Plus-size model Mimick celebrity photos on Instagram to promote body positivity

We have made commendable strides as a society toward a more accepting, warm attitude with regards to different body shapes, ideas and sexual preferences.

With that being said, though, we still have some distance left to travel. One need only flick through the comments on an Instagram post of a body-positive blogger or plus-size model to realise that many people still hold archaic, outmoded views on what people - particularly women - should look like.

In fact, Instagram has arguably exacerbated this divide; its filtered corridors eschew reality for a particular brand of glossy fiction that is as incongruous with everyday life as an alien landing in Times Square.

Yet on the body shamers plod, leaving a damaging legacy in their wake.

We are now confronted with images of what we 'should' look like - in reality impossible paradigms to which we might but haplessly aspire - more than at any other point in history. Whether on Instagram, on the glossy covers of fashion magazines or on huge billboards in the cities we live in, it is essentially impractical to avoid such paragons of beauty.

Some people are pushing back against the tide, though. Body positive bloggers and plus-size models are starting a movement on Instagram that aims to point out the unreality of impossibly perfect images. Fitness bloggers might post a side-by-side account of how such pictures are achieved, reminding us that reality is rarely so unblemished.

Diana Sirokai, a plus-size model, has her own method of achieving the same ends. She has been brilliantly recreating photographs of celebrities to promote a body positive message.

Oh, and her photos are absolutely stunning, too.

But I digress; Sirokai has been emulating the looks of famous celebs with her own fierce style, and here are the results. First up, Gigi Hadid:

And then she took on the Queen of Instagram herself, Kim Kardashian:

Credit: Instagram

Twice!

Credit: Instagram

Women should feel comfortable enough in their own skin to post whatever they like on their own Instagram pages; hopefully Sirokai's efforts are helping to promote body positivity and loving oneself no matter what others might say. Keep on slaying!

Ways You Can Make Yourself More Gorgeous Using Collagen

Collagen: it’s the biological building block for everything from smooth, plump ski to pouty lips and strong nails — and even healthy hair and lashes. Needless to say, if you want to preserve and conserve the wellspring of youth in your body, you’re going to need to utilize a combo of goodies that contain collagen and products that boost its production to keep you looking and feeling youthful.

Luckily for Us all there is a number of different ways you can boost your collagen reserves (you’re born with it, but regeneration depletes over time) whether it’s with quick supplements, beauty products with peptides and serums with vitamin c — even with electrical currents and chromalight stimulation. Shop these nine products to elevate your collagen production and boost your beauty.

Nu Face Trinity Collagen Booster Bundle 

This FDA-approved device harnesses microcurrent technology in tandem with a copper complex to stimulate natural collagen formulation to firm and tighten for a wrinkle-reduced complexion. 

$349, sephora.com 

LashFood Conditioning Lash Primer

A lash primer that is formulated with lash-extending and thickening microfibers to instantly give you a more bat-able gaze while helping lashes grow longer, thicker and stronger. 

$20, net-a-porter.com

KNC Beauty Collagen-Infused Lip Mask 5-Pack 

Kick your pre-glam prep up a notch with a lip mask that blends rose flower oil, cherry extract, collagen and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump your pout.

$25, capbeauty.com

Glamour Nutrition Collagen 

These packets filled with collagen peptides and vitamin C  are meant to supplement your daily collagen intake to target skin issues by acting as building blocks for healthier skin. 

$29.99, http://glamournutrition.com/

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare SpectraLite EyeCare Pro

This at-home 72 LED light device (cleared by the FDA) uses therapeutic light to stimulate collagen production around the eyes. With two weeks of daily use fine lines, crows feet and wrinkles appear smoother. Oh and it’s handsfree too. 

$159, net-a-porter.com

Kat Burki Nourishing Vitamin C Cleansing Balm 

A cleansing balm formulated with vitamin c (essential for collagen synthesis), camu camu berry and gou kola to brighten and instantly perk up the skin, renewing the complexion and reducing the signs of aging every time you wash your face. 

