The Best and Worst Beauty Products

If you're like me, you just love trying new cosmetics and beauty products. While some deliver on their promises, many fail to live up to their hype.

Skin care has come a long way in recent decades. Previously, the only effective creams were super-expensive and could only be purchased from elite dermatologists. But with mucho dinero on the line, every major beauty company is vying for a chunk of the $200-billion global cosmetics market. This ferocious competition has resulted in innovative products that are available at affordable prices.

Top Raves

Topping my list is the Oil of Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System, which retails at drugstores for $27. Based on a review of 80 consumers at makeupalley.com, this at-home microdermabrasion kit received an overall rating of 4.5 out of a possible score of 5. And 86% of consumers said they would repurchase the product. This easy-to-use kit left my skin velvety soft and smooth at a fraction of the cost of a professional microdermabrasion. Obviously, a procedure at the dermatologist's office provides more dramatic results, but this kit works wonders for do-it-yourself'ers like me. However, some users have complained of breakouts, so use caution if you have sensitive skin.

Another impressive performer is the Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum. This serum, which retails for $18 for a 1.7-oz. bottle, is a great daily moisturizer. It contains dimethicone, which provides a barrier to protect the skin against moisture loss and dehydration. And it goes on matte, so your face doesn't look shiny after your put it on.

A super-effective and inexpensive astringent is generic witch hazel, which you can buy for under $2 per 16-oz. bottle. Dab it on a cotton ball and glide it across your face to remove makeup or to tone your skin after--or instead of--washing your face with soap and water. And because it contains only 14% alcohol, it's mild and non-drying.

Mineral makeup is quickly replacing liquid foundation in many women's makeup routines. Because these are available as pressed or loose powders, they look more natural than liquid foundation and don't make you look like you're wearing a mask. My favorite is Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Face Powder, which retails for $13. This powder got a rating of 4.1 out of 5 from 56 consumers, with 85% saying they would repurchase. And because this powder is mineral- and not talc-based, it has a superfine texture and won't look chalky.

Top Rants

One thing I've learned over the years is that expensive does not mean better. One of the most overrated skin products is Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream. This cream retails for $110 per 1-oz. jar. The irony is that it's 44% Vaseline--one of the cheapest moisturizers around! Having been one of those fools who fell for its hype, I was disappointed that putting this on my face was like spreading on spackle. Plus, this cream is just too rich for most people's complexions, and can cause breakouts because of the high concentration of grease...er, I mean,...petroleum jelly.

Another dismal performer is StriVectin SD Cream. This was originally marketed to diminish stretch marks--but lo and behold!-some obscure scientist somewhere, no doubt in tandem with a clever ad agency, discovered that StriVectin also fights wrinkles "better than Botox," according to its ads. And so a new holy-grail cream was born. The only problem is, the stuff doesn't work. I paid $135 for a 6-oz. tube of the cream, which smelled funny and felt like Ben Gay. And others agree: The cream got a dismal 2.5 rating out of 5 from 33 consumers, and only 44% said they would repurchase it.

Don't Fall for the Hype

So the moral is, while there are some truly effective beauty products out there, a lot of them are merely clever marketing ploys. Remember that cosmetics companies play on our collective insecurities in order to market their overpriced products. Do some research before shelling out big bucks for those "miracle creams." It's important to look good, but no one looks good with egg on their face.

Fashion Clothing Tips for Short Women

Petite curvaceous women definitely need to elongate their body using their clothing style for minimizing the volume. This is the general rule for the women owning this type of figure. In order to cover the faults of a figure not belonging to a tall, skinny 'giraffe' type model, you need to follow some essential tricks.

- Your aim is to elongate your body. The most frequent mistake petite women making in terms of clothing is cutting their bodies by using pieces of clothes as jackets and belts in the wrong proportions. Wearing large belts on top of pants or skirts together with blouses of different color is not the best choice as it cuts the body in two parts, drawing attention to the shortness of the figure.

- You should also avoid wearing extra fabric around the waist. You already possess a good amount of volume in this area and the last thing you need adding some more.

- A false myth is the idea that very long skirts make your legs look long. Very long, baggy skirts make your legs look shorter. Long skirts may make you look taller if they go down to the ankle level and if they are straight.

- A good trick to elongate your legs is to wear straight pants that cover your shoes. This will definitely add some extra inches to your legs.

- Mixing colors is permitted for petite women but remember that it is the monochromatic clothing that makes you look taller and slimmer.

- Avoid wearing thick fabric clothing as it adds extra weight to your figure.

- The best trick to elongate your body is to wear vertical lines patterned clothing. But keep in mind not to exaggerate as you will end up looking like a zebra. It is enough to wear a pair of jeans that have a vertical line in the seams and you will create the illusion of a taller person. Just one or two lines are enough to create this illusion. Try to avoid wearing clothing items with multiple vertical lines or mixing two garments with lines pattern.

