Too fast too slow

Okay guys, have ever taken a step in your life and wish you hadn't because really, if you had waited a little bit longer, it would have been much better.

So you can hear, life laugh and say, "In your face"...

Now you guys know that I'm a wreck-kinda-person waiting to happen, and it is doesn't take that long for me to end up doing the stupidest thing, right? 

So anyways, I had this not too serious issue for a long while, was hoping that it will come to an end and God knows, I tried to stick it this one out this time but with each passing day, my hope of an end begins to diminish and subconsciously I began to seek a way out to solving this problem by myself just in case. And I believe a lot of people call that "plan B" or "Back up plan".

And as the days pass, the more agitated I became. I believed I said to myself, "God will work it out and the solution to my problems is just around the corner", yet the more I think I said that, the more I tried to generate a plan B.

It is in fact very amazing when we human think we have the answers to every life situations. We say we can do it all by ourselves, we do not need anyone's help. We say to ourselves, "I'm smart, intelligent and brilliant. I have a degree, or better still a masters degree...no, no, the best of it all, is that I have a PhD. So what can't i do? I can make it work...I can solve the problem ALL BY MYSELF! Besides, the solution to the problem coming from above is just too slow for me".

The truth of the matter is that, that very point when we decide to make use of our plan B or back up plan, we are usually so close to getting our solution or answers but because we are not patient, we tend to mess up the cycle.

Seriously when people say patience is a virtue...I usually laugh but the truth is that it really is a virtue. Looking around us today we can see the consequences of impatience in every area of man's endeavor.

So as I was saying, I had formulated a back up plan and was working at it to see how I can implement it. Going all out to get resources and materials to help bring to life my solution. Hmmm, I felt so smart and independent. I felt well finally the wait is almost over.

But the truth is, it is indeed almost over but I didn't know it. I didn't know that if indeed I decide to go ahead with my plan, I am about to throw a wedge into the actual plan and increase my waiting period.

Well, God been so good I didn't go ahead with my plan, not that I didn't want to but basically because He intervened in the situation just in the nick of time, so I didn't get the time to.

My thought is He is getting tired of fixing my mess but instead it is better preventing me from them. And I totally agree, sometimes I wonder why I am so mess-prone. ;)

Anyways, in the end everything worked out well which made me think why do we move faster then out time. Why are we impatient despite the history has always proven otherwise. You answer your own questions! 

Too fast, too slow...just perfect. Peace out

Strawberry kisses

Your gal

Real Gentlehawk

 

RAPE BY MY COUNTRY

If I may please have your attention, I promise not to take much of your precious time as the piece will change your perception of me!

I tried to do good in my life, really I tried but the more I tried the more worse I become. Never thought I would be there. Well, a lot of people would say some people went through it to but the survived...became better! 

True! But not everyone got the same will-power, that's why we are so different and are required to balance one another out.

That's why we are beings, we need one another because we can't do it alone!

So how did I end up here and why did I end up here? 

Firstly, this is not an excuse, however, I will ask you not to please judge me until you walked a mile in my shoes. 

My dignity, integrity, dreams and aspirations were all striped from me within a twinke of an eye. Yet my assailants didn't stop, no one to call to for help, because even the so called "help" are good friends with my assailant. My assailant didn't even look back to see if I lived or died, instead my assailant is having fun, partying and looting at my predicament.

My assailant is someone I look up to, love and respect, trust and obey! Will freely give up my life if asked to because my assailant is part of me and I, of my assailant!

But my assailant betrayed my trust, love and respect...my assailant raped me! 

Though I fought back, really I did but it was all in vain because my assailant is bigger and stronger. And when I asked why? My assailant only laughed!

So I am asking again, why do you rape me! Your own flesh and blood! Your very own, why do you keep raping me? Taking everything that make me human...degrading me to an animal! 

No, I take that back, not animal. Because even animals show compassion to their own kind. You degrade me to what is less than an animal.

You are suppose to be my protector, my defender and my warrior but nay, you are the predator, the taker and destroyer. A killer of dreams, a changer of destinies, and mower of lives.

