?"
"If I only knew then what I know now"
"Is this all there is?"
"I want to do something FUN with my life"

It's NEVER Too Late to Change

We all start out as a beautiful blank canvas. When we are born, we become a beautiful painting.

Through the years, that painting gets dusty from all of the little negative things that we are told. No - don't do that - stop it - children are to be seen and not heard - don't go near that. These things make our beautiful painting dusty.

Sometimes of us are abused or neglected and that throws mud on our beautiful painting.

Sometimes we get pushed aside like being put up in the attic. That puts cobwebs all over our beautiful painting.

During our adolescent years, most of us knew what we wanted to be when we grew up. In my case, it was a teacher. However, when I graduated high school, I was told that teachers don't make much money. You shouldn't be a teacher. So I gave up my dream of being a teacher. Instead, I decided to not go to college and "live". I did just that. I would take a job and work for a while and then party for a few weeks.

I've done a lot over the years. I've been everything from a secretary to a waitress to gas station attendant to administrative assistant for company presidents to business owner. But never the teacher that I wanted to be.

Recently, I learned a technique to figure out what I truly want to do with my life.

During that process, I recalled my 7th grade science teacher telling me "Roxanne - you are a natural leader. Many people are considered leaders, but there aren't a lot of people who have that natural ability."

WOW - I had forgotten those words as I grew up, graduated and "got on with life". However, over the years, those words came back to me many times from many different places. But I never considered myself a leader. I do now. The past few years, life has put me in the position to be that leader and I LOVE it!!

I thrive when I am teaching others. I thrive when I am in a group being social. I thrive when I am helping people "get it".

When I was going to college (at 24 years old), I would take accounting classes in the morning and tutor other students in the afternoon based on what I had learned that morning. This did two things for me. It gave me personal satisfaction from helping others and it helped cement in my mind what I had learned.

As I walked through the steps to reconnect with my true passion in life, I remembered all of these things. I remembered the feelings that I got when I was in that "natural born leader" role. Too many people think being a leader is about being in control and being the boss. That is NOT a leader. A leader is one who can help bring out the best in others and takes pride in helping someone do a better job at whatever they are doing. A leader is a teacher. A leader has the best interests of the people they are leading at heart.

Do you know what your true passion is?

I can help you find out. If you're going to be anywhere near or want to come to Elizabethtown, KY in October, join me for my "You Can Redesign Your Life" weekend and let me help you figure that out.

This will be two fun, information packed days that will change your life forever. Is YOUR life worth two days?

YOU are a beautiful painting. Let me help you clear away the dirt, dust and mud from your painting.

Roxanne Green is a professional life coach. Find out more about her at http://RoxanneGreen.com

Makeover Games - Games For Young Fashion Experts

Right before she befriends diamonds, dolls are always a girl's closest companions. Hours will whiz past them with not a single boring moment as they worry over their dolls. With regard to dolls, girls never tire of the make-believe of sewing clothes, doing makeover, dressing her up etc. But in a matter of a few years, dolls resemble less and less the cute companion to a picnic at the park, and more and more of the smart and chic corporate woman. And now, such new tastes in playing makeover games online are now here as well.

Cloe, Yasmin, Jade and Sasha, members of the teenage sensation Bratz dolls, have every fashion fancy you would dream of. As everyone the world over knows, Bratz are the new dolls on the block, with a passion for passion, and are the teen answer to the queen of the fashion doll universe, Barbie. If you are keen to catch their latest fashion adventure and be part of some learning on fashion, then a Bratz makeover game is your simple passport to their world. Once you are able to have Bratz games as part of your daily routine, you will be in the middle of the action and on the scene as the fantastic and the glamorous Bratz as they face head-on every fashion dilemma any social function can present their way.

With Bratz makeover games, the seemingly distant dream of being able to check out any current outfit can materialize now with the Bratz. With the Bratz, women make the fashion, and not vice versa, so to speak. Every individual item of clothing design now becomes a jewel that is a potential complement to effect you are after.

With the Information Superhighway known as the Internet at our fingertips, you have at your disposal websites that offer online makeover games. Aside from games where you can give a dress makeover for your doll, there are available accessories too that are surefire flatterers and complements, like earrings, and necklaces. Talk about being hassle-free for parents! There is totally nothing here about sewing actual doll clothes, collecting accessories or even buying an actual doll. Everything happens on on single screen.

Online games are very much known these days for being user-friendly. Just one case in point for being rich in graphics too, are Bratz games. What basically happens is that you as a player need to pass several levels of difficulties and challenges to gain rewards like "cash" to buy clothes or food for your doll. The games are actually varying in theme, ranging from dress up games where you get to scroll through hundreds of dream outfits, to beauty makeover games, to timer- and buzzer-beating race games.

Bratz makeover games is only one among many fun-filled activities accessible across hundreds of websites. Not only is it a good medium for entertainment, nor helping out stretch one's creativity; it can also put in a thing or two in one's fashion sense.

Lea Smith is a bratz dolls enthusiast and she loves to play various Bratz Games . She is also the webmaster of http://www.bratzgames.biz wherein you can find tons of great online flash games to play.

