30 CONVINCING REASONS TO START RUNNING NOW

What promises a healthier body, a sunnier outlook, and the perfect opportunity to catch up? This is no infomercial. Running is one of the best butt-kicking, calorie-blasting workouts around. Still not
convinced? Here are 30 big time reasons to hit the ground running.

The Run-Down—Your Action Plan

1. Do it anywhere

Run, that is. Whether on the treadmill or in the park, it’s easy to rack up miles. Even better: Try lacing up the sneakers on that next vacation to explore a new place.

2. Make new friends

Tired of meeting duds at the bar? Check out local running groups or websites like meetup.com to hit the road with other health-minded folks. “Twenty questions” is just as good over a run (boozy brunches optional).

3. Save some cash

Forget fancy equipment or a pricey gym membership. When it comes to running, all you need to get started is the right footwear. (Don’t worry, running spandex is optional.)

4. Visit the doctor less

It’s not only apples that can keep the doctor away. Active people areless likely to develop colon cancer. And ladies, women who regularly engage in intense workouts like running can reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to 30 percent.

5. Eat more carbs

Who doesn’t love a pasta dinner? Now there’s an excuse to slurp up more spaghetti. During intense training like preparing for a race (sorry, channel surfing doesn’t count) increasing carb intake might help running performance and boost mood during harder runs.

6. Keep it interesting

Forget boring laps around a track. Interval training helps boost metabolism and rev cardiovascular fitness. Bonus: Research shows runners who do intervals have more fun while running (really!) and might be more likely to keep it up.

7. Live longer

Who doesn’t want to live forever? Not only do runners have fewer disabilities and remain active longer than their sedentary counterparts, they actually live longer. And even as weekly running times decrease with age, the healthy benefits keep on ticking.

8. Get primal

Turns out Bruce Springsteen was right after all: Baby, we were born to run. It’s what turned us from apes to humans and was used by our ancestors to outrun prey over long distances.

9. Slip into skinny jeans

Running is one of the best calorie burners out there. For a 160-lb person it can burn more than 850 calories an hour. Not like we’re counting or anything.

10. Bring sexy back

Not only can having a rockin’ runner’s bod boost confidence in bed, regular exercise will help flexibility between the sheets—and get you in the mood more often.

11. Boost memory

Exercise has been shown to help keep the mind sharp and could even reduce symptoms of dementia. Hitting the track might also protect the brain against Alzheimer’s, even among those with a family history of it   .

12. See the sunny side

Active folks see the glass as half full not only while they exercise, but for up to twice as long after hanging up their kicks than their less mobile counterparts. Talk about “Happy Feet!”

13. Get a natural glow

Believe it or not, working up a sweat can rid the face of gunk that clogs pores and leads to breakouts. A solid sweat session can also boost natural oils, keeping things fresh and healthy. (Just remember to remove makeup pre-workout and wash gently afterward to avoid breakouts.)

14. Improve self-esteem

Need one more excuse to go green? Runners who ran outside and snagged a good view of nature showed increased self-esteem post-workout than those who had only unpleasant scenes to gaze at.

15. Stay steady

Older runners can keep their balance better than non-runners, protecting their knees and tendons in the process. Take that, yoga! Be careful not to overdo it, though: Too much exercise can lead to stress injuries and bone loss.

16. Turn down the pressure

Running is a natural way to keep high blood pressure at bay—and fast. Amping up workouts can help lower blood pressure in just a few weeks.

17. Build stronger bones

Resistance training is awesome, but word on the street is that running might help produce even stronger bones than cranking out reps. As an impact exercise, running helps build the muscle that lower-impact workouts ignore, keeping bones healthier even as they age.

18. Get an energy boost

Feeling sluggish? Try going for a run instead. Just one running sesh can increase energy and chip away at fatigue.

19. Bring the furry friends

Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason—but they can also be man’s best workout partner, too. When it’s time to hit the trail, grab a leash to give your pet a new kind of treat.

20. Carve that core

A strong core improves posture, strengthens limbs, and helps make everyday activities a breeze. And whether we feel it or not, running engages that midsection, strengthening those all-important muscles. Bonus: A solid core in runners can improve performance, too.

21. Sleep better

Runners tend to adapt to set sleeping routines in order to keep running performance high. Even better: Running also encourages higher quality sleep, which translates into better Zzz’s all night long.

22. Do it year-round

Rack up those miles no matter what the weatherman says (dress appropriately, though!). Temperatures still not just right? Jazz up the ol’ treadmill run to get the same health benefits inside.

23. Jam out, speed up

Pop in headphones when running to increase speed and get a little musical boost. We won’t judge your playlist.

24. Check off those goals

Studies suggest that people who set and meet (or exceed) long-term fitness goals (like signing up for a half-marathon!) are more committed and satisfied with their exercise routines than those who trudge along aimlessly  . And who doesn’t feel good about crossing items off their bucket list?