- If you also have some extra pounds, the best way to hide them is to fit properly the clothing items. Remember that oversize t-shirts don't hide extra pounds, they make people look baggy, without any shape. - Too tight means too bad. However very tight clothes are risky too.Properly fitted clothes help you show the best of your body. Never wear clothes that show an open view of your tummy. It will only call attention to this wrong part of your figure.

- And the 'must do' rule for petite women is to always wear high heels. Matching stilettos to long, straight pants is the combination that will make you look taller and slimmer in any situation. And keep in mind: any figure fault can be covered by using the right piece of clothing.

Fashion jewelry

Clothing - enhance your looks

In today's times of fashion and style, clothing plays an important role in establishing our social status. It is very important to wear clothes that are highly fashionable and stylish. There is such a wide variety of range available in the attires that one can try different styles of clothes almost everyday. It solely depends upon the choice and taste of the person that what kind of clothes she or he prefers to wear. Depending upon the different factors like age, body structure, profession, region and social status, different people wear clothes of different kinds.

There are wide varieties of styles and designs available in clothes for both men and women; however women have more options and variations than men. For men generally trousers and shirts are the only viable options but females can also try out different outfits like skirts, gowns, frocks, dresses etc. They have a whole lot of accessories and accouterments to enhance their looks and style. These days, many fashion houses and labels are present that provide breathtakingly stunning designs for the dresses that make anybody look awesomely beautiful.

clothing is important for everybody - be it an infant or a teenager. Young girls, middle aged women and old ladies; everybody pays special attention to their clothes and footwear etc. Men are considerably less conscious about their looks as compared to women. For professional people more sophisticated and sober clothes are more appropriate; however kids and teenagers prefer wearing more sporty and designer clothes. Fabrics are available for different kinds of clothes. Cotton, chiffon, silk, satin, nylon, Lycra etc are some of the materials that are widely used to make clothes.

The design and patterns of the dresses largely depend upon the designer's creativity and customers' requirements. The attires are available in distinctive styles and cuts that cater to the needs and liking of people of different tastes and social segments. One can find affordable outfits and also high profile and luxurious attires that sometimes cost a fortune.

Young girls may prefer wearing slim fit and highly stylish dresses that make them look stunning. Every body wants to look beautiful and impressive. Good clothes are definitely a must have for everybody as they help one look attractive. Without proper outfits one would never manage to have a pleasing and appealing personality.

Fashion-from day to night

The skirt has a world of different fashions and versions, ruffle skirt, pencil skirt, A-line skirt, mini skirts, among others. The pencil skirt, both sexy and elegant, shows a woman's enchantment, no matter what season, this peace of clothing, just like a classic white blouse, can be worn for a day at the office, as well as a party night with friends or a fancy cocktail.

For a day at work, you can wear a pencil skirt in any color combined with a blazer in another color tone, to attract more attention to the upper part. Don't forget your high pumps to emphasize your figure and exalt your elegance.

If you have a cocktail by night, a fancy dinner or a night out with a group of friends, you can wear a sexy short along with your skirt, leave your blazer at the car and bring your oversized clutch and stilettos.

The secret to wearing the same clothes, but different outfits from day to night is in the combination used for your items. Mix your clothes, wear different accessories according to the activity, for your outfit to appear a different one. Also, try combining different purses with your shoes. Imagination is the foundation to your success.

If you wear jeans for work, try using a funky jacket and accessories, for night, loose the jacket, show your shirt and change your accessories.

Since tunics and mini dresses are the #1 item for this spring, wear them with pants for work but for your girl's night out, have fun and use that tunic as a mini dress with high heels or platforms.

Scarves are also a must-have item for daring look-altering women. For your office, tie your scarf around your neck, while at night you can tie it across your waist as a belt, or even use it as a sexy shirt, wrap two corners around your neck and the remaining two corners around your waist.

The color scheme can change according to your preference, but black and white is still the favorite among women. Wear colors for work but then bring out your sexier side with black and white tones for your eveningwear.

If you are on vacation, you'll need to change your look from the beach to night, there are numerous beach cover-up dresses that you can change the tie-in and wear as a sexy dress by night, pack your beach bag with your best accessories and voil.

Your makeup can also convert from being convenient for day to sexy and outgoing for night. Apply a higher blush tone to your cheeks, do the same with your eyeliner, so you can bring more potential to your eyes. Use loose powder to eliminate shine on your skin. Add eye shadow in iridescent tones like silver and gold.

Your aroma is as important as your whole look; it complements who you are, for day, try using floral scents while at night use a stronger perfume to emphasize your sensual femininity.

The spice of life,fashion and style

The spices of life are more to some and less to others. Contrary to a captain with no hull beneath his deck, but a good steady wind and a pair of Denim flares more befitting a weatherworn sailor feeling his years, to the Far East in search of spices. Time and tide wont let a sailor sleep.

