Vitamin D Deficiency

So I got my lab test back from my annual checkup with my doctor, and I thought everything turned out okay…except it wasn’t.  My Vitamin D level was below the specified range (30-100), so naturally I Googled everything there is to know about Vitamin D.

How to Get More Vitamin D

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  1. Go outside between the hours of 10am-2pm.  This is the cheapest (it’s FREE) and easiest way of taking in extra Vitamin D.  If you’re working indoors with no exposed windows (like me), take a break outside or walk during your lunch hour.  Asians are deathly afraid of the sun, but like plants we need sunlight to keep us healthy.  However, you need to take things in moderation and only stay out in the sun long enough to have your skin turn the lightest shade of pink. This may only be a few minutes for those who have very pale skin.  You can get 30% of your Vitamin D from just being outside.  Additionally, Vitamin D can help prevent cancer (see this article).  It is very difficult to get enough vitamin D from food sources alone, as very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and those that do will not contain enough to optimize your levels.
  2. Take Vitamin D supplements.  The Food and Nutrition Board recommends the daily intake of 600 IU for children and adults up to 70 years old, and 800 IU if you’re older.  There are different forms of Vitamin D you can take:
      • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the type of vitamin D the body naturally produces in the skin in response to sun exposure.  Cholecalciferol is 87% more potent in raising and maintaining vitamin D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage than does D2.  However, Vitamin D3 supplements are not vegetarian and are not likely to be derived from American products. If an individual has ethical concerns over D3, D2 can be an effective replacement.
      • Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from fungi and plants grown through UV lights.  Good vegan substitution for your Vitamin D supplement needs.  Some studies showed that ergocalciferol is comparable to cholecalciferol.
  3. Eat foods high in Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is oil soluble, which means you need fat to dissolve it.  You also still need to take 600 IU of Vitamin D.
      • Cod Liver Oil – not vegan (duh), but it’s a popular food product that is high in Vitamin A and D.  It also has 1000 IU per 100g serving.
      • Fortified Cereal – vegan, but not always gluten-free.  Check the labels to make sure it doesn’t contain any processed sugar and hydrogenated oil.  Cereals can provide over 3000 IU per 100g serving (2 cups).
      • Fish like herring, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and your basic sushi meal.  Raw fish is better than cooked fish, and canned fish in oil is better than canned fish in water.  This is a great way for pescaterian to get their Vitamin D, but not so much for vegans/vegetarians.  IUs depend on the type of fish, but herring has the most at over 1500 IU per 100g serving.
      • Other seafood like oysters and caviar.  These provide 1/3 to 1/2 of your daily IU recommendation, with raw oysters at 320 IU per 100g (269 at 6 oysters), and caviar at 230 IU per 100g.
      • Fortified tofu and soymilk.  Vegan and gluten-free.  Fortified Tofu can provide up to 157 IU per 100g serving (44 IU per ounce). Fortified Soy Milk can provide up to 49IU per 100g serving (119 IU per cup). Amounts of vitamin D vary widely between products, so be sure to check nutrition facts for vitamin D content.
      • Salami, Ham, Sausages can be taken in moderation since they are high in sodium and cholesterol.  They provide a little Vitamin D, averaging about 9% of your 600 IU per 100g serving.
      • Eggs, Cheese, Butter and Milk are good source of protein and calcium, but Vitamin D levels tend to be less than 100 IU per 100g serving.
      • Mushrooms, especially white button mushrooms provide 27 IU per 100g serving.

So the bottom line is that people are not taking enough Vitamin to protect their health.  While people can make vitamin D from the sun, getting too much sun increases the risk of skin cancer, so it’s not always the best way to get vitamin D.  By comparison, Vitamin D supplements of 800 to 1,000 IU per day are fairly inexpensive and safe and provide a reasonable approach to avoiding Vitamin D deficiency.

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Spring/Summer 2013 Hairstyle Trends: Knotted Buns, Plaited Braids, Textured Waves And Hair Accessories

Spring/Summer 2013 Hairstyle Trends: Knotted Buns, Plaited Braids, Textured Waves And Hair Accessories

The new year may have only just begun, but the Spring/Summer 2013 hair trends have already been unveiled! If you want to keep your hair on the cutting edge of fashion, consider trying out some of these brand-new styles.

Choose from the sophisticated ease of the bun with a new addition: intentional knots for dimension; get your low ponytail on with some simple hair accessories to add a new flare to the classic look, or try rocking some flowing waves for a carefree yet on-trend hair look. Read on to find out some of Spring/Summer 2013’s latest hair trends!

The Bun

Spring/Summer 2013 Hairstyle Trends: Knotted Buns, Plaited Braids, Textured Waves And Hair Accessories

The bun hairstyle is one of the best for Spring/Summer 2013. This season, it’s all about the intricacy of the bun, with knots added into the style to give it new dimension. Go for a combination of chignon and ballerina bun when creating your style to ensure you get a catwalk-ready look.

