Ingredients: Papaya

PAPAYA/(pa-paye-ah)/n./ 1. The succulent fruit from the Carica papaya plant of the family Caricaceae,
which is native to Mexico and Central America and contains a palatable
juicy flesh that can vary in color from yellow to orange to pink; /n./
2. Containing a milky fluid when unripe that is rich in papain, a
protein-digesting enzyme that can aid in the breakdown of food when
ingested and in the breakdown of dead and damaged cells when applied
topically, e.g., “Reveal healthy radiant skin with papaya, the
fruit that keeps you beautiful inside and out.”

Try it: Michael Marcus Purify Pumpkin & Papaya Masque, $58, www.michaelmarcus.com.

Wonderbra unveils revolutionary 'finger design' underwear

As the summer hots up many women will be dusting down their strapless dresses and showing off their tanned shoulders at weddings and parties across the country.

However, keeping one's assets in place can be fraught with difficulties as conventional strapless bras often head south after a rigorous session on the dance floor or even just a stroll to the bar.

But now help is at hand as Wonderbra launch their revolutionary Ultimate Strapless bra which promises to stay up as long as you do.

Hands free: The cleavage boosting strapless bra from Wonderbra was unveiled at Westfield Shopping Centre today

The bra has been designed to mimic the ideal lift and support achieved when women hold up their own bust with the help of a brand new structure shaped with four ‘fingers’ that is moulded into each cup, totally replacing conventional underwire.

 Available in cup sizes A-F at around £32, the breakthrough bra was unveiled at the Westfield Shopping Centre in London today by a selection of models wearing sequin leggings and little else as they strutted around to showcase the underwear and its uplifting benefits.

Two years in the making: The four finger design mimics the lift and support achieved when women hold up their own bust

Enlarge  

Rigorous testing: Hundreds of hours were spent making sure the bra stayed up during dancing, bending and jumping

Wonderbra spent two years researching and developing the technology with Cambridge-based innovators, as well as spending hundreds of hours in testing to create the ‘hands’, which are invisible from the outside.

'We conducted a comprehensive series of tests with real girls, which included dancing, bending, stretching and jumping, all designed to put the bra through its paces,' said Julia Nolan of Wonderbra.

'This unique technology lifts the weight of the bust, supports and gives a trusted Wonderbra cleavage. We have created a groundbreaking garment giving women the perfect solution to the age old strapless bra problem,' added Julia.

So will be the bra mean an end to hoiking up and constant rearranging of clothing normally associated with strapless underwear?

Sarah, 25, from London wore the strapless bra to Ascot horse races recently and was pleased with the results: 'I didn't quite believe it until I tried it myself! I wore the bra for a whole day at the races and I didn't worry once about it - even when I was jumping up and down, cheering my horse on.'

Another woman to get her hands on the uplifting underwear is Faye from Swindon. The 23-year-old took her bra out for a night with the girls and says: 'The bra is very comfortable and supportive; I didn’t have to pull it up once.'

Goodnight, Moonwalk...

There aren't many entertainers whose deaths could prompt wall-to-wall coverage on media outlets all over the world.

But then Michael Jackson was unique.  In musical terms, the hyperbole is legitimate - he was quite simply an international legend.

Here is his BBS Obit...

Troubled musical genius: Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's unique blend of soul, funk and rock made him the biggest pop act in the world.

Beyond this, his business acumen and intuitive understanding of the music market allowed him to showcase his remarkable talents.

Michael Jackson sold records by the million - and broke records too.

With the soulful vocal presence of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and the dance moves of James Brown, Jackson's appeal crossed both national and racial boundaries.

His first break came in 1968, when the Jackson Five signed to the Motown label, and he was just 11 when the group released its first single.

WORLDWIDE ALBUM SALES Off The Wall: 19m Thriller: 65m Bad: 28m Dangerous: 29m HIStory: 18m Invincible: 8m

Hits like I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There, which all went to number one in the United States in 1970, made the Jackson 5 the first group in pop history to have their first four singles top the charts.

Before long, the youngest member of the Jackson Five was beginning to outstrip his brothers.

A series of solo hits, including Got To Be There, Rockin' Robin and Ben - the maudlin, yet chart-topping, paean to a rat - had shown that the promise of early years had come to fruition.

By the mid-1970s, both Michael's, and his brothers', careers were beginning to stall. Motown has ended its interest in the group, which had re-signed - as the Jacksons - to the Epic label.

But it was while Michael was working on the film musical The Wiz, an all-black retelling of the Wizard of Oz - in which he played the Scarecrow to Diana Ross's Dorothy - that he met the man who would turn him into a superstar and transform the world of popular music.

Music producer, composer and arranger, Quincy Jones, who could already boast a formidable track record, having created hits for artists like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and George Benson, took Jackson's raw talent and moulded it into an awesome new sound.

Video extravaganza

Their first collaboration, Off The Wall, released in 1979, became the first album to provide four top ten US hits for an artist: the title track, Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, Rock With You and She's Out of My Life.

Jackson the child wonder in 1972 on Top of the Pops

Four years later came Thriller, the album which would define his career. A heady mix of disco, R&B and funk, its nine tracks spawned seven hit singles and became the best-selling album of all time, with at least 55 million copies bought to date.

Having already experimented with video on Off The Wall, Jackson now took the new medium to new heights.

The John Landis-directed film, accompanying the album's title track, was a 16-minute big-budget extravaganza, featuring cutting-edge special effects and the voice of veteran horror actor, Vincent Price.

The Thriller video, and its companion, Beat It, also ended MTV's neglect of black artists, while making the mini-musical blockbuster de rigueur for any self-respecting pop star.

Besides his successful solo career, Jackson also recorded a series of hit duets with Paul McCartney, who had written the Off The Wall track, Girlfriend.

The two stars appeared on one another's albums with songs like The Girl Is Mine and the chart-topping Say Say Say.

Stripped-down sound

The relationship soured, though, in 1985, when Jackson outbid both McCartney and Yoko Ono to secure the ATV music-publishing catalogue, which included the rights to more than 250 Lennon/McCartney songs.

Not for the first time, Jackson's ruthless business streak had asserted itself.

The same year also saw the USA For Africa charity single, We Are The World, co-written by Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, reach number one in the US.

The Jackson phenomenon showed no sign of slowing down when, in 1987, he released the third, and final, Quincy Jones-produced album, Bad.

Thriller was the biggest-selling album of all time

With five number one hits, including Man in the Mirror and Dirty Diana, the album also featured a 17-minute video, courtesy of Martin Scorsese, to promote the title track and a year-long world tour, at the time the largest-grossing in history.

Dangerous, Jackson's 1991 outing, featured a more stripped-down sound than its three predecessors.

But the magic remained, and tracks like Heal the World and Black and White soon became worldwide hits, despite the tabloid headlines and court cases which now threatened to damage the singer's reputation.

But his 1995 album, a compilation of old hits and new material entitled HIStory, failed to ignite the popular imagination.

Controversy

Despite the biggest-ever publicity campaign for an album, estimated at $30m, HIStory enjoyed a brief appearance in the charts.

