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Buddhism is a nontheistic religion that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha, meaning "the awakened one".
Now it's been almost 11 months that I have joined Buddhist practice and it's been really amazing till now. I have learned a lot about life." Even if things don't unfold the way you expected, don't be disheartened or give up. One who continues to advance will win in the end."
All I have gained is "positivity" and my prospective have changed towards everything. I have decided to not only post the matter I find on the Internet but also the journey of my life. Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything - anger, anxiety, or possessions - we cannot be free.

8 Facts You Never Knew About Eyeliner

When it comes to math equations or history lessons, we’ll admit we don’t always have our nose in the books (but we totally have the books themselves). As for learning about beauty? That’s another story. A little makeup 101 every now and then keeps us on our toes. We believe that in life, there’s always more to learn—and eyeliner is no exception.

What’s that you say? You already know all there is to know? We thought so too. That is until we learned these 8 unique tips, tricks, and facts.

1. White eyeliner can make your eyes look more awake. Swap your regular black pencil for white when you’re looking a tad on the tired side and say good morning to brighter eyes.

2. Dark eyeliner was actually created, in part, to protect people from the harsh rays of the sun. So, if anything, you have an excuse for owning ten identical similar shades of black eyeliner. But don’t forget: there’s no substitute for SPF!

3. Winged eyeliner can be worn on both top and bottom lash lines—at the same time! Choose two contrasting colors for an edgy makeover and read this tutorial for instructions.

4. Ever mess up on your liner look (hello, eyes that are suddenly two different sizes)? No worries, simply apply makeup remover to a Q-tip to erase the error without smudging or starting over.

5. Connect the dots instead of sweeping liner on for more precise results. Just dot with cream liner and connect with a smudge brush for perfect liner, every time.

6. You can use more than one eyeliner color at once—trust us. In our Rock Doll makeup tutorial, Emma Willis shows us how to rock three liners at once for a dramatic evening look. Try it out and report back!

7. Purchase a less-than-effective eye pencil? Instead of returning it, take a cue from ladies of the 80s: swipe it over an open flame to heat it up and it will glide right on. Quick tip: this trick works well for dramatic liner looks, too.

8. Getting a winged eyeliner look is way easier than you think. Choose which two-step process is right for you and voila—pro eyes in seconds!

The Breakout Prevention Basics

You thought you left your teens behind you years ago. Though potentially a little scathed by the mean girls in the lunch line, you were ultimately one of the lucky ones: You escaped the wrath of teenage acne … only to suddenly be dealing with it as an adult instead. So now, here you are, dealing with breakouts for the first time and in desperate need of acne advice. Even those of us who have had acne on and off since puberty can sometimes use a refresher on acne prevention. So we’ve rounded up our best tips to point you in the right direction.

Breakout Basic #1: Beautiful From the Inside Out

We won’t go so far as to tell you that you are what you eat, but the way you treat your body is incredibly important in keeping your skin in top shape — especially when it comes to preventing breakouts. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mt. Sinai Hospital, cites foods high in sugar and starch as acne-causing culprits. Zeichner recommends snacking on yogurt instead, which has probiotics that help reduce skin inflammation and vitamin A that helps prevent clogged pores. Stress can also play a role in worsening acne, so incorporate relaxation practices like mindful breathing into your everyday routine. It’ll make you look and feel better.

Breakout Basic #2: The Right Skin Care

If you’ve never had acne before, you probably haven’t adjusted your skin care routine accordingly. Unfortunately, now your skin care regimen is more important than ever. If you’re having really bad breakouts, it’s best to consult a dermatologist. But if you’re just dealing with the occasional bout, try using an over-the-counter product that has glycolic or salicylic acid. We love Kiehl’s Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment, which includes salicylic acid and lipo hydroxyl acids. Also, keep in mind that breakout prevention doesn’t always mean less moisture — moisturizer is still necessary, even if you’re a little oily. You just need to find the one that’s right for you.

