The basics for skin care are the easiest way to start. Naturally, a good diet, exercise and adequate sleep are the basic building blocks for healthy-looking skin.
But beyond those key factors, the best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it, which means combating the effects of your environment with a proper cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.
We're often deterred from taking these obvious steps because we don't experience instant success. But there is no magic cream that produces immediate effects: you can't anticipate that a cosmetic product will work faster than a medical therapy. You can expect to use a new skin care product or regime for six to eight weeks before you really see the results.
When you're young, your skin can recuperate from almost any insult you throw at it. As you age, however, your skin loses its elasticity and ability to recover from damage. The earlier you take action to care for your skin, the more damage you will be able to prevent. You may even be able to reverse what has already occurred.
That's why it's important to understand the state your skin is in now, anticipate where it is going and have a five-year goal.
The skin, like any organ of the body, changes with age, so you'll need to alter the skin care routine and products you choose now to maintain the results you want to achieve in the future--but the fundamentals remain the same. As you strive to make your skin look its best, remember there is no one product that does it all. Product choices have to be tailored to each skin type, determined by whether your skin is tolerant or sensitive, oily or dry.
Cleanser
Your skin is your interface with the world, and your barrier to outside influences. It acts as a protective film that keeps the outside out, and the inside in. Because you are exposed to so many factors in your environment, a cleanser is an important and very simple part of daily care.
These synthetic detergents are designed for short contact with the skin, and to be well rinsed off to avoid irritation. You don't want to leave any residual soap on your skin. For those with sensitive skin, a foaming wash may be a good choice, just as a cleanser with salicylic acid may help someone with blackheads as a major part of their acne.
Moisturizer
A good moisturizer is the force-field that protects your skin from common environmental and topical irritants. As your skin's invisible shield, it reduces the evaporation of water by including occlusive barriers like petrolatum, mineral oil or lanolin.
A moisturizer also has factors that attract water to the outer layer of the skin. These humectants include glycerine, urea, propylene glycol and gelatin.
The final component of a moisturizer is an emollient that fills in the tiny crevices between the outer flakes of skin to give a nice, smooth, soft texture. Your moisturizer should spread well, stay in place and not evaporate to leave you unprotected.
Sunscreen
Sunscreens, which are an entire topic in themselves, should be a part of your daily routine for those times when you just can't avoid that dash outside in the light of day. The big thing about sun is that it bites you as soon as you go outside. There is no "five-second rule." Put on your broad-spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 30, every morning.
In General
Look for products that make you feel comfortable and produce the desired effect. As for price, use common sense. You should judge how much the price difference is validated by the results you get. While you often get what you pay for, there may be a price point beyond which you do not get a significant benefit.
Finally, if you are having trouble with anything you are putting on your skin, stop using it! Swelling or redness around the eyes is often the first big tip-off. If you are concerned, do a use-test first, by applying a product behind your ears for a couple of days.
For everyone who wants to look great, the only route is consistency and attention to skin management. "Wash-and-wear" eventually looks worn. You can ignore your skin, but time won't.
The Worst Things You Can Do For Your Skin
Two words: smoking and tanning. These activities will not only age you, but will cause irreparable damage.
If you are still smoking, just stop. Your skin will lose that sallow, thickened and unhealthy appearance faster than many topical therapies could help you.
It's even worse to ignore changes that are happening on your skin: benign neglect is not an acceptable approach to healthy skin. Pay attention to spots that change. A simple guideline is to see your doctor if you have a spot that doesn't heal within two to three months.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
How Diet Affects Fertility
Every new life starts with two seemingly simple events. First, an active sperm burrows into a perfectly mature egg. Then the resulting fertilized egg nestles into the specially prepared lining of the uterus and begins to grow. The key phrase in that description is "seemingly simple." Dozens of steps influenced by a cascade of carefully timed hormones are needed to make and mature eggs and sperm. Their union is both a mad dash and a complex dance, choreographed by hormones, physiology and environmental cues.
A constellation of other factors can come into play. Many couples delay having a baby until they are financially ready or have established themselves in their professions. Waiting, though, decreases the odds of conceiving and increases the chances of having a miscarriage. Fewer than 10 percent of women in their early 20s have issues with infertility, compared with nearly 30 percent of those in their early 40s. Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are on the upswing, can cause or contribute to infertility. The linked epidemics of obesity and diabetes sweeping the country have reproductive repercussions. Environmental contaminants known as endocrine disruptors, such as some pesticides and emissions from burning plastics, appear to affect fertility in women and men. Stress and anxiety, both in general and about fertility, can also interfere with getting pregnant. Add all these to the complexity of conception and it's no wonder that infertility is a common problem, besetting an estimated 6 million American couples.
It's almost become a cliché that diet, exercise and lifestyle choices affect how long you'll live, the health of your heart, the odds you'll develop cancer and a host of other health-related issues. Is fertility on this list? The answer to that question has long been a qualified "maybe," based on old wives' tales, conventional wisdom—and almost no science. Farmers, ranchers and animal scientists know more about how nutrition affects fertility in cows, pigs and other commercially important animals than fertility experts know about how it affects reproduction in humans. There are small hints scattered across medical journals, but few systematic studies of this crucial connection in people.
We set out to change this critical information gap with the help of more than 18,000 women taking part in the Nurses' Health Study, a long-term research project looking at the effects of diet and other factors on the development of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Each of these women said she was trying to have a baby. Over eight years of follow-up, most of them did. About one in six women, though, had some trouble getting pregnant, including hundreds who experienced ovulatory infertility—a problem related to the maturation or release of a mature egg each month. When we compared their diets, exercise habits and other lifestyle choices with those of women who readily got pregnant, several key differences emerged. We have translated these differences into fertility-boosting strategies.
