Tag Archives: Beauty

Health and Fitness, Internal

Body Positivity 🧜‍♀️ or 🐋

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We originally shared this circa 2010 on one of the predecessors to this site after receiving a very interesting email sent to us by a friend. We loved the positive body image it encouraged and have decided to share it again here. If anyone knows who the original author is, please feel free to post it in the comments of the page. 

https://sites.google.com/site/eclassventures/health-and-fitness

Recently,  in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan
 woman appeared in the window of a gym.  It said:

THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE? 

 A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match
 those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern: 
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions,  curious  humans).  They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales.  They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp.  They play and swim in the seas, seeing  wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs.  They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don’t exist.  If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis.  Fish or human?  They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention how could they have sex?  Therefore they don’t have kids either.  Not to mention who  wants to get close to a girl who’s skin is all scaly and smells like a fish store?

 The choice is perfectly clear to me… I want to be a whale.

 P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that  only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with  my grandkids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a
 latte with my friends.  With time, we gain weight because we  accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is  no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.  So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, “Good gosh, look how smart I am”!

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Make the choice to love your body even if you’re working to make changes. Decide to enjoy the journey and the body that’s transporting you on the journey and make it a hot girl summer!

Clothing & Accessories, Cosmetics, Fashion Forum

Summer beauty Tips 2021

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Meteorological summer has officially begun! Although for parts of the US it’s felt like summer for a while now. Here are some tips to keep you at full head-to-toe glam for the entire hot girl summer.

Links to specific sites are entrepreneurs that have entered into a partnership with ECV Talks.

Starting with the top of your head, get a  stylish 👒 or visor for added sun protection. Take it up a notch by getting one that has built in UPF protection.

Shades are more than just glam wear. They protect your vision because your eyes, like your skin, is sensitive to UV rays. So go ahead and splurge on some new ones; it’s for your health. 😎

Saving Face, literally

Switch to a mattifying gel-based facial cleanser to keep oil-prone areas in check. Follow up cleansing with a toner to unclog pores and also help with oil absorption.

YRT (year-round tip): Continue to use moisturizer despite the humid weather. Your skin needs hydration year-round to stay healthy and skipping moisturizer might lead your skin to overproduce the very oil we helped you get a handle on in the last tip.

Smooth flaky, chapped lips by using this Satin Lips Shea sugar scrub. Leave on for a minute and then remove by gently rubbing a warm wet washcloth over your lips.

Keep your lips looking luscious in the summer heat with great lip color that comes with SPF 15. Your lips have some of the thinnest most fragile skin on your body so you definitely don’t want to forget to protect them from the sun.

Body-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody

If you have a fair complexion, during the wear-less season, hide pale skin with a fake tan. While it may be tempting to get a real tan catching some summer rays at the beach or poolside, remember the skin damage it can cause. That damage is cumulative and can end up costing you dearly later. Before you apply the self-tanner, make sure to use an exfoliating powder or scrub and shave for more even results. Apply sparingly to elbows, knees, ankles & around your hairline to avoid dark patches. After it’s on, don’t forget to wash your hands with lukewarm, soapy water to avoid any tell-tale orange palms.

YRT:  Use sunblock with at least an SPF of 15. Sistahs, you too; our black girl magic (aka melanin) will not keep us from suffering damage although it may not be as noticeable. As was stated earlier, every second of sun exposure adds up even on those cloudy days when you can’t see the sun. It’s still up there so wear sunblock every day, even once summer ends.

If you’re going to be outside most of the day taking advantage of every possible moment of the summer, don’t forget to reapply that sunblock every two hours. Reapply it more often if you’re being extremely active (think hiking or exercising) or at high altitudes, where the sun is stronger.

Pre-hike, or any outdoor activity in the humid southern USA, dust your skin with cornstarch powder to help stay dry. Try using a scented powder to save a step of applying a fragrance and get to the fun quicker.

Hot weather intensifies fragrances so switch to a lighter, more airy scent that way your scent doesn’t overpower you or someone else in the summer heat. And don’t forget your body-cleansing towelettes and purse spray to freshen up on the go.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Mani-pedi

The best shape for nails is round during the summer when you’ll be more active. Also give your nails a break from polish for a few days at a time to keep them healthy.

When you are wearing polish, go for strong, jewel-tones or neon brights. Prevent your polish from turning yellow & chipping with a UV-protective top coat.