Breakout Basic #3: While You Were Sleeping

Don’t let your beauty sleep make you less beautiful. Wash your face properly before your head hits that pillow. Oh, and speaking of pillows, make sure you’re hitting the hay with a clean pillowcase (and sheets, preferably). Make the weekly washing of your sheets a habit and your skin will thank you for it.

Breakout Basic #4: Hands Off

There’s a reason the saying “face palm” has come into existence. Your intern asked you for instructions on how to open a Word document. Your boss scolded you for not getting your work done on time, when really it was just lost in her inbox. You get it — you’re probably already bringing your hands to your face as you read this. Well, don’t! Your hands are breeding grounds for bacteria, which can contribute to breakouts.

Breakout Basic #5: Face-Framing Fringe

There are two ways your hair can lead to breakouts: products and contact. If you’re using a heavy hair product that gets near your face, it may be better to switch to a lighter one to see if it helps reduce acne. If you’re getting breakouts near your hairline, say if you have bangs or a short bob that touches your face, it might be time to consider a new style. Even a change as simple as wearing a headband during the day may result in fewer breakouts.

The 10 Commandments of Applying Mascara

In a makeup bag full of beauty products, I like to think of mascara as my best friend. No matter my look, she’s always got my back. You may or may not be surprised to know that a lot of women aren’t following the proper rules when it comes to applying mascara. If you want long, luxe lashes abide by these 10 commandments.

1. Know your mascara.

You might have stopped in Sephora recently and picked up that brand new mascara that promises thick, long, curled, voluminous lashes. It's likely that when you swiped it on, maybe 2 of the 4 happened. Experts say it's nearly impossible for a mascara to offer all these benefits. Instead, stick to 1 or 2 specific things. Keep in mind that the brush matters too. If it's big and fluffy, that's how your lashes will look.

2. Black looks good on everyone.

Black doesn’t discriminate and looks great with every skin tone and hair color, yes, even blondes. The whole point of applying mascara is to make your lashes visible. Experimenting with color can be fun too though. Just don’t end up looking like Ke$ha; unless you’re into that sort of thing.

3. Use an eyelash curler.

Because why wouldn’t you? They may look a little intimidating, but eyelash curlers curl your eyelashes. Crazy, right? For years I’ve been using the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. Yes, the price is a little steep but it’s worth the investment. I’ve had mine for 5+ years and occasionally switch out the silicone pad when necessary.

• How to use an eyelash curler:

1. Use before applying mascara

2. Squeeze curler at the base and hold for 3-5 seconds.

3. Slowly walk the curler, holding for 1 second, to the tips of your lashes.

4. Don't pump the wand.

You probably pump your mascara wand in and out of the tube, everyone does, but don't! It actually dries out your mascara. Instead, try a spinning method or dab the excess mascara on a tissue.

5. Start at the base.

Hold your wand parallel to the floor, and move the mascara wand from the base to the tip of the lashes. To prevent clumping, move the brush back and forth in a wiggle motion. Always apply mascara from underneath the lashes. Brushing on top will weigh lashes down and make them look limp.

6. Let them dry.

If you’re going for a dramatic look, give your lashes a chance to dry before applying multiple coats of mascara. This will also help with clumping.

7. Don't use waterproof every day.

Waterproof mascara is tough to remove and using it every day could cause your lashes to break. Instead use a regular formula, or something that’s water-resistant. Waterproof mascara should be saved for days when you really need it.

8. Use a "primer."

If you're still wanting to amp up your lashes try using a primer. Mascara primers boast that they nourish your lashes and promote growth, strength, and vitality. They enhance your lashes to make them look long and luscious. Sephora offers a great selection of lash enhancers. 

9. Remember your lower lashes.

Many women forget about their lower lashes, but they’re the finishing touch to your look. Gently apply your normal mascara, or purchase a mascara specifically for lower lashes like this one from Clinique. 

10. Take it all off.

You've piled on coats of mascara and it's going to take more than your nightly face wash to get it all off. Use a makeup remover with an oil base to dissolve the most stubborn formulas. Soak a cotton ball in the remover and gently place on top of your lashes for a few seconds. Slowly wipe the cotton ball across your eyes to remove the product. 