Now its the spices of fashion for men, the rising tide: And, dandyism still contrasting Beau Brummell rejection of 18^th century frills, his mandate; a dark blue coat, buff-coloured pantaloons and waistcoat, black boots and a clean white neck cloth.

The modern sailors uniform, endures and has remained a popular choice for designers to mimic idiosyncratic characters, a simple uniform to draw inspiration from; each changing style to suit forms and functions.

A little more evidence on how history in fashion repeats itself: Bell bottomed trousers were another 'icon' of the square rig uniform. These were practical garments for men who worked sailing ships since they could be rolled up securely to clear the feet and ankles when working the rigging. In common with all other items of a sailor's kit, trousers were kept folded ready for use in a kit bag. Kept inside out to avoid fluff on the outer surface and to avoid 'shine' by ironing, they were folded horizontally at about a hand's width and taped into a rectangular 'block'. When worn, this produced inverted vertical creases down the side of the leg and five or seven, depending on the height of the wearer, horizontal creases down the leg. In time these were accepted as the thing to have and were pressed firmly into place from the early years of the century. Since the First World War bell bottoms were purchased for tradition rather than any practical use but were replaced by flared trousers in 1977.

The three white tapes were said to commemorate Nelsons three great battles The Nile, Copenhagen and Trafalgar. However there is no truth in this the Admiralty were at one time considering the merits of two stripes as against three. Sailors were assigned to various jobs according to their skill. ... Before 1857 there was no uniform for Royal Navy seamen, who usually wore baggy trousers ... The modern sailor's uniform is the culmination of centuries of tradition and innovation. From silk stockings, frock coats and night caps.

In 1756 a childrens uniform of 'sailor's dress' with distinctive leather caps was adopted, instead of the uniform based on what the pensioners wore....

The sailor's collar deserves a special mention. Tarred pig tails disappeared rapidly after 1815 and the last is recorded as having been seen at sea in 1827. On the other hand, the first broad collars were worn after 1830. Contrary to popular belief, therefore, the two were never worn together.

Enough sea faring stories; now, the gentleman, endowed with wisdom, true to word and honourable handshake. Bereft of principles; no gentleman.

So, clothes befitting is not distinguishable enough to judge mans true character, he chooses to wear governed by mood, taste, budget, status or advice? A pair of faded jeans and linen shirt and sneakers, or the best cut suit from Savile Row and Floorshiems,

However its what suits the individual taste, this is the spice in fashion. The things that add spice to menswear clothing are the accessories, like silk ties, cravats, or scarves. Men wear label badges as recognition of status or club membership. Then there are endless choices of cufflinks in silver Swarovski crystals and most traditionally enamels.

Even more fortunate of the modern man are the designers who mark a new creative direction for mens clothing and accessories. A few fine examples, Vivienne Westwood, Timothy Everest, Ian Flaherty.

Fashion - Catalyst for social change!

Midway through the last century, fashion and style began to take on a much more complex connection to the social issues of the day. When the Beatles exploded on the scene in the early 60's, style became much more tightly connected to point of view and political persuasion than at any time in the past. As time has gone on, the fashion world has been increasingly vocal about many of the social problems of the day.

One of the first points of contact between fashion and social issues was the Vietnam War and the developing opposition to that conflict. Invariably, those strongly opposed to the war wore their hair long and favored tie-dyed "hippie" clothes while those who supported the conflict wore their hair short and chose clothes that were much more conservative in nature.

When the opposition succeeded in hastening an end to the Vietnam conflict, it seemed only natural that these activists (as they were now called) would turn their attention to other pressing social issues and style and fashion offered several flashpoints which could be exploited.

It was about this time that Hollywood began to inject itself much more strongly into social issues and thus began a long line of actors and actresses who would take strong stands on these issues and again, the fashion world was the perfect target.

When the United States began to lose its' once predominant position in the textile industry, most of the industry shifted to lesser developed parts of the world where working conditions often approached "sweatshop" status. With Hollywood taking the lead, consumers boycotted many of the companies that used these ill-treated workers to make the garments and, in many cases, succeeded in changing company policy. This type of boycott was especially successful in getting companies to stop doing business with areas of the world that employed child labor under unusually harsh conditions.

In today's world, fashion is becoming more closely aligned with the Green movement and it is becoming fashionable these days to be "eco-chic" and this trend appears to be gaining momentum. As consumers become more educated about the complexities of the garment business, they will want to know about all the details that are involved in getting clothing to the marketplace and will expect to get the same level of transparency from clothing companies that they now expect from the food industry.

Fashion and style, in the past, were all about creating an image but now that image can also include the personal value set of the wearer and it looks as if this connection between fashion and social issues is here to stay.