Advertise with Christian Women Online
NAVIGATION

CWO Cover
Home Page
CWO's Team Blog

DAILY INSPIRATION





________________
Add this to your site

MONTHLY COLUMNS

Bonnie's Kitchen
Bonnie
Hooley

Book Buzz
Laurel Wreath

Boomer Babes Rock!
Allison Bottke

Candid Candace
Candace Cameron

Chosen
Valerie Wolff

CWO Talk Radio
Jill Hart

Home and School
Ann Voskamp

The Inspired Room
Melissa Michaels

Live Well!
Darlene Schacht

Retrospect
Bonnie Bruno

Shoes for the Spirit
Tamra Nashman

Wind Scraps
Shannon
Woodward

TUESDAY'S

MONTLY FEATURES

Monthly Book Draw
Blog of the Month

 

BLOGGING WITH CWO

Scripture Tags
Corner Banners

Blog of the Month

 

SUBSCRIBE TO CWO

ABOUT US

What We Believe
The Columnists
Contact Us

 

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Writer's Guidelines

 

LINK TO CWO




Copy this code
to
link your site to
Christian Women Online

MISCELLANEOUS


Add Snippets to your site

______________



Steps to Peace
With God

Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association

______________



______________

 

 



Beauty by God

by Shelly Ballestero

"The King is enthralled by your beauty
honor him for he is your Lord." Psalm 45:11

Shelly is an extraordinary woman of passion, energy and fun, on a mission to help women see the beauty God created in them, both inside and out.

In today's beauty-obsessed world, she is one of the few inspirational experts in beauty and health from a positive perspective.  Her professional experience reaches from mural artist to spa co-owner to professional certified beauty expert.

Today Shelly serves as an inspirational beauty coach, esthetician/makeup artist, and beauty editor for Lifestyle magazine. She is a monthly columnist for CBN.com, Beautiful One Magazine and OnCourse magazine and cover story writer for Cornerstone Connection.

As a graduate of the prestigious International Academy, she teaches the art of makeup to instructors. Shelly also is a certified herbalist and a graduate of the top makeup school in the industry, Joe Blasco.

Keeping abreast of the latest techniques is a must in the fashion industry. Shelly studied under five-time Emmy Award–winner Eve Pearl, makeup artist for “The Today Show” and makeup expert for Jane Iredale cosmetics. Shelly also participates in the annual International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa conference and other master classes.

Feel free to visit her website:
www.shellyballestero.com       

Visit Shelly's Website:


__________________________________________

Beauty from Head to Toe!
Shelly Ballestero November 2008

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could eat a yummy Thanksgiving dinner without gaining weight? How about looking and feeling fabulous without spending hours at a gym? Or even better—to have the same energy as your five-year-old child or friend’s child! I know it sounds like I am talking crazy here, but I did find the answer! I am about to reveal the real women’s guide to a no fail “Beauty from Head to Toe” plan.

First and foremost you are beautiful! You were created on purpose, with a purpose, and you are needed and highly valued by God!

It is achievable to look fabulous, but if you don’t have a relationship with your Heavenly Father, you will feel empty and lonely. I encourage you to spend time with God. He loves you, He wants the best for you, and He wants you to be healthy and to take care of the body He has given you. In order to do this, we need to eat right, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and exercise.

Speaking of exercise, I want to tell you about a workout that really works—T-Tapp. I have been doing it myself and I can honestly say, “Oh yes it does! Bring on the pumpkin pie and the whip cream”.

T-Tapp is an all-in-one workout that provides strength, body sculpting and cardiac conditioning. Its sequence of non-impact aerobic movement’s increases muscle strength and flexibility, improves bone density without weights, helps the body balance blood sugar and improves mental clarity. T-Tapp is a progressive workout designed to optimize neurokinetic (mind-to-muscle connection) and lymphatic function, which means that it works at a cellular level to help your body help itself by eliminating toxicity through the lymph system.

Teresa, who is the genius behind this low impact fitness program, spent over 18 years in the modeling industry as a new face developer. Part of her job was to help models get fit fast. She was able to utilize her T-Tapp workout for the models to use even when they were traveling because it can be done in as little as four square feet of space.

The other really cool thing is that less is more; only one set of eight reps is needed for each exercise, and you don’t have to do it every day to achieve results (I even got my husband to do this).

You can read more about T-Tapp in Teresa’s book Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes, or by visiting www.t-tapp.com, where you will find free exercise in the try before you buy section.

In combination with the T-Tapp plan, wear some body forming shoes! Believe it or not you can skip the gym with these babies. Slip them on and increase strength, lengthen muscles, improve balance and increase core strength to name a few.

Visit www.bodyformingshoes.com and the price is nice at $39.99 for the sandals and $59.99 for the clogs.

Get rid of Cellulite
With skin tightening …body brush before you shower it stimulates the lymph system and helps to get rid of cellulite- kick it up a notch with taking a supplement such as Alfalfa – I do this my self and swear by it.

A word about Alfalfa, it is an anti-aging plant. Seriously- your skin will tighten, tone and look younger in a few weeks.

Beginning Dry Brush Technique


Use a natural vegetable-bristle brush; avoid synthetic materials, as they can irritate the skin. The brush should be kept dry and not used for bathing.

Begin by brushing from your feet (bottom and over the top) toward the center of your body. Use sweeping, continuous short strokes. Then brush from your hands toward your chest, again using short sweep strokes.

Brush in circular movements for an extra minute on problem areas such as your thighs (to help minimize cellulite), and then continue with other areas that need help.

A slight flushing of your skin is okay, but if it is red, you may be applying the brush too hard.

Dry brushing--using a dry brush to stimulate your skin-opens pores, allows your body to breathe and enhances healthy organ function. In addition, brushing helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, fighting the dreaded fatty flesh problem. It tightens skin, aids digestion, reduces cellulite, stimulates circulation, increases cell renewal, cleanses the lymphatic system, removes dead skin layers, strengthens the immune system and stimulates the glands. All in all, this simple technique benefits the body both inside and out.

