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Before applying a facial, open your pores first with a hot washcloth. Afterwards rinse the mask off using cold water and use an ice cube to close the pores and keep the benefits inside.

EXFOLIATING SCRUBS

Oatmeal Scrub

For a facial scrub, moisten oatmeal (any type of basic oatmeal works here)
and use it to scrub your face (not around your eyes). Wash off with cold water.

Salt and Olive Oil

For a great elbows & feet scrub, mix three tablespoons olive oil or any good oil with one tablespoon salt. Gently rub into dry skin. This exfoliating scrub can be used on cheeks and forehead as well. Do not use around eyes.

Chickpeas Powder

For an easy exfoliating mask, rinse your face with lukewarm water, and use the chickpeas powder to scrub for 30 seconds. Rinse with cool water.

CLEANSING MASKS

Lupine Powder for Cleansing Skin

2 tbsp Lupine powder

½ cup yoghurt

2 tbsp bran

1 tbsp milk

2 drops lemon

1 egg yolk

For a great cleansing mask combine the ingredients above and apply to your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash away with cold water.

Egg Whites and Cucumbers

You may also beat an egg white, put it on your face and let it dry, rinse with cool water. Sliced fresh cucumber placed on your closed eyes will reduce bagginess and dark circles.

MOISTURIZING MASKS

Avocados and Honey for Dry Skin

½ avocado (you can also substitute with 2 teaspoons avocado oil)
¼ cup honey

Mash these together. Apply to skin and leave for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with a washcloth drenched in cold water.

Soothing Mask for Sensitive, Chapped, Sunburned or Irritated Skin
1 cup natural yogurt (just-out-of-the-fridge cold)
½ cup oatmeal

Mix the ingredients and apply to the skin for 15 minutes. Wash off mask with a warm washcloth. Extra tip: This mask works well for other skin types also. For oily skin, add a few drops of lime juice. For dry skin, add honey.

Strawberries and Lemon for Oily Skin

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon pulp
2 egg whites
2 tsp honey
1 cup strawberries
4 drops eucalyptus oil or jojoba oil (optional)

Blend the above ingredients, apply and leave on for10 minutes then rinse with cool water. Recipe serves 2 persons, so invite a friend, or use half quantities.

Rose Petals and Yoghurt for Combination Skin

A rose-based mask is perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin.
6 rose petals
2 tbsp rosewater
1 tbsp natural yoghurt, full cream
1 tbsp runny honey (warm honey in microwave for 8 seconds. The warmth is particularly soothing for this mask)

Soak rose petals, and crush them in a bowl. Add rosewater, yoghurt and honey.
Mix well & apply to the skin. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water. If you don’t have rose petals, it works fine without.

Lighting

Lighting is like a good foundation to any perfect make-up. There are different forms of lighting. Direct and indirect lighting and candle light. A nice chandelier, regardless if modern or classic, placed enlightening the center of the dining table is essential. Indirect lighting solutions can add more lighting sources that are felt but not seen. Lamps placed on the buffet or side cabinet close to the dining table, are also a very warm form of lighting up the space. Place some matching candle holders on your dining table and side units to add warmth to the area.

Color Theme

Colors add personality to any room. Choose a theme of matching colors and apply it to the entire interior such as upholstery fabric, curtains and accessories; you can even match your cutlery and serving plates. Love for the detail is what accentuates and separates us from the crowd. If you choose a warm color theme like burgundy, beige and earth tones it will match perfectly to dark wooden floors and furniture. Golden accessories will be the perfect addition and truly a cherry on top. If you choose to match brown tones with khaki, silver accents would also give a nice result.

Cutlery

Matching cutlery is a very nice detail that gives harmony to the whole theme. Beige or white china matches every décor. You can easily get matching serving dishes and plates that match your color theme and your dining service. Glassware and Crystals also go along perfect in this unison.

Fabrics

No dining table without matching table cloths. They come in all shapes and colors. Make sure that when you buy one it matches the overall color theme and more important that it fits the table. Nothing is worse than a table cloth that is smaller than the table. If your dining table is not standard size you can easily buy fabric and have it sown for you. Table runners are very 'in' and add style to your set-up. They also come in all styles and colors. Get the table runners according to your seating arrangement, meaning that if your table seats three on one side you need three runners. Matching placemats and napkins are a must. You can give an elegant touch with napkin rings.

