PICTURES FROM THE FASTTEST SHEDDER AUDITION

Lola Maja and I

Lola Maja with Biola Osinulu

One of the Judges Tayo

Trisha Maja also part of the judges

Trisha and Tayo

The faSttest shedder audition

Hey darls,

So the I informed you earlier on this blog that the faSttest shedder was in town, if you missed it read my earlier post. Now, it's time for auditions! 44 candidates registered for this programme and only 10 would be chosen. Today and tomorrow are the set days for this audition and trust me, it's going to be mad fun, full of life. Will keep updating you as the day goes on with pictures and interview footage.
You can also follow me on twitter @ronniearogs

Stay glued. 

Quick Tips: Matching Eyeshadow with Eye Color Part 2

Green/Hazel Eyes
In order to get green eyes to pop, you should try wearing various purple shades. The contrast in color to your eyes will make them seem more dramatic. If you want your eyes to stand out but look more natural, you may want to try warmer mocha brown shades or warm colors with slight orange undertones. Basic eyeshadow colors for green eyes would be earth tones with slight hints of gold, taupe colors, mocha browns, and lavender-purple shades. Since most green and hazel eyes has a variety of flecks, feel free to experiment with these colors so you can find the perfect one for your eyes.

The Final Word
Keep in mind that you should have fun with your eyeshadow and it shouldn't be a bothersome process. A general rule of thumb with eyeshadow is to first compliment your eye color and then it shouldn't contrast your clothing. In other words, don't wear a purple based eyeshadow on your blue eyes while you are wearing a coral toned shirt. You should try to keep your clothing and eyeshadow in the same or color family, or at least a complimentary family. And finally, remember that sometimes less is more. Don't add 5 layers of green eyeshadow on your brown eyes, thinking that it will make them look fabulous. Often times a slight hint of color is all your eyes need to really pop and look mesmerizing.

Quick Tips: Matching Eyeshadow with Eye Color

You know the dilemma; you want to wear eyeshadow but you’re not sure what color will look best with your eye color. Even though some say that you should coordinate your eyeshadow with your clothing, you should also pay attention to your actual eye color as well. But not to worry, because help is here with a quick tips list on which eyeshadow hues will look the best on each eye color.

Blue Eyes
With blue eyes, you should stay far away from blue eyeshadow. If you want you eyes to pop and look mesmerizing then try wearing earth-tones, such as browns with a slight purple base, taupe, and slate colored grays. If you want to have a little fun outside of the earth-tones, then try a nice rose colored eyeshadow. The coolness from the pink/purple eyeshadow will be a really nice contrast to your blue eyes.

Brown Eyes
Brown eyes can get away with wearing almost any color of eyeshadow. But if you want your eyes to pop then try either green eyeshadow or pink eyeshadow. With brown eyes, you can also use blue eyeshadow, and if you have gold flecks in your eyes you may want to try an eyeshadow that has a gold shimmer to it. Brown eyes can even pull-off wearing brown eyeshadow, but be careful because certain tones can look muddy against your beautiful brown eyes.

Pros and Cons of Fake Nails

The main advantage of fake nails is that you instantly have beautiful hands. Robustness is another factor to consider, so acrylic is the most hard-wearing type of fake nail.  Nail color will last longer on artificial nails than it does on natural ones, so less chipping will occur.

Points against fake nails are: your underlying natural nails will be weakened by the extensive filing that has to take place in order for the artificial tip to adhere.  This in turn could cause long-term damage to the nail bed.   Also, the simplest of tasks such as picking things up from counters and floors can be difficult because the nail tip is thicker. Fastening zippers, etc. can also be hard work if you are not used to extended finger nails.

Artificial Nails for Beginners Part 2

Wrap Nails
Wrap nails are made of fiberglass, silk or linen.  A section of the wrap is cut to size and placed on the nail (natural or extension), then activation is required to make the material adhere to the nail and subsequently harden; this would be in the form of a paint-on or spray chemical.  This is a far kinder system than either the acrylic or the gel because removal is much easier and it doesn't come with the overpowering odor associated with other systems.  In turn though it is a less durable artificial nail, and not for those who are clumsy or have a busy lifestyle.  To remove soak in acetone for a short while, the wrap and underlying artificial nail tip dissolve quickly.

