The health benefits of being in love

Source: realbuzz.com

Why being in love is good for you

Boxes of chocolates, lavish meals out and those late night fights; there certainly is an unhealthy side to love, but finding that special someone can bring all kinds of health benefits too.

Iif you’ve been considering ditching your partner, or are just feeling a little harassed by love, check out some of these relationship perks which might just remind you that being in love can be good for your health...

Love lowers risk of alcohol abuse

You may be footing a bigger weekly wine bill for all of those cosy nights in, but research has shown that you are less likely to abuse or depend upon alcohol if you are in a relationship. In the study, only four per cent of people who had been in a relationship for between two and four years misused alcohol; whilst only three per cent of those who had been in a relationship for more than five years reported abusing alcohol. However, 12 per cent of the participants who were not in a relationship in their 30’s were described as misusing alcohol and 13.5 per cent of people who had not been in a relationship for more than two years treated alcohol in an unhealthy way.

Love keeps us young

We all know that being in love and making love are two very different scenarios and apparently so does Mother Nature. Being in love is often very trying and can age us; however, research suggests that making love keeps us young. A study conducted by researchers at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland found that those women who have sex four or more times a week look 10 years younger than their actual age. Consultant neuropsychologist Dr David Weeks said that loving couples not only look after their bodies more, but that they also benefit from the physical and emotional effects of sex. So, next time you reach for your anti-ageing cream, maybe opt for the baby oil instead?

Love: good for women, bad for men?

When you think of a married man, do you think of the grumpy, beaten-down stereotype? If you do, then don’t worry, apparently there’s some truth behind this well-worn notion. The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found that women report a higher quality of life when they are in a relationship, but their husbands or partners report having a significantly lower quality of life. However, although it is possible that relationships fulfill the needs of women more than men, compared to single people, those in a relationship are still happier overall. In a separate study 40 per cent of married couples said they were happy, compared to only 25 per cent of single people.

Love improves our mental health

Love has many physical benefits, but it would seem that men and women who are in a relationship get lots of mental health benefits too. In New Zealand a team at the University of Otago examined 1,000 people. They found that people who had been in a relationship for longer than five years were less likely to be depressed and attempt suicide. Other studies have found similar findings, stating that married people report lower levels of depression and distress. Apparently married men are also half as likely to commit suicide as single men, and one third as likely as divorced men. Perhaps the phrase “you’re driving me crazy” should no longer be used in reference to your partner?

Love gives us more birthdays

Sadly, being in love does not mean you get to have more than one birthday a year. However, it does mean that you get to see more of them. The mortality rates for single males aged between 30 and 59 are two and half times higher than their non-single counterparts! Don’t gloat too much though girls. Single women also face a 23 percent higher mortality rate than those who are married. Researchers suggest that this difference in longevity is due to the fact that most single people have poorer health benefits, a lower income and are socially isolated. Being supported and connected to others is an essential part of keeping healthy.

Love heals the heart

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that love is often depicted using a heart shape. A recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester in New York found that those in a happy relationship are three times more likely to survive heart surgery.  The researchers reported that a good marriage can be as beneficial to the heart as quitting smoking, staying at a healthy weight and reducing high blood pressure. Similar findings were found by those at the University of North Carolina and a study in Human Communication Research.  They both found that being in love and expressing your emotions had a positive impact on cholesterol.

Top 7 ways to tell someone you love them

Different approaches to saying “I love you”

Want to tell that special someone how much you really like them? Everyone has their own ideas on the ‘perfect’ way to make the confession, but you’re sure to find a technique that suits you in this list of seven ways to tell someone you love them.

How to express your love, tip 1: Add a little humour

Why not add a light sprinkling of humour to your love confession through a creative analogy? Think of something you couldn’t live without and compare the one you love to that. You can make your analogy as silly or as serious as you like and your other half will appreciate the amount of thought you’ve put into your confession. “You are the cream to my coffee, the lamb to my farm, and I love you to little bits” – aww!

How to express your love, tip 2: Creative photography

Dropping the ‘L bomb’ can be equally as nerve wracking whether you’re a hopeless romantic or you have a heart of stone. Sometimes the mere mention of the word “love”, when you’ve never said it to this person before, can make you nervous. If this sounds like you, saying it through photography may be the form of expression you’re comfortable with, and it needn’t be as cheesy as it sounds. Take a photo of yourself doing something silly; a photo of your other half’s favourite sweets in the shape of a heart; and a photo of your partner too (it doesn’t have to be snaps of these exact things – they’re just ideas.) Attach your photos together with some ribbon or string and voila; [insert name] hearts [insert name].

