With peak bone mass being reached around the age of thirty, building up healthy strong bones during younger years is of huge importance. Factors affecting bone health include diet, smoking and alcohol consumption, family history, and body weight.

The following steps will increase bone buildup and density and ensure that bones remain healthy and strong in later years.

• Ensure that there is plenty of calcium in the diet. Dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, sardines, and almonds all provide good sources of calcium.

• Eat a balanced diet with fruit and vegetables, grains and pulses, and plenty of dairy products. Lean meat and fish provide healthy protein as do eggs, nuts and natural yoghurts.

• Soluble fiber such as oats, beans, fruit, and vegetables produce organic acids in the intestine, which helps to absorb calcium.

• Some sun exposure is essential for the uptake of Vitamin D, essential for healthy bones. If Vitamin D is lacking, look for fortified foods, which contain a healthy RDA to promote health.

• Maintaining a healthy body weight will minimize joint problems and prevent fragile bones.

• Weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running, and tennis is important for the building of strong bones and slow bone loss.

• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Tobacco can contribute towards bone weakening whilst overindulging in alcohol can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

• Some medication including cancer treatments and anti-seizure medication can affect bone health. Any concerns should be discussed with a doctor who may suggest bone health monitoring or taking a bone maintenance medication.

Damage to hair is caused by several factors. Lack of correct nutrients, overuse of heat styling products and chemical damage are the usual culprits. For healthy hair, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains for minerals and nuts and seeds for minerals and vitamins. Lean protein is essential for iron and of course drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

However, what if the damage has already been done? Well, revising eating habits will help in the long term, as will careful brushing and combing, cutting down on shampooing and restricting use of hot styling irons and hairdryers. Regular trims and not bleaching or dyeing hair will eventually allow hair to grow healthily. In the meantime, there are some quick fixes, which will help with hair damage.

• Look for a deep conditioner containing keratin, labelled for dry or damaged hair. Leave it on for around ten minutes and do this twice a week for the first couple of weeks then continue once a week. Try not to wash hair daily, as it will be stripped of oil and appear even drier than before.

• Try soaking the hair in olive oil or coconut oil, and then wrap hair in a hot damp towel. Using two towels and alternating as each one cools down over an hour will give the most damaged hair the chance to benefit from this treatment. Some find it beneficial to leave the oil on overnight, sleeping in a shower cap or turban. Wash the oil out with a gentle shampoo and comb with a wide toothed comb.

• Cutting off damaged hair is really the only way to repair it and then maintain the new healthy hair with regular trims. Thankfully, there are clip in fringes and hair extensions for those who really cannot bear the thought of short hair. For those with a sense of adventure, there are some wonderful pixie cuts, which are hugely fashionable at the moment.

The idea of having permanent eye makeup seems like a good one. No more smudges or streaks, no more rushing to put on makeup before a night out and the comforting thought of always looking good at any time of the day. However, is having permanent eye makeup a good idea or not? Here are the pros and cons.

 Cons

• Permanent eye makeup is tattooing under a different name. It can be used to simulate eyeliner, eyebrows and add colour to the eyelids. As with tattoos, the more dramatic colours last far longer than natural colours. Therefore, a natural look may need to be touched up, especially if the individual is exposed to the sun regularly.
• Results may be undesirable. Common complaints are of the colour being too dark or uneven. To remove a mistake may involve expensive pigment lightening techniques or complete removal involving laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, or a surgical procedure.
• There may be adverse effects such as allergies to the pigments, scar formation, blistering, and infection.
• Think carefully about the effects of the ageing process. This procedure is long term. Will it look as good in twenty years? Will it suit an older woman? Moreover, will natural skin sagging cause the tattooed area to droop?

Pros

• Permanent eye makeup is time saving and does not smear or smudge. Sporty women and swimmers would find permanent makeup a real boon.
• If administered correctly it can enhance the eyebrows and make them appear natural, ideal for those who have thin or no eyebrows.
• It is an ideal solution for those who wish to wear makeup but are allergic to conventional makeup.

It would appear that some thought would be required before making the decision whether to have permanent eye makeup applied. A reputable clinic should be found with qualified staff. Allergy tests would be advisable before commencing with the procedure. Seeking expert advice on the type of makeup applied, colour and effect would be sensible before making a commitment.

There are times in life when we do not feel good. Everyday life comes with worry and stress. Making ends meet, illness, a job we hate or simply being surrounded by negative people. No wonder many of us wake up in the morning and dread the day ahead. Moreover, the big black cloud we carry over our head through the day often infects others so by evening simply everybody feels rotten.

It is not easy to remain positive but there are simple ways to feel a little better. And a little better can eventually result in feeling good. Try some of these small steps that may result in a more positive attitude and from there, the uphill struggle towards feeling good suddenly becomes a smooth and level path.

• No health worries? Then rejoice because there are many who would love to wake feeling healthy. Picture yourself unable to walk or use your hands. Close your eyes and imagine a world of darkness. Life really could be a lot harder, couldn’t it?

