I have been one of those unfortunate people who collected tartar like an adult even as a young child. Even with the excessive tartar build-up, as an intermittent smoker, coffee and tea drinker, my teeth remain fairly white. My parents get most of the credit for remaining diligent about regular visits to the dentist throughout my childhood, and making sure we used proper dental hygiene. We were also tortured with a lack of junk food as a regular part of our diet.

My siblings and I were entitled to two sandwich cookies a day with lunch, and maybe a bowl of ice cream for dessert after dinner. Holiday candies were doled out sparingly throughout the course of the year, but our Christmas stockings principally contained nuts and fruits with only a small amount of candy. Easter baskets contained only a few jelly beans, and even fewer chocolate or marshmallow treats. On Halloween, we thought we’d hit the jackpot—until our candy was poured into a community bag and disbursed at the discretion of Mom and Dad. So I owe the state of my fairly pearly whites primarily to my parents, hereditary factors included.

Why do Teeth Stain?

Teeth are protected by an outer protective coating called enamel. As enamel breaks down or erodes the underlying layer of yellowish dentin shows through. In addition, the same foods and drinks that stain our clothes if spilled on them also begin to seep into the weak enamel and stain our teeth.

Other stains are intrinsic; they stain from the inside out. Children who took certain antibiotics such as tetracycline or whose mothers took tetracycline while they were pregnant, may have intrinsic stains on their teeth. Silver fillings may also leach out and stain the surrounding teeth. Root canals are another cause of intrinsic stains. Tooth enamel naturally wears over time, so age is another factor that leads to yellowing of teeth as well as hereditary factors.

How to Prevent the Yellowing of Teeth

The best treatment for anything is prevention. Proper dental hygiene will help diminish the build-up of tartar which aids in the breakdown of dental enamel. Dental professionals recommend brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first one starts to break through the gums. This will get your child used to brushing at a very young age, and a positive habit will already be formed by the time long-term memory develops. Brushing every morning and every night is a must. Whenever possible, brushing after meals will go a long way to help reduce the amount of sugar in the mouth that may eat away at the enamel. When brushing after meals isn’t possible, rinse your mouth by swishing a swig of water and then swallowing. Floss in the morning and before you go to bed to remove any plaque that may collect between the teeth. Visits to the dentist should occur at least every six months for care and cleaning of the teeth.

Avoid:
• Drinking sodas, coffee and tea as rule
• Tobacco of any kind, including smokeless
• Candy and chocolate as a rule
• Foods made with refined sugars
• Laying your child down to sleep with a bottle. The liquid that isn’t swallowed if the child falls asleep with the bottle in his/her mouth will slowly erode the teeth, even before they have broken through the gums.

How to Treat Yellowing Teeth

Besides trips to the dentist and expensive dental bleaching processes, there are some things you can do at home to help whiten your teeth. Home remedies won’t be as effective if you continue to use tobacco and drink coffee, tea, and sodas. These are obviously the main teeth staining culprits.

Home Remedies for stained teeth:
• Baking soda—use no more than 2-3 times a week. Baking soda is and abrasive, and while it will remove the stains on your teeth, it will also aid in wearing away the enamel, potentially making it easier for more stains to form. Dip toothbrush in soda, and brush thoroughly. Rinse and follow with regular toothpaste.
• Hydrogen Peroxide—dilute with water and swish around mouth daily. Be sure to spit it out—do not swallow solution. Follow by brushing teeth with regular toothpaste. It can also be combined with baking soda. Dip your toothbrush into peroxide followed by baking soda. Brush teeth thoroughly. Rinse and follow with regular toothpaste.
• Lemon or strawberries rubbed on the teeth. Must brush after using to remove the excess natural sugars. I’ve also heard the inside of a rind of an orange will help. I have never tried this, so don’t know if it’s an old wife’s tale or not.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash—this will reduce the amount of stain-catching plaque on your teeth

Some over-the-counter teeth bleaching products have been shown to work. Check with your family dentist or pharmacist for recommendations of safe and effective teeth whitening products. Some suggest drinking through a straw whenever possible so that the liquid drawn into the mouth is directed to the back over the tongue, and not over all the teeth. I didn’t find any evidence to conclusively support this, but it does seem logical depending on what you are drinking.

