Audacity Magazine » Beauty

Scared of the Monsters in Your Closet?

Nathasha Alvarez — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:26:09 +0000

Wheelchair, scooter, crutches, canes, as people with physical disabilities we always have our own accessories.

Getting a wardrobe that doesn’t bunch up when we are sitting in our wheelchairs, or trip us when we are using our walking aids can be a mission impossible for even the best of us diva fashionistas.

Just because we are physically disabled doesn’t mean we have to look like we came out of Reject Fashion Magazine.

So here are some easy tips to follow before you hit the stores or throw out every piece of clothing in your closet.

First, look at what you have in your closet now. I am sure it can’t be that bad.

Take out any clothes that are raggedy or permanently stained and throw them out.

Gross! What are you waiting for?

Then you should get rid of any clothing that you don’t like. That sounds easy but we all know that in your closet you have items that you don’t want to get rid of because Auntie So So gave it to you for your birthday 800 years ago!

Let go of the past so you can embrace the future in the present!

If you have any items that you really love but need mending, do it! It’s hard enough to get clothes that fit us well so let’s take care of them.

I met a guy who lost his arm in a motorcycle accident and he was a sharp dressed man. He found a seamstress who was willing to negotiate a price for all of the shirts and jackets that he had and would have in the future.

He got rid of the sleeve where he didn’t have an arm. He said he didn’t see the need for it and it wasn’t like he was going to grow another arm anytime soon. He wasn’t into wearing a prosthetic arm.

But you know, whatever makes you happy.

After you get rid of the ugly, mend the bad, you can start looking for the good.

First, remember that quality always out shines quantity.

It is a must to have a few quality pieces like they say in those fashion magazines. However, we know that we have to adjust certain pieces to fit our bodies just right.

For example, it is very difficult for me to find a dress my size due to my short stature so now I buy blouses that can also double up as a dress.

This saves me money, time and energy!

Try not to go for pieces of clothing that require ironing. It is too cumbersome for us and a waste of time. But hey, if you have someone who can do it for you with a smile then go for it!

Accessorizing is very important and can literally transform an outfit into looking like three different new outfits.

It depends on your taste and style. Show some of your unique personality.

I have met some very well dressed people with physical disabilities and they know the importance of accessories.

Last but not least in the world of fashion, wear clothes that make you want to go out and say hi to the world.

It’s not only a statement of fashion but of your life!

Go out and live a fashionably audacious life!

Questions and comments, email us at nathasha@audacitymagazine.com .

Fitness Centers: Equal Pay with No Equal Play

Nathasha Alvarez — Sun, 06 May 2007 14:28:31 +0000

Before I decided to go on a fitness center hunt, I gave myself a reality check. I knew that not all people with physical disabilities would be able to use the machines and services of a fitness center.

I knew that the person with a physical disability would need enough strength and mobility to use the equipment. There needed to be a criteria. I didn’t know what it was but for the time being I was going to use myself as the guinea pig.

I went to Bally’s Gym and the salespeople were so helpful. They showed me every single machine even the ones I would never be able to use like the stationary bikes. They told me I could use the free weights, weights that were not connected to a machine.

I took a mental inventory and realized that the only equipment I would be able to use would be the free weights.

I wouldn’t be able to use the rowing machine, the stationary bikes, the leg press machine, and many other shiny, pricey equipment.

I asked him if there would be someone around to help me reach a free weight or a bar if necessary. They said there would be people “around”. The place was packed with big sweaty bodies and not enough people “around” to help me or anyone else for that matter.

Bally’s wasn’t offering any discounts for people with physical disabilities even though the number of machines a person with a wheelchair could use was practically down to three machines, if any!

Bally’s struck out!

The next biggest talk of the town was LA Fitness. I was told that the one closest to me didn’t have a pool that was accessible but the second closest to me did have one. I was psyched!

I figure I could use the free weights and the pool! That would give me strength training and cardiovascular exercise. As soon as I entered, I was approached with smiley faces.

We took the grand tour of the place even though I specifically wanted to see the pool. We finally got to the pool and I was so very happy! There was no one in it which is great for me since I get nervous having others around me when I am trying to swim.

I saw a hoya lift! I hate those things! They look uncomfortable and very dangerous. This one came in two pieces and I could visualize my small body sliding out from between those two pieces of cloth that were supposed to protect me from the ground.

