Jennica Chen

Slow down aging - antioxidant

jennicachen — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:36:48 +0000

So we have heard about antioxidant is good for us, but what exactly are they? Antioxidant nutrients slows cellular aging and prevents biochemical changes that lead to diseases and cancers. It also improves immune system by producing cells to fight diseases. Vitamin E is one of the best known and strongest vitamin antioxidant. It prevents premature and undesirable oxidation and increases the life of red blood cells. Beta carotene is an antioxidant and that strengthens your body’s protective mechanisms. It improves the growth, reparability, elasticity, strength, and resistance of body tissues. Beta carotene, vitamin C and E are linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, cancer, and cataracts. CoQ10 has the capacity to add oxygen to elevate energy levels or combine with oxygen to prevent the formation of free radicals. Grape seed and Pycnogenol are both powerful antioxidants. Garlic exerts a protective effect against toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium by binding with them and removing them from the body.

Antioxidant nutrients are obtained through healthy diet. In addition, there are vitamin and herbal supplements with the antioxidant nutrients described above. Green tea also has been well known to contain antioxidant. Applying antioxidant nutrients directly to the skin also fights aging.

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Slow down aging - Environmental Againg

jennicachen — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:35:02 +0000

Even though all women look for the quick (and expensive) solution to beautiful skin, we often fail to realize the exterior appearance mirrors the body’s internal health. Besides diligently putting on expensive products on your face and skin, try start living healthy. The next series of entries I will go through what makes us age and how to fight them.

Environmental Aging

A freshly-cut apple turns brown, a bicycle fender becomes rusty and a copper penny suddenly turns green are all processes of oxidation. Almost everything is gradually oxidized by oxygen, and the cells in our bodies are experiencing excessive oxidative damage over an extent period of time. Free radicals are highly energized molecules that contain an unpaired electron. They have the impetus to pair up with other loose electron in the body and on the skin, triggering a chain reaction which creates more free radicals. These free radicals, more accurately called oxidants, attack cell walls and literally oxidize holes in the walls of your cells. They then cause a cascade of many harmful reactions in your body, including damage, mutation, and death to cells throughout your body. They can significantly deplete your immune system and cause premature aging and many health problems. Antioxidants are substance that interrupt oxidation reaction.Fortunately, it is possible to control and reverse environment aging.

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Teeth Whitening

jennicachen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:38:09 +0000

I had a friend who constantly used tooth whitening at home, and it was very effective . I also had a friend telling me those do it yourself whitening kits is painful on the teeth. But we girls go through much more pain to look beautiful. (I am one exception because I am scared of needles and low tolerance for pain). However, ever since my sister’s teeth started cracking, I became much more aware of the danger of tooth whitening. Even through my sister didn’t get her teeth weakened from whitening (the reason still unknown), dentists have said the whitening is abrasive and actually weakens your teeth, which leads to pain and even cracks. For that reason, I started paying more attention to my toothpaste. Those with “whitening” written on the box I would not even dare to use it again. The whitening kits contain chemicals such as baking soda, which can be dangerous in large quantities. Tooth whitening can also cause discolored spots on your teeth. These spots can appear in a number of different ways, but overall it simply looks like parts of your teeth have been whitened while other parts have not. Some parts of your teeth may respond at different rates to a tooth whitening procedure than others, which may leave you with an inconsistent finished product.

When it comes to beauty, I doubt even the most intelligent women can be convinced unless it threatens lives. But least now you know.

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Top 10 Moisturizers

jennicachen — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:38:57 +0000

1. La Mer Crème de la Mer

This cream can make the skin look and feel softer, firmer and virtually creaseless.The price freaked me out though.

2. Olay Total Effects Moisturizer

I personally trust Olay’s products and love the price. I especially like the fact they have fragrance free ones for sensitive skin. This moisturizer contains vitamins E and B3 and pro vitamin B5, which diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth skin texture, even skin tone, minimize the appearance of pores, and reduce the appearance of blotches and age spots

3. Estée Lauder Idealist

4. Mary Kay Day Solution with Sunscreen SPF 15

Formulated with botanicals like lemon and sunflower seed extract to help support the skin’s increased need for energy during the day

5. Avon Anew Retroactive Age Reversal Cream

6. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion with SPF 15

It’s a bit oily and heavy for oily skin.

7. Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer

Oil-free and contains anti-bacterial power of salicylic acid to aid in preventing further breakouts from occurring.

8. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

9. Proactiv Repairing Lotion

You will my review in the past about Proactiv. I think its repairing lotion itself is enough to keep me from acnes. I stopped using its cleanser and the toner and replaced with other products, but I still use the repairing lotion everyday.

10. Olay Complete UV Protective Moisturizer

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Ways to look younger

jennicachen — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:39:44 +0000

If you ask how to look younger, well you might just be asking the right person. Not trying to brag, but I would tell you it’s mostly in the genes. But wait, there are other ways (that I even use) to take a few more years off.

Side-swept bangs!!! I swear this is the easiest, quickest and the best method. Hair bangs are not just for kids, check out celebrities and models. Hair bangs covers your forehead, meaning it helps cover up those wrinkles that make you look 10 years older. Side swept it so you look more mature. I’ve seen some girls with straight hair bangs and they just look like they can make everyone think they are 18. Don’t go overboard, it’s not for everyone. Also, hair no longer than your shoulders will take off years.

Brown lipstick shades make you look old, especially with even darker lip liners. Use creamy blushes and shadows. Pop your eyes with curled lashes *blink blink*, oh so flirty. I would go out with no liner but just curled lashes and mascara, it opens up your eyes.

Don’t overpluck your eyebrows. I don’t know why anyone would think thin eyebrows are good looking, they look scary. Thick eye brows are beautiful. You wouldn’t find a celebrity with scary thin brows would you?

And follow the suggestions in my previous posts on how to get healthy glowing skin, great skin make you look young!

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Top 10 nail polishes

jennicachen — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:40:10 +0000

1. OPI Nail Polish

OPI is indeed the most popular nail polish brand. It’s what the nail salons use and they are a little more expensive. OPI has tons of colors to choose from.

2. OPI Nail Envy

Nail hardener that stengthens nails

3.Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Nail Polish

Also makes the nails harder and healthier. I like Sally Hansen’s products. They are good in quality. These nail hardener help with those who bite their nails.

4. Essie Nail Polish

One reason I don’t like using nail polish is because after few days they chip. Essie nail polishes are cheaper than OPI. They don’t chip easily and lasts for two weeks!

5. Nailtiques Formula #2

Another one that strengthens the nails

6. Sally Hansen Maximum Growth

Again, Sally Hansen’s products are great and affordable. This is another nail strengthener.

7. Revlon Colorstay Always On Nail Enamel

This is another long wearing nail polish.

8. Nailtiques Formula #1

9. Sally Hansen Mega Shine Topcoat

Top coat seals in nail colors and gives your nail a shinny coat. It dries up fast and prevents nail colors from chipping.

10. L’Oréal Jet-Set Quick Dry Nail Enamel

As the name state, this polish dries up fast but doesn’t have good staying power and chips quickly.

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Do it yourself shinny hair

jennicachen — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:13:45 +0000

I know a friend of mine has incredibly shinny hair, and I really wanted my hair like that. We don’t keep in touch anymore, but I heard that she goes to the salon every month for conditioning. But that gets very expensive. I have tried products like Biosilk, which makes hair shine. But they can be a bit oily and makes my hair heavy and flat. According to some resource, here are other ways to get shinny hair at home.

Include the following methods into your hair care routine:

- Rinse your hair with cold water to enhance the shine of your locks

- Use transparent color on your hair. The color will add little pigments to the hair shaft that would make your hair shine when light falls on it.

- Deep condition them.

- Vitamin E is essential for your hair. Include brown rice, nuts, wheat germ and leafy green vegetables in your diet.

- If you colored your hair, used products for color treated hair. These products will prevent the color from discharging, and making it look lifeless and dull.

