Beauty/Fashion Mags Shop for Page Lifts
Lucia Moses
SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 -
Beauty these days is hardly skin deep: celebrities are flogging their own makeup lines; twenty-somethings are applying anti-aging cream; even retailers like Target have become fashion-forward. Yet some beauty/fashion publishers are failing to capitalize on this and have had to rely more on non-endemic advertisers such as automotive, consumer electronics and food to fill their coffers.
Through August, ad pages for Toiletries & Cosmetics and Apparel & Accessories, the cornerstone of beauty and fashion magazines’ businesses, were essentially flat, according to the Publishers Information Bureau. But that hasn’t deterred the category’s publishers.
Through October, Hachette Filipacchi Media’s Elle increased 13.1 percent to 1,919 pages compared to the year prior, reports the Mediaweek Monitor; Glamour’s pages rose 6.8 percent to 1,546, and Condé Nast’s Allure was up 7.8 percent to 1,285 pages thanks to an influx of new advertisers such as Kodak and Toyota. Allure has had to broaden its scope of non-endemic ads. Over the past five years, beauty spending fell to a 60 percent share of its business from 80 percent, said publisher Nancy Berger Cardone.
“There’s not a publishing company that hasn’t recognized what’s happening in beauty,” Cardone said. “My competitive set used to be the fashion/beauty titles. Now it’s every magazine. The fitness titles have continued to grow their business, the celebrity magazines have picked up beauty business. I feel like I always have a bull’s eye on my back.”
Rodale startup Women’s Health, for one, has seen significant increases in fashion and beauty advertising. Fashion pages grew 70.1 percent this year through September over last year and included such new advertisers as Victoria’s Secret, Nike and Ecco; beauty pages grew nearly 18 percent thanks in part to new advertisers like L’Oréal, Coty and Nivea, said associate publisher Randy Frank Leeds. “Both fashion and beauty are core aspects of a woman’s lifestyle today,” she stressed.
While beauty/fashion spending has migrated to other publishing categories as well as other media, a soft economy and consolidation of retailers such as Federated’s store brands haven’t helped matters.
“With Macy’s, you had a lot of spending in different banners,” said Brenda White, vp, director of print investment, Starcom Worldwide. “What you are seeing is a consolidation: You’ve got [fewer] brands out there. That’s something the fashion/beauty magazines are concerned about.”
To alleviate the pain, beauty and, to a lesser extent, fashion advertisers, are adopting new platforms that they believe can better reach their target customers and measure the efficiency of their ad spending.
“We’re living in an age where return on investment is critical,” said Peter Gardiner, chief media officer at Deutsch. “It’s so much easier to see that online than in a magazine. They suffer from their inability to prove results. For beauty, online has become a powerful place to advertise. Fashion, even though it’s so much more image-oriented, is going to be slower to move away from magazines, but a lot of fashion brands are involved with buzz events, quicker ways to get word of mouth.”
Some traditional fashion and beauty books are fighting back with non-print programs like Condé Nast’s Fashion Rocks concert and Hearst Magazines’ 30 Days of Fashion, a marketing program of fashion shows, parties and other style-related events. “We’ve been pushing a lot of fashion/beauty to go beyond the page,” White said.
But not all magazines are seeing a slowdown in spending. Hearst’s Harper’s Bazaar has rebounded following a string of editor changes, said Valerie Salembier, senior vp, publisher. “The two strongest categories for us continue to be exceptionally strong,” she said. “January to September fashion and beauty are up 124 pages. Frankly, I’m thrilled.”
Meanwhile, Condé Nast’s Jane is still working on a comeback, after advertisers opted to take a wait-and-see attitude while the new management team restored stability. Ad pages through October fell 27.1 percent to 478, but publisher Carlos Lamadrid said a turnaround is in the works. Jane has doubled its space allocated to beauty and fashion editorial. New advertisers on board include Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and LVMH fragrance and beauty.
Although it’s been more of a challenge as of late, media buyers applaud publishers’ efforts to stick to their knitting. They caution that as publishers grow less reliant on fashion/beauty, they should ensure that non-endemic business doesn’t undermine their editorial brand. “You have to make sure it still is relevant to the reader,” White said. “Advertising is part of content, when it’s done right. The readers aren't going to want to hear about dirt bike riding.”
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twentysomethings: Overtime demands jeopardize Americans' health
September 14, 2006
A new study regarding the health affects of overtime work has yielded disturbing results.
The University of California in Irvine's research showed that people who work between 41 and 50 hours a week have a 17 percent greater risk of suffering from hypertension than those who work 39 hours or less during the same period.
Although I've always admired the American work ethic, it's not shameful to balance labor with a healthy amount of leisure.
In France, the law requires that full-time workers receive at least five weeks of vacation a year; and full-time in France means 35 hours per week. Not that we should aspire to become France Jr., obviously theirs is a country renowned for decadence. But, I do believe their extreme is healthier than ours.
It may be a cliche, but it's important to set aside time to stop and smell the roses.
That is, if you can afford to.
Worker productivity has risen steadily of late, but wages have not. In fact, the median hourly wage for American workers is down 2 percent from the 2003 level, according to a recent report by the Boston Globe.
Slow wage growth has forced many workers to put in significant overtime. An article in Business Week magazine showed that the quota of U.S. workers putting in at least 49 hours per week rose to 18.3 percent at the end of last year. The figure stands at 31 percent for college-educated males.
This trend is likely to continue. According to a 2003 article in Money magazine, 57 percent of Americans said they would rather have more money than more time off. Remember, median hourly wages were higher at that time than they are now.
It's sad that the bourgeoisie in this country sees fit to exploit the nobility of the proletariat. The fat cats know that many employees are willing to sacrifice personal well-being to provide for their families.
And, with the costs of living on the rise, putting in overtime won't even be enough to compensate.
Our country has always been known as the land of opportunity, but does that still hold true? There was a time when college students didn't have to choose a major based on which jobs where at the top of the demand list to ensure a decent lifestyle for themselves and their families.
If economic conditions continue to deteriorate for the middle-class in America, Canada might become an attractive destination. There, at least, people can rest assured their basic needs will be taken care of. But for the U.S., a country in which fundamental quality of life depends so much on individual initiative, the global economy has become a stumbling block to financial peace of mind. The climate, for many, is such that no matter how hard they work, their efforts will not be good enough to attain the American dream, at least not while still saving for retirement and working reasonable hours.
The middle-class has always been the backbone of the U.S., but it will disappear soon if things continue to progress as they have been over the last eight years. I won't go as far as to advocate protectionism, but I find it amusing that the people who stigmatize protectionists are usually those who have the least amount of trouble putting food on the table and taking relaxing vacations.
Something has to be done to help the common man through this extraordinary transition that the world is undertaking. Whether it means nationalizing health care, higher education or both, it's going to take radical action to restore equilibrium to people's lives.
And, if we fail to confront this problem, there won't be much of a workforce left. They'll all have worked themselves to death.
Raymond Billy Jr. is opinion page editor of The Current Sauce, the student newspaper at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Send comments to shreveportopinion@gannett.com.
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New Study Demonstrates Dietary Supplement Lutein Increases Skin Hydration, Elasticity And Lipid Levels
Highlights from a new clinical study presented today at the "Beyond Beauty Paris" conference in France provide compelling evidence that lutein, a dietary nutrient available as a supplement and long-known for its effectiveness in promoting eye health, also provides specific skin health benefits. These include increasing the hydration, elasticity and superficial lipids of the skin, while decreasing the oxidation - a process that causes degradation - of those beneficial skin lipids.
Topline results of the study, presented by Dr. Pierfrancesco Morganti, professor of applied cosmetic dermatology at the University of Naples, on behalf of the research team, indicated that lutein and its associated molecule zeaxanthin, when taken daily as a 10 mg oral lutein supplement, increased skin hydration by 38 percent, skin elasticity by 8 percent and the level of superficial lipids present in the skin by 33 percent after adjustments for placebo. Results also showed that lutein decreased oxidation of those beneficial lipids by 55 percent after adjustment for placebo.
The study further demonstrated that the combination of oral and topical administration of lutein/zeaxanthin provided even more powerful improvements, increasing skin hydration by 60 percent, skin elasticity by 20 percent and the amount of superficial lipids present in the skin by 50 percent after adjustment for placebo, all while decreasing the oxidation of those beneficial lipids by 64 percent.
Lutein, a nutrient naturally found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens, as well as broccoli, corn and egg yolks, is present in tissues in the eye, blood serum, skin, cervix, brain and breast. It is not produced by the human body and thus must be ingested daily through food or taken as a supplement.
