Oprah's Beauty Secrets Around the Globe

When reading the latest issue of Vogue, the young women in the U.S. know that beauty is very narrowly defined in our society. And although Americans, with our self-centered yet self-loathing mentalities, may not realize other standards and ideals exist around the world, they do. Leave it to Oprah to find a place (Mauritania- a desert on the northwest coast of Africa) where the fatter the women are the more beautiful they are. However, the sad reality in all countries, including our own, is the reason all women around the globe are pushing themselves to great extremes. They all want to feel whole, and they believe they will only feel this way when they finally look like the beautiful ideal and attract a husband. Yet as many of us have already discovered, it's the inner work on ourselves that must be done to feel whole. The beauty and the beast are just icing on the cake (that American girls would never eat). But even though we may know this, we as women will always push ourselves to be better. I've mentioned many different celebrities' unique, sometimes bizarre, beauty secrets, but now here on the secrets of the 'average' woman in the different countries around the world.

Japan: Women will eat collagen infused foods and drinks so that their skin looks clearer, younger, and smoother. Some facial treatments also use nightingale droppings to improve the skin. The ideal in Japan is very, very light skin and perfectly straight hair. The women will use face whitening cream to lighten their skin. This is in sharp contrast to the tanorexic outbreak happening in the U.S. As the craze over tanned italian new jerseyans keeps growing and growing, our people are getting darker and darker. To straighten their hair, Japanese women use a special chemical cream and flat iron. Japanese hair straightening has actually been adopted in the U.S. and used by many women.





Kayan tribe (on the border of Burma and Thailand): The beauty rituals in this tribe start at a very young age. At only five years old, girls start wearing rings around their necks. More and more rings are added with each year the girl grows, and eventually the result is a more elongated neck surrounded by the rings. Some of the neck rings weigh in total 22 pounds! I guess pain is beauty. When one woman of the tribe was interviewed about her rings she said, "If I take the rings off now, I won't look nice anymore. They are really a part of my life." We cannot judge this woman, because American women believe the same exact thing about the paint they smear all over their face.



Karo tribe (Southern Ethiopia): These women also start their beauty rituals at a very young age.Young girls allow adults to cut their stomachs so that scars will form on them. Once again this is in sharp contrast to the ideals of the American woman. American women will go to great lengths to avoid getting stretch marks whether from puberty, pregnancy, etc. Instead, these women purposely form scars and embrace them. One young girl was interviewed, and she said, "The main reason for my scars is to attract a male that will give me joy, because I will be beautiful and hopefully get a husband." I think every female of any age can identify strongly with that statement. Wanting to be loved and accepted is a very large part of the reason we push ourselves to such extremes.


And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

A Young Beauty's Secrets and Dreams

Katie juggles college, a job, and her dreams. She attends both college and makeup school, sells cosmetics for a local makeup artist (Avon-style), and works whenever she can with established makeup artists in her area. Like most of us, Katie is trying to juggle her real world responsiblities while pursuing her dreams. Her best advice is to try to make money doing small side jobs within the industry you want to be in. She believes that if you are trying to make money on the side in a totally different industry than the one you desire to be in, you will be too disconnected and distracted from your dream job. As she pulled out all her makeup, a quantity and varitey that could rival any small makeup store, she revealed to me her secrets and tips.

What's your beauty secret?

I'm a firm believer in 'you are what you eat'. You can use the best and most expensive products and learn every trick of the trade, but it's most important to have a great basis to put the makeup on. I eat healthy and drink tons of water. It's the most simple but most effective.

What's your best makeup trick or technique?

Definitely contouring. Every girl I know wants high checkbones and eyes that pop. By using concealor and bronzer, you can create different shadows on the face to make it look like you have higher checkbones and a smaller nose. If anyone is interested in contouring, I suggest you get a makeup book or take a class, because the technique is somewhat complicated.

If you could only choose one makeup product to use on your face, what would it be?

A cream blush. You can use it on your lips for color and your cheeks. It gives a very fresh-faced look.

Who is your favorite makeup artist and why?
Alexis Vogul. I used to stay up late at night wh
en I was younger just to watch her informercials. I love the bombshell look, and she could turn even the plainest jane into a sexpot.

If we peeked into your makeup kit, what would we find?

For eyes and lips, I use only MAC makeup. It was originally designed to be used as theatrical makeup, so it's very long-lasting and gives an intense look. For foundations and concealors, I use Clinque and Lancome. Both lines have foundations and concealors that are very light weight and don't make the skin look cakey. I also have a great moistuizer and foundation primer. I carry mulitple mascaras. That's another great trick- to use two different mascaras when doing your makeup, because it will make the lashes look longer and thicker.

What's the last beauty item you purchased?

Nars body bronzer. It was a little too shimmery, but it didn't make me look orange like Snooki.