Quick Makeup in less than five minutes

Okay so I have to throw in some makeup tips. Get ready fast on Turkey day—you can apply your makeup in between basting the Turkey! Here's a few tips:

  1. For mineral powder foundation, use a kabuki brush to apply all over face. For liquid, use a sponge to apply over face.
  2. Using a camouflage brush, spot conceal where needed, including on nasal folds, redness.
  3. Apply blush on apples of your cheeks.
  4. Line your lashes with pencil or slanted brush.
  5. Curl eyelashes, and then apply mascara.
  6. Line lips with short dashes, and fill in lip color or gloss.

Well ladies, I think you are good to go!  Remember… Good skin is inside out. Whatever you put in your body directly affects how your skin will look on the outside. Eat right, sleep, drink and be merry (with green tea or water of course)!

Always remember-
The best makeup of all is…Joy!!

“The Joy of the Lord is my strength, I am not weary, in Him I find the strength to carry on, He is the only one I’ll ever need, even when all hope is gone, my greatest joy is Jesus, where my heart belongs!”  —Angelo Ballestero
(This is part of a song my husband wrote.)

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

__________________________________________

Create a Confident Style
Shelly Ballestero October 2008

Creating your style means not going overboard, keeping the proper balance in seeing yourself through God’s eyes. The Bible even says that the hairs on our head are numbered, when describing how much God cares for us. So now, here are a few hints for how to care for the hair He’s given us!

How to Smooth Out Your Hair with Your Blow Dryer:

1. Remove Dampness
Once you’ve prepared your hair with the proper shampoo, conditioner, and prestyle products, you can start to blow dry. Remove excess water by blow drying your hair every which way. If you start your style on sopping wet hair, it will take you twice as long.

2. Section Your Hair
Depending on the density of your hair, you will need to divide your hair into three to four sections, which makes it easier to control. Keeping your sections nice and neat saves time and frustration. Make one section across the nape, below the earlobes. Your next section can extend from there to the crown of your head or you can divide that in two, including the sides depending on the density of your hair. And your last section is a horseshoe section on the top of your head.

3. Start Your Blow Dry
With the proper brush, make sure you really smooth that hair out. Use your brush as an extension of your hand. Make sure you get enough heat on those ends to ensure maximum smoothing. Don’t worry too much about the heat on your hair, because you have already prepared your hair with a leave-in conditioner and a thermal protection. Once that first section is dry, go back over it until you are satisfied with the shine and smoothness. When you think you’ve dried enough, dry some more. Getting a good amount of heat and brushing to the hair will give you salon-quality smoothness and shine. Move on to the next section when you’re ready. Since you’ve already sectioned your hair, all you have to do is remove the next clip, without stopping in between to take another section. Simply drop the next section down.

4. Give Your Hair Movement
If you want more of a bend or curl to your hair, use a smaller round brush on your ends. Hold the dryer to your ends as they are wrapped around the brush. Move the dryer back and forth across the brush ensuring that you don’t keep the heat in one spot for too long. Once you achieve the curl or bend you want, move on to other sections at your ends.

5. Give Your Hair Volume and Lift
Once your back and sides are dry, you’re ready for the last section on the top. For a more voluminous top, blow-dry your roots in the opposite direction you want them to lay. In other words: up and forward, side-to-side. This will prevent your hair from lying flat, and with that root lifter and mousse you used, it shouldn’t be difficult to achieve. At the crown, blow dry those roots forward and up. On the top sides, blow dry to the opposite side your hair will be laying. And at the very top of your head blow dry forward. Once the roots are dry, then you can go back and redirect the ends in the direction they need to go. Here you can finish your ends straight, with a curl, or a bend, depending on your look and style for the day.

6. Finish and Lock In Your Style
If you have a fringe (bangs), the easiest way to make them lay perfect is to blow dry them side to side and then redirect the ends down, to the side, or however you wish to wear them. All that’s left is to use the proper finishing product to keep your volume, shine, softness, texture, or curl. This will keep your hair looking and feeling great all day.

If you need help, simply ask your stylist to teach you the best and easiest ways to style your hair. Always use the products and tools your stylist recommends. A good stylist knows that if you can’t duplicate your style at home, it’s his or her job to teach you. Be patient and keep at it. Sometimes all you need is a little bit of practice and patience.

Tip: Once hair is dry, tip it forward and give it a blast with cool air. It will seal the style for a while.

BBG Tip: Back combing (help for added volume or thinner hair) This excerpt is from Christopher Hopkins book “Staging your Comeback”- I recently spoke with Christopher and I have to say he has such a passion for women and to help them look their best- and he really does a fabulous job!

  1. Take small sections (one inch) and pull taut straight up from the scalp.
  2. Using the back of a teasing comb or a fine-toothed comb, push the hair to form a matte as close to the scalp as possible. Start at the very base and build up; do not start pressing hair at midshaft or higher, or the matte will not be at the scalp but will be floating in the middle of the hair shaft.
  3. Continue with small sections where you want the volume.
  4. Spray hairspray and allow to dry.
  5. Comb over the hair with your teasing comb lightly, style your hair and finish with spray.

 With a little time and the right products for your hair, the forecast for your hairstyle will be great. You'll feel your hair looks its best and suits your personality, mood, and day. We all want to look our best, yet still keep the right perspective on “our God-given beauty.” Use the hints here and you can check that mirror before you leave the house, with a smile at that beautiful unique woman God created!

Excerpt from “Beauty By God, Inside-Out Secrets for Every Women”- January 2, 2009

 

__________________________________________

Beautiful Eyebrows
Shelly Ballestero September 2008

There I was at the same writer’s conference doing makeovers and shaping eyebrows in my hotel room—knocks on my door at all hours of the day and night, women sneaking in to get their eyebrows done and makeup touched up. One particular author, whom shall remain nameless (an amazing fiction writer though), needed a new headshot and had never waxed her eyebrows—ever. I offered her a seat, then asked, “Is this your first time?” while studying her face intensely.

“Yes,” she answered. (I’m thinking, I love first timers.)

“Well, this will feel a little warm,” I told her as I spread the melted wax on her eyebrow. Then I added, “Have you ever had a baby?” and applied pressure to the strip of pellon.