Keep a pumice stone or foot file in the shower to smooth dry, rough feet. We have found a pumice stone is more effective than a foot file in terms of it’s sandal-worthy effect on feet and the life span of the stone. Just be sure to rinse and dry it thoroughly after each use.

Speaking of sandals, have you seen the designs on the unofficial state shoe of Florida aka the flip flop at The Cozy Spot lately? If not, check them out.

Can you find the state of Florida?

At the end of a long day out and about soak hot, stinky feet in a big bowl of water and citrus fruit slices. If you know you’re prone to smelly feet, start the day by using some antiperspirant or a deodorizing spray on your feet.

What beauty tips do you swear by during the summer? Comment below 👇

Fashion Forum

15 Summer Beauty Tips

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We’re in the second week of summer in the northern hemisphere, so how about 15 tips to keep you at full head-to-toe glam for the entire season.

  1. Shades are more than just glam wear. They protect your vision because your eyes, like your skin, is sensitive to UV rays. So go ahead and splurge on some new ones; it’s for your health.
  2. Get a  stylish hat or visor for added sun protection.
  3. If you have a fair complexion, during the wear-less season, hide pale skin with a fake tan. While it may be tempting to get a real tan catching some summer rays at the beach or poolside, remember the skin damage it can cause. That damage is cumulative and can end up costing you dearly later.
    Before you apply the self-tanner, make sure to use an exfoliating scrub and shave for more even results. Apply sparingly to elbows, knees, ankles & around your hairline to avoid dark patches. After it’s on don’t forget to wash your hands with lukewarm, soapy water to avoid any tell-tale orange palms.
  4. Switch to a mattifying gel-based facial cleanser to keep oil-prone areas in check. Follow up cleansing with a salicylic acid-based toner to unclog pores and also help with oil absorption.
  5. YRT (year-round tip): Continue to use moisturizer despite the humid weather. Your skin needs hydration year-round to stay healthy and skipping moisturizer might lead your skin to overproduce the very oil we helped you get a handle on in the last tip.
  6. YRT:  Use sunblock with at least an SPF of 15. As was stated earlier, every second of sun exposure adds up even on those cloudy days when you can’t see the sun. It’s still up there so wear sunblock every day, even once summer ends.

  7. If you’re going to be outside most of the day taking advantage of every possible moment of the summer, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Reapply it more often if you’re being extremely active (hiking or exercising) or at high altitudes, where the sun is stronger.
  8. Pre-hike, or any outdoor activity in the humid southern USA, dust your skin with cornstarch powder to help stay dry. Try using a scented powder to save a step of applying a fragrance and get to the fun quicker.

  9. Smooth flaky, chapped lips by using MK Satin Lips Lip Mask. Remove mask by gently rubbing a warm wet washcloth over your lips.
  10. Keep your lips looking luscious in the summer heat with great lip color that comes with SPF 15. Your lips have some of the thinnest most fragile skin on your body so you definitely don’t want to forget to protect them from the sun.

  11. The best shape for nails is round during the summer when you’ll be more active. Also give your nails a break from polish for a few days at a time to keep them healthy.
  12. When you are wearing polish, go for strong, jewel-tones or neon brights. Prevent your polish from turning yellow & chipping with a UV-protective top coat.
  13. Keep a pumice stone or foot file in the shower to smooth dry, rough feet. We have found a pumice stone is more effective than a foot file in terms of it’s sandal-worthy effect on feet and the life span of the stone. Just be sure to rinse and dry it thoroughly after each use.
  14. At the end of a long day out and about, soak hot, stinky feet in a big bowl of water and citrus fruit slices. If you know you’re prone to smelly feet, start the day by using some antiperspirant or a deodorizing spray on your feet.
  15. Hot weather intensifies fragrances so switch to a lighter, more airy scent that way your scent doesn’t overpower you or someone else in the summer heat. And don’t forget your body-cleansing towelettes and purse spray to freshen up on the go.

What beauty tips do you swear by during the summer?

Cosmetics, Fashion Forum

Weekly Beauty Tip #11 – How to Choose Between Gel and Acrylic Nails

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How to Choose Between Gel and Acrylic Nails
By Gemma O’Leary

Women have a lot to choose from when they come to the beauty salon in order to get a manicure. However more often than not you will get asked whether you would like gel or acrylic nails applied. Here are a few things to know about both types of fake nails before you make a final decision.

How are acrylic nails applied?

