Drape a sheer scarf over the lampshade to create a sultry mood."
"Watch an erotic flick like 9 1/2 Weeks to inspire action."
Blah, boring, blah.
I've ignored such tips for revving up my sex life because, well, come on. I've sowed oats much wilder than those found in Kim Basinger's kitchen, doing the deed in public and making out with two siblings in one night -- and they were not brothers.
But if these schemes are as contrived and silly as they sound, why do the experts keep recommending them? Do such simple suggestions have the power to send couples to their happy place faster than you can blurt out "French maid costume"? WH wanted to find out, so they sent me on a sex-charged adventure to test five intriguing but possibly overrated scenarios and report back which ones are worth trying -- and which you should ditch faster than a vibrator with dead batteries.
Do it double-blind
The last time I closed my eyes for too long during sex, I set fire to a pillow, leaving me with the knowledge that a Brita pitcher is not a good fire extinguisher. So I was hesitant about both me and my husband wearing blindfolds. But I bit the bullet and bought a pretty pink satin number for myself and a manly black one for my masked avenger
We started in the living room. But moving to the bedroom proved more challenging. I began breaststroking through the air like a charades player miming "blind Captain Nemo" until Dan took the lead and we landed on the bed, fumbling with our clothes. I headed south, arriving at what I thought was my Marco's polo but was actually his thigh. He reoriented me by planting my mouth at his navel. But I felt disconnected. Only when we kissed did the act feel familiar again. Then Dan sighed, "Oh, I wish I could see you." Way to make a girl feel good!
Meet my man in a bar and pretend to be strangers
I arranged for Dan to meet me at a lounge up the street from our condo at 11 p.m. so we could play "strangers in the night." At 9 p.m., I joined some girlfriends at a wine bar to down a whole lotta Riesling -- liquid courage necessary before I could don...The Wig. Unbeknownst to Dan, I'd decided to show up in a cascade of chest-length, sunshiny waves and tousled bangs (versus my normally pin-straight, dark blonde ponytail).
The key to picking up your partner at a bar is playing it cool so as not to ruin the mood. But upon spotting my mark through the haze of hair, I was so drunkenly excited for him to see me in all my Shakira-like glory that I stiletto-jogged over and lunged for his lips, all 6 feet of me nearly tripping over the barstool next to him. A party next to us tittered, and I realized they probably thought that, with my Amazonian height and Barbarella wig, I was a hooker or a transvestite.
Dan, poker face firm, extended his hand.
"Do I know you? My name's Billy."
Billy, I learned, had founded a nonprofit to save abandoned puppies. I was Candy, a manicurist.
We bantered back and forth for a while, painstakingly staying in character. It was frigging exhausting.
An hour in, we broke character and I admitted a dire craving for French fries. We hit the Hoagie Hut, then went home. I used up what little energy I had left climbing the stairs.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Get a Good Look
Pale lips, odd eyebrows and asymmetrical features may not be things to worry about anymore. Permanent make-up can come to your rescue by giving you artificial eyebrows, colouring your lips, reshaping them, rectifying uneven features and even enhancing breast aerola.
The procedure is a cosmetic technique that employs tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis) as a means of producing designs that resemble make-up. The treatment gives the impression of light make-up at all times.
Skin-deep Experts say that the treatment does not last forever, the results are visible for 4-5 years, after which the colour starts fading gradually. Skin care expert and MD of Eleganza Rejuvenation Clinic Dr Seema Malik says, "People mostly come here for lip colouring, artificial eyebrows and lip reshaping.
The permanent pigment is embedded into the skin to highlight lip-lining and eye-lining. Treatments cost Rs 3,000-30,000.
We also address skin problems like leucoderma in which we colour the white patches on the skin." Money matters Asha, 23, was upset with the uneven shape of her lips and went in for permanent lip reshaping.
Although she had to shell out Rs 25,000 for the treatment, she is happy with her look. "It cost a lot of money but I got the look I always wanted," she says.
