IRREGULAR MENSTRUAL CYCLE

We hear a lot about the menstrual "cycle," which can make it sound as though it happens like clockwork. And we say that a woman who gets her period every 4 weeks is "regular," as though there's something abnormal about women who don't. In fact, most women don't get their periods in exactly the same number of days after the last one.

The Menstrual Cycle

Most girls get their first period between the ages of 10 and 16. This is known as menarche (pronounced: meh-nar-kee).

Doctors often talk about a girl's monthly cycle — the number of days from the start of her period to the start of the next one — in terms of a 28-day cycle. But 28 is just an average figure that doctors use. Women's cycle lengths vary — some have a 24-day cycle, some have a 34-day cycle. And a girl may notice that her cycles are different lengths each month — especially for the few years after she first starts getting her period.

The first day a girl's period comes is Day 1 of her cycle. Around Day 5, her pituitary gland tells her ovaries to start preparing one of the eggs they contain for release. One egg will mature completely. At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for a fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes pregnant.

On or about Day 14 of a 28-day cycle, the egg breaks loose (this is called document. The egg makes its way through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg hasn't been fertilized by sperm, it starts to fall apart. About 2 weeks later, the lining and egg leave a girl's body as her period and the whole thing starts all over again — that's why we use the word "cycle."

All this sounds very neat and orderly. But a girl's body may not follow this schedule exactly. It's not unusual, especially in the first 2 years after menarche, to skip periods or to have an irregular menstrual cycle. Illness, rapid weight change, or stress can also make things more unpredictable because the part of the brain that regulates periods is influenced by events like these.


SYMPTOMS


Physical Signs:


1.Irregular Periods (changes in frequency, duration, skipped periods, etc.)
2.Infertility
3.Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
4.Vaginal Dryness
5.Bladder Control Problems
6.Insomnia/Disrupted Sleep
7.Palpitations
8.Weight Gain (especially around your waist and abdomen)
9.Skin Changes (dryness, thinning look)
10.Headaches
11.Breast Tenderness
12.Gastrointestinal Distress and Nausea.
13.Tingling or Itchy Skin.
14."Buzzing" in your head, Electric Shock Sensation
15.Bloating
16.Dizziness/Lightheadedness
17.Sore Joints/Muscles
18.Hair Loss or Thinning
19.Increase in Facial Hair
20.Changes in Body Odor
21.Dry Mouth and Other Oral Symptoms



Emotional Signs:

1.Irritability
2.Mood Swings
3.Lowered Libido
4.Anxiety
5."Brain Fog" -- difficulty concentrating, confusion
6.Memory Lapses
7.Extreme Fatigue/Low Energy Levels
8.Confusion/Lack of Concentration
9.Feeling Emotionally Detached

WHY YOU GET THESE SYMPTOMS....AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THEM

Here is a little more on the most common physical symptoms -- and some suggestions on how you can cope with them:

Irregular periods Your periods may come more frequently, every 24 days instead of every 28, or they may come later than they used to. You may have a light period that lasts only a few days, then the next month have very heavy bleeding. Your period may last a shorter amount of time, or go on and on for what feels like an eternity. You may skip a month, then go back to normal for several months, then skip two periods in a row...

This happens because, in the initial phases of premature menopause, your hormones are erratic -- and your periods are reacting to this instability.

The type of irregularity you experience is a usually a tip-off to what is happening in your body:

Shorter cycles (your period comes more frequently) usually signal that you are producing lower levels of estrogen during your preovulatory stage -- and that your FSH levels are higher than normal. With more FSH to stimulate them, your follicles are developing faster -- which shortens your cycle.

Extremely light periods usually means that you aren't making enough estrogen to build up your uterine lining. It can also be a sign of an anovulatory period.

Extremely heavy bleeding is also often a sign of an anovulatory period, but in this case, estrogen builds up the uterine lining at the same time that you aren't producing enough progesterone (since you haven't ovulated and so created a corpus luteum). Without progesterone to stop it, the uterine lining keeps building up, until the estrogen production finally drops off and the lining is shed.

Skipped/less frequent periods usually happens as your ovaries continue declining and your menstrual cycle starts cycling down. Over time, even extremely high levels of FSH don't produce enough estrogen for eggs to mature and for your uterine lining to thicken. As you get closer to menopause, your menstrual cycle usually lengthens. Periods come less frequently, there's more time between them. Then you may begin skipping periods. And eventually, in the biggest change in your menstrual cycle, you will stop having periods altogether.

Infertility Problems Possibly one of the most upsetting clues that you're in premature menopause is the inability to conceive. You may still be having your period, you may still assume everything is perfectly normal -- but you just can't get pregnant. Or you may be noticing irregular periods and assume there's something else wrong with you and never think it's menopause.

Hot Flashes Most people have heard of hot flashes and know them as the trademark symptom of menopause. About 75 to 85% of American women are estimated to get hot flashes when they're in menopause. And where premature menopause is concerned, hot flashes tend to be even more prevalent. Many studies indicate that if you go through natural menopause before age 52, you have an increased chance of having hot flashes. It's even more common for women who have had their ovaries surgically removed -- about 80 to 90% of these women typically get hot flashes.

Hot flashes usually start with a hot, prickly feeling in the middle of your back. A heat wave then rises to envelop your back, chest, neck, face and scalp. Your skin temperature can rise up to 8 degrees. Often if you touch your skin, it actually feels hot as though you've been out in the sun.Your pulse shoots up and you start sweating as your body tries to cool itself down. Sometimes you get a flush -- your face, neck and chest turn pink or even deep red. And very often, you suddenly shift from feeling incredibly hot and sweaty to feeling very chilled, even shivering. You may also get the nighttime version of hot flashes, night sweats.

How to Cope:The good news about hot flashes is that they can be controlled -- by HRT, and also to varying degrees by herbs, vitamins, natural supplements and other alternative methods, covered in chapters 5 and 6.. But there are other small things you can do to help deal with these so-called "power surges."

1.Try to reduce stress.
2.Watch what you wear -- choose natural fibers, layered and loose-fitting clothing.
3.Exercise.
4.Cut back on caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.
5.Stay cool at night. Have cold water by your bed ready to drink at the first sign of a sweat. Use cotton sheets and cotton nightclothes (I found men's t-shirts to be the best -- cool and absorbent!). As with your clothing, sleep under layers, so you can kick off extra bed covers when you get out and replace them when the chills start.
6.Splash cold water on your face or wrists when a hot flash starts.