At least for now, these recommendations are aimed at preventing and reversing ovulatory infertility, which accounts for one quarter or more of all cases of infertility. They won't work for infertility due to physical impediments like blocked fallopian tubes. They may work for other types of infertility, but we don't yet have enough data to explore connections between nutrition and infertility due to other causes. And since the Nurses' Health Study doesn't include information on the participants' partners, we weren't able to explore how nutrition affects male infertility. From what we have gleaned from the limited research in this area, some of our strategies might improve fertility in men, too. The plan described in The Fertility Diet doesn't guarantee a pregnancy any more than do in vitro fertilization or other forms of assisted reproduction. But it's virtually free, available to everyone, has no side effects, sets the stage for a healthy pregnancy, and forms the foundation of a healthy eating strategy for motherhood and beyond. That's a winning combination no matter how you look at it.
Slow Carbs, Not No Carbs
Once upon a time, and not that long ago, carbohydrates were the go-to gang for taste, comfort, convenience and energy. Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes—these were the highly recommended, base-of-the-food-pyramid foods that supplied us with half or more of our calories. Then in rumbled the Atkins and South Beach diets. In a scene out of George Orwell's "1984," good became bad almost overnight as the two weight-loss juggernauts turned carbohydrates into dietary demons, vilifying them as the source of big bellies and jiggling thighs. Following the no-carb gospel, millions of Americans spurned carbohydrates in hopes of shedding pounds. Then, like all diet fads great and small, the no-carb craze lost its luster and faded from prominence.
Continued to page 2.
Read More..
A constellation of other factors can come into play. Many couples delay having a baby until they are financially ready or have established themselves in their professions. Waiting, though, decreases the odds of conceiving and increases the chances of having a miscarriage. Fewer than 10 percent of women in their early 20s have issues with infertility, compared with nearly 30 percent of those in their early 40s. Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are on the upswing, can cause or contribute to infertility. The linked epidemics of obesity and diabetes sweeping the country have reproductive repercussions. Environmental contaminants known as endocrine disruptors, such as some pesticides and emissions from burning plastics, appear to affect fertility in women and men. Stress and anxiety, both in general and about fertility, can also interfere with getting pregnant. Add all these to the complexity of conception and it's no wonder that infertility is a common problem, besetting an estimated 6 million American couples.
It's almost become a cliché that diet, exercise and lifestyle choices affect how long you'll live, the health of your heart, the odds you'll develop cancer and a host of other health-related issues. Is fertility on this list? The answer to that question has long been a qualified "maybe," based on old wives' tales, conventional wisdom—and almost no science. Farmers, ranchers and animal scientists know more about how nutrition affects fertility in cows, pigs and other commercially important animals than fertility experts know about how it affects reproduction in humans. There are small hints scattered across medical journals, but few systematic studies of this crucial connection in people.
We set out to change this critical information gap with the help of more than 18,000 women taking part in the Nurses' Health Study, a long-term research project looking at the effects of diet and other factors on the development of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Each of these women said she was trying to have a baby. Over eight years of follow-up, most of them did. About one in six women, though, had some trouble getting pregnant, including hundreds who experienced ovulatory infertility—a problem related to the maturation or release of a mature egg each month. When we compared their diets, exercise habits and other lifestyle choices with those of women who readily got pregnant, several key differences emerged. We have translated these differences into fertility-boosting strategies.
At least for now, these recommendations are aimed at preventing and reversing ovulatory infertility, which accounts for one quarter or more of all cases of infertility. They won't work for infertility due to physical impediments like blocked fallopian tubes. They may work for other types of infertility, but we don't yet have enough data to explore connections between nutrition and infertility due to other causes. And since the Nurses' Health Study doesn't include information on the participants' partners, we weren't able to explore how nutrition affects male infertility. From what we have gleaned from the limited research in this area, some of our strategies might improve fertility in men, too. The plan described in The Fertility Diet doesn't guarantee a pregnancy any more than do in vitro fertilization or other forms of assisted reproduction. But it's virtually free, available to everyone, has no side effects, sets the stage for a healthy pregnancy, and forms the foundation of a healthy eating strategy for motherhood and beyond. That's a winning combination no matter how you look at it.
Slow Carbs, Not No Carbs
Once upon a time, and not that long ago, carbohydrates were the go-to gang for taste, comfort, convenience and energy. Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes—these were the highly recommended, base-of-the-food-pyramid foods that supplied us with half or more of our calories. Then in rumbled the Atkins and South Beach diets. In a scene out of George Orwell's "1984," good became bad almost overnight as the two weight-loss juggernauts turned carbohydrates into dietary demons, vilifying them as the source of big bellies and jiggling thighs. Following the no-carb gospel, millions of Americans spurned carbohydrates in hopes of shedding pounds. Then, like all diet fads great and small, the no-carb craze lost its luster and faded from prominence.
Continued to page 2.
Read More..
Thursday, October 2, 2008
How to Romance a Woman
Ask any adult and they’ll tell you that men and women are different in many ways (beyond the obvious physical differences!). Emotionally, men and women often have different needs. Our challenges in understanding the needs of the opposite sex have made books like “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” bestsellers. Let’s take a look, then, at a few things tips on how to successfully romance a woman --- from a woman’s perspective.
*Compliments*
Compliments are a little like frosting – too slick, and they slide right off. Too thick, and they’re sickening. But a cake without frosting is a little sad; and a woman without compliments may feel the same way. A good compliment can make a woman feel truly appreciated and loved. What then differentiates a “good” compliment from a bad one? Here are a few factors:
• Sincerity – women like to know that they can trust a man. We like to hear compliments that are clear and specific, that come from the heart. Most women would rather receive one sincere compliment rather than ten insincere ones. A single insincere compliment can also serve to discredit you, and devalue your future compliments.
• Specificity – A vague compliment is like that frosting above, but you forgot to add enough sugar. It’s okay, but it is just kind of “neutral”. Add a specific detail or two, though, and the compliment takes on new value. Compare the impact of “That’s a pretty dress” with the more specific “I love your dress. It really brings out the blue in your eyes, and really shows off your sexy body.” Which one do you think is apt to make your partner feel more appreciated?
• Frequently – while some men toss out compliments like they’re business cards at a Rotary convention, others are so frugal with compliments that the woman ends up feeling unappreciated. If you fall into the first category, check out the two recommendations above. If you’re in the latter category, you might want to try praising your partner a little more often. Compliments that come freely and more frequently make us feel appreciated and loved.
