How to Pass Your Driving Test

Part One: Prepare for the Written Test

Pick up the driver's guide for your state. Every state has them, and that's where you'll find everything that will be on both the written and the actual driving test.

• You'll learn the basic rules of the road, when to pull over for emergency vehicles (always a favorite on driving exams), speed limits in various zones (another favorite), how to handle accidents, and more.
• Read it chapter by chapter, make notes if that helps you remember, and have somebody quiz you after each chapter. If you can answer 80% of the questions, move on to the next chapter.
• At the end of the booklet, ask to be quizzed on the whole manual. Any chapters you don't do well on, revisit. If you go through the book three times in three weeks, your chances of passing—even acing—your test are very high.

Part Two: Prepare for the Practical Test

Practice driving. Most states have regulations regarding how much experience you have behind the wheel. Some states make allowances for taking accredited driving courses, either through school or professional instruction.

Practice driving on the test routes. Find out in advance where you will be taking the practical test (the actual driving part). While it may be illegal in your state (read the manual), unless you're following specific routes, there should be no problem driving in the general neighborhood.

Be familiar with signage. Knowing street signs, hand gestures, when to pass, how and when to pull over for emergency vehicles will count. Read that manual! Know the rules and you'll be fine.

Go for a drive with your parent. The morning before your test, ask them to watch you, and make sure that you check all your mirrors correctly and do all your maneuvers correctly. This will help you gain some confidence.

Part Three: Passing the Practical Test

Make sure your car is ready for the test. Your registration and insurance should be easily accessible. Tires should be inflated properly and in good condition, lights will all need to be working, windshield wipers functional, with the washer reservoir filled, all instruments—especially the speedometer—working and accurate, and turn the radio off when you get there.

Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment. Bring your completed and signed Driver's Log, Drivers Ed certificate, driving time with an instructor certificate, your learners permit, and any other papers or certificates required, including your Social Security card and birth certificate for identification purposes.

Get in the car with the driving examiner. Relax, and be friendly. You won't lose points for being unpleasant—necessarily—but if your examiner needs to make a judgement call about your driving at some point, ask yourself: would you be easier on a nice person, or a jerk?

At all times drive at a safe speed. Note that this does not necessarily mean the speed limit—conditions may warrant a slower speed. Under no circumstances exceed the speed limit.

Practice situational awareness. Check your mirrors regularly. Make this a little more exaggerated than normal, just so it is clear that you are doing it.

Obey all signs. Come to a full stop at stop signs. Look all ways before continuing. If there are other people at the stop sign, make sure you yield right of way properly—and take your turn when it's time.

• Don't forget to signal all turns, lane changes, and any time your intent is to change direction.

Park confidently. Practice with your driving instructor or parent before taking the test so that you can do a clean, confident job of parallel parking, backing up straight, and three- or four-point turns.

Thank the examiner. When you return to the motor vehicle department, listen to what the examiner has to say. Most likely they will mention what you did wrong, and a little of what you did right.

Congratulations, you passed! If you read this tutorial, and studied the manual, you will almost certainly pass your driver's exam. Be safe out there!

How to Drive a Car Safely

Never consume alcoholic beverages before driving. This is the most frequent cause of serious accidents. If you drink, use a non-drinking designated driver, a taxi, or sleep over.

Check your car over mechanically, including headlights, brake, and taillights, the brakes, and suspension regularly, or have this done by a capable mechanic. Failures of any of these components can create a dangerous situation.

Mentally prepare for driving. If you are distracted, upset, or unusually tired and sleepy, do not drive. This also applies to driving when you are using medications which may cause drowsiness. If you are taking a cold medication or antihistamine, read the warnings on the label.

Observation and anticipation are key skills to master.If you remain very observant ,of everything,and learn to predict others actions you will be well on your way to being a safe driver and avoiding being the victim of others mistakes.

Turn your lights on whenever visibility is limited, such as at dusk, while raining, in tunnels, and similar. To avoid being hit, first you must be seen! Older drivers can only see 1/3rd as well as younger ones.

