Your face is priceless. This might be a mundane and oft-repeated statement, nonetheless, very true. It’s how you take care of your face that dictates its value and people’s perception towards you. A good face does not necessarily mean a beautiful face. There are various facets that make for a good and acceptable face, and here we talk about one of them.

Choosing the right cosmetics for your face is the one thing that is of seminal importance as far as the upkeep of your face is concerned. There are various factors that must be considered before you choose a particular cosmetic. Some of these factors or parameters are centered on the overall beauty effect, while other factors deal with the inherent content of the cosmetic.

Trial and error

For many people, the concept of choosing the right cosmetic for their face is based on a method of trial and error. The face is used like a laboratory, on which various tests are conducted.

As can be imagined, this is not the right way to choose, a product for your face. By the time, you end-up choosing the right one; your face might show all evidence of being harshly used.

Choosing the right cosmetic for your face

Choice dependant on the skin tone

The cosmetics that you select and pick for use on your face must match the tone of your skin and must go a long way in complementing it. For e.g. if you have a skin tone that is olive or chocolaty, then a darker foundation can be the best choice for you.

On the other hand if you have a fair skin, then you must go for makeup that has a lighter foundation meaning lighter tones. Such makeup will enhance your features and not wash them out or overpower them.

Don’t make price the issue

We have already talked about the importance of your face, and you know it better than us. Good make up can be quite an expensive buy, and in terms of cosmetics, quality is directly proportional to an increase in its price.

Many a times, people warn you with the fact that a high price of a particular item does not guarantee good quality, but this fact does not hold true for cosmetics. Saving money on your cosmetics might mean putting the complexion, texture, and the whole nature of your face in jeopardy.

It’s an undeniable fact that cheap make-up looks cheap. If you are looking to save money in this case, then hunt through various departmental stores, which might just offer you some great deals with regards to cosmetics.

With respect to skin type

People have different types of skin. Some have dry skin; others have normal skin, while there are still others who have oily skin. Do not use cosmetics that are only meant for oil skin, on a dry skin type. That would mean trouble in terms of skin irritation or allergies.

Harmony of colors

Color harmony, refers to the coordination of the colors of the cosmetic, with the color of your skin, and overall producing a well coordinated and acceptable effect. The cosmetic must enhance the natural color of the skin and must blend in with hair color, eye color, and of course, the skin color.

Personal taste

The cosmetics that you use must be a reflection of your own personality and not somebody else’s. This is because not all cosmetics and their type of use, suit each and every person.

Some people look good, if their face is heavily made-up, while others look downright ugly, if there face is heavily plastered with cosmetics. For many people a ‘simple made-up’ natural look works best rather that an overt sense of having used cosmetics.

The ingredients

Many cosmetics use various ingredients that might adversely affect the state of your skin and your overall health. Such ingredients are very often animal derivatives, microbes, even petroleum by-products.

Their usage leads to conditions like allergy, dermatitis etc. Before you choose a cosmetic, read all that it contains, however, most of the time, you are unaware of the adverse effects of the ingredients mentioned on the pack.

Therefore, it’s important that you concentrate on cosmetics that have been made from natural or organic alternatives. The only drawback in this case, is the cost. They are quite prohibitive in terms of price, but well worth it.

Research

It’s easy to go into a shop and select from the cosmetics on display. Yes, if you have a clear idea about its benefits and know that it’s the right choice, then well and good. However, it would be a good idea to do some reading, and get some information from various sources, about the feasibility of using a particular cosmetic. Get a fair idea about the good brands from people around you and make your selection, only after carefully scrutinizing all the available products.

These are just a few tips and considerations, which you must think about before buying the right cosmetics for your face. But, they will definitely make your job a little easier.

The Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) is inviting everyone to be a part of the 2013 National Walk happening on May 18, 0213 at the Griffith Park from 9:00 in the morning onwards.

