The Best of Beauty & Style

Masonic swords beautifully engraved or etched with one or more.

Masonic symbols and emblems hold great significance to members of the order of Freemasons (Masons). There are several different styles of Masonic swords, and

each style can use different colored metals such as silver, gold, brass and bronze to

form the blade, hilt, pommel and other parts of the sword. Each style of Masonic

Sword can also bear several different engraved Masonic symbols and emblems,

each symbol or emblem having its own significance in the Masonic world. Masonic swords often have colored inlays that also add to their visual appeal, and they are sometimes set with gems or jewels. Masonic daggers – shorter versions of Masonic swords with blades that are only 12 to 14 inches long – also exist, and these are also highly decorated with Masonic symbols such as the Compass and Square.

Masonic Swords are grounded in honor, history, and tradition:

Swords in general have traditionally and historically been viewed as instruments of might, justice, honor, integrity and truth. They have been used for thousands of years, not just as weapons, but also as symbolic instruments that indicate status. Because swords are so highly emblematic of so many different virtues, they are still worn for ceremonial purposes at various important events. Many of the values that swords symbolize are at the center of Freemasonry, and for this reason, Masons often wear Masonic swords during their ceremonies and rituals.

No one is certain about the specific origins of Freemasonry, but it is likely that the organization developed out of the stonemasons craft guilds that flourished during the Middle Ages. The Knights Templar, an organization of Christian knights that was formed during the Crusades to protect Christians during their pilgrimages to the Holy Land, probably had a large influence on early Masons. And that historical influence almost certainly continues even today. Swords are intimately associated with the purpose and history of the Knights Templar, and this association could very possibly be

another reason for the symbolic, ceremonial importance of Masonic swords in Masonic

rites, both past and present.

Masonic swords are beautiful, highly decorative and highly symbolic instruments that are worn by Masons during certain Freemason ceremonies and rituals. They are finely crafted symbols of pride in being a Mason and of their owners’ status within the organization. They are symbols of the dedication of all Masons to justice, honor, integrity and truth – all of which are keystone principles in Freemasonry. Masonic swords are visual symbols of their bearers’ level of achievement within Masonic society and structure, but they are much more than that. Masonic swords are symbols of Freemasonry’s tradition of working to make the world a better place, and their bright blades reflect honor, history and tradition.

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Beauty is an important asset to women in our modern society. Outer female beauty plays an important role in interpersonal relationship, marriage and social activities. Disproportionate views and treatment to beautiful women can be seen easily in daily lives. This is the reason which causes women to spend large amount of money willingly to go under the knife, enhancing their physical appearance. Hair, the crowning glory of women defines the most significant element of female beauty. Bad hair days never fail to turn women into the doldrums and statistics show that women spend most of their time on mirrors adjusting and styling their hair. As a result, female pattern balding is a fear to many women causing them to panic at the sight of even a few strands of hair on their comb after styling. However, these fears are not unfounded as female pattern balding is affecting a lot of the female counterparts nowadays. Female pattern balding is caused by several factors such as grooming, emotional stress, pregnancy and genetic reasons.

Understanding the hair growth cycle is instrumental in identifying the causes of balding. Hair exists in three phases known as anagen, catagen and telogen phases. Under the anagen phase, hair follicles are in active growing phase which last between 2-6 years. During this phase, the cells at the root of the hair are dividing rapidly, lengthening the hair shaft. The hair will grow about half an inch every month. At the end of the anagen phase, the hair will enter the catagen phase which lasts for two weeks. During catagen phase, the hair will gradually be cut off from blood supply before entering the telogen phase. During the telogen phase, which is also called the resting phase, the hair follicles are at rest. This phase lasts for about 90 days and telogen hairs are shed at a normal rate of 25-100 strands each day with new hair beginning to replace them. At any point of time, 85% of the hair is in the anagen phase while the rest are in telogen or catagen phase.