Why oh why, do you not see what you are doing to me when you rape me over and over and over again? Every time, I think it is over, and begin to pick up the pieces of a life that is left, then you come back charging at me once again and the latter worse than the former. Why oh why?

Why do you keep raping me, my dear country? All I want is to live and let's live! Love you with all my heart and might. Be a doctor or an engineer or even a teacher. I just want to have a right to good living even if I have to pay for it, a right to a good school, a good meal and a good warm bed. And as I said, I am even willing to pay for it because I am ready to work to get the money. 

You have taken away every bit of patriotism in me, cos you have taught me never to trust in you. Every day I wake to a self esteem that is lower than the low! I try to run to other countries, alas, I run in vain because the ones that ain't your allies, are so mean/atrocious that even their goodness looks a lot appealing than yours.

So again I ask, why do you rape me, my country! 

I am not asking for much, all I am asking for is my right to live, my right to dignity, a right to integrity, a right to love, a right to hope, a right to much more BUT most of all a right to be HUMAN! 

Stop, please stop, because I can take this no more!

Don't forget that the same letters in RAPE are contain in REAP. Need I say more!

To everyone who have been raped emotionally, physically, intellectually, and mentally...this is to you!

You are not alone!

True and real

Real Gentlehawk 

WHICH ARE YOU - CARROT, EGG, and COFFEE

A daughter complained to her father about life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of struggling. It seemed that as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil.

In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.

In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her he asked. "What do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She said, "What's the point?" He explained that each of the items had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong and hard. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

BYE - BYE TO 2013 AND WELCOME TO 2014

Welcome to another new year…TWENTY FOURTEEN!
Crazy how the year 2013 rolled over so quickly. It seem like yesterday when we all said Happy New Year to 2013.
But now, it is BYE 2013, HELLO 2014!

Am I the only one? But I kind of sense that 2014 will be magical. I don’t know why I feel so…but I feel 2014 will be different for a lot of people. How? Don’t ask me, I ain’t psychic!
Okay guys, 2013 in summary. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

2013 in summary.
• Cleveland kidnapping
• Trayvon’s trial outcome
• Boston bombing
• Hurricane Sandy
• Typhoon Haiyan
• ASUU Strike
• AA Aircraft crashes
We also lost some great people
• James Gandolfini
• Paul Walker
• Cory Monteith
• Peter O’Toole
• Ed Lauter
• Lee Thompson Young
• Dennis Farina
• Jeanne Cooper
• Lou Myers
• Conrad Bain
• James Avery
• Mandela
And the list goes on and on……i don't think i can remember them all, talk of less, write them all!

However, now we have 2014. A new year to start afresh, anew! Forget and learn from the past, Enjoy the present to the fullest and Look forward to the future!

So from ME to YOU, hope 2014 brings the very best for you and your household.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I REALLY NEED TO BE NAKED WITH YOU, PLEASE!

Now that I have your attention, maybe you guys can help me out here.

I have been pondering on this specific issue for a while now and i feel in my gusts that I am not alone on this.

The thing is that everywhere and everything you go or/and do in this world, perception seem to be a major factor, if not the very thing, people use in accessing who or what you are.

Ever heard of first impression last! Yep, that's it. 

So I ask is perception always right, or it is just a limiting factor, people need to get pass in order to see the real thing?

This 'Perception' thing is so major that every, if not all, organization channel a lot of energy and fund towards it. It is so huge that people have allowed this control their personal lives as well. Why, won't it? People run organization, don't they?

Anyways, the very issue i have with this 'Perception' thing is that, it has made it so difficult for people to distinguish between the 'REAL' and 'the FAKE', if you know what I mean.

Okay, let me break it down. Because people are been judged by perception, people generally work on themselves (even organizations are guilty of this) to be something or someone else as oppose to what or who they truly are. 

Please don't get me wrong, perception is a good thing - if not the Branding industry and the likes will not be doing so well but I'm not going to get into that today. Perception is really understanding who you really are than who someone else is. Don't know if you get my drift?

What I really want to understand is, why is something so good, be so wrong? 

