Attitude - what’s inside your head; your posture; your facial expressions; how gentle you are with yourself and others. Attitude is the one beauty asset that can make or break a look.

Woman #1: Attractive but Not Gorgeous.

Have you ever seen a perfectly coiffed woman with flawless makeup and an outfit to die for? Just for fun, let’s add some Cindy Crawford sunglasses and a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes. When you get close to her, you realize she’s wearing Adrienne Vittadini Perfume. But wait - something’s still not right. Why are you not dazzled? Could it be something as simple as a slouch?

We’re not advocating perfection. Trying for perfection is stressful. We’re advocating a natural confidence, irregardless of exterior trappings.

Woman #2: Breathtaking but Not Runway-Pretty.

Let’s look at another woman. She has no makeup on - maybe a light dusting of powder over plain features, and some lip gloss. She’s wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. She doesn’t wear perfume because co-workers in the office have complained of allergies. Yet she’s dazzling. People on the street turn to look at her.

How could this be?

Our jeans woman walks tall. Her shoulders are back, her frown lines are minimal - from not frowning, not from Botox. Her stride is steady. You feel you could have coffee with her and tell her all your secrets and she’d still like you. She’s not in an enormous hurry, and her awareness is centered, not scattered. How do we know all this? It shows in her appearance. We hear it in her voice when she speaks in a comfortable register and volume. Her hair is pulled back with a simple clip, and some stray locks have come loose - but it’s silky and shiny. You can imagine her casually pulling out the clip, running her hands through her hair, and effortlessly putting the clip back in.

It’s About Self-respect

You’ve seen this before, haven’t you? Beauty is all about attitude. Your attitude toward yourself, and the way you look at others. It shows in the way we talk to ourselves in our heads; in the way we treat the waitress at lunch; in how we gently offer to help a colleague who’s behind in her paperwork; in how we smile at the person behind us in a long, slow post office line. It shows when we offer to take a message for someone rather than just say they’re not in. When we choose a pet from the pound instead of a breeder. Oh yes, it totally shows.

So how’s this for good news: Your most powerful beauty asset is 100% free. It’s a choice; a decision we make. It shows in the details. How we respect ourselves and others. We may not have perfect red fingernails, but our nails are filed and our cuticles cared for. We may buy clothes at the discount store, but they fit well. We may have some gray in our hair, but boy does that hair shine. We eat a healthy diet, and our eyes sparkle. Cigarettes? No thanks, they ruin a look.

A confident attitude starts on the inside. It’s our default way of thinking and acting. But what about those of us who don’t have it inside? How do we get it?

Working It From the Outside In

Easy - we start on the outside, and let it work its way in. We walk tall and make that a habit. We anticipate success in our projects and relationships, and catch ourselves when we hear negative voices in our head. We get organized at home and at the office, get our clothes in order, sew those buttons on, tell our people we love them, get rid of clutter in our personal papers. Here’s how to get started:

1. Monitor your voice. Let it be softer if need be.

2. Be aware of your habits. No need to shriek into the cell phone in public. No need to rush into that parking spot that someone else also wanted. (You’ll probably get a better parking spot the next time around the block.)

3. Watch your posture. Bad posture is a huge attitude-buster.

4. When someone approaches you at the office, smile. It doesn’t have to be a big grin or anything major. Just a slight smile to put them at ease.

You’ll be beautiful. You’ll be an inspiration for others. And although it’s all in your head, it will affect every aspect of your life.

Acai for Health, Beauty, and the Rainforests

With all the press that Acai is getting these days, I’m surprised that so few know what it is. I’m hoping that I’ll help spread the word, because the little purple berries are antioxidant powerhouses offering amazing benefits to human bodies.

An Amazing Health Food

Acai has far too many health benefits to be ignored. The purple pulp has and continues to be studied for its high levels of phytochemicals, flavonoids, and phytosterols. The phytosterols in Acai are beneficial for lowering cholesterol. High levels of the antioxidant superoxide add to the benefits, not to mention the 19 amino acids it contains. The antioxidant levels of the nut like seed are being studied for use as a preservative to extend the shelf life of foods.

