The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jane Kolade

  • Lifestyle hack for the week: How to break in your shoes painlessly.

    Lifestyle hack for the week: How to break in your shoes painlessly.

     

    Slipping into a fresh pair of shoes can be an instant confidence boost, but not when your new shoes don’t feel as good as they look (especially if they’re made from leather or suede). Today, we’re bringing you an easy at-home way to break in or stretch your too-tight leather shoes, without putting any of the burden on your poor feet (or spending a kobo). Just follow these five easy steps:

    1. Fill a freezer-strength Ziploc bag with water until it’s about half full.
    2. Gently squeeze out the air before zipping it fully closed.
    3. Place the bag of water in the shoe. (Tip: You can block off parts of the shoe with crumpled newspaper to keep the bag of water where you want it.)
    4. Put the shoes in the freezer overnight, or until the water is completely frozen. As the water turns to ice, it will expand, stretching the leather along with it.

    5. Remove the shoes from the freezer, wait about an hour for the ice to thaw, and then remove the bags. You’re done!

  • Banish Joint pain with Holy Basil.

    Holy basil, botanical name Ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as Ocimum sanctum is an aromatic plant of the family Lamiaceae. It is known as Efinrin in Yoruba, Nchuawun in Ibo, Alumokho among the Edos, One of the most revered herbs in Ayurvedic medicine; it is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics, and I is very common in Nigeria cookery and herbal use. A study presented at the prestigious Royal Pharmaceutical Society found that holy basil reduced painful joint inflammation by up to 73%.

    It is a powerful anti-inflammatory. As researcher and Physician; Al Sears puts it, “That’s a lot better than most Big Pharma medications.  And, even more impressively, the results lasted 24 hours after treatment”.

    Chockfull of dozens of compounds that reduce inflammation, one of the strongest being ursolic acid — a proven pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.  Ursolic acid inhibits the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme as well as 5-lox, which is activated by the stress hormone cortisol. 5-lox converts arachidonic acid (a bad fat made within the body from vegetable oils) to highly inflammatory leukotrienes.  Leukotrienes increase joint pain.

    To reap the benefits of this elixir and enjoy bone health, enjoy holy basil in a delicious tea. All you need are a few dried or fresh leaves.

    1. First, heat a quart of water in a pot.
    2. Add 3 heaping teaspoons of leaves.
    3. Let sit for 5 minutes.
    4. Strain into a cup or glass.

    It tastes great hot, but if you prefer a cold drink you can have your holy basil tea over ice with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Enjoy! Even better is the fact that it can be grown in your backyard all year round.

  • The difference between moisturizing and hydrating.

    The difference between moisturizing and hydrating.

    I keep getting enquiries as the difference between moisturizing and hydrating. It’s an interesting question since both words are often used interchangeably, and it would seem they are the same. But are they? Well, not really. You see hydrating products are formulated to increase water content to plump up the skin while moisturizing products keep the skin soft and pliable by preventing water content in the skin from evaporating.

    But I thought I’ll discuss a little more here and to begin, let’s look at what exactly is moisturizing and hydrating.

    Moisturizing makes skin soft and smooth
    Moisturizing aims to form a barrier film on the skin’s surface to prevent moisture loss. This makes the skin feel softer and smoother. Moisturizers generally work in two ways with two types of ingredients. First, you have the humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, sorbitol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, lactic acid, and colloidal oatmeal, which work by attracting water molecules to the skin. And second are emollients, like sweet almond oil, apricot oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, which work by softening skin and forming a protective layer on top, to prevent water loss by coating the skin with an oil-based substance to trap moisture in. Generally, the drier your skin, the thicker the moisturizer you need as they can help banish dry patches, flakiness and even fine lines. And in theory, a moisturizer should protect your skin from water loss until you wash your face but we know this does not always happen for various reasons, one of which is environmental polllution.