$65, nordstrom.com

DHC Super Collagen Mist 

Minimize uneven dry skin and balance your skin’s hydration with a mist infused with Dipeptide-8 a patented, collagen-derived ingredient that replenishes the skin. 

$20, dermstore.com

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream 

The moisturizer equivalent of a protein shake, the Protini Polypeptide cream is formulated with a peptide complex, Pygmy waterlily stem cell extract and soybean folic acid ferment extract to prevent the breakdown of existing collagen for the bouncy and balanced skin you crave. 

$68, sephora.com 

OleHenriksen Truth Serum

This cult-face serum is the magic ticket to treat dryness, dullness, loss of firmness and elasticity. It harnesses vitamin c and collagen to bolster your youth reserves for a bright and revived face. 

$48, sephora.com 

BEAUTY TIPS: THE WONDERS OF COCONUT WATER

You have probably heard about coconut oil and its numerous benefits. How much do you know about the effects of coconut water on the body and skin?

As unpleasant as some of the water may taste, you will still find this detoxification water everywhere ready to be used.

Some benefits

*When you consume coconut water you strengthen your immune system and eliminate the bacteria which cause urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, gum diseases and viruses which cause cold, infection diseases and typhus.

* It will not only increase your energy, but it will also increase the production of thyroid gland hormones.

*This water is also very good for people who suffer from kidney diseases since it reacts as a natural diuretic. It will cleanse the urinary tract and the bladder canals. It will remove the toxins from the body and ‘’crash’’ the kidney stones.

*Coconut water is good for digestion due to the high level of fibber which it contains. If you drink it regularly it will eliminate the gastric acid. You can drink it in big amounts, since it has low levels of fat.

*You will lose weight, thanks to water’s ability for keeping you sated and meanwhile it lowers the appetite.

*If you have acne, oily or dry skin, all you need to do is to soak a cotton wool in the coconut water and apply it to the skin. It will clean and freshen up the skin, and most importantly, it will keep the pores open.

*If you mix the water with olive oil, you can cleanse your organism. This mixture can remove bowel parasites.

*Drink one cup of coconut water every morning and you will balance the electrolytes whose misbalance can lead to hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.

*If you drink alcohol during the night you will probably have headache in the morning. So, the next time when you exaggerate with alcohol, you will remember this ‘’saviour’’ if you want to get rid of the headache. Additionally, it will also compensate for the lost fluids and you will overcome the nausea which is often related with hangover.

*If you want your skin to be hydrated and radiant during the entire day, one cup of coconut water will be enough.

*After several exhausting physical activities, you can drink coconut water and you will regain energy. It will refresh you and leave a positive influence on each body part

This Simple Turmeric Mask is very good for Dry Skin

This simple to do mask combines the skin benefit of turmeric with coconut oil to soften and moisturize the skin. All you need is to follow this easy steps on how to make it.

Turmeric is not only used to add taste to our food but also as a cosmetic. It is excellent for exfoliating skin that could help you defeat the signs of aging and dry skin. You can also combine it with other ingredients such as coconut oil.

How to make Turmeric mask.

You will need:

1 tsp. turmeric powder
½ tbsp. coconut oil (preferably Organic)

Procedure:

Combine turmeric powder and coconut oil and mix into a paste. Apply to the face, avoiding the direct eye area. Leave for ten minutes, then remove while washing your face with lukewarm water o a warm washcloth. Use a gentle cleanser to remove the rest of the mask, and then pat the face dry. Any yellow discoloration should clear up the next time you wash your face.

Do this every night before going to bed or in the morning before you take a bath and you will see the nice effect on your skin.

Notes: Know if you’re allergic to the ingredients listed above. Consult your doctor for further knowledge.

