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Last Week's Question: One of the consequences of aging is a loss of certain hormones. Melanin, which causes hair to be darker in color, is derived from a hormone which decreases in the body as it ages. The less of this hormone there is in the body, the less melanin there is in the body, and consequently, the less color hair will have. To win this week, state the name of the hormone discussed.

Last Week's Answer: Melanocyte-stimulating hormone

This Week's Question: State the total number of bones that are contained within the fingers and toes of a healthy set of feet (2 feet) and hands (2 hands).

Published just 6 months ago, this book is extremely popular and almost sold out. Why? Well, the recipes are fantastic! From sugar scrubs to customized facial masks and handmade soaps, the easy to follow instructions and sources for ingredients can't be beat. And this is the only body care book that not only features recipes, but also features information on the Handmade Beauty Network members who created and submitted the recipes. If you want some inspiration to follow your dreams in this industry or any other, you can use this book!. It's available from any of the IBN members listed here.

Try this great new recipe for Hand Aid to help keep your hands soft and touchable!

When you visit MakeYourCosmetics.com, it's easy to buy the ingredients you need by clicking on our Selected Supplier links:

As we mark the formal beginning of summer, we also flock in droves to the spa to treat our Outer Extremities. These pedicures and manicures help us coordinate our hands and feet (especially if we use polish) and mark the beginning of a renewed emphasis on caring for two of the hardest working parts of our bodies.. Don't forget to treat yourself to one or the other (or both!) this week to mark the beginning of summer! (And if it's not summer where you are, that's OK. Do it anyway!) When I have the time (and when I don't have it, I try to make it!), I like to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure as a part of my bath. I share my simple and fun mani/pedi process below, but first, a little story.

At my church, there is an annual Princess Day for girls 4 and older. For $15, each girl enjoys a manicure and hair style, each provided by professional volunteers from local salons. My daughter is 3 this year so she was not able to attend but I have already made up my mind to clear my calendar for the event next year because I think it's just that important for girls to enjoy pampering rituals with peers starting as early as possible in life.

I did not have my first manicure until I was out of college. (How yucky is that, I hear you all saying!!) Yes, it's true. And when I did, I enjoyed sitting up their in that Pedi-Throne reading the latest issue of whatever in the world there was to read before O The Oprah Magazine. As I thumbed through the pages, I glanced down to see the pedicurist using something that looked like a junior hacksaw to remove something from my feet. What on earth was it, I asked. It was dead skin, and I could not believe that I could still be breathing if there was so much dead skin on my feet. Since then, I've been careful to either give myself a pedicure or make sure I have on regularly. I give my daughter a manicure and pedicure a few times a month. It's fairly easy to do as her feet and hands are like sweet silk. She really enjoys the pampering, plus I apply a layer or two of light pink or purple nail polish and she declares herself a Big Girl at the end of the process. While I'm "working on her," we talk about kids at her pre-kindergarten program, her teacher, what she learns in church and school, what she wants to do that weekend and all sorts of other really fun stuff. While pampering her, I'm enjoying teaching her that pampering yourself is important, and it's all the more fun when you do it with a friend.

Having said that, my favorite Mani-Pedi routine is performed solamente! No husbands, no kids, no television, no radio -- nothing except maybe a candle. I hope you enjoy it too!

Step 1. Remove any nail polish. Clip nails if needed. Thoroughly clean hands and feet using a good handmade soap and a loofah scrub or other exfoliant. Be sure to scrub the palms and between the fingers. Use a brush to clean under and around each nail. (An old toothbrush works well for this. I save all of them and they are in various baskets all over the bathroom so my whole family can have clean nails. Dirt under the fingernails really bugs me -- but I digress ...) Use an orange stick or nail file to clean under toe nails (especially the big toe) or other hard to reach areas.

Step 2. Soak hands feet in the tub while you relax, bathe, read a magazine or chat on the phone.

Step 3. File nails if needed. Gently push back cuticles using an orange stick.

Step 4. Use Hand Aid to exfoliate and smooth skin. Rinse well, using soap if necessary, to clean oil residue left behind by the oils in Hand Aid. This is especially important if you plan to polish your nails as an oily layer between the nail and the polish may encourage the polish to chip and/or peel more easily. Dry your feet and hands. Buff nails and apply polish if desired.

Have A Great Week!!
Donna Maria
Editor, The Handmade Beauty Connection
The Indie Beauty Network | www.handmadebeauty.com

Copyright (c) 2000 - 2005 by The Indie Beauty Network (IBN) and Donna Maria. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction is prohibited. IBN does not necessarily endorse any product, event or ideology featured in The Handmade Beauty Connection (HBC) or on IBN's website. All information is provided on an "as is" basis and no express or implied warranties are given. Any use of the information contained in the HBC or on IBN's Web site, including Recipes, is solely at your own risk. IBN and Donna Maria disclaim any liability in connection with the use of all recipes, products reviewed and other information. Except for sponsorships, HBC refuses compensation from companies to feature or mention their names or products. Opinions expressed in any Product Review are personally those of the reviewer and do not represent the views of IBN, Donna Maria (unless she is the reviewer) or any other person or company.