Three Top repair hair mask

Have your strands been feeling like straw lately? Long hot showers, indoor heating, and less humidity can leave your hair parched and in desperate need of moisture treatments. Using a thick deep-conditioning masks twice a week is essential for repairing the dried-out damage. But for a mask to work, you should leave it on for up to 10 minutes while wearing a shower cap or sitting under a dryer. The cover or added heat opens up the cuticle and allows the conditioner to penetrate deep into the hair shaft. Whether your locks are prone to breakage or you need extra TLC for chemically treated tresses, these top picks will keep any type of hair healthier and more hydrated.

1 Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask

This super-moisturizing treatment contains naturally nourishing ingredients such as monoi oil, coconut oil, and bamboo water. If you have crazy curls, this creamy mask’s pro-vitamin B5 will work wonders at detangling snarled strands. But the best part? The conditioner's delicious tropical scent!

2 Andre Walker Keratin Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Not only has this product been listed as one of Oprah's favorite things (Andre Walker is Ms. Winfrey's lifelong hairstylist), but it also can soften and smooth any hair type. The ultrathick mask contains a fantastic blend of nature's most hydrating ingredients: keratin, aloe, argan oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. Plus, the sealed packet is perfect for taking along as you travel this holiday season.

3 Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Restorative Treatment Masque

This luxe treatment is loaded with argan oil and has the scent of a Hirosaki flower. The mask improves texture by hydrating deep down at the actual hair fiber, resulting in silky, shiny locks.

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Five Memory-Boosting Foods

Are you sick of forgetting birthdays, meetings, special events, and names? Being a space cadet doesn't just happen from lack of sleep or stress, it can also be a result of foods that are missing from your diet. We spoke with Nicholas Perricone, M.D., founder of Perricone MD and Super by Dr. Perricone to find out which foods can help improve your memory.

1. Anchovies

 Anchovies are more than Caeser salad toppings. They help you to think more clearly, improve your memory, and assist with problem-solving skills. They can also help your appearance! “DMAE—dimethylaminoethanol—is a nutritional substance found in anchovies that helps to maintain muscle tone in the face and body as we age, and prevents both sagging and drooping of the muscles under the skin,” says Dr. Perricone. What a superfood!

2. Blueberries

 We’re always telling you about the benefits of blueberries (they improve memory, keep your skin youthful, and are one of the best sources of antioxidants), but did you know that they can prevent your brain from aging too? “Blueberries contain important phytochemicals that have been found to prevent the loss of dopamine cells, which normally occurs with aging,” says Dr. Perricone. “This means that they increase brain energy production and maintain youthful brain function.”

3. Cinnamon

 As well as smelling delicious (try some sprinkled on hot cocoa!), cinnamon fights infections, prevents wrinkle formation, and blocks age-accelerating diseases, some of which can cause memory loss. But that’s not all. “Cinnamon’s strong and fragrant aroma boosts cognitive processing in the brain, improving memory and attention span,” says Dr. Perricone.

 4. Salmon

Salmon is a great source of healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, which new studies show is essential for learning and a healthy memory. “Wild salmon and other cold-water fish—sardines, herring, trout, anchovies—contain omega-3, which is critical to the brain and nervous system,” says Dr. Perricone. “They also improve your mood, increase sense of well-being, fight depression, give you glowing radiant skin, and improve memory and brainpower.”

 5. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

 We’ve already told you about the importance of oils for your skin and body, but they’re also important for a healthy brain. “Fats function as carriers for fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, E, and K and are also crucial to brain health,” says Dr. Perricone. “Choose organic extra virgin first pressing olive oil and enjoy its anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar-stabilizing, brain-boosting benefits.”

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Beauty Detox tips

Do you look down at your food sometimes and feel uninspired? Eating bland, dull-looking food not only looks and tastes boring, but it's also not that good for you. Colorful fruits and vegetables (and dishes that contain lots of them) look delicious and are actually better for you. Eating jewel-toned food means you're putting a wide range of nutrients and antioxidants into your body—so you get brighter, more vibrant skin. Peppers are great examples of bright vegetables, and this week celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder uses them in her recipe for rainbow stuffed peppers. “This recipe makes for one colorful dish that will help your skin look more radiant and beautiful," says Kim. “The various vegetables—peppers, broccoli, kale, and carrots—are packed with minerals and loads of other phytonutrients. The beauty grain quinoa, full of amino acids to build muscle and repair tissue, is also a great addition to the dish. This is good for dinner or lunch, eaten along with a salad."

Rainbow Stuffed Peppers

 1.

¾ cup dry quinoa

 2.