The Braid

Spring/Summer 2013 Hairstyle Trends: Knotted Buns, Plaited Braids, Textured Waves And Hair Accessories

Braids manage to appear incredibly complex while actually being deceptively simple. Have a go at recreating Jason Wu’s French braid (pictured), or braid sections of hair to create an equally stunning style. At Hershesons, you can buy braided headbands that can give you this look without any effort on your part whatsoever.

The Low Pony

Spring/Summer 2013 Hairstyle Trends: Knotted Buns, Plaited Braids, Textured Waves And Hair Accessories

The ponytails seen on the catwalk for the Spring/Summer 2013 season take this style to the next level. With the use of some of the simplest hair accessories available, you can style an ultra-low ponytail just like the ones seen at Michael Kors (pictured).

Waves

Spring/Summer 2013 Hairstyle Trends: Knotted Buns, Plaited Braids, Textured Waves And Hair Accessories

Gentle wavy hair conveys a sense of femininity and style. Whether your hair is naturally wavy or you use styling products to achieve this look, make sure the end result produces tumbling curls and gentle waves. You could use a heated curling iron when creating this style.

Accessories

Spring/Summer 2013 Hairstyle Trends: Knotted Buns, Plaited Braids, Textured Waves And Hair Accessories

Hair accessories are set to be more important than ever in 2013, and if Chanel’s recent creation (pictured) is anything to go by, your accessories should be as opulent as possible. Of course, you’ll still need your old favorites to do the behind-the-scenes work, so you should keep a good stash of elastics, pins and hairbands at the ready.

You can find all of the accessories and style tips you need to ensure you’re ready for 2013 right here at Hershesons.

Which Spring/Summer 2013 hair trend are you excited to try? Let us know by commenting below, which will automatically be posted to our Community Forum (click here to check it out!) where you can find other beauty related discussions! Don’t forget to also submit a photo to our Photo Of The Day (click here!) feature, where a new photo will be picked daily. Your photo just might be selected, so get going!

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7 Ways to Look Younger Using Just Makeup!

We all want to look our best, and by our “best” we usually mean younger. There are a lot of ways to help slow down the aging process. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, using sunscreen to help block harmful UV rays, and drinking a lot of water are just a few.  Getting the right amount of exercise also helps slow down the aging process.

Some women have the idea that the more makeup they apply the better they will look. But the truth is, using too much makeup can settle into fine lines and wrinkles that we acquire as we get older. This makes them stand out instead of covering them up. However, with the right tricks, turning back the clock can be as easy as opening your makeup bag.

1. Skip the Powder

As we age, we tend to lose the natural glow of our skin. You would think that powder, being lightweight and non-greasy would mean it’s a necessity but that’s not always the case. Powder can easily embed itself into the fine lines and wrinkles on your face, especially around your eyes and that will only exaggerate them. Also, adding powder to the skin can make it look cakey or dull.  Instead, opt for a foundation that is lightweight or a tinted moisturizer. This will help even out your skin tone without making it feel greasy and allow your skin to shine through.

My top pick: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation  (Amazon) (eBay) (Sephora) (Nordstrom)

2. Apply a Creamy Pink Blush

Just like face powder, a powder blush can set into the fine lines and wrinkles that occur over time. It can also make your skin appear dull. Opting for a cream blush adds a glow to your cheeks without overdoing it. Make sure you pick the right shade for your skin tone no matter if you have light, medium, or dark skin. Using a pink color will add a nice flush to your cheeks that will give them a more youthful appearance. Just remember to use clean fingers when patting the cream blush to your cheeks to avoid getting any germs into your pores

My top pick: NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic (Makeup Geek Store)

3. Curl your Lashes

Curling your lashes immediately makes the eye pop. With time, the eyelid begins to droop and eyelashes begin to flatten. You need to give the appearance of everything being pulled up. Curling your lashes gives the appearance of your eyes being more open and wide therefore looking more youthful.  Remember to apply a couple coats of mascara, but even if you don’t make sure you curl those lashes.

My top pick: Shu Uemura Lash Curler  (Amazon) (eBay)

Also: Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler (Amazon) (eBay)

4. Wear Plumping Lipgloss

Thinning lips is another sign of aging. Although you can’t turn back the clock and make your lips full like they once were, you can help give the effect of fuller more supple lips by using a plumping lipgloss. This will also help your lips feel fuller and appear thicker than normal. You will know when you have a good plumping lipgloss by the slight tingle on your lips. This lets you know it is working. You should however, avoid using dark colors as this will give your lips a shadow effect and actually make them appear smaller.