Factors such as grooming, emotional stress, pregnancy and genetic reasons can disrupt the hair growth cycle causing female pattern balding. Consistent grooming and styling can cause hair breakage, dandruffs and oily hair. Oily hair blocks the hair follicle and disrupts the hair growth cycle. Emotional stress, usually associated to an individual undergoing a traumatic experience, can cause more hair to enter the telogen phase. However, this type of baldness is temporarily and usually the hair will start to grow back. Hormonal changes during pregnancy also contribute to hair loss. It is normal for women to lose their hair during or after pregnancy and after the hormonal levels return to normal, the hair will start growing back. Finally, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is produced from our body shortens and degrades the hair follicle. Due to genetic reasons, hair with more androgen receptors where DHT are attached to is more likely to be affected.

In conclusion, female pattern balding is the greatest fear to women when looks are important in today’s society. Although there is no specific cure to female pattern balding, there are medications and hair solutions that are able to minimize or counter the effects. Alternatives range from cheaper Minodixil scalp spray to more expensive hair transplant. While a lot has been discussed and emphasized on the outer beauty, the inner beauty of women should not be neglected. Confidence and good character are the most important components of women’s beauty.

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We sometimes get carried away with styling our hair, we might apply some extra heat or leave on that hair styling gel a bit longer which might damage our hair. Fortunately for most types of damaged hair there is a cure and it can be repaired fairly easily. But recovering does take time, its not a push button process but according to the extent of the damage It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to fully recover.

We all want our hair to look its best. So we get great hair color jobs done to get just the right tone, and we get hair perms to get just the right curl, and we use relaxers, to get just the right hang. And then what do we get? Dry, brittle hair. All of the treatments we use to make our hair look great frequently have just the opposite effect, drying our hair out and leaving us with chemical-damaged, weak, frizzy messes on top of our heads. At the end of the day, your hair needs some serious care- and different conditioning treatments can do the trick.

If you’ve used hair dye, used hair relaxer, or had a perm, your hair has been exposed to chemicals that have thrown your hair’s natural moisture balance out of whack. But you can get it back on track. By understanding the level of damage to your hair, you can determine what type of treatment will restore that balance.

Start by getting yourself a really strong moisturizing daily conditioner. This will help restore moisture to your hair on a day-to-day basis, stalling further deterioration while you take more aggressive steps to undo the damage done by various chemical treatments. A good daily conditioner is the foundation of your hair’s health, but it often isn’t enough to fully restore damaged hair to health.

For many people with dry, damaged hair, a deep-conditioning agent might be necessary. Select a deep conditioner according to the level of damage your hair has sustained (many will be labeled by the source of the damage, e.g. “For Color-Treated Hair”), and the time you can allow. Depending on the product you choose, deep conditioning can take anywhere from a few minutes to a full hour, so purchase one that suits your schedule. After a normal shampoo, work about half a tablespoon of the conditioner through your hair, starting at the roots and moving down to the tips. Leave it in for the suggested amount of time, and then rinse thoroughly. Depending upon the level of damage, you may want to repeat this process several times a week at first, and cut back as your hair’s condition improves.

Finally, there are oil treatments. Warm oil treatments can make dry hair soft, sleek and supple. Apply the warm oil of your choice to your hair after shampooing, wrap it in a towel, and allow to stand for about twenty minutes. Then rinse the oil out, with a little shampoo, and enjoy healthier, happier hair.

Recovering from damaged hair is not a difficult or very time consuming process, but it takes time. During which you cannot and should not use any strong oxiders or curling irons. Keep your hair the way it is for at least 3 weeks, during which you should continue to shampoo and conditioner your hair daily. Try not to keep your hair damp and stay away from a blow drier. If you can follow through you should have your old hair back within a few weeks. And this time you will be extra careful with it.

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Mirrors are an excellent way to decorate your home, as well as give the appearance of a larger room. Great places to use mirrors in your home are above the fireplace mantle, on a dining room wall, in your entryway, and of course in groupings with other items such as wall sconces, etc.

You can also add to the beauty of your home by using decorative mirrors. Place mirrors strategically, so that they reflect something beautiful and exquisite in your room, such as a gorgeous plant, handsome statue or piece of art. If you have a fireplace, hanging the mirror so that the fire is reflected is absolutely stunning.

