Backless dresses can look very elegant but the trick to making a backless outfit work for you lies not in the cut and style of the garment, but the manner in which you take care of your back. Wearing the most exquisitely designed outfit will do no good if your back isn’t smooth, soft and polished to the touch and look.

A daily routine of scrubbing, exfoliating and moisturizing is necessary to keep the skin supple and healthy and young looking.

Firstly, if you have acne on your back, make sure you cover it up with make-up. There isn’t a better way to destroy the chic-factor of an outfit than sporting back acne. So make sure that you use both foundation and concealer. To make sure that it stays on, apply a layer of talcum powder before rubbing in the cover make up.

Even if the skin on your back is clear, it is always recommended to apply foundation so that the tone of your skin is evened out. Usually, the color of the skin on your arms and that on your back is very different. Make sure that you take somebody’s help during this entire process; otherwise you will end up with unsightly streaks on your back.

If you apply talcum powder on your back every hour during the event, it will ensure that your back does not get sweaty and hence, shiny. You can also opt for compact powder as this will give your skin a smoother look.

When the days shorten and the air begins to dry out, we all can sense that fall is on its way in. As we get closer and closer to autumn, hydrating your skin is essential! Hydration is one of the most commonly used words in a skin care specialists’ vocabulary. While the average person understands that skin needs to be hydrated so it doesn’t flake and crack, the amount of moisture found in the skin is actually a determining factor for many other skin issues, including premature aging, discoloration, and problematic skin. While most skincare products work to cover the skin with lotions and serums, they are never successful in actually penetrating the outer layer of the skin, which acts as a filter or barrier for the rest of the body.

What many people don’t know is their skin is an excellent barrier and the first level of protection for their body. Its filters are so small that it is virtually impossible for any type of topical product to actually penetrate them. One of the only substances that can actually penetrate the skin is amino acids – but they must be delivered through an emulsion in order to reach the dozens of various proteins that the skin is made of. When these proteins begin to breakdown they must be repaired or replaced in order for your skin to maintain a youthful, radiant and healthy appearance.

Ground-breaking skincare company AminoGenesis has created a product to harness the amazing power of amino acids – DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum. DermaScyne² is the only anti-aging skincare product that delivers 25 key biological building blocks to the skin enabling it to replace and repair the skin’s essential proteins as they breakdown to maintain a youthful, radiant and healthy appearance.

DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with Natural Moisturizing Factors is the newest, most powerful option to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and other signs of aging. These precursors help support proteins like collagen and elastin as well as many other key proteins found in the skin.

DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with NMF  also supplies the skin with the crucial moisture binding compounds found in the natural moisturizing factor. These compounds actually bind water into your skin for maximum hydration. In addition, DermaScyne² with NMF delivers superior anti-aging benefits to keep your skin more youthful, radiant and beautiful for many years to come. Price: $139

WIN IT :  One lucky reader will get to win the above product. Here’s what you need to do to stand a chance to win the DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with Natural Moisturizing Factors:

• One mandatory entry – Let me know in the comment section below why you need the DermaScyne² Intense Daily Serum with NMF
• Two additional entries – Tweet this giveaway and leave your twitter id/thread
• Five additional entries – Link to this blog from your blog’s sidebar. Leave your blog url in the comment section
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only and closes on 25th November 2009.
• A winner will be picked using Random.org. Remember to subscribe so that you will be updated with the contest result.

DISCLOSURE : I WAS NOT COMPENSATED NOR PROVIDED WITH ANY PRODUCTS IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS POST. HOWEVER,  THE GIVEAWAY FOR MY READER IS SPONSORED BY AMINOGENESIS.

Congratulations to:

lisa

with her winning entry “I added you to my bloglist and posted giveaway: http://stephie-stephsblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaways-cont.html”

 for winning the Sothys Products Giveaway

Please email me your shipping address by using the Contact Form here. If the prize remains unclaimed by 15th November 2009, we will be doing another random draw.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Check out the following video of the popular street magician Dynamo displaying his brand new Facebook trick. It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? It’s also fortunate that this is just a trick and not the real thing. You wouldn’t want your personal data accessible to such Data Snatchers and risk your money being stolen. 

