Any definition of beauty really depends on who you ask. There is of course, the age-old adage that beauty is happiness.

In some cultures, talking about women, the preference is for the voluptuous type, dark hair and eyes, and smooth skin. For other cultures a woman’s beauty can be defined by blue eyes, blonde hair, and ‘built like a brick house’ stature. Thus, depending on where one is and when they are in time, from days long past until the present, beauty has and still does vary considerably.

However, have trained a 22-member fitness and figure team and working with countless other clients, beauty really boils down to what you think about yourself. What do you think about yourself? Are you happy with the way you look? Do you wish that you looked different, were slimmer, heavier, etc.? Real beauty is what you think about yourself. If you like what you look like and how you feel about yourself inwardly then, you are absolutely stunning. Your opinion is what matters most.

The inner self, regardless of what it is will radiate outward and no matter how young or old, no matter how you may rate by others on a scale, the inner self will determine your beauty because it is what makes you feel the way you do about yourself. So again, how do you feel about you?

Does your inner self burst through forming an outward smile such that when you walk into a room you light it up because there is, in itself – that light that shines through and is contagious? It does, and often it goes unnoticed by you but, you have your moments and they show through; your soul becomes immediately attractive to others, not necessarily in a sexual way, but in a way that makes him or her that you meet feel better about themselves and most of all glad that you brightened their day. Such moments in time, regardless of culture or geography will make you feel good and most of all they are memorable to those who experience them. That is beauty because skin fades and sags with age, but the inner beauty remains. And, as I notice older people, inner beauty is classy and always remains, even making the aged more beautiful in years.

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If you follow the trending news, beauty is the beautiful actress walking down the red carpet, the singer in the gold dress on stage, the model walking down the runway, or the beauty queen at the pageant. But take away the pomp and glamour and the makeup and what remains? Would you rather strive for that beauty look on the runway or build the inner beauty that lasts a lifetime and that will always attract? Thus, we see that beauty is greatly distorted in our society because many really do not know what true beauty is.

If you have truly experienced your inner beauty, you will find that you are most happy in circumstances like those described above, or when you hold hands with your friend or lover, or the sweet simplicity of meeting and talking to others and helping them. The memories you have of beauty will not come from that perfect weave or hair style, the perfectly aligned eye brows, or the Louis Vuitton shoes, because those things are temporary in time and place. True beauty won’t be realized from the $1,000 dress you wear or the Rolex watch. Those are the outward signs of not beauty, but glitz.

Whether a handsome man or a beautiful woman, the inner projects the outward. While there is no denying that those who have great inner beauty, coupled with a great exterior, may have a leg up in life. The outward looks will never keep pace with the inner radiating self.

The inner pulsates through life itself, to people and places around you and project more than you imagine. Think about it this way – if you met a man or woman and had a meaningful conversation that excited you about some aspect of life, what would happen a few months later as the conversation popped back into your mind? You would be reveling in the conversation and about how perhaps profound it was and the connection with the personality you may have had. It is not likely you will be thinking of the clothing, jewelry or shoes the person was wearing. You’ll be thinking of it because the inner beauty of both showed through. It always trumps the outer beauty when you think logically.

The beauty of feeling good about yourself cannot be conquered by others. Working out in the gym until you feel the sweat dripping down your back or off your forehead; your hair blowing in the breeze as your ride you bike along the trail or the ocean breeze blowing upon your face as you jog down the beach. Such moments allow you to feel your own inner beauty. You are alive in these moments and it’s all you, not gold studded shoes on a red carpet, but really you, the real you, stripped of the outward ostentatiousness that has become our society. This is the feeling of real beauty. Who can take that away from you?

You can travel the world over and you will meet many people, while creating memorable moments through it all. You’ll be excited and have ups and downs, but it is the inner beauty you have that is truly your beauty and yours alone. Revel in it and celebrate it because as it grows, it will attract more than you can imagine. Inner beauty is always positive, never negative and is always celebrated.

You build your inner beauty through the activities and thoughts you apply constantly. Is there a scale to it? Can you magnify it? Yes, simply be yourself and be happy, because beauty really is happiness. This is your aura and true beauty – seen by others it can never be taken away because it radiates from within. What are your waiting for? Get out there and beautify!

To determine your skin type, wash your face and wait 30 minutes. Then, put a single piece of tissue paper against each area of your face: forehead, nose, chin, cheeks. Your oily areas will leave oil on the tissue paper.

Normal skin has an equal balance of water and oil, making it naturally well moisturized. The pores are medium-sized. When you pull the skin away from the bony structure, it springs back to normal position. Lines and wrinkles are appropriate for age.