    Hydrating makes skin plump and supple
    The upper layers on the epidermis needs a supply of water to make sure they are kept plump and smooth. Hence, hydrating facial products are designed for this purpose to increase the water content of the skin. They usually contain occlusive agents that keep moisture from leaving the skin and humectants that attract more moisture to the skin. So in a sense, hydrating products are often said to be moisturizing as well. However, to me, hydrating means the actual replenishment of moisture or water to skin cells. Therefore, you should replenish moisture to your skin first before you have your moisturizing skincare products applied.

    Our skin needs to be hydrated and moisturized
    Going by the structure of our skin, we need both hydrating and moisturizing products applied on our skin. However, does this necessarily means you need to apply two different products? Well, not so because many moisturizers these days are designed to be water-based, containing mostly water-binding ingredients such as hyaluronic acid with some oil. But say if your skin is very dry, it would be better to use two products, such as a hydrating toner or hydrating serum followed by a richer moisturizer.

    Tip to apply moisturizer to increase hydrating benefits
    Personally, I only use a hydrating toner prior to using my facial oil and moisturizer. I always ensure that I apply the products while my skin is still damp. You might like to know that applying moisturizer to a damp face helps to lock in the water from the upper layers of the skin, and prevents evaporation. The moisturizer will also help seal the hydrating benefits from the toner deep into the skin.

    Hydrate from inside out
    Finally, while topical application can help to keep your skin hydrated and supple, and protect it from environmental stress, it is more important to hydrate your skin from inside out. Drinking of water is rather important to help skin cells stay hydrated – experts seem to point otherwise but my skin generally feel dry and tight when I do not drink enough water. Eating food rich in the essential fatty acids such as walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, and olive oil will also help to keep our skin hydrated.

  • How to remove an insect sting

    How to remove an insect sting

    So you were bitten by a bee, an asp or some insect that leaves a painful sting behind, so how do you take it out?
    Take a good look at the spot you were stung and search for the sting, (it will be the most painful spot).
    You will notice that it has a tiny hole where the insect’s stinger plunged the sting into your skin.
    Using a key, place the outermost edge of the inner circle inside the key close to the hole (of the sting) and apply pressure until the sting comes out fully.
    You will see what looks like a tiny piece of wood emerge painlessly from the site of the sting. This is the sting deposited by the insect.
    Viola! The sting is out, no allergies, pain, or swelling.
  • How to use Coconut oil to beat fungal infections

    How to use Coconut oil to beat fungal infections

    Coconuts have been enjoyed the world over for centuries, this is why women from various cultures like Bali, India, Peru, Jamaica and various parts of Africa use it for almost everything — from lip balm and skin moisturiser to cooking oil, and as a remedy for stomach complaints.
    Coconuts are also hypoallergenic, and they contain antibacterial, antiviral and anti-parasitic healing properties. But now researchers have discovered what traditional cultures have known for centuries: Coconut is a powerful anti-fungal treatment — especially against common yeast infections, like Candida albicans.
    Al Sears, MD, physician and researcher reports, “Not only is coconut oil a powerful natural healer, it has none of the harmful side effects that come with prescription drugs.”
    He, therefore, prescribes ingesting it, and also in cooking. He prescribes, “I recommend you add a few tablespoons of this oil to your existing diet to naturally manage any yeast infections. Look for virgin, unrefined coconut oil. I recommend adding two to three tablespoons of coconut oil to your daily diet.”
    He concludes: “You can also use it as a topical treatment. Clean and dry the affected area thoroughly. Then apply a thin layer of virgin coconut oil to the infected skin. Repeat this two to three times a day until the yeast infection is gone.”
    Some other uses of Coconut you might want to add to your beauty regimen; it helps prevent obesity by speeding up your metabolism, provide a quick energy boost, reduce sugar cravings, help prevent diabetes by improving insulin efficiency, promote healthy thyroid function, improve symptoms and inflammatory conditions associated with digestive and bowel disorders, support your immune system, break up blood clots, moisturizes and protects skin, and repairs dry damaged hair.
  • Health tips: 9 Skin damaging habits to avoid.

