Women Today: Spring 2017

Successful women (like Amanda Farrell) point to determination

Women Today Solo traveling tips

Shannon Kislat recommends planning and educating yourself about where you’re going.

The sandwich generation

Caregivers face stress, but there is help.

Spring 2017

Women Today 4

Tips for traveling solo

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Doctor: Exercise helps pregnant women stay healthier and have an easier labor

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Health screenings

Caregivers face stress, but Rome service providers say there is help

Successful women point to determination R ome’s Amanda Farrell, owner of Farrell’s Frame and Design, said she has done “whatever it takes” to succeed in business.

“Starting this journey was not something taken lightly,” Farrell said. “From the moment the idea entered my mind, almost 12 years ago, I knew, and accepted, that it was going to be an enormous responsibility. Having that thought in the back of my mind at all times helped me to stay focused and motivated through everyday tasks.”

Farrell noticed that some of her customers would look confused when they saw a woman doing all her own woodwork.

“People would come in and look at me like ‘Shouldn’t a man be helping you with this?’ I learned that smiling through it and showing them how good my work is quickly helped me overcome this problem,” Farrell said. “The biggest reason I have been a success is that I believe I should treat everyone how I would expect to be treated if I was a customer. When they get the final product, it is exactly what I would have wanted it to be if I were them.”

Floyd County’s Teresa Lumsden of State Farm said the best advice she can give is to “Enjoy your work or find another career.”

Lumsden said success is pivotal on your attitude and overall happiness.

Although women make up 45 percent of the labor force and only 5 percent head Fortune 500 companies, women are mak-

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‘The biggest reason I have been a success is that I believe I should treat everyone how I would expect to be treated if I was a customer.

When they get the final product, it is exactly what I would have wanted it to be if I were them.’

Amanda Farrell Farrell’s Frame and Design

ing greater strides than ever before.

For example, in 1998, just one woman led a Fortune 500 company, according to Pew Research Center. Certain traits could help propel successful women to the top.

Here is a look at some of the ways female professionals can overcome professional hurdles and make their mark.

Be passionate about what you do. Women who maintain passion about their careers are more likely to overcome any challenges and stand out in the workplace. If your profession is not stoking any passion, explore alternate career opportunities.

Recognize your strengths. Today’s professionals are less likely than their predecessors to stick with one company or line of work for their entire working lives.

But just because you change jobs or career paths does not mean your past experience is useless. Successful women know what they do best, whether its public speaking, writing or making sales pitches. Apply those strengths when looking for a new job or career.

“Throughout my time in the industry, as a worker, I took every chance I was given to learn new skills, be it working with a particular kind of art, or working on a mound of corporate paperwork,” Farrell said. “Over the years, the accumulation of all of these taken chances turned into a broad spectrum of knowledge learned, and a solid starting point for going into the world of a business owner,” she added.

Please see SUCCESS 9

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Solo:

Shannon Kislat recommends planning and educating yourself about where you’re going

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hannon Kislat of Rome has spent a lot of time traveling, sometimes alone, and sometimes with her husband, Thomas, and their son. She said that planning and educating yourself about the area you will be staying is very important.

“Be realistic about how much you can see in the time you have,” Kislat said.

“Take all travelers in your group into account (children, older folks, those with motion impediments of one kind or another) when you are making your itinerary. Remember, you want to have fond memories of your trip and happy pictures of your group. Also remember to get input from your fellow travelers when making your itinerary.”

Kislat said it is important to remember that not all members of your party may be interested in hitting all the designer shops in town or every Gothic cathedral.

“You will probably have to compromise or provide alternative activities if the group is large enough to split up.”

Kislat also recommended packing comfortable walking shoes.

“Do not choose your vacation as the time to break in a new pair,” Kislat said. “You will regret it.”

Traveling abroad is a great way to experience other cultures and meet new people. Many people imagine traveling with friends, family or their significant others, but international travel can be enjoyed by men and women traveling alone as well. Risk is inherent for anyone traveling abroad, but women must be especially diligent when visiting foreign countries. According to the U.S. Department of State, female travelers are more likely than men to be affected by the religious and cultural beliefs of the foreign countries they visit. Women who plan to travel overseas alone should heed the following tips to ensure their trips are safe and memorable for all the right reasons.

Know where your local embassy is.

When traveling abroad, keep the address of the nearest embassy on your person always. American women can visit www. usembassy.gov to learn where the embassy in a given country is located.

Do your homework. Before booking a trip, research the country you hope to visit to determine if it’s safe for women

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to visit alone. Some countries may require women to have a male escort before they can leave the country.

