| How to Do Ombre Nails Posted: 18 Nov 2016 04:00 PM PST Ombré nails (just like ombré hair) are a type of manicure in which a color gradient is created. A light color on the top of the nail gradually blends into a darker color toward the tip. Getting the perfect ombré effect can take time and practice, but there's a lot of room for originality to make your ombré effect unique. EditCreating The Sponge Ombré - Clean up your nails. Use a cotton ball lightly soaked in nail polish remover to remove any nail polish currently on your nails. Gently trim your nails with nail clippers until your nails are at your desired length.[1] Then use a nail file to smooth out rough edges and shape your nails.
- You can also push back your cuticles using a rounded manicure stick.[2] This will help elongate your nail beds so your nails look longer.
- Alternatively, you can push back your cuticles using your thumbnail on your opposite hand.
- Apply a clear base coat. Paint on a thin, clear, base coat to all of your nails. A clear base coat protects your nails from getting stained by colored polishes, and helps extend your manicure by decreasing the prevalence of chips in your nail polish.[3]
- Apply your base color coat. With ombré nails, your base color is usually a white polish, or the lightest color you plan to use for the ombré effect. A white polish will help colors seem more vibrant, but using the lightest of your planned ombré polishes will give a softer, more subtle ombré effect.[4][5] Paint this background color on all of your nails.
- For an opaque base, paint two coats of your base color. Allow the first coat to dry completely before adding the second coat.
- To help your nails dry faster, it's better to paint two thin coats of polish rather than one, thick and heavy coat of polish.
- Paint your ombré colors onto a makeup sponge. Paint your ombré colors in straight, horizontal lines side-by-side across a small makeup sponge.[6] The area of the sponge you paint should relatively be the same width as your nail. Start by painting a line across the width of the sponge with the lightest color of nail polish. Then paint on the next darkest color underneath the first color. Finally, paint the darkest color of polish underneath the second line of polish. Be sure that all the colors are painted right next to each other with no exposed sponge between the colors.[7] Paint a couple coats of polish onto the sponge for each color so the polish is wet enough to stamp onto your nail.
- Normally, two or three colors are used to create the ombré effect, but you can experiment with different colors and combinations to see what you like best.
- It may help to dip the makeup sponge in water first before painting on the colors. Dip the makeup sponge into water. Wring out the sponge until approximately 80% of the water is removed.[8] Then paint on the nail polish colors.
- Dipping the sponge in water will prevent the sponge from absorbing too much polish and having the polish dry up too quickly on the sponge.[9]
- Stamp the polish onto your nails. Stamp the polish onto your nail by pressing the sponge (with the polish side down) on top of you nail repeatedly, lifting the sponge away every couple of stamps to check and see if the ombré is dark enough and to your liking.[10]
- Roll the polish onto your nails. Roll the polish onto your nails by placing the side edge of the sponge next to the side of your nail. Slowly roll the sponge (with the polish side down) over your nail to the other side of your nail.[11] Do this repeatedly to darken the polish colors and increase the ombré effect.
- This process will transfer some nail polish onto your skin surrounding your nails. To prevent this you can edge the skin around your nails with a thin layer of petroleum jelly or place tape on the skin surrounding your nails.[12][13] Otherwise, you can use nail polish remover to clean the sides of your nails later.
- There is a lot of freedom with how you transfer the paint to your nail. You can adjust the placement of the sponge (stamping vertically on the length of your nail, tilting the sponge to specifically stamp on a certain color) to make your ombré effect unique and original.[14]
- Reload the sponge. When you have finished the ombré effect on one nail, reload the polish onto the sponge so the ombré colors remain wet and vibrant. Paint the nail polish colors in the same fashion as before, lining the sponge with the lightest color and moving down to the darkest. Make sure all the polish colors are side-by-side touching each other.[15]
- Keep in mind, if you try to ombré you nails with a sponge that isn't damp enough with polish, the dry sponge can actually pull off your base color coat and ruin your polish.[16]
- If you stamp or roll your nails quickly, you most likely only need to add polish to the sponge for every other nail.[17]
- Apply a topcoat. Once you have given all of your nails adequate time to dry (about 10-15 minutes), add a topcoat of clear polish to your nails. You might want to consider doing two coats of a topcoat to smooth out your nails, since the sponging makes the surface of your nail a little stippled and bumpy.[18]
- Clean up the skin around your nails. Use a small paintbrush or Q-Tip dipped in nail polish remover to swipe along the edges and cuticles of your nails.[19]
- The cotton on the Q-Tip will help rub off polish on the skin, whereas the paintbrush can be more exact in removing excess nail polish.