Whether this was due to the star's increasingly erratic behaviour, continuing speculation about his private life or just the public turning increasingly to rap and hip-hop, is a matter for debate.

But one track, in particular - They Don't Care About Us, with the lyrics, "Jew me, sue me" - outraged many people including Jackson's long-time friend and supporter Steven Spielberg, who saw it as anti-Semitic.

And his appearance at the 1996 Brit Awards ceremony in London, surrounded by children and a rabbi, proved too much for some, most notably Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, who showed his displeasure by storming the stage and interrupting the performance.

Jackson's live shows were big-budget spectaculars

Michael Jackson's final album, Invincible (2001) was released at a time when he looked anything but.

A swirl of controversy, including Jackson's repeated assertions that his record company, Sony, had asked for their money back - all $200m of it - and that the label's chairman, Tommy Mottola, held black artists back, effectively drowned out the music.

It seemed an underwhelming end to what had been one of the most spectacular of all musical careers.

In recent years, Jackson was plagued by money problems and shielded himself from public view.

Arrested in 2003 on charges of molesting a 14-year-old boy, he was cleared in June 2005 after a five-month trial.

As rumours of bankruptcy circled after the trial, Jackson moved for a period to the Middle East.

There he befriended the king of Bahrain's son, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, who helped fund Jackson's lavish lifestyle.

But the sheikh later sued Jackson for $7m (£4.7m), saying the star had reneged on a music contract that would have been used to pay back loans. The pair settled out of court last year.

Jackson was due to begin a series of sold-out comeback concerts, starting with an appearance in London next month.

Hundreds of fans queued at the O2 arena as tickets went on sale to the public and more than a quarter of a million people queued online.

In the end, around 750,000 tickets were sold for the 50-date residency - which Jackson had billed his "final curtain call".

Rehearsals for the show were under way when the star suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Bel Air. He was later pronounced dead at the UCLA medical centre in Los Angeles.

Ageless Summer Beauty

21 Fast, easy ways to look young — and stay that way — this summer and beyond

Summer is about lightening your beauty routine: ditching your foundation and blush for a simple swipe of bronzer; letting your locks succumb to their natural waves. The flip side to warm weather's unbuttoned ease is the number it can do on your looks. "Harmful UV rays are the most obvious culprit in causing wrinkles and brown spots, but they can also make your skin and hair appear dry, so you look older than your years," says dermatologist David H. McDaniel, MD, director of the Anti-Aging Research Institute in Virginia Beach, VA. Then there's the havoc high humidity and heat can wreak on hair texture (hello, frizz!) and color (hello, brassy!). We talked to leading dermatologists and dug through a mountain of research and products to offer summer-friendly tips guaranteed to keep every part of you looking gorgeous and young all season long.

1. Try a sun protection pill
Aside from daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, boost your UV protection by taking an antioxidant supplement such as Heliocare ($63 for 60; heliocare.com) or SunPill ($20 for 30; sunpill.com). New research from the University of Miami School of Medicine shows that the fern extract in these pills significantly reduced UVA-related DNA damage that leads to wrinkling and brown spots. For best results, pop one each day starting a week before you plan on fun in the sun. "This allows the antioxidants to build up in your system for maximum protection," says Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute.

2. Exfoliate the smart way
Alternate between daily use of chemical and mechanical exfoliation. This does a better job of removing the dead cells that build up more on the skin's surface in the summer, which leaves a radiant glow, says Debra Jaliman, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Switch between using an AHA lotion and a Buf-Puf or scrubbing granules.

3. Layer lip balm with SPF
Slick on a formula with a built-in SPF of at least 15 underneath even an SPF-containing lipstick or gloss to further guard against thinning, dryness, and sun spots. "Lips lack a protective outer layer, so they're incredibly sensitive to UV rays," says Baumann.

Get the secrets to smoother skin and other beauty tips here with Prevention's Age Beautifully Tool.

4. Use sunscreen to protect hair in a pinch
Before swimming, comb your regular sunscreen through your strands; this forms a barrier that prevents chlorine and salt water from stripping your color and drying out hair, explains LA hairstylist Jessica Galvan.

5. Try a caffeine-packed apres sun treatment
A topical jolt of caffeine significantly reduces UV-induced roughness and wrinkling in mice, according to one study. A more recent finding shows it might even help curb skin cancer by suppressing ATR, a protein that enables precancerous cells to survive and replicate. The research is preliminary, but applying a cream that contains about 1% caffeine after sun exposure couldn't hurt. Try: Topix Replenix CF Anti-Photoaging Complex SPF 45 $35; skinstore.com).

6. Boost post-sun hydration
Reduce UV-induced dryness from sun exposure by slathering clean skin with moisturizer and cover ing with a warm, damp towel for 5 minutes. "The heat activates the lotion's ingredients, which keeps skin supple," says New Orleans dermatologist Mary P. Lupo, MD, professor of clinical dermatology at Tulane University.

7. Save your self-tan
Steer clear of exfoliating scrubs and creams that contain retinol and AHA for a few days after using your self-tanner. "These products slough the top layer of skin, removing color in the process," says Natalie Cupid, senior technician and manager of Sundara Airbrush Tanning Salon in New York City.

8. Strengthen nails with a supplement
Take 2.5 mg of the B vitamin biotin daily. "This supplement helps prevent breakage from too much exposure to salt and chlorine," says Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spas. Research shows that a daily dose of the nutrient increases nail thickness by 25%, making nails less apt to split and tear.

9. Get a smoother shave
Wait at least 3 minutes after getting in the shower before you whip out your razor. "Warm water softens the hair shaft, allowing for a closer cut and longer-lasting smoothness without nicking skin," says Diane Wood, master barber for King of Shaves.

10. Get younger hands with moisturizer
During the day, use a hand cream containing the lightener kojic acid to soften brown spots. Try Hollywood Hands Professional Anti-Aging Hand Treatment $16; drugstores). At night, apply a hand cream that contains skin-firming retinol, suggests Baumann. Try Sally Hansen Age Correct Retinol Hand Cream $6.50 drugstores). Be sure to wear a sunblock with an SPF of at least 15 as well; these ingredients make skin sensitive.

11. Wear sandals to keep soles soft
It's tempting this time of year, but avoid walking barefoot — even in the house or on the beach. "The added pressure causes painful and unsightly calluses to build up," explains Allison Tangorra, a nail artist at DePasquale the Spa in Morris Plains, NJ.

12. Spot treat pimples with a cotton swab
When applying benzoyl peroxide to blemishes, use the tip of a cotton swab to precisely dab it on. This prevents the medication from stripping your self-tanner, says Nicole Weigand, spa director at the Beverly Hills Hotel Spa by La Prairie.

13. Mop your hairline after wearing a hat
Increased oils can get trapped underneath hats and headbands, causing acne along your forehead, says Cheryl Karcher, MD, clinical instructor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center. Run an antibacterial wipe along your forehead to prevent pimples.

14. Shampoo with baking soda to remove smog
Higher summertime pollution means more free radicals to zap the shine and color from hair. To remove dulling residue, add a pinch of baking soda to your regular shampoo instead of using a harsh clarifying cleanser. "It rinses out chemicals without stripping color," says Galvan. Bonus: This trick helps prevent discoloration caused by chlorine and salt water, too.