Researching a country can also give you an idea about its crime and security conditions, local laws pertaining to women (if any such laws exist) and other information that can help you decide if a given country is one you can safely visit while traveling alone.

“Trip Adviser is a great resource for dining options, even last minute,” Kislat said. “(I) definitely recommend downloading the app so you can just consult your phone to see what is nearby and check reviews.”

Kislat also recommending keeping things a little spontaneous and asking the locals where their favorite spots are.

“Don’t be afraid to ask. Everyone loves an opportunity to tell someone else about their favorite locale,” Kislat said.

Bring appropriate clothing. Many countries have laws that govern how women can dress. One of the joys of traveling is experiencing other cultures, but it’s also important to respect those cultures no matter how much you may disagree with their laws and customs. Wearing appropriate clothing can reduce your risk of having a run-in with local law enforcement and lets residents of the country you plan to visit know that you respect their right to govern themselves.

Kislat said she always makes sure the research the cultures of the area she will be in so that she does not offend anyone.

“I always try to learn at least ‘Thank you’ and ‘Hello’ in the local language,” Kislat said. “Even though English is understood almost everywhere, saying these simple phrases in the local language goes a long way with shopkeepers and wait staff.”

Maintain awareness of your surroundings. While relaxing inhibitions is one of the joys of traveling, women traveling alone should always be aware of their surroundings. Avoid abandoned areas during the day and night and steer clear of dimly lit, isolated areas when the sun goes down. Do not drink alcohol to excess, as doing so can lower your inhibitions and make you vulnerable to potential attackers.

Please see TRAVEL 5

TRAVEL from 4

‘I always try to learn at least “Thank you” and “Hello” in the local language. Even though English is understood almost everywhere, saying these simple phrases in the local language goes a long way with shopkeepers and wait staff.’

Shannon Kislat of Rome

“Be mindful of your surroundings-no matter where you are,” Kislat recommended.

“I have rarely felt unsafe when traveling, so I don’t want to scare anyone. Just keep your eyes open and report anything suspicious to local authorities.”

Kislat also noted that there is “little reason even outside of the U.S.” to carry much cash anymore. “Most places take credit or even debit cards, and if you are going to any street markets or roadside food stands you may need cash but even more and more of these ‘mom and pop’ places are equipping themselves with portable card readers,” Kislat said. “In any case, I definitely recommend against exchanging money. Just find an ATM once you are in the country and take the currency directly from your account.

That way you avoid the exchange fee and get the most up-to-date exchange rate.”

Establish appropriate boundaries. Oversharing information about yourself and your itinerary with strangers can increase your vulnerability. Keep private information to yourself and ask for contact information rather than sharing your itinerary if someone wants to meet up again. If someone is making you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to be unfriendly to repel any unwanted attentions. Traveling alone can make for

a memorable vacation, but women traveling alone need to be especially careful so they do not put themselves in harm’s way or offend any local laws or customs.

Kislat said that she also enjoys discovering new things around the United States.

“Who says you must travel outside of the U.S., though? This country is so diverse, it is definitely worth investigating more,” Kislat said. “A road-trip is a fantastic way to discover a new place, especially because you have the freedom to stop anywhere along the way to check out the local color.”

Kislat recommends always having your car checked first by a mechanic to minimize the chances of roadside breakdown because it is “always a buzzkill” and for longer trips use an online planner to estimate driving times and find hotels or campgrounds along the way.

“If you are doing a solo trip, be sure you give at least one other person your itinerary and check in with them along the way,” Kislat said.

Kathrine Kirby contributed to this report.

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‘The exercise helps them to have a healthier pregnancy and an easier labor.’

Dr. Barry Brass Harbin obstetrician and gynecologist

Pregnancy doesn’t mean no exercise

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xercise plays a vital role in long-term health. When combined with a healthy diet, exercise can help men, women and children lower their risk for injury and potentially debilitating diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Exercise can even pay dividends for women who are pregnant. Though women should always consult their physicians when designing exercise regimens while pregnant, the benefits to breaking a sweat while expecting can be significant. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercising while pregnant can help women alleviate some of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

Many pregnant women feel pain in their backs and ankles, but exercise can ease or even prevent such pains, improving women’s mood and helping them sleep better.

Exercising while pregnant also helps women keep weight off, making it easier for them to return to their normal weight after giving birth. There are numerous benefits of exercising while pregnant, but it’s still important that women not overdo it, as it can put both them and their unborn children at risk.

Regular exercise during pregnancy has been shown to help in several ways, including reducing back pain, reducing the risk of gestational diabetes, promoting healthy weight gain during pregnancy and helping to lose the baby weight after the baby is born, according to Dr. Barry Brass, Harbin Clinic obstetrician and gynecologist.