20 Things to Start Doing in Your Relationships

The other day I came across this pin and I thought it was too great not to share. Here's why these 20 things should matter to all of us:

1. Free Yourself from Negative PeopleNegative people are only going to drag you down. They will suck all your energy and will make you negative. No one needs that in her life, so only surround yourself with people who build you up.

2. Let Go of Those Who Are Already GoneTrust me, you are better off. After one of my exes left me, I spent way too long wishing he would come back, but he was gone. I wish I had known that then and saved myself all that heartache. Whoever left you is not worth it, simply because he left someone so awesome.

3. Give People You Don't Know a Fair ChanceYou never know how important their role will be in the story of your life. And you never will unless you let them in.

4. Show Everyone Kindness and Respect

Because above all, everyone is deserving of that little bit of human decency. You don't know what battles they're facing and you don't know how a little bit of kindness could turn around their day.

5. Accept People Just the Way They AreYou expect people to accept you, right? So show them the same courtesy. Don't try to change anybody, especially your guy. Either they're a right fit for you and your life or they're not.

6. Encourage Others and Cheer for ThemNot only will your friends and significant other appreciate having an unconditional cheerleader, it will make you feel good to be the one who builds other up.

7. Be Your Imperfectly Perfect SelfYou are perfect just the way you are and pretending to be anything other than yourself is a waste of time and a crime. Don't ever sacrifice who you are because in case you didn't know, you're amazing.

8. Forgive People and Move ForwardLiving with a grudge or holding on to blame is such a drag. Learn how to forgive so that you can heal yourself and your relationships. I'm not saying you have to forget, but you can't allow yourself to hold on to pain forever.

9. Do Little Things Every Day for OthersAnd do them without expecting anything in return. You will feel so good and your relationships will flourish.

10. Always Be LoyalBeing loyal shows kindness and respect (see #4) and a whole lot of character. There's no excuse for cheating or lying.

11. Stay in Better Touch with People Who Matter to You

Doesn't it seem like with all the technology we have at our command, we'd be better at staying connected? Life gets in the way, it's true, so do your best to connect with anyone and everyone who matters in your life. Friends are more important and more vital to your happiness than pretty much anything else in the world.

12. Keep Your Promises and Tell the Truth

This goes back to showing your character. People with good character say what they mean and always follow through when the say they will. Your relationships will stay strong when you do these two simple things.

13. Give What You Want to Receive

If you want love, give it. If you want honesty, tell the truth. If you want romance, be romantic. Not to be too new agey here, but what you put out into the universe is what comes back to you. So make sure it's good.

14. Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

Don't lie. It's so much harder than telling the truth.

15. Allow Others to Make Their Own Decisions

You can't control other people's lives. Sure you can offer your adivce, but their decisions are exactly that -- theirs. They might not always follow your advice, but that's how you grow and learn together.

16. Talk a Little Less and Listen More

Listening is how you learn exactly who you surround yourself with. Oh yeah, and again, it shows respect. Just close your mouth and see what you learn.

17. Leave Petty Arguments Alone

Some fights are not worth fighting. Let 'em be. You'll be happier, I promise.

18. Pay Attention to Your Relationship with Yourself

I know it's cliché, but you have to love yourself first before you can love anyone else successfully. Treating yourself with kindness and respect (just like you do to your significant other and friends) is of upmost importance.

19. Pay Attention to Who Your Real Friends Are

Don't surround yourself with negative or faux friends. Know who is there for you in a pinch and who truly shows the same good character that you yourself are putting out.

20. Ignore Unconstructive, Hurtful Commentary

Haters are gonna hate. But you don't have to listen. If someone is bringing you down just to build themselves up or be cruel, just ignore it. Only listen to your critics if you know they want to help you.