I know, enough of all these crazy words…what does this translate to? Basically, this is a food with higher antioxidant levels than pomegranate or blueberries that has high fiber, a low glycemic index (won’t spike insulin levels), and fights cancer cells with a vengeance in the petri dish. All those plant chemicals mentioned above help to strengthen the immune system, fight inflammation (which makes it excellent for a pain management program),and lower cholesterol levels. Acai is considered a beauty drink, and made it to number one of Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s anti-aging food list. It is also reputed to enhance sexual performance :O

I tried Acai before I even knew of the health benefits. I found it along with all the frozen smoothie packs in my local Whole Foods Market. It has a flavor that I have not experienced before, that I really adore, though I tend to have less of a sweet tooth than most folks.

OK, So How Does it Taste?

The taste is kind of a blend between chocolate and bland blueberries. It has some notes of sweeter blackberries, I guess since they contain many of the same phyto compounds. Acai doesn’t have an over the top fruity taste, and is honestly kind of bland without any sweetener. It often comes with added cane sugar or agave, a natural sweetener with low glycmeic index. Some formulas include guarana for energy, which I think adds a slight bitter edge, but it is still in the pleasant range. Be aware that Acai drinks often do not look remotely similar to anything you’ve seen before. The pure pulp is blackish purple, and the blends with sweeteners and guarana have a lighter, whiter purpleness with a haze of oil on top. Don’t let my honest descriptions keep you from trying it, it is a refreshing change of taste.

If you decide you hate the taste, you can still experience the health benefits of Acai by buying the dried, powdered version as a supplement pill, just make sure to seek out the freeze dried pulp, anything else has been dried with chemicals and heat that destroys the compounds you’re taking the stuff for in the first place!

So there are several camps selling the Acai in the states right now, and my kudos to all of them. You’ll just have to go to a health food store or one of the Whole Foods chains to find it. Trader Joe’s may be another option, and some companies sell directly over the net. A brand called Sambazon hails from California, and they make the cool smoothie packs. You can buy the pure pulp, or the blend. I’m sure the other companies have smoothie packs as well. The company from the Eastern U.S., Flavor Brazil, makes this amazing sorbet that can be used in smoothies or devoured right out of the tub. This product has excellent flavor for those used to more mainstream foods. You’ll find these forms of Acai in the frozen fruit section of the store. Zola Acai sells off the net and in stores, their product is unique in that it is flash pasteurizeed and needs no refrigeration. A friend of mine that does research assured me the flash pasteurization doesn’t allow enough long term heat to affect the integrity of the Acai. There is a brand that is a strained, clearer juice that tastes awful - not worth the money in my opinion, and you lose the benefits of the fiber. I’m sure there are a host of many other Acai products, I mentioned those I have tried.

After trying many forms of the Acai, I buy the pure Acai pulp now; they run about $4.99 for 4 packs that can make up to 8 servings. I sweeten with agave nectar, it gives the pulp a pleasant taste. The pure pulp has just that - a lot of pulp, similar to drinking fresh squeezed orange juice… you can feel the fibers as you drink it. Agave nectar is processed in Mexico from the same yucca-like plant used to make tequila.

Agave has a lower glycemic index than most carbohydrates, and is a natural flavor enhancer. You can find the nectar in the sweetener aisle in the Whole Foods, or health foods stores.

The Berry at Home

Acai is the fruit of a species of palm tree called Euterpe Oleracea, or Acai Palm. These beautiful trees with their graceful, slender trunks are native to Brazil, Peru, and other areas of South America. This is the same type of palm harvested for the hearts of palm dish that is considered a delicacy, but certainly at the expense of the rain forest, since the small, bunch like trees are downed to reap their tender tips.

The Acai berry looks similar to a very round blueberry, only slightly larger. There is very little fruit, as most of the berry (80%) consists of a large, nut like seed. It is the skin and thin layer of pulp that is edible, and it takes many bushels to make a small supply of Acai. The berries spoil rapidly once picked, so they are processed close to their origin.

Adding Acai to your wellness routine is not just good for you, it benefits the rain forest and its native peoples as well. The growing demand for Acai means jobs and capitol for the people, and Acai palms destined for destruction by deforestation and heart of palm harvesting are now being preserved and appreciated. Acai is not one of the cheapest foods you will consume, but the benefits to your health, beauty, your fellow man and the planet far outweigh the costs. Enjoy!

by Kimberly Gough

If you are aware of your presence, you are also aware of how your body is changing. Things at a cellular level begin to change as each year goes by. Different alterations begin to show in your skin as well as in the shape and functioning of your body. If you are aware of your presence, you are also probably aware of the need to give it the best consideration in order to look younger and feel better.

