Women
Maintaining Glowing Skin In Harsh Weather
The skin is that layer of tissue that covers the body. The skin could be fair, dark or olive. It is the part of the body that gets the first attention of an onlooker.
The beauty of the skin is not rated on its fair, dark, olive or chocolate look but on a posture of adequate hydration and smoothness.
The position of the skin in human body as an outer covering, subjects it to great challenges as it battles daily with exposure to the outside environment, ranging from harsh climatic condition, to insect bites and dusty atmosphere.
Hence, one of the greatest challenges of man, especially the female folk, borders on how to secure adequate protection for the skin so as to avoid eventual damage.
In the words of Ayodele Davina, a writer, “it could be okay to splurge on expensive creams and potions, but beautiful skin starts from within. Suffice it to say that, the skin is an outward expression of the inward content of a person hence what a person feeds on could either make or mar the appearance of the skin
Ayodele listed foods such as pawpaw, strawberries, sweet potatoes, black current, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwifruits and oranges as such that are rich in Vit. C and could help produce the collagen needed to strengthen the capillaries that feed the skin.
The smoothness of the skin is better enhanced with the help of sulphur which can be gotten from garlic and onion. Oily fish and plant sources like linseeds and flax oil are great too, while safflower and corn oils are very necessary for Omega 3 and essential fatty acids.
Vitamin E which works wonders on the skin could be gotten from Avocado, almonds, hazelnuts, pinenuts, sunflower and corn oil while constant intake of Liver, pumpkin, seeds, sardines and oysters would supply the body the required zinc for repair of damaged skin and for a soft and supple texture.
For Kalpana Sharma, you may forget about the “eight glass’ per day rule, but ensure you drink just enough that you don’t feel thirsty as the skin could get all flaky and dry when the body is not well hydrated.
For youthful skin, sunscreen remains a must. UV rays is the most common source of skin cancer and aging. Be it rains or sunshine, ensure a nicely smothered skin with sunscreen mostly applied 15 minutes before going out to enable the body absorb it properly.
The importance of having a moisturizing body lotion that includes a self tanner in this instance cannot be over-emphasised. It helps hide spider veins on legs while leaving a slimming effect all over.
The hands and neck must be treated like the face. Wash, cleanse and moisturize. Suitable creams must be applied on the neck and hands to ensure they glow as much as the facial skin.
Facials are not always the only options if you want a glowing face. Workouts help improve blood circulation and oxygen capacity so why not exercise always and enjoy a healthy glow.
To eat right, you must emphasise on Vitamins A,C & E because they help deal with skin issues. Applying antioxidants on the skin also helps.
However, Paula Bourelly, MD, a dermatology professor at Georgetown University had said, “You can’t underestimate the value of genetics”
Yes, some people win the hereditary lottery when it comes to good skin; therefore Paula adds that not all skin is created equal.
While genes may not be ruled out in the determination of skin status, beautiful skin remains a function of good skin care habits practiced day-in-day-out.
Lady Ofiegbor Stella, a caterer, corroborates this in her statement, “people feel dry during the harmattan, but I am ever fresh because of the care I give to my skin.”
As a caterer, Lady Ofiegbor revealed that meals of high nutritional values could be very useful in combating skin dryness.
Meanwhile, studies have established that what is taken into the body and the amount of exposure of the skin to the sun, in no mean measure affect the look of the skin. For instance, more fine lines, deeper and plentiful wrinkles as well as skins that are more mottled are often the identities of smokers who frequently expose their skin to sun.
Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
Women
Nigeria Deserves Stylish, Sophisticated Designs-Igiebor Daddy Lucky
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
Women
Women Can Curb Indecent Dressing
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.