“Yes . . . ,” she said with hesitance.

“Good, then you know what pain is.” Riiiiip . . . pulling off all the unwanted hairs. She gasped and laughed at the same time, proudly showing my kill off the backside of the pellon strip and smiling, a caterpillar no more.

Now, this may sound like a horror story, but as the saying goes . . . “Paying the price of beauty” or “No pain, no gain.” True horror would be sitting in a salon and the beautician comes to greet you, with eyebrows looking like commas (remember Joan Crawford), and you think, Those commas belong in a sentence not above your eyes! Then she says, “I’m going to shape your brows just like mine.” Wink, wink.

Seriously, beautiful eyebrows can literally take off several years from your face and allow your eyes to be more of a focus. Marvin Westmore, of Westmore Academy, Hollywood’s premiere makeup artist and eyebrow expert, has a great technique, and I managed to master it myself over some time. He sees the eyes as the framework to the face.

Here we have the 60/40 rule for the proper length of your eyebrow: from point A to B = 60 percent of your brown; from point B to C = 40 percent.

Beginning with a brow pencil, hold vertically alongside your nose—this is where the brow should begin. Your arch should be outside your iris, and the end would be a smidgen past the outer corner of your eye. You could also use a white eyeliner pencil to draw above and below the brow to achieve the shape you want. Now, tweeze one hair at a time, following the shape you have drawn. The outer 40 percent of the brow should end in a slight upsweep. This upsweep opens the outer side of the eye and gives a more harmonious shape to the brow when viewed from the front. If your brow hairs are long, trim rather than tweeze. Brush them upward, and cut with brow scissors, creating a layering effect. This will lay brows flat so they don’t stick out.

Makeup Tip: No time to tweeze? Use a brow razor, which can be found at Target and Sally’s Beauty Supply.

I asked Marvin what color brows should be in terms of shades darker or lighter than one’s natural hair color. His response was, “Not darker or lighter. Taupe is my general preferred color, then blonde, then midnight brown (this is gray brown).”3 However, the late makeup artist Kevin Aucoin said that brunettes and redheads should choose a shade lighter than their natural brow color and blondes should go for a slightly darker shade.

If you use an eyebrow pencil, be sure it is sharp and use light feathery strokes. Don’t draw a solid line. I prefer to use powder shadow for color on brows and use short strokes, filling in the gaps as you go (be sure to go left and right making the brows as similar as possible). Tinted brow gel works great too, or use clear gel after applying pencil or shadow. This keeps brows in place.

Makeup Tip: Highlight brows with gold mascara in place of brow gel, or mix a bit of gold eye shadow or powder with hair wax or pomade and brush through the brows. Voila! Instant drama.

BBG Secret: If you have unruly brows, apply castor oil with a Q-tip. It will smooth brows and has been known to stimulate hair growth.

If you need extra help, try using a brow stencil to help you get the right shape. Some brow stencils that work: Anastasia’s brow kit, Alexis Vogel’s eyebrow stencil, and Ardell. Always remember, the best makeup of all is…Joy!

When I think of the saying "Your eyes are the windows to your soul" I can't not think how true that is... your eyes  mean so much more than beautiful eye makeup or great looking eyebrows--they tell people who you are. Sincerity, compassion, love, anger, fear... we read people by looking into their eyes. I want my eyes to look and be like my heavenly Fathers eyes.  Amy Grant said it well in a song she wrote years ago: "Eye's full of compassion, seeing every pain, knowing what you're going through and feeling it the same... just like my Father's eyes."

If we can have our Fathers eyes and take off the world's glasses, this would be "heaven on earth".

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4-6

Excerpt from “Beauty By God, Inside-Out Secrets for Every Women”- January 2, 2009

__________________________________________

Beauty Expires
Shelly Ballestero August 2008

Just about everything has an expiration date on it if it’s consumable, right? Then why can’t cosmetics and toiletries have a time limit, considering we put those in our hair and on our skin? We know it’s somewhat consumable since we absorb it through our largest organ--our skin.

Bacteria Buildup
According to the FDA, cosmetics aren’t required by law to have expiration dates, so you can’t just look at the label to know when a product has retired. However, some companies are labeling dates on their products for us consumers who would rather not have more bacteria on our skin than necessary.

Be aware that expiration dates are simply a guide to go by and that a product’s safety may expire long before the expiration date, if the product has not been properly stored. For instance, cosmetics exposed to high temperatures or sunlight, or opened and examined by consumers prior to purchase may substantially deteriorate before the expiration date.

Makeup preservatives should kill common bacteria (personally, I stay away from preservatives unless they are plant based), but as studies show, a little bacteria is in makeup before we buy it. Once you open your new product, airborne bacteria swarms in. You add to the bacteria by touching the product with unclean hands. Then, to top it off, you use an unclean applicator. Know that aging cosmetics lose their power to fight the bacteria no matter how gentle and clean you are when using it.

So the question is, how long can we keep our little hopes in the bottle, and can we extend the shelf life of them to protect ourselves from infections, like pink eye and skin breakouts? The answer is in this guideline. Let me help you clean out your makeup bag and medicine cabinet.

BBG Tip: A neat little gadget called TimeStrip can be attached to your cosmetics to tell you the temperature of your product and when it is time to toss it out (http://timestrip.com/cosmetics.php). No, they will not help you stay on time while putting your makeup on, but wouldn’t that be cool?!

Color Makeup

Liquid foundation lasts three to six months. Cream foundation can last four to six months. Foundation in a pump dispenser will last a little longer, because it is less exposed to air than jar foundation. If it has a higher percentage of pigment, such as mineral makeup, then you have about a year. Here’s a tip: Use a disposable applicator and use the front of your hand as a palette.
Concealer has a shelf life of six to eight months.
Powders, including eye shadows and blush, last a year.
Mascara lasts for three months. Hint: Never pump your mascara; air just pushes back into the tube. Clean your wand with tissue every couple of days. It helps prevent clumping.

Lip gloss and lipstick have a shelf life of one year.
Eye and lip pencils will stay fresh over a year with continued use of sharpening; you’ll know when it has gone bad if it crumbles.