    Health tips: 9 Skin damaging habits to avoid.

    Every woman wants clear, smooth, beautiful skin, unfortunately, many of us do things that give us the exact opposite. So stop the nine habits below to get the skin you always dreamed of.
    • Bleaching: For some reasons, psychologists are yet to fathom, women are never satisfied with what they are blessed with. Could that be why many African women bleach their skins while Caucasians tan theirs? Both damage the skin, and make you look older than your age, not to mention the fact that it leads to major health problems like body odour, cancer, liver damage etc And nobody really likes to see a Fanta face on a Coca cola body, enough said!
    • Over exfoliating your skin: So yes, it is good to scrub your face to get rid of the old dead layer of skin, but the belief that the more intense a product is, the more likely it is to work is erroneous. The truth is that products with powerful ingredients, particularly exfoliants, can damage your skin if they’re too harsh.
    • Using non-disposable makeup applicators: You most likely now know that it is important to wash your makeup brushes at least once a week to remove bacteria. Many of us make the mistake of using the beauty tool that comes packaged with a new product—until the product runs out. Use disposable sponges, eye-shadow brushes, mascara brushes, etc instead, to save your skin from damage.
    • Not using sunscreen in cold weather: SPF (Sun protection factor) is not just for hot weather months. UV rays are present even in cooler weather, which means you should be wearing sunscreen every day.
    • Not using the right products: There is a reason you need to need to know your skin type, taking the time to find out your skin type is one of the most important steps in skincare, this will dictate the skincare products—as well as makeup and other beauty products—that are right for your skin. If you’re not sure, consult a skincare expert who can determine your needs and tailor your routine.
    • Bathing with very hot water: Bathing with extremely hot water is a major no no. Why? They may be relaxing, but long, hot showers can actually damage your skin. The heat from the water strips skin of its natural oils, leaving you with a dry, rough complexion.
    • Using the same product for too long: Our skin is constantly changing along with the rest of our bodies. If the products you’re using aren’t giving you the results you desire, consider an alternative. Aestheticians state thatfactors such as aging and climate change may cause your skincare products to act differently. Major tips, when you hit age 30, start using anti aging products.
    • Washing your face with very cold water: You may have heard about the benefits of a cold shower, but just like one that’s too hot, too cold can dry out your skin. Instead, use warm water to open up your pores and splash some cooler water at the end to close them.
    • Not frequently changing your pillowcases: The honest truth is that not changing your pillowcases frequently can reactivate acne and other skin issues. We know that going to bed can be very relaxing, but pillowcases can house a ton of dirt and oil from your skin and hair. At the barest minimum change your bed sheets and pillowcases once a week.
  • Foundation gives The Nation correspondent scholarship

    Foundation gives The Nation correspondent scholarship

    An Abuja-based foundation, The Dr Bukar Usman Foundation, has given a senior Correspondent with The Nation, Evelyn Osagie, a part scholarship to pursue her Masters at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University.

    With about a decade experience in journalism, Osagie won the Female reporter of the year award at the 2015 edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA).

    Osagie reports on the arts, culture, women and children. Notable among her inspiring reports is the story of The Nation girl Indian Ayuba, whose mother was mentally-challenged, a story she followed since 2009.

    Impressed by her developmental stories, and dedication to the course of humanity, and also after following Osagie’s journalistic career for some years, its founder and president, Dr Usman, said the foundation had given the multitalented journalist and poet a part-scholarship to pursue her Masters at the prestigious university.

    A letter, signed by Dr Usman states that her commitment and stories have brought development, and touched the lives of people, especially women, children, and communities across the country.

    The letter read: “In recognition of your developmental stories, and reports on various subjects across the nation, I have the pleasure in informing you that the Dr Bukar Usman Foundation has offered you a part-scholarship to enable you to pursue a Masters Degree in Communication at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.”

