A good formula for knowing how much water you should drink can be obtained by halving your body weight (in pounds) and drinking it in ounces -adding more if you live in a hot climate or are very active. So, if a person weighed 100 pounds, they'd need to be drinking at least 50 ounces which is not quite 8 glasses.

Also, as another note (Mehinen's post reminded me): if you drink any caffeinated beverages, you are *supposed* to drink even more water

I need to remember this! I'm always drinking tea. And I'm pretty sure Lady A mentioned this before, but don't freak out if you find more pimples or generally feel ick for the first few days of adding anything cleansing (like water) to your body -it's just a sign of your body flushing out toxins and you'll feel heaps better afterward than before you began!

Another thing to note regarding increased water intake:

""Drinking large amounts of plain water is not ideal in itself [i.e. without also consuming salt] because it shuts off the sense of thirst and produces more urine which results in further fluid loss even though you are dehydrated." -not table salt, btw.

For even more info on the health benefits of drinking water, you might want to google Dr. Batmanghelidj. We have one of his book's, 'Your Body's Many Cries For Water' and it explains so much about this amazing liquid that you'd think would be common sense, but isn't.

I re-shaped my eyebrows today -using one of those online formulas, so you can find where your brows should begin, end and arch. It was really helpful. I've been trying to grow them as thick and even as possible, but it just wasn't working for me -so I shaped 'em with what I had.

Local custom, people here, no matter the age, usually drink milk with their meals (at least at home). And it's good for the bones, it's harder to get osteoporosis if you use milk products, though I think that I could survive with drinking it less and water more .

StudyMate, where did you find that eyebrow formula? It sounds interesting.

I had forgotten about the formula Study Mate mentioned, but it does hold true...if you are smaller than about 120/130lbs. Above that, you want to go with the standard eight glasses + whatever you are thirsty for. Too much water can actually put your body on the fritz--I had an aunt who was hospitalized b/c of too much water in her system, and if a neighbor hadn't found her, she would have died.

* moves away from the gory details *

Re: Drinking water and eating salt: if you have a balanced diet, you shouldn't have a problem with your salt levels....

I'll have to google Dr. Batmanghelidj. Is he the one that wrote about why your body needs alkaline?

Ditto what Mehinen said--where'd you find the formula? and how happy are you with it?

Mehinen, whatever's best for you! If the milk is providing you with what you need, and you aren't having acne problems (or other problems that show that the body is having trouble with toxins), then I'm sure you'll be fine.

I do still advise more water.

EDIT: I've kept forgetting to post this, but: if you don't drink enough water, your body will often not tell you that you are thirsty, but instead tell you that you are hungry. So, if you are feeling constantly hungry, that may be a sign that you need more water.

Well, this is my first time wandering here.

I must say a huge thank-you to Lady Arwen and Val for the tips about getting acne and oil out of your skin. Oh, I could hug you both!
Normally, I complain that I feel oily and un-fresh (if that's a word ) which gets unbearably uncomfortable. I don't have acne (except the occasional pimple or w/e), but I do have a few teeny tiny blemishes, and yeah, you get it. Blech.
So, I put your tips into action and started increasing my water intake, bought and ate a few blueberries, didn't eat much sweet stuff, etc. etc. This morning I actually felt a huge, gigantic (we're talking wooly mammoth gigantic!) change on my face! It was nice and clear, felt so very fresh, oh! my goodness! It is much to the amusement of my mom who is laughing at us silly girls getting excited about our skin.
So, thank-you *gets emotional* for changing my life! *weep weep weep*
But, really though, thanks for the advice! My skin feels so much better!

Wow, glad it helped CS! Mind if we use your statement on the back cover of our upcoming self-help book?

While I was out of town this week, I went to the beach. Anyone else experienced the phenomena of having increadibly rough feet, walking on the beach/in the saltwater for 45 minutes or so, and then discovering that you suddenly have increadibly soft feet? Happens every time, and I love it. I've found its also a lot cheaper than trying to use multiple products, which work, but only when you use them every day. (Salt scrub in the shower, anyone?)

CSLewis, that's awesome!! I'm so happy that your skin feels so much better! It's crazy what a few little changes can do. I know when I don't drink much water for a few days my skin definetly suffers--it just feels duller and dryer.

^ Ditto Lady Arwen, I did that when i was in Venice Beach, CA two weeks ago and noticed how soft my feet were just for standing in salt water for that length in time. Salt scrub in showers sounds like a great idea. I just may try that!

