Corsets were first worn back in the 16th century and have undergone many changes over the years, but the idea behind wearing these garments remains the same. Making the wearer`s waist appear smaller. In Victorian times women began "tight lacing" a method of cinching corsets so tightly that prolonged wearing of them would actually alter their shape. Surely this was painful. It has been claimed that tight lacing weakens certain muscles, damages organs and causes fractures to rib bones.

Geisha

Preparations for a day in the life of a Geisha are not only time consuming, but sometimes painful as well. (The face white that was originally used contained lead and caused serious illness and even death)  After the tedious process of make up application, a Geisha must then be dressed in a traditional kimono.   Because of the many layers that make up a traditional Geisha Kimono, it is nearly impossible for the Geisha to dress herself. She stands on a platform where she is wrapped and bound by a "dresser" in three layers, several ties and two sashes. The outfit is restrictive and can weigh up to fifteen pounds.

Foot Binding

Originating in China in the 10th century, foot binding is surely the most blatant evidence of just how far people will go in the name of beauty. In traditional Chinese foot binding, young girls' feet were wrapped tightly with bandages so that they could not grow and develop normally. Instead the feet would become broken, deformed, and highly susceptible to infections and even paralysis. Foot binding was banned in 1911 after the Qing Dynasty . Women were ordered to unwrap their feet under threat of death.

Lip Plates

Lip Plates are an old custom in many South American and African cultures. Six to twelve months before a women is to be married, the women of her village cut a small hole in her lower lip and a wooden peg is inserted. After a few weeks it is replaced with a slightly larger peg. The process of inserting larger pegs continues until the desired size "stretch" is achieved, at which time a plate made from light wood or clay is inserted. To accommodate the plate, the lower front teeth are removed. Ouch!

Permanent Makeup Tattoo

The name of this procedure speaks for itself.  The idea of permanent makeup may sound appealing to some, but what sane person would allow a needle that close to their eyes to save a little time each morning. Personally I would rather have my mascara run and my lipstick fade than to have this done.

Red - Strength, power, confidence, passion

Red is a versatile color that can symbolize everything from passionate love to violent warfare and conflict. Red displays both psychological and physical influences. Studies have shown that seeing the color red can speed up breathing and heart rate because it can be a tense and aggressive color.

It’s a dynamic and dramatic hue that gathers attention and can be overwhelming in professional settings, especially in a job interview. It wouldn’t be very wise to wear it in situations where conflict might easily arise. To tone it down, pair it with muted hues: a red and blue striped sweater, for example, or a red camisole under a gray jacket.

Gray- Seriousness, dependability, stability

Gray gets its basis from Mother Nature. In the outdoors, everything gray is permanent such as gravel, rocks, and stone.

Wear a gray suit to a job interview to show your future boss that you’re responsible. *But dress in it from head to toe and you might be telling the world you’re boring because gray is a very practical color. To stand out, pair a gray suit with something memorable, such as a printed blouse. A pair of heels or sparkly earrings is also well suited to balance out.

Pink - Love, affection, gentleness, femininity

Pink is soft and delicate, however it lacks passion. It may also have a calming, soothing effect.

Pink lacks the flagrant sensuality that bolder colors such as red convey. Charming and warm, soft pink is the perfect color for a romantic date.

Blue - Faithfulness, tranquility, dependability, sensitivity

Blue implies stability because it’s the color of the sky. In a way, it’s eternal and fixed. Even if the sky happens to be gray or overcast, we know that eventually, it will return to its state of blue again.

How to wear it: Darker hues are ideal for formal events. Navy is also a very powerful color, while lighter shades work better in more casual settings.

Yellow - Youth, joy, imagination

Yellow has shown to improve concentration, which explains the Post-It notes. It’s also the color of friendship.

Many people are afraid to use yellow because they deemed it as being too bright. But remember that yellow comes in many forms and to a degree; from pale pastels to deep, vibrant hues. If you’re uncomfortable with it, pair it with items you already love. Try a yellow tee with your favorite pair of jeans.

Green - Tranquility, growth, health, "good luck"

Green invokes lush images of nature - from tropical forests to parks on spring days. It’s the color of life and growth, and a symbol of fertility. Green is also considered to be a safe color. So if you're uncertain as to which color to use, choose green because it establishes a sense of order and balance. In some cultures, green is considered to be the color of good fortune, such as the four-leaf clover. However, you'll find that colors will very rarely have such direct influences on luck.

