Monthly Archives: October 2014

Best Makeup Styles for Women with Gray Hair

Photo Credit: iStock Photo

Celebrities can pull off almost any kind of makeup style and usually look fierce on the red carpet. But clearly, the efforts that they make to look impeccable at any age are supported by an army of skilled and dependable stylists, hairdressers and makeup artists. So instead of obsessing with Meryl Streep’s flawless barely there makeup and her uniform gray hair, try to focus on ways in which you can perfect your own styling ritual to achieve a perfect balance between the tones and the appearance of your hair and skin.

As we grow older, we start losing pigment. The color of our hairs fades away and our skin becomes paler. In this context, it becomes obvious that you need to work a bit on your makeup techniques to make them correspond to your new reality. Here are a few guidelines that every woman over 50 should consider before applying her favorite moisturizing cream and foundation.

Choose Your Favorite: Bold Red Lipstick or Smokey Eyes (Sorry, You Can’t Have Both!). Red lips and smokey eyes are the distinctive elements that can create a contrast with your depigmented tresses and actually make your best features even more noticeable. However, red lipstick and dark matte eye shadow are never a part of the same story, so they should never be associated.

Opt for a Quality Foundation and Ditch the Powder Blush. Go for a premium foundation compatible with your age and skin type. Skin care products containing SPF are always the smartest alternative, because they ensure a great level of protection against UVA and UVB rays. In addition, to avoid the old lady look, try to stay away from powder blush. Fine particles of powder will inevitably sit in the rough patches and lines that may already be visible on your face. Unfortunately, the results won’t give you any satisfaction, as your cheeks will most likely seem uneven and splotchy.

Get Perfect Eyebrows, Toss the “Bleeding” Lipstick and Use Concealer in Moderation. Perfectly styled eyebrows are the key to correcting the unpleasant aspect of droopy eyes. In this case, you would have to recreate a perfect, natural arch and use a brown eye shadow or a special eyebrow styling kit to fill in those sparse spots that may impact the shape of your brows. When it comes to applying concealer, don’t choose extremely light hues, as they will only make your skin look paler, while also emphasizing your bags and deep wrinkles. Buy and use a good concealer that does a great job at masking those nasty brown circles and distribute it evenly by patting it with a flat brush. Last but not least, if your lips and the area surrounding your month display deep creases, try to avoid lip glosses and dramatic shades of lipstick, because both options would only creep into your wrinkles and lead to a messy look.

Why do you want to stop gray hair in the first place? Lack of color doesn’t have to be your worst problem. Matte shades of gray, navy and brown, as well as bold metallic tones, soft blushes available in warm hues and neutral, moisturizing lipsticks can help you upgrade your image in a matter of a few seconds, even when your hair is 100% colorless. But don’t forget that gray hair needs more than a few clever makeup tricks to look its best. To obtain the softest, silkiest locks and interfere with the natural oxidation process to get back to a vibrant, more uniform color, just take catalase supplements twice a day.

4 Gray Hair Coloring Rules That You Should Respect After Reaching 40

For many years in a row, your hair has been your absolute pride and joy. Its lovely hues and silky texture have always allowed you to stay in the center of everyone’s attention. Nonetheless, at this point things are a little bit different. You have more than a few gray hairs around your temples and don’t know how to deal with the aesthetic problems posed by the frizziness and fading color of your tresses. In this context, you are determined to dye your locks. But before you actually embrace this option, take a few minutes to read the gray hair coloring rules that every single person over 40 should know by heart.

When You Dream about Reddish Tones, Go Blonde Instead. Natural red is fantastic and can do no wrong. However, red pigment coming from a tube is a completely different story. Instead of adding warmth to your face, it will only manage to accentuate your wrinkles, sallow undertones and brown spots. On the other hand, you can’t go wrong with subtle blonde highlights, which will frame your face and make it seem brighter and younger-looking.
Avoid Odd Contrasts or at Least Learn How to Balance Them. According to More Magazine, after reaching 40, you should try to recreate the natural color of your graying hair, rather than going for unnatural shades that won’t do you any justice. If you insist on undergoing a dramatic change in terms of hair color (after all, Beyonce succeeds in rocking the platinum blonde, so why shouldn’t you try to bend this coloring rule?), choose to crop your hair short or at least leave it natural-looking and don’t abuse any other styling tricks.
Replace Your Permanent Dye with a Semi-Permanent One. Semi-permanent dyes are your best friend for a number of reasons. They are gentler with your hair, ensure a much more natural color and still manage to cover your grays. What more could you ask for?
Remember That Your Gray Hair Requires a Lot of TLC on a Day to Day Basis. Gray hair will always demand a little bit more time and effort to look its best. Therefore, do not hesitate to use a special shampoo and conditioner especially formulated for depigmented locks and start feeding and protecting your grays from the inside out by taking catalase supplements. These pills for gray hair will help you achieve a beautiful, natural color and a perfect texture in only a few weeks.