5 Top Uses of Coconut Oil for Your beautiful Hair

Coconut oil is filled with fatty acids that helps moisturize and nourish your scalp and hair. A study which was published in the “Journal of Cosmetic Science” in 1999, reported that coconut oil applied to the hair reduced hair breakage. Another study in 2005 by the Journal of Cosmetic Science reported that coconut oil penetrated the hair follicle much better as compared to the most common ingredient in hair conditioners, mineral oil.

Below are 5 reasons to start putting coconut oil in your hair:

Benefits of Coconut Oil on Hair:

1. Dandruff Prevention

Coconut oil contains various fatty acids and serve as good anti-dandruff agents, and are much better than any anti-dandruff shampoo. Regular application of coconut oil can help to get rid of dandruff.

Hot to Use:
1. When combined with warm water and castor oil it can also be effective in treating dandruff. You can massage your scalp and hair using this mixture.
2, Another dandruff remedy can be prepared by combining sesame oil and coconut oil. Apply the mixture for 30 minutes and then shampoo your hair.

2. Hair Growth

Coconut oil is an effective, and reasonably priced solution for thinning hair. It can help grow the hair, thicker and longer. The essential nutrients including the lauric acid, penetrates the hair shaft, thus improving the overall health of the hair.

The health of the hair is often a result of internal issues, and using natural hair loss remedies will help. Also, foods that are high in pumpkin, Omega-3 fats, flax seeds, chia seeds and green tea, all help support healthy hair growth.

How to Use:
1. Massage the coconut oil into your scalp using gentle pressure for 10 minutes.
2. Do this 3-4 times per week.

Notes:

If you want to focus on hair growth, you will only need 1 teaspoon.

3. Lice Protection

Lice are a very common pest that are found in the hair. These lice also have a tendency to come back again.

There are many chemical products that are available for the treatment of lice, but unfortunately, some can also cause damage on your scalp and hair due to their strong chemical components.

Hot to Use:
1. You can coat your comb with coconut oil for an effective remedy to remove lice. It becomes much easier to comb and remove the lice, using this remedy.

4. Styling Hair

Coconut oil is a great styling agent, and most importantly it is free from the dangerous chemicals in conventional hair care products. This is one of the most overlooked uses of coconut oil for hair.

Flat iron, hair dryers, curling irons and hot rollers, removed the moisture out of your hair shaft, causing it to be brittle and prone to tangling. Coconut oil helps in preventing this type of thermal damage.

People who have thick curly hair often fight frizz in humid climates. Coconut oil can help in taming your frizz, by penetrating into the curls. It can be applied through the day for touch-ups, but just make sure to use it sparingly.

Hot to Use:
1. Apply coconut oil,, using 1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon, depending on your hair.
2. Smooth from root to tips.
3. Blow dry.
4. Style as desired.

5. Sun Damage Protection

Coconut oil can be an excellent all natural sunscreen. In the morning, apply coconut oil to help protect your hair by following these simple steps:

How to Use:
1. Add a small amount of coconut oil into the smaller of bowl. Set the smaller bowl in the bottom of the larger one.
2. Fill the larger bowl with hot water, so the smaller bowl is partially submerged.
3. Let the coconut oil come to temperature, so it is completely melted.
4. Gently massage the oil into your hair, using your fingers.
5. Brush and style as usual.

Have You Heard of Microblading: It Is The face tattoo you will definitely want to have

Unless you’re Mike Tyson, chances are you’d think twice before getting a tattoo on your face.  Permanent ink on any part of your body is a big commitment, but getting one smack dab in the middle of your forehead just seems like a risky move. But there’s a beauty trend that pretty much involves just that, only this tattoo is one you’re actually going to want.

Microblading is a type of tattoo that will give you perfectly shaped brows without any makeup. Sounds too good to be true, right? It’s not — so long as you’re willing to pay the high price tag for this specialty service.

The increasingly popular procedure involves a highly-skilled artist drawing individual hair-like strokes of ink that mimic your brows. The process only takes about an hour and a half and works for just about anyone, whether you’ve got thick brows you want to perfect or brows that are barely there.