25. Show your heart some loving

Running for just an hour a week can reduce the risk of heart disease by almost half compared to non-runners   . And for those already hitting the recommended physical activity guidelines, an extra spurt of exercise can lower the risks of heart disease even more. (Just be mindful not to overdo it and cause more damage than good.)

26. Run stress away

Ready to pull your hair out? Instead of tuning in to a reality TV marathon, try running a real one. Not only does running boost the brain’s serotonin levels, regular exercise might actually remodel the brain, making it calmer and more stress resistant.

27. Be one with nature

Want to feel the grass tickle your toes? Try minimalist sneakers or nothing at all! Just be sure to ease into this type of running to avoid injuries.

28. Increase stamina

Running regularly will improve stamina, making workouts more enjoyable and productive. And let’s not forget that lasting longer isn’t restricted to the track—it’s useful in… other areas as well.

29. Get there faster

Instead of a leisurely evening stroll, try a jog around the neighborhood instead. It’ll burn more calories in the same amount of time.

30. Sound like a pro

We’ve got the running lingo to get you in the know. Ready, set, go!

Source Greatist

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IS BREAKFAST REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY?

For years I told people that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. I published the advice in three books, referenced the smartest minds in nutrition, and the tip was generally accepted as "the right thing to do" for your health.

Turns out "the right thing" really depends on whether you want to eat early in the morning. Two recent studies found that eating breakfast has no direct impact on weight loss. We're not talking observational studies—this was a direct comparison of an early meal versus no early meal. The results had a simple message:

"From a physiological perspective, there's nothing special about eating early in the mornings and triggering weight loss."

In one of the studies, which looked at more than 300 people, participants were split into two groups. One ate breakfast and the other did not. While there were some small differences, the bottom line was that there was no significant difference in weight loss between the breakfast eaters and the breakfast skippers. In fact, both groups lost weight, and this occurred without the researchers telling participants what to eat (or not eat) for breakfast. 

Believing that one meal is the foundation of success can be detrimental to your healthy-living goals.

If there's one thing that needs to be understood, it's this: breakfast is not the most important meal of the day. But neither is lunch, dinner, or snacks. This isn't meant to be puzzling or a letdown to those of you trying to crack the weight-loss code. Believing that one meal is the foundation of success can be detrimental to your healthy-living goals.

What We Know About Meal Timing

The problem with the breakfast-is-best hypothesis is that it steers people into the "there's only one way to eat" mentality. The truth is, it doesn't matter when you eat your meals: morning, night, or spread out through the day.

If there are behavioral reasons you want to eat breakfast, such as it energizes or improves focus, then those are good reasons to have an early meal. If it feels forced or makes you sluggish, then there's no pressure to force feed just for the sake of eating.

In fact, recent research also suggests it's your choice if you want to eat three meals, six meals, or anywhere in between, and that there is no meal frequency that's ideal for weight loss.

If that sounds wrong to you, read this study and this one as well. Research can be flawed, but our body's biological nature is not meant to be deceiving. Weight loss depends on how many calories you eat, the foods you eat, and the macronutrients you consume (that is, the ratio of proteins, carbs, and fats). Add in your exercise tendencies, and that will determine how you look and feel.

Some people believe that eating more frequently has a host of benefits, such as curbing appetite. This can be true, but the opposite can also occur. Eating more can make you feel hungrier and consume more calories.

There's also the belief that frequent meals improves your metabolism. But as long as total calories are equal (and macronutrients are balanced), your body will burn the same number of calories in the digestion process. That's just science.

Yes, there are other factors that can play a role in losing weight—most notably stress and hormones—but that's a separate conversation altogether. Before you can even worry about those individual issues, you must make sure that you've established baseline eating habits that are the foundation for a healthy life. Once you do that, you might experience the type of change you didn't think could happen to your body.

Why the 'Breakfast Is Best' Model Is Broken

The moment you insist that breakfast is essential, you create a mental block that overemphasizes the importance of the meal. Suddenly, if you miss breakfast, you believe your fat loss will be slowed, you're destined to eat more at the next meal, and your energy will be off. 

Changing your body is as much a psychological process as it is a physical one.

It's the real issue with diets: they create psychological barriers that make the journey seem harder, rather than suggesting flexible solutions that make the process more convenient. Changing your body is as much a psychological process as it is a physical one. You need to believe that you can become better. But you also need to believe in the program you're following and use an approach that can be maintained. Any time you want to make a change, you'll have to make sacrifices. But don't confuse working harder and removing certain habits with losing all control. That's a recipe for failure.

For years, we were told breakfast was the most important meal of the day. In fact, physicians are notorious for scolding patients who skip breakfast—particularly people who are embarking on a plan to lose weight.

There is some credence here, by the way: A study conducted by scientists in Massachusetts in 2008 showed that participants who ate a calorically dense breakfast lost more weight than those who didn’t. The theory was that the higher caloric intake early in the day led people to snack less often throughout the day and lowered caloric intake overall.

If that study is reliant on the position that weight loss comes down to calories in versus calories out, then the makeup of the food shouldn't matter. And this isn't the case.