I found it very interesting that there was no way for me to maneuveur the hoist by myself. I explained this to the salesperson and she was very understanding about it. She said that someone from the gym could help me. Then I realized that there was no way for me to get out by myself nor contact someone to help me get out.

Basically, I would be in the pool by myself and stay there until someone noticed me.

We spoke to the manager. She said that she would contact headquarters. It’s been over over a month and I never heard back from them! Yet, they really, really, really wanted me to sign up with them.

LA Fitness struck out! No pool, no accessible machines, no nada!

I was getting frustrated! What happened to the ADA! I couldn’t believe that with all of this technology and push on healthy bodies, no one realized that people with physical disabilities want to exercise too!

There was one more place that I needed to check out.

I didn’t want to go there because I still have some issues regarding my relationship with the University of Miami.

However, Damian Gregory, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, works out there and he said that the University of Miami has the best health fitness centers for people with physical disabilities.

I figured I should give it a try. I also remembered that I was asked to approve the blueprint for the University of Miami’s Wellness Center during its early stages. My curiousity got the best of me. I wanted to see if they had taken of my suggestions.

I hit the jackpot!

The Wellness Center at the University of Miami has two excellent exercise machines that can be adapted for people in wheelchairs! Of course, there were free weights, too.

The beauty for me was the pool! It was calling my name!

The hydralic chair allowed me to slowly enter the pool and exit the pool without any assistance. Even so, there is a life guard there who stood next to me as an extra safety precaution.

The locker room had an accessible shower stall and there was even an indoor track where I could push for miles and miles without getting in anyone’s way.

It was a bit pricier than the other fitness centers but it was like that for everyone. I had no problem paying the same price like everyone as long as I had the same opportunity to use the equipment available to everyone.

If I could offer one more suggestion to the Wellness Center, it would be to turn the two machines around so that we could watch television like everyone else.

Being disabled doesn’t mean your body has to rot! It means we have one more reason why we need adaptable equipment to help our bodies maintain its peak in good health.

What’s working for you?
Let us know. nathasha@audacitymagazine.com .

Spa Treatment For Everyone!

Nathasha Alvarez — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:29:37 +0000

Ever since my birthday in January, I have been holding on to my gift certificate to Nouvelle Day Spa as if it were a treasured piece of gold. But this past week, I felt I needed it. Since I had never been to a spa before I wanted to make sure that it would be accessible. The last thing I needed was to go to a spa to relax and find out that I couldn’t because I would be arguing over its inability to accommodate me.

So here is your first tip for a spa treatment. Visit the place at least one day in advance to make sure that it will be a smooth ride. You will know right off the back when the front desk person greets you. I was welcomed by a friendly lady who didn’t feel flustered that I was there to investigate the spa’s accommodations for the disabled.

I explained that I wanted to get a facial but I didn’t know which one I wanted because I didn’t know which one I needed. She called Betty Campana, a skin specialist with 22 years of experience, who came out from the back to answer my skin questions and gave me a tour of the room where the facial would take place.

It was a narrow room with a high bed like one found at a doctor’s office but this one had a soft mattress on it. My first concern was the height of the bed. It didn’t move up and down like a dentist’s chair or a hospital bed. Betty said she help me and even get another person to help her if I couldn’t do it myself.

So my next suggestion to you: if you can’t hop on a doctor’s examining table then you might want to bring someone you trust to help you get on it or take the risk of having the spa people assist you.

Betty said that if a person has a wheelchair that reclines then she could the same treatment in the wheelchair. That’s good to know because I think that many wheelchair users with a reclining back might find that to be more comfortable than transferring to a high bed. But ultimately it’s up to each person’s individual preference.

Once I looked everything over, made my appointment and left the spa, I called one of my sister’s who is my little beauty consultant. I was very excited about the facial and the people there. Immediately, she was telling me the type of facial I should have done. There I am outside of the spa with an appointment made and she wanted me to change the treatment.

I went back in, requested to speak to Betty and asked her if I should have the facial my sister recommended. Betty said that if she were a sales person she would have recommended it but she feels ethically bound not to do it since she doesn’t know how my skin might react to it.

That gave her a gold star in my book!

I left feeling very relaxed and it wasn’t even the day of the facial treatment.

The next day, I came to the spa a half hour early in case it might take some time to set up. I came with a clean face and my hair up in a ponytail. I also came with a baseball cap and sunglasses because I knew from reading articles that I would need to protect myself from the sun after the treatment.

