You probably see all sorts of shampoo or conditioner ads that claim to fix split ends, but let's start by acknowledging the fact that the only way to fix split ends is to cut them off. You can't mend split ends, but you can trim them away and give the hair a chance to grow out again under more favorable conditions.

Preventing Split Ends
On the other hand, you can prevent split ends to some extent by keeping your hair from drying out. The main causes of split ends are time and dryness. Drying and aging hair tends to become brittle and break: keeping it in good shape can hold split ends at bay longer than usual, so treating your hair with kindness is a good rule.

Ethnic Hair can be prone to more split ends
African American women often have a tougher time keeping the split ends away: their hair tends to be thinner and fragile, easily damaged. Keeping breakage to a minimum involves avoiding heat, permanent or straightening fluids and daily styling with irons or hair driers. Coloring hair weakens its structure and makes it even weaker, so that women with black hair who want to use colorants run the risk of thinning their hair or winding up with bald spots. African American hair demands extra gentle treatment and frequent conditioning with rich emollients such as shea butter or coconut oil. These natural remedies are also ideal for keeping the scalp healthy. Keeping Black hair in its natural state is healthiest—forget straighteners or colors and your hair will be stronger and shinier. Tight braids can also damage your hair and may even damage the roots, which can cause you to lose your hair in places, so keep it loose as possible. If you must color your hair, go for henna, which smoothes the hair shaft and deposits the color atop the hair instead of opening the cuticle and adding the color inside the hair. Henna doesn't last quite as long as chemically-based permanent colors, but it actually makes hair healthier when you use it: other colors make it weaker.

No forever solution to stop spilt ends for occurring
Eventually, all hair will develop split ends if it isn't cared for properly. Most hair experts recommend getting a trim every 6-8 weeks, so ends don't have a chance to dry out and split. The beauty of your hair really shows when it's shiny, glossy and thick. Keeping the tips trimmed is protection from further damage: split ends tend to work their way up the hair shaft as it sustains further damage over time. The solution to split ends is to act quickly: don't skip the trip to the salon, or get your hair stylist to teach you how to trim your own hair if you don't like to go in that often.

Breakage and Frizzy Hair Texture is Not from Split Ends!
Don't mistake frizzies for split ends. If your hair looks frumpy or frowsy, the ends might be just fine, but the hair shaft is roughed up from humidity in the air or dryness from harsh shampoos. If you've had your ends trimmed but still see a fuzzy halo around your hair, try using one of the new hair smoothing treatments. Usually consisting of a solution of dimethicone, these smoothers add a gloss to your hair that makes it shiny and more manageable. They don't really do anything to nourish or improve your hair, but they coat the hair the same way furniture polish makes your tables look shiny, and they wash out with each shampoo.

Let's face it. Being a teenager means being self-conscious, pretty much all the time. and, if you're a teenage girl, especially one whose skin, complexion or overall appearance is not "picture perfect" that can make the whole experience even worse. (This of course, can apply to any girl, depending on her frame of mind). Fortunately, here are some beauty tips that can come to the rescue for your face and skin type, so you can meet the world refreshed and ready, as well as some make-up and safety tips for when you're going out and having fun. All this said, always remember that true self improvement comes from within, and that while looking good on the outside, in terms of being presentable and attractive, are always find a strive for, but never define who you are.

Facial Skin Care Tip
Some people can confuse the physical transformation that comes with putting makeup on, with a sort of personal transformation, but again this is not the truth. When you feel beautiful inside, you will be more attractive to others on the outside. Makeup will not do it.

--Editors Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get Clearer Skin By Using the Right Skin Care Products for Acne Prone Skin
Clear SkinIf you're struggling with serious acne, get serious about your skin care strategy. Ordinary skin care products contain hydrogen peroxide, alcohols and plenty of fragrances (such as camphor or eucalyptus) that can irritate skin without putting a stop to bad breakouts. Acne can do more than impact your social life: it impacts self confidence. Bad acne can also lead to scarring (but if you already have acne scars, take heart; you can have them erased by laser resurfacing).

For real acne-prone skin care, use a product that's dermatologist created and tested; serious skin care for solving big problems like acne. The local drugstore's toner or acne fighter lotion probably contains alcohol, added fragrance and color and all sorts of things that will irritate skin without truly treating it. Fortunately, there are some real acne medicines that work

Check our favorite skin care product for acne prone skin. This skin care line comes highly recommended by make-up artists, beauty professionals and our very own visitors.

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From a practical physical standpoint, it is a good idea to remember that your skin needs to breathe. It is important to keep your skin as natural as possible- so try and keep makeup is minimal as is necessary and keep going, "all-out" for special occasions like parties.