Vaginal Dryness and Atrophy When your estrogen levels drop, your vaginal tissues start drying and become less elastic. Sex becomes uncomfortable, you may be more prone to infections, your vagina is frequently itchy and easily irritated, and, on the emotional side, you may feel older.

Vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy occur when your estrogen levels drop. Your vagina is usually very elastic, able to easily stretch for sex and childbirth. But as estrogen levels go down, your vaginal walls get thinner and lose some of their elasticity. Your vagina becomes dryer and takes longer to become lubricated. Finally, it may atrophy -- becoming somewhat smaller in width and length. If you experience a sudden drop in estrogen (as you do with surgical menopause), these vaginal symptoms might appear more suddenly than if you go through a natural premature menopause. Either way, though, it's a very unpleasant side effect of going through menopause -- and often very emotionally upsetting when you're in your 20s or 30s.

You may find it takes longer and longer to get sexually aroused. Sexual stimulation that you used to enjoy may become unpleasant. Intercourse can be very uncomfortable, even painful. In a worse case scenario, your vagina may even tear during intercourse. All in all, sex may become less and less pleasurable -- making you feel even worse about being in premature menopause. I remember I began thinking that, at the not-so-ripe age of 38, my days of enjoying sex were over -- and was very glad when I learned that I was wrong.

How to Cope:

When you raise your estrogen levels through HRT, your vaginal tissues generally improve dramatically. In addition to standard estrogen replacement therapy (by pills or patches) you can also use a vaginally-inserted estrogen cream or an estrogen ring specifically designed to help with vaginal dryness and atrophy. But there are other things you can try as well.

1.Have more sex -- it's one of the simplest -- and probably most fun! -- ways of combating vaginal dryness. Regular sex helps prevent vaginal dryness.
2.Use a lubricant to help with the loss of lubrication -- such as Astroglide, Lubrin, or KY Jelly., or a product that enhances vaginal moisture such as Replens.
3.Avoid anything that can irritate or dry your vagina -- including perfumed bath oil or bubble bath and perfumed toilet papers.
4.Also avoid antihistamines and certain decongestants.
5.Vitamin E -- a capsule directly inserted in your vagina -- often helps with lubrication.

Bladder Control Problems

This sign of menopause is connected with vaginal dryness and atrophy -- and, honestly, it sounds much worse than it is. You're not going to suddenly have to start wearing Depends. You may, however, notice that you have to urinate more frequently or with more urgency, or you may have urinary stress incontinence, little leaks when you exert yourself. Again, this is a function of lower-than-normal estrogen levels. Your bladder and urethra are formed from the same tissues as your vagina when you're a developing embryo. So, just like your vagina loses muscular tone and elasticity when estrogen production lags, your lower urinary tract does as well. The lining of your urethra becomes thinner, and the surrounding muscles become weaker. As a result, when you place stress on your bladder -- through coughing, sneezing, laughing, or strenuous exercising, you many release a tiny bit of urine. And it is usually only a tiny amount, so there's no need to imagine a real disaster.

If you're experiencing severe urinary incontinence, though, do see a doctor. A small degree of bladder control difficulty is common in the early stages of menopause, but a greater degree of difficulty can be indicative of another problem -- one that may require drugs or even surgery. If it's mild, however, chances are it's connected with your depleted estrogen. Even so, though, it's probably wise to check with your doctor to be sure there is no other cause. Frequent urination may be a sign of bladder infection or diabetes, for example. All in all, it's a good idea just to be sure that what you're experiencing is just another sign of menopause and not something else.

How to Cope:

Since bladder control problems are often a result of low estrogen levels, taking estrogen generally helps -- and may completely reverse any symptoms. But there are other things you can do:

1.Try Kegel exercises - exercises specially designed to help strengthen the muscles around the vagina and bladder opening. An added bonus: since Kegels help your vaginal as well as your bladder muscles, they also can improve your sex life.
2.Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, since both make you urinate more frequently.

Insomnia/Disrupted Sleep

If you're waking up a lot at night, tossing and turning, and generally suffering with insomnia, it might be connected with menopause. When you begin going through menopause, you may find that your sleep is less and less restful -- when you sleep at all. In the past, doctors believed that interrupted sleep was a consequence of night sweats, but recent studies indicate that you can also have problems with sleep that aren't connected to hot flashes. Typically, the frequency of insomnia doubles from the amount you may have had before you entered premature menopause. And research also indicates that women begin to experience restless sleep as many as five to seven years before entering menopause. Again, though, the problem is recognizing that the insomnia you're suffering from has its roots in changes in your hormone levels.

How to Cope:

As with many of the other symptoms, HRT and alternative therapies often work well. In addition, disturbed sleep patterns often level off after a few years. But, of course, you probably don't want to wait a few years. You may want to try the usual tips for getting better sleep. Among them:

1.Drink herbal tea -- like chamomile tea -- before going to bed.
2.Other herbs -- such as valerian -- are natural sedatives that may help.
3.Avoid caffeine, alcohol and other stimulants (like cigarettes) before bedtime -- and avoid strenuous exercise close to your bedtime.
4.Keep your bedroom cool.

Palpitations It's a frightening sensation -- one that may happen at the same time as a hot flash or by itself: For no obvious reason, your heart suddenly starts pounding, racing faster and faster. You can be sitting calmly, or lying in bed just before going to sleep and it comes out of nowhere. Sometimes it makes you so nervous, it can blow up in to a full-fledged panic attack. And if you don't know that you're going through premature menopause and that palpitations are often a sign of menopause, you can think there's something seriously wrong with you.

But palpitations are another not-so-fun sign of menopause -- and one that many women experience. Do keep in mind though: They may signal something else though -- such as hyperthyroidism or mitral valve prolapse -- so don't automatically write off palpitations as a sign of premature menopause. Talk to your doctor to rule out any other, possibly more serious, conditions.

If you get a clean bill of health, there's a good chance that the palpitations are connected with your premature menopause. This is one of those symptoms, though, that some doctors don't associate with menopause, so don't be surprised if your doctor tells you that it must be stress (that catch-all condition) causing your heart troubles. If you've had palpitations in the past, they may get worse when you begin going through menopause.

