Is a Cool Chick Hot or a Hot Chick Cool? The Beauty Debate

Beauty comes in many avatars – the smell of first rain, a bellyful of laugh, the patter of toddler feet, Michelangelo’s Pieta, Taj Mahal, mother’s face, the written word, a melodious ghazal – and yet, when the word is mentioned what springs to the minds of most people is female physical beauty. Since that aspect of beauty hogs the mind share, let’s address it first.

A young woman has a great time partying with her friends. Once back in her apartment, she heads straight to the bathroom where she puts a finger down her throat. Scraping it right in, she hits the gag spot. This wrenches her stomach and she throws up. So, she got to eat and drink copiously but she purged her body, and there’s no weight gain. Problem solved!

Or is it?

She is heading to bulimia nervosa, and while she’ll not gain weight she’ll gain myriad other ailments: eroded teeth, sore throat, ruptured esophagus, weakened heart muscle- what, you want me to stop! Okay, but know that bulimia is classified as a disorder.

Question is: how did she get into it?

Because she wants to be beautiful, and thin is in. Besides, if she didn’t starve herself, how would she fit into that ubiquitous bandage dress?

She is drowning in a sea of images, of long-legged high-heeled divas who have poured themselves into these skin-tight sheaths while she, in her flowing salwar kameez, has abruptly acquired the proportions of a tent.

Kareena Kapoor’s size 0. Bipasha’s yoga-sculpted body. Shilpa’s sexy figure. Katrina Kaif as the face of Indian Barbie. Ahem!

Our Prime Minister, when he was the Finance Minister in 1991, launched India into the age of economic liberalization. Since then we have opened our borders, become a tiger economy, and since any economy that grows at an 8% clip needs domestic consumption, we are consuming voraciously. As we joined a globalizing world what came in its wake was a relentless assault of images – images transplanted from the developed world to the developing as a marker of what we can aspire to.

And when Kate Moss is the iconic model to have graced the cover of Vogue a record 30 times you know what I mean. When rail-thin models whose spine could be felt through their stomachs define beauty, a herd of anxious women follow. Barbie, the cherished toy for all little girls in the new India, is so ridiculously proportioned that if scaled up to human size she would be unbalanced enough to topple over! Apparently the likelihood of a woman having Barbie’s shape is one in 100,000. For the rest, well, there is anorexia, bulimia, dieting, as they worship at the shrine of unachievable beauty.

How did we reach this point of killing ourselves to attain some beauty badge?

First, lets acknowledge to ourselves that the images we see are of models that are used to sell products. It is purely commercial. And over the years, the models have changed because of a changing fashion aesthetic that in turn is controlled by marketers, advertisers, stylists – people who run the beauty business. Consequently, images that sell everything from cars to cigarettes come to define beauty in that day and age.

Don’t believe me? See for yourself.

In the ‘60s Twiggy, with her androgynous looks, became the ideal mannequin for the mod looks of that decade. While the Russian Veruschka – once considered too tall, at more than six feet – played up her Valkyrie proportions by occasionally appearing in nothing but body paint. Modern times, eh!

In the ‘70s Iman, the stunning Somalian, became the exotic appeal. The ‘80s were all about glamour and Australian Elle Macpherson “The Body” defined it. Cindy Crawford, fresh-faced American, was symbolic of the pared-down minimalism of the ‘90s.

Then arrived Kate Moss – at five foot eight she was the antisupermodel whose arrival heralded the waif look. Which, in turn, spawned a legion of healthy women starving themselves to attain the Fellowship of Moss.

What does it tell us? In this obsessive pursuit of beauty are we missing something staring us in the face? That the idea of commercial beauty is constantly changing, at best, and shifty, at worst, as marketers have crossed continent/ethnicity/race in their search for the ‘look’ that’ll define the zeitgesit of the era and convey an impossible beauty.

No woman can live up to the ideal beauty, though many have died trying to do so. (Ironically, the universally admired beauty, Marilyn Monroe, is one.) That’s because supermodels, fashion models, catwalk models are not meant to be ‘pretty’ or beautiful. The requirement is for edgy, distinctive, non-traditional looks. Which can then be broadcast as some unattainable ideal of beauty. Which, statistically, is what it is!

And yet, as science will tell you, it is all so wrong. Because Beauty boils down to a simple average. Yes, average!

