The Smile Makeover: Edmonton Dentists Work Their Magic!

Ask people what the first thing they notice about someone’s face is, and their number one answer is: their smile. People’s smiles say so much about their personalities and often set the tone for a first impression. Unfortunately, sometimes our teeth get stained, chipped, knocked out or we are simply blessed with that charmingly crooked smile. If you’re not happy with your smile, Edmonton dentists have come up with a solution: the Smile Makeover.

WHAT IS A SMILE MAKEOVER?
We love makeovers for our bodies, hair and clothing… why not perfect your grin? A smile makeover can change not only the appearance of your teeth, gums and face, but also the way you feel about yourself. People who are self-conscious about minor or major oral imperfections can pay to have the flawless smile they’ve always dreamed of. Everyone’s experience will be different as everyone has different issues with their teeth. While one person may need only minor cosmetic dentistry performed, another may need more extensive procedures.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Almost any procedure can be done by a competent cosmetic or Edmonton family dentist, cosmetic dentist, orthodontist or periodontist to correct flaws in your smile.

The first step is to locate a competent Edmonton dentist who in fact offers the services you require. You will then visit the dentist for a consultation. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as possible regarding your procedures and be sure to discuss cost as these are generally considered to be categorized under cosmetic dentistry and are usually not covered by dental insurance. The cost will vary depending on your chosen dental office and how many procedures are recommended.

Your dentist will take note of the state of your mouth and facial features to recommend the correct course of action for you. Some of the things that will affect the makeover are: the colour, size and shape of your teeth; any gaps or alignment issues; your skin tone; the state of your gums; and the overall balance of your mouth and face together.

PROCEDURES
During your consultation, your dentist will examine your smile imperfections and also take into account your issues as well. Here is a list of procedures that can be included in a smile makeover:

• Tooth Bonding: used for chipped and broken tooth repair
• Crowns: used for chipped and broken tooth repair
• Porcelain Veneers, Lumineers: used for chipped, broken and crooked teeth
• Modern Streamlined braces (Invisalign, TipEdge, etc.): used to change your tooth and jaw alignment in fewer visits than traditional braces
• Dental implants: for large gaps due to missing teeth
• Bridges: for large gaps and missing teeth
• Dentures: for missing teeth
• Surgical or Laser Gum contouring: used to correct the appearance of gums and correct gum-to-tooth-ratio
• Tooth Whitening: for the whitest, cleanest smile

There is no end to the amount of safe procedures that your dentist may be able to perform on you in order to give you a beautiful, bright, perfect smile!

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web publisher and writer. She researches and writes on a variety of topics, including cosmetic dentistry in Edmonton, where she currently resides.

New Year, New Career! Esthetic Schools: Become a Beauty Expert

The Esthetics industry is booming and it is all due to people’s love of being pampered. Hitting their stride in the mid-90s, day spas and spa treatments became a necessity for those who like to be coiffed, groomed and buffed. Esthetic schools are in abundance; now offering diplomas and training in all subjects and treatments essential for anyone looking for a day spa career.

REQUIREMENTS
Most Hair Design Colleges or Cosmetology Schools require their applicants to be 17 years of age, have a high school diploma have not only reference letters (character and job training) but also the passion to research the industry and the ability to compose a career essay.

TRAINING, COURSES AND JOBS
Cosmetology and beauty schools are not hard to find these days and all of them offer a myriad of courses in order to make you into the best esthetician you can be. The key to finding the best training is to research the programs and be certain that there is training in theory and practical applications, as well as separate programs for each career path. (Getting lumped into a cosmetology program when you are striving to be a hairstylist will not result in a diploma that you can use.) The beauty schools you research should also have a salon either in the school or a sister beauty salon in which you can practice what they have preached.

Hairstylist Training
If you are thinking about a hair stylist career, it is wise to choose a school with a good reputation in not only the basics, but in the practice of hair design as well. Hair design has been elevated to a new level with the variety of options available to both the customer and the stylist. Not only should the student learn about the technical side of how to style hair, they should also be taught how to assess clients’ needs and how to retain their clientele.
Here is a basic list of what you should be learning at your school of choice:

• Hair Cutting and Styling – Men’s and Women’s
• Colour
• Perms and Straightening
• Advanced Options for Cutting and Styling

Career options for completion of these programs are limited to salons and day spas that offer hair stylist services; however there are more lucrative and flexible options such as a home-based salon, chair rentals within select salons and more luxurious hair design clientele.

