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Bra Size Measuring Guide:
How to Find Your Bra Cup & Band Size

How a Bra Should Fit
(Keep Reading Bra Measuring Guide Below)

Did you know that 7 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra size! Popular shows like Oprah and TLC's What Not to Wear have dedicated entire shows to the subject. I began to wonder if perhaps I was wearing the bra size. I decided to do some research on behalf of all women on measuring a bra size. I will paraphrase the important parts about determining your bra size using 2 different methods.

What You Need to
Calculate Your Bra Size

Your favorite bra, flexible measuring tape, Trusted friend or bra department associate, and .... a little math!

Bra Measuring Method #1 (Best for Average to Large Busts)

Step 1: Put On Your Favorite Bra.
First put on your favorite bra that you think makes your breasts the right shape and feels most comfortable. Next you will need to find a flexible measuring tape (the kind a seamstress would use). You may also need to grab a trusted friend to help you measure, since it is difficult to keep the tape level around your body.

Step 2: Rib Cage + 5" = Band Size

Step 2:
Measure Around Rib Cage.
The first measurement to take is around your ribcage, just below your breasts. Now add 5 to this number to get your band size. If the resulting band size was an odd number, you will need to round up to the next even number since bra bands only come in even numbers.

Step 3: Bust - Band = Cup Size"

Step 3:
Measure Fullest Part of Bust.
The second measurement should be taken around the fullest part of your bosom with your favorite bra on. This measurement is your cup size. Next subtract your band size from your cup size to calculate the right cup size. Refer to the bra cup size chart below.

Bra Cup Size Chart (Method #1)

<1/2" larger than measurement #2--------------------AA
1" larger than measurement #2------------------------A
2" larger than measurement #2------------------------B
3" larger than measurement #2------------------------C
4" larger than measurement #2------------------------D
5" larger than measurement #2------------------------DD or E
6" larger than measurement #2------------------------DDD or F
7" larger than measurement #2------------------------G
8" larger than measurement #2------------------------H
9" larger than measurement #2------------------------I
10" larger than measurement #2-----------------------J

Bra Measuring Method #2 (Best for Average to Small Busts)
Step 1:
Wear Your Favorite Bra.
I know it seems odd (especially if you are already wearing the incorrect bra size) to put on a bra to measure for a bra, but it is the best way to get the most accurate measurement. Choose a bra that is comfortable, fits you best and makes your breast the right shape.

Step 2: Rib Cage + 5" = Band Size
Step 3: Width of Breast = Cup Size

Step 2:
Measure Around Your Rib Cage for Band Size.
Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the circumference of your rib cage just below your breasts. Add 5 inches to this measurement and round to the nearest even number See #2 measurement on the picture to the right.

Step 3:
Measure Width of Breasts for Cup Size.
This is what makes Method #2 different than Method #1. It tends to be more accurate on petite or small breasted women, but can work for many breast sizes. Measure breasts for from one end to the other. In other words, from the outer front edge of one breast mound to the other. Do not wrap around the sides of the breasts. See #3 measurement on the picture to the above. Refer to the table below to find your cup size.

Bra Cup Size Chart (Method #2, Measurement #3)

7" measurement #3------------------------A
8" measurement #3------------------------B
9" measurement #3------------------------C
10" measurement #3-----------------------D
11" measurement #3-----------------------DD
12" measurement #3-----------------------DDD or E
13" measurement #3-----------------------F
14" measurement #3-----------------------FF
15" measurement #3-----------------------G

The above charts are just a guideline of what size to start with at the bra department. You may need to go up or down a band or cup size to get the perfect fit.

After all my research about finding the right bra size, my measurements put me in the somewhat embarrassing category of 32A (UPDATE: after using method #2 for measuring, I found the correct size at 32B). I did indeed fall in the 7 out of 10 women who are wearing the wrong bra size. I figured models have smaller breasts right? It can't be that bad. So I was off to the store to try on what I thought to be my measured bra size. The only problem was a 32A was giving me four breasts (you know the double-bubble affect) instead of two! I was back to square one asking myself what's my bra size?

