Acne and Make-up Brushes

By: Kristin Adams

Acne can be an extremely irritating, frustrating and embarrassing problem. Often women tend to blame their cosmetics or their diets, but sometimes the real cause of the problem can be something a little unexpected - your make-up brushes.

How Cosmetic Brushes Affect Acne

Cosmetic brushes are used more and more these days with the increasing popularity of high-end cosmetic use and mineral make-up. Generally using a quality cosmetic brush is much better to use in terms of overall cosmetic application and end result than using your fingers or a piece of tissue. However, you need to remember that without regular and thorough cleaning, cosmetic brushes can and often do harbour bacteria and dirt.

Your cosmetic brushes can contain millions of little bacteria and can cause various infections and skin problems such as acne. If you have been breaking-out often lately then take a look at your cosmetic brushes and see if they are as clean as they could be.

Think about it. When you wake-up each and every single morning you are putting your make-up on with your cosmetic brushes. You place them back in your bottomless make-up bag or your drawer and leave them there until the next time you apply your make-up.
You may also occasionally set your cosmetic brushes on your sink which may not be pristine. Perhaps they momentarily fall on the floor. You might not be able to bring yourself to throw away that discontinued blush (now expired as well) that you have had for 3 years now.

Your counter, drawer, cosmetic bag, floor and potentially expired cosmetics can all deposit bacteria into your cosmetic brush which you, in turn, brush on your face. Day after day you are potentially buffing bacteria picked up from dirty surfaces bags and floors onto your face, infecting your skin and clogging up your pores at the same time.

What Should You Do to Protect The Skin?

So now that you know your brushes could be a problem, what should you do to help your skin? There are many cosmetic brush cleaners on the market. Some are washes that resemble a shampoo and others are alcohol based sprays. If you use one of these products keep in mind that any chemical based residue from the cleaner could end up on your face. If your skin is sensitive this could further irritate you.

Want to really clean your cosmetic brushes? A good wash will really help.

1. First rinse each cosmetic brush under warm water to remove the superficial cosmetics from the brush.
2. Place a dot of natural, gentle shampoo on the bristle of each cosmetic brush and massage between your fingers.
3. Fill the bathroom sink with warm water and place the cosmetic brushes in there to soak for a few minutes.
4. Once the cosmetic brushes have had a chance to soak, rinse each brush under warm running water.
5. Dry each brush by first gently squeezing out any excess water.
6. Allow the brushes to air dry on a clean towel.

If your brushes are really dirty then it is possible that they may have contaminated your make-up, regardless how well your make-up is preserved. If you suspect this, throw away your cosmetics and replace them with new products. Always use a clean brush with a new product to ensure that you aren't contaminating the new product.

Also, remember that the majority of cosmetics don't have an indefinite shelf life so be sure to mark the date with a pen when you first open your cosmetics and throw them away when you have reached the standard expiration date.

Overall cosmetic brushes really do come in handy but their usefulness is entirely counterproductive to creating that flawless look if they are causing acne or skin issues. Acne is just one of the many skin conditions you can develop through dirty brushes and so it really is important to keep them as clean as possible. Rinse all your cosmetic brushes under the tap at least once a week and wash them properly at least once a month to prevent possible infections.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Privacy Policy for Ashanti Latest Hairstyles

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at kedarah@hotmail.com.

At Ashanti Latest Hairstyles, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by Ashanti Latest Hairstyles and how it is used.

Log Files
Like many other Web sites, Ashanti Latest Hairstyles makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons
Ashanti Latest Hairstyles does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.

DoubleClick DART Cookie
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.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to Ashanti Latest Hairstyles and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
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These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on Ashanti Latest Hairstyles send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

Ashanti Latest Hairstyles has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. Ashanti Latest Hairstyles's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

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Finding affordable Cosmetic and beauty products

By: Anne Harvester

Choosing Safe Cosmetic and Beauty Products For Both You And The Planet

There are often unwanted ingredients within your commonly purchased cosmetic and beauty products. However, there are a plethora of safe cosmetics with which you do not have to sacrifice quality. If anything, it most often is the opposite. Safe personal care products many times work better than their chemical laced counterparts. Neither beauty nor cleanliness need be sacrificed in pursuit of safe products.