This event aims to raise funds benefiting ASF and its mission of advancing the awareness and treatment of Angelman syndrome through education and information; research; and support for individuals battling this sickness, their families, and other concerned parties. The proceeds from the event will go to funding grants to researchers who pursue promising avenues of discovery as well as education and information programs like their biennial conference that showcases the latest in research results, therapeutic techniques, educational strategies, long-term planning, and financial-planning information.

Interested parties can find information on how to sign up for the event at the registration page.

For inquiries, please contact Pankaj Bedekar at pankaj.bedekar@gmail.com. For more information about the other events hosted by the foundation, please visit their website at http://secure.angelman.org.

The Friends of the Los Angeles River (FOLAR) is inviting everyone to be a part of the 24^th Annual Great LA River Cleanup happening on Saturday, May 18^th from 9:00 in the morning to 12:00 noon.

There will be 15 river sites included in the cleanup including the Sepulveda Basin, Haines Canyon Hhannel, Bette Davis Dicnic Area, Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, Arroyo Seco, Los Feliz Blvd., Sunnynook Footbridge, Marsh Park, Steelhead Park, Fletcher Drive, Bowtie Parcel, Taylor Yard, Compton Creek, Willow Street Estuary, and the Golden Shore Marine Reserve.

Participants are requested to wear work clothes, sturdy shoes, long pants, hats, and sun protection. They are also advised to bring their own grabber arm tools, waders / rubber boots, water bottle, and an old plastic bag or a reusable bucket for trash collection.

The organizers will be providing the gloves, trash bags, water, snacks, fun, giveaways, and prizes.

For inquiries or to register for the event, please visit http://folar.org.

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Individuals all around the world have many problems or flaws with their skin. Some individuals may experience skin that is dry, cracked, oily, itchy, or irritated. For these individuals finding the perfect skin care moisturizer cream is extremely important.

Skin care moisturizer cream is made by a wide variety of different health and beauty companies. The different varieties, styles, and formulas of skin care creams are endless. Finding the perfect skin care moisturizer cream can be a fairly long and difficult process; however, there are helpful tips that may make the process easier. One of the ways to determine your needs in a moisturizer is by evaluating your skin and deciding what your ultimate skin goal would be.

One of the most common goal for individuals with dry skin for it to successfully become moisturized. Having dry skin is an unpleasant feeling that may lead to itching and in turn irritated skin. There are many skin care locations or creams that claim to help cure dry skin, unfoundedly many may fail to do so. One of the best ways for your to find your perfect skin care moisturizer cream is by trial and error. Throughout your testing of different moisturizers, you may come across some creams that do not work well for your skin. If this happens, the best thing to do is just move on and experiment with another brand.

One of the main reasons why an individual may decide to purchase a specific skin care moisturizer cream is due to its price. There are many shoppers who will first purchase an item that is at the lowest price or on sale. As with any product, there is the ability to find a decent quality item on sale; however, cheaper is not always better. The reason why many skin care moisturizer creams may be cheaply priced is because many are watered down or not the greatest quality. Is an moisturizer really cheaper when in the long run you may have to keep reapplying it so many times because your skin is still dry?

Reading the labels or researching a company is another way to learn about a successful skin care moisturizer cream. The beauty of the internet is that are lots of resources available with the click of a mouse. Feedback forums or discussion boards are a great way to learn about the success rate of an item. Shopper generally wish to share their experiences with other consumers. It is not uncommon to find comments concerning products that work great or, in the opinion of others, are not worth the money. When using previous customer feedback as a guidance, it is important to remember that all skin types do not react the same way. Just because a specific skin care moisturizer cream did not work well another individual, does not necessarily mean to will be the same for you. Keep your eyes open for feedback concerning the cream itself. For instances, previous users may state if a specific brand was runny, too thick, or had a bad smell to it.

Once the perfect skin care moisturizer cream is obtained, many individuals can notice a significant difference in the texture of their skin in little as one week. Somewhere out there is the perfect moisturizer for your skin.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is inviting everyone to be a part of the free Health Expo happening on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center located at South Hall HJ, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 from 10:00 amt o 4:00 pm.