How to express your love, tip 3: Write it in the sand

To make your expression of love memorable, why not pay a visit to the seaside for a date? You can write a love message in the sand when your loved one isn’t looking and when they turn around they’ll be in for a surprise. If it all goes wrong, tell them someone else wrote it and run for the hills.

How to express your love, tip 4: A flash mob

If you want to create a song and dance about your love for your other half, hiring a flash mob will do just that. For this, the key is organisation. You need to make sure that you, your other half and all of the flash mob participants are in the right place at the right time. The opportunities for creativity are endless for this technique and you can tailor it to suit your needs and personality.

How to express your love, tip 5: A slushy candlelit dinner

Confessions of love don’t have to be shouted from the rooftops to be effective. Cooking a romantic candlelit dinner for your loved one’s return from work gets the message across too. If you choose to go down the same route as Sex and the City’s Samantha during her infamous sushi moment, make sure you keep your telephone handy just in case your other half doesn’t turn up.

How to express your love, tip 6: Think like a teenager

If you want to get all cute and cheesy about your confession, revert your brain back to your school years. Write a high school style love note saying “I love you. Do you love me?” followed by three check boxes titled ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘maybe’, then wait in anticipation for the reply.

How to express your love, tip 7: Take the simplistic approach

Instead of beating about the bush here, let’s just get down to the nitty-gritty. I love you. There we go, I said it. I love you I love you I love you. This is perfect for the type of person who isn’t fond of making grand gestures and if it’s good enough for the Mills and Boon novels, it’s good enough for us...

Top 5 breakup foods

Source: realbuzz.com

5 breakup foods and their healthy alternatives

Following a breakup, many of us naturally turn to high-calorie foods to help ease the pain and make us feel better. However, a diet of junk food can have implications on your health and appearance that will stick with you long after your ex has become a distant memory. Fortunately, there are many foods that will satisfy your cravings without compromising your health. Here are 5 common breakup foods and their healthy alternatives, to help get you through your breakup feeling better than ever.

Ice cream

Ice cream is one of the world's most popular comfort foods. However, the frozen dessert is packed with calories, meaning that working your way through litres of the stuff will more likely leave you feeling guilty, bloated and sluggish than comforted.
Indulge your cravings without the guilt by replacing ice cream with a low fat tub of frozen yoghurt - or fruit sorbet, if you are feeling particularly saintly. With the many flavours of frozen yoghurt available today, switching your frozen treat does not have to mean compromising on taste. For an added health boost, try sprinkling some walnuts on your dessert to up your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help improve your mood.

Chocolate

Chocolate is another food frequently in demand following a breakup. Unfortunately, chocolate - like many of our favourite treats - is high in fat and sugar. However, if you find yourself craving chocolate following a breakup, there is no need to completely deny yourself.
Chocolate contains relaxing magnesium, soothing anandamide and mood-boosting phenylethylamine, making chocolate a good mood food. To safeguard your health, try snacking on dark chocolate instead of milk, and limit your intake to a few squares a day. Alternatively, try switching your chocolate bar for some chocolate-covered strawberries or raisins to up the nutritional value of your snack.

Crisps and chips

Family-sized bags of potato or tortilla chips are all too tempting to tuck into in the face of a breakup. However, not only are crisps packed with fat, calories and salt, but they have next to no nutritional value, so munching on them is unlikely to leave you feeling great.
To satisfy cravings while improving your health and waistline, try swapping crisps for some lightly seasoned popcorn; a healthy wholegrain snack that is lower in fat than crisps, higher in fibre, and packed with antioxidants and nutrients. Popcorn also contains B vitamins, which have great mood-boosting properties.

Pizza

Few of us feel like cooking when we are down, so pizzas and takeaways might seem like a good meal option following a breakup. However, while the odd slice of pizza is unlikely to do you any harm, making pizza a regular part of your diet is likely to take its toll on your health, mood and appearance.
Fortunately, pizza is a "junk food" that actually has many healthy elements when done right, so next time you are tempted by a pizza, try forcing yourself out in the kitchen to prepare a healthy version instead. To make a healthier pizza, try replacing the dough with some wholegrain ciabatta or pitta bread, and pile on the veg. While it is also wise to go easy on the mozzarella, a bit of cheese could actually do you good due to its high levels of tryptophan ; an amino acid which boosts serotonin.

Cakes and cookies

If cakes and cookies are your weakness, it may be worth switching to some lower fat alternatives to help you stay in shape while braving your breakup. To replace the cookies, opt for some chocolate or caramel flavoured rice or corn cakes, which are lower in fat, calories and cholesterol. Alternatively, try some dried fruit oatcakes, or a healthy fruit and seed bar.
If you are craving something sweet but slightly more stodgy, try replacing cakes with hot-cross buns, malt loaf or sweet bagels, which are lower in fat than cake (so long as you go easy on the margarine!) and also have a higher nutritional value. Alternatively, try some pure fruit spread on toast or crumpets for an easy, healthy and comforting sweet snack.

