Issue # 5, MARCH 2012

Bellena
The Art of

eminine

FASHION BEAUTY FOOD MEDITATION EXERCISE DIET FAMILY BUSINESS CULTURE TRAVEL MONEY TOMORROW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Choose your Unique Wedding Gowns & Dresses

Becoming a Victim of Skin Care and Cosmetics

How to Clean Jewellery

Corsets, Waist Reduction and Corset Comfort

Love Isn't Everything

Cocco-Ligator Skin Makes Italian Luxury Handbags Affordable

FASHION BEAUTY FOOD MEDITATION EXERCISE DIET FAMILY BUSINESS CULTURE TRAVEL MONEY TOMORROW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

WWW.BELLENA.CO.UK

Bellena is a fashion and beauty magazine which

provides interesting and updated news and information related to hair, beauty, fashion, UK fashion, food, family, travel and a lot of other things to explore. Those who are interested in style and fashion and want to keep a tab on World Fashion and UK Fashion can check Bellena.co.uk for latest news and updates. Bellena has wide range of information on it including fashion shows, beauty tips, food and health tips, travel tips, stress management tips and a lot more to make your every day successful. Bellena also provides updates on celebrity style and fashion. So people looking for the style, fashion and beauty tips of their favourite stars and celebrities can find it all easily on Bellena.co.uk. Bellena magazine helps women to adopt latest fashion, use beauty tips and make healthy food part of their life which eventually results in enhancing their beauty, polish their personality and boost their self confidence. So, if you are in search of fashion news and updates, extra ordinary hair and beauty tips, healthy food options and travel suggestions then stay connected to Bellena.co.uk and benefit yourself. Bellena fashion magazine blog knows what you are searching for and brings you everything at one place.

ELLENA MAGAZINE HAS ARRIVED

EDITOR Heba M. Ali FASHION DIRECTOR Marwan M. Hassan BEAUTY EDITOR Raneem M. Hassan ART DIRECTOR Yousef M. Hassan GENERAL MANAGER Heba M. A

Heba M. Ali

Contents

1 Choose your Unique Wedding Gowns & Dresses 3

Becoming a Victim of Skin Care and Cosmetics Cocco-Ligator Skin Makes Italian Luxury Handbags Affordable Corsets, Waist Reduction and Corset Comfort How to Clean Jewellery

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Improving Sexual Health through Better Information Love Isn't Everything

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Becoming a Victim of Skin Care and Cosmetics

Some people might be inclined to believe that only in the modern era have people been killing themselves over the pursuit of beauty. However, history is a good way to prove otherwise. From things like corsets to the lead-laced skin care products of the early 20th century, people have been slowly killing themselves in favour of beauty for centuries. This has primarily been the case because physical beauty and appearance have long been part of the complex mechanism that maintains one's social and peer status, which in turn has become an influential factor in shaping the culture of a certain civilization. What might be the worst part of all this is that, up until very recently, cosmetics and skin care products have been known to contain various toxic and poisonous substances, including heavy metals like mercury and lead. One doesn't have to look only at the recent past for deadly skin care and cosmetics, however. The ancient past is filled with various deadly concoctions. Take ancient Egypt, for example. The ancient Egyptian culture was one that had an incredibly strong focus on cosmetics, to the point that an incident where masons and workers refused to work until they were provided more make-up as part of their payment. It is therefore no real surprise that the Egyptians also utilized some of the deadliest components as part of their cosmetics, particularly around the eye area, something for which they've become infamous for. In general, their cosmetics contained a greenish copper ore, lead sulphide, and a soot-like substance that contained toxic amounts of lead.

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Just what are the effects of such things? Well, aside from chronic cases of pink eye, there were other negative effects to such cosmetic concoctions. Exposure, even for short periods, was known to lead to irritability and insomnia. Dizziness has also been attributed to those chemicals. Insomnia can become chronic with prolonged exposure. Another possible long-term side effect for such toxic skin care products includes a decrease in one's mental alertness and faculties. The fact that these were applied around the eye area and on the eyelids, the thinnest membranes of the skin, just increases the chances of them being absorbed into the body to do damage.