EditCreating The Glitter Ombré - Clean up your nails. Whenever you paint your nails, you want to have a nice, clean canvas. Remove any remaining nail polish currently on your nails with a cotton ball lightly soaked in nail polish remover. Cut your nails down to your desired length using nail clippers.[20] File down your nails even more if you want them shorter, and smooth out the sharp corners of your nail.
- Consider pushing back your cuticles with a manicure stick to expose a bit more of your nail bed.[21] You can also use your thumb nail from your other hand to push back your cuticles if you don't have a manicure stick.
- Apply a clear base coat. Paint on a clear base coat to protect your nails from being stained by the color in colored nail polishes.[22] A clear base helps to extend your manicure by making chips in the polish less prevalent.
- Allow your clear base coat to dry about 5-10 minutes before applying any more nail polish.
- Apply your base color coat. Paint all of your nails with your base color. Your base color can be whatever color you want, it's really up to you. To get a solid base base, consider painting on two lighter coats of polish as opposed to one, thick and heavy coat.[23] Wait a few minutes in between coats (about 5-10 minutes) so the polish has a chance to dry completely.
- Two light coats of polish will increase the opacity of the color without making the layers of polish gooey.
- Add your first coat of glitter. Unscrew the brush from the bottle, and wipe the sides of the brush on the inside neck of the bottle to remove most of the glitter polish. You want very little glitter on the brush for your first coat of glitter.[24] Paint over your entire nail, making sure that the top portion of your nail near your cuticle is barely speckled with glitter. The bottom portion of your nail can have a bit more glitter since it will be layered with glitter anyway.[25]
- Allow this first layer of glitter to dry for at least five minutes.
- Paint your second coat of glitter. Wipe off the brush a little less this time so there is a little more glitter on the brush. Paint the lower half of your nail, focusing on applying more glitter toward the end tip of your nail.[26] Allow your nails at least ten minutes to dry completely.
- Obviously, you can make the bottom half of your nail as glittery as you would like. Just be sure the ombré glitter gradient transitions from thin to thick, smoothly.
- You can always add another coat of glitter to the bottom 1/3 or 1/4 of your nail, but then you run the risk of having a very wet nail (full of layers of polish). A wet nail heavy with polish will take a long time to dry.
- Experiment to see what you think looks best and works well in terms of drying time.
- Add a clear topcoat. Paint on a clear topcoat to seal your nails and smooth out your nail surface.[27]
- You may consider adding two thin coats of your topcoat, only because the glitter can make the surface of your nail quite bumpy. You want all the glitter to be covered, so the glitter doesn't get caught on any clothing or scratches your skin.
- If you use petroleum jelly around your nails to keep the polish off your skin, be careful not to get any on your nail, because the polish won't stick.
- Paint your thumb nails last. By painting your thumbnails at the end, you can use them to clean up any mistakes around your cuticles on the opposite hand. Remove any excess nail polish on your thumbs with polish remover before painting them.
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| How to Develop a Strong Immune System Posted: 18 Nov 2016 08:00 AM PST Your health is one of the most valuable things you have. While there are ways to help you get over-sickness faster, one of the best ways to fight illness is to prevent it. Using strategies to help develop your immune system and reduce habits that deflate your immunity can help you live a healthier, happier life. EditPromoting a Healthy Body - Exercise daily. Establishing a moderate exercise routine can help you be healthier overall.[1] That increased heath both boosts your natural immunities and can help you get over illness more quickly.
- Try going for a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes most days.[2]
- Find a walking buddy to keep you motivated and accountable. Even an enthusiastic dog can be a great walking companion.
- If you don't like exercising, try getting involved in a recreational sport or finding an active hobby that will "trick" you into exercising while you are having fun. Some examples could be racquetball, rock climbing, roller skating, kayaking, hiking, or even bird watching in the wilderness.
- Get some sunlight. Many Americans have a vitamin D deficiency,[3] which has long-ranging effects on human health. The best way to boost vitamin D levels is to have moderate exposure to direct sunlight. The fresh air won't hurt either!
- Sleep at least 7-8 hours each night. Sleep deprivation can leave your more susceptible to pick up illness.[4] Getting an adequate amount of sleep at night can help your body become refreshed and build its natural defenses. Additionally, getting extra sleep at the first sign of illness can help you bounce back more quickly.