They have been a staple in the beauty industry for years and their popularity is ever increasing because of their longevity.

They are applied using a type of liquid monomer and a powder polymer in order to create a hard protective layer around your natural nails. Once the acrylic has hardened, it then becomes the perfect canvas to apply colour on.

How are gel nails applied?

Gel nails are becoming popular because they have the same strength as acrylic nails but the looks of natural nails. They are applied by using a base coat, polish colour and top coat under a UV light because gel nails only harden when they are exposed to UV light.

Which type of nail is better?

Both acrylic nails and gel nails will strengthen nail and will make your fingers look more slender. However, both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of acrylic nails:

If they happen to break off, it is usually relatively easy to fix it at home.

Their removal is rather simple when done by a professional, the nails are soaked rather than filled off.

When cared for properly and when fitted correctly, acrylic nails can last a very long time.

They are a lot cheaper than gel nails.

Disadvantages of acrylic nails:

They can damage the nail bed which can then become a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.

If applied incorrectly, acrylic nails can look a lot less natural than gel nails.

They cannot be applied during pregnancy due to the strong chemicals and fumes which are involved during their application.

Advantages of gel nails

They look more natural and are also glossier than many other types of false nails.

They have a very fast curing time and will therefore provide great results in no time at all.

They are consider a more eco-friendly option because the chemicals used to apply them lack fumes.

Disadvantages of gel nails

They are less durable and their application costs more than acrylic nails.

They are harder to apply at home as their application requires the use of a UV lamp.

They are harder to fix if they break as they tend to shatter.

Gel nails are removed by being filled off and more often than not cannot be soaked off as is the case with acrylic nails.

Even though both types of false nails can be applied at home, it is often best to get a professional to do it. Especially as the fumes emanating from the chemicals used for the application of acrylic nails may overwhelm you at home and without a UV lamp it will be very difficult to get your gel nails to harden.

Which nails to choose?

While both types can be styled the way you want, so the choice is yours. It is often best to ask your friends which nails they have applied or to confer with a manicurist as there are many variables to choose from.

Gemma O’Leary is an expert in beauty products and currently writes for online nail shop Effect Beauty.

Article Source:  How to Choose Between Gel and Acrylic Nails

Clothing & Accessories, Fashion Forum

Clean Your Stinky Head Scarf…and other things – Part 4

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And now the conclusion of the series…

 

We’ve addressed the head scarves, the combs and brushes, and makeup tools.  Now let’s cover the last items on the original list.

  • Nail clippers, tweezers and other metal tools

Begin by cleaning the item with soap & water or any cleaner you prefer but make sure you dry it thoroughly.  Drying thoroughly is essential to avoid rusting and the dulling of any sharp edges.

 

For that extra level of clean called disinfected, you can soak the items in rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol for about 10 minutes.  This is fine if you’re cleaning your personal items (no sharing allowed) at home but by salon standards only 99% isopropyl alcohol is definitively effective.  The alcohol in my medicine cabinet is only 91%.  Once the items come out of their alcohol bath, again it’s highly important to completely dry them with a clean paper towel.

 

  • Glasses

If you worn prescription glasses for any length of time, I’m sure you’re aware of the special “glasses cleaners” and “cleaning cloths” out there.  These are typically designed for your lenses but leave much to be desired in cleaning the frames (you know the part that touches your face and the part your hands, which touch everything, grab to put on or take off your glasses).

 

We last year while getting my daughter her first pair of glasses, the optometrist gave us this wonderful tip for keeping them clean.  Forget all of the cleaners and special cloths.  If you want to keep any type of glasses (prescription or sun) clean, wash and dry them like you would your hands.  Liquid antibacterial hand soap and warm water on every part of your glasses (lenses and frames) and then dry with a clean low-lint paper towel.  So no more getting talked into buying all those extras for cleaning by the vendor in the mall, flea market, or a shady optometrist.

 

 

  • Pillowcases

 

These should be laundered weekly at least just like the head scarf.  Do it more often than that if you’re able because who wants the different items you may be putting in your hair clogging the pores on your face.

 

  • Cell Phones

My favorite thing to clean a cell phone with:  baby wipes.  For that extra level of clean, I occasionally use any disinfectant wipe that I have handy.  However, the nice thing about using baby wipes is that you can use one for your phone and another for your hands.  

 

In closing, remember that keeping it clean often equates to staying physically well.

 

ECV – Promoting Total Wellness