wellbeing_guru

Yesterday, we dropped our friend off at the waxing salon. I didn't ask what type of waxing procedure she would have or in what part of her body, but I think its in the bikini area. I wrote about the different waxing types a few days ago and it got me thinking. Is it really worth it? Well, yeah maybe for those who wear bikinis and would pretty soon hit the beach.

I remember my friend from out trip last year, they really did get it and it looked really good with their bikinis. A friend invited me over for a swim at their condo but I declined since I was not yet 'ready'. Haha! Oh well, I guess I have to make a decision sooner or later. It looks really painful on TV. I'll think about that later, I first have to get that gorgeous beach body. So I gotta hit the gym. See ya later!

When I got home, I was really tempted to just stay home and watch TV. I already changed into a comfortable tank and shorts and start watching the news. I was waiting for my fave soap OK? So there I was, nibbling on an 80 calorie per piece cookie and flipping through the channels. Thinking whether this was a great idea or not. It was four days ago when I last jogged. Fine, I'll do it today.

I changed into my exercise outfit of black tank, grey cycling shorts and white running shoes. I also took my phone, mints, lip balm, keys and money with me, all tucked in my Nike belt bag. I walked for about 10 minutes before I got to the oval. I decided to make two rounds but ended up doing only one and a half. The wind was cold on my skin so I barely had a ny sweat. Argh. I decided to stretch, and make a few push-ups. I did 3 sets of 10 push-ups for my chest and arms, 2 sets of planks for core strength and 2 sets of handstands. It was a great workout. Now, where's that cookie? Haha!

Let's face it, choosing the right product for your skin is like choosing the perfect guy. Sometimes they bring out the best of you, sometimes they make you look like hell. Thus it is important to make the right choices when it comes to skin care and make-up. The first thing that you must do is to know your skin tone.

There are three easy ways to know your skin tone. First, check out your wrist veins. If they look greenish, then you are on the yellow or warm side. If they appear to be bluish, you are on the cool side and has a pinkish undertone. Second, check your skin with natural light. If you have an olive skin tone, you are definitely warm-toned. Same with the first, if your skin has yellow undertones, then you are warm. If you have a pink tone, then your skin is cool. Lastly, when all else fail, get a make-up pro's advice. Surely she will be able to tell you your skin tone and what shades bets go with your skin type.

Your hair is your crown and glory. I'm sure you've heard that a lot times. Personally, I'm very meticulous when it comes to my hair. I want it to be perfect without a strand out of place, not literally but you know what I mean. To keep your hair healthy and strong, you need to have the right products with you.

Have a shampoo that is perfect for your scalp. It washes away daily debris and build-up. The conditioner is perfect for replenishing moisture and smoothes the surface of the cuticle. They keep make your hair shiny and manageable. Once in while try applying treatment creams to repair and revive damaged hair with extra nourishment. Lastly, stylers like leave-ons sculpt, smoothen and shape hair according to your desired style. Remember, it is never too late to start caring for your hair. Be a winner by wearing your hair right. Winners wear the crown, losers wear the frown.

Sand, sea and surf. We just love to enjoy them. We stay hours under the sun swimmming, tanning and playing different games. UV rays pose a threat to our skin that is why we always make it a point to apply sunscreen. Little do we pay attention to the needs of our hair. Hair problems tend to develop more during summer due to prolonged exposure to the sun.

The most common mane crisis would be dandruff. It's totally not cool to sport a bikini with flakes on your shoulders. Always include an anti-dandruff shampoo in you daily regimen to get rid of flakes and itchy scalp. The hot weather may cause your scalp to build up oil and residue. Lather up with a gentle formula you can use everyday. The sun also tends to give a distinct smell to your hair. To score sniff-worthy locks, use a shampoo with a refreshing fruity scent.

There is no better person who knows your skin but yourself. When you get up in the morning, check your face before washing it. Gently run your fingers across your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin, and check for blemishes and oil. Take note of moisture and texture by checking out areas on your face that has lack and excess of moisture.

If your are the type whose skin shines all over, pores are enlarged especially on your nose, chin and across your cheek, then you have oily skin. Stick to water-based and oil-free solutions and use a refreshing toner at night. When your complexion is dull and you feel and slight tightness on your cheeks and have some fine lines, then you have dry skin. Go for creamy cleansers instead of clear soapy washes. If you have a combination of both dry and oily, use blotting sheets to get rid of the excess oil and aovid strong cleansers that tend to overdry your skin. If your skin gets irritated easily and tends tends to break out easily, steer clear of products containing alcohol and fragrance.

When you meet someone on the street, what do you usually notice aside from the possible weight gain or loss and outfit? The skin right? It pays to take care of your skin since it is the most visible and biggest organ in your body. It is important to be healthy inside and out and this would really show on your skin.

Always see a licensed dermatologist to get updates on your skin dilemmas. This will also be a good time to check for hazards like skin cancer and other skin allergies. The dermatologist will also be able to provide you with the right advice on what products to use. Remember to moisturize daily. To prevent oily skin, you could skip washing it with a facial wash in the morning and apply a moisturizer with UV protection. At night, pamper your skin with a cream with antioxidants, moisture-keepers and skin-renewing acids. Once a week, gently exfoliate your skin with an exfoliating cream or wash to get rid of dead skin cells . Focus on large-pore areas like the nose or flaky, patchy spots.