- Avoid cigarette smoke. You should certainly avoid smoking yourself for many health reasons, but even being around other people who are smoking can decrease your immune function.[5]
- If you are a smoker, you should quit.
- If your friends or family members are smokers, try encouraging them to quit. If that doesn't work, avoid the smokers during times that your immune system needs to be strongest (like during cold and flu season).
- Cut back on caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol[6] may be fine in moderation, but excessive consumption of either can compromise your immunity.[7] Remember that water is the best source of healthy hydration, and if you follow other immune-boosting steps like reducing your stress levels and getting more sleep, you may find that you don't feel like you need caffeine and alcohol as much.
EditPromoting a Healthy Mind - Avoid stress. Stress, particularly chronic stress, [8] can be one of your immune system's worst enemies. Studies have consistently shown that there is a direct relation between people who self-identify as stressed and reduced immunity/increased illness.[9]
- Meditate or do yoga to encourage a more peaceful outlook on life.
- When possible, address the source of the stress. If there is an individual person or an aspect of your job that causes you great stress, try reducing your contact with the person or activity if possible.
- Try going to therapy if you feel like you need help addressing and dealing with deep-seated or long-term stress.
- Laugh more. People who feel happier and spend more time laughing and smiling have healthier immune systems.[10] Finding a source of humor for yourself—and allowing yourself to have a sense of humor, even if you are a generally sensitive person—can help your emotional health and your immunity.
- Find a funny TV show or movie that makes you laugh and relax.
- Watch online videos of animals or babies doing funny things.
- Find a comedian/comedienne who you particularly like and download podcasts of his/her standup routine.
- Read comic strips or humorous print materials.
- Spend more time with a friend who you find particularly funny. You could even tell her why you want to spend more time with her, which could make her proud of her sense of humor.
- Spend time with other people. Socializing can help boost your mental health and thus your immunity. [11] While this may seem like it is higher-risk because being around other people (and their germs) exposes you to potential illnesses, the benefit of feeling socially content far outweighs any potential germ exposure.
- Spending time with people whom you consider friends is preferable, but talking to coworkers or casual acquaintances also helps.[12]
- Bond with a pet. If you have social anxiety or live or work in a situation in which you have limited access to other people, bonding with a special pet can be a reasonably effective substitute for human contact.[13] Be sure you find a pet with a great personality, who interacts with you and makes you laugh for maximum immune-boosting benefits.
EditImproving Your Eating Habits - Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated with plain, clean water is one of the most important boosters to your health and immunity.[14] You should try to drink 8 cups of water each day, but drinking more at the first sign of illness may help you ward off impending sickness.
- Avoid simple sugars. Sugar can make you gain weight, feel sluggish due to sugar crashes after consumption, and it can also reduce the efficacy of your immune system.[15]
- Remember that many people drink more sugar than they realize in beverages. Check nutrition labels on sodas and other drinks carefully for sugar content and serving size to ensure that you know how much sugar you are drinking.
- Even foods that do not seem sweet may contain corn syrup or sugar. Read the labels of processed foods carefully to be sure that you know what you are putting in your body.
- Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. The best way to maintain a comprehensive array of immune-boosting vitamins and minerals is to consume a variety of healthy, fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Brightly colored fruits often contain more nutrients than their paler counterparts.[16] For example, kale or spinach is more nutrient-dense than iceberg lettuce.
- Your body absorbs nutrients from real food better than from supplements, so it is important to get vitamins from food even if you take a vitamin pill.
- Citrus fruits in particular contain vitamin C, which can boost immunity when consumed daily.
- Increase your garlic consumption. Many sources tout garlic's antibacterial, antiviral, and even anti-cancer properties. While these claims have not been fully proven by science, there has been research that supports the idea that garlic can help fight disease.
- Fresh garlic is usually best. Try using a garlic press or mincing it very small and adding it to foods after cooking the foods.
- Eat protein. Foods that are high in protein are often also high in zinc. Protein can help your body function well and give you energy to get through your day. Absorption of zinc on a regular basis can help super-power your immune system, and the body absorbs zinc from protein sources better than it does from supplements or plant-based zinc.[17]
EditUsing Nutritional Supplements - Consume probiotics. Probiotics are "good bacteria" that help your stomach digest and absorb food effectively.[18] The concept of probiotics is relatively new, and the full effects of this good bacteria on the human body are still somewhat unknown. However, it seems clear that reintroducing the good bacteria of a probiotic can help your body fight off bad bacteria.[19]
- Be sure to research the effectiveness of a probiotic before choosing one. There is a lot of variance in the quality of different products.[20]
- Ask your pharmacist or herbalist for a recommendation about a quality probiotic.