Maintenance
Fake nails can become addictive and in turn a regular expense.  You will need to have what are known as fill-ins when the natural nail grows up.  A gap will appear at the cuticle end; this will need to be filled with whatever system of artificial covering you initially chose (systems are not interchangeable.)  Nail biters will notice a rapid growth of the underlying nail in the first few weeks after your fake nails are applied, therefore you may need to visit the nail salon more frequently to begin with.
Leaving fake nails without regular attention can cause health problems for your nails. Water can seep in between the natural nail bed and the covering causing a green fungal infection to begin.  This is unsightly and in extreme cases painful.  If infection occurs, you will need to have the nails removed and start afresh with new extensions after the fungus is treated.

Artificial Nails for Beginners Part 1

Are you are tired of brittle or chipped nails?  Do you want to have perfect finger tips for that special occasion? Then artificial nails could be the answer for you.

Acrylic Nails
Acrylic is the toughest artificial nail covering.  It is constructed either on top of the natural nail or as a strengthener to nail extensions, using a combination of powdered acrylic (polymer) and a liquid (monomer.)  The nail technician dips a brush into the liquid, then the powder.  The mixture must be worked quickly because it will dry as soon as the polymer and monomer mix.  If you are not experienced in doing this your acrylic nails will look lumpy and exceptionally false.  Acrylics are not suited to a natural look; they require varnish.  Removal of acrylic nails is time-consuming; it requires that you soak your nails in acetone.  Attempting to pull them off can be painful and damaging to the nail bed.
Gel Nails
The gel nail is a ready- mixed system that is painted on.  Two types are available; one requires a UV light to set it, the other does not require light curing.  Gel nails are set with an activator spray and are far more natural looking than acrylics.  They can look good without polish, although the system is difficult to remove completely without extensive filing.

6 Fingernail Trends: Which Ones are Tacky, Which are Classy? Part 3

Classy or Tacky? Unkept Nails

Chipped nail polish isn't cool. If you are like me and are too lazy for proper upkeep, skip the color and try a clear polish or better yet, buff your nails. Also falling under "unkept": Chewed nails. To stop biting your nails, invest in a manicure. You'll think twice before gnawing on your N3, 000 investment. Plus, nail polish doesn't taste good.

Classy or Tacky? Fingers & Toes That Don't Match

There are some people who insist your manicure and pedicure should be matchy-matchy, but that's a dated rule. These days you can totally change up your mani from your pedi. There's no reason they should match, although a color scheme that relates is always classy. So what type of nails are in? Short, rounded nails. Squares were popular for awhile and are ok, but rounded is really the way to go. You can paint those nails a host of colors and styles as nail trends are hugely popular these days. Just have fun with it.

6 Fingernail Trends: Which Ones are Tacky, Which are Classy? Part 2

Tacky or Classy? French Pedis and Manis

French manicures are a classic style that done right (think subtle pinks on short nails) can look classy, but done wrong can look quite tacky. Avoid bright whites on long nails and you'll be good to go. As for French pedicures, the debate rages on whether these are tacky or classy. It's up to you to decide, but I personally loathe them. I think they make toes look like fingers. What do you think? Weigh in on the debate yourself.

Tacky or Classy? Fingernails of Varying Lengths

This is a major fingernail faux pas of which I used to be constantly guilty. It is a big no-no to leave one's house with unkept nails of varying lengths. Back in the day, at any given time, one of my nails would be legions longer than the other nails, no two of which were the same length. This is because I have nails of varying strengths. If I let them grow, only the nails on my pinkie and ring fingers would make it to Guinness Book of World Record length. My thumbs? Not a chance. They are always the first to break.
Long nails in general are not popular right now. Even if you have fingernails that are strong as horse hooves, you should aim for a short, rounded nail.

6 Fingernail Trends: Which Ones are Tacky, Which are Classy? Part 1

The condition of our nails speaks volumes about us. While you or I may pay scant attention to our nails, others will. Below we run down fingernail faux pas to avoid.