There are many natural components to cosmetic and beauty products which accomplish additional tasks up and above the stated purpose. For example, mineral makeup uses zinc oxide in its natural state to impart a sun protection factor (SPF) of 25 in addition to providing a long lasting and beautiful look. Protection from UV rays produces obvious safety benefits. Personal care products do not have to be artificial in order to work their best.

Safe personal care products leave out many potential irritants and potential allergens. Most deodorants contain aluminum chlorhydrate. Natural deodorants utilize loose minerals instead providing greater protection without exposing the user to harsh chemicals. This does not mean they do not work. Once switching, many claim far longer and more dependable protection coming from organically based deodorants.

Commonly found personal care products like shampoo contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Many suffer allergic reactions to this compound. Safe personal care products are characterized by shampoos and conditioners which rely solely on organic cleaning agents. The effectiveness of organic products often supersedes that of chemically based products. Organic shampoo may not lather, but it has been shown to be far more effective at producing the cleanest hair possible.

Women's personal care products include both safe cosmetics as well as organic personal care products. Organic cosmetics contain no salicylates, dyes, or talc. Safe cosmetics are also non-comedogenic meaning they will not clog your pores. This provides obvious advantages versus other popular makeup lines. Cosmetic and beauty products can provide for both your health and beauty. One just has to be cognizant to carefully read the labels.

Information is a major factor which makes buying cosmetics online the smart avenue. Any suspect ingredient you may see on the list can be immediately researched. The convenience of being able to shop from your own home is also obvious, not to mention saving money on gasoline needed to run all about town searching down safe cosmetics.

Unnecessary driving has well known impacts upon the environment. Lesser realized are the effects that many cosmetic and beauty products have on the world around us. All of the harsh chemicals resident in many products end up in our streams and wetlands after our use. Safe cosmetics protect both you and Mother Earth.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

My Review of Buffy The Vampire Slayer's 8x04: "The Long Way Home Part 4"

Written by Joss Whedon
Artwork by Georges Jeanty

General: “Sound off! Who’s hurt? Stay calm, damn it.”
Buffy: “No. Panic.”

Each issue so far has ended with enough hooks to keep pulling us back in for some more and when your last one ends with the sudden reappearance of a character that should be long dead, it’s safe to say that answers are needed and fast too.

Of all the people Willow would have the misfortune to be kidnapped by, a vengeful Amy was bad enough but discovering that her boyfriend is Warren, still in his skinless state of people, I can’t help but wonder – what the hell?

Strapped down to a table, Willow gets a brief synopsis on why her most significant kill is still alive. Well first off all, after yanking off his skin, Amy managed to pull a Houdini and get Warren out of there before she could finish the job. The only other question is why Amy would do that?

It turns out that I’ll assume after their spat in “Doublemeat Palace”, Amy took to stalking Willow and saved Warren’s ass in the very hopes of causing further misery down the line. Warren is also very quick to point out that he was in on Amy’s punishment scheme from “The Killer In Me” and more interestingly that Amy’s magic is his skin.

The whole involvement on Willow turning into her nemesis in Season Seven could be cool. I hate the idea of Willow actually feeling bad for doing Warren so her involuntary having to become him is now made tolerable as a result.

As for the whole “her magic is my skin”, what can I say – Amy is an incredibly smart girl. If she’s been stalking Willow for all the this time then obviously she must have some idea that Warren is an avowed misogynist and is completely untrustworthy individual as well.

Her using her magic as a substitute for actually regenerating Warren’s skin is probably Amy’s way of keeping Warren in line. As useful as he might be in her personal vendetta with Willow, having some form of control over him is smart. We’ve seen Amy advance in the magic field so it’s unlikely that she’s unable to regenerate Warren’s skin, she’s just not doing for her own benefit.

Bigger question then would be why isn’t Warren trying to find ways of doing it himself? Like I said the guy is an avowed misogynist and there’s no way, grateful for not being totally killed would he willingly want to be under someone else’s thrall.

