Happy New Year!!

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go!!_ Brooks Atkinson...Happy New Year everyone!!

Oh la la - Ethiopia !

The first example of our Oh la la treatment has been found in Ethiopian culture and salons. Many of us prefer their butter to be on the raffles or muffins, but in Ethiopia the product is taking a whole different direction.Usually, women are indulged by offering them butter massage all over their bodies, not to mention it’s been a classic recipe for ages and it’s been popular since then. Plastic bags are rapped around the women and the lucky diva is given a large chunk of butter to spread over her body parts. Then the women will be asked to sit on the toilet (surrounded by smoke holes) with her legs wide open and her sensitive area positioned over that hole with heavy blankets rapped around her body. the main concept behind this technique is to  let as much smoke as possible to penetrate and melt the butter, and to tighten up the vaginal muscles for new moms ( post pregnancy) and  brides to be!! VA VA VOOM!

What Should You Know About Cancer?

According to statistics, below is the top 10 most common types of cancer diagnosed in U.S. women:

1. Breast Cancer (117.7)
2. Lung (and Bronchus) Cancer (54.2)
3. Colon and Rectal Cancer (42.7)
4. Corpus and Uterus, NOS (23.1)
5. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (16.1)
6. Skin Melanomas (14.0)
7. Thyroid Cancer (13.8)
8. Ovarian Cancer (12.5)
9. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer (10.0)
10. Pancreatic Cancer (9.7)

A possible genetic contribution to both breast and ovarian cancer risk is indicated by the increased prevalence of these cancers among women with a family history . Additionally, about 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child.

Genes are particles in cells, contained in chromosomes, and made of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA contains the instructions for building proteins, not to mention proteins control the structure and function of all the cells that make up your body. Furthermore, Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and the function of these genes is to repair cell damage and keep breast cells growing normally. But when these genes contain abnormalities or mutations that are passed from generation to generation, the genes don't function normally and breast cancer risk increases. Abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may account for up to 10% of all breast cancers, or 1 out of every 10 cases.

You are substantially more likely to have an abnormal breast cancer gene if:

• You have blood relatives (grandmothers, mother, sisters, aunts) on either your mother's or father's side of the family who had breast cancer diagnosed before age 50.
• There is both breast and ovarian cancer in your family, particularly in a single individual.
• There are other gland-related cancers in your family such as pancreatic, colon, and thyroid cancers.
• Women in your family have had cancer in both breasts.
• You are of Ashkenazi Jewish (Eastern European) heritage.
• You are African American and have been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35 or younger.
• A man in your family has had breast cancer.

Source: National Cancer Institute; Healia.com

Best Skin Care Products- Award Winners for 2011

As if being  close to Christmas and New Year's Eve isn't exciting enough, we also have revealed a list of the Best Beauty Buys Products that have been chosen by Instyle Magazine, UK. Also, most of them have been chosen for a Hall of Fame award. Happy Holidays 

• Best radiance mask (Radiant Glow Express Mask ) by Sisley
• Best eye make-up remover (Bi-Facil Non Oily Instant Cleanser) by Lancome 
• Best facial exfoliator by Dermalogica
• Best wipe off cleanser (Eau Micellaire Doucer Express Cleansing Water) by Lancome
• Best wash off cleanser by Eve Lom
• Best toner (Tonique Doucer Softening Hydrating Toner) by Lancome
• Best hydrating mask (Express Flower Gel) by Sisley
• Best mask for congested skin by Eve Lom
• Best instant line filler (Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler) by Good Skin Labs
• Best for Serious dark circles by Bremann Research Labs
• Best spot treatment by Dermalogica
• Best eye de-puffer Mask For Puffy Eyes by Origins
• Best age-spot treatment by Clinique
• Best facial oil (Aromessence Néroli Essential Serum)by Decléor
• Best moisturizer with an SPF 15 by Estée Lauder
• Best inexpensive moisturizer with an SPF 15 by Olay
• Best eco/organic range by The Organic Pharmacy
• Best anti-aging cream by Sisley
• Best night cream by Sisley
• Best moisturizer for normal to dry skin by Crème de la Mer
• Best inexpensive anti-aging cream
• Regenerist Replenishing Cream by Olay
• Best moisturizer for normal to oily skin by Dermalogica
• Best Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Serum by Estee Lauder

Do Makeup Samples Worth The Trouble!!

There’s one potential of having a serious consequence when using makeup samples!! According to a study conducted by the MayoClinic, sharing eye makeup can result in conjunctivitis (which is also referred to as pink eyes). This infection of the lining of the eyelid results in red, itchy, watery eyes and can last for up to two weeks . Conjunctivitis is very contagious, so it is easy to spread among people sharing the same makeup sample at beauty stores. Therefore, if you get infected with this disease, your doctor can prescribe medicated eye drops to cure it!!

Additionally, sharing lipstick with a friend/ person who happens to be infected with the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, can pass the virus on to you. You can contract herpes even without visible cold sores present on the infected person.Always remember that this virus is responsible for a wide array of human diseases, and just one incidence of sharing your lipstick can lead to a lifetime of contamination with this condition!!

Does Your Morning Coffee Love you Back?!!

Recent studies have shown the following benefits of the morning coffee:

• It may help Reduce depression.

 A study conducted by Harvard School of Public Health, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that women who regularly consume moderate caffeinated coffee have a 20% lower risk of depression than non-coffee drinkers.

• It may help promote a healthy weight.

 Drinking an espresso or cappuccino after a meal can help to slow down the digestion of any meal. According to David Levitsky, PhD, professor of nutritional science at Cornell University, "Caffeine decreases the rate at which the stomach dumps its contents into the duodenum ,a part of the small intestine where digestion takes place and also increases metabolic rate."

• It may boost fertility in men.  

 "Studies have shown that caffeine has a positive effect on sperm mobility by accelerating the ability of sperms to move toward eggs and increase the chances of [getting pregnant]," says John Wilcox, MD, FACOG, managing partner and reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility in California. On the other hand, a study have shown that Approximately 20% of adult Americans consume greater than 300 mg of caffeine daily. Additionally, some studies have reported that increased caffeine consumption (eg, >300 to 500 mg) is associated with a modest, but statistically significant decline in fertility, while others have not found an adverse effect.

• It may reduce the risk of skin cancer. 

  A new study of Brigham and Women's Hospital found that women who drank more than three          cups of coffee a day had a 20% lower risk for basal cell carcinoma, and men had a 9% reduced risk. However, the research did not indicate if coffee consumption might reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Additionally, according to Mayo Clinic, new study have shown that coffee protects against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer as it has a high content of antioxidants.

I Can't Get Enough of HP Mini by Studio Tord Boontje!!

The HP Mini by Studio Tord Boontje is supposed to be the world's first mini notebook with HP imprint 3D!! Additionally, it includes different features that make your computer unique and environmentally friendly!!