15. Sleep on a silk pillowcase
"The satiny texture prevents friction from roughing up the cuticle and making hair vulnerable to warm weather-induced frizz," says James Corbett, owner of James Corbett Studio in New York City. If you're really ambitious, wrap your hair in a silk scarf before going to bed.

16. Self-tan from head to toe
To look longer and leaner, apply self-tanner everywhere, says Dera Enochson, creator of Xen-Tan, a company that makes self-tanners. "A uniform color helps elongate, but focusing just on your legs or arms can make you look shorter and stockier."

17. Unclog pores with papaya
Mash up fresh papaya and apply to clean skin for 3 minutes. "This summertime fruit contains enzymes that slough pore-clogging dead cells, leaving skin soft and radiant," says Karcher.

18. Choose metal-free hair bands
Avoid ponytail holders that are joined with a small metal bar: They can snag hair and cause split ends, especially when hair is wet and weaker after swimming, explains Rick Mahoney, senior stylist at Devachan Salon in New York City. Instead, look for ties covered entirely with snagproof fabric. Try Goody Ouchless Extra Thick Elastics ($3; drugstores).

19. Use a makeup brush to boost hair shine
Shine products help restore lost moisture and luminosity from increased sun exposure and hotter temps, but many contain heavy silicones that can weigh hair down. The solution? Spritz shine spray onto your blush brush and then sweep over hair. "The soft bristles help to apply precise, targeted shine without weighing down hair," says Antoinette Beenders, vice president of global creative at Aveda.

20. Exfoliate heels in the shower
Maximize results for smooth, sexy feet by using a pumice stone on calluses and rough spots at the end of your shower. "The extra time in the water softens dead cells and makes them easier to remove," says Choi.

21. Prep Your Razor
To extend the life of your razor a few days and ensure a smoother shave, drizzle some olive oil on the blade, suggests Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare in New York City. "The oil prevents rust and product build-up, which can cause nicks."

Ingredients: CoffeeBerry

COFFEEBERRY/(cof-fee ber-ree)/n./ 1. Derived from the fruit of the coffee plant (Coffea arabica), which is believed to have originated on the Horn of Africa along the Red Sea; /n./ 2. Possessing a flesh that, when harvested at a sub-ripe growth stage, is exceptionally rich in polyphenol antioxidants, which help fend off free radicals that cause cell damage and result in the physical signs of aging, e.g., “CoffeeBerry extract helps your skin look smoother and younger, giving you yet another reason to praise the source of your favorite morning beverage.”

Try it: RevaléSkin Day Cream, Night Cream, and Facial Cleanser, from $40 to $120, available through physicians’ offices only. Click here to find a participating dermatologist near you.

Photo: Courtesy of RevaléSkin

Bridal trends 2009/2010

As a skin and beauty therapist I'm constantly exposed to trends in the beauty and bridal industry. From Hollywood to the Highveld � this is what 2009's brides are doing to look and feel beautiful on their wedding day.

Scratching the surface

Natural nails are definitely more popular than acrylic or gel ones; which give you a synthetic, over-styled look and can even make holding the bouquet awkward.

If you are sitting on your hands just thinking about this then its time for you to take a break. Ditch the falsies and give your nail bed time to replenish.

In our treatment studio we do marine mineral glow manicures and pedicures that stimulate the skin and nails and leave your hands and feet looking years younger, naturally.

You are officially required to stop washing the dishes now! Yes, there are gloves but you'll soon learn to mysteriously lose these! After all� this is the final acid-test for any husband-to-be.

We recommend that you take a quality nail-strengthening multivitamin like 'Skin Essentials' by Solar Technologies which will boost your skin and hair at the same time.

Closer to the time try a polish from the Essie bridal collections colour range that provides a beautiful French manicure or a natural look. Note the one you like and schedule your final manicure and pedicure for the day before (or even the morning of) your wedding.

Batting your eyelashes

Lash Extensions are still extremely popular for brides as they add thickness and length to the lashes.

If you are looking for the hottest trend that is also no-fuss at all, go for eyelash perming. A simple procedure that is over in 30 minutes � an eyelash perm curls the natural lashes � opening up the eye. It lasts for up to eight weeks and looks entirely natural.

Bridal make-up trends

Choose a make-up artist that has been recommended to you by a trusted source or someone you have seen the finished product on. If you've seen something you like up close and personal, take a good look at how the make-up photographs too.

The make-up that the artist uses is important to consider. If you want to try a new product be sure to test it on your skin weeks before.

If you like a certain professional brand, enquire in-store about whether they have make-up artists for weddings � remember to always do a trial and confirm and reconfirm your date, your venue and all other requests.

Some things to remember:

• The make up is only as good as the skin you apply it to. Professional Facial Treatments will do wonders for your skin tone so that your make up glides on and stays on. Flaky or dead skin build-up makes application difficult and shortens staying power.
• Do keep your skin looking dewy and fresh by using a tinted moisturiser or moisture-balanced make-up.
• Do remember that foundations with some yellow undertones work best with flash photography.
• Don't get carried away with shimmer highlighters or light-refractive make-up. In photos your shimmer can easily turn into an unflattering and highly reflective shine.
• Do ask your make-up artist to leave you with a small offering of the lipstick he/she has used on your lips for the big day. With all that smiling and kissing � you will need plenty of touch ups.
• Bridal make-up should be simple, yet elegant. It's important to remember that make-up should not compete with your dress but rather complement your overall look.

Bridal hair trends

Skip the veil

In recent years, many brides have chosen not to wear a veil and that trend continues into 2009. If this is what you are thinking then wear your hair pulled off your face and secure it with a tiara (very hot right now) or headband. If a veil is part of your look and something you want in your tradition then be sure you rehearse this with your hairstylist. Decide when you want to take it off and be sure you are able to 're-design' your look without it.

Half up, half down

Up or down? That's the age old dilemma when choosing a wedding hairstyle. One of the most popular trends in terms of bridal hairstyles is the half-up, half-down look.

This style pulls some of your hair away from your face, but also leaves the back portion of the hair long and flowing for effect. The emphasis is on romance in 2009 and this includes loose up-styles, soft (not tight and stiffly sprayed) ringlet curls and long, soft waves. It's a more natural look than the coiffed up do.

Don't wash your hair the day of your wedding. It will be too soft to hold any style. Instead wash it the day before.

Do schedule a practice appointment with your hairstylist before the big day to decide on your look and avoid last minute mishaps. Take photos of your 'do' and wear it for the day to see how it holds up.

Sparkling crystals

Crystals are popular bridal hair accessories in 2009 but not just in the form of hair combs, pins and headpieces. Crystals can be woven into the hair on thread to give your style an overall, subtle sparkle. They can also be used with long or short hair, worn up or down.

Don't experiment with a new colour too close to the big day. I recommend colouring your hair at least a month before your wedding. This will give the colour time to tone down, and if (gasp) it's the wrong shade, there's time to fix your mane.