What the Right Bra Size Shouldn't Do

With so many ladies wearing the wrong bra size, I thought I would take a moment to discuss the signs that you might be wearing the wrong size bra. Below is a list of no-nos when it comes to bra fit.

Breasts should not fall out below the bra when raising your hands above your head. If they do try, going down a band size
The middle part of your bra that sits between your breasts should sit flat on your rib cage. If it doesn't try, going up a cup size.
The band of your bra should stay level around the circumference of your body. A band that rides up in the back means your band size is too big.
The bra straps should only be 10% of the support your bra gives. If your bras straps are doing all the work, consider going down a band size.
Breasts should fit comfortably into the bra cup with no overflow, double-bubble, or wrinkles in the bra fabric.

Your bra band should not be giving you the illusion of back fat. If this is happening try a larger band size or a difference style bra.

10 Beauty Tips for Men:

· Tip in Total #1
There is something mysteriously intriguing about a man with a five o’clock shadow, but for some men, it’s more like a five o’clock disaster. If your hair grows back in a weird way or is different colors, try to maintain your facial hair by keeping a clean-shaven face.

· Tip in Total #2
Start using moisturizer every day to maintain healthy skin. Men and woman both get wrinkles, so there is no reason not to take care of aging skin.

· Tip in Total #3
Start using facial cleansers for your face instead of using the soap you use on the rest of your body. You’ll have healthier skin as well as fewer breakouts.

· Tip in Total #4
When you’re going to be exposed to the sun, wear sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent you from squinting, and potentially causing more wrinkles on your face.

· Tip in Total #5
While you want to keep the hair on your head growing, it’s preferable to keep hair from growing out of your nose. Use a specialized trimmer to keep your nose hair at bay.

· Tip in Total #6
Your eyebrows are two separate patches of hair, and you should keep them apart by tweezing regularly. Just remember, unibrows are only attractive on dogs. Trim your eyebrows if they are big and bushy

· Tip in Total #7
Another important subject regarding shampoo is dandruff, or skin cells shedding on your scalp. If you’ve got a dandruff problem, you may have to switch to prescription strength shampoo.

· Tip in Total #8
Never leave the house without first applying deodorant! Keep a stick in your car or locker at work if you tend to forget. No se ve bien sudor excessive. Botox

· Tip in Total #9
Don’t smoke. Smoking gives you wrinkles around your mouth, makes your fingernails yellow, and gives you cancer. Nothing else needs to be said.

· Tip in Total #10
If you’re looking to stay youthful for years to come, sunscreen is essential. Make sure you wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or better.

· Beauty Benefits of Dark Chocolate

· It's official: chocolate is no longer considered a junk food.

· Well, dark chocolate at least.

· It turns out that eating just a few squares of dark chocolate on a weekly basis can yield many beauty-boosting benefits, making this guilty pleasure a beauty-licious health food.

· The beauty benefits of dark chocolate are extensive, says Mary Engler, PhD, of the University of California San Francisco. Chocolate originates from cacao beans, which are abundant in flavanols -- antioxidants that protect your skin from UV damage and help fight wrinkles, lines, and skin discolorations. Fun fact: a cup of cacao can contain more antioxidants than a glass of red wine or green tea.

· A study conducted by "The Journal of Nutrition" found that participants who consumed chocolate high in flavonols (think dark chocolate) experienced improved skin texture and hydration, less sensitivity to the sun, and had 25 percent less skin redness.

· When choosing your chocolate, follow these tips from Tierry Muret, Godiva Executive Chef Chocolatier:

· 1. Check the ingredients label. Ideally, you want to get a dark chocolate that contains 70 percent cacao or more; if you see sugar or milk listed as the first ingredient, chances are you don't have the healthiest chocolate on your hands. Try Ghirardelli's Midnight Reverie, which contains 86 percent cacao.