The study, entitled "Clinical Evidence for Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Skin Health, Part 1: Comparison of Placebo, Oral, Topical and Combined Oral/Topical Xanthophyll Treatments," was conducted in Italy on female subjects, age 25-50, over a 12-week period. The test product utilized in the study contained FloraGLO(R) Lutein, manufactured by Kemin Health, L.C., of Des Moines Iowa. It was administered daily at 10 mg (oral supplementation) and 50 ppm (topical formulation) to subjects in the study's different test groups.
"This is the first study to determine the impact of lutein/zeaxanthin alone on the human skin," said Richard L. ("Dick") Roberts, Ph.D., senior manager of scientific affairs for Kemin Health, the leading manufacturer of lutein. "It provides strong new evidence of lutein's positive role in promoting skin health and appearance by increasing hydration, elasticity and lipid content."
"This research underscores the importance of thinking about skin health and beauty from the 'inside out,'" said Bruce Katz, M.D., a dermatologist and director of the JUVA Skin & Laser Center in New York, who is working with Kemin to educate consumers on the role of nutrition as part of a total skin health and beauty regimen. "The benefits of taking lutein daily will be of great interest to people who are looking for new ways to improve the hydration and elasticity of their skin and help reduce the appearance of premature aging."
The new study adds to an existing body of research that suggests lutein, when taken on a daily basis, may help bolster the skin's natural antioxidant defense system, helping to protect skin from potentially damaging effects of sun and artificial light exposure.
About Kemin
A nutritional ingredient manufacturer, Kemin is committed to improving the nutrition of the world with functional products that deliver maximum efficacy through superior chemistry. FloraGLO(R) Lutein is the world's leading patented, purified lutein. Products with FloraGLO(R) Lutein contain the same lutein naturally found in dark green leafy vegetables as well as eggs. Studies indicate daily lutein intake of 6 mg to 10 mg may be beneficial.
A Kemin-affiliated company, Kemin Health is ISO 9001:2000 certified and headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Kemin has manufacturing facilities in Iowa, Texas, Belgium, India, Singapore, China and Thailand. To learn more visit http://www.luteininfo.com or http://www.kemin.com.
Kemin Health http://www.luteininfo.com http://www.kemin.com/
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LABOUR-US:The Beauty Industry's Ugly Secret
Ngoc Nguyen
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sep 19 (IPS) -
When it comes to the 20-billion-dollar a year manicure industry in the United States, consumers are more likely to fear foot fungus, not the beauty products themselves.
That despite the fact that the nail industry uses 10,000 chemicals in its products, 89 percent of which have not been safety tested by any independent agency, according to a recent report by the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.
That's got advocates worried not only for consumers, but nail salon workers.
"We are also very concerned about worker health -- typically, women of colour, Asian immigrants and Asian American women," said Felicia Eaves, a national organiser with Women's Voices of the Earth. "They spend lots of time, 10 to 14 hours, working with these products. We know that many of these women have health effects, problems with spontaneous abortion and other health problems."
Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not safety test ingredients used in cosmetic or personal care products before they hit the market. That research is carried out by an industry-funded group. Consumers are left to sift through the tiny typeface listing ingredients on the back of the bottle.
For nail salon workers, many factors go into a safer and healthier work environment, including better ventilation, protective gear and awareness of workplace exposures.
Efforts to reach out to nail salon workers and owners on health and safety are sprouting up across the United States. Along with education and research, advocates are also pushing for reforms at the industry and governmental level on chemical policy.
Eaves' group helped to found the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of public health, women's, environmental and consumer groups and others, whose goal is to push the beauty industry to use safer alternatives.
Advocates won a victory with the 2005 passage of California Senate Bill 484, the Safe Cosmetics Act, to take effect next January, which for the first time requires manufacturers to disclose to state officials if they used chemicals linked to cancer or birth defects in their products. In the past, manufacturers could omit ingredients from labels, claiming the right to protect trade secrets, but the Safe Cosmetics Act requires reporting all carcinogenic compounds under this category as well.
On the job, nail salon workers come into contact with chemical hazards linked to illnesses, cancers and reproductive harm, including birth defects. The known or suspected carcinogens include phthalates (found in nail polish), formaldehyde, benzene and methylene chloride.
Connie Nguyen, 46, has worked in the beauty business for 10 years. She said she's had some health problems, including difficulty breathing, skin allergies and occasional dizziness. She said wearing a mask can help to filtre out particles released from filing acrylic nails, but it doesn't protect against fumes.
"I cannot blame what happened on my work, but I do not have an answer why I got it," said Nguyen. "Even though in a salon they do different kinds of work -- you don't necessarily sit down and do acrylic nails, but the chemicals still affect your respiratory system strongly. No doctor could tell me you have these kinds of problems because of the work you do, but personally if you don't have the answer, you have to think something must cause it."
Some cosmetic makers dispute a connection between phthalates and reproductive harm, stating that studies have only been carried out on animals. And the industry claims its phthalate levels fall within FDA limits. However, advocates argue that those levels are too high. The European Union has banned phthalates from all of its cosmetics due to health concerns. "
OPI is one of these companies, that sells to 70 countries... so for the customers in Europe, they have to take the chemical out of their products to be in compliance with EU laws," said Eaves with Women's Voices of the Earth. "We know that if you can take the chemicals out of the products in the European market, you can do the same for the women in the U.S."
Despite health concerns, the popularity of the nail profession is booming.
The nail industry has tripled in size in the last two decades. The majority of workers are women, and nationally, an estimated 42 percent are Asian. In California, home to a fifth of the country's manicurists, an estimated 80 percent are Vietnamese. Of that number, half are of child-bearing age.
The nail trade is fast, easy and cheap to learn, said Nguyen, and doesn't require a high level of English language skills. More attractive is the earning potential. Nguyen said nail salon workers like herself can typically make 2,000-4,000 dollars monthly.. "
A lot of Vietnamese who come from Vietnam recently or in the near future, they already have a plan to come here and get the license quickly and get into it," explained Nguyen. "They are very young, very aggressive and when they come to America and make a few thousand dollars a month, it is very difficult for any organisation to tell them 'you have to think twice.'"
A couple of years ago, Judy Le enrolled in cosmetology school and was on track to enter the beauty business, like most of the women in her family. At the same time, she participated in a youth programme through the Oakland-based Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice. The POLISH project brings together youth and nail salon workers to learn about and organise around toxins in personal care products.
Armed with knowledge about cancer-causing ingredients in beauty products, Le said she questioned her instructors in cosmetology school. "I did talk to my teacher about it [the chemical hazards]," Le said. "But the programme didn't talk much about harmful ingredients. We weren't given this information. The programme didn't focus on health hazards. It focused on the money-making aspect."
Le's participation in POLISH did make her think twice about becoming a manicurist after getting her cosmetology license. Now 20 years old, she works part-time as a hairstylist, which she said she feels exposes her to less dangerous chemicals, and is working towards a nursing degree.
Participating in POLISH hasn't dampened her dream of one day owning a beauty shop, but Le said she'd like to incorporate safer alternatives into the business of making people feel good about themselves.
"We started learning about products with toxins and places to go to get alternative products without toxins," Le said. "We learned to make our own products at home; for instance, we mixed strawberries and baking soda together to make our own toothpaste. It's healthier and better."
Dana Parades, organising director with Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, said her goal is not to prevent women from entering the nail business, which has helped many immigrant women and communities to thrive and stabilise.
"We want to support large efforts to make sure the industry can thrive and protect workers," said Parades. "We're working to promote corporate accountability by getting the companies that make these products to use healthier and better ingredients. It's an unfair choice workers have to make. We need to build awareness and put pressure on company to make healthier products so workers don't have to make an unfair choice between their livelihood and their health or the health of an unborn child."
So far, the pressure from health and environmental groups and consumers appears to be working. Last month, three major U.S. nail polish manufacturers -- Sally Hansen brand, OPI Products and Orly International, Inc. -- announced they would be reformulating their products to remove chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm, including dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene and formaldehyde.
Studies have linked DBP to reproductive system problems in newborn boys. (FIN/2006)
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Beauty lines milk benefits of moo juiceFor Me magazine
Tucson, Arizona Published: 09.18.2006
The popular saying "Milk — it does a body good" doesn't just allude to the fact that you have to drink the stuff to reap its benefits. For Me magazine shares how beauty products containing milk can benefit your outer appearance:
● Foot care: This trio pack contains ingredients such as dried milk solids as well as natural oat, rice and soy proteins, which help to keep the skin on your feet looking baby smooth. Archipelago Milk Foot Balm, $17; Milk Foot Scrub, $16; and Milk Foot Soak, $15, at
www.beautyexclusive.com.
● Shampoo: Soy and milk proteins help strengthen hair and add shine. Fekkai Protein RX Reparative Shampoo, $20, at Sephora and Nordstrom.