“We recommend that our patients exer-

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cise when they’re pregnant. The exercise helps them to have a healthier pregnancy and an easier labor and delivery,” Brass says. “Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week is healthy for both the mother and the baby.”

Make a daily effort. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises that pregnant women should strive for an eventual goal of moderate-intensity exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes per day on most or all days of the week. This exercise schedule should be adjusted as necessary should any complications arise, and women should make those adjustments after discussing the complications with their physicians. The ACOG notes that pregnant women who were sedentary prior to getting pregnant should follow a more gradual progression of exercise, slowly building up their exercise tolerance just like they would if they were not pregnant but wanted to become more physically active.

Choose safe activities. While it’s important for pregnant women to remain physically active, certain exercises are safer than others.

Safe exercises for women with uncomplicated pregnancies who regularly consult with their obstetricians include walking, swimming, stationary cycling, yoga, modified Pilates, and even strength training for women who engaged in such training prior to becoming pregnant. Contact sports, including basketball, and activities that carry a high risk of falling, such as downhill skiing, gym-

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nastics and off-road cycling, should be avoided. The ACOG also recommends that pregnant women avoid hot yoga or hot Pilates.

Brass notes that several exercises are great for expectant mothers, including walking, swimming, cycling and aerobics.

Along with pregnancy benefits, exercising while pregnant can also help improve energy, mood, posture and can even help mothers sleep better.

Employ the buddy system. The buddy system can ensure someone is there to help should pregnant women experience any adverse side effects while exercising. Pregnant women should always use spotters when strength training, and should never go for walks or jogs without a partner. Women can go one step further by keeping their mobile phones with them at all times and including their obstetricians’ contact information on their phones and among their favorites so anyone who needs to contact them can do so quickly.

Know the warning signs that something might be amiss. It’s important that pregnant women learn to recognize the warning signs to discontinue exercise while pregnant. Women should discontinue exercise immediately and consult their physicians if they experience any of the following symptoms: vaginal bleeding, amniotic fluid leakage, labored breathing before exertion, dizziness, headache, chest pain, muscle weakness affecting balance, calf pain or swelling, regular painful contractions.

Kathrine Kirby contributed to this report.

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Screenings are part of healthy living

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outine medical screenings are an essential element of a healthy lifestyle.

Many health screenings are recommended for both men and women, but women also should include some gender-specific testing in their health routines. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That popular adage can be applied to personal health, particularly with respect to women’s health screenings.

Breast cancer: Both men and women can get breast cancer, but women are at a far greater risk than men. According to Breastcancer.org, roughly one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.

Cancers caught early are less likely to spread to the lymph nodes and vital organs than cancers caught at later stages. Recommendations on mammogram screening start time and frequency vary with age and risk factor, so women should discuss and develop an individualized plan with their doctors.

“From my perspective, cancer screenings (including mammogram, testing for cervical cancer, colonoscopy, and lung cancer screen) are essential to every woman’s health plan,” said Ann Hook, oncology service specialist for Redmond Regional Hospital. “They have been proven to be worth the time and just might save a life. For most adults, the American Cancer Society recommends consideration for mammography begin at age 40, cervical cancer testing at age 21, colon screening at age 50, and lung cancer screening at age 55.”

Cervical cancer: Doctors advise that women should receive pelvic exams beginning at age 21, or earlier for women who are sexually active. Pap smears are screenings that help detect the presence of cancerous cells on and around the cervix that may be indicative of cervical cancer. Guidelines continually change regarding the frequency of Pap smear testing, but the general consensus is women age 30 and older may need screening every three years if they have not had any abnormal tests in the past, according to Everyday Health. Women should speak with their gynecologists regarding how frequently they should be tested for cervical cancer.

“Really what we are talking about is preventative medicine. Some gynecological cancers and disease have early symptoms that can prompt a patient to come in,” Harbin Clinic obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Marc Dean says. “But there are other cancers and issues that don’t have overt symptoms that these screenings can help detect. We want to make sure we catch any problems early on.”

Dean says having yearly gynecologic exams and following recommended cervical

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‘From my perspective, cancer screenings (including mammogram, testing for cervical cancer, colonoscopy, and lung cancer screen) are essential to every woman’s health plan.’

Ann Hook RRMC oncology service specialist

‘We want to make sure we catch any problems early on.’

Dr. Marc Dean Harbin obstetrician and gynecologist

and breast cancer guidelines are important. He also recommends young women age 12 to 25 need to get the HPV vaccine. “Patients should be coming in yearly to their primary care physician and/or ob/gyn to get screenings and review health records,” Dean says. “We want to engage the patient and have them informed and involved in their health care so that it’s not just a doctor patient relationship but that we are health partners.”

