The choice to wear makeup or not to wear makeup is a very individual decision, and should not be based on any external reference except the woman's personal preference.

Women wear makeup (or don't wear makeup) for many different reasons. Some women choose to wear makeup every day, and some wear makeup only on special occasions. It's her choice.

The key point is that whether women choose to wear a lot or a little, whether a woman enjoys the process of applying makeup or doesn't enjoy it at all – as long as women know that their value is not tied to the perfect application of her cosmetics, then it's all good.

Are Make-up and Cosmetics Necessary to Enhance Beauty and Confidence?

The creativity, fun, and power in wearing makeup are positive factors for boosting a woman's confidence. Equally true is being able to go out sans makeup and still feel beautiful is a confidence booster.

At the end of the day, to wear makeup or not to wear makeup is simply your choice.

What are your thoughts?

Tools for Sustainable Relationships

Great relationships are the spice of life! Friendships, romantic partnerships, family, co-workers, even acquaintances – this is where joy, love, and laughter is found. Whether seasonal or permanent, relationships are where memories are made, and where life is shared.

There is one thing though, which is actually the number one thing, that can destroy these wonderful relationships, and that is resentment.

Resentment happens when anger accumulates steadily in the heart. It's what happens when someone in a relationship with us does or says something that stirs up feelings of hurt and anger. The anger is never communicated or dealt with so it stays stored inside the heart. If the person's actions continue to prompt these feelings, and it is left unexpressed, the anger builds inside until it becomes full-blown resentment. At the slightest offense, the resentment is triggered and forced to come out.

In relationships, people do and say things to us that cause us hurt and anger. Sometimes they do it purposefully, other times (most of the time) their actions are unintentional.

If you are in a relationship with someone and you regard their relationship as important and valuable to you, when they do things that hurt you, it is important that you keep your anger from growing into resentment.

The key to doing this is to address the behavior immediately and in the moment.

Addressing the behavior simply means to communicate to the person how their words or actions make you feel using the words "I feel" instead of "You did."

For example, "I felt really disappointed when you did that" or "I feel judged /criticized when you say that," instead of "You always do this."

Addressing the behavior can also mean asking questions to clarify the person's intentions.

This can look like, "Am I misinterpreting your words, what do you mean when you say...?"

Speaking in "I" and "feel" terms puts the focus on you instead of on the other person, making the person less likely to feel defensive. Also, asking questions to clarify the person's motives protects you from making assumptions and jumping to conclusions about their behavior.

The point is to not allow the feelings to sit and fester inside of you; you want to address the offense as quickly as you can. After two weeks or two months has passed, you might feel silly bringing up something that happened a long time ago. And you may feel even sillier if the person doesn't remember their offense. But even if a long time has passed, it is still important to communicate to the other person so you can release the pent up anger from your heart. Practice speaking in the moment as much as you can.

On the other hand, if you are a person already deep in resentment, and have missed the opportunity to address the other person in the moment, and you believe you might feel silly bringing up something that has happened so far in the past, the best way to release your anger and resentment is to forgive. That's right. Forgiving the person for all the pain they have caused you is the key to freeing your heart. And that's all I will say on that.

One thing I didn't mention is the importance of believing your feelings are valid. Many people suffer from feeling that if something bothers them, it is not worth bringing up because "the offense was so small, it shouldn't be a big deal" or "I don't know why I'm making a big fuss about this." Or worse, some people assume that their words won't make a difference and the person's behavior will remain the same.

Believing either of these things diminishes a person emotionally. The truth is, if someone's behavior upsets you, it upsets you. There's no need to understand why, it simply does. Secondly, don't reduce your power by thinking that your communication won't make a difference. If you feel angered by a person's behavior toward you and you want that behavior to change, accept your feelings and believe that they are valid. Then address those feelings and behaviors in the moment.

So to recap, the way to avoid anger from developing into resentment and potentially destroying a wonderful relationship is to: 1) Trust your feelings and believe that they are valid; 2) Communicate in the moment with "I" and "feel" statements; and 3) Watch as a tense moment dissolves and turns into a connected moment.

The most disturbing thing about sugar is that its ubiquitous negative influence can be seen and felt, yet its power is aggressively denied and fervently ignored by those who consume it. When the subject of sugar comes up, it is with an eerie quality to see how sugar rarely needs to defend itself; it has a mass of people resolved to fight for its staying presence in their lives. Sugar pretends to be innocent – "sweet" it boasts, but its deceitful nature is evident. Our society's relationship with sugar is like that of a drug addict, strung out on their latest hit. Like the addict, we reject the truth and fail to see the white crystal for what it truly is.