Where will you start with making sure you have the ability to offer your body the best? Of course, it will be important to find ways to take care of your skin. Beyond this, you can look into anti-aging skin care product reviews. This will give you the ability to find exactly what you need. By doing this, you can ensure that you get the best for the best. Following are the top ten anti-aging skin care product review areas that you can look into to compare what is available.

1. Folica (folica.com)

The theme of this particular site is to be the web’s most popular beauty store. It has a variety of anti-aging skin care products that are available. It not only offers a variety of products, but also has customer reviews of how they have responded to the products and how it has helped them with the aging process. Not only does this particular website have reviews, but also shows the focus of the product for your skin, such as dry skin, aging skin, etc.

2. Product Watch (productwatch.net)

If you want to see what is popular at a particular time, and see how it is evaluated by the professionals, then this is one source that you can turn to. This particular site has a variety of anti-aging skin care product reviews, all which are divided into several categories for effectiveness. The product watch area will evaluate products by the ingredients that are contained, the effectiveness of the formula, the guarantee that it will work for you and the price that you will have to pay for the quality that you will get. It also will show you where to get different products and who the manufacturer is. At different times, this particular website will feature a particular product that they find effective.

3. Wrinkle Review (wrinklereview.com)

This website is designed to show what the latest products are in the market. They will then compare this to other products to see which are most effective on the market. This particular company also has guides for other solutions for anti-aging and what they mean. Articles on things such as Botox, ingredients for anti-aging, and other medical treatments are compared to the products that are available.

4. Smart Skin Care (smartskincare.com)

This is an independent source of information that offers reviews. The ability that they have over other companies is that they have the ability to feature more off beat products that are available. They don’t sell products, but only review them in order to ensure that customers are aware of what is available. If you want to stay informed of anti-aging skin care products through reviews, this will give you a genuine answer.

5. Beauty-Product-Reviews (beauty-product-reviews.com)

This particular website offers reviews for a variety of skin care needs, including anti-aging. It will feature specific products, all which will have reviews by consumers who rate the product by one to five stars. While this particular site is focused on selling particular items, it can still help you in finding what will be best for your skin.

6. Herbalife (herbalife.com)

This particular website focuses on anti-aging skin care product reviews of only all natural ingredients. You will be able to find all natural ingredient creams and products by looking at the evaluations and recommendations that are on this particular sight. If you want to find natural possibilities, this is the place that you should first look.

Haven’t found what you’re after? Here are some more places to look for the best skin care products:

7. Magazines

If you are looking at any type of health or beauty magazine, you can expect to see reviews and evaluations of specific products. Usually, these will be featured by companies who are putting a new product on the market for your skin, but will still allow you to see what is new and how it will work, especially in comparison to other products.

8. Popular Evaluations

Often times, if you want to find what is best for you, then the most logical thing to do is look at other people that are using it or who have evaluated what is in the product. Often times, professionals will decide to advertise specific products that they find are the most effective for their skin. Of course, any one opinion should be taken lightly.

9. Surveys and polls

If you don’t find what you want through popularity, you can turn to the Internet or to a specific area in your locality to find the best reviews. There are a variety of places set up that are designed to offer reviews of specific products. Places such as e-pinions are available for you to look at how others have truly evaluated a product. The best surveys and polls for you to look at will be the ones that are rated by people from all walks of life.

10. Professional Evaluations

If you don’t find exactly what you want from these particular sources, why not get reviews from those who are in the business of anti-aging. Dermatologists and other skin care specialists are designed to offer you the best reviews of what is available. By simply asking for an evaluation of products, you can take the safe route of going with what the doctor advices.

As can be seen, there are endless sources for you to find the opinion that you need. These are only a few of several areas that want you to look at the different products and see what is best for the skin you are in. If you want anti-aging skin care, then product reviews will be an easy way for you to begin evaluating your possibilities and what is best for the needs of your skin’s health. Doing this will help you to keep the external appearance of your body in the best shape with the top products.