What Should You Drink to Achieve Longer, Healthier Gray Hair?

You remember the days when your super long, silky raven hair used to attract compliments from strangers. Some would approach and ask you what type of dye you are using to achieve that superb, incredibly intense hue. At that time, you were basically taking your outstanding hair health for granted. But that was yesterday. Today, you are very concerned about the fading color and odd texture of your graying hair that seems to require more and more costly maintenance. You know that a clean diet can improve your rocky relationship with your strands, but can you actually identify the drinks that could support the same beautification goals? Here are a few beverages that could help you improve your daily hair care regimen with minimal effort.

The amount of water that is stored in our bodies represents anywhere from 50% to 75% of our weight. We feel thirsty when we have already lost up to 3% of the water deposited in our bodies. Water flushes away toxins and keeps the skin supple, younger-looking and clean. 8 glasses of water a day will ensure an ideal level of hydration and help us take pride in healthier gray hair and skin.
Chia Shake. We all know that our gray hair needs excellent sources of proteins and antioxidants to maintain its appeal, glow, strength and smooth texture. If you are tired of drinking spring water and would much rather focus on yummier recipes, choose to taste a fantastic chia shake. Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, proteins and vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids that are extremely important for men and women who need to restore the beauty and vigor of their aging locks. Mix the seeds with soy or almond milk, add 1 tsp of vanilla extract and cinnamon and sweeten this exceptional combo with some liquid stevia. You literally can’t go wrong with this simple recipe.
Vegetable Broth. Need a much more basic recipe that involves accessible ingredients? In this case, opt for a vegetable broth that could actually boost your hair growth. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, B vitamins, iron, vitamin H and biotin are some of the most important elements that stimulate hair growth. Carrots, lettuce and tomatoes are the ideal sources of biotin. Turmeric, thyme, leafy greens, kale and spinach constitute good picks for people who want to increase their intake of B vitamins and iron, according to com. Choose your favorite veggie combo and boil it for a few minutes. Use the cooking liquid as a yummy and nutritious broth that could help you achieve healthier, longer hair.

The foods and drinks that you choose to include in your daily diet will inevitably influence the looks and feel of your hair and skin. If for some reason you feel that you can’t adjust your diet to accommodate the new needs of your graying hair, note that you can prevent deficiencies and still feed and protect your strands by taking the right pills based on catalase. Catalase supplements represent a cocktail or vitamins and minerals that will keep your tresses looking young, smooth and silky for the longest period of time.

Linda Rodin Shares Her Secret on Aging Gracefully

Why should you be terrified of the natural aging process, when every single year that you add to your own age can be the perfect opportunity to upgrade your personal style and perfect your daily habits? Self-acceptance correlated with an ever-growing desire to achieve higher standards could help you cope with inherent changes, like the appearance of the first wrinkles and gray hairs. You’ve probably always wondered how celebrities who are constantly into the spotlight manage to age gracefully and look their best throughout every single stage of their lives.

Linda Rodin has been kind enough to share her secret on growing old in style. In the 60s, Rodin was already recognized as a top-rated model. In the 70s, she left the runways to inaugurate her successful business- one of the very first New York-based concept stores. More than four decades later, Rodin is still the very definition of beauty, elegance and charm. How does she do it? According to her own statement, published by Style.com, healthy eating and more than enough hours of sleep are the main ingredients of her effective elixir of youth.

She Has Gorgeous Hair & Skin! What Does She Eat?

OK, so what are the foods that she consumes on a regular basis? As a matter of fact, Rodin is one of those people who like to eat the same dishes day after day. Before you rush to say that this diet is boring and unbalanced, you should know that Rodin consumes leafy greens, organic eggs, avocado and fish, as well as cheese and bread, on certain occasions. She is also a big fan of salads and Japanese food and likes to add coarse salt and olive oil to add a distinctive flavor to her preferred dishes. Therefore, the healthy, non-processed foods that she enjoys the most are excellent sources of protein that keep her graying hair and skin fresh and younger-looking.

How Does Rodin Stay Fit?

