BEAUTY

You Can Achieve Perfect Looking Lips

 Keeping your lipstick on your lips is a challenge for lot of ladies. Here are the tricks you need to achieve a long-lasting lipstick.

All you need is a lipstick of your choice, a similar or matching lip liner, powder, lip balm, lip pencil and a tissue.

1. When applying foundation, continue over the lips or a lip balm to provide a base for your lip liner and lipstick. With your mouth closed, trace a fine line around the lips with a sharp lip pencil, the color of your lipstick. 

2. Start at the 'V' of the top lip and move towards the lip corners by making short strokes and fill in the entire upper lip. 

3. After you have penciled in the top lip, begin from the middle of the bottom lip and move outwards. (Follow the natural lip line).

4. To make lips look larger, follow the outer edge of the natural lip line making sure not to go over the natural line.

5. To make lips look smaller, follow the inside of the natural lip line.

6. Now that the lips are filled in, apply lipstick or lip gloss. I like to use a brush for precision, but you can also just apply straight from the tube or with your hand.

7. Use a tissue to remove the excess and blend together and you are ready to go!

8. You can explore by using two colours to bring out your desired colour, blot in between.

***To keep lipstick off water glass, discreetly lick your lips before taking a sip from a glass.

By: Okoye Chizzy

HEALTH

TIPS TO LOSE BABY FAT

Most new mums can’t wait to bounce back to their pre-pregnancy state. For a few mums, bouncing back comes pretty easy, depending on some factors such as the woman’s fitness, age and heredity. However, for most mums, losing the baby fat comes with a price. It’s a healthy price to pay considering you’ll be back in shape, looking and feeling good soon. So, it’s time to stop wishing the baby fat away and start doing something about it. Take these decisive steps towards regaining your pre-pregnancy body:

1. Set a Goal

Set a realistic weight loss goal and keep to it. How many pounds or kilos are there to lose altogether? On a weekly basis, how many kilos do you hope to lose? Is one or two kilos a week realistic for you?

2. Get a Scale and Measuring Tape

Apart from showing your accurate weight, a digital scale could give you an insight on how much you lose or gain each day, putting you in check. Don’t expect drastic changes from day to day as failure to see any can be depressing. Measure your midriff once a week and write it down. Although using these items can be depressing when there’s no noticeable difference, they keep your eyes on the goal, as they inspire and motivate you to work harder to achieve your weight loss goals.

3. Be Active

As it’s the tradition in this part of the world, there are probably so many people eager to care for you and your baby, that there’s next to nothing for you to do. So, when you’re not breast-feeding your baby, you settle for ceaseless naps, lying down or sitting to watch TV. You’re probably being fed with a great portion of all kinds of delicacies for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The aim is to spoil and let you rest, but all that may soon leave you with more fat to worry about. While I encourage new mums to rest because their bodies need it, try not to get lazy. As your body recovers, gradually increase your activity. Being active will increase your metabolism, thereby burning off fat. Include other activities like walking, swimming and climbing up and down a flight of stairs, into your daily routine.

4. Breast-feed Exclusively

Exclusive breast-feeding helps you burn 600-800 calories per day. If you are not eating ‘for two,’ exclusive breast-feeding affords you quite a convenient means to shed a reasonable part of the unwanted baby fat and get back to your pre-pregnancy weight in no time. Just ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids.

It’s been reported that breast milk tastes sour after a work-out, if this is the case with you, ensure you breast-feed or express some milk before exercising.

5. Eat Healthily

Reduce your food portions and eat healthily. You may eat up to five times a day but in small fistful portions. Eat a balanced meal of foods that are high in fiber, like cereals, fruits and vegetables, to keep you full for long, and foods rich in protein like beans, chicken, fish. Eating healthy is important to give you and your baby the required nutrients in appropriate quantities. Cut out excessive sugar intake by eliminating fizzy drinks, minerals and sweets from your diet for the duration of your weight loss program.

6. Take Lots of Fluids

The importance of drinking cannot be over-emphasized. If you’re breast-feeding, you want to make sure that you are well hydrated as there will be a huge demand of fluid from your body. Eat fruits and veggies with high water content like water melon, apples, carrots, strawberries, lettuce and spinach. Apart from keeping you well hydrated, drinking plenty of fluids will make you feel full, thereby minimizing your hunger or craving for food.

