Blog Archives

The Best Kept Secrets About Improving Your Appearace

7/29/2016

If you look in those women's magazines and think they are like that in real life then, you are kidding yourself.

So much of what we see in the media is artifice. It's all smoke and mirrors. The good thing about this is is that we can learn from that, and apply the principles in our life to improve our appearance.

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Body Shapers
You might see photos of Kim Kardashian and think, how can I possibly get her curves? Well, unless you are going to dedicate 6 hours a day to your gym routine, which sounds a bit impractical, you are going to need a body shaper. Most women know about padded bras, but you can also get padding for different areas of your body. They come in all sorts of varieties and can be used to reduce or increase difference parts of your figure. You can get waist cinchers to give you that fashionable small waste, which also makes your booty and chest look bigger. Then you can get knickers with silicone padding to enhance your posterior.

Nip and Tucks
We all know that looking after our skin is important, but that can only get you so far. While their surgeons are sworn to secrecy, many celebrities do opt for some medical enhancement. Popular procedures include lip fillers, brow, and cheekbone lifts as well as the most standard rhinoplasty or nose job. There are even doctors out there specialising in rare surgeries like orbital decompression. Which helps people with bulging eyes caused by thyroid disease, get a more natural look.

Contouring
Another way that you can dramatically improve your appearance is through contouring. Not that it is much of a secret anymore what with the million videos on youtube! Secret or no, if you do a good job of blending it right, no one need to know that you are enhancing your face with contours and highlights. The secret is to blend and set every layer so that there are no distinct lines visible.

Posture
The next secret to improving your appearance, especially in selfies and photos is your position and posture. Standing side one can show off your curves and make you look slimmer. If you're taking a picture of your face, make sure that your angle the camera and your chin down to give you the best look.

Airbrushing
Of course, it's no secret that many stars and models allow their pictures to be airbrushed in magazines. But it is so rife in the industry that unless it is a very extreme job, it's hard to tell who has been airbrushed and who hasn't. It is possible to modify your own photos on your computer with Adobe Photoshop. But it's probably not worth the effort unless they are professional modelling head shots. You can also use filters on your smart device and social media like snapchat and Instagram to change how you look. The best thing about these is that they can be used for fun and well as just improving your appearance.

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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What To Do Before You Take A Pregnancy Test

7/22/2016

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For the vast majority of women, there is going to be a moment in their life when they wonder if they should take a pregnancy test.

You can be at any stage of life, and this is still a worrying thing to think about doing. It is defining, something that is going to have an answer that is likely to change your life forever. Perhaps you are already a mother, hoping for a sibling for your child. Or the prospective parent who's had no luck so far. Or even someone who has not thought about procreating yet, but has nevertheless reached the moment where you wonder: am I pregnant?

Our bodies tend to have a way of communicating their needs and wants to us. Countless women just describe a feeling, something that makes them think perhaps it's time to pick up a box from the pharmacy. Whether you are excited, nervous, or just not even sure what you feel, it's a big moment.

Sometimes, it can be tempting there is nothing going on at all. You can do this out of hope, not daring to believe that this might be happening to you, or it can happen out of fear. You may have bought the test and are now trying to stomach up the courage to use it.

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So, remember: it's always best to know, for a variety of reasons. If you are pregnant, your life needs to change. Alcohol is out and calming, relaxing yoga sessions are in! The sooner that you make a start on these preparations, the better.

If it helps, ask someone you care about - who you can trust to remain calm - to be with you while you take the test. You're likely to need the moral support, someone who is going to instinctively know all the right things to say to you when you get the result.

Choose a time when you are not in a rush- no peeing during your lunch break. It helps to have a good idea of what you are going to do about the result before you get it. Be prepared for both good and bad news, and try to keep a perspective. If you've been trying for a long time, then this doesn't mean the end of the road, it just means not yet. It may sound impossible, but even making the effort to keep things in perspective will help level you out.

It's best to take the test early in the morning, as this is when the result will be the strongest. Do it at the first opportunity. Take the time to read through the instructions and make sure beforehand how they work and that you know how to interpret the results. If you have someone with you, make sure that they are aware as well, just in case you forget in the post-test chaos.

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When you know your plans depending on either result, have the time to do it properly and are mentally prepared, the only thing that's left is to do it. And remember, you're always, always going to be better off knowing.

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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Hair Straightener Disasters You Definitely Want To Avoid!

7/15/2016

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Hair straighteners seem like simple devices on the surface, but it’s easy to get yourself into a disaster because of them!

So, the next time you pick up those straighteners and get to work, keep the following potential disasters in mind.

Fire Hazard

Poor Quality

You don’t need to look far in order to be consumed by articles telling you that hair straighteners are dangerous! The reasons for this are obvious. It only takes around fifteen minutes for them to reach levels of heat that could easily start a fire. If that doesn’t happen, you could still end up with serious burns that require hospital treatment. When you’re using your straighteners, treat them seriously. You don’t want to end up with a disaster like this.

Excessive Dryness

When your hair is excessively dry, straightening it will only make the situation that much worse. The natural moisture of your hair will start to disappear. This will lead to your hair looking dull and dry every time you go out. The way in which you straighten you hair is important, as is the conditions you do it in. When you’re in the shower, think carefully about the type of shampoo and conditioner you’re using, too.

Allergic Reactions

If you’re visiting a stylist, you need to be careful. Some of the hair straightening products they use contain chemicals that some people are allergic to. Suddenly, you’ll be left with a red and itchy scalp that will drive you crazy. You can’t always guard against this, so the best thing you can do is to find a reputable stylist in the local area. As long as the professionals are doing everything they can to protect you against harmful chemicals, that’s all you can ask for.

