The makeup and cosmetics we use should always compliment and enhance our intrinsic coloring. Choose makeup derived from natural materials; the colors will be in harmony with your skin, eyes and hair.

The skin is the largest organ in the body, covering an area of approximately one and a half square yards. It secretes sebum, which oils the hair; the sweat glands eliminate waste products. The skin also acts as a sense organ. Our skin is both light and sound sensitive and through it we absorb colors and substances such as essential oils. Light penetrates our cells and causes complex chemical changes to occur; sunlight provides the only means by which our bodies can naturally produce vitamin D.

The huge cosmetic industry encourages us to paint ourselves - our faces, nails and hair - in as many different colors as can be invented for its products. But painting on color does not give beauty, but rather this appears when you are healthy and your eyes shine, your skin glows and hair glistens with colors.

We may, however, need to add extra color to our faces if we have been living in a cold climate or are looking pale from stress see Assess Your Stress with more coming soon on the subject.

Fair-haired people or those with hair that has turned gray, as well as the baby boomers, also need to introduce color to avoid looking washed out or ill. Wearing bright colors will make you look even paler if you do not counterbalance the colors with a brighter lipstick, blusher, some eyeshadow or nail color.

Facial Cosmetics

Formerly most women wore thick foundation. However, in recent decades a shift to a more healthy lifestyle and diest has meant our complexions are becoming clearer. Most of us now use the minimum of facial makeup.

Rather than covering your skin with foundations and base, it is much better to work from within, so that your skin develops a naturally smooth and glowing tone. The amount of water you drink has a direct bearing on the condition of your skin. Dry, wrinkled skin is crying out for hydration and and, although you may spend a fortune on moisturizing creams, it is much better to hydrate yourself from within. Cleansing and toning with face masks and mud packs have also been used for centuries to improve the complexion.

~Red Clay is a useful tonic for the skin because of its iron content.
~White Kaolin is a milder astringent and good for sensitive skin; it removes inpurities.
~Pink Clay is a mixture of red and white, is popular for tired, dry, mature & very sensitive skin
~Green Clay is rich in miinerals and has a rejuvenating and nourishing effect, stimulating the circulation of oxygen.

BABY BOOMER BEAUTY TIPS:

Here is a nifty tip that will make your LipStick stay on longer.

Try using a lip liner to define lips when you want lip color to last an extra, long time. For long-lasting lipcolor apply a light dusting of powder on your lips before applying lipstick.

Try this with your Pencil Eyeliner for a finer point.
Before sharpening your pencil, place it in the freezer compartment for a few minutes. This will harden the core and allow you to sharpen the pencil without substantial loss.

MOST IMPORTANT
If you don't feel like wearing make-up, then don't. Lots of women choose never to wear it and look fantastic without it. You really shouldn't do it just because everyone else does. Only do it if you think you're ready and you think you'd look better with it on. If you choose to wear make-up, you should know the right colors for your skin and not put too much on.

The best way to know your indiviual make-up colors is to know your skin color/tone. Don’t know what your skin color is???? Email me at: Di@Beautybydi.com

The trick to make-up is to make it look natural as you age. It is meant to enhance the beauty that's already there. If you try to change your look completely by wearing tons of make-up, it's only going to make you look worse. That's why less is more!

To Tell What Skin type you have check out the following:
*Normal skin feels neither dry nor oily. Pores are visible but are not large and are rarely clogged.
*Dry skin has a thin, papery texture, feels dry to the touch and pores are very fine. Sparse or thick.
*Combination skin is usually normal with some areas feeling dry, while others feel oily. Dryness is often localized on the cheeks, while oiliness is in the T-zone (nose, chin and forehead.). The majority of women have combination skin.

YOUR BODY

Watch What You Drink - It's amazing how many extra calories are in sodas, juices and other drinks you take in every day. Simply cutting out a couple of cans of soda can save you a couple hundred calories or more each day. It's simple - just drink water instead. Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go. If water's just too plain for you, add a little lemon or lime. Switching from whole fat to low-fat milk is also good idea.

MOVE - How do you expect to lose weight when all you do is sit on your behind? It's impossible. So, get up and get going. There are also other things you can do that are even easier. Walk instead of taking the bus. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Or just put on some upbeat music and dance!

Start Small - Try reducing the portion of fatty foods you eat day by day. Do not stop eating altogether. This will make things worse! Instead of 3 cans of soda a day, 1 is enough, and avoid eating fried foods all the time.

Stop eating when you're full - Lots of us eat even when they're full out of habit. Don't eat when you're watching TV, if you just had lunch a few minutes back. Most people eat when they're bored, or stressed out. If you need to have something in your mouth, drink water or chew gum.

Remember - Weight is not necessarily an indication of how healthy you are. The key to eating healthy is more often the quality of the food (how healthy it is) rather than the quantity (how much you eat). So don't starve yourself. Just be active, and opt for more natural foods.

For more information on "I can't lose weight no matter what I try," order my booklet which is full of information on shedding those extra pounds.