• Take 20 minutes out of the day for a walk and really look at the surroundings. Find something beautiful, even in a concrete jungle. If you live in the countryside, this gets even better. Look at the birds, the hills, and the fields. Nature has provided so much beauty; it is impossible to ignore it. We spend so much of our lives rushing around that we become blind to the beauty of our world.

• Make a gesture of kindness, whether it is picking up something that has been dropped or sending an unexpected gift to someone who is also struggling with life. Kindness reaps rewards and the act of giving or helping makes us feel a better person.

• Smile at a stranger. Smiling is infectious so see how far it can be spread.

• Spend time with people whom it feels good to be around. Life is too short to waste on negative people and their attitude can bring us down. Positive and supportive friends can lift us up with their enthusiasm.

From the moment Kate Middleton donned a blue Issa silk designer dress to announce the news of her engagement, the world heaved a huge sigh of relief. Since we lost Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, there hasn’t been a female figure in the Royal family to make a fashion statement. Kate has taken on the almost impossible challenge of stepping into Diana’s (designer) shoes and has provided us with a new Princess of style and elegance.

Combining High Street pieces with designer clothing, Kate has her own sophisticated, elegant but modern take on fashion with the preppy equestrian look one would expect from a member of the Royal family. She looks as good in jeans and a cable knit jumper as she does in more formal clothing and whether her hair is loose or elaborately styled, she exudes an air of sophistication.

Her personal style has influenced designers to create wrapped and draped jersey dresses and blazers with nipped in waists. Kate embraced the trend of brightly coloured skinny jeans in 2012 and thousands copied her as she teamed them with flat ballerina style shoes and cropped cable knit jumpers. Kate displayed another 2012 fashion success, the peplum waisted jacket, when she helped Queen Elizabeth to take part in the Diamond Jubilee festivities. Her teal belted peplum skirt suit by L.K. Bennett was accessorised with black pumps and a James Lock hat.

In May 2012, she became a celebrity to watch, fashion wise, as she attended a concert at the Royal Albert Hall wearing a teal lace-backed Jenny Packham gown and Jimmy Choos. With her hair swept into a smooth chignon, Kate looked every inch a princess.

We recently heard the news of a Royal pregnancy and wait with anticipation to see what Kate considers to be suitable maternity clothing. With her latest friend being Victoria Beckham it would appear that there might be some VB designer maternity wear in the offing.

Drinking alcohol is depicted as being glamorous by TV programmes and films. Sipping cocktails in exotic surroundings is something many of us wish we could do. Yet the cold hard facts are that those tasty cocktails can damage the liver and kidneys, dehydrate the body, damage eyesight, and shrink the brain. Alcohol is also held responsible for diabetes and impotence, and can cause us to become obese.

Alcohol also destroys our looks. By damaging our insides, it takes its toll on the outside. Here are some effects alcohol can have on health resulting in a loss of beauty.

1. Alcohol accelerates the ageing process. By forcing the kidneys to work harder, it leaves the organs parched. And this includes our skin. Our skin begins to wrinkle more and loses its healthy glow.
2. Alcohol can worsen skin issues. It can cause rosacea, which causes reddening of the skin and pustules on the nose and cheeks. Alcohol causes tiny blood vessels to burst and when they are close to the skin this leaves a trail of red broken capillaries. Psoriasis is another skin condition worsened by alcohol.
3. Alcohol causes bloating leaving the face puffy and swollen.  Because the body is being dehydrated, it stores water and food causing the tissues to swell.
4. Alcohol irritates the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, which enlarge and cause a bloodshot appearance. Excessive drinking depletes the body of nutrients essential to the maintenance of eye health, which can eventually lead to impaired eyesight.
5. Alcohol also dehydrates the hair making it brittle and prone to split ends. It can also leave the body zinc deficient, which may result in hair loss.

Chronic drinkers are damaging their health and looks. Those who drink occasionally can reduce the effects by drinking water in between cocktails, make sure that they are not drinking on an empty stomach and use a heavy moisturiser before going to bed.

1. The spring of 2012 saw denim making a huge comeback with pastel-coloured and bright skinny jeans being the most popular. After Kate Middleton was seen wearing a raspberry pair of skinnies whilst walking her new spaniel, sales shot through the roof. Winter saw the style of jeans remain popular but more earthy tones of brown, burgundy, and plum were worn to indicate the change of season. Teamed with flat shoes or canvas deck shoes, coloured skinny jeans were the most popular piece of casual clothing to be worn last year.

2. Peplum styles have been around for a couple of years but once again, it was Kate Middleton who drew the public eye to the style after wearing a peplum skirt suit during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Peplums now come on casual dresses as well as evening gowns and became bigger and bolder over 2012.

3. Brogues were one of the hottest shoe trends of 2012 and teamed with the popular coloured skinny jeans they became the epitome of casual chic. Moreover, with the long wet British summer, coloured Wellingtons became an essential women’s fashion statement, seen at every festival and outdoor event in the summer of 2012.