• Unexpectedly – If you find your partner “fishing” for compliments, it may be that you could improve on your complimenting skills. One tip is to offer compliments and praise when she isn’t expecting them – as a sign of your love and appreciation for her and all she does for you. Some women say that the only time they get compliments is when they ask for them, or when their husbands want sex. So they are suspicious of all unsolicited compliments. How sad is that? Let your partner know how much you love and appreciate her, and she’ll appreciate your attentiveness.
• Intelligently – one of the greatest compliments you can give a woman is to appreciate her mind/soul/intellect. It’s far easier to hand out compliments about physical attributes – her appearance, her outfit, her haircut, etc. than it is to compliment her intelligence. Next time you have the chance to tell your partner how much you appreciate her for something non-cosmetic, do so. Tell her how impressed you are with her handling of a difficult situation, or her patience in a stressful area, or her creativity in resolving an issue. Tell her how you appreciate the decisions she made on specific issues. Let her share her day and her accomplishments with you, and listen to the many choices, decisions and frustrations she faced. Appreciating her intellect, her giving nature, her negotiation skills, etc. can help her recognize that not only are you really listening to her, but that you appreciate her as a person, as well.
*Gifts and Thoughtful Gestures*
A heartfelt gift can be an incredibly romantic thing. For those of you on a budget, romance does not have to mean big budgets. One man I know left cards for his wife every day for a week when she was struggling with an issue at work, telling her how much he loved her and appreciated her. She shared that this was a real source of strength for her as she dealt with the problems during the day, giving her self-esteem a much-needed boost.
Sometimes the presentation of the gift can be as important as the gift itself, too. Flowers grabbed in the grocery store and flung at your partner with a “These were on sale” comment may show you care, but a lot of the potential impact is lost in the process. Even an inexpensive grocery store bouquet can be a romantic gesture if presented correctly. Accompanied by a kiss, present the flowers to your partner with a smile, and a gracious compliment. Something like, “I saw these and couldn’t resist getting them for you to brighten up the kitchen. Can I stick them in some water for you?” will do just fine, if you aren’t the naturally romantic type.
One caveat – most women don’t appreciate having gifts associated with sex. Even if the sex was stunning, try to make sure your gifts are presented as tokens of your appreciation for her giving nature, or your growing love for her, or a wonderful weekend together. Tied in with a sincere compliment about something non-sexual, if possible. Gifts tied to sex can make a woman feel cheap and used; while a gift for the same weekend presented “because you’re always so fun to be with” carries a far more positive connotation.
One of the most thoughtful gifts you can give a woman is your time and your attention. Listen to her, what she likes and dislikes. Ask her to tell you about her day, and then listen. Don’t interrupt or tune her out, and don’t try to “fix” her problems for her (unless she asks you to intervene). Just listening to her and offering sympathy and caring, laughter and sharing, will tell her that she’s important to you. Take an afternoon off and go have a picnic in the park together. Get a babysitter and go out for a romantic dinner, or ask her for a list of five things she wants to do and try to hit two or three of them. The most important thing is not how much money you spend, it’s the time you spend with her and the fact that you are making her your priority for that time.
Most women would love to have more time, attention and interest from their husbands and boyfriends. Although there are obviously exceptions, the fact is that the “romance” fades from most relationships as time and outside demands wear on the couple. I hope that these tips have given you some ideas on how you can put a little of the romance back into your relationship!
Read More..
*Compliments*
Compliments are a little like frosting – too slick, and they slide right off. Too thick, and they’re sickening. But a cake without frosting is a little sad; and a woman without compliments may feel the same way. A good compliment can make a woman feel truly appreciated and loved. What then differentiates a “good” compliment from a bad one? Here are a few factors:
• Sincerity – women like to know that they can trust a man. We like to hear compliments that are clear and specific, that come from the heart. Most women would rather receive one sincere compliment rather than ten insincere ones. A single insincere compliment can also serve to discredit you, and devalue your future compliments.
• Specificity – A vague compliment is like that frosting above, but you forgot to add enough sugar. It’s okay, but it is just kind of “neutral”. Add a specific detail or two, though, and the compliment takes on new value. Compare the impact of “That’s a pretty dress” with the more specific “I love your dress. It really brings out the blue in your eyes, and really shows off your sexy body.” Which one do you think is apt to make your partner feel more appreciated?
• Frequently – while some men toss out compliments like they’re business cards at a Rotary convention, others are so frugal with compliments that the woman ends up feeling unappreciated. If you fall into the first category, check out the two recommendations above. If you’re in the latter category, you might want to try praising your partner a little more often. Compliments that come freely and more frequently make us feel appreciated and loved.
• Unexpectedly – If you find your partner “fishing” for compliments, it may be that you could improve on your complimenting skills. One tip is to offer compliments and praise when she isn’t expecting them – as a sign of your love and appreciation for her and all she does for you. Some women say that the only time they get compliments is when they ask for them, or when their husbands want sex. So they are suspicious of all unsolicited compliments. How sad is that? Let your partner know how much you love and appreciate her, and she’ll appreciate your attentiveness.
• Intelligently – one of the greatest compliments you can give a woman is to appreciate her mind/soul/intellect. It’s far easier to hand out compliments about physical attributes – her appearance, her outfit, her haircut, etc. than it is to compliment her intelligence. Next time you have the chance to tell your partner how much you appreciate her for something non-cosmetic, do so. Tell her how impressed you are with her handling of a difficult situation, or her patience in a stressful area, or her creativity in resolving an issue. Tell her how you appreciate the decisions she made on specific issues. Let her share her day and her accomplishments with you, and listen to the many choices, decisions and frustrations she faced. Appreciating her intellect, her giving nature, her negotiation skills, etc. can help her recognize that not only are you really listening to her, but that you appreciate her as a person, as well.
