Does Beauty Really Follow The Math Ratio of Phi?

What do mathematics have to do with a beautiful face? Isn't a face either instantly very attractive or it isn't?

Apparently, some experts believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that beauty is based on key factors like the Phi ratio, or the golden ratio of 1.618:1, which ultimately equals balance and harmony. This golden ratio is found everywhere on the planet----in flowers, music, architecture, birds, etc.

And although, we as individuals, all have different races, nationalities, ages, sexes, and features, according to the MBA or Marquardt Beauty Analysis, a beautiful face will still conform to this one Phi ratio.

Huh?

Dr. Stephen R. Marquardt, a maxillo-facial surgeon from California, has been studying human attractiveness for years. And he developed a beauty mask overlay. The mask, seen above in the photo, uses the pentagon and decagon as its foundation, which embody the Phi ratio in all its dimensions. In other words, beautiful faces will conform most to the measurements in the Marquardt mask.

For all you math genuises out there, there are golden sections that lead to the golden ratio in the composition of our facial features. The golden ratio is thought by many to represent a ratio of natural beauty.

Then what is a golden section? Christian at http://www.thetanooki.com/, had a better explanation than we can give you:

"Well, it’s the point determined by the Golden Ratio, approximately 0.618. When you mark a line at this point, the shorter segment has the same relationship to the larger segment that the larger segment has to the whole line.
Another way to look at it is through the Fibonacci series of numbers. It’s the series of numbers where you add the two previous numbers to get the next one. The ratio between one number to the next just happens to be the so-called Golden Ratio. "

Some plastic surgeons and orthodontists use this mask's dimensions, to help their patients through surgery, become more attractive people. The closer your facial features fit the mask, the more attractive you are, according to the MBA. And yes, your smile and mouth are part of this theory.

On the other hand, there are plastic surgeons and orthodontists who are against using the Phi ratio when performing surgery on patients. Many believe surgery is designed to make an individual look better, but not fit an universal mold, or one mathematical proportion.

Still, it is fascinating to think, that beauty, no matter how individual, still conforms to a universal theory of proportion.

Check out Dr. Marquardt's educational and wonderful website: http://www.beautyanalysis.com/. You can even download a copy of the mask, and slip your own photo underneath it, to see how your own facial measurements conform.

6 Junk Foods That Help Your Diet Weight Loss

What if we told you, there were six deliciously, bad junk foods that are actually good for you. Six snacks that you CAN add to your diet to help you lose weight. Not buying it? Well, sit back, because you can eat a few snacks and not ruin your diet. Don't worry, these foods won't add more 'junk to the trunk.'

We adore beauty tips that involve a healthy diet. We're all fighting the battle of the bulge, at least once in a while. So we were excited to learn about these tips today on Fox TV's The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet.

Their food expert was Keri Gans and she gave out the list of 6 junk foods that are good for your body. And Keri has the background to make these claims. According to her own website, Keri Gans is a Registered Dietitian in private practice in Manhattan. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University, and is an ACE certified personal trainer. http://www.kerigansnutrition.com/.

The wonderful, bad thing about junk foods, are their naughty and great taste, texture, crunch, saltiness, or sweetness, and chewiness. Usually junk food is so high in fat and sodium, with too many carbohydrates. But Keri says these 6 junk foods offer you more than some good cheating during the day:

Chocolate Milk. You loved it as a kid, and here's another reason to pick up a glass again. Chocolate milk only has about 160 Calories per serving. And 30% of your calcium daily requirement can be found in a glass of chocolate milk. A nice, filling drink.

Some Cookies. Fig Newtons, Bicotti, and Animal Crackers. These three are low in sugar, and excellent to snack on. Lots of texture and lots of crunch. Just don't go overboard and eat tons of them.

Pizza. A slice of regular tomato and cheese pizza is only about 300 Calories. Nutritious, as long as you don't start adding extras like sausage, etc. Keri suggests you also blot your pizza with a napkin, to absorb the overload of sauce and oil.