Makeover Games - Finding That Hidden Sense of Style

Spending one's time in the make-believe world with dolls is something children practically do the world over, and throughout the centuries. Indeed, every lady can look back to a time when hours were spent playing dress up, sewing clothes and getting accessories to complete the doll's costume. Right up to now, little girls still are very much in their element looking for dolls and playing hours making an imaginary world for them. But now our new internet world enables children (after mom's permission) to dress your dolls anyway you want and absolutely minus all hassles related to stitching the clothes, finding matching shoes, handbags, earrings, and the like. Many websites in fact are put up with the sole intention of being a game site for makeover game fans.

With the leapfrogs of Internet technology at our fingertips, coupled with ever-faster Web connections, many rich-content websites are now accessible more than ever, including those enabled to help you maximize your makeover game experience. At the minimum, all you will need is the website's web address, a desktop PC or laptop and a good internet line, like one from a broadband connection. These makeover games do give children a diversion but thankfully frees up a lot of hassle that otherwise could have buried the parent. A smile is sure to light up your kid's face today via some online makeover games which are all over the web nowadays.

Now what are best reasons to let your child surf some makeover games as a special reward or treat from time to time? Through these sites, children get to show and practice any latent artistic and creative talent. When the child starts making her own experiments on color coordination and matching, you will get to see the first impressions of what are his or her conceptual ideas and imagination on beauty and fashion. Make a careful note that children cannot possibly reason at our level so they will do a makeover at their own terms. So in their case, sorting through color coordination, accessories and costumes will happen their own way. Bratz makeover games, for one, may just do the trick in helping to hone your child's imagination and conceptualization, while learning a thing or two about dressing do's and don'ts along the way.

For the older teens out there, Bratz games online are storehouses and archives (if you will) that hold everything a fashionista will want to check out. A few clicks of the mouse brings you to a view of how your Bratz look like according to your own fashion taste and style. Imagine too what could be a better way to cap your day of doing job assignments or an exam well than to play a hard-earned round of Bratz makeover games. Aside from giving yourself an inexpensive yet stimulating reward or treat, you are able to get a few pointers, too, in the wide field of fusing taste and functionality when it comes to fashion and taste, kudos to Bratz makeover games.

Lea Smith is a bratz dolls enthusiast and she loves to play various Bratz Games. She is also the webmaster of http://www.bratzgames.biz wherein you can find tons of great online flash games to play.

Getting the Perfect Prenuptial Makeover

Every woman wants her wedding day to be something truly special. When the new bride walks down the aisle, she wants her husband to look at her in a way that he has never done before. A makeover can make this happen by bringing to light a woman's natural beauty and hiding a few of those flaws. Of course, her husband could care less about those imperfections, but being the wedding day, why not go for perfection!

Women will often undergo makeovers for their wedding day, but will often forget to pay attention to what the stylist or makeup artist is doing so they can replicate their wedding day look anytime they want. Few women can afford the cost of a makeover such as this every week, so why not get the most out of it and learn the tricks of the trade. When date night rolls around, it will be like the wedding day all over again.

Hair is always one of the first things that stylists will look at when doing a makeover. So many features of a woman can be enhanced when the hair is done properly. If the wrong style is chosen, her face can seem too round or too long. Allowing a professional to work his or her magic can definitely create the perfect look for your wedding day.

Makeup is an obvious feature of a makeover. This is often a touchy subject with many women as they all want to believe they know what they are doing when it comes to "doing their face." However, professional beauticians know how each aspect of makeup works and how best to accent or hide natural features of your face. Pay attention to what they are doing and you can create this incredible look every day.

Another important aspect of any makeover is the clothing. The dress and hairpiece will play an integral part in creating your new look. By choosing a gown that accents your body's curves, every man in the room will be jealous of the lucky groom. The hairpiece is also important, as it will dictate how your hair lies on the big day. Your stylist may choose to use something as simple as a flower or something more dramatic to pull your hair back off your face.

When everything is put together perfectly, the new bride will truly look better than she ever has before. Her groom will have every confidence that he has the most beautiful woman in the world on his arm that day. More importantly, the bride will be learning some makeup and hairstyling tips that will enhance her natural features and enable her to look her best every day from that point forward.

If doing makeover and preparing brides for their big day sounds like something you would like to do, consider attending a nail technician school where you can learn all the skills you will need. La'James nail technician program is one of the best in country, offering financial aid and programs in every aspect of the beauty industry.

Effective Cosmetic Treatments For a Smile Makeover

They say, 'If you want to increase your face value then smile often!' It is something very true, but not possible for all of us. Not all of us are blessed with proper shaped and white set of teeth. For most of us who think that our smile is not worth displaying, then undergo a makeover and make it look better! Yes, with the advancement in Medical Sciences and Technology, it is possible to get a complete makeover for your smile! Now you can get your smile improved and whiter teeth within no time and it doesn't even cost a fortune!

Following are few popular cosmetic dentistry treatments that can give you a smile you always desired:

Cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry is a branch of Dentistry (BDS) which as it name suggests, concentrates more on the appearances of the whole teeth rather than the health related dental problems. This branch ensures that you get a proper smile, the way you always dreamt it to be.

