The Latest and Hottest Nail Polish Designs

For about five bucks, you can transform your look with nail polish! Whether you choose a shocking shade or a quirky design,tips-with-attitude don't require a major commitment. Happy painting!

1. Shatter Finish
Cracked polish is usually bad-except when it's intentional. Try a black shatter-finish topcoat over a pastel polish (thehot combo for spring). It'll separate as it dries for a broken-glass look.
Nail it: Apply two coats of the pastel hue and wait 10 minutes before sweeping on the crackle. "It spreads better over adry surface,' says Beth Fricke, an L.A. manicurist. Try Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Jo'mina ($14, at Sephora) and OPI Black Shatter Nail Lacquer ($8.50, at salons).

2. Electric Shades
The last time you painted your nails neon, your tool of choice was probably a Crayola marker. The grown-up version: high-voltage hues with a matte finish. "Matte makes neon colors more wearable," explains New York City manicurist Deborah Lippmann.

Nail it: Start with a ridge-filling base coat. "Bright, solid colors draw extra attention to ridges," says Lippmann. Next, swipe on two coats of opaque polish in orange or electric pink. Many companies make matte polish, but you can transform any glossy shade with a mattifying topcoat. Try Zoya in Charisma ($8, zoya.com) and Butter London Matte Finish Topcoat ($15, atdepartment stores).

3. Racing Stripes
Unless you're a manicurist, freestyle sketching on your nails often ends up looking sloppy. But a thin racing stripe is stylish and easy—even for amateurs.

Nail it: Apply two coats of base color and allow nails to dry for 10 minutes. If the base is wet, stripes won't look crisp, says New York City manicurist Patricia Yankee. Using a nail-polish pen, paint an off-center line down each nail. Seal with topcoat. Try Essie Nail Polish in Chinchilly ($8, essie.com) and Sally Hansen Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Polish Pen in Black ($8, at Ulta).

4. Ombre
Ombre refers to gradations of the same color, from dark to light. Originally a fashion and then hair-color fad, the latest version for nails diffuses a solid color into a sparkly tone.

Nail it: Pick girlie, ethereal colors– Yankee likes medium pink with soft-pink glitter. Stroke a thick layer of the solid shade from the cuticle to halfway up the nail. Then apply a thick layer of the glitter shade, pulling a bit of the solid one with it toward the tip. Let dry for a few minutes. Next, drag a second, thin coat of the glitter just over the tips. Two layers of topcoat will smooth out the uneven surface and ensure that all the layers dry quickly, says Yankee. Try China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Innocence ($7, sallybeauty.com) and SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Clarity ($10, skinstore.com.)

5. Two-Toned Manicure
French manicures have become so bridal party-unless you marry two unexpected colors.

Nail it: Pair any two shades in similar tones (for example, light tan with dark taupe tips or bright pink with lavender), says Fricke. Use fingernail guides to create the half-moon shapes: Place the stickers on the tips, then brush on two thin coats of your base shade. Let dry for five minutes, peel off the stickers, and paint your tips. Try Orly Half Moon White-Tip Manicure Guides ($4.50, orlybeauty.com) and Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in May and June ($26 each, at department stores).

6. Chunky Glitter
An instance where thin is not in: Fat pieces of glitter trump tiny flecks. "The large pieces will settle into an imperfect pattern on your nails, and that's what makes it modern," says Lippmann.

Nail it: Don't forget base coat–without it, glitter is tough to remove. Layer two coats of the glitter over an opaque shade, and wait a minute between layers of glitter and before brushing on your topcoat. Try Jessica Cosmetics Nail Colour in Showstopper ($7.50, at salons) and Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Happy Birthday ($18, at Nordstrom).

The 5 Nutrients You Need for Energy

Feeling tired? Eat your energy food! These five key nutrients beat fatigue, improve your workout, and fight disease.
Vitamin E

Unless you've been living in a cave for 20 years, you know you need calcium, folate, and vitamin C. But there are a few nutrients you're not so savvy about, according to recent stats, especially if you're dieting. Here, which ones you're most likely lacking, and what to do about it.

