The spring is a great time to freshen up your look after the long, cold winter. So while you're thinking about spring cleaning (or spring styles for your new wardrobe!), try these tips for a fun, sexy look for the new season.

Treat yourself.

After the long, dry winter, your skin could use a moisturizing treatment to remove dead skin cells and help your face look healthy and fresh. Make sure you look your best with a mask that will bring out your skin's natural glow.

Try a new 'do.

Celebrate the warmer, longer days by trying a new, short hairstyle, such as a bob. Try a cut that you can style a variety of ways to help you keep a fresh, new look. Or, if you have long hair and want to keep it that way, try a new style, such as adding layers or trying a v-line.

Or if you just can't bear to cut your hair at all—or want to add even more vibrancy to your short hair—then try a new look by coloring your hair. You could add lighter or darker highlights to complement your natural color, or try a new color altogether. Don't want a long-time change? Do temporary coloring, instead.

Wake up your makeup.

Change out your makeup to reflect the new season and to set off your new hairstyle. For short hair, try makeup that accentuates your eyes. Experiment with soft eye shadows and new eyeliner shades such as light blue or silver. Apply mascara to bring even more attention to your eyes. If the new haircut shows off your cheekbones, try a slightly darker blush. And if your hair falls to just above your jaw line, emphasize your lips. Have some fun with brighter, bolder shades to match the bright, sunny days!

Spring is also a great time to wear pink. You can use pink eye shadow, blush, lipstick or lip gloss—even nail polish. Find shades that match your skin tone—or your mood! It's also a good time to go glossy, so try some new shades of lip gloss or shimmery lipstick.

It's a wonderful world out there, so don't be afraid to have some fun and try something new!

Please check back soon for more Beauty Secrets by Mary.

Until then, be your most beautiful!

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Split ends can really be a bane to long, otherwise beautiful, hair. Though utterly frustrating, however, split ends do not have to be the end of great hair. By knowing what causes split ends—and how to prevent them—you can rid your hair of split ends, and keep them away!

What Are Split Ends?

Split ends, also called trichoptlosis, are hair strands that have lost their protective coat and have unraveled. This unraveling causes the inner cortex fibers to fray. Individual hairs can unravel up to an inch or more, and the hair can then split in two, three, or even more places, causing the hair to look uneven, ragged, and consequently, unhealthy.

Causes of Split Ends

Perhaps the main cause of split ends is dry hair. Some hair is naturally dry and brittle, but hair can also become excessively dry as a result of using hair dryers, curling and straightening irons, and coloring, perming, and similar hair products. Split ends can also be a result of vigorous or hurried brushing, especially when the hair is wet. Overly tight braids or other hairdos and elastic bands can also cause split ends.

Repairing and Preventing Split Ends

To repair hair with split ends, trim your hair. And then have it trimmed regularly (every four to six weeks) in order to help prevent split ends in the future. For best results, trim off at least an inch of hair, or have it cut one-half inch above where your hair tends to split.

Also to help prevent split ends in the future, use hair dryers, curling and straightening irons, and other styling tools less often. Use chemical hair treatments such as dyes, bleaches, and straightening solutions (chemical hair relaxers) sparingly. Condition your hair to help prevent tangles, and use a soft, bristle brush; wait till your hair is dry (or at least mostly dry) before brushing it. Use soft hair accessories, such as covered elastic bands, when putting your hair up.

It is also a good idea to drink more water, particularly if you don't drink adequate water to begin with (you should drink at least eight glasses of water per day). You may even want to consider taking a supplemental vitamin to help your hair become more healthy and strong.

Though it may require changing some habits (and starting some new ones!), with time and some effort, you can begin to repair your hair and lessen the amount of split ends that you have. And sooner than you know, you'll have healthier, better-looking hair to show for it!

Please check back soon for more Beauty Secrets by Mary.

Until then, be your most beautiful!

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I hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year's Day, and that it was an opportunity to spend time reconnecting with loved ones and renewing friendships.

I look forward to this year as an opportunity to grow as we get feedback from our readers and hear your success stories. Expect to hear much more from me as the holidays are now over and the company has gone home. It's time to work out, get in shape, feel great about ourselves and our lives - and learn together.