The connection between sugar and diseases like diabetes is well known. But for reasons unfounded, people continue to dismiss the facts about sugar's effects on their body as frivolous, or worse, threatening to their way of life.

"Sugar is not an energy food," Jeanne Marie Martin says, author of For the Love of Food. Nor does it provide any nutrients to the body. Because it has no "food value" and no ability to nourish, refined sugar offers the body nothing except a rapid entry into the bloodstream and short, unsustainable bursts of energy.

Some people claim their need for sugar is a consequence of a natural sweet tooth; they need it and can't help the way their bodies respond to the stuff. What they do not know is this craving is their body crying out for the essential vitamins and nutrients it needs – and has been lacking – in order to function.

By design, the body is able to make its own sugar, from fruits and even whole grains.* Therefore, the body has no need for refined sugar (or even natural sugars). By default, we can live and thrive without consuming it. On the other hand, those who are inclined to relish in the familiar and savory sweetness may opt to use raw honey as their new and natural sugar source.

Sugar is poison. That's the uncomfortable fact. Despite the research, reports, documentaries, testimonials, and books, accessible to us, alerting us to this chemical's destructive power, we bury our heads in the sand, raise a hand of disinterest at the knowledge, and pledge an ever more fervent allegiance to our addictions. For that is what we truly are – addicted.

*Jeanne Marie Martin, For the Love of Food, The Complete Natural Foods Cookbook

NOW SEE: Foods to Eat for Healthy Skin

Natural Remedies for Acne, Eczema, and Rosacea

Acne, eczema, and rosacea, are specific skin conditions that the medical community would have us believe are not associated with the food we put into our bodies. Look up any medical website, scan any medical pamphlet and you will stumble upon the sentence "The cause of (insert skin condition here) is not known," or "the link between food and said skin condition isn't clear."

For a myriad of reasons, medical professionals insist that skin conditions such as these have no known cause and can only be managed but not cured.

To put it plainly, this is simply not true.

Despite what authorities on health may claim, the food that we put into our bodies does influence the appearance of our skin. These skin conditions can be treated with good nutrition and changing the way we eat is the first line of defense.

Foods to Avoid for Clear Skin

Sugar

Refined sugar is a chemical that has no food or nutritious value. It results from the extreme processing and breaking down of natural sugars found in sugar cane and beet. After the food value of the natural sugar is stripped, chemicals and additives are added to it, creating a chemical whose makeup is foreign to the body, causing the body to react unnaturally. Candy, pastries, and cookies are examples of foods that contain sugar, and yes they taste great, but they should be avoided, or at minimum limited.

Wheat

Wheat in its whole form is a great source of nutrients and is healthy for the body. But the wheat that is consumed by the majority of people is wheat that has been processed and enriched. Refined bread and refined rice are staples in the American diet, yet are major contributors to the skin conditions that many suffer with. Refined bread and rice are wheat products that when eaten in excess can cause eruptions in the skin. Whole wheat then should replace enriched wheat as often as possible.

Foods to Eat for Healthy Skin

Fruits & Vegetables

I combine these two food groups because they are the foundation of a nutritious and healthy eating lifestyle. Eating a fruit with every meal or snacking on fruits throughout the day is a great habit to adopt if we want to see changes in our skin. Fruits contain natural sugars (fructose) and will replace the desire for refined sugar if eaten regularly.

Also, because raw vegetables (i.e. salad) are packed with nutrients and vitamins, making these a daily food source is important as well. A raw vegetable meal and a cooked vegetable meal is an important daily routine that is sure to have a tremendous impact on the skin.

Finally

In my previous article, What's So Special About Being Beautiful, I wrote about how true beauty requires self-love and self-acceptance. I also wrote that horrible experiences, harsh words spoken, and messages from the media can all contribute to an individual's lack of self-love. Those who suffer with skin conditions such as severe acne, eczema, or rosacea are ripe to be affected by messages like these, and prone to feelings of self-rejection. This, however, does not mean that the self-love tank cannot be replenished. I believe that by treating ourselves to nutritious and healthful foods, and eliminating less wholesome foods, we will begin the practice of self-love that will have practical changing effects on our skin and emotional effects on how we see and view ourselves.

*This article is based on the nutritarian diet recommended by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. author of Eat to Live.

Natural Remedies for Acne, Eczema, and Rosacea