How to Cope:

1.The best thing to do is probably the hardest thing to do: Calm down.
2.In general, try to keep stress at a minimum.
3.Try relaxation techniques when palpitations hit -- such as deep breathing, imagery, etc.
4.If you smoke, consider quitting, since that often makes palpitations worse.
5.Limit the amounts of alcohol and caffeine you consume.

Weight GainWeight gain -- specifically a thickening in your middle -- is another sign of changing hormones. While a number of books and doctors claim that menopause has nothing to do with weight gain -- that weight gain occurs in menopausal women because they're older and their metabolism is slowing down -- other studies indicate that hormone levels are tied to weight gain and redistribution of fat.

This makes sense since, when you're going through premature menopause, you're not middle-aged -- so what you're getting isn't middle-aged spread. It's menopause spread, for lack of a better term. According to some studies, this occurs for two reasons: First, your progesterone levels are decreasing -- and progesterone increases your metabolic rate. So with lower progesterone levels, you have a slower metabolic rate. Second, estrogen is produced and stored in fat cells. So as your estrogen levels drop, your body is trying to increase its estrogen by upping its fat cells. Finally, with a drop in female hormones, your body starts mimicking male fat distribution -- an apple shape rather than a pear. In other words, you put more weight on in your abdomen than in the past. This accounts for the mysteriously shrinking waistline.

Weight gain and redistribution of fat is one of those signs of premature menopause that is very easy to overlook. Since it happens over a period of time, you might not notice your body shape changing. But if you haven't changed your eating or exercise habits and you've been noticing a new fatter you -- chances are it's related to your hormones.

How to Cope Yet again, you'll notice a change if you opt for HRT or other natural alternatives. In addition, changes in diet and exercise can help rev up your body's metabolic rate.

Changes in your Skin: Wrinkling and Loss of Muscle Tone

When your estrogen levels drop, your collagen production usually slows down as well. And, as you know from reading all the ads for moisturizers and facial creams, collagen is responsible for keeping our skin toned, fresh-looking, resilient. So when you start running low on collagen, it shows in your skin. It gets thinner, drier, flakier, less youthful-looking.

This is another of those symptoms of menopause that makes you feel older before your time -- and, in this case, it's clear why. You may look a little older than you used to. Worst, this sign often shows up early in menopause. Like bone loss, which occurs rapidly in the first few years of menopause, collagen loss is most rapid at the beginning of menopause as well. According to studies, premature menopause leads to more rapid bone loss than menopause that occurs at the normal age -- so it's possible that premature menopause also leads to more rapid collagen loss. The bottom line is, well, more lines....and before you expected them.

How to Cope

Since this change in your skin occurs because of low estrogen levels, when you increase your estrogen levels (either through HRT or phytoestrogens like soy or flaxseed), you will see a definite improvement. Other than this though, there isn't a lot you can do. Using moisturizers helps somewhat by temporarily plumping up the top layer of skin, but the effect is short-lived. And regardless of advertising claims about "collagen-enriched" creams, and so forth, remember that to really work on your skin, collagen must come from within, not be applied from without.

Headaches During the early stages of menopause, you may find that you're getting more -- and worse -- headaches. This is often caused by your dropping estrogen levels. Many women with regular menstrual cycles get headaches just before their periods or at ovulation. These headaches, sometimes called "menstrual migraines" occur when estrogen levels plunge during the menstrual cycle. So, when your body begins slowing down its production of estrogen due to premature menopause, you may wind up getting one of these hormonally-induced headaches. This also can happen when your progesterone levels are too high in relation to your estrogen levels -- a common hormone scenario for women at the beginning of menopause. Generally, these headaches diminish once your hormone levels stabilize.

How to Cope

If your headaches are caused by low estrogen, it follows that taking estrogen may take care of them. But, if you suffer from migraines, HRT may actually increase your symptoms.

1.Try standard over-the-counter remedies -- anti-inflammatories like aspirin or ibuprofen.
2.Certain herbs -- such as feverfew -- are also supposed to help according to several women. Recent studies indicate that feverfew is effective for migraines and other headaches, however, as with any herbal or medicinal remedy, it is wise to check with a doctor before using. In the case of feverfew, be sure to look for products that guarantee at least 0.2 percent of "parthenolide" (the active ingredient) on their label.
3.If the headaches are crippling, talk to your doctor about taking a prescription anti-migraine medication. If you are getting very bad migraines, your only course of action may be taking prescription drugs that specifically help with these intense headaches. Discuss this with your doctor to see if you could benefit from such medication.

Other Physical Signs You May Notice The following symptoms are less obvious and less common, but still are often signs of premature menopause:

Breast Tenderness -- similar to the feeling you get just before your period, your breasts may feel swollen and tender to the touch. This can last for days or weeks -- and unlike the normal breast tenderness from PMS, getting your period often doesn't help relieve this discomfort.

Gastrointestinal Distress and Nausea -- gas, indigestion, heartburn and a green feeling that comes and goes -- and often seems to have no relation to what you've eaten.

Tingling or Itchy Skin -- this may feel like the "creepy-crawlies" as if bugs were walking all over you, a burning sensation like an insect sting, or just super-sensitivity.

"Buzzing" in your head -- an electrical feeling that zaps through your head, often occurs with hot flashes. You may also feel this shock sensation under your skin.

Bloatedness -- a puffy bloated feeling that seems to come out of nowhere; usually you'll notice bouts of this -- you'll be fine for a while, then bloated, then okay again. Unlike PMS bloating, this bloating often doesn't diminish after a period.

Dizziness/Lightheadedness -- sometimes comes with hot flashes, sometimes comes for no apparent reason. This may happen due to a higher progesterone level in relation to your estrogen level

Sore Joints/Muscles -- similar to flu symptoms or arthritis, this often is connected to estrogen deficiency.

Hair Loss or Thinning -- connected to estrogen deficiency, since the hair follicles need estrogen; some women notice this before any other sign because it is so obvious -- you'll notice hair in your brush, your hair may also get drier and more brittle or notice a thinning or loss of pubic hair.

Increase in Facial Hair -- the flip side to the above, you may notice hair growth on your chin, upper lip, abdomen or chest. This hair is often coarser or darker, as well, and happens when your estrogen levels decrease -- and your male hormones have a greater effect or in reaction to high levels of LH

Changes in Body Odor.

Dry Mouth and Other Oral Symptoms -- caused by drying of the mucous membranes due to low estrogen; can include bitter taste in your mouth and bad breath. You also may notice drying in your eyes and nostrils.