Jewel tones are best for dates and evenings. Switch to softer, pastel shades for daytime. A light tone of green is soothing for the eye too.

Black - Elegance, sophistication, power

Traditionally, black has a bad reputation. It’s the required color for movie villains and comic book criminals. It also deals with mourning, death, darkness, and fear. But it is also classic and universally slimming.

Many people wear black to formal gatherings and parties. You may seem a bit discontent being one little dot in a sea of black dresses. But you can look at it as an opportunity to accessorize. Wear purple eye shadow and an amethyst necklace with a black blouse.

When it comes to choosing colors, let your instincts guide you. Choose what works with your skin tones and what you feel comfortable wearing. But don’t be afraid to experiment and try new and different shades. Being around colors you feel comfortable with will definitely brighten your day.

Keep reading: Your Choice of Colors Sends a Message: Part 2

Images via Flickr's Creative Commons Pool, Photbucket, and Smugmug

Sources

Faber, Birren. Color Psychology and Color Therapy: A Factual Study of the Influence of Color on Human Life. New Hyde Park: University Books, 1992.

Mi-Na is wearing an undergarment worn underneath the hanbok called sok chima. They are similar to petticoats and are sometimes layered to help give the woman's hanbok a fuller look.

Here is Mi-Na dressed in full regalia. She is wearing the jeogori (in blue) with a goreum (in green) - coat strings attached to the breast part to tie the jeogori closed. The git (in dark blue) is the band of fabric that trims the collar with matching kkeutdong - cuffs placed at the end of the sleeves. Dongjeong or dongchong are detachable white collars placed over the end of the git to help accentuate the neckline. Her white sok chima is visible below in the breast area. The chima (in greenish yellow) is long and flowing. On her head she is wearing a gache - an elaborate wig. It is held up by a binyeo - a rod-like hairpin fastened in the back. Decorating the gache are various dwikkoji - hairpins to accessorize knotted hair.

Here is Mi-Na in another variation of the hanbok with a bright red chima. The jeogori has a floral print on it. Tied underneath her jeogori is a norigae pendant (the tasseled accessory), giving the hanbok a luxurious look. Norigae is a type of Korean macrame, popular among unmarried girls and wives alike. In traditional times, a woman showed her devotion and love to her family with her skill in embroidery and sewing.

Here Mi-Na is sporting a more clean-cut look. Her hair is simply coiffed with a binyeo in a braided bun. Her jeogori and chima are made out of sheer material - making her sok chima visible underneath - giving her hanbok a delicate look.

Here Mi-Na is wearing a sok chima that matches her outer chima, both red. Her simpler hairstyle is accented by several dwikkoji as well as the binyeo - simply exquisite.

In this image Mi-Na hair is unadorned, her bangs framing her face. Her whole hanbok is different colored, from her jeogori in lavender, the git and kkeutdong in blue, the goreum in red, and the chima in pink - very pretty.

Hanbok is made out several different materials and fabrics, depending on the weather, such as satin, silk, ramie, cotton muslin and hemp. In cooler temperatures, the hanbok were made out of heavier fabrics lined with fur while thinner fabrics were used in the summer so that the natural breeze could help cool the body. Many women would wear hanbok made from gossamer silk in the autumn because it made a rustling sound while walking - similar to walking through dry leaves.

Colors for the hanbok usually consisted of red, yellow, blue, black and white - symbolizing the five traditional elements of Far Eastern cosmology (fire, earth, water, metal and wood). Court figures and the upper class usually wore colored hanbok while commoners wore white representing purity, chastity and integrity. Natural materials such as bark or flowers were used to make the dyes to color the hanbok.

Images from: xuexueyuehua.web.infoseek.co.jp/

What causes those annoying flyaways? Flyaway hair occurs when the hair strands pick up electrostatic charge from the atmosphere and repel one another in much the same way two ends of a magnet with the same charge repel each another. The problem is made worse by combing the hair excessively when can generate additional electrostatic charge, dry air and heat, and lack of moisture on the hair shaft. Although factors such as dry air and heat can't always be avoided, there are steps you can take to tame flyaway hair. Here are some suggestions:

Add a humidifier to your home

The more moisture that's present in the air in your home, the less chance that you'll experience out of control, flyaway hair. A moist environment can also help keep your clothes from sticking together due to static, and even reduce the risk of contracting a cold by keeping your mucous membranes moist.

Brush your hair properly

Avoid the tendency to over brush or over comb you hair which will just make the static problem worse. Invest in a brush with static free bristles and use it regularly. These brushes can be purchased in most grocery stores or online.