Bone density test: Osteoporosis, a weakening of bones that causes them to become more fragile, may initially be symptom-free.

Osteoporosis is often discovered only after a fracture. The National Osteoporosis Foundation says that estrogen decreases during menopause can cause bone loss, which is

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why women have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than men. In addition to healthy living habits, bone mineral density tests beginning at age 65 or earlier can help identify problems early on. Certain risk factors may require women to begin receiving bone density tests before age 65.

Skin cancer screening: A report from the National Cancer Institute appearing in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology revealed startling melanoma trends among young women. This deadly skin cancer is rising in incidence. Screening for changes in skin markings can help identify melanoma and other non-melanoma cancers early on. Skin should be checked by a dermatologist or a general health professional during regular physicals.

Guidelines recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group of experts in disease prevention, also recommend these screenings for women: blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, and diabetes. Proper care and early identification of illness risk factors can keep women on the road to good health.

In addition to screening, Hook said to take control of your health and work to reduce your cancer risk by eliminating all forms of tobacco, get to a healthy weight and stay there, get moving physically, eat a balanced diet filled with fruits and veggies, limit the alcohol, protect your skin, see your physician and discuss screenings, and most importantly, know yourself, your risks, and don’t wait to report anything unusual for you.

“Even though I’m a breast cancer survivor, I don’t want women to miss the fact that heart attack is still the number one killer in adults—men and women,” said Kay Dixon, with Redmond Occupation Health.

“Women have equality in one area—heart disease. Redmond’s AngioScreen is a great cardiovascular screening that assesses the risk of stroke and heart attack and 4 other major health risk factors. Ninety percent of all women will have a thyroid nodule sometime in their lifetime.”

Dixon also said many of the thyroid nodules, that are an incidental finding during the carotid ultrasound portion of the AngioScreen, have proven to be thyroid cancer.

Kathrine Kirby contributed to this report.

SUCCESS from 2 Farrell said that her industry often has new materials, new techniques, new software to explore, and changing design trends that play a major part in the home decor and art world.

“Staying on top of these changes, not only helps improve our services, but also keeps the mind active and sharp,” suggested Farrell. “Being engaged in your work is another one of the most important pieces of advice I could give. Each job I undertake gets my utmost attention from start to finish, it is important that anything anyone brings into our shop is treated the way we would treat a treasure of our own.”

Lumsden said that for success in business to find you, you must “Give your best always, it’s your signature.”

“My story of success involves patience. I worked in banking, law firms and as an educator before opening the doors to my own business,” Lumsden said. “After I knew I wanted to be a State Farm Agent it was another 3.5 years before I was hired in Rome.”

Know when to ask for help. Even the most accomplished women have limitations. Ask-

ing for help when you need it can help you overcome those limitations. To be good at what you do, you first have to learn from others. Sometimes the smartest way to overcome an obstacle is having several hands on deck to provide a boost. Thinking that the work is better left to you alone could be a mistake. Enlist help when you need it and never hesitate to ask for another perspective.

Farrell said that there is one thing above all that goes into running a successful business is appreciation.

“Give credit where credit is due. Yes, on most occasions, if you walk into Farrell’s Frame and Design, you will see my smiling face, but that does not mean I am the only player involved,” Farrell said. “There are key people who play a big role in our small business, and without them, there is no way we could accomplish what we have.”

Make time for exercise. A sluggish body can make for a sluggish mind. Successful people need to be sharp, and exercise can help them maintain their mental focus. According to John J. Ratey, Ph.D., a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, muscles send hormones rushing to the brain where they mix with a substance called brain-derived neurotroph-

‘Enjoy your work or find another career.’

Teresa Lumsden State Farm insurance agent

ic factor, or BDNF. BDNF plays a role in brain cell growth and learning. Without it, brains can’t absorb new information or grow and learn. Exercise also helps relieve stress, which can make resolutions easier to see and make tasks less overwhelming.

Go easy on yourself. While many successful people strive for perfection, achieving perfection is unlikely, if not impossible.

Successful people often admit to being their own worst critics, but don’t beat yourself up if you endure some trial and error. Mistakes can be a great teacher, so use any you make to your advantage.

Lumsden said no matter what she remembers “God gives us the nighttime so that we can make a fresh start and get a do-over every morning.”

Kathrine Kirby contributed to this report.

‘Each job I undertake gets my utmost attention from start to finish.’

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Caregivers face stress, but there is help

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aring for an aging or sick relative is not always so easy. In addition to the physical demands of caring for such loved ones, tending to sick people can take a mental toll, potentially contributing to a condition referred to as caregiver stress.