*Gifts and Thoughtful Gestures*
A heartfelt gift can be an incredibly romantic thing. For those of you on a budget, romance does not have to mean big budgets. One man I know left cards for his wife every day for a week when she was struggling with an issue at work, telling her how much he loved her and appreciated her. She shared that this was a real source of strength for her as she dealt with the problems during the day, giving her self-esteem a much-needed boost.
Sometimes the presentation of the gift can be as important as the gift itself, too. Flowers grabbed in the grocery store and flung at your partner with a “These were on sale” comment may show you care, but a lot of the potential impact is lost in the process. Even an inexpensive grocery store bouquet can be a romantic gesture if presented correctly. Accompanied by a kiss, present the flowers to your partner with a smile, and a gracious compliment. Something like, “I saw these and couldn’t resist getting them for you to brighten up the kitchen. Can I stick them in some water for you?” will do just fine, if you aren’t the naturally romantic type.
One caveat – most women don’t appreciate having gifts associated with sex. Even if the sex was stunning, try to make sure your gifts are presented as tokens of your appreciation for her giving nature, or your growing love for her, or a wonderful weekend together. Tied in with a sincere compliment about something non-sexual, if possible. Gifts tied to sex can make a woman feel cheap and used; while a gift for the same weekend presented “because you’re always so fun to be with” carries a far more positive connotation.
One of the most thoughtful gifts you can give a woman is your time and your attention. Listen to her, what she likes and dislikes. Ask her to tell you about her day, and then listen. Don’t interrupt or tune her out, and don’t try to “fix” her problems for her (unless she asks you to intervene). Just listening to her and offering sympathy and caring, laughter and sharing, will tell her that she’s important to you. Take an afternoon off and go have a picnic in the park together. Get a babysitter and go out for a romantic dinner, or ask her for a list of five things she wants to do and try to hit two or three of them. The most important thing is not how much money you spend, it’s the time you spend with her and the fact that you are making her your priority for that time.
Most women would love to have more time, attention and interest from their husbands and boyfriends. Although there are obviously exceptions, the fact is that the “romance” fades from most relationships as time and outside demands wear on the couple. I hope that these tips have given you some ideas on how you can put a little of the romance back into your relationship!
Read More..
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Great Key to Making a Good First Impression
Many people think that whenever they meet someone new, they have to put on a false front, or pretend to be someone they’re not. Actually, being your real self will work better if you really want to connect with other people.
One of the most common reasons that people have difficulty making conversation with someone they don’t know very well is because they put too much pressure on themselves to put on a great performance.
Because of this sense of pressure, they try too hard to be impressive, to talk a lot, and to brag about their accomplishments. They won’t spend any time listening to and getting to know the person they are with.
Instead of impressing the other person however, this kind of self centered behavior is likely to irritate and annoy them.
Here’s a very important lesson to learn about making conversation with new people: Insisting to yourself that you have to be brilliant and dazzling in all your conversations will not win you new friends. It will not even improve your conversational performance.
When you think to yourself that you have to perform perfectly in all your conversations, and put up a false front, you will actually make your performance worse! You will become too nervous and awkward, and you’ll be too focused on your own performance. You won’t be focused on getting to know the new person you’ve just met.
New people that you meet are not looking for brilliant conversation. What they are looking for is someone who will be comfortable to be with, and fun to talk to. But most of all they are looking for someone who seems interested in them!
If you really want to impress the person you are meeting, it’s more important to be a good listener than to be a great talker.
If you want to know that person better, you can start by exchanging a few low key pleasantries, but you should move on quickly to a slightly more personal level of discussion. Ask a few basic questions and offer a little bit of information about yourself, your likes or dislikes, or your opinion on some neutral topic. Notice whether the other person lights up with interest about any topics you mention.
This can give you new interesting areas for both of you to discuss. Try to find out who they are, and what is interesting to them.
Even if it seems somewhat difficult and awkward for you in the beginning, develop the habit of introducing yourself to others as soon as you meet them, or very early in the conversation. Otherwise you could spend hours talking and neither of you will have any idea of what your conversation partner’s name is.
Socially confident people introduce themselves to their conversation partners very early in the course of conversation. People who are shy or socially awkward tend to introduce themselves much later, or not at all. Shy people often wait until someone asks for their name, but they rarely volunteer to give it, and they rarely ask the other person for their name.
Sometimes it is easier to ask the other person for their name first, and then offer your own. If you practice the new behavior enough times, it will eventually become second nature to you. With enough practice, it will no longer seem intimidating to take a more active role.
The important thing is simply to develop the habit of starting simple little conversations with lots more people. Look for the interests you have in common.
So remember: Show interest in other people. Smile. Listen. Look at the person you’re talking with.
Whenever you start talking to new people, don’t strive for great dialogue, or the perfect opening lines. Just get started, and keep on talking. Focus more on finding out what is interesting about the other person than on talking about what is interesting about you.
Let other people get to know the real you, instead of a fake you. Source http://www.relationshipsarticlelibrary.com
Read More..
One of the most common reasons that people have difficulty making conversation with someone they don’t know very well is because they put too much pressure on themselves to put on a great performance.
Because of this sense of pressure, they try too hard to be impressive, to talk a lot, and to brag about their accomplishments. They won’t spend any time listening to and getting to know the person they are with.
Instead of impressing the other person however, this kind of self centered behavior is likely to irritate and annoy them.
Here’s a very important lesson to learn about making conversation with new people: Insisting to yourself that you have to be brilliant and dazzling in all your conversations will not win you new friends. It will not even improve your conversational performance.
When you think to yourself that you have to perform perfectly in all your conversations, and put up a false front, you will actually make your performance worse! You will become too nervous and awkward, and you’ll be too focused on your own performance. You won’t be focused on getting to know the new person you’ve just met.
New people that you meet are not looking for brilliant conversation. What they are looking for is someone who will be comfortable to be with, and fun to talk to. But most of all they are looking for someone who seems interested in them!
If you really want to impress the person you are meeting, it’s more important to be a good listener than to be a great talker.