- Using a hair dryer can eliminate the moisture from your hair. Pick on heat activated shampoos and conditioners to retain the moisture.

If you dare to try

- Close and smoothen the cuticle after shampoo by adding 1tbls of vinegar to 1 gallon of distilled water. Once the shampoo is washed apply the rinse.

- In a bowl mash avocado, one tbls of olive oil and a tsp of baking powder. Mix well and apply it on your hair. Rinse it after 15 minutes.

- Natural oil can also make your hair look shiny. Just brush or comb your hair.

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Poison Kisses

jennicachen — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:36:37 +0000

This will make you think twice before putting on your lipsticks next time. Did you know lipstick manufactured in the United States and used daily by millions of American women contains surprisingly high levels of lead? Average woman consumes about 6 pounds of lipstick over the course of her lifetime. Isn’t that scary? And now you think you might be consuming leads? Among the top brands testing positive for lead were: L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red”, L’Oreal Colour Riche “Classic Wine”, Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red”, Dior Addict “Positive Red”. If you still own these lipstick, or even worse still using them everyday, throw them away.

I never wear lipsticks because the disgusting smell and taste gets into my mouth. I even got the ones that smelled sweet but still got the gross taste and smell in my mouth and throat, almost like poison gas. The only thing that I ever would wear is Burt’s Bees’ lip products. Its lip shimmer is 100% natural, and I don’t ever get the bad smell or taste. You probably can’t get the bright red color on your lips with Burt’s Bees (I don’t know why girls like bloody lips in the first place), but at least I know my kisses are not poisonous.

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Makeup Brushes

jennicachen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:33:45 +0000

We throw away hundreds of dollars trying out different makeup, but we tend to ignore how important the makeup brushes are. Because the brushes are not being worn on your face doesn’t mean you should go cheap. In fact, a bad brush does show on your skin. Go to a drugstore and you would find those cheap $10 set for 4 brushes! Wow! And they are packed in a cute package, perfect! Not! I would never buy a brush without ever buy a brush without knowing how if feels. What I like about purchasing at the department store is that you can touch and try the products. Also the same way with Sephora. And even if you bought a product and didn’t work out, they will take it back. Not the case with drugstore or Target brands. For makeup tools I love MAC, they are the professionals. I only do eye makeup, so I own two brushes from MAC. One is an eye liner brush for liquid eye liner. Another one is eye shadow brush. Both are kind of expensive, $20, but great quality. I think being a painter taught me how to pick out a good brush. The hairs should not be rough, they should feel smooth, so makeup can be applied to the skin smoothly. A cheap rough brush, as you can imagine, shows the bad result on your skin. Rub the brush on your skin to test it out. For eye liner brush, they bristles should be firm. Bend it and it should bounce right back like elastic. Look at the craftsmanship, if the head is lose then the quality is obviously bad. A lot of times drugstore makeups are as good or better than the expensive brands in department store. But when it comes to brushes, you do get what you paid for.

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Prep for winter

jennicachen — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:41:53 +0000

LA is a very dry place, especially during the winter. My skin tend to flake and itch during the winter. Event worse it makes my skin wrinkly like and old woman. I always diligently put on lots of lotion, but the results are not long lasting. After some researching, I found the relief for dry skin.

Look for moisturizers with ingredients like cocoa, shea, avocado butters. Also look for Linseed (flaxseed) extract or oil, which has superior moisturizing and soothing properties. Find it in products by L’Occitane. Cranberry seed oil is highly moisturizing and has antioxidants. Find if in products like Intelligent Nutrients. Finally, Argan oil is a rare oil obtained from the nuts of the Moroccan argan tree. Its extra nourishing, especially for maturing skin. It’s very expensive to obtain. Find it in Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative line.

Another recommendation is using a humidifiers. There are three types; cool mist, warm mist and ultrasonic. Cool mist machines use a fan to evaporate water into air, which also chills the room. Not so preferred for winter. Warm mist uses heating element to make stream, and warms the room’s air. Ultrasonic uses high speed vibrating plate to turn water into a fine mist.These are a lot more expensive but very quiet.

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