Follow street signs and traffic lights, but use your judgment too. Don't try to beat red lights. And expect others to try to do so, so give them time to go through, particularly trucks that have trouble slowing down. Always stay at a safe distance from other vehicles. A general rule is the farther you are from them, the safer you are.

When you try to run a red light, there are many grave hazards. You take the risk that someone will turn in front of you (thinking that you must be stopping). Or, when the light changes, someone will pull out from the side and into your path. Or, a pedestrian (perhaps a child) will step out into the crosswalk on the far side. You are probably speeding and are committed to running the light, so the accident will be a severe one. The resulting carnage will be your fault, and you will have to live with it for the rest of your life. Keep in mind here that, it is exceptionally difficult for the other driver, when looking at your vehicle head on, whether your are about to accelerate, stop, or even how fast you are going.

Use turn signals to indicate where and when you're going to turn. Other drivers need to know this. This includes lane changes, to warn approaching drivers of your intentions. It's not only safer, but, it's common courtesy. Signal as soon as you decide that you would like to make a turn, then look for a space into which to make the turn, not vice versa. This gives other drivers more time to notice you, and perhaps even open up a space for you.

Trucks are a special hazard. Give them extra room. They cannot see other vehicles as well as you can in a car. If there is an accident between a car and a truck, the driver of the car will be the one most at risk.

Use the horn only in when necessary to avoid an accident. It is rude, it is upsetting to others (possibly causing road rage), and adds to noise pollution.

Use your mirrors. Good safe driving involves not only a great awareness of what is in front of you, but what is behind you, what is next to you. Every vehicle has blind spots; know what yours are, and make allowances for those of other vehicles.

Maintain your car properly. For example, if your wheel falls off and you have an accident, your insurance company will find that you are at fault. Minor things count, too. Change windshield wiper blades when they begin to streak the windshield during use. Also keep your windshield washer reservoir filled regularly to clear mud or debris from your windshield.

Talking on cell phones while driving is seriously detrimental in terms of the effect on your attention to driving. Pull off the road to use cell phones or other distracting devices or items. In some states, such as Oregon, they have outlawed, but not enforced these, no talking on your phone.

On ice, do not turn your steering wheel. A common cause of serious accidents in winter is when a driver turns his wheels on ice. This has little or no effect, until he passes the ice (say, while going under a bridge); suddenly, the tires regain their traction, and the vehicle steers violently to the side and into a bridge (or other obstacle).

Plan your maneuvers to accommodate other drivers. For example, avoid passing someone, only to apply brakes to turn or to slow to look for your street.

Teeth Whitening: The Natural Way

I drink several cups of tea a day and despite the fact that I currently have a tea collection that can last me several years, I keep on buying more.

However, one unfortunate consequence of drinking tea is having slightly stained teeth. I have tried various brands of whitening strips and while some work, they can also be very expensive and sometimes painful. So today, I am going to introduce some natural remedies you can use to whiten your teeth.

My friends and I have tried all three methods before and discovered that each method works differently for each person. Keep in mind that you most likely won’t see results right away, but also remember that too much use of any whitening product can cause tooth sensitivity, so it’s best to limit yourself and not strive for an unnatural white.

Also, remember that any method that involves citrus acids can potentially erode teeth, so please use methods two and three with caution and never for more than a day or two every month or so.

Read on to learn about three easy and inexpensive ways to naturally whiten your teeth:

Go-to Method: Baking Soda and Water

For me, this method was the most effective. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with with 1/2 teaspoon of warm water until the baking soda has completely dissolved. Dip your toothbrush in the mixture and brush your teeth like you would with toothpaste. Spit and rinse. Follow up with regular toothpaste. Repeat every other day.

Method 2: *Use in moderation* Orange Peel

Peel an orange and rub the inside of the peel (the white part) on your teeth. Then, brush your teeth with regular toothpaste

Method 3: *Use in moderation* Baking Soda and Strawberry

Mash up one ripe strawberry with a fork or spoon. Mix the mashed up strawberry with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Apply to teeth with your toothbrush and let it sit for about 3-5 minutes. Rinse, then brush your teeth with toothpaste. Don’t forget to floss!

