Choosing summer footwear that looks and feels great

(ARA) - So long, snow boots, warm weather is here at last after one of the snowiest winters on record. But while you're skipping through summer in your saucy sandals or padding through the sand in your favorite flip-flops, what toll will your seasonal footwear take on your hardworking feet?

Nearly eight of every 10 Americans have experienced foot problems caused by wearing uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. "Many of us increase our activity levels in the summer, and that could mean an increased risk of foot and ankle discomfort or even injury," says APMA President and podiatrist Dr. Kathleen Stone. "Plus, many of the shoes we enjoy wearing during warm weather, like flip-flops and sandals, may not always be the best choice in terms of foot health."

The foot health experts at APMA offer some advice for taking care of your feet this summer:

Finding flip-flops

Once considered only beach wear, flip-flops have gone fashionable, now showing up in offices, classrooms and social events when warm weather arrives. But some styles may be more harmful to your feet than others and can cause blisters and foot pain. When shopping for flip-flops:

* Forego vinyl or rubber and look for high-quality, soft leather, which will minimize the potential for blisters and other irritations. The APMA certifies some footwear products with its Seal of Acceptance, which tells you a team of APMA podiatrists have evaluated the footwear to ensure it allows the most normal foot function and promotes foot health.

* Like all shoes, the flip-flop should bend at the ball of the foot. Don't buy it if the shoe bends completely in half.

* Straps should fit comfortably but not be too loose or too snug. Your foot should not hang off the edge of the flip-flop. The thong between the toes should not be irritating.

* If last year's flip-flops show severe signs of wear, toss them and buy a new pair.

* Don't wear flip-flops for long walks; even the sturdiest styles don't offer sufficient arch support and shock absorption for extended wearing. And never wear them when doing yard work or playing sports.

* If you suffer from heel pain or diabetes, avoid flip-flops altogether.

No sandal scandals

As popular as flip-flops, sandals are versatile options for warm weather footwear, but you don't have to sacrifice foot health to look good in them. Foot care specialists with the APMA suggest that you should choose a sandal as much for its comfort and support as its fashion appeal. Fortunately, following a few simple steps can ensure your feet look and feel good in the summers hottest fashion sandals:

* Flats and slides are comfy and convenient, but prolonged wearing and inadequate support and cushioning may lead to arch and heel pain. Use cushioned inserts to improve sandals' support, and choose styles that have soles that don't twist excessively.

* Gladiator sandals are back in step this season, but some styles may irritate the toes and cause calluses on the heels. Choose natural materials like soft, supple leather. Toes and heels should not hang off edges.

* Platforms and high heels may make your legs look great, but they can also put you at risk of foot and ankle injuries. Opt for heels less than 2 inches high, which offer more stability.

* Rubber soles with good traction, and a wider, flatter wedge are a must for anyone wearing wedges or espadrilles.

* Peep-toe sandals can put a lot of pressure on your feet, causing bunions and hammertoes over time. Wear them for short periods only and use APMA accepted toe inserts to improve comfort.

* Ankle-wrap sandals often lack true ankle support, and friction from the straps may cause blisters. Choose sandals with straps made of soft, breathable material like leather, cotton or satin. Never wrap the straps too tightly.

Podiatrists are uniquely trained to treat ailments of the foot and ankle, even serious conditions that may require surgery. If you suffer from persistent pain in your feet or ankles, it may be time to see a podiatrist. You can find a podiatrist by visiting the APMA's website, www.apma.org. You'll also find more helpful information on how to keep your feet healthy at any age, and during any activity, on the site.

Courtesy of ARAcontent


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Beauty basics to help you embrace autumn

(ARA) - Fall is a time of transition. Not only do you need to prepare your skin for the cold months ahead, but it’s time to transform your look from light and airy to soft and classic.

Focus on a few beauty basics – skin, make-up, fashion and fragrance – and you’ll have all you need for a fantastic fall.

Great skin is always in
As the weather gets cooler and drier, your skin needs extra moisture to keep it supple. Keep warm weather memories alive with a scent reminiscent of summer and try Coconut Milk Body Lotion from The Body Shop. Treat yourself to the finest ingredients – ethically sourced community trade virgin coconut oil from Samoa – and get soft, smooth and deliciously scented skin.

Pucker up
Autumn lips are washed in soft color. International make-up artist Chase Aston says this fall is all about the perfect pout and recommends Colourglide Lip Color from The Body Shop.

Aston shares his tips for luscious and gorgeous lips:
* Use a lip liner for added definition and to help prevent feathering.
* Enhance the natural color of your lips by gently gliding on lip color. For added pout power, use a lipstick/concealer brush.
* Look for a shade that complements your skin tone. With 37 shades, you can easily find Colourglide Lip Color that works for you.

Ultra-modern eyes
This fall, dramatic smoldering eyes are what’s fabulous.

To achieve fall’s hottest eye looks, Aston gives these sizzling tips:
* Smudge together forest green, shimmering grey and lilac to create a chic, modern, smoky eye.
* To create an intense, sultry eye look, look for a palette that features a warm trio of rich brown, golden copper and shimmering sand hues.
* Try a metallic eye definer. Alone, it can be used to line and define or use it to complement your favorite eye shadow. “Choose shades that contrast your eyes to make them pop,” says Aston. “Apply color to the eyelid or along the lash-line as an accent for impact.”