If you want to know that person better, you can start by exchanging a few low key pleasantries, but you should move on quickly to a slightly more personal level of discussion. Ask a few basic questions and offer a little bit of information about yourself, your likes or dislikes, or your opinion on some neutral topic. Notice whether the other person lights up with interest about any topics you mention.
This can give you new interesting areas for both of you to discuss. Try to find out who they are, and what is interesting to them.
Even if it seems somewhat difficult and awkward for you in the beginning, develop the habit of introducing yourself to others as soon as you meet them, or very early in the conversation. Otherwise you could spend hours talking and neither of you will have any idea of what your conversation partner’s name is.
Socially confident people introduce themselves to their conversation partners very early in the course of conversation. People who are shy or socially awkward tend to introduce themselves much later, or not at all. Shy people often wait until someone asks for their name, but they rarely volunteer to give it, and they rarely ask the other person for their name.
Sometimes it is easier to ask the other person for their name first, and then offer your own. If you practice the new behavior enough times, it will eventually become second nature to you. With enough practice, it will no longer seem intimidating to take a more active role.
The important thing is simply to develop the habit of starting simple little conversations with lots more people. Look for the interests you have in common.
So remember: Show interest in other people. Smile. Listen. Look at the person you’re talking with.
Whenever you start talking to new people, don’t strive for great dialogue, or the perfect opening lines. Just get started, and keep on talking. Focus more on finding out what is interesting about the other person than on talking about what is interesting about you.
Let other people get to know the real you, instead of a fake you. Source http://www.relationshipsarticlelibrary.com
Read More..
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Barbecue Tips and Trends
This is three handy tips for backyard chefs this season, courtesy someone who should know, Linda Lee, manager of Windsor's popular Patio Palace.
- Inspect. Clean up the barbecue, not just the obvious fixtures but check for spiders and and insect nests in the venturi tubes, the tubes that extend from the burner to the control valves. "Make sure the flame is blue, not yellow. If you see yellow, get it cleaned," Lee cautions, pointing to serious fires that have occurred. She says the siding of one house was destroyed because of a fire from the barbecue.
- Read labels. When buying a new barbecue, check whether it's North American-made. If not, parts and service may be hard to come by, Lee emphasizes. At least, find out whether parts and service are available from the retailer for the brands on display. Brands like Broil King based in Waterloo, Napoleon from Barrie and Weber in the United States provide support, including parts and service.
- Know your needs. Barbecues can cost $300 to more than $1,000 and come with a variety of features. "Know what's best for you," Lee advises, when it comes to choosing between models. She's seeing more models that are more affordable. They may have fewer features than higher-end, luxury barbecues but may still be a good value.
Accessories remain popular as a trend, with items like rib racks to provide more grill space and keep bones from burning, pizza stones for wood-fired grilling, and grill brushes that can be filled with water to hasten cleaning.
Such toys for the grill actually have a practical purpose, Lee maintains. They make the barbecue appliance more useful, providing more possibilities for cooking.
Read More..
- Inspect. Clean up the barbecue, not just the obvious fixtures but check for spiders and and insect nests in the venturi tubes, the tubes that extend from the burner to the control valves. "Make sure the flame is blue, not yellow. If you see yellow, get it cleaned," Lee cautions, pointing to serious fires that have occurred. She says the siding of one house was destroyed because of a fire from the barbecue.
- Read labels. When buying a new barbecue, check whether it's North American-made. If not, parts and service may be hard to come by, Lee emphasizes. At least, find out whether parts and service are available from the retailer for the brands on display. Brands like Broil King based in Waterloo, Napoleon from Barrie and Weber in the United States provide support, including parts and service.
- Know your needs. Barbecues can cost $300 to more than $1,000 and come with a variety of features. "Know what's best for you," Lee advises, when it comes to choosing between models. She's seeing more models that are more affordable. They may have fewer features than higher-end, luxury barbecues but may still be a good value.
Accessories remain popular as a trend, with items like rib racks to provide more grill space and keep bones from burning, pizza stones for wood-fired grilling, and grill brushes that can be filled with water to hasten cleaning.
Such toys for the grill actually have a practical purpose, Lee maintains. They make the barbecue appliance more useful, providing more possibilities for cooking.
Read More..
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Cook with Couscous
If you're tired of serving mashed potatoes, rice or noodles with a dinner entrée, switch things up and mound some couscous on your plate. It's easy to cook, is widely available and can make any dinner seem a little more exotic.
Couscous is a staple of North African cuisine, made by turning grain into tiny balls of dough and steaming them. It has been served for millennia in countries such as Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia and often accompanied with vegetables, fish or meat. Some of the local names for couscous in those countries are identical to the word for "food," which indicates how important it is to their diet.
The traditional vessel used to cook couscous is called a couscousière. It's basically a double boiler where a stew or other creation gets cooked in the bottom of the pot, and the couscous sits in the top part, cooking in the steam that rises from the food below.
Couscous comes in a few forms, but what you most often see for sale in Canada is what is sometimes referred to as "instant" couscous, although that won't be noted on the box or bulk food bin. It is a quick-cooking grain product made by moistening and forming semolina into fine granules, steaming them and then drying them.
To cook this type of couscous, available in regular, whole-wheat and flavoured, you most often simply stir it into boiling water, stock or other liquid, cover tightly, remove from the heat and allowed the couscous to plump up five minutes, before fluffing with a fork to separate the grains.
This type of couscous is a versatile ingredient. For example, you can cook it plainly and use it as a base to spoon something saucy over, such as a stew or braised dish.
You can also add ingredients to the couscous as it cooks and create a side dish that can rival the entrée, which I did in today's recipe for couscous with pine nuts, olives, roasted peppers and basil. After cooking and cooling, couscous can make a great base for a salad or addition to a soup.
I've also seen recipes where couscous was used in a dessert, flavoured with chocolate, almonds and cinnamon.
Another type of couscous becoming more widely available in Canada is called Israeli or pearl couscous. I found it for sale at a bulk food store and at a European-style delicatessen. It's much larger than the couscous noted above, about the size of a small pea.