Skincare and Body Washes
Facial cleansers and moisturizers can keep for about six months, unless these products have acids in them like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and beta hydroxyl acid. Then they will have a longer shelf life. Try putting eye cream in the fridge. It feels great on tired eyes. Plus, it keeps it out of the heat.

Facial toner should be thrown away after one year, but if it has vitamin C in it, the nutrients can lose potency before a year.

Natural body washes last for six months.

Brushes should be washed regularly--as often as once a week with mild soap and warm water, or use a spray brush cleaner (www.janeiredale.com). You can use alcohol; it’s a little harsh, but it works for emergencies. Makeup sponges need to be cleaned after every use. Toss within a month or when sponges show wear and tear.

Another risk for infection can be from sharing makeup, which increases the risk for contamination. Speaking of sharing, how about testers located at department store cosmetic counters? I used to work at a popular cosmetic counter 15 years ago and procedures have not changed much. It’s hard to keep your eyes on the cosmetic counter when people constantly stick their hands in the makeup and try it on without asking for help. Please be careful at the counters and make sure pencils are sharpened and tools are used when makeup is applied.
These guidelines are to help keep you safe and give you confidence when purchasing products and preserving them. Like the old saying goes, when in doubt, throw it out--especially if there’s no date.

The Lord gives us wisdom--all we have to do is ask. I know it may seem small to ask for guidance in product knowledge, however our bodies are His temple and we need to keep it safe and healthy for ourselves and our loved ones.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

James 1:5-6, NIV

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

REFERENCES
Medical College of Wisconsin
http://www.healthlink.mcw.edu
Tips for Safe Keeping and Use of Cosmetics
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/975513403.html
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/

 

__________________________________________

Step Into Summer
Shelly Ballestero July 2008

After walking several thousand steps a day, our feet have endured some travel time and need some TLC. It is expected that in our lifetime, we will have circled the globe a couple of times just in walking.

That is a lot of pressure on a foot that has approximately 7,200 nerve endings, 26 bones, 20 muscles, and hundreds of blood vessels--and we’re just talking one foot here!

With all that sole stomping, it’s time to pamper our tootsies and show them off in fabulous sandals.

Foot Therapy
Have you had a pedicure lately? This is a luxury that women deserve, and you can get one at a local cosmetology school for half the price. Students are supervised by an instructor and are just about finished with their nail program, so you can relax while your feet are being pampered.

If your budget is tighter and you don’t like other people touching your feet, have no fear. With a basin near, paradise is on the way!

Fill up a basin with warm water. Put a few drops of essential oil in with two tablespoons of baking soda.
Have a foot file handy (use the file on a dry foot); one to try is by www.microplane.com or the Pedi egg. This device removes dead skin to reveal baby-soft skin underneath.

After you file, scrub your feet with this homemade recipe below.
 
Brown Sugar Foot Scrub
Ingredients
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground oatmeal
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond oil (In case you don't have almond oil, use olive oil; it is a great substitute.)

Preparation
Before you start preparing this scrub, grind the oatmeal using a coffee grinder or food processor. It has to be of sandy consistency, flaky, and light - otherwise it will scratch the skin.

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl, until it resembles a paste. Use circular motion and massage gently. Rinse off with warm water.

Mighty Massage
Now place your feet in the warm water and soak your soles for ten minutes. Do not soak too long, as soaking can make feet drier.

Use a cuticle pusher and press back the skin around your toenails.

Clip and file toenails squarely, in line with the ends of the toes, so that growth does not head into the surrounding soft tissue.

Rub your feet with orange oil; it helps to release toxins in congested skin and helps cell regeneration. Or rub a cream like Dessert Essence Organics Pistachio foot cream on your feet. You will love the smell. And for $5.39 at www.vitacost.com, you can’t beat it.

Now that your feet are lubricated, start to massage the small joints in the toes with your index finger and thumb. Continue for one to two minutes per toe. Work toward the pad of your foot with your thumb in a caterpillar motion (thumb walking) and massage for a couple of minutes.

Try some foot massage balls from www.purezeal.com and give your hand a rest!

With a wet Q-tip, dab around toenails to take off any excess cream. This will prepare the nail for polish.

You will like this nail polish by www.Anisecosmetics.com . The formula is made without formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.

Now, nail polish is not natural, but if you must wear it, use formulas such as Honeybees nail polish found at www.bewellstaywell.com .

Pat your feet pretty with a DIY cooling foot & body powder recipe;

You will need:
1/2 cup powdered arrowroot
1/2 cup oatmeal flour
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
Combine powders and mix well.
Add oils to absorbent cotton pad.

Place pad with oil in container with powder, shake or stir well, allow to sit 24 hours, shake or stir again, allow to sit another 24 hours, shake or stir powder, remove pad and discard, place powder into containers, it is ready to use. Makes just over 2 cups powder. I found this recipe at http://rachelssupply.com/dust.htm and the ingredients.

Wake up Your Feet
With Yamuna body rolling, these half moon shape balls (phthalate free) will improve feet and hand flexibility- your will love the results, plus you can do the foot fitness at home, your office or watching TV-  for anyone who wears heels this is a must- www.yamunabodyrolling.com 

No Sweat!
So now that your feet feel and look great with fabulous sandals on, what’s next? Sweaty soles. Here is one way to prevent that: use summer soles. They are insoles used to absorb sweat. All you do is peel and stick the product onto your shoe, and best of all, no residue is left behind. Check out www.summersoles.com

Has your heart ever felt like it was going to jump out after slipping around in your sandals? Maybe you need heart stoppers. Place these fun shape stoppers on the soles of your sandals. They are oh so cute and will prevent slipping and sliding on floors.

Our feet endure stress, pressure, and pain from tight shoes, let alone the everyday walking or standing in one place for a long period of time. We must remember to give our soles a break by changing up shoes after wearing them for several hours, keep our feet hydrated, seek out a podiatrist for check ups, and try to have a pedicure once a month.

God gave us these feet to walk with Him, to praise Him, and to take care of ourselves and the ones we love. Sit down, relax, put your feet up, and thank God for your soles!