HOME FACIALS

People should apply the following natural face packs during winter:



Take two teaspoons of wheat flour and add it to milk. Make a hard paste. Rub this face pack on the face. And leave it to dry for a few minutes. After drying wash off with Luke warm water. It is useful for removing dust and dirt from the skin.

Take some mustard seeds and ground them well. And then make a hard paste with water or milk. This is ready to use, apply it on neck and face. And leave it to dry for 10-15 minutes. At last wash off the face with Luke warm water.

Take equal of amount of vinegar and water each. Mix both of them well and apply on face by using cotton ball. One who has dry skin, do massage with cold cream.

Other natural face packs for getting glowing face:

Take fruits such as pear, apples, orange, strawberries and grapes. Blend all fruits very well in a large blender. This is ready to use on the face. Before apply this natural face pack, apply a single coat of honey on neck and face and then use this face pack. Leave it for a few minutes to dry. After drying the pack, rinse off with Luke warm water.

Take small amount of powder of orange peels and blend it into fresh curds. One can apply this face pack on the pigmented or scarred areas and let leave it for half hour. At last wash off the face with cold water.

Neem- face packs

Take some neem leaves and dry them for few days. And then, make of powder with dry neem leaves. Take two teaspoons of this powder and mix it with rose water. Make a dark paste and apply over the face and neck. Leave it for a few minutes to dry. At the end, wash off the face and neck with clean and cold water. Neem is very effective to reduce many skin diseases.
For removing wrinkles, take egg yolk and beat it in the bowl very well. And then mix it in the oat powder ( take oat powder 3 tsps) and honey. Make a paste and apply on the entire face. It gives amazing results.

People who have normal skin, should apply natural face packs. Such as- takes two full teaspoons of rosewater, one teaspoon honey and egg yolk. Mix all ingredients well and make a paste. Apply this paste on the face and neck and let leave it for a few minutes. At last, wash off the face and neck with Luke warm water.



Before you start up doing facials, the first and foremost thing to do is to identify your skin type. The five major types of the skin are Oily skin, Dry skin, Normal skin, Combinational skin and Sensitive skin. After analyzing your skin type, follow the facial treatment, as under, according to your skin type needs.

When you get the facial done for the first time, go to a qualified beautician, who can assess your skin type and recommend an appropriate facial.Some of the basic and effective facials to stay beautiful…!


Fruit facials:Fruit mash like papaya or other fleshy fruit and vegetable juices are used for this kind of facial. The advantages of a fruit facial are attained on regular use at initial stage. It's advisable to take a patch test with the fruit or fruit juices to check if your skin is allergic to that particular fruit /vegetable juice. Or else you will end up with skin complaints.


Aroma facials:Facial massage can be done with aromatic oils used for massage purposes. Different oils carry different benefits for your skin. Therefore, the kind of oils used depends on individual needs. For example, eucalyptus oil improves skin elasticity. Likewise every oil is having it's own healing effect for you skin.


Gold facial:This is a clinical treatment and uses special methods of massage. The treatment encourages lymphatic drainage and removal of wastes and toxins. The main ingredients are gold cream and gold gel. These contain 24 carat gold, aloevera, wheat germ oil and sandalwood. The gold facial helps to improve blood circulation, skin elasticity, rejuvenates the skin and helps in delaying the formation of lines and wrinkles.


Pearl facial: The precious pearl and whitening dehydrated moisturizing cream is used along with sea oil and a sea scrub. Research has revealed that pearls contain a combination of natural substances that help to improve rejuvenation of the skin cells. This treatment is ideal for pigmented skins, provides hydration to the skin and makes the skin firm, soft, smooth and young.

What is Dandruff ?

What is Dandruff?

1. White flakes of dead skin
   
2. Dandruff mostly affects scalp
   
3. Not a health hazard but a nuisance
   

Symptoms

Itchy, scaly scalp

Causes

1.A fungus, Malassezia

2.It feeds on scalp's natural oils

3.Produces acid which causes itch

4.Other factors-

a. Climate
b. Stress
c. Hormone production
d. Oily skin
e. Food habits

Treatment

1.Use anti-dandruff, conditioner-based shampoo

2.Rinse scalp for 5 minutes with shampoo

3.If resistant, apply 1 % hydrocortisone cream

4.If severe, consult a dermatologist /trichologist

Prevention

1. Cannot be prevented but managed
   
2. Use good quality shampoo
   
3. Wash hair frequently
   
4. Avoid using gels/ waxes
   
5. Eat a healthy diet
   

--
http://timesharing4you.blogspot.com/search/label/Health

EYEBROWS

The eyebrow is an area of coarse skin hairs above the eye that follows the shape of the brow ridges.

Functions:

The main function of the eyebrow is to prevent moisture, mostly salty sweat and rain, from flowing into the eye, an organ critical to sight. The typical curved shape of the eyebrow (with a slant on the side) and the direction in which eyebrow hairs are pointed, make sure that moisture has a tendency to flow sideways around the eyes, along the side of the head and along the nose. The slightly protruding brow ridges of modern humans could also still play a supporting role in this process.


Together with the eyebrows, the brow ridges also shade the eyes from sunlight.
Eyebrows also prevent debris such as dandruff and other small objects from falling into the eyes, as well as providing a more sensitive sense for detecting objects being near the eye, like small insects.

Eyebrows also have an important facilitative function in communication, strengthening expressions like surprise or anger.

Here's some tips on how to tweeze your own eyebrows.


1.The biggest mistake people make is to tweeze too much. Avoid overplucking as it can take months for brows to grow back. Here's a simple trick to remember: The space between your brows should be equal to, or a little wider than, your eyes. To find where your brow should go, take a long eyeshadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of your nose. Where the brush meets your brow is where your brow should begin.


2.To find the end of your brow, extend the brush diagonally from your nostril, following the outside edge of your eye toward the brow. Where the inside edge of the brush hits is where your brow should end.


3.The best brows have a slight arch. To find yours, hold the brush parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of your eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of your brow should be.


4.Cleanse your skin. Exfoliating with a gentle scrub (I like Biore) helps prep the area as well. Worried about pain? Expert aesthicians suggest applying to the brow Anbesol, Orajel or any teething gel for babies. Brush brows up and out.


5.Make sure to pluck hairs in the direction they grow. Don't grab too many hairs at a time. You can hold skin taut as you pluck.

6.It's a myth that brows should never be tweezed from above. You want both the bottoms and tops to be smooth. So be careful, but tweeze the top AND the bottom.