What you choose for breakfast will have a big impact on what you eat the rest of the day. Case in point: Eating five eggs is not the same as eating a donut, even if the calories are matched. So it's true that if you choose to eat breakfast, the benefits of that first meal will depend on your food selection.

However, if we've learned anything from Mark Haub's Twinkie Diet, it's that you can eat garbage and lose weight; so clearly, something else is going on. The pro-breakfast folks declare that because insulin sensitivity is higher in the morning, eating a carbohydrate-rich meal early in the day is the greatest opportunity to take in a large amount of energy without the danger of weight gain.

There's only one tiny problem with that theory: Insulin sensitivity is not higher in particular hours of the morning. It's higher after a minimum of eight hours of fasting. It just so happens that you fast when you sleep, so the information is misleading. More specifically, insulin sensitivity is higher when your glycogen levels (the energy stores in your body) are depleted, like after your sleeping fast.

That's why some people experience benefits by pushing back their first meal. (Technically, your first meal is always breakfast because it's when you "break" your overnight fast.) Intermittent fasting takes that a step further and turns your body into a fat-burning, muscle-building machine. You see, if you skip breakfast and extend the fasting period beyond the typical eight to 10 hours, you increase insulin even more.

In the end, there is no science that supports the idea—from a direct comparison—that eating breakfast is better than not eating breakfast. This is not about food choice; it's simply a matter of food timing.

In reality, this is closely linked to the multiple meal hypothesis. French researchers found that there is "no evidence of improved weight loss" by eating more frequently. They even went a step further to show that in terms of the number of calories you burn per day, it does not matter if you graze or gorge—assuming that you're eating the number of calories you need to lose weight and the macronutrients (proteins, carbs, and fats) are equal. If you're told to eat 2,000 calories per day, it doesn't matter if it's separated into five 400-calorie meals or three larger calorie feasts. (However, the composition of those meals does matter.)

But that's not all. Canadian researchers decided to compare three meals per day to six meals per day, breaking the six into three main meals and three snacks (the routine that has been advocated by every diet book written in the last 20 years). The results? There was no significant difference in weight loss, but the people who ate three meals per day were more satisfied and felt less hunger.

What does it all mean? Some people might have a psychological dependence or belief that they need breakfast. It makes them feel better, it gives piece of mind, or maybe it very realistically helps control morning hunger.

What About Your Metabolism?

In another study conducted at the University of Bath, participants either ate or skipped breakfast for six weeks. This time, there was no change in metabolic (fat loss) or cardiovascular health. This was important because unlike the general weight-loss study, this research assessed the old concept of "breakfast ignites your metabolism first thing in the morning." And yet, when metabolisms were actually tested, there wasn't any evidence to prove the theory.

While there isn't anything wrong with eating breakfast, potential downsides do exist. The problem with a traditional breakfast is that it creates a big eating window. That is, the number of hours during the day that you are consuming food. This is typically about a 15-hour period (between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.).

In a recent ground-breaking study by the scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, a larger eating window was associated with more fat storage and a higher likelihood of health problems, such as diabetes and liver disease.

This study was done with mice, but the findings are too important to overlook. The mice were put on a high-fat diet that would typically cause obesity.

One group of mice ate whenever they wanted, and the other could only eat for eight hours, starting in the afternoon and finishing at night. The mice that ate whenever they wanted gained fat, developed high cholesterol, high blood glucose, and liver damage. The mice with the eight-hour feeding period starting in the afternoon weighed 28 percent less and had no health problems, even though they ate the same amount of fatty foods.

The scientists believe that by cutting down how long you have to eat, your body does a better job of metabolizing your fat, glucose, and cholesterol. What's more, because you're eating for a smaller window of time and starting later in the day, your body is burning more fat. Why? Because you pushed back breakfast, extended your overnight fast (which occurs while you sleep), and became a fat-burning machine.

What's more, by skipping breakfast (or just starting it later in the day), you also prime your body to feel hungrier less often. That's because the moment you start eating food, your body creates an expectation for calories. And for most people, that expectation means hunger pangs that are too hard to overcome, leaving you grabbing for snacks by 10 a.m. and eating more calories than you should by the end of the day.

To Breakfast or Not to Breakfast: The Choice Is Yours

Don't believe in dogma. Just as you have a unique body, you can have a unique diet. If you like breakfast, eat it. If you like snacking, make that your habit.

Don't let anyone convince you that your success will depend on any one meal. The process can be made easier. It can be enjoyable. And most of all, it will be effective if you take the right approach. Determine what's best for you, and you'll be on the path to change that works and lasts.

SourceGreatist

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HOW BAD IS IT TO FALL ASLEEP WITH MAKEUP ON?

Ideally, our nighttime routine involves a warm cup of tea, a hot shower, and a good book. The reality: dozing off in front of late-night TV then dragging our bleary-eyed selves to bed. Whether the result of a few too many drinks, exhaustion, or pure laziness, we’ve all had those nights when washing our face just isn’t going to happen. But is it really that bad?