Fact: Twenty-eight percent of you don't get enough vitamin E.

Why You Need 15 milligrams a Day: It protects against heart disease and boosts immunity.

Why You're Missing Out: Your diet is too low in fat. Vitamin E is usually found in naturally fat-rich plant foods like oils, nuts, and seeds.

How to Get It: Stock up on a well-fortified cereal like Total cereal; a cup supplies 15mg.

How to Get Brighter, Younger Looking Eyes in Weeks

The face is the first thing that people look at, so it’s little wonder we spend so much time trying to keep our faces looking young.  People often spend a small fortune and a lot of time trying to combat wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and sagging. But, it’s actually the eyes that people notice first.

That’s why under eye bags, dark puffy circles, and crow’s feet around the eyes have such an impact on how young and attractive we appear. It doesn’t matter how great your skin looks if your eyes are screaming, “I’m worn down and exhausted!”

Actually, dark circles are not the result of stress or lack of sleep. They are actually caused by broken capillaries that leak blood close to the skin’s surface. 

And, as you age, your skin becomes progressively thinner and the blood beneath is visible through the skin. It can appear as though someone socked you in the eye or you’ve been up for 24 hours straight!

The fat pads beneath your eyes are a particularly exposed area and, as they thin, the area starts to look sunken. This can give the illusion of a dark circle or shadow.

To make matters worse, these pads can become easily inflamed, causing blood vessels to become more visible. Studies have suggested that low blood flow may also contribute to the appearance of dark circles, and the associated sunken look in the eyes. Another factor is that with greater exposure to the sun, the skin's pigment reacts accordingly, resulting in darker patches.

The muscles and ligaments close to the eye and on either side of the bridge of the nose—an area doctors call the "tear trough"—also weaken over time. With its support structure gone, the skin begins to collapse, causing a kind of indentation or "gutter" effect. When the adjacent area becomes puffy, that "gutter" casts a shadow on skin, making it appear as if there is a dark circle. Dark circles and under eye bags are also extremely difficult to fix through cosmetic surgery. 

Fortunately though, there is a non-surgical solution, and it’s Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream. Formulated specifically to address cosmetic problems around the eye, it’s one of the very few products that offer a solution specifically for aging eyes.

Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream smoothes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet while moisturizing and diminishing the appearance of dark under eye circles.

The product contains a powerful ingredient called Grant-X, which relaxes the muscle contractions that lead to wrinkles. It also contains two additional powerful ingredients-- Haloxyl to lighten dark circles, and Dermaxyl to tighten and firm the skin for a lifted, youthful appearance. The result is a wider, brighter, and younger-looking eye contour.

So, just how well does the product work?

We checked out their 6-week clinical study and the results were actually quite impressive:

    90 percent saw that their eyes look younger
    80 percent saw the look of puffiness diminish
    85 percent reported reduction in the appearance of dark circles
    89 percent saw an improvement in crow's feet and wrinkles

Will it work for you?

Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream is currently available exclusively online through DermStore.com.  And right now is a great time to try it because they’re offering new customers a 65 percent discount off the regular price along with a free mystery gift AND free 1-3 day shipping.

This limited time offer is too good to pass up, especially for anyone who thought they were stuck for life with dark, unattractive circles around their eyes.  And, when it comes to making an impact on how young you look, it may just be the best thing you can do for your face.

Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream is easy to apply, suitable for all skin types, and guaranteed to work.

New Tahitian Oil Treatment Gives Women Beautiful Hair

If you’re like most people, you probably love your hair the second you step out of the shower. It looks just like hair in TV commercials, where long, beautiful strands glisten in the morning light. Then, as it dries, reality sets in and that once-gorgeous hair quickly frizzes up into a frustrating mess.

The truth is that many hair care products aren’t worth their weight in salt, let alone powerful enough to inspire a transformation of supermodel proportions. To get the results you’re after—those long, luscious locks that glisten in the sunshine every morning—you’ve got to think of your hair care products like you think of your skin care products. Ask yourself this: “What’s in this that’s going to actually transform my hair into the hair I want?”

