Looking Less Tired

It's just a fact of adulthood: you will always be tired. Don't you often wish that we could transfer naptimes from kindergarten (when you never think you need them) to later in life? So many times I've wanted to pause time for a minute and just take a quick nap. Alas, there is no way to stop time, however much it may be needed.

Unfortunately we also have to deal with the tired traces, meaning the dark circles, the sometimes bloodshot eyes, and that overall tired feeling. I hate it when people come up to me and say "How are you? You sure do look tired." Thank you so much. I'm glad to know I look like a wreck. Is there a way to avoid those sometimes well-intentioned comments altogether and at least put on the appearance that you're not as tired as you are? The answer is yes, there is a way!

There are a couple different tactics you can take when tackling your tired looks. The first is with makeup. Makeup is a magical tool sometimes and when applied correctly, can make all the difference in your appearance. You want to brighten up those dark circles with a bit of concealer and some highlighting cream. Just dab a bit of highlighter under your eyes and soften it up a bit with some concealer. Follow that up with applying your regular foundation. Be careful with the makeup approach because you don't want it to be obvious; the whole point of using makeup to offset a tired appearance is that it won't be noticeable so you don't want people to notice something else not-so-attractive. Use just enough highlighter and concealer to offset the dark circles, but not enough to look scary.

The other tactic you can take with looking less tired is through your attitude. It may seem a little far-fetched, but if you act lively and on top of things (even if you don't always feel that way), people will notice your personality and attitude more than they're notice your dark circles. Sometimes pretending vivacity is hard, so take care of yourself as much as you can. If you can't get the sleep you should, eat well and exercise if possible. If you take care of yourself as much as possible, then it will show and people will notice you more than your tiredness.

There are few times when I'm completely and entirely awake. There are almost always times when I could lie down and go to sleep on the spot, but I don't like people to know how tired I am just from looking at me. There are tactics I can use to fool people and sometimes even fool myself. Try the makeup trick and if you need a little extra boost to feign attentiveness, then pretend!

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How to Stop Blushing

Everyone has those embarrassing moments when all they want to do is crawl up in a ball and disappear. You vocalize a thought you shouldn't have, mispronounce a word, forget an important fact, make an involuntary body noise, whatever—embarrassment happens, and you blush, clearly revealing your embarrassment. It's a vicious cycle. And then sometimes you blush not just because you're embarrassed, but you're also upset. Sometimes you blush because you're excited.

Regardless of why you blush, whenever you do, you give out a clear indication of how you're feeling, and just face it, you nor I rarely want people to be able to clearly see emotions written out like that. I like to keep my feelings close to me, because I can be good at faking if I have to; blushing gives me away. If you have a problem with blushing, or just want to have greater control over your blushing, read on.

The first thing to remember about blushing is that it's an involuntary process. As part of the sympathetic nervous system, blushing is part of the reactions that we don't have any conscious control over. As opposed to other types of blushing (like when you're drinking or sexually aroused), blushing because of embarrassment—the kind of blushing I want to address today—is unique in that it deals directly with adrenaline, another substance in your body that you don't have much control over. With that encouraging caveat, how should you go about handling your blushing, when it's supposedly uncontrollable?

The key is to adjust your mentality, which is harder to do than some may think. One of the key things to internalize is that blushing is completely socially and physiologically normal. You're not weird because you blush; everyone blushes, so you're not alone. Usually when I blush, it's because I'm in a situation where I don't feel entirely comfortable; sometimes the discomfort is of my own doing, and sometimes it's because of outside circumstances. Regardless, however, when you feel embarrassment coming on, take a second and just relax. The adrenaline that is responsible for your blushing responds to your body (think about when you're feeling scared or threatened—your body tenses), and you're more likely to blush if you stay tense and uncomfortable. So firstly, just relax. You can even step out of the room for a minute to collect your senses and stay in control.

If you say something embarrassing that's completely unexpected for you, the best thing you can do is accept it. Don't spend time needlessly explaining yourself, because more often than not, you'll just embarrass yourself more as you dig a deeper hole of embarrassment. Accept what you did and move on. Most people won't even remember what you said or did most of the time; embarrassment is fleeting. Take comfort in the fact that most everyone else will move on, and you should. If some in the group hold on to whatever you said or did, show them that you're comfortable and they won't care so much. And if you're teased later on because of whatever you said or did, go with it. Show that you can be comfortable as part of the joke.

Blushing in and of itself is something that you can't control. You can't control those reactions or involuntary processes. However, you can control how you react, and if you learn to take more control of your attitude and your mental responses, then you can minimize your blushing and when you do blush, it won't bother you so much.

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Getting Rid of Facial Hair

We all kind of laugh when our little brothers turn thirteen and their voices crack, their feet grow huge, they eat a lot more, and they start getting a bit of peach fuzz. However, when women get a little bit of peach fuzz it's just a little weird. Despite its weirdness, it happens and fortunately in today's world there are effective ways to combat unwanted facial hair.