For people who suffer every morning from puffy eyes or have to cover the bags under their eyes, apart from purchasing expensive cosmetic creams to reduce the symptoms perhaps it is wise to try out one of the oldest natural remedies: a couple of tea bags. If you consider it, it is at least worth the try, as your eyes are, apart from the windows or your soul, also the focal point of your face. Thus, you should take good care of them and devote the necessary time to reveal their own special beauty. Having tired, baggy eyes can add years to your age, while sparkling ones can brighten your face and give you a more youthful appearance. Remember that it is vital to care for the delicate area around them and tea or tea bags can help you reveal the best set of eyes.

Just like when you are feeling tired you reach your kitchen’s cabinet to grab some of your favorite tea brand and relax, the same should your reaction be in case you wake up in the morning and witness the symptom of puffy eyes in your bathroom’s mirror. Chances are that if your body is tired your eyes will show it. Swollen, red or puffy eyes are indicators of fatigue and it is important to be aware of the fact that the black tea bags you place into your favorite mug can also offer your eyes immediate relief.

The restorative effect of black tea is so apparent that it will surprise you how quickly this simple process can reduce your problem and its occurrence. From the night before, you should boil water and put two tea bags in it like you would if you were going to make tea. After brewing for 5 minutes, take the tea bags out and ring out the liquid. Next, place both tea bags into your kitchen’s freezer. You need to have them cool, but not frozen. Keep them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes and then take them out, lay down, relax and put the tea bags over the puffy ears over your eyes. Leave them there for approximately another 10-15 minutes, turning them over half way through. Afterwards, remove the tea bags and dispose of them. Then rinse your face with cool water to remove any tea stains. Make sure you rinse off any residue carefully with a cold damp tissue or face cloth.

In addition, warm tea bags might be more relaxing on a cold winter day, and it has been found to reduce under eye puffiness just as well as the cold tea bags. If you do drink tea often you can begin saving the two wet tea bags from your tea pot while they are still warm –careful, not hot! Then you should again select a comfortable spot in your home, be it the bed, the couch or the floor. Place a towel where your head will be resting to prevent leaking and staining. Lie down, place one black tea bag over each eye after closing your eyes first and relax for just five minutes. Deep breathing will increase your oxygen intake while you rest and promote increased energy levels.

You’ll be amazed at how much wider open your eyes will feel and how quickly soreness will be reduced. This simple, old-fashioned home remedy is a true gift. There is always the option of buying special eyes tea bags from your local pharmacy or beauty store, but any black tea bag works just as well and is certainly more economical.

Ever wonder where the best places are to purchase perfume? There are many different outlets available to you when purchasing perfume. When figuring out where to purchase perfume, ask yourself if you are looking for a new scent or simply purchasing an existing scent.

If you are purchasing a scent that you already know that you like, you will not get any better deals than online. There are hundreds of online perfume companies that carry every brand of perfume available, usually at a much bigger discount than you can find in the store. If you know what you like, shop online for perfume to find the best deal on your particular brand. Make sure that you are purchasing the actual perfume and not a “knock off” or an imitation perfume.

Those who are uncertain about which fragrance appeals to them need to take a trip down to their department store where they can see hundreds of samples of different perfumes. After sniffing the cap and realizing you like it, spray a tiny bit on your wrist and resume your shopping. After about a half hour, sniff your wrist. Do you still like the perfume? Because perfume is absorbed into the skin, no scent smells exactly the same on any two women. This is why it is a good idea to give the perfume a chance to react before immediately purchasing the product. Then you can do so in the store or online.

When shopping for perfume in a department store, tell the clerk the brand that you like the most and she will be able to provide you with different samples of similar brands. There are many different facets to perfume. They are usually a blend of three different scents, such as woodsy, Oriental, floral, citrus, or spice. Most have a base note, middle note and top note. Since most commercial perfumes contain alcohol, the top note is that which evaporates quicker and may be the first scent you notice. The middle note stays on a while longer and the base note remains. This is why it is so important to allow your body to absorb the fragrance to see if it is right for you.

Discount outlet stores, such as TJ Maxx often have great deals on top brand name perfume at a reasonable cost. In many cases they have samples of the fragrances for you to test. If you are looking for a gift set, such as a lotion, perfume and powder, you are best going to one of these discount outlets where these items are considerably marked down.

The local drugstore carries many name brand perfumes and also offers samples of the fragrance. You can also get very inexpensive imitation brands of your favorite perfume at the local drugstore if you are on a budget or a time restraint.