The concept of perception is something I do not totally agree with, well for one, first impression is not always right and because it worked in one doesn't necessarily mean it will work for another. That is to say, 'What is good for the goose may not always good for the gander'. Sometimes, what we perceive may just be limited by our knowledge and understanding of that thing or that someone. 

So why based your conclusion on what you perceive only once or twice even besides, what makes you think your perception is right anyway?

I guess what I am trying to say is that the concept of perception has made us so judgemental that people are forgetting to be who they truly are. In order words, 'fake-ness' (lack of a better word) is the order of the day. Fake relationship, marriages, lives, parts of the body. Every one prefers to be a cheap replica of themselves.

So, Why can't I get naked with you? I want to reap off all the fake masks I'm wearing and be my real self. I don't want to be a stereotype, I just want to be me. Breathing the fresh air of being myself means freedom, happiness and longevity.

Conversely, Life is too short and complicated to play someone else or worse be someone else because someone says so, don't you think?

 

If you go back to one of my blogs titled 'A CRY FOR HELP' though it was about my favourite artist, Whitney Houston, you will discover that this perception thing has gone a little too far.

Pressure to be perfect in an imperfect world, how ironic is that. If truth be told people want to be free, they want to let lose and most importantly they want to be naked when it matters, which is, most of the time, if you ask me.

Perception without judgement, results in people airing their opinions without the fear of been reprimanded thus making them true to themselves and their environment at large. 

So I ask again, may I get nake with you? 

So real and so true

Real Gentlehawk.

GUEST CELEBRITY - UTI NWACHUKWU

Well guys,

Welcome! Today I will be sharing with you my interview with a celeb.

As part of revamping my blog, I have decided to interview once in awhile, some celebrities. Get them to be real and true to us. And I mean celebrities with real talents and not just some fortunate somebody.

People, we believed deserve to be applaud for all their works and achievements over time.

These are the people worth celebrating and that is why they are known as CELEBRITIES.

So enjoy this and don't forget, if you think we have omitted and question, or better still you have any question you want to ask an f our celeb, please feel free to ask. Be sure that we will get the answer for you! 

So, I had the pleasure of interviewing our one and only UTI, some remember him from the Big Brother Reality show and some of us know him from another show called JARA and the lucky one know him long before that. However, we will get to know him a little better...

1) Congrats on your achievements so far, you've done your fans proud. From Next movie star to BBA winner, to a presenter on Jara....

Thank you very much. It was all God's perfect will and by his grace, progress is inevitable.

2) So tell us how easy was it for you to breakthrough into this industry....

Just like every dream journey, it wasn't easy in the begining. I had to deal with failed promises, dashed hopes, scammers, school completion, dedication hard work and keeping my religion intact. I dreamt big right from high school so to see it manifest step by step was so surreal. 
My life changed from the first moment I went into BBA. God used it to open doors for me. Winning BBA just made things a whole lot easier. I didn't have to settle for less cos BBA was like an African PR for me. Everyone got to see what I could do. So when I came out, the offers started rolling out and they haven't stopped since.

3) You must have a lot of people you look up to in the industry....

Oh yes!! I remember watching Frank Edoho on who wants to be a millionaire and then thinking to myself, I would love to do that. He is classy and well spoken. Can't say the same for most of our tv presenters in Nigeria. So yeah! he inspired me to go into TV hosting. For acting I really used to laugh at our Nollywood talents in the past. But all that changed when I started to watch Desmond Elliot , Ramsey Nuah, Chidi Mokeme, Emeka Enyiocha, Rita Domnic, Desmond Elliot and Dakore, they still inspire me up till now.

4) From your own perspective, how would you rate the improvement of Nollywood over the years...

Well in terms of story telling! Picture quality, sound quality and acting, we have improved tremendously! Even the class of actors on and off screen has improved also! Slowly but surely we are getting to the international standard. 

5) So what is a regular day like for Uti when he isn't working...

Sleep, eat, work out, go to the movies, hang with friends till late and then sleeeep! Lol

6) We would (your fans) love to know who truly Uti is...

Habah. All you see is who I am. I am God fearing, I love a good laugh, very lively, I care a bit too much for friends and loved ones (yep I love to help out in any way). Sometimes I have mood swings and loose my cool a bit. I never will compromise my upbringing, morals ,values and spirituality. 