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

__________________________________________

Making Your Man
Look Grand

Shelly Ballestero June 2008

Does your man need “closet intervention?” Sure, he might think he has really good taste when it comes to his choice of food, and he certainly has good taste when it comes to picking you as his sweetheart, but what about his clothing choices? Does your man need an update?

With these great tips and a little patience we're going to make-over your man the Father's Day. You'll love the results, and he will have a fresh new smile and style.

I had the opportunity to watch the first man in my life, my dad, who had a polished style. He worked in an upscale men's suit store, where he would dress and tailor men to their specific needs—and did they look sharp!

Talking about needs, let's head to your husband's closet first. If pieces have not been worn in two years, toss them out along with the “I'll-wear-it-when-I-lose-10-pounds" items. His intentions are valid, but the reality is, it won’t happen overnight.

What should be in his closet? Let's call them "Essentials for Potential." He should have at least:

  • A two or three button suits in black, charcoal gray, or navy tropical-weight wool
  • A sport coat
  • Six dress shirts (sized to neck and sleeve measurements) in a variety of colors
  • Six sports shirts, long and/or short sleeve (like Polos)
  • Six ties
  • Three sweaters (spoil him with one in cashmere)
  • An overcoat
  • One pair each of brown loafers, black loafers, and black lace-up shoes
  • Two pairs of jeans: one in a medium wash for weekends and one darker
  • One pair of cargo, painter, or carpenter pants
  • A brown belt and a black belt
  • A leather briefcase

Shelly's Guide to a Grand Man's Grooming (Yes, this is for MEN).

  • Hair
    For thinning hair, try Lamas Botanicals’ Chinese Herb Stimulating Shampoo (www.ihealthtree.com). For normal hair, try Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit Shampoo (www.burtsbees.com,). Styling hair is a cinch with Kiss My Face Styling Gel (www.kissmyface.com,). Just a dab will tame his favorite style.

  • Cleanse
    Get him to cleanse his skin with soap (not a razor - a lot of men think shaving is a part of cleansing skin). Start by cleaning out the medicine cabinet and then filling it with products that will enhance his appearance, like Tom's of Maine's Natural Conditioning Shave Cream (www.ihealthtree.com).

    Skincare has never been so easy for our guys. Place Aubrey Organics Men’s Stock cleansing bar in the shower to cleanse skin along with Collective Well-Being Body Wash (www.collectivewellbeing.com). The sulfate-free body purifier clarifies the skin with active charcoal and zinc. As he gets out of the shower, have him spritz a toner on his face (he just might do it).

  • Moisturize
    Top off his skin with Aubrey Organics Men's Stock Daily Moisturizer and Men's Stock Rejuvenating Eye Cream (www.aubrey-organics.com). For those bothersome blemishes, try Dr. Burt's Herbal Blemish Stick with ten effective herbal ingredients (www.burtsbees.com). End his routine with Jane Iredale's HE Mineral Makeup for Men (www.janeiredale.com). With an SPF of 32, think of it as sun protection. Now he can put on those new sunglasses and face the day with his new look!

Be sure to tell the man in your life how special he is and how much you appreciate him. I am so thankful that God has placed my husband in my life; he is a wonderful father, amazing husband and spiritual leader. He happens to be my favorite worship leader.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29

No matter what field your husband is in, tell him what a great job he is doing. I will never forget what Florence Littauer (Author of Personality Plus) said at a conference, “Make sure you tell your husband how special he is or someone else will”. It wasn’t meant as a threat it was to remind us of what we should be saying.

Some Great Father’s Day Gifts, instead of the usual tie:

  • Practice active listening - not complaining (yes I do that, but I am working on it.)
  • Be flexible (okay I am not limber here, but again--working on it.)
  • Random acts of kindness - make a special dinner, wash his car or even give him a pedicure (sounds crazy but I did do the pedicure once--he liked it.)
  • His favorite CD, book or audio book (the new book by John Tesh, Intelligence for Your Life) or DVD.
  • A coupon book good for a night out with the guys, massage (by you), sleeping in, whatever-he-wants day (WITHIN reason), golfing, movie night and a date with you at a restaurant of his choice... Make the coupon book geared to his liking.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

It’s never too late to say I love you or I am sorry, make every day special with loving words. No, we are not perfect but we can do the best we can and choose to be conscious of what we say. Just choose wisely…

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

__________________________________________

Beauty Secrets
Passed Down

Shelly Ballestero May 2008

For thousands of years beauty secrets have been passed down from one generation to the next. In fact we still use some of these fabulous remedies today, such as milk baths which Cleopatra was known for. So I thought, why not talk to women around our globe and find some beauty secrets we all can benefit from?

First I’d like to share a secret from my mother Betty: when I was younger she drilled the use of sunscreen and moisturizer into my head along with the “no frown” policy.

My mother would say if you frown like that, you'll end up looking like that when you get older. I would practice not frowning, and believe it or not, it worked. Look, Mom no Botox!

Angai, originally from South India, has a skincare secret passed down from her mother Swathi, that can help all skin types. Angai would grind up green lentils to a powder then add some ground rice and a little water--enough to make a paste. She'd leave it on to dry, and then rinse it off gently exfoliating the skin.

Secret From the Past: this potion is from ancient Egypt called Fenugreek youth serum. It is made with one teaspoon of dried fenugreek seeds and ¼ cup of sweet almond oil.

Preparation: Crush the seeds lightly in a motar and pestle, and add them to the oil. Allow them to soak for thirty minutes. Strain the seeds from the oil. Gently massage the oil into your skin while thinking “youthful” thoughts.

Kristen from Florida has a Scandinavian ritual from her mother Kaaren. “When we were kids, body brushing was a necessity before bathing.” The brushing improves circulation and exfoliates your skin.

Laura from the Uk says that her mum has a great complexion. Her secret is to cleanse your face, and use a good moisturizer. That's all she likes to use. Hint: use as little on the face as possible.

Secret From the Past: In Korea the women would use the starchy milky water from soaked white rice to wash their faces. The result is lighter looking skin and a soft dewy complexion.