Research has illustrated a phenomenon called beauty-in-averageness in which a composite of faces – essentially an average of those faces – was more attractive than any of the faces individually. Which shows that we humans are attracted to average beauty more than individual beauty. An explanation for this is that averageness is a sign of health and fitness – a quality that attracts the opposite sex for successful breeding. Unusually protuberant eyes might clue a disease – and so signal the (low) value of a potential mate. And yet, a Smeagol-like face with bulging eyes is popular on current catwalks.

                       

The world is a confusing place when white people prize mocha skin and the brown folks want fairness creams; when you are a curvy woman whose body is ideal for a sari but you want to pour yourself into a bandage dress; when you are a Chinese woman with radish legs and you’ll undergo torturous surgery to get European legs …

So, next time you doubt your beauty, stop and think. If you think you are average know that you are beautiful – you have science on your side. Not sufficient? A tad too dry for conviction?

Look at nature for inspiration. Does a rose desire to be more like a narcissus? Is a palm more attractive than a peepul? Is dusk more alluring than dawn? A full moon or a crescent? Each element is there and content in its beauty – no one’s faking it. If there’s one thing we can learn from nature, it is this: there is no beauty standard.

The moment we stop benchmarking ourselves against some given beauty-industry/fashion-magazine/Holly-Bollywood standard is the moment we can look at ourselves in the mirror and realize our own beauty. Confucius said: Everything has beauty; not everyone sees it. So how about sending some positive vibes to our self? Healthy skin, clean teeth, clear eyes, a wide smile, erect posture, wearing clothes that suit our body – 90% of beauty is covered there. And all of us can have it. Exercise, eating well and in moderation will keep us healthy and fit. Top it off with a quiet self-confidence.

Real beauty is within each of us and the moment we start believing that, it lights up our soul and our eyes and our face and becomes visible to all. And then it will extend to our work, our interactions with others, the way we live. Beauty is never skin deep  – it is an extension of our very self. As Professor Denis Dutton says, prehistoric man was creating objects of beauty before we could even talk.

The first step to real beauty is choosing to be You – you with all your foibles and strengths. And then you’ll be surprised by what your self will reveal to you.

So, who will you be: Kat/Kate/Kareena-counterfeit. Or the authentic you? The choice is yours. Is a cool chick hot or a hot chick cool – for once, the chick shall decide!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wrote this blog post because I believe in the need for a passionate debate on the idea of beauty and how we use it to constrain ourselves. This also forms part of the ongoing debate on Beauty that Dove is running via its Yahoo! Dove Real Beauty Contest. 


If you like this post sign into Indiblogger and vote for it here :)
Alternatively, if you are not an Indiblogger, you can click on the Facebook "Like" button and encourage readership.


Cheers! 

Is a Cool Chick Hot or a Hot Chick Cool? The Beauty Debate

Beauty comes in many avatars – the smell of first rain, a bellyful of laugh, the patter of toddler feet, Michelangelo’s Pieta, Taj Mahal, mother’s face, the written word, a melodious ghazal – and yet, when the word is mentioned what springs to the minds of most people is female physical beauty. Since that aspect of beauty hogs the mind share, let’s address it first.

A young woman has a great time partying with her friends. Once back in her apartment, she heads straight to the bathroom where she puts a finger down her throat. Scraping it right in, she hits the gag spot. This wrenches her stomach and she throws up. So, she got to eat and drink copiously but she purged her body, and there’s no weight gain. Problem solved!

Or is it?

She is heading to bulimia nervosa, and while she’ll not gain weight she’ll gain myriad other ailments: eroded teeth, sore throat, ruptured esophagus, weakened heart muscle- what, you want me to stop! Okay, but know that bulimia is classified as a disorder.

Question is: how did she get into it?

Because she wants to be beautiful, and thin is in. Besides, if she didn’t starve herself, how would she fit into that ubiquitous bandage dress?

She is drowning in a sea of images, of long-legged high-heeled divas who have poured themselves into these skin-tight sheaths while she, in her flowing salwar kameez, has abruptly acquired the proportions of a tent.

Kareena Kapoor’s size 0. Bipasha’s yoga-sculpted body. Shilpa’s sexy figure. Katrina Kaif as the face of Indian Barbie. Ahem!