There are loads of hair straighteners on the market, and you can’t always be sure that you’re buying good quality products. Some of them are dirt cheap and actually pose a risk to your health with the way they’re made. The only way to ensure you’re buying something of quality is to look at reviews at places like Hair Straightener Studio. Then, you can peruse through a list of the best ones on the market, helping to make that decision even easier.

Heat Damage

You have to be careful when using heat with hair straighteners. It’s important to make sure you don’t burn your hair; a burning smell isn’t a good sign! However, setting the temperature too cool isn’t a good idea either, and can damage your hair just as much. The best way to ensure you protect against heat damage is to find a setting somewhere in the middle. You might want to divert away from this depending on the look you’re going for, but don’t go too radical.

I bet you didn’t realize how many disasters could be caused by hair straighteners, huh?! Let’s be honest; a lot of these ‘disasters’ are easily preventable. And yet, we still see a lot of media reports about them, especially in the case of fire and skin burns.

Be careful with your straighteners!

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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Jewellery Do’s and Dont’s For All Ages

7/13/2016

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Looking good isn't always easy. There is so much to think about. What with beauty treatments and fashion, sometimes we forget about our jewellery. But accessories like jewellery can have a massive impact on your look.

Check out these do's and don'ts to help you wear your jewels the right way.

Do match the metals
As a rule, it's best not mix your metals so that mean gold and silver should not be worn together. Keep jewelry, all the same, metal looks classier and gives you a more put-together look. There are lots of metal shade to choose from now like platinum and rose gold, so you are not limited to just the usual gold and silver. Just make sure you don't en duo wearing them all.

Don't wear too much
Some people have a tendency to over accessorize! As Coco Chanel said, 'look in the mirror and take one accessory off.' A few quality items are always better than load and loads of cheap rubbish!

Do invest
That bring me on to my next point. Do invest in a few good items of jewelry that are versatile. A pair of diamond earrings. Some solid gold sleepers and a few nice rings can set off any outfit and will stand you in good stead.

Don't wear the wrong style necklace

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Wearing the wrong necklace for the neckline can ruin your look. Make sure you match the length and the style to your outfit. Boat necks and round necks look good with a short necklace or collar. If you are wearing a deep V, then long multi strands work best.

Remember that wherever your necklace lands, that is where the eye is drawn to. So make sure that you are bringing attention the parts of your body that you want to emphasize.

Do experiment with fashion
Fashion changes so quickly these days it hard to keep up. That's why if you are going for specialty fashion pieces rather than classic items, it's ok to go with costume jewelry.

For example, if you want to try the latest trend like multiple finger rings, it's much more cost-effective to go for fashion jewelry. It also means that you don't have to worry if you don't like the look or just wear it with a few outfits.

Don't buy cheap
Even when you are buying costume jewelry, don't go for the cheapest you can find. You can spot a plastic rhinestone from a mile away! As costume jewels are often large and make a statement, it's really easy to tell if they are not good quality. So spend a few extra dollars to make sure it looks as classy as the rest of you.

Do enjoy your jewelry
Just like your clothes, no matter what size and shape you are, you should enjoy what you're wearing. If you don't enjoy it, then it's just not worth displaying it on your body. So make sure you are in love with every piece before your open your purse to buy it!

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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Top Beauty Treatments That Are Best Left To The Professionals

7/12/2016

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There are many beauty treatments and products that can be easily used at home. Manicures, fake tan and hair updo's can all be achieved in the comfort of your own home. There are, however, some procedures which are better left to experts and not worth the risk.

See our list below or treatments which are way too difficult to DIY.

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Hair Restyle
When you decide to change your hairstyle dramatically, whether taking 4 inches off or adding bangs, it can be tempting to try it yourself. Trimming split ends is one thing, but there's a good reason hair technicians spend so long in training for more advanced do's. Avoid any disasters and just book in. You'll regret the DIY approach if you snip too short!

Bikini Waxing
Leg and upper lip waxing are doable at home. But more sensitive and delicate areas are better left to the professionals. Far a start, it's nearly impossible to reach some of the most intimate areas. So even if you manage to get the wax at the right temperature and get in the correct position, you're probably going to end up with patchy results. Bruising and infections are also risks, which are decreased if you head to the salon.

Botox
This is a treatment that definitely should be thoroughly researched and investigated before undertaken. Shop around and ask for recommendations before choosing a well known and respectable professional. Injecting botulinum toxin into your skin freezes the muscles and erases wrinkles. But if not done properly it can cause all sorts of problems, even leading to death in some extreme cases.

Hair Dye
A dramatic colour change is an exciting decision to make. Going darker can be achievable at home, but lightening your hair is better done by a professional. Bleaching can significantly damage your hair, and you must be very careful with the chemicals involved. A dramatic change will need to be done gradually to protect the hair, so be patient and listen to what the colour technician advises.

Eyebrow and Eyelash Tinting
Using dyes and tints so close to your eyes is a very delicate procedure. Corrective permanent makeup is a brilliant way of enhancing eyebrows and makeup, but make sure you book in with someone who know's what they're doing as the results will last for a long period of time.

Facial Peels and Treatments
You know your skin the best, but that doesn't mean you know exactly what it needs. While normal face masks can be done at home, it is advisable to leave more invasive peels and scrubs to an experienced expert.

Teeth Whitening
While whitening strips, and making changes to your diet can keep your teeth clean and white. But if you want to make a significant colour change, a trip to the dentist is required. With so many chemicals involved that are easily ingested, it is much safer to visit a professional. They also use much stronger products, giving you results which just aren't achievable at home.

By Iconic Chica Contributors

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