In the case of most products, the answer, sadly, is “nothing.”

But with Carol’s Daughter, the answer is actually pretty remarkable.

Carol’s Daughter is a hair care brand that’s been around for two decades. The company utilizes a unique and special ingredient that the Tahitian people have relied on for thousands of years for its hair-reparative capabilities. The ingredient is called Monoi Oil, and it's created in a sacred 13-day ritual by combining coconut oil and gardenia blossoms found only in Tahiti.

It may sound too good to be true, but this natural ingredient has actually been scientifically proven to work.

Studies have shown that Monoi Oil offers emollient, soothing and purifying effects on the skin, while also providing long-lasting hydration. According to scientists, the benefits of Monoi Oil are comparable, and in some cases superior, to those of Shea butter and jojoba oil. 

Even better? The products that contain this exclusive ingredient boast some pretty remarkable clinical findings.

In the case of the Monoi Repairing Hair Mask by Carol’s Daughter, it was found that:

    96% less breakage, instantly when used with the Monoi Repairing Shampoo
    13 times longer hair life after only 1 use
    85% better conditioning and detangling after only 1 use

And the Monoi Split End Sealer by Carol’s Daughter was found to seal 93.3% of split ends instantly.

How They Work
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The Repairing Hair Mask nourishes hair from root to tip, improving the look and feel of damaged or chemically treated tresses, and infusing dry hair with rich nutrients and moisture.

The Split End Sealer binds frayed cuticles while conditioning and strengthening strands. Just use a pea-sized amount daily on wet or dry hair for a brilliantly smooth finish that seals split ends instantly—which means you can skip trimming them.

Combined, these products pack a serious one-two punch, and right now you can try BOTH of them—the Mask and the Sealer—at a special introductory rate through HairEnvy.com. You’ll also receive a FREE mystery gift and FREE 1-3 day shipping.

Solutions for Sensitive Skin

Sure, a rosy glow is a sign of a kick-butt workout (go you!), but if you're still sporting that flush long after you've left the locker room, you're probably among the 60 percent of people in the United States who say they have sensitive skin -- a number that's doubled during the past 30 years, according to Jessica Wu, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. Why the increase? Derms suspect that one of the main reasons is product misuse. "Women are choosing the wrong products for their skin," says Howard Sobel, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. That can lead to inflammation, the root of all redness. If you don't treat it, the condition may affect your complexion, making it more vulnerable to wrinkle-inducing damage, Dr. Sobel says. But now, help is on the way! We identified the five most common sensitive-skin complaints and asked top docs to share their best soothing secrets.

Treat Flaky Skin
-----------------------------
If you're experiencing scaliness, your skin is sending you an SOS: "It's so inflamed that the cells are lifting, which results in peeling," says Debra Luftman, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. The probable cause is an irritant in one of your products or an allergic reaction to an ingredient.

Calm the culprits
-----------------------------
Treat inflammation with a 2.5 percent hydrocortisone cream and stop using scrubs, retinoids, and alpha hydroxyl acids. Also, fortify your skin with a moisturizer that contains niacin, like StriVectin-SD for Sensitive Skin ($79, strivectin.com). You should see a difference in just three days, notes Leslie Baumann, MD, a dermatologist in Miami.

Fight future flare-ups
-----------------------------
If it's an allergic reaction, which is characterized by a swollen rash, go to your derm, who can ID the allergen with a patch test. (Preservatives and fragrances are two biggies.) Choose products that are labeled "fragrance-free" and avoid those with a laundry list of ingredients. "Fewer ingredients mean fewer chances to react to something," says Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey. Reconsider your cleanser, too. Foaming washes can strip away protective oils. Opt for a milky formula and make sure alcohol isn't one of the first ingredients. We like Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions Sensitive Facial Cleanser ($10, burtsbees.com).
Next: Soothe Stinging Skin
 -----------------------------
Sure, a rosy glow is a sign of a kick-butt workout (go you!), but if you're still sporting that flush long after you've left the locker room, you're probably among the 60 percent of people in the United States who say they have sensitive skin -- a number that's doubled during the past 30 years, according to Jessica Wu, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. Why the increase? Derms suspect that one of the main reasons is product misuse. "Women are choosing the wrong products for their skin," says Howard Sobel, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. That can lead to inflammation, the root of all redness. If you don't treat it, the condition may affect your complexion, making it more vulnerable to wrinkle-inducing damage, Dr. Sobel says. But now, help is on the way! We identified the five most common sensitive-skin complaints and asked top docs to share their best soothing secrets.