Our Prime Minister, when he was the Finance Minister in 1991, launched India into the age of economic liberalization. Since then we have opened our borders, become a tiger economy, and since any economy that grows at an 8% clip needs domestic consumption, we are consuming voraciously. As we joined a globalizing world what came in its wake was a relentless assault of images – images transplanted from the developed world to the developing as a marker of what we can aspire to.

And when Kate Moss is the iconic model to have graced the cover of Vogue a record 30 times you know what I mean. When rail-thin models whose spine could be felt through their stomachs define beauty, a herd of anxious women follow. Barbie, the cherished toy for all little girls in the new India, is so ridiculously proportioned that if scaled up to human size she would be unbalanced enough to topple over! Apparently the likelihood of a woman having Barbie’s shape is one in 100,000. For the rest, well, there is anorexia, bulimia, dieting, as they worship at the shrine of unachievable beauty.

How did we reach this point of killing ourselves to attain some beauty badge?

First, lets acknowledge to ourselves that the images we see are of models that are used to sell products. It is purely commercial. And over the years, the models have changed because of a changing fashion aesthetic that in turn is controlled by marketers, advertisers, stylists – people who run the beauty business. Consequently, images that sell everything from cars to cigarettes come to define beauty in that day and age.

Don’t believe me? See for yourself.

In the ‘60s Twiggy, with her androgynous looks, became the ideal mannequin for the mod looks of that decade. While the Russian Veruschka – once considered too tall, at more than six feet – played up her Valkyrie proportions by occasionally appearing in nothing but body paint. Modern times, eh!

In the ‘70s Iman, the stunning Somalian, became the exotic appeal. The ‘80s were all about glamour and Australian Elle Macpherson “The Body” defined it. Cindy Crawford, fresh-faced American, was symbolic of the pared-down minimalism of the ‘90s.

Then arrived Kate Moss – at five foot eight she was the antisupermodel whose arrival heralded the waif look. Which, in turn, spawned a legion of healthy women starving themselves to attain the Fellowship of Moss.

What does it tell us? In this obsessive pursuit of beauty are we missing something staring us in the face? That the idea of commercial beauty is constantly changing, at best, and shifty, at worst, as marketers have crossed continent/ethnicity/race in their search for the ‘look’ that’ll define the zeitgesit of the era and convey an impossible beauty.

No woman can live up to the ideal beauty, though many have died trying to do so. (Ironically, the universally admired beauty, Marilyn Monroe, is one.) That’s because supermodels, fashion models, catwalk models are not meant to be ‘pretty’ or beautiful. The requirement is for edgy, distinctive, non-traditional looks. Which can then be broadcast as some unattainable ideal of beauty. Which, statistically, is what it is!

And yet, as science will tell you, it is all so wrong. Because Beauty boils down to a simple average. Yes, average!

Research has illustrated a phenomenon called beauty-in-averageness in which a composite of faces – essentially an average of those faces – was more attractive than any of the faces individually. Which shows that we humans are attracted to average beauty more than individual beauty. An explanation for this is that averageness is a sign of health and fitness – a quality that attracts the opposite sex for successful breeding. Unusually protuberant eyes might clue a disease – and so signal the (low) value of a potential mate. And yet, a Smeagol-like face with bulging eyes is popular on current catwalks.

                       

The world is a confusing place when white people prize mocha skin and the brown folks want fairness creams; when you are a curvy woman whose body is ideal for a sari but you want to pour yourself into a bandage dress; when you are a Chinese woman with radish legs and you’ll undergo torturous surgery to get European legs …

So, next time you doubt your beauty, stop and think. If you think you are average know that you are beautiful – you have science on your side. Not sufficient? A tad too dry for conviction?

Look at nature for inspiration. Does a rose desire to be more like a narcissus? Is a palm more attractive than a peepul? Is dusk more alluring than dawn? A full moon or a crescent? Each element is there and content in its beauty – no one’s faking it. If there’s one thing we can learn from nature, it is this: there is no beauty standard.

The moment we stop benchmarking ourselves against some given beauty-industry/fashion-magazine/Holly-Bollywood standard is the moment we can look at ourselves in the mirror and realize our own beauty. Confucius said: Everything has beauty; not everyone sees it. So how about sending some positive vibes to our self? Healthy skin, clean teeth, clear eyes, a wide smile, erect posture, wearing clothes that suit our body – 90% of beauty is covered there. And all of us can have it. Exercise, eating well and in moderation will keep us healthy and fit. Top it off with a quiet self-confidence.