The Need-to-Know

All signs point to yes. “It’s one of the worst things we can do,” saysJoel Schlessinger, M.D., a dermatologist and RealSelf contributor. Throughout the day, your makeup picks up harmful free radicalsfrom the air. These unstable molecules break down the collagen in your skin and speed up the aging process, Schlessinger explains. Not washing them away at night gives them time to do their dirty work as you sleep.

Basically, it’s enemy No. 1 for clear, smooth skin. “There’s truth to the phrase ‘beauty sleep,’” says Whitney Bowe, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Sleeping in makeup traps in oil, which leads to bacteria build-up and breakouts. Removing it, on the other hand, gives your skin a clean palette for any nighttime products to soak in.

The Culprits

All types of makeup can cause damage, but some are worse than others. “Foundations and primers, especially oil based, can block pores and deter your skin from breathing,” Bowe says.

Concealer tends to aggravate acne, Schlessinger says—which is a cruel and unusual punishment, since you’re likely using it to cover up blemishes in the first place. And leaving lipstick on can result in chapped, dry lips.

Your lashes aren’t safe either. “Leaving mascara on overnight can cause eyelashes to become brittle, break easily, and even shed faster,” Schlessinger says. Eye makeup can also lead to irritation or even more serious eye infections, like conjunctivitis, if particles make their way into your eyes as you’re tossing and turning. Yuck.

What If It Happens?

Don't beat yourself up—it doesn’t mean you’ve done irreversible damage: “Skin does have a natural resiliency to environmental stress and damage, so it will protect itself to a certain extent,” Bowe says. Just don’t make it a habit. Although one time won't do damage, eventually premature aging will set in, Schlessinger says.

Your morning-after action plan: Wash your face twice instead of once, Bowe suggests, and apply a face mask to add back some moisture if you have time. Another good call: Wash your pillowcase before getting back in bed, since leftover makeup and bacteria will likely linger.

For an occasional quick fix, store makeup-removing wipes, like Josie Maran’s Bear Naked Wipes ($12; josiemarancosmetics.com), on your nightstand, Bowe suggests. Just don’t rely on them every night. “They aren’t as effective as washing your face with a cleanser,” she says. Still, they may serve as a nightly reminder to head to the bathroom for a more thorough cleanse.

You can also try a cleansing “water” that remove impurities and makeup—without the need for actual H2O.

SOURCE: Greatist

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BE YOUR OWN BOSS! YOU CAN NOW SIGN UP TO BE A PART OF BEAUTY BUSINESS ON THE GO BY HOUSE OF TARA

Beauty Business on the Go (BBOG) is an initiative by Africa's leading make up brand, House of Tara in partnership with FCMB. This initiative is aimed at recruiting and empowering 5,000 women to become beauty representatives and as such create job opportunities for themselves.Attendees will be offered financial advisory, trainings, marketing support and other skills necessary to grow their business.This seminar is targeted at men and women who would want to start their own Businesses as Beauty Experts and will inspired and mentally equip reps on how to start their own Beauty Business on the Go.As Beauty Representatives, they will get to sell multiple beauty brands as either a part time or full business.

Free weekly trainings and seminars for interested persons which has already commenced will span through 9 states including Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Benin, Enugu, Ilorin, Ibadan, Kano, and Kaduna.At a press conference held recently at the House of Tara International HQ, the CEO, House of Tara International Tara Fela-Durotoye said that "Beauty Business On-the-Go is very important to me, even if we didn't make money [which we do], I would still do it because we are empowering people and making them entrepreneurs". She continued as she laid emphasis on the financial importance of being a rep “In a tough economy, people would still buy food and cosmetics because makeup makes us feel good. So what better product is there to invest in?"

Speaking about the job creation opportunity, Ada Iwugo, Commercial Director of House of Tara also said, "This model will potentially create 20, 000 jobs across the country in a relatively short space of time"To become a House of Tara beauty rep and enjoy financial independence, go to http://beauty-reps.houseoftara.com/ to sign up now.

About House of Tara

Set up in 1998, House of Tara is a pioneer in the beauty and makeup industry in Nigeria and Africa as a whole and a trailblazer in the areas of retail, distribution channel management and education. Known also as an industry enabler, the brand; being the first to set up a beauty school in Nigeria has over 3,000 reps spread across the country and 20 stores to its name.

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BE INSPIRED! HOUSE OF TARA CEO, TARA FELA DUROTOYE FEATURES ON CNN AFRICAN VOICES

Tara Fela-Durotoye, Chief Executive Officer of Africa's leading beauty brand, House of Tara - who is iconic for setting up the first make up studio and establishing Nigeria's first make up school in 2004 - spoke to CNN's African Voices, a weekly show that highlights Africa's most engaging personalities, exploring the lives and passions of people who are shaping change in Africa.