A great way to use mirrors to accent your home is by painting a wall a different color than your other walls. Using a burgundy paint, for example, will really accentuate an elaborate gold framed mirror. Hang mirrors in groups, using different sizes and accenting with smaller items or leaves and ivy strategically placed around the perimeter. Always use an odd number of pieces when grouping on your walls – it’s much more pleasing to the eye. Use your imagination – there are endless ways to use mirrors to beautify your home other than just hanging them on the wall!

There are endless styles of mirrors to choose from when decorating your home. The classic gold frame is always popular. You can find mirrors with all types of frames – wood, bamboo, scrollwork, even rope frames. They can be embellished with flowers, jewels and colored glass or even beads. Exotic, Western, Shabby Chic or Colonial, whatever your style, mirrors will add dimension and depth to your home as well as beauty. Mirrors don’t have to be boring, in fact they can be the most central and attractive decorative piece in your home!

When decorating your special place, don’t forget to use plenty of mirrors. They are a great reflection on you, and your sense of style. Mirrors are not just for the bathroom anymore! Be daring and different, and use your imagination.

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Although there are many hair styling tools today, it is still difficult for some to do their own hair. They are afraid to make a mess while attempting to curl their hair. Others are simply scared to ruin their beautiful hair in the process.

It is true that thermal devices can damage your hair. After all, heat and hair do not go well together. However, if you use the hairstyling tools properly and aid your usage with protective products, you will surely have a beautifully styled and undamaged hair.

The first thing that you need to consider is the quality of your hair devices. Start with the blow dryer. Keep in mind that blow dryers can also damage your hair because they also release heat in order to dry your hair.

It is important that you invest in a good hair dryer because this is what you will use regularly. The ionic hair dryers are what professional hairstylists use today. The beautiful results it leaves make it the popular choice.

Aside from the blow dryers, you have to choose high quality styling tools as well. Check the plating of the hair straightener and the rod of the curling iron. Ceramic and ionic tools are still the best. It leaves your hair looking healthier and smoother.

Although you have the best styling tools, it is still better to apply products that will protect your hair from heat exposure. You also have to familiarize the different levels of heat in the device. The different hair types need different levels of heat. If you place the level of temperature on high and you have a fine hair type, you will put your hair in jeopardy.

Another thing that you have to remember when styling your hair is its preparation. You have to prepare your hair every time you style it. The first step is to wash your hair. Shampoo it thoroughly and apply hair conditioner. Shampooing removes the dirt off your hair while the conditioner makes it more manageable. Towel-dry your hair and remove as many water off it as possible. Before you proceed, apply a cream that will protect it from heat. Blow-dry it using the ionic blow dryers afterwards and make sure that it is completely dry.

When done, group your hair in parts and work on one section at a time. Before you clip your hair with the flat iron or curling rod, spray it with another protective product and you are off to style.

Styling your hair for the first time is often scary. You do not know how it will turnout. If you want to wear a new style using the styling tools, try to practice beforehand. This will allow you to make adjustments if you do not like what you see. In addition, you do not have to go out after you style.

The key to fun styling is investing in good devices. Aside from they deliver the best results, you do not have to worry about hair damage. Apply products to protect your hair from the heat of these thermal devices to make sure your hair remains healthy.

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Generalmente no se dan juntas, aunque admito que a veces si. ¿Que atrae mas en el hombre y en la mujer? Si tuvieras que elegir una de ellas, ¿cual sería y que estarías dispuesto a dar o perder por ello?

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“Beautiful baubles”

Project creation, article and photo by: Madeleine M Langlois

Hands-on time: Less than two hours per dozen.

Total time: Plus 48 hours for paint to cure.

Skill: Easy to moderate.

Cost estimate: Less than $10.00 for a dozen.