Healthy Fingernails for Perfect Manicure

What’s the difference between a gorgeous manicure and a crappy one? The answer is simple – health and strong fingernails. Women often forget that they should maintain their nails in perfect state in order to achieve beautiful manicure to the envy of others. Nails need regular and appropriate care just as any other part of our bodies. Continue reading to learn practical ideas about taking care of your fingernails and they will show their gratitude for your attention is the shape of marvelous manicure.

Moisturize

Proper hydration is essential for your nails and cuticles as it keeps peeling and cracking under control. It is good to moisturize them every day. The procedure is simple: apply hand cream and massage the area around the nails. As you see, this doesn’t take time and efforts but it produces amazing results.
Use a fine-grit file

Coarse-grit files are quite harsh for your nails and can damage them. The same applies to metal ones. So, select a cushion file with a fine grit as they provide gentle care.

Correct filing

Nails shouldn’t be filed back and forth as this makes them weaker. Start from the corners and move to the center of the nail, keeping the same direction of your movement.

Strengthen weak nails

Weak nails need extra care and strengthening. There are different nail strengthening products that successfully make breakable and soft nails stronger and healthier. You need to apply such products every day and to be patient – the results will be visible soon.

Clean and dry nails

If the fingernails aren’t always clean and dry, bacteria and other germs may start growing under them and cause damages. It is recommended to use rubber gloves every time you wash the dishes or clean the place with powerful disinfectants in order to protect the nails.

Frequent trimming

To grow healthy and beautiful the nails should be trimmed frequently. First, cut the nail across and then gently round the tips. Some people find it easier to do the trimming right after they come out of the showers because the nails are softer.

No biting

The bad habit of biting your fingernails is absolutely forbidden, especially if you want to have gorgeous manicure. Biding is harmful to the nail bed and may leave cuts on it to give access to various dangerous bacteria.

Wear nail polish

Experts recommend wearing nail polish because it protects the nails from various negative influences and breakage. If you aren’t a fan of colorful nail polish, you can just apply a layer of topcoat.

As simple as these tips sound, if you follow them systematically, the condition of your nails will significantly improve and you will have brilliant manicure.

Tips: Products For Healthy Hair

Fall is an odd hair season. You start school, so you inevitably get lazier when it comes to hair. However, it also starts to get colder, meaning the actual condition of your hair even starts to get worse. So really, it’s a lose-lose for your hair!

Trust me, I’ve been there. I used to have very blonde, very thin, and very damaged hair! I stopped bleaching all the pigment out of it and stopped straightening it every single day, which allowed me to get to the root (sorry about the pun…) of the problem. The health of my hair.

In addition, I came across these five hair miracles that work on any kind of hair condition: dry, damaged, lifeless, frizzy, or anything else that’s bad. These are my holy grail products – and I know they’ll be yours too:

1. Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is AWESOME for when you feel like you’ve been washing your hair too much and need a break. This one doesn’t leave your hair chalky or dry, and actually claims to moisturize your hair. I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it definitely is one of the dry shampoos that I always go back to.

One of the worst things you can do for your hair is use a strong shampoo every single day, so dry shampoo really helped me break that habit!

2. PHYTO Phyto 9 Daily Ultra Nourishing Cream

This stuff is brilliant. Seriously brilliant. It smells like fresh air and goes on so smoothly, and makes your hair feel incredible. It actually mends dry, frail hair. As I mentioned earlier, I used to bleach my hair a super white-blonde color (read: damaging mistake!) and this leave-in cream made it lose that “crunchy” feeling. Hands down, this stuff is the best.

3. Giovanni Vitapro Fusion

Plus, it’s a high-quality product that’s also super affordable – what more could you ask for?

This light spray is perfect for color-treated hair. Not only is it vegan and cruelty-free, but this product is also a heat protectant. I love the entire Giovanni line because there isn’t anything disgustingly artificial in any of their products, so it’s always perfect for colored hair.