Always condition your hair

A good conditioning treatment is critical for counteracting flyaway hair. Conditioner helps to eliminate electrostatic charge and tame pesky flyaways. Use a deep conditioner at least once a week to further reduce electrostatic charge.

Use the right type of hair dryer

The best kind of hairdryer to use for flyaway hair is an ionic ceramic hairdryer. This type of dryer is designed to remove static charge during the process of drying your hair. Use it on as low a heat as possible as over drying your hair will only make the flyaways worse.

Use Static Guard

If the above measures fail to solve the problem of flyaway hair and you need to fix it fast, spray a small amount of Static Guard onto your brush and lightly brush it through your hair. You should see immediate improvement.

If flyaway hair is a problem for you, these steps should help to return your hair to its former, orderly state.

photo credit: chinadaily.com

The Ada Barak snake spa in northern Israel uses California King, Milk and Corn Snakes to loosen up those muscles and massage away the aches and pains. These snakes are not poisonous and they are supposed to relieve stress. This treatment costs $70 and the owner of the snake spa says that once people get over their initial apprehension, they actually enjoy the crawling snake sensation.

Larger snakes are used to give deeper massage and the treatments were first offered back in 2006. The snake spa is now a tourist attraction and it received a lot of publicity after Ada Barak appeared on the Tyra Banks Show in US.

Personally, the whole idea of having snakes crawling over my body gives me the creeps. I have held a snake before. It was a huge boa constrictor but I am in no hurry to repeat the experience. I get a shiver down my back just thinking about it and as for paying $70 for the privilege, I think not.

photo credit: chinadaily.com

Just to make matters worse imagine how horrible it must be let snakes give you a facial massage. How this lady can lay there with her eyes cosed I don't know, but there again, having your eyes open might make matters considerably worse.  (And I thought having my eyebrows plucked was the height of torture where beauty treatments are concerned.)

If you don't fancy this you could always try leeches to enhance your natural beauty. Leeches have long been used in US and UK medicine to help purify blood but they are now being used as beauty aids. Actress Demi Moore revealed how she detoxifies her blood every so often by using leeches.

photo credit: abcnews.com

It is claimed that these slimy leeches will cleanse your blood and make you feel and look more vibrant. What you have to do is shave all the hair off your skin, soak the skin in turpentine and once it stops hurting, you apply the leeches.

Demi Moore told viewers, when she appeared on the David Letterman Show, that these are ,  'not some low-level scavengers.....we are talking about highly trained medical leeches.' 

I would be interested to know exactly what kind of medical training these leeches under go. Now, there's a topic for an article, 'How to train leeches to medical standard'.

However, if you are not squeamish and you fancy the idea a being sucked by these fat, slimy creatures, perhaps you would draw the line here.

photo credit: msnbc.com

To rid your face of pimples just add a few leeches and let them suck away at your skin until it's nice and clean again. I am not sure if this is perhaps worse than the snakes. At least they just crawl around. This brave girl has her eyes open too.

Snakes and leeches are just the tip of the iceberg, as the saying goes. There are many more disgusting beauty treaments out there. Some practitioners recommend drinking your own urine and another, in England suggest a shampoo with bull semen to make your hair shiny and well conditioned. By the way, it has to be an Aberdeen Angus bull.

Dried nightingale droppings are recommended by experts as a facial treatment, apparently this was popular with the old Japanese Geishas.

Once you have done all this, perhaps you would like to beautify your feet too. There are various salons across Europe where you can put your feet in a pool of water and have Garra Rufa, or Doctor Fish eat all the dead skin. I'm told it's very good for ridding yourself of hard skin.

photo credit: jpgmag.com

I must admit that if I had to try one of the treatments mentioned here, it would be this one. I think I woulod be brave enough to put my feet in the water with all those little fish, but I'm not so sure that I could stand the tickling. In fact, even as I write about this, I have a starange tickling sensation underneath my feet.

Size zero?

More and more women are taking extreme measures to loose weight and become a 'perfect size zero' and why not a lot of celebrities and models are a size zero so isn't it the perfect size to be? The thing is celebrities are almost as if they are in competition with each other who can shift the most weight quickest and take it to the extreme, other people should not copy this trend as it is bad for the body and also it needs to be realised that some people are naturally small and some people have disorders so to talk down a size zero is also offensive to someone that is a size zero as it is not always deliberate and there is nothing wrong with being a zero if that were the size you are meant to be.

