Makeup Tips and Tricks

Aveda Products

2005-03-25T13:13:00.000-06:00

I love the smell of Aveda products, but they make my hair dry. Can anyone suggest products for dry hair?

Does wearing makeup somehow make you less of a person?

2004-12-13T22:42:00.000-06:00

For those of you who think there is something wrong with wearing makeup, I'm curious to know why you are opposed to it.

2004-12-13T21:29:00.000-06:00

Jessy's Top 10 Favorite Products

2004-12-10T22:59:00.000-06:00

1. Wet and Wild Mascara
2. Sonia Kashuk's Pressed Powder
3. Nars "Sin" Blush
4. Nars "Key Largo" Eye Shadow
5. Wet and Wild Eyeliner
5. Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Bronzer
6. Cover Girl Continuous Wear make-up
7. Cover Girl Lip Slicks
8. MAC eyeshadows
9.MAC eyekohl in "Powersurge"
10. Aveda Lip Tint

The Foundations for Foundation

2004-12-10T21:13:00.000-06:00

Beauty Tip: Foundation Secrets For A Flawless Complexion
by: Sheila Dicks
1. For a natural look your foundation must match your skin tone. Test foundations along your jawline. You will know the best color because it will disappear into your skin.
2. Spread foundation on your hands and pat it on your face, then smooth out with a sponge making sure not to pull or stretch the skin. Be extra careful in the area around your eyes where the skin is super thin. Don't forget to apply foundation on your eyelids and lips.
3. To make foundation last apply moisturizer first giving the foundation a base. Dry skin will soak up the foundation if not given that base. For oily skin use an oil-free moisturizer and powder foundation
4. On hot days foundation can be difficult to keep looking fresh. Set your foundation in the morning using a loose powder and puff, then do regular touch ups throughout the day.
5. To cover imperfections apply foundation first and then go back and dot on a concealer that neutralizes red. For noticeable imperfections like very dark circles and birthmarks use a yellow concealer (available from Mary Kay). Don’t use too much powder in problem areas because it will draw attention to it.
6. To avoid a foundation line around the jaw apply foundation as usual then use a little moisturizer in your hand and blend it down your neck.
7. For evening mix some shimmer powder with your powder and put it where you want to attract light such as the bridge of the nose, underneath the brow bone, the temples, cheekbone, chin and shoulders.
8. Always use a foundation with a sunscreen of at least15 to prevent future sun damage.
9. Change your foundation shade if the color of your skin changes.
10. After you apply foundation go near a window to make sure it looks natural. Natural light is the ultimate test.
Copyright 2004 Sheila Dicks
About The Author
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. sheila@sheilasfashionsense.com