· 2. Remember that bitter is better. The beneficial flavonoids give dark chocolate that bitter taste, so if you're looking for serious beauty benefits, you'll want your chocolate to have a little bitterness.

· According to Dr. Engler, 2 to 3 ounces of dark chocolate is all you need on a weekly basis, and be sure to keep track of your portion sizes. Despite its good qualities, this sweet treat is still a high-calorie food.

· · Dessert time just became a lot more appealing, right? Who knew looking good could be so tasty?

Common Beauty Myths

Beauty myths are often no more than old adages that are handed down to each generation. Some of these misconceptions are centuries old and just plain silly. While logic doesn't seem to play a big factor in beauty myths, they're still abundant. These common beauty myths are pure fiction and deserve to take their place in the "beauty myth hall of shame."

· Shaving your legs will make your hair grow in thicker.
You have as many hairs as is genetically determined, regardless of whether you shave them. However, shaving can make hairs appear "stubbier" and perhaps thicker.

· Drinking a lot of water leads to beautiful skin.
While drinking water is necessary for our bodies, too much will only result in bloating and too many trips to the bathroom.

· Dry skin causes wrinkles.
Not true. Most wrinkles are caused from the sun.

· You can wash acne and pimples away.
Scrubbing too vigorously will increase oil production and only aggravate the condition.

· The sun clears up blemishes.
While the sun will temporarily dry out pimples, it interferes with healthy skin cells. This can cause a worse breakout a couple days after sun exposure.

· Stick to one brand and line of products.
This beauty myth was probably put out by cosmetic manufacturers who want to keep customers loyal to their brand.

· You don't need to use sunscreen on a cloudy day.
The sun's UV rays penetrate clouds and can still damage your skin.

· Natural ingredients are non-allergenic.
Whether it's a natural or chemical ingredient, if your allergic to it, you'll see a reaction.

· Chocolate and greasy foods cause acne.

No one food has been proven to cause breakouts. If you find a correlation, quit eating that particular food.

· You can shrink the pores on your face.
Your pore size is genetically determined. Pores may appear larger by bacteria and dead skin cells. Retin-A and alpa hydroxys are designed to break up these materials and bring the pores back to their original appearance.

· Rinsing your hair in cold water will make it shiny.
False. Your hair will not shine any more than if you rinsed it in warm water.

Do's and Don'ts for Normal Skin

Normal skin is definitely the easiest skin type to take care of, but just because it’s normal doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require basic care routine. Just like any other skin type, normal skin still should be washed and moisturized daily in order to prevent dry skin or acne. Here are a few do’s and don’ts for normal skin.

Don’t smoke. Have you ever noticed the skin of someone that is a lifelong smoker? It looks tissue paper thin and is likely covered in wrinkles. Even if you do smoke, stop, in order to prevent this from happening to you. Check some negative effects of smoking on your skin, maybe they will help to quit smoking.

Don’t tan. Don’t fool yourself; there’s no such thing as safe tanning. Any kind of exposure to the sun will result in damage, from wrinkles, liver spots, and even skin cancer.

Don’t touch or rub your face. Touching your face transfers oil to your skin that can leave it clogged, which can cause acne to develop.

Don’t wash your face with soap, as it can irritate the skin. Always opt for a gentle cleanser, preferably without perfumes or colorants.

Do wash your face twice a day; once in the morning and again before you go to bed.

Do always take off your makeup before you go to bed, no matter how late it is or how tired you are. Makeup will clog the pores if left on for too long, which can cause acne to develop.

Do always use a moisturizer. Even if you don’t have particularly dry skin, moisturizer can help hydrate the skin. Without the hydration, skin can become dry and eventually promote wrinkles.

Do exfoliate once a week. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which in turn promotes the growth of new, healthy skin cells, and leaves your skin looking smoother.

Do use sun screen to protect your face when you go out in the sun. Our faces are the most exposed parts of our bodies and it sees the most sun damage. Use a moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 15 or use a sun screen in conjunction with your moisturizer. No matter what's the season, use skin moisturizers in winter and change your skin care routine in winter season as well.