7. Settle into an Exercise Routine

If you’ve had a normal delivery and you feel up to it, you can start doing light exercises, though it’s generally recommended to wait from six to eight weeks after, depending on the type of delivery. Start with your light stretches and “kegel” exercises or any other you can handle, and then gradually progress into doing more difficult ones like cardiovascular exercises. Note that it’s important that you get your doctor’s approval before starting any rigorous exercise regimen, especially if you had a c-section.

8. Get a Workout Buddy

Finally, have a workout buddy that shares similar weight loss goals with you. It translates to having a support system that injects a bit of fun into the whole process, keeping you motivated enough to achieve your goals.

9. Remember, no pain; no gain.

So, approach losing that baby fat with less anxiety, consistent hard work and determination, putting all the afore-mentioned into practice (no short cuts) and you’ll be smiling at your mirror again soon enough.

Culled from Motherhood in-Style Magazine

LOVE AROUND THE WORLD

KEEPING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

Relationship is more than just a game of life, yet most partners enter the playing field with no practical experience or any idea, but just for the fun of it. Some come to a decision that they can’t keep a stable relationship, perhaps, because of one painful personal experience or the other; they call it quits. But there are yet others who despite disappointments, carry on with their partners even though they may not be happy; they’d rather endure than be left lonely. Others keep on rolling the dice hoping that their luck will change and the game will get better. Whichever way you see it just know that all that glitters are not gold and irrespective of your differences in a relationship, there are some basic rules which both parties must learn to keep for a lasting relationship.

1. Learn to be Tolerant.

No two individuals are the same; even twins tend to misunderstood each other sometimes. It’s easy to see the best in people as long as they are doing what you like. But what about those aspects of their life styles you despise so much? It is important not to let little things irritate you. If your partner does things that annoy you, don’t look at them as faults but as unique character qualities. Tolerate the faults and love the benefits, unless you don’t wish for a long lasting relationship.

2. Make Memories Together.

It might be difficult to get the time to take a holiday break in a busy relationship, especially when your jobs are very demanding. But a different environment can really save your relationship by rekindling the spark that may be fading. And memories you have from your trip can be the stuff that keeps you stuck together when other pressures of life try to draw you apart.

3. Argue Less

Arguments are a part of life, but if you want to save your relationship from much of it, always consider your partner’s thoughts and opinions. If the argument gets too intense, it may be better to sleep on it. There’s an old adage that says, “Never go to bed upset”, but things usually look much better the next day. Never give an ultimatum unless, of course, you want it to be taken. When you consider your partner’s needs and wants, you’ll have a lot fewer arguments.

4. Spice up your Romance.

You don’t have to be in a new relationship to experience romance and intimacy. One of the ways to improve a relationship is to remember what you did when you starting dating and do it again. You probably exchanged gifts, took tours and went out for romantic dinner dates. You may think you know everything about your partner and if that’s so, why are things not working out anymore? Why aren’t you happy? Work on those fun memories which you both shared together and see your relationship getting back on its feet.

BY: OKOYE CHIZZY

BEAUTY

Beauty of Contact Lenses and its effect

Contact lenses are beautiful, especially on young ladies. I always admire ladies wearing contact lenses; I admire the cat-eye quality that the contact lenses bestow on their eyes. It is simply gorgeous especially when they blink those eyes. Because the eye is the central point, everything is made more beautiful when it is reflected in the eyes, and women often feel that the most impactful statement is made with the eyes. The eye speaks more powerful language than words, if you ask me. Cosmetic contact lenses can be fun, and they are available in different colours and styles. Many young adults use these lenses to complete their beauty ensembles.

And for medical use, contact lens can be an easy option to avoid wearing big framed glasses. Many people would prefer to wear a recommended contact than to wear spectacles as they feel the frame hides their face and it makes them look ugly. In worst cases, a person feels like a nerd. This is the reason why people choose to go for contact lenses. Well, wearing contact lenses can make you look gorgeous, but they are dangerous to your eyes and there are side effects if worn regularly and without proper hygiene. 

Yet, contact lenses can be very safe if properly managed; but wearing them for too long can damage your eyes. And when you fail to clean them properly, they can cause trouble for the eyes. For safety reasons, your lenses should not be purchased without a professional advice. It has been gathered that contact lenses increase the risk of eye damage because bacteria and other infection causing agents can accumulate on them; especially, as the lenses get older, deposits accumulate on the front and back surfaces of the lens. This is the reason why you should always clean and disinfect your lenses with its solution after wearing them. Also you can clean the case of the lens as well. The bottom line is that contact lenses can damage our eyes if we are careless.