Since hosting the first ever gathering of makeup professionals in Nigeria, Makeup In Nigeria Conference (MINC) in 2014, Tara has made several appearances on premium global platforms including the New York Forum Africa (NYFA), France24 and Africa 24 by Reuters.In this interview, Tara shares deep secrets behind her passion, building a business from scratch in Africa and how she has used as a tool for empowering young women to build businesses whilst adding value to the country.“My story became one of inspiration to others of the possibilities that exist in our country, don't just get a job, do something that is tied to a purpose. It should be all about purpose," said Tara Fela-Durotoye. “I started a mentorship program to mentor young girls because to make impact, I need to share my story with the next generation and I always tell my mentees that it’s their responsibility as women to develop other women.

Speaking on the brand's achievements, she said; “Today we have about 14 make-up schools across the country where people have been trained to become make-up artists. I can confidently say that for 80 % of the make-up artists that are active players in the industry today, either working as entrepreneurs or working within other beauty brands, are trained by House of Tara. And I think for me that is the greatest joy.”The feature included appearances from some of her mentees: Gbemisola Adebayo of @hegaiandesther, Arese Ugwu of @smartmoneywitharese, Iroghama Ogbeifun of @hairvenhaircare, Peculiar Beauty, and other brilliant entrepreneurs.

The brand, House of Tara currently has 20 studios in 11 states, with plans to build more studios across Nigeria in the Niger Delta and northern regions. It also has plans to extend across Africa into, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa by the end of 2015.Watch repeat broadcasts on DSTV channel 401 on the following days:

Sunday: 4:30am, 12:30pm, 7:30pm
Monday: 3:30am, 11:30am, 6:30pm
Tuesday: 5:30am
Wednesday: 10:30am

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MODEL AND TV HOST EVA TOBY LAUNCHES A NEW WEBSITE WWW.EVATOBY.COM

DETROIT, MICHIGAN (March 2014) —  The International Model and TV Host, Eva Toby is delighted to announce the launch of her brand new website www.evatoby.com to showcase her TV show Xtended Expressions, her philanthropy work, her brand and her new image.

The new website provides the viewing audience and the media with a place to read, see and hear anything new about Eva Toby, including videos of the Xtended Expressions show online; brand new editorial images; a blog chronicling Eva’s life on the road as a model for luxury cars and more; Fans can also connect to Eva on her Twitter (evatobyXE), Instagram (evatoby), Facebook pages (Eva Toby) and through the website www.evatoby.com.

Visitors to evatoby.com will find the aesthetic engaging, inviting, colorful, fresh and user friendly. Eva is also the founder of “The Omoge Project”, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower adolescent girls in building confidence and a sense of self-worth while maximizing their potential. 

ABOUT EVA TOBY- Hailing from Michigan and born to Nigerian parents, at an early age Eva’s intelligent and ambitious disposition has always made her standout.  Eva has traveled the world and worked in several capacities within the fashion and entertainment industry including runway and print modeling and working as a spokesmodel for prominent brands like General Motors and Chrysler.  Eva also worked as a stylist for fashion brands like BCBG-Max Azria, and Herveѐ Leger. 

As an entrepreneur, Eva is incessantly building a business empire.  She is the creator and host of Xtended Expressions, a new show featuring the latest in fashion, trends, music and much more. Guests of the show have included comedian Seyi Brown, cast members of the broadway show FELA, designer Sana Akibu and more.  It highlights her allure with the worlds of fashion, beauty, entertainment, lifestyle, and her culture.  In addition to Xtended Expressions, recently, Eva got a taste of the acting world after being offered a role in the highly anticipated film RED FLAGS (Luped Media and ChichiMovies), and she has a host of other film and video projects underway.  Eva was the creative director and producer for major fashion shows like “Afro-Fusion” in New York, Florida, and Michigan.  In September 2011, Eva served as the production/stage director for the televised Afrotainment, Museke Music Awards in New York City featuring performances by Grammy-award winner Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Fally Ipupa, Viviane Ndour and many more.

Media interested in a feature or an interview with Eva Toby regarding the new site and her new show Xtended Expressions should contact us at info@icypr.com

For more information on Eva Toby, please visit www.evatoby.com

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EKU EDEWOR FEATURES ON NDANI TV'S NEW SHOW TITLED "STRIPPED"

Eku Edewor, Stripped! Watch the beauty icon dish on her beauty regimen on Ndani TV's hot new show

Ndani TV presents a new show titled ‘Stripped’, an entertainment-driven interview series where some of our favourite stars and personalities will give the scoop on their beauty secrets.

The first episode features TV personality and actress Eku Edewor dishing on how she keeps her skin glowing and radiant.

Bare-faced, she shares her beauty routine one (French) product after the other and is not afraid to be vulnerable for the cameras.

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Stella Damasus launches her own hair brand - Adiva hair

Stella Damasus has added another line of business to the list of things she now owns, known as Adiva hair.

Her love for hair has propelled her into providing women who love style, class, glamour but also those who spend wisely, with  a new brand of wigs. The wigs come in different lengths, colors, curls, volume and fitting
according to the needs and taste of different women. They are easy to wear and remove whenever you want. Imagine having three different looks in a day and still have your natural hair breathing and resting from all the pulling from weaves and cornrows, and also relief from the constant perms to straighten the hair.