This type of couscous can be cooked in boiling, salted water as you would pasta. It takes quite a bit longer to cook than fine granulated couscous and can be used in similar ways, such as a side dish or in a salad. I've also seen it added directly to soups and stews and used to make a risotto-like dish.
Middle Eastern specialty food stores might also sell traditional couscous, which requires soaking and slow steaming to cook it, and Lebanese couscous, called maghrabiyeh, which is cooked by soaking in boiling water about 45 minutes.
Eric Akis is the author of the best-selling Everyone Can Cook book series. His columns appear in the Life section Wednesday and Sunday.
VEGETABLE SOUP WITH COUSCOUS
This colourful soup is made more filling by spooning couscous into each bowl just before serving.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: About 20 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, in small cubes
1 celery rib, cut into small cubes
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground oregano
• pinch each crushed chili flakes and sugar
3 cups vegetable stock
1 cup water
2/3 cup couscous
1/2 cup frozen peas
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pour oil in a medium-sized pot and set over medium heat. Cook onion, carrot and celery, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute more. Add the tomatoes, cumin, oreg-ano, chili flakes, sugar and stock. Simmer gently 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place the 1 cup water in a small pot and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover, remove from the heat and let stand 5 minutes.
When the soup is cooked, stir in peas and heat through 1 minute. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Divide the couscous among 4 large soup bowls. Ladle in the soup and serve.
COUSCOUS WITH PINE NUTS AND OLIVES
The Mediterranean flavours of this dish suit grilled lamb chops. Have all ingredients chopped, measured and ready to go before starting this quick-cooking dish.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: About 6-7 minutes
Makes: 6-8 servings
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (340 gram) pkg. couscous (about 1 3/4 cups)
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 large roasted red pepper, finely diced (sold in jars or in bulk at most supermarkets)
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup pitted black olives, coarsely chopped
* salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Place the stock, olive oil and garlic in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil. Mix in the remaining ingredients.
Cover, turn off the heat and let the couscous stand 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains and then serve.
ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH MIXED VEGETABLES, FETA AND RAISINS
A colourful salad you can serve with grilled or roasted fish, chicken or lamb. It's also a great salad to bring to a potluck dinner.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 18-20 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
1 cup Israeli couscous
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp orange juice
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
3 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
* salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 cherry tomatoes, each quartered
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup raisins
100 grams feta cheese, crumbled
Bring 4 cups of lightly salted water to a slow boil. Add the couscous and cook 18-20 minutes, or until just tender. Drain the couscous well, cool in ice-cold water and drain well again. Place the couscous in a bowl and toss in the remaining ingredients.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, gently tossing the salad again just before doing so. Salad can be readied several hours in advance of serving.
Read More..
Couscous is a staple of North African cuisine, made by turning grain into tiny balls of dough and steaming them. It has been served for millennia in countries such as Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia and often accompanied with vegetables, fish or meat. Some of the local names for couscous in those countries are identical to the word for "food," which indicates how important it is to their diet.
The traditional vessel used to cook couscous is called a couscousière. It's basically a double boiler where a stew or other creation gets cooked in the bottom of the pot, and the couscous sits in the top part, cooking in the steam that rises from the food below.
Couscous comes in a few forms, but what you most often see for sale in Canada is what is sometimes referred to as "instant" couscous, although that won't be noted on the box or bulk food bin. It is a quick-cooking grain product made by moistening and forming semolina into fine granules, steaming them and then drying them.
To cook this type of couscous, available in regular, whole-wheat and flavoured, you most often simply stir it into boiling water, stock or other liquid, cover tightly, remove from the heat and allowed the couscous to plump up five minutes, before fluffing with a fork to separate the grains.
This type of couscous is a versatile ingredient. For example, you can cook it plainly and use it as a base to spoon something saucy over, such as a stew or braised dish.
You can also add ingredients to the couscous as it cooks and create a side dish that can rival the entrée, which I did in today's recipe for couscous with pine nuts, olives, roasted peppers and basil. After cooking and cooling, couscous can make a great base for a salad or addition to a soup.
I've also seen recipes where couscous was used in a dessert, flavoured with chocolate, almonds and cinnamon.
Another type of couscous becoming more widely available in Canada is called Israeli or pearl couscous. I found it for sale at a bulk food store and at a European-style delicatessen. It's much larger than the couscous noted above, about the size of a small pea.
This type of couscous can be cooked in boiling, salted water as you would pasta. It takes quite a bit longer to cook than fine granulated couscous and can be used in similar ways, such as a side dish or in a salad. I've also seen it added directly to soups and stews and used to make a risotto-like dish.
Middle Eastern specialty food stores might also sell traditional couscous, which requires soaking and slow steaming to cook it, and Lebanese couscous, called maghrabiyeh, which is cooked by soaking in boiling water about 45 minutes.
Eric Akis is the author of the best-selling Everyone Can Cook book series. His columns appear in the Life section Wednesday and Sunday.
VEGETABLE SOUP WITH COUSCOUS
This colourful soup is made more filling by spooning couscous into each bowl just before serving.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: About 20 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, in small cubes
1 celery rib, cut into small cubes
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground oregano
• pinch each crushed chili flakes and sugar
3 cups vegetable stock
1 cup water
2/3 cup couscous
1/2 cup frozen peas
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pour oil in a medium-sized pot and set over medium heat. Cook onion, carrot and celery, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute more. Add the tomatoes, cumin, oreg-ano, chili flakes, sugar and stock. Simmer gently 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place the 1 cup water in a small pot and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover, remove from the heat and let stand 5 minutes.
When the soup is cooked, stir in peas and heat through 1 minute. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Divide the couscous among 4 large soup bowls. Ladle in the soup and serve.
COUSCOUS WITH PINE NUTS AND OLIVES
The Mediterranean flavours of this dish suit grilled lamb chops. Have all ingredients chopped, measured and ready to go before starting this quick-cooking dish.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: About 6-7 minutes
Makes: 6-8 servings
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (340 gram) pkg. couscous (about 1 3/4 cups)
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 large roasted red pepper, finely diced (sold in jars or in bulk at most supermarkets)
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup pitted black olives, coarsely chopped
* salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Place the stock, olive oil and garlic in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil. Mix in the remaining ingredients.