Freckles

2004-12-10T21:12:00.000-06:00

Fade My Freckles!
by: Natalie Katsman
Freckles, age spots, pregnancy mask - these harmless skin defects can be quite an annoying problem. We all want not only silky smooth complexion, but an even and healthy skin tone as well.
Freckles. Considered cute by some, they are a real problem for others. Freckles, a.k.a. ephelides, are small brown or tan patches common in individuals with lighter skin, blond or red hair, and blue, green or grey eyes. They appear early in life, increase in number during summer months and fade in winter. After the age of 40-45 they disappear, but who wants to wait?
Another type of skin discoloration is pregnancy mask, otherwise known as chloasma or melasma. It appears during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Women with darker skin are more likely to develop this condition. After delivery, chloasma will fade, however some traces may still remain. It can also occur in women who are taking oral contraceptives.
Age spots - lentigines - are similar to freckles. They appear later in life and can occur in any skin type.
The good news is: if you know why the discoloration occurs and take measures to prevent and treat it, you can have an even skin tone at any age.
Freckles, age spots and pregnancy mask have several things in common. They are formed in sun exposed areas: face, hands, chest and back. These unwelcome brown patches are nothing more than accumulation of skin pigment melanin which is always produced by the skin. The amount of melanin present determines the skin tone of an individual. Extra melanin is produced by the body in response to sun exposure: it absorbs UV rays and does not allow them to penetrate deep into the skin layers as it would be damaging.
If you want to avoid skin discoloration, the first and the most important thing you need to do is to avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen. This way your body will not need to produce more melanin.
Since melanin is accumulated in the upper layer of the skin, you might want to consider skin lightening and peeling. There are different products that can be used for this purpose:
Hydroquinone has been a very popular treatment, however it can irritate the skin.
Kojic acid, discovered in Japan in 1989, is a natural product derived from fungi (mushroom). It is gentle on the skin and very effective in treating skin discoloration. Penetrating upper skin layers, it inhibits the formation of the pigment.
Alpha-hydroxy acids help to shed old cells faster, therefore they will be helpful as well. By removing the outer skin cells, which are usually darker, you will make your freckles or age spots lighter and less visible.
If you decide to use any of the above products, extra sun protection is imperative. If necessary, apply an SPF cream several times a day. By using skin lighteners and peels, you affect the upper darker layer. Lower layers are lighter, with less melanin present. If you don't protect your skin, it will launch its own defense mechanism producing more melanin. This will result in darker and more intensive discoloration, which can be even harder to get rid of.
Please remember that skin discoloration (excluding pregnancy mask, which should disappear after the delivery) require consistent treatment. Once you stop using lighteners and protection, the dark patches will be back. But keeping up with your skin regiment is not difficult: all you need is a gentle yet effective lightener and a moisturizer with complete UV protection - against both UVB and UVA rays.
Natural remedies you can use:
Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid will provide gentle peeling effect without irritating or drying your skin.
Lemon juice is a time proven freckle fighting remedy. It is not necessary to rub your skin with a piece of lemon. Applying the juice with your fingers will do the job.
Fruit and vegetable masks (apricots, strawberries, cucumbers, red currant).
Sour cream mask. Do not rinse this mask completely, just remove gently with a facial tissue, then apply a moisturizer. For oily skin - use lemon juice before applying the mask.
Natural parsley juice (or parsley infusion) mixed with equal amounts of lemon juice, orange juice, and red currant juice under your favorite cream will help you keep your freckles invisible.
Last but not least - increase your Vitamin C intake! It makes your skin less sensitive to the sun. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, apples, green onions, black and red currant, rosehip tea.
Please note that some types of skin discoloration are due to internal disorders. Poor liver functioning, hormonal or metabolism disorders, overactive thyroid can be the underlying reasons for unsightly cosmetic problems. If this is the case, start your treatment from the inside.
Note: Information in this article is not to be taken as a medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you need professional help.
(C) Natalie Katsman, 2004.
About The Author
Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com, where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing, skin care and cosmetic chemistry.
info@natural-aid.com

Skin Types

2004-12-10T21:07:00.000-06:00

Skin Type - Do You Know Yours?
by: Sheila Dicks

In order to care for your skin properly you must first determine the type of skin you have. There are 5 types of skin: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination and Problem Skin.
Normal:
The skin is soft, supple and smooth. It is fine-textured and free of blemishes (with the exception of periodic blemishes). It has a nice glow and never feels oily or dry. Less than twenty percent of women have this skin type. If this is your skin type you are fortunate; however, this does not mean that you shouldn’t take care of it.
Dry:
This type of skin to has a fine texture and is transparent looking. It feels tight and drawn without moisturizer and tends to have fine lines around the eyes and mouth. It feels especially dry after washing and may have whiteheads around the eyes and dry patches. This type of skin needs proper care because it shows signs of aging early.
Oily:
The oily complexion is greasy, sallow and course. It has large pores and tends to have pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Within hours of washing the oiliness will reappear and makeup is usually absorbed quickly.
Combination:
This type of skin is oily in the T zone and the rest of the face is dry. The T zone is the forehead, nose and chin. The extent to which both areas are dry and oily may vary; however, both areas require a separate cleaning routine to restore them to balance.
Problem Skin:
Problem skin is usually oily and has a course texture and is subject to acne. It has large pores, blackheads, red blotches and may become more irritated under stress. If the problem is serious it will require the assistance of a dermatologist.
There are also 2 skin conditions that may occur either together or separately and may occur with any skin type. These are sensitive and allergic conditions. If when applying skin care products you begin to sneeze, wheeze, itch or breakout you are probably allergic. Skin that appears thin, pale and flushes easily and may be sensitive and be subject to allergies. If this is the case, treat your skin gently and use hypoallergenic products.
About The Author
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.
sheila@sheilasfashionsense.com

MAC Cosmetics: The Best!