Probably the most "primitive" and troublesome way to remove your unsightly facial is through shaving. This is the way you want to do it if you don't have any other options. Shaving can have a rough look to it and like shaving your legs, it grows back pretty quick. The next step up, but still not the best alternative, is tweezing your hair. It will probably hurt a bit, but won't grow back as fast and will be easier to pluck subsequent times. The last non-surgical way to rid yourself of facial hair and the best of this particular category is through waxing. While waxing would definitely hurt a bit more than shaving or plucking, it would have the best results short of professional treatment. (Having parts of your face waxed is similar to waxing your legs.)

After waxing, the hair removal process steps up a notch and moves to more professional, surgical solutions. I'd probably only use these if the problem were significant. Electrolysis is the first thing to consider and can usually be pretty effective. What electrolysis does is destroy the hair follicle, making it much less likely for the hair to grow back. With electrolysis though, the hair isn't removed permanently, and you'll have to get it done in multiple treatments. Electrolysis is also more expensive so that's a thing to consider.

One step up from electrolysis is laser hair removal, which is more expensive and, like electrolysis, not necessarily permanent. It needs to be done by a licensed professional and also takes up a lot of time. Really no solution is permanent and so that's something else to keep in mind as you decide which route to take when removing your facial hair. Is it worth it to you to periodically spend a significant amount of money for a procedure that's not necessarily permanent or would you rather invest your money and time into more do-it-yourself methods like shaving, tweezing, or waxing?

Tiers of hair removal:

• Shaving—least expensive, most time consuming
• Plucking—done less frequently, harder for lots of facial hair
• Waxing—hurts a bit more, needs to be done less, most effective of do-it-yourself remedies
• Electrolysis—a bit more expensive, not guaranteed permanency, takes multiple treatments
• Laser Removal—most expensive, more lasting, still time consuming

How you get rid of your facial hair is completely a personal choice and may be a decision you want to make with your doctor. Facial hair is without a doubt something you want to rid yourself of and now you can weigh your options and get rid of that unsightly hair!

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Getting Rid of Blackheads

You look in the mirror and your eyes are drawn immediately to a few blackheads—tiny black pinpoints on your face, shoulders, or upper arms. In a word, clogged skin pores cause these blackheads. The clogging occurs when dead skin cells or some other agent (makeup, grease, etc.) stops excess oil from flowing freely from the pore. The characteristic black color of a blackhead is caused when the oil and blocking material interacts with the air.

People with oily skin are more prone to blackheads. The best way to deal with blackheads is to prevent them in the first place. Make sure that you regularly and frequently cleanse your skin. This helps to remove the dead skin cells and excess oil—the two primary ingredients for blackheads.

You should also take a look at any makeup you may be using. Women with oily skin often apply powder or other items to help dull the "sheen" that often accompanies oily skin. This is understandable, but you should make sure that the powder doesn't build up and that you wash it away regularly. Also avoid greasy, creamy, and thick makeup products or moisturizers that can block pores.

When you wash, don't use the trusty bar of soap next to you sink. Bar soap includes ingredients that help the soap hold its shape. These agents, which can be left on your skin, may add to the blockage of your pores. Instead, use a gentle liquid cleanser or a light cream cleanser that is water-soluble. These will wash off fully and not add to your problem.

You could also try a gentle exfoliant. These are great for removing the dead skin cells not only on the surface of your skin, but also from within the pores themselves. This allows the oil to flow freely, and stops the blockage that can occur. If possible, look for an exfoliant that contains 1% or 2% beta hydroxy acids (BHA). If your skin cannot tolerate BHA, then try a product that contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA).

To remove a blackhead, first exfoliate your skin as already described. Then place the affected area over hot water in a basin for a few minutes, as this helps to open the pores. If necessary, pat your face dry. With clean fingertips, tissues or a blackhead remover, press gently against the sides of the blackhead to squeeze it out. You want to apply pressure from behind or beneath the blackhead to force it out. Never squeeze hard and never break the skin. If the blackhead resists pressure, try again a few days later.

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Facials for Oily Skin

Growing up I had super oily skin. My parents were concerned I would end up with severe acne like my Dad had as a youth. In order to prevent potential acne and scarring my parents started me on a rigid skin care regimen. Below are some of the things I learned about caring for oily skin.

• Start with diet. A well balanced diet is going to have the biggest affect on oily skin. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Stay away from fried or greasy foods. Adding fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables to your diet can assist your body in regulating oil production.
• Have a consistent skin care program. Oily skin is especially difficult to care for. Skin should be cleansed two to three time per day. Removing make up products will reduce the chances of clogging pores and experiencing acne. Try not to touch your face throughout the day as this adds to the contaminants that can clog facial pores.
• Use products designed for oily skin. Harsh detergents in soaps can strip pores of natural oils and trick the sebaceous glands into over producing oils. There are many good cleansers on the market formulated especially for oily skin.
• Clarify your skin. Keeping pores clean is an important step in acne prevention. After cleansing, use a non-alcohol based astringent, like witch hazel, to clean away residue from make up. Oil is produced to help clear away debris caught in pores, if the pore is clogged a blemish forms.
• Moisturize twice daily. I know it sounds silly to moisturize oily skin but it is an essential part of daily skin care. Use an oil free moisturizer to complete the skin care routine. Some moisturizers have oil absorbing agents to help fight shiny faces throughout the day. If you still experience excessive oil, invest in oil blotters to freshen your look throughout the day.
• Use a mask and exfoliate once or twice a week. Each week treat yourself to a mask. There are several types on the market. If blackheads are problematic for your skin, find a mask that has ground up walnut shells to help exfoliate dead skin from your face. Bringing new skin to the surface aids in creating a healthy glow and producing an even skin tone.