4. Peter Thomas Roth Hair to Die for Hair Treatment

Okay, I’m not going to sugar coat it: this product is pretty expensive for the average college girl’s budget. However, don’t run away just because it’s $33! This product is a miracle. I don’t know exactly what’s in it, but I’m sure it’s illegal in other countries. (Kidding!)

It actually makes your hair grow. However, not only does your hair grow, but it grows better than it did before – thicker, healthier, and shinier. Ridiculous? Nope, true. It happens.

5. Garnier Sleek and Shine Moroccan Oil Treatment

Moroccan oil has been a seriously popular item for a while now, but it’s hard to find one that works on all hair types. I have trouble finding one that doesn’t make my head look like a grease ball if I use a little too much.

This one from Garnier is much less oily than your typical moroccan oil, if that makes sense! It makes your hair look beautiful and healthy, plus it smell delicious. I use two drops after I shower and while my hair is still pretty wet to let it absorb. I generally use this twice a week, but play around to see what works best for your hair type

.

Final Thoughts:

I guarantee that whatever kind of hair you have, these products will improve the texture and health of your hair. One other idea to keep in mind is that you need to regularly get your hair trimmed. I stick to every six weeks on the dot, so that my hair is almost “trained” to know when the trim is coming. Keeping your hair on a schedule also lets you know how long your hair has grown in that time!

Health and Beauty Tips: 3 Power Foods for Perfect Skin

Health and beauty experts often say the quality of our skin depends on the food we consume and this proves to be true. There are some power foods that should be an inseparable part of your skin care routine because they make your skin really gorgeous.

As a rule of thumb, you should drink plenty of water and green tea in order to hydrate your skin. But this is not enough.

1. The darker, the better –Fruits and vegetables that have darker colour are more beneficial for the skin. Blackberries, strawberries and blueberries contain high levels of antioxidants which improves skin quality. You should also eat more cherries, broccoli, sweet potatoes and spinach, so that you can enjoy clear and glowing skin.

2. Dark chocolate for dessert - It may sounds surprising, but dark chocolate is the perfect dessert because it is full of antioxidants, and our skin needs them in order to be healthy and beautiful.

3. Fish, nuts and avocado - You have probably heard that fish is very beneficial for your health but you should also know that fish is quite useful in terms of skin care and beauty. A reason for this is that fish is rich in oils that hydrate your skin and maintains it properly moisturized. Such helpful oils are also found in avocados and various nuts, such as hazelnuts and walnuts.

If you have long hair, it means that you need a flat iron. The market is full of brands, different types with different functionality, sizes, colors and properties. It’s hard to choose what is best for you. Some girls just get the most popular product, some others buy the same brand as their friends have. We don’t think that this is the best way to choose flat iron. Here are some tips that we are going to give you. After you finish this article, you will feel way more confident when you visit the shop!

1. What exactly is the flat iron?

This is a tool that uses high temperature and pressure to straighten the hair. The plates are made of ceramic or metal and you have to use it only on dry hair. The effect is not permanent.

2. The size

Usually the regular size of the plates is 1 inch. This size is appropriate if you have long hair but not too long. Let’s say that it is comfortable enough if the length of your hair is medium. For girls with really long hair the appropriate size is 2 inches. With this one you can get more hair in a single press. Definitely you will straighten your hair faster with 2 inch plate.

How to choose the best flat iron?

If you have long hair, it means that you need a flat iron. The market is full of brands, different types with different functionality, sizes, colors and properties. It’s hard to choose what is best for you. Some girls just get the most popular product, some others buy the same brand as their friends have. We don’t think that this is the best way to choose flat iron. Here are some tips that we are going to give you. After you finish this article, you will feel way more confident when you visit the shop!

1. What exactly is the flat iron?

This is a tool that uses high temperature and pressure to straighten the hair. The plates are made of ceramic or metal and you have to use it only on dry hair. The effect is not permanent.