Then again, Warren is more naturalistically happy to exact some of his own revenge on Willow as he goes after her with an exactor knife while Amy just looks on. The Master and Lucy Saxon this lot aren’t as despite my fear of any eye injuries, not much terror is being generated.

Briefly cutting away from Warren’s revenge, we get an almighty pissed off Dawn smashing her fists into the castle walls and generally being reminded that she is a super size she isn’t super strong. It also sucks for poor Dawnie (who’s assertive I’m liking) that she’s unable to fit through the portal the gang are working on to get Willow back.

Buffy isn’t that much in trying to calm Dawn down and her efforts for attempting only resulted in Dawn rather insensitively telling Buffy that Willow is like a mum to her. I guess that is a bit consistent as Willow and Tara did parent Dawn between Seasons Five and Six but Xander was right on the money when he noted sarcastically how much Buffy must have loved that particular comment.

Getting some mini-witches to help open a portal seems to be taking it’s sweet time and it’s moments like this when you really miss Giles, who is the only other magic expert the Scoobies really have. Xander however continues to impress by telling Buffy to find her fighting buddy and not to go all gung ho. This is only further proof as to why he is shaping up so excellently this season.

Back to the land of torture, Warren is not only goading Willow about how he would love her to go dark again but he’s also quick to jab her eye with the exactor knife and also tells her that the stronger her magic becomes the harder it is for her to break free out of her bonds.

That might also explain why Willow isn’t talking to. Perhaps the nifty spell on those bonds are stopping her from chanting any kind of magic that would free her but the severe lack of a two way exchange between them kinda sucks to be honest.

We’ve had interesting exchanges between Willow and Amy in the last issue but not once does Willow get a chance to convey disgust that Warren is still breathing when Tara is stone cold. I hope no-one holds it against me when I say I want Willow to finish what she started on Warren, those two and a half years ago.

After getting a brief look of Willow’s mind and five bizarre looking women who want to grant the tortured witch access, the plans to actually save Willow before Warren succeeds in dicing her are in play. Well just Buffy telling Satsu to load up but I can tell you I knew the outcome before witnessing it.

Meanwhile bored from seeing Willow squirm, Amy has to answer to General Voll who isn’t thrilled with Amy disabling their cameras. Geez, Voll do you really think Amy isn’t going to find some way of ensuring once she’s lived up to her end of the deal that she isn’t gonna find a way of making sure you aren’t a threat to her? This guy is every bit as stupid as those Initiative suits.

Getting past some boring bickering between Satsu, Leah and Rowena, Buffy and Satsu are then set to get Willow back and when Buffy borrows some lip gloss of her intern, the cinnamon thing is revealed. Was it Satsu who kissed Buffy awake last issue? Who knows? Joss is good at throwing us off the scent but in comic book form anything is possible, right?

More interesting is the trip into Willow’s state of mind where her weird new pals are telling her that her refuge is only temporary and even go as far as to show her images of people burning in the flames and it doesn’t take a genius to get that this particular imagery is representing the very real pain she’s being subjected to.

On screen something like this would look absolutely amazing and while Willow doesn’t really say much to the ladies in her mind, the sheer surrealism of what we’re seeing is enough dialogue in of it’s self. We know that Willow is in deep shit and this only emphasises it.

Fortunately though she isn’t the only about to get shafted as the idiotic soldiers are about to learn that some traps really aren’t as effective as they might appear to be. Then again, demons and gods can be smart; suits just can’t on this series.

With the mini-witches finally getting the portal opened and some delightfully cheeky dialogue exchanged between Buffy and Xander, the soldiers’ plan to take aim on Buffy and Satsu with a laser cannon is nicely deflected with the Scoobies nifty use of a mirror. See, soldiers on this show/comic book really are stupid.

It also doesn’t end there as Buffy and Satsu get through and start beating the ever holy crap out of the attacking soldiers so much that to a degree it almost beggars belief but while Buffy may be winning this fight without even really trying, it’s almost nice that she doesn’t actually derive any pleasure from the damage her and Satsu are being kinda forced to inflict.