10 ways to conquer jealousy

Source: realbuzz.com

Giving the green eyed monster the boot

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but green does not look good on you. Jealousy is a common trait in all walks of life, but too much of it can be unhealthy. Here are 10 ways to give jealousy the boot and become comfortable with who you are.

Big yourself up

Stare into a mirror and you’re looking back at your biggest critic. Jealous people are often too busy being envious to realize they’re pretty great themselves. Once you learn to identify the positive aspects of your life, you’ll soon start to focus on nurturing and developing more of these while those jealous thoughts slip away.

Judge your jealousy

Are you feeling envious of a friend who has the perfect job and the body of a Greek goddess? That’s fair enough. Do you feel rage-inducing jealousy when your boyfriend makes polite conversation with a waitress? Not so understandable. Unhealthy jealousy can lead to serious problems in your relationships with others, and should be quelled at the first opportunity.

Realise nobody is perfect

The grass is always greener on the other side. It’s more than likely that all of those people you are jealous of have plenty of problems and insecurities of their own. You could even make a note of someone’s faults (in your head!) if you are feeling jealous of them. When you start to accept that nobody is perfect, your jealousy will become far less obsessive and time consuming.

Ditch social media

A study conducted in Germany found that almost a third of people found social media to be an overall negative experience because they felt jealous of their friends. In fact, the research described Facebook as a ‘breeding ground of invidious feelings’ that can lead users into an ‘envy spiral’. Scary stuff. Go social media free for a few weeks and you’ll avoid this online envy.

Be open

If you’re feeling jealous of your partner or a friend, keeping it bottled up inside isn’t going to help anybody. Try to be open about how you’re feeling, but make sure you do it in a positive way. Instead of pointing the finger and getting angry, discuss how you feel and work together to come up with a solution.

Make it positive

Jealousy isn’t always a bad thing. Are you envious of your colleague with a perfect figure? Instead of staring daggers at them while you hide behind the photocopier, make it your goal to shift a few pounds and achieve a hot body of your own. Who knows, they can probably help if you ask for some tips!

Trace it back

Do you find yourself feeling aggressive, with your self-esteem at an all time low? It could be caused by jealousy. Research carried out at Pennsylvania State University found that otherwise healthy people could become lonely and more prone to violence simply by feeling jealous. Trace these feelings back to jealousy and realize how bad it truly is for you – you’ll ditch it in no time.

People are jealous of you as well

We guarantee that at some point, somebody has been jealous of you. Your super hot friend might be jealous of your great job. And that guy from school that lives in a mansion now? He’s green with envy over how close you are to your family. So why waste time being jealous of others when you’re pretty darn great yourself?

Don’t feel guilty

Jealousy isn’t the most enjoyable of feelings, but it is perfectly normal. If you start to beat yourself up over how often you are jealous of other people, you’ll gradually become more negative about yourself, and more envious of others. This is a dangerous cycle you do not want to get caught up in. Instead, accept the jealousy, address it positively, and move on.

Ignore your ex

One of the most common people to feel jealousy over is an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend. They might have moved on faster than you, or lost a bit of weight since you broke up. So what? They’re out of your life now, and there was a good reason for that. Now is the time to focus on yourself, meet somebody new, and move on with your life.

7 relationship rules you need to break

Rule-breaking equals relationship success

If you’ve ever wanted to be a renegade, here is your chance. We are giving you permission to flaunt your rebellious side and break free of the relationship rules you’ve been sticking to for so long. Here we show you what rules you need to break and how they will help you to achieve relationship success.

Forgive and forget

Forgiveness is a great thing. It is something that every relationship needs if things are going to work. Yet forgiving your boyfriend or girlfriend when they repeatedly upset you or break your relationship rules is not a great thing; it is in fact disastrous.
If your partner continuously breaks your rules then don’t forgive and don’t forget. Instead, you need to ditch them. If you don’t then your partner will continue to behave as they do and this will ruin your self-esteem and make you feel miserable and bitter.

Never say never

If you’ve been after that hot guy or gorgeous girl for months now and they still won’t go out with you, don’t listen to those people that tell you, ‘Never say never’. If something was going to happen between you and the girl or guy you like, then it would have happened by now.
Granted, after pursuing someone for months you might find that they finally agree to one date.  Yet really, is that what you want? Do you want to have to persuade someone to date you? A good, solid relationship comes from mutual attraction and you can’t force these things. If you could persuade someone to like you then we’d all be going out with the Ryan Goslings and Beyoncés of this world.