There will be various health screenings for participants at no cost. This includes Dental Screenings, A1C (measure of estimated avg. blood glucose.), Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Foot Screenings, Blood Glucose, and Eye Screenings. There will also be cooking demonstrations, product and service exhibitors. Leading experts will also be discussing how to manage and prevent diabetes for all.

To join the Expo, please register here. Interested parties can also sign up at the event venue.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your mind with this special event.

For inquiries, please call 1-888-DIABETES ext. 7503. For more information about the event and to find out more about the ADA, please visit their website at http://www.diabetes.org/.

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Discover ways to create a cleaner and greener future at the Zero Waste Summit happening on May 2, 2013 at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Town and Gown ballroom from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon.

The Summit will feature discussions about the challenges, opportunities, and investment potential in moving forward to a Zero Waste future. This includes creating products that can be easily repurposed, recognition from businesses and communities that waste is not a liability but an asset, and policy makers are proactive in removing barriers from this goal. Ultimately, the Zero Waste Summit aims to transform waste as a catalyst for creating new industries, jobs, and technologies through a business-oriented approach.

This event is presented by Pegasus Capital Advisors and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in collaboration with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute.

To register, please visit pegasuszerowaste.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Mark Bernstein at mbernstein@pegadvisors.com or visit http://www.cleantechlosangeles.org.

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Looking for that perfect skin product? One that will keep your skin looking great, smells great, is appealing to apply, has actual ‘therapeutic’ effects, and doesn’t break the bank? Look no further than aromatherapy. Creating a wonderful blend just for your skin type with the magic of potent natural botanicals is fun and rewarding in more ways than one. Essential oils are widely used in natural medicine, and some are well-known for their skin rejuvenating effects.

While some of the most highly regarded therapeutic grade oils may seem expensive at first, they are effective in such small concentrations as to really make them worthwhile. And their efficacy is well-known; that’s why so many laboratory-made preparations use components of essential oils in their formulas. With a one or two ounce bottle to mix in, and an eye dropper, you can easily mix your own blend with the aroma and actions you desire most.

There are a few essential oils most often used in skin care recipes – you can pick and choose from among these depending on your desired results. Other essential oils may be added to enhance the aroma of your blend; many oils used to do so are also are know to relieve tension or bring about a healthy state of mind – and most natural clinicians will tell you that beauty starts from the inside-out. So make something you love the smell of that also helps your skin glow!

These few primary skin care oils include the following: Helichrysum italicum – the oil of this flower is one of the most highly regarded in aromatherapy for it’s great versatility. It has a pleasant aroma, it contains rare ‘di-ketones’ which stimulate the skin’s natural metabolism, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory (all tissue damage and aging is associated with inflammation on a cellular level). Lavender oil – ‘true’ or ‘French’ Lavender is the most used oil in aromatherapy today because of it’s great multitude of effects. Like Helichrysum, it contains regenerative ketones; it reduces inflammation; it speeds wound healing; AND it has an aroma very well known for its relaxing effects – easing tension while healing your skin – could you ask for more? Next up is Rosemary of the ‘verbenone’ type. It also contains ketones (that the cineol type does not) and is known as a circulatory and metabolism stimulant, increasing the flow of nutrients in, and waste products out, of your skin cells. Palmarosa essential oil is included in many blends for it’s gentle cleansing and antiseptic properties. And last but not least, Carrot Seed oil is the premier oil for regenerating tired, lifeless skin – often a result from too much stress or high levels of pollutant exposure.

There are several other oils with positive effects on the skin (some will be mentioned in the blends below), these just happen to be the most often used. With research, you can find essential oils that will address particular skin conditions that are not covered here. Further, there are in fact hundreds of essential oils available, each with it’s own unique composition and aroma. Adding a little to your blends simply for their fragrance influence is highly recommended. A few drops of precious oils like Jasmine, Neroli, Sandalwood or Rose can create that aromatic combination you simply love, and will want to wear all the time.