Fresh from graduation, I had no idea where to go to. There's the option of joining the corporate world but that would be the norm. I wanted to do something different since I felt that I was meant for other things. I wanted to travel and see the world, dance like there's no tomorrow, party until I drop. So little time so much to do.

Then the opportunity came of landing a job as a performer in Hong Kong. I wanted to give it a try, I mean, who knows I might make it, right? So I went to the audition venue to try my lock. Oops, looks like i'm up against the best dancers around. Some of them were regulars on TV, others were professional dancers. I was positive that I would not pass but what the heck. We danced to the tune of Fever. It was a jazz dance and we auditioned in groups of three. Hong Kong was not for me then. Haha! God I miss my figure during those days. I was thin and light. I should exercise more often.

Way back during my college years when I still very much active in dancing, I really didn't have any idea what I would do when I graduate. Sure I know that I could easily get a job with my course but I wasn't ready yet to give up dancing. It has and will always be a part of my life. Dancing has been my way to keep fit and sane all these years. I may not be that good at it but I sure love it.

To further develop my moves, I decided to try out for a summer scholarship at a prestigious dance school. They were into jazz, modern dance and ballet. When I got there, I saw a few friends and we all huddled together since majority of the people there were past scholars. There were a lot of intimidation people in perfect physique and form. Most of them knew each other. When the jazz class started, everything was like a blur. The moves were taught fast and so was the auditions. We also had to stick around for the ballet class eventhough we didn't have plans on joining the auditions for that. Obviously, I did not get in but the experience was worth it. I had a lot to improve on like like my form and technique. There is still a long way to go. I still have a long way to go.

Warm or cold, I never fail to leave the house without an Antiperspirant on. It saves me from the hassle of being all concious especially when I'm sweating. Plus it is a necessity, not a luxury. I prefer using the stick-type rather than the roll-on since they easily dry up. The sticky and wet feeling from roll-ons are really uncomfortable. Old Spice has always been my choice. But if I'm not going anywhere or at night, I don't put it on to let my skin breath.

Sweat is in itself odorless until it is fermented by bacteria. The underarm is one of the warmest areas of the human body which is susceptible for bacteria growth. Deodorants are designed to eliminate odor and was first introduced in the late 19^th century. Deodorants have been combined with antiperspirants to stop or reduce the perspiration. Deodorants and antiperspirants come in a variety of forms like roll-ons, aerosol sprays, solid and in gel forms.

My girl friends were chattering about going to the beach. Yes, we were hitting the beach in a few weeks and we were all excited. We started shopping for new outfits, sunglasses and tanning sprays. They were also thinking of hitting the salon for some procedure. It was never my concern since I usually wore board shorts on the beach so there's no need to expose more skin. As girls, they had to were bikinis so there's a dire need to take the stray hair off.

There are several ways of getting rid of hair in the bikini area like shaving, sugaring and using depilatory creams like. But the best way to keep it hair-free for a longer time is by waxing since it removes hair until the roots. There are three major varieties of waxing. First is the American waxing wherein only hair at the top of the thighs and under the navel are waxed. It is known as the basic bikini wax. The French waxing leaves a vertical strip or a 'landing strip' with a two to three finger-widths in length just above the vulva. The most famous would be the Brazilian wax whick removes all hair from from to back.

Its a matter of personal choice and threshold of pain. If you're the tough type and could endure pain that much, then go with waxing. If otherwise, you could go back to more traditional ways than waxing.

Wearing make-up was never my thing. Only during performances wherein I needed to look glamorous and camera-worthy. If I were to wear make-up everyday, it would most likely be a blush and a little eyeliner to make my eyes look good. Men wearing make-up have always been associated with drags until today. Beauty products specially designed for men have slowly been emerging since more men are concerned with their appearance.

image from Taxi Cosmetics

Taxi London is a UK-based cosmetics line. They have the usuals needed by girls but they also feature an entire line for men. Yes, for men. They have a concealer Disguys which easily blends to hide blemishes and dark circles. It also has healing properties of anti-inflammatory & anti bacterial ingredients and vitamins A & C. The Guyliner is a liner for men. The Manscara is a clear gel that separates, conditions and defines lashes plus holds hard to tame brows in place. It is like a hair gel for your eyes. Other products include cover up concealer and the Taxipure Mineral Foundation.

I think the Guyliner and Manscara are interesting. I'll try them out.

Dramatic make-up is always a great way to look good. Always remember to keep bold on one part while keeping other plain and simple. Example, when going for a bold eye make-up, always use a nude lipstick or when sporting a red lip, keep the eye make-up simple. Remember that to highlight either, never both, unless you want to look like a clown.