Legendary singer/songwriter Yusuf Islam releases his first album of new songs for almost 30 years this autumn. Yusuf Islam says “There were one hundred reasons for leaving the music industry back in 1979, not least because I had found what I was looking for spiritually. Today there are perhaps one hundred and one good reasons why I feel right making music and singing about life in this fragile world again.”

The album is a collection of brand new songs including revivification of some truly spellbinding compositions which lay unfinished in Yusuf’s musical memory and completed for this album. All were recorded over the past year with renowned producer Rick Nowels. Yusuf Islam is one of the UK’s most celebrated artists. As Cat Stevens he achieved international success in both the Sixties and Seventies. In 1977 Stevens embraced Islam, adopted the name Yusuf Islam and took a break from music. The release will coincidentally be at the same time as the 40th anniversary of the first Cat Stevens’ record, I Love My Dog, November 1966.

“Much has changed, but today I am in a unique position as a looking glass through which Muslims can see the west and the west can see Islam,” says Yusuf. “It is important for me to be able to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross.”

Over the years, Yusuf’s work has been recognized with major awards. In 2004 he was awarded the Man for Peace award by a committee of Nobel peace laureates. In 2005 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire for services to education and humanitarian relief. Yusuf Islam has signed a new deal with Polydor Records to release the as-yet-untitled album later this year.

The Life of a Living Legend

Aliases: Stephen Demetre Georgiou, Yusuf Islam, Cat Stevens
Born: July 21^st, 1948

My father was a Greek Cypriot and my mother was Swedish, but for some reason they decided to send me to a Roman Catholic school. I suppose that was the first anomaly of my life. Born Steven Demetre Georgiou, I was brought up Greek Orthodox, so didn’t take part in the religious rituals at school; you could say it meant I started out life as an observer.

My family wasn't strict at all, but they did want me to have a good moral grounding - hence their reasons for sending me to a Catholic school. I learned about good and bad, and about morality in general, and religion definitely left a strong impression on me. When a friend of mine refused to kneel at prayer because he didn’t want to spoil the crease in his trousers, it caused a fracture in our friendship. I must only have been about seven at the time!

Ironically, considering I have now converted to Islam, my upbringing was very anti-Muslim. Essentially, the Greeks and Turks were enemies, so I adopted the stance of my Greek Cypriot father and hated everything about the Turks, including their religion: 'Islam', whatever that meant.

There was a Muslim family living near us and, although we never hurled abuse at them or anything like that, we did keep our distance. I grew up in the West End of London. My parents ran a busy restaurant in the upper part ofShaftesbury Avenueand so the atmosphere I was born into was exciting. Life was all lights, hurried people and black taxis. We were close to the theatres and that is definitely where I picked up my interest in the entertainment industry.

I was the youngest of three, and I’m sure my brother and sister would say I was very spoiled as a result, but I certainly did my fair share of hard work. By the time I was ten, I was already working as a waiter in the shop, clearing away and mopping up, so I suppose that’s when I first learned how to serve people. Sometimes, I turned the kebabs, but normally things went quite well and, because I was so young, I got lots of tips from the customers.

Being a mixed-race child wasn’t difficult. The part ofLondonI grew up in was so cosmopolitan that I didn’t stand out at all. But it was an interesting situation at home. The hot and cold of my parents’ different personalities meant I learned to maintain a kind of balance throughout my life. I loved the emotions of my father and the fact that he was so very strong-willed, active and smart. But his temper was sometimes a bit much for some of us. Our mother, on the other hand, was very cool and collected, and always found time to listen.

But I do remember a bit of shouting in our household. I must have been about eight when my parents decided to break up. It was an unusual separation because they both remained in the house. We all lived above the restaurant, with my father taking a first floor room, while my mother took another.

We all shared a single living room but the real centre of activity was the shop, where my parents both continued to work. The only difficulty was the sleeping arrangements. Occasionally, I would become the object of a tug-of-war between them. Because my father usually won, I would end up sleeping in his room most of the time. Strangely, though, I was always closer to my mother.

After they separated, she tried to set up home inSweden, and I found myself going to school there for about six months. I was the only dark-haired, dark-eyed, olive-skinned boy in the whole blond- haired, blue-eyed school. At play time, I was the centre of attention. I had a section of the playground for myself where all the boys could come to take a look at me. This way, I got to choose who would be my friends that day, but it increased my sense of being an observer.