4. The TV series ‘Mad Men’ inspired a nostalgic revival of retro fashion with figure hugging dresses and skirt suits with a 1950s and 60s feel. Designers like Vivien of Holloway became hugely popular with the glamorous take on reproduction clothing and teamed with hats and gloves, women everywhere sported an air of elegant chic.

5. Clutch bags, big enough for every woman’s needs were the ultimate accessory for the 2012 retro revival but gave way to a larger bag trend over winter 2012. Animal prints became fashionable again and celebrities were seen with matching snakeskin shoes and bags just in time for the festive party season.

•  2012 and the London Olympics saw a fresh surge of sports influenced clothing for men with even the top men’s designers adding a sporty twist to their collections. Formal clothing was given a casual feel with trainers suddenly becoming acceptable with formal suits and open necked shirts or even t-shirts adding to the new formal casual look. Deck shoes with that sailing influence became the shoe to wear over summer 2012.

• Skinny jeans were big in 2012 with the bravest men wearing them in bright colours, teamed with neutral t-shirts and trainers or canvas shoes. Not a look that appealed to everyone and it was mainly a youthful look, which suited a certain body type.

• Blazers were an essential part of male wardrobes in 2012 marking the transition from summer to autumn and giving jeans and t-shirts enough of a boost to make the transition to ‘smart casual.’ Teamed with brogues, another strong element of 2012, the resulting ‘preppy’ look was a strong favourite for autumn 2012. 

• Winter 2012 saw heavy jumpers and cardigans take top place in the casual end of fashion, teamed with jeans and dark pea coats. Teamed with short boots or loafers, this casual style was hugely popular and the use of coloured scarves gave an individual and colourful twist on a muted outfit. 

• Velvet became a large influence in men’s eveningwear especially over the festive season. Dark velvet jackets in a tuxedo style instantly dressed up a jeans and t-shirt combination, whilst for more formal occasions, black trousers and a shirt and tie were given 2012 flair when accompanied by velvet jacket with contrasting collar in a daring jewelled shade. Perhaps not for the faint-hearted but for men who liked to make a statement, velvet was certainly the material to fit the job.

Miley Cyrus captured the hearts of people all over the world for her role as Hannah Montana.  Now the international pop star is a style icon for millions of young ladies world-wide.  For those who want to emulate the young fashionista’s style, there are a few easy steps to get that Miley look.

Fashion

• Casual – Miley loves to team plain bottoms with striking printed tops.  The long tees and skinny jeans create a casual look worthy of a rock star, with the odd cowboy boot thrown in as a nod to her upbringing.
• Glamorous – The 19 year old star is a huge fan of figure hugging dresses which show off her slender figure for the red carpet.

Hair

When it comes to recreating Miley’s hairstyle, ladies have a choice.  For the more daring woman, Miley’s latest and extremely bold cropped cut may seem appealing. 

For the “classic Miley” look; long locks with flirtatious soft waves are a must.  The look can be achieved with wide rollers or even by twisting large sections of hair around the fingers whilst drying it.  For those who are not blessed with long tendrils, hair extensions are widely available and there are some to suit every budget.

Make-up

• Daytime look – Miley keeps her look nice and simple when not at an event.  Using a tinted moisturiser will give that dewy, sun kissed look that Miley rocks on a daily basis.  Add to this a quick coat of mascara to accentuate the eyes and a neutral lip gloss for the casual Miley look.
• Party time – Miley vamps up her look by really going to town on the eye area.  Lashings of black mascara with a smudge of black eyeliner over the top and bottom lids give a smoking hot look.  For that extra special occasion, adding a glittery eye shadow will complete the look.

When embarking on a business trip it is important to remember that a person is representing their company at all times and, therefore, image is everything.

The representative will only have one chance to make a first impression with any potential clients or business partners.  This means their outward appearance must be impeccable from the moment they begin their trip. 

Things to remember

Unfortunately, travelling can take its toll not only on the traveller, but they’re clothes as well.  However, there are a few tips and tricks which can be used in order for business women to maintain a professional appearance even on the longest of business travels.

• Non-restrictive clothing – Travelling for hours in a car or on a plane is uncomfortable at the best of times.  By looser fitting clothing in breathable material, the travelling business woman may remain cool, unflustered and comfortable throughout the trip.  Wide leg trousers and blouse are both smart and comfortable for such circumstances.
• Layers – When travelling, temperatures can fluctuate at the drop of a hat.  Layers will provide travellers with ability to stay warm or cool as the situation dictates.  A key item which will enable this is a good, smart jacket.
• Destination – If travelling to a different country, a small amount of research should be done to see what the climate will be like on arrival and if there are any customs to adhere to pertaining to clothing.
• Material – As mentioned, material should be breathable in order to prevent travellers from becoming flustered.  However, women should also try to wear materials which do not succumb easily to creases and wrinkles.  Polyester wool blends are more robust in this respect whilst linen, silk and satin materials will undoubtedly make a person look as though they have slept in their clothes.