The essential oils are almost never applied to the skin undiluted (Lavender is a rare exception). Instead, they are added to what are known as ‘carrier’ or ‘base’ oils. Diluting the essential oil in carrier not only stretches your dollar, but the oils actually are more effective this way! Research has shown that most essential oils have the most dramatic therapeutic effects at concentrations of less than 5% of the total blend. And the carriers have their own positive effects; besides helping your skin absorb the essential oils, they provide nutrients such as essential fatty acids, and vitamin compounds which enhance the skin’s health.

Some of the more commonly used carrier oils in skin care are as follows: First is Hazelnut oil – pressed from, obviously, Hazelnuts. This is considered the most gentle of the carrier oils, suitable for all skin types. It often serves as the primary base oil in blends, making up a majority of the mixture. Next is Rosehip seed oil, pressed from Rosehip seeds grown in the mountains of South America. This well researched oil not only has a wealth of essential fatty acids, but contains trans-retinoic acid, a compound similar to the active ingredient of Retin-A (a well known wrinkle cream), but without the drying side effects. Lastly we’ll mention Evening Primrose oil, often included in blends for aging skin and for eczema – it has one of the highest known concentrations of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid which may be crucial to optimal health.

So there are the primary ingredients, and the reasons behind them. With these, and a few of your own personal touches, you can create a great variety of blends. To go ahead and start mixing, acquire a one or two ounce dark glass bottle to mix in, an eye dropper and a small funnel (you don’t NEED this, it just makes the whole process a lot less messy). For the first recipe, we’ll start with a blend that’s for daily use for all skin types. It’s created to give the skin health and vitality, while keeping it clean and beautiful: Pour one ounce of Hazelnut oil into your mixing bottle (double all the ingredients if you’d like to make two ounces). Add fifteen drops (about 2/3rds of a milliliter) Thyme essential oil of the Linalool chemotype (be sure to get this kind, as other types of Thyme are to strong to use on the skin). The add fifteen drops each of Rosemary verbenone, Neroli (or a high-quality Petitgrain – distilled from the same plant as Neroli with a lower cost), Spike Lavender (almost a cross between true lavender and sage – excellent for it’s antiseptic properties). While originally created as an acne-clearing blend, it did so well for so many folks it is now used as a basis for healthy ‘normal’ skin as well.

For overly sensitive and damaged skin (from chemicals or other means) and for skin with weak capillaries (showing spider veins may be a symptom), start with a 5:1:1 ratio of Hazelnut, Rosehip Seed and Evening Primrose oils (3/5 ounce Hazelnut, and 1/5th each of the other oils). Add fifteen drops each of German Chamomile, Helichrysum italicum, true Lavender, and Roman Chamomile. This blend will enhance the regenerative capability of the skin through the action of the Helichrysum and Rosehip seed, provides nutrients through in the Rosehip seed and Evening Primrose, and reduces the inflammation which accompanies any type of damage and aging.

For clearing excessively oily and acne-prone skin, to one oz. of Hazelnut oil, add fifteen drops each of Myrtle essential oil (use the green, rather than red, variety), Eucalyptus Dives, Spike Lavender, and Rosemary verbenone. The Myrtle is special in that it dissolves the sebum clogging skin pores, and the Eucalyptus calms the output of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands.

If your skin has no particular ‘condition’, but appears tired, lifeless, pallid, or ‘worn out’, try mixing one-fifth ounce of Rosehip Seed and four-fifths ounce Hazelnut oil. Then add 15 drops each of Carrot Seed essential oil (also known as Queen Anne’s Lace or Wild Carrot), Lemon verbena (which helps the skin detoxify), Niaouli (gently tightening the skin), and Rosemary verbenone – this creates an excellent restorative blend. For aging skin needing firming that can be used around the eyes – try this more gentle variety: Mix in five ounces of Hazelnut oil and one ounce of Rosehip seed oil, add fifteen drops of each of Myrtle essential oil (green), Cistus or Rock Rose and Rosemary.