Tacky or Classy? Acrylic Fingernails

There are some acrylic nails out there that look great and can turn your short, stubby fingers into hands worthy of hand modeling. For example, my friend Deirdre always chews her nails down and decided to get acrylics so she wouldn't be tempted to bite. She chose short, rounded acrylics and her nails looked fabulous. The havoc they wrecked on her nails under them? Not so fabulous. But she loved her nails while she had them. Long, square nails, however are quite tacky and out of fashion. Not only do they look fake (who grows their natural nails that long anyway?), they aren't practical. They click on everything and make it virtually impossible to pick things up, pull on tight blue jeans and just about anything else one needs fingers for. My cousin Cat removed her inch-long nails when she had a baby and she was so excited she could finally pick up her keys.
The only best length for acrylic nails these days is short and rounded.

Tacky or Classy? Nail Art

Nail art these days is a huge industry. Everyone is decorating their nails as fashion statement. Just be careful. A painted flower on one big toe is cute because it's dainty and unexpected, but ten fingers decorated in swiggles, lightening bolts or glued-on cubic zirconias can be considered over-the-top. Your best bet is to stick with something very cool and sedate and avoid pairing your nail art with long acrylics.

How to Make a Pedicure Last Longer

Want your pedicure to go the extra mile? Cheat by painting nails with a neutral or clear polish. My pedicures can last more than a month without obvious chips because I always opt for a light pink. It looks great with a tan, but isn't obvious as the weeks wear on that I haven't had a pedicure in awhile. My friends who get bright pinks or reds have to be more careful, nail growth and chips are very obvious.

Exercise saftey Part 7

Exercise safety and your equipment

Most sports and exercises rely on some type of equipment, such as shoes, bicycles or racquets. Protective equipment – such as mouthguards, shin pads and helmets – can significantly reduce the risk of injury by absorbing the impact of falls or collisions. Safety suggestions include:

• If your sporting equipment is handheld, make sure you are using the right grip – for example, holding a tennis racquet the wrong way can increase your risk of tennis elbow (tendonitis).
• Make sure your equipment is appropriate to your sport or activity and the size and age of the participant.
• Wear appropriate shoes for your sport and replace them before they wear out.
• Protective equipment should be worn during training, not just for competition and games.
• Check equipment regularly and replace if worn out. If you are unsure how to maintain or check your equipment, consult with your coach or sporting association.
• Injuries can also be caused by incorrect form or technique. Consult your gym instructor, coach, sporting association, exercise physiologist or physiotherapist for instruction on how to improve your sporting technique.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Sports medicine doctor
• Physiotherapist
• Sports association
• Exercise physiologist

Things to remember

• Training too hard or fast is a common cause of sports-related injuries.
• Consult with your gym instructor, coach, sporting association, exercise physiologist or physiotherapist for instruction on how to exercise safely.
• Potentially harmful exercises include bouncing while stretching, standing toe-touches, full squats, straight-legged sit-ups and double leg raises.
• Wear appropriate protective gear and make sure your sporting equipment (including shoes) is well maintained.
• Stop exercise immediately if you are injured and seek medical advice before starting exercise again.

Exercise safety Part 6

You can figure out whether you have drunk enough water by weighing yourself before and after exercise – the loss of one kilogram is equivalent to about one litre of lost fluid. Thirst is an obvious indication that you need to drink.

Exercise safety in hot weather

Exercising in hot weather puts additional strain on your body. Heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and sunstroke occur when your body can't keep itself cool. Sweating isn't enough on its own to cool your body.

Symptoms of heat-related illness can include:

• Irritability
• General discomfort
• Weakness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Cramps.

Suggestions to avoid heat-related illnesses include:

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
• Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes.
• Protect yourself from the sun with clothing such as long-sleeved tops, full-length trousers, a hat and sunglasses or an umbrella.
• Exercise in the cooler parts of the day – preferably before dawn or after sunset.
• Reduce your exercise intensity. Take frequent breaks and drink water or other fluids every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty. If you have clear, pale urine, you are probably drinking enough fluids.
• Don’t drink alcohol, tea or coffee before or after exercising, as these beverages promote fluid loss.
• If you have travelled to a hotter climate, remember that it may take about 10 days of exercising before you fully acclimatise.

