Lately I have been studying
the media, reading articles,
watching news, and looking
for anything that I can find
to make me feel that there
is still hope for our world. If
you have read any of my
past articles, then you will
already know where my
concerns lie.
For those of you that are
just reading me for the first
time, my concerns are
strong regarding women of
today and their search for
the true identity of
themselves.
Women today have fierce
competition. I have spoken
to many men also and they
have strongly let me know
that they would not trade
their gender for any amount
of money. They actually feel
sorry for the women of
today. A few of them even
shared with me that they
hate the fact that
everywhere they look, the
media's idea of, "The Perfect
Women" is stuck in their
faces. Sure its nice to see,
any human being will
appreciate a nice looking
picture. What happens at
that very minute though is
that they (the men) are put
in a situation of feeling that
they are betraying their
partner by not knowing
exactly how to react. I
know, I know, some of you
are thinking that it is the
women's fault that the men
think that way. I will agree
in some cases, but these
men that I have spoken to
were being quite genuine in
the fact that they themselves
did not appreciate it.
I will be the first one to say
yes to prostitution. Why?
Because it keeps the damn
rapists of the streets from
attacking the unwilling
women. I say yes to
pornography; it keeps the
men that are afraid to
approach real women
relieved of a very needed
natural release. I also say
yes to alcohol and to
chocolate with ice cream,
but my dear readers, before
you frown on me for what I
just said, hear me say this.
"I do not condone the
force and uncontrolled
manor with which the media
shoves all this down our
throats. I thought this was a
free country. When did we
lose the right to choose
whether we want to have
the media's idea of, "The
Perfect Woman", shoved
down our throats every time
we turn on the television,
walk into a bar, just drive
down the road (billboards),
open a magazine, listen to a
song, or even simply look in
our teenagers room."
I was reading an article that
was advertising the new
television line ups for this
falls season. I was horrified
when I read about the
graphic violence being used
against women. Episodes
showing a woman thrashing
in a cage, with duct tape
across her eyes, while a
man's hands are shown
grabbing her bloodied
fingers through the bars of
the cage and ripping off her
fingernails. Another is
chained up like a dog in a
basement by her so called
loving husband. It gets
worse; there is also one
with a woman paralyzed by
venomous spider bites and
is being raped by a masked
figure. These are what
society is allowing for after
dinner viewing. I am
embarrassed to even say
that this is my world seeing
this. They made more noise
when Janet Jackson slipped
a peak of her nipple at a
damn football game. In a
word...SAD!! The media has
definitely figured out how to
make money at every
woman's expense. On a
much happier note, "Cheers
Dove" is all I can say. Dove
is pushing hard and
continuing an uphill climb to
bring back what was put on
this earth as, The Real
Women.
Monday 7 November 2011
Wear Perfume Like a Pro!
Here a few simple tips, from
some of the pro's in the
fashion and modeling
industry on how to apply
your perfume so that it lasts
all day!
1. Put It On Early. Give your
perfume time to fully
develop by applying it at
least an hour before going
out to give the fragrance
time to blend with your own
skin's oils.
2. Layer the Fragrances. Use
soaps and creams in the
same scent as your
perfume. If worn together
the fragrance will last twice
as long! Most stores will sell
a complete line of products,
including soaps, creams, and
different moisturizers, in the
same fragrance(s).
3. Seal the Scent. If you are
using a scented moisturizer
in addition to the perfume,
apply the perfume first. This
seals the alcohol in closer
to your skin and as it
evaporates the cream will
"trap" the essence of the
perfume fragrance.
4. Start With Your Feet. If
you are wearing some cute
strappy sandals, heels or
open shoes, put a little
perfume on the soles of
your feet. As you walk, the
friction will warm your feet
and the scent will float
upward. (Note: this does not
work for closed shoes.)
Watch Your Jewelry. Be
careful to not apply your
perfume on or near
costume jewelry. The
alcohol in it can strip off the
coating, or an oily build-up
could be left on the jewelry.
Put your jewelry on after
you've applied all your
perfume(s).
some of the pro's in the
fashion and modeling
industry on how to apply
your perfume so that it lasts
all day!
1. Put It On Early. Give your
perfume time to fully
develop by applying it at
least an hour before going
out to give the fragrance
time to blend with your own
skin's oils.
2. Layer the Fragrances. Use
soaps and creams in the
same scent as your
perfume. If worn together
the fragrance will last twice
as long! Most stores will sell
a complete line of products,
including soaps, creams, and
different moisturizers, in the
same fragrance(s).