Ak! That was a tease, DJP. If you use a salt scrub in a shower, everything gets very slippy, so you might want to be really careful. I'm used to doing it, but I've nearly slipped several times.

That's alright anyways I have one of those things that you place in your bath tub that prevents people from slipping.

Great tips. My most effective beauty tip for not having pimples is to make sure that I remove my make-up by washing my face before going to bed. I hydrate my skin by drinking plenty of water and juice and by applying Vitamin E face cream. Make sure as well to get plenty of sleep and don't drink too much alcohol.

I love Rimmel London makeup!!!! it is really good stuff!! My favorite face wash would have to be Clean & Clear they have a huge verity of things for all skin types, and all skin conditions

Any suggestion on how to apply simple make-up? Hihi. I'm poor in knowledge when it comes to Make-up and styles. .

Any suggestion on how to apply simple make-up? Hihi. I'm poor in knowledge when it comes to Make-up and styles. .

What do you need to now and i will be glad to help

Sandy, a few tips for incredibly simple make up, which I would suggest for every-day wear, if you feel the need to wear make-up every day:

1. Get a concealer, or a foundation that is a perfect match for your skin color. Use this for trouble spots, such as red marks or zits.
2. Colored chap-stick, that is a close match to your lips. You want most everything to just enhance your features, not to shout "Hi! I'm wearing make-up!!!!"
3. Eyeliner. This will depend on the shape of your eyes, but adding a little eyeliner to the outer edges of both the upper and lower lids will make your eyes appear slightly larger. An eyeshadow a shade or two darker than your normal skin tone is also helpful, and should be applied just above the lashes, for about the width of the brush. Try to avoid using anything directly beneath the eye all the way across, because this will make you look tired.

If you find that you wear make-up on a regular basis, or want a way to apply it easier, I would encourage you to look into buying a set of brushes. Brushes can be quite expensive, but last, and are quite helpful. I would recommend getting a set like this one, which is from MAC. (Disclaimer: I've never bought from that site, so no idea on how good it is, it just has a good picture of a simple brush kit).

Hope that helps!

And it's good for the bones, it's harder to get osteoporosis if you use milk products though I think that I could survive with drinking it less and water more

Hi Mehinen, sorry for my late response! If you're interested in hearing a more comprehensive view on MILK, and why it may actually be contributing to debilitating conditions (ironically, even osteoporosis) and why it may be a good idea to cut down, check out this doctor's article: http://www.notmilk.com/kradjian.html

StudyMate, where did you find that eyebrow formula? It sounds interesting.

and how happy are you with it?

It's kind of all over the net, I read it in an article. Here's a similar one with diagrams about halfway down http://www.yestheyrefake.net/eyebrow_shaping.htm
But if you want a tutorial, check out youtube.

Hope that helps! And yes I was happy with the result. Also, I'm not a fan of eyebrow 'trimming' -I think it looks too sharp and unnatural?

LadyArwen He may well have emphasised the importance of keeping our bodies alkaline, but I'm not sure. He treated a lot of conditions with just a salt-sugar-water type solution -like a drip, really!

I think I eat a fairly balanced diet (though I have problems with eating regularly -I tend to fast and then partake, alas!) -but I am always adding salt to my food because I'm hardly eating processed (sodium filled) foods nor do I partake of the goodness that is carbonated beverages. I don't eat much bread, either -and when I do it's pita. So I like to add salt to my cooking and sprinkle (quite) liberally on food. I think there's a study out there somewhere about how the 'too much salt is bad for you' message was not meant to be applied to everybody. But, as with anything, don't overdo it -especially if you start noticing water retention, you're carrying too much sodium likely.

Regarding face washing routines and skin clearness; I can't think how many times I've gone to bed without removing my foundation (gross, I know) but it's never given my a pimple. I break out after eating certain foods, yes, but it's rare enough that I know what foods cause this for me. I think it really is a process of cleansing all elimination systems in your body -skin problems are usually very closely related to a 'dirty' or sluggish colon. I once heard nutritionist Dr. Richard Schulze say that if America stopped drinking coffee they'd have a constipation problem so big it would take some serious weaponry to clear it. I know that's not pretty but I think it's very applicable to us in the West. If you want good skin, it's probably time to start detoxing. It's a long process, but very much worth it for your health in the long run.

*cookie if you read this far, anyone, likely no-one though hehe*