Materials & tools:

Clear or frosted glass balls in assorted shapes and sizes

Vitrail and Porcelaine 150 paints by Pébéo

Copper leafing and adhesive size by Renaissance Foil, Detla

Micro beads

Assorted beads

Decorative wire in 22 to 25 gauge

Assorted colourful and white rice papers

Mod Podge by Plaid

Sparkle Glaze by Delta

Iridescent flakes, rhinestones, tassels, gold string and Fun wool for decorative accents

Applicator bottles (small plastic bottles with a nozzle tips)

Basic tools needed; wire cutter, scissors, painter’s tape, a sea sponge and assorted paintbrushes, and metal glue

*(all above items are available at arts and craft supply stores

This year, deck the halls with beautiful ball creations in medleys of rich colours and styles. Make your own holiday ornaments to add among your cherished oldies and to treasure for years to come. Decorating the home with impressive ornaments has never been easier to achieve, utilizing only a handful of basic craft supplies. Glass ball ornaments with sophistication from eclectic to elegant designs are painted with brilliant colours and magnificently decorated with copper leafing, rice paper, beads, tassels and ritzed up with glitz.

Aside from decorating a traditional Christmas tree, ball ornaments make distinguished decorations to beautify an entrance, a hallway, or to grace a mantel. Mixtures of solid colours or striped balls are simply splendid displayed in tall vases, large bowls or incorporated into a spectacular centerpiece.

If you live in a small space, decorating with ornaments is a fantastic way to add wonderment to your décor without incorporating a huge tree. Smaller glass versions are perfect to jazz up tabletop trees and to create stylist floral arrangements.

Preparing the base of the glass ornaments:

Prepare the glass surface for painting by washing the balls thoroughly with soap and water and wipe dry.

Attach a decorative string to the metal cap tips that come with the glass balls. It makes it easier to handle the balls while painting and practical to hang them for drying on an ornament stand or a coat rack with pegs.

Paint the surfaces of the glass balls with a soft bristle paintbrush using Vitrail paints in your choice of colours from emerald, red violet to turquoise blues. I used a rich palette of crimson, brown, and burnt amber. Since these are decorative items only, I used Vitrail solvent based paints because the colours are brilliant and they don’t need to be heat set. Once painted hang the balls to air-dry. They will dry within hours and be ready to decorate within a 48 hour period. Use a solvent base cleaner to clean your brushes well.

Eclectic paper collage; Painted glass balls are garlanded with assorted scraps of colourful and white rice papers. Use paper bits and pieces leftover from other holiday projects. Apply a coat of Mod Podge over the surface of the ball. Randomly apply and layer tiny paper pieces around the ball, leaving some areas exposed in order to see its colour. To secure the paper composition into place, apply a top coat of Mod Podge and let dry. Once dry apply a coat of sparkle glaze to make them glitter and glow.

Renaissance: Apply vertical stripes evenly spaced all around the ball with a fine point paintbrush using Porcelaine 150, Vermeil gold. For a majestic look apply rhinestones garnishes over the dried gold stripes using metal glue.

Baroque: Apply narrow painter’s tape to create two stripes on the bottom half of a glass ball. Apply adhesive sizing with soft paintbrush to the area between the tape stripes. Set the ball a side to allow the adhesive to become dry and tacky to the touch (15-60 minutes). Place and press copper leaf over the adhesive medium to adhere to the ball. Use a clean soft brush to secure the leafing into place and to remove excess pieces. Top off with a wire length fastened around the cap, bead the ends and add a tassel.

Old world: Apply adhesive sizing randomly around the ball and follow the leafing steps as above. The leafing will only stick to the areas where the medium was applied. Apply a length of Terrifically Tacky Tape around the center of the ball. For a gleaming touch, sprinkle iridescent flakes over the tape and gently pat it.

Glistening swirl: Simply dab a colour of Vitrail paint around a glass ball using a sea sponge. Once dry, apply a band of rice paper with a swirl pattern at the center of the ball with Mod Podge. Apply glitter glaze around the ball. Wrap a piece of coloured wire around the cap of the ball and decorate the ends with beads.