Esthetics
Day spa careers have skyrocketed in the past 20 years and with the number of new options popping up every day, the career choices are endless. Choose from full service day spas and salons, cruise ship spas, destination resort spas, open a home spa or become a makeup artist – the choices are endless.
Here is a basic list of what you should be learning at your school of choice:

• Spa therapies (basic massage, hot stone therapy, body wraps)
• Manicures / Pedicures ( with basic reflexology)
• Make Up Artist Training
• Nails (artificial and real)
• Hair removal
• Eyelash and brow tinting
• Skin Care and facials

Some esthetic schools also have a fashion college option as well and can offer expertise in more areas of beauty, relaxation and professional esthetics than others.

If you’re looking for a new career that is exciting and focuses on peoples’ love and need for relaxation, beauty and body maintenance, these careers are the perfect choice.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is currently researching salons and day spas in Edmonton, cosmetology schools and new career choices.

Fun and Easy Holiday Wedding Ideas

Christmas is the most magical time of the year for most of us; sparkling lights, Christmas spirit and effortless décor are everywhere. This is actually the ultimate season for effortless planning and fairytale wedding ideas; wedding flowers, wedding decorations and your menu will be a snap if you simply take your cues from the “most wonderful time of the year…”
Wedding Dresses
Choosing a wedding dress for your Yuletide nuptials should be the same process as any other time of the year. You should choose a dress that complements your shape, your skin tone, the tone of the wedding and the season. Christmas is the perfect time of the year for a little extra sparkle on your dress, or with a gem-studded head-piece. Cream, and ivory dresses are wonderful choices as are gowns with metallic accents and fur trims for bolder brides. Holiday weddings are also the ideal time to break out those fairy-tale accessories that may seem a bit much under the hot summer sun.
Try these wintry additions to your perfect dress:

• Elbow length gloves
• Fur shrugs
• Fur muffs for cold hands
• Colourful sashes for your waist

Wedding Colours
Holiday and winter weddings call for deep, rich holiday colours. Burgundy, forest green and deep jewel tones are beautiful choices when accented with other lighter colours and vice versa. Some popular colour combinations include: Cream with gold, silver accents; reds and burgundy with cream, gold or silver accents; deep jewel tones (plum, royal blue) with silver and gold accents. If you are thinking of using more traditional Christmas time colours - red and green – they are best used in your décor with flower arrangements and other decorations, not as your main theme.
Wedding Décor
Flower arrangements, bridal bouquets and decorations that are tres chic are tres simple in December. For your Christmas floral arrangements and winter wedding bouquets, florists recommend: red roses, white chrysanthemums, baby’s breath, stargazer lilies, holly, pine boughs, amaryllis, paper whites, carnations, calla lilies. Potted poinsettias are a great choice added flare, and mistletoe placed strategically around your room will add romance as well.
And to top it all off, add some holly sprigs or a few beautiful Christmas ornaments to the top of your wedding cake for a jolly, cheerful look.
A warm Christmas glow is another obvious but necessary choice for easy ambience on your special day: twinkly white lights and candles will keep your event festive and Merry.
Other ideas include:

• Popular Christmas tunes playing every fourth or fifth song
• Arriving in a sleigh or horse drawn carriage
• Serving hot cocoa as a beverage choice
• Strategically placed candy canes in your centerpieces
• Small decorated and lit christmas trees placed around the venue (or just place some lights on existing bushes!)

Wedding Menu
With the temperatures cooling down outside and snow on the ground (or brown grass at the very least) comfort foods are a perfect choice for your wedding menu. Roast beef or chicken with rich gravy, pared with root vegetables and mashed potatoes are an easy and cheap choice for your day – and a guaranteed hit with the kids.
Wedding Favours
Charming Christmas ornaments with the date of your special day will be a wonderful thank-you to your guests. Unique holiday gifts are always preferred and easy to incorporate into their own décor at home. Special cookie and holiday drink recipes written on keepsake cards are also a unique favour. Copper or silver Christmas cookie cutters bundled together for each family is a clever idea – just attach a cute little marriage announcement along with a candy cane and you’re set!

Holiday weddings don’t have to be a source of added stress at one of the busiest times of the year; on the contrary. With the natural merriment, festive Christmas background and these holiday wedding tips, your winter ceremony will be a delight and a joy for everyone involved.
Lilly Gordon is a freelance web writer and publisher. She is an avid gardener and is fascinated with wedding trends, and Calgary Flowers.