Once in the room and on the bed, Betty began the treatment and answered my questions while going through the process. But after awhile, I simply wanted to be silent and enjoy the diva treatment.

I had a cleaning and hydrating facial. Betty was marvelous at her job. She left me alone to relax while the facial treatments took place.

Word to the wise: If you are scared of the dark or keeping your eyes closed for long periods of time, you might want to let them know ahead of time.

By the end of the treatment, I left with a clean and glowing face. It wasn’t just the facial but the overall feeling I felt from within that made my eyes glisten and my smile shine!

For $120, I left feeling like a million bucks!

Hey! I never said feeling like a diva was going to be cheap!

Happy skin to all!

If you are thinking of getting a facial or you have done it already, email me to let me know how it went.
nathasha@audacitymagazine.com

Your Most Loyal Fan Should Be You

Nathasha Alvarez — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:37:03 +0000

Valentine’s Day is the day to go all out on your loved one. Flowers, candy, expensive candle light dinners and dazzling jewelry are the hot ticket items for this red heart beating holiday if you are a part of a couple.

But what if you aren’t? What if you are single? Should you pout?

Of course not! In fact, you have someone who can give you the flowers, candy and much more. Where? Here!

The most loyal, caring, loving and devoted person in your life should be you. No, I didn’t fall out of my wheelchair and hit my head on the ground. I am absolutely serious!

This Valentine’s Day if you are single love yourself. Give yourself a day of pampering. Eat at your favorite restaurant, get your nails manicured, or if you are really adventurous get a body massage.

Have you thought of getting a cosmetics make over but never had the courage? Find out where you can get a free make over and make an appointment.

You might want to start the day with a luxurious bubble bath and slather on globs of moisturizing cream to give your skin a smooth and glossy feeling.

Take advantage of those Valentine’s Day sales to buy yourself something special.

If you really don’t want to be alone then ask a friend or two to join you for lunch or an early dinner. Discuss topics that are uplifting and positive.

If you have a plan of action for that day where you are the center of attention then your Valentine’s Day will be one of the best days ever.

No one should love you more than you love yourself. Shouldn’t you let yourself know it?

Questions or comments email me at nathasha@audacitymagazine.com .

Attack of the Giant Pants!

admin — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 20:48:32 +0000

Seeing the title of this article, you might be thinking giant pants. Could this be a story of a person who lost hundreds of pounds, who is now faced with the dilemma of what to do with their oversized slacks?

Well, think again, this is a true story about a middle-aged woman’s search for dress pants at the local mall. Me!

Shopping! What a gloriously adrenaline infused experience, when woman go on the hunt for that perfect garment.

However, I am not just any ordinary middle-aged woman. Oh no! I am only 3 foot 2 inches tall! Yes, I am a little person, a dwarf. Finding pants when you have a 16-inch inseam when most adult size woman’s pants can be 30 inches or more is disheartening at best.

That’s what I get for eating too much chocolate and never dieting; I do the most logical thing, I just get a bigger size. Oh, to be in a children’s size 10 pants again! Very little alterations needed.

My day started on a good note. I had just purchased a black minivan with an automatic ramp that I could get into with my new silver powered wheelchair. I use this chair for long distances as well as crutches for shorter walks.

The chair is ideal for shopping for two reasons; one, I can go fast and two; people can hear me coming because I have a horn! Yes! Black Beauty and the Silver Bullet are going to make my shopping life easier. So I thought.

After arriving at the mall, I gave myself a pep talk; I was ready to take on the world of the pants department.

I wheeled into the store full speed, not knowing that I would be embarking on a trek of great proportions. There was no going back! My credit card was at the ready! And I was on the hunt. Get out of my way! I have a horn and I know how to use it!

The pants department was right in front of me! Pants everywhere! Of course, they were way above my head, since most clothes racks today are 9-foot high. You know the ones you need to use a 6-foot hook to reach that perfect item

Luckily, Silver Bullet has a hydraulic lift that can raise me up to 4 foot 2 inches! This is ideal if you are looking on average clothes racks. Unfortunately, not high enough for the 9-foot ones.

Thank goodness, there were pants on the lower racks. This is where crutches come in handy; you can use them to push things off a shelf or a rack. I have become proficient in lifting items off the racks by balancing them on my crutches. I still have to work on getting things off shelves.