2. The size 

Usually the regular size of the plates is 1 inch. This size is appropriate if you have long hair but not too long. Let’s say that it is comfortable enough if the length of your hair is medium. For girls with really long hair the appropriate size is 2 inches. With this one you can get more hair in a single press. Definitely you will straighten your hair faster with 2 inch plate.

3. The most important factor – the temperature

The different types of hair need different temperature to be straightened. The temperature varies between 390F to 450F (200C to 235C) for the different class of flat irons. Some of them have digital display and controller for the temperature, the other are just dials. There are also models with fixed temperature. We strongly recommend to use one with digital display. This is the best and the easiest way to keep an eye on the temperature of the plates. It is important, because the temperature is the most important factor for the process. Thin hair needs lower temperature, otherwise it could be damaged or burned.

4. The plates

The plates are this part of the flat iron that defines the class and the price of the tool. There are 4 different types of plates:

• Aluminum plates: This technology is old one and we could say that the class of the aluminum flat irons is cheap. They could be risky, because they don’t have ceramic coverage and could damage the hair. If you don’t use the tool very often and you are not willing to spend too much money for it, this is a good option for you.
• Ceramic plates: The best one for long hair. The ceramic plates are considered as the best combination between price and quality. The ceramic protects the hair and it is easy to clean.
• Turmaline plates: The flat irons with turmaline plates are mostly used by hair saloons and professional hairstylists. The price range is high, but also the properties are amazing. The plates emits negative ions. It gives very nice and shiny look of the hair. The final result is amazing.
• Nano technology plates: just as any other nano technology, the nano plates are the best on the market. They straighten the hair faster than any other type of plates. The surface is super smooth. The nano plates need less temperature and protect the hair way better. Of course after all the features, the price is really high, but if you use flat iron everyday and if you can afford it, go for it!

We hope that now you feel more confident and informed. The flat iron is a tool that you are going to use often, so don’t do it as an impulse purchase.

Thank you for reading!

4 Tips: Effective Solutions for Thin Hair

There are numerous women with thin hair who has felt jealous each time they see a girl with gorgeous hair and who have tried all thickening sprays available on the market. These women accept dealing with tangles and flat hair as seriously as a complicated surgery and strive to save each precious strand.

As I am also one of these girls with thin hair, I know what it is like to battle this problem and have accumulated lots of knowledge of various methods to deal with thin and lifeless hair. Let’s make it clear: I am certainly not a beauty expert and I haven’t attended cosmetic training. All tips and tricks that I share have helped me personally and they have been effective in my case.

1. Choose a suitable haircut

It is a huge misconception that certain haircuts aren’t suitable for thin hair. Actually, you just need to be familiar with the required maintenance of the different styles and you can have any cut you like.

If you prefer a bob style, it is good to opt for multiple layers as they make the hair look thicker. This haircut is easily styled with a large round brush and looks quite nice on thin hair. It is up to you to choose the length according to your personal taste.

Fewer layers are better if you have long hair. Thus, there is enough volume to make curls, braids, ponytails, etc. As long hair doesn’t require maintaining a particular shape, you don’t need to use a round brush.However, many thin-hairs ladies share different experience, so it is recommended to consult your hairdresser about the suitable haircut and its proper maintenance. This way your hair will look great each morning.

2. Tangling is your worst enemy

If you have flat hair, you definitely can’t afford losing locks because of harsh brushing. However, thin hair tends to be easily affected by wind and static – two of the main factors causing tangling. Other factors include hair sprays, staples and teasing combs which also result in tangling and lost hair.

Conditioner is known to be a common solution of the tangling problem but most such products are too heavy and make your hair weight, so it loses its natural bounces.

Happily, there are some tricks you can use in order to put tangles at bay:

Invest in shampoo and conditioner with supreme quality

Quality hair products are costly but it is worth to make such an investment because they will improve the condition of your hair – the shampoo will thoroughly clean your hair and will make it thicker while the conditioner will gently deal with tangling without making the hair weigh.