Now you can look like the stars you see on television without breaking your account as the wigs are ridiculously affordable, durable and easy to maintain.

Adiva hair also has a new brand of Afro puffy twist for braids. This is totally different from what ladies are used to seeing in the market. This puffy hair is very soft and mild and won't hurt the fingers of your braider, it's very light and can last for as long as you want. They are all reusable and have the real dreadlock look but are twists. Adiva hair founder has  designed new types of twists because of the puffy hair and some of them are the CABANA twist, the BAMI twist and the DREAD twist. Come into my world of hair and experience all the beauty and comfort you ever craved for.

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MISS CHINA TAKES THE CROWN AS 2012 MISS WORLD | MISS NIGERIA LOSES

23 year old aspiring music teacher WenXia Yu from the People’s Republic of China won the 2012 Miss World competition which took place at the Dongsheng Fitness Center Stadium in Ordos, China today.
This year, 116 beauties from all over the world congregated in China for the competition.
Miss Wales Sophie Moulds took the first runner-up spot while Australian beauty queen Jessica Kahawaty was the second runner-up.

MISS WORLD 2012 - WenXia Yu

Miss World 2012 winner Yu Wenxia of China waves as she stands next to second place contestent Miss Wales Sophie Moulds, left, and third place Miss Australia Jessica Kahawaty

 Five Continental Queens of Beauty were chosen and they are South Sudan (Africa), Brazil (Americas), Asia & Pacific (China), Europe (Wales) and Caribbean (Jamaica).

Miss World 2012 with Continental Queens

 Nigeria’s representative Damiete Charles-Granville did well as she was chosen as one of the top 10 candidates in the Fashion Beauty/Beach Fashion contest. Although she was among the top ten for beach fashion contest, Nigeria representative at the miss world contest, Miss Damiete Charles Granville failed to make it to the semi final stage of the miss world contest, after losing out in several contests and test such as CHARITY WORKS, sports and modeling It is worth noting that personalities that win beauty pageants in Nigeria only win with the right connections and having the right amont of money to buy the crown; this has been repeatedly reflected in the poor performances of Nigeria at all miss world contest after the Agbani Darego victory of 2001.

Check out her photos while she was in China.

(click on images to make them bigger)

 We congratulate her for the effort and we wish her all the best with her career.

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MISS WEST AFRICA INTERNATIONAL 2011: THE HEAT IS ON

The first ever Miss West Africa International pageant in Africa is set to take place in Gambia, December 2011 being brought to you by SASS Visa Agency and Brain Concept Solutions. This year is set to be a historical year for pageantries in Africa following the victory of Leila Lopes from Angola in Miss Universe. After holding a series of Miss West Africa beauty competitions around the world, all crowned winners are flying down to Gambia to participate in Miss West Africa International. Africa is going to enjoy for the very first time, it's own international Queen of Queens pageant.

As opposed to a competition, the organisers have described the most anticipated beauty pageant in Africa as a celebration of beautiful African queens. The show is set to feature celebrity west African musicians as well as Gambia's best cultural performers which fans around the world can watch live online or via some TV networks. Also, people can expect to see a totally different type of pageant in Miss West Africa International. The girls participating in Miss West Africa International are already crowned queens, they are already winners, and they have all begun activities for the progress of their countries, they have already been through the standard style of pageantry. So on the night, we will be bringing them together to be congratulated in a celebration of West Africans culture and beauty.

Nevertheless, one girl will fly home as the successor to the acclaimed Shireen Benjamin who won Miss West Africa International in 2009. An international queen will be crowned in an event consisting of queens from 24 countries, 18 of which are West African countries and also queens from the UK, USA, Italy, France, Germany and Canada. Organisers say it was an outstanding idea to include queens from outside of Africa due to the large number of Africans living abroad wanting to be a part of this celebration of their culture. The events abroad have been a great part of enlightening the foreign world and drawing attention to West African culture and tourism.

All the queens will be arriving in Gambia on the 13th of December, where they will be greeted by great cultural artists and performers in Gambia, TV networks, Gambian diplomats and ambassadors. Throughout their stay at the Kairaba Hotel, the girls will be filmed by national television networks as well as having their experiences and Gambian tour documented for TV and the 2011 DVDs. Currently, all the queens are working towards the international title engaging in charitable activities shown on http://misswestafrica.blogspot.com, which also allows the public to vote for their favourite queen. The West African beauties are also fundraising for their participation and calling on all generous supporters to open their hearts to their efforts. The organizers are also opening sponsorship opportunities and media partnership for businesses that wish to assist any of the queens.

Miss West Africa has opened the hearts and minds of many to learning more about other West African cultures. Our focus has always been on promoting West African tourism, business and culture. In our third year only we are in 24 countries with 16 events. And we appreciate all the support from various tourist organisations and the day to day Africans. We are proud to be making history.

For more information on Miss West Africa visit www.misswestafrica.com or contact below.