Beaded Rococo: Pour assorted metallic Porcelaine 150 paints into applicator bottles, one for each different colour. Using one colour at a time, squeeze the bottle to release paint along the sides of the ball, letting some of the colours overlap and some areas free of drippings. Let it dry and set for 48 hours. Garnish the ball with a band of colourful micro beads using Terrifically Tacky Tape. For an elaborate cap finish use fuzzy wool and bead accents.

Give older ornaments a renewed look by sprucing them up using the same supplies in order to blend in with your new ornaments. Each year make and add new styles of ornaments to your collection. Make extra ornaments to give as gifts to friends, teachers and relatives.

Variations;

Ribbons and fabric remnants make fabulous ornament embellishments. For a dazzling look use sequins, glitter glues, and old jewellery odds and ends. Modern and minimalist styles of ornaments can be made utilizing materials such as clay, foils, tinsel, wire, and mesh. For special effects make basic geometric shapes using textured or snow paints. For fine details or to inscribe your dinner guests names onto a personalized ornament use Porcelaine liners or markers by Pébéo.

Copyright MaddyLane Designs/Miy Decorations © 2006

For more Miy articles visit www.maddylane.com

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Tiffany-style lamps used to be just the domain of the rich and they were, in fact, symbols of wealth. These days, however, these lamps are found in the homes of the middle class as exquisite decorations.

Original Tiffany Lamps

Louis Comfort Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Co., made the first Tiffany lamp in 1899. Tiffany had developed a technique of creating stained glass. He created his lamps with stained glass that were formed then into mosaics. Tiffany’s first customers were rich families who desire great decoration pieces for their homes. Production was at its peak from 1895 to 1920.

Today, however, you can find many of them Tiffany-style lamps, which are essentially knock offs of the same, very expensive, genuine Tiffany lamps.

Tiffany-Style Lamps

Tiffany-style lamps are by no means cheap. They are, in fact, expensive. But the real Tiffany lamps, however, are VERY EXPENSIVE. Some of the original Tiffany lamps that were made in the 1890s are now selling for as much as $8 million – and that doesn’t include the cost of having your Tiffany lamp authenticated by an antique dealer.

If you are trained in the different design movements, you can easily spot an original Tiffany from a Tiffany-style lamp by the modern-day design. If you have an untrained eye, however, you should better protect your investment by having it authenticated.

All Over The House And The Office

Tiffany-style lamps can be place anywhere in your home. The smaller lamps can be used to decorate your desk while the larger floor lamps can be used to light up a room in your room. Still, some lamps could be used to accent a formal dining room.

The impact of Tiffany-style lamps in the world is enormous, hence, many companies are producing these types of lamps. As if it wasn’t enough, they are even considered by some quarters as one of America’s greatest contributions to the world.

Tiffany-style lamps do not deviate so much from the original Tiffany lamps. They are still small-to-medium in size and they come in a variety of colors, color schemes and styles to match your tastes and complement the rest of your house or office. There is practically no limit to the creativity that has gone to the design of Tiffany-style lamps. They may make-up the mood of a room with their designs.

Choosing A Tiffany-Style Lamp

For their sheer beauty, it won’t be easy to choose a Tiffany-style lamp. That there are so many Tiffany-style lamps in different designs doesn’t really help. But choose the lamp that best attributes your whole room.

Tiffany-style lamps work best with excellent designed rooms because these create a relaxed and romantic ambience. The light that comes from them is soft and sensual too. When buying a lamp, be prepared to shell out your money. A tiffany-style mini-lamp can cost $66.95. Lamps in other shapes and sizes can cost several hundred dollars although there are some bargains that you can find out on the Internet.

In any case, a thing of beauty is always worth the price that you pay for.

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Just as the type of hair cut differs between genders and varies in terms of culture, knowing the proper tool to use for a particular purpose is also essential. According to Jennie Gandhi:

The most important component of cutting is the tool. Various tools like scissors, shears and razors are used for cutting. Each tool results a specific type of cut. A stunning hairstyle can change the look of the individual. It’s not only the tool that changes the look but also a trained mind and a perfect hand.