“In the most extreme cases it affects someone that when they finally reach out they can’t even put a sentence together,” said Charisse Durham, community service representative for Home Instead, which provides in-home care for senior citizens. “They can’t communicate what their root problems are.”

“You can see it in the expression on their faces,” said Tish Stanley, co-owner of Rome’s Golden Errands.

This group helps seniors by taking care of the necessary dayto-day errands that they may not be able to oversee because they are not as mobile as they once were. “You ask them how they are and they say they’re fine.

You can tell they are not fine.”

Women are more likely than men to serve as caregivers to elderly or disabled adults. That increases their risk for caregiver stress, says the Office on Women’s Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Mayo Clinic notes that caring for a loved one can strain even the most resilient person.

It can be quite difficult to be a person’s sole caregiver and witness a loved one’s health deteriorate due to a debilitating illness.

Though caregiver stress is nothing new, it is more prevalent and a term people hear more and more. There are several contributing factors to this.

First is the geographic component.

“In the past communities were more stable,” Durham said. “Now people are mobile. The same people aren’t staying and living in the same community. Kids move away. You don’t have that same stability. …

We’re more nomadic than we once were.”

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‘We call them the sandwich generation. That sandwich generation is really feeling the pressure. You’re always pulled in so many directions.’

Charisse Durham community service representative for Home Instead

‘Sometimes you have to be willing to accept help. Asking for help is hard for most people to do.’

Tish Stanley co-owner of Rome’s Golden Errands

As a result, maybe one sibling is left geographically close to aging parents and has to take on more of the task of caring for them.

“You combine that with those caring for parents,” Durham said. “This usually starts (when the adult children) are in their 40s.

They are working. And they are working longer hours. They are becoming parents themselves at an older age.”

“We call them the sandwich generation,”

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she said, explaining that these adult children are caught between caring for their aging relatives while also trying to work full-time and raise young children or teenagers. “That sandwich generation is really feeling the pressure. You’re always pulled in so many directions.”

Changing demographics also contributes to caregiver stress.

Please see CAREGIVERS 11

CAREGIVERS from 10 “For the first time ever our senior population outnumbers the younger population,” Durham said. “We have 15,000 seniors turning 65 every day for the next 15 years. And not only are they aging, they are retiring.

We no longer have that tax revenue for programs (that traditionally serve seniors).”

The recent recession further contributed to caregiver stress in that a lot of the financial resources that would have been available in retirement revenue to seniors disappeared, increasing the poverty level of older individuals, Durham said.

She also said there are decreased social services for seniors and it is harder for seniors to find their own resources as more and more resources are funneled through services found online and the older individuals are not as tech savvy.

As the population ages, nearly 80 percent of the long-term care that takes place in the United States is overseen by people who are not healthcare professionals, including daughters, granddaughters, sisters and aunts. Caregiver stress can manifest itself in many different ways, including physical and emotional problems.

The following are some ways to handle the stress of caring for a sick and/or elderly relative.

Investigate available resources. Explore all of the opportunities in your area that may relieve some of the burden of caring for your loved one. These may include inhome visiting care services, meal delivery, adult activity programs, and more.

Ask for help.

“Sometimes you have to be willing to accept help,” Stanley said. “Asking for help is hard for most people to do.”

Golden Errands currently offers a courier type service for older adults. Stanley said they are working to add transportation to their services, which should be forthcoming sometime in May. “I really feel like we give (caregivers) a break,” Stanley said. “They’re usually excited to see us.”

Home Instead employs professional caregivers who can help with meal prep, transportation, errands, personal care and companionship.

Find out if responsibilities can be split among other family members, giving each person a chance to rest and recuperate.

Get physical. Physical activity in any form can help reduce stress and improve feelings of well-being, offers the Alzheimer’s Association. Go for a walk, take an exercise class or ride a bicycle. Expect to feel more relaxed and less stressed after physical activity.

Speak with a therapist. Discuss your feelings with someone not directly related to

your family or circle of friends. Caregivers may have feelings of anger, depression and anxiety, and may even be in denial about how much care this person really needs.

Talking about your feelings with a professional can put them into perspective.

Focus on things you can control. You may not be able to cure the illness or disability, but there are things in your control. Rather than dwelling on things beyond your control, try to improve the things you can control.

Try to have fun. It’s easy to make caregiving the only part of your life. However, you have to leave room for letting off steam.

Don’t feel guilty about going out with friends or a spouse. Make time for yourself.