Homemade Tips to Get a Glow on the Face

All women, young and old, want a natural radiance. While the young wake up with it every morning, maintaining a healthy glow as women age requires a little help. Fortunately, you can find ingredients right in your kitchen and medicine cabinets that can help you get a luminous glow within minutes for pennies. Twice weekly treatments can restore and maintain your complexion's youthful radiance.

Aspirin Treatment

o Salicylic acid is a well-known ingredient in exfoliating peels that is present in an everyday medication. Aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid, which you can use as a simple at-home exfoliator. Simply place four to five tablets of uncoated aspirin in the palm of your hand and drip a few drops of water on top of the tablets. Mix the tablets and water in your palm; the tablets will begin to dissolve into a paste. If your skin is dry, you can add a dollop of honey to the paste. Place the paste onto your clean, dampened face and let sit for up to 10 minutes. Wet your hands and dampen your face, then work the paste around for one to two minutes using gentle circular pressure (unless your skin is sensitive). Rinse well and pat dry. Your skin should be slightly pink, smooth and glowing.

Fruit Enzyme Masque

o To remove dulling dead surface skin cells and wake up your complexion, you can harness the power of fruit enzymes to give yourself a homemade peel that is suitable for even the most sensitive skins. Cut open a fresh mango or pineapple, mash up the fruit until it is pulpy and place on clean, dry face. For added soothing, add some mashed cucumber or dollop of honey if your skin is dry. Leave on for 10 minutes -- you may feel some slight tingling. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and dab your face dry. If you cannot get fresh fruit, substitute canned pineapple or pumpkin, as long as there are no added ingredients. With regular use, your skin tone will be more even and your skin care products will absorb better.

Yogurt and Honey Masque

o Yogurt contains lactic acid, which gently removes dead skin cells and aids in improving hydration. Honey is a humectant that absorbs water from the air and deposits it on the skin. Take 2 tbps. of plain yogurt (organic if possible) and a dollop of honey. Apply the mixture to a clean face, and leave it on until it dries. Remove by splashing with cool water and light pressure. To soothe sensitive skin and for added exfoliation, remove the mask using quick-cook oatmeal mixed with a bit of warm water to scrub off the masque, using circular motions and light pressure.

Strawberry Masque

o These berries are a terrific source of Vitamin C and salicylic acid, which help to tone and brighten the skin. The small seeds on the berries act as a natural skin polisher. Take three to four medium fresh strawberries and mash them into a paste -- use organic strawberries when possible. Mix in a dollop of honey and apply to a clean face. Leave the mask on for 10 to 20 minutes, wet your hands and gently massage the face for a minute or two, then rinse thoroughly. This mask is beneficial for acne-prone skin because the salicylic acid will gently exfoliate and the honey acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and has antiseptic properties

How To Get Rid Of Blackheads and Whiteheads?

The blackheads are a common problem that affects all skin types, especially those with oily skin. The blackheads and whiteheads usually occur around the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead.
The blackheads are caused by hardened masses of sebum, formed in the ducts or the sebaceous glands. They are direct result of skin pores becoming clogged with sebum and dead skin cells.

how to get rid of whiteheads

The whiteheads are tiny, pearly, white raised spots. They are caused due to excessive secretion of sebum oil. The whiteheads usually show up as tiny white spots around the eyes. The same lotions, creams and masks are recommended for whiteheads too.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to reduce the pore size, but you can minimize the amount of gunk that is clogged in them.
In order to prevent the appearance of blackheads you should follow a strict skin care regime. Daily skin cleansing is essential. Wash your face at least twice a day using oil and alcohol-free formulas.