2004-12-10T21:04:00.000-06:00

For The Very Best, Use Mac Cosmetics
by: Mike Yeager
Mac cosmetics are just the type of cosmetics women are looking for. Mac cosmetics can change you, in a matter of minutes, from the average looking, ordinary, girl-next-door into a stunning beauty. Mac cosmetics have a whole range of makeup, haircare, and skincare products for you. For that special evening out, all you need is your set of Mac cosmetics and some time in front of the mirror. However, Mac cosmetics are, after all, only cosmetics. As soon as you remove your makeup, the beautiful old you seems to disappear. How would you feel about having a glowing complexion, lovely skin and a head of shining, healthy hair - all achieved without constantly using makeup? Sound good? Well, it's true, and is now very much achievable! Mac cosmetics have recently introduced skin care products that will make your skin glow radiantly without constantly putting on makeup. In addition, they have developed products that will make your hair and complexion beautiful all day long without any makeup. In fact, tests conducted on a group of healthy, female volunteers with age ranging from 40 to 65 years old exhibited clear signs of improvements in wrinkle reduction, skin softness, hydration, smoothness and firmness when using these new Mac cosmetics.
Choosing the Mac Cosmetic that is right for you.
It can be difficult sometime to know what Mac makeup cosmetic is right for you. Some Mac cosmetics can be very expensive. If you are looking to find cheap Mac cosmetics, try buying Cosmetic Mac wholesale. Come, try these new Mac cosmetic products that are completely safe and natural and you too will find the joy of looking the best you can.
About The Author
Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/

Choosing the Right Mascara

2004-12-10T21:00:00.000-06:00

The Many Faces Of Mascara
by: Natalie Katsman
After finding the right foundation shade, choosing mascara is probably the next most challenging beauty task. Sure, there are less color options, but quality of the product is what will make the difference in the way you look.
Volume building, lengthening, clump-free, hypoallergenic… Will your eyelashes look longer, become curlier or fuller? Will the mascara go on smoothly without clumps and stay on without flaking for many hours to come? In other words, will it live up to the promise, or all these words are nothing more than money-making tricks? In most cases, you will know the answer only after you trade your hard earned money for the little pretty tube.
Lengthening Mascaras
These usually do make your eyelashes a tiny bit longer. This is achieved by the addition of ingredients that build up on the tip of the lashes. Actually, any mascara will visually lengthen the eyelashes. In most people (at least those who feel they need mascara), the tips of eyelashes are lighter and sometimes invisible. When you apply mascara, you show off the real length of your eyelashes. What a nice surprise! If that is still not enough, a lengthening mascara will help.
Volume Building Mascara
If you desire fuller lashes, this is the kind of mascara you need. The effect is provided by the higher concentration of waxes in the formula. They encapsulate each lash, making it more prominent.
Waterproof Mascara
As the name suggests, waterproof mascara stays intact even in contact with water. Synthetic polymers, included in the formula, instantly freeze around each lash, creating a water resistant barrier. There is a downside, though. Waterproof mascaras usually make eyelashes pretty stiff. In addition, waterproof mascara will rarely perform for more than 3 months, becoming flaky afterwards. Choosing a mascara that is truly water resistant can also be tricky, and the price is not always the true indicator of quality.
Hypoallergenic Mascaras
Hypoallergenic mascaras are formulated to reduce the odds of triggering an allergic reaction. Fragrances are known to be the most aggressive allergy causing components in cosmetics, so they are excluded from hypoallergenic formulas. In some people, ingredients other than fragrances may create problems. Testing is always a good idea to avoid puffy, itchy and watery eyes. Apply a small amount of mascara to the back of your ear. If the area does not get inflamed or itchy after a few hours, the product is safe for the eyes.
Colorless Mascaras
Colorless mascaras are designed for weak or damaged eyelashes, but healthy lashes will certainly benefit as well. Sometimes these mascaras are made with vitamins, vitamin B in particular, and plant extracts. They are used as a base coat under color mascara to add length, thickness and volume. In addition, they are great to shape your eyebrows.
Do you need all the different kinds of mascaras? Of course, not. These days, manufacturers try to combine several features in one tube. However, it is difficult to be perfect all around. A mascara may perform better adding length, but not so good at building volume, or vice versa. It may resist water well, but won’t curl as expected. And who needs the perfect curl if it can’t provide the water resistance you need?
Try and error method is probably the only sure way to find a mascara that is right for you and for your eyes, but it may become expensive. Don’t despair. Look at it from another angle: with the ever-changing variety of products, search for the perfect mascara will never be boring.
About The Author
Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing, skin care and cosmetic chemistry.