As she confesses, she is not a big fan of sustained physical activity. Rodin just likes to start the day by taking her dog out for a long walk, and she always spares a few moments to enjoy her cup of cappuccino. According to WebMD, even simpler, less calorie-consuming actions like walking your dog or taking the stairs can keep you in motion and add up to more significant health benefits.

Taking Openly about Gray Hair and Beauty Standards

Rodin thinks that beauty goes well beyond the unrealistic poreless skin advertised by fashion magazines. She sticks to the ideals that she developed when she was still in her 20s. She uses a minimal amount of makeup and follows a very simple nightly routine: based on a simplified face cleansing ritual and the oil that is a part of her personal line (“orange blossom” essential oil by Linda Rodin). She has been using the same mascara since she was 14. Rodin keeps her gray hair shiny and silvery by using a special conditioning shampoo formulated for depigmented strands: Shimmer Lights by Clairol.

All in all, a basic hair and skin care regimen that does not include the usage of tons of cosmetics, a clean diet and lots of sleep guarantees Rodin’s envy-generating tonus and fantastic beauty. If you feel that you can’t address the needs of your aging hair just by eating right or getting 8 hours of sleep every night, choose to give it a boost of TLC by taking catalase supplements. These pills for gray hair will fortify, protect and beautify your locks from the inside out.

Most Flattering Cuts for Women with Thinning Gray Hair

You don’t have to flaunt long, voluminous tresses to get (and stay) in the center of everyone’s attention. Yes, we would all like to have Oprah’s graying hair. We can’t get enough of those glossy, healthy-looking locks with large curls, guaranteeing a polished romantic look that could never be considered outdated or inappropriate. Unfortunately, this perfect image could be blown away by your thinning hair problem. Hormonal imbalances associated with the natural aging process may result in thinner, frailer gray strands that limit your options in terms of styling. In some cases, banding spots could also be a part of your reality. In this context, how could you camouflage these drawbacks and recover your self-esteem? The answer is quite simple: update your cut and make it match the texture of your strands.

Getting the Right Cut

A recent study conducted on behalf of Viviscal indicates that approximately 76% of all UK-based women will be forced to deal with hair thinning or shedding at some point in time. Cheryl Baker is no stranger to this problem. She has been battling hair loss linked to menopause and its endless list of changes for more than one decade. Her signature hairstyle is her best ally when it comes to masking this aesthetic concern. Baker sports a swept-over updo. The fine, face-framing wisps that complete her look make the whole haircut seem fun, unpretentious and elegant at the same time. Aside from the optical illusion that she creates with her beehive-like coiffure, Baker also takes vitamins for hair ensuring the healthy growth of her locks.

Do you think that this option is a tad too dramatic for you taste? In this case, you may want to apply the styling tips provided by Sandra Bullock, a gorgeous woman with naturally fine hair. To uncover her secret you would just have to study her red carpet appearances. At a first glance, you will notice a waterfall of perfectly defined, yet incredibly natural-looking curls. Regardless of their size and level of perfection (remember that teased curls could actually look more glamorous than perfectly styles ones), curls will add volume to your gray hair and make it more seem much more appealing.

In case you’d rather stick to a less elaborated hairstyle, how about a medium-length cut? If you have fine straight hair, you can opt for a versatile half-down-half-up coiffure or a messy top knot. This is the alternative that Cameron Diaz often chooses to embrace, to recreate a classy, laid-back image in a matter of a few seconds.

Support Your Graying Hair from the Inside Out

While you’re looking for the best cuts and styling options for thinning hair, do remember that gray locks often need a little bit more attention. Make sure they are properly nourished and protected against a wide range of threats by taking catalase supplements. Catalase decomposes hydrogen peroxide molecules and battles the hair oxidation process, helping you achieve an ideal shade and take pride in an impeccable image for many more years to come.

Going Gray Gracefully: Things That You Should Know about This Important Process

Your mother has lost her battle with gray hair decades ago. She has been the slave to expensive coloring products for as long as you can remember. Unfortunately, her dyed locks look anything but natural; not to mention the fact that she is always complaining about the unaesthetic regrowth that always makes her schedule an appointment with the best colorist in town, hoping for a miracle. But the truth is that there is nothing miraculous about the pigment that comes from a tube. Sooner or later, its positive effects will fade away, leaving you with a bunch of dry, unruly grays. This doesn’t have to be your story. You can actually go gray in style and learn how to take care of your aging hair every single step of the way. Here are a few easy tips on how to become a stylish silver fox.

