Putting Beauty Hypnotism to the Test

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:00:42 -0700

Can hypnosis keep you from biting your nails? Georgina Powell thinks so. The Florida-based clinical hynotherapist works with people to cure common problems including beauty mishaps. (If you're not in the Sunshine State, you can check her out online.)

When I spoke to her the other day, she explained that most women have self-defeating thoughts, and no matter how beautiful they may be, they need to feel good on the inside to look good on the outside. By imagining scenes, you can relax the body and conscious mind into a hypnotic trance; from there, you can implant positive messages for positive change.

To find out what happened when I tried one of her downloads, read more.
She also assuaged my fears about side effects (there are none), and told me that hypnosis can not make you do something you don't want to do. For example, you can't be made to rob a bank or bark like a dog. In fact, you can't be hypnotized if you don't want to be.

The most common beauty problem she deals with is nail biting. Since I'm a nibbler, I decided to put her "download" to the test. I listened to the file once and found her voice soothing, but I put so much pressure on myself to become entranced that I never let my body and mind fully relax. I'll have to try it again, because as I laid in bed imagining myself having long beautiful nails on a sunny beach, all I wanted to do was take notes.

Her CDs cost $19.95 and her downloads are $12.95. If you think that hypnosis might be for you, I say give it a go - it's around the same price as an eye shadow, and if you don't feel satisfied, there's a 90-day money-back guarantee. Sessions are about 30 minutes and are recommended for use in the evenings for 28 days. Do you believe that hypnosis is a plausible beauty treatment? Or are you a skeptic?

Tips For Battling B****face

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:00:01 -0700

I just found a story on bitchface, an unfortunate affliction that affects so many of us. When people ask you why you look so angry/upset/bitter-while you're feeling anything but those things-that's bitchface.

Without using the term, the article talks about how your face could be sending the wrong message-in effect, projecting an unhappy persona even if you're completely content. This has happened to me before; people have asked me why I'm so "serious," but I suspect that's only because I'm not walking around with a huge grin on my face. And then, of course, are the strangers who'll say, "Can't I get a smile? Let me see a smile!" (I usually give them a simpering grimace.) In reading the story and thinking about bitchface in general, it makes me wonder: Are men told to smile more as well? Do they worry about having "jerkface"? Somehow, I think the answer is no.

If you are prone to bitchface-and are uncomfortable with that-the story has a few suggestions. One doctor echoes the advice I once received from a dermatologist: If you don't want wrinkles, don't make any facial expressions. (Um, okay.) Otherwise, there are a few simple, non-surgical bits of advice. To find out what they are, read more

Get relaxed. Any activity that promotes relaxation, such as yoga, tai chi, guided imagery, hypnosis or breathing, “leads to a net response of decreased muscle tension, which can make meaningful differences” to a face that looks stressed, worried, angry or tired, says clinical psychologist and dermatologist Dr. Richard Fried.
Arch your brows. Damone Roberts, who's opening a brow-centric salon in Manhattan, says a full, gently rounded arch gives the softest, friendliest look. Be sure to pluck stray hairs, and use brow gel to keep hairs from hanging into your eyes.

Brighten your eyes. Roberts recommends using a concealer a shade lighter than the skin under the eyes, then applying mascara and eyeliner applied to the top lashes and lids only.
Magnify lips. To make thin lips seem plumper, Roberts says, place lip liner similar to the lips’ natural color just outside their natural lines; top with matching lipstick. (Personally, I don't like liner that goes outside the lip line, but your mileage may vary.)

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