I was always a sensitive child and tended to look rather closely at life for someone so young. I was quite an introvert and was forever thinking. I can’t remember a time as a child when I wasn’t thinking about something. Once, I tried not thinking, while I was on my way to school, but I couldn’t manage it.

When we returned to my father inLondon, I found myself always trying to patch up things between my parents. I felt I had to be a bridge between them. Later, when I became famous, my success was a great source of pride to both of them. In a way, I think that helped to keep us all together. I showed my artistic ability at a very young age, and it was my mum who encouraged me. I would often draw late into the evenings, but instead of telling me to stop and go to bed; she would leave me to get on with it. My interest spread to music, which gave me a way of expressing all those thoughts. We had a grand piano at home, and I soon learned how to play it. Later, I switched to the guitar and started writing songs which I recorded on to a demo tape in a studio just down the road. Once I had changed my name to Cat Stevens, I was on my way.

I had my first hit when I was 18, with a song called ‘I Love My Dog’. All that fame led to a big change of lifestyle. I was being interviewed, photographed and chased by girls. Although I’d love to say none of that actually changed me, it did have an effect. Rather than worrying about being too young for this success, I thought I had left it too late, my expectations were so high.

I had grown up inSohoand was pretty streetwise. I suppose I was quite naughty when I was young, trying to see what reaction I would get from my parents. I smoked and went off to art school at 17, and that exposed me to lots of ideas and new customs. Although I lived life fast, I was always searching for answers. I was aware that there was something I had to achieve in life. At first I thought that if I had luxuries, that would answer all my problems, but it didn’t.

At 19, I contracted tuberculosis and was whisked off to hospital. It was a very scary time as I came face-to-face with my own mortality. It sparked off my first earnest search for a way forward. The thoughts which I developed during that teenage period of illness helped me to reflect on things, and paved the way for the life I now lead as a Muslim. I began searching for meanings and spiritual truths about our existence; it was a search that initiated a long journey.

I was always on the search and of course my songs reflected this, I was trying to glimpse under the surface, cross the materialistic surface and grasp the truth. So i began studying different religions, such as Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Zen, even Astrology. I soaked all these religions in me. If you analyse all my songs now, you can see my biography, where I was at that stage, my thoughts, beliefs and emotional state.

In 1976 my brother gave me a copy of the Quran to read, I began reading and was overwhelmed to see such a unique truth and enlightment to my heart to see how God communicates to his people through the Quran. The real turning point was when I almost drowned in the Pacific Ocean shortly after. I was swimming relatively far from the beach and suddenly I just couldn't swim anymore. I was fighting the water and noone was near to help me. It turned out that actually someone was there to help me! I screamed God if you save me now I will stand up for you the rest of my life! Just like that a wave carried me to the beach and i was saved. Ever since I am convinced that there is a greater power that decides about life and death. I converted to Islam and took on the name Yusuf Islam and turned my back on my music career. For me it was a step to focus on my new path, do charity work and enjoy my family. It was never a dogmatic and eternal decision, yet at that time it gave me the space I needed.

I hope to bridge the gap between Islam and the Western world, I want to teach the West about Islam through me and vice versa.

My son is very musical and talented, I went back to my music through him. I woke up one day saw his guitar and I just began playing some accords and sang some words I had in mind. Music is a great way to express yourself and communicate the changes in my life that brought me here.

We were introduced to Nour through TV commercials a few years ago, for which she was casted through an agency in Lebanon during her studies at university. "I accompanied my friends to a casting and by chance I was offered to do a TV commercial in Egypt, I thought why not and gave it a try", Nour explains modestly. Nour is a Fine Arts graduate with a passion for painting, "I haven’t painted in a long time, this needs a stress free environment and time, both I don’t have at the moment due to the film projects I am engaged in", she admits.

While appearing on commercials she was offered a role in box office hit "Hammam fi Amsterdam" (Hammam in Amsterdam) but refused as back then she didn’t want to pursue acting. Until director Said Hamed offered her a leading role in "Short wa Fanela wa Cap" (Shorts, shirt and cap) alongside Ahmed El Sakka, which was a great success. Shortly after, director Ali Edrees casted her in another leading role in "Ashab wala Business" (Friendship or Business), turning out to be another success.