Real beauty is within each of us and the moment we start believing that, it lights up our soul and our eyes and our face and becomes visible to all. And then it will extend to our work, our interactions with others, the way we live. Beauty is never skin deep  – it is an extension of our very self. As Professor Denis Dutton says, prehistoric man was creating objects of beauty before we could even talk.

The first step to real beauty is choosing to be You – you with all your foibles and strengths. And then you’ll be surprised by what your self will reveal to you.

So, who will you be: Kat/Kate/Kareena-counterfeit. Or the authentic you? The choice is yours. Is a cool chick hot or a hot chick cool – for once, the chick shall decide!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wrote this blog post because I believe in the need for a passionate debate on the idea of beauty and how we use it to constrain ourselves. This also forms part of the ongoing debate on Beauty that Dove is running via its Yahoo! Dove Real Beauty Contest. 


If you like this post sign into Indiblogger and vote for it here :)
Alternatively, if you are not an Indiblogger, you can click on the Facebook "Like" button and encourage readership.


Cheers! 

This Eight Foods for a Beautiful Smile

ilustrasi

Comfort food doesn't have to mean meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

In fact, research reveals that there are healthier staples that can soothe your soul and get you grinning. Incorporate these eight expert picks into your daily diet and you'll score more energy, less stress and even a brighter smile.

Consider these your new happy meals!

1. Salmon

"The omega-3s found in salmon have been proven to boost mood," says Lauren Slayton, a registered dietitian and the director of FoodTrainers, a nutrition center in New York City. These healthy fats not only put a smile on your face, but they can also help keep it there: A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who consistently consumed more omega-3s were 30 percent less likely to develop gum disease than those who got less. Don't like seafood? Reach for other sources like flax and walnuts.

2. Avocado

Even if you're not a guacamole fan, this green fruit can bring you happiness. "Avocados contain serotonin, a type of feel-good neurotransmitter in the brain," says Slayton. Try using a few slices as a creamy substitute for mayo in sandwiches, or toss some cubes into your lunchtime salad.

3. Raisins

Although they're known as nature's candy, raisins are one sweet treat that won't cause cavities. In fact, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry found that the healthy antioxidants in raisins helped slow the growth of two types of bacteria that set the stage for tooth decay and gum disease. Snack on a handful for an instant hit of energy.

4. Dark chocolate

It's no wonder that many women consider chocolate comfort food. "Chocolate is high in magnesium, a mineral that calms muscles and can relieve anxiety," says Slayton. For an even bigger dose of the mineral, try satisfying your sweet tooth with chocolate-covered almonds.

5. Cereal

The next time you pick up a box, check to make sure it's fortified with vitamin D. Over 60 percent of Americans don't get enough of this "sunshine" nutrient, which has been shown to fend off the blues -- especially during the dark days of winter. Pair those puffs of flakes with low-fat milk for a dose of bone- and teeth-fortifying calcium.

6. Green tea

Feeling stressed? Brew some soothing tea. These green leaves contain L-theanine, an antioxidant that has been linked with relaxation. Sip a mug before that big meeting, and you'll score another benefit: fresher breath. According to research from Pace University in New York City, green tea's polyphenols can destroy bacteria that lead to bad breath and tooth decay.

7. Yogurt

Scoop up a better mood with this calcium-rich snack. Yogurt contains probiotics, friendly bacteria that have been shown to ease depression. Plus, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology reveals that probiotics may reduce inflammation in the mouth, lowering your risk of gum disease and even oral cancer.

8. Popcorn

When you're grumpy or sluggish, chances are you crave bread and pasta. "That's because carbs increase serotonin levels in the body, which can put you in a better mood," explains Slayton. But before you twirl up that spaghetti, snack on some popcorn. The whole-grain treat has the same beneficial effect and, at just 31 calories per cup, won't wreck your waistline.

Sharon Liao is an award-winning health editor and writer who has been on staff at Prevention, Fitness, and Reader's Digest magazines. She has contributed to Seventeen and Weight Watchers Magazine, as well as The Intellectual Devotional: Health.

via:ihavenet

This Eight Foods for a Beautiful Smile

ilustrasi

Comfort food doesn't have to mean meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

In fact, research reveals that there are healthier staples that can soothe your soul and get you grinning. Incorporate these eight expert picks into your daily diet and you'll score more energy, less stress and even a brighter smile.