Boys will be boys

The saying ‘Boys will be boys’ has meant that men around the world have been getting away with behaving badly for far too long. This seemingly innocent phrase gives people the impression that men have an innate, predetermined characteristic that makes them misbehave and that they don’t do so by choice.
If you are going to break just one of these relationship rules, let it be this one.

Sleep on it

Of all the terrible ideas in the world, this must be one of the worst. After having a blazing row with your boyfriend or girlfriend you should never, ever try to sleep on it. In fact that must be one of the worst things you can do. By sleeping on it you give the bad mood that has been brewing between you the chance to continue and grow. You will also end up having a terrible night’s sleep, which won’t help you tackle the issues you need to solve with a clear mind.
Although you may not be able to resolve every fight before you go to bed, make the effort to at least be on speaking terms with your partner. This way, you give your anger a time limit, meaning that those bad feelings can’t seep into the next day. Thus, you’ll both wake up feeling close enough to face whatever issues you have.

Never mix business with pleasure

When you’re at school you are constantly meeting people, yet as you get older opportunities for meeting ‘The One’ grow slimmer and slimmer. Therefore, why limit your pool of potential dates by vowing to never mix business with pleasure? Although work relationships can be awkward, if handled well they actually have lots of benefits.
According to a recent survey 19 per cent of 28 to 39 year olds meet their spouse at work and 15 per cent of 18 to 27 year olds meet the love of their life in the workplace. Although we don’t advise hitting on your boss or getting it on in the stationery cupboard, mixing business with pleasure can be great if you’re cautious and sensible. Remember to check what your work’s policy is on employees dating each other before you announce your affair at the work’s annual meeting though.

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it

Many people think that once you’ve found someone who you love and who loves you back, then the hard work is over. Yet, committing to a long-term relationship is when the hard work really begins. A good relationship requires lots of dedication and effort to keep it strong and enjoyable.
Therefore, to make your relationship work, don’t stick to the rule that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. In fact do the very opposite. Be aware of ways you can improve your relationship and be open to new things you can both try to keep your relationship fresh, fun and strong.

There are plenty of fish in the sea

Although there is not just one person out there for you, constantly telling yourself that there are plenty of fish in the sea may make you blasé about your relationship and it may mean that you won’t try to make your relationship work. Relationships aren’t easy. They require a lot of work. Therefore, if you think that there are plenty of other fish in the sea you may bail on your partner when you come to the first hurdle, thinking there are better ones out there.
Instead, understand that although there may be other people out there for you, whoever you end up with the relationship will require effort, work and sacrifice.

Source: realbuzz.com

10 biggest romance myths

Romantic sayings that need to be forgotten

Romantic movies, books and friends fill our heads with romantic myths and then we get disappointed when our fairytale notion of love does not live up to our expectations. Here we debunk some of the biggest romance myths and tell you the real truth that lies behind these 10 common romantic sayings.

All is fair in love and war

Whoever made this saying famous did us no favours This huge romantic myth is terrible and is only ever tossed about when people have treated us badly and are looking for an excuse to validate their behavior, even though there is no excuse and this a lousy way to try and escape the blame they deserve.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

We’ve all heard someone say this before and although for some people distance can be a good thing, the reality of a long-distance relationship is hard work, lonely nights and a bucket load of worry. Being away from the person you love is never going to be easy, yet this romantic myth tries to sugarcoat the challenge to make it sound positive.

The first year of marriage is the hardest

Married life can be tough, but how many people do you know that have filed for a divorce in the first year? Not many, unless you count the celeb A-listers amongst ‘people you know’. Although we’re not saying the first year of marriage isn’t hard, is it really the hardest? Chances are the truly tough times come much later in life when money, health and family related stresses take their toll on couple life.

Love at first sight

Sparks flying across the room, heart beating in your chest, knees knocking – it’s the stuff of fantasy surely? Well, although it might sound like clichés from a romantic novel the attraction and lust phase of love is real and there are physical ‘symptoms’ associated with these stages, such as losing your appetite. Yet, lust should not be confused with love and this romantic phase definitely mistakes attraction for falling head over heels in love.

Opposites attract

This romance myth is normally said by a kind friend who wants to give you hope when you’re after someone you’re not suited to. Yet, a recent study suggests that this romantic phrase holds little truth and that actually people are attracted to people who are similar to themselves and who are in a similar league of attractiveness.