So there are a few tried-and-true aromatherapy skin care blends to use in your natural beauty regime. You can easily mix and match the oils described to create your own blend, and add any oils you really like the aroma of (be aware that a FEW essential oils are VERY strong, and should not be used on the skin – the more common of these include Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, and Red Thyme – consult with a knowledgeable practitioner if you are unsure about the safety of any oil). A word about purchasing oils for your blends – do NOT use anything labeled as a ‘fragrance oil’ – these are synthetic reproductions of essential oils that will likely cause an allergic reaction. DO seek out a reputable source. And oils, like wine, do vary greatly from maker to maker. A higher price can mean a significantly nicer oil (though not always) – one that is sweeter, or more well-rounded – only a few oils should smell ‘medicinal’ – Spike Lavender is a little ‘camphorus’ in general – but a good Rosemary verbenone should have a very appealing scent . Despite the initial outlay, you are more likely to continue to use a blend that you really like the aroma of, and that has therapeutic effects. Though once you find the oils you adore, you’re more than likely to continue the practice of making your own blends for some time to come.

Griffith Park is inviting everyone to be a part of Mash Up Contemporary Dance Company’s MashED Up Festival and Dance Concert happening on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Crystal Springs Picnic Area from 2:00 to 7:00 pm.

This event is designed to raise funds for performing arts education programming. Featured at the festival will be the works of Juliette Irons, Ami Mattison, Revolution, Tawnya Kuzia, and more! There will also be workshops sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, raffles, delicious food and refreshing beverages, performances from local artists, designers, studios, and magazines. Moreover, there will be a Professional Concert that will begin promptly at 5:00 pm.

Don’t miss this chance to see outstanding contemporary dance performances while helping the arts.

This event is free and open for all but there is a suggested $5 donation for the fundraiser.

For inquiries about the event, please visit http://www.mashupdance.com. For more information about the events held at Griffith Park, please visit http://www.laparks.org.

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If you’ve ever tried to find a skin care product to deal with the skin care concerns of aging skin, you’re probably as confused as the average person. There are so many products and ingredients that tout ‘increase in this’, ‘decrease in that’, ‘revitalized this and revitalized that’ and on and on and on. Many empty promises or over-hyped formulations.

In order to understand what anti-aging skin care products are intended to do, you have to first understand about what the aging process is for skin. Aging skin has the condition where the structural proteins that bind and support the skin, collagen and elastin, lose their resiliency and cohesion, causing the skin to wrinkle and/or sag. The body’s ability to produce new collagen and elastin also diminishes with age while the cells in the various layers of our skin decline and thin, losing the ability to adequately maintain moisture. Without proper hydration, the healing mechanisms of the skin cease to function, adversely affecting the skin’s ability to receive nutrients and repair itself. The result is rough, lose, wrinkled skin.

Of course, we all want to have the best skin possible at any age and are searching for solutions to maintain our skin’s youthfulness. In our quest and with the constant marketing and advancements in skin care, it can sometimes be difficult to find an affordable and effective solution for great skin care.

However, what you need to know is that it doesn’t have to be that complex (as many of the product name suggest!). What you should consider is that what any skin care program should be is simple. That’s it, just simple. The results that we all want are simple: soft, smooth, clear, radiant, younger-looking skin.

Too much of the time now days, skin care marketers are trying to convenience consumers that they need formulations that no average consumer can understand, or day and night products, or formulations that highly successful, well-known personalities would use. If you think about it, how many products do you currently have in your storage that were purchased because of these marketing strategies?

With these types of advertising, there are so many re-touches and questionable representation of the product effectiveness because the personality also receives so many other types of services and procedures that impact the condition of skin that you really cannot know the true results that the highly marketed products will bring.

The positive side of the situation is that there are constant and ever evolving advances in skin care and we all have the option for our skin condition improving with age.