Pork Rinds. Very crunchy junk food. People love 'em. And guess what? They are full of protein. The fat that's in pork rinds, is the same fat found in healthy olive oil. So crunch on!

Potatoes. Yes, potatoes are good for you. No, not french fries. Try a baked potato. You can even add a Tablespoon or two of sour cream on it. Potatoes are full of Potassium and Vitamin C. Great things for your diet.

Beef Jerky. A super low calorie snack. Nice and chewy and keeps your mouth busy, too. One stick contains about 6 grams of protein. And many of these jerkys are now made organically.

Let's face it. These are 6 super junk foods that not only taste yummy, but also provide a bit of nutrition during the day. Remember---everything in moderation. Now pass us the biscotti and chocolate milk.

You Can Fake Sun-Kissed Skin

Wanna get your glow on? You can shimmer and bronze this summer without lying in the scorching sun. You can fake sun-kissed skin. All you need are a few beauty items from the local drugstore.

1. Clarins Tinted Self-Tanning Face Cream ($29, strawberrynet.com) With an SPF15, this tinted tanning cream works beautifully in creating a smooth, even base of color. No streaks! Good for your skin, and protects complexion from the aging rays of the sun. Was named in 2005, as one of In Style magazine's best beauty buys. Still a popular item among women who want a great self-tanning face cream.

2. Pop Beauty Lid Bronzer Eye Shadow Palette ($22, beauty.com). Six shimmery summer shadows. So pretty for highlighting your eyes. Wear just one, or mix several together. With delicious shade like these, you can't go wrong---Toffee bronze. Metallic peach. Milky beige glow. Rose Nude glimmer. True bronze. Nude gimmer.
3. Wet 'n' Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss in Cherry Glaze ($1.99, CVS + Walgreens). This gloss makes your lips so shiny. A soft cherry wash to brighten your smile and show off your sun-kissed skin. Never sticky. And check out how cheap this gloss is!!

Neutrogena Sheer BodyTint Instant Temporary Tan, Med./Dark ($10.69, 4 oz. can, CVS + Walgreens). This self-tanner features a light mousse. So simple to spread from head to toes. For all skin tones. Delivers a nice caramel shade of tan. And easy to remove---just plain old soap and water. Get a healthy glow without the worry of being burned and prematurely aged.

There. Only four beauty items. Now your dull complexion and pale body can become brighter during these balmy summer days. You can shimmer, bronze, and self-tan. You can fake sun-kissed skin.

Anti-Cellulite Hosiery And Anushka's Secret Tea

Summertime. Your bare legs see a lot of action. And maybe you look down at your legs and search for cellulite, the dreaded 'c' word.

If you have cellulite, you are not alone. Most women have some. And yes, skinny women get it, and even supermodels. And you know when you have it, too. It's been called cottage cheese fat or lumpy orange peel skin or dimpled skin, etc.

So, what can we do about this skin condition?

Here's the bad news---there is absolutely NO way to get rid of cellulite permanently. The good news---we CAN reduce its appearance and STOP further advancement of this dimpled fat.

And one way to fight this dimpled skin is with caffeine. Too bad, we couldn't just drink 7 cups of coffee, or down 7 cans of Coke and have this dreaded dimpleness disappear. But it doesn't work that way. Many cellulite creams now come with caffeine blended in as an active ingredient.

Dr. Ava Shamban, called 'dermatologist to the stars,' explained it this way to CBS' The Early Show.

"The theory behind caffeine is that it actually can reduce fat. It can enhance fat metabolism and also reduce some of the edema, or swelling that we get around the fat, so the skin appears smoother."

In other words, the caffeine goes to work by plumping up the skin, creating a smoother texture when massaged on cellulite prone areas. It produces a slimming effect, by tightening blood vessels.

