Progress is fragile, says new American commander in Iraq

David Petraeus, the US general responsible for the Iraqi troop surge, was praised yesterday for helping to defeat the Sunni insurgency as his successor warned that recent improvements in security were "fragile and reversible".

Petraeus is being replaced by his deputy, General Ray Odierno, who cautioned against taking progress for granted. Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, said the two generals had formed an "incredible team" during the deployment of 30,000 extra US troops to Iraq last year - George Bush's so-called surge.

"Progress remains fragile and caution should be the order of the day," Gates said at a formal handover ceremony on a US military base in one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces.

"Iraq is now a different country from the one I had seen first," said Odierno. "However, we must realise that these gains are fragile and reversible."

Odierno's troops captured Saddam in December 2003 and the general was criticised for using heavy-handed tactics in Tikrit, the former dictator's home town. Earlier this year, Gates called him "one of the most effective military leaders of his generation".

Petraeus has been posted to Tampa, Florida, to command all US forces in the Middle East - from the Horn of Africa to central Asia. He will still deal with Iraq as well as an expanding US military effort in Afghanistan, an al-Qaida revival in neighbouring Pakistan, and the looming confrontation over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Petraeus, who is often described as the most influential US general since William Westmoreland of the Vietnam-era, took command of 140,000 US troops in Iraq in early 2007 when suicide bombings and sectarian attacks took the country to the brink of civil war. He worked closely with the US ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, performing an impressive double act in congressional testimony last year.

Violence in Iraq has fallen to a four-year low, something analysts have attributed to his innovative counterinsurgency strategies. But insurgents are still capable of devastating attacks. On Monday, a female suicide bomber blew herself up among a group of police officers north-east of Baghdad, killing 22 people. Hours earlier, car bombs in the capital killed 13 people.

Petraeus argued against sharp cuts in troop levels in Iraq. Baghdad is negotiating a security deal with Washington to determine how many troops will remain after the UN mandate expires at the end of the year. The Baghdad government now handles security in 11 of its 18 provinces, with plans to take over two more by December.

Earlier this month, Bush announced a withdrawal of 8,000 US combat troops by February, although that would still leave his successor with about 140,000 troops, roughly the same as the pre-surge levels of last February. It will be Odierno's mission to set the stage for eventual US withdrawal. But any decision on a pullout would be left to the next US president.

How to Add Bounce to your Hair!

Is your hair lack luster with no movement or bounce? Follow this easy rinse to get your bounce back!


Step1
Boil a teakettle full of water.


Step2
Place 2 1/2 Teaspoons of dried horsetail herb in a microwave safe bowl.
Pour hot water on the dried horsetail herb.
Let seep 20 minutes, and then strain through a fine sieve!


Step3
Shampoo and rinse hair as usual.
Pour horsetail rinse through hair and leave in for 10 minutes. Rinse with clear water.

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How to Achieve Smoky Eyes

While sexy, smoky eyes might not be the best for working in an office building, the look can be sexy when you are ready to smoke things up at a bar or club at night. This dark-eyed look can bring men to their knees if done correctly, so read on for our best tips and tricks for how to achieve the perfect smoky eye.




Step1
Gather your colors. You'll need three shades that go from light to dark, but they do not have to be shades of gray or black you can achieve this effect with purple, blue, green or just about any other color you choose.


Step2
Apply the highlight color to the brow bone and upper part of your lid.


Step3
Add a middle toned color from your lashes to your crease, and blend it in with your light tone where the two colors meet.


Step4
Apply the darkest color along your lashes and use your finger to smear it up.


Step5
Apply the darker color along your lower lashes as well, to complete the shadow part of your look.


Step6
Add a great mascara and eye liner to complete the sultry look.


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How to Accessorize Your Business Suit

Unless you're in the fashion industry, less is more when it comes to accessorizing your business suit.

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Step1
Use small jewelry pieces such as pearls, gold watch and earrings.


Step2
Just because it's in fashion doesn't make it appropriate for business. Sensible pumps not stilettos work best for your attire.


Step3
To complete the ensemble have a nice briefcase.


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How to Apply Makeup for Photographs

Ever take a picture and your make up doesn't show? To look your best in photographs, relax, smile and follow some simple makeup tips to get a defined look that reflects on camera.



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Step1
Make sure your foundation is yellow-toned (this applies for all ethnic backgrounds).


Step2
If you are African-American, it's a good idea to have light, medium and dark shades of foundation to allow for different gradations of color on different parts of your face.


Step3
Use the right color blush so as not to look washed out. Layer natural color first, and make it "pop" with a brighter color on top.


Step4
Define your eyes with shadow, but avoid dark colors on the lid - they make the eyes recede. Add mascara, but don't overdo it.


Step5
Choose deeper or brighter colors for strong lighting. Soft lighting, or daylight, requires less intense colors.


Step6
Apply makeup that works with your style. Don't put on a lot of it for more effect, but instead use more color and a bit more definition.


Step7
Avoid dark liner, extremely glossy lips, shimmery or bright shadows, and foundation and powder that's too pale.


Step8
Use good definition - e.g., careful lining of the lips and eyes - for black-and-white photographs.


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How to Apply Lipstick and Lip Liner

Lipstick adds the final touch to any makeup application. Lining the lips creates subtle definition and perfects the shape of the lips.

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Step1
Consider your lipstick color and finish. You'll do well with colors that match the natural shade of your lips, opting for darker tones that complement your overall coloring. Matte lipsticks offer a muted finish complementary to workday makeup, while satin and gloss finishes offer appealing evening looks.


Step2
Apply all other makeup before putting on lipstick and lip liner.


Step3
Begin by dabbing on a very small amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly to give your lips a little moisture.


Step4
Draw a thin line along the edge of your lips with a lip liner whose color is one shade darker than your lipstick. Start at the center of the upper lip and work outward. Hug the very outer edges to open up thin lips, and line well within the edges to downplay excessively full lips.


Step5
Apply lipstick from the tube or by using a firm, small lipstick brush. Coat the lips evenly. Pay special attention to staying within the lips' edges.


Step6
Blot to remove any excess color and to even out the texture.


Step7
Remember to touch lips up after a meal, as lipstick easily transfers onto coffee cups, water bottles and soda cans.


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How to Apply Glitter to Your Face and Body

Go glamorous by wearing a little glitter on your next evening out. Shimmer, shine, razzle or dazzle with silver, gold or a frosted pastel.



Step1
Take a moment to consider the look you'd like to achieve. Do you want to add sparkle to your face or shimmer to your body? Most products are face or body specific.


Step2
Consider the color of your makeup and the color of your outfit when selecting a shade. Gold complements a warmer complexion, while silver works best on cool-toned complexions. Match colored glitter to hues in your makeup and clothing.


Step3
Complete your makeup before applying glitter to your face. Using a very small amount of glitter, dab it gently near the eyes, just above the lash tips or at the outer corners of the eyes.


Step4
Get dressed before applying body glitter. Your choices will range between glitter powders, gels and lotions.


Step5
Focus on exposed skin, such as the chest, back, lower legs and tops of the feet. Place a small amount of the product in your hands and distribute a thin layer over the area you want to cover. Apply the glitter to your body using smooth, consistent strokes.


Step6
Enlist the help of a friend to access hard-to-reach places.


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