Cover, turn off the heat and let the couscous stand 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains and then serve.
ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH MIXED VEGETABLES, FETA AND RAISINS
A colourful salad you can serve with grilled or roasted fish, chicken or lamb. It's also a great salad to bring to a potluck dinner.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 18-20 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
1 cup Israeli couscous
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp orange juice
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
3 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
* salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 cherry tomatoes, each quartered
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup raisins
100 grams feta cheese, crumbled
Bring 4 cups of lightly salted water to a slow boil. Add the couscous and cook 18-20 minutes, or until just tender. Drain the couscous well, cool in ice-cold water and drain well again. Place the couscous in a bowl and toss in the remaining ingredients.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, gently tossing the salad again just before doing so. Salad can be readied several hours in advance of serving.
Read More..
Saturday, June 7, 2008
What Needs to be Done for Quiting Smoking?
Revolutionary move is the need of the hour. Smoking is the deadly disease of the day that is taking our society in its grip by leaps and bound. Every second person that we see around is inhaling and exhaling the cigar. Smoking has become a habit of many and people take it very casually. It has become a symbol of fashion and modernism.
How smoking is started
Many people start smoking as a step towards socializing. They do so to show the society that they are also a part of it and can gel well with it. The younger generation that leaves their homes to conquer life starts smoking to mix well with the society. They think that they will be accepted easily in the society if they do what the others do, whether it is right or wrong. Younger generation often follows the footsteps of their elderly and seniors. When they see their parents smoking, they do the same without any hesitation.
What is needed today?
We need to bring a revolution in our society and uproot the deadly disease. This can be achieved best by educating people about the harmful consequences of smoking. People should be made aware about the harm they are doing to themselves viz. health loss and money loss. Tobacco makes our hair and clothes stink. It stains our teeth and our mouth smells foul. Money expended on cigarettes is a complete waste. They should be made to understand that hard earned money should be expensed only constructively. Further parents and seniors need not to smoke in front of their children, or for that matter at homes. They should rather take up the matter with their children as a piece of educational advice and discuss it openly with them in the right perspective.
Government’s role in this
Also the government and other authorities should organize “Quit Smoking” programs and campaigns. Celebrities should be asked to participate in these campaigns and propagate the same for a noble cause. Medical camps should be put up where free medical aid and assistance should be provided to the sufferers. Teachers and coaches of various sports should educate the athletes about the ill effects of smoking and convince them to quit it. Flagrant use of cigarettes in movies and other TV shows should be banned because many actors are ideals for the younger generation. At last prevention is better than cure so one should be over cautious at the initial stages itself and should not lay prey to the deadly disease.
Read More..
How smoking is started
Many people start smoking as a step towards socializing. They do so to show the society that they are also a part of it and can gel well with it. The younger generation that leaves their homes to conquer life starts smoking to mix well with the society. They think that they will be accepted easily in the society if they do what the others do, whether it is right or wrong. Younger generation often follows the footsteps of their elderly and seniors. When they see their parents smoking, they do the same without any hesitation.
What is needed today?
We need to bring a revolution in our society and uproot the deadly disease. This can be achieved best by educating people about the harmful consequences of smoking. People should be made aware about the harm they are doing to themselves viz. health loss and money loss. Tobacco makes our hair and clothes stink. It stains our teeth and our mouth smells foul. Money expended on cigarettes is a complete waste. They should be made to understand that hard earned money should be expensed only constructively. Further parents and seniors need not to smoke in front of their children, or for that matter at homes. They should rather take up the matter with their children as a piece of educational advice and discuss it openly with them in the right perspective.
Government’s role in this
Also the government and other authorities should organize “Quit Smoking” programs and campaigns. Celebrities should be asked to participate in these campaigns and propagate the same for a noble cause. Medical camps should be put up where free medical aid and assistance should be provided to the sufferers. Teachers and coaches of various sports should educate the athletes about the ill effects of smoking and convince them to quit it. Flagrant use of cigarettes in movies and other TV shows should be banned because many actors are ideals for the younger generation. At last prevention is better than cure so one should be over cautious at the initial stages itself and should not lay prey to the deadly disease.
Read More..
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Arabbi, a Buddhist monk and a Rastafarian walk into a bar. What's the first thing the women inside notice?
Each dude's hair.
Sorry for the lacking punchline, but the sad state of men's hairstyles today is no laughing matter (except the so-bad-it's-good mullet).
Axe, a company focused on men's grooming products, recently surveyed 2,000 American women on men's hair care. About three-quarters of the women said hair is one of the first things they notice about a guy. Almost half felt guy's hairstyles all look the same, and that guys their age need help styling their hair. Worse, 62 per cent said they are not likely to take a guy with bad hair home at the end of the night. Yet only 29 per cent of guys in the same survey considered their hair to be an important factor in attracting women.
Now, I don't want to overstate the importance of this disconnect, but suffice to say the global recession should immediately take a back seat to this crisis. Until that happens, though, a guy who puts a bit of effort into his hair can take advantage of the monotonous world of men's mops. It's never been easier to grab the ladies' attention. And your boss's: well-tended locks are an obvious sign that you take care of yourself.
Hold up, I know what you're thinking: every time I step out of the box with my hairstyle, I end up looking goofy. But there are ways to get and keep a style that fits your type of hair, says Toronto-based image consultant Shannon Stewart, who has styled Bono, Billy Talent and Sting. Read on for tips from Stewart and Annette Burwash, owner of Getaway Spa For Men in Bridgeland, on how to get a good haircut and properly style your hair.
Great Hair Starts With A Great Haircut
It can be tough to find a good hairstylist, especially if you're not willing to spend what you would on Calgary Flames tickets. But shell out as much as you can afford for a good cut.
"A really good haircut will make styling your hair much easier," Stewart says.
Keep your hair short if you have thinning hair with a receding hairline. The longer hair grows, the thinner it looks. And if you're bald or almost there, forget the comb-over. Keep the sides and back trim, or even shaved, like Michael Jordan.