Bridal dress designs:

In addition to satins and heavy, wild silks, which remain very popular this year, there is an increasing number of newer fabrics that are now available to create your dream dress...

Fabric basics

Sheer fabrics such as chiffons and organza's can give you a light breezy look, whilst tulle skirts bring an ethereal, cloud-like appearance to your ensemble. Velvet has started making an appearance, especially in winter wedding couture where it provides beautiful texture, depth and warmth.

Fast becoming a trend (and concurrent to the need to significantly reduce our carbon footprint) is a wedding dress that is eco-friendly and ethically created.

Eco-friendly wedding dresses are made of material woven out of natural fibres like organic cotton, fair trade hemp or ethically spun silk. If you can't find wedding dresses made out of eco-friendly material, another chic option is to wear a vintage wedding dress � maybe your mom still has hers and will lend it to you?

Details

Surface treatments have expanded from the traditional lace appliqu�s on dresses. Embroidery, scattered beads and pearls are creating lighter more artful designs to accent simpler dresses without lace.

Lace is still a popular favourite. However, the current trend is for a lighter feel with smaller patterns and more intricate details, to give your gown a fresher contemporary look.

Trims are central to creating impact on wedding gowns this year, however they are not being used all over the dress, instead they are strategically placed on necklines or sashes to add detail to otherwise simple dresses and enhance the bride's appearance.

Bridal accessory trends

The vintage-inspired look uses antique silver hair accessories and jewellery, small and very manageable bird cage or visor veils (more accessory than veil) � as well as outrageous feather and flower combs � all of which are a throwback to the 1920s.

The vintage look is also the perfect opportunity to incorporate family heirlooms; timeless pieces that can be used with the in the hair or as an embellishment on gowns.

Use dazzling bouquet jewellery to accentuate your bouquet, and long dramatic beaded gloves for extra glam.

Vintage gold

The past year has been hailed as the return of gold bridal accessories. Brides are choosing darker-coloured gowns in tones like champagne and dark ivory and in natural fabrics such as raw silk. Victorian-style gowns accented with gold-tones are also popular this season. Nothing complements these colours and textures better than timeless gold jewellery. There is just something about the richness of the colour gold that oozes the feeling of luxury and elegance.

Natural and organic

Continuing to be very hot this season is the trend to incorporate natural or 'organic' elements and shapes into jewellery designs. The natural shape and beauty of fresh water pearls, mixed with glazed stones and dazzling Swarovski crystals, inspire exquisite bridal designs. A perfect match for a romantic destination wedding!

Your own style

Your wedding is an opportunity to express your individual style, allowing you to express more than one trend, mixing vintage with romantic or whether you chose to be eco-friendly with a naturally woven gown and freshwater pearls. Be sure to borrow only minimally between trends as you don't want to end up looking like a Christmas Tree.

You have to accept that you can only have one dress on this one day. Settle on your style and stick with it. If you are going simple and creamy � don't despair � you can always wear a slightly outrageous gold dress to your anniversary dinner! Have fun, breathe deeply and enjoy every second of this special day.

HOME BEAUTY SCHOOL

This week, we show you how to tint your lashes - without tears - at home.

STEP ONE

Clean your eyelashes thoroughly, using a non-oily cleanser to remove any make-up and natural oils.

Contact lens wearers should remove lenses.

STEP TWO

Prepare your eyes by using a cotton bud to coat the skin with a light covering of petroleum jelly or a similar thick cream.

This provides a mask to prevent the skin around the eye area being dyed.

Mix the dye cream with the developer liquid and stir until the mixture becomes a creamy consistency and does not drip.

STEP THREE

Apply the mixture to the eyelashes, using the wand in the same way that you would apply normal mascara - you need only a thin coat.

Leave for ten minutes.

STEP FOUR

Dampen a cotton bud with lukewarm water.

Avoiding contact with the eye, remove the majority of the mixture.

Close your eyes and, using the damp bud, remove the remaining dye.

SNEAK PEAK: Jimmy Choo to Design for H&M

H&M

On the heels of Matthew Williamson’s boldly printed summer line, H&M has announced its next high-end collaboration with star-favorite accessories brand Jimmy Choo. The luxury shoe line, which is a red carpet favorite of stars like Kate Hudson, Vanessa Hudgens, Jessica Alba, Beyonce and more, will not only be creating a women’s and men’s collection of shoes, bags and accessories, but will be extending its range to a women’s clothing line. This marks the first designer accessory collaboration for H&M. Jimmy Choo for H&M will hit stores November 14, 2009 with shoe styles ranging from $60-$200– a steal compared to Jimmy Choo’s $500+ prices. So far, we love what we see.

Tell us: Are you excited to see more of the Jimmy Choo for H&M line?

Fashion First, Whatever the Size

Robert Wright for The New York Times

REAL-LIFE STYLE A model in a Target Pure Energy dress.

By RUTH LA FERLA

Published: June 17, 2009

BETH DITTO was livid. Topshop, the fast-fashion chain, had approached Ms. Ditto, the outsize lead singer with the punk
band Gossip, and a favorite mascot of the fashion world, to perform at its flagship store in London. Blowups of her heart-shaped face and rotund form would be on display.

Robert Wright for The New York Times

A Target Pure Energy Maxi dress.

But Ms. Ditto, who happily flaunts what the British like to call her “wobbly bits,” was having none of it. “I don’t think it’s fair to put my face somewhere where they would never let me in there to wear their clothes,” she complained on a blog. If the chain hoped to capitalize on her grooviness, she wrote, why not accord her the same status it does Kate Moss, and let her create a “big girl” line for Topshop.

“Give me the job,” Ms. Ditto demanded. “I want to design.”

Her message, flung down like a gauntlet, reached the ears of the Arcadia Group, the parent company of Topshop. This month, a couple of years after Ms. Ditto’s sound off, Arcadia plans to unveil a collection that Ms. Ditto designed for Evans, the company’s plus-size division. Available in the United States on the Web, it highlights cutting-edge looks like a corset dress and a cropped biker jacket.

The collection is the latest in an outpouring of fashions aimed at trend-driven, round-figured teenagers and young women, a population that has long echoed Ms. Ditto’s complaint that it is ignored by most merchants and brands.

“Up to now it’s been difficult to provide adequate fashion content to a large-sized customer,” said Jeff Van Sinderen, a retail analyst at B. Riley, a research and investment firm. The woman of size, as she is euphemistically known, “still wants to wear the same clothes as her slimmer counterparts,” he added.

Other stores and designers have picked up the message. Forever 21, a purveyor of cheap chic, introduced its plus-size line, Faith 21, this spring. Target recently began offering Pure Energy, exuberantly patterned dresses and tops for young women. Those follow hip niche labels like Karen Kane and Kiyonna, which are sold at boutiques.

All the lines see potential profit in offering stylish alternatives to the ubiquitous track suit. From a business perspective, that makes sense: the customer base is increasing, as health authorities have long pointed out. Some 17 percent of teenagers are overweight, according to the surgeon general’s office, more than three times the rate of a generation ago.