“Microblading is great not just for anyone looking to improve or enhance the appearance of their brows, but also for those with fine and gappy brows, and even those suffering from alopecia, as sparse or missing brows can be completely restored,” says New York City microblading expert Peret Aava, known to her nearly 34,000 Instagram followers as The Eyebrow Doctor.

To give you the brows of your dreams, Aava uses a pen-like device with a micro blade to scratch and etch the thin lines into your skin. This special tool deposits the color closer to the surface than a regular tattoo needle, which leaves you with very fine, crisp, hair-stroke lines that heal thinner and sharper.

“With this method I can create almost any look, from a very natural light finish or a beautifully bold brow. Each set of brows I design is bespoke to you and your measurements and the color we choose should complement you without any makeup but can easily be amped up for an evening out with a little added brow makeup,” Aava says.

Unlike regular tattoos, however, Aava explains that microblading is not permanent and will need to be touched up every year or so, depending on your skin and lifestyle. In some cases, the color can last up to three years.

During the appointment, Aava will spend about an hour drawing out your brow’s perfect shape using an eyebrow pencil to ensure you get the look you want. Once you’re happy with it, she applies a numbing cream to help ease any discomfort and begins drawing on the hair strokes.

Your brows will look pretty much flawless right after the appointment, but the ink will appear slightly darker than the final results. Over the next couple of weeks, your eyebrows will go through an awkward healing process where they’ll begin to scab and fall off before the crisp 'hair' strokes show up again. It’s crucial to avoid picking or scratching them during this phase, as you risk damaging the pigment. Patients will also get a cream to apply on a regular basis to keep brows moisturized and protected.

After about four weeks, you’ll need to go back for a touch-up appointment, as the ink doesn’t always take the first time around. But once they’re completely healed, hopefully you'll be left with the most flawless brows of your life.  

Hair Color Concepts for Long Haired Women in 2018

We are all looking forward to changing something in our look every time the New Year rolls in. And in 2018, there are still a lot of women who would like to try something new when it comes to their hair. You’ve probably been looking at fashion shows to see models sporting new hairstyles and hair color and are wondering which one to try out this year. Well, there are quite a lot of options for you to choose from especially when you have long hair and for sure, you will love these new hair trends for 2018.

Salt and pepper hair

Noticed that your hair is starting to become grey already? Well, you can turn it to your advantage by transforming your hair into salt and pepper. This combination is actually easy to pull off with your long hair by dyeing parts of your hair in black and white or grey. The changing colors will give your hair that extra beauty especially when you tie in your hair in a braid.

Contrasting roots

If you don’t want to worry about maintaining your hair color then try soft contrasting roots. For example, if you are switching from brunette to blonde, go for the soft brown roots and baby hairs and leaving the color of your eyebrows alone too. This gives a softer look to your hair and will reduce the need for maintenance as you grow it out.

Tiger eye

Another hair color idea to try out with your long hair is the tiger eye. What’s great about this look is that it combines honey, soft brown, and amber in a balayage technique that boosts one’s overall confidence. The beautiful combination will not make it hard for you to grow your hair longer and it will not require much maintenance too. Harsh roots won’t be a problem too when you opt for this hair color combination.

Beige

If you want a subtle shade that will go well with your skin tone then why not try beige? Instead of the usual blonde that many women love to change their hair to, opt for the softer and lighter shade of blonde. Just make sure that it is close to your skin tone to get the dramatic effect that you’re looking for.

Chocolate mauve

Who would have thought that the combination of brown and light pink is going to be stunning? If you are a brunette who would like to change up your hair color then this is worth a shot. The light pink gives a different kind of highlight to your hair and will work beautifully for those with long locks. Just make sure that they are done properly to get the most out of this color combination.

Peanut butter and jelly

Yes, your favorite sandwich combination can also be used on your hair. What’s great about this hair color idea is that it this two-tone look combines golden brown with shades of purple. You’ll see that your hair resembles that of peanut butter and jelly with every toss of your head.

