What is a Corset?

A corset is an item of clothing worn to help shape the upper boby into a desired shape for aesthetic, or sometimes orthopaedic, reaons (either while wearing it, or for more permanent results). Men and women have both worn and still wear corsets.

The craft of making corsets is known as corsetry, as is the general wearing of them. A person who designs and makes corsets is a corsetier (for a man) or corsetière (for a woman), or simply a corsetmaker.

The most popular use of corsets is to shap the body into a beautiful, fashionable silhouette shape. For women this usually emphasises a curvy figure, by reducing the waist, and thereby exaggerating the bust and hips. However corsets have also been worn to achieve a more tubular shape although this is less common.

For men, corsets are more customarily used to slim the figure. However, there was a period from around 1820 to 1835 when an hourglass figure was also desirable for men; this was sometimes achieved by wearing a corset.

Corsets are constructed of flexible materials such as satin, leather, pvc, denim, and velvet. They are stiffened with boning (also called ribs or stays) inserted into channels in the material. Steel and whalebone were favored in the Victorian period but plastic is now the most commonly used material. Steel is used for high-quality corsets. Other materials that have been used for boning include ivory, wood, and cane. (A girdle is usually made of elasticised fabric, not boning.)

A corset encloses the upper body, usually from under the arms to the hips. Some corsets however extend over the hips and may even reach the knees. A shorter kind of corset, which covers the waist area (from below the ribs to just above the hips), is called a 'waist cincher' or underbust corset. A corset may also include garters to hold up stockings.

Corsets are held together by lacing, usually at the back. Tightening or loosening the lacing changes the firmness of the corset. It is possible for a back-laced corset-wearer to do his or her own lacing, though it can be difficult. However, many corsets also have a buttoned or hooked front opening. Once the lacing is adjusted comfortably, it is possible to leave the lacing as adjusted and take the corset on and off using the front opening. This method is incompatible with tightlacing, which strives for the maximum reduction of the waist. Tightlacers are usually laced by spouses and partners.

In the past, a woman's corset was usually worn over a garment called a chemise or shift, a sleeveless low-necked gown made of washable material (usually cotton or linen). These absorbed perspiration and kept the corset clean. Now an undershirt or corset liner is usually worn.

Wearing Red Has Never Been So Stylish-Or Such A Healthy Idea

Wearing red-the color of life and love-can do more than help you stop traffic. It could help save lives.

As part of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement, millions of women are wearing this joyful color to celebrate their commitment to keeping their hearts healthy.

The movement has helped revive interest in making the color red even more fashionable. Wearing this vibrant color offers women a chance to stand out and make a statement.

"Color is an easy and affordable way to express yourself through what you wear," says style and beauty expert Andy Paige. "Red is an empowering color. Once you feel the lift this color gives your spirits and see the attention it attracts, you may decide to make it a mainstay of your wardrobe all year."

According to Paige, there are as many ways to wear red as there are good reasons to do it.

Go Red from head to toe or accent an outfit with red accessories. Carry a fabulous red handbag or kick up your heels in red stilettos. Red isn't just for women, either; men can Go Red by wearing a red shirt, tie or socks.

Try these tips from Paige:

Pick the perfect red. If your coloring is warm, try a rich tomato or pomegranate. If it's cool, think cherry or scarlet.

Worried about looking washed out? Fill in the neckline of a red blouse or sweater with a scarf in a softer shade or wear red away from your face-in a skirt, pants or boots.

Put a new spin on it. Wear red accessories, like the ones at ShopGoRed.com, in offbeat ways. Substitute two tiny red-dress pins (the Go Red For Women symbol) for cufflinks on a French-cuffed shirt; tie a red-dress logo scarf around your wrist or use it as a watchband.

Don't forget your lips, tips and locks. Glossy red lipstick and nail polish are classic ways to add a touch of glamour. Take it a step further and color your hair red-any shade from strawberry blonde to burgundy will do.

Be Bold, Be Noticed and Be Heart Healthy

Regardless of the shade or the accessory you choose, wearing red can also be a fashion statement that says, "I am taking a stand for my heart health."

Paige advises, "Incorporating red into your wardrobe serves as a visual reminder to love your heart and Go Red in your own fashion."

The How To's Of Choosing Your Lady's Scent

If finding the right perfume for your woman is one hard feat to conquer, follow these tips and you're sure to win her heart in a jiffy!

If you consider the wide array of choices that you can possibly give to your woman, the possibilities are endless. Because of the availability of so many options, you may even end up buying her the wrong one! However, one common gift that more often than not assures you of a smile and a kiss or more from your woman is when you give her a bottle of perfume.

You can never go wrong when you opt to give your women perfume for a special occasion. Unless she's allergic to its compounds or really has no preference for a certain scent, then you may stray from the perfumes category in your shopping list. But, if perfume is not contraindicated, then go ahead and buy her one!

Getting to a decision that it is, in fact, perfume that you want to give her, is easy. But when you get to the part of which brand, what scent, and at what price, you may get confused because of all the combinations of these factors available in the market. You don't have to be bewildered for long. How?

First, clue yourself in on what your woman usually wears as perfume. What scent does she usually spray on her? Is it a strong and heavy aroma or light and woodsy? Do you usually smell floral and fruits on her or cool and sporty? Or does she settle for warmer scents? If your woman doesn’t wear any perfume (and this hardly ever happens) then you can move on to the next step.