- Take a multivitamin daily. While foods are the best source of vitamins generally, supplementing your diet with a multivitamin can help you ensure that you are not missing one or more important nutrients.
- You may want to find a multivitamin that specifically supports your gender, age, and activity level.
- Ask your pharmacist or herbalist for a recommendation about a quality multivitamin.
- Try herbal supplements. The effectiveness of herbal supplements has not been fully established by the medical community,[21] but studies have suggested that some or all of the following supplements are effective immune boosters:[22]
- Echinacea
- Ginseng
- Astragalus
- Certain mushrooms (shiitake, reishi, and maitake)
- Maintain vitamin C levels. Many people think that taking vitamin C when you have a cold can help you fight the cold faster. However, there appears to be a greater health benefit if a level of vitamin C is established and maintained throughout cold season.[23]
- Eat foods that are high in vitamin C like citrus fruits daily.
- Take a vitamin C supplement.
- Drink orange juice, but be wary of the high sugar content in juices.
- Avoid oily and deep fried food and drink plenty of water.
- Always get tested for STDs every year.
- Always get flu vaccinations (influenza) once a year.
- Avoid having multiple partners to stop STDs. Even though sometimes using condoms some STDs can transmit with genitals contact. Having one partner is much safer or you can be single.
- Be abstinent or have protected sex, otherwise you can get unwanted STDs which can kill your immune system.
- Avoid using pesticides and clean your home without using harsh chemicals. Noxious chemicals are hard on the body and can be extremely damaging to your environment.
- Carry your own pens with you during cold and flu season. This can help you avoid the germs on communal pens.[24]
- Avoid non-organic milk produced with antibiotics; the antibiotics can lead to the adaptation and immunity of bacteria.[25]
- Don't live in a ridiculously clean environment. Exposing yourself to germs will create antibodies for a stronger immune system.
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| How to Clean a Pizza Stone Posted: 18 Nov 2016 12:00 AM PST A pizza stone is a portable stone slab that allows aspiring pizza chefs to get a more authentic stone oven taste for pizza made at home. For the most part, you shouldn't need to clean your pizza stone, as cooking pizza on it will season it. If you desperately want to clean your stone however, the porous nature of the stone can make them incredibly hard to clean. Some methods, like soaking or using soap and water can ruin your stone forever.[1] If you find yourself in a situation where you need to clean your pizza stone, there are some simple techniques you can use that won't ruin the stone. EditCleaning Your Stone By Hand - Let your stone completely cool off. After using your pizza stone, you should allow it to cool off in the oven for an hour, otherwise there's a possibility it could crack, especially if you expose it to cold air or water.[2] Make sure that your stone cools to room temperature before you attempt to clean it.
- Be safe when handling a hot pizza stone. Use heat-resistant gloves so you don't burn yourself.
- Pizza stones can also crack if you put a cold stone into a hot oven.
- Brush or scrape stuck on pieces of food. You can use a stone brush or plastic spatula to get any excess pieces of burnt food that have stuck to your stone. Scrape gently on the surface of the stone where the baked on food is.
- Using a metal spatula may put scratches in your stone.
- Don't use soap on your pizza stone. Although it may seem intuitive to clean your stone with soap, doing this can ruin the stone for good. Washing your stone with soap will result in soapy tasting food because of the porous nature of the stone. Once you ruin your stone with soap it may never be the same.
- This can also be said about savory vs. sweet foods. If you cook a garlic loaf with your stone, then cook a sweet pie, the resulting taste may not be what you're expecting.
- Wipe your pizza stone with a damp cloth. Damp a washcloth with warm water and wipe down the pizza stone. Wipe off any pieces of loosened food that you were able to get detached from scraping.
- Pizza stones are porous, and soap will get inside of its pores and make your food taste like soap.[3]
- Do not soak your pizza stone in water. This can cause cracking as well.
- Let your stone dry completely before using it again. Another reason that a pizza stone can crack in the oven is because it hasn't fully dried before being put back into the oven. Remember to store the stone in room temperature before you heat it again. Water gets stuck in the pores of the stone and reduces the integrity of the stone when it's reheated again.[4]
- Allow your pizza stone 1-2 hours to dry before using it again.