● Soap: Milk proteins and shea butter make this mild vegetable soap ideal for dry skin. Mistral Milk Shea Butter Soap, $6.50, at
www.mistralsoap.com.
● Scrub: About as gentle as a scrub gets, with hydrating honey and milk protein. Kiehl's Milk, Honey and Almond Scrub, $20.50, at
www.kiehls.com.
● Moisturizer: Not only is it loaded with milk protein and vitamins A, D, and E, it's also oil-free. SkinMilk Facial Moisturizer, $4.99, at Wal-Mart.
● Lotion: Just as great for sensitive adults as it is for little ones, thanks to buttermilk, aloe, and sunflower oil. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion, $9, at
www.burtsbees.com.
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Firms find new niches in booming beauty industry
By Reuters
Tuesday September 12, 07:30 PM
By Anna Willard
PARIS (Reuters) - Pocket eyelash curlers, tealeaf face cream, exotic handbag size perfume sticks and organic stretch mark cream for new mums are among the latest trends in cosmetics on display this week at an international fair.
Busy modern lifestyles, air pollution and a desire to look and smell glamorous mean an increasing number of people are going to spas and looking for cosmetics offering something more than a moisturise or a colour change.
One corner of the exhibition hall is devoted to "beaudiversity". Tables display red and black beans and brown marula nuts from southern Africa that can be ground up for use in anti-ageing creams or massage oil.
These are part of a push by many companies to use organic products that can be sold with a fair trade label.
Consumers are reassured by natural products, says Jean-Francois Molina, marketing director at Solabia group, a French company that imports banana flowers and passion fruit from Brazil for turning into vitamin-rich potions.
"There is a big interest in the nutri-cosmetic element. What is good for my health is also good for my skin," he said.
In perfume the trend is for the smells of times gone by. Crazylibellule and the poppies is a young French company of just three employees. In only its second season, it already exports its perfume sticks to Spain, Italy and South Korea.
It has a gourmand range with fragrances such as "vanilla lemon pie". But its bestsellers include patchouli and jasmine.
"They are old perfumes that have come back into fashion," said product manager Agnes Ducrocq.
One of the largest growth industries in cosmetics is for men's products. In France, sales grew 20 percent last year.
"It's not taboo any more for men," said Xavier Damar, director of Edouard and Co. which imports the Australian brand Vitaman.
"The growth is in face products, manicure and massage. They want massages but they are more and more concerned with their overall well being."
Mothers and babies also make an interesting market. Erbaviva is a U.S. company offering organic stretch mark cream, jasmine and grapefruit deodorant and mommy-to-be bath milk.
And what about the kids?
"It's whatever the latest film or TV show is," said Cathy Rolland, brand manager at Spanish company Air Val which sells children's cosmetics.
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Beyoncé's dirty beauty tip
Beyoncé Knowles doesn't wash - so she can keep her skin flawless.
The beautiful singer-turned-actress has revealed her top beauty tip for perfect skin is to never wash your face with soap or cleansers.
She told Top of the Pops magazine: "I don't wash my face with soaps or put on lotions. It's the truth."
Beyoncé, who is rumoured to be tying the knot with her rap star boyfriend Jaz-Z in November, also insists it is important to eat the right foods and not nibble on fatty snacks if you want to have skin as beautiful as hers.
She added: "I think eating healthily and staying away from bad food is also important."
However, Beyoncé has been treating herself to junk foods lately after going on an all-liquid diet so she could drop two dress sizes for her role in new movie 'Dreamgirls'.
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Toshiko store founder shares beauty of Japanese art
By Christopher Smart
The Salt Lake TribuneSalt Lake Tribune
At Toshiko, you can buy an authentic Japanese doll - or learn how to make one.
It's all part of putting forth the Japanese culture for recent immigrants, their sons and daughters - and anyone else interested in the beauty and richness of all things Nipponese, said Jeanne Toshiko Marse.
"My store is about Japanese culture," she explained. "I want people - especially Japanese young people - to know the Japanese culture."
The small shop, which bears her maiden name, is tucked away at 1769 W. 4160 South. It is adorned with beautiful dolls, hand-painted fans and lanterns, traditional Japanese tea sets and sake glasses, decorated jewelry boxes and breath-taking kimonos, among other things.
Located in Carriage Square in Taylorsville for the past year, Marse originally opened the shop's doors in 1984. For many years she was located in downtown Salt Lake City's Crossroads Mall.
She was born in Fukuoka, Japan. In 1956, she married an American and immigrated to the United States. Marse moved to Utah in 1971. The store was an outgrowth of her desire to make the dolls that occupy an important place in traditional Japanese culture. In 1978, after reading about it in a Japanese magazine, she began teaching herself the ancient art.
She wrote to doll makers in her home country, seeking advice on techniques and materials. Eventually, Marse mastered the intricate craft.
You can see her works on display at Toshiko, along with dolls of other makers that include geisha girls, dancing dolls and Kabuki performers.
Customers can buy her dolls or sign up for her doll-making class.
"Doll making is difficult," she explained. "Some people have a knack for it. But some say, 'I just can't do it.' "
Marse is a good resource and active member of the Japanese-American community in the Salt Lake area, said Marie Matsukawa, of the Japanese Church of Christ.
"She shares a lot with us about how things should really look," Matsukawa noted. "Like how to put on a kimono."
The annual Japanese fall festival, Aki Matsuri, takes place Sept. 16 on 100 South between 200 and 300 West - the historic part of Salt Lake City once known as "Japan Town." And Toshiko always has been helpful putting it on, Matsukawa said.
"She is so interested in making the culture available. She's worked very hard all these years."
Festival-goers can enjoy food and crafts, as well as martial arts, dance and music- and get a feel for Japanese culture.
For those who cannot celebrate Japanese culture at the festival, Toshiko is open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For shoppers with time, Marse will show and explain many of the finer points of the fascinating culture.
For example, she sells special lanterns for the annual Obon celebration each August where past souls revisit this world from the one they have passed on to. The lanterns guide their way.
"The souls come back and visit," she explained. "So we celebrate."
csmart@sltrib.com
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A woman’s beauty, her power
• Thursday, Sep 14, 2006
Chinweizu, author of the thought-provoking book: “Anatomy of Female Power,” and indeed, all highly perceptible individuals would agree that beauty equals money or at least power to make money.
Women spend a pretty good amount of money and time trying to look good, and why not? They are seriously rewarded for being beautiful. Beauty gives a woman the power to choose where she wants to work, whom she wants to date, etc. And if a good looking woman has a brain as good as her face, even the sky alone cannot be her limit.
Researches reveal that attractive people usually find it easier to get employed than less attractive people. If you don’t believe this, then how do you explain the fact that only beautiful and gorgeous looking babes get hired as marketers, air hostesses, receptionists, broadcasters, etc. Have you been to the banking hall of any new generation bank recently? How did you find girls? Beautiful? You can say that again. If a manager is having problems securing a deposit from a ‘big man’, having sent an experienced officer with intimidating credentials in marketing and sourcing of funds, the next ‘brilliant’ move he makes is to look into his barn and pick the freshest looking girl to execute the assignment. Armed with no serious credential other than a disarming smile and a flawless skin, she usually achieves the target. Before you say ‘cash’, Mr Big Man has deposited a staggering amount of money into the bank’s account, and it’s not what you think, return; it seems some men just cannot say no to a beautiful woman. Maybe they feel that one day they might ‘need’ her.
Take in another scenario, two people go for a keenly contested job interview with absolutely the same qualifications and experience, who do you think will clinch the job? The one with the most striking looks. It may not be fair, but that’s the way it is. While we cannot decide whether our children will be beautiful or not, employers can at least decide what kind of persons they want to represent their company.
Attractive men and women are also likely to get little favours here and there anywhere they go, not really because they deserve it, but just because they’re beautiful. They get discounts on purchases without much bargaining, get help with their luggage and get promoted faster on the job.
Strangers would even take up a little discomfort all for the sake of a beautiful woman.
Amazingly, most of these favours are given without a thought. It comes naturally. There’s something special about a good looking woman that people can’t just help being kind to her and treating her special.
Little babies also respond to good looks. Many times a baby could be seen crying at the sight of a plain looking man, but once cuddled by a pretty woman, his face dimples with smiles.
No doubt about this, attractive people find it easier to make friends, even of the same sex. Who wants to make friends with a plain Jane anyway? People love to associate with and be seen in the company of good looking people. Scoring high in the looks department also means you have the power to influence others – colleagues, friends, your boss, your partner. Because beauty goes hand in hand with charm, most of the time, it’s often easy for a beautiful person to sway others to her side.