This branch, like any other branch of medical sciences, has developed and advanced. For instance: Earlier the teeth filling or false teeth were done or made of silver/gold, which made them look false, ugly and outstand apart from the natural teeth. Now with the advancement in cosmetic dentistry, one can opt for porcelain, which looks very much like the natural tooth and does not make you look ugly or your smile fake anymore.

Even the filling process has improved. The filling is now done with minimum drilling, which makes it difficult for others to make out if any filling treatment has been done or not.

Teeth whitening system and Products:




These are treatments and even over the counter products that use bleach to whiten teeth. There are many products easily available to whiten teeth. However, the most popular and effective treatment is the Zoom teeth whitening treatment. In this method, the dentist uses a gel with peroxide, a bleaching agent, in a very highly concentrated form. The dentist then applies this gel on the teeth's surface. After waiting for few minutes, he/she subjects you gel covered teeth to a laser beam (Ultra Violet Beam), which removes all stain and plaque from the teeth surface. This results in white teeth in just forty five minutes!




Bonding:




In this treatment, the gaps in between the teeth are filled up to make them look naturally connected. In this the discolored part of any tooth is also cleaned up and treated to make them look natural again.




Veneers:



This treatment is also used to give your teeth a natural and cleaner look. In porcelain sheets are used to cover up and hide any stains on the teeth or tooth surface or to treat a chipped or cracked tooth.





Tooth Reshaping:



This is a very useful and effective treatment. This treatment is a quick method of treating a cracked or chipped tooth with effectual and natural looking results in just one session! It can also treat tooth which are crooked or have grown over one another.
With so many effective treatments available, now everyone can flash a beautiful smile.

For any help on Teeth Whitener, check out the info available online; these will help you learn to find the Whitening System!

Reduce the Signs of Aging With 60-Minute Smile Makeover

Hollywood stars know the power of a beautiful smile - Cheryl Cole and Scarlett Johansson are considered two of the most attractive women in the world and both have stunning, show-stopping smiles. Celebrities seems to have perfect teeth, But just like the rest of us, not everybody is blessed with a perfect set of teeth. Their smile has had a little help from the cosmetic dentist.

Smiling is both a tranquil and positive way to say who you are to the world. Your smile is a major expression of emotions like happiness, love and pleasure. It is also a window of communication expressing confidence and vitality. A beautiful smile is a major feature conveying warmth, contentment, health and self worth. It can enhance your personal and your personal and professional relationships and inspire other in many ways. So how do you feel about your smile? Since smiles are unique, how does yours measure up? Is it holding you back at all?

Cosmetic Dentistry can help you to achieve whatever it is you see in the mirror of your mind's eye. If you always thought that it would take hours upon hours in the dentist's chair to get a Celebrity Smile, latest innovations in techniques and materials will lead you to think otherwise. Faster treatments that utilize least invasive procedures have become the norm, leading to cosmetic Smile Lift that is a painless and easy way to achieve the perfect, natural-looking smile without translating into compromised result. In effect, modern technologies are enabling the cosmetic dentist to deliver dramatic results in less than an hour.

In this day and age time there is nothing wrong with a sound concern for looking good. Modern cosmetic dentistry procedures offer solutions to enhance your smile no matter how bad your teeth are. Unlike plastic surgery, Cosmetic Dentistry doesn't need to be a major operation. Imagine coming in for a single appointment or two and emerging with the smile you've always wanted...no pain, no strain and no time taken out of your busy life. The results are immediate and drastic. Experienced Cosmetic Dentists can provide you with countless options for improving your smile. Here are some of the common smile beautification procedures available;

Removing unsightly White Spots (treatment time - less than 30 minutes)

White spots: We all see them, and often wonder what we can do about them, these unattractive specks are early signs of demineralization under the enamel, which may or may not lead to the development of caries. Your dentist may have once suggested bleaching or ceramic veneers. But in today's dental world, we are conscious of providing minimally invasive treatments that maintain a conservative approach to patients. New procedure known as "Resin Infiltration concept" can be more effective in treating this condition. Whereas using the conventional therapies such as veneers take several visits and can be very expensive. teeth whitening in such cases should be avoided as bleaching can actually make the white spots appear even whiter.

Get Perfectly Shaped Teeth (treatment time - less than 30 minutes)

Tooth contouring or reshaping is another simple method dentists use to correct minor imperfections. Crooked, cracked, chipped teeth can easily be straightened by simply shaving off a few millimeters of the edges and angles of your teeth, making them appear more aligned or in some cases adding a few millimeters of tooth-colored laminate. This procedure is often used to change the length, shape, or position of someone's teeth, and is virtually painless. Dental contouring is ideal for people who have healthy teeth, and just need minor adjustments or repairs to achieve a perfect smile.

Get astonishing white teeth (treatment time - 60 minutes)

Our Society is permanently changing and so are fashion icons and trends. However, a perfect, bright smile will always benefit from positive appreciation. Moreover, it will always be in fashion. If you are looking to make over your smile, one of the easiest places to start is teeth whitening, as a bright beaming smile gives the illusion of perfection. Simply by bleaching your teeth and making an even whiter color in your smile, you are attracting all the attention to your smile rather than anything else and thereby creating the picture-perfect Look.