Oily skin has a coarse texture. Usually oily areas tend to shine. Oily skin results from overactive oil glands; the oil helps retain dead skin cells in the hair follicles. Pores tend to be larger. The dead skin cells may darken with exposure to the air, forming blackheads. Often, individuals with oily skin have a tendency to develop acne in their teen and middle years, and overgrown oil glands, or sebaceous hyperplasia, in the middle and late years.

Dry skin has a rough texture and may become flaky. There are no shiny areas; in fact, the skin looks dull. Pores tend to be smaller because less oil is produced. Without adequate moisture, dry skin can easily become chapped. As dry skin ages, its more likely than other types to become wrinkly.

Combination skin is a mixture of dry and oily areas of differing degrees. Usually the T-zone — the forehead, nose and chin — is prone to oiliness, whereas the cheeks and neck tend to be dry. More people have combination skin than severely dry or oily skin.

How does your skin measure up? Determining your skin type first will save you lots of time in makeup choices.

This article covers basic tips on some common looks that you want to achieve.

Look 1: The Classic Daytime Look

This is generally an understated uptown look and requires only a simple routine. You will want to concern yourself with your face, eyes, and lips.

Face: Apply concealer under your eyes and where needed. Follow with a light translucent powder.

Eyes: Groom your brows and use an eyebrow pencil to fill in the gaps. Brush translucent powder over your eyes and apply mascara. Two coats of mascara is usually best.

Lips: Apply lipstick; a shade deeper than your natural lip shade.

Look 2: The Athletic Daytime Look

Makeup is never the most important thing for the athletic woman on the go. Besides, who can keep it on?

Again, concern yourself with the three areas above.

Face: Mix foundation and moisturizer in your hand and apply evenly, all over your face. Brush a light bronzer on your cheeks and also the tip of your chin for a healthy glow.

Eyes: A coat of waterproof mascara. Experiment for the right shade for you.

Lips: Apply clear lip gloss. You may want to brush bronzer on your lips first for a dash of shimmery color. The look will be a simple, yet clean one that you’ll find easy to maintain.

Look 3: The Fashion Daytime Look

Your look with this one will be glowing and glossy in neutral shades.

Face: Apply sheer foundation all over your face. Add a touch of powder on the T-zone. Apply a bronze shimmer cream on your cheekbones, not a blush as you may think.

Eyes: Apply a matte eye shadow to your eye lids that is slightly deeper than your natural skin tone (russet may be a good choice, take your time in choosing). Add two layers of mascara.

Lips: Apply sheer gloss, and then apply a berry lip liner around the outside edge of your lips, blending the liner into the gloss. Feel free to look for brighter colors that border to the dark realm. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Just like a great hairstyle, makeup takes experimentation with color and practice. Collecting photos from magazines can give you some great ideas.

Fragrances that Attract and Allure – Lighter Can Be Better

Have you ever passed a coworker or others in a hall and had the smell of the perfume and fragrance they wear irritate your nostrils? Do you ever wonder if you’re among the nose assailants in your travels? There’s a better way to use fragrances. Try the following tips.

If you’d like just a hint of fragrance and find most perfumes too heavy, there are alternatives:

Try a perfume oil.

These oils use a combination of essences that make them last longer than essential oils. Some excellent ones to look for include Clarins Eau Dynamisante; Truth Calvin Klein Body Oil Spray; and Body Time Natural Perfume in Vanilla-Orange-Ginger. And, there are many more, but you won’t know what’s best for you until you look.

Scent your hair.

Many fine fragrances are showing up in hair care products. Guerlain’s Shalimar Beautifying Hair Gel holds hair and adds a light spicy-floral fragrance. Gucci Envy Scented Hair Shine Spray has a fresh scent that lasts all day. What would you prefer?

Smooth on a body lotion.

Scented moisturizers have less intensity than your eau de toilette, so it’s a great alternative if you don’t want to live without your favorite perfume but you want a lighter scent. Some contain golden or pearlized sparkles. Try the delicate floral scent of Prescriptives Potion Sparkling Body Moisture or the fruity and vanilla Azzura Shimmering Body Moisturizer.

These basic alternatives may open a whole new world of scents to you. Go ahead, drive him crazy!

Q & A

Question: Is it necessary to remove your make-up before you work out?

Answer: This answer is based on individuality. If you suffer from break-out or skin irritation the answer is yes! Why? When cosmetics mix with perspiration, they break down, leaving chemical by-products on your skin that can cause problems. Concentrate on great skin care and you will not need to wear foundation to the gym. Tip waterproof mascara is a must for sweating through those cardio workouts

Question: What is the difference between a $35 lipstick at the department store and a $2 lipstick at the drug store?