Men, who understand the power of beauty usually indirectly try to prevent their women from achieving their maximum beauty potential by ensuring that they appear as plain as possible by wearing the most conservative of clothes. It doesn’t matter that sometimes, the men themselves are super dressers. If you think this is impossible, please ask the concerned women.
Some people say such men are jealous and cannot bear the thought of another man admiring their wives. Others say they are simply afraid. Afraid of what? Matter for another day.
Back to my point, what I’m saying here is that being beautiful or attractive with its attendant charm has every likelihood of boosting a woman’s like ability, mark the difference between this simple fact, and a woman exploiting her feminity to court and gain undue favour from the menfolk (what we all know as bottom power).
Why not try out a new hairstyle, lose or gain some weight as the case may be, splash out on new and trendy clothes and even get a professional facial? And the thrill is in not feeling guilty afterwards. When you make efforts to improve your looks, it’s almost the same thing as updating your curriculum vitae. You may just be heading for a better job or a promotion.
The good news is that every woman can be beautiful, if only she makes the effort. Some women are born beautiful, if only she makes the effort. Some women are born beautiful, others acquire it, but no matter what, it can be enhanced through a healthy diet, regular exercise and a reasonable skin and hair care routines and of course, clothes that fit.
You’ll be surprised to know the extent all those drop-dead beauties go to in order to achieve beauty and retain it, with special reference to models and sultry actresses. Some would readily starve themselves to death in the name of dieting and would hold on carefully to every advice given by their exercise instructors, some beauty routines can be boring, rigid and hazardous.
But all we get to see are the finished products – a face that is as cool as million pounds, plus a body that looks good in anything. If all you do is wash your face with soap and water and all the exercise you get is climbing the staircase to your flat, is it any wonder that you don’t look half as good as they do?
However, being attractive is not all joy, it has its downsides too. A lot of people generally assume that an attractive woman is automatically promiscuous and not likely to make faithful partners; they’re arrogant and selfish, bla, bla, bla. But it is not so, or atleast, not in every case. I know beautiful women who are also very reserved and reliable.
The great news is that inner beauty remains the best kind of beauty. It radiates from the inside to colour you on the outside; it illuminates you entirely. And really what’s the point of a beautiful woman with no depth, no feeling and no sense?
But if you’ve got beauty, nurture it. Beauty is not vanity, it is power, your power to rule the world.
Nwali, is an intern with The Tide
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‘What women want’ – Find out your sexual personality, how to workout and other health concernsThe new issue of Healthy Options Lifestyle Newsdigest this September/October 2006 is devoted to women, "What Women Want" and their specific health concerns.
It is true that women often neglect their own well-being in favor of the people around them. It’s not too late for them to take the time they need to treat themselves properly and to rebuild their well-being. It’s like what they tell you on the airplane – put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. It does those around you no good if you get run down and have nothing to give.
Many women are surprised to learn that it is heart disease that is the No. 1 health threat for women. It’s common to think breast cancer is the No. 1 threat to women’s health when, in fact, heart disease is responsible for more deaths in women than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease is the most significant health concern for women in the United States today, responsible for nearly 489,000 deaths each year. So check out the article "Heart Disease: #1 Killer of Women" and be properly informed to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Rebuilding a woman’s self esteem starts with this must read - "Learn to Love What You See in the Mirror". Developing and nurturing a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is crucial to a woman’s happiness and wellness. Likewise, find out your "Sexual Personality: Are You Hot or Cold?". How strong does a woman’s sex drive have to be considered "normal"? Are widespread myths about frequent, lusty lovemaking ruining couples’ sex lives? At various points in their lives, one in every three women rate themselves as lacking any interest in sex.
The "Women’s Workout" issue is a noteworthy matter since a woman’s workout is very different from a man’s. Women have different problem areas, different fitness goals and have to design their workout programs accordingly. Moreover, for beauty solutions, get first hand advice from Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. on "Dry skin, brittle nails and thinning hair" and the supplements that can help.
Women will be relieved to know that many of them experience "Premenstrual Syndrome" and its not all in the mind. Find out what PMS is and how women are affected. Get some nutrition tips and dietary supplements that can help alleviate women suffering from PMS.
An important milestone in a woman’s life is childbirth. With "Postpartum Depression", the birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions-excitement, joy, even fear. But it can also result in something you might not expect – depression.
As for women afflicted with diabetes and who are predisposed to this lifelong disease, turn the page to "Diabetes Solution", a review of Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars by Richard K. Bernstein, M.D.
Not to be missed out is the serious topic on "Domestic Abuse: Recognize the patterns and seek help". Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, economic status, race and educational background. Be enlightened on how to recognize an abusive relationship and what resources are available to help.
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Pain prevalant in world of beauty
Brock Bybee Dixie Sun Opinion Editor
I have often marveled at the great pains and trials women go through to make themselves look, in a word, beautiful.
I have often marveled at the great pains and trials women go through to make themselves look, in a word, beautiful.
It boggles the mind. It is an enigma to me. I’ve never quite been able to figure it out. Now keep in mind as you read this that I’m not naive to the female organism. I have 11 sisters. Yes, you read that correctly, 11. My home was a sanctuary for gossip, makeup and shoes. Yet still, after 17 years of living with these creatures, I never understood why women go through such pains in order to make themselves look more attractive to the opposite sex.
So, to try to unlock this mystery that has so puzzled me, I attempted to endure some of the procedures that women go through. I hope that much laughter follows.
The first thing I had done was a facial. That wasn’t so bad. It was refreshing in a way. The goo they flung on me was not that bad. The problem that I had was the after effects. Good gracious, it burned so badly; I felt that someone had rubbed stinging nettle all over my face. They said it would have a little irritation. I felt like I had just removed my head from a hornet’s nest. I don’t know the purpose or point behind the mud facial mask, but to me it felt like someone blew his nose on me, then lit my face on fire. Not cool.
Item number two: acrylic nails. For some reason, I don’t know why, my cousin talked me into being a model for her beauty school boards. Don’t ask me how I agreed to it; I am pretty sure I was either unconscious or had drunk to much Dr. Pepper when I complied. In any accord, I was strapped down to a manicurist’s table and told if I moved I would be shot. These beauticians take things seriously. I had no idea how acrylic nails were applied or where they came from. The thought that more goo would be pasted on my fingers, which would then harden into a shell didn’t make sense in my head. Nevertheless, she went forward.
This situation was similar to the goo pack on my face. The application was all right actually. I didn’t mind it. I was pretty proud of my nails; they were red I might add. A few hours after the process was completed I was checking them out at a gas station. While I was modeling to myself, a car of ridiculously gorgeous girls drove by and for a few seconds, stared back in awe at how stupid I looked. They proceeded to laugh hysterically and drive away in a mocking fashion. You can imagine my frustration having just falsely exemplified my character as a burly 6-foot-5-inch giant who looks nice with cherry red nails. In a mad flash of hysterics I tried to break Satan’s grips from my fingernails. The pain that ensued was tear-jerking. It felt as though someone was pounding the ends of my hands with a hammer. Never in my life have I endured such pain.
Until the next treatment.
A few nights ago I was coaxed into an awkward position by two jezebel sophomores, Laura George and Erin Taylor. We were sitting around their house when the topic of waxing came up, which then turned into them luring me into getting my armpits waxed. I felt I was comfortable enough with myself, and well, man enough to go through such an ordeal. But, as most men are in every given situation, I was completely wrong.
"Oh, it won’t hurt at all," they cooed as they poured boiling hot wax on my arms, "You won’t feel a thing."
The next 10 minutes are all a blur to me. I remember a painful tear of flesh, me kicking a couch, and many screams of agony.
Now, let me call attention to something here. I am a very clumsy person. This gift that the Lord has blessed me with has incurred many, many injuries and painful experiences. I’m no stranger to anguish. I also am a pretty tough person. I’ve played numerous sports ever since I can remember my name, so I’m not ignorant to injury either. May I say that the pain and hurt that followed having this wax ripped out of my armpits was excruciating, something I could never have prepared for. I don’t think there are words to describe my feelings toward this horrendous procedure.
As I lay there writhing in agony on the floor, both Laura and Erin were laughing through tears at the sight of me in pain, much similar to the laugh the girls had at the gas station while I was admiring my nails. How could they be so humored at something like this? This was life or death! I don’t have armpit hair anymore. And to them, it was all a grand joke.
In the end I don’t think I learned a thing. The torture that women put themselves through in order to look good I don’t think will ever be understood or comprehended by the male mind. I think I gave a valid attempt, but it was all in vain. I guess it just re-insured my constant that women, as a whole, make no sense at all. The thought that they would put themselves through these horrific ordeals for the sake of fashion and still be afraid of an insect is beyond me. I guess I’ll just take a number with the rest of the male population who will remain lost.