My top pick: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lipgloss in Bambi (Amazon) (eBay)

Also:  NYX Plump It Up Lip Plumper (Amazon) (eBay)

5. Conceal your Dark Circles

Whether it’s from lack of sleep, heredity, or age, having dark circles under your eyes will make you appear older than you actually are. Dark circles actually make your face look as if it is being drawn downward. The trick to correctly concealing them is not to use your normal concealer. Use a concealer that is peach or salmon color as this will help to counteract the blue color that most under circles tend to be. To add some brightness under the eye and make them appear more youthful, gently pat on a concealer over the corrector. Use one shade lighter than your natural skin color.  This will give automatically give a more youthful appearance to the eyes.

My top pick: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach (Amazon) (eBay) (Sephora) (Nordstrom)

Also: Makeup Forever Concealer Palette (Amazon) (eBay) (Sephora)

6. Wing Your Liner

Just like curling your eyelashes, winging out your liner can give an instant lift to your eyes. As we age, our eyes begin to somewhat droop.  By winging out your liner you are instantly giving your eyes the appearance that they are being pulled upward. Many women find that creating a winged eye is hard to do. The reality of it is having the proper tools and making sure to use a gel liner.  Use an angled eyeliner brush like the Makeup Geek Bent Liner Brush which sells for $3.79 USD. If you are uncertain how to use one of these brushes or how to achieve that cat eye, or winged liner effect, check out our video “How To: Use An Angled Liner Brush“.

My top picks: Makeup Geek Gel Liner in “Immortal” and Makeup Geek Bent Liner Brush

Also: Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in “Black” (Amazon) (eBay) (Nordstrom)

Unclotting Vitamin K

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We’re looking at some new multivitamin products at work, and since my last post on Vitamin D, I was wondering what other vitamins I’m missing from my daily diet.  So everyone’s heard of Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E but what’s up with Vitamin K and why did we skip Vitamin F, G, H, and I?  The answer:  a German scientist who discovered this vitamin named it K because of its primary property in blood clotting (or “Koagulation” in German).

Where to Get Vitamin K

Naturally occurring Vitamin K (phylloquinone) comes from foods like green, leafy vegetables and green tea.  Some of my favorite products that are high in Vitamin K are:

  1. Broccoli
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale
  4. Romaine Lettuce
  5. Parsley
  6. Brussel Sprouts (New for me! I just discovered this while at a restaurant last Friday.  I never thought I could like this vegetable.)
  7. Collard Greens (so good!)
  8. Cucumber
  9. Tomato
  10. Blueberry

The other form (menaquinones) comes from bacteria in the gut (yes, healthy bacteria lives in our intestines).  Bacteria in the gut produce a range of vitamin K2 forms, each with side chains composed of a variable number of chemical compounds.  Menaquinones can also be found in food that contains bacteria like cheese and natto, or in animals that also produce the vitamin via their gut bacteria. Continue reading

2013 Golden Globe Hairstyle Trend Photos: Old Hollywood Glamour: How To Get Soft Textured Waves, Deep Side Parts

2013 Golden Globe Hairstyle Trend Photos: Old Hollywood Glamour - Soft Textured Waves, Deep Side Parts

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

What a spectacles of fashion and beauty at last night’s 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Last night’s award show hair trends had one thing in common: effortless Old Hollywood glam! Jennifer Lopez, Rachel Weisz, Rosario Dawson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley all donned styles reminiscent of the glamour girls of Old Hollywood with relaxed side parts and flowing waves — all styled using Vidal Sassoon and L’Oréal Paris hair products! Read on to find out how to get these hair looks at home with step-by-step instructions from the hairstylists themselves.

2013 Golden Globe Hairstyle Trend Photos: Old Hollywood Glamour - Soft Textured Waves, Deep Side Parts
Jennifer Lopez

Hairstylist: Lorenzo Martin

Inspiration: Going into the night, Lorenzo was inspired by Old Hollywood to create a look that would complement Jennifer’s captivating Zuhair Murad gown. Lorenzo turned to a deep side part to modernize the Old Hollywood look of the romantic waves.

Step 1: Lorenzo prepped Jennifer’s hair with the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Triple Resist Shampoo and Conditioner ($4.99 each). Then while hair was wet, Lorenzo used the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Triple Resist Ultimate Strength Solution ($6.99) to reinforce the hair prior to styling.

Step 2: Lorenzo applied a quarter size amount of L’Oréal Paris EverCurl Sculpt & Hold Cream-Gel ($8.99) to condition the hair and prep it for being curled.

Step 3: Curled using a 1-inch curling iron and then gently sprayed L’Oréal Paris EverStyle Texture Series Beach Spray ($6.99) to each section helping to hold the curl and add texture.

Step 4: For each curl created, Lorenzo pinned the curl Continue reading