Hair Sticks are the newest fad in hair accessories and one of the oldest as well, going back as far as the ancient east, China, Japan and Egypt.

Hair sticks can be used to secure an updo or bun or your hairstyle can be secured with pins and the hair stick added as adornment only. The second option gives you more freedom to be creative. Hair sticks can be inserted in French braids or twists as an accent. If you use them to anchor your hairstyle, you have a classic look that goes up quickly and comes down just as quickly with the removal of the hair stick.

Hair sticks are available in wood, plastic, bone and metal. They can be styled simply or elaborate with ornate beads and stones. Some may have tassles on the end. An example of this type of hair stick can be found at
this article.

Double prong hair sticks are best for anchoring a chignon or bun, but can also be used decoratively in braids or whatever style you wish to adorn. I found a nice selection of reasonably priced hair sticks at Long Haired Girl dot com.

We all want them. High cheekbones that give your face that sculpted look. We weren’t all born with high cheekbones, but you can fake what mother nature didn’t supply.

The skillful application of blush is the key to making your cheekbones stand out. First you will need a powder blush in a deeper shade and a highlight powder, preferably with a slight shimmer. Choose shades that are complementary.

Apply the deeper color under the cheekbone with a brush in upward strokes stopping at the ridge of the cheekbone. This creates the shadow. Next, apply the highlight powder over the “apple” of your cheeks. If you don’t know how to find the apple of your cheeks, smile widely at the mirror. The most prominent part of your cheeks will form two “apples”. The contrast will create the look of higher and more prominent cheekbones.

Looking for a new mascara or just want to get in on a free offer?

Cover Girl is giving away free samples of its new LashExact Mascara. Cover Girl boasts a no clump brush that delivers clump-free product for beautifully-defined lashes. LashExact comes in shades: Very Black, Black, Brown, Black Brown and Blue Black.

The Lash Exact Tour Bus is going to be visiting 8 cities around the country. Just bring them your old department store mascara and they will replace it with a free sample of LashExact.

If you can’t make it to the tour bus or they aren’t visiting a store in your vicinity, you can mail in your old mascara and they will send you a new one.

Get your free mascara at the Cover Girl website.

There’s nothing that fits a beauty budget better than free make-up!

“My feet hurt!”

Chances are if you say this at the end of a long day as you kick off your shoes to reveal pinched toes and tired soles, you also may have a tendency to develop calluses and corns.

Calluses and corns are areas of thick skin that result from pressure and friction over a bony prominence. On the bottom of the foot these are called calluses and on the top, they are called corns. The most common area for a callus is the ball of the foot, where the pressure on the foot is greatest.

Over the counter callus removers contain acid that burns off the callus but should be used with caution as they can burn healthy skin as well.

If you have a callus, then soak your feet in warm water with bath oil or a moisturizing bubble bath product to soften the area. This will make it easier to file off with a pumice stone. I don’t recommend shaving the callus as this could lead to infection.

There are also creams that “roll” away dead skin to keep calluses from forming, such as “Pretty Feet”. Avon has several creams in their “Foot Works” line that help with dead skin, cracked heels and calluses.

Of course, the best way to deal with corns and calluses is to deal with the root of the problem. Reduce pressure on the foot by wearing low-heeled shoes and avoid pointy-toed shoes that squeeze the toes into an unnatural shape. Use lotion on your feet to keep the skin moisturized and supple. Keep ahead of emerging calluses by using a pumice stone or emery board to file away dead skin.

After a good foot treatment and the application of a good moisturizing lotion, remember to treat the feet with care. Try pampering them with thick padded socks, cushion insoles and low-heeled shoes that are kinder to feet.

If you have a chronic callus problem, you should seek the advice of a medical professional.