If you are looking for a skin care program, there are some guidelines you may want to consider when making your skin care choices:

 Protect your skin while you are in the sun and extreme weather. Use proper protection.

 Drink lots of water. It’s so important for proper skin hydration and keeping your body clean from toxins and other chemicals that could cause adverse reactions in your skin.

 You should know what you are using on your skin. If you can’t pronounce the majority of the ingredients or there are more than 5 or 6 ingredients, then it may be too complex for what your skin actually needs. Skin care that uses these types of formulations are full of fillers, coloring, preservatives, and chemicals that are not beneficial for your skin and come with a high price where the consumer is paying for the filler more so than the active ingredients. These types of ingredients are only needed to fill up the bottle and make it appealing to smell or touch. Sometimes products will contain multiple active ingredients but in order to formulate these ingredients, it requires that other ingredients be added. You end up paying for something your skin cannot use. The cheaper ingredients are filling up the bottle. Try a similar approach to how you would choose your food (skin is ‘live cells’ and needs nourishment). Watch the labels and choose products with skin healthy formulations where the active ingredients are 80% of the ingredients.

 You should use a good and effective cleanser. This is the most important step in your skin care process. Many cleansing products do not leave your skin feeling smooth and deeply cleansed. Find a product that goes deep into the pores, provides light exfoliation and conditioning, and does not leave any residue. Applying moisturizers and treatments on top of skin that is not completely clean will just make the problem worse by clogging pores and showing a rough, uneven skin texture.

 You should be able to adjust your program to meet your skin’s daily needs.  If you can’t adjust the use of the products to match what your skin needs on a particular day, are you really getting what you need? Your program should be able to hydrate, heal, and renew your skin. You should see this gradual improvement everyday and not have to wait 30 to 60 days for results. It’s like watering a plant. A plant that needs water as a critical nutrient will respond immediately to the water being absorbed through its roots and perk up within a few hours. Watch your skin for a week or so and you’ll know how effective the program can ultimately be for your skin care needs.

 You should be able to quickly go through your regime. It should not take more than 5 minutes. A skin care program should include the steps to cleanse, exfoliate, treat and/or moisturize. You should be able to pick and choose what you need based on you skin’s current condition for that day.

 You should not be able to feel the product on your skin. In order for skin care to really be effective, it must penetrate the skin cells. Product sitting on top of your skin is product that is not penetrating the skin layers. Products with fillers and other unnecessary, complex formulations will may not get deep or directly enough to provide the treatment and results you are looking for. You should not know that you are wearing your skin care.

 You should feel comfortable with makeup optional skin. If your skin care is really working, your skin will improve and you will not want to put makeup on it if you don’t have to. Most skin problems are correctable to a large degree. You should be able to go out feeling confident that your skin is at its best (with minimal makeup) no matter what your age is. Also, by using makeup less, you are giving your skin more time to repair and restore itself without the interruption of other product chemicals on your skin.

]]> http://www.visagedelayla.com/beauty-blog/anti-aging-skin-care-why-cant-we-just-keep-it-simple/feed/ 0 http://www.visagedelayla.com/latest-news/earth-day-expo-at-the-la-zoo/ http://www.visagedelayla.com/latest-news/earth-day-expo-at-the-la-zoo/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 22:18:43 +0000 Visage De Layla http://www.visagedelayla.com/?p=1001

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden is inviting everyone to be a part of the 2013 Earth day Expo happening on April 20^th and 21^st from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on both days.

This special event shall feature several activities that will teach guests how to appreciate our home planet, Earth. The festivities will include recycled crafts—where participants will learn how to make beautiful things out of discarded materials, information booths, and other fun and exciting activities. Moreover, this year’s Expo will feature a celebration of the special California wildlife.

All activities are free of charge to all GLAZA members as well as with the regular Zoo admission.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity with your family and visit the zoo at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, California.

For inquiries, please contact the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens at (323) 644-4200. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.lazoo.org.

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