The Greeks did something even worse, choosing to not only cover their eyelids with toxic substances, but also their entire face. Ancient Greeks were fond of using white lead facial cream, supposedly to project the image of having a fair complexion. It was also used to cover blemishes and generally project a more youthful, fresher appearance. It is noted that some Greeks, and Romans later on, were aware of the skin ruptures that the lead masks caused, yet widespread use was still common. According to some unverifiable accounts, the only Greek city-state that did not experience widespread use of white lead masks was Sparta, which eschewed cosmetics, perfumes, and other luxuries. Later on, from the 15th to the 17th centuries, not only was the Greco-Roman practice of using face masks of white lead coming back, it was accompanied by something worse. European men and women, in their attempts to achieve the then-attractive appearance of being white (almost to the point of being pale), used a process on their skin that relied on using mercury to cleanse it. This, combined with the lead masks, resulted in facial damage, which was covered up with further exposure to lead and mercury.

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Bellena Magazine

Choose your Unique Wedding Gowns & Dresse

hoosing a bridal gown is probably one of the most important items ever purchased in a girls life. It is a reflection of her heart. Yet, weddings can be quite expensive nowadays, but the bridal gown does not have to be! Bridal stores across the country have a huge inventory of brand new sample wedding gowns that need to be out of their store and into brides hands! The gowns are beautiful, brand new designer wedding gowns! They are offering these gowns at incredible savings to you so any bride can have the bridal dress of her dreams at a price she can afford.

asowq carries a varied selection of Designer Bridal Gowns that will suit any brides dream for her special day. For those brides looking for affordable bridal gowns and/or informal wedding gowns, Tasowq is the place to shop. Sample Gowns also has an impressive selection of exquisite but inexpensive mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-thegroom dresses, as well as, the availability of a selection of very pretty yet inexpensive flower girl dresses. Be sure to check out Sample Gowns where those in need of formalwear will find many different designers, fabrics, and colours to choose from at a fraction of the cost!

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Bellena Magazine

he availability of sample bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses, and evening gowns may also be found at Tasowq at great savings. Women will look like they spent a fortune on their dress for any special event, when in fact they didnt! The superb aspect of Sample Gowns is that all gowns are in stock and are available for immediate shipment! If you have an immediate need for a wedding dress, or an evening gown for a special occasion, or for a mother of the bride or groom, or a flower girl, take a look at our inventory. Another aspect of Tasowq is a complete listing of stores near the consumer where the customer will also find wedding gowns, formal dresses, flower girl dresses, and mothers dresses at super savings. These stores have a unique tag attached to the gown which indicates the gown is drastically reduced so customers will spot them immediately. For those gals worried about internet buying of a gown sight-unseen, this method is a perfect alternative.

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Bellena Magazine

Cocco-Ligator Skin
Makes Italian Luxury Handbags Affordable
Every fusionist knows that Italian luxury handbags are synonymous with quality and style. Unfortunately, not every woman can afford fashion accessories made from exotic skins like python, crocodile, and ostrich. Thanks to a new manufacturing process, however, handcrafted purses, clutches, fashion handbags, and tote bags are considerably more affordable.

THE COCCO-LIGATOR PROCESS

The secret is cocco-ligator skin. If you've never heard of this innovative skin, you soon will, as it's taking the fashion world by storm. The ligator process involves taking the natural fibres of the alligator's and crocodile's second layer of skin, and then subjecting it to heat. After that, the skin is varnished to a high gloss and glued on to high-quality leather. From there, the leather is used by artisans to create italian luxury handbags.

DIFFERENT PATTERNS AND COLOURS

Whether you're shopping for wholesale handbags for your retail store, or are looking for an accessory for your personal use, it's important to know that there are two different patterns used in cocco-ligator bags.The regular cocco-ligator pattern utilizes both the belly pattern, which is large and irregular, and the flanks, which are smaller and rounder. The horn back pattern is like that of the back of an alligator, which is a bit more rough and wild.

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Cocco-ligator is about more than just patterns, however. It's also about colour. All Italian luxury handbags are timeless, but the colour palette changes with the seasons. These fashion accessories are available in myriad colours, including black, mahogany, cream, gold, Bordeaux, white, honey, red, blue, gray, and dark green.
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STYLE IS KEY
When you're shopping for purses, texture and colour are just two elements to consider. The third, of course, is design. To achieve a truly put-together look, women need a handbag for every occasion. Fashion handbags, for example, are the perfect accessories for casual or daytime outfits, while classically styled purses are the bag of choice for women who want to convey elegance and sophistication. Clutches are a must-have to accessorize eveningwear and special occasions, while tote bags and organizers are crucial for women in the business world. When shopping for cocco-ligator handbags, make sure to buy from a company that prides itself on generations of tradition in handcrafting Italian luxury handbags. When you do, you'll not only own a gorgeous purse, but you'll also own an exquisite piece of art.