  • Wealthy Nigerian parents are raising Lions in the Zoo – Abegunde

    Wealthy Nigerian parents are raising Lions in the Zoo – Abegunde

    Are you a wealthy parent who gives your children everything they want? Then you might want to read this. Securities firm CEO, and Bowen University Pro- Chancellor, Mr Abegunde  spoke about the menace of wealthy parents, (even those from indigent backgrounds) who go on to raise spoilt-silver-spoon-kids with the wealth God blessed their parents with, whom he refers to as “Lions in the zoo”.

    He referred to this situation at the first anniversary of the Stag project: a Youth empowerment programme of Vine Branch Ministries for young men between the ages of fourteen and twenty four years which held in Ibadan earlier in the month.

    Speaking to The Nation in a chat, he explained, “A lion in the zoo sits down there waiting for the keeper to bring him food and water, and he eats it. If the food is not brought on time, he roars. And then everyone will run helter-skelter to find it food. But a lion in the jungle knows that he has to go out and look for food by himself.”

    Continuing his observations of the negative trend, and how it robs such children of the independent spirit necessary to survive and succeed in the world as adults, he surmised, “I coined that term myself. I see how we bring up our children today. We give them everything, even their assignments; we literally write it for them, take them to school, and even write exams for them. I have even seen a situation where a young graduate was accompanied to a job interview by her mother. That was the singular reason we did not hire her.”

    He continued, “When they get out there, and the keeper is no longer there, will they be able to feed? The survival instinct will not be there.” As such he enjoined parents not to pamper their kids. He quipped, “Give them what they need, not what they want.”

    Contrasting the situation with his humble beginnings, he continued, “You can compare that to someone like me who had to do odd jobs to do the same things.” This son of a retired post master who rose through the ranks to become the man he is today confessed that his father encouraged he and his siblings to be independent, and fend for themselves from an early age; as such he hawked mangoes and newspapers as a young boy to raise money to support himself through school, even though his father was on hand to help.

    Speaking on his parenting style he stated, “My children do not wear as good clothes as their contemporaries, but I don’t care. Even the children of people who are not as well off as we are financially dress better.” Speaking on a tactic he uses to motivate his kids to excel in their studies, he revealed, “When we travel on annual holiday, I give them a basic amount as shopping allowance, and then I promise them a specific amount for every A they score at school. So when they score A’s in school, they call to inform me even before they return home from school.”

    He concluded by stating that he uses such tactics to teach his children certain principles, and instill financial discipline and prudence in them, he stated, “However, they do not want to spend more than half that amount, preferring to bring it home to Nigeria, that is my way of training them.”

  • Nigeria meets the world at Beauty Africa 2016.

    Last week, the Landmark Event Center in the upscale Victoria Island axis of Lagos witnessed a deluge of beauty enthusiasts, professionals, and businessmen and women from different parts of the globe for the 2016 edition of Beauty Africa Exhibitions and Conferences. It held from Thursday October 6 to Saturday October 8. Surprisingly, the Beauty Expo saw a large turn-out of men in an industry event that caters mostly to the female folk, probably because the Nigerian beauty and wellness market is projected to be worthabout $3 billion by 2017 in a 2012 report by Euro monitor. The three day event had in attendance beauty professionals from Africa and beyond, and showcased the latest beauty, wellness, aesthetics, and anti-aging trends, products, brands, and techniques from all over the world to the African market.

    In attendance were leading local and international experts in the beauty industry to share their experiences through business strategy discussions, live demonstrations and open discussions, thereby  feeding attendees from their deep well of knowledge of the industry garnered over the years.  Industry veterans spanning the arts of Make-up, skincare, hair care, wellness, and beauty like Banke Meshida-Lawal, Mochedda, Ezinne Alfa, Fatima Mamza, Nibi Lawson, Lola Maja, Bimpe Onakoya, Olajide David-Okerayi, Pamela Bello-Olatunji, Marco Lewis, Mimi Marwa, Joyce Jacobs, David Sucre, Daboju Michael-Ogboru, Louisa Kinoshi, Lola OJ, Doranne Beauty, Chika Ozor, Seyi Ayinla, Wondrous Carter Brown, and Rhema Akabuogu gave their all as panelists and/or speakers.