The market for youth-oriented plus sizes (usually 14 to 24) showed strong growth a couple of years ago, several years after the fast-fashion chain H&M entered the business. (H&M has since dropped its plus-size line, for reasons it would not disclose.)

Last year, sales of plus sizes to girls and young women ages 13 to 34 reached $5.8 billion, according to the NPD Group, a market research firm.

With consumer spending falling everywhere, that momentum has been lost: Sales declined 15.3 percent for plus-size shoppers 13 to 17 and 10.1 percent for those 18 to 34 in April and May, compared with the period a year ago, NPD says.

Plus-size lines aimed at older women have also suffered; chains including Ann Taylor and Old Navy have removed larger sizes from stores (they still sell them online).

Despite the slump, some see the market inevitably returning to strength. “The fact that more businesses are getting into this market is a clear indication that the recent lack of growth has been more about the economy than about a lack of interest,” said Marshal Cohen, an NPD analyst.

Faith 21 was introduced “because our customers were asking for larger sizes, and to fill a void in the market for trendy and fashionable plus-size clothing,” said Linda Chang, the senior manager of marketing for Forever 21. It includes some
250 styles.

Smaller stores are also catering to shoppers who want figure-hugging fashions like their thinner friends. “Some of
those girls feel like they have the brio to pull off a fitted look,” said Stephanie Sack, the owner of Vive la Femme, a
plus-size boutique on fashionable Damen Avenue in Chicago. She confided that when she was 20, “I would have choked somebody to get my hand on a studded belt to fit me.”

She might find updated versions of that belt today at Torrid, a division of the youth-oriented Hot Topic chain, which began offering moderately priced, rock-influenced looks to young women nearly a decade ago. Or at Fat Fancy, a new boutique in Portland, Ore., that sells vintage and current styles in sizes up to 24.

Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Beth Ditto.

Fred Prouser/Reuters

Jordin Sparks.

Rosie Greenway/Getty Images

Adele.

A Torrid ad.

“When you’re fat you stand out anyway,” said Annie Maribona, the shop’s founder and part owner. “It’s really important to go all the way and do something fun or even outrageous with your clothes.”

Stores as diverse as Kmart and Lord & Taylor have dispensed with conventional big girls’ “dos and don’ts,” offering the hothouse colors and exuberant prints, the ruffles and flounces of their so-called straight-size counterparts. Even horizontal stripes, once a fashion sin for the overweight, animate some looks in Kmart’s Piper & Blue collection.

“I’ve noticed lately that they are trying to make big sizes more into style,” said Kathy Salinas, as she considered a zebra-striped Piper & Blue tunic at a Kmart in downtown Manhattan this week. “You see that at regular stores, not just the plus-size stores, and that’s a good thing.”

Round-figured young women have found inspiration in popular culture. Ms. Ditto, who settled her girth on tiny gilt chairs at some 10 fashion shows this year, along with the actress Jennifer Hudson and the singer Adele, all appear in full-figured glory in the current issue of Elle.

The glamorously curvy Jordin Sparks captivated viewers on “American Idol,” then moved on to a recording career. On Stylista, a reality show on the CW network last fall, a curvy contestant named Danielle competed for a job as a junior editor at Elle.

More than tokenism, such fashion and media tactics seem born of a conviction that larger young women have become more self-accepting. “They are inclined to show off the parts of their bodies they love,” said Ms. Sack, the Chicago retailer. Pushing the trend is a broad movement of fat acceptance among academics, anti-bias activists and some psychologists. “It’s important to reclaim ‘fat’ as a descriptive, as even something positive,” argued Ms. Maribona of Fat Fancy.

But others point to serious health consequences of being overweight. Andrea Marks, a specialist in adolescent medicine in Manhattan, suspects that “the vast majority of overweight girls are not so happy.” Apparent self-acceptance, she added, may be a cover for defiance or resignation.

Shoppers, too, can be skeptical. Checking out the Piper & Blue line at Kmart on Monday, Kristin Lopez, 20, a cosmetology student, said “a lot of the clothes look cheap.”

“I don’t like the way they fit, and, for the quality, the prices are too high,” she added. The collection, which includes hot pink leggings, madras sundresses and a boldly striped yellow tank dress, is ticketed from about $13 to $25.

Still, venturesome merchants are undeterred. “The plus-size market is an attractive piece of the fashion business,” said Fiona Ross, the brand director for Topshop’s Evans line, which includes the Beth Ditto designs. In the United States as in England, Ms. Ross declared, “we may want to be part of that opportunity.”

Coca Cola for Silky Skin...WHAT?!!!

Beauty Rating: DIRTY CHEAP ...emphasis on the DIRTY

Okay...so I've been surfing the web again. Doing my usual looking for some useful tips for my readers and relieving my boredom as I try to fall asleep. Well, while doing so I just so happened to came across one of the wackiest beauty tricks I have ever come across....except for the Pepto Bismol as a face mask...if you haven't read that post yet click here it's a shocker.

Well, one woman reported on a site that she just couldn't seem to find a cure for her wickedly dry legs. She said the drugstore brand lotions just weren't cutting it. You know how those brand name lotions can be... :/

Well any who sarcasm aside, she decided to just randomly put Coca Cola in her bottle of unscented lotion to see if that would do the trick. Now, I don't know where she got her PhD in pharmaceuticals from all of a sudden but she claimed that Coca Cola cured her dry skin....hehe I mean there can only be two explanations for this.

1. The unscented lotion she bought was actually Lubriderm (my favorite by the way)

2. Or she put so much Coca Cola in her lotion that her legs became very sticky and she didn't shower for a week....

Well...whatever it is I wouldn't recommend this for a dry skin treatment, but if you've tried everything and just can't seem to find a cure for your extremely dry skin then I guess you can try this hehe. Just try not to let anyone see you do this and make sure you don't end up smelling like the stuff. In all honesty I like Coke...for a refreshing beverage. That's it.

Source:  Dirty Cheap

Bobbi Brown's beauty secrets

Beauty doyenne Bobbi Brown shares her melt-proof makeup tips.

When the weather heats up, there's no need to skip your makeup routine, according to Bobbi Brown. "Come summer, you want to simplify your look, not get rid of makeup altogether," says Brown.

"The right makeup can give you that coveted, sun-kissed glow." To ensure a smooth application, it's essential to prep the skin. Opt for a matifying lotion such as Lise Watier Bio Matifying Day Fluid SPF 15 on oilier areas of the face. Or choose a primer such as Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($44) to prolong the colour and intensity of your makeup. No matter what, SPF is an absolute must!

Bobbi Brown's tips

1. Oilier skin types should opt for an oil-free foundation. For drier skin, a tinted moisturizer is the best bet. "Summer skin should be dewy, not greasy."

2. A more natural, pinky-brown bronzer replaces the orange, shimmery bronze we saw in past summers. "Apply it just where the sun naturally hits your skin: the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin."

3. Brown suggests either eyeshadow or eyeliner-not both. Eyeshadow should always be powder-based, and liners last longer if they're gel-based.

4. "Apply two coats of black mascara." Choose a waterproof version or try a waterproofing seal, such as Clarins Fix Mascara.