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Adults pampered for raising relatives' children
BY DARIN FENGER,
SUN STAFF WRITER
Sep 9, 2006
Raising a 4-year-old at 75 doesn't scare Terry Phillips, but going to the beauty salon for some pampering sure did.
Phillips turned out to be the only grandpa among a bunch of grandmas and aunts on Saturday who took advantage of a special event offering a mini day spa experience for old folks raising children of relatives.
Good-humored Phillips passed on the facials and manicures, but he did put his feet up long enough to get a good, ol' shave and trim.
"I feel kind of weird. What's a guy doing in a beauty parlor surrounded by a bunch of ladies?" Phillips said, laughing and explaining how his wife talked him into attending. "She didn't drag me. She just threatened me."
About 15 families enjoyed the special three-hour event, which was sponsored by The KARE Family Center, a program of the Arizona's Children Association that provides free services and resources to grandparents and other relatives raising children.
The event, the day before Grandparents' Day, was called A Little Break, or Un Descansito in Spanish, and featured the beautifying talents of three ladies from Total Concepts Beauty Center.
Participants enjoyed everything from having their skin moisturized and nails buffed to getting a new hair style or having their make-up done. The site was a KARE Center conference room decorated to look like a salon, where light melodies of relaxing music floated on the air while the noise of all the children being baby-sat Saturday was a whole building away.
After getting dolled up everyone enjoyed a yummy breakfast, filling up a large table of happy and good-looking caregivers who were mostly laughing and sharing stories.
Organizers said that their gifts Saturday could not have been shared with a more deserving group of people.
"These folks really don't have the time or the money for recreation, to pamper themselves, to take care of themselves," said Dubia Zaragoza, a program coordinator for KARE. "I don't think they realize how important this is, but it is necessary. It's a need they have, but because there're so many other priorities, they often don't realize it.
"The message about the importance of caregivers remembering their own needs amounts to a year-round mission for KARE leaders and volunteers.
"I explain to them that if you don't take care of yourself, if you don't give yourself some time, how can you keep giving to your grandchildren?" Zaragoza said, smiling. "It's important for them to take care of themselves for their own health, well-being — and for their sanity."
Grandmother Libby Bautista simply grinned with delight as she enjoyed having her face all made up, a luxury she last enjoyed three years ago when she attended a quinciñera.
"Oh, this feels great. It makes you feel young," Bautista raved. "I took the day off from work to be here."
But possibly enjoying it all even more was Bautista's 15-year-old granddaughter who stood by and watched with clear satisfaction seeing her grandma enjoying such quality girl time.
"It feels good because she's doing something she likes," said Priscilla Esperanza. "She doesn't pamper herself enough because she's always working. It makes me feel bad because she wants to go out and do stuff for herself, go and buy clothes and do her nails. But she just can't do that kind of stuff."
Esperanza added that her grandmother deserves a pat on the back, too, having done a marvelous job raising the young girl.
"My mom was never really with me when I was young, when I really needed her," the granddaughter said. "I love my grandma and I thank her for everything she's done for me."
But don't expect a sad song from Bautista's lips. In fact, most grandparents gathered at Saturday's event stressed that their decision to raise grandchildren is less a challenge to complain about and more a blessing to praise.
"Take your grandkids," Bautista said in a message to others in her shoes. "They'll make you feel younger. Take the time."
She added that she really does think that grandparents sometimes do a better job than the younger ones, too.
"We spend more time with the kids. I remember when I was young, giving them to the baby-sitter and always working," Bautista said. "Now, you just have one job and you dedicate yourself to your kids."
According to the 2000 Census, there were 2,000 Yuma families raising relatives' children, with 660 of those families being headed by grandparents."
I'm sure it's probably close to double now," Zaragoza said, "and that's just Yuma. Then count all the people in Somerton, San Luis (Ariz.) and Wellton, that's a lot of families."
The KARE Center currently looks after 50 families, all of whom were invited to the event."
We have families that have taken in up to seven children and many of these people are well past the age of having young families," Zaragoza said. "There are a lot of feelings of lost independence they had already achieved, the want to finally be on their own and retire. There is a sense of anger, sometimes at life or toward their children for not getting their act together and taking care of their own kids."
Phillips and his wife, Mary Lu, adopted a relative's son two years ago, when he was just 2."
We couldn't see Randy going to just anybody," Phillips said. "His mom and dad had lost him through the court and we were fortunate enough to be there to put in our bid to raise him."
There hadn't been a child in the couple's house for more than a decade when Randy arrived."
There's nothing difficult about it, except for when he gets stubborn, even more so than I am," Phillips quipped, stressing that being a senior citizen raising a youngster isn't greatly difficult at all. "If it is, I don't realize it. He's on me and Lu Lu like fresh paint, all over us all the time. Ah, that feels gratifying, too, real rewarding."
On a solemn note Phillips admitted that the couple's health will determine just how long they will be able to care for and love their young charge.
"It depends on how soon I die," he said, quickly saying, though, that keeping after the little spitfire actually keeps Phillips young. "Man, he cracks a whip! He never gives up and he never gives in. I gotta stay young just to keep after Randy."
Darin Fenger can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.
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With film dying, Fuji Photo targets women's beauty products
Japan's Fuji Photo Film Co. says it will enter the health care market, diversifying from the dwindling photo film business to target women's insatiable desire for beauty products.
The world's number two in color film sales said it will launch the f2i (f-squared-i) series of three skin care items and the f3i (f-cubed-i) series of nine dietary supplements on September 28.
"The company has decided to enter the health care market, which can be said to be the largest industry of the 21st century, which supports people's peace of mind, safety and health," Fuji Photo Film president Shigetaka Komori said Tuesday.
The company had developed chemical technologies that could be used in health care while creating high-quality films, it said.
"We believe we can provide good products by employing the company's diverse and advanced technologies, especially in precision chemistry and precision process control," he said.
Suffering from an ever-shrinking photo film market, Fuji Photo Film expanded into the pharmaceutical business earlier this year by buying a 22-percent stake in Perseus Proteomics Inc, a Tokyo start-up developing new drugs.
Fuji Photo Film will start selling the new products on the Internet and through mail order, eying profits of three billion yen (25.5 million dollars) by March 2007, the company said.
Fuji Photo Film this year slashed 5,000 jobs worldwide and shifted production of digital cameras to China as it weathers tough competition.
Competitor Konica Minolta has also been forced to diversify. It is to stop making all cameras and camera film to focus on more profitable optics and medical imaging activities.
And Nikon, another iconic Japanese camera maker, is ending production of nearly all film cameras to focus on digital technology.
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Down-home tactic may save lives
Lay advisers shown to boost mammograms in rural areas
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Misti Crane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
She makes a point of talking to other women about their breasts.
She stops them in grocery stores and at church.
She visits them in small groups at the beauty shop, or one-on-one in their homes.
Zawadi Yaashantawa marks her success with each of those women who ends up standing in front of an X-ray machine.
"The first thing I’ll say to a woman is, ‘Have you had your mammogram yet?’ " the 63-year-old Columbus woman said yesterday.
Despite the relative abundance of opportunities to get mammograms, even for poor and uninsured women, many go without.
Women are far more likely to have mammograms if other women teach them about mammography and push them to be screened, a study in today’s Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows.
The research is the first look at the role of socalled lay health advisers in the rural population and confirms previous studies of their impact on urban women, said Electra Paskett, lead author and associate director for population sciences at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Researchers randomly assigned 851 rural North Carolina women to two groups. Half had multiple visits from a health adviser.
After a year, 42 percent of the adviser group had mammograms, compared with 27 percent of the other women, a difference that amounted to 66 more mammograms.
Strides have been made in encouraging and financially supporting mammography, said LeighAnne Hehr, healthpromotions coordinator with the American Cancer Society’s Central Ohio region.
But disparities remain in poor, rural areas and can be helped significantly with the use of health advisers, Hehr said.
"Especially in Appalachia and rural areas, when you have a personal connection who says, ‘This is important and you need to do it,’ women are a lot more apt to do it."
Many women in these regions don’t even go to the doctor unless they’re already sick, so there is limited opportunity for medical professionals to remind them, Hehr said.
"There usually are resources available — it’s just knowing that they’re there," she said.
Yaashantawa has talked to women about breast cancer and mammography for more than a decade and currently is part of Ohio State’s four-yearold diversity-enhancement program.
Along with a paid nurse, doctor and health educator, a team of 18 volunteer health advisers in Columbus and Springfield reach out to minorities and other underserved groups in hopes of adding more diversity to clinical trials, said program Director Jaci Holland, who is a registered nurse.
A byproduct of the work is education about screenings that can reveal four common cancers: breast, cervical, colon and prostate.
The advisers are trained in basic anatomy, how cancer operates and what screening tools are available.