Exfoliate three times per week; apply the exfoliator in circular motions to all affected areas, normally the nose, forehead and chin. The exfoliation encourages a newer, smoother skin surface by helping to unclog pores, prevent further breakouts and diminish blemishes and pigmentation spots. A regular old scrubbing will clean your complexion, but it is not enough powerful to banish the blackheads since they are an accumulation of dead skin cells, oil and pigment deep within the pores. If you want, some serious purging you should use a cleanser and a toner that contain salicylic acid every morning and night. Make sure you avoid using overly drying cleansers because they can increase your likelihood of experiencing skin irritations and breakouts.

Daytime protective moisturizers will help the skin maintain its suppleness and moisture.
It’s essential to keep the skin clean and hydrated with appropriate cleansing and care, in order to prevent the formation of blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

Another alternative for dealing with blackheads and enlarged pores are the pore strips. They pull away oil and the build up dirt from the nose, chin or forehead. The strips much be applied to wet skin for several minutes and then peeled away.

Another thing you can do is to ask your dermatologist to prescribe you some medicines, like Vitamin C and Vitamin A for example. These vitamins will speed up cell turnover and prevent old skin cells from clogging your pores.

The steaming is very important to loosen debris that may be imbedded into the skin. Steaming the face is also a useful technique for people with oily or combination skin. It helps control the blemishes, cleanse the face, open the pores and soften the content of the blackheads.
Boil a pan of water and make sure that you remove the pan from the stove. Stand directly over the steam and drape a small towel over your head for keeping the steam from escaping, because it will be more effective in opening the pores.
After steaming wrap a tissue around each of the fingers and apply gentle pressure each side of the blackheads. A little gentle pressure with a finger on each side of the blackhead will squeeze them out.

Remember how to get rid of blackheads:

Violent squeezing must not be used, because it always leads to the formation of little painful boils
Never use your fingernails as they can carry dirt and can cause further infection
Never prick the pimples, because doing so infects the surrounding area and leaves the scar behind which usually results in dark or red spots.

Masks:
Brook lime lotion

Leaves of brook lime 30gr.
Mineral/spring water 300ml.
Sodium benzonate ВЅ tsp
Boil the mineral/ spring water and put the brook lime leaves in it. Mix sodium benzonate in it. Mix well. Apply the mixture on the face using cotton. The lotion removes spots, blackheads and little pimples.

Salty deep pore cleanser

4 tsp baking soda
1 cup mineral water
First steam the face. Mix baking soda and one cup of hot water and stir well. Apply to the face and strip until the entire face is covered. Leave the mask on for approximate 10 minutes until it cools off. At the end apply moisturizer. The mask is good for deep cleansing of the pores and helps remove the outer deed skin cells from the face.

Blackheads removal

2 Tbs oatmeal
1tbs honey
Mix the oatmeal and honey together until mixed well. Warm the texture in a microwave. Apply the mask to the face and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Remove the mixture and rinse well with lukewarm water. Do the mask on a regular basis to help eliminate pores from getting plugged with debris.

Simple Salt Foot Scrub Recipe

This homemade foot scrub recipe uses salt and vinegar to deodorize feet and balance pH. Its combination of peppermint, lavender and black pepper essential oils relieves pain, improves circulation and relaxes your body while boosting healthy energy. Awesome!

Quick Links for Buying Foot Scrub Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients

1 cup (225g) Sea Salt or Epsom Salt
4 drops Peppermint essential oil
4 drops Lavender essential oil
2 drops Black Pepper essential oil
2 tablespoons (30ml) Cider Vinegar (per use)
1/4 to 1/2 cup Olive oil or Shea Butter (per use)

Directions

Measure the salt into a dark glass or PET plastic jar. Drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own spot on top of the salt.
Cap the jar and shake vigorously to mix the essential oils into the salt.
Let sit 24 hours to 'cure'. Store in a cool, dark place.
To use: Mix 2 tablespoons of the salt with 2 tablespoons Cider Vinegar or water to make a paste.
Massage the homemade foot scrub into your feet until your skin feels tingly.
Rinse away the salt scrub, then massage Olive Oil or Shea Butter into your feet. Slip into a pair of comfy cotton socks and relaaaax!