5. A neutral, sheer lip is best. "Rose or sheer nude shades are flattering on almost everyone."

6. Blotting papers are a summer staple for touch-ups. "They remove excess oil on the face and instantly refresh your makeup."

Photo courtesy of F. Best

How to Hide a Pimple

There probably isn’t anyone who hasn't experienced the dreaded pimple which shows up on the face for everyone to see. It often happens before a big date, meeting or presentation. Worry no more. By following these steps you can hide the pimple and face the world.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Redness reducing eye drops
• Concealer
• Cotton swab

1. Step 1

   Dry out the pimple. The best products to do this are those with benzoyl peroxide. A good one to try is Peter Thomas Roth Max BPO Gel 10%.

2. Step 2

   Soak a cotton swab in an eye product that removes redness, like Visine. This also removes the redness from a pimple to more easily hide it.

3. Step 3

   Press the cotton swab against the affected area for approximately 10 seconds. Hold the cotton swab on longer if the redness is still livid.

4. Step 4

   Select a concealer slightly lighter than your skin tone

5. Step 5

   Apply a small amount of the concealer to the pimple. Do this by using another cotton swab, sponge or small makeup brush that allows you to control the application.

6. Step 6

   Blend the edges of the concealer once it is dry and remove any excess. This will make the concealer less obvious.

7. Step 7

   Apply the makeup you normally use while taking care not to remove the concealer.
   

   Tips & Warnings

   • You can use toner or products that contain salicylic acid in place of a product containing benzoyl peroxide to dry the pimple.
   • Use a clean cotton ball, swab, makeup sponge or makeup brush to touch the affected area. f you do not have any of these items, be sure you’re your hands are clean so you do not infect the area again.
   • Do not pop a pimple this will only make the affected area more red and visible.
   • Use a very small amount of concealer. Using too much will make the pimple more visible instead of hiding it.

Visine and Blemishes

Here's a tip you probably never thought of, according to make-up artists, if you dab a drop of Visine on your freshly bloomed blemish it just might stop it in it's tracks. Because Visine has blood-vessel constricting ingredients it may work to help reduce redness of the skin. Who ever thought Visine could be used for more than a dry itchy eye.

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum

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Heather Graham Lays It On Thick

It’s been a while since Heather Graham has made the rounds to promote a new film, so we’ve been enjoying her red-carpet appearances for the international release of The Hangover. And while we’ve been pleasantly surprised to see that she looks nearly as good as she did in her Rollergirl days, way too much makeup at the film’s London premiere last night prematurely aged her and offers a real lesson in “less is more.” Less blush, eyeliner, and highighter; more offhanded comments about tantric sex and levitation. (Oh yes, you’re going to want to click on that link immediately.)

At Issa London, A Focus On Shimmer And Shine

The perpetual gray drizzle outside the Standard hotel in the Meatpacking District yesterday was hardly warm and tropical, but the restaurant at the new High Line destination, a.k.a. backstage headquarters for the Issa Resort presentation, was awash with aquamarine, fuchsia, and emerald green dresses that begged for a weekend in the Maldives. Amid this explosion of color, celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson and his senior stylist Liam Carey were serving up loose, low-slung chignons, prepping hair with Gibson’s Hair Sheet Styling and some Tame It Lotion to calm flyaways before sweeping it up. The real key to the look that Gibson dubbed “elegant chic, but effortless” was an accessory that Carey fashioned on site. He attached one bobby pin to each end of a clear elastic and, gathering hair into a low pony, inserted one pin vertically up into the hair, wrapped the elastic around its width, and inserted the other pin downward at the top. “It makes a tighter, sleeker base for the chignon,” Carey said. “And this way you won’t be clawing it out when you want to release it.” The simple, classic style served as a good canvas for makeup artist Susan Houser’s bold eye, which was inspired by the bright fabrics in the collection. Using bronze and gold shadows from a Tarte metallic shadow palette and a new teal shade from the brand’s line of Lock and Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duos, Houser drew an elongated aqua cat-eye along the upper lash line, adding copper through the crease and going back in with a bright gold to highlight the inner corners and make the eyes pop. To further simulate summer, she coated models’ skin with Rodin Olio Lusso, a heavenly aromatic blend of 11 essential oils that gives cheekbones and décolletage the perfect after-sun sheen—a nice complement to the myriad low necklines on the runway.

Raw Potato 4 Under The Eye

You know what I always hated when I was younger? Peeling the dirty skin off of raw potatoes for my mom when she was cooking. She always made me do it, and I would always end up with soggy hands and a nice nick on my hand. Well, I'm sure if I knew that applying those raw potato skins over my eyes would reduce the rate of under eye baggage I would receive later in life I probably would've jumped in a heart beat when she yelled for help from across the kitchen. Potassium in potatoes may actually help reduce circles and puffiness around the eyes. A useful age old secret I dug up from the realms of time. So go ahead, while your cutting those potatos, put a slice over your eye for the sake of beauty.

Stila Stages A Backstage Comeback

Despite rumors of bankruptcy and inevitable demise, Stila was up and running thanks to new financial backing—and looking better than ever backstage at the Cynthia Rowley Resort show yesterday. Echoing the designer’s “old is new” approach of using recycled fabrics from previous presentations, Stila pro artist Dom Briguglio took the opportunity to showcase the cosmetic range’s versatility. “It’s all about multitasking products,” Briguglio said as he added Stila’s Gold Illuminator to its Sheer-Color Tinted Moisturizer and brushed the mixture onto models’ faces for hydration, light coverage, and a touch of shimmer. Once he had his base, he picked up a black Smudge Pot, which he used as both a liner and an eye shadow, building it through the crease. Briguglio also used the occasion to debut a forthcoming product from the brand, a Lip and Cheek Stain in Mango Crush, which he dabbed on cheeks for a peachy flush and painted on lips for a sheered-out version of the now ubiquitous orange pout. “You need to choose the shade that’s best for you,” he said when we inquired about the best way to wear the popular color. “You don’t necessarily have to go so bold with it. Sometimes a pinkish gloss version works just fine.” Hairstylist Rodney Cutler interpreted Rowley’s direction by prepping models’ hair with Cutler Volumizing Spray and creating an updated take on the French twist, pulling hair to one side and, rather than twisting, folding it over itself again and again for a pleated, askew style. “It’s quirky, it’s fun, it’s Cynthia,” he said. He also fastened two bows made of newspaper to hammer home the recycled feel, an accessory we’re going to guess will not be going into production anytime soon, although crazier things have happened…

Save Big on Make-up Tools

Are your make-up brushes looking a little worn? In need of some top notch tools to get the flawless look you desire? Try taking a web trip to www.jglamour.com, an international beauty retailer offering products such as designer fragrances, skincare, cosmetics, and make-up tools. If you find any make-up brushes, brush sets, and brush rolls that you fall in love with then your quite in luck. Just for being a Dirt Cheap reader you will recieve a 25% discount on all brushes and sets! Just type in the code ABBR523FD at checkout and save.