Unfortunately, the fact remains that identity theft is still happening to many people on the net and it is essential that you protect yourself by installing Internet Security Softwares. At the very least, you should get some basic protection for your computer with the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0. It’s so easy to download and install. With such security protection, you can surf, search, download, bank, and of course, SHOP SAFELY. For the complete PC protection, you might like to check out the NEW AVG Internet Security 9.0.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/3

Aromatherapy is the name given to the practice of using plant oils, especially those known to be essential oils for healing and rejuvenating various aspects of physical and psychological health and well-being. The practice of Aromatherapy is favored by those looking to recharge their senses and replenish their tired bodies.

The principle underlying the practice is that of capturing the power of the essential oils and using it to revitalize the body, thus removing signs of daily stress and fatigue. The terminology ‘essential oils’ is used because the essential oils are considered to be the ‘essence’ of the plant and if they are used properly, one can get rid of a number of problems. Hydrosol, Absolute and CO2 extracts are the main ingredients in most aromatherapy concoctions.

Aromatherapy can help an individual get rid of infections by destroying harmful bacteria and fungi in the body. Eucalyptus oil will help you recover from the common cold in no time. It is also recommended by psychiatrists because it can help get rid of depression, anxiety and stress. Basil oil is the best example in this case. Sandalwood, lavender and rosemary oil can also calm down an individual and get rid of irritation within minutes. Tea tree oil is applied around a fresh wound to help it heal faster.

Research has shown that aromatherapy also helps to get rid of severe post partum depression.

Long hair has its pros and cons. But a lot of women want to have long luscious hair because it is very feminine and sexy. Long hair is versatile and you can sport different looks everyday with different hairstyles. But the downside is- long hair is high maintenance. If you have long hair and want to give yourself a great do, here are three great ways to style your long hair.

Wear it big and sexy
If you want to look as foxy as Eva Longoria, you can wear your hair big and sexy. You can add volume to your hair with voluminizing hair products that you can find in the market. Use the product at roots of your hair when it is still wet. Divide your hair into section so you can blow dry efficiently. Blow dry your hair straight down and use a paddle brush. You can also add more volume to your hair by flipping your head upside down and massage the roots of your hair while blow drying. Use your handy hair spray when needed to hold your big and sexy hair.

Tie it in a ponytail
Most of the time, simplicity is the best way to go. If you want to style your long hair without fear of overdoing it, you can use the classic ponytail style. This is also something that you can do yourself. There are many versions of ponytail hairstyle that you can choose from. Beyonce like to have her hair tied up high and have her front hair brushed back smoothly in a pony. If you want to go for the trendy look, you can have a small portion of your hair in a puff and then pony them all up. You can also wear the ponytail classic style with full bangs or a side swept bangs to give it a twist. Celebrities like Carrie Underwood who loves wearing her a side ponytail, can look equally glamorous too.

Curl it up
If you have long straight hair, you can jazz it up by styling it with waves and curls. There are many curling products that you can find in the market today. You can purchase curlers in different diameters so you can have different volumes and sizes of waves and curls. You can also buy curling iron to have a casual curly look in an instant. There are many celebrities who go for long wavy hairstyle like Beyonce and Jennifer Love Hewitt, among others.

With long hair, you can do a lot of styling. The styles mentioned above are three simple hairstyles that you can do on your own. Try it out and save big on your saloon visit!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

As the winter months are upon us, harsh winds and dry air damage your once vibrate and radiant complexion. Everyone strives for healthy and hydrated skin all year round, and Sothys has the solution. Sothys offer the ultimate solution for dried-out skin: Hydroptimale; a third-generation hydration system created to reinforce the skin’s water reservoir.

Hydroptimale THI3 Light & Comfort Hydrating Creams: Patented Sothys complex Optimizer SC regulates water flow through the skin the Molecular Patch acts as a pseudo-skin. Made of osmolytes encapsulated in algae and vegetable polymers, it assures ultimate and long lasting protection and hydration, at least 8 hours. Filagrinol® complex containing extracts from pollen, wheat germ oil, soybean and olive hydrates, softens and improves the overall function of the skin. Sothys’ Hydroptimale Creams produce instant hydration improvement in the skin by up to 82% after three hours. After continuous use for one month, hydration can be improved by 66%. (Price: $55, 1.7 oz)

Hydroptimale THI3 Hydrating Mask: Hydrating Mask offers an instant solution to any type of dehydrated skin, plumping the skin with moisture for a healthy lift and glow by re-balancing the water exchanges within the skin and lessening the tightening sensation associated with dry or dehydrated skin. Beetroot extract balances water movements in and out of the cells to improve their metabolism while plant-based complex Filagrinol retains and optimum moisture in the top layer of the skin with extracts of pollen, soybean oil, olive oil, and wheat germ oil. (Price: $33, 1.7 oz)

WIN THEM : This is what you’ve been waiting for. One lucky reader of this blog will get to win a two of the above Sothys products, a Hydroptimale THI3 Light & Comfort Hydrating creams, AND a Hydroptimale THI3 Hydrating Mask.