3. Seal the Scent. If you are
using a scented moisturizer
in addition to the perfume,
apply the perfume first. This
seals the alcohol in closer
to your skin and as it
evaporates the cream will
"trap" the essence of the
perfume fragrance.
4. Start With Your Feet. If
you are wearing some cute
strappy sandals, heels or
open shoes, put a little
perfume on the soles of
your feet. As you walk, the
friction will warm your feet
and the scent will float
upward. (Note: this does not
work for closed shoes.)
Watch Your Jewelry. Be
careful to not apply your
perfume on or near
costume jewelry. The
alcohol in it can strip off the
coating, or an oily build-up
could be left on the jewelry.
Put your jewelry on after
you've applied all your
perfume(s).
Self Acceptance -Lessons From My HairAffair
For our diet and, indeed, in
every aspect of our lives,
we must remember to relax
from the demands of the
unrealistic ideal. For those
trying to lose weight, you
cannot be the Barbie. For
those lifting weights, you
cannot be the Governor of
California. Accepting this
principle first, can give you
the peace of mind to love
what you do have, lower
frustration, and actually
make weight loss easier in
the long run!
A few years ago while
driving to the drugstore I
watched a family walk
across the street. There was
a woman who appeared to
be in her 70's with a thick
mass of black hair flowing
down her back. Next to her
was another woman 40ish
with a thick mass of black
hair flowing down her back.
And walking with them, a
teen with a thick mass of
black hair flowing down her
back, and alongside her was
a girl about six years old
with a thick mass of black
hair flowing down her back.
The teen was pushing a
pram. I craned my neck and
observed a tiny baby tucked
inside - no there was no
flowing mass of black hair.
But I could see little black
tufts starting up and I was
willing to bet what that
would look like in the
future.
I drove on to the drugstore
feeling a bit gloomy. When I
got to the store, I saw rows
of hair beautification
products. Products to pump
up the volume, smooth, curl,
add bounce. I had tried
many of them in the past
with maybe some
improvement but not much.
What I really needed was
more hair. If any of those
ladies walking would give
me just a little bit of their
hair I would really benefit
and I doubt if they would
miss it. I have baby fine
blond hair. The kind that
wilts in the heat, hangs
limply in the rain and loses
its style quickly.
Later that week, I happened
to catch the talk show
Maury. Women were on the
show complaining about
their hair. One young
African American lady
caught my attention. About
14 years old, she had wiry
black hair. It sprouted out
from her head and went all
over the place. She cried as
she told Maury that she had
not had a comb in her hair
in years because it got all
tangled. I was shocked as
she told Maury that insects
landed in her hair and
stayed there. And I thought
I had problem hair.
After watching the show, I
started thinking about my
hair and instead of viewing
it as a problem I decided to
focus on the assets. Ok my
hair was very fine... but that
meant a couple minutes with
the blow dryer was all it
took to dry it. My hair grew
very slowly... but that meant
I saved money when I got
highlights because it took
them forever to grow out.
Also I would never have to
pay for an "UPDO" because
there was not enough hair
to do up!
I thought about my struggle
to have long hair. My dream
hair was a long, shiny mane.
I had given that idea up
long ago and decided to
settle for a chin length bob.
But that wasn't working out
either. My hair looked flat
and drab.
It was the same with my
fingernails. I wanted
medium length nails but nail
products and calcium
weren't producing results.
Right then and there I
decided to ACCEPT what I
had and work with it to
make life SIMPLE and
ENJOYABLE. Instead of
fighting my genetic code I
would work with it.
Next stop the hairdresser. I
had my hair cut off to a very
simple bob that hit just
below the ear. On "good
hair days" I could wear it
over the ear. And on bad
ones or when I got caught
in the rain, I could slick it
back behind the ear.
Highlights to give it body
and more shine were added
and I purchased products
that while they don't work
miracles they were suitable
for my hair.
Next I threw out all my nail
hardeners. They might work
for other people but they
weren't working for me. I
filed my nails down to a
simple, blunt length. I
purchased a very good file
and a chamois buffer. If I
paint them I will use clear
or a pale pink. But usually
they are just buffed to a
healthy glow. No more
struggle with the nails. Wow!
It's amazing how good it
feels and how much simpler
our lives become when we
accept what we have and
work it to our advantage.
Think about what you have,
that you struggle to change.
Is it something you can
change or is it something
that you can't. Life is so
much easier when you work
with what you have.