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Angola's Leila Lopes takes Miss Universe 2011 crown

Leila Lopes, 25, from Angola was crowned Miss Universe, beating out 88 competitors. In a brunette-dominated field of flat-stomached, leggy contestants, Lopes' sweet smile and hairstyle (up in topknot, not long cascading curls) set her apart from the start. She's also one of few black women ever to snag the crown, reports AP.

Speaking in a timid voice after the pageant last night in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Lopes said her smile was her biggest weapon. She also told reporters that she has never had cosmetic surgery and that her three tips for beauty were to get a lot of sleep, use sun block even when it's not sunny and to drink lots of water.

When asked about racism, Lopes said that "any racist needs to seek help. It's not normal in the 21st century to think in that way."

Lopes also said that "as Miss Angola I've already done a lot to help my people. "I've worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs," she said. "I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more."

Her interview question wasn't particularly tough. She was asked what physical trait she would change if she could. "Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

The first runner-up was Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil. Miss Philippines took the third spot and Miss China took the fourth.

Story Credit: USA today

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Stephanie Okereke is the new Brand Ambassador for Kanekalon hair in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria— Kaneka Corporation of Japan, maker of renowned hair fibre, Kanekalon, has signed an endorsement deal with Nollywood’s A-list actress, Stephanie Okereke, as its brand ambassador in Nigeria.

The endorsement will see the award winning actress promoting the company’s product and participating in the marketing campaigns which include Kanekalon’s Brand Building campaign, Kanekalon ‘Salon Storm’ Activation, Kanekalon ‘Night of a Thousand Braids’ event and other brand promotional activities. Stephanie will be the major face of Kanekalon in Nigeria, visiting some selected salons (VIP Beauty Centre, Cynosures Salon, dsalon Downtown and Salon d’eve) in Lagos during the Kanekalon ‘Salon Storm’ project, towards educating consumers and hairstylists on the benefits of the brand. Her presence in Kanekalon Salon Storm print adverts, currently running in the media is unique and distinct. She is an ideal fit for the brand.

Stephanie has just concluded Kanekalon’s brand building television commercial that is engaging and effective, the 100% Kanekalon way with her hairstyles showing sophistication, class and glam on television screens. She will also be the star celebrity at the Kanekalon annual party designed to thank its customers for their patronage, coming up in November this year.

Speaking on the endorsement deal, Hideaki Nakamura, Manager Marketing Kanekalon Division for Kaneka Corporation, noted that the agreement between Kaneka and Stephanie was an indication of the Company’s commitment to expand business interests in Nigeria. According to him, “In line with Kaneka Corporation’s corporate philosophy and strategic direction to promote the beauty of the African woman through the provision of high quality hair products, Kaneka desires to play a more prominent role in the economy by investing more in the Nigerian market.” Hideaki Nakamura further stated that “the deal with Stephanie is consistent with Kaneka’s policy of using the best talents everywhere the company has presence, to promote our product and Stephanie came highly recommended in this area.”

In reaction, Stephanie promised to deliver on the confidence reposed in her, not just as a star actress but one that would preserve the African heritage.

“The African woman is legendary for her beauty and her strength, her style and grace; she is an epitome of beauty, and unmatched quality and a style icon. All this I hope to promote as Kanekalon ambassador.”- Stephanie Okereke

The endorsement is coming on the heels of the successes recorded by Kaneka in Nigeria in 2010 which include the ‘Braids Parade’, an initiative celebrating Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary through a hair competition; the ‘Night of 1000 Braids’, A Kanekalon braids event designed to thank its customers for their patronage during the year.

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Nigeria's Next Super Model Screening

In the search for Africa’s finest, Nigeria is joining the rest of the world to find Nigeria’s Next Super Model in a Reality Tv Show Nigeria’s Next Super Model Reality TV show. Contestants will be between the ages of 16 and 26.

This year's contest is looking very promising. Da Viva will host the screening of the models on the 5th of June at Kb 20, Lekki expressway.

A music/fashion fiesta would kick off at exactly 4p.m. with the likes of Harrysong, Sugarboi, and Oge. The designers for this year's beauty contest include Daviva by House of Jola, Hallero, Berry Couture Abuja, Remi Lagos, Sally Bawa Lagos and many others.

For more information, check out www.nigeriasnextsupermodel.com

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OLUCHI, AGBANI WELCOME NEW STUDENTS INTO NATURES GENTLE TOUCH HAIR INSTITUTE

Ambassadors for Natures Gentle Touch Agbani Darego and Oluchi welcomed new students into the Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute a few days back. At an induction ceremony at the institute’s premises, the international supermodels informed the students on the huge financial opportunities in being professional hair stylists and advised them to make the best out of the opportunities that await them over the course of their training and after.

The ambassadors, who have worked with various renowned stylists from all over the world also gave the students tips on how to become successful professionals in the beauty and personal style industry. Delighted at the opportunity of meeting Nigeria’s famous Supermodels, the students used the avenue to tap into the experiences of these renowned style icons. There was a question and answer session as well as a one-on-one interaction between the students and the brand ambassadors. Within the few hours that the engagement took place, a wealth of knowledge and inside tips were shared with the students by Oluchi and Agbani Darego who matched the students curiosity and enthusiasm with their eagerness to share and impact knowledge from their wealth of experience.

Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute recently admitted a fresh batch of students who upon graduation will earn diplomas in Hair Designing and Artistry. The aspiring stylists came from different works of life and from different places, some as far as Port-Harcourt. Over a period of eight months they would be taught by accomplished hair stylists and instructors from different parts of the world. These instructors would deliver courses that are practical-oriented and rich in the latest hair care technology solutions and treatment.

Since it began operations in 2009, Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute has trained over 50 hair stylists who have gone ahead to establish successful careers, some of them beyond Nigeria.

The Institute offers courses for both practicing Stylists and those without any prior knowledge in the industry. Those without any previous experience in hair styling are enrolled in the Beginner’s Course which lasts for eight months. Internships in A-class salons and fieldwork are part of the program. During theoretical sessions, the students are exposed to hair chemistry, salon management, client care and consultations, while the practical sessions include styling techniques, chemical application, cutting techniques and other subjects. Short courses for practicing professionals run between 2 days to 4 weeks depending on the program, some of which might include advanced hair cutting, salon management and image management. The Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute was established by personal style brand, Recare Limited to bridge the gap in beauty and style knowledge as well as offer a platform to empower individuals with practical skills that will give them a future and enable them to have a life.

Natures Gentle Touch is a multi-award winning hair and scalp solutions provider. In 2010 the Natures Gentle Touch No-Lye Kit Relaxer was named the City People Awards 2010 Relaxer of the Year, while the premium brand was also named the Beauty Brand of the Year at the ELOY Awards.

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Introducing Entrepreneur Olabisi Waller: EC Cosmetics

EC cosmetics is the exclusive distributor for Divaderme in Africa. The line of Divaderme cosmetics has been featured in Cosmopolitan, True Love, Marie Claire and more. Spearheaded by Nigerian Entrepreneur Olabisi Waller, after two years with a soft launch in Nigeria, The EC Cosmetics team is stepping into the giant of Africa, Nigeria with its Number 1 selling beauty product Divaderme Lash Extender and five (5) other products designed with the goal of creating a platform to make women look and feel beautiful and also empower them with entrepreneurial opportunities.

EC Cosmetics is a make-up distribution brand for natural and peak performance beauty products. EC Cosmetics products are sold through salons, select retail stores, and Individual sales representatives worldwide. Its unique range of products enhances a woman’s natural beauty while simultaneously empowering women with entrepreneurship opportunities.

Divaderme Eyelash Extender is the beauty secret to thicker, longer, and fuller lashes. Instantly brush-on lash extensions fondly called “Lashes in a bottle” are natural, fiber based eyelash extensions applied to your eyelashes between coats of mascara with absolutely no need for glue. Enriched with panthenol, it is safe, quick and easy to use. The result is eye opening eyelash extensions that stay on all day and is easily removed with make-up remover.

The EC Cosmetics range of Divaderme products include: Lash Extender- Instantly Brush -On Lash Extensions, MascaraDiva, Brow Extender; Instantly Brush-On Brow Extensions, LipExtender - Full sensuous lips in a bottle, Stimulash Intenso: Natural Eyelash Growth Tonic

“Make-up is supposed to enhance a woman’s beauty, and our products truly deliver. Nigerian Women are naturally beautiful and we accentuate that natural beauty.” - Olabisi Waller, Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT OLABISI WALLER
Olabisi is the CEO and executive director of two successful online companies, Elise Charles and EC Cosmetics. She got her entrepreneurial inspiration at a young age when she would buy affordable goods at a local market and resell it for a profit to her schoolmates. Born in Delta State, Nigeria, Olabisi grew up in a large family with nine sisters. Her entrepreneurial ambitions where further heightened by her upbringing with her mother who constantly reminded her and her sisters ‘never to let anyone tell them they could not do what they wanted.’ Those inspirational words led her to become a very determined, strong willed person. Olabisi studied business administration at Ondo State University. She has been self-employed since 2001, and is currently enrolled in the Wharton Business Development Program at the University of Pennsylvania. She started the gift and souvenirs business Elise Charles Company along with her husband, Charles Waller in 2007 and a year later launched EC Cosmetics with the goal of providing the beauty industry unique products that truly enhance a woman’s beauty.

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Genevieve Nnaji tagged 'mud face'

Makeup Designory - Recently we were honored to team up with Bellezza Cosmetics and Spa, our retail partner in Nigeria, to do a photo shoot at our headquarters in Los Angeles with the very talented and beautiful Nollywood actress and model, Genevieve Nnaji.

An immensely popular beauty icon and the only Nigerian actress to ever be profiled on Oprah, Genevieve has been the recipient of many awards throughout her career. Her film credits include starring roles in more than 80 Nollywood movies, including the hits Honey 1 and 2, and For Better For Worse 1 and 2.

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