I finally grabbed a pair of pants with my crutches. Unfortunately, as I was pulling them off the rack I accidentally hit my wheelchair control lever and backed into the racks behind me. knocking down numerous pairs of pants. I proceeded to run over the pants a few more times.

The pants I ran over did not have tire marks, so I just picked them up and shoved them under the rack and continued my quest for more pants.

Suddenly I heard a noise coming from the back of my chair. When I looked back to see what the swishing sound was, I noticed I was also dragging a parade of pants. Thankfully, a helpful shopper stopped and removed the attached pile of pants, also shoving them under a nearby rack!

Oh no my purse! My crutches where are they? I must have lost them in the rack fiasco! Now I had to retrace my steps and find them with the hopes that my stuff was still there. I sure could have used a GPS tracking devise. I backtracked and luckily found both my purse and crutches untouched.

Now I had to figure out where could I put the pants so they wouldn‘t drag on the ground? The only logical place was around my neck! I was determined to get these pants; they were on sale for crying out loud! There were more pants on sale, and I was going to get as many as I could carry.

I ended up with seven pairs of pants, draped around my neck, over my shoulders and on my lap, while still holding my purse and crutches. There has to be a category in some record keeping book for the most pants carried at one time by a 3 foot 2 inch tall person. If not, I think I should start one.

I knew I had to find a better way to store my stuff because it was just a matter of time that a renegade pant leg was going to be caught in the spokes of my wheelchair and I would probably choke myself.

I went to the nearest cashier for help. I asked if she could give me a bag to put the pants in. She gave me a huge cloth and mesh bag that was bigger than me. I told her thank you, kept the pants around my neck and went off to the women’s dressing room.

The decisive moment was near; will any of these pants fit? Will I be lucky enough to get a handicap accessible dressing room? The exhilaration I felt earlier in the day was now dissipating fast.

The disabled dressing room was now a storage room, so I had to use a standard one. Do not ask me how I did it, I actually managed to get my wheelchair in the room, and close the door. This maneuver occurred without destroying store property.

I only hit the wall once, OK, twice, but there were no dents! This made me proud since I cannot even parallel park if my life depended on it. The laws of physics did not apply in that dressing room that day!

Now, there was no going back! The time had come to try on the pants. For average size people trying on pants is easy, slip one leg on at a time and voila! Not so when your three foot 2 inches tall! A whopping 38 inches, gee! All of my pants were taller than me!

Necessity is the mother of invention, and little people should get the Nobel Prize in figuring out how to do every day tasks in unordinary ways. We can get from point A to B but sometimes we have to take the long way to point C to get back to B.

However, doing things in an unconventional way is second nature to dwarves, since we have always lived in an environment designed for average size people.

The fun now begins! I get out of my chair, stand up with my crutches, and plop all the pants down on the bench. Since the bench was too high for me, I had to do the proverbial heave hoe and hop up.

Now the big decision, should I roll up each pant leg to make it easier to put them on? Or, leave them long? I did neither; I just put them on and bunched them up until I could see my feet.

The first pair didn’t fit, which was not that disappointing since they were the ones that the color was not to my liking.

However, I did manage to have six pair fit. It was going to be a good day after all! Six out of 7 pairs of pants is an above average conquest for me. It’s like scoring a perfect 10! All of the elements in the universe came together to form a cosmic perfect fit.

After finally getting dressed and ready to leave, I felt like I had just completed a marathon. I had been shopping for 5 hours, I was tired but happy for completing the journey.

Oh no! I was trapped! The dressing room door was stuck. Will I be a victim of a defective door? I still had life to live, more shopping to do, and maybe, just maybe, someday I could actually learn to parallel park!

I banged on the door and yelled, “I’m stuck in the dressing room” No one was out there, I yelled and banged on the door for what seemed like an eternity, actually it was only 10 minutes, until someone finally came to liberate me.

Thank goodness! Free to shop another day, happy that my quest ended on a good note. I left the store with my prize, one that I worked hard for and was proud I could achieve.

Nothing would ever be out of my reach, except for the 9-foot clothes racks and they are no longer scary to me because size is not something to fear. Being 3 foot 2 inches tall is not a hinderance if you can deal with your challenges with an open mind.

Never be afraid to try something out of the ordinary to reach your goal.

My next expedition will be shopping for six new blouses to go with my new pants.

I hear the internet is a great way to shop, no 9-foot racks to deal with and the dressing rooms have a lot of space! Sounds like a plan!
Share your shopping adventures! Email us at nathasha@audacitymagazine.com .

