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Monobrows, trends and the movies

October 1st 2008 04:36
While waiting for my brows to grow, I thought I would continue with the eyebrow theme. When discussing this topic with my Dad, he told me about brow trends and beauty status in Uzbekistan. As with other Central Asian countries, eyebrows that grow together over the bridge of the nose…yes we are talking “the monobrow” are a symbol of ultimate beauty for Uzbek women. Sometimes if this look doesn’t come naturally Uzbek women will actually pencil the space between brows to get the right effect. This discussion reminded me how cultural beauty is and how unfortunate it is in some ways that with global trends, we are losing some of the cultural nuances in our appreciation and expression of beauty.

Uzbek Brows
The beauty of a monobrow

It also reminds me of a thankfully short time in my life I call “the Groucho Marx Incident”. This incident was actually just a visit to a beauty therapist for a brow tint. The tint was left on far too long and I came out with thick, black brows that made me look like the female version of Groucho Marx. After rubbing my brows raw with a toothbrush, to no avail I might add, I just had to wait for them to fade. Fortunately, there are no photos of this time in my life. When I work up the courage to have my brows tinted now days, I remind my therapists that less is more!
Groucho Marx
Bushy Eyebrows are OUT


Another discussion sparked by “My 90’s Brow’s” was with a make-up artist who told me that apart from clothing styles, one of the most important visual cues that provide authenticity across different eras is eyebrows. For example, during the 20’s thinner brows that had been severely plucked was the trend with many actresses shaving their brows, never to have them grow back properly again. The 30’s were still highly plucked but with exaggerated height and length.

In the 40s eyebrows started to gain a more natural appearance again but by the 50s, thick, dark eyebrows with a distinct arch were the trend. The 60’s saw the use of pencils to fill in brows, creating a fuller brow with distinct pencil lines. By the 70’s it was a return to a basically natural look brow again. Unfortunately we hit the 80’s and everything was excessive including the brow – I call it the decade of caterpillar brows!

Skipping the 90’s, as that is what I am still living with, we are now headed for a natural look again. And to that I say “thank goodness”!
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My 90's Brows! (LINK)

September 4th 2008 00:46
Step away from the mirror, the bigger brow is back. Not ungroomed or the hairy brow of the 80s, rather something in between with an arch in the middle, a definite angle and trimmed on top.

This is the advice I was given when informed, not unkindly, that I had out of date brows. Yes they are so 90's! What is a 90's brow was my first question. Brow fashion in the 90s was lighter, thinner with more arch and less angle. Think Linda Evangalista. Unfortunately for me I didn't realise this was OUT.

These days my eyebrows are only waxed every 6 months or so because I plucked them so much as a teenager. To think at 18, my brows looked more Brook Shields than Linda Evangalista! So for the next 6 months, my aim is to grow my brows to see if I too can achieve a 2000 brow!

PS. please, don't take this section too seriously - I just can't resist a beauty challenge!


Linda Evangalista Brows
Brook Sheilds Brows - oh so 80's


My 90s Brows
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We all love a good pamper, that is when we finally stop and take the time to enjoy it. Most of the time we are too busy, too stressed, put ourselves last or just don’t think we deserve it and so miss out. Regular pampering is more than just looking good; it is an important form of self care. If we take the time to slow down and enjoy some pampering, it re-fuels our mind and body, allowing us to cope more effectively with life. Essentially, pampering is an important aspect of our health and wellbeing.

One question I regularly ask people who think they are too busy to pamper themselves is “if you don’t look after yourself, how can you help look after your loved ones”. Pampering gives important time for rest and recuperation and allows us time out from everyday demands. If we care for ourselves, then we have more energy to work, to play and to be part of our friends and families lives.

Pampering also reduces stress levels significantly. In a stressed state our nervous system stimulates the body to release hormones that in excess are linked to many health related issues. Everyday we are bombarded everyday with noise, traffic, pollution, communication, stimulation and the demands of others. To manage this constant pressure, we need to be able to “turn off” the body’s responses to stress.

Pampering assists with this process by allowing us to relax. Research supports the positive effects of regular relaxation which include enhanced immune function, lowered blood pressure, decreased mental pressure and enhanced creative processing.

Pampering not only relaxes the body but also the mind. It achieves this by improving mental clarity and mood as well as relieving anxiety. A relaxed mind allows more focused attention and better performance when we need it.

Just one hour a week of relaxation will help you to manage everyday demands more effectively. Of course more is even better! In this way pampering plays an important role in maintaining health and wellbeing…and apart from that is just so nice to lie down and know that for at least an hour, it is all about you!

Ananda Mahony ND is a naturopath and holistic skin specialist. Her practice focuses on the treatment of skin conditions and Food As Medicine. Ananda also owns Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care, a natural & organic skin care store in Paddington. www.vitalenatural.com.au
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Every so often I come across new research that influences the way I approach the treatment of skin conditions. A recent article published in Medical Hypothesis journal has shown a definite link between obesity and psoriasis. Obesity leads to a greater risk of developing psoriasis and loosing weight may improve the long term outcome of this condition.