Indeed, no one is going to
mistake me for the Breck
Girl or the lady in the Herbal
Essence Shampoo
commercial. But that's ok
because I enjoy my hair
and nails now and that's
what matters!
every aspect of our lives,
we must remember to relax
from the demands of the
unrealistic ideal. For those
trying to lose weight, you
cannot be the Barbie. For
those lifting weights, you
cannot be the Governor of
California. Accepting this
principle first, can give you
the peace of mind to love
what you do have, lower
frustration, and actually
make weight loss easier in
the long run!
A few years ago while
driving to the drugstore I
watched a family walk
across the street. There was
a woman who appeared to
be in her 70's with a thick
mass of black hair flowing
down her back. Next to her
was another woman 40ish
with a thick mass of black
hair flowing down her back.
And walking with them, a
teen with a thick mass of
black hair flowing down her
back, and alongside her was
a girl about six years old
with a thick mass of black
hair flowing down her back.
The teen was pushing a
pram. I craned my neck and
observed a tiny baby tucked
inside - no there was no
flowing mass of black hair.
But I could see little black
tufts starting up and I was
willing to bet what that
would look like in the
future.
I drove on to the drugstore
feeling a bit gloomy. When I
got to the store, I saw rows
of hair beautification
products. Products to pump
up the volume, smooth, curl,
add bounce. I had tried
many of them in the past
with maybe some
improvement but not much.
What I really needed was
more hair. If any of those
ladies walking would give
me just a little bit of their
hair I would really benefit
and I doubt if they would
miss it. I have baby fine
blond hair. The kind that
wilts in the heat, hangs
limply in the rain and loses
its style quickly.
Later that week, I happened
to catch the talk show
Maury. Women were on the
show complaining about
their hair. One young
African American lady
caught my attention. About
14 years old, she had wiry
black hair. It sprouted out
from her head and went all
over the place. She cried as
she told Maury that she had
not had a comb in her hair
in years because it got all
tangled. I was shocked as
she told Maury that insects
landed in her hair and
stayed there. And I thought
I had problem hair.
After watching the show, I
started thinking about my
hair and instead of viewing
it as a problem I decided to
focus on the assets. Ok my
hair was very fine... but that
meant a couple minutes with
the blow dryer was all it
took to dry it. My hair grew
very slowly... but that meant
I saved money when I got
highlights because it took
them forever to grow out.
Also I would never have to
pay for an "UPDO" because
there was not enough hair
to do up!
I thought about my struggle
to have long hair. My dream
hair was a long, shiny mane.
I had given that idea up
long ago and decided to
settle for a chin length bob.
But that wasn't working out
either. My hair looked flat
and drab.
It was the same with my
fingernails. I wanted
medium length nails but nail
products and calcium
weren't producing results.
Right then and there I
decided to ACCEPT what I
had and work with it to
make life SIMPLE and
ENJOYABLE. Instead of
fighting my genetic code I
would work with it.
Next stop the hairdresser. I
had my hair cut off to a very
simple bob that hit just
below the ear. On "good
hair days" I could wear it
over the ear. And on bad
ones or when I got caught
in the rain, I could slick it
back behind the ear.
Highlights to give it body
and more shine were added
and I purchased products
that while they don't work
miracles they were suitable
for my hair.
Next I threw out all my nail
hardeners. They might work
for other people but they
weren't working for me. I
filed my nails down to a
simple, blunt length. I
purchased a very good file
and a chamois buffer. If I
paint them I will use clear
or a pale pink. But usually
they are just buffed to a
healthy glow. No more
struggle with the nails. Wow!
It's amazing how good it
feels and how much simpler
our lives become when we
accept what we have and
work it to our advantage.
Think about what you have,
that you struggle to change.
Is it something you can
change or is it something
that you can't. Life is so
much easier when you work
with what you have.
Indeed, no one is going to
mistake me for the Breck
Girl or the lady in the Herbal
Essence Shampoo
commercial. But that's ok
because I enjoy my hair
and nails now and that's
what matters!
Discover Your SignaturePerfume
Every woman needs her
personal fragrance
wardrobe.. To fit her mood.
To blend in with the
nuances in her personality.
Getting ready for some
romance?
You could go for a heady
fragrance or one that is
feminine, rose based.
Incidentally, rose and
jasmine are the classic floral
scents for romance.
In a carefree mood?
Go for something fresh.
Citrusy.
A fragrance that is fruity,
especially one with notes of
grapefruit or orange or
neroli would be wonderful
for that optimistic outlook.