Nude hair

It’s nice to give your hair a makeover for 2018 but if you don’t want to be bothered with maintenance then nude hair is worth a shot. The goal of this hair color is to be soft and natural to complement your skin tone. This is actually a good shade if you are aiming for something subtle but would still look good on you. 

These hair color ideas are just perfect for those who want or need a change this new year. If you want to get the most of these shades, have a professional do your hair for you.

Orange Peels For Beauty Tips--for Acne, Skin Whitening and Toner

Are you one of those who toss orange peels in the garbage without a second thought? But, did you know that orange peels contain a powerhouse of nutrients which can help to make your skin bright, beautiful and glowing.

Orange peels contain phytonutrients and nutrients which are very beneficial to the skin. In fact, orange peel extracts is an ingredient in most beauty products today. This is because of its effectiveness in reducing acne and brightening skin.

1. Orange Peel for Acne

Oranges are delicious fruits to eat but their peels, which are often thrown away are more useful to your skin, than you have ever thought possible.

Both the orange peels and the juice can help with skin issues. This is because the peel contains more Vitamin C than the actual pulp of the orange.

Orange is also an AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acid, therefore it helps exfoliate your skin. Orange peels on the other hand, helps to clean out your skin by extracting dirt from deep inside the pores.

How to Use Orange Peels for Acne:
1. Remove a peel from an orange and wash away dirt and debris. Then gently rub over your acne.
2. You can also use the whole orange by squeezing a bit of juice out.Then apply the fresh orange juice to each spot, using a cotton swab.

OR

1. Alternatively, you can make the orange peels into a base for your face masks. Take the peel of an orange and put it under direct sunlight for at least 2 days.
2. This will allow the orange peel to dry.
3. Put the peel in the blender to make a fine powder.
4.You can add this orange peel powder as a homemade acne treatment for your DIY mask.

2. Orange Peel for Skin Whitening

Do you have dark spots or blemishes on your skin? Orange peels work as a natural bleach, whichcan help in lightening dark blotches and removing them with time.

Also, orange peels help to deflect harmful UV rays and lighten suntans.

Remember to dilute the orange peel paste when making a face mask. You do not want to burn your skin, as the peels contain lots of citric acid.

How to Use Orange Peels for Skin Whitening:
1. Combine orange peel powder with water to form a paste.
2. Scrub the paste onto one arm.
3. After 2 minutes, rinse it off.
4. Compare this arm with the other. The hand you applied orange peel to will be whiter, brighter and glowing compared to the other one.
5. Apply the same for your face to make it appear whiter and brighter.

3. Orange Peel as Skin Toner

The abundant anti-oxidants and vitamin C in orange peels help in preventing your skin from getting too dry or oily. When applied to skin, these orange peels work as a toner, by removing dirt, dead cells and tightening pores.

Additionally, the calcium in orange peels contributes to anti-oxidant production, which makes dull skin healthy and glowing.

How to Use Orange Peels for Radiant Skin:
1. Place some fresh orange peels in a stainless steel bowl.
2. Pour hot water on it. Then keep it as it is for at least 1 day.
3. On the next day, filter this liquid in a bottle and refrigerate.
4. Wipe your face using a cotton pad with the solution.
5. Leave on your skin to dry.

Women of Color Began To Speak Out Concerning Beauty Discrimination After Walmart's Lawsuit

On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that a California woman had filed a lawsuit against Walmart on the grounds of racial discrimination. The woman, Essie Grundy, alleged that the company had violated her civil rights by keeping African-American personal care products locked up in a glass anti-theft case. Meanwhile, she claims similar products not geared toward women of color were easily accessible and did not require employee assistance to buy.

In her official statement, Grundy recounted how she felt "angry, sad, frustrated, and humiliated all at the same time," while trying to purchase beauty products three different times this past month—the last of which, she says, included a $0.48 comb. On her third visit to the store, she says an employee accompanied her to the cash register where she wasn't permitted to hold the comb on her own until she had paid for it.