7.Stop every few hairs to step back and look at the job you're doing. If you overpluck, you're stuck. Unlike most hairs on your body, your brows won't always grow back once they're yanked.

8.Once you're done plucking, you can apply aloe vera gel, which will calm the redness right away.


Tips:

1.To ensure your tweezers maintain their firm grip, regularly wipe the tips with alcohol to remove any oily build up. Also, keep in mind that Tweezerman will sharpen your tweezers for free when they dull. (I always lose mine before they become dull).

2.If your brows are sparse or spotty, you can fill them in by pressing a brown shadow into your brow. Chanel's Perfect Brow Compact is the ultimate brow shadow. It's expensive, but worth the price. Plucked too much? Ji Baek, owner of Rescue Beauty Lounge in Manhattan suggests in Elle Magazine that you stimulate hair growth by massaging brows with a toothbrush.

3.If you use a pencil to fill in sparse brows, apply with short, feathered strokes from the inside of the brow out. Then carefully rub brows with a brush or your fingertips to soften the effect.


4.Brow gel helps keep your brows in place all day. Or if you don't have gel, apply a dab of hairspray to your finger and use it to keep unruly hairs in place.


5.I've saved the best tip for last. The ideal time for brow-shaping is the week after your period begins.


What You Need:


1.A great pair of tweezers. My recommended choice: Tweezerman
2.A mirror, preferably magnifying
3.Anbesol or children's teething gel if you're afraid of pain

CARING OF YOUR NAILS

Your nails are an important part of your hands and they too need to be taken care of well. Well-kept hands with neat, clean, painted nails are a pleasure to behold. Dirty and unkept nails will make your hands look ugly. Your nails need to be strong and healthy for your hands to look beautiful. Here are a few tips on nail care.

1.To harden soft nails soak them in warm olive oil for about 20 minutes on alternate days.
2.For strong nails soak them in a mixture of horsetail.
3.To remove stains from your nails, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of water and soak

your nails in this liquid for a few minutes.
4.It is not a good idea to remove the cuticles from your nail, as it will make the nail susceptible to

infection.
5.If you use nail polish then do not use acetone polish removers.
6.When you wear nail polish, give your nails a break from time to time. Leave them without

polish for a few days.
7.For natural nail polish rub petroleum jelly on your nails then buff with a soft cloth.

If you have brittle nails or split or dull nails then here are a few vitamins that will help you:

1.Organic Silica: this will increase the growth of nails and prevent them from becoming brittle.
2.Essential Fatty Acids: Found in most oils are good for healthy and strong nails.
3.Vitamin B especially B5: Important for healthy skin and nails.
4.MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane): important for healthy nails.

Ensure that you follow a hand care regime, even it means only applying moisturizer on your hands. Even if you do this regularly it will go a long way in making your hands look better.

Caring for Your New Nails at Home

In caring for your new nails, you may need to modify some bad habits. Your new nails are strong, but not unbreakable. You will need to treat them properly to keep them looking great for a long time.
· Be very deliberate when using your hands. Start using the ball of your finger and your knuckles instead of your nails.
· Always use the proper tool! Your nails were NOT created to be used as a screwdriver, can opener, and the ultimate-unwedger-of-all-things!
· Do not put your nails in harsh chemicals such as cleaning products. Wear gloves when gardening, washing dishes, and any heavy duty cleaning.
· Do not leave your hands in water for long periods of time. Water eventually breaks down just about everything including nail adhesive.
· Apply hand cream whenever you wash your hands. This will help to keep your skin looking healthy and promote flexibility in your nails.

EYES

TIPS TO GET BEAUTIFUL EYES

Sitting in front of the computer, reading books, watching television or simply just walking on the street all make your eyes overworked and look tired. Although you lead a very busy life, you should spare 15-20 minutes every day to take care of your eyes and help them relax. There are several ways to do this which just take so little of your time but give you wonderful results.
Cucumbers, potatoes and salt are usually available and ready to use in your kitchen, so why don't you use those to enhance your eyes' beauty? You can crush cucumbers and potatoes together, then dip a piece of cotton into that mixture and put the cotton piece on your eyelids for about 15 minutes. After that gently wash your eyelids with water and your eyes will become fresh again.

Another tip to maintain pure-looking eyes is using salt. Put a little salt into a water tub and wash your eyes everyday with that liquid. This method will help your eyes look bright and pure.
If your eyes get swollen, a fast way to help reduce the redness is to put a clean spoon into the fridge and then gently press that spoon onto the redness for some minutes. This is a simple but very effective and fast way. However, if you have more time, you can put some crushed potato into the fridge and then put that potato onto the redness.

Dark rings around your eyes can be another problem. If you have some coconut oil, use it to rub around your eyes for about 5 minutes a day. It will help reduce the dark rings gradually. In addition, there is another simpler way to deal with those dark rings. You can dip a piece of cotton into some cold milk and lay that cotton piece over the dark rings. Dark rings cannot disappear overnight, it takes some time to get rid of this problem so please, be patient and you will get your expected results!

HAIR GROWTH

Intro:

Baldness or hair loss is typically something only adults need to worry about. But in a few cases, teens lose their hair, too — and it may be a sign that something's going on. Hair loss during adolescence can mean a person's sick or maybe just not eating right. Some medications or medical treatments, like chemotherapy treatment for cancer, also cause people to lose their hair. And people can even lose their hair if they wear a hairstyle that pulls on their hair for a long time, such as braids.

Losing hair can be stressful during a time when appearance really matters, but the good news is that hair loss that happens during the teen years is often temporary. Once the problem that causes it is corrected, the hair usually grows back.

Hair Basics:

Our hair is made of a type of protein called keratin. A single hair consists of a hair shaft (the part that shows), a root below the skin, and a follicle, from which the hair root grows. At the lower end of the follicle is the hair bulb, where the hair's color pigment, or melanin, is produced.

Most people lose about 50 to 100 head hairs a day. These hairs are replaced — they grow back in the same follicle on your head. This amount of hair loss is totally normal and no cause for worry. If you're losing more than that, though, something may be wrong. The medical term for hair loss — losing enough hair that a person has visibly thin or balding patches — is alopeciaalopecia.