Lisa from Florida could not believe how young her mother Zoila looked even at seventy. Lisa said when they would go on holiday to Costa Rica her mother would return home with containers of red volcano clay. She would mix it up with some water and use it as a mask- along with Oil of Olay moisturizer or just plain olive oil.

Nicole C. Mullen—Christian recording artist who resides in Tennessee—has a great way to exfoliate her face: baking soda mixed with water enough to make a paste. Gently apply in a circular motion and rinse. Nicole uses Vaseline on her face at night as a moisturizer.

Secret From the Past: Chamomile dates back to Ancient Egypt, where women would crush the flower petals to beautify and protect their skin. Here is a recipe that will depuff your eyes;

  • 2 thin potatoes slices
  • Chamomile tea (loose or bag)
  • Aloe Vera Gel

Soak potato slices in tea, and remove to dip into aloe Vera gel. Leave on for 20 minutes.

MaryEllen of Rhode Island said that her parents Pat and former Governor Ed could not tell her enough about the use of taking large doses of Vitamin C on a daily basis. It repairs the cells in your body, including the skin cells.

Secret From the Past: In Beijing the Empress of China used a jade face-roller on her face in the basis of reflexology. It helps keep the blood circulation moving.

LeAnn Albrecht singer and songwriter travels the world with her husband Carl, Don Moen and Paul Baloche. She has some fashion advice from her mother. LeAnn is a minister’s daughter, and she told me that growing up there was little money. LeAnn’s mother would buy her clothes from thrift stores and maybe ‘add’ to them making the clothes look great. Her friends at school would comment on how they like them, and ask where she got them from. She would say they’re from a “Boutique.” You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look fashionable!

Secret From the Past: In the Amazon women have been known to have great skin and hair, their secret: brazil nuts. The Amazonians use the oil from the nut to condition their hair and protect and moisturize their skin.

Celia from Florida, owner of “The Fountains Salon,” tells us a secret passed down from her mother Celia that she still uses today. Take a cleaned out tuna can, put it on the stove, pour in some olive oil and a clove of garlic (low heat for a few minutes). Soak nails in the can, and you will end up with harder nails.

Here is another quick tip from Celia: when you shower and don’t want to get your hair wet, wrap a bandana around your head and put a shower cap on. The heat of the shower will activate the natural oils in your hair and no frizz! 

I am so thankful for my mom and blessed that she passed down more than just beauty secrets, she was responsible for sharing the greatest gift of all—eternal life with my Heavenly Father. I know that I was created with a purpose, and so are you. You were created beautiful!

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4

Thanks Celia, and to our friends around the globe in helping us look great!

BONUS BEAUTY SECRET: To fight irritated and inflamed skin, women in South Africa steep a cup of rooibos—a tealeaf that is native to the area that contains zinc and alpha hydroxy acid—allow it to cool, and then topically apply the liquid to the skin with a cotton ball. The tannins in the tea sooth and relieve discomfort.

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

 

__________________________________________

Look Younger Today!
Shelly Ballestero , April 2008

As we flip through magazines, we see the beautiful women with perfect skin and wonder, “How can I look like that?” You could, if you had an army of soldiers with weapons such as a blow-dryer and Sergeant Stylist on the frontline, special effects agent Airbrush, and Commander Makeup artist with secret tools of mass concealer. Not to mention your personal chef and trainers as well. But there is hope for us privates in training on healthy aging.

Here are 5 strategies to fight the war on wrinkles:

  1. Know what you are using
    Check the ingredients. Is it filled with more preservatives than what is beneficial to your skin? Cleansers to start your daily routines should be non-soapy and PH balanced. Cosmetics, pollution and smoke all contribute to the residue that clogs pores, causes acne, and damages skin cells.

    Let’s start with some effective cleansers that won’t break your bank account; 100 percent pure has really great products and they smell so good you’ll want to eat it and forget washing your face like their Organic Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam, they have no abrasive detergents in them or any fillers what so ever www.100percentpure.com .  Other’s to try are; Jason’s, Kiss My Face or Aubrey Organics are just a few to name that are affordable. If you have sensitized skin, go for a creamy cleanser like MyChelle’s HoneyDew- it’s $6.49 a great price.

    Tip: Cleansing daily with a soft facial brush will prevent blackheads.

  2. Exfoliate
    Without it, wrinkles look more pronounced. I recommend an exfoliating treatment once a week. Aubrey organics Jojoba meal & oatmeal with Rosa Mosqueta ® mask and scrub (www.aubrey-organics.com) $8.98. The ingredients in these products will eliminate facial impurities. Oatmeal mixed with buttermilk ( 4 tsp of each ingredient ) works great too, just leave on for twenty minutes and rinse off and is gentle enough to be used twice a week.

    Tip: Or try using baking soda mixed with water (a simple, at home product). It’s like a natural microdermabrasion.

  3. Creams and serums
    The following ingredients are proven to have a positive effect on mature and rosaceous skin: Polypeptides, Green tea, licorice root, squalane oil, seaweed, chamomile, vitamin E, rose oil and guarana. Supreme Polypeptide Cream from Mychelle offers the maximum amount of Matrixyl 3000™ polypeptide clinically studied with incredible wrinkle reduction effects along with marine polypeptides, shea and mango. This is a great cream  packed with an array of powerful antioxidants protect against free radical damage and to help counteract the aging process www.mychelleusa.com .
    Some great choices in creams are Red Elements™ Daily moisturizing crème with SPF 15
     (www.jasoncosmetics.com ) $15.59, Reviva’s DMAE firming fluid with a price tag of $13.49 you can’t go wrong, (www.iHealthTree.com) or Lift & Firm Serum $16.79 also by Reviva.

    Serums are needed in your daily fight against wrinkles, Dr.Perricone talks on how vital olive oil is for anti-aging- Here’s a serum that delivers a potent dose of olive pulp extract, CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid, enriched by seven vitamins essential to skin health and beauty. Orjene CoQ10 OliveVitale age recovery serum, $17.80
    Revive tired eyes with Fresh eyes by Mychelle it diminishes dark circles and puffy eyes. Among active ingredients including polypeptides are: Daisy Flower, Arnica Montana for its anti-inflammatory, healing and strengthening of tissue and capillaries.