Love is blind

Okay, so we know that sometimes love can make us do things we might not normally do, but if you gain 100 pounds or lose three teeth, chances are your partner won’t be happy and they won’t be as attracted to you. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your partner will love you no matter what and do your best to keep in shape.

Treat them mean, keep them keen

Treating people mean and keeping them keen may sound like a great way to make someone like you, but what happens next when they do fall for you? You’re left with someone who might not trust you and someone who might always be waiting for you to be cruel again. If you follow this method to make people like you you’re destined for doomed relationships.

Kisses on a text tells you how they feel

The amount of kisses the person you like puts onto a text does not indicate how they feel about you and you should never use this as a way to analyse your relationship. Some people are kiss happy and even scatter their work emails with xoxo, whilst other people are more reserved. If you want to really know how the person you like feels about you you’re going to have to be big and brave and ask them.

Once a cheater, always a cheater

Cheating is not excusable, but if you think that in your situation your partner deserves your forgiveness then remember that just because they did it once does not mean they will do it again. Although this doesn’t mean they definitely won’t cheat on you again, if you want to move forwards with one another you have to learn how to trust them again and you can’t do this if you believe this romantic myth.

Healthy couples don’t argue

Blazing rows and furious fights don’t sound like the ingredients for a healthy relationship, but arguing and disagreeing are a part of every couple’s lives and to argue does not mean you are in an unhealthy relationship. Obviously arguing all the time is bad and if you seem to bicker regularly it might be time to sit down and talk things through, but heated discussions are a part of life and can release built up frustrations – just make sure you make up before you go to sleep.

Source: realbuzz.com

10 Signs You’re In A Rebound Relationship

If you’ve moved on quickly since your last relationship or you find yourself still thinking about your ex, you may be wondering whether you’re on the rebound. While it’s possible for a rebound relationship to turn into something more, it’s important to identify where you are so you can be honest with yourself and your partner. Here are 10 signs you’re in a rebound relationship.

1. You try to bump into your ex
Have you ever ‘innocently’ planned a date at a restaurant you used to frequent with your ex or took a romantic stroll past your ex’s workplace with your new partner? No matter how much you try to tell yourself it’s just a coincidence, could it be that you are secretly planning to bump into your ex with your new partner in the hope of making them a teeny bit jealous? While most of us have felt the urge to show our ex what they’re missing, if making your ex jealous is a main motivating factor for your relationship, you are almost definitely on the rebound.

2. It’s all about the competition
If you view moving on as a competition and are preoccupied with the idea of finding someone new, falling in love and moving on to the next relationship milestone before your ex, then you are most likely on the rebound. While it can be hard to deal with your ex finding someone new while you’re still hurting and single, try to remember that moving on is not a competition you need to “win”. Stop focusing on what your ex is up to and concentrate on your own life, taking things at your own pace.

3. You need an ego boost
Breakups can be pretty devastating for your self-esteem, particularly if your relationship ended on a bad note, and this is one reason many people try to move on to somebody new quickly. However, it’s important to remember that your new dating partner is not just there to boost your ego. If you have an inkling you are rushing into a new relationship to boost your low self-esteem, it may be time to take some time out from dating to work on your confidence alone.

4. They don’t match up to your checklist
While it’s perfectly fine (and can even be beneficial) to date against your ‘type’, if you find that you are dating somebody who doesn’t have any of the important character traits you’d like your other half to have, it may be that you have fallen into the “anyone is better than no one” mindset in your desperation to get back on the dating scene. If you are of the opinion that anyone will do, it’s safe to say you are in a rebound relationship.

5. They’re just like your ex
On the other hand, maybe you are dating exactly according to your type, with that type being your ex. If you find others have been commenting on the similarity of your new partner to your ex or you find yourself falling into the exact same relationship pattern you had with your previous partner, this may be a sign you are trying to replace your ex. Rather than rushing into an identical relationship (which clearly didn’t work out the first time) take some time to think about what you really want and to properly get over your ex.

6. You’re moving too fast or too slow
While there are no hard and fast rules about how quickly a relationship should move along, if you find yourself talking about moving in together or thinking of baby names after a couple of weeks, or if you still know next to nothing about your partner months down the line, you could be in a rebound relationship. Trying to fast forward your relationship to the same stage as your last one is a classic sign of a rebound relationship. Alternatively, retaining emotional distance after some time together could be a sign that you view your relationship as something temporary.

7. You over-share
When you’re getting to know someone new, it is natural to share stories about your past. However, if you find yourself over-sharing details about your ex, it could be a sign that you are not yet over them. While you may feel that you are just being honest and open with your new partner, it should raise a red flag that your former partner is on your mind so much while you are spending time with your new one.