Above all, proper dental hygiene will help in keeping those pearly whites as white and pearly as possible.

-Anne

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Looking for a good masque that’s also heaven for your skin? You don’t have spend an abysmal fortune at a spa. Odds are you can make a natural, skin-nourishing homemade masque with ingredients you already have in your cupboard.

Quick note! Before applying any masque (doesn’t matter if it’s store-bought or homemade) be sure to cleanse your face and apply to dry skin only.

For oily skin

Whisk an egg white until it froths and forms peaks. Spread over your face, careful to avoid the eyes. In 10 to 15 minutes or when dry, rinse off with warm water. This effectively sucks up excess oil, and tightens skin for a more youthful appearance.

For dry skin

This one is just the opposite of the oily skin masque. Beat an egg yolk and apply to the face. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Your skin will feel silky smooth and hydrated.

For skin purification

Cook a cup of plain oatmeal and add two tablespoons of honey. If you have oily skin, mix in an egg white. If you have dry skin, mix in an egg yolk. When thoroughly mixed, gently apply to your face and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes or until completely dry. Rinse off with warm water.

For improving skin texture

Take one avocado, one carrot and one egg and mix in a blender until smooth. Add one tablespoon of honey to further clarify skin. Spread over your face and décolletage, allowing to sit for 15 minutes or until masque is completely dry. Rinse with cool water. Your skin will be smooth, hydrated and glowing!

For acne prone skin

Core one apple and mix until smooth in a blender. Add 3 tablespoons of honey. If you have especially oily skin, you can add a ½ cup of cooked oatmeal. Apply the masque onto your skin and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

For dark circles and bags under eyes

While you’re lying down letting your masque dry, take two slices of cucumber and set them over your eyes. It looks outrageously cliché, but it really lightens skin and reduces under eye puffiness.

Special rose petal toner

After removing your masque, you can prep your skin for moisturizing with this wonderful rose petal toner. You’ll need 3 ½ cups of witch hazel, ½ cup of dried rose petals and 5 fresh sprigs of rosemary.

If you have a mortar and pestle, you can mash up the rose petals and rosemary to further release their toning properties. If not, just mix all ingredients together in a bowl, making sure it’s blended well. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth and splash on the face. Do not rinse off.

Creamy soft skin lotion

After toning, you should hydrate your skin with a moisturizer. Always use a moisturizer even if you have oily skin. In fact, people with oily skin benefit most from moisturizing!

Steep a cup of chamomile in a cup of milk for a couple hours, then strain, keeping the liquid. Add 4 tablespoons of honey and 2 ½ tablespoons of wheat germ to the liquid. Blend well and apply to your face after toning. Store the unused portion in the fridge.

–Magdalena

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Over the past few years, I’ve noticed purple-ish circles around my eyes. I don’t totally mind though. I’ve got that gothic pasty face look going on with the dark eyes. It works for me. Although there are times, especially when I’m having my picture taken for my New York Times best seller (ok, that didn’t happen yet, but it could) that I’d like to look….well, you know, less deathly.

What causes dark eye circles?

Lack of sleep is the most common cause of dark eye circles. As I know first-hand from years of insomnia, it’s difficult to get more sleep to remedy this issue. However, you can reduce stressors and develop a sleep schedule to help get more zzzzs.

Other contributing factors include aging, heredity, allergies, fatigue, stress, staring at the computer for too long and sun exposure can create a dark pigment around the eyes. Some studies show that smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages can make dark eye circles worse.

Tips and Treatment

I’ve never really used makeup to solve the problem because I always felt weird putting makeup close to my eyes. So I’ve tried other methods to decrease the darkness.