Perfect Your Makeup Skills. Your skin should always be in perfect harmony with your gray hair. Keep in mind that, as we age, our skin also tends to become lighter. This is the main reason why the gray hair-pale face combo is often perceived as unflattering. However, you can change the rules of this game by perfecting your makeup style. Smokey eyes could be the central piece of your new signature look. If you’d rather accentuate your full lips, you may want to rely on matte trendy colors that will minimize the paleness of your face. For a wow effect, also choose to rely on a complementary blush with a subtle shimmery effect.
Make Wiser Fashion Decisions. When your hair and skin look like a million dollars, you can pretty much wear whatever you like. However, when you’re dealing with a fading color, you can seldom afford the same luxury. According to an article published by the Telegraph, women who want to go gray in style should stick to the same family of colors and favor softer versions of their favorite tones. Love fuchsia? Well, in this case, couldn’t you settle for dusty pink or salmon pink? Softer colors are easier to wear and will also help you avoid the dull funeral look that may also add years to your face.
Take Vitamins for Hair. Pills for hair based on catalase will enable you to take pride in a beautiful, natural color and also achieve stronger, healthier, more luscious hair in a matter of a few weeks. Catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide molecules, ensuring a more uniform, youthful hair tone.
Remember That Sometimes No Plan Is the Best Plan. In some cases, you may want to delay your decision when it comes to getting a new cut or altering your color by adding highlights, lowlights or extensions. It’s OK to be indecisive. As a matter of fact, you may want to put your makeover project on hold until you notice the first two or three inches of gray hair. This will help you get used to your new “bleached” image and determine whether or not you should rely on any other tricks (extra layers, face-framing highlights and so on) to go gray in style. At the end of the day, remember that going gray is a personal decision that should only be influenced by your own perception of beauty.

Best Essential Oils for Stronger, Healthier, More Beautiful Gray Hair

For many years in a row, you have felt compelled to dye your aging locks. But at this point, you are tired of coloring processes that cost you a lot of money and require a strict maintenance routine. Does this mean that you should give up on your dream of having superb gray hair? Fortunately, this is not the case. If you are determined to love your locks as they are, you should know that Mother Nature lends you a helping hand, by giving you access to natural plant extracts that could do wonders even for the frizziest, most untamable grays. Some of the best natural aids that you could ever count on to upgrade your hair care regimen come in the form of essential oils. This category of safe, eco-friendly gray hair products is also inexpensive and highly effective, as long as you choose to use it on a regular basis. But what kind of formulas should you buy and apply on your tresses? It all depends on your specific beautification goals.

#1 Goal: Fighting the Dull, Fading Color

Essential oils can contribute to a much more youthful appearance, by accentuating the natural color of your tresses. According to Livestrong, a mix of castor oil, jojoba oil and mustard seed oil could help you reverse gray hair safely and absolutely naturally. You would just have to apply the mix at the roots of your grays and let it rest for a few hours. Unused portions can be kept in a dry, cool place for up to one month without losing their properties. To support this important goal, you may also want to rely on a natural herbal rinse based on parsley, black tea, catnip, sage and rosemary (for dark hair) and rosehips, turmeric, yellow broom, privet and red hibiscus (for lighter hair).

#2 Goal: Keeping Your Grays Healthy

Scalp massages allow you to speed up the nutrient transportation. This means that gentle massaging techniques may lead to healthier, much more vigorous strands. To maximize the effect of this pampering treatment, consider adding a few drops of apricot kernel, sweet almond and olive oil. These base oils are great for your hair. Five to six drops of each will condition and fortify your tresses, generating visible signs of improvement after your first applications.

Don’t have much faith in the power of plants? In this case, note that you can achieve both of your beautification goals by taking the right vitamins for gray hair. Pills based on catalase let you restore your color gradually by interfering with the oxidation process. On top of that, they also keep your strands healthy and shiny.

5 Gray Hair Rules That You Can Break from Now On

Remember what you mother always tells you: always wash your hair and blow-dry it to perfection before leaving the house. But wait a minute! Should the wet look really be considered a styling error? Is it really recommended to shampoo your hair every single day? Perhaps some of the oldest hair care rules are just meant to be broken. Are you curious to find out what you may have been doing wrong for quite some time now? Here are a few examples showing you that beauty standards revolving around gray hair and its maintenance truly change periodically.