During a film break Nour was offered a role in Lenin El Ramly's play "Teheb Teshuf Ma2sa?" (Would you like to see a calamity?) directed by Khaled Galal on the National Theatre. The play was on for 2 months, in which Nour moved her residence to Cairo. "I did one play only and I must say I loved it very much, theatre is very different than cinema, more hard work, and it was a very nice experience. The immediate feedback you receive from the audience is breathtaking and very challenging as you see on their faces if they like it or not, and it amazing when they do and devastating when they don't. I remember the first night when the curtain rose I was so nervous and trembling believing that the audience can see my teeth clapping. But once I was out and began my lines it was all gone, yet I wouldn't have dared to look at the audience at first. I would like to do more plays, but it has to be a good one to be worth all the hard work and long hours, regardless of National or commercial as long as the play is good. Theatre is very demanding and time consuming, somehow like a marriage", Nour excitedly points out.

Apart from her films we had the chance to see Nour on the small screen in one of the best Ramadan TV serials in 2005 called "Aamil 1001" (Agent 1001) alongside Mustafa Shabaan and many other stars. "It was time for me to try out working on a TV serial, it was a very interesting experience that I would surely like to repeat if a good serial comes along that would help my career and take me some steps ahead. TV is also a different experience from cinema as you spend several months shooting and you reach a much wider audience compared to cinema. Currently, I am focusing on cinema, though", she adds.

Many actors of her generation are often asked about the contemporary Egyptian cinema with many young actors in leading roles and the older generation in supporting roles, which is a change that most of the audiences asked for and welcomed as nothing is more unauthentic than a forty year old playing a college student in love. Nour states her point of view in a very professional and mature manner by pointing out that nothing is worse than classifying cinema in certain categories as often done by the media creating the term "Cinema El Shabab" (Youth Cinema). "I think that the current situation of Egyptian cinema is fine and one should not label or categorize cinema as 'cinema grande' or 'cinema of youth or middle age', cinema is cinema. It all depends on the type of role, if it demands a young woman's role it requires a certain actress and if the role is that of an older woman it requires another. Every role has its film and every film demands its roles. The role determines the suitability of an actor, if the available scripts happen to have young people in the leading role then be it and that doesn’t mean it is "Cinema El Shabab" (Youth Cinema) it simply cinema and all age groups are part of it", Nour clarifies. "Apart from that I was lucky to begin my career in the rush of technological advancement of Egyptian cinema production. There are all kinds of film genres in today's repertoire, comedy, suspense and drama catering to different audiences and tastes. Variety is very important as cinema should not be one-track minded. Variety and big casts allow newcomers to appear and get their chance of exposure, like when I was a newcomer a few years ago", she energetically states.

The past years a lot has changed on the silver screen regarding the participation of women in leading roles of modern day cinema. Leading roles and plots were often dominated by males and script writers had not that much to offer to their female counterparts. When asking if there are enough leading roles for women that allow actresses to reveal their potential, Nour believes that this has changed somewhat. "This was true at one point I must say, but I am not the type of person that complains about playing supporting roles in general. I think that the past two years there have been many women in leading roles and even films with a female cast only in the leading roles. I believe that the more experience one claims the closer one is to that leading role as it requires a lot of artistic maturity. Personally, I don’t chase after that, it all depends on how good I am becoming and improving my performance and skills. It is never too late; I don’t have to get a leading role in my first two years of being on the job, for instance, it all depends on how well I prove myself, gain trust and credibility, then everything is reachable. Now since I am longer in the business, I still don’t chase after leading roles but if it comes a long and I have the minimum requirement to do a good job and meet expectations then I would be glad to take it. Let's look at western cinema, take Hollywood for example, it is a male dominated film industry, of course there are women in leading roles, but they have to work also much harder to reach what men in that business do. But in the end anything needs hard work and nothing is impossible", she continues.