So Buffy grabs one of the Generals and makes a reasonable request – she’ll get his men fixed up if he tells her where Willow is being kept and in all fairness he doesn’t really have much option to disagree with Buffy’s benign request.

As Buffy and Satsu whoop another soldier out of the way, Xander figures out that they are two miles south of Sunnydale and also is quick to warn them that Amy is waiting for them as well. Suffice to say, Amy is there all right but it seems that Buffy is more than prepared for her.

Willow mentions to one of the weird looking ladies in her mind that her and Buffy are a part of each other. I thought it was a rather weird way of saying that her and Buffy’s friendship is on the same ground as the first five seasons of the series but in actual fact it means that Willow is seemingly able to suffuse some of her mojo into Buffy who doesn’t waste much time using this to her advantage against Amy.

Once again Amy makes the speedy move of underestimating her opponent and while she might be right about Buffy’s sudden magical abilities being a lightshow, the slayer is easily able to distract her by pulling an image of Catherine Madison long enough for Satsu to throw a bomb in Amy’s direction.

Naturally it doesn’t actually kill Amy because obviously enough she is vital to this whole lengthy series arc but it’s effective enough for the gang to get to Willow and Buffy to seemingly recognise Warren before he and Amy make their not so great escape. Crap and I was hoping someone would nuke Warren, guess I’ll have to wait for that.

Even slightly more crap is that whatever damage Warren inflicted on Willow is gone by the time Buffy is able to free her friend. Not that I wanted Willow to be horrifically scarred but it does kind of kill the impact of her whole capture and makes a large chuck of this issue feel rather pointless as well.

Also rather pointless is Whedon’s decision to kill off Ethan Rayne when Buffy finds him dead in one of the cells thanks to General Voll. Without a reaction from Giles and with only the dream space hints of last week, Ethan’s demise should’ve been something far more stronger than this. Maybe it will help advance the arc but it feels so bloody anticlimactic.

Fortunately there’s an explanation for Voll’s vitriol Buffy and her band of slayers and despite Buffy’s annoying assumptions that Voll is another in a long line of dudes threatened by strong women, his reasons for wanting Buffy defeated is his fears that her and the slayers will become further corrupted but the inner demon and will want to reshape mankind.

You kind of have to wonder where Voll is generating this assumption from. Sure there are slayers will become corrupted and tread the wrong path and unlike Faith won’t be redeemed but Voll doesn’t exactly seem to be coming with some form of a compromise in the matter. It’s nice that there’s something more to go on with the Twilight thing but Buffy’s forlorn response doesn’t bode very well.

Also in “The Long Way Home Part 4”

Cover for this issue was Giant Dawn with Buffy in the palm of her hands. So far each cover star has played a big part in the issue but Dawn didn’t have a lot to do here.

Warren (to Willow): “I remember thinking and it comes up again in this situation, I just have to wonder – are you bored now?”

This issue opened up with a brief flashback to “Villains”. Is it me or is the lack of a mention of Tara from Willow a bit surprising?

Xander (re Dawn’s comment): “Oh I bet you loved hearing that.”
Buffy: “How much longer.”

Warren (to Willow): “All your power is siphoned into those bonds. The stronger you get. Try it, go dark. I wish you would. I think you might.”

The women in Willow’s mind were a mummy, blue smoke, painting, wolf and one of paper and equations. Abstract representations of Willow’s power/lives/lovers etc?

Amy (to General Voll): “But the witch belongs to my boyfriend. They have a history. She’s kind of a history major.”

I have to ask but when Amy refers to Warren as her boyfriend, is she actually screwing him because it can’t be pleasant if she is?

Buffy: “Yes sir, Mister Watcher sir.”
Xander: “I’ll watcher your butt.”
Buffy: “Your grammar is not so much.”
Xander: “Bring me back a witch.”

Buffy: “Where are we?”
Xander: “About two miles south of Sunnydale.”
Buffy: “Sunnydale, well I’m the one who wanted to go home.”

This is the second time in the series the Scythe has been used in battle. It seems that Buffy is keeping ownership on that thing.