Caregiver stress is a very real thing that negatively affects the health and well-being of caregivers. Many times, the health of the caregivers suffers because they are so focused on aging loved ones and their well being as well as the regular responsibilities of life that they fail to notice symptoms of their own illnesses or take time to attend to those symptoms.

Some simple coping methods can relieve some of that stress.

More information about the services available from Golden Errands is available by calling 706-506-0507. More information about the services available from Home Instead is available by calling 706-290-1367.

Michelle Wilson contributed to this report.

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Maximizing facial features

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hether it is a little girl playing with her mom’s makeup or an older woman trying to roll back the clock, women of all ages have been experimenting with makeup for decades in an effort to enhance their looks.

“You can do a lot with makeup,” said Lexi Wilson, assistant manager at Rome’s Merle Norman in Central Plaza. “You can do just about anything with makeup now to make your face look younger or different. It’s amazing.”

Highlighting and contouring, often referred to as “HAC,” has been perfected and used by professional makeup artists for some time. HAC has transformed the faces of many celebrities and is often the technique of choice to add dramatic effect to a woman’s look.

“It’s been around for a long, long time,” said Carrie Williams, master cosmetologist and salon manager at Blonde on Broad in Rome. “It has become more mainstream. It not just for celebrities and models in photo shoots anymore.”

HAC, when applied properly, can work many a much-desired miracle for women.

“You’re either trying to maximize or minimize facial features,” Williams said. “ Yo u c a n l o o k l i k e you’ve dropped five pounds in five minutes,” Wilson said. “It’s a natural-looking appearance.

It’s nothing crazy.”

The technique employs the use of lighter and darker shades of makeup to add dimension to the face with the intention of drawing attention to particular areas while downplaying others. With highlighting and contouring, women can even create the illusion of more prominent

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‘You can do a lot with makeup. You can do just about anything with makeup now to make your face look younger or different. It’s amazing.’

Lexi Wilson assistant manager at Rome’s Merle Norman in Central Plaza

cheekbones or a smaller nose without having to undergo plastic surgery.

Contouring involves adding shadows in certain places to define areas and enhance shapes.

Areas that you desire to retreat from the eye for a more sculpted look should be contoured.

Contouring can be done by using a concealer crayon that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color, a bronzer or a deep shade of blusher.

Women also can purchase contouring kits to make the job that much easier.

Williams explained that creams, powders and pencils used for contouring are typically two shades darker than the skin tone.

“And it needs to be on tone with the skin tone,” she said, noting that the colors being used should be in the same family as that of a person’s natural skin color — such as rose hued or olive toned skin.

Highlighting adds light to the face in key areas to make them more prominent. Highlighters may be sold as stand-alone products, or you can use a light concealer to achieve similar results. Depending on the shape of your face or your goal, contouring and highlighting shades will be placed in select areas.

“Basically, a highlighter is a powder or cream and creates the illusion of brightness,” Williams said. “It attracts your eye to that area.”

Highlighters are lighter than the natural skin tone and have some shimmer or glitter effect to them.

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In many instances, darker hues are placed around the hairline, as well as in the crease of the cheeks that forms when you suck in your cheeks. Contouring also is added from the inside corners of the eyebrows down the sides of the nose. Bronzer applied under the chin and down the neck can make your neck appear elongated and thinner.

Highlights typically are applied in the center of the forehead and down the front of the nose.

Lighter hues can be used above the eyebrows and underneath the outer corners of the brows to define their shape. Apply a highlighter underneath the eyes stretching over the tops of the cheeks.

Some women like to highlight the bow of the lips and the front of the chin.

Contouring and highlighting should take place after you have used concealer and your base foundation. This allows you to blend the shades

a harsh line and it doesn’t look natural.”

Wi t h h i g h l i g h t i n g , sometimes women choose products with too much shimmer or glitter.

“It’s not very pretty and it doesn’t look like what you intend it to look like,” Williams said. “Your intent is to enhance your appearance. You don’t want to detract from that.”

How the product is applied is equally important.

“If you’re not using the right brushes, it’s not going to look as good,” Wilson said. “And there are problems when people use too much (concealer or highlighter). Less is more sometimes.”

It’s always a good idea to visit a trusted cosmetologist to learn the proper supplies and techniques. Both Blonde on Broad and Merle Norman offer services applying HAC and teaching clients how to duplicate those efforts at home.

together so there aren’t any distinct lines in color. Use a blush color at the back of the apples of the cheeks to finish the look. Then feel free to play up your eyes and lips with desired shades.

It is important when employing HAC techniques to avoid basic mistakes.

“The biggest mistake in contouring is that women don’t blend enough or they use a shade that’s too dark,” Michelle Wilson contribWilliams said. “You’ll see uted to this report.