Jonathan Antin Hair Products

Nathasha Alvarez — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 20:54:18 +0000

As people with a physical disability, people are constantly staring, gawking, looking or watching us. How can we not be self conscious of our body image? Each one of us deals with the looks in different ways. My sisters and I grew up hearing our mother tell us, “Do you know why you girls are so pretty? It is because your mother is so beautiful.”

Of course, we would roll our eyes and laugh it off. But it was a rather catchy practice. There are three girls in our family and to this day we can’t get enough of looking at ourselves in the mirror. We all sound like our mother when we admire ourselves and say “Oh my goodness! I am so beautiful!”

It might sound egotistical but I think it is so much better to think we are beautiful than to think we are ugly. We grew up loving beauty products. My mom would make these homemade hair salads to keep our hair smooth and beautiful.

I am sure you have heard of this homemade hair salad. You take olive oil, avocado, mayonnaise and who knows what else mix it into a bowl and then slap on your hair which is then covered with a shower cap for about one hour. I am not sure if it worked or not but it made me feel good that I was doing something to take care of myself.

Later on we experimented with every latest shampoo, conditioner, gels, mousse, and other hair products that guaranteed our hair would be so beautiful that when we shook our mane, the shine would be as vibrant as the model on the television.

As the years went by and my curly hair did not do everything the product said it would, I became disappointed and disillusioned! But I never gave up! I once flew to Vidal Sassoon’s hair salon in New York to see what the so called experts could do. When I left the salon, I noticed very little change in my hair and my purse!

About 7 years ago, I was talking to my sister on the phone and I was complaining that I kept getting these letters from someone named John Frieda about winning some contest. My sister shrieked “Open it! I did that!”

I had no idea that my sister had entered my name and everyone in my family into a John Frieda contest. It turns out I won an all expense paid trip for five days to London, England to have my hair styled at John Frieda’s salon.

The results: My hair looked like Michael Jackson at an elegant affair! Horrible! But hey, I love London so the trip was worth it.

Afterwards, I would try a new product if it caught my fancy but I never spent too much money on it. Then came Bravo’s TV reality show, “Blow Out” with Jonathan Antin. I watched the show and my reaction went from “Oh my goodness! How much more of this can I take?” to “Wow, this guy really loves working with hair!”

I decided to take a chance with his products. I went to Sephora at the Dadeland Mall and bought every Jonathan Antin product! $225 worth of products! I swore that if my hair didn’t look fabulous I would BLOW UP! And forget Blow Out!

I used these products for about 30 days and even trudged them all the way to The Strand salon where my hair stylist of over 15 years, Peter Anthony, could give his expert opinion on Jonathan’s products as he tried them out on my hair.

Peter Anthony gave it great reviews! He loved the smell of the products, the way it felt on my hair and the end result. According to Peter, the products did everything they were supposed to do.

I was a bit confused with the feel of the hair conditioner. I felt it left my hair dry and tangled. Peter said that people are used to using conditioning products that left the hair slimy which we mistake supposedly for smooth.

I told him that it was difficult for me to comb my hair afterwards. He took a wide tooth comb and ran it through my wet hair without a hitch!

We used every Jonathan product except Dirt. I accidentally left it at home. Every product surpassed Peter’s approval.

Then I drilled him. Peter, is it really worth the money? $225 for my hair? He said, these products are meant for the Beverly Hills and South Beach people.

In other words, you mean the utterly rich who can afford to throw out $225 for one month’s supply of hair products?

My products are almost gone and the South Beach and Beverly Hills’ lifestyle will probably vanish with the last spritz of hairspray or polishing gloss but it felt really good to have soft, manageable and beautiful hair for awhile.

Maybe one day, Jonathan will lower his prices not much, maybe averaging anywhere from $12-15 dollars. After all, Jonathan claims he wants everyone to have beautiful hair!

For now, if you are interested in experiencing that ooh ahh feel, you should purchase his products on Sephora where the average price for a product is about $20 but not on QVC where the prices are practically double the cost of Sephora’s.

Peter Anthony at The Strand
8437 SW 132nd Street
Miami, Florida 33156
305-232-5885

Fake Purses Contribute To Terrorism

Starr Vaughn — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 20:56:00 +0000

When looking for a new purse you probably hit the mall, the internet, or just your local Wal-Mart. However, something has been feverishly growing and has been gnawing at me for quite a while.

