How to Practice

Ever stumped when it comes to practice?  Bored with playing that same set of sheet music your band has been working on?  Want to do something fun instead?

Check out the practice tips in the link to the right -- it suggests a neat 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 method that'll make practice fun instead of a bore!

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Dry Skin Care

Whether you've got dry skin -- or oily skin -- you must keep your skin hydrated to keep it healthy!

Dry skin care begins inside -- if you're not drinking enough water, your skin will show it! Moisturizer creams will help -- but your skin draws most of its moisture from inside your body, not from the outside; this is why proper hydration is so critical.

Also, consider that your body is suffering if not properly hydrated; your other organs aren't getting enough water, either! Your body will "take" water from less critical organs (like your skin) to reserve it for more vital organs (like your heart) -- making dry skin issues even worse.

Although moisturizing isn't as important as proper hydration -- it's still important! It's particularly important to use moisturizers at night -- they won't rub off as they might during the day. Your skin also renews itself when your sleeping -- making nighttime moisturizing habits even more effective.

Daytime use can also be effective -- moisturizers act as a protective boundary between your skin and harmful pollutants and irritants. A thin and light application is fine -- you don't need thick slathering!

While we're trying to keep irritants away from our skin, let's start with what is next to our skin -- our moisturizers and makeup! Natural products mean less irritation! If your skin is particularly irritated, you might try replenishing some of the natural oils it needs. Ordinary vitamin E oil works well -- even under makeup!

Pick The Right Color

When selecting eye shadow, think about your natural eye color.

In general, you want to compliment your natural eye color. For instance, blue eyes are rather cool -- so a brown or rosey shade offers a warming component. Brown eyes, then, are already warm -- so cool them off a bit with a gold or green shade. Exotic green eyes work well with lavender .. although a natural mocha builds drama. Hazel eyes are enhanced with pale yellow or deep green.

Think both brow bones and eyelids -- you may want lighter shades on the brow and darker shades on the eyelids. Light eyeliners also tend to make your eyes appear brighter.

Look Younger -- or Older!

A recent study published in "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery" discussed what lifestyle factors make you look older -- or younger!

Things you might want to think about:

Cigarettes: If you ignore every other bad effect from smoking, you're left with ... smoking cigareets makes you look older! Just smoking for 5 years is enough to start seeing the effect! Each 10 years of smoking adds about 2 and a half years to your appearance. So ... if you smoke for 40 years, you'll look 10 years older than your natural age!

Divorce: Divorce is a stressful period -- and stress ages you! Curiously, becoming a widow (or a widower) results in a more youthful appearance! It's about a 2 year difference each way.

Body-mass index: Some surprises here -- too much weight makes you look older ... until you reach about age 40. At that point, you begin to look younger!

Alcohol: Like smoking, alcohol drinkers look older than non-drinkers.

Hormone replacement: Twins who used hormone replacements (ie, estrogen or progesterone) for a number of years looked 2 years younger than their siblings who did not receive such treatments.

Antidepressants: Like tobacco and alcohol, antidepressant usage results in a significantly older appearance.

The study compared the appearance of twins when each practiced different lifestyle factors.

Summary? Even more reasons to stay away from cigarettes, alcohol, and antidepressants. You might try to keep your youthful weight -- but you really need to accept those few extra pounds once you reach middle age; it'll make you look better!

Treat Dry Skin Naturally

Itchy, flaky, dry skin -- whether your face, your hands, elbows, feet, or anywhere else -- happen because ... well, the skin is "dry"! It has lost moisture.

This can happen for many reasons -- genetic, nutritional, environmental, medicinal, and others. To be absolutely safe, you should consult your doctor to see if you have dry skin or possibly something more serious -- dermatitis, eczema, or possibly even psoriasis. Knowing what you have helps you determine the proper treatment.

To be sure, the most likely cause is simply dry skin ... but it's best to be sure.

To treat dry skin, first ensure you practice proper nutrition and hydration. Drink ample amounts of water -- most people don't drink enough. Improper hydration is a major cause of dry skin.

Review your nutrition and vitamin intake -- especially Vitamin A. If your diet lacks green vegatables, you're probably lacking Vitamin A. Consider a good daily multi-vitamin tablet -- as well as modifying your diet.

Finally, consider what skin cleansing products you use. If you use soap -- then you've probably got a problem. Most soaps are simply too harsh for your skin -- soaps are great for washing dishes and clothes, but your skin is another story entirely.

The safest soaps for your skin are those with NO synthetics or chemicals -- look for all-natural ingredients. All natural cleansers will help hydrate and moisturize your skin.

Essentally, if you use a soap you see advertised on TV, you probably should stop using it! Spend a little more time and try an all natural type! Your skin will show the difference after a short time!

Cure Wrinkles - Naturally!

People haven't changed much over the years -- folks from hundreds of years ago (just like folks today) wanted attractive skin. There were no local beauty counters to visit, so people relied on natural remedies.

Yes, "natural" -- there are behavioral remedies as well as nutritional aids. There's no reason you can't begin trying these aids now!

You might start by visiting your kitchen -- any eggs or olive oil? This was a common facial mask -- just mix a little bit of olive oil into a beaten egg. Spread this on your face; let it dry. Use a cotton ball and lukewarm water (perhaps mixed with a little baking soda) to gently remove the mask.

Vegatable or fruit peels were also popular. You might take a peach peel and rub the moist inner portion of the peel against your face. Don't scrub -- just rub gently. This not only cleans your face, but also has a tightening efffect. When peaches are no longer in season, try a cucumber peel with a little lime juice instead.

Don't like putting food on your face? Then how about putting food where it belongs -- in your body ... just make sure it's good, nutritious food. Stay hydrated -- drink plenty of water -- and eat a healthy varied diet. Don't run from healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocados. These natural fats are a great natural wrinkle cure.

No secret that stress and fatique cause wrinkle woes -- so work on this! Perhaps there's not much you can do about a stressful lifestyle -- but you can certainly work on getting enough sleep. Count up your hours -- and see if you can't stretch your sleeptime by an hour or two. Most people don't get enough sleep -- and results are bags and circles. Get enough sleep and these problems will disappear.

Would you feel more comfortable applying a product from a bottle? Just because natural cures exist in your kitchen doesn't mean they're not available at the store. Examine the ingredients of your cosmetic care products -- shop for those with natural ingredients.

Sometimes skin care products made with natural ingredients will cost a little more than your normal products -- just ask, "It's my skin -- am I worth it?" and it'll make your decision a little easier!