Mirrors with good high quality lighting are great for examining your skin – although the first time you take a really good close look it can be a loud and shocking personal alarm to take some fast action, if you’ve neglected your skin. Beauty tip no 1 is to take a close look at it at home and ensure before you do that you’ve done a good job of makeup removal. This can especially be true in the summer, when the excess heat can cause problems faster, if you've left any makeup on your face for an extended period of time.

If your face is usually dry: Before you shower, apply a rich moisturizing mask or thick layer of moisturizer. The moist heat helps the mask plump up fine lines and creases temporarily. Apply a heavy layer of petroleum jelly to lips. At the end of the shower, use a warm damp washcloth to gently massage off both treatments, and then use a naturally made loofah to bring out a natural, healthy glow.

If your skin is naturally oily: Use toner before and after you get out of the shower, before, to clean off any oil that has risen to the surface during sleep, and again when you get out to take off any oil that has surfaced from the heat of the water.

If you have combination skin, only apply toner masks to the "T" area on your face, you could cause your cheeks to redden from applying toner there.
Dab yellow or skin-tone concealer on blue under eye circles. Stay away from lighter skin tone or white cover-ups. You can get free samples to try out in the privacy of your own home and samples are available for all skin tones.
Hair Care Tip
Dwayne, the African-American Culture contributing hair care expert, shares a secret beauty tip on how to prevent hair breakage while you sleep for all hair types, not just black women. Spilt ends have a tendency to get caught on the cotton and your tossing and turning will actually pull the caught pieces out of your head. So little by little, if you were wearing a cotton scarf to protect your hair while you sleep, you may actually be making it worse! It is highly recommended that you either wrap your hair up in silk or satin scarves at night or sleep on silk or satin pillows.

Indian Ethnics.com, has some good Indian (and non Indian as well) beauty tips on make up and skin care for teens. Here's the secret: If you are getting ready for a night on the town, choose a foundation closest to your natural skin tone, and foundation that is to be sure to blend it past your jaw line and across your neck (so it doesn't look as though you're wearing a mask). When it comes to eye shadow, choose a color slightly darker than your eyes.

Beauty Accessory Ideas
As far as accessories, a hot gift idea for a teen with a low-budget can be decorative jewelry, that doesn't necessarily have to come from Tiffany's. There are plenty of places online where you can shop for attractive and very reasonably priced items. Believe it or not, the way you move can actually be one of the most attractive or off-putting features you have. When you can move more gracefully and assuredly, that puts out an air of confidence which will make a difference to matter what it is you are or are wearing. Consider taking a dance lesson, enrolling in some sort of after school sport like gymnastics where you can learn more control over your balance and agility. You may think, what does this have to do with looking good when I'm going out to a party- but once you've got grace and agility in what is referred to as your "muscle memory", it will make a difference in all areas of your life.

And lastly, I always think, especially if going out at night, that taking the time to buy pepper spray, even if it's a teeny little canister that goes on a keychain can be one of the best "accessories" you can own for your own and your loved one's peace of mind. It's probably one of those things you'll never need to use that you'll always be happy you have.

Give your feet a break with a good foot massage. You can do it with a partner or try the massage on your own.

* Wash the feet thoroughly and adopt a comfortable position that allows you to reach all parts of your foot.
* Anoint the feet with a skin lotion for lubrication when carrying out the massage.
* Massage the area between your toes using your fingers and your thumb. Wiggle and wriggle the toes and pull each one gently. Then move to the four metatarsal bones that run along the top and middle of the foot. Moving from the base of your toes to just above your ankle, slowly massage one area at a time.
* The soles. When you are working on yourself, this is easiest with your foot propped on the opposite knee, with a towel underneath to protect your clothing from cream. Using your thumbs, make small, circular motions that cover the entire surface of the bottom of your foot, moving from the base of your toes toward your heel. Keep the pressure of the circles steady and even. Use a bit more firmness on your heels as the skin there is tougher.
* Still working the sole, use your pointer and middle fingers to make crosswise movements, back and forth, from the heel to the ball of your foot.
* Taking a firm hold of the foot, raising it, and massaging the back of the calf with the free hand is effective in relieving muscle stress in that leg.
* With one hand holding the heel and the other enfolding the toes, rotate the foot, without causing pain, to gain an overall sense of relaxation, ease and well-being.

After the massage, wipe the soles of your feet with a towel to prevent your feet from being slippery. Slip into some wonderful heavy cotton socks or favorite (clean) slippers.

Drift Away from Stress with Relaxation Techniques
By Cathryn D'Imperio

High-stress jobs, multiple roles and endless personal obligations may leave just about anyone torn and tattered. Renew body mind and spirit with simple relaxation techniques that require only minimal time and energy investment.

yoga meditationIn addition to relieving a degree of one�s current stress load, practicing relaxation techniques on a regular basis has also been shown to promote overall healthier living, better mental condition and fewer incidences of heart attacks, strokes and repeat heart attacks.