Doctors state that the result appears harsh just after its application, but becomes natural after a few days or weeks depending on one's skin and healing power. Generally, the healing time is just one or two days.
Picture perfect Cosmetic surgeon Dr Anup Dhir of Apollo hospital gets 3-4 enquiries per week. But he says that he would not really advise just about everyone to go for permanent make-up because it is difficult and costly to remove.
"Laser treatment, which removes this make-up, is costlier than the make-up itself," he adds. But people who opt for the permanent make-up procedure generally like what they get.
Neeru, 31, got her lips coloured and had a mole placed above her lips - something like supermodel Cindy Crawford's famous beauty spot. "When I came to know about this treatment, I was excited because I could flaunt the look I always dreamt of," says Neeru.
Founder and director VLCC Vandana Luthra says the technique can mimic eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, lip liner, and lipstick. Permanent make-up is ideal for women who cannot afford the time to apply make-up throughout the day.
At the end of the day, the make-up looks as though it was just freshened. One can select from a wide variety of shades, or a new shade can be created.
The procedure is a cosmetic technique that employs tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis) as a means of producing designs that resemble make-up. The treatment gives the impression of light make-up at all times.
Skin-deep Experts say that the treatment does not last forever, the results are visible for 4-5 years, after which the colour starts fading gradually. Skin care expert and MD of Eleganza Rejuvenation Clinic Dr Seema Malik says, "People mostly come here for lip colouring, artificial eyebrows and lip reshaping.
The permanent pigment is embedded into the skin to highlight lip-lining and eye-lining. Treatments cost Rs 3,000-30,000.
We also address skin problems like leucoderma in which we colour the white patches on the skin." Money matters Asha, 23, was upset with the uneven shape of her lips and went in for permanent lip reshaping.
Although she had to shell out Rs 25,000 for the treatment, she is happy with her look. "It cost a lot of money but I got the look I always wanted," she says.
Doctors state that the result appears harsh just after its application, but becomes natural after a few days or weeks depending on one's skin and healing power. Generally, the healing time is just one or two days.
Picture perfect Cosmetic surgeon Dr Anup Dhir of Apollo hospital gets 3-4 enquiries per week. But he says that he would not really advise just about everyone to go for permanent make-up because it is difficult and costly to remove.
"Laser treatment, which removes this make-up, is costlier than the make-up itself," he adds. But people who opt for the permanent make-up procedure generally like what they get.
Neeru, 31, got her lips coloured and had a mole placed above her lips - something like supermodel Cindy Crawford's famous beauty spot. "When I came to know about this treatment, I was excited because I could flaunt the look I always dreamt of," says Neeru.
Founder and director VLCC Vandana Luthra says the technique can mimic eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, lip liner, and lipstick. Permanent make-up is ideal for women who cannot afford the time to apply make-up throughout the day.
At the end of the day, the make-up looks as though it was just freshened. One can select from a wide variety of shades, or a new shade can be created.
Kiss
Kiss Therapy:
Don't
Don't use too much tongue.
Don't mash your lips against your partner's.
Don't look terrified when the other person approaches you for a kiss.
Do not talk about a first kiss with the person you're going to kiss for the first time. This will ruin the excitement and may turn down expectations.
Don't salivate all over your partner while kissing.
Don't just let your partner do all the work during the kiss.
Don't eat garlic or other harsh foods before a kiss.
Don't remain emotionless after the kiss.
Don't wait until the 20th date to kiss her/him.
Don't open your mouth so wide that it feels like you are sucking the other person in.
Don't have the first kiss with someone in public in front of others.
Do:
Only use enough tongue to feel the other person's tongue.
Be gentle with the first kiss.
Smile after you kiss. Or in the least laugh or giggle to show some emotion.
Swallow periodically during the kiss.
Participate in the kiss.
Make sure your breath is fresh by either brushing your teeth or having a mint or piece of gum.
It is OK to kiss someone on the first date. And if not the first date at least during the second.
Always make sure the first kiss is when the two of you are alone.
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