Starr

Fakes. Yes, that dreaded word that takes the joy out of a designer purse. They are running rampant all over the world. From the big city top executive to the suburban wife, people with totally different lifestyles and income brackets are drawn into the same obsession, the now multi-million dollar industry: buying a knock-off designer purse.

The local flea markets used to be the hub for the vendors of these obviously made cheap imitation handbags. Now it has spread to the retail stores everywhere. Some people are actually proud to trot a fake handbag.

The differences from the authentic bag and those made in some sweatshop can be as obvious as the material to the least conspicuous detail like the stitching or the placement of the designer logos.

I began noticing this horrible trend when Jennifer Lopez began modeling for the French designer Louis Vuitton. Though I am not placing blame on the pop-singer, it seems Jennifer Lopez’s popularity only helped the imitations spread due to the low price tag associate with these handbags.

It seems everyone from the college student in debt with student loans to the hootchy mama on the corner street is now able to afford a look alike of a $1000+ handbag with the traditional designer logo.

I don’t know about anyone else, but this sickens me!

A “real” designer handbag can range from $250 to up to $5000. How can so many people suddenly able to afford such high luxury items? They can’t! They are all very well made fakes that cost anywhere from $50-$200.

You’re probably saying, “Well, if you can’t tell then what will it hurt?”

Actually, a “real” designer handbag is smoother and has a serial number stamped or stitched on the inside. It also comes with authenticity papers.

But this is where it really hurts. Awhile back the top news show “Dateline” reported that the fake handbag industry generates money to support terrorist groups. Yes, you read right! Terrorism!

As far as back as the summer of 2003 when Interpol Secretary General Ronald K Noble declared that the 450 billion dollar knock off industry was using the profits from these counterfeits to fund terrorism.

Did we help support the crash of the Twin Towers?

People who buy fakes are harming our very safety just to save a buck.

In January’s issue of Bazaar, a magazine devoted to high-end fashion, has an article specifically targeting knock-off purses. It also describes the growing rate of child labor in less fortunate countries whom are made to live and work in horrible conditions only to feed American’s horrible appetite to show off a designer purse.

I realize that pirated items will probably always exist, but if people educate themselves enough to distinguish the fake from the real, then these knock off artists will lose money and will no longer be a billion dollar industry.

The police and even our government are cracking down on fake items and are busting people and slapping hard time on them. But it’s not just nasty criminals that are profiting from this type of business.

Everyday homemakers are buying these fakes in bulk and reselling them to make a profit for themselves. They make “house calls” to potential buyers and layout what they have for sale and encourage the consumers to buy these purses, even when they claim they are authentic.

If we are to stop this from continuing people need to realize that paying $150 for a knockoff isn’t worth the price of our freedom and safety. I would rather carry around no purse at all than carry over my shoulder a knock-off designer bag.

The Dark Side Of Tanning

Starr Vaughn — Mon, 05 Jul 2004 20:58:46 +0000

When you think of summer what exactly comes to mind? Icy cold lemonade? Kids out of school creating havoc around town? Swimming pools and the smell of chlorine?

Or are you like me, and think of tanning?

I purposely go out in the back yard hardly wearing anything at all and deliberately lay out in the sun. Or if I am in a hurry to get a tan, I go to my local tanning salon which has a coffin-like bed gleaming with light bulbs as powerful as the sun itself and lay in there about 15 minutes. The light bulbs in those tanning beds are 2-3 times more powerful than the sun itself.

Why are earth would people do this to themselves? Especially when it is widely known that incidents of skin cancer are on the rise and I know the statistics?

According to CNN.com nearly one million people in the United States are being diagnosed with a type of skin cancer each year.

Well, I don’t exactly have a good explanation for why I do what I do, but I will say this I like it, I can do it and I have that choice.

I know that probably isn’t good enough for some but it’s good enough for me. It should be mentioned that this is not an everyday occurrence.

I spend thirty-five dollars, once or twice a year, at a tanning salon and for one month I have a skin color that I feel good in.

Tanning salons are even becoming sort of a political issue. The state of California is considering a law that will ban teenagers from the salons. One article published on the subject, quotes the bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Joe Nation, as saying, “There is a big difference between going to the beach and a tanning salon. When kids go to the beach they put on sun screen.”

Tanning salons are a multi-billion dollar industry where by the hundreds of thousands of people go to get more color. In California alone, there are an estimated 1500 different tanning salons. Tanning is becoming so popular that home tanning machines are available for as little as
five-hundred dollars.