Cures for Scratchy Winter Skin

2004-12-10T20:55:00.000-06:00

Winter Skin Savers by: Tara Sabeti
Do you have the winter skin blues? Is the itching and flaking driving you crazy? Don’t worry; you can take steps to protect and soothe your body’s largest organ. With proper care, healthy, glowing skin is achievable during winter. Whatever your age, follow these helpful guidelines throughout the season.
No matter how dark your skin, you still need to protect it from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or more. Sunscreens containing Titanium Dioxide tend to leave darker skin tones looking “ashy”. A sunscreen gel is preferable and it absorbs invisibly into your skin.
I know it’s tempting, but taking long, hot showers drain essential moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and lacking in water content. Limit your showers to about 5-10 minutes. (Tip: Use a leave-in conditioner, so you don’t have to spend as much time washing your hair, but still be able to keep it conditioned.)
Wash your hands and face using lukewarm, not hot, water.
This winter, opt for a non-foaming cleanser which cleanses but does not strip away your skin’s natural moisture barrier. You don’t want that squeaky clean feeling you get with cleansing gels, which can leave your skin feeling dry and taut.
Invest in a great hand cream: it will help to keep your hands soft and smooth. If possible, avoid washing your hands frequently. Apply hand cream to your hands immediately after washing them to seal in moisture.
Your lips have no natural defense against the elements. Wearing a lip balm with SPF is essential even during winter months. Your lips tend to dry out faster during this time of the year, so make sure to re-apply as necessary. Licking your lips can cause them to dry out faster, too. As the saliva on your lips evaporates, so does your lips’ natural moisture.
In general, and especially during winter months, avoid skin care products containing Alcohol. Not only is Alcohol an irritant, but it is drying, too.
Instead of exfoliating with AHAs, (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) wear a good water-based moisturizer to hydrate your skin and keep it from flaking. AHAs can be a great way to de-flake the skin’s top layer, but they usually tend to dry out your skin. If you plan to use them anyway, don’t overuse them.
About The Author
Tara Sabeti is Vice-President of Marketing at http://www.beautysteals.com/ an online retailer of cosmetics, skin care and fragrances. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, she has spent more than five years researching and working in the cosmetics and fashion industries.

Spray-On Tans

2004-12-10T20:48:00.000-06:00

Spray Tan Basics by: Valerie McDermott
I miss summer! I think I suffer from season depression disorder (and it’s only November). You know what would make me feel better? A healthy glow! No, I don’t want to be one of those tanning booth tanorexics. Those days went out for me in college when, after a steady month of tanning booth visits, a really cute football player told me I was starting to look like an oompa loompa.
I decided to try the new wave, the professional spray tan! I just didn’t want a Ross from Friends situation (he forgets to turn around and ends up looking like an oompa loompa too.) I did end up having such a positive experience I want to share with you some tips to ensure you end up with a beautiful healthy glow.
First step, find a reputable shop. Word of mouth is always a good idea, if you know of no one who has done the spray tan check out www.mystictan.com for a location near you. Mystic Tan is very reputable, I would consider them the leader in spray tan technology.
After you have found your salon book an appointment. If you are tanning for a specific event then I suggest a trial run maybe two weeks before the event. If you are pleased with the results then book another appointment about 3 or 4 days before the actual event. This will allow the color to "settle in".
On the day of your appointment shower and exfoliate. Use a loofah and shower gel OR try a body scrub. This will ensure an even application.
At the salon you will probably be given an instructional video to watch but just in case, check out the online video at Mystictan.com. The video explains the whole procedure and what you need to do. Some important steps the video will review: hold your breath when the spray is going off (for about 14 seconds and it’s very challenging), when spray stops turn around and more importantly where to apply the lotion to block the spray (feet and hands). The reason you block the spray from these areas is that due to the excess wrinkles and creases the spray will settle around those areas and cause tell-tale white veiny looking areas in the creases. You will be screaming "Spray Tan". In fact, next time I go I will be more thorough with the cream, I had some of those white creases.
When you leave the spray booth you will be given towels to wipe down and remove any excess spray. Make sure you wipe not blot. This is also important so that you do not ruin your clothes, though I would not wear anything too nice anyway. You won’t see any color at first, it takes a couple of hours to emerge. The color lasts 4-7 days and to stretch it as far as it can go moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
I can’t tell you the boost it gives me to have a bit of a tan in the cold days of fall and winter without the worry of cancer. Don’t get me wrong– this is not a weekly pick me up. This is a special treat I will do when I’m really down in the dumps or if I have a special event. The treatment is pricey $30 - $40 a visit. Many places offer package deals but still they are not cheap. I purchased a package of 3 for $75 and plan to stretch it out over a long New England winter.

About The Author
Valerie is mother of 2 and co-founder of http://www.million-dollar-mama.com a website devoted to helping mothers rediscover their favorite hobbies like travel, fitness and girls night out.

Liquid or Powder?

2004-12-10T19:17:00.000-06:00

Which is better, liquid or powder-based blushes? While I prefer powder blushes because of the consistency