    Organisers of the event, Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions say that the annual event is an opportunity to bring the world to Nigeria, and Nigeria to the world. Life Sciences Group Africa Director: Jamie Hill, speaking of the organizations reason for holding the annual event which is in its fourth edition stated, “It is a platform for international businesses to gain entry to Nigeria, and Nigerian firms to showcase their market.”

    It also enabled beauty professionals across Africa and beyond to meet, network, source suppliers, improve/increase their knowledge base, while learning the latest beauty trends, techniques, and technologies from both local and international experts to improve their business success, and acumen.

    The first day of the three day event had five top beauty professionals giving presentations with live demonstrations. First was Abuja based make-up artiste; Fatima Mamza with a live presentation tagged Nigerian Bridals, Nibi Lawson gave an enlightening demonstration and talk on Building a healthy hair regimen, Olajide David Okerayi was next with a demonstration tagged Fresh Faces, Marco Louis spoke about International trends in his hour long presentation. Pamela-Belo Olatunji gave a live demonstration in her presentation titled Skin exfoliation: a case for chemical peels.

    Friday 7 October day 2 of the conference opened with a panel of discussants made up Banke Meshida- Lawal, Daboju Michael-Ogboru, Louisa Kinoshi, Lola OJ, Mochedda Doranne Beauty, Chika Uzor and Seyi Ayinla deliberating on the topic The Beauty Business Forum: A focus on brand building, digital influencers and marketing strategies moderated by Ezinne Alfa. Other presentations were The Authentic Nigerian Look by Banke Meshida-Lawal, SFX Creative by Lola Maja, Classic Midcentury Glamour with a modern twist by Bimpe Onakoya, and Pamela Bello-Olatunji with Skincare: Microdermabrasion.

    The final day of the event had Mimi Marwa speaking on Skincare and Henna, Carter Brown spoke on Short Hair Styling, Joyce Jacobs gave a presentation on Top Make-up trends, Rhema Akabogu spoke on Reformation: The Art of Highlights and Lowlights, Getting the perfect glow by David Sucre.

    As the event came to an end, attendees were quick to give feedback on having their expectations surpassed even as they look forward to forthcoming editions. Some of the attendees said, “Given the great turnout with last year’s Beauty Africa, I am super excited to be a part of this incredible platform again. Africa is booming when it comes to our fast growing beauty industry. For MAC to have the stage to share our fashion and backstage knowledge is truly a privilege,” said Marco Louis, Resident Senior Artist MAC Cosmetics Sub Saharan Africa.

  • Tee Billz tests negative for hard drugs

    Tee Billz tests negative for hard drugs

    Sequel to the Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz marriage crisis, On Air Personality, Freeze took to instagram to report that Tee Billz has tested negative for cocaine and other hard substances.

    Freeze alleged that the estranged hubby and former manager of Tiwa Savage was seen at a laboratory in Victoria Island.

    He reported, “BREAKING: Tee Billz tests negative for hard drugs! This comes from an unconfirmed source, who saw them at a lab in VI. Furthermore, an insider who chose to remain anonymous said he tested negative to cocaine and every other hard drug.”

    Continuing his post, Daddy Freeze, as he is sometimes called, urged all well wishers to keep the troubled music industry executive in their prayers, even as further confirmation is expected from his base. Freeze concluded,” We should continue to keep them in our prayers as we await a proper confirmation from his camp!”

    Recall that Tee Billz attempted suicide last week, after an online meltdown and twitter rant; he has been reported to be unstable due to alleged drug use. The fallout has been a breakdown of his marriage to his music diva wife; Tiwa. Celebrities, fans, and family have continued to comment on the issue, many of whom have criticized the previously respected, powerful Nigerian entertainment couple a trending topic ever since.