Exercise safety in cold weather

In cold weather, muscles are more susceptible to injuries. Safety suggestions include:

• Wear appropriate warm clothing. Multiple layers of clothing trap more body heat than one bulky layer.
• Devote more time to warming up and stretching before exercising and make sure you do a thorough cool-down.
• Keep up your fluid intake, since cold weather prompts fluid loss.
• Don’t forget sun protection – it is possible to be sunburnt even in cold weather, especially at high altitudes or on clear days.

Exercise safety Part 5

Warming up and exercise safety

As the name suggests, your warm-up (five to 10 minutes) should gradually warm your muscles and body temperature. The type of activity done in the warm-up should include major muscle groups that will be used in your sporting activity.

Your warm-up could begin with a low intensity activity such as brisk walking or jogging. Stretching should be performed once the muscles have been warmed, as the stretching of cold muscles is less effective. It is also important to stretch after activity to assist recovery.

Cooling down and exercise safety

In the last five minutes of exercise, slow down gradually to a light jog or brisk walk, then finish off with five to 10 minutes of stretching (emphasise the major muscle groups you have used during your activity). This helps to reduce muscle soreness and stiffness.

Water consumption and exercise safety

You can lose around one and a half litres of fluid for every hour of exercise. One of the first symptoms of dehydration is fatigue, which causes a significant drop in sporting performance. It may also cause you to experience cramps, heat stress and heat stroke. Suggestions include:

• Avoid starting exercise dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids for several hours prior to exercise.
• If you are well hydrated you should be able to pass a good volume of clear urine in the hour before exercise.
• Drink at least 500 ml (2 cups) an hour before exercise.
• Drink at least 150 ml every 15 minutes during exercise.
• During exercise take advantage of all breaks in play to drink up.
• After exercise, drink more to ensure you are fully rehydrated.

Exercise safety Part 4

Sit-ups

Two common but potentially harmful variations of the sit-up include anchoring the feet (where your training partner holds your feet) or keeping the legs straight along the floor. The hands are held behind the head or neck, and the upper body lifted. These types of sit-ups strain the lower back and tend to target the muscles of the hips and thighs rather than the abdomen. Suggestions include:

• Avoid this style of sit-up altogether.
• Perform abdominal curls instead. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and arms folded across your chest or alongside your body. Breathe out and curl your ribcage towards your pelvis.

Double leg raises

Avoid double leg raises. This exercise involves lying on your back and raising both legs at the same time. This places enormous stress on the lower back. Another potentially harmful variation is to lie on your stomach and lift both legs at the same time. An alternative is to perform the exercise one leg at a time, making sure your hips remain stable throughout the movement. Keep the other leg bent, with your foot on the ground.

Behind the neck press

The ‘behind the neck press’ or ‘lat pulldown behind the neck’ should be avoided, especially if you have been told you have instability in the front of your shoulder.

Stretching and exercise safety

Stretching, warming up and cooling down were previously thought to aid injury prevention during exercise. However, there is not a lot of evidence that these activities are effective in reducing exercise injury risk.

There is some evidence that warming up and cooling down might help to reduce muscle soreness after exercise, even if they don’t prevent injuries. Careful stretching can be included as part of your overall warm-up and cool-down routine. Some people also find psychological benefits in stretching and warming up to put them in the right frame of mind for exercise or to help them relax after exercise.

Exercise safety Part 3

Standing toe-touches

Avoid standing toe-touches altogether. Bending down to touch the toes, with straight legs, can overstretch the lower back muscles and hamstrings, and stress the vertebrae, discs and muscles of the lower back and hamstrings. Adding a twisting movement to the toe-touch can cause damage to the joints.