I like to use a cool compress or a few cucumbers to reduce any puffiness. Note: do not apply ice or cold water directly to the skin. It’s best to use cool water.

Tea bags are also effective for reducing dark circles because the tannin found in tea helps eliminate puffiness.

Grate up some potatoes to help lighten your under eye circles. Catecholase is an enzyme found in potatoes that works as a human skin lightener. Put the raw mash into some cheesecloth and place over eye area for 20 minutes. Note: don’t let the potatoe juice come in contact with your eye.

If you must use a concealer, try a yellow-ish one but make sure it’s not too light our you’ll have the reverse raccoon effect.

-Nolan

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The first thing I notice about people are their eyes: the size, the shape, the color. Eyes are amazing. They’re the profound window to the soul… and the eyelashes are the gorgeous curtain framing them. Heh, I know. Totally cliché and over the top.

Women are constantly striving for longer, thicker eyelashes, battling it out with all sorts of cosmetics every single day. I do too. If only there was a way to make your eyelashes grow thicker, naturally.

What you can do to achieve longer, thicker eyelashes

Honestly, nothing. If you weren’t born with them you will never have them. There are some home remedies out there that say to use castor oil to make your eyelashes grow. I find it a little hard to believe. Many people have even talked about their eyelashes falling out when using castor oil.

Really the only things you can do to make your eyelashes appear longer and thicker are cosmetic and must be done everyday. There are all sorts of mascara available today: ones that lengthen, thicken, curl, define, strengthen. And they come in all sorts of colors to match your hair, and even clear.

Curling your eyelashes can also give the illusion of volume and definition and it’s really easy to do. Eyelash curlers are available in the beauty section of any local drugstore.

False eyelashes or eyelash extensions are another route you can take to give the appearance of longer eyelashes. They’re a little tricky to put on but they give you dramatic, instant results. You can pick up a set at any drugstore.

There are many kinds of eyelash conditioners available today as well. You use them like a mascara and they’re supposed to make your eyelashes appear and grow thicker and longer. Again, I’m a little skeptical about this. You can’t make the width of an eyelash bigger just by applying a topical gel to it; the thickness of your eyelashes is programmed in your genes. I guess we’re just fixated on a little too much wishful thinking.

–Magdalena

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Ah Valentine’s Day—a day for chocolates, flowers and love. But what about your look? Are you going to go out for that special Valentine’s Day dinner in the same old black dress and mood makeup you put together last year? Let’s spice it up a bit.

Part of a healthy well-being is feeling good about you. Since you’re going out for Valentine’s Day, you should feel good about yourself and what you wear.

The ensemble. So let’s start with the outfit because you need a killer outfit to set the tone. Dress appropriately for the occasion (dinner and a movie = sultry, rocking climbing = I don’t think 4-inch heels are gonna work here) and feel good about what you’re wearing. Pick an outfit that’s stylish and covers up problem areas while accentuating your best assets. And don’t forget to add some flair with a scarf around the neck (or as a headband), a bracelet, some earrings…add a little sparkly here and there.

A WARNING: No droopy, loose blah clothes. No crazy mismatched patterns or sickly-looking colors. Come on people! Let’s celebrate this day in style.

A hair-raising idea. Make a subtle statement for Valentine’s Day. Change your hair up a bit. Whether you put a few clips in, go curly, straighten it out, or stick a little mousse in for that irresistible bed-head look. Even a little change goes a long way.

Add drama. Makeup can add that hint of drama you’ve been missing. Don’t overdo it though. Give your eyes more attention with shimmer eye shadow. For luscious, kissable lips slap on some tinted lip gloss—not too bold though.

Smell divine. Dab a little perfume on each wrist. Try something light and appealing. Don’t put too much on and try to think of a scent your date will like.

Feel confident about your look and have a great Valentine’s Day!

–Nolan

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