Some of the primary obstacles to women getting mammograms are lack of information, and fear — either of finding out they have cancer or of pain during the mammogram, she said.
In their study, Paskett and her colleagues found that very few women had been encouraged to get a mammogram by a physician or anyone else. Furthermore, many didn’t know about resources to get free or reduced-cost scans.
Yaashantawa said she encounters myriad reasons for women avoiding mammography.
Some women believe that surgery will make cancer spread or that radiation from the X-ray will cause cancer.
"There are a lot of old myths and superstitious nonsense," she said.
Some women just haven’t made their own health a priority and need some prodding.
One friend was 69 and had never had a mammogram, despite mounting pressure from Yaashantawa, who finished treatment for breast cancer earlier this year after discovering a sunflower-seedsize lump in her own breast.
"I said, ‘I’m coming to your house and I’ll take you.’ "
After the appointment, Yaashantawa said, "She said she didn’t want that mammogram, but she was tired of me getting on her nerves."
mcrane@dispatch.com
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Cover Story: Natural shades of beauty
11 Sep 2006
SYIDA LIZTA AMIRUL IHSAN
Most dark-skinned women believe that finding makeup for their skin tone is difficult. SYIDA LIZTA AMIRUL IHSAN gets a colleague to take up the challenge.ON the way to Mid Valley Megamall for this assignment, three out of the four passengers in the car thought this makeover would not materialise. Concerns were because Pam is dark and none of them believes Bobbi Brown has shades to suit her skin colour.
“I think you might have to reschedule it. Maybe you can ask her to go to Brickfields. They make make-up for Indians. You can definitely get colours for her,” a colleague said.
Pam has always had problems with makeup. Hers had to be “imported” from the United States, where her aunt would bring home colours suitable for her. She was overjoyed recently when her aunt brought home cosmetics by Iman, the supermodel who launched a beauty line specifically for African American women.
Bobbi Brown retail manager Sandra Foo said a makeover could be done on Pam, no problem. “Yes, we have colours for her”. Good. The bad news is, Bobbi Brown is phasing out dark coloured foundations, from 7.5 to 10 (darkest), which they have been selling here for over a year due to “market request”. Read: no response. So yes, Bobbi Brown is cutting out dark colours because very few people buy them.
“Even then, the colours available in Malaysia and Singapore are still darker compared to those in other Asia Pacific countries,” Foo explains.
The makeover for Pam starts with moisturiser and foundation primer to prep the skin for makeup. Instead of using foundation, Foo used a lot of corrector and concealer.
“The corrector helps brighten the under-eye area and the concealer helps skin looks brighter. This way, you reduce the use of foundation, which may look cakey.”
Foo does not limit the use of concealer to the eye area. She uses it to cover dark shadows surrounding the lips to achieve an even tone. This way, she explains, the foundation goes only to areas where it’s wanted, not all over the face.
“Most importantly, your face and neck has to look seamless. Never try to use light-coloured foundation if you are dark. You will not look bright, just ashy,” Foo said.
Foo then uses some powder to set the under-eye concealer. By now Pam’s eyes look fresh and perked-up, but not overdone. Foo continues with some bronzing powder on Pam’s face and neck and lip sheer to balance her lip shade.
“To achieve flawless makeup, your face needs to be flawless first. Which is why corrector and concealers are very important. If your face is well-prepared, any kind of makeup will look great on you,”
After that, Foo puts on eyeliner, mascara, a bit of blush and lipstick. “I like the eyeliner! It lines very smoothly!” Pam said. She is happy, although she said she is not used to looking at herself fully made-up like that.
Five hours later, at about 10pm, I received a call from Pam. I thought she wanted to tell me that her makeup has turn cakey.
“Syida, actually, at first I thought it was too bright. But now, after I have returned home, the makeup has set wonderfully. I like it. It looks so natural,” Pam said. She even said her mother complimented her new look.
Pam is still admiring her new look in front of the mirror when she rings me. Foo was right when she said, just because you don’t have the right foundation colour for your skin, doesn’t mean you cannot look good. You just have to find a way to work around it.
Love your colourSandra Foo gives some makeup tips for dark-skinned women.
Never use foundation lighter than your skin tone. Your foundation must look like the colour of your skin.
For lip colour, first, swipe over a base in the shade of your lips, followed by your favourite lip colour.
Invest in the right concealer. For the dark-skinned, it is even more important than foundation. It helps even out skin tone and makes your skin look fresher.
Your base should be right. Concealers and powders must blend in like second skin. Then, you can carry any type of makeup, whether natural or dramatic.
Bronzing powder is a must. It helps even out skin tone.
Try not to use very bright lip colours. Rich shades like wine work best on you.Foo used these Bobbi Brown products, among others, to give Pam her natural glow:
Oil Free Even Finish Compact Foundation in Walnut
Vitamin E Enriched Face Base
Corrector in Deep Bisque
Creamy Concealer in Chestnut
Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink
Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara in Black
Blush in Cranberry
Shimmer wash Eyeshadow in Raisin
Blush in Cranberry
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Beauty business
9 September 2006
WHO denies beauty is not skin deep? Otherwise, the whole business of beauty, including cosmetic products’ manufacturers, would have gone bust long ago. It’s paradoxical that dark complexioned people want to look fair and the lighter skinned a shade darker. Though the weather, genetic factors and the amount of pigmentation under one’s skin are the factors that decide his or her skin colour, people from Asia and Africa to America spend billions on looking fair or dark. Amid these frantic efforts come ‘fairy’ skin creams promising to turn the skin pale.
Often, such creams and lotions fall foul of health authorities over their allergic reactions to some users. In extreme cases, the quest for fair skin has turned some beautiful faces into beasts.
Despite a few ill-effects, millions still use skin-lightening products that can be bought without any prescription. Now, the US Food and Drug Administration is seeking a ban on their over-the-counter sale.
Before the FDA swings into action, the industry, consumers and experts have four months to go skin deep and come up with their fair or otherwise comments. The Administration’s decision is based on studies conducted on rodents, which were reported to have shown some evidence of cancer after those products had been used on them. The suspected carcinogen in them is hydroquinone, the key ingredient that is used in different strengths in almost all the skin-bleaching products.
Beauticians and the multi-billion-dollar industry, up in arms against the FDA decision, argue American women use these products not to become fairer but to erase blemishes and age spots whereas their counterparts in Asia and Africa to enhance their complexion. They also pooh-pooh extrapolating experiments on rats to humans.
Whether these products are good or bad for the skin, as long as fairness rules the roost in job and marriage market, it masks health concerns – at least in Asia and Africa.
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Men and women see beauty differently
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Three University of Florida professors say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for female magazine readers, it has nothing to do with sex.
Professors Robyn Goodman, Jon Morris and John Sutherland say their study gauged college-age women's emotional responses to ads featuring beautiful women from Vogue, Allure and other women's magazines.
The hotter the model's attire or look, the more it left the women cold, while the natural, pretty-in-an-everyday-way types, a look the researchers describe as wholesome, had the best response, according to the study.
"I think advertisers would say if you show a woman a sexy picture, many of them will want to emulate it, but I think this research shows that's not true," Morris said.
The study brings to light a looming disconnect between generally male executives of companies seeking to market their products and the female consumers they're trying so desperately to reach, according to Goodman.
"If you look at most of the Fortune 500 companies, who are they run by? Men," Goodman said. "So, you're their advertising agency and you're pitching these ideas to these men. Well, men have a very specific idea of what's beautiful."
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Unnatural beauty comes at a cost
By PETER CARLSON,
THE WASHINGTON POST,
NEWBEAUTY magazine has an answer to the age-old question on every woman's lips.
The question is: Honey, how do I look?
And the answer is: You look terrific, honey, but you'd look even more terrific if you got a facelift, a neck lift, a gum lift, a thread lift, an arm lift, a breast lift, a body lift, liposuction, liposculpture, liposelection, Botox injections, collagen injections, nasolabial injections, fat injections, a tummy tuck, eyelash extensions, a snap-on smile and twice-daily injections of human growth hormone.
NewBeauty is a fat, glossy women's magazine touting the kind of unnatural beauty that can be achieved by cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dentistry and cosmetics that cost $525 because they contain - believe it or not - caviar.
NewBeauty (there's no space between the words) bills itself as "the world's most unique beauty magazine," and it sure is a lot more unique than those stodgy old beauty magazines that never extol the glories of a "complete mouth makeover" or publish the phrase "Think of your breast as an envelope."
Founded in 2005 in Boca Raton, Fla., NewBeauty by Sandow Media is a not-quite-quarterly magazine - two issues last year, two so far this year - that publishes nine regional editions, each touting local cosmetic surgeons and each selling for $9.95.