A WONDERFUL ALTERNATIVE
There are many reasons why cocco-ligator is a great alternative to the exotic skins used in many Italian luxury handbags, but the two primary reasons are conservation and cost. Thanks to the unique ligator process, much more of the reptile is used, enabling us to enjoy fashion accessories while minimizing the impact on the species. In addition, the price of a cocco-ligator bag is a fraction of what we would spend on a crocodile purse.

March 2012

Bellena Magazine

Corsets, Waist Reduction and Corset Comfort

Corsets and Waist Reduction
By wearing a tightly-laced corset for extended periodsa practice known as tight lacingmenand women can learn to tolerate extreme waist constriction and reduce their natural waist size. Tight lacers usually aim for 40 to 43 centimetre (16 to17 inch) waists. The Guinness Book of World Records records two instances of women reducing to 15 inch waists: Ethel Granger and Cathie Jung. Other women, such as Polarize, also claim to have achieved such reductions. These are extreme cases. Corsets were and are usually designed for support, with freedom of body movement an important consideration in their design. Present day corset-wearers usually tighten the corset just enough to reduce waists to dimensions that range from 18 to 24 inches.

Corsets and Corset Comfort

Moderate corset lacing is not incompatible with vigorous activity. In fact, during the late nineteenth century, when corset wearing was common, there was sport corsets specifically designed to wear while bicycling, playing tennis, or horseback riding, as well as for maternity wear.

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any people now believe that all corsets are uncomfortable and that wearing them

restricts Womens' lives, citing victorian literature devoted to sensible or hygienic dress. However, These writings were most apt to protest against the misuse of corsets for tight lacing; they Were less vehement against corsets per se. Many reformers recommended emancipation Bodices", which were essentially tightly-fitted vests, like full-torso corsets without boning.

Most modern day corset-wearers will testify that corsets can be comfortable, once one is accustomed to wearing them. A well fitted corset should be very comfortable. Women active in the Society for Creative Anachronism and historical re-enactment groups commonly wear corsets as part of period costume, without complaint.

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Bellena Magazine

HOW TO CLEAN JEWELLERY

aring for and cleaning jewellery doesnt have to be difficult, but it is important that you do so carefully

to prevent damage and possibly help to ensure a longer life. Well cared for jewellery will stand the test of time and have a much nicer appearance than jewellery that is generally left to collect dust and grime without being cleaned. The exact technique you use to clean and care for your jewellery will depend on the item itself.

March 2012

egardless of the type of jewellery you should obviously try to prevent it from being

scratched, knocked or banged. Even if damage doesnt appear visible immediately, knocking jewellery can often lead to unseen damage. Over time this damage will build up or progressively worsen until your jewellery becomes irreparable.

Bellena Magazine

Should your jewellery suffer any damage you should have it seen to as soon as possible. Take it your local jewelers and ask their opinion. In most cases they will either be able to fix it themselves or send it away to be repaired properly. Super gluing any piece of jewellery yourself is a bad idea.

Many chemicals can damage jewellery and you should stay away from chemicals in general. In particular, cleaning fluids, chlorine and bromine can have a detrimental effect on some jewellery. Take off any rings or other items and leave them somewhere safe until youre finished. Direct sunlight and extreme hot or cold conditions can also weaken the metal or jewel.

se a jewellery cleaning cloth on metal

jewellery and clean regularly using soapy

water but ensure that you rinse it off thoroughly when youve finished cleaning. Use a very mild cloth to dab it dry and dont rub it too vigorously. You should also take care when storing jewellery. If you dont intend to wear it or show it for some time then place it in an airtight bag away from heating or particularly cold areas. These simple maintenance tips should ensure the integrity of your jewellery for many years.

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IMPROVING SEXUAL HEALTH THROUGH BETTER INFORMATION

Sexual health information should already be made

Available to children as young as 12 years old. Parents and the schools should provide both information and guidance regarding reproductive health and responsible sexual behaviour. Of course, the level and scope of information to be provided should be carefully studied, selected, and presented in order to make the young people understand the concepts and objectives behind such a form of education. If delivered in a positive, scientific yet easily understandable manner, sexual health information could help open young people's eyes to the need for better understanding of sexual health and the demand for a higher sense of Responsibility for sexual behaviour. Sex education in schools and at home should cover a variety of topics including menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, fertility, and infertility. It should also address issues about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and proper understanding of the male and female reproductive systems. The monthly menstrual cycle is the process by which a woman's body gets ready for the possibility of fertilization or pregnancy. An average menstrual cycle is 28 days from the start of one to the start of the next, but this cycle can range from 21 days to 35 days. Most menstrual periods last from three to five days. In the United States, most girls start menstruating at age 12, but girls can start menstruating between the ages of 8 and 16.