In your opinion, what's the biggest makeup mistake women make?

There's two. You have to choose between either dark eyes or dark lips. If a woman does both her eyes and lips dark, it's either too intense, or she just looks like a clown. The other big mistake is using a foundation that doesn't match your skin color. Some women go too light and some go too dark. Also, even when you find the perfect shade for you, remember to blend from the jaw to neck.

And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Eat This, Not That ; Drink This, Not That : Beauty Edition

Eat this : Alaskan wild salmon


Not that: Atlantic farm-raised salmon


Atlantic farm-raised salmon lacks almost all the benefits that someone should expect to get from eating salmon. The farmers raise the fish in very poor enivornmental conditions. Farmed- raised fish are also fed growth hormones and antibiotics dangerous to our health. Wild salmon is a much better choice, although it is more expensive. Supermarkets label the fish 'wild' or 'farm-raised', but you can also tell by the color. Wild will be a much darker pink, and the farm-raised will be a much lighter pink.

Celebs who love wild salmon: Cheryl Crow, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston ( I guess the two like a lot of the same things)









Drink this: Green or White Tea

 

Not that: Coffee
 

Everyone needs a daily boost in the morning, but tea provides you with many health and beauty benefits that coffee doesn't. Green and white teas contain a large amount of antioxidants that will improve skin, hair, teeth, and nails. Coffee doesn't have these same health benefits, and if consumed excessively, it can actually harm you. Coffee messes with your digestive system and irritates your stomach. It also doesn't allow your body to absorb all the nutrients from the food you are taking in.


Celebs who love green tea: Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson







Eat this: Guacamole made with spirulina algae or with avocado
 

Not that: Frito Lay dip and chips
 

Skip all the fat in normal chips and dips, and instead choose a dip that will leave you healthier and more glowing. Guacomole, made me avocados, contains the same health and beauty benefits as salmon. The Omega 3's in avocados will lower cholesterol, improve brain function, and help to detox the body of toxins. Guacomole does have a high fat content, but it is the healthy fat that your body needs. For a less fattening guacomole, use spirulina algae instead. It has the same benefits, with less fat.

Celebs who love guacomole : Jessica Simpson and supermodel Rebecca Romijin











Drink this: Red Wine
 
Not that: Cosmopolitan
 


When out on the town, get a beauty boost instead of a sugar rush. Red wine has numerous health benefits and contains a large amount of antioxidants. A sugary drink like a cosmopolitan will leave you feeling and looking like hell the next morning. The alcohol will leave you puffy, and all the sugar may make your skin break out. Not to mention the possible weight gain from making this one of your regular drinks.

Celebs who love red wine : Terri Hatcher






Eat this: Grapes
 
Not that: Melons
 

Grapes offer the same antioxidants found in red wine, and melons are very high in sugar and offer very little nutritional value. Grab grapes on the go, instead of laboring over cutting a melon and removing seeds.

Celebs who love fruit (as a main part of their diet) : Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Love Hewitt

How To Get An Instant Face Lift in 3 Days! (No Surgery Needed)

By eating certain foods rich in antioxidants and Omega 3's, you can avoid the painful cuts to your face and wallet needed for a surgicial face lift. This three-day diet will improve skin's firmness, reduce puffiness, and increase definition on your face. It will also improve acne and give skin an effortless glow. This diet is for women and men, both young and old. Many have called this diet "a face lift on a plate." Because this diet consists of all healthy foods, you may lose some weight as an added bonus. You really can't go wrong with these food combinations, and it is only for a short period of time ensuring you don't get bored or overwhelmed by the food choices and length of time. It is important to note that this diet should only be followed for the perscribed three days, and that it should be followed as closely to the list below for the best results. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
PERRICONE 3-DAY DIET   
Upon waking
8 to 12 ounces spring water
Breakfast
3 egg whites and 1 whole egg and/or a 4- to 6-ounce piece of broiled salmon
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (not instant)
4 oz cantaloupe + 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)
Lunch
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon or tuna packed in spring water
2 cups romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
4 oz cantaloupe + 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)
Snack
2 ounces low-salt, sliced chicken breast
4 raw, unsalted hazelnuts
1 green apple
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)
Dinner
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon
2 cups romaine (not iceberg) lettuce
1 tablespoon olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice as a salad dressing
1 cup steamed asparagus, broccoli, or spinach dressed with a little olive oil
4 oz cantaloupe + 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired) 

Before Going to Bed
2 ounces low-fat low-salt turkey or chicken breast
1/2 pear or green apple
3 or 4 almonds or olives
8 to 12 ounces of spring water    

For further information on Dr.Perricone's theories or for an extended 28-day version of this diet, see his book "The Perricone Perscription" (http://www.amazon.com/Perricone-Prescription-Nicholas/dp/0060188790)