Grays Need to Be Hidden. This is one of the most common stereotypes that you can safely ignore from now on. After all, if first-class celebs of all ages like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Adam Lambert, Meryl Streep and George Clooney have decided to say yes to graying hair and look amazing with silvery locks, chances are that the semi-washed out image could do wonders for you too.
Bangs Should Never Be Wavy. Getting wavy bags is a faux pas in 2014? We’re not so sure about that. You just have to check out Beyonce’s most recent music videos and analyze Britney’s new bob with sleek bangs to realize that this hairstyling change can contribute to an elegant and romantic look.
Turning Down The Heat Is the Key to Healthier Strands. This is perhaps one of the most shocking myth busters that you would never expect to read or hear about. Well, apparently turning down the heat isn’t the best idea when it comes to utilizing a flatiron to style your graying hair. According to Instyle, people manage to weaken the exterior protective layer of their strands exactly when they choose to drag the flatiron on the same portion of hair over and over again.
Wet Hair Is 100% Inappropriate. As a matter of fact, hairstylists will tell you that the versatile wet look is actually gorgeous and suitable for various occasions. Sure, you shouldn’t appear at the office leaving the impression that you’ve just got out of the shower (unless you work for a fashion magazine and your job is to be glamorous 24/7). However, wet hair looks shiny, healthy and requires minimal styling products to stay in place and attract compliments, so it may become an option worth considering under certain circumstances.
Frizzy Hair Is a Horrible Nightmare! You tell everybody that you hate your grays because they’re so frizzy. But instead of struggling to eliminate this drawback, couldn’t you just try to see it from a different angle? In the 1930’s celebrities used to brush out their beautiful curls to make their locks become frizzy and fabulous. A simple wide-tooth comb can enable you to add volume and definition to your curls and recreate a wild, seductive look that will not pass unnoticed.

At the end of the day, there is one gray hair rule that will always remain valid: beautiful grays are the ones that are being fed and protected from the inside out. To improve the color, glow and texture of your hairs, just start taking catalase supplements on a daily basis.

Gray Hair Diary: Simple Ways to Avoid Weight Gain after the Age of 40

Life is very simple when you’re 20. You can wear different types of clothes without looking ridiculous, try various makeup styles without getting judged and eat all your favorite foods without gaining a lot of weight. However, middle age brings a great variety of changes that may catch you by surprise. For instance, you may notice your first wrinkles and gray hairs. On top of that, you may realize that you are constantly getting fatter and fatter, even though your dietary habits have remained the same. According to a Daily Mail article, middle aged people who eat as much as they did when they were 40 gain on average 30lb on an annual basis. This is no joke: we are talking here about almost 14 kilograms that will modify your appearance and your self-perception. So how could you stay in shape and prevent the accumulation of unnecessary pounds after 40? Here are a few pointers that you should factor in.

Make Healthier Dietary Choices. In most cases, it’s not about how much you eat. What you eat and how often you have a meal are two other elements that you should analyze. Maybe you just have a black coffee in the morning on your way to work, skip lunch and replace it with a few chocolate muffins that you gobble inside the office. By 6PM, you start to fantasize about unhealthy but oh-so-yummy fast food and since you don’t actually have time to prepare your own dinner, you agree to make a last compromise before kickstarting a new diet and decide to feast on burgers and fries. If you want to control your weight, you have to include as many fresh ingredients in your daily diet. Protein-packed meals that are easy to prepare and enjoy anytime, anywhere, are your best friend simply because they won’t threaten your waistline and will also ensure smoother, silkier graying hair and skin. If you choose to include meat in your diet, go for healthier options that are pesticide and hormone-free. Drink plenty of water, stay away from processed foods and eat only when you are really hungry.

Stay Active. Eating fresh and clean is only a first mandatory step in the right direction. A great regimen also involves constant physical activity tailored to your age, goals and preferred activities. Fitness is an excellent option for both men and women over 40. According to WebMD, as we age, our connective tissue becomes more rigid. This is why middle aged people more exposed to joint injuries. If you used to swim, run or attend aerobics classes in your 20s or 30s, you may want to give swimming, walking or low-impact exercises a chance while you’re in your 40s. Yoga, Pilates and dance classes are only three other cool options that will keep your body slim while also revitalizing your social life. In the end, what you need to remember is that sustained physical exercise will help your body cope with the natural aging process and allow you to take pride in more beautiful skin and gray hair.

Dietary changes and physical activity are two key components that could improve your appearance at any age. If you want to feed and protect your strands while controlling the hair oxidation process, then you may want to take scientifically proven catalase supplements, leading to more vigorous and luscious locks.