Visit these direct links to all of JGlamours Brushes and Sets

Studio Edition Brushes - http://int.jglamour.com/catalog/category/view/id/5

Mineral Edition Brushes - http://int.jglamour.com/catalog/category/view/id/23

Brush Sets - http://int.jglamour.com/catalog/category/view/id/4

Brush Rolls - http://int.jglamour.com/catalog/category/view/id/9

Little Boots’ Summer Music Festival Beauty Tips

While much of the music world—and the fashion world, by association—has been focusing its attention on Brooklyn’s generous outpouring of hot new acts, we prefer to take our cues on up-and-comers from the U.K., where synth-laden pop has its origin. Which is how we came upon Little Boots, a.k.a. Victoria Hesketh, whose ever-changing platinum hair stylings and reliance on black eyeliner is as enjoyable to watch as her live show, which is performed almost entirely with her trusty Yamaha Tenori-on, an audiovisual extravaganza in a single piece of gear. The futuristic, dance-inducing tracks on her just released album, Illuminations, are not too dissimilar from Britney or Kylie-caliber power pop, except that Hesketh often writes her own songs in addition to belting them out with a sweet, hard-edged voice. She’ll be at Glastonbury at the end of the month and recently gave The Independent her beauty tips for the summer festival season that’s almost upon us. For anyone headed to Bonnaroo this weekend, a few words of aesthetic wisdom:

On Makeup: “I don’t go for a full face of makeup, but I was definitely outside my tent in the morning with a little mirror trying to get my mascara on. You gotta do it. I think makeup-wise I would go for tinted moisturizer, mascara, and some lip balm. Sometimes if you sleep in your makeup it can look quite cool, or you might just look like a dirty stop-out. Many a morning I’ve still been a bit drunk, looked in the mirror and thought I looked really nice. Then I’ve seen photos and thought ‘hmmm.’ “

On Avoiding General Festival Faux Pas: “I don’t like it when people treat [festivals] as an excuse to go all tribal: beads, tie-dye, anything pagan. Fair enough if you are actually into the pagan vibe, but some people get a bit too boho-happy and it gets a bit friends of the earth. And why do people wear tutus, not even fairy outfits, just tutus? But then who am I to judge?”

Ingredients: Zinc

Zinc/(zink)/n./ 1. A bluish-white metallic element with the chemical symbol Zn and atomic number 30; /n./ 2. An essential micronutrient obtained through food or other external sources that can promote a healthy immune system when ingested and speed the healing of wounds, prevent acne, and promote collagen formation when applied topically, e.g., “More than just a favorite pastime of on-duty lifeguards, zinc will plump and firm aging skin.”

Try it: Relastin Eye Silk, $69, www.relastin.com.

tags: Relastin Eye Silk, Skincare, Zinc

Ingredients:

MANGOSTEEN/(man-go-steen)/n./ 1. Fruit from the tropical evergreen tree Garcinia mangostana, which is native to Thailand and bears a deep reddish purple exterior when ripe; /n./ 2. A centuries-old medicinal plant, known by the people of Southeast Asia for having a rind that can be used to ward off and treat infections, reduce pain, and control fever; /n./ 3. Possessing a skin that is rich in xanthones, which are among the most powerful antioxidants found in nature, with antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, e.g., “help fight free-radical damage and any burgeoning pandemics with mangosteen.”

Try it: Borba Atomizer, $21, www.borba.com.

How To Achieve Simple Smokey Eyes

How To Achieve Simple Smokey Eyes Using Makeup!

Heres how you can get smokey eyes and wear it everyday!

 

Step 1) Prep your LID - By using a PRIMER this stopped those annoying creases that occur since our eyelids can get pretty oily. Try Urban Decay Potion Primer.

Step 2) Apply Eyeliner - If you’re going for a typical black, brown or gray smoky eye, apply liner in one of those colors above the upper lash line. draw a thick line in the middle of your eye. If you wish to try a different color just change the liner i reccomend a beautiful violet or blue hue, looks beautiful and really makes your eyes POP!

Step 3) SMUDGE - Smudge the color on the bottom and top lash gently so it doesn’t look to perfect.

Step 4) Apply light base color - the key to a smoky eye is pairing a lighter base with the darker hue. Try a cream shade for your base. Sweep a light and shimmery shaddow over the lids all the up to your browbone.

Step 5) Blend in darker color, but keep dark color below the crease. Now that you have the base and eyeliner on, it’s time to get the smoky effect. You need a darker eyeshadow shade, pick whatever color is appealing to you. Using an eyeshadow brush blend the color from your LASHLINE UPWARDS. Keep blending until the eyeliners line isnt present any longer.

Step 6) Clean Up Time! - using a Q-tip, use makeup remover around the bottom of your eye where the shadow or any imperfections were made/fell.

Step 7) Concealor -Apply Concealor and blend well

 Step Mascara - Apply Generously as much coats as you wish of VOLUMIZING mascara

Sweat Lipo To Keep You Sure All Summer Long

With the unofficial start of summer upon us, you can expect a few changes to your everyday routine—some good, some less so. Outdoor dining and an overwhelming desire to partake of early-afternoon cocktails should set in soon—as will an increased electric bill from AC abuse and, even worse, excessive sweating. For those of you for whom over-the-counter antiperspirants bring no relief, New York-based plastic surgeon Dr. Elliot Jacobs may have the answer to keeping you dry and happy. He’s been championing “Sweat Lipo” at his Upper East Side office, a new procedure that reduces hyperhidrosis and body odor by removing some of the sweat glands under the armpit. Unlike prescription deodorants or getting a few shots of Botox in the area, axillary curettage suction (as the treatment is referred to by medical professionals) permanently regulates the problem, rather than serving as a temporary fix or perhaps making it impossible to sweat at all. Seeing as how 176 million Americans suffer from this often embarrassing and always inconvenient affliction, knowing that there is a way to be comfortable—and to protect that collection of summer silk blouses—is reassuring. The procedure takes less than one hour, costs about $3,500, and in some cases may be covered by insurance. For more information, call (212) 570-6080.

11 Natural Remedies That Really Work

9 Natural Remedies That Really Work

By Karyn Repinski, Prevention
Alternative remedies are widely popular — and enormously effective, if you know which to use. Take our quiz to find out how savvy you are.

More Links: 12 Easy Meals That Heal Feel More Energize, Boost Memory and More! Quiz: Secrets to a Longer, Healthier Life

1.) There are numerous claims touting the health benefits of garlic. Which is true?

A) It destroys the bacteria that cause ulcers.
B) It reduces the risk of heart disease.
C) It's a natural insect repellent.


ANSWER: B. Contrary to popular lore, consuming the odoriferous herb doesn't relieve gastric or duodenal ulcers or keep pesky pests at bay. (In fact, research shows poor results for both uses.) But many studies show that garlic lowers elevated blood pressure, protects arteries and eins, and reduces the risk of blood clots, says Ronald Hoffman, MD, a complementary medicine practitioner in New York City and author of Alternative Cures That Really Work. There's no standard dosage for garlic, but a recent study used a concentration of garlic extract equivalent to eating about two medium cloves a day. To maximize the health benefits of fresh garlic, crush it at room temperature and let it sit for about 15 minutes before cooking — this triggers an enzymatic reaction that boosts the herb's healthy compounds.