Science helps keep color in your hair

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n the mid-1800s, chemists began to work with non-natural dyes for the textile industry. At least one of the chemicals used in a dye derived from coal tar formed a color when exposed to air. This molecule, called para-phenylenediamine, or PPD, eventually would go on to form the foundation for many permanent hair dyes.

“It’s a colored dye that is mixed with a pro-oxide developer, if you’re going for permanent color,” said Bobby Stevens, owner of B Stevens Salon on Second Avenue. He has been studying the process of coloring hair for 18 years. “You’re actually rearranging the molecules on the inside of the cuticles of hair.”

Both men and women color their hair, but women tend to be more avid colorists. Many women stick to a strict schedule of color maintenance, returning to the salon every four to six weeks for touchups. At an average cost of between $50 and $80 for a single-process permanent color, according to polling

by Angie’s List members (foil treatments and balayage highlights can cost more), the price of keeping color looking fresh and vibrant can add up.

With good practices in place, hair color can last up to seven or eight weeks, said Carrie Williams, salon manager at Blonde on Broad.

“You can have the same results as the day you walked out of the salon,” she said.

If people don’t have a good hair maintenance regimen in place, the color can fade — and quickly.

“It can be gone within 7 to 10 days,” Stevens said.

It’s understandable that women would be interested in prolonging the life of their color to help stretch out their budgets.

“People want to protect their investment,” Williams said.

Explore the different ways to extend the life of hair color and enjoy healthier-looking locks.

First, understand the difference between products.

Hair color can come in different formulations.

Semi- and demi-permanent colors deposit color without lightening and will wash out gradually after a certain number of shampoos. Permanent hair colors use a combination of components to open up the hair cuticle so that natural hair color can be lightened and color deposited as well. Someone unsure of a color may want to try a semi-permanent formulation and then look to the permanent equivalent when satisfied so that the color will last longer.

Wash with cooler water.

Keep color longer by turning down the thermostat in the shower. Hot water can cause the hair shaft to expand and lead to more dissolution of hair color molecules.

Washing and rinsing with cool water can lock in the color longer.

“Cooler water keeps the cuticle closed so the color doesn’t seep out. …”

Stevens said. “If you can air dry your hair, great. …

Or use a lower heat setting (on the dryer).”

Skip the sulfates. Sulfates are detergents used

‘Cooler water keeps the cuticle closed so the color doesn’t seep out. … If you can air dry your hair, great. …

Or use a lower (dryer) heat setting.’

Bobby Stevens, B Stevens Salon

‘I always recommend my clients use a leave-in conditioner with a heat protection and UV protection.’

Carrie Williams, Blonde on Broad in shampoos that produce those lush suds many people equate with cleanliness. Sulfates can strip dyes from the hair and lead to premature fading.

“One of the biggest mistakes is not having good at-home professional products,” Williams said.

“They definitely need to be something that are presented by the stylist and purchased in a salon.”

“Store-bought shampoo is not necessarily a great thing,” Stevens said, noting that many shampoos that claim to boost softness and shine achieve this through coating the hair in a wax film, smothering the hair over time.

“My biggest thing is when you’re going to spend that money for hair color, go that extra mile and buy the (salon-recommended) shampoo,” he said. “Invest in a professional shampoo.

The Ph levels are balanced. They’re formulated to help hair be healthier. … The price difference is what goes into the shampoo to make it healthier for your hair.”

Use a color-extending product. Color-extending products come in two varieties: those that deposit small amounts of color to help keep the overall shade fresh, and others that don’t add color but help seal the cuticle so that existing color will not fade away. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested nine brands, including 24 products, and found most of the products, such as color shampoos, helped dyes last longer than regular shampoos.

Protect against the sun.

sun hats. “And don’t leave the ponytail sticking out.”

With respect to swimming, both Williams and Stevens recommend that people who have colored their hair wet their hair with fresh water before getting into the pool as this practice helps protect the hair against the tiny chlorine molecules getting into the hair cuticles and damaging the color.

Head back to the salon.

Some salons offer free or inexpensive glossing treatments. This 10-minute service can extend the life of your hair color. By following some easy hair care tips, anyone can keep their color lasting longer.

Clients should speak with their stylists if they need more direction and advice about hair color.

Your skin is not the only part of the body that needs to be shielded from the sun. Ultraviolet light can cause premature fading of hair color. Look for a product that defends against UV damage, and wear hats when out in strong sun.

“I always recommend my clients use a leave-in conditioner with a heat protection and UV protection,” Williams said.

“If you’re an outdoor person, cover your hair color,” Stevens said, recommending the use of sunscreens for hair, umMichelle Wilson contribbrellas at the beach and uted to this report.