Keep in mind that facial skin is delicate. Be gentle and be aware of the direction the skin grows and use motions that go with the grain of the dermis not against it. Use your ring finger, as it is the weakest finger on your hand, to prevent pulling against the skin. Use an upward circular motion on the cheeks, forehead and throat areas. Use a downward motion on your nose. Gently go from the outer corner of the eye toward the nose, avoid scrubbing action when removing make up.

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Face Moisturizer

Taking care of your skin may seem like an overwhelming task, because there are so many different products out there from which to choose. How do you know which products will be the best for your skin? How do you even know which ones you need? The most basic of skin care regimens includes a face wash and a face moisturizer. Face moisturizer is one of the most important skin care products you will ever own, and you always need some on hand.

Face moisturizer is like any other skin care product—there are a million products available, and for you to find the right one, you'll have to just dive on in and try them. Just like with face washes, face moisturizers are usually categorized by skin type. If you have oily skin, then you'll want a light moisturizer that doesn't add unneeded oil or moisture but still leaves your skin with the oil and moisture it needs. If you have dry skin, then you'll want a moisturizer that is more heavy duty, a heavier moisturizer that will add much needed moisturizer to the skin on your face. And then you have all of the moisturizers for in-between skin. It takes you knowing what type of skin you have and the dedication to really go out there and find what product will be best for you. You may even be well off to have a couple of different moisturizers at your disposal. With me, my skin is oilier some days and drier others; by having a heavier moisturizer on hand and a lighter moisturizer, I can treat my skin as I need to on any given day. You should also try and find moisturizer with SPF in it; if moisturizer can both moisturize your skin and protect it against the sun, you should use it!

As for using your moisturizer, you need to apply it religiously. Just as you should wash your face every morning and night, you should also moisturize every morning and night. And if you have dry skin and find your face drying out midday, you should take the time and reapply moisturizer during the daytime. Moisturizer is never a product to be neglected in skin care—your skin will suffer greatly if you blow off this crucial aspect of a healthy and beautiful complexion.

If the moisturizers you've tried don't meet the needs of your skin, you might want to consider going to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to best diagnose and treat your skin, and if you are treated by a dermatologist make sure to follow the prescribed regimen.

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Dealing with Oily Skin

Our skin produces and secretes oil naturally. This is actually a good thing, as the oil helps to protect our skin and keep it moisturized. Too much oil—or a build-up of oil over time—can cause problems, however. These problems can range from too much shine or sheen to problems with makeup that won't stay put or appears patchy or spotty.

So, what is one to so with naturally oily skin? The first thing (believe it or not) is to try to adjust your diet. Certain foods seem capable of increasing oil production, and if you decrease or eliminate those foods from your diet, you can naturally cut back on your oily skin. For many people, it helps to avoid sugary foods, alcohol, caffeine, and even shellfish.

With the diet under control, make sure that you clean your skin regularly. The cleaning should include the use of a good cleanser. You can find lots of different types of cleansers on the market, but you will want to read their labels carefully. Look through the "marketing hype" that you will find, and look for something that will help remove the oil without damaging or overly drying your skin. Use the cleanser regularly; at least once a day.

When it comes to makeup, you will want to look for facial makeup that is specially formulated for oily skin. You need something that will help soak up the oil without appearing patchy, and it should be something that will not clog your pores. (If your pores become clogged, this blocks the natural movement of the oil to the surface of your skin and can cause blemishes and sores.)

You might also consider reducing the amount of makeup you use, particularly if you are going to be in an area where you will be sweating or under stress. These can increase oil production, and it might be best to not use much makeup in those environments. For instance, you might use only a light moisturizer and blush or just add some natural-colored lipstick and mascara.

You might also benefit from some facial treatments. For instance, you might want to use a mask that can help to cleanse the skin deeply. Use some warm water or mist to open your pores, and then follow the directions that came with the masking agent. A good mask can help remove excess oil and impurities and may even help make exfoliation easier.

As a final note, consider keeping a journal of your skin conditions. This may sound strange, but you will find that if you have oily skin, it probably seems excessively oily at certain times and in certain environments. For instance, you might notice the oiliness more in the summer or in a hot, humid environment. You might notice it more a couple hours after a certain meal, or when you are under a particular type of stress. The journal will help you to spot trends and aggravators that cause the oiliness for you. When you spot these factors, then you deal with the factors themselves and benefit by decreased oiliness.

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