The latest issue contains mini-profiles of the magazine's 16-member editorial advisory board, which is composed of plastic surgeons and cosmetic dentists, plus a "corrective makeup specialist" and a hairdresser who is "known for his innovative approach to hair, a method that requires clients to stand for a portion of the haircut in order to ensure a hairstyle that is totally proportionate to the individual's overall appearance."
It's a super-impressive advisory board, which is why I was so bummed out when I glanced at the bottom of the page and saw this sentence: "The editorial advisory board does not endorse or verify the claims of any product that appears in NewBeauty."
Oh, no! That means the advisory board can't verify that eating an $8 bar of Borba Clarifying Chocolate actually prevents zits. Or that scarfing a $25 bag of Borba Acai Skin Treatment Gummi Boosters can help you "snack your way to healthier, younger-looking skin."
NewBeauty is jam-packed with "articles" on nifty products made with amazing ingredients. For instance, there's "SeaCreation Cream," which contains "pearl protein" and "Babor Thermophilus," a microorganism that lives in volcanic reefs 7,500 feet below the surface of the Pacific - which makes this stuff a steal at only $400 a jar.
Even better is "Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Re-Creation Creme," which contains not only "unique sea algae" and "74 trace minerals" from the island of Okinawa but also has special super-duper "deep sea water from 2,000 feet below the surface around the islands of Hawaii." Water like that doesn't come cheap, which is why this "excellent product" costs $900 a jar.
But sometimes turning your face into a pincushion just isn't enough. You need to hire a doctor who can surgically remove your ugly parts. Everybody knows about nose jobs and facelifts, but NewBeauty enlightens us on the more obscure varieties of cosmetic surgery.
Let's say you have fat arms that droop, giving you what NewBeauty calls "the bat-wing-like appearance." You can hide them by wearing long sleeves. Or you can pay $3,000 to $10,000 for armlift surgery that removes the fat and tightens the skin and makes your arms look fabulous, except for the scars that run from your armpits to your elbows. That's no problem - you can hide the scars by wearing long sleeves.
NewBeauty is packed with this kind of information. In fact, it's packed so full that sometimes the editors have to squeeze stuff in by printing it in tiny type.
Turn to Page 22, for instance. At the top of the page is the masthead, where NewBeauty lists all the folks who work for the magazine, but way down at the bottom there is a whole bunch of words printed in letters only slightly larger than a paramecium.
Well, of course, I didn't want to miss any of NewBeauty's wisdom, so I got out my magnifying glass and read it. It said this: "The publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the individual doctors, companies and/or products... that advertise within the publication or are mentioned editorially." And this: "It is not possible to ensure that all information provided within this magazine is entirely accurate."
And this: "You expressly agree that your use of the information in NewBeauty is at your sole risk."
And this: "Photographs of any model in NewBeauty in no way suggest that the subject has undergone any cosmetic enhancement procedure."
Very interesting! I wonder why they printed it in such small type. You don't think they're trying to hide it from the readers, do you?
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Warning over 175 chemicals in toiletries
As they go through their morning beauty routine, most women think the worst they are doing is enhancing what nature gave them.
But simply by applying make-up, women could be doing themselves serious health problems.
Every day the average woman applies 175 different chemicals to her body in the form of cosmetics and toiletries, it is claimed.
Most beauty products contain a mind-boggling cocktail of different chemicals - many of which have been linked to various health problems.
The list of potentially harmful ingredients in everyday cosmetics includes chemicals linked to cancers, hormone problems and skin-irritations.
Now a campaign group is calling for cosmetic manufacturers to display more information on what their products contain and to come clean about their side-effects.
The group - set up by the manufacturers of natural products - is especially concerned about three commonly-occuring ingredients which it says can be extremely harmful.
Preserving agents called parabens - often used in moisturisers and body creams - have been linked to breast cancer and also to skin inflammations.
Foaming agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate - used in shampoos - are said to be skin irritants.
And the disinfectant formaldehyde - in shampoos and handwash - can make skin flare up and is linked to asthma and headaches.
Julia Mitchell, spokeswoman for www.chemicalsafeskincare.co.uk, said the average woman will use 12 different cosmetic products a day - unwittingly applying 175 different chemicals to their body.
She said: "Media reports about the possible dangers of certain chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulphate, phthalates and formaldehyde has made consumers more aware of what they are buying, and potentially more demanding of chemical safe alternatives.
"European law, thanks to lobbying by European dermatologists, now requires labelling of contents on skincare products and toiletries.
"But chemically-concerned consumers and manufacturers are campaigning for more information to be made widely available about the potential effects of these ingredients, particularly for sufferers of sensitive skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis."
Professor David Gawkrodger, a consultant dermatologist and spokesman for the British Skin Foundation charity, said eight million people in the UK suffer from a skin condition - and that number is on the rise.
He said: "Some of the chemicals in everyday toiletries may trigger irritant reactions or allergy. Reactions are particularly seen in patients with atopic eczema and those with sensitive skin.
"Most reactions will be to the face or hands, and sometimes on the arms and legs."
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Beauty: Getting mouthy
By Emma Pomfret03 September 2006
Whether you've had professional treatments or not, caring for your smile at home is important.
Dr Andrea Ubhi, Dentist of the Year 2005/6 has this advice:
"You need to brush your teeth twice a day morning and night for around three minutes, using a fluoride toothpaste.
"Definitely don't scrub or you will wear the surface of your teeth away, so brush in circles or shuffles, or use an electric toothbrush which will do that for you - you should aim to clear away 100pc of the plaque from your teeth twice a day for best results," she adds.
After brushing, you should clean between your teeth. Dr Ubhi recommends using either dental floss, dental tape, or interdental brushes once or twice a day to ensure that you are removing the maximum amount of food debris and plaque.
"The best way to floss is to get a length of floss or tape and roll it up between your two middle fingers, then use your thumb and your first finger as pincers so that you actually control it really well and don't slip and damage the gums.
"Between those two hands leave about two inches of floss free, pull it to one side and slide it slowly between your teeth, making a C-shape on each side of each tooth," she recommends.
"After flossing you need to be rinsing your teeth and gums with antibacterial mouthwash for around 30 seconds.
"Some clients ask me whether or not they should use alcoholic mouthwash but it really doesn't matter. For me it's about the efficiency of the mouthwash, and it is in contact with the teeth and gums for such a minimal amount of time that I don't think that it's a big deal - certainly not compared to drinking alcohol."
If you suffer from bleeding gums or gingivitis, Ubhi says one of the best treatments is the Chlorhexidine group of mouthwashes, although she warns that they should only be used for short periods of time.
"They can stain your teeth brown so you should only really be using them for a 30-day course, preferably just when your dentist prescribes it."
Common Myths
• Stop flossing if your gums bleed.
"If people start bleeding from their gums they often stop flossing or brushing because they think that it's bad for them," Ubhi says.
"In fact, bleeding gums means that you should actually do it more often, so make sure that your routine is really thorough and the bleeding should stop within a few days."
• Brush your teeth before breakfast.
"Some people say that you should brush your teeth before breakfast to remove any bacteria that has built up overnight but, in my opinion, you're definitely better off brushing them after breakfast to make sure that you remove all of the debris," she advises.
• Brush your teeth straight after eating
"The worst thing that you could do is to brush your teeth straight after eating or drinking something acidic such as citrus fruit or fruit juice, because the acid actually softens the top layer of your teeth and by brushing you are actually scrubbing that bit off.
"Always wait half an hour before brushing so that your teeth have remineralised," she says.
Gum disease
Gum disease is caused by plaque and symptoms include swelling, soreness or infection of the gums and tissues supporting the teeth. If left untreated it can cause teeth to become loose and fall out.
Most people suffer from some form of gum disease, and it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, although it can never be cured, the disease develops very slowly in most people, and it can be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most of your teeth for life.
To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day by brushing, flossing and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.
If you begin to notice blood on your toothbrush when you clean your teeth, you should visit your dentist for a thorough check-up as soon as possible.
September is National Oral Health Month. For further information visit the British Dental Association website, www.bda-dentistry.org.uk
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Sleeping your way to better health
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
People often wonder why they feel more tired than relaxed after a night’s sleep, having a sore back, neck pains and headaches. For the stressed working individual (like this writer) whose only refuge is his/her bedroom, one can only ask, how should one sleep without the usual back pains the morning after?
Sleep disorders are becoming rampant especially in today’s fast-paced world. Special medication, sleep clinics and therapists are needed in order to attain the proper sleep. The usual tossing and turning while sleeping is an indication that one needs the help in that department. The lack or low quality of sleep might lead to health problems.