Professional tooth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world today. Unlike home-use whitening systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening (also known as power bleaching) takes place under carefully monitored conditions which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching agent - yielding results that are visible immediately.

Fix chipped and gappy teeth (treatment time - less than an hour)

To conceal imperfections like- spacing, gaps, chips and even dark stains, your cosmetic Dentist can perform a simple technique, called dental bonding, sculpting tooth-colored resin composite over the recesses and cracks of your teeth to give the appearance of a straighter, more balanced smile. There is a lot that can be achieved with this bonding concept, for instance your cosmetic dentist can lengthen the edges of the teeth to correct a short smile, fill in the gaps between teeth and create the appearance of straightness. Although direct composite veneers typically require minimal preparations, no mold-taking and no temporaries, the artistic skill and precision of the dentist you choose will determine the exact manner in which your direct composite veneers are created.

If you are hiding your smile, please come and see us for a free complimentary consultation and Let the Dentists in Preston at lane Ends Smile Dental Practice custom design your Smile Make Over program with products and techniques that will suit your smile best. Start your cosmetic dentistry full mouth rejuvenation as soon as possible. Get started today with your personal smile consultation. Discover how the dental professionals have completely overhauled smiles throughout the Preston area with our full mouth rejuvenation procedure.

Salon And Day Spa - Be Good To Yourself And Get A Makeover

A salon and day spa in Providence is the perfect oasis in our busy world. There are days, especially in the Rhode Island area, where many a day is rather cold and gray, when we look at ourselves and notice that we look tense and stressed. Our hairstyle has suffered since our last visit to a salon, and let's not even get started on our nails. In short: We need some pampering, and we deserve it too.

An afternoon at a beauty salon in Providence sounds like a great idea anytime. Some time for yourself, turning off the phone, having fun and getting a whole new look. Now add to that concept the relaxation of spa massages and a spa pedicure and manicure. Wonderful aromas waft around you, soft music plays in the background and a whole group of people are happily busy pampering you. Don't you start to relax just thinking about it? Had Cleopatra lived in Providence, she'd have taken advantage of it.

The nice thing about a salon and day spa combined is that you get to be good to yourself by taking full advantage of the soothing treatments available to you, and then you get to make over your present look. So by the end of your session you literally look and feel like a whole new person.

We can't always go on whole spa retreats; who's got the time and money? But every now and then we can make the decision to treat ourselves well at a salon and day spa in Providence. It's an investment in ourselves and in our relationships too. If you are relaxed and beautiful, it can only help your relationship to your significant other. At work people will also notice how much care we take with ourselves and thus with the work entrusted to us.

So indulging in a treatment at a salon and day spa isn't even so much indulgence as it is taking wisely care of what we have and who we are. And while you're at it get it right. Don't just get a good haircut, that you saw on someone and really liked. Get a great one that compliments your facial features and underlines your beauty.

Once you have the perfect cut for the shape of your face, you only need to trim it every four to six weeks to maintain the shape and placement of the hair. And contrary to popular belief, cutting your hair regularly promotes hair growth. When trimming on a regular basis you are avoiding split ends, which start developing after as little as eight to ten weeks. Hair will grow thicker and in higher quantity too. So for a full, shiny and healthy head of hair get a cut regularly at your salon and day spa.

If you want your hair glossy, silky and straight, you might want to opt for a keratin treatment at your salon and day spa. Eighty-eight percent of your hair is made up of keratin, so this natural treatment supports your natural hair structure and keeps it frizz free for up to four months.

Now if your preference lies more on the wavy side, a permanent treatment at your salon and day spa can give you just the right amount of wave or curl, if you prefer, that looks best on you. And the good thing is that these procedures have been refined over the years to a level, where they improve hair structure rather than damage it, when applied by professionals.

So when planning your next visit at your salon and day spa in Providence, you can look forward to being treated like royalty, with a wonderful head, neck and shoulder massage included with the service of your choice.

This article was prepared by Christina Meier on behalf of Luminous Salon And Spa, http://luminoussalonandspa.com. Luminous Salon And Spa is located at 133 Pitman Street in Providence, RI. Visit them today at their salon and day spa and come out feeling renewed inside and out.

Shabby Chic Furniture Makeover

Shabby Chic Decor has been something that I fell in love with about 10 years ago and have since implemented it into the decor of my home over time as I have found pieces here and there. Here's a few tips to help you implement the elegance of Shabby Chic into your home decor...

First thing to remember is that the creator of Shabby Chic and the author of the books on the topic, Rachel Ashwell, white washes nearly everything. This is to blend different pieces together that may be made of different styles of wood. Rachel occasionally will leave a piece with it's original paint if it is of very soft pastel shades of buttercream yellow, baby blue, sage green, or a soft pink. These subtle tones add style and graciousness to the antique white that is the normal color of shabby chic furniture.