Few tips to prevent eye damage from contact lens:

1. Don’t swap or share your lens with a friend

2. Do not sleep while you have your contact lens on

3. Always clean and disinfect your lenses with solution before and after wearing them. 

Eyes are very sensitive. If you are careless with your contact lenses, you will end up suffering from an eye infection. To avoid facing the side effects of wearing contact lenses, you should maintain them with proper lens hygiene.

Rifkatu Yusuf.

HEALTH

GETTING THE RIGHT WEIGHT WITH THE RIGHT FOOD

Do you work-out daily to stay fit and in shape, yet your weight keeps increasing? Do you eat the right food and yet no good result? There are some common mistakes about nutrition that you need to know, which most people don’t take notice of, but they triple your weight without you knowing. Some are very easy to overlook.

About 70% of weight loss is diet and 30% exercise. Diets play a major role in losing weight than exercise. So you have to be very conscious of what goes into your mouth because you are what you eat. 

Yellow Card for Diary Products: A dairy product or milk product is food produced from the milk of mammals such as cheese, yogurt condensed milk, skimmed milk, ice cream, butter, dried milk. Dairy products are usually high energy-yielding food products. Some few things to minimize or cut out from our diet are dairy products including chicken and meat which rots in the stomach. 

Drink Enough Water

Sometimes we confuse thirst for hunger, so you eat a bunch of things thinking your body is hungry meanwhile, it really is just thirsty. Try to drink more water throughout the day, it helps calm you and also keep you full.

Do Not Skip Meals

I know of a friend that developed ulcer by skipping meals trying to lose weight. The most common one is usually breakfast. The problem with skipping meals is that you end up really hungry and tired; you eat anything in sight which might contain more calories than if you had just followed your meal plan of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast sets the pace for your day and also helps you function better throughout the day.

Do No Set Goals That You Cannot Achieve

People set losing weight targets for themselves, but I think that’s not the best alternative. Forget your dream size; what you should do is to take it one at a time. After all, you did not gain all the weight in just one week. If you are fond of that soda which contains high calories, you can start by replacing it with water. This is also applicable to all other weight boaster you want to get rid of. Love yourself and enjoy how far you have come.

Pay Attention to Your Belly Signals

Most people feel hungry without knowing what to eat. I’m of the opinion that each time you are hungry there is a particular food your belly wants to take at that time. Sometimes you eat something and you are still not satisfied; it may be your body is craving something salty or different. Also our bodies are different therefore, what works for one person may not necessarily work for you, so do not be misled.

Drinking Your Calories

Maybe you are eating clean, but are you also drinking your calories from beverages? A can of coke can contain as many as 240 calories, which might not be much but when it becomes a regular part of your day, then it can add tons of calories and sugar to your body and wreck your progress.

By: Okoye Chizoba

BEAUTY

DEALING WITH DANDRUFF THE NATURAL WAY

If you've ever wondered what all that white stuff coming off your head is, it’s not a major weather system, it is just dandruff! I’m here to give you a list of home remedies for dandruff (not scientifically tested); if your dandruff is serious and is not alleviated by these treatments, see a dermatologist.

Wash your hair regularly but not obsessively. Dandruff is caused when your scalp sheds dead skin cells. It is not caused by hair itself. A dermatologist recommends that washing your hair every day with a dandruff shampoo will help to reduce the flakes. And after then continue washing your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo 2-3 per week. Mind you, excessive shampooing, especially with harsh chemicals, can irritate the scalp and dry it out, causing more dandruff. 

Give your dandruff shampoo time to work. If you choose to wash your hair with dandruff shampoo, leave the shampoo in for at least 5 minutes before you wash it off. This will give the shampoo time to work; then rinse your hair with lemon juice, a conditioner to get rid of any lingering odor from the shampoo. Using a hair conditioner after washing with any anti-dandruff shampoo helps to soften the hair and makes it more manageable. Many of these anti-dandruff shampoos contribute to dry scalp and can add to flaking, but with a conditioner it can seal nourishing moisture.

Using Henna to Cure Dandruff. 

Henna has been widely used for many years for its beneficial properties. It can also be used to get rid of the stubborn dandruff. Since Henna can dry out your hair, avoid using it too frequently. Henna is anti-fungal, can be effective against psoriasis (condition which occurs when skin grows out quickly), and can strengthen skin. Many people who have itching, flaking scalps after dying with chemical dyes, and are developing an allergy to chemicals, can use Henna as an alternative. Henna can also be used to dye hair instead of chemicals, and can restore healthy hair and skin. Using Henna to cure head lice, ringworm, or dandruff, will give your hair a smooth, full, shiny and silky look. 

