Everything She Wants

It’s New Year’s Eve.   You want to have a good time. But you don’t want to regret having too much of a good time, in the morning.   Image courtesy of WebMD/Getty But forget the hangover cure myths like the hair of the dog (drinking more alcohol to cure your hangover) or drinking lots of coffee (you will become even more dehydrated and make your hangover worse).   From the online consumer research service, LabDoor.com , here are a few proven tips on how to treat your New Year’s hangover. And since a hangover is a bunch of symptoms, not just one, make sure to treat each symptom specifically, if: 1. You have a headache Say yes to Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Take it before drinking prevents your body from releasing pain-inducing chemicals. Its effectiveness peaks in 4 hours. A small cup of coffee can also make the ibuprofen even more effective.   But say no Acetaminophen (Tylenol). When your liver metabolizes alcohol and acetaminophen at the same time, the liver shutt

Holiday parties and festive events are calling.  Since most of us don't wake up looking flawless, sometimes we need a little makeup to help illuminate our best features. For the holidays, glittery eyeshadow and a cool smokey eye are always a hit. And you don't have to spend a fortune thanks to Hard Candy makeup, priced under $10! Take a look at a couple of the eye palettes available, exclusively at a Walmart near you.

If you're in the giving spirit this season and need a little inspiration, Everything She Wants has got you covered. Here are a few creative holiday gift options, each under $25, $50 and $100 and perfect for the charitable, spa and nature-loving gal (and guy) on your Christmas list.   1. We love gifts that give back. And through a partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, with every purchase,  BOBS from Skechers  ($45.00) will make a donation to help save the lives of shelter cats and dogs. 2. The GuruNanda 100% Essential Oils with Diffuser ($19.99)  kit houses two different oils – lavender and peppermint--and an ultrasonic diffuser that disperses them into the air.  W ith healing aromatherapy benefits, this diffuser  can transform any room into a mini DIY spa in seconds.  The diffuser also features a color-changing LED light to add to the atmosphere. 3.  Terrain Ultra Lyte boots  by SoftScience (from $79.99 with free shipping and free returns) co mbine ur

Several years ago, I wrote a daily blog called Hot Mama Daily for b5media (those were good times).  And one of my most popular posts was on the best daily moisturizers for African-American skin .  There are a lot of options when it comes to beauty and skincare products. But I’ve found that when it comes to finding the perfect moisturizer, skin type matters just as much as skin color. CeraVe works wonders. Since that post, I've discovered a few new moisturizers and added them to my tried-and-true list. Instead of acne, these days my main skin concern is hyper pigmentation (uneven skin tone).  So in no particular order, here are   my picks for the best moisturizers for African-American women   (and probably most women): Oil Control : Decades ago,  Mamie McDonald , an African-American aesthetician in New York City, recommended that I use Dermalogica products and I’ve been using the products on and off ever since.   For moisturizers, I like the skin care line’s  Active Moi

Did you pig out on mac and cheese and Patti LaBelle sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving?  Well, don't worry.  Before you are tempted to overindulge on Christmas Day, we have five holiday diet and fitness tips from Dr. Tremaine Young, a primary care physician and creator of TFT (Tension Fit Trainer), that will put you on the right track. 1. Count cookies : You are going to be social, but the key is minimize social eating in the name of the holiday season. That means put a cap on the holiday cookies and cups of egg nog. 2. Eat mindfully : Learn to eat when you are hungry vs. when you are bored or anxious.  3. Stay hydrated : Most times when we feel we are hungry, we are actually dehydrated. So carry a re-fillable bottle with you so you don't have an excuse not to drink more water.   And if you don't like the taste of plain water, add a few slices of lemon, lime or strawberries for flavor.  This is also an instant skin brightener! 4.  Get  some sh