Another thing to remember is the use of slipcovers in the decor. Rachel uses generally white denim slip covers or a linen slip cover in either white or one of the subtle shades mentioned above to coer sofas and chairs. Occasionally, in her books, Rachel mentions using a slipcover with a light colored print. Rachel has designed many to die for gorgeous fabrics and a line of home decor bedding and bath products with her fabrics such as comforters, window treatments, blinds, sheets and pillowcases.

When making over a dresser or night stand Rachel uses old fashioned real depression glass knobs and drawer pulls. I have added these to my furniture for simply elegant results. I am sure you will love the look of depression glass knobs when added to a vintage dresser.

Also remember when adding the shabby chic look into your decor; add vintage items with character. If something looks modern it won't blend in with the time worn, old fashioned look that makes the shabby look so comfortable, elegant and enchanting. Modern decor just doesn't mesh with the beauty and style of this type of decor.

This can be done by shopping around at antique stores and flea markets for beautiful vintage and cottage style pieces of furniture and fabrics, even bedding items can be found. Many items can also be found online that make adding this decor style to your home easy and enjoyable, even for those who may not want to make over furniture, but rather prefer a ready made piece.

Don't be in a rush, take your time to add things to your decor piece by fabulous piece, and you're sure to come up with a look that you will treasure and will make you feel surrounded by beauty and style.

Find out more about Shabby Chic furniture and decor, as well as where to find gracious depression glass shabby chic knobs and other decor tips and products for this elegant style of decorating. Video's at: Shabby Chic Video's

What Not to Wear: Review of TLC's Reality Makeover Show

The American fashion makeover show What Not to Wear is on its fourth season on the cable television channel The Learning Channel (TLC). The show first debuted in the UK, and remains a popular show, and the American spin-off has earned the same substantial audience. The show is hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, both fashion gurus in their own right. Fashion consultant Stacy London was born in New York City and attended Vassar College. After college she worked as a fashion assistant at Vogue magazine and later returned to Conde Nast as a senior fashion editor at Elle magazine. London has many celebrity clients including Kate Winslet and Liv Tyler, and has worked for many large fashion houses to advise and direct their fashion shows. Since 2003, London has also worked as a style advisor to numerous advertising campaigns including CoverGirl, Suave and Target. London's humorous counterpart, Clinton Kelly is a fashion consultant as well as a media personality. Kelly, a native of Long Island, earned his degrees at Boston College and Northwestern University. Like London, Kelly earned his fashion experience at magazines such as Mademoiselle and Marie Claire.

The genius paring of Kelly and London has resulted in What Not to Wear, the popular ambush makeover show that is delivered with humor and professionalism. The reality program gets its contestants through referrals from friends and family of those who have been deemed to be "fashion challenged." Kelly and London appear at the designated contestant's home or office and announce that they have been selected for a complete fashion and beauty makeover. The contestant is completely surprised by the arrival of crew and cameras and this surprise element adds to the novelty of the show. Once the cameras cover the inappropriate and unattractive clothing of the contestant, he or she is offered a Visa card with $5000.00 on it in order to buy a whole new wardrobe. However, there is a catch. The contestant must agree to hand over his or her entire wardrobe to Kelly and London and go on a two day supervised and controlled shopping spree. The contestant can only buy within a set group of parameters, and if not, they are not allowed to purchase the item.

Other professionals featured on the program are Nick Arrojo of Arrojo Studios and well-known makeup artist Carmindy. Both of these stylists offer their advice and guidance to create a complete new look for the contestant in order to match the sophistication and look of his or her new wardrobe. Nick Arrojo is known for cutting the often overly long and damaged hair of the contestants, and creating a fashion-forward cut and color. Male contestants are often given skin treatments and learn how to take care of their skin, shaving needs and nails. Female contestants learn how to apply makeup.

After the beauty makeover, the contestant heads back to the studio for a full reveal to Kelly and London. London is known for her excitement at this part of the show and often yells "Shut Up!" at the sight of the newly styled contestant. The contestant is flown back to their home for an on-camera reveal of their new look to friends and family. What Not to Wear is making over America one fashion delinquent at a time.

Are you a Reality T.V. fan? There is a whole community waiting for you at Reality Community [http://www.reality-community.com] - [http://www.reality-community.com] Ed Charkow the author of this article is an avid poster and participant there. If you are a Reality TV junkie - he would love to see you there.

Methods to Give Your Home a Stylish Make-Over Through Various Cost Effective DIY Windows Projects

If you are looking for a cost effective way to transform your home and give it a stylish makeover opting for some creative ideas through DIY windows projects could be a very good choice for you. Though the windows of a home are quite a common feature, they can alter and enhance the appearance of your whole residence by incorporating some creative changes which can be done without professional help.

So if you are thinking of some low budget ideas for improving your home, listed below are some cost effective DIY windows projects that can give your house an instant and stylish facelift conveniently and economically:

1. Cornices - Adding cornices to your windows is one of the best and easiest ways to immediately give your rooms a beautiful facelift. As cornices are easy to install you can pick them up from the market and fit them by yourself. Chose colors that complement the style as well as the shades of your rooms.