The pefect ten?

What percentage of women now do you think are a size ten? Sometimes it may look as though everyone except you has a great figure when infact how do you define great? What makes a size ten so perfect? Do you think it has anything to do with men? Men half the time wouldnt even be able to guess what size you are let alone sifting through women for the 'perfect ten'. It has been said that men are attracted to an 'hour glass' figure if this was so then why are so many women on diets? In my opinion there is no such thing as a 'perfect ten' if this were true then why do so many size ten's have insecurities about either being to fat or too thin? The 'perfect ten' is just another size, just another feature about yourself that makes you you. Size ten can be defined as perfect but it is not all time perfect as all other sizes are just as perfect.

Breasts?

For starters how big is too big and what would you describe as small? What is the perfect size? No-matter what size you are, it is the correct size if your having boob job's how do you know what size your meant to go for? Who say's what size is right and what if it changes? This is no joke there are a lot of risks involved in changing your appearance and is it worth it? Worth it for who? If you have insecurities about yourself you should ask yourself why and think realistically what is wrong with just being you?

'Imperfections'

In my opinion there is no such thing, whatever you'd describe as an imperfection should be carried with pride as these are signs of life and yourself, its what seperates you from others. It gives you your individuality. If you dont have that then what makes you so special?

Life is not a competition, life is to be lived! 

If you want to get a feminist's goat, tell her you think the fifties were an ideal decade for women in American history. Gender roles is one of the most controversial aspects of fifties fashion. In the fifites, women and men wore very gender specific clothing. This makes this decade one of the most despised decades by feminists and women's libbers because of the way in which they embraced traditional masculinity and femininity. It's the decade of the Stepford Wives, June Cleaver...the kind of blatant femininity that makes feminists stomachs churn.

Women wore dresses almost exclusively, and were encouraged to be feminine at all costs. The media portrayed women as perpetually in high heels and an apron which demonstrated how the culture of the fifties encouraged women to be primarily keepers of the home and also supported the traditional roles of wife and mother.

Women did not have the career opportunities available to women today, consequently the priority for women was to marry well and women spent countless hours making themselves attractive. Hours were often spent countless tedious hours pin-curling their hair, or perming and then pin-curling, as natural curls were too unruly for the day.



It was beautiful for a woman to appear soft and feminine and even weak, defying the independence and brashness of our day. The clothing of the fifties was, for the most part, very modest and prim, as was the expectation of the character of the women themselves.

Rarely would you catch a woman in pants in the fifties. Katharine Hepburn was the first to be seen on screen in pants. At first the studio took away from her but she walked around the set in her underwear until they gave them back for the scene. In response to her scandalous behavior they added the line, "you look ridiculous in those pants" into the script for the film. Katharine Hepburn wore slacks and sneakers when most women wore girdles, petticoats, stockings, garter belts and high heels and became the first fashion icon to rebel against traditional styles and roles.

Men also had restrictions for their clothing due to society's view on what traditional roles they were expected to live up to; as providers and heads of the home. Men's clothing in the fifties were very similar and conservative, almost identical to one another. All men wore hats and their almost identical suits had very limited options for colors, offering men their favorite style in navy, black, grey or charcoal.

Fashion can also reveal what a society thinks about age and identity. a split between adults and the youth. The fifties saw our countries first "teenagers" and their clothing was the outward manifestation of this new idea. This was the first decade that teenagers wore different clothing than their parents. Unlike their parents, they could experience this time of their life unhindered by world war or economic depression.

The teens of the fifties had more prominence, more wealth and more social power, and they wanted to stand out as a distinct group with fashions of their own, now that they had the money and the freedom to do so. It was a time of friendly rebellion, as there was a much higher standard of morality and what young people were and were not to do, that the ways in which children rebelled then are seemingly insignificant now. There clothing was a way in which teenagers rebelled, such as the boys wearing denim jeans and leather jackets.

Anything that implied wildness was rejected by the society of the fifties but was exactly what the teenagers of the fifties were drawn to. Adults stayed relatively conservative, shaking their heads at the rock and roll and denim jeans. Adult men saw the leather-clad boys as irresponsible and reckless. The girls were constantly encouraged to be modest and prim and ladylike, but were slowly beginning to rebel against their conservative upbringing. The gap between teenagers and adults has grown steadily since the fifties. Perhaps the friendly rebellion of the fifties perhaps gave way to the more blatant one of the sixties and seventies, shown by their new fashions of bellbottoms, tye-die, peace symbols and sometimes...nudity. You can see the progression of separation between teenagers and adults up to today, where we have almost two completely different cultures between the youth and the adults.