Amy: “Time to go, Sweetie.”
Warren: “This isn’t over slayer.”
Amy: “I just do not get tired of saying that.”

General Voll: “We’re not waiting for that to happen, we will wipe you out. Not just monsters anymore. It’s you against the world. You’re at war with the human race.”
Buffy: “Oh. Kay.”

This issue ended with a BTVS logo at the end. Stack this entire arc together and you would have a complete episode.

What started off as a rather intriguing arc is marred by a final instalment that gives us only some answers but leaves you mostly unsatisfied. “The Long Way Home Part 4” has some interesting moments but there aren’t as many standout scenes or characters moments that the first three issues had and some of the dialogue is a bit clunky in comparison. It also stinks that we have to wait until August for standalone issue “The Chain”.

Rating: 6 out of 10.

Luscious Lips

By: Arthor Pens

To have truly luscious lips throughout the entire day it is essential to use a lip balm or some other kind of lip moisturizer. This is because the lips do not contain any oil or sweat glands and dry out continuously, licking the lips is usually how we keep them moisturized but this can also cause them to dry out even further if the air is quickly drying the moisture off.

For healthy, plump lips use a lip balm continuously throughout the day. This will not only keep them moisturized but also protect them from the sun and winds and dry air.

Choose a balm that contains the natural ingredients that will nourish and heal dry lips and not just make them shiny! For instance Jojoba Oil, this is light, non-greasy and absorbs fast into skin leaving no greasy feeling. Jojoba oil has good moisturizing and nourishing properties as it is rich in vitamin E, which heals and nurtures. Also Rose Hip Oil, this oil is used to regenerate the skin and reduce the signs of premature aging, thus fine lines and dryness are reduced. Rose hip oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, is high in gamma linoliec acid (GLA) and vitamin C. Rose hip oil is often used in products made for stretch marks, burns, scars and for mature dry skin which makes it ideal for the lips!

The king of all lip moisturizing ingredients is Shea Butter. This wonderful natural moisturizing cream is an occlusive which prevents further lip dryness by locking in the natural moisture it contains and by also nourishing the lips with essential fatty acids.

Shea Butter not only moisturizes the lips it has the ability to restore skin cells' elasticity. When used on the lips, they are not only hydrated, but they can also slowly regain their natural elasticity, making them healthier and luscious looking. Shea Butter moisturizes and heals together making it is a wonderful ingredient in lip balms for revitalizing the skin on your lips.

LanaB Lip Balms contain all of the above ingredients and more to nurture and nourish the lips throughout the entire day and they now come in a range of flavors including coconut and raspberry, watermelon, vanilla and 100% organic natural scent free.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

How to Get a Beautiful and Glamorous Lips

By: Peter Hutch

When you come across someone, the first thing that catches your attention is the face. Soft healthy pink lips usually draw attention. They lend a fresh invigorating look to your face. Lips are the most sensitive part of our body and therefore require constant nurturing. Thus, it is of prime importance to pay attention to your lips. Dry chapped lips spoil the whole look and make your face appear dull, pale and unattractive.

Lip Problem

Traumatic lesions or ulcers: These result from local injuries, including accidents. “Often, it’s the patient’s own teeth that are responsible for these lesions. Habitual lip ‘chewing’ can perpetuate benign, traumatic lip lesions, and chronic licking or sucking on the lips, another common habit, can add insult to injury,” Dr. Eisenberg says. “Paradoxically, the over-wetting with saliva of the outer lips due to chronic lip licking can actually lead to harmful dryness or even infection of the lips, with peeling, cracking and discomfort.

Natural Cures

Lips do not produce oil like our skin, because they have no oil producing glands. The skin on our lips is actually mucous membrane, so for them to remain smooth and chap free is a bit of a challenge. The most common cause of cracked lips are allergic reaction to cosmetics, skin infections, extreme weather conditions like excess sun and wind exposure, biting of the lips or a vitamin B deficiency.