The personality of your woman usually gives away the scent that would work on her. If she's sophisticated and classy you can choose perfumes that have a stronger scent, one that commands attention when she enters a room or you can settle for subtle scents, one that only those who can approach her can appreciate. If your woman is sporty and is always on the go, then cool and sporty scents would work wonderfully on her. This type of scent doesn’t weigh her down and helps cool her down when she’s on the move. A blend of light and woodsy citrus scents is perfect for adventurous women. This type of perfume helps her keep the zest that she so eagerly lives by in the world. How about if your woman reminds you of a warm spring’s day, then a combination of floral and fruits perfume would add to the charm she captivates you with.

The bottle that holds the perfume can also be an essential tool that would help you make a decision. Most perfumes are collectibles for women, and the better the bottles look, the more they'll like to add it to their collection. You can even put a little twist to this activity by matching the shape and colors of the bottle with the personality of your woman. If she’s plump and delicious, you can go for bottles that are rounded and have a deep and richer color. If she’s slim and sexy, bottles that are slender and comes in feminine colors may be perfect for her. If you’re woman is on the wild side and always lives life on the edge, you can go for the more out of the ordinary bottles that come in varied shapes and sizes to match her adoring outrageousness.

You can also settle for asking her directly what type of perfume she wants, but either you'll get an ambiguous answer or the gift won’t be special and it won't surprise her anymore.

If you really can't make up your mind and you need her help, play it up a notch and make a game of letting her choose the perfume that she wants together with you! It may not be a surprise but the event that surrounds it is sure to make up for it.

You can also be creative and just choose the perfume you, yourself, want to smell on her. There are always testers of the perfumes available for you to sample before you can choose to purchase it.

The best thing that you can also do aside from giving her just perfume is to give her a complete set with the same scent! These sets usually include bath salts, shower gels, and body lotions and they come in really neat packages that will surely capture the heart of the woman in your life. This way not only your woman can benefit from the gift but you can, as well. You can make a sexy and/or fun activity from it! Why not try preparing the bath for her and scrubbing her with your gift? You could also slather her delicately with the body lotion. Share in the fun that your gift gives to your woman!

Whatever perfumes you may choose to give her in the end; if it has a personal touch then that gift will surely be appreciated. Women love to see their men go to great lengths just finding the perfect give for them. Try these tips the next time you shop for your woman and you can be sure that this gift will not be collecting dust in her closet.

Tips to treat acne

Acne is a broad term, which includes blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads. Acne can strike at any age. Effective acne treatments are sometimes difficult to find, and understanding acne and prevention can be frustrating. Here are some acne treatment tips that have worked for many.

Although acne is not life threatening it can be uncomfortable and hard on your ego. There has always been a debate about the actual cause of acne. The actual cause is not as important as finding a cure.

So is there a cure for acne. Well yes and no. There are many products available and for some they are a cure, for others they do not help. A cure is only a cure when you find a product that works for you.

Most acne treatments will take time to work. It usually takes around 8 weeks before you see any significant improvement so you are going to have to be patient. Once you have got your acne cleared up it is important to continue with the treatment that is working so it does not return.

If you have serious acne, it is best to consult a dermatologist. However, in milder cases you will often be able to get it under control by yourself just by persevering. Try these tips to conquer your acne.

Exercise
Regular exercise helps keep your whole body in shape. It builds your immune system and helps eliminate toxins from the body. It is a great start to fighting acne.

Diet
You need to eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day. Fresh fruit and vegetables are full of nutrients that your body needs. They boost the immune system and are good antioxidants. They can work towards helping you get rid of the acne. Try to avoid refined sugars and fatty foods which have are not good for you or your skin. You also need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to flush your system of toxins.

Cosmetics
Choose cosmetics that are water based and hypo-allergenic. Avoid oil free products, coal tar derivatives, and heavy creams. Make sure you wash your skin thoroughly every night to remove makeup residue.

Hormones
Hormones can play a role in acne flare ups and they can be used to reduce outbreaks. Your doctor may decide to use HRT to eliminate or reduce your acne outbreaks.

Clean Skin
You need to avoid harsh scrubbing of your face but you also need to thoroughly clean your skin nightly. Use a mild cleaning regime every night. Once or twice a week you should also, use an exfoliator to gently remove damaged skin and unplug pores.

Shaving
Is actually a great exfoliating treatment the removes dead skin. However, you should never shave an area that is infected or inflamed. Always use a shaving cream if your skin is sensitive.

Stress
Can be a contributing factor to acne so try to relax and unwind. Emotions trigger chemical reactions in the body, which can cause an outbreak.

You can help control your acne outbreaks by following these simple steps. What are you waiting for?

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips, hints, points to ponder and keep in mind,
do please browse for more information at our websites.

22 Rules For a Wonderful Living

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.

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2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.

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3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

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4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

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5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.

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6. Be generous.

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7. Have a grateful heart.

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8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.

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9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

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10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

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11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.

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12. Commit yourself to quality.

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13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationship with people you love and respect.

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14. Be loyal.

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15. Be honest.

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16. Be a self-starter.

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17. Be decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong

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18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

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19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

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20. Take good care of those you love.

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21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your Mom proud.

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22. Do something every day that would make you proud tomorrow.

My Family My Everything