Treat Flaky Skin
-----------------------------
If you're experiencing scaliness, your skin is sending you an SOS: "It's so inflamed that the cells are lifting, which results in peeling," says Debra Luftman, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. The probable cause is an irritant in one of your products or an allergic reaction to an ingredient.

Calm the culprits
-----------------------------
Treat inflammation with a 2.5 percent hydrocortisone cream and stop using scrubs, retinoids, and alpha hydroxyl acids. Also, fortify your skin with a moisturizer that contains niacin, like StriVectin-SD for Sensitive Skin ($79, strivectin.com). You should see a difference in just three days, notes Leslie Baumann, MD, a dermatologist in Miami.

Fight future flare-ups
-----------------------------
If it's an allergic reaction, which is characterized by a swollen rash, go to your derm, who can ID the allergen with a patch test. (Preservatives and fragrances are two biggies.) Choose products that are labeled "fragrance-free" and avoid those with a laundry list of ingredients. "Fewer ingredients mean fewer chances to react to something," says Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey. Reconsider your cleanser, too. Foaming washes can strip away protective oils. Opt for a milky formula and make sure alcohol isn't one of the first ingredients. We like Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions Sensitive Facial Cleanser ($10, burtsbees.com).
What do you think of this story?  Leave a Comment.

9 Tips For Better Sleep to Night

 

Have trouble dozing off at night? Put away your Sleepytime tea—a new technology might help you catch more ZZZs. A studypublished online in the journal Brain and Behavior suggests that a special therapy that matches musical tones to brainfrequencies may reduce symptoms of insomnia.

Twenty people with signs of insomnia participated in the study. First, researchers established the participants’ InsomniaSeverity Index (ISI)—a scale that measures sleep disruption. Then they separated the participants into two groups—a controlgroup, and a group that was given a therapy called high-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalicmirroring (HIRREM), or, as it’s commercially known, Brainwave Optimization.

HIRREM involves using sensors to detect electrical frequency bands in the brain. Once scientists identify a specificfrequency, they assign it a coordinating musical tone, which is then played back to participants via earbuds within 12milliseconds of frequency detection. The musical tones reportedly help correct any frequency imbalances between the twohemispheres of the brain. (Those imbalances can be caused by trauma, or extended periods of stress, which create a fight orflight response in the brain, according to Charles Tegeler, M.D., professor of neurology at Wake Forest Baptist andprincipal investigator of the study.

Participants who received the HIRREM therapy showed a significant drop in their ISI. The control group members, whooriginally reported no sleep improvement without the HIRREM, were also later administered the treatment and saw asignificant drop in their ISI scores as well. (Disclaimer: The study was funded by a grant from Brain State Technologies,LLC, Scottsdale, Ariz., the company that owns the technology used in the study.

While Tegeler says you probably can’t replicate these results at home, there are other ways to get better sleep that don’tinvolve an EEG. Try these tips the next time you need to get some serious shut-eye:

Don’t Focus on Sleeping
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The more you think about the sleep you are missing, the more stressed you will be. And more stress means even less sleep.If you wake up and can’t fall back asleep within 15-20 minutes, get out of bed. Do something relaxing outside of thebedroom, like listening to music or reading. If you lie there stressing out about falling back asleep, you’ll only get moreanxious. Understand that sometimes the quality of your slumber is out of your control.

