The Virus You Could Have & Don't Even Know It.

The Risk of HPV

Ok, so I know that this is not my typical type of blog post but its such an important issue that so many women and yes men, you too,  are oblivious to so I feel the need to address it.

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Lets start with the questions, can you answer them?

1. What is HPV?

2. How do people get HPV?

3. If you have sexual contact with a person that has genital warts are you for sure going to get them?

4. Even at the age of 18 should you worry about cervical cancer?

5. If you have HPV will you for sure get symptoms?

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Whether you didn't know any of them or only a few here are the answers:

1.  HPV is a virus.  Certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer, penile cancer and anal cancer.  Other types of HPV can cause genital warts.

2. Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact wih an infected person can get HPV. 

3.  Two out of three people that come in sexual contact with someone that has the virus can contract it as well. And even if the genital warts are treated 25% of the cases come back within 3 months if HPV is present.

4.You are never too young to worry about cervical cancer.  While half of all women who develop cervical cancer do between the age of 35 and 55 years old.  Many of these women were probably exposed to a cancer-causing HPV type in their late teens or 20s. 

Many people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms, so they can pass the virus on without even knowing it. 

     Most Importantly, How To Prevent It!

Well honestly the very best way is Abstinence. Unfortunately that is not something most people want to do. Honestly, for us adults complete abstinence is very unrealistic.  In that case, it is very important for you to follow these precautions.

•  HPV Vaccine - This is a very effective way to prevent HPV. Although it doesn't prevent from all strains of HPV it does protect you from the 4 most common strains that cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
• Practice Safe Sex with a Condom - According to studies condoms can reduce the risk of transmission of the HPV virus by 70%.  However it is very important to remember that HPV is transmitted through sexual skin to skin contact. For example, even if the penis is covered by a condom during intercourse there are other parts of the genital area that is exposed. If these areas come in contact with the vagina it could still transmit the virus. That also pertains to the anal area as well. Keep that in mind!
• Limit Your Sexual Partners - This seems like common sense but some people don't really think about that when trying to avoid contracting this virus, or an STD even. The least amount of sexual partners you have in your life the less of a chance for you to contract this virus. Also, being in a monogamous long term relationship greatly reduces the risk of contracting other strains of the virus as well. 

Keep Yourself Looking Hot While Hungover

Keep Yourself Looking Hot While Hungover

With the weekend coming upon us I felt like this information may be quite helpful to some of us.  In fact, I have a feeling I will be putting my own advice to good use this weekend as I will be in Vegas all weekend trying to enjoy whats left of my summer. Hopefully I'll remember to stay hydrated and drink as much water as I can to avoid feeling nasty the next morning. By the way, a very good tip to help avoid dehydration eat the ice in your drinks.  Trust me you'll thank yourself the next day.

For those of you waking up in the morning after a raging night with a pounding headache, feeling sluggish and you smell like you brought the bar home with you (which is just all bad news). And then on top of that you have to actually leave your comfy bed and be seen by people I feel your pain, been there enough times to feel sympathy for anyone in that state.

      Just a quick glance at you anyone can easily tell how rough of a morning you are having.  There are a few secrets from the pros that I've found that will allow you to look fabulous, even though you feel quite the opposite.  

Lets start.

    First off, if you have the energy and the time, please take a shower. It will help more than you think.  Regardless of the shower or not we muct tend to your face.  Use a scrub now.  It will lift the makeup and the dirt, then follow with a face cleanser.  And be sure to use a cooler rinse to help calm your skin a bit, it had a rough night.  Our favorites for these steps are:

           1. Neutrogena Foaming Wash

           2. Clean and Clear Morning Burst Detoxyifying Facial Cleanser , msrp $7

Next, the 4 major problems.  Redness, Under-eye circles, dry skin & bloodshot eyes. 

     For those of you that do not know, booze causes blood vessels to dilate, hence the redness.  Crappy sleep and dehydration that the liquor causes is why you have dry skin and your eyes look their worst they've ever been.  Our favorite items to help with these are:

          1. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in neutral

          2. Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz

          3. Dr Jart+ Smart Gel BB Cream

After you've dealt with the base of the problems, next we have eye issues. 

    The upper eye-lid is extra thin so it can cause the redness to show a little more than in other parts of the face.  The best way to eliminate that is with neutral shadow, maybe even one that has a little shimmer in it to help reflect light.  Along with on the top of the lash line use a navy liner and your mascara should be blueish-black as blue undertones help with brightening the eyes. Our favorite products to help with this are:

      1. Eyeko Black Magic Mascara in MIdnight Blue

      2. BareMinerals Vanilla Sugar EyeShadow

      3. L'Oreal Hip Kohl Liner in Navy

Last thing to do before your on your way...

     A nice soft color pink blush along the cheekbones  helps fake like you've slept great the night before. And then a nice bold lipstick to bring attention to your luscious lips and away from the problem areas.  Our favorite products:

      1. Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Frosting

      2. Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Flame

Hopefully with these tips you will manage to get through your day without anyone being the wiser to how you're actually feeling.   Make sure you drink plenty of water and get as much sleep as you can the next night!