8. You’re constantly comparing
While you may have refrained from actually talking about your ex, if you find yourself mentally comparing your new partner with your ex all the time, this is another sign you are not over them. While it is good to acknowledge the ways this relationship is better for you than your past one, it is important to appreciate each relationship and person in their own right, rather than constantly holding them up for comparison.

9. You never really healed
How did you feel before you entered into this new relationship? If you can honestly answer that you were in a happy and emotionally stable place prior to meeting your new partner then this is great news. However, if you feel that you still had some unresolved emotions and hurt from your last relationship, it may be that you are using this relationship to distract yourself so that you don’t have to deal with these negative emotions.

10. You feel unhappy when you’re alone
If find yourself feeling down, lonely and confused when you are away from your partner, it may be a sign that you have not yet dealt with emotions from your last relationship. Many people rush into new relationships to distract themselves from negative feelings arising from a recent breakup; however spending time with someone new is only a temporary distraction and the feelings are likely to still be there waiting for you to deal with them.

Source: ph.she.yahoo.com

The 4 Best Valentine’s Day Make-Up Looks: From The Ultimate Red Lip To Luscious Lashes

Just when you thought you’d recovered from the dizzying heights of sugar-laden Christmas treats, desserts and many a mulled wine, the New Year only goes and throws a whole new holiday right in your freshly detoxed complexion. Yep, that’s right girls, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and with it will come, as per usual, more clichés than a Cadbury’s Milk Tray. But fret not fellow Graziettes, as whether you’re single (or taken); we reckon V Day is the perfect opportunity to embrace a flirty beauty look. Whether you want to make the most of your lashes, cheeks, lips or hair, we’ve pulled together the ultimate kiss-me-quick make-up looks that’ll have you totally smitten.

1. Luscious Lashes

 Enchanting the opposite sex is much easier when you’re rocking a stellar pair of flirty lashes- trust us on this one. Transform stubby lashes into borderline falsies with a coat of L’Oreal Paris’ False Lash Flutter Mascara, £10.99 which seriously impressed us beauty ladies. L’Oreal Paris’ first-ever double-winged butterfly brush, together with special fibres to lengthen the look of lashes to a whole new level will guarantee some real fluttery volume. Got some cash to splash? Then stock up on Guerlain’s amazing Noir G Mascara, £36- the first-ever refillable mascara with an integrated mirror. We love!

2. Red Lips

Punch up your pout with a lip-smacking shade of red.  Guaranteed to turn some heads, this look is totally gorgeous and easier than you think to pull off- just keep the rest of your make-up clean and simple to really highlight your lips. Think a little blush, a thin sweep of black eyeliner and a coat of black mascara. The classic reds? We love MAC’s Ruby Woo, £15 and Lipstick Queen’s Sinner 90 Percent Pigment in Red Sinner, £20. Just remember the golden rule and prep your lips beforehand to ensure total kissability. Try Bliss’ Fabulips Sugar Lip Scrub, £16 which is a sure-fire way to a polished pout.

3. Get Cheeky

Nothing says provocative more than a rosy glow so make like the models at Caroline Herrera and arm yourself with a stellar blush to really make your skin pop. A cream formula will create the most natural-looking glow and the application is foolproof thanks to a sheer and blendable formula. To find your best shade, gently pinch your cheeks and match your blush to the colour you see. Try Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush, £7.99- a real Grazia beauty fave.

4. Get Plaiting

Potentially the ultimate in romantic hairstyles, the effortless plait just oozes come-get-me-ness and will really highlight your cheekbones to boot. What’s more, with a whole host of ways to wear the style, it’s the perfect look for long and short haired ladies alike. The best bit? Come the following morning, simply unravel your plait to reveal naturally textured tresses- totally gorgeous!

Source: ph.she.yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

10 Best Valentine’s Day Perfumes

Grazia – Thu, Feb 6, 2014 9:46 PM PHT

When it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts, sometimes the classics are the best. Call us old-fashioned but us beauty ladies would be chuffed with a nice box of chocolates, beautiful bouquet of flowers and gorgeous new perfume. And there are plenty of fresh new scents to choose from to set the mood. Whether you prefer something sweet and feminine or rich and sensuous, click through the gallery above to see our pick of the ten loveliest perfumes for Valentine's Day…

By Sarah Royce-Greensill

Romantic Valentine Surprises

By Cecile Baltasar for Yahoo Southeast Asia – Mon, Feb 10, 2014 1:29 PM PHT

Nothing gives Valentine's Day an extra layer of cheese than perfectly planned and expertly executed surprises. Check out these six true stories, for example. They’re the very reasons that make Valentine season all about love.