Answer: First, without knowing the exact ingredients or product knowledge for each brand, it is difficult to answer. Second, lipstick brand really is a personal preference. The primary differentiation between lipstick brands are color intensity, texture/comfort, and wear-ability. Typically, the department store will allow you to try the lipstick and other cosmetics on, with the help of a beauty consultant. Then, you can determine if you like it before your purchase. The difference with a drug store is that you may not have the option and more than likely not, cannot return it if you don’t like it! However, just because you pay more at a department store does not mean that the brand you purchase there is better than a brand from your local drug store. Ask your friends. It pays to shop around.

Question:Can you recommend a good website for purchasing cosmetics?

Answer: I absolutely love www.sephora.com. It is a great website and you can browse, shop, and purchase very easily. Sephora carries different brands with each being listed by category. They have a good return policy as well.

Question: I curl my eyelashes, but the curl never holds. What am I doing wrong?

Answer: First, replace your old eyelash curler every six months. They get “worn out” just like other beauty products. Second, start at the base of your eyelashes and gently press upwards toward the tips. This will create a nice even curl without crimping your eyelashes. Third, and maybe most important, use a waterproof mascara; this will hold the curl. Think of it as hairspray for your hair, some are soft hold and other types are stronger.

My reply, “make-up only looks as good as the skin underneath.”

Just as in being fit and healthy, there are no “quick fixes” for achieving great skin. A great skin requires both an investment and commitment in time. When these are absent, so are the results. Depending on your current skin-care condition, you have several options.

I’m sure you’ve heard many times to drink eight glasses of water a day, take a multi-vitamin, exercise regularly, and eat a well balanced diet. This same concept, i.e., the fundamentals, also applies to skin-care needs. To improve the overall appearance of your skin, one must cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and protect.

For skin-care product recommendations, the choice is really up to the individual. The cosmetic and beauty industry is extensive and I recommend spending some time on researching different brands. Budget will often be a deciding factor and you should plan on spending anywhere from $10 to $300. Because of my experience with the company, I am a big fan of Clinique’s skin-care line and it works great for me! The reason, Clinique is affordable, gentle yet effective on the skin, and their product range is very diverse depending on your current skin-care needs.

There are so many choices in selecting your skin care line. I recommend trying to stay with an entire brand for all your cleansing products. Why? Every product within a brand has a purpose and is created to work as a “system”. Often, when you try bits and pieces from various brands you will not benefit from the products working together. You should do a little research on whatever brand you choose. If you choose a drug store brand that is not well known, there could be an element of risk involved in determining if it will work for you. And, you may not be able to return the items if they don’t work. In comparison, a department store brand will likely be more expensive, but you are paying for the knowledge of the beauty advisor and usually a guaranteed return policy. Many times you may be able to test a sample of the product(s) before purchasing them, which is an advantage. I recommend going to a department store and asking questions about each brand that you are interested in. When your questions have been satisfactorily answered, make your decision! Some common questions may include:

1. What does “brand name” suggest for basic skin care?
2. How does “brand name” determine what products are best for your skin?
3. Is there an AM routine and a PM routine?
4. What is the cost and does it fit your budget?
5. Is there a cost trade off, i.e., will paying a little less greatly reduce product effectiveness?
6. What is the return policy?
7. Ask for a demonstration of the product(s) so you can feel the texture.
8. When should you expect to see results?

Now, for time commitment, plan on spending at least three to five minutes in the morning and again in the evening taking care of your skin. Be patient; results (as in exercise) do not happen overnight. Remember, time invested in yourself equals payoff! It won’t be long before others begin asking you the same question I’ve often heard, “how do you get your make-up looking so natural?”

Like many of you, my hair has been short, layered, curly, straight, long, highlighted, and spiked. I am grateful I have been in “good hands” with my hairstylist for ten years. I found her as most people find their stylist, I asked someone who had great looking hair and the style that goes with it.

If you are looking for a new stylist, I recommend asking everyone who cuts their hair, friend or acquaintance. That is of course, if you like the style. Be prepared to write the name of the stylist and the location of the salon down on paper otherwise, you will forget. The reason I suggest asking several people is because really good stylists are often “booked” weeks and months in advance and are not seeking, nor do they want a new client. Obtain several referrals and do your homework.

Use the same referral concept for color, often the stylist may specialize only in color and can refer you to a cut specialist.