Perfume is all about your
individual taste. My cousin
loves patchouli but
that smell makes me want to
throw up.
The trick is to get something
you simply adore which
smells great to other
people too. The easiest way
out is to buy a brand
name perfume off the
shelves. But would that
mean someone else would
probably be wearing the
same scent as you?
If that is your concern, you
need not worry too much.
That same fragrance
smells different on different
people as the day
progresses. The fragrance
mixes
with the oils your skin
produce and the end result
is something that is subtly,
uniquely yours.
If you do want to mix your
own fragrance, go ahead.
When I was in my teens, my
pals would mix their own
fragrance by mixing 2 or
more of their favourite
perfumes. That could turn
out to be a hit, or a total
waste of good perfume if
the result stinks.
The other way is to mix
your own fragrance from
essential oils. Each
essential oil provides a note
in the complete fragrance.
A beautiful fragrance
consists of at least 3 notes.
A top note, a middle note
and a base note.
The top note evaporates the
most quickly. Meaning, your
first whiff of the
fragrance would be the top
note. Mints and Citrus scents
like grapefruit and
lemon are top notes. It is
also the first note to
disappear, meaning as the
day
progresses, the top note
would have evaporated off,
which lets the fragrance
develop, showing off the
other notes.
The middle note forms the
body of the fragrance. That
means, for most of the
day, this is the note that
dominates the fragrance.
Lavender, tea tree, geranium
and nutmeg are some
examples of middle notes.
The base notes are the most
lasting parts of the
fragrance. Long after the
fragrance has faded, the
base notes remain. These
would be the woody and
the
musky scents like musk,
sandalwood and vetiver.
Some scents are complete
perfumes by themselves.
Rose for example is made
of
hundreds of components. It
can be used as the top
note, body and even the
base
note in a fragrance. I used
to keep a tiny bottle of
Rose Otto. Very expensive
stuff but a single drop goes
a long way. 1 drop of that in
5 ml of jojoba oil
lasted me for a very long
time as a personal perfume
that was also therapeutic.
It was also a complete
perfume on its own.
Experiment with different
scents, diluting them in a
massage oil, to create
your personal fragrance
For starters, you could put 1
teaspoon of sweet almond
oil or a carrier oil
into a small bottle, add 1
drop of essential oil for the
top note, 1 drop for
the middle note and 1 drop
for the base note and see
how it goes.
Have fun!
personal fragrance
wardrobe.. To fit her mood.
To blend in with the
nuances in her personality.
Getting ready for some
romance?
You could go for a heady
fragrance or one that is
feminine, rose based.
Incidentally, rose and
jasmine are the classic floral
scents for romance.
In a carefree mood?
Go for something fresh.
Citrusy.
A fragrance that is fruity,
especially one with notes of
grapefruit or orange or
neroli would be wonderful
for that optimistic outlook.
Perfume is all about your
individual taste. My cousin
loves patchouli but
that smell makes me want to
throw up.
The trick is to get something
you simply adore which
smells great to other
people too. The easiest way
out is to buy a brand
name perfume off the
shelves. But would that
mean someone else would
probably be wearing the
same scent as you?
If that is your concern, you
need not worry too much.
That same fragrance
smells different on different
people as the day
progresses. The fragrance
mixes
with the oils your skin
produce and the end result
is something that is subtly,
uniquely yours.
If you do want to mix your
own fragrance, go ahead.
When I was in my teens, my
pals would mix their own
fragrance by mixing 2 or
more of their favourite
perfumes. That could turn
out to be a hit, or a total
waste of good perfume if
the result stinks.
The other way is to mix
your own fragrance from
essential oils. Each
essential oil provides a note
in the complete fragrance.
A beautiful fragrance
consists of at least 3 notes.
A top note, a middle note
and a base note.
The top note evaporates the
most quickly. Meaning, your
first whiff of the
fragrance would be the top
note. Mints and Citrus scents
like grapefruit and
lemon are top notes. It is
also the first note to
disappear, meaning as the
day
progresses, the top note
would have evaporated off,
which lets the fragrance
develop, showing off the
other notes.
The middle note forms the
body of the fragrance. That
means, for most of the
day, this is the note that
dominates the fragrance.
Lavender, tea tree, geranium
and nutmeg are some
examples of middle notes.
The base notes are the most
lasting parts of the
fragrance. Long after the
fragrance has faded, the
base notes remain. These
would be the woody and
the
musky scents like musk,
sandalwood and vetiver.
