What the Nose Knows

Don't underestimate the arresting power of aroma.

Nearly everyone is aware that a dog's sense of smell is far superior to that of humans. But did you know that women have a stronger sense of smell than men do?

Other interesting olfactory facts from the Sense of Smell Institute:

• Smell is responsible for an astonishing 80% of taste. That's why food isn't as flavorful when your nose is stuffed up. Hunger also influences smell. So the more ravenous you are, the more intensely you'll smell what's cooking.
• The same odor smells differently to each individual. What's more, your ability to detect odor varies from day to day. You'll never experience an odor exactly the same way.
• The abilility to smell gets stronger as the day progresses. It turns out the best time to stop and smell the roses is at night!

Looking for a great new fragrance? Try the recently introduced scent by Reese Witherspoon- In Bloom. It combines the fragrant notes of the Magnolia, Star Gardenia and Night Blooming Jasmine.

T.G.I.F.!

Happy Friday! Fridays are always welcome, but even more so with S.M.A.R.T. Women. Every Friday I will feature a contest give away- woo hoo, free stuff!

As we near the end of October, we not only celebrate Halloween, but also wrap up Breast Cancer Awareness month. Leave a comment on how you honored Breast Cancer Awareness month and you will be entered to win this week's prize: AVON Breast Cancer Crusade Moisturizing Bar Soap. This is a gentle glycerin-based soap for face and body with a refreshing grapefruit scent. 100% percent of the profits from the sales of this bar will be donated to AVON Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade.

AVON Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade:

More than $585 million is donated globally for research and access to care.More than 742,000 US Avon Representatives raise funds to eliminate breast cancerand domestic violence by selling AVON products like these- not just in October, but year round, every year since 1993!

A pampering Pedi

OK- I admit my week has been a little off, but I just realized that I stated the wrong day of the week in my post. SO- CORRECTION: Every Wednesday will be a post on skin care. Now onto Thursday (today!): every Thursday I will post tips on pampering yourself- we could all use a little, right?

PEDICURE 101

It doesn't take much time to have fabulous looking feet and you don't have to spend a lot of money to do it. Here are the basics to pampering your feet.

• First remove any old nail polish on your toes with a gentle polish remover.
  
• Cut nails straight across with toe nail clippers. Don't use your finger nail clippers- they are too small and may make an uneven cut. File nails if any rough edges remain.
• Fill a large bucket or bowl with warm water. Find a comfy chair and a good read. You can add Epsom salts to the water for a relaxing soak to soothe aches and pains. Or, if you prefer a more aromatic or invigorating soak, use a peppermint or other scented foot soak. Relax and soak for 15 minutes. Try flexing your feet and curling your toes a few times to release any tension. Follow with a rinse in clear water and towel dry your feet.
• Use a pumice stone on toes, heels and balls of your feet to smooth away any rough spots. Make sure you do this after every shower for lasting smoothness.
  
• Use an orangewood stick to gently push back cuticles. Never cut the cuticle- only trim hang nails.
• Moisturize your feet with a rich cream made for feet. Cream with peppermint can soothe and cool sore feet. See my post "All Over Skin Care" for more tips on moisturizers.
  
• Polishing toe nails is easier with foam separators. First apply a clear base coat to prevent your nails from absorbing the pigment of the nail polish. Next apply two coats of nail polish in a color you love, followed by one coat of top coat polish. If you paint outside the nail bed area, use a cotton swab dipped in polish remover to gently wipe polish from your skin.
  
• If you are in a hurry, just apply two coats of clear polish for an easy, elegant look.
  

All Over Skin Care

Every Tuesday I will feature information about skin care on S.M.A.R.T. Women. Here are some great skin care tips that are perfect for cool weather.

Treat Your Entire Skin Right.
Skin is your body's largest organ and one of it's most complex: It's multiple layers are densely packed with nerve endings, cells, oil and sweat glands, muscle, blood vessels and hair follicles. In fact, from head to toe, your body has many skins, from thick skin on elbows to thin skin around eyes.

Because your many skins have distinct qualities, each skin type require special attention. Here is part 1 in a 4 part series on tips to keep all of you smooth and healthy looking.

Hands and Feet (especially heels):
Skin is fairly quick on these parts but can take a real beating. In addition to daily wear and tear, hands are exposed to the damaging effects of the environment, not to mention frequent washings. And feet bear the brunt of body weight, and are often squeezed into ill-fitting shoes that don't breathe. All of this leads to skin that is dry and feels rough.