Smokey eyes have been the rage and there is no definite time as to how long it will last. It is easy to do and all you need are: Eye primer, a dark and light shadow, Eyeliner, brushes and mascara. Start by applying the primer on your lids. Next is to apply the eyeliner drawing a line thicker in the middle of the eye. Always use a liner that has the same color as your shadows. Now, blend in color on bottom lashes using a lighter eyeliner. The secret to achieving the look is by smudging it. You may also apply a little shadow to enhance the smudge effect. Now, apply the light shadow on you lids to your browbone as base. Blend in the darker color starting at your lash line, blending up. Keep the dark color below the crease. Check your handy work if the eyes match and the colors are well blended. To complete the drama, add several coats of volumizing mascara. Now, you're ready to go out and be fierce.

Have you seen the movie Bring it On? Obviously most of us know what cheerleaders are and the amazing things that they do. They are good at dancing, gymnastics and pyramid-building. It is definitely not easy being one. The workout is intense but you could really see the results. We all know the effects of dancing and gymnastics on the body. Stunting is also great.

Let's face it, stunting is not for everybody. If you don't heights and lifting people, then might as well remain on the sidelines. Stunting requires strength and technique to efficiently perform a stunt. I develops your muscles since it is a total body workout plus it also enhances your thinking skills. You need to think about the stunt while looking cheerful. It looks easy but it is really hard to keep smiling while your lifting someone on top of you. There are different stunts from basic to advanced levels. Always practice stunts on a level surface particularly with mats. Never do a stunt without spotters or people around you. If your the adventurous and cheerleader-type, go try it out!

Since I am such a control freak when it comes to my hair, I result to different products just to manage it. I don't often switch products since that would destroy my hair. I stick to one shampoo and conditioner. My wax usually varies since sometimes i'm forced to buy a different brand when there is no stock of the one i'm using.

My relationship with Dep products started way back in high school. But I was still on gel then and that is a no-no now. With my hairstyle today, I opt for light products that let my hair and head breathe. I tried using Dep Sculpting clay. It is white and the texture is very much like wax. The effect is really nice. The style could be remolded and it has a nice scent that is not overpowering. Washing it off is a breeze. It is a great product since it is also alcohol free. Too bad I could no longer find it in stores. Aww. I hope they bring it back.

One I woke to a brand new day with a brand new pain on the side of my face. Well, it wasn't about the braces since I had my adjustment a week ago. Then I realized that it was a tooth way at the back. I decided to go to my dentist to have it checked since it was bothering me. My dentist told me that there was another tooth growing so we had to take out the damaged ones. Yes, he had to take out two that could no longer be saved.

I was so nervous since I never had any tooth extracted. This was my first time and she's taking out 2! Oh well, no pain no gain. When she showed the needed, I tried not to pass out. It wasn't as bad as i'd imagined. Only the first hurt and I did not feel the rest. The extraction was a breeze and I did not feel anything. Obviously, I could not talk well because of the gauze inside and the weird feeling of the anesthesia. I decided to skip work to get a good rest. It was all about facing your fears. Now, I now look at medical professionals in a different light.

I was never a fan of doctors. For years, I shied away from them hoping I would not visit them. But then the eventuality of things rolled in. Since I was already getting more and more concerned with my looks, I decided it was time. I went to the dentist for my annual check and prophylaxis. OK, my teeth were never perfect and since I had extra cash to spare, I decided to get braces.

My mouth was hanging open for more than an hour. Damn. I never thought it would take that long. After the long process, I was excited to see myself with the new braces. When I saw myself in the mirror, I was like, wow. I was still me, with metal in my mouth. Expensive metal to be exact. It was when I got home that I realized that it was starting to feel weird. Painful to be exact. Thank God I bought the pain killers they prescribed. As expected, I could not eat solid so I was on a liquid and ice cream diet. Yehey! I now had the reason to enjoy ice cream since it was the only thing I could eat, for hot.

Guys, aren't you tired of looking for products that perfect for your skin type? Most of the products in the market today are mostly for women. Men and Women have different skin types since men produce more oil than women. Men are more likely to sweat than women. Thus it is wise to get a product that would be perfect for you.

Good thing brands like Nivea and Loreal have come up their own line for me. They have a wide variety of choices depending on your needs. Line is complete with a facial wash, toner, moisturizer and even an eye cream. More pricey brands like Kiehl's and Clarins also have their own versions. All of these promise results. It is up you what to choose. It is best that you ask referrals from friends or from other users who have tried the product. Remember, take care of yourself while your young so that when you are older, you'll surely reap the benefits.

I try to vary my work-out every now and then. There has to be a mix of low and high intensity work-outs to burn both viceral and subcutaneous fat, whatver they mean. They were mentioned to me by my fitness guru friend. Since I love jogging, I make it a point to do some stretching after. I also do push-ups and crunches to make the exercise more effective.

A Muay-Thai lover friend shared with me his running plan. When I looked at it, I was surprised to find that the plan featured, jogging, walking and sprinting in just on exercise. Well, I remember my cheerleading days when we used to do that. It is incredibly tiring to jump from one speed to another. But is is also very effective since it also burns more calories. Plus your body also develops endurance and utilizes different sources of energy. When I tried it again, I was left catching my breath after a sprint but I noticed that I produced more sweat. I think I did well. 'Til next time!