High school harana
"There was a school event when we were in high school that required the boys to wear their Barong Tagalog.  After the event, I was asked by a friend to go with her to the restroom.  I was suspicious, but I went with her anyway.  When we got back to the classroom, I saw that the chairs in the middle had been pushed to the sides. Standing at the front of the classroom was a group of about 15 guys in their barong—plus shades—and one of them had a guitar at the ready. My not-yet-boyfriend, who was courting me then, gave a signal and the group began singing. Their song choice? "Harana" by Parokya ni Edgar. Yes, uso pa rin ang harana." -Camille, architect

Reversed roles
“On our first Valentine together, I made it explicitly clear to my then boyfriend, who’s 11 years younger than me, that I didn't want a fancy date. But secretly, I’d asked a florist friend to deliver a bouquet of blue roses to my boyfriend. The card simply said, "Just because it's a Tuesday." He was speechless and later admitted that it was the first time he received flowers from a girl. I knew he was expecting a date with me that night, but I told him we had to visit my cousin in the hospital. For my surprise, though, I’d conspired with the driver to drop us off a block away from the hospital, at a posh hotel. I’d reserved a table for two, where dinner and wine were waiting. I wanted to, even for a day, make him feel all the things he makes me feel every day. And that got him—hook, line, and sinker. Today, this 39-year-old woman is married to that 28-year-old. And she is still counting flowers he sends her, V-day or no V-day.” -Mayling, college professor

Also read: When He's Ready To Marry You

Bear-y love
“When I was in third-year college, my boyfriend gave me a surprise I’ll never forget. It has to do with teddy bears, which I collect. I was in the cafeteria with my friends when my boyfriend ran in, all sweaty, and asked me to go with him to the field. What I found there blew my mind—my boyfriend used hundreds of teddy bears to spell out a huge “I love you” on the grass. So sweet!” -Jennifer, customer service representative

Love in the time of Hunger Games
“I already knew that my girlfriend was a huge Hunger Games fan even before we went steady. So I used that to ask her to be my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day last year. I printed out clues using Hunger Games trivia and hid them all throughout her house. For the last clue, the instructions were to go outside to the garden. There, she found me under their mango tree (which I had strung up with Christmas lights). I was holding flowers in one hand and in another, I held up a sign that said, “Will you be the Katniss to my Peeta?” We’ve been together since then.” -Bryan, college student

Also read: How To Make Him 'Kilig'

Run, Forrest, Run
“I’d just finished a 21k run in Nuvali, and I wasn’t expecting my girlfriend to be there. We had plans to meet up for a late lunch in Makati. That’s why I was so surprised to see her at the finish line. She brought me to her car, which was parked under some trees. She had laid out a breakfast picnic inside. She folded down the back seat, spread out a picnic blanket and filled it with all my favorite breakfast food. She even brought out folding chairs so we could use the open trunk as a table. That’s been my favorite run, so far.” -Quito, entrepreneur

The ultimate Valentine
“Three years ago, on Valentine’s Day, I was surprised and a little confused when I found a small red envelope in my bag that had a card inside with a single word on it: “Will.” When I went down to my suki Starbucks that afternoon for my usual mocha frap, the barista there, who already knew me, gave me another red envelope with my order. In the envelope was another card that said, “You.” I called my then-boyfriend to ask if he was behind the cards, but he never answered. When I was getting ready to leave the office, my boss walked to my cubicle and handed me a third red envelope. The card read, “Marry me?” I screamed when I read that and when I looked up, I saw my boyfriend walking to me with a long-stemmed red rose. He got down on one knee, held out a ring box, and asked me, “Please?” Of course, how could I say no after all that?” -Marilen, copywriter

Source: ph.she.yahoo.com

What is love for you guys? For me, love is a feeling that sometimes you cannot explain. It cannot be sold or bought. Love is everywhere. Love is in the air. Some people say love is powerful to us. Its magically generates to us when Mr. or Miss right appears.

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Am I In Love? (source: http://dating.about.com/od/intimacy/tp/amiinlove.htm )

How Can I Tell If I'm In Love?

Wondering whether or not you've found true love? For some relationships it can be hard to tell, especially if you've never been in love before. Ask yourself the following questions so you'll know. 

Am I In Love Clue #1 - Physical Responses

One of the ways to know its love is by the physical responses you have to your partner when in their presence or thinking about them. Do you shiver? Get goosebumps? Blush? Sweat? Feel tingly all over? Cry when saying goodbye? Get stomach flip flops or butterflies? Feel like there is a lump in your throat? Can't stop smiling? Feel warm and fuzzy? All of these physical responses are indicators that you may have found true love, but only when paired up with the other clues in this list.