  4. The internal war
    Drink green tea! If you can’t handle the taste, try Tulsi Green Tea or The original Tulsi Tea. Experience Tulsi’s benefits, reduces stress, promotes calmness & clarity, minimizes cold & flu symptoms, balances metabolism and strengthens immunity & stamina (www.greatvitaminprices.com) $4.39 a box.
    Seeing that it is the “green” month, why not add some more…

    Nutrient-dense greens such as spinach and kale and berries such as blueberries may be beneficial in slowing the signs of aging. Try Probiotic Berry Green by NewChapter Organics so you can get all your fruits and veggies in one scoop. My family uses this right now and we like it, I know there are a lot of products out there that are similar, however this one has no grass fillers. Be sure to get advice from your doctor when adding new supplements to your diet in case of allergies or health concerns; it's better to be safe than not.
    Anti-aging vitamins such as; B-complex, Vitamin C ester, Vitamin E 400mg, Alpha lipoic acid 50mg, Calcium 1000mg, Omega-3, Grape seed extract 100mg, Selenium 200mcg, DMAE 75mg, L-carnitine 500mg just to name a few will help fight the wrinkle war. In conjunction with a healthy diet, plenty of purified water and exercise--you will feel great! 

    Tip: Eat less meat, avoid carbonated beverages, and stay clear from cigarette smoke first or second hand.

  5. An alternative to Botox
    I’ve saved the best for last. It’s an alternative to needles that is safe and effective. The product is Frownies and has been around for a 100 years. For best results Frownies should be worn every day for 30 days to effectively retrain facial muscles. And then continue to use Frownies 3 to 4 times per week for maintenance. (www.Drugstore.com) $12.95.

Good skin starts from within. Whatever you put in your body directly affects how your skin will look on the outside. Healthy aging is the best alternative. And remember to read labels, think like a detective, and dissect ingredients. What you don’t know can hurt you!

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

__________________________________________

Makeup Basics:
Foundation
Shelly Ballestero , March 2008

If using makeup helps you enhance the beauty God gave you, make sure you take care in what you use and how you apply it. Paying attention to your products and learning some simple application tips can make all the difference in creating the right look for you. (Remember, looking like a member of the rock group Kiss is not what we’re going for!)

Makeup Tip: Before you apply foundation—powder or liquid—apply a primer, which will help minimize pore size. Some brands also help reduce shine. Wait about two minutes, and then apply your choice of foundation. If you put it on too soon, just as a moisturizer does—the color will allow the color to spread and be uneven.

Without building a smooth and proportioned foundation underneath a house, the outcome would be a disaster, right?  The same goes for the structure of your face. Begin with the right foundation to avoid makeup destruction. With eight different forms to choose from, picking a foundation can be confusing. Let me give you a brief overview of your options:

  1. Stick foundation also contains a concealer and is best for normal-to-dry skin, giving women more coverage.
  2. Liquid foundation is the most readily found and fits most skin types.
  3. Crème foundation is smooth and is specifically formulated for dry-to-normal complexions.
  4. Mousse foundation is actually a crème that has a whipped consistency. Great for mature skin and less noticeable in fine lines.
  5. Tinted moisturizer is moisturizer with pigment. It’s the sheerest of all foundations. It evens out skin tone while providing minimal coverage.
  6. Crème-to-powder foundation has a creamy texture that dries to a powder finish and is kinder to oily skin.
  7. Powder compact is a dual-finish powder foundation and can be used wet or dry. Fabulous on young girls because it’s low in oils and doesn’t clog pores.
  8. Mineral powder comes loose or pressed and now also in liquid form. It works much like a dual-finish powder foundation and is simple to apply. Pressed powder works best for oily skin. Usually more mature skin looks best with loose powder. While applying the minerals or any other loose powder for that matter, hold your breath so you don’t inhale all the loose powder particles- it is nano size and can get into your lungs. Just a precautionary nothing to alarm you, I always tell my clients to hold their breath- but not too long because the color blue will interfere with my work. (JK)

Makeup Tip: When choosing a mineral powder color, loose powder is usually one shade darker in many brands, while pressed and liquid are usually right on color target. The key to matching your mineral color is that it should disappear into your skin—it adapts to your skin tone so you can’t make a serious mistake.

Find Your Shade

Sometimes it seems as if finding the right shade of foundation is like finding that perfect shoe—does it really exist??  Yes! And maybe even the shoes. Before choosing your color, you need to know your skin tone. Are you warm or cool? Here is a quick test to determine which one you are:

  1. Warm skin tone has greenish veins and burns easily—gold looks better on you.
  2. Cool skin tone has bluish veins and silver looks better on you.

When testing your color choices, place three swabs of color on your face between the cheek and jaw line. The one that disappears into the skin is your color. Keep in mind, your color is not the same as it was in high school—your skin does change as you get older.

Did you know . . . ? When choosing your foundation, you can pick a slightly lighter shade than your skin—mostly if your complexion is oily or you have darker skin. The oil in your skin turns the foundation darker over time, as it oxidizes.

Tools for application: foundation brush for liquids, sponge (for all mediums), flocked sponge (similar to microfiber offered by Jane Iredale) concealer brush and the cheapest tool of all…your fingers.

Creating Contours

If you have specific issues with the appearance of your face, such as wanting to slim your nose or emphasize your cheekbones, you can use a technique called contouring—using color to create shading on various parts of your face. Create contour and also even out your skin tone using light and dark shades of foundation or dark and light shades of blush and eye shadow.

Begin the contouring process by choosing a taupe-brown or coffee color to shade and a light yellow or linen color to highlight. Another method is the one I like to use, which I learned from my friend and fellow makeup artist Eve Pearl: use three color foundations (light, dark, and medium), applying to the designated areas all at once.1 One of the three shades should match your skin, then for highlights use a color two shades lighter than the foundation color. For the defining/contouring, use a color, two shades darker than the base. The goal here is to blend but not eliminate the contouring you have achieved. Apply the light shade around the T-zone area (forehead, nose, part of cheek, and around lips).