Consider these your new happy meals!

1. Salmon

"The omega-3s found in salmon have been proven to boost mood," says Lauren Slayton, a registered dietitian and the director of FoodTrainers, a nutrition center in New York City. These healthy fats not only put a smile on your face, but they can also help keep it there: A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who consistently consumed more omega-3s were 30 percent less likely to develop gum disease than those who got less. Don't like seafood? Reach for other sources like flax and walnuts.

2. Avocado

Even if you're not a guacamole fan, this green fruit can bring you happiness. "Avocados contain serotonin, a type of feel-good neurotransmitter in the brain," says Slayton. Try using a few slices as a creamy substitute for mayo in sandwiches, or toss some cubes into your lunchtime salad.

3. Raisins

Although they're known as nature's candy, raisins are one sweet treat that won't cause cavities. In fact, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry found that the healthy antioxidants in raisins helped slow the growth of two types of bacteria that set the stage for tooth decay and gum disease. Snack on a handful for an instant hit of energy.

4. Dark chocolate

It's no wonder that many women consider chocolate comfort food. "Chocolate is high in magnesium, a mineral that calms muscles and can relieve anxiety," says Slayton. For an even bigger dose of the mineral, try satisfying your sweet tooth with chocolate-covered almonds.

5. Cereal

The next time you pick up a box, check to make sure it's fortified with vitamin D. Over 60 percent of Americans don't get enough of this "sunshine" nutrient, which has been shown to fend off the blues -- especially during the dark days of winter. Pair those puffs of flakes with low-fat milk for a dose of bone- and teeth-fortifying calcium.

6. Green tea

Feeling stressed? Brew some soothing tea. These green leaves contain L-theanine, an antioxidant that has been linked with relaxation. Sip a mug before that big meeting, and you'll score another benefit: fresher breath. According to research from Pace University in New York City, green tea's polyphenols can destroy bacteria that lead to bad breath and tooth decay.

7. Yogurt

Scoop up a better mood with this calcium-rich snack. Yogurt contains probiotics, friendly bacteria that have been shown to ease depression. Plus, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology reveals that probiotics may reduce inflammation in the mouth, lowering your risk of gum disease and even oral cancer.

8. Popcorn

When you're grumpy or sluggish, chances are you crave bread and pasta. "That's because carbs increase serotonin levels in the body, which can put you in a better mood," explains Slayton. But before you twirl up that spaghetti, snack on some popcorn. The whole-grain treat has the same beneficial effect and, at just 31 calories per cup, won't wreck your waistline.

Sharon Liao is an award-winning health editor and writer who has been on staff at Prevention, Fitness, and Reader's Digest magazines. She has contributed to Seventeen and Weight Watchers Magazine, as well as The Intellectual Devotional: Health.

via:ihavenet

Lasting weight loss is an effective way of preventing type 2 diabetes in overweight adults

ilustrasi

An estimated half a million people in Finland have either been diagnosed with or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. According to professor Aila Rissanen, these people are in an urgent need of support and care to help them prevent obesity-related illnesses. Permanent weight loss also helps to manage diabetes. Some patients have been able to stop taking medication completely.“Treating type 2 diabetes is easy at first, but the complications that may occur later are more difficult. A patient may later face an organ transplant or amputation, for example,” Rissanen warns.According to The Finnish Medial Society Duodecim, a permanent weight loss of even just five per cent is beneficial to the health of an overweight adult. The most harmful type of body fat is located in the abdominal cavity and the liver. When a person starts losing weight, this harmful fat is the first to start decreasing.

Exercise alone does not do the trick

The most efficient way to lose weight is to start eating smaller meals or to switch to foods that contain fewer calories.

“It is important to make sure that while you receive a small amount of energy, you still get all of the vital nutrients from your diet while losing weight,” says docent Kirsi Pietiläinen.

Increasing exercise alone will help shed a few extra kilos in less than six months. The combination of exercise and a sensible diet helps you prevent regaining the kilos you’ve lost. A daily hour’s exercise or an hour and a half of brisk walking is recommended.