But before I go on, I just want people to know that I am no way shape or form “addicted” to tanning, like some are. There is no way I would go to the tanning salon 12 months out of the year, that would be too excessive and a cause for concern.

But at summertime when everyone has that
JLO bronzed look, then I can’t help but say,”Dang, I want a little tan too.” I like the way my skin looks and I like the way I feel. My scars aren’t as prominent, and I just feel like a tiny bronzed-goddess.

Now you are probably thinking, “Why don’t you just get a bottle of sunless tanning lotion?”

The only answer to that is, I just don’t like them. In fact, I despise the way it makes my skin look blotchy, orange and so “fake.” Besides, bronzers only last three days tops, and you have to constantly reapply it every day to keep the look “natural.” That’s just too much of a hassle for me. But if you like them and enjoy the way it makes you look, then more power to you.

Some of the researchers are just down right overreacting about the sun.

Come on people, who goes to the beach with all a huge hat, a long-sleeved clothing and about ten bottles of sunscreen. Ten bottles of sunscreen you ask? By the “recommended” application which you have to apply every twenty minutes, then you will need about a dozen or so bottles to spend the day at the beach. People just want to have fun at the beach in the sun that has been here since the day this earth was formed.

So researchers should get over it and relax. If someone wants a quick dose of color, then I don’t see anything wrong with going to the tanning salon in moderation.
It‘s your life and it’s your choice, so if you want to spend time in the sun with a cup of lemonade or spend about ten minutes in a tanning bed, then dangit that’s what you should do!

Editor’s Note: Audacity Magazine understands the dangers of tanning and sunbathing. This article is only one representation of someone’s outlook on the process. You may voice your opinion on the Online Forum or send an email to nathasha@audacitymagazine.com

Summer Glow

Starr Vaughn — Sat, 05 Jun 2004 21:04:00 +0000

After reviewing Sephora’s latest catalog,
fashion magazines and some websites devoted
to makeup, it’s clear summer is definitely
around the corner. One word summarizes the summer for me this year: Bronze.

You will love the bronze, golden blush-like colors that will undoubtedly make a huge splash this summer.

This summer will be the summer of bronze-golden colors in lipsticks and glosses. New summer shades are hinted with a slight golden shimmer to bring out the glow of
your face, just enough to make your lips look radiant yet natural. But remember too much will make you look like you’re “trying too hard.” So, remember to stay natural and as close to your natural skin tone as possible.

For a more bronzed, hip, look skip your traditional foundation and go for an illuminating bronzer lotion which will give you instant color. Using a good bronzer is like squeezing the sun out of the bottle, without the nasty sunburn! Though some prefer to sun bathe or go to the tanning salons, using a good bronzer can give you an immediate dose of color and can make you look like you just came back from a tropical vacation in the Bahamas!

For the eyes it’s obvious that long luscious eyelashes are very in right now. There are many options, just go to your local drugstore or department store and you will see the many different mascaras that swamp the isles. The new two-ended mascaras are all the rage at the moment. These types of mascaras give you two tubes in one.

In addition to giving you the benefits of traditional mascaras, these two-in-one mascaras, also have a brush which elongates brows. But if you just want to stay with a basic mascara, no worries, try a lengthening mascara which will work just as well.

As for eye shadows, stick with nudes, gold tones, pinks and light purples. The different shades of pinks and purples will give you a dash of color, which will offset your face, particularly if you use a bronzer on your face.

The one thing that I wish I was gifted with is high check bones, but with my chubby cheeks I have to make mine. Hey, if you don’t have it, make it! So don’t be afraid to be bold, daring, and creative.

This season it’s also about peaches and corals. Just enough tint to give you a splash of flush but not too much. Don’t wear too much all at once! Grandma was right, sometimes less is more.

I hope this helps get your summer face going. Try checking out these moderately priced items.

Here are two of my favorite makeup websites: www.gloss.com and www.sephora.com. Links are located on the upper right hand corner of this page.

Here are some items that you may want to check out or may even want to consider buying to give your summer look some pizzazz.