7) What are the current project(s) you are working on...

I have a couple of movie scripts lined up. I have 2 movies about to be premiered both here and internationally. ( red hot and finding mercy). Hosting a couple of events and a whole lot more. 

8) A lot of artiste have Godfathers/Backbone in this entertainment, do you believe in having one and who is yours?

What I believe in is having ROLE MODELS! The Almighty God should be your godfather, cos God holds the hearts of kings in his hands and he can turneth it to your favour! So I really feel sorry for people that practice or believe in godfatherism. Sad

9) Any guilty pleasure...

Fooooood!!!! Lol. I loooove Food! And I'm such a sweet tooth ehn! Kai! Lol. 

10) So are you married, single, in a relationship, looking for or not looking for?

That my friend is personal information and I have decided not to ever respond to questions about my personal life. Sorry.  Lol

11) What advice would you give to the younger generation who are looking to step into your shoes...

Hold God close. Love God and feel his love. Dream big. Work towards your dream. Never ever entertain envy, bitterness, unforgiveness, betrayal, jealousy or wickedness. The sky is big enough for all the stars to shine so never be in direct competition with anyone.

Well folks, there you have it...from our beloveth Uti Nwachukwu! 

Till I bring you another amazing celeb, a little word of advice...

"Don't be afraid to stand for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone"

Your Gal, peace!

Real Gentlehawk 

www.realgentlehawk.com

The Top 30 Beauty Secrets from the People Who Know Best

Hi Y'all,

I read this great article written by Ysolt Usigan for SHAPE.com online and I thought it is worth sharing with you.

So you are welcome! Hope you enjoy it and find it useful as I did. 

We got top beauty editors, makeup artists, bloggers, and more to spill their favorite tips and tricks. Get ready to put your best face forward!

1. Layer your liner: "If you're not a professional makeup artist, it can be difficult to line those eyes, but then again liquid liner tends to stay on longer and smudge-free. So what I do is, I line my eyes first with a pencil liner because it's easier to make that straight line with it. Then I go back on the line with the liquid liner. It's kind of like coloring! The result? Your eye liner will stay on, smudge-free, and well-lined."

2. Blot with these: "If your skin is on the shiny side, stop by your local Starbucks, grab a handful of those brown napkins, and shove them in your purse. They work better than any blotting papers I've used and they're free. And, don't feel guilty about pilfering from the coffee conglomerate. If they're charging four bucks for some java and steamed milk, they owe you a shine-free face." 
-Daneen Baird, founder and editor-in-chief of SpoiledPretty.com

3. Invest in a good hair mask: "I have extremely thick tresses that get dry and frizzy during extreme seasonal shifts. I apply a conditioning hair masque and leave it on overnight, rinsing in the morning. Hair becomes angelical soft and immediately rescued." 
-Amy E. Goodman, author of Wear This, Toss That!

4. Get soft and sexy eye makeup: "For an eye look that's defined but not too heavy, line your upper lash line with black eyeliner and the bottom lash line with brown eyeliner. This is one of my biggest makeup artist tricks for beautiful, soft eyes!" 
-Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist

5. Warm your lash curler: "Run your eyelash curler under warm water (or blast it with your blow drier for a second) before using it for a considerably curlier result that lasts!" 
-Alexis Wolfer, editor-in-chief of TheBeautyBean.com

6. Open up your eyes: "Take a white eye pencil and line the inside rim of your lower eyelid. This really makes eyes pop! Fun fact: Look at the old black/white photos of the gorgeous women of the '30s and '40s like Marlene Dietrich and you'll see this was done to them. Additionally, if your eyes are a close set, use the white pencil to lightly line the section where the upper and lower lids come together, closest to the nose. This will make them appear wider apart. The key here is to make sure it's sublte." 
-Candice Sabatini, editorial director of BeautyNewsNYC.com

7. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: "The best thing you can do for your appearance is to drink lots of water. Hydration helps your skin stay moisturized and glowing, boosts your metabolism, and keeps your energy levels up. Spritz water on your face too, especially in the summer, to keep it feeling and looking refreshed." 
-Debbie Strong, senior health editor at Everyday Health