Preparing Henna for your hair

What you need:

Grinded henna leaf

Juice of a lime

Yogurt (as per the consistency you prefer)

Mix the henna powder with the juice of a lime and add curd to it. Mix well to avoid lumps. Make a smooth paste that does not drip. Apply this henna paste on the hair from roots to the tips. Keep the pack on for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo. 

To help prevent dandruff, brush your hair after you shower and shampoo. Brushing your hair will help distribute the oil that is naturally occurring in your scalp and hair over the entire surface of your head. Brush outward beginning from your scalp to help distribute oil from the scalp along your entire head.

Avoid stress and stressful situations. Stress can cause dandruff, so try to exercise your stress away or deal with your stress in other healthy, effective ways.

Eat healthy. What you put into your body has an impact on what your body responds to. An excess of unhealthy foods (fast food, sugary foods, etc.) will often result in skin, scalp and hair problems.

By: Okoye Chizoba

HEALTH

COMMON HYGIENE YOU SHOULDN’T OVERLOOK

Have you ever experienced morning rush, and after you struggled to get a sit in a bus only to be sitting next to a smelling body, be it male or female? Not only is he/she sitting next to you, but tries to open a conversation with you and you see yourself looking the other way. The only thing you pray for is to get to your destination as fast as possible. Well, I have experienced that many times.

Personal hygiene is very necessary, but it’s always overlooked all in the name of being in a hurry to work, or I’m so busy syndrome. Our opinion is that you have to brush your teeth and work to eliminate body odor each and every day. Here are some basic hygiene you should observe:

KEEP YOUR BREATH FRESH: Many people have bad breath. Sometimes it is only for a short period, but with others it is persistent (always). In most cases, bad breaths are caused by the gums and tongue; not the teeth. Bad breath is one thing that you might not notice yourself, and no one finds it easy to tell you. If you brush your mouth before going to bed, the early morning smelly mouth will not be too bad; in fact, some people don't smell at all. Therefore, it is important that you look out for yourself every morning before you step out.

A simple test you can do yourself is to lick the inside of your wrist and wait for the saliva to dry. If the area you licked smells unpleasant, it is likely that your breath does too. You can get a very good friend to be absolutely honest, but do make sure it’s a true friend.

GET RID OF THOSE UNDER HAIRS: We live in a tropical region of the world. It’s hot and humid. Male or female, why on earth would you allow your armpit hair grow out? Do you not know that hair in closed places trap bacteria and build up gunk that will smell? There are no health risks to shaving all of your hair off, as long as you do it hygienically, use a new razor, use an anti-septic after shaving and don't cut yourself. With or without antiperspirants, shave your armpit hair. I know some guys that will say, “no-o, it’s manly to have hair in your pits”. But that’s a fallacy.

USE A DEODORANT: Don’t even come with that excuse about not being able to afford body sprays. There are very cheap ones if you don’t have enough money. Some go for as little as 150 Naira. No excuses! Buy them and use, I’d rather chill with a local person smelling good-cheap than a classy person smelling like rotten egg. Though it can be embarrassing, sweating, even a lot of sweating is normal. This is true not only when you exercise or get hot, but also when you're feeling some emotions, like anger or nervousness. Some of the glands, such as those in the armpits, also start to make a strange new odor.

Your best bet is to take a bath or shower every day and after exercising or getting hot. Try to find a deodorant or a deodorant-antiperspirant combination that works well for you. It can help to wear clothes made of natural fibers, like cotton. Dressing in layers helps too. That way, if you start to feel hot, you can cool down easily and hopefully avoid sweating.

In rare cases, there are medical reasons for lots of sweating. If you notice that you are sweating when resting, when you are sleeping, or if your hands or feet sweat a lot, tell your doctor. In fact, it can help to speak with your doctor anyway; there may be something he or she can do.

MAINTAIN NEAT AND WELL-GROOMED NAILS:  Shorter nails look neater, but if you have longer nails, keep them always clean and in good condition. Girls can paint them if they wish. There is nothing as awful as dirty finger nails.

DON’T REPEAT DIRTY CLOTHES AND UNDER-WEARS: Dirty clothes, especially under-wears and socks, can harbor microorganisms. Re-wearing dirty clothes many times or sharing dirty sweaty clothes can lead to skin infection. Unpleasant body odour can also arise from bacteria that accumulate on stains. 

Shoe hygiene is also important. Feet have lots of sweat glands, so closed shoes in particular can provide warm, moist and dark environments where bacteria and fungi can thrive and cause bad smells and conditions such as athlete’s foot.