2. Shades and blinds - Whether you have large glass windows or smaller ones, there are various ways by which you can alter the passage of light flowing through your windows to create a very soothing and aesthetic effect. One of the best DIY windows project is to install blinds or shades. You can choose natural wood shades as well as roman blinds or could alternatively add a fresh coat of paint to your old ones to give them a vibrant look.

3. Sheers - Another great way to add elegance to your home is by fitting privacy sheers to your windows and especially the ones that overlook your garden area. The sheers will create a calming effect in the room and give a home a stylish look from the outside.

4. Complimentary frames - Switching your old window frames with new and modernistic designs is also a very effective DIY widows idea. If you want a classic look there are a wide range of window frames available in Victorian and Edwardian designs which can enhance the look and feel of your interiors and well as exteriors beautifully.

5. Fresh sealing - Another task under DIY windows project is to inspect the sides of your windows to ensure that they are well insulated. If you find gaps apply a fresh coat of sealant. This will remove the cracks give them a new look as well as keep your home insulated from the harsh weather conditions.

Now that you are aware of various ways to enhance your home, go ahead and pick up suitable DIY Windows [http://www.diyrepairhomes.com/windows-doors/] projects to make your house stylish in a cost effective way. For more information please visit [http://www.diyrepairhomes.com/windows-doors/]

10 Steps to Give Yourself a Style Makeover

When people get a makeover on the telly, it's not surprising that we want the same thing for ourselves. Modern life is hectic, making it increasingly difficult to dedicate the time and resources to looking our best, yet at the same time appearance is increasingly scrutinised.

Unfortunately, not everyone can be Gok Wan's muse or the focus of Trinny & Susannah's critical eye. Instead, we have to find our own way to give ourselves a manageable look that still packs a punch in the style stakes. However, here are 10 steps that help you to do just that.

1. Without the benefit of a TV star's input, you're going to need to source your own inspiration. A good starting point is to start reading style magazines and celebrity magazines. However, it's important to note that what most of the people photographed in these magazines have teams of stylists working on them and that not all 'looks' are achievable. Think about your body-type and what will flatter it the most. Many style magazines carry tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your best features.

2. Likewise, when it comes to choosing the right hairstyle, specialist hair magazines are worth browsing. Again, be realistic with what's achievable. But use them to find elements of a good style that will suit your colour and face shape. You may also have to think about what level of experience and expertise your regular hairdresser holds and whether you need to replace them.

3. If you are looking for a new hairdresser, a good place to begin is with an online business directory. That'll show you which hairdressers are located near your home or workplace. They'll also feature reviews, rating and website details, so you can do a little more digging on what they offer and if they're right for you.

4. Once you've found one or two hairdressers that you like, it could be worth arranging a consultation. There, you can show photos of the kind of things you like and ask them for their suggestions. The better hairdressers won't just give it a go, simply because you asked them; they'll ask questions and offer alternatives if they disagree with your ideas.

5. In order to look good, you need to feel good. For that reason, your next step should be to book an appointment with a luxury spa. Spa treatments can help you to feel relaxed and rejuvenated - two key factors in exuding a healthy, attractive appearance. If you're concerned about your body, why not tie in your spa treatments with a visit to the gym?

6. Next, you'll want to get some beauty salon treatments. From manicures and pedicures to tips on what type of make-up you should be wearing, this will be an important part of your new look.

7. Now it's time to shop. Whether it's your nearest big shopping mall or your favourite boutique retailers, go along and try things on. Don't buy unless you feel confident in them. If you think it makes your bum look big or drowns out your curves, for instance, then try something or somewhere else.

8. Once you have a few nice outfits, you'll then need the shoes to go with them. Go shop to your heart's content!

9. In order to recreate the fabulous new look your stylists have created for you, you're going to need the right products and possibly equipment. From hair products and make-up to straighteners and curlers, make sure you have everything you need.

10. Finally, while it would be marvellous to maintain your glamorous new look every day, it's much more realistic to find a more manageable version. That's not to say you're going to go back to your old look. But think about how much time you have and tailor your look to fit.

If you're looking for an Edinburgh hairdresser or hairdressers in Leeds, why not use an online local business directory?

How A Makeover Can Make You Feel Great

When we are young what we wear and how we look do not seem to matter so much because our youth lets us get away with anything. How often have we seen a pretty young thing walking down the street in clashing colours or five different animal prints and still manage to look a million dollars. For the rest of us a makeover might be our best option.

The truth is for a lot of teenagers, music, boys and clothes are the main obsessions. So much time is spent thinking about clothes and planning different outfits it's amazing. Four or five different clothing combinations are tried on before we even step out of the door.

But as we get slightly older, our obsessions change along with our lifestyles. For the working career women, there may be other things on the mind than whether their lipstick matches their handbag. For busy mums, they may have a hundred different lists running around their brains and the last thing they think is whether their trousers are this season's or last season's.

Not only this, but another thing is that we get stuck in a rut. Unfortunately, some women stick to the same fashion throughout their lives. So, the same shade of eye shadow is worn at 17 and at 50. Or the same short skirts are worn in the twenties, thirties, forties.