And now, how about this? Anti-Cellulite Hosiery by Newport News ($15, pr. http://www.newport-news.com/). The popular women's clothing catalogue has just put out its fall fashions, along with nylon stockings/pantyhose that promise to tone and firm thighs.

The hosiery is caffeine-infused. That means the stimulating power of caffeine massages your legs all day and helps provide a slimming support. The stockings are made of nylon with a high-count spandex to shape your rear. And caffeine micro-capsules help firm your legs.

Hey, it's worth a shot. And the Newport News hosiery offers your 5 pairs to choose from:

Opaque Tights ( black or grey}
Sheer Pantyhose (nude or black)

Sheer Footless Pantyhose (sheer or black)

Ribbed Opaque Tights (dark grey or black)

Floral Pattern Tights (dark grey, black, or royal purple)

Anushka, a world-renown cellulite pioneer for some 30 years now, has a secret tea that promotes beautiful skin and helps lessen the appearance of cellulite. (Dimpled fat can appear on thighs, buttocks, tummy, even arms).

"Raspberry tea. It's wonderful for women in general," Anushka says. "In addition to acting as a diuretic which helps reduce bloating (leading to a slimmer silhouette), it also helps alleviate menstrual discomfort and cramps, reduces heavy bleeding, promotes healthy skin, bones, and teeth. And when combined with peppermint tea, can help with morning sickness."

How To Get Big Eyes Using An Eyelash Curler

If you're going to wear mascara, then you need to have an eyelash curler in your daily beauty routine. The two go hand in hand. Unless, of course, you were born with curly lashes, then forget our advice.

What does an eyelash curler do? Any professional makeup artist will tell you, that curling your lashes opens up the eyes. Your eyes will look bigger. Stubborn lashes will look more even. And short, wimpy lashes will take on thickness and appear longer.

There are many eyelash curlers out there. Plastic, metal, mini curlers, heated curlers, etc. You might have to buy several before you hit the perfect eyelash curler. Plastic ones break much quicker and easier than the metal pairs, with their scissor-like motion. Heated curlers cost more.

And if you've never used an eyelash curler, don't be afraid. It's not hard. This beauty tool is an odd-looking item, but it does great things for your lashes and really widens your eyes. In fact, if you hate wearing mascara, and absolutely refuse to, at least curl your lashes. You will see the difference. You will even look more awake.

What you want to do, is position the eyelash curler around your eyelashes. The upper lashes must be between the edges of the curler.

Then, carefully squeeze the edges of the eyelash curler together and hold for about 10 seconds.

Now gently release the curler from the lashes. Repeat again if you want extra curly lashes, or if you have stubborn straight lashes. Always make sure that the curler is fully open before removing it.

Then apply a few coats of mascara.

Here are 3 Eyelash Curlers highly respected in the beauty world:

Shu Uemura ($19.00, Sephora stores). A big favorite among pros and women everywhere. Delivers the perfect curl. Metal curler.

Kevin Aucoin ($20.00, online stores). The late and great makeup artist designed this curler that gets the eyelid at all the right angles. Metal curler with red rounded pad.

Lashpro ($19.00, online stores). Curls lashes in a natural way. Very gentle curler. Designed for smaller eyes, too. Easy to manuever. (see above photo of models with Lashpro curlers).

Kevin Aucoin's experts gave this special beauty secret for curling bottom eyelashes:
"Turn (curler) upside down and curl bottom lashes downward. Trick of old movie stars from the 30's and 40's."

Hmmm. Looks like that requires very nimble fingers and accuracy. Please do not try at home, unless you are really familiar with an eyelash curler. We wouldn't want you injuring yourself for the sake of beauty...ha ha.

Bobbi Brown Says Mauve Is The Color For Fall

It's only mid July, and already, the makeup colors for fall are in the beauty headlines. We know that mauve is the 'it' color for the autumn season, because Bobbi Brown says so, and we trust her sharp eye.