Bundle up
Classic, “back to basics” clothing was all the rage on the fall runways. This season’s must-have piece is the crisp white jacket that works with everything from jeans to a little black dress. The key accessory to sport is perfectly fitting with the chill in the air – gloves. Half gloves, fingerless gloves and long gloves are gracing the arms of starlets walking the red carpet and go with everything from rugged parkas to dainty and ladylike skirts. If you’ve got a special occasion to dress for, or if you’re just plain feeling glam, the gold dress, inspired by the rich tones of autumn, is the choice for your holiday parties.

For more information on fall beauty basics, visit TheBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Beauty: Not Just Skin Deep

(NAPSI)-Is it really possible to make yourself 20 percent more beautiful by changing the way you look at yourself in the mirror? The answer is yes. Clinical and psychological studies prove that women find themselves 20 percent less attractive than others perceive them. This is because when looking in the mirror, women are not taking into account the personality, charisma, kindness, empathy, intellect or talent that they exhibit to others.

"There are many definitions of beauty and many ways to be beautiful," says Los Angeles based dermatologist and co-author of "The Beauty Prescription," Dr. Debra Luftman. "You cannot alter your genetic makeup, but you can change the way you care for your appearance."

In the book, Dr. Luftman shares practical tips called "beauty boosters." These tips encourage women to feel beautiful inside and out.

Beauty Booster No. 1: Fake It Until You Make It. Eye contact and smiling in social situations are simple ways a woman can enhance the way she looks and feels. However, conveying confidence through body language can be intimidating, especially for women who are emotional sweaters. In fact, one in four women mentions that she worries about excessive underarm wetness, which can affect self-confidence and hinder social interaction. Dr. Luftman suggests a dermatologist-recommended clinical strength antiperspirant/deodorant to combat excessive wetness. "Dove Clinical Protection delivers prescription strength wetness protection without a prescription. It combines 24-hour odor and wetness protection and exceptional skin care benefits to provide women with the ultimate combination of strength and beauty."

Beauty Booster No. 2: Change Is Good. Seek new experiences and keep yourself open to change-enroll in a challenging aerobics class, try a different hair color or cultivate a passion for something new, like gardening or volunteering. Feeling excited about new opportunities and challenges will provide a sense of joy and ultimately enhance your inner beauty.

Beauty Booster No. 3: Stop Obsessing. Negative, self-critical obsessing not only affects women internally, it affects them externally, too. It can often be seen in the form of frowns or other disheartening expressions, which is unattractive on even the most beautiful women. Instead, during interactions, focus on others and think about ways to make them feel good. Offer up a compliment or mention something positive in conversation to help generate positive thinking.

Beauty Booster No. 4: The Eyes Have It. Eyes communicate emotions like no other part of the face, so it is important to care for them. Circles under the eyes are generally caused by an increase in skin pigment or high vein visibility, due to genetics or inflammation. Use cold compresses of green tea bags to help alleviate vascular congestion and inflammation. Then use an eye cream with hyaluronic acid to hydrate sunken eyes and decrease the appearance of crow's-feet.

For more information about why people sweat and products for it, visit doveclincialprotection.com.

Dr. Debra Luftman

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Top 5 must-have summer beauty essentials

(ARA) - Summer means making memories with friends and loved ones. There are more cameras at summer events than there are at a movie premiere, and you’ll want to look your best while you beat the heat.

Fortunately, a handful of products that should have a spot in your beauty bag can protect your skin while giving it a sun-kissed glow. Here are the top five affordable luxuries you should have in your makeup kit this summer to keep skin looking healthy, glowing and gorgeous:

1. Bronzed beauty
Just a few years ago, women spent hours soaking up the sun without the protection of sunscreen. Today, we know the dangers of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays and their potential to seriously damage skin. Instead, try Bronzing Powder from The Body Shop in a shade to match your skin tone. Each shade contains the antioxidant vitamin E to protect your skin and Community Trade marula oil, a highly effective moisturizer. Apply bronzing powder over foundation or add shimmer by wearing alone on the face and cheeks.

2. Mascara that stands up to summer
The heat of summer can lead to less-than-beautiful raccoon eyes, so it’s important to have a good waterproof mascara in your toolkit that can stand up to the ocean, the pool and even an afternoon running through the sprinkler.

3. Bright eyes for hot nights
One of the most affordable ways to update your summer look is with eye color and this season’s hottest shades are intense. Celebrity makeup artist Chase Aston recommends Hot Brights Eye Color (available at BodyShop-USA.com). His favorite color combinations? Violet Sunset -- a flirty pairing of dusky pink with rich mauve and Pearly Sky – a vibrant deep aqua combined with earthy cream..

“Violet Sunset is the perfect color palette for summer smoky eyes. For both the day and night, smudge this intoxicating color palette around the eyes,” says Aston. “These satin soft shades in Pearly Sky glide onto the eyes, creating a burst of color that shimmers in the sun for fresh, flirty hues for those hot summer days.”

4. Cool and refreshing
Whether you spent your day at a barbecue or the beach, it’s likely you’ll need a quick cool down at dusk. The Body Shop’s Peppermint Cooling foot spray refreshes and revives hot and tired feet and legs in seconds with Community Trade peppermint from England.

5. Vacation beauty
If a vacation or quick weekend getaway is in the cards, make sure your travel kit is packed with travel-sized essentials like mini body butters, scrubs and skincare travel kits from The Body Shop. They save room in your suitcase and provide a beautiful summer glow no matter where you jet off to.

With your summer beauty bag packed, make sure you’ve got other essentials covered. Rock the retro look with a pair of candy-colored, 80’s inspired sunglasses. A stylish and oversized black straw hat looks at home on the runway or shading out the sun and a brightly colored sarong that can go from beach cover-up to casual dinner wear will having you feeling like a gilded goddess.

For more information on summer beauty essentials, visit www.theBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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