Looking at Nour's filmography one can hardly find a role that wasn’t accepted by critics and audiences since she began her career as an actress. Her roles introduced Nour's different facets and diversity projecting wise decision making. "I am not the type to sit at home for years until the perfect role comes a long, I understand and respect those who do, but I am just not that type. I am neither the type that runs after roles nor that waits for three years to pick the role I want. There are different reasons for that. I think that acting is like sports, the more you get to practice the better you get. I truly believe in that. The more you work the more exposure and trial and error you get to experience. Every director adds to your skills and helps getting out the most in you. So when an important role comes you are ready to accept it and do it well. But if I stay home for three years and don’t accept smaller roles I might not be in good shape to do it as well as if I were well practiced. Another reason is that I do commercial cinema, I don’t find that a problem like some would assume, I don’t want to do cinema that only two persons watch. I am an actress to enjoy and let others do to. How could an actor be liked, respected without an audience to watch and exposure? Sure, there are films with more artistic value and some with more commercial value, and I enjoy doing both. While I wait for my so-called role of my life, I believe, that I must engage in different projects some with smaller or bigger roles; this is my way to gain experience and part of my portfolio. A director can wait for a few years to develop a film as there is a vision and overview of a plot, to which we as actors are linked and integrated, but an actor must keep on practicing and trying out different things to be able to measure his/her capacities and caliber. Of course, bad choices and failure are part of that learning curve but this is the only way to learn and gain experience. If we look at any great actor's filmography there are a maximum of six outstanding films and the rest are somewhat good, better or not that good, often matured by time. In my case I have no regrets in retrospect, even if I played a role that I wasn’t that happy with, I am still content with my resume. As any mistake has made me progress in my acting career. I learned to make different choices in the future. If I would have not done all of my roles I might have never been able to do "Malaki Eskenderya" (Prive Alex) the way I did. May be if it were my second film my performance would have been different. Each role comes at the right time; with maturity the approach is different", Nour tells passionately. "Malaki Eskenderya" (Prive Alex) is considered to be the turning point in Nour's career, which got her many leading roles to follow, among them the latest releases "El Rahina" (The Hostage) and "Matab Senaai" (Speed Bump). "I felt that Malaky was my turning point role, I got that notion from the critics and audience's feedback. May be I will have another in a few years. It was the first time for me to play a villain, I loved it very much. It brings out a lot of energy and is challenging to any actor. I give much credit to Sandra Nashat, the director, who introduced and saw me in that role. It was a chance to move out of the nice girl label for a change. I hope there is more to come in that area", she smiles.

Among her film partners were heart throbs like Ahmed Ezz, Ahmed Helmy, Ahmed El Sakka, Hani Salama. In all films a picturesque chemistry captures the audience and enchants the viewer. "Luckily I always had good chemistry with my film partners and I hope this reflected on screen. Nothing is worse than bad chemistry. But I believe that work is work and should be taken as such, regardless if you like cast partners you have to be professional enough to do your job right. The viewer paid for a ticket to watch a movie and that’s what's important not whether we are friends in real life or not", Nour explains.

Throughout her career Nour has been given the chance to work with some of the best directors in Egypt such as Said Hamed, Ali Edrees and Sandra Nashat to name a few. "I liked working will all directors so far and would love to do so again any time. I would love to work with Mohamed Khan and Dawood Abdel Sayed, who does a different type of cinema I haven’t done yet and of course Sherif Arafa", she counts up.

"You want to know my ultimate dream role, well that's a difficult question and even more to answer. There is still so much I want to do. I would like to do historical figures or characters with human conflicts and substance, mainly round characters. May be the dream roles are those totally far and opposing my own person. There are many roles I haven’t done yet", Nour reveals.

Many successful young Egyptian actors have had the chance to act in American movies regardless of size of role. Surprisingly, Nour has a solid and self-conscious opinion on this matter. "It would be only interesting to me if the role can offer something different. I mean it's not a target or goal I have set for me. My priority is to be good in Egypt and the region I belong to and identify with. May be a co-production would be interesting as long as it allows a cultural exchange and transfer of our views as Arabs, that would be a good thing. For me to pursue abroad I have to be on very stable grounds in my career here as this is my priority", she states.

Currently, Nour's two films are being screened at the same time, again both very different and far away from each other, evidence for her wise decision making and good karma. One is a comedy with Ahmed Helmy called "Matab Senaai" (Speed Bump) and the other is "El Rahina" (The Hostage) with Ahmed Ezz, a thriller directed by Sandra Nashat. "It is a very different and new role for me and I hope that it will have the same impact as "Malaky Eskendreya". That kind of role hasn’t been done in a long time. I hope you won't hate me after watching", she laughs. At the moment Nour is shooting a new film alongside Sherif Mounir and directed by young director Hatem Farid.

As a private person far from the spots and limelight Nour is a very homey and relaxed persona, "I am very low profile in my private life, I mean I have my friends and go out but I am very homey. I am not introverted but I am not the attention seeker type. I like reading, although it has been a while since I had time to read. And believe it or not I am camera shy, I don’t really like to be photographed. I grew up in Lebanon with my parents and younger sister, in a very stable and happy home. We were raised to fine manners, rules and respect for discipline and dedication, no chaos at home, all very smooth and loving. My parents influenced me a great deal with my upbringing and it surely helped me to reach what I have so far", Nour comments. "Love what you do, have great respect for what you do and be sure that it will reflect on your work and performance. Regardless of how big or small the role always be well prepared and give you best", Nour advises young actors aspiring a film career.