The key link between the two conditions is inflammation. Obesity is associated with chronic low grade inflammation which may contribute to psoriatic lesions. Changes in weight can help to reduce obesity associated inflammation which in turn reduces the progression of psoriasis


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Ethno Botanicals from Africa Part 3 (LINK)

January 25th 2008 00:29
Something went askew in my brain over the last week. What was meant to be a 2 part blog actually has 3 parts and there are heaps of spelling mistakes. Excuse the format because the content is fascinating! So Part 3 of Ethno Botanicals from Africa:

Now for something different. A compound for cleansing that is so unique, so pure and so good for your skin. Well it’s called a soap, but not actually a soap at all


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Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring complex found in foods such as spinach, broccoli and yeast. Internally, ALA is essential for cell function, energy production and as an antioxidant, but it is not essential in the nutritional sense because our bodies make it. Our skin also makes this substance however as we age the level in our skin and body declines. Older skin may actually be ‘starved’ of this important nutrient.

As an antioxidant, ALA is both water and fat soluble, which means it is able to reach and protect both water and lipid portions of skin. This is particularly relevant to our skin as fats play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. One of the roles ALA plays in the health of the skin is to inhibit cross- linking which is the formation of chemical bridges between proteins or other large molecules. Cross- linking contributes to the aging process by causing hardening of arteries, stiffening of the joints and wrinkling of the skin


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Just back from holidays from rainy Northern NSW. While away I came across a number of articles about potentially dangerous ingredients in everyday skin care. Over the next little while I will look at a number of these ingredients and the potential issues their inclusion in skin care creates.

Propylene Glycol is a humectant and humidifying agent. This ingredient is generally used in brake fluid, anti freeze, laundry detergents, paints and floor wax. It is also used in the cosmetic industry and in some foods to keep products from melting or freezing in extreme temperatures by maintaining a balanced moisture content. Propylene glycol is on the US Food and Drug Administration's list of ingredients which are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and is recognized by the World Health Organization as safe for use


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Lead found in popular lipstick brands (LINK)

December 19th 2007 00:29
A recent article in Reuters revealed that more than half the lipsticks of popular brands such as Cover Girl, L'Oreal and Christian Dior contain lead. Over 33 red lipsticks were tested in conjunction with The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and it was found that 61% contained detectable levels of lead (0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm)).

While 0.03 ppm may not seem like a lot, the concern with any lead content is that it is not easily detoxified and is readily stored by the body. Additionally, estimates indicate the average woman consumes up to 1kg of lipstick each year. This is where lead levels become serious cause for concern


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Can Oils Save Our Skin (LINK)

December 14th 2007 02:40
A guest author today Lisa Phipps: Creator of REMEDICa Australia Skin Nutritives.

Healthy, beautiful skin can be difficult to maintain when we are bombarded with daily elements of hectic lifestyles, and often-unfavourable environments. Sadly it is a fact that our skin, the largest organ, designed to protect from and interact with the environment is subject to the inescapable events of internal and external stressors


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Once again I have been distracted. I am halfway through an article on carbohydrats but keep finding other topics to write about. Mineral Make Up was recently the topic of a positive story on A Current Affair. And so...my article, well that and the fact that I love mineral make up.

As a skin care specialist and someone that has suffered from skin problems in the past I am always looking for quality cosmetics and make up that minimise the impact of synthetic chemicals while at the same time support skin health. With commercial foundations this has always been difficult. Despite their ability to “cover up” many foundations contain a raft of chemical ingredients that actually worsen skin conditions such as acne and rosacea, irritate sensitive skin and significantly contribute to pore congestion


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Pelotherapy – Bathe your body in Clay (LINK)

November 1st 2007 01:00
This article is a little diversion from the Food As Medicine series which will be continuing...but I was distracted by this topic and thought I would write about it.

Clay has been used as a cosmetic ingredient and healing agent in Europe as far back as the 12th century and even before then by indigenous peoples from around the world. The most familiar use of clay in the modern day is in the form of facial masks however other applications such as body wraps, baths and poultices are also common. The term relating to the use of clay is Pelotherapy which is defined as the application of peliods, such as mud, peat, or clay to all parts of the body with the aim of healing or rejuvenation. Numerous types of clay are used depending on their different healing or beneficial qualities


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Using pyramids to heal

November 13th 2006 00:29
Pyramids are said to have healing powers

For as long as we have been aware of them; people have been baffled by the great Pyramids at Giza, including scientists. The amazing aspect of the great pyramids is their incredible preciseness and accuracy in a time where resources were limited and conditions where harsh and unforgiving. They are by far the biggest construction ever made by man and the mind boggles as to the how they were actually created. The mathematical precision is such that the dimensions and proportions are positioned in the exact centre of the earths land mass and they are exactly one trillionth of the weight of the Earth. It is obvious that these enigmatic edifices are not accidental but clearly planned and calculated to the millimeter.

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Mind, body and spirit...Karate

September 21st 2006 04:02
karate sunset
Karate sunset

Karate is a martial art style that originates from Japan. The word translates in English to mean 'empty hand'. It is a style that requires dedication and complete focus from the mind, body and spirit in order to achieve the full benefits.

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Bad Posture - PHOTO: Goldstein
A reciter of poetry, Tasmanian F.Mattias Alexander, noticed that he was constantly losing his voice. As a result he decided to take more interest in his body by concentrating on movement and balance. As he recited his lines, he stood in front of a mirror and became
aware that he was using his body wrong, by pulling his head back and tightening his throat.

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I have no other blogs :(
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