An independent survey was conducted recently by a research agency to understand the mobile gaming habits among people in the age group of 12 to 44 and belonging to diverse geographical locations. The survey was commissioned by a leading player in the mobile gaming business. According to the results of the survey, mobile games were found to be more popular among women than men. In the US for instance, 42% of the females played a single game for over 20 minutes compared to only 27% of men. The results have come as a shock to many of us, who believe that gaming in mobile phones is the prerogative of the male species. The study also showed that users, both men and women, are facing problems in downloading the mobile phone games to their handsets; which in turn is limiting the scope of the mobile gaming market to a significant extent. However, with women getting adept at downloading games with each passing day, it can be safely said that the market for mobile games for women, although small, is growing.

We have to understand that females are definitely playing mobile games and that too with full enthusiasm. And why shouldn’t they? They have achieved similar, if not more success than males in different fields; they are balancing their roles of home makers and housewives as well as professionals with equal panache. It has been some time now that they have broken the glass ceiling and they are not willing to remain behind males in any field! With a change in their roles, the relationship that the women of today share with technology has also evolved; we find that they are increasingly becoming comfortable in using personal computers, laptops as well as mobile phones in their day to day lives. There is nothing feminist in this trend. Intelligent women, across the globe have adopted modern technology in diverse forms for the simple purpose of easing their lives and making themselves more comfortable and entertained. Women of today are using a range of innovative concepts and solutions ranging from intelligent domestic appliances and Internet to video games, mobile phones and mobile phone games. In this changing scenario, games and mobile entertainment have emerged as the new and one of the more powerful channels, which has the power to influence the lifestyles and culture of our times.

Simple games that are easy to play are being patronized by women. Women, by their very nature are getting attracted to visually powerful gaming environments, soft colors and upbeat themes. They are demanding flexibility in customizing the different types of mobile phone games. It has been found that women, irrespective of their age, are fond of short gaming sessions, frequent rewards, social interaction in their games and the ability to customize their mobile gaming experience. Another fact that has been revealed through researches and investigations in this area is that women in general like word games, cards and puzzles. They are also attracted to games involving dating, hanging out with girls, make-up, clothes and fashion. In addition, the younger among them are getting addicted to adventure games based on the popular ‘Nancy Drew’ series of books.

All the trends in the mobility marketplace are being analyzed in designing of games that are specifically geared towards women. Developers and publishers are investigating the gaming habits of women to identify several factors that attract women to mobile gaming. Game developers are employing female designers in designing, developing and delivering these special types of mobile phone games for women. Being women themselves, these designers are capable of understanding the female psyche and are able to pinpoint the exact specifications of a particular game that would attract women to play the same. Game developers are honing their selling skills and educating women about a number of aspects of mobile gaming, in their efforts to motivate more women to play. To entice women to download more games, developers are working with patterns of play and brands that are more popular among women. They are taking note of the fact that women gamers are keener on playing games that involve social interaction and cooperation, rather than competitive game play. However, developers have to surpass the problem of limited bandwidth to make sure that games involving community playing features that appeal to the fairer sex are available on a larger number of mobile phones.

Katie Marie is the webmaster of http://www.ringtoneship.co.uk and http://www.mobileringtoneshop.co.uk a site specializing in the different genres of ringtones, including polyphonic ringtones, mobile games,mobile phone wallpapers themes and logos.

1. Avoid wearing too much

Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you. That’s what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you unwanted attention. Don’t wear too much of anything such as:

1. Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you look overdone and will ruin the rest of your makeup.

2. Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.

3. Foundation: Make sure your foundation is the same color as your skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.

4. Powder: The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend your makeup so there are no obvious lines.

2. Lips

Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and your lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure your lip liner doesn’t show. Also, your lip color should match your skin tone; wear cool colors if you have cool coloring and warm colors if you have warm coloring. If you want to make your lips look smaller, keep your liner on the inside of your lips. However, if you decide to make your lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.