These are flattering, sexy, strange and then merely aging and off-putting, depending on which decade of life they are being worn in. We get stuck in life with a certain look, a certain hairstyle, a certain attitude and, quite frankly, this ages us. Even as we try to cling desperately to that memory of our younger days, everyone around us can only see the mutton through the lamb's clothing.

A makeover involves someone seeing you with a critical eye. Someone who does not have your baggage and your hang-ups about your bum or your waistline. It does not just involve a nice day out, but it can also mean that you can pick up tips about what you should be wearing. You can find out which types of clothing fit your frame and what shades suit your colouring.

Of course, there is rather a large amount of pampering involved too. You can sit back and relax as someone else does your hair and makeup and chooses some stunningly amazing outfits to show off your best features. You can let the experts do all the work and then pose for some beautiful and natural photos.

The best thing about a makeover is that when it is finished, you are left with some stunning photos of yourself to keep forever. These can be digitised and put up on your home page, or used to hang on walls or as beautiful ornaments around your home.

The professional photographers can make you look better than you ever have before. They use special, flattering lighting. They also know how to position the lighting to show your face off at its best. Not only will you look better than you ever have before, but you will feel absolutely great!

A UK makeover helps you to see the glamorous and handsome possibilities that are open to you and to capture them for posterity. A makeover and photoshoot makes a great holiday gift for someone you care about.

Are You Considering a Beauty Makeover?

Are you tired of the way you look? Feel like you need a change, a refreshing new look?

Some call it vanity, but studies have proven that your physical appearance has a strong impact on your self-confidence. Leaving the house in the morning with your hair and makeup just right and an outfit that you feel attractive in, sets the mood for the rest of the day. On the other hand, if you feel unattractive, you are less likely to be outgoing and spontaneous.

One of the first things that people notice is hair. If you have healthy, striking hair and a great haircut, people take notice. If you have unmanaged hair, you are less likely to be noticed, and people naturally assume that you don't care about your appearance.

You may not realize this, but your hairstyle says a lot about your personality. Amazingly, there are quite a bit of people with hairstyles that don't truly match their personality. Which is one of the main reasons people get bored with their look and decide to make changes. But not just in their hairstyle, but their overall personal style.

Beauty is an important element of life, especially to women. Some women go to drastic measures to obtain the beauty that they think will make them happy. On the other hand, many are afraid to make those drastic changes. For these women, a new hairstyle, a simple makeover or a complete change in their appearance and wardrobe is what they need to feel youthful and beautiful again.

Makeovers aren't just for those who feel like they need a refreshing change; they are amazing stress relievers. Most makeovers include facials with head and neck massages; pedicures with calf massages; manicures with forearm massages. Your makeover will be more than just a makeover; it will be highly therapeutic, promoting good health.

With this economy and how hard everyone is working to maintain their quality of life, I think we all have forgotten to have fun. Makeovers are fun! Whether its the perfect Saturday afternoon with the girls, or just your private escape, there's just something exciting and relaxing about getting a makeover.

If you have decided that a makeover is just what you need, then do a little research into the spas and salons in your area. If you think you would more comfortable to have your makeover at home, ask the spa/salon it they provide at-home makeovers. Most independent beauticians are more than willing to accommodate you, at a relatively affordable cost.

So if you feel a bit tired, over worked, stressed out, or simply bored with the way you look, go ahead and indulge yourself, you may find that a makeover is the way to go!

Lisa Zimmerman contributed this article on beauty makeovers. She is the chief operating officer of National Hair Centers headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. Lisa has continued her father's legacy and brought new life and sophistication to the hair replacement business!

Give Your Kitchen a Paint Make-Over

Choosing the right kitchen color:-

Choosing colors for the kitchen is a rather arduous task since the end result needs to energize you and your family to work in the area and provide a calming abode after a long day at work. To begin with ask yourself a few questions. Why is your kitchen no longer appealing to you? Do you want to tone it down and make it a more relaxed space or do you want to give it a more dramatic look?

Keep in mind that cooler colors like light blue and green help tone down your kitchen while giving it a larger look. A semi-glossy finish reflects more light and your kitchen will look even larger. Warm colors such as gold and red act as appetite stimulants and best complement food. Since the kitchen is a space where family bonding takes place over meals, you need to be surrounded by colors that brighten the area and complements your day to day life.

Consider the overall theme of the house. Continue and complement the same types of colors that already exist in your home. Additionally, wall color should complement the flooring, cabinets and appliances.

Brighter colors tend to go well with stainless steel appliances.

If you desire a rustic and country style kitchen, have the cabinets painted in light brown with hints of red and yellow for the right effect. Warm, earthy color tones aesthetically aid such kitchens whereas pale, soft blues can compliment a traditional kitchen. Adding colors to the kitchen cabinets is a great way to enhance the overall look of your kitchen.

Another option for kitchen walls is to install trendy, designed tiles with deep colors above the kitchen counters. It's easy to wipe clean them and tiles add to the beauty of the kitchen.

Select paints with a gloss finish if you have children and pets since cleaning the walls will be a much easier task. Also focus on paints that have stain and grease resistance as well as wash ability. Several paint manufacturers offer kitchen paints that have been designed specifically for these spaces.

