Miss Pakistan World Representing New Generation Of Women

Natasha Paracha is both smart and stunning with a good head on her shoulders, as they say.

The 24-year-old raven-haired beauty has been enjoying her reign as Miss Pakistan World 2008.

We got to learn more about the Islamabad-born pageant winner on a recent Good Morning America segment. She is living in New York City and working for the United Nations. And she was gracious to let us interview her about her favorite beauty tips and dreams for her Pakistani countrywomen.

"I work for IREO, which is a renewable energy organization at the United Nations. I hope to continue to promote the use of alternative energies throughout the globe."

Natasha Paracha, is an ambassador for the new generation of Pakistani women.

"Participating in Miss Pakistan World has opened many doors for me. This pageant has provided me with a platform to be an ambassador for my country and represent Pakistan at an international level. I am honored and humbled with my new role."

Life in Pakistan can be quite a challenge for girls growing up with dreams and goals, because of conservative Islamic views. There is still much work to be done for Muslim women to achieve as equal a footing as men. The Miss Pakistan World pageants are actually held in Toronto, Canada. Women like Natasha Paracha and founder of the Miss Pakistan World Beauty Pageant, Sonia Ahmed, are courageous and anxious for opportunities to spread their wings. They are representing the next generation of modern Pakistani women, trying to create a new role for Muslim women in society.

"My family has a long standing history in Pakistan; it is where we have basically spent our childhood. Also, all of my extended family lives in the Lahore or Islamabad. I want young Pakistani women to know that they can succeed in any facet of life that they choose. I don't want to be cliché, but the world is your oyster and our time is now to take advantage of that. "

In the meantime, like many of us, Miss Pakistan World 2008, enjoys wearing makeup and living a healthy lifestyle. Although she has makeup artists for special events, Natasha usually applies her own cosmetics. And let's be honest here, when it comes to lining eyes perfectly, South Asian women have the upper hand.

"I only started wearing make-up recently. If you are in a rush, there are really only two things that one needs: mascara and eyeliner. My go to products are the Dior Black Out Mascara and Mac Eyeliner."

Natasha also adores brightening her lips with these popular brands.
"I am a lip-gloss fanatic. I'm actually in the process of starting my own lip-gloss with a few of my friends. My favorite brands right now would be Nars and Dior Addict."

As far as her crowning glory, that long, shiny dark hair, Miss Pakistan World 2008 doesn't get caught up in the chemical processes of coloring or perming.

"My hair kind of has a mind of its own. During the winters it becomes stick straight and during the summers it's wavy. I try not to use any products in my hair, but if I'm going for a certain look I stick to organic hair products. Coming from a Pakistani background, I think we have some very unique homemade beauty treatments. When I was younger, my mom would put coconut oil and eggs in my hair. It was classic, I have not done that in a while though. I think the secret is just avoiding too many chemicals or products, just keep it simple."


Natasha is proud of her Pakistani roots and her exotic features, and would hope that women everywhere, both young and older, could learn to love how they look. The world is a big place, and there is plenty of room for every set of features.

"I think every woman should feel comfortable in their own skin. And it's wonderful to be unique. Even in Pakistan, we have all kinds of looks: light eyes, dark eyes, blonde hair, brunettes and many unique looks. Since you are a Greek yourself, you must have heard of the Kalash people of Pakistan, who are Greek. So Pakistan is like the melting pot of many looks as we are surrounded by many countries."

In closing, Miss Pakistan World 2008 had this advice for her Pakistani sisters:

"Pakistani women have come a long way and the Miss Pakistan World pageant is a platform for the new generation of Pakistani women to represent themselves. My message to those women would be to take that chance and avail the opportunity. Thank you."

For more information, visit: http://www.misspakistanworld.com/.

Raspberries Possibly Holding Key To Beautiful Skin

As you know by now, we like exploring the world of beauty:

especially when it comes to our skin. Both inside and out.

We have previously researched the benefits and power of red raspberry tea for taming cellulite and slimming one's figure.

We learned this in an interview with world-famous cellulite expert Anushka:

"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."
http://www.beautytiptoday.com/2008/03/anushkas-special-tea-fights-cellulite.html

And now we have dug a little deeper. According to the science out there, raspberries contain lots of Vitamin C, and more importantly, ellagic acid. This acid is a potential cancer fighter, and many people have reported that raspberries have helped them reduce and/or wipe out their skin cancer.

Today, we are looking at one of the more popular raspberry extract gels that claim to support beautiful and healthy skin. It's a 2 oz. jar called Raspex SPF 30 Skin Gel ($24.95, at http://www.smdi.org/).

"Rub this cream on pre-cancerous spots or even skin cancer. No pain. No Scarring. The Raspex Skin Cream contains ellagitannins from Raspberry Extract, is an excellent sun protection lotion having an SPF of 30 and will repair sun burns if applied within 4 hours. Shows excellent results for burns, age spots, moles, warts, rosacea, rashes etc. Boosts the skin's immune system, maintains skin suppleness, reduces wrinkles, promotes healing, reduces scaring and improves fine capillary blood flow."

We haven't tried this little hope-in-a-jar for beautiful skin yet. But the science is intriguing us. Just remember: Do not expect instant results. We all seem to be impatient these days. Give any skin care jar of serum, cream or gel at least 6-8 weeks before tossing the bottle against a wall in frustration.

And if you can get your hands on some fresh raspberries, enjoy them. They are a healthy and delicious fruit.

No Room Left: What Containers Do You Store Your Makeup In?

This is a big problem for us. How about you?

Simply speaking---there is no room left. So, what containers do your store your makeup in?!

No, this is not our supply of Estee Lauder makeup (we wish).