One in five working-age Finns is overweight

• More than two million working-age Finns are overweight, meaning that their BMI is above 25.

• One in five working-age Finns is obese, which amounts to 650,000 people. This means that their BMI is above 30; for example, a person may be 170 cm tall and weigh at least 87 kilos.

• The number of severely obese Finns is 170,000. Severe obesity means that a person’s BMI is above 35.

• The number of people suffering from morbid obesity, meaning that their BMI is above 40, is 50,000.

Source: The Finnish Medical Society Duodecim




Exercising is especially important to improving the health of overweight people. It eases blood pressure, as well as sugar and fat metabolism disorders.

From dieting to permanent lifestyle changes

According to the recently published Duodecim Current Care guideline, the primary treatment for adult obesity is lifestyle guidance, preferably conducted in groups. This guidance can be supported with medication. Morbid obesity can also be treated with surgery.

“We should ban the word ‘diet’. Maintaining the new weight can be achieved if a person takes conscious measures to change their way of life for good. It really is a project in life management,” describes Rissanen.

In Finland, obesity is most common among women of pension age and middle-aged men. It has been linked to depression, dementia, some forms of cancer, arthrosis, urinary incontinence and heart disease, among other disorders.

Some 650,000 people of working age in Finland are obese, which means that their body mass index (BMI) is above 30, and more than two million Finns are overweight.

via:helsinkitimes

Lasting weight loss is an effective way of preventing type 2 diabetes in overweight adults

ilustrasi

An estimated half a million people in Finland have either been diagnosed with or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. According to professor Aila Rissanen, these people are in an urgent need of support and care to help them prevent obesity-related illnesses. Permanent weight loss also helps to manage diabetes. Some patients have been able to stop taking medication completely.“Treating type 2 diabetes is easy at first, but the complications that may occur later are more difficult. A patient may later face an organ transplant or amputation, for example,” Rissanen warns.According to The Finnish Medial Society Duodecim, a permanent weight loss of even just five per cent is beneficial to the health of an overweight adult. The most harmful type of body fat is located in the abdominal cavity and the liver. When a person starts losing weight, this harmful fat is the first to start decreasing.

Exercise alone does not do the trick

The most efficient way to lose weight is to start eating smaller meals or to switch to foods that contain fewer calories.

“It is important to make sure that while you receive a small amount of energy, you still get all of the vital nutrients from your diet while losing weight,” says docent Kirsi Pietiläinen.

Increasing exercise alone will help shed a few extra kilos in less than six months. The combination of exercise and a sensible diet helps you prevent regaining the kilos you’ve lost. A daily hour’s exercise or an hour and a half of brisk walking is recommended.



One in five working-age Finns is overweight

• More than two million working-age Finns are overweight, meaning that their BMI is above 25.

• One in five working-age Finns is obese, which amounts to 650,000 people. This means that their BMI is above 30; for example, a person may be 170 cm tall and weigh at least 87 kilos.

• The number of severely obese Finns is 170,000. Severe obesity means that a person’s BMI is above 35.

• The number of people suffering from morbid obesity, meaning that their BMI is above 40, is 50,000.

Source: The Finnish Medical Society Duodecim




Exercising is especially important to improving the health of overweight people. It eases blood pressure, as well as sugar and fat metabolism disorders.

From dieting to permanent lifestyle changes

According to the recently published Duodecim Current Care guideline, the primary treatment for adult obesity is lifestyle guidance, preferably conducted in groups. This guidance can be supported with medication. Morbid obesity can also be treated with surgery.

“We should ban the word ‘diet’. Maintaining the new weight can be achieved if a person takes conscious measures to change their way of life for good. It really is a project in life management,” describes Rissanen.

In Finland, obesity is most common among women of pension age and middle-aged men. It has been linked to depression, dementia, some forms of cancer, arthrosis, urinary incontinence and heart disease, among other disorders.

Some 650,000 people of working age in Finland are obese, which means that their body mass index (BMI) is above 30, and more than two million Finns are overweight.

via:helsinkitimes

airplane beauty tips

Ever get off a flight with dry skin, static hair, or feeling dehydrated? This happens because airplanes keep the humidity very low during flight, and it can wreak havoc on your skin!