2.) Which herb reduces the swelling and pain of varicose veins as well as compression stockings (a traditional treatment)?

A) Horse chestnut
B) Gotu kola
C) Butcher's broom


ANSWER: A. Compression stockings worked faster, but horse chestnut brought equal relief after 12 weeks in a Lancet study. Horse chestnut contains a compound called escin, which seals leaking capillaries and improves the elasticity of veins. The most common dosage of horse chestnut is 300 mg twice daily. (Be sure the herb is standardized to contain 50 mg escin per dose.) Horse chestnut is the only botanical remedy studied against support hosiery, but combining it with other scientifically proven botanicals — including gotu kola and butcher's broom — may reduce symptoms even faster, says Michael Murray, ND, coauthor of the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Gotu kola tones the vascular system and improves circulation (look for an extract that provides a daily dosage of 30 to 60 mg triterpenic acids), while butcher's broom contains anti-inflammatory and vessel-constricting compounds called ruscogenins. (Use an extract standardized to contain up to 11% ruscogenin at a dosage of 100 mg 3 times a day.)

3.) You'll find fast relief from the pain of tension headaches with:
A) Feverfew
B) Tiger Balm
C) Magnesium


ANSWER: B. A topical ointment containing camphor, menthol, cajeput, and clove oil, Tiger Balm ($6; com) relieved acute tension drugstore.headachesjust as well as acetaminophen (Tylenol) did in one study. Feverfew helps prevent migraines, but there's no evidence it soothes tension headaches. In some people, low levels of the mineral magnesium trigger tension headaches and migraines, so ask your doctor about taking a supplement.

4.) True or false: Ginkgo biloba eases depression.

ANSWER: FALSE. Ginkgo helps keep you mentally sharp by increasing blood flow to the brain. "But just because your brain works better doesn't mean you'll be less depressed," says Hoffman. Instead, consider St. John's wort. "It's excellent for minor depression, especially if you're healthy and not taking other medications," says Tieraona Low Dog, MD, director of The Fellowship, Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. If you're depressed and suffer from chronic pain from conditions like contarthritis, Low Dog recommends SAM-e, which eases depression and acts as an anti-inflammatory to relieve aches (avoid it if you have bipolar disease). In studies, both remedies were as effective as Rx antidepressants. Take 300 mg doses of St. John's wort 3 times a day; start with 1,600 mg of SAM-e a day, then cut back to the lowest effective dose, advises Hoffman. Be aware that of all natural remedies, St. John's wort has the most documented interactions with drugs.

5.) To be sure an herbal preparation delivers the desired effect, you should buy:

A) Loose herbs
B) Bulk, powdered herbs
C) Tinctures and freeze-dried extracts

ANSWER: C — and, luckily, most herbs are available in these forms. Tinctures, which usually contain a high percentage of grain alcohol to prevent spoilage, are very stable and preserve the active ingredients of plants in a concentrated, convenient form, says Andrew Weil, MD, director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and a Prevention advisor. Likewise, freeze-drying helps maintain the potency of medicinal plants. Because of the effects of oxidation, loose, dried, or powdered herbs may not retain all their beneficial constituents, says Weil.

6.) Which is not an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?

A) Glucosamine
B) Acupuncture
C) Curcumin
D) Meditation


ANSWER: A. Many experts recommend glucosamine for the wear and tear of osteoarthritis, but there's no evidence it eases RA, an autoimmune disease. The World Health Organization endorses acupuncture as an effective therapy for RA, based on studies in which it moderately reduced pain in 90% of patients. Research shows curcumin, the yellow pigment of the herb turmeric, is as effective as potent anti-inflammatory drugs in improving morning stiffness and joint swelling without the side effects; the recommended dosage is 400 to 600 mg 3 times a day. In one study, RA patients coped with their disease better after practicing meditation for 6 months.

7.) True or false: Eating chocolate calms a cough.

ANSWER: TRUE. Theobromine, a chemical in cocoa beans, was more effective at calming persistent coughs than codeine was — without causing drowsiness. Opt for dark chocolate, which contains more theobromine than milk chocolate. Prefer a no-cal herbal remedy? Weil recommends adding a teaspoon of a tincture of contmullein, a wildflower that loosens mucus and soothes your throat, to a little warm water and drinking it every 4 hours.

8.) You have hay fever. Which of the following should you avoid?

A) Stinging nettle
B) Quercetin
C) Echinacea


ANSWER: C. Echinacea may help prevent colds, but it can actually worsen symptoms of ragweed or other weed pollen allergies. European physicians have long prescribed stinging nettle for allergies, and in one trial, almost half of participants said the herb was just as effective as their standard allergy medicine; take 300 mg of freeze-dried nettle a day, advises Low Dog. If this therapy works but not quite enough, add 500 mg of the anti-inflammatory quercetin 2 or 3 times a day between meals to stabilize the mast cells in your eyes, nose, and lungs, which are highly sensitive to allergens.

9.) True or false: Red rice yeast is an effective natural alternative to drugs for lowering cholesterol.

ANSWER: TRUE — but experts discourage its use. "Red rice yeast contains a substance identical to the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin [Mevacor]," says Hoffman. "But how much is in each batch is anybody's guess — it isn't carefully regulated." ConsumerLab.com found major differences in concentrations of lovastatin when it tested 10 brands of red rice yeast. Though red rice yeast is milder than Rx drugs, potential side effects such as muscle aches and liver damage aren't unusual when it's taken at high dosages. A safer alternative for lowering cholesterol, according to Hoffman, is to incorporate 2 to 4 g of plant-derived sterols and stanols into your daily diet. These substances — found in salad dressings, mayonnaise, margarine-type spreads, and orange juice — help decrease both total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. In one review of studies, consuming 3.4 g a day lowered LDL cholesterol by 11%.

10.) Which helps prevent cavities?

A) Fresh cranberries
B) Apples
C) Aged cheeses
D) Grapefruit seed extract


ANSWER: THEY ALL CAN. Fresh cranberries contain anti-adhesive compounds that keep cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth and gums. Apples increase saliva flow, which washes away the sugars from food and reduces the buildup of bacteria. Besides stimulating contsaliva, the high levels of calcium and phosphorus in aged cheeses such as Cheddar, Gouda, provolone, Edam, and Gruyere form a protective barrier on teeth. Grapefruit seed extract (available in natural food stores) has proven antibiotic ability — try adding a drop to your regular toothpaste every time you brush.

11.) You've been diagnosed with diabetes. Which "kitchen cure" is not helpful in lowering blood sugar?

A) Cinnamon
B) Stevia
C) Coffee
D) Dark chocolate

ANSWER: C — if the coffee has caffeine. In a recent Duke University Medical Center study, people with type 2 diabetes found that caffeine made blood sugar harder to control. Researchers recommend switching to decaf coffee (tea and soda too) because other large studies show that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing diabetes. More easy moves that preliminary research shows may help control blood sugar: Add up to ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to food or beverages, substitute the natural sweetener Stevia for sugar, and eat a bit of dark chocolate once in a while — just be sure to choose a brand that doesn't contain a lot of sugar.