You also have to look at the historical context of the clothing styles. Obviously, the recent World War and the relatively recent economic depression affected the fashion of the fifties. There was a younger feel to the fifties than the forties, as the young people were unencumbered by the stresses and limitations of the war. There was more time and more money to focus on fashion and the way one looked, and nothing was being rationed or limited.

Men had just come home from war and so the emphasis for women was again to be beautiful. This, of course is the decade that began what we now call, "the baby boom."

People were gloomy and repressed in the war and the fifties were a time of rebirth for the both the country and the people. They wanted to make a new life for themselves, and perhaps wearing brighter, more creative clothing helped them to do this.

We don't see this as much in our culture today, because very few of us have had very severe restrictions in our choices and lives, such as war or depression.

See? It's fascinating how fashion and culture are intertwined and that we can learn about one by looking at the other. You just have to look at how the clothing depicts gender roles in a society, how the youth/adult culture is viewed as separate or similar, and how the historical context fits in with the fashions of the day.

I hope now that you have seen this, that you will see fashion not as something girly, superficial and irrelavent to real world, but as a useful tool in understanding the history of our culture, their value structures and their beliefs.

Shorter dresses.

If the look of the traditional wedding dress has never really appealed to you, you can be ultra chic and modern on your wedding day with a short wedding dress. Shorter wedding dresses being shown for 2009 have fitted bodices with full skirts that stop at or just above the knee. Many are strapless or have thin spaghetti straps. These dresses may be appealing if you'll be having a casual, outdoor wedding and if you have the figure to carry it off. Of course, many women will prefer the more traditional look of a floor length wedding dress.

One shoulder dresses

The one shouldered gown so popular for winter 2009 has extended over into wedding dresses for the upcoming season. This chic, distinctively modern look in wedding dress appeals to those who like a slightly less traditional look.

Detailing

Spring 2009 wedding dresses emphasize detailing with added embellishments such as subtle beading, ribbons, bows, and, of course, lace. This distinctively feminine look is played up by the contrast of soft chiffon and silk fabrics that flow with the body. Look for subtle detailing that's both ultra-feminine, yet elegant. These small added details and embellishments can be immensely flattering if not overdone.

Vibrant color

Yes, white is still the traditional favorite when it comes to wedding dresses but color is the new trend for 2009. Not only will softer pastel shades be popular but warmer splashes of color including scarlet red make their appearance. On the runway, designers showed wedding dresses in brilliant shades of crimson with gold accents designed for the bolder, less traditional bride. If this look is too overwhelming, you can add subtle color by selecting a dress in a pale pastel such as lavender. This is one year you don't need to be afraid to embrace your love of color when it comes to selecting bridal wear.

With so many choices when it comes to wedding dress trends for 2009, you'll have lots of options available to you when you make the important decision of what to wear on your wedding day. Enjoy making your selection!

Dramatic Eyes

One of the most important colors for winter 2009 will be rich gradations of purple. To go along with this new emphasis on purple, look for smoky, mysterious shades of this regal shade to play up the eyes and add intense drama. Purples will be accented with touches of burnished gold and copper which can be worn alone for a fashionable winter look Eyeliner will be dark and more dramatic to balance the heavy emphasis on the eyelids. Look for the return of black eyeliner along with dark shades of brown, purple, and smoky grey. These combinations make eye color pop and enhance the look of almost any eyes creating a strong statement for winter 2009. To frame dramatic eyes, eyebrows will be heavier so put away your tweezers and opt for a more natural eyebrow look.

High Impact Lips

To balance the emphasis on eyes, lips will take on a new color story of their own. Red lip color will retain its popularity and will be joined by rich berry shades to compliment the purples of fall and winter. If you're dramatic with the lips, tone down the eyes a notch or two to avoid makeup overkill. Despite the emphasis on drama, a trend towards sweetly natural lips will also prevail where just a touch of clear or pale pink color is used to give a naked lip look. This is the perfect look if you don't like heavy lip coloring. Winter 2009 is all about choices.

Sheer and Natural

When it comes to foundation, sheer and natural is in. Mineral makeup will continue to be hot and skin that's been gently exfoliated and moisturized to give a healthy glow will add to the look for winter. Take care of your skin and exfoliate on a regular basis to get the flawlessly natural look that will be so popular for winter.

Enjoy the new winter 2009 cosmetic trends!