Some scents are complete
perfumes by themselves.
Rose for example is made
of
hundreds of components. It
can be used as the top
note, body and even the
base
note in a fragrance. I used
to keep a tiny bottle of
Rose Otto. Very expensive
stuff but a single drop goes
a long way. 1 drop of that in
5 ml of jojoba oil
lasted me for a very long
time as a personal perfume
that was also therapeutic.
It was also a complete
perfume on its own.
Experiment with different
scents, diluting them in a
massage oil, to create
your personal fragrance
For starters, you could put 1
teaspoon of sweet almond
oil or a carrier oil
into a small bottle, add 1
drop of essential oil for the
top note, 1 drop for
the middle note and 1 drop
for the base note and see
how it goes.
Have fun!
Choosing A Perfume
By Sara Blackmoore
The choice of fragrances
and scents seems to grow
wider every day, as
manufacturers fight for our
attention and try ever harder
to distinguish their offerings
from the competition. With
such a selection to choose
from, how does one even
begin to know where to
start when it comes to
buying perfume?
Broadly speaking, all
perfumes fall into one of six
different categories based
on their dominant top notes.
Different categories will suit
different people or
occasions.
Earthy or woody type
perfumes evoke smells of
the forest, and are usually
very refreshing. They often
tend to appeal to the older
generation, and may make
ideal gifts.
Oriental fragrances use
strong spicy scents, and are
ideal for special social
occasions, but be cautious
giving them to anyone you
don't know well - these
intense perfumes can be a
very personal choice.
The so-called "greens" are
much lighter than the
orientals, and are well suited
to more casual wear.
Because they make a less
dramatic assault on the
nose, they are also safer to
give as gifts!
Modern "oceanic"
fragrances are becoming
more and more popular,
particularly among younger
people who appreciate the
intense but often quite
unusual scents, which
instantly bring to mind
seaside scenes. Naturally
these are an excellent
choice in the warmer
months when thoughts turn
to holidays.
Spicy fruity perfumes are
also a good warm-weather
choice, and can be a good
all-round choice for the
woman who wants to wear
something with some
traditional base-notes but is
a little different to the classic
floral scents.
Finally, those classic floral
fragrances are suitable for
almost everyone and any
occasion. But be wary of
cheaper brands; this most
feminine of all the main
groups works best when the
ingredients used are of high
quality, and that means less
expensive brands can smell
exactly that.
Ultimately, choosing a
fragrance is a very personal
choice, and many women
prefer to stick with what
they know and buy the
same thing year after year.
But by trying different
fragrances from the same
group as your favourite
smell, you may just discover
a new gem.
The choice of fragrances
and scents seems to grow
wider every day, as
manufacturers fight for our
attention and try ever harder
to distinguish their offerings
from the competition. With
such a selection to choose
from, how does one even
begin to know where to
start when it comes to
buying perfume?
Broadly speaking, all
perfumes fall into one of six
different categories based
on their dominant top notes.
Different categories will suit
different people or
occasions.
Earthy or woody type
perfumes evoke smells of
the forest, and are usually
very refreshing. They often
tend to appeal to the older
generation, and may make
ideal gifts.
Oriental fragrances use
strong spicy scents, and are
ideal for special social
occasions, but be cautious
giving them to anyone you
don't know well - these
intense perfumes can be a
very personal choice.
The so-called "greens" are
much lighter than the
orientals, and are well suited
to more casual wear.
Because they make a less
dramatic assault on the
nose, they are also safer to
give as gifts!
Modern "oceanic"
fragrances are becoming
more and more popular,
particularly among younger
people who appreciate the
intense but often quite
unusual scents, which
instantly bring to mind
seaside scenes. Naturally
these are an excellent
choice in the warmer
months when thoughts turn
to holidays.
Spicy fruity perfumes are
also a good warm-weather
choice, and can be a good
all-round choice for the
woman who wants to wear
something with some
traditional base-notes but is
a little different to the classic
floral scents.
Finally, those classic floral
fragrances are suitable for
almost everyone and any
occasion. But be wary of
cheaper brands; this most
feminine of all the main
groups works best when the
ingredients used are of high
quality, and that means less
expensive brands can smell
exactly that.
Ultimately, choosing a
fragrance is a very personal
choice, and many women
prefer to stick with what
they know and buy the
same thing year after year.
But by trying different
fragrances from the same
group as your favourite
smell, you may just discover
a new gem.
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