If you have unusual hair loss and don't know what's causing it, it's a good idea to see your doctor. A doctor can determine why the hair is falling out and suggest a treatment that will correct the underlying problem, if necessary.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Here are some of the things that can cause hair loss in teens:

Illnesses or medical conditions. Endocrine (hormonal) conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or thyroid disease, can interfere with hair production and cause hair loss. People with kidney and liver diseases and lupus can also lose hair. The hormone imbalance that occurs in polycystic ovary syndrome can cause hair loss in teen girls as well as adult women.

Medications: Some medications that have hair loss as a side effect may be prescribed for teens. These include acne medicines like isotretinoin, and lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder. Diet pills that contain amphetamines can also cause hair loss. Chemotherapy drugs for cancer are probably the most well-known medications that cause hair loss, but some cancers including leukemia and lymphoma can cause hair loss even before treatment begins.

Hair treatments and styling: Having your hair chemically treated, such as getting your hair colored, bleached, straightened, or permed, can cause damage that may make the hair break off or fall out temporarily. Another type of baldness that results from hair styling can actually be permanent: If a person wears his or her hair pulled so tightly that it places tension on the scalp, it can result in a condition called traction alopecia. Traction alopecia can be permanent if the style is worn for a long enough time that it damages the hair follicles.

Poor nutrition: Poor eating can contribute to hair loss. This is why some people with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia lose their hair: The body isn't getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to sustain hair growth. Some teens who are vegetarians also lose their hair if they don't get enough protein from non-meat sources. And some athletes are at higher risk for hair loss because they may be more likely to develop iron-deficiency anemia.

Disruption of the hair growth cycle: Some major events can alter the hair's growth cycle temporarily. For example, delivering a baby, having surgery, or getting anesthesia can temporarily stop the hair growth cycle. (Because the hair we see on our heads has actually taken months to grow, a person may not notice any disruptions of the hair growth cycle until months after the event that caused it.) This type of hair loss corrects itself.

Male-pattern baldness: Among adults, particularly men, the most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic (pronounced: an-druh-juh-neh-tik) alopecia, also called male-pattern baldness. This condition is caused by a combination of factors, including hormones called androgens and genetics. In some males, the hair loss can start as early as the mid-teen years. It can also occur in guys who take steroids like testosterone to build their bodies.

Catastrophic Hair Loss: Hair loss can be the first outward sign that a person is sick, so it may feel scary. Teens who have cancer and lose their hair because of chemotherapy treatments go through a difficult time, especially girls.

It can help to feel like you have some control over your appearance when you're losing your hair. Try some of the many options for disguising hair loss — such as wearing wigs, hair wraps, hats, and baseball caps. For most teens who lose their hair, the hair does return — including after chemotherapy. And hair loss during chemotherapy is usually a sign that the treatment is working to destroy the cancer cells because you can see how it's working on the good cells (your hair!).

Taking Care of Your Hair

Long Hair needs much more attention and care than short hair or normal length hair. Taking care of curly hair as well as long hair is of equal importance. Just keeping long hair clean by regular washing and drying it properly can itself be a tedious job. The main problem with Long Hair is its breakage and split ends. Here are a few Long Hair Care Tips that will help you manage your long hair and keep it healthy and beautiful.

Do not sleep with tightly plaited hair or hair in a tight ponytail. The excessive stress can cause hair breakage and/or hair loss.

1.Make sure not to make it too tight whenever you are tying your hair in a plait or pony tail, or it could cause breakage and/or hair loss.

2.If your hair is braided or you have a ponytail, use a specially treated hair band or scrunchie. Scrunchie is more like a grip that holds your hair together without the tightness of an usual rubber band. This prevents breakage of your hair.

3.Even though you intend on growing your hair length further you should trim your hair once every 3 months. If this is not done split ends will appear which will cause your hair to break off and hence your hair will begin to lose its health and beauty.

4.Use of a brush to detangle your hair can cause it to break off easily. Use your fingers instead. Alternatively you can also use a wide-toothed comb to detabgle your hair. This too will prevent your hair from breaking off. While detangling, divide your hair into two different sections. First center part your hair, from your forehead, to the nape of your neck, then bring the hair forward and brush each section at a time thoroughly in a downward direction to ensure that there are no tangles. Remember to be gentle to your hair while detangling. If you pull down on your hair too hard it is likely to cause breakage.

5.Washing long hair should also be done carefully to avoid any hair breakage and hair loss. Detangle your dry hair before washing it. This can be done with the help of fingers or wide toothed comb in the manner discussed previously. Doing so will make it easier to dry and style as well as decrease the knots and tangles after washing your hair. Whether under a tap or a shower, let the water drip easily through your hair, and in the meantime you can smooth each section of your hair using your hands. While shampooing, do not be vigorous with your hair or turn it topsy turvy. Instead, apply shampoo on your scalp and work a top down approach to prevent post shampoo tangles and breakage.

6.Do not rub your hair with a towel to dry it. Instead simply blot the water out of your hair with a towel. This you can do by tying your hair with a towel for few minutes after wash, and the towel will soak the excess water from your hair. Later you can simply remove it avoiding any rubbing with the towel.

7.If you keep tossing and turning a lot during sleep, a cotton pillowcase can tend to break off your hair. Use a satin or silk pillowcase so that your hair easily slides off the pillowcase without getting caught. Alternatively you can loosely tie your hair in a ponytail with a specially treated rubber band or scrunchie, while sleeping.

8.While stepping out in the sun in summer (link to SUMMER HAIR CARE TIPS) or in the chill wind of winter (link to WINTER HAIR CARE TIPS), remember to tie a scarf on your hair to prevent it from environmental damages.

9.Brushing your hair helps spread the oils out across the length of your hair. Use long strokes starting from the roots of your hair to the bottom in a downward direction, when brushing. Stroke your hand over your hair after you are done with brushing your hair, to avoid of static. Long hair is more versatile than short hair as they offer a variety of looks. By paying proper attention to your nutrition and the above-mentioned tips, you can make your long hair shine with all its health. Once your learn to keep your long hair manageable and healthy, you will surely love and enjoy it.

Natural Face Lift

Aging - turn back the clock - is a fact of life. It is an inevitable process that we cannot really escape from as the years take their toll on our bodies. But despite this inescapable fact, there are a lot of women who spend a great deal of time, effort and money to keep themselves looking young regardless of their real, chronological age. It is largely due to our youth-oriented culture, where beauty always translates to youth.