Stila Summer 4-Pan Eye Shadow Palette price: $28

Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation in 60 Watts price: $36

Dior 5-Colour Eye Shadow in Kawai price: $49.50

Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in Smashing Prism price: $28

Smashbox Limitless Lash Mascara in Black price: $22

Nars Blush in Penny Lane price: $22.50

Lancome Star Bronzer dispensable brush price: $30

Cargo Beach Blush in Coral Peach price: $26

Sephora Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in Sugar Coat price: $10

NOTE: These items are my personal picks for what’s sure to be hot this summer. You can shop around for items that fit the general color schemes as the some of these items, at a fraction of the price. But if you
are like me and are a makeup-aholic, then by all means splurge!

If you would like to ask a question or comment on this article write an email to nathasha@audacitymagazine.com or join the Online Forumwhere discussions take place every day.

Get Fit: Suggestions for Getting in Shape

Laura Stinson — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 14:38:05 +0000

Spring is already well under way and that means that summer is just around the corner. And summer means skimpy clothing, swimsuits and lots of skin.

Wait! Before you go into full-on rabbit mode in order to slim down in preparation, consider exercise. Exercise is the most effective way to lose weight, as long as you’re burning more calories than you’re consuming. Unfortunately, exercise can be difficult if you have a disability. There aren’t many programs out there that can incorporate a wheelchair or walker, and the ones that are out there are generally so low-impact, a person can barely work up a sweat. Exercise programs that do make your heart rate jump aren’t made for people who have disabilities or use mobility equipment.
However, there are some programs out there made specifically for people with disabilities and other high-impact programs can be modified to make them easier for you to do. Here are some suggestions, based on my personal experience.

• Seat-A-Robics – Led by a former aerobics instructor who was paralyzed in a car accident, at about 25 minutes long, this video is a great routine for beginners. It can be used by the elderly, people with cerebral palsy or
quadriplegia. However, because the routine works the same muscles repetitively, it can be very tiring.

• Richard Simmons: Sit Tight – If you can get past the cheesiness that is Richard, this is another great one for beginners. Made specifically for people with disabilities, or those who are so overweight that they must sit to exercise, this video can also be used be a variety of people. The one thing that makes this video better than Seat-A-Robics is that it also offers leg exercises. If you can do them, they’re great, but if you can’t, the upper body exercises will still get your heart pounding.

• Tae Bo Ultimate Upper Body – This video is a compilation of the upper body movements from other Tae Bo Advanced videos. Personally, it’s one of my favorites. It not only works your arms and shoulders, but also your abdominals and obliques, which are important muscles for posture. This is good to consider if you have scoliosis or other back problems. At an hour long, this is not the video for you if you are just starting to work out. Even after working out with the beginning Tae Bo video for a few weeks, I couldn’t get all the way through this one. Don’t force it. Even the first 10 minutes are a great beginning!

• Pilates – There are a variety of Pilates videos available, but the ones I use have three videos: beginner, intermediate and advanced. There is a big jump between beginner and intermediate, so don’t rush. These videos are also good only if you have the ability to get on to the floor. The biggest problem I have with Pilates is the bending of the spine that is required. Having had scoliosis surgery, I can’t bend my spine in the same ways as the instructor. However, many of the exercises can still be done with slight modification by working only to your personal limits. These exercises are very good if you are more worried about muscle tone than actually losing weight.

• Rolling – Okay, if you use a manual wheelchair, this one probably seems pretty obvious, but is actually a great way to work out. If you want, you can roll around your neighborhood or around a track. If, like me, you don’t have access to a track or other smooth rolling surface, use your house. We recently replaced the floors in our house with all wood laminate, so now I roll around the kitchen and great room if I don’t feel like doing anything else. The smooth rolling surface makes it great to get and keep momentum. Rolling in your house also prevents struggling up hills—and taking a break while coasting down.

• Be creative! – For variety, do some exercises of your own invention. If you’re in a wheelchair, do in-chair exercises. I do many of these as a way of working my leg and stomach muscles. If your stomach is a problem area, try sitting up straight in your chair and holding in your stomach muscles for as long as you can. Don’t hold your breath—that doesn’t count. Some possible leg exercise include leg lifts, bicycles, scissors or hold your legs out straight in front of you continuously for one minute. All of these will help strengthen those muscles.

Free weights are also a great option and, if you can afford it, there are gym-style machines available that can accommodate a wheelchair. Whatever type of exercise you decide to do, use your imagination. If you think about your body and the style of exercise you have chosen, making modifications won’t be very difficult.

Here’s to a healthier you!

If you have any comments you can email them to nathasha@audacitymagazine.com or post it on the Online Forum where discussions take place everyday.