Alternative stretches for the abdominal muscles or the lower back muscles and hamstrings include:

• Stretch the hamstrings and lower back muscles by placing one foot on a low bench or chair, with both legs slightly bent so as not to stress the knee joints and, keeping your back straight, gently reach forward with your arms.
• An alternative hamstring stretch involves lying on your back with both knees bent. Straighten one leg by lifting it towards the ceiling, keeping the knee slightly bent. Support this leg by clasping both hands behind the knee. Hold. Repeat for the other leg. You should feel the stretch on the back thigh of the straight leg.
• For an alternative lower-back stretch, sit cross-legged on the floor then slowly lean forward, keeping your back straight while reaching your arms out to the floor. Hold.

Deep (full) squat

Full squats push the knee joint past 90 degrees. Whether they are done with or without weights (a barbell or a weight held across the shoulders or in the hands) this can strain the ligaments, cartilage and muscle of the knee joint and lower back, and create problems with the tracking (movement) of the kneecap. Suggestions include:

• Perform half-squats instead (45-degree bend of the knee).
• Use a mirror to check when your knee joint is at 90 degrees. You could also ask someone else to watch you or seek instruction from a qualified fitness professional.

Exercise safety Part 2

Stop exercising immediately

Stop exercising and seek medical help if you experience symptoms such as:

• Discomfort or pain
• Chest pain or other pain that could indicate a heart attack, including pain in the neck and jaw, pain traveling down the arm or pain between the shoulder blades
• Extreme breathlessness
• A very rapid or irregular heartbeat during exercise.

Exercises that could be harmful

Some exercises that involve fast or repetitive twisting, or long-lasting or held movements are best avoided because they can cause damage to bones and muscles. When deciding if any exercise is safe, you need to consider the technique and the load, as well as your personal circumstances, such as any previous injuries and your fitness level.

Bouncing while stretching

It is mistakenly believed that 'bouncing' as you stretch (ballistic stretching) helps muscles to stretch further. Sudden overstretching stimulates the stretch reflex causing the muscles to contract even tighter in an attempt to prevent injury. Bouncing is counterproductive as it can cause small tears to the muscle tissue, which are experienced as muscle soreness or tenderness.

Suggestions include:

• Don’t bounce.
• Concentrate on slow, sustained stretches.
• Hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds.
• Once the muscle feels comfortable, gently increase the stretch and then hold again.

Exercise safety Part 1

Regular physical activity is vital for good health. While there is a risk of injury with any type of physical activity, the benefits of staying active far outweigh the risks.

You can reduce your risk of exercise injury by:

• Wearing the right shoes, gear and equipment
• Drinking lots of water
• Warming up and stretching properly.

Exercise safety advice

You can obtain information and advice about exercise safety from your doctor, a sports medicine doctor, physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist – or see a sporting association about correct sporting technique and equipment. Some guidelines for general exercise safety include:

• When deciding if any exercise is safe, you need to consider the technique used and the load, as well as your individual condition, such as injury history and fitness level.
• Be guided by a qualified fitness instructor. If you have a pre-existing injury or medical condition, consult a sports medicine doctor, exercise physiologist or physiotherapist.
• There are many changes during pregnancy such as changes in body shape and size that pose potential risk of increased injury. It is essential that all women discuss their exercise plans with their doctor, as each pregnancy is different.
• Increasing the speed of any exercise can increase the risk of injury.
• Avoid or modify any exercise that causes you pain or discomfort. Don’t ignore your body’s signals of fatigue, discomfort and pain.
• Cross-train with other sports and exercises to reduce the risk of overtraining.
• Make sure you have at least one recovery day, and preferably two, every week.
• Injuries need rest – trying to ‘work through’ the pain will cause more damage to soft muscle tissue and delay healing.

Fitness centres - how to choose one Part 6

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Staff at fitness centres

Things to remember

• The fitness centre should operate in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Business Practice developed by industry and government.
• If you haven’t exercised in a long time, are overweight, aged over 40 years or have a chronic medical condition, see your doctor for advice and support before embarking on any new physical activity program.
• Ask a lot of questions so that you will have accurate information. Making an informed decision can help you choose a facility that fits your needs and offers long-term health benefits.