Note: Nour's official website will be launched soon linked from www.egyfilm.com

But what exactly is the infamous Midlife crisis? Is it really a crisis or a phase in one’s life that can pass without any major emotional casualties to self or others? What are the symptoms of this phase, what causes it and is there anyway it can be avoided?

Definition

Midlife is an emotional process that both men and women go through equally. It is the point in life when the person feels that life is halfway through, that what is left is less than what has passed and more importantly that what was accomplished was not a source of satisfaction anymore.

Symptoms

Several researches done on this phenomenon indicate that a person feels that he or she is passing through a midlife crisis when they are haunted by one or more of those feelings:

·        Boredom from any activities used to and previous sources of happiness.

·        Repulsion from the typical marriage and children-related responsibilities.

·        Wanting to undergo a new and adventurous experience.

·        Confused about the meaning of life.

·        Not knowing who they are anymore or what exactly their value is.

What are the reasons?

Ahmed, married for over 30 years, explains that "midlife crisis occurs when a person finds out that he is getting older, that life is passing by and that he has not yet done all what he wanted to do especially in enjoying life. This is when he makes the stop and life changing decisions might be taken". Truth is, as different as human beings are, so are the reasons behind going through a midlife stage. However, research has covered a good deal in this area and found common threads that might be causing this life-review process. Contrary to the common perception though, midlife is not contingent on age solely (i.e. people reaching their 40s). Rather, age is just one of the elements that contribute to this process.

External Factors

Research indicates that there are external factors that cause emotional turmoil to the person and play a role in igniting such a life-turning point. These factors can include the loss of a beloved person, caring for the elder family members, too much pressure or problems at work, being fired, severe financial difficulties, divorce, etc. As a matter of fact, the researches conducted indicated that the percentage of respondents referring to these factors as leading to a life reflection-halt was higher than those who referred to the factor of aging. The reason for this is that such turmoil is generally so emotionally shocking to some people to the extent that they start questioning themselves about the reason of life, their existence, what they have done so far that is worthwhile, what is missing in their life and how they can obtain it.

And of course, in line with the focus differences between men and women, another research has also pointed out that work and education-related turmoil is the reason for men’s life turning points while emotional-related turmoil (like the death of a beloved person or marriage) is the reason for women’s major life turning points. Siham, a 50-year old woman, who has been married for almost 35 years, reflected that women spend their lives caring for their home, husband and children and not attending to herself or her needs. As time passes, her kids grow and start leading separate lives, she undergoes an emotional turmoil where she asks herself what attention she has given to her own self all those years while being busy caring and attending to others. This is especially aggravating if she found out that one of her kids did not have the future that she has expected given the time and effort she has put into raising him. At this turning point, she feels her life has no meaning, time is running and what she thought was an achievement in the past, is not anymore.

Internal Factors

One can not overlook a very important internal process that helps in accelerating the reach of a midlife crisis. This process has to do with the extent to which our true self/preference is covered up by a number of different personae that we play throughout our lives. The matter becomes worse every time the gap widens between our true self or preference and the masks that we put up on our selves. For example, you are an introverted person by nature and your job requires that you go out, meet lots of people, conduct sales calls and handle clients’ complaints and concerns. Imagine the amount of pressure you go into? Imagine if this is the case in a number of other roles that you perform in your life either as a father/mother, husband/wife, brother/sister, etc. This – in research terms – is called “Accommodation” where you try to fulfill the expectations of others irrespective of your own.

The more you try to be perceived very differently from what you truly are, the more you - with your own hands - are pressuring yourself and building up your own route to a midlife crisis. This is the “Separation” stage where you start rejecting your “accommodated” self and start questioning what the importance of all those masks is and what your role in life is. Dropping your masks and coming to a life-halt, drives you then to the confusion “Uncertainty” phase where you are not really sure who you really are, what the right route to take is. This is also where the irrational decisions might be taken and the “crisis” occurs like having a divorce or quitting jobs, etc.

Is there a way out?

Of course there is. Understanding the phase, why it happens and what its symptoms are, makes you reach half way through to the solution. There are a number of suggested recommendations that if followed, could help you pass through this stage as peacefully and with the minimum stumbles as possible.