I hope that you'll join us this year.

Please check back soon for more Beauty Secrets by Mary.

Until then, be your most beautiful!

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My husband recently brought me a great list entitled 9 Words Women Use. It contains the following definitions for a handful of words women commonly use when communicating with their spouse. You men out there would do well to memorize this list, and possibly even keep a copy in your wallet at all times, if you want your Christmas season to be both joyful AND triumphant this year.

You ladies reading this list today - why don't we do our men a favor and help them out by printing a copy and leaving it where he is sure to find it. Let's cut those guys a break this holiday season.

9 Words Women Use

"Fine."

This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

"Five Minutes!"

If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

"Nothing."

This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

"Go Ahead."

This is a dare, not permission. DON'T DO IT!

(Loud Sigh)

This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of "nothing.")

"That's Okay."

This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

"Thanks."

A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' ... that will bring on a 'whatever').

"Whatever."

A women's way of saying, "You suck!"

"Don't worry about it, I got it."

Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.

 

Please check back soon for more Beauty Secrets by Mary.

Until then, be your most beautiful!

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As we near the holiday season many of us have our thoughts on our weight. How can we fully enjoy this bounteous season without beginning to appear a bit, well, bounteous ourselves? The answers may be revealed by examining the workout of one of Hollywood's hottest celebrities, Fergie.

During a recent appearance on The Tyra Banks Show, Fergie stated that she trains up to six times a week - and we're not talking about a couple of laps around the park. Her workout proves that she's one tough chick! Just listen to what her trainer puts her through.

Checkout the two-hour intense Fergie workout:

Cardio training: We do a half-hour, three- to five-mile run or a 45-50 minute five-mile run. We don't run at a fast pace.

After that we break down the muscle groups:

Shoulders: We work the front and back of the shoulder, using 1.5kg weights. We do front raises for two minutes then side raises for two minutes, with as many repetitions as she can fit in. The key is to do a lot of them. Have a break then go overhead with straight arms.

Biceps:She does regular bicep curls using rubber bands. Stand with your feet apart , holding the handles so you do front curl with your arms very close to your chest and from there you do right arm, then left arm then both together. Do 20-25 on each arm.

Triceps:We lift a long bar on the bench as she lays back her back, for 20-25 reps. Then I get her to do as many tight push-ups as she can. It might be one, four or sometimes up to 25.

Legs and butt:We don't do weights because her legs are naturally toned but we do squats. I stand in front of her and she holds onto my wrist, arms crossed, opening her feet a bit wider than hip width apart, with feet outward, holding onto me so she can sit back all the way. This works her quads and butt muscles. We do around 15-20, in three sets. If she does a five-mile run she doesn't do a leg workout.

Yoga:We do yoga movements on the ground; she's really flexible. We do the chair pose and hold it for up to three minutes. Then we use 'warrior' one and two position for up to 2.5 minutes, holding the position to strengthen whatever leg is in the front.

Abs:We start with basic crunches and go without a break. You start adding things each time. Then we lift up her legs to a 90-degree angle. Then she does legs straight out in front, with shoulder blades off the ground. Do 20 in each variation.

Cool down: Whatever muscles you worked out, stretch them out for at least 3 minutes. Relax and get your breathing down. While lying on your back stretching out, bring your right leg towards your chest while the left is down. Swap sides. Spends 15 minutes cooling down.

Secret Health Tip: Apple cider vinegar is an old-fashioned remedy that a lot of people don't seem to know about. It's been used for a long time, even in medicine," Natasha says. "It helps people who have arthritis, dandruff, any colon problems, skin problems or bad breath — the list is endless. It has helped with Fergie's stomach problems. She's been on it for over a year and she doesn't go on tour without it.

It just goes to show that while big girls may not cry, celebrity girls who are interested in taking care of their image go to great lengths. Use Fergie's workout to beef up on your current regiment, or as a way to get motivated to begin!

Please check back soon for more Beauty Secrets by Mary.

Until then, be your most beautiful!

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