Grundy's suit, filed last Friday by women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred, refers to California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, a law that prohibits businesses from discriminating against customers on account of their race. Allred told Ipresstv that keeping products marketed to a specific race under lock and key, regardless of security concerns, is unlawful. "Essie has no criminal history, she has no intention to steal anything. The fact that she should be treated as a potential criminal is just wrong."

"Either lock up everything or have everything easily available," Allred says. "Of course, there are some other products locked up not based on race, but we’re talking about products that are perpetuating a racial stereotype about African-Americans, and this is why we think it violates our state civil rights act."

Grundy is seeking up to $4,000 in damages, declaratory relief, and a permanent injunction against Walmart. "I never want my children, or anyone else's children, to experience what I did in Walmart that day," she said in her statement.




Walmart issued  the following statement regarding the lawsuit:

We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind at Walmart. We serve more than 140 million customers weekly, crossing all demographics, and are focused on meeting their needs while providing the best shopping experience at each store.
We’re sensitive to this situation and also understand, like other retailers, that some products such as electronics, automotive, cosmetics and other personal care products are subject to additional security. Those determinations are made on a store-by-store basis using data supporting the need for the heightened measures. While we’ve yet to review a complaint, we take this situation seriously and look forward to addressing it with the court.

We also spoke with Charles Crowson, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications for Walmart, for further clarification on the retailer's loss prevention policies. "You can go to one store and see a variety of items that might be subject to additional security behind glass, and then you can go to a store 10 miles down the road and see completely different items behind the glass," he told us. Some of those high-risk items, he says, may include fishing gear, cosmetics, personal contraceptives, or razors. "It’s not specific to any one demo versus another," says Crowson. "It’s a result of what the data returns."



PHOTO: MARK RALSTON:Essie Grundy, pictured with lawyer Gloria Allred

But Grundy doesn't see it that way. In her statement, she shared that this experience was emotional. "I know that there is a lot of racism out there," she said. "But I have not been faced with it up close." And judging by the powerful response on social media along with responses from women We spoke with from all around the country, these kinds of anti-theft measures may not necessarily even be a Walmart problem, they may be systemic.

Ashlee Reevely, 22, an HR consultant from Washington D.C., said she feels uncomfortable shopping for products geared toward women of color at most mass big-box chains. It's especially unpleasant to shop for natural hair products, she says: "Those are [the ones] mainly locked up. Meanwhile, I can stroll to the next aisle and get Pantene with no problem."

Richanda Berry, a 19-year-old student living in San Antonio, Texas, has had similar experiences. "At one of the big chains near my hometown, it’s only the ethnic hair products that are locked up and you can't take your own items to the cashier. The cases have to be opened and unlocked, then the products are taken to the register by a sales associate after you're done selecting what you’d like to buy. All the other products are freely open, and customers are able to take them to the register themselves, so they can continue shopping however they’d like."

Other women we talked to said that restricted access to natural hair care and "ethnic" beauty products isn't always limited to a glass case or a padlock. Jaylin Paschal, a 19-year-old student in Dayton, Ohio, says, "At [a store] in my hometown, they have monitors in the [ethnic beauty aisle] hanging right in front of the products, so you can see yourself on the security footage."

Major retail chains aren't the only offenders either. "In beauty supply stores, hair extensions geared toward women of color and ethnic beauty products are often put behind the register," says India Sage Williams, 22, a production assistant in New Castle, Delaware. "I never realized before how offensive that was. Maybe I am desensitized to that."

"Essie is very courageous," Allred said. "Walmart has had its opportunity. People have complained and they did nothing, which is why we now have to take legal action."

Allred continues: "This is the only way we win change. Without it, Walmart and other business may continue their discriminatory business policies and practices. In other words, we need to stand up for our rights... In 2018, we still need courageous individuals to say, 'This is not acceptable. We’re not going to accept this. We’re going to stand up for our rights, and we’re going to be empowered.'"