Trying to look young is not really bad at all. After all, who does not want to look young for as long as she can? It is just that most of the methods available right now to keep those wrinkles and sags at bay are too expensive and too effort-intensive. Anti-aging creams and lotions are good for keeping the skin looking young, healthy and wrinkle-free, but what about the sags? It seems that the only way to get rid of those sags is to go under the knife and have a face lift.

A surgical face lift is expensive and scary. A lot of times, it also looks unnatural. There are not a few cases where one glance at a woman's face immediately tells the beholder that the woman has had a face lift. What is the use of undergoing that procedure if it looks so crassly obvious?

Thankfully, there are ways of having a face lift that looks natural and is inexpensive. Most of all, we do not have to have a surgical procedure done on our face to have that youthful-looking visage - get glowing. It only involves a few minutes of our time on a day-to-day basis, and it could be done while we are driving and waiting for the red light to turn green, while watching TV, or while putting on our face creams in the morning or at night. It is called facial fitness.

Facial fitness is an exercise regimen that involves working out the muscles of the face to prevent them from sagging. It works on the same principle that if we exercise the muscles of our body, then the muscles will become toned and the skin will visibly improve.

The muscles of the face also need to be exercised. If they are let alone, they just sit there on our faces, lengthening and thinning as the years come upon us, giving us that sagging and tired look as we age. With the facial fitness regimen, the facial muscles undergo resistance training, and the skin is pulled and pushed so the muscles are contracted. Eventually, the skin is lifted with all the pushing and pulling, taking away the sags and smoothing out the wrinkles from our faces.

Another benefit of undergoing a facial fitness regimen is that making the muscles of the face contract increases blood circulation to the face. With improved blood circulation to the face, more oxygen and nutrients are brought to the cells and tissues of the facial muscles and skin. Therefore, it would look healthier and whatever damages that our facial tissues have sustained are more easily repaired.

Having a regular facial fitness routine brings us a natural face lift. With a natural face lift, we do not have to undergo surgery just to keep ourselves looking young. The power to look young has become literally in our hands.

Soft, Full, Younger, Sexier Lips

Have you always wanted lips as sensual and sexy as Hollywood starlets' and famous supermodels'? If so, you may be frustrated by lip-enhancers that burn and then quickly fade. And you may not want to risk the time, money and pain of injections. Now you can get that perfect look your lips deserve without spending a fortune. Get voluptuous lips

Enhance. Repair. Renew.

First Impression is the first three-part system specially designed to enhance the look AND the health of your lips. Without stinging, pain or inconvenience.

This advanced formula naturally and safely stimulates the production of both collagen and Hyaluronic acid, which contribute to fuller, softer lips. Recently, fashion magazines and scientists alike have praised these lip-enhancing compounds for helping achieve full, kissable lips without the swelling and irritation of cheap lip enhancers or expensive injections.

How To Shake Dandruff Flakes Away

If you have dandruff, do not worry about being alone with your problem. With one out of every two people in the entire world having, or having had, that same problem as yours, you are definitely not alone with it. Dandruff is a common hair problem. Embarrassing indeed, but a very, very common problem nonetheless.

What causes dandruff? Well, you see, our entire skin, from our scalps to the soles of our feet, sheds dead skin cells on a daily basis. We get a complete coating of new skin every 28 days or so, but we hardly even notice it.

Our bodies also play host to a lot of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, feeding off on the sebaceous oils that our skin produces. Our scalp in particular is home to a kind of fungus called malassezia fungus, and its food is the oils produced by the hair follicles of our scalp. Dandruff happens when, for some reason or another, the malassezia fungus goes crazy and irritates our scalp, causing the dead skin to shed a lot faster. So, instead of shedding the dead skin cells of our scalp for a month, the shedding happens in less than two weeks, and the oil that our hair follicles produce cause these dead skin cells to clump together and become dandruff. Until now, the factors that trigger this phenomenon with the malassezia fungus are still the subject of research.

Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, and it can recur despite your best efforts. But with proper hair care, the recurrence of dandruff can be controlled. The best way to keep the flakes at bay is to shampoo your hair every day - picture perfect hair.

Dandruff can, of course, become stubborn, so if washing everyday with your regular shampoo does not stop the flakes from becoming haywire, the next best thing to do would be to start using anti-dandruff shampoos. Look for anti-dandruff shampoos with zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. To keep your scalp from developing immunity to these shampoos, go ahead and rotate brands at least once a month.

For optimum results, you can lather your hair with the shampoo of your choice twice. The first wash will clear the scalp of the flakes and the oil buildup. The second one would let the chemicals in the shampoo get absorbed by the scalp - haute hair.

You can also try homemade remedies to wash the flakes away and to keep the dandruff from recurring. What is considered the best homemade remedy to dandruff is a vinegar wash. Mix two teaspoons of vinegar with six teaspoons of water and rub it against your scalp before you go to bed, then wrap your head with a towel. Apply the same solution to your hair once again in the morning when you wake up, then rinse it with water. You do not have to worry about the smell of vinegar in your hair, as the smell of vinegar does evaporate eventually.

Whatever you do, never, ever scratch the clumps with your fingernails. It will cause wounds on your scalp.

Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, but it is not unmanageable. Just take good care of your hair and the flakes will go away.

Your Very Own Beauty Survival Kit

Whether you have the job interview of a lifetime, a hot date or merely a night out on the town, countless beauty snafus may be lurking just around the corner! Don’t fall victim to some of womankind’s oldest enemies…instead, be ready and armed for whatever beauty blunders may await.

Different situations may call for suitable actions, so consider your destination and any possible snafus that may come up while you are there.

At a very bare minimum, your beauty survival kit should include the following:

Clear lip gloss or chapstick - No matter how kissably soft you know your lips are, it can never hurt to add some moisture and shine with a deliciously flavored lip gloss. Applying gloss in front of your date may even entice him to test out your soft and supple lips!

Dental floss and toothpick - A single strand of floss coiled up and tucked away can really save the day in case your romantic candlelit dinner for two becomes a dinner for three, if you count the broccoli between your teeth as a single entity! A toothpick may also be a good item to include for dental hygiene purposes away from home.

Mini mouthwash – Fresh breath in an instant! Just take a small swig of mouthwash after dinner or before you head out the door. Chase the taste of your lunch, dinner or even strong coffee away with a quick rinse with some minty mouthwash.

Mini trial size perfume spritzer - Freshen up anytime you like by carrying a miniature purse-sized fragrance spritzer with you. Scent is often considered the sense most tied to memory, so let your fragrance linger and leave a lasting impression wherever you go!