Another good idea on where to purchase perfumes is by viewing some online auctions. Many times you can get sample bottles of your favorite fragrance for a lot less than you would pay for a full bottle. Sample bottles are those that have been used in department stores or at trade shows and still contain perfume but have been used. If you are seeking your favorite perfume but do not have a lot of money to spend, consider purchasing sample bottles online. Make sure that it is clear the size of the bottle as some online auction merchants can be unclear about whether the item is a full sized sample or a mini sample that you can easily obtain for free in the department store.

The art of perfumery has been around for thousands of years. Most women have at least three bottles of their favorite scent on hand with their toiletry articles. Consider your time frame and budget as well as what you really want before making a decision on where to purchase perfume for yourself or as a gift for others.

When it comes to buying perfume, the choices for doing so are many. From dime stores to online stores, fragrances are a hot item in a lot of locations. But, how can a person go about finding just the right perfume store to fit their needs?

The answer to this will depend a lot on what exactly those needs are. Some people prefer the perfume spraying attention they receive in department stores, others enjoy the laid back feel of buying online and enjoying door-to-door service. Let’s look at the different perfume store options and what they might offer style and price wise:

* Department stores. The perfume counters in most department stores are legendary. Loaded with so many options and clerks very willing to share samples, these locations tend to offer the top name and best selling brands at retail prices. They tend to offer some very good sales from time to time and are also wonderful places to visit for those who aren’t sure which fragrance they’d like to buy. With many samples to choose from, the undecided can become the decided very fast.

* Online stores. These locations will vary greatly depending on the actual site, but online perfume shoppers can find just about every fragrance under the sun. From imports to replicas, online perfume store locations can be great resources for those who know what they want and especially those who don’t want to pay a fortune.

The advantages to these locations tend to fall in the pricing arena. Since many online stores don’t have the overhead department stores do, the prices can be a significant amount cheaper. Department stores, too, have their own web sites, so it’s possible to buy a favorite from a favorite without leaving the house. The disadvantage to online shopping is missing out on the samples, but those with a fragrance of choice, they can be ideal.

* Dime stores, pharmacies. Although not necessarily as popular as department store perfume store locations, these shops can be great for buying some of the lesser priced brand names.

Offering a fairly good selection, pharmacy and dime stores shouldn’t be overlooked by those who enjoy brand names at lower prices. These stores carry a little bit of everything in the low to moderate prices. They might not have all the samples the bigger stores do, but it is possible to try some things on for scent before buying.

* Fragrance stores. There are even freestanding stores that deal in nothing but perfumes. These will offer generally the greatest selection, but they can be hard to come by. When they are stores that can be visited in person, they are great for trying on new fragrances for size. These perfume stores can offer a variety of pricing, as well.

Looking for an ideal perfume store will depend a whole lot on what kind of fragrance a person wants, the amount of money they would like to spend and the type of customer service desired. Some stores are very hands on, others offer customers the freedom to shop as they’d like. There are fragrance stores available to meet just about any type of shopping preference.

The demand for beauty products has been increasing over the years. Subsequently, the rates of these products are also on the rise. If you are not cautious, expensive beauty products can bite into your earnings. It is worthwhile to consider the grooming aids you actually need and make a cautious selection.

Skin care products, hair care products, cosmetics, bath and body products, perfumes, body treatment products, sun-care and self-tan products, anti-aging products, and anti-wrinkle products are commonly used beauty aids. These beauty products are available for both men and women.

A practical way for limiting the amount you spend on beauty products is to opt for homemade products. You can make the products yourself by purchasing the necessary ingredients and using the instructions available from various books. These products will also be free from the side effects that some store-bough products cause. These side effects are usually caused by chemicals that are added to these products to make them more attractive and powerful. Homemade beauty products as a whole will be much cheaper when compared to store-bought ones.

There are many ways in which you can make beauty products fit your budget. Buying these products on sale at discounted prices is an excellent idea. You can even buy and stock these when available at good discounts. Don’t always go for branded products. Sometimes you will find that certain beauty products are of the same quality as that of name brands, but are cheaper. Therefore, it is better to buy those products to save yourself a lot of money. It is best to select beauty aids that are reasonably priced. An expensive beauty product is not necessarily an excellent one.

Another method for saving money is to buy products only after shopping around for the best prices. Some shops provide several free samples. Money-back guarantees are also given if the customer is not satisfied with the product.