What is the solution? Regularly apply rich moisturizing creams, which are heavier than creams. If skin is especially rough and dry try this tip: Before going to bed, apply a thick moisturizing cream to your hands and feet, wrap them in plastic wrap and put on cotton gloves or socks to seal in your skin's moisture overnight.

Try Avon's Nurtura Replenishing Cream for a non-greasy night treatment that will leave your skin soft and supple. On special through Nov. 3rd, 2 for $6.99 )regularly $8.00 each).

Don't be Spooked by Fall's New Colors

I have decided to better organize all of the style and beauty information, I will post a specific topic each weekday. So Monday will be tips on cosmetics. Check out the blog tomorrow to see what tomorrow's topic will be!

Feeling a little intimidated by Fall's brighter make up shades?

The fashion world is abuzz about bold, bright make up colors for fall and winter. Think peacock teals, rich golds, deep purples and royal blues. But how do real women make these vibrant hues work for their everyday lives?

Choose the right color eye shadow for you. Any woman can wear this season's deep plums and lush greens. It's all in the tone you choose. We are not wearing these colors like we did in the 80's. Today's look is more subtle. Experiment with eyeliner in one of these colors instead of shadow. And choose pencil over liquid eyeliner. It's more forgiving and less harsh.

Go for the smokey eye. Cotton swaps are a great way to smudge out your pencil eyeliner to get an instant smokey eye look. Use a coordinating eye shadow for a stronger evening look.

Cover your bases. If you want to try that forest green eye shadow make sure it doesn't end up in the crease of your eye by lunch time. Apply eye shadow base before you apply your eye make up. Many woman also fight the constant battle with their make up- it ends up running by the end of the day. Using a make up primer before applying your foundation is the trick to preventing this.

Make Fall lip colors work for you. Red and hot pink are big for Fall, but that can seem like a lot of color if you're used to having a more natural looking lip. One way to try to ease into a bolder lip color is to start with a gloss for just a hint of color. Then transition into a sheer lip stick. Finally, try a full-on lip stick- especially for evening events.

Haute Hats: The Must-Have Fall Accessory

Working a hat into your everyday look can be tricky, but there's no need to be intimidated. Just look through the Sunday newspaper ads and you will see that there are many styles this season. The following tips will help you sport a hat with confidence and style.

Pick classic shapes. Hat trends come and go, but you should stay away from wildly unconventional styles unless they work well with your face shape or you're particularly bold dresser. Choose a hat that flatters most people, such as a newsboy cap or a classic fedora. Mark by Avon is featuring this update to a traditional riding cap sown at left. And don't forget about knit hats, which are warm and practical.

Take it easy on the color. Choose neutral colored hats, such as navy, browns and charcoal grey, that blend with your skin tone and match your jacket. If you decide you want to go for a pop of color, make sure the hue you choose is flattering to your complexion. Remember that the hat is going to be next to your face. A fuchsia hat might look great with your outfit, but it could look terrible with your skin tone. Instead, pick a wild color for your gloves.

How old is old? Know when it's time to toss your old make up.

Cleaning out your bulging makeup case, crammed medicine cabinet or jam-packed bathroom drawer? To help you find items that are past their prime (or squeeze a few extra months out of seasonal ones), here’s a product-by-product breakdown that can help you put your best face forward.


Cleansers, Moisturizers, Exfoliants
If a product has changed color or texture, separates after being shaken several times, smells strange or is missing its lid, toss it. As a rule, skin-care staples are good for a year after they’re opened. An exception: Products with vitamin C should be thrown out after six months.


Powder, Blush, Bronzer, Eye Shadow
All powdered items are safe to use for up to three years. Keep them fresh by gently scraping the surface of each with a butter knife, which will remove facial oils and restore the product’s original consistency.


Lipstick
No need to ditch this too quickly; lipstick is good for about two years. Try blending shades—layer a spring pink over a darker hue, for example — to get year-round use out of them.


Foundation
Replace liquids and creams about every six months and powder formulas once a year. As the seasons change, you can alternate a more hydrating winter foundation with a newly purchased water-based or oil-free version; once your skin adapts, toss the old foundation and switch to the new one full-time.


Mascara
Replace it every three months, but save the wand: Wash it thoroughly with soap and water, and use it as a brow-grooming tool.