Now use the medium-toned shade around the rest of the face. The next step is a little tricky. Carefully using a concealer brush or sponge with the darker shade, shape hollows in the cheeks and part of the jaw line and under the chin if you want to camouflage areas you’d like to minimize. Then, using a clean sponge, begin to smooth out the foundation with a patting motion.

Final phase: set the foundation with loose or pressed powder and it will seal in place. One of my favorite tools for this final job is a powder puff. Fold the puff (like a taco), dip into your product, and rub the puff’s side to get rid of excess powder. Using a rolling application, work the powder into the skin. Add blush to cheeks, forehead, and sides of nose for a last touch. 

Remember you are beautiful and one of a kind! The perfect foundation is your relationship with Christ and he will give you the most extravagant glow that no amount of money can buy! The best makeup of all… is JOY!
_________________________

1Plastic Surgery Without The Surgery, The Miracle of Make-Up Techniques, by Eve Pearl

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

 

__________________________________________

Wear Valentine's Red
With Confidence

Shelly Ballestero , February 2008

Lipstick has been around for thousands of years, dating back to Ancient Babylon days; Semi precious jewels were crushed and applied to the lips and occasionally around the eyes (I guess that’s where cosmetics came up with glitter). Cleopatra had her lipstick made from carmine beetles, which gave a deep pigment, and ants for base (Okay- the ant base is where I draw the line). So basically women have been trying to pucker up for centuries no matter the cost--this is the earliest version of survivor… and yes Jeff Probst was still the host. That guy never ages.

Did you know??
Carmine also called Crimson Lake, Cochineal. Natural Red 4, C.I 75470 or E120, is a pigment of a bright red color obtained from the carminic acid produced by some scale insects, such as the cochineal and the Polish cochineal, and is used as a general term for a particularly deep red color. Carmine is used in the manufacture of artificial flowers, paints, rouge, cosmetics, food additives, and crimson ink.

Mini-History of Lipstick
Queen Elizabeth I wore her bold red lipstick on her pale face, In the 20’s many women welcomed red lips as a symbol of their new found power and voice then in the 1930’s lipstick grew redder to Oxblood (hue) and it was said that kissing had gone out of fashion due to the high cost of lipstick. The 1940’s makeup was at a minimum and the 1950’s paler lips came and went to strawberry meringue thanks to Max Factor in the 60’s. The natural look was popular in the mid to late seventies, and heavier makeup was all the rage in the 1980’s with red lips. Throughout the centuries one thing is for sure--lipstick gained popularity.

Red is still and will always remain a fashion Fab, even though it’s been a love hate battle with lipstick throughout the ages; from finding the right shade to smearing it on your husband’s shirt.

So now it’s the season to wear the darker side of lipstick, “Red” the color some women are afraid of. You may say, oh no…not me… I can’t wear the color red; it’s not on my color chart. Fear no more, depending on your skin tone, there is a red color lipstick out there for you (for those skeptics out there, pink is a great alternative, it’s still red except with white added). Red comes in a variety of shades with all kinds of undertones, the key is to find your undertone and then determine what season you are.

Are you a cool or warm tone?
If you are cool, you may burn in the summer, and not tan so easily. Most cool tones have a pinky skin tone like English, Irish, and Scottish.

Warmer skin tones are more olive completed like Mediterranean, Asian, French and black skin.

Now that you have established season you are let’s find that perfect shade. Cooler tones should wear True red, plums or pinky reds. Warmer tones tend to look great with stronger hues and brown undertones like a brick red. There is a universal color by Annemarie Borland called Poppy Red found at www.VitaminLife.com, it was voted best lip color in Organic Style 2005. Remember colors with blue undertones will also make your teeth look whiter, or you can use whitening strips, baking soda and Rembrandt whitening pen to brighten your teeth.

Now that you have chosen a lip color and your teeth look great you need smooth lips. Cracked lips can make you look older so why not try a simple approach? Rub some olive oil or lip balm on your lips, use an old tooth brush and stroke lightly; this exfoliates and plumps lips up.

Make your lipstick last longer by following these steps:

  • Apply a light layer of foundation on your lips.
  • Wait a few seconds then pat lips with loose powder.
  • Outline lips with lip liner and fill in with feather light strokes.
  • Blot with tissue.
  • Apply color with your lip brush to the center first then brush color out toward edges.
  • Blot with tissue. ( lightly, you don’t want to smudge your art)

Did you know??
There is actually a plant called the Lipstick Plant aka Aeschynanthus, that has red tubular buds. They are found in southern Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Philippines.

When choosing lipsticks be sure to look for natural ingredients when you can, some may contain lead; the higher the lead count, the greater the risk to your health.

This website link www.ewg.org/node/25449 will tell you which lipstick has the most lead and the one that has the least.

Some great lipsticks without the added beetle juice or other funky stuff are; www.100percentpure.com (a very cool site with amazing organic products) lip-ink, ZuZu Luxe, Pur Minerals, Ecco Bella and Hemp Organics. Some mineral lipsticks have carmine, but they are a better alternative then some from the store--my favorite is Jane Iredale www.janeiredale.com, La Bella Donna www.labelladonna.com, Aveda www.aveda.com, and Paint Me (www.iamapeacekeeper.com) lipsticks. What I love about the paint me lipstick is that they explain what color works with your hair color and other informative tips.

Well ladies, that should help you save time and money searching for your Valentines day “red”. The Valentines date is up to you (if you are single). Suggested websites: www.match.com  and if your in a pinch try www.ebay.com - make sure your highest bid doesn’t end up meeting your lowest expectation!

On a deeper note, you are the daughter of a King and loved by Him for 365 days not just ONE. “The King is enthralled by your beauty honor him for he is your Lord.” Psalm 45:11

The most beautiful thing you can wear on your lips--and it’s free--is a Smile! :)

©2008, Shelly Ballestero

__________________________________________

 

 


The contents of this website are the copyright of either the individual authors or Christian Women Online Magazine and can not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author.


Christian Women Online is produced by
Spilt Milk Publishing,
Words that Nourish the Soul
a division of Art Bookbindery
________________________________________________

 

 


______________


______________


______________



______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________


______________