Wearing leather shoes and cotton socks allows your feet to breathe more than materials such as vinyl. If you have been wearing a pair of shoes all day at work or school, take them off when you get home to try and give them a chance to dry out overnight. Some of your shoes may also be washable.

SHAMPOO YOUR HAIR AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE: For the ladies that keep long hair or fix weave-on, you may need to wash your hair biweekly to avoid smell from accumulated hair cream and heat. Please, note that you don’t have to wash your hair every other day as frequent washing can dry out your hair and strip them of important nutrients. For the guys, you have no excuse, so wash at any bath. Whatever you do, just try to appear neat so as not to discomfit someone next to you.

By: Okoye Chizoba

TEASER

TOZALI, THE EYE LINER MAGAZINE VOL. 7 NO. 8

GO GRAB YOUR COPY...

MEALS BY ME

BROWN BEANS STIR FRY

 Hello and welcome my beautiful readers.

My name is Hapsy Ibrahim-Mahmud and I am going to show you how to make an amazing Brown Beans Stir Fry. Also known as Honey Beans, Brown Beans health benefits have been found to be higher than that of white (black eye)beans and black beans. A lot of people don't like eating beans, but with this recipe, I have had "Non beans eating” folks descend on their plates!  I am certain you'll impress your

"I don't eat beans people" too. (It's not like they’re allergic!) Besides, the benefits of brown beans out weight the taste of it. For those trying to lose weight, this is for you.

 So...

You will need:

·          2cups of brown beans or Honey beans(This recipe will be 4 as a main dish and 8 as a side dish)

·         1/4 kilo of mince beef

·         Chopped spring onions, red peppers & sweet peppers.

·         Sliced carrots

·         2 cooking of soya oil

·         Seasoning cube of choice & dry ground ginger

·         Thyme (abt a 1tsp) and salt to taste.

The 1st thing you want to do is cook the beans. Cook the beans with a pinch of salt until the beans become hard boiled, meaning cooked but not soft. Then chop and slice all the veggies and set aside.

Then into a wide non stick pan, pour 1 spoon of soya oil. Then add 1/2 of the quarter kilo of mince beef; it is best to make this dish in batches. Add thyme and a pinch of salt to the mince beef and stir fry until pale brown. Then add the carrots. Stir-fry for 2mins before adding half of the beans.

Reduce the heat and add ginger, seasoning cube or powder and stir in genteelly in a folding manner; meaning don't stir like a soup by turning but lightly lifting like you're folding in....ok!? Ok!

Pop a lid on the pan and leave to simmer for 5mins, this will help soften the carrots and beans a little. Then add the red peppers (Tatasai) and spring onions. Stir fry for 2-3mins before adding the sweet pepper (sweet green pepper).

Stir in and it's ready to serve.

Serve Hot! As part of a meal (side dish) or enjoy as a meal!  Easy! Right?

You can always add or remove an ingredient, but this one with the mince beef is just amazing!!!

Enjoy!

 Until next time people! Do try it out!

Many legumes, especially soya beans, are demonstrating impressive health benefits. Diets rich in beans are being used to:

·         lower cholesterol levels

·         improve diabetics' blood glucose control

·         reduce risk of many cancers

·         lower blood pressure

·         regulate functions of the colon

·         prevent and cure constipation

·         prevent piles and other bowel problems

Also richly coloured dried beans offer a high degree of antioxidant protection. In fact, brown beans rate even higher than blueberries or cranberries juice. Besides, some cranberry juices have sugar in them. In Nigeria, any type of beans will be a cheaper choice. And it's good for you!

A lesser-known benefit of brown beans is their high levels of iso-flavones, compounds that are similar in structure to estrogens produced by your body (which is why they are also called phytoestrogens).

These iso-flavones may ease the symptoms of menopause, prevent some form of cancer, reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your bone and prostate health, among other great benefits. My least favourite bean is the kidney bean. I don't dislike it, I just prefer other kinds and fortunately there are a myriad of choices. These are just a few that are quite popular. They can be found in major shops around the country (Kano, Abuja, Kaduna.....) dried or canned (in brine or water)

*Honey beans

* Red kidney beans

* Soy beans

* Garbanzo beans

* Adzuki beans

* Lima beans

* Black beans

* Black eyed peas

* Broad beans

* Small red beans

* Butter beans

* Fava beans

* Great northern beans

* Haricot beans

* Mung beans

* Navy beans

* Pinto beans

* Yellow split peas

* Green split peas

* White beans

So my beautiful people "Go forth and discover Beans"

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Hapsy's Orders!!!