- Avoid putting olive oil on the stone. Olive oil or any other fat can cause your stone to smoke when you cook food on it.[5] While some people think that this seasons the stone like a cast iron pan, the pores in the stone actually soaks up the oil instead of creating a non-stick surface.
- To create a non-stick surface, use cornmeal on the top of your stone.
- Your stone will become naturally seasoned after cooking pizza or other foods on it.
EditWashing Your Stone With Baking Soda - Mix equal parts baking soda and warm water in a bowl. Mix it together until it forms a paste. It should be around the consistency of toothpaste. This solution will be able to remove deeper stains from your stone that a regular wiping can't.
- Baking soda is a sodium bicarbonate and is great for cleaning off dirt and grease.[6]
- Since it's only mildly abrasive and won't alter the taste of your food, baking soda is the safest cleaner for your pizza stone.
- Remove large burnt chunks of food with plastic spatula. Before you scrub your stone with the solution you just made, you need to make sure that the bigger chunks of food that are stuck to your pizza stone are removed.
- Be gentle when handling your pizza stone because repeated handling increases the chance of it cracking over time.[7]
- Scrub the solution into your stone with a brush. Using a toothbrush or stone brush, make small circular motions and clean the problem areas of your pizza stone first. Aim for the discolored or dark areas on the stone and then work your way around the rest of the stone.
- If there are still areas that have deep, baked-in stains, you may have to come back to them after wiping your stone.
- Wipe the stone with a damp cloth. Once you have scrubbed your stone, you should have a layer of your baking soda cleaning solution on the stone. Wipe this down with a damp cloth when you feel like you won't make any more progress by scrubbing.
- Revisit the problem areas of the stone after wiping if you aren't satisfied with how clean it is. Repeat the process until the stained area is lighter or has disappeared.
- Allow the stone to fully dry. Since this method of cleaning will probably allow more moisture into your stone then simply wiping it off, make sure you wait a day before using it again. Any leftover moisture could damage your stone.[8]
- You can store your stone in the oven so that it stays room temperature. Just make sure to take it out when you are cooking other things.
EditUsing The Self-Cleaning Function - Limit the use of this method to one time. There's a chance you'll crack your pizza stone, even if you follow these directions.[9] Use this method only once, and try to do a thorough job so you don't have to do it again.
- If there's too much grease, it can start a grease or oil fire which is incredibly dangerous.
- Some self-cleaning ovens have a self-lock feature when self-cleaning is on. If there's fire inside of your oven, there is sometimes no way to open the door.[10]
- Clean your oven until it's completely clear of grease and dried food. Stuck on grease or any other fat will create a lot of smoke if you use your self cleaning function. Wipe down greasy rails with a rag and use an oven cleaner.
- Make sure that your oven is dry before using the self-cleaning function.
- Wipe off your stone with a dish rag. Clean off the initial grease and dirt buildup on your stone. Even though the self-cleaning feature will clean the stone, this initial cleaning will prevent smoke.
- Make sure to remove any large chunks of food that are stuck on.
- Place the stone in the oven and set it to 500 degrees. You need to gradually increase the heat of your oven to prevent your pizza stone from cracking from a change in heat. Allow the preheat function to gradually increase the temperature of the stone. Leave stone in oven for at least an hour once it's reached 500 degrees.
- The same method should be applied if you want an even cook on your pizza.
- Turn on your self-cleaning function. The self-cleaning function on your oven will super-heat it, and is meant to burn away any excess grease or dirt.[11]
- Allow the full cycle to run. Do not disrupt it unless there is a fire.
- Watch your pizza stone through the window. Make sure to keep an eye on your pizza stone and oven. You should see grease bubbling on the surface of the stone. Do not open your oven while it is self-cleaning because of the smoke.
- If you see a fire, turn off the self cleaning function and call the fire department.
- Oxygen will cause an oven fire to grow when exposed to air and could create a dangerous backdraft. For that reason, keep the door on your oven closed.
- Allow your pizza stone to cool. Fully cool your pizza stone overnight. The self-cleaning function should have removed any remaining dirt or spots on your stone.
- Use the self-cleaning function as a last resort to clean your stone.
- The self-cleaning function can possibly start a fire.
- Cleaning your stone by hand is the best way to clean a pizza stone.
- Always wear heat resistant gloves when handling a hot pizza stone.
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