Here’s what you need to do to stand a chance to win:

• One mandatory entry – Let me know in the comment section below why you want to win these products
• Two additional entries – Tweet this giveaway and leave your twitter id/thread
• Five additional entries – Link to this blog from your blog’s sidebar. Leave your blog url in the comment section
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only and closes on 10th November 2009.
• A winner will be picked using Random.org. Remember to subscribe so that you will be updated with the contest result.

DISCLOSURE : I WAS NOT COMPENSATED NOR PROVIDED WITH ANY PRODUCTS IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS POST. HOWEVER,  THE GIVEAWAYS FOR MY READERS, FEATURED ABOVE ARE SPONSORED BY SOTHYS.

Congratulations to:

1. Jennifer R

AND

2. Charlene Kuser

 for winning the Hyp-Yoga 6 Weeks Weight Loss DVD

Please email me your shipping address by using the Contact Form here. If the prize remains unclaimed by 26th October  2009, we will be doing another random draw.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

If you are a big fan of the Ghost Whisperer star Jennifer Love Hewitt or you simply adore her music and want to look like her, here are some tips on how you can look like Jennifer Love Hewitt in four easy steps!

1. Dress like Jennifer Love Hewitt

If you want to look like Jennifer Love Hewitt, you can copy her fashion style. Hewitt loves to highlight her full breast and nice curves. You would often see her in dresses with a heart shape neckline or a v-neck. She is also fond of wearing low necks and deep necks. Empire dresses, halter tops and spaghetti strap blouses should be in your closet too. Hewitt is also fond of Victorian inspired vintage blouses with some lace and ruffles.

2. The Jennifer Love Hewitt Hairstyle

Celebrities can sport any hairstyle imaginable. If you want to look like Hewitt, there are two ways to go- you can wear your hair wavy/ curly or sport a short bob. In many awarding ceremonies, Hewitt would always go for the casual wavy look. She has that flirty and girlish wavy hair that makes her look young even at 30. At one time, she was also seen in short dark bob with straight bangs.

3. Get that Jennifer Love Hewitt Body

This may seem impossible, but if you really want to look like Jennifer Love Hewitt, then you should have those same curves and same body size! But if you can’t go for a size 2, then you should at least give attention to your chest area and do some buttocks to be at par with the great assets of Jennifer Love Hewitt.

4. Think like Jennifer Love Hewitt

If you want to look like Jennifer Love Hewitt- it’s all in the mind! Jennifer is a positive thinker. Before she sleeps, she would tell herself she is beautiful. In the morning when she wakes up, she would remind herself of 5 things that she likes about herself. That should be the same line of thinking that you have if you want to boost some extra confidence and gain that Jennifer Love Hewitt star quality.

Whether they are fiery diamonds, cultured pearls, natural stones or precious metals, drop earrings are in the public eye on the famous as well as on the unknown. The effect of the drop earring, whether short, long or chandelier, is to lengthen the neck and to brighten the eyes.

Many actresses present at the 61st Emmy awards chose diamond drop earrings as part of their jewelry montage. Pieces by designers such as Neil Lane, Fred Leighton, and Chopard were worn by Christina Hendricks, Elizabeth Moss and Glenn Close.  Drop earrings are also very attractive in semi precious stones such as turquoise and tiger’s eye. Sterling silver is very becoming as a drop earring setting.

A drop earring may have a solid base or open work on the ear and just a single stunning drop, like a cultured pearl. It also could be a string of pearls dropping one by one from a golden chain. Larger carved stones suspended from the ear are very catchy drop earrings. An elegant and sparkling drop earring for a formal occasion or a special gala could easily be the chandelier style earrings with many light catching stones in an ever broadening pattern.

Wear drop earrings along with a necklace, bracelets, rings and other jewelry pieces. You will glow and sparkle like the elements of the jewelry you are wearing.