10 Weird Hair Tricks That Really Work

Let’s be honest. We love learning new hairstyles, dyeing our hair new colors, and doing a DIY hair mask on a Sunday night, but when it comes down to it, the more shortcuts we can take with our hair, the better. That doesn’t mean cutting corners, necessarily, but simply learning the worthwhile tricks that really work. Along the way of talking to hairstylists backstage at Fashion Week and trading secrets with our best friends, we collect a ton of hair tricks, the 10 best of which we’re sharing with you below.

1. Want subtle highlights for the summer but don’t want to empty your wallet? Squeeze out an entire lemon into a dish, dip a clean toothbrush into the juice, and gently comb it through your hair. Then, go sit in the sun for about 45 minutes to an hour (wearing SPF, of course!). Do this once every two weeks or so and the lemon juice will naturally lighten your hair in the sun.

2. Get rid of static in your hair by using dryer sheets. With one sheet, smooth it over your entire head going from root to ends. To avoid getting static altogether, rub the dryer sheets on your brushes and combs before using them on your hair.

3. Make your ponytail look fuller by using the hair clip trick. Pull your hair into a ponytail at the back of the crown of your head and secure it with a hair tie. Separate it into two sections (top and bottom), and with a small-to-medium sized claw hair clip, clip hair at the base of the ponytail, underneath the top section. Place the top section of hair over the clip and spray a bit of dry shampoo to get a fuller texture and hide the clip.

4. To remove all of the build up that can happen in your hair (oil and product build up can clog up your scalp and put a halt on your hair growing!) mix baking soda in water to create a paste, and use that to wash your hair. Rinse the baking soda out with a mixture of apple cider vinegar for a completely natural, clean head of hair.

5. Baby hairs and cowlicks are incredibly annoying, but there’s a way to tame them. Spray a toothbrush with strong hold hairspray and comb down the baby hairs and cowlicks so they’ll sit with the rest of your hair.

6. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase will help to prevent hair breakage and damage that can happen in the middle of the night as you toss and turn. Cotton and other textures mixed with your hair moving back and forth can create friction, which is what can cause the hair to break.

7. A lot of the time, girls with brunette or red hair shy away from dry shampoo because of the white residue that is often left over. DIY your own dry shampoo for darker hair so that you can skip washing your hair! Mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of corn starch, and a dash of cinnamon. Apply at your roots and shake through with your fingers for a refreshed head of hair!

8. If it takes you a very long time to straighten your hair, you may have the temperature setting on your flat iron too low, which means you need to go over the same pieces of hair multiple times, which can cause more damage. Instead, turn up the heat (to a mid-high temperature) so that you can go for a single pass and decrease damage.

9. Protect your hair from chlorine in the pool by completely wetting your hair and saturating it in conditioner, leaving it wet. Your hair will soak up the chlorine-free water and conditioner instead of the pool water, which will prevent the damage and color turning that chlorine can do.

10. Reduce frizz by drying your hair with a cotton t-shirt instead of a towel, then blow drying on the cool setting. Regular towels can cause a ton of friction which disrupt the cuticle and create frizz, so cotton t-shirts absorb water without causing friction. Make sure to squeeze your hair, not to rub it, while drying (which can, surprise, create more frizz-making friction). Blow drying on the cool setting to keep the cuticle closed, which won’t make as much of a frizzy mess as the hot setting.

5 Signs He's Falling In Love With You

SHUTTERSTOCK

Men aren't always the best at expressing our emotions. It's not that we can'ttalk about our feelings—we just don't even stop to think about them very often. Emotion, especially the lovey-dovey stuff, is kind of like elevator music to us. It plays softly in the back of our heads, but most of the time, we're barely listening.

That's why I sympathize with any woman trying to figure out how a guy really feels. Most of the time, the guy probably doesn't even know. Sure, he was just in the emotional elevator this morning, but he was too busy checking his phone for Twitter updates to notice what was coming out of the speakers.

But ladies, there is hope. Because even if your guy doesn't immediately tell you how much he adores you, he's probably giving off signs that he's falling for you. Here's what to look out for:

He Sends Stupid Text Messages
The more banal the message, the more love-drunk he is. For instance, if he texts to tell you he's drinking a margarita or that he just saw a cat that looks like yours, he's been struck by Cupid's bow. What he's really saying is, "I remember you said you like margaritas," and "I don't even mind that your cat hates men." He's also saying, "Right now I wish you, and your evil cat, and I were all drinking margaritas together."