Yoga

With strong focus on deep, rhythmic breathing, yoga has become a popular form of alternative healing. Allowing participants to clear their minds and focus on personal goals and calming energies, yoga also aids in the body�s flexibility and overall tone. Deep breaths coupled with yoga stretches and poses assist in renewal of the body, mind and soul. Even if practiced for only a few moments, yoga can positively impact a person�s outlook, guiding him or her effectively toward goals and aspirations.

As an extremely popular activity in recent times, yoga classes are offered at many colleges, health and fitness centers and gyms. For those wishing to learn yoga on their own, countless books and videos are available for that very purpose. Gathering with a group of friends may motivate a first-time yoga participant to make a regular routine of yoga, even if only for a few moments every couple of days.

Meditation

By exercising and harnessing the power of the mind, one can truly find mental freedom and escape from stress. Meditation combines a quiet location with a comfortable position, a focus item or idea and a perfect equilibrium between awareness and relaxation. Different posture and positions may be used for those who wish to become more experienced in meditation. When practiced regularly, meditation can positively merge one�s mental, physical and emotional worlds.

Meditation practice does not have to be anything fancy or highly technical. By simply sitting in a comfortable position in a private location, one can use visualization with positive imagery. Repetition of a calming word, phrase or sound, such as �peace,� may aid in one�s ability to focus. Participants may choose whether they wish to meditate with open or closed eyes.

Massage

Yoga, meditation and massage are all wonderful techniques to restore peace and balance within the body, mind and spirit. The power of the mind can be a truly amazing thing � allowing us to dream, believe, conquer and become those things we most desire. Practice relaxation techniques on a regular basis in order to maintain a healthy spirit and calm, tranquil mood.

Remember when your biggest problem was choosing a prom gown or letting the boy you liked know how you felt? Ahh, those were the days. Problems seemed so great, yet in the grand scheme of things, you really only needed a chocolate milkshake or a pint of Ben & Jerry�s to assuage your every concern.

Now, with faster-paced lives, more personal and familial responsibilities and even greater problems, sometimes it takes more than a chocolate milkshake or even a gallon of Chunky Monkey� could tackle.

For an easier take on life, women truly need to make time for their families, their friends, and essentially, themselves. The key to a successful balance is making time for these entities separately, resulting in a happier life with reduced stressors and a more relaxed outlook.

Family time and personal time can be arranged on a day-to-day basis, with special family meals and movie time, game time or special trips and outings together on the weekends. Bubble baths, naps, scrap-booking, baking and shopping provide nice options for alone time, while activities like yoga, Pilates and general exercise routines can be as good for the soul as they are for the body.

To complete the balance, women should keep in touch with friends and plan get-togethers at least once a year, but preferably more often. As people grow up and move on with their lives, it is common that many friends may find themselves miles and miles, and even states apart. This may call for an old-school approach to the common problems of womanhood.

So who says you�re too old for sleepovers once you�re married, anyway? Toss your cares to the wind and call up all your old friends and all your new ones in an effort to get the gang together for a night of relaxation, reminiscence and rejuvenation. Send the kids to your parents� or your husband�s parents� house (or failing that, to their friend�s house for a sleepover!). Dash out to the supermarket to pick up a few key snacks and ask each friend to bring a goodie to eat and a goodie for the soul.

Acceptable edible goodies for slumber party:

* Baked goods � especially cookies, cupcakes, candy, pastries, etc.
* Cheese and crackers
* Veggie tray
* Shrimp cocktail or other hors d�oeuvres
* Wine or other beverage of choice
* Pizza
* Tea and hot cocoa
* Other delicious foods

While it is nice to eat healthy and practice a diet all the time, sometimes a little snack here or there might not hurt. Be sure to offer both junk food and healthy food options in case your guests have just begun a new diet. Faithful standbys like ice cream and frozen treats may best be provided by the hostess.

Goodies for the soul may include:

* Photos and scrapbooks from your earlier days
* Home videos and especially videos showing each other
* Favorite movies, especially chick flicks
* Craft projects like knitting and crocheting
* Pedicure kits
* Manicure kits and plenty of nail polish
* Facials
* Aromatherapy
* Music
* Girly magazines
* Board games and other fun activities

During your girls slumber party, relax and revisit your past. Spend time with your girlfriends � the women who got you through all those tough times and influenced you enough to have even a slight impact on who you are today.

Take the time to go through photographs from years gone by. Enjoy every moment and take new photographs so you have more memories to hold dear. Watch an old favorite movie and reminisce about the days in college when the flick was your soul�s medicine during every bad day or every break-up. Indulge in sweet temptations, even if this is �the last time� before you start your diet.