6 red, yellow, orange, or green peppers

 3.

1½ cups water

 4.

6 garlic cloves

 5.

2 to 3 Tbsp raw coconut oil

 6.

1 medium white onion, chopped

 7.

2 cups broccoli florets

 8.

4 cups finely chopped kale

 9.

2 medium carrots, diced

 10.

1 cup minced basil, plus extra for garnish

 11.

2 tsp Celtic or Himalayan sea salt

 Directions:

 Soak the quinoa in water overnight, and rinse well before using. Make an incision at the rounded top of each pepper, about 1 to 1½ inches from the stem. Cut all around the stem in an even circle. Pull out the stem and the seeds. Discard the stem and seeds, and save the rest of the pepper top to chop and add to the filling. If necessary, clean out any remaining seeds from inside the pepper and discard.

 Place water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add the quinoa, and simmer until the water is absorbed and the grains become translucent and soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the water from the quinoa, then set quinoa aside in a bowl.

 Sauté the garlic in the coconut oil until gently cooked, then add the onions, and stir until they become translucent. Add the broccoli, kale, carrot, chopped pepper tops, and basil, and cook gently for a few minutes. Add the sea salt until well combined, then add the cooked quinoa and mix everything together. Adjust the seasonings to your taste. The mixture should taste slightly saltier than you normally prefer, as it will be less concentrated when you stuff the plain bell peppers. Once you are satisfied with your filling, spoon it into each pepper, right to the top.

 Place the peppers tightly together in a glass baking dish so they remain upright. Bake at 350ºF  for 45 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil just before serving.

 www.beautylish.com

DIY skin tips

With the cold, wet weather forcing you indoors, winter is the perfect time to test a new DIY recipe. And we've got a slew of fantastic options! Beautylish chatted with Beverly Hills dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., for all-natural skin care recipes from her new book Heal Your Skin: The Breakthrough Plan for Renewal. Check out a few our favorites below.

Oatmeal Foot and Hand Soak

 1.

3 cups milk

2.

2 cups water

 3.

4 cups oats

 4.

2 tbsp honey

Place milk, water, and oats in a saucepan on the stove. Cook until the oats soften. Slowly add cooked oats and warm water simultaneously to your foot-soaking container. Add honey and stir. Soak your feet (or hands) for 15 to 20 minutes.

This recipe cleanses, exfloiates, and soothes. “Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant and an anti-inflammatory agent. It relieves dryness, restores natural moisture, and aids in healing minor irritations,” says Dr. Shamban. “Honey is a natural antioxidant with antimicrobial properties. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants—such as vitamins C and B.” Repeat the soak twice a week.

 Potato Compress

 1.potato (organic, if possible)

 Cool potato in the refrigerator for an hour or two. Cut two ½-inch-thick slices. Place a slice on each eye for 10 minutes. Rinse off eye area with cool water.

 Move over, cucumbers! “Potato slices reduce puffy, irritated eyes and also help with dark circles,” says Dr. Shamban. How? “Raw potato has drying and disinfectant properties. Potato starch acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to ease irritated eyes, while the citric acid and phosphoric acid in potatoes also helps reduce puffiness.”

 Coconut and Rosemary Cream

 1.

½ cup base lotion

 2.

1 Tbsp coconut oil

 3.

1 tsp  avocado oil

4.

10 drops rosehip oil

 “The treatment is ideal for people who have dry to severely dry skin, because the oils in this cream act as moisturizing emollients,” says Dr. Shamban. “Coconut oil contains the beneficial ingredients lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid which enable it to work as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and soothing agent. The recipe also works well to fight free radicals, because it is unrefined and hasn't been stripped of any of its important nutrients.” Use once daily.

 Yogurt Cleanser

 1.

2 Tbsp yogurt

 2.

1 tsp baking soda

 3.

1 Tbsp applesauce

 Mix all ingredients by hand or in a blender. Using your fingers, gently massage a small amount onto your dampened face. Rinse off with warm water.

 The cleanser is ideal for oily and/or acne-prone skin. “Plain yogurt contains zinc as well as lactic acid—a natural skin smoother,” says Dr. Shamban. “Yogurt also adds enzymes and oils to the skin, working as a natural moisturizer. It can also reduce pore size and help improve overall skin texture. The baking soda (a.k.a sodium bicarbonate) acts as a physical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells without causing excessive irritation." Use once daily.

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Confessions of a Cuticle Biter

Beauties, are you guilty of nibbling your nails or cuticles? You are not alone! Beautylish's Cinya used to be a lifelong fingertip biter. She shares her shameful story, plus the quick and easy tricks that helped her stop.