3. Appropriate makeup

Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to the beach you shouldn’t wear the same or as much makeup as you would if you were going dancing. Also, when you are in daylight your makeup should be a lighter than when you are out for the evening.

4. Too little or no makeup

Some women don’t wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you are unsure, start will light colours in your shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick.
If you are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you, so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you are still unsure seek professional advice.

5. Overall look

When your makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you have dark skin and hair you will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you look washed out. If your hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you. Dark makeup will make you look older and harsh. If you have
oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you for touch ups.

6. Hair color

Your hair color should also be in harmony with your skin. If you have dark hair and you want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you have light hair, use light colors. As you age your skin will lighten, so should your hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you do color you hair be sure you keep it up, don’t let your roots show.

7. One last thing

Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don’t let your makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women
how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at
http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book
Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

Balance is essential for personal and professional growth. It enhances every important aspect of life.

In the words of Josephine Rathbone, “If we could learn how to balance rest against effort, calmness against strain, quiet against turmoil, we would assure ourselves of joy in living and psychological health for life.”

However, anyone with a hectic schedule and many responsibilities will agree that achieving balance is not as simple as wishing for it. It requires a plan.

Begin with Your Priorities

When seeking balance, we begin by asking, “What is most important at this time, and what needs to change?” The key is to make an intentional choice for a more balanced life, first by looking at what could be possible. When we are in balance, we feel as though we have that choice, that we are in “the driver’s seat”, and we can choose to see from new perspectives.

Some folks prefer “living in the fast lane”, enjoying the most active life possible. Others are at the point where they want to slow the pace, perhaps dedicate more time to their family, a personal calling, or life-long dream. Balance is unique for each individual.

We often talk about total-life balance: giving adequate attention to major life areas such as wellness, recreation, family, spirituality, and work. The balance Josephine Rathbone spoke of–rest against effort, calmness against strain, and quiet against turmoilis found everywhere in nature. It is essential for life to thrive, a life-giving balance. It is a balance concept that one can put to use immediately.

Balance Effort with Rest

We must make adequate effort toward our goals. However, without rest, we eventually loose progress and all life areas suffer. Likewise, someone who spends a long period of time not making any effort loses all sense of relaxation and begins to feel a sense of emptiness.

Give your goals all you’ve got today. Enjoy the sense of satisfaction that your efforts will bring to you. Then, after a period of effort, enjoy a moment of peace and relaxation. Before long, you’ll experience renewed energy and begin to receive new creative ideas and possibilities.

You will find that more life balance will result in more motivation, energy, and fulfillment. Best of all, it will increase your sense of happiness.

© Copyright 2006 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

Sometimes, especially when in familiar surroundings, it can be difficult to think of things to photograph. It’s all been done before and there is little to motivate you. In these cases, start to think broadly.

Try these 3 easy steps to expand your creativity.

- Step 1: when in familiar areas, look around at everything that is there for example, suppose you were in a park: look for birds, squirrels, different types of trees, colours, textures, people - kids, parents, lovers - benches and seats, vendors, litter and litter bins, fences, bushes and boundaries, play areas, grasses and flowers, woodland, dead and decaying matter, paths, fountains, lakes and pools, activities (skateboarders, skaters, bikers), cars, kites, clouds, lighting patterns, hollows and crevices, moving objects, patterns and shapes, things growing and sprouting, calls, picnics, wind effects, puddles, gestures, people concentrating on things, things above you, things around your feet, gardeners and other workers, things in the distance (office blocks, houses), monuments and statues, gaily coloured things, cyclists, streams and rivulets, bridges, swings and roundabouts, neglected things, crumbling things, rocks, tended gardens, kiosks, groups, unusual items, dogs running, dogs jumping, dogs playing, ice creams and lollies (Popsicles), drains, covers, sports, families.

- Step 2: Start taking pictures of selections of these things.

- Step 3: Congratulate yourself on being able to collect so many image possibilities from one very familiar and often-visited environmental area.

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com