Am I In Love Clue #2 - Non-Obsessive Worry

You'll know when it's love by the way you worry about your parnter. Did they make it to work okay? Are they late because they were in an accident? Will they enjoy the dinner you painstakingly made for them? Of course, we all worry about our loved ones, but when you're in love with someone the worry takes on a different quality. At no point is it obsessive or negative however; rather, you are truly concerned for their well-being when in love.

Am I In Love Clue #3 - Wanting the World To Know

A common trait among couples who are in love is that they feel compelled to tell the world that they love one another. Whether it is wanting to yell at the top of your lungs from the rooftops, "I love you," or taking the celebratory nature of love towards a more traditional route (marriage), true love is characterized by wanting everyone to know just how happy you are together.

Am I In Love Clue #4 - Constant Reminders

You know you're in love when almost everything you experience reminds you of your partner. From the kind of coffee they drink to the smell of their cologne/perfume, from the way they say, "Hi!" to the silly way they tie their shoelaces, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, it all comes back to your partner.

Am I In Love Clue #5 - Positive Thoughts

Being in love with someone means that you (mostly) see them through rose-colored glasses. In What is True Love, positive thoughts about your partner are a crucial element to continued love for your partner. In some circles this phenomena might be called "doing no wrong", but with healthy optimism and realism.

Am I In Love Clue #6 - Reciprocated Feelings

If your partner tells you that their feelings mirror yours in a romantic, deep, loving fashion, then your love is likely blooming, or ready to move to the next level.

Am I In Love Clue #7 - Feeling Good

There's flying high on a cloud with loving feelings, and then there's feeling good about yourself. If your partner makes you feel like a million dollars when you're together, or that you can conquer anything because they have unswerving faith in you, then there's a good chance you're in love.

Am I In Love Clue #8 - No Pressure

In many a romantic relationship, there is some pressure to move things to the next level. In this case however we're talking about feeling pressured by your partner to do something you're not willing or ready to do - such as prioritizing them before your work or having sex. You may want to do these things, but when you're truly in love they are your choice alone and do not occur because of being pressured by your partner.

Dating Rules to Meet Someone (source: http://dating.about.com/od/rulesetiquette/tp/MeetSomeoneDatingRules.htm)

Struggling to meet someone new? Following these simple yet insightful dating rules might be just be exactly what you need.

Love Yourself First

Have you ever noticed that happy people get more attention? And if you are happy with yourself, it shows. So in order to attract more people into your life for dating purposes, focus on the things that make you happy. Try writing a large piece of paper full of ideas that you can use in a pinch, such as taking a hot bath, going for a bike ride or filling your home with plants. Then, pick three items from this list every day with conscious effort, knowing that the time you take tending to increasing your own personal joy will increase the pull others feel to learn more about who you are.

Cut Ties To Your Ex

Although this dating rule may be contentious for some readers, it is still an important step in the dating process. Just like a spring cleaning clears your space of clutter and cobwebs, removing an ex still present in your life after a breakup can free you to meet someone new. Of course there are circumstances where this may not be possible - such as if you have children together or work in the same office. But whenever possible, you need to remove your ex from your personal life, even if it is only temporary.

Let Go of Dating Myths

Dating is exhausting and not worth my time. I'll never meet The One. All the good ones are taken.

These three statements are myths about dating that seriously require thought if they are going through your head. Dating isn't about negative thoughts; its about meeting as many interesting people as you can while having faith that you'll meet someone special.

Following this dating rule means you need to stop focusing on the person you are trying to meet, and focus on the spotlight instead on yourself.

Face Your Dating Fears

Feeling anxious or upset about the prospects of meeting someone new usually translates into fear. If the thoughts of never meeting someone special, being upset that your last partner refused to commit, or convincing yourself you aren't worth dating are taking over your thought processes, it is time to face your dating fears. By not following this dating rule and ignoring the issues, your inability to risk losing your heart will stop you from meeting someone special.

(Learn How To Flirt ) 

Too attract new people, you'll need to show them you are interested - which means learning how to flirt. Virtually every single first encounter that leads to more starts with a smile, so this dating rule suggests smiling at everyone you encounter, without qualification. As well, understanding body language is a crucial part of meeting someone new and cannot be overlooked.

Accept All Dates

If you want to follow the rules of dating to meet someone new, its time to stop making snap decisions about the people who ask you out for a date. If someone asks you for coffee, it is your responsibility to accept it, barring any issues with safety of course. A date is just a date - not a marriage proposal. It'll only take an hour or two, and by accepting all dates you'll move closer to meeting someone special while perfecting your notions of what kind of person you'd like to have in your life.