8. Sanitize for a clean chin: "If you break out on your chin and jawline often, try using and keeping a hand sanitizer next to your computer. We often unconsciously touch and lean chins into hands while zoned out in front of the screen, causing the dirt and bacteria on our hands to spread and trigger breakout-prone areas of the face." 
-Grace Gold, freelance beauty reporter

9. Maintain your sexy blow-out: "To preserve a blow out, I sleep with my hair in a top knot secured with hair pins to keep the texture and shape. When I wake up, I just let it fall and spruce it up a bit with dry shampoo on my roots and if I need to, I'll refresh it with a blow dryer." 
-Jeannine Morris, editor-in-chief at BeautySweetSpot.com

10. Face-washing strategy: "To keep my skin from drying out, I use two different face washes-a heavy duty gel-based one in the evening and a lighter milk-based cleanser in the morning. A lighter cleanser in the morning helps the skin retain protective oils." 
-Alina Dizik, freelance beauty writer 

11. Make mascara count: "Make a $5 tube of mascara look as good as the results from a $25 tube by holding a business card up along the inside edge of your lashes and sweeping the brush against it with your other hand. This way your lashes can't bend out of the way of the brush and you end up coating every lash all the way to the tip. The results will leave you wide-eyed in more ways than one." 
-Wendy Toth, senior lifestyle editor for Digital Works @NBCU 

12. No powder, no oil: "After age 35, never ever wear powder (except maybe a dab on your nose). It settles into wrinkles around the eyes and mouth to instantly age skin. Instead, go for a tinted moisturizer and/or a stellar concealer like YSL Touche Eclat that deflects light to minimize lines. Use facial blotting tissues like those by The Body Shop with tea tree oil to blot excess oil." 
-Ingrid Schmidt, freelance style and beauty editor 

13. Take the power back: "I once splurged on a very expensive haircut at a super swanky NYC salon. What did I learn from this $400 trim, besides it looked no different than a $40 cut? I learned to take my power back. When it came time to style my hair, the master stylist asked me how I would like him to do it. 'I don't know, you're the expert,' I said. He begged to differ and lectured me on how I should never give my power away in the chair. Wagging a pricey comb at me, he cautioned me to stay alert and aware every step of the way and never be afraid to speak up or ask the stylist to show you want they are doing. 'Never forget, when it comes to your hair, you're the expert,' he said. Then he offered me champagne." 
-Janene Mascarella, beauty writer for Bella magazine

14. Learn to DIY: "Save money by creating your own tinted moisturizer. I just put a small drop of my liquid foundation and a dime-sized amount of my daily moisturizer in the palm of my hand. I mix the two and voila! I have my own tinted moisturizer! No new products required." 
-Margaret McGriff, Yahoo! Shine community beauty blogger

15. Always wear sunscreen: "Always-no matter what season or climate you live in-wear sunscreen on your face, hands, any part of your skin that is exposed." 
-Betsy Aaron, editorial consultant and staff writer at BeautyNewsNYC.com

16. Fatten up baby fine hair: If you have flat, baby fine strands like I do, an aerosol can of dry shampoo is essential for pumping up the volume. Women who are blessed with hair to spare use it to sop up oil between blowouts, but I like to spritz it straight onto clean roots daily. (Klorane is my absolute favorite brand, but there are some great drugstore options out there, too). The fine blast of powder adds texture and what I like to call "grip" to give my style staying power-and more importantly gives me lift that lasts all day! 
-Ellen Miller, former SHAPE beauty director and current beauty director at Better Homes and Gardens

17. Always wash your face: "I always wash my face with the gentlest product: Cetaphil. And I always moisturize at bedtime, especially around the eyes so that it sinks into the skin." 
-Melissa Chapman, blogger at MarriedMySugarDaddy.com

18. Go crazy for chapstick: "Always carry Chapstick on you and never let your lips get dried up and cracked. No matter what brand or color lipstick you wear, chapped, dry lips will show and never look good." 
-Anne Chertoff, freelance beauty writer and wedding style expert