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Women of the Rome-Floyd How do you give back to the Rome Community?

Kasi Dixon: “I give back to the Rome community by educating others on proper health and nutrition so that they can live a happier, fuller and hopefully, longer life.”

Amy Patterson: “As a member of the Exchange Club of Rome, I will serve the Homemakers Club for the Coosa Valley Fair and I volunteer with Toys for Tots, which is very rewarding. I also volunteer my time in the evenings at the Y to teach water fitness.”

What is it that sets the Rome YMCA apart from other local fitness centers?

Jennifer White: “Rome is blessed to have a wealth of fitness options that empower our residents to ‘move.’ The YMCA meets the unique needs of a wide range of people. We offer programs that promote health in our youngest children, encourage healthy competition and sportsmanship in our children and youth, offer all ages a wide variety of group classes, fantastic cardio and strength equipment, community and family programs, and so much more.

But, I think the thing that sets the YMCA apart from many fitness centers is the sense of community and belonging that you feel when you walk through the door.”

Tells us about your staff.

Lange House: “We have a strong, dependable, encouraging female staff. Our women are leaders in all areas of the Y and also serve as role models for our members. They celebrate successes and encourage and support others when trials and loss come about.”

Kasi Dixon: “I have a great set of women working on my staff at the Y. They are each knowledgeable and bring something unique to our fitness staff. They all are willing and ready to help any member, as well as take the time to educate them on fitness and health. Each of them are continually trying to better themselves with continuing education to make sure they each offer the best for our members.

Left front to back: Mary Asbury Lincee Powell Kasi Dixon Kristen Vardy Amy Patterson Right front to back: Maggie Vinson Lange House Karen Armstrong Nino Bates Jennifer White Their influence at the Y helps big part of who I am today. Not to create an unmatched atmo- only do I get to work in an amazsphere in our fitness areas.” ing organization, I get to work with my family and best friends.”

What’s most rewarding about your work?

What would you like potential Maggie Vinson: “Educating members to know about the members on ways to improve YMCA? their well-being by staying acJennifer White: “I want people tive.” who are hesitant to try a ‘fitness Diane Platt: “As a fitness in- class’ to give us a chance. All structor, it is fun and rewarding classes offer a variety of options to help people work toward to support all fitness levels entheir fitness goals. I have had courage you to return. We will many people come to my class help you feel comfortable and as a “first-time” class partici- successful in class. We will get to pant and then love group fitness know you (by name) and you will classes after that. I enjoy shar- make fitness friends that will exing my enthusiasm for fitness, tend beyond the walls of the Y.” making new friends at the same Diane Platt: “The YMCA’s mistime. Many people I never see sion is for youth development, except one or two times a week for healthy living and for social at the YMCA, but I consider responsibility and as members them friends for life. I really of the YMCA they will be able to like it when I get the opportuni- participate in some way in each ty to see someone I know from part of that mission. I would also class.” like potential members to understand that once they start to get What drew you to the Rome involved with the YMCA there YMCA? will always be potential opporEmma Vasil: “I’ve been through tunities as their family grows. some hard times and was pretty There is always something to do lonely before the YMCA. I went at the YMCA for any age group.” there so that I would be a better person inside and out. I have What do you do for fun when since made more friends here you’re not at work? than basically anywhere else.”

Kasi Dixon: “When I am not at Karen Armstrong: “I grew up the Y working, you can usually in a YMCA in Indiana and find me with my friends or famworked as a gymnastics coach ily. I enjoy being outdoors doing for many years. The YMCA is a just about anything, hiking or Rome News-Tribune

running. You can also find me at the Y in my free time, working out and taking group exercise classes. I love to practice what I preach to our members.”

Dekie Hicks: “Growing plants, shaping bonsai and topiary, writing, hiking, cooking and road-tripping.”

How many of your children work or are involved at the YMCA or have been at some point?

Amy Patterson: “All three of my boys have grown up at the YMCA. All have volunteered at camp and at fundraisers. Our joke is that Y staff kids are not volunteers; they are ‘voluntold.’ I feel like it is important to teach them to give back. All three have worked part time at the Y either as a lifeguard, vault and front desk staff, or in the maintenance department.”

Are there any classes/opportunities at the YMCA that are specifically geared toward women?

Lange House: “Our Barre class tends to draw women specifically to it due to the nature of the class.

We are also looking at starting a women on weights class that will help women become more knowledgeable with weight training.”

Kasi Dixon: “I think any woman can come into the Y and find their place. Any of our instructors and trainers will make you feel like the workout was made just for you!”

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