Here are some tips to feeling refreshed and looking great when you step off the plane:

1. Stay hydrated.

Drink lots of water before you go through security, and either buy water once you've passed it or drink some on the plane! With the lack of humidity, it is very easy to get dehydrated quickly while in the air. If you are offered a beverage, stay away from coffee, alcohol, and sodas- these will all dehydrate you! Instead, opt for water or tea.

2. Moisturize.

Make sure you've applied a lot of moisturizer before your flight. It's best to exfoliate before applying the moisturizer, as your skin will more effectively absorb the product. I recommend buying a travel-sized moisturizer, so you can bring it with you on the plane if you need to apply more. My personal favorite is the travel-sized Philosophy Hope In A Jar, $18.

I also recommend bringing along chapstick or a salve. For flights, I especially like Rosebud Salve, $6.
The great thing about this product is that you can not only use it for your lips, but other dry areas such as elbows and knees.

3. Use a rollerball to decrease under-eye puffiness.
Air travel can be really exhausting, especially if you're crossing time zones. You don't want to look like you haven't slept in days when you reach your destination! Bring along a rollerball. I use Yves St. Laurent Top Secrets Flash Touch Wake-up Eyecare, $44.

You can also find rollerballs for under-eye puffiness much cheaper at your local drugstore.

4. Use makeup sparingly.

If you absolutely MUST wear makeup on your flight, don't pile it on. You want your skin to breathe, not to mention you don't want the morning-after look when you get off the plane. At most, wear a tinted moisturizer, or a little bit of powder and some lip gloss.

5. Bring along some blotting papers.

This is important, particularly if you have oily skin. You'll take away the shine and excess oil without losing moisture, and you'll stay looking fresh. I like Boscia Blotting Linens, $10.

6. Bring eye drops.

I always find my eyes getting uncomfortably dry during long flights. Bringing eye drops is a must. Your eyes will thank you! This is especially important if you wear contacts.

If you do wear contacts, you may want to skip them on longer flights. The combination of little humidity and potential napping will cause you to have red, irritated eyes. Opt for your glasses!

7. Tame your hair.

There is nothing more annoying or uncomfortable on a long flight than static, clingy hair! You may want to use hair spray before your flight so that your hair will stay in place. If you need a quick fix, use a hand lotion or moisturizer and run it through your locks. It will weigh your hair down!

To avoid wild hair, stay away from static-y fabrics! This includes silk and fleece. Cotton is a safer bet.

If your hair is really out of control, tie it up in a messy bun or hide it under a hat.

I'm traveling to Canada tomorrow morning, and I'll be sure to use these tips!

airplane beauty tips

Ever get off a flight with dry skin, static hair, or feeling dehydrated? This happens because airplanes keep the humidity very low during flight, and it can wreak havoc on your skin!

Here are some tips to feeling refreshed and looking great when you step off the plane:

1. Stay hydrated.

Drink lots of water before you go through security, and either buy water once you've passed it or drink some on the plane! With the lack of humidity, it is very easy to get dehydrated quickly while in the air. If you are offered a beverage, stay away from coffee, alcohol, and sodas- these will all dehydrate you! Instead, opt for water or tea.

2. Moisturize.

Make sure you've applied a lot of moisturizer before your flight. It's best to exfoliate before applying the moisturizer, as your skin will more effectively absorb the product. I recommend buying a travel-sized moisturizer, so you can bring it with you on the plane if you need to apply more. My personal favorite is the travel-sized Philosophy Hope In A Jar, $18.

I also recommend bringing along chapstick or a salve. For flights, I especially like Rosebud Salve, $6.
The great thing about this product is that you can not only use it for your lips, but other dry areas such as elbows and knees.

3. Use a rollerball to decrease under-eye puffiness.
Air travel can be really exhausting, especially if you're crossing time zones. You don't want to look like you haven't slept in days when you reach your destination! Bring along a rollerball. I use Yves St. Laurent Top Secrets Flash Touch Wake-up Eyecare, $44.

You can also find rollerballs for under-eye puffiness much cheaper at your local drugstore.

4. Use makeup sparingly.

If you absolutely MUST wear makeup on your flight, don't pile it on. You want your skin to breathe, not to mention you don't want the morning-after look when you get off the plane. At most, wear a tinted moisturizer, or a little bit of powder and some lip gloss.