He Calls You—Ever
There are three reasons men pick up the phone: (a) for work, (b) for emergencies, or (c) to hear someone's voice. And if you're not a co-worker or a 911 operator, then it's your voice that he's interested in. That's a true sign of lurve.

He Stops Getting Quite so Many Texts From Others
Girls only text guys that text them back, right? So if she stops texting, it means he did, too. Or it means he put his foot down. I once had a girl who kept texting me silly stuff late at night after I'd already started developing feelings for another girl. So I told Ms. Texty to stop. Hey—that's not an easy thing to do! You have to be pretty sure you want out of the dating pool before you drain it entirely.

He Asks for Style Advice
"What should I write in my brother's birthday card?" "Do these shoes look OK with these pants?" "What color sweater should I buy for my dog?" These are all questions guys only ask if they are drunk on love hormones.

You Hear His Buddies Giving Him a Hard Time
Nobody knows your guy better than his friends. So listen up: If they say something about how he's been a turd of a wingman lately, or if they ask him whether he's misplaced his testicles, they're not just being vulgar. They're actually making astute observations about subtle behavioral changes that you may not have picked up on. So thank those knuckleheads because now you know your guy's putty in your hands.

Acne Scars and Dark Spots: What You Need to Know For Clear Skin

Acne is bad enough on its own, but when it goes the extra distance and leaves scars and dark spots, it really becomes a hassle. Sometimes the formation of spots and scars is dependent on genetics, and sometimes it’s because the acne wasn’t left alone and the skin became a war zone. Despite the reason for your dark spots and acne scars, they have one thing in common: everyone wants to know how to get rid of them and get clear, clean skin. To get the expert tips on how to get rid of acne scars and dark spots, we went to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Oscar Hevia. Below are his tips for clear skin, just in time for spring.

Beauty High: What’s the difference between an acne scar and an acne mark? Are there any treatments for reducing the appearance of acne scars?

Dr. Hevia: Marks can mean different things to many people. Scars, by definition, are permanent. In the case of acne scars, we’re talking about defects of the skin known as “pock marks,” or dents. These defects respond best to fillers.

What can we do to diminish the appearance of acne marks? 

Acne marks are usually the discoloration of the skin after a blemish has subsided. They typically fade on their own within 2-3 months. Sometimes, chemical peels can speed up the removal of marks, and cortisone injections to the pimple, especially early on, can reduce or eliminate the mark that follows.

What treatment do you recommend for dark spots? 

I love to talk about brown spots, also referred to as “dark spots.” That is a subject many people don’t understand. There tends to be a lot of myths and misinformation about dark spots and how to treat them. The treatment performed on dark spots will depend on how dark the spots actually are. For example, you might have someone who is very light in skin tone and has brown spots – it doesn’t look good. This is a classic example that a laser treatment would not work for. Often times, these patients will go through the laser treatment and by the end it appears the spots have become lighter, but after two weeks, the spots appear again. Therefor, for the lighter color dark spots, you would either do a chemical peel or use a bleaching regimen product to lighten the spots.

However, when you get to the medium, darker spots, they respond well to laser treatment. Patients can receive laser treatment to get rid of the bulk of the dark areas and then, after one week, you can either use a chemical peel or lightening agents to further lighten the entire face.

What exactly is a stretch mark and is there anything we can do about them? 

Stretch marks are scars from the inside out. There is, to this day, no product that is going to get inside the dermis of the skin (where the damage occurred to cause the stretch mark) and remodel your collagen to such an extent that your stretch mark will disappear. Remember that stretch marks do improve. Many that are still in the purplish red zone tend to fade out. What’s not going to work for stretch marks is once you’ve reached the final stage of white stretch marks, that’s where you’ve reached the end point as far as the collagen.

black beauty

black beauty by outofmycloset featuring a zipper shirt