The kitchen is the most taken-for-granted part of the house but continues to be one of the most frequently used living spaces within the home. With the right makeover it would surely be more than just a place for cooking and eating. Painting is one of the easiest ways to make a difference in this room, which often has less wall space.

Refreshing your home with a new color scheme is a good investment not only for your home but also for your personal happiness. When you want an interior paint job for your home or specific rooms like the kitchen, contact Custom Painting Inc. Our professionals will help you explore samples and pick the right color for your needs. Call 800-96 WE PAINT right away!

Custom Painting Inc. is a full service painting company that also installs custom moldings, doors, and window casings.We are also providing services for house painting, commercial painting and residential painting in Bay Area. For more details please visit us at http://www.custompaintinginc.com

Treat Yourself to a Natural Make-Over

When it comes to cosmetics there are very few women who can say that they do not use at least one product in order to help enhance their natural beauty. However, the products that they do use are usually not very natural themselves. The majority of cosmetics sold today are largely made of petroleum derivatives and synthetics.

Many women do not even realize that there are more natural cosmetic alternatives available. Other women who are interested in natural cosmetics buy into marketing hype about a product being "natural", or "chemical free" and never look beyond the advertisement to read the actual ingredient label. Unfortunately, there is no regulation in the US around the phrase "natural cosmetics". The words "natural cosmetics" or "botanical cosmetics" paint a picture of a certain kind of product free of specific dyes (like FD&C and Lake), specific preservatives (like paraben preservatives) as well as other fillers. In the majority of cases, the reality of these products couldn't be farther from the truth. One needs only to look beyond the marketing to the actual ingredient label to find the whole story.

Many women continue to use chemical and synthetic based cosmetics which could potentially be damaging their skin and bodies. So, just what are natural cosmetics and why should you give yourself a natural makeover?

Since no formal definition of the term "natural cosmetics" exists, you may generally consider a natural cosmetic as one in which the great majority, if not all the ingredients, are of natural and not synthetic origin. The next time that you put your make-up on or take part in your daily skin care routine, look at the labels on your products. Now most of the time you will not be able to pronounce, much less understand the majority of the ingredients listed. Most ingredients in the average skin care or color cosmetic are full of unpronounceable synthetic chemicals. These chemicals can dry out or potentially damage our skin. When absorbed into the skin over time many of the chemicals used in common skin care and cosmetics are thought to have long-term effects on our health.

The non-profit organization, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reports that of the approximately 10,500 ingredients used in cosmetics, only 11% of them have ever been tested for safety. In addition, the European Union has already banned the use and sale of 1,100 of these ingredients while the US has only banned NINE! On top of that, many chemicals used in cosmetics are thought to be biocumulative which means that they are absorbed and stored in our body over time. With so many chemicals, and so little regulation and testing in the US about their effects on the body, why risk it? Give yourself and your bathroom a natural make-over!

Natural Product Selection

1. Look beyond the marketing at the actual ingredient labels. As you use more natural products you will find that the ingredient labels are shorter and easier to understand.

2. Search online for 'safe cosmetics' to discover what your current products' safety ratings are and look for The Campaign for safe Cosmetics' list of cosmetic companies that pledge to use safer ingredient alternatives.

3. Inform yourself about key ingredients to avoid. You can find a list of ingredients to avoid on the by doing a simple internet search for "cosmetic ingredients to avoid".

4. Use the online resources to find safer alternatives. Please note that not all the safer alternatives are completely natural, but it's a good to check your products with these online safety databases.

Natural Product Application

There is no great mystery to applying natural cosmetics. They apply in the same manner as traditional cosmetics. If you move to a natural liquid or cream foundation you should continue to use the same application technique as before. When applying a liquid foundation always use a foundation sponge or brush. This will help you to place the foundation onto the face easily without wiping it off again at the same time. You should always use brushes to put the make up onto your face as with your fingers it can pass on bacteria and germs.

Many natural cosmetics are sold as loose mineral cosmetic powders. This form of natural cosmetic is the most pure form of cosmetic available on the market today because, in general, the formula contains just the essentials to create an effective product with a wide range of colors. To apply mineral foundation remember to use a dense bristle brush such as a Kabuki brush. Apply in a swirling or buffing motion and remember a little goes a very long way! All other natural mineral cosmetics such as blush, bronzer and eye colors should be applied with your standard cosmetic brushes. There are many variations of mineral cosmetics. Some are not so natural. Again, don't fall for the marketing hype! As with all products labeled "natural" make sure to check the ingredient labels!

Finally, remember to clean your brushes. There can be millions of germs on a make-up brush and that can clog up the pores and cause all kinds of infections. Always clean your make up brushes and equipment regularly and take your time when applying natural cosmetics to ensure that you will end up with the best results.

Overall natural cosmetics are certainly worth switching to for the potential long term health of your skin and body. Just remember not to fall for marketing hype, read the ingredient labels and follow basic application tips and you should end up with excellent results.

Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, a line of natural make-up including mineral cosmetics infused with certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com