Brush your hair before you have a shower

As wet hair is much weaker than dry hair, it is good to brush it prior showering. This will help you keep more strands in place.

Don’t use too much conditioner

Conditioner is without doubt beneficial but you shouldn’t use excessive amounts of it. Apply it to the bottom parts of the hair and rinse it completely.

Manage serious tangles with leave-in conditioner

If it is possible, apply it only on the problematic spots to avoid weighing down of the entire hair.

Make a ponytail or a loose braid before you go to bed

This will help you avoid the dreadful knots on the nape of the neck. Brush your hair gently and make a ponytail or a braid to sleep with.

Purchase a satin pillowcase

Cotton pillowcases are a common reason for tangles, so you should consider replacing it with a satin one as it reduces friction caused by turning and tossing in bed. Thus, breakage and tangles will also be reduces and your hair will look much better when you wake up in the morning.

Don’t use a brush when your hair is wet

This tip isn’t new and there is a good reason to follow it. In case you have to deal with tangles on wet hair, use a comb with wide tooth as it is gentler and the damage will be reduced.

3. Use some great styling tips and ideas

Styling is the most important aspect of thin hair care. There are literary endless products that claim they can miraculously find a solution for your troubles. However, as thin hair problems can’t be eliminated with a magic wand, you better add the following styling tips to your routine:

Consider the texture

As I have thin, straight and slipper hair, I know how challenging it is to curl it or to style it some way.

I have found that using salt spray before blow drying my hair has turned out to be really beneficial. Salt spays are amazing products that add up to two times more volume and this makes styling much easier.

This idea probably won’t work for girls with wavy and curly hair because the salt spray will turn it into a real mess.

In this case you may find it useful to apply soothing cream or a combination of soothing cream and salt spray. Use just a small amount of the cream to avoid weighing your hair and then blow dry with a vented brush or a diffuser.

Lift your roots to add extra volume

As thin-haired ladies need more volume, they should boost their roots. To achieve this, you need to blow dry your hair upside down. Don’t forget to brush your hair before drying it in order to avoid tangles.

You can also try teasing sections at the crown to add extra volume. Teasing combs with three rows of teeth are very handy.

Finally, you can use some kind of a volume spray and then blow dry the roots with a round brush. There are really good and quality root lifting products available on the market.

Start using dry shampoo

Thin hair typically gets oily quickly because it can’t manage with the amount of oil produces by the scalp. Many ladies try to deal with this issue by frequent washing but this causes damages and breakage. Dry shampoo is a real treasure because it reduces oil and the hair looks clean and fresh. In addition, it tones hair roots and improves their condition, especially if you tend to tease them.

There are both aerosol and powder dry shampoos. Aerosol options are used quite easily but it may be difficult to apply the necessary amount while powder shampoos are simpler to dose and apply.

If you use a powder dry shampoo, you just need to sprinkle a bit of the powder on your fingertips, bend your head and apply the powder on the scalp. This guarantees even application. Girls with dark hair should carefully brush their mane because otherwise the powder may make it look gray.

4. Some tips found in the internet

• Some websites suggest that you can make your hair thicker by taking folic acid. Women who have tried this idea claim they have to shave their legs two times more often than before.
• Another recommendation is to braid the bottom layers of your hair and to leave the top straight. This is believed to add more volume but such a procedure consumes a lot of time.
• Others advice to massage your scalp in order to improve the flow of blood to the hair as this encourages faster hair growing.
• Hair extensions are another popular solution as they contribute not only to the length but also to the thickness. Clip-in extensions are easier to manage than glue-in ones and some women claim they don’t cause serious hair damages as they can be placed and remove easily.

The best thing you can do about your thin care is to accept it the way it is. You will undoubtedly feel frustrated but don’t forget that you are not alone. There are even girls who are jealous that blow drying doesn’t take you hours to complete.

Keep in mind that you are wonderful! Now, as you are familiar with some effective tips and tricks, you can make your hair look even better!

Feel free to share your personal experience and practices that help you add some volume to your flat hair and make it thicker.