Men with thick and coarse hair usually look better and have an easier time styling a shorter cut. Personalize short hair by making it messy or spiky, or coiffing it in the direction you like. But it's easiest to keep most of it facing the way it tends to grow.
Get your hair cut every three weeks to keep it trimmed and easy to style. Even if you want to grow it out, keep your haircuts regular so your locks don't get mussy.
Which Hair Products To Buy And How To Apply Them
Before you style your 'do, clean it with a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner. An acidic shampoo dries out your scalp, causing flakes and an itchy head.
If you have really fine, straight hair, wash it most days. If you have thick hair and don't use much product, Stewart recommends skipping a day or two between washings to let your natural oils come back.
Don't be lazy in your search and resort to using your partner's fruity conditioner. A guy's scalp is usually oilier and sweatier than a woman's, and women aren't turned on by a guy who smells like lilacs.
There's a whole whack of new men's hair products out there, with strange names like pomade, mess constructor, and "Funkifier" gel -- so let's demystify the hair-care aisle. The bad hair products start with gel. There's a reason they call it a gelmet. And since gel is mostly water, when it dries you're left with a crusty residue. Likewise, avoid hairspray, because it tends to dry out your scalp.
Stewart recommends using a quality hair wax, pomade, putty or cream. Burwash disagrees, saying only waxes and creams are good choices for your hair, because the other products are too greasy. Waxes and creams are easy on your hair and scalp. They don't get flaky or clump hair like gel or hairspray. Both give you a wet look. Wax is the hardest product, but keeps your hair pliable so you can re-style for drinks after work. Cream is much softer, but doesn't have as much hold. Beeswax in the ingredients is the sign of a good wax, Burwash says.
Pomade gives a bit of sheen for a more polished, preppy look at the office, while putty offers good hold and provides a matte look. A good paste gives that just-out-of-bed look, Stewart says, which is hit-or-miss in my experience.
The thinner and finer your hair, the less hold your product needs. When applying it, remember: pinches, not handfuls. And relax. Excessive primping is not required. If you're styling your hair right, a few minutes should be enough to wow the women.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
Read More..
Each dude's hair.
Sorry for the lacking punchline, but the sad state of men's hairstyles today is no laughing matter (except the so-bad-it's-good mullet).
Axe, a company focused on men's grooming products, recently surveyed 2,000 American women on men's hair care. About three-quarters of the women said hair is one of the first things they notice about a guy. Almost half felt guy's hairstyles all look the same, and that guys their age need help styling their hair. Worse, 62 per cent said they are not likely to take a guy with bad hair home at the end of the night. Yet only 29 per cent of guys in the same survey considered their hair to be an important factor in attracting women.
Now, I don't want to overstate the importance of this disconnect, but suffice to say the global recession should immediately take a back seat to this crisis. Until that happens, though, a guy who puts a bit of effort into his hair can take advantage of the monotonous world of men's mops. It's never been easier to grab the ladies' attention. And your boss's: well-tended locks are an obvious sign that you take care of yourself.
Hold up, I know what you're thinking: every time I step out of the box with my hairstyle, I end up looking goofy. But there are ways to get and keep a style that fits your type of hair, says Toronto-based image consultant Shannon Stewart, who has styled Bono, Billy Talent and Sting. Read on for tips from Stewart and Annette Burwash, owner of Getaway Spa For Men in Bridgeland, on how to get a good haircut and properly style your hair.
Great Hair Starts With A Great Haircut
It can be tough to find a good hairstylist, especially if you're not willing to spend what you would on Calgary Flames tickets. But shell out as much as you can afford for a good cut.
"A really good haircut will make styling your hair much easier," Stewart says.
Keep your hair short if you have thinning hair with a receding hairline. The longer hair grows, the thinner it looks. And if you're bald or almost there, forget the comb-over. Keep the sides and back trim, or even shaved, like Michael Jordan.
Men with thick and coarse hair usually look better and have an easier time styling a shorter cut. Personalize short hair by making it messy or spiky, or coiffing it in the direction you like. But it's easiest to keep most of it facing the way it tends to grow.
Get your hair cut every three weeks to keep it trimmed and easy to style. Even if you want to grow it out, keep your haircuts regular so your locks don't get mussy.
Which Hair Products To Buy And How To Apply Them
Before you style your 'do, clean it with a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner. An acidic shampoo dries out your scalp, causing flakes and an itchy head.
If you have really fine, straight hair, wash it most days. If you have thick hair and don't use much product, Stewart recommends skipping a day or two between washings to let your natural oils come back.
Don't be lazy in your search and resort to using your partner's fruity conditioner. A guy's scalp is usually oilier and sweatier than a woman's, and women aren't turned on by a guy who smells like lilacs.
There's a whole whack of new men's hair products out there, with strange names like pomade, mess constructor, and "Funkifier" gel -- so let's demystify the hair-care aisle. The bad hair products start with gel. There's a reason they call it a gelmet. And since gel is mostly water, when it dries you're left with a crusty residue. Likewise, avoid hairspray, because it tends to dry out your scalp.
Stewart recommends using a quality hair wax, pomade, putty or cream. Burwash disagrees, saying only waxes and creams are good choices for your hair, because the other products are too greasy. Waxes and creams are easy on your hair and scalp. They don't get flaky or clump hair like gel or hairspray. Both give you a wet look. Wax is the hardest product, but keeps your hair pliable so you can re-style for drinks after work. Cream is much softer, but doesn't have as much hold. Beeswax in the ingredients is the sign of a good wax, Burwash says.
Pomade gives a bit of sheen for a more polished, preppy look at the office, while putty offers good hold and provides a matte look. A good paste gives that just-out-of-bed look, Stewart says, which is hit-or-miss in my experience.
The thinner and finer your hair, the less hold your product needs. When applying it, remember: pinches, not handfuls. And relax. Excessive primping is not required. If you're styling your hair right, a few minutes should be enough to wow the women.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
Read More..
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