"For years when I was nervous, stressed, or bored I would subconsciously pick, peel, nibble, and play with my fingertips," says Cinya. "Not just my nails, either, the surrounding skin too. I would nibble to the point that the edges of my nails would bleed! It was really gross. Not to mention, the habit made my fingers look completely ragged. Not the best first impression when you are meeting people, especially as a beauty editor!" This compulsion was not only damaging to the appearance of her hands but also extremely unhealthy. Human hands touch and pick up more bacteria than any other body part (think of how many surfaces your hands touch a day—and a lot of them public!). Because of this fact, the fingertips—specifically under the nail and in the surrounding grooves—are a prime spot for germs to stick. When you nibble on your nails or cuticles, you transfer bacteria to your mouth and vice versa. This can cause you to become sick, and the exposed skin can easily become infected. So how can you stop? Check out three easy solutions that worked for Cinya.

1. Apply cuticle oil.

"I figured out the reason my skin would peel so much around my nails was because the area was extremely dry. So every morning and night I started applying Julip Essential Cuticle Oil as part of my beauty routine," says Cinya. "After about a week my fingers had fewer hangnails and less rough spots to pick at."

2. Keep up your manicure.

"After getting a mani, I wouldn't want to mess up the fresh paint job, so I would stop myself before I nibbled,” says Cinya. “Now I constantly keep polish on my nails for this reason. It helps keep me from chewing away at my nails and cuticle area.”

3. Get a helping hand.

"The sour-tasting serums never worked for me, so I got all of my friends, family, and even co-workers in on my plan to quit," says Cinya. "Whenever I would begin to nibble, a friend would say 'Stop biting!'" Although it can be a bit annoying—prepare yourself for constant nagging—it really works!"

www.beautylish.com

Five ways to distress...

With so many holiday parties, work events, and chores like Christmas shopping looming on the horizon, not to mention the stress of everyday life, we Beauties sometimes need a little time to unwind and relax. Here are five ways to take some time out.

1. Take a bubble bath.        

Turn down the lights, pour in some bath salts or bubble bath, and turn off your phone for 45 minutes. This is your time to enjoy a long hot soak and forget about the day’s troubles.

2. Indulge in a massage.

Never had a massage? Shop around for the best deal, then book an hour-long massage. Getting pampered always makes a girl feel better, and your muscles will thank you for it.

3. Burn some candles.

Lighting a scented candle—even in the daytime—is a great way to relax. Choose a scent such as lavender to calm and soothe you, and light the candle an hour or two before you go to sleep. It will help you have a longer, deeper snooze.

4. Give yourself a foot scrub.

During fall and winter your feet are often in tights or socks and can become dry. Give yourself an exfoliating foot scrub, then rest your feet in a bowl of warm water and rose petals.

5. Snuggle up with a hot chocolate.

Sometimes just taking an hour to enjoy a yummy hot chocolate (with marshmallows!) and read your favorite magazine while the leaves fall outside is absolute bliss.

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Urinary Tract Infection

What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

A urinary tract infection is the inflammation of the urinary bladder or urethra. In most cases, it is caused by a bacterial infection. Urinary tract infections are very common.

A urinary tract infection is also called a bladder infection, cystitis or a UTI.

Urinary tract infections usually occur in females because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus, however, it can occur in males. Males that develop urinary tract infections are often uncircumcised boys.

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may vary. Young children with urinary tract infections may only have a fever, or may have no symptoms.

 •Pressure in the lower pelvis

•Painful Urination

•Painful Sexual intercourse

•Frequent need to urinate

•Fever

•Chills

•Vomiting

• Urgent need to urinate

•Cloudy Urine

•Blood in the urine

•Foul or strong urine odor

What Causes a Urinary Tract Infection?

A urinary tract infection is usually caused when bacteria enter the urethra and bladder and cause inflammation and infection.

In normal conditions, the urethra and bladder have no bacteria. When bacteria enters the bladder, it is usually removed during urination.

Some of the most common causes of urinary tract infections are:

1.Instruments inserted into the urinary tract (such as during catheterization or cystoscopy).

 2.Pregnancy

 3.Diabetes

4.A history of analgesic nephropathy or reflux nephropathy.

Risks of Developing a Urinary Tract Infection

Some activities and conditions can increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infections. The most common risks are:

•sexual intercourse

 •benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

•bowel incontinence

•prostatitis

•urethral strictures

•lack of adequate fluids

Can a Urinary tract infection be Treated?

Urinary tract infections can be treated. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to control the infection.

www.mamashealth.com