Stick to a Schedule
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Regularity is sleep’s best friend. Try and adhere to a strict bedtime and wake time every day, even on the weekends. Whenyour body has a routine, it knows when to start winding down and preparing for sleep.

Check for Sleep Apnea
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Snoring is common, and although it’s usually harmless, it could be a symptom of a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. If youhave long pauses in your snoring (ask a friend/bedmate to listen), see your doctor. Sleep apnea, while sometimes lifethreatening, can be treated.

Turn to the Tub
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Your mom knew a thing or two about nighttime baths. The body starts to feel sleepy when it’s temperature drops. You canexaggerate that effect by taking a warm bath or shower and then lying down and letting your body heat get low.

Block Out the Light
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Even just a little bit of light can disturb your sleep. So make sure to shut off all your night lights and hallway lamps,not to mention TVs, laptops, tablets, and phones, well before you head for bed.

Exercise Earlier
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Regular exercise can actually improve your sleep but you need to schedule it for the right time. Working out too close to bedtime may cause your body temperature to stay elevated, which makes it harder to doze off. Try to finish exercising at least three hours before bedtime–preferably in the afternoon.

Avoid Heavy Foods and Booze
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Consuming heavy foods or alcohol before bed can cause indigestion, not to mention frequent trips to the bathroom. Andalthough drinking alcohol may make you tired and help you fall asleep faster, you will wake up more often and not get thequality of sleep you need to feel rested the next day.

Upgrade Your Pillow
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Choose a pillow that is supportive, comfortable, and suited to your sleeping position. A stomach sleeper and a side sleeper may need different pillows. Find the best pillow for your sleep habits.

Knock Boots
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Yep, sex before bed can help you fall asleep faster, too. Getting frisky releases feel-good endorphins which can relieve

stress, making it easier to fall asleep. Sounds good to us.

Yoga Class Etiquette: Mind Over Manners

Anyone who's ever taken a yoga class knows that even the slightest distraction can ruin your experience. So we spoke with New York yoga teachers Rachel Krupa and Stephanie Pieczenik Marango for their advice on yoga etiquette. By keeping the following tips in mind, you can be sure to create the best possible environment for yourself and others in yoga class.

Do
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Come to class in a relaxed and open state of mind. "Check your ego at the door," Stephanie advises, and be ready to focus. Also, be prepared: Bring a water bottle if you'll need it, hair tie, proper attire, and your own mat if you don't want to use one of the studio's. If your yoga teacher prefers that you remove your shoes before entering class, be respectful of her wishes.

Don't
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Though each teacher has her own style of teaching and attitude toward yoga, both Rachel and Stephanie agree that it is a major no-no to leave class during corpse pose. It's a crucial part of the mindfulness that should not be disturbed. If you do have to leave class for any reason, try to do it quietly and respectfully, and at a time when you won't be quite as disruptive. (Child's pose would be a good chance.) Electronics are also a distraction, and should be turned off or silenced before class. Lastly, we've just got to say it: Don't forget your hygiene. "Your instructor will be telling the students to breathe deeply," Rachel says. "And there's nothing worse than sitting next to someone who is wearing too much perfume." (Or, for that matter, someone with bad B.O.!)

Sticky Situations
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But sometimes there isn't a way to prevent all distractions. Keep Stephanie's advice in mind: "Expect the unexpected, and then let it go." If someone in your class is distracting you in any way, try not to let it ruin your class and consider speaking to your teacher privately once class is over.

Now, what about those embarrassing moments which are simply inevitable in yoga? Rachel says the most common occurrences are farting and falling over during a position and, if this happens to you, try not to be too embarrassed. It happens to everyone at some point, and it's not a big deal.

End on a Good Note
---------------------------
As far as ending class, Stephanie says, "Put your props away neatly, perhaps even helping the student behind you. Yoga class is a great space in which to practice kula, which means 'community.'"

Just remember that you're taking a yoga class because you want to feel good and have a positive experience but it doesn't have to be perfect for it to be rewarding. Just be courteous of others, brush off the stuff that bugs you, and enjoy getting your ohm on!