Hairspray or gel – Long events often leave much room for hair calamities to engage by the end of the night. If you simply can’t stand to have a single hair out of place, it is in your best interests to pack a miniature bottle of hairspray or gel. Just a spritz here or a dab there will fix any potential problems before anyone else even notices!

Visine and pressed powder – Did you know that Visine doesn’t just “get the red out” of your eyes? A tiny drop applied to a bright red blemish can often tone down the abrasive color, which can then be further diminished with a gentle blotting of pressed powder complementary to your skin tone. A concealer stick may also come in handy!

Tissues – You never know when your allergies might act up or a sudden event may cause the waterworks to spring a leak. By prepared to sop up any unexpected tears with a few tissues packed handily inside your pocketbook.

Miniature bottle of lotion – Whether dry hands or peeling skin from harsh sunburn ail you, ward off any unsightly flakes with a few drops of your favorite lotion in a travel-sized bottle. In the dire absence of hairspray or gel, you can also use a tiny bit of lotion to smooth down fly-aways and cowlicks.

For more exclusive events and outings, you may wish to include:

Extra pantyhose or at least clear nail polish – The last thing you want to deal with is a runner in your pantyhose when you’re off to nail that job interview so you can get your foot in the door of your dream occupational field. Worse yet, imagine being in the bridal party with short gowns and a foot-long runner from just above your ankle to your knee! Always be prepared, even if it means stashing an extra pair of hose in your car’s glove box.

Toothbrush and toothpaste – Keeping your choppers a pretty pearly white can really be a daunting task if you are on the run all the time. Why not buy an extra toothbrush and tube of toothpaste to keep with you in your car, or in your purse when you know you’ll need it? Fresh breath and clean teeth can be yours all the time, even if it does mean brushing away in the office restroom!

How To get Rid Of Blemishes (Pimples)

CLEAN! Get Glowing!
Wash your face with a gentle, oil- and fragrance-free cleanser; preferably a nondetergent one labeled pH balanced.
If you have oily skin all over your face, use a cleanser that contains benzoil peroxide or salicylic acid.
Don't scrub - irritated skin (Evangeline Lilly) swells around the pores, which can cause breakouts.
Skip toner unless your face is very oily, otherwise it might dry out the skin.

TREAT!
Apply a topical acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid over your entire face, not just where blemishes have already erupted.
At night, use a drying spot-treatment product and dab oil-free moisturizer on dry areas.
In the morning, apply an oil-free sunscreen gel over the entire face.

CONCEAL!
Use a small makeup brush to dab concealer or cream foundation Evangeline Lilly (in the exact same shade as your skin) directly onto the blemish. Use a fingertip to wipe away excess concealer around the blemish and, if necessary, apply another coat of concealer.
If the makeup becomes cakey, carefully wipe it off and start over. gently brush powder (in the exact same shade as your skin) on top of the concealer.


Tricks Of The Trade:

* If you have oily skin and feel that you need toner, apply it only on the T-zone, and rinse it off afterward (leaving it on can dry the skin turn back the clock). Use a clay mask as often as every three days to absorb excess oil.

* To stop redness and swelling in an emergency situation (job interview, wedding), ask your doctor for a cortisone injection. It calms down a pimple almost instantly.

* If you can't get to your dermatologist (or needles make you squemish), temporarily reduce redness and swelling by dabbing on a drop of drugstore cortisone cream, Preparation H, or Vasocon-A eyedrops.

Beauty Tips for Teen Girls

Makeup and clothing is an issue for many teenage girls. If you are stressing about what you should look like as a newcomer in middle school, or a freshie in high school, here's a quick guide to help your fashion mature with you throughout middle and high school.

In Sixth grade, wear lip gloss, some mascara, and maybe a little bit of pale eyeshadow; don't go too heavy or it may look bad. If you want to try out more types of makeup, keep that for home experiments.
As for clothes, keep it in your comfort level. Bear this in mind: if you are wearing a bra or undershirt, don't let the straps hang out. It doesn't look cool; it just looks sloppy. If you are wearing a short shirt, check in the mirror to see if your stomach hangs out of the bottom. Otherwise, wear something a little bit longer. Also, if your pants are likely to slip, wear a belt. Belts are totally hip now!
* The main point is to keep the makeup light, and the clothes clean cut.

In Seventh grade you are beginning to care a little more what you look like; you might want to try curling your hair a few days a week, and using different hairstyles besides your typical ponytail.
If you are acne prone, try foundation. Remember thet even oily skin can get flaky and that looks horrible with foundation. So try it on weekends first and ask your mother (or someone that uses foundation well) if it looks okay.
In Seventh grade you might want to try eyeliner. But not too much because you don't want to look like a racoon!
Start trying to tie outfits together with accessories. It's good to try new things with your makeup and clothes. But when you try the new things, make sure it looks good on you, not just in the picture or at the store. Check out different stores, and find out if there is a style that suits you.

In eighth grade you are probably getting good at makeup and you know what you like. Try establishing your own hairstyle without looking like everyone else. For example, if everyone has long, layered hair with no bangs, try light wispy bangs and a shorter, layered look.
You might be wearing tighter jeans now and probably starting to get concerned with impressing the guys, so it's safe to try out more mature styles such as a sleek leather blazer, or lower cut necklines. If you are happy with your sports bra, that is totally OK. But it's safe now to check out the actual bra department and wear something that makes you feel pretty - like lace.

Ninth grade: high school! This is a big transition. Now in the same world as seniors, you are going to want to look like the rest of your peers. You should by now have your makeup and hair styles already. Try to update this look a bit, because no one wants to carry the same look they had in middle school. Dramatize a detail in your hair. If its known for it's left side part, part it even deeper. Make a straight style even sleeker and hip. Learn to make youre curls tighter, or looser.
In high school you might want to wear your usual make up during the day, and as you start to go out with friends and boys at night, add a darker shade of eyeliner, or jazz up your lips with something more festive. It's also good to try new shoes, try wearing spikier ankle boots with a pair of hot jeans and a blouse. Chunkier heels aren't as hip as spikes as you get older. Incorporate accessories into your outfit. Buy yourself a bag that's in suede or leather to keep your schoolbooks in, instead of a backpack. You will want to buy yourself a new jacket, and make it your own.
You know what you like, so go and find clothes that fit your style, but crank it up a notch for a more mature feel.