If you want to make your lips appear smaller use colours like dark berry or chocolate shades which make lips look thinner also apply the liner on the inner boundary of your natural line. On the contrary if you want a more fuller look recreate your lipline slightly above your natural line and use a sheeny or sheer moisturising lip stick in warm coal, rosy pink or a bronzed caramel tone. Make even more of your mouth by applying little gloss in the middle of your lower lip.

If you are suffering from chapped lips, always clean your lips using light lips scrubber. To do that, take 1 tablespoon of apple crush, ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, 1 pinch of sea-salt, and 2 pinches of white sugar powder. Mix all the ingredients very well. Apply over the lips in gentle motion. Now take a cotton ball soaked in chilled rose water. Wash your lips with the cotton ball. Apply moisturizer particularly before going to bed.

Biting or otherwise known as chewing, is just as bad as licking- if not worse. Biting is a habit, and one, if you want healthy lips, you should try breaking. Biting also dries out your lips, along with taking off small amounts the little skin that already exist there. If you can't break the habit of chewing them, then at least apply lip balm more frequently, as this will help to protect them to some degree.

Dark lips - Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, stop smoking and avoid-lipstick. Apply a layer of oil and leave it on for several hours. Best apply before going to bed. Mix coconut oil and almond oil in equal quantity. Apply a coat of this on the lips and leave on overnight. This has to be done daily for at least two weeks for best results. Every night with a mixture of 1/2 tsp. Glycerine and 1/2tsp. Castor oil with 1/2 tsp. Lemon juice apply your lips and leave overnight. Apply cream from curds with saffron on your lips.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

British beauty Billie Piper plays Belle de Jour in 'Call Girl'

LICKFOLK, England — On an early summer evening, Billie Piper is sitting in the back garden of a pub near her country home.

She's talking about sex and a city girl - the London-based professional escort Belle, whom she portrays in the Showtime series "Secret Diary of a Call Girl," premiering June 16 in the United States. In Canada it runs on Showcase and premiered last fall. "I was thinking it was quite racy for America," says Piper as she ponders just how the series will come across in the United States.

In the United Kingdom, when it first aired last September it was blasted in the media for glamorizing prostitution.

"I thought it was a side to prostitution that we are not normally exposed to, and I thought there was a story worth telling there," Piper says in defence. "I kind of knew it was going to cause a bit of an uproar, especially because I was playing the part. People are always so used to me doing children's shows or family drama."

As a teenager, Piper became a star in England in 1998 with the chart-topping pop song "Because We Want To." And she has been a popular subject for the British tabloid press.

She was previously married at 18 to popular DJ Chris Evans. Now 25, she's married to Laurence Fox, who plays Detective James Hathaway in "Inspector Lewis," airing on PBS' "Masterpiece Mystery" beginning June 22.

Piper and Fox married on New Year's Eve, about a year after meeting while acting together in the play "Treats," and they recently moved from London to the country.

Piper has had recurring roles in the popular sci-fi series "Doctor Who," and has starred in several British made-for-TV movies. Yet never has the actress revealed more of herself than in the sexy "Call Girl."

The series is based on the Belle de Jour blog, which was written by a young woman who enjoys being a sex worker yet pretends to family and friends she's just Hannah, a legal secretary.

Doubts have been raised about whether Belle really exists or whether the blog was simply the fictitious concoction of some clever minds.

However, Piper says: "I met her and she was quite a character and she was the most useful part of my research."

"I started asking really simple, mundane questions - like 'What's your favourite song?' 'What kind of films do you watch?' Often those very simple details can be really useful. They tell you a lot about the human side of things," says Piper, explaining that because Belle's way of life was "so far removed from anything I know, I had to make her more human in my head."

She also consulted several other professional escorts and went to their apartments "where all these intimate moments take place" to see "step by step, how it's done."

How it's done, of course, meant strong language and nudity. But Piper counters criticism by saying that's just part of the acting challenge of honestly portraying the lifestyle.

Showtime is running the eight half-hour episodes uncut as part of an hour-long block with the fourth season of the hit series "Weeds."

Undaunted by the media criticism, Piper has begun filming a second series as Belle, and a third series has been ordered. But she may soon need a body double, she says, because she's pregnant.

Source: http://canadianpress.google.com/