1. Know yourself and appreciate it. Easier said than done, but it is very important that you prepare yourself and discover ahead of time who your true self is. What your likes and dislikes are. What the mission of your life is and how you are going to achieve it. What your different roles in life are and what they require of you. Doing this full heartedly and sincerely would help you come to terms with yourself, the others and your environment.
2. Avoid taking major decisions that you are not convinced of. At any point in your life, do not take decisions that you are not fully convinced of, given the information that you have. Accepting a job that expects you to put on a mask that is totally different from who you really are, or marrying someone you are not totally convinced of. All this would give room for future emotional turmoil furnishing the way to your midlife crisis.
3. Balance your character. Identify what you are good at and use it to the full. For example, if you are an introverted person that respects reflection, have you thought of writing or drawing? Identify what you lack or dislike and find ways to develop it. For example, as an introverted person, you have to realize the benefits and importance of meeting new people, communicating with them and handling their concerns wisely. Even if you are not going to work as a salesperson, consider how this is going to balance out your character in your normal life and ease out the pressure that you suffer from each time you communicate with others.
4. Enjoy your life! Engage in activities. One of the main reasons that lead to midlife crisis as we saw, is the feeling that we have not achieved enough in our previous years and that there is not enough time to make up for what is lost. Now is your chance; play sports, travel, do charity work, read, etc. Accept, live and enjoy every stage of your life with its permissions and prohibitions. That way, when you reach your midlife stage, you will have the answers for what life is and why you are here.

Midlife is a mental and emotional challenge of its own. Anticipating and facing it with a balanced character turns it into an re-assessment phase that will lead to an even better life; otherwise, irrational decisions will be taken and the crisis will happen. Handle your midlife with care!

Before applying a facial, open your pores first with a hot washcloth. Afterwards rinse the mask off using cold water and use an ice cube to close the pores and keep the benefits inside.

EXFOLIATING SCRUBS

Oatmeal Scrub

For a facial scrub, moisten oatmeal (any type of basic oatmeal works here)
and use it to scrub your face (not around your eyes). Wash off with cold water.

Salt and Olive Oil

For a great elbows & feet scrub, mix three tablespoons olive oil or any good oil with one tablespoon salt. Gently rub into dry skin. This exfoliating scrub can be used on cheeks and forehead as well. Do not use around eyes.

Chickpeas Powder

For an easy exfoliating mask, rinse your face with lukewarm water, and use the chickpeas powder to scrub for 30 seconds. Rinse with cool water.

CLEANSING MASKS

Lupine Powder for Cleansing Skin

2 tbsp Lupine powder

½ cup yoghurt

2 tbsp bran

1 tbsp milk

2 drops lemon

1 egg yolk

For a great cleansing mask combine the ingredients above and apply to your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash away with cold water.

Egg Whites and Cucumbers

You may also beat an egg white, put it on your face and let it dry, rinse with cool water. Sliced fresh cucumber placed on your closed eyes will reduce bagginess and dark circles.

MOISTURIZING MASKS

Avocados and Honey for Dry Skin

½ avocado (you can also substitute with 2 teaspoons avocado oil)
¼ cup honey

Mash these together. Apply to skin and leave for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with a washcloth drenched in cold water.

Soothing Mask for Sensitive, Chapped, Sunburned or Irritated Skin
1 cup natural yogurt (just-out-of-the-fridge cold)
½ cup oatmeal

Mix the ingredients and apply to the skin for 15 minutes. Wash off mask with a warm washcloth. Extra tip: This mask works well for other skin types also. For oily skin, add a few drops of lime juice. For dry skin, add honey.

Strawberries and Lemon for Oily Skin

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon pulp
2 egg whites
2 tsp honey
1 cup strawberries
4 drops eucalyptus oil or jojoba oil (optional)

Blend the above ingredients, apply and leave on for10 minutes then rinse with cool water. Recipe serves 2 persons, so invite a friend, or use half quantities.

Rose Petals and Yoghurt for Combination Skin

A rose-based mask is perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin.
6 rose petals
2 tbsp rosewater
1 tbsp natural yoghurt, full cream
1 tbsp runny honey (warm honey in microwave for 8 seconds. The warmth is particularly soothing for this mask)

Soak rose petals, and crush them in a bowl. Add rosewater, yoghurt and honey.
Mix well & apply to the skin. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water. If you don’t have rose petals, it works fine without.