Grooming shears in particular are used or sold in salon supplies store specifically for the purpose of enabling one to maintain a certain look or hairstyle. More often found in the men’s beauty supply section, it comes in a variety of styles, makes, and even colors. This might be very well due to the fact that the male species are now more concerned of how their hair is being cut as suggested by Gandhi.

From time immemorial women have been into hairstyling and cutting but today even men are flaunting their hairstyles. Men today are seeped up with various styles like spikes, mullet cut, hair color, buzz cut, etc. Men need to search for a good stylist or a good barber because barbers and cutters know how to cut men’s hair. If they try cutting at home or by any unprofessional barber they may get a crappy cut.

Furthermore grooming shears and other hair cutting elements have virtually been given new life by cutting age beauty schools and salons where technique has now evolved to become an art form and a specialized science all at the same time. Cynthia Atoji reflects this view and stresses that although nail care, cosmetology, and hair styling are separate fields it is wise that those who want to make it in the beauty industry know the following.

• The science and art of styling: No longer is hair cutting just about knowing how to properly use a pair of shears. The Pivot Point International program, for example, emphasizes different shapes, head curvature, and how the hair is projected, using technology and hands-on practice.

• Advanced applications: Beauty-conscious consumers are requesting services beyond a manicure or facial. Specialized training qualifies professionals to do micro dermabrasion treatments, air brush skin treatments, freehand scissor and razor cutting, and more.

• Self-promotion and marketing: Recognizing how to build a client base is an integral part of a successful cosmetology career. “A confident student in cosmetology and esthetics is prepared for the market,” says Gary Federico, a second-generation Federico. An externship working with local shops can help students develop strong customer service skills.

With an expanding population of baby boomers, Generation X and Y, growing families, and an increasingly diverse community, the need for well-trained salon professionals who serve-and inspire-continues.

In conclusion Gandhi mentions how the hair industry is thriving in India.

Today, hair segment market is grooming in India and the market value has reached to Rs. 200 crore. Several Indian hair-dressers are going abroad to bring in new techniques and styles. They have an art in their hands to give a stunning and completely different look. Some of our Indian stylists have great demand across the border.

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Everyone wishes to look beautiful. People are always looking to perk up their natural looks while some wish to get a complete new look. For this, they step into the nearby hair and beauty salon to be indulged by stylists and beauticians to chic their hair, contour their eyebrows, and dye their nails. Just after spending a single hour in a hair and salon just once a month, a persons outward appearance totally changes and one comes out self-assured and prepared to over power the world.

A vast number of persons may endeavor into opening their own beauty parlor, considering the face that it is believed to be a profitable business. A number of things such as the finances, the area, the staff that is obligatory, the superiority and magnitude of paraphernalia, the tariff lists of the services, along with a number of other things have to be taken into consideration.

Persons aspirant to start up and manage a beauty salon have the choice to either put together anew or rent one that already exists. They necessitate carrying out comprehensive examination and studying the diverse features of salon dealing.

A prepared business plan needs to be within reach for them to just make it happen. Given that, loads of money investment is to be won or lost, persons need to carry out market study and gain information about the neighborhood expansively where they wish to attain the property.

What more is needed is that they should conduct a relative study of the essential salon apparatus prices previous to making the acquisition. The essential salon equipment basically are the seating, hair styling apparatus, manicure and pedicure sets, washbasins, hair dryers, mirrors and personalized styling stations for the beginning.

A number of people might want to buy from well-known vendors. The general out look of a beauty salon plays a chief part in shaping the kind of apparatus and the services that will be requisite and gratified to in the salon. A vast number of stores might even propose inexpensive discounts on salon utensils, which would provide the owners with a chance to equip their salons with the most recent present-day equipment. A diversity of markdown equipment is obtainable for mass purchases.

One might want to acquire equipment in additional amount, so as to put off any chances of running out of equipment and makes the deal inexpensive. Furniture for the salon is also obtained so as to improve the look and append a feel of professionalism to the premise. At times it is wise to start up the salon only with beauty care services for instance make up, face clear out, haircuts, threading and facials. When the money starts pouring in, then the salon owners can move on and add spa services, manicures, and pedicures to the listing.

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