Another good resource is magazines. Wow, there are multiple “hairstyle” magazines on the market. Peruse through them and find a cut, style, and color your like, they don’t have to be the same picture. You may also see a style and cut in a magazine article not dealing with beauty or related subjects. The point is that you can always be on the lookout for a style you like. Cut out the picture(s) or article, take it into a salon and ask which stylist has experience with this particular cut. Especially if you desire to change something drastically.

In summary, ask for some good referrals for a stylist, seek out a cut, color, and style you like then, pay a visit to a stylist to see if indeed he or she can give you the kind of hairstyle you desire. Follow these basic steps and you will not be disappointed!

Do you ever get tired of hearing, “beauty comes from within”? I have heard this so much that is sounds like a cliche. If in fact, this is true, then why are we bombarded with advertisements promising to make you look younger? If age was irrelevant than why would we, as women, be concerned about lines and wrinkles. The answer is obvious, we still like to feel and look good!

Age is irrelevant when it comes to attitude. But unfortunately, it’s not when it comes to a woman’s skin condition. The difference is simply the woman’s history with her skin care, hereditary, and perhaps more importantly, prior sun exposure. I witnessed this first hand with my own family, friends and clients.

My 77 year old Grandmother has beautiful skin with few lines or wrinkles. I also know my Grandmother has worn sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses all of my life. She is 100% Italian, with olive skin that tans beautifully, but I have never seen her with an actual tan on her face. I feel blessed that I have her genes but also realize this is not a guarantee that my skin will look as vibrant as hers for as long.

After spending the summer in Italy, I observed that many Italian women worship the sun. As I passed many within close physical proximity, I began to realize they had aged skin. At the beach it was not uncommon to see women, age 17 – 80, tanning themselves from head to toe with oil or lotion without SPF. It was natural to compare the women, close to my Grandmother’s age, with her. WOW! The only difference seemed to be their attitude towards sun bathing and protection. I am proud of my Grandmother for taking care of her skin for her entire life. To me, she represents true “beauty”.

The lesson I learned from my trip to Italy and its beaches was to honor and respect your skin. Protecting yourself with sunscreen is added insurance that you will look younger than you actually are. But, your attitude is what makes you young, and how you feel!

Recommendations: Daily SPF 15 in your make-up/foundation, make sure you apply over entire face. I love the tinted moisturizers with SPF included. Lancome, Clinique, Almay.

If you are going on vacation to the beach, mountains, or anywhere where it is sunny? Wear SPF 30 for added insurance protection.

Also, remove your make-up and/or sunscreen before bed, every night. These products contain strong ingredients that can clog pores.

Recommendations: brands

Drug store Neutrogena
Department store Clarins or Clinique

Types:

Mist dries quickly but doesn’t moisten skin
Lotion/Cream even application but can be sticky or thick
Gel lightweight and non-greasy

Face self-tanners:

Usually oil-free so they won’t clog pores

2. Exfoliate your entire body in shower.

Use a body scrub that is not a “natural” scrub. If you use a loofah sponge or something natural you will often get an uneven exfoliation. This will cause your tan to be uneven. Rinse very well and do not apply lotion or anything except self-tanner.

3. Application technique.

Some people use gloves, I prefer my hands without gloves because I can feel the product absorbing. Depending on the type of self-tanner you are using, spray or smooth product on one section of your body at a time. Follow the order below:

Start with arms
Move to shoulders & neck
Chest & shoulders
Back is very difficult and you may need help
Buttocks & bikini area
Legs avoid the knees
Feet avoid the ankles

When you blend product into each area, apply in a circular motion, back & forth, and up & down. This will prevent streaking or uneven coloring.

4. Touch up musts

After applying product, take some regular lotion and apply to your elbows, knees, and feet (ankles & bottoms). This will help prevent self-tanner from grabbing in those hard skin areas.

5. WASH HANDS & NAILS.

Use a scrub brush and rewash twice. I often take a Q-tip and go around the cuticles and between my fingers.

6. Self-tan hands.

Now, you dont want your hands to look like “white” gloves because your entire body is fake sun blessed. So, take a cotton pad and spray or apply a small amount of the product on the pad. Apply the pad to the back of each hand. Be very careful, you dont want color between your fingers. Also, blend around your wrist too.

7. Wait at least 15 minutes to get dressed, and do not shower for three to four hours. Your tan should develop within 2 hours. You may find that you want a darker color, especially if this is your first time. Repeat the steps above and reapply until you like the color. Also, realize that you will “fade” so reapplication is usually necessary anyway. Every person is different, as with a real tan.

8. Wear sunscreen if you go outside. Yes you may have a tan but you are NOT protected from the harmful UV rays!!!!!!!