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exual health information is not complete without an extensive discussion on pregnancy. Women, and

even men, should gain knowledge and understanding about the process of fertilization and the efforts that need to be made during the usual nine months of the baby's life in the womb. Usually, pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or just more than nine months, from the start of the last menstrual period to childbirth. Prenatal care is also very important since this is the means to educate parents about how to care for the baby in the woman's womb. Getting early and regular prenatal care is important for the health of both the mother and the developing baby. But aside from reading books or reading online articles about pregnancy, the pregnant woman and her partner should regularly visit their obstetrician-gynecologist or physician regarding how to have a successful pregnancy or how to ensure proper prenatal care. Infertility is another important albeit often sensitive topic for women. Infertility is the condition where a woman is unable to get pregnant. It is often used to describe women of normal childbearing age who experience difficulties with getting pregnant or women who are near or past their menopausal stage. Women who are able to get pregnant but who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term or actual birth are also sometimes considered to be infertile. Having infertility is a complex problem with no single known cause. It is actually a result of a number of adverse conditions or a chain of events that have an impact on fertility. Indeed, gaining more in-depth information about matters relating to sexual health is crucial to our health. It should cover the areas of sexual behavior, personal care, and reproductive health. It is not only a means to understand how we can protect ourselves from harm, it is also a way to know how we can enjoy our existence and promote new life.

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Love isnt Everything

One of the most famous songs by the band The Eagles was titled Love Will Keep Us Alive. A lot of married couples would disagree with that, saying that love won't be able to pay the bills, nor will it feed hungry mouths. But in terms of relationships, love is always in the centre. However, love is not the only thing that keeps couples together. How does one keep a relationship healthy and flourishing? How does one keep a relationship healthy? Both partners should strive on maintaining these following qualities:

KEEP TRUSTING EACH OTHER This means having faith in your partner's loyalty even if you know he's surrounded by a lot of temptations. This knows that your boyfriend loves you enough not to cheat on you. It is normal to feel jealous; however, it is how a person reacts to that emotion that will count. Acting on impulse because of jealousy will only bring you down and will not be healthy for your relationship. A SENSE OF RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER Your significant other should be able to give you the same respect he expects from you. This is respect for your individuality, for your unique personality your sense of humour or the weird way you laugh. Also this entails a sense of respect for your decisions. Accepting your decisions and understanding it. Simply put, mutual respect in a relationship means that you value each others differences and understand, not try to change the other persons personality. MAINTAIN A SENSE OF FAIRNESS Relationships are never one-way street. It should always be give and take. This may be something as simple as choosing a location, or a movie to watch. This means establishing mutual consent on whatever the couple wants to do, instead of making the decision making process a battle for the power to make the decision.

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KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN This means having the freedom to express how you feel openly and honestly to your partner without fear of being ridiculed or misinterpreted. Having the initiative to speak whats on your mind shows your partner that you are comfortable enough to open up to him. This is, of course, provided youve given it enough thought to know that what you say will be taken in a good, constructive way. A SENSE OF HONESTY This goes together with trust as trust is based on how honest and faithful your partner is to you. The problem lies in how a person can trust his partner if that partner cant be honest with him? SUPPORTIVENESS This doesn't only mean offering your support to your partner when they're down or problematic. They also need your support during times of happiness and triumph. It's nice to know that someone's with you when you're in the mud, but it's also nice to have someone to share your sweet success with. SEPARATE IDENTITIES This means compromising in situations where there is a difference in interest. This doesnt have to end up with one losing his identity just to give way to the other person. Both partners should still be able to maintain time for their own interest like when they started with the relationship.

What compromises a strong relationship? A relationship starts to falter once it becomes unhealthy. An unhealthy relationship is one that is described to be mean, disrespectful, hurtful, controlling, and overall, full of emotional abuse. Most people who've grown up exposed to hurtful parents and domestic violence have a tendency to carry it over when it is their turn to get into a relationship. Someone brought up with that kind of emotional abuse will most likely develop thinking that the violence he saw growing up is normal in a relationship. Relationships don't work out on its own, it needs work. What may have started as a love-filled relationship is not guaranteed to end up love-filled like before. Falling in love is easy; it is staying in love that's hard. Understanding you and your partners differences, embracing that little difference and working around those will make your relationship easier to handle. Keeping it healthy, will make you both flourish and grow not just as individuals, but as a couple as well.
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