Maybe you have a small apartment in the city, and there is a limited amount of space. Or maybe your husband has little room left on the dresser because of all your beauty stuff. Could it be you are just not organized and you can't always locate your fav MAC makeup?

We have heard horror stories from some of our girlfriends on where they store their beauty products:

under the bed in a box
in makeup bags under the bathroom sink cabinet

in an old cigar box in the drawer

crammed into the one bathroom cabinet

in the car glovebox

here, there, and everywhere

And then there are the lucky gals who have armoires to nicely and neatly store their beauty stuff in. Or beautiful, covered seagrass baskets to tuck away their cosmetics. How about spacious vanity tables. A separate bathroom from him. In a big, walk-in closet with lots of little shelves to organize makeup.

Trying to keep your face and body clean, along with makeup supplies and makeup removers, and skin care treatments, and so on, we are all running out of space!!

We'll be honest. We have some small wicker and rattan baskets we toss our beauty stuff in. And even an old, wooden jewelry box. And in some milk glass bowls. And then try to jam some beauty treatments in the closet inside more wicker containers. In the narrow bathroom closet. Folks, it can be a nightmare.

And now in the the new year, we promise to take inventory of our beauty stuff. We swear we will throw out beautiful things we never use, are past the expiration date, etc. And we are going to find some new containers to store our makeup in.

How about you? For some great container tips, visit: organize.com for tons of containers.

Still Good To Be Gisele Even If Not Engaged To Tom

Is she engaged, or isn't she?

2009 Spring Hair--How To Get The Do Of The Moment

Ready to spring ahead with your hair gorgeously flapping in the breeze for 2009?!

We took a look through the fashion bibles and landed on Harper's Bazaar. They show us how to get the do of the moment!

There are lots of possibilities, like the fresh and pretty clean look of long, wavy hair (top photo). This was photographed backstage at Ralph Lauren's runway show. This hair do is soft and effortless.

Then there is the sleek and perfect ponytail, snapped at the Versace show. The stylists call this the minimalist ponytail. We love this look. Where do you grow perfect hair like that, we ask? Stunning.

There are also many French twists featured at the Yves St. Laurent runway shows, and a number of glamorous knots in the hair of the Lanvin models, resembling the little buns seen on ballerinas.

The look is simple but glam, to balance the volume of the clothing for 2009.

And as we have been repeating these past few articles, yes, red lips are still hot for spring. But so are nude lips. The minimal lip shade or neutral,is back in a BIG way!!. But to balance the soft nude mouth, dark-rimmed eyes are major. And preferably in black!!

Want an easy way to line your eyes? So you don't have to keep trying to get it just right? Try Cover Girl's Line Exact in Very Black ($5.99, drugstores). It's a super liquid eyeliner that looks like a felt pen. And it works like a felt pen with a nice, sharp line. Simply, beautiful Cover Girl.

We like CG's Line Exact 'pen.' The only misgiving we found, was that the supply ran out too fast. In other words, the pen didn't seem to hold enough liner in it. It didn't even last a month. We would like to buy it again, because it's an easy fool-proof way to a nicely lined eye.

Avon Cream Blush: Quick, Pretty, and Easy

Tired of looking drained out by the frosty, dry air? We could all use a little glow these winter days. And blush is one of the best beauty items to reach for, even when you don't have time for anything else makeup-wise.

Blush gives you an instant warmth and depth to your face and bone structure, at least that is what the famous makeup artists we have interviewed here at BeautyTipToday like to tell us. New York City's legendary celeb artist Sandy Linter, says that just foundation alone looks 'weird' and too one-dimensional. And that a little cream blush is pretty and brings out one's features.

Today, we are looking at Avon's cream cheek color. This blush will paint a rosy, natural glow. And it comes in a tube form and simple to apply: quick, pretty, and easy. And it's called Be Blushed Cheek Color ($8, at avon.com, or from your Avon lady).

Available in 8 soft and natural shades. And this product is very blendable and won't cause break-outs.

Makeup artist-to-the-stars Holly Carter, told People StyleWatch that she loves Avon's Be Blushed Cheek Color in Icy Petal. Holly says the cream base is long-lasting, delivers a fresh glow.

Icy Petal it is. Soft and sheer.

Keep Makeup Matte The Cheap Way With e.l.f.

Beauty on the cheap.

We've all got to keep a sharp eye on our shopping these days. So why not pick up an effective beauty buy and save a few dollars!

Our Beauty Tip Today is all about keeping makeup matte. And doing it on the cheap with e.l.f. -eyes, lips, face. Yes, ladies, dewy is good, but shiny is not. We know, there is a fine line between the two.

The greasies or an oily complexion are frustrating. Maybe you work in a restaurant, and have little time to re-do your makeup. Maybe you're just sitting pretty and still end up with too much shine. There is a quick and efficient way to 'mattify' your face.

Try elf Cosmetics Shine Erasers (only $1 for 50, eyeslipsface.com). 50 sheets to blot up your shine!! That's a super bargain, when you consider that MAC sells their blotting papers for about $12.


elf describes their Shine Erasers like this:

These amazing little sheets instantly absorb oil, minimize pores and mattify shiny skin. Woven texture eradicates shine and keeps skin matte for hours. Green Tea Extract helps re-texturize skin, masking facial imperfections. Travel pack fits neatly in purse for on-the-go touch-ups. Contains: 50 sheets.
Gently pull out Shine Eraser sheet from envelope. Blot sheet in T-Zone.Flip sheet and blot all other facial areas.Use whenever skin needs to be mattified.

Even CosmoGirl magazine thinks these little oil blotters are wonderful for keeping away the greasies. The mag wrote about them in their makeup matte article.

Now that's a decent bargain!!

And while you're shopping elf, check out their cute and roomy makeup bags, now on sale at 75% off. Just use the code at their website.

Just keep your makeup matte and do it the cheap way!