SLEEPING HEALTHY
SLEEP WELL, DREAM WELL. A dream interpr-eter was present at the launch for the guests to consult with. Inset, Tempur Original Pillow, which moulds perfectly to the exact contours of your neck and head. It gives excellent support and relief to the neck and shoulder muscles for total relaxation.Sleep promotes health and healing. It plays a crucial role in tissue building, immune function, and other processes vital to maintaining stability of normal body states. This means that sleeping largely contributes to one’s health leading to a healthy lifestyle.
There are so many factors that contribute to the low quality of sleep. It is mainly dependent on the person and of course the environment, extended working hours, late night socials, bedroom environment; even technology can be a big influence in having sleeping disorders.
Sleep hygiene is the most important thing to remember in order to have good quality of sleep. Good posture and the environment are the two most important factors that one needs to attain good quality of sleep.
"It is very important for one to have an ideal posture in going to sleep and it is also dependent on the person and the environment," according to the unit head of the Center for Snoring and Sleep Disorders at Medical City Dr. Michael Sarte.
"The fetal position or lying on your side is a good position. What is important is the environment that you’re in – the bed should be cozy, the room should be dimly lit or darkly lit or even dark and, of course, should be very silent and still," he further explains.
The quality of sleep depends on how and what conditions a person is under. For example, the ideal sleeping temperature is 18 degrees Celsius. In a tropical country like the Philippines, whose average day temperature is 30 degrees, the 18 degrees is only attainable through airconditioning.
"The important thing is getting into it and getting quality sleep, not so much for the length but more for the quality of sleep," he adds.
SPACE-AGE SLEEP TECHNOLOGY
The bed is the only place that one can rejuvenate oneself completely from a stressful day at work. It is the common hideaway of every working individual who just wants to curl-up on the comfortable mattress inside a warm blanket. What if the same bed that one finds for comfort can also be the source of nagging body pains?
Tempur introduces its new product, the Pressure Relieving Mattress and Pillows, the newest innovation in sleep technology that will ultimately change the way people sleep. It aims to help people in their sleep disorders, relieving them of the possible illnesses that come with it.
Tempur – visco-elastic material was originally developed by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) to relieve the pressure of G-forces experienced by astronauts during lift-off and flight. The material is temperature-sensitive and pressure-relieving designed to support the neck and spine while resting.
"This is a revolutionary material that molds to the exact contour of your body, it has been recommended by over 30,000 medical doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, as osteopaths worldwide," Focus Global, Inc. president Steven Sy explains.
According to Tempur Asia-Pacific Business Development Manager Stephen Thirgood this product has been successful because it addresses the seemingly but obvious idea of ensuring that one gets a restful and peaceful night’s sleep.
"Tempur allows your spine to rest in its natural position. It allows your blood flow freely throughout your body thus increasing circulation. It absorbs prssure and eliminates pressure points," he explains.
A demonstration was conducted for the media wherein an ordinary foam and Tempur foam were both subjected to a test. A metal ball was dropped on to the blocks of foam, Tempur absorbed the force and pressure of the drop more than that of the foremost. When squeezing a piece of the material, it really feels different from the ordinary because it molds to one’s hand.
This is because the material reacts to the temperature and pressure of one’s body, softening in areas where there is greater contact such as the shoulder, buttocks and ankle areas, while it remains firm in areas where there is less contact.
Sleeping materials like the mattress and pillows can be the most simple solution to a big problem. Giving a second look to one’s bed is a start.
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Repacking Your Beauty Bag New Airport Security Restrictions Require A More Creative Approach
By KORKY VANN
Special to The Courant
September 3 2006
Snakes on a plane, sure. Mascara on a plane, that's another story.
When new air-travel security regulations were implemented in the wake of last month's foiled terrorist plot in Great Britain, liquid and gel products (with few exceptions) were banned from carry-on luggage.
Suddenly, just about everything in the typical cosmetics bag was off-limits - including body and hand lotions, shampoos, hair gels, liquid hand sanitizers, bug spray, sunscreen, conditioners, nail polish, face wash and even mascara. (Liquid and gel products are still allowed in checked baggage.)
Women everywhere were horrified by the sight of confiscated toiletries being tossed in the trash and panicked by the thought of flying blind - in other words, without their favorite beauty products."
No question, the rules have changed, and those changes really impact the woman traveler," says Susan Trumpbour, former beauty magazine editor and creator of www.MyBeautyberry.com, a website offering product information and tips."
It's all confusing. Lipbalm, yes; lipstick, maybe; lip gloss no. To pack a beauty bag in your carry on that makes it past airport security, you have to think outside the box."
Or outside the bottle or tube, to be exact. The new restrictions even put the squeeze on toothpaste and sample-size products in liquid or gel form. Trumpbour says approved carry-on substitutes that perform in the air and at your final destination include cosmetics and body products in solid, stick or powdered forms, and there are more then you might think."
Look for eye shadow, lip color and foundation pencils and stick lotions and sunscreens. There are items that have been around for a while from smaller companies, as well as recent innovations from major brands, and we can expect to see a lot more," says Trumpbour. "The cosmetics and toiletries industries will respond to the changing restrictions and consumers' needs with a whole new area of product development."
Like Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. More than 50 percent of the company's products are available in solid forms, including King of Skin Solid Moisturizer ($11.95) and Soft Touch Body Butter Solid Hand Lotion ($12.95), Creamy Candy Solid Bubble Bath Bar ($5.95), Baby Face Solid Facial Cleansing Bar ($8.95) and Godiva Shampoo and Conditioner Bars ($8.95 each). Shampoo bars double as body wash, and the facial cleanser is gentle enough to use as eye-makeup remover. Lush products are available online at lush.com and at Lush stores.
Burt's Bees, online at burtsbees.com and at chain drug stores and natural-food stores, also makes shampoo bars. The Baby Bee Shampoo Bar ($6) is a gentle alternative for tiny travelers, while Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar ($6) keeps adults' hair shiny and clean.
Can't figure out how to style your hair without bottles of styling products? Check out H2O Styling Strips from Charles Worthington London. Each water-activated strip transforms into a measured amount of styling gel that works on wet, dry or damp hair. Also from Charles Worthington London, the Quick Flick Wax Stick defines bangs, smoothes fly aways and adds texture. Available at Walgreen's and other drug and grocery chains, a package of 20 Styling Strips sells for $8.99, and the Quick Flick Wax Stick sells for $6.99.
Before Helena Rubinstein introduced mascara in a tube in 1957, the eye makeup mainstay sold in solid or "cake" form. Users dampened a brush, rubbed it over the cake and applied the color to their lashes. Paula Dorf Cosmetics, www.pauladorf.com, makes old-fashioned cake mascara, $20. Also from Paula Dorf, a new lipstick application. The Air Kiss Slide-On Lipstick Kit, $24, includes a booklet of 18 lip-color shades. To apply, you simply rip out a sheet, press it between your lips, slide out and toss.
Talk about good timing. In May, Avon introduced Instant Manicure Dry Nail Enamel - adhesive strips of nail enamel complete with built-in base and top coat - that go dry. Sets, with enough strips for one manicure, sell for $8 and are available in 16 shades at www.avon.com or from Avon representatives. Trade your bottle of liquid hand cleanser for Crabtree & Evelyn's purse-sized package of scented soap leaves, available in rose or lavender, $4 at Crabtree & Evelyn stores.
Schick's Intuition razor, ($9), replaces the need for shave cream with an all-in-one cartridge containing blades and a unique skin conditioning solid that lathers and shaves in one easy step and is available at mass market retailers. For traveling sun worshipers, solid stick sunscreens, SPF 30, are available from Coppertone, Banana, Dr. Hauschka and other brands. Cutter makes a solid stick bug repellant for $7.95. All are available at chain drug stores.
For fresh breath when you fly, try Supersmile Powdered Mouth Rinse - individual envelopes of dry mouthwash. To use, you tear open, add water right into the packet, swirl to dissolve, rinse and toss. Twenty-four packets are $16 at www.supersmile.com. At Magellan's, a catalogue and online travel supplies company (www.magellans.com), shoppers can find Toothettes, individually wrapped, disposable foam-headtooth brushes. Water (or your saliva) is enough to activate the mint-tasting dentifrice (package of 20, $6.85). If you've been gellin' when you fly, it's time for a change; gel insoles are no longer allowed. Dr. Scholl's offers an alternative. New Memory Fit Insoles ($11.29), made from the same material as popular memory foam mattresses, provide cushioning and support while standing in long airport lines. Dr. Scholl's products are available at food, drug and mass retailers.
Many hotel chains have expanded selections of bath and body products and most airlines are stocking extra supplies of water and other beverages since passengers can no longer bring water bottles or drinks on board. (Smartertravel.com features a list of what some of the major chains are making available to guests.) Airline-industry experts caution that all carry-on items are subject to luggage screeners' discretion. For the latest updates, visit www.tsa.gov.
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