We, here at http://www.beautytip.com/, love the Bobbi Brown makeup philosophy. And we are not alone. Women adore Bobbi Brown's no nonsense makeup routine, and her healthy, natural approach to looking good.

And as Bobbi would remind us all, try to be the best you can be. Don't try to look like someone else. When she was growing up, all-American model, Cheryl Tiegs, was Bobbi's beauty icon. Cheryl was tall, slender with blonde hair and blue eyes. Bobbi Brown looked nothing like her and was disappointed in not resembling Cheryl Tiegs, until she saw actress Ali MacGraw with her long dark hair and eyes. Bobbi then finally "saw the possibilty of my own beauty."

What's so special about mauve? Bobbi Brown says that mauve flatters all complexions. According to her website, the mauve look is designed around vintage-inspired hues with a modern twist."Influenced with hints of purple, gray, and brown, mauve makeup is a cool neutral that's very wearable," Bobbi explains.

The mauve look is soft and pretty. Nothing bright or harsh here. You won't look over-done.

You can buy the Bobbi Brown Mauve Look at Neiman Marcus stores ($173.00). Or you can check out the mauve collection makeup at http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/.

In the kit, you receive:

Mauve Face Palette- 3 eye shadows, 1 blush, 3 lipsticks

Mini Brush Set- 3 small brushes to apply the mauve face palette

Black Mauve Shimmer Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Short Handle Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush

Black Everything Mascara

You can also purchase these makeup items separately.

Tone Triceps And Biceps With This Exercise

Jessica Biel. Madonna. Michelle Obama. Katie Couric. Jennifer Aniston. Iman.

Hmmm. What do all these fabulous ladies have in common?

Toned arms. These famous women enjoy showing off their perfectly toned triceps and biceps. And they enjoy wearing anything sleeveless. And why not? It's a challenge to have beautifully toned arms. And after age 30, it gets even tougher to maintain such a tautness . But it can be done. All you need are a couple of small free weights. And we'll show you one easy exercise you can even do in the office to get you started.

Developing the triceps muscle. That is the key to a nicely toned arm. Where are the triceps located? We like to call that area the 'dingle-dangle.' Yep. That's the flabby part you can feel under the arm. One of the toughest places to firm up. When you go to raise your hand and wave good-bye, you can feel that muscle flapping in the breeze. Well, hopefully, not too much.

The triceps muscle can best be described this way, according to http://www.realwomensfitness.com/:

"The triceps are probably the most important muscle to develop when you want to achieve firm toned arms. The reason for this is that the tricep muscle takes up 2/3 of the arm. If it is underdeveloped it looks wobbly and soft but when it is firm and lean it makes the whole arm look that way."

You can't just exercise your arms for two weeks and expect big changes. The triceps and biceps muscles need to engage in resistance exercises continuously. If you want toned arms with a little 'cut' in them, you're going to have to adopt this regimen as part of your life. It should become a familiar target area when you are at the gym or exercising at home.

If you enjoy doing push-ups or jogging, those are also excellent for maintaining toned arms.

All you need is a pair of 3-lb dumbbells or small handweights. If you want to go higher, 5-lbs or 7-lbs. You can get a decent arm workout with 3-lb. weights in each hand. In fact, your arms will get quite sore, if you do enough repetitions. You can buy small handweights from Reebok(see photo), Nike, or any sporting goods store.

Jade Alexis, who has trained Alicia Keys, came up with this boxing-inspired exercise that you can do at the office when you have a few spare moments. Jade gave this toned arms exercise to In Style magazine readers.

"Sit upright in a chair with feet flat on the floor," Jade explains. "Hold dumbbells with your hands under your chin and slowly punch out at an angle across the body." Do at least 100 punches. You will develop 'knockout triceps, biceps, and shoulders.'

Look at the photo above, the woman there is punching out across the body, as Jade Alexis describes in her boxing-inspired triceps toning moves.