5. Bring along some blotting papers.

This is important, particularly if you have oily skin. You'll take away the shine and excess oil without losing moisture, and you'll stay looking fresh. I like Boscia Blotting Linens, $10.

6. Bring eye drops.

I always find my eyes getting uncomfortably dry during long flights. Bringing eye drops is a must. Your eyes will thank you! This is especially important if you wear contacts.

If you do wear contacts, you may want to skip them on longer flights. The combination of little humidity and potential napping will cause you to have red, irritated eyes. Opt for your glasses!

7. Tame your hair.

There is nothing more annoying or uncomfortable on a long flight than static, clingy hair! You may want to use hair spray before your flight so that your hair will stay in place. If you need a quick fix, use a hand lotion or moisturizer and run it through your locks. It will weigh your hair down!

To avoid wild hair, stay away from static-y fabrics! This includes silk and fleece. Cotton is a safer bet.

If your hair is really out of control, tie it up in a messy bun or hide it under a hat.

I'm traveling to Canada tomorrow morning, and I'll be sure to use these tips!

hair care

My hair has evolved a lot over time. When I was younger, it was flat, stick straight and really easy to manage. But through my teenage years, my hair began to get frizzier and wavier, so I obviously had to adjust the products that I use.

This is my current hair care routine:

1. Frederic Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo, $23-$59.

My hair is a little thick, and when I don't use a good product, it dries in such an unkempt, frizzy manner. This shampoo make my hair SO soft and lustrous. It smells really clean, and really good!

2. Frederic Fekkai Luscious Curls Conditioner, $23

I use this conditioner to tame my frizz and waves. I love it because it is fairly light, so it's very easy to rinse out and doesn't leave your hair feeling weighted down. With this, my hair gets really glossy, and my waves are defined.

3. Living Proof Leave-in Conditioner, $24

A few times a week, I apply a quarter-sized amount of Living Proof leave-in conditioner right after I towel-dry my hair. Because I used to dye my hair a lot, it can get a little coarse and the leave-in conditioner ensures that I won't have frizzies or fly-aways when my hair dries.

4. Kérastase Nutritive Serum Nutri-Sculpt, $40

My hair stylist swears by this product! I use one or two pumps of serum for the tips of my hair, and I don't have any split ends. This is a great serum because it doesn't leave your hair oily or heavy, it goes on light and leaves my hair feeling smooth and silky.

5. John Frieda Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist, $6-$9

I LOVE this product! It's cheap and available in pretty much any drug store. It adds the perfect amount of shine to my hair. It's a great finishing touch- just be careful not to apply too much or hold the bottle to close to your hair when spraying. You don't want your hair to look greasy!

What kind of hair do you have? What are your favorite products?

T

hair care

My hair has evolved a lot over time. When I was younger, it was flat, stick straight and really easy to manage. But through my teenage years, my hair began to get frizzier and wavier, so I obviously had to adjust the products that I use.

This is my current hair care routine:

1. Frederic Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo, $23-$59.

My hair is a little thick, and when I don't use a good product, it dries in such an unkempt, frizzy manner. This shampoo make my hair SO soft and lustrous. It smells really clean, and really good!

2. Frederic Fekkai Luscious Curls Conditioner, $23

I use this conditioner to tame my frizz and waves. I love it because it is fairly light, so it's very easy to rinse out and doesn't leave your hair feeling weighted down. With this, my hair gets really glossy, and my waves are defined.

3. Living Proof Leave-in Conditioner, $24

A few times a week, I apply a quarter-sized amount of Living Proof leave-in conditioner right after I towel-dry my hair. Because I used to dye my hair a lot, it can get a little coarse and the leave-in conditioner ensures that I won't have frizzies or fly-aways when my hair dries.

4. Kérastase Nutritive Serum Nutri-Sculpt, $40

My hair stylist swears by this product! I use one or two pumps of serum for the tips of my hair, and I don't have any split ends. This is a great serum because it doesn't leave your hair oily or heavy, it goes on light and leaves my hair feeling smooth and silky.

5. John Frieda Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist, $6-$9

I LOVE this product! It's cheap and available in pretty much any drug store. It adds the perfect amount of shine to my hair. It's a great finishing touch- just be careful not to apply too much or hold the bottle to close to your hair when spraying. You don't want your hair to look greasy!

What kind of hair do you have? What are your favorite products?

T