19. Prime skin with shimmer: "I love YSL's Top Secrets skin primer for when I need to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed even with no sleep. It has flecks of shimmer in it and was developed for models who had early call times-but worked for us normal girls as well!" 
-Charlie James, videographer and commercial model

20. Fill in your brows: "For people with thin brows, use a pencil first that is a bit lighter than your natural color to define the shape, then follow with a brow powder that is close to your natural hair color with a thin, strong angle brush. After, use a brow gel or sealer which will set the powder. My fave is the Model in a Bottle - Long Lasting Eyebrow Sealer. It is by far the best sealer out there and I have tried many." 
-Lauren Fanuzzi, beauty guru and art director

21. For yellow nails, use toothpaste: "If you get yellow nails after months of wearing dark polish, try scrubbing your toenails with a nail brush and whitening toothpaste. It gets rid of the yellow color. Try it-it works pretty well, and you end up with minty fresh toes!" 
-Roxanna Sarmiento, beauty and style writer, and blogger at everydaytreats.com

22. Use the good oil: "Flawless skin is everyone's best beauty asset. Apply a drop of omega- and antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn seed oil on blemishes to speed up healing and see more perfect skin by morning. It's amazing!" 
-Jolene Hart, beauty and health coach

23. Take advantage of concealer: Brighten your look instantly by dabbing some corrective concealer on the darkest portion of under-eye circles. Pat a flesh-toned shade over it and set with powder. Make sure to apply any eye creams and moisturizers well before application to avoid creasing." 
-Kaylin Johnson, eco-friendly makeup artist and blogger

24. Keep things clean: "Extend the life of your makeup by using disposable applicators to avoid the double dip. Makeup's biggest enemy is bacteria, which are generally introduced to liquid products such as mascara by re-using an applicator. If you've ever had your makeup professionally done, you might notice that we makeup artists always use a new, clean mascara wand every time we have to dip into the product. We do this for the safety of our clients so that bacteria from one client isn't transferred to another, but limiting exposure to bacteria also helps the products last much longer. The easiest way to avoid the double dip is to use disposable applicators which you can generally get at any beauty supply shop." 
-Ann Merin, makeup artist who appears on TLC's Wedding Day Makeover

25. Pick the best bra: "A well-fitting bra is the best beauty trick there is-boost the girls in and up to look younger, thinner, and more proportioned!" 
-Jene Luciani, style and beauty expert, and author of The Bra Book

26. Mix with lotion: "Mix your favorite body lotion with body oil (even a tiny bit of olive oil will work!) for an all over soft sheen. Mix a body bronzer with your favorite body lotion; it's an easy, goof-proof way for a quick boost of color, especially when you are pressed for time!" 
-Michelle McKean, Beauty Mama blogger at ParentSociety.com 

27. Sample eye creams: "Keep those mini samples of eye cream you get with department store 'gift with purchase' in your desk and refresh your eyes during the day by lightly tapping the eye cream on your under eye area-even over your makeup is okay. It's refreshing and keeping your eye area moisturized makes it more youthful looking." 
-Kari Solyntjes, founder of Fab Over Forty 

28. Pillow pretty: "Always sleep on satin or silk pillowcases so that your hair doesn't snag and break when you're tossing and turning. If your hair is prone to dryness, focus shampoo on your scalp. Clean your scalp and when you rinse, the shampoo will clean the length or your hair just enough to gently cleanse it." 
-Kai Chic, creator of Mane and Chic 

29. Use a retinoid cream: "As I get older, I've noticed that I tend to get more clogged pores and blackheads, so every night I use a retinoid cream (the one I like is non-RX) on my chin, nose, and forehead. If I do this regularly, my skin seems to look smoother, and I'm hoping I avoid breakouts. 
-Maria Ricapito, freelance beauty writer for YouBeauty.com, VanityFair.com and DailyGlow.com (just to name a few)

30. Try a bun: "In the summer, I don't have time or desire to blow dry my hair in the nasty heat, so I wear it up in a high bun. It looks polished, takes 30 seconds, and saves my hair extra heat damage." 
-Valerie Denny, senior web editor at Redbook

Culled from Yahoo!