Category Archives: Beauty & Health

Summer-Ready Skin Care

ShidikaGoode_SummerFaceAfter being bundled up all winter, it’s time to start showing some skin again. But, before you expose yourself to the summer sun, its essential to strip away the last traces of the winter dullness. Valley has the tips you need to care for your glowing summer skin.

Regular exfoliation is the first step towards healthy summertime skin. During the winter, dead skin cells build up and cause dry and dull looking skin. By exfoliating, you can clear the dry flaky cells and get fresher looking skin. In the shower, scrub it off by applying an exfoliating scrub to a washcloth or loofah and scrub your skin gently in circular motions. Continue reading

Modern with Matte Nails

SiruWen.NailsThere’s been glitter, neon, polish strips and even magnetic. Nail trends are constantly changing and keeping us on our toes to help hands and feet look their best. One trend, matte finish keeps popping up as an alternative to the flashier nail designs but this time they’re back with a twist: texture.

A matte finish is flat and non-glossy. Shiny black polish will look as smooth and clean as a chalkboard and even glitter polishes can look toned-down. Even though some brands carry specific matte colors, the best bang for your buck can be found in purchasing a matte top coat that can be applied to any nail polish. Valley compiled a few tips to help you nail this trend down: Continue reading

Portion Sizes

AnaElmasllari.PortionSizesWith summer quickly approaching, crash diets may seem like the perfect way to get your best bikini bod before beach season. As tempting as these may be, however, they actually have many negative effects on your body.

Most of the weight lost during crash diets is usually gained back as soon as the diet is over. In addition to this fast weight gain, your body may go into starvation mode and store everything you eat, causing you to gain even more weight. Luckily, there is an easier way to lose weight and stay healthy, without gaining it all back.

Portion sizes are the key to staying healthy and losing weight. Cathleen Hunt, Childhood Developmental Psychology Professor, encourages us to use children as an example of how much to eat. Continue reading

‘Healthy’ Food Frauds

ShreelParikh.FoodWhether you want to call it fake or fraud, it’s never fun being mislead by a health food hoax. We know that promises of low calories, reduced fat and all natural ingredients can confuse even the savviest shopper. At Valley, we understand the importance of eating healthy, so we compiled a list of common healthy foods that aren’t:

Greek Yogurt

It seems that everyone is going Greek these days- when it comes to yogurt, that is. With phrases like “Only natural ingredients” and “Non-fat” scrawled across the top, it’s hard not to think of a Greek yogurt like Chobani as a guilt-free snack. Greek yogurt is often praised for having more protein than regular yogurt, but you have to stick to plain in order for it to be a healthy snack. Although fruit-flavored Chobani may taste delicious, it contains a lot of sugar and should be considered more of a dessert. Continue reading

How To: Loose Ponytail

Brittany_LoosePonyThe warm spring days are becoming more frequent, and campus has gradually come back to life after a long winter. As summer approaches and your leisure time moves outdoors, your wardrobe is calling for a new spring look and so is your hair. It’s time to get it off your shoulders and put it up! For a relaxed springy look for your locks, why not try Valley’s loose ponytail?

Step 1: Prepare

For a ponytail that holds well, it’s best to have second or third day hair that has some texture. Begin by fixing your hair with the style you’d like to have. Curl it, straighten it or leave it relaxed. It’s up to you to! Continue reading

Get That Final A+ For Your Graduation Do

Victoria Oberdorf.gradhairTo the shock and disappointment of Penn State seniors, graduation is right around the corner. Those people who are waiting until the last possible second to purchase their cap and gown to avoid the sad reality of leaving Happy Valley, are starting to sulk their way to the bookstore for one of their last student purchases. But as the anxiety of being in the real world sets in, one question still remains: how do I wear my hair with this awkward looking cap?

Ponytails should be out of the picture altogether. With the shape of the cap and how it sits on the head, ponytails just don’t do anyone justice. This may come without saying, but sock buns should also be tossed out the window for graduation day. Hats and top knots don’t mix. Continue reading

DIY: Avocado Hair Mask

ShidikaGoode_DIYWith winter finally coming to an end, it’s time to do something about dry, brittle hair. To smoothen and soften dull strands, try an avocado hair mask that you can make yourself! Avocados are rich are in vitamin A and antioxidants, making them a great ingredient for hair products. This hair treatment will leave the driest hair looking healthy.

The Mask:

2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of honey
¼ cup of lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Mash avocados in a medium sized bowl.

2. Add honey, olive oil and lemon juice to the avocados.

3. Mix well. The mask should be smooth in consistency.

4. Apply generously to dry hair and wait 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Rinse well and shampoo and condition as usual.

Photo by Shidika Goode

Weighing In: Handy Kitchen Appliances

Each week, our own fitness fanatics Leah Polakoff and Caitlyn Kronket will explore the latest workout crazes, diet fads and dish out tips for healthy living. Managing your schoolwork is tough enough- let us take care of your health.

GraceShyu_WeighingIn

Just because mom isn’t cooking her low-fat seasoned tilapia for you every night doesn’t mean that you have to resort to unhealthy college food (Are U Hungry anyone?). Living without a full-size kitchen doesn’t restrain you from living a healthy lifestyle. So instead of ordering take-out every night, take our advice on what kitchen appliances to keep handy for healthy, quick meals.

Having a small George Foreman grill or a Panini maker in your room are simple, cheap ways to make a home-cooked meal. Making a Panini with whole wheat bread, low-fat mayo and turkey is much healthier than grabbing a burger in Findlay. Or, throw some chicken and vegetables on the grill and make skewers. Invite some friends and you’ve got an indoor cook-out ready to enjoy. Continue reading

Springtime Eye-shadow Favorites

JonathanHsieh.SpringEyeShadow

You’ve probably already begun to brighten up your wardrobe for Spring. Now, do the same with your make-up palette! Here are a few of our favorite eye-shadow shades of the season:

Emerald

Go green this spring with Emerald eye shadow. When paired with a dark liquid eyeliner, this rich color creates the perfect smoky eye for a glamorous night out. Emerald, voted Pantone’s 2013 color of the year, will add a pop of color around the eye. Try using Elizabeth Arden’s color eye shadow in shimmering emerald to create this look.

Rose

Check out Sonia Kashuk’s Monochrome Eye Quad in Textured Rose (available at Target for $13.96). This unique quad offers a pretty rose color that comes in different textures — velvety matte, subtle shimmer, metallic sheen and a sparkle shade. The quad gives you the option to choose just how much sparkle and shine you want, making it easy to transition from a day to night look while maintaining a warm rosy glow. Continue reading

Weighing In: Krazy for Kiwi

Each week, our own fitness fanatics Leah Polakoff and Caitlyn Kronket will explore the latest workout crazes, diet fads and dish out tips for healthy living. Managing your schoolwork is tough enough- let us take care of your health.

kiwi edited

Between Coldstone, the Creamery, Happy Valley Freeze and Rita’s Italian Ice, Penn State is certainly not lacking in the cold dessert department. But, seeing as how this a health column and all, there is one establishment in particular that we just had to praise for miraculously merging delicious and guilt-free – Kiwi Yogurt.

We talked with one of the founders, Matt Mealey, to find out to secret behind the “fresh, flavorful, fun” frozen yogurt chain that’s satisfying sweet teeth throughout both Pennsylvania and New Jersey (their 12th store opens soon!). Here are some of the reasons why we’re going krazy about Kiwi Yogurt. Continue reading