November 6, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 17 Simple ways to enhance personal beauty Many women are on an eternal quest to enhance their beauty, spending thousands of dollars each year on cos- metics or hair care products to emulate the pictures they see in leading magazines. Studies going back to 1995 have determined that it can take only a few minutes of looking at a beauty magazine to cause most women to feel depressed, guilty, and shame- ful. In the 1980s, models weighed about eight percent less than the average woman. Today’s models weigh 25 per- cent less on average, establishing a standard that many women cannot meet without sacrificing their health. How- ever, models and celebrities have entire teams devoted to making them look attractive, sometimes spending hours receiving cosmetic applications from stylists and makeup artists. Women struggling to live up to unrealistic standards can look beyond many makeup and cosmetic fixes to bring out their beauty. There are many different strategies that have stood the test of time. Confidence: A woman who exudes confidence and security about how she looks may come off as more attrac- tive. By comparison, women who hide behind layers of clothing or makeup may seem like they are trying to dis- guise their true selves. Those who walk with their heads held high can certainly have all eyes pointing in their direction for the right reasons. Good posture: Standing up straight can improve health and appearance. Stooping posture has long been associ- ated with old age and symptoms of frailty and lack of energy. Simply standing tall can elongate the body, make it appear slender, and help portray a younger appearance. Healthy hair: Hair is one of the most visible aspects of appearance. Many people suffer with hair issues that can be remedied with different techniques. Dry unman- ageable hair may be the result of inadequate scalp stimu- lation. In such instance, the oils of the scalp need to be spread to the hair shaft to improve hair’s appearance and health. Women often do not spend enough time brushing or massaging the scalp to induce oil distribution. While 100 strokes with a brush may not be necessary, a thorough brushing each day can help. Skin care: Women often turn to cosmetic products as fast fixes to beauty woes. While many manufactur- ers present their products as the miracle fix women were looking for, most beauty items do not offer the fresh-from- the-plastic-surgeon’s-office effect. In reality, expensive products may not work any better than inexpensive ones. For decades, people have relied on petroleum jelly as a versatile skincare product. It has been used to accelerate healing in the skin, as a moisturizer, as protection from the weather, and even as a lip balm. Diet: While you won’t turn into a giant cupcake if you have a penchant for sweets, the notion of “you are what you eat” does have its merits. An individual’s appearance is not only influenced by genetics but also by the foods and beverages an individual consumes. Eating the right foods can have a positive effect on health and appearance. The vitamins and minerals contained in certain foods can improve the appearance of the skin, hair, and nails. In addition, it is well documented that drinking ample amounts of water can also play a big role in keeping the body looking its best. Lifestyle: Smoking affects internal organs, increases cancer risk, and affects appearance. Smoking can discolor the skin and the hands. Smokers who routinely purse their lips to take a drag on a cigarette may notice a faster accu- mulation of fine lines around the mouth. The blood ves- sels in the eyes can be compromised by a lack of oxygen due to smoking, and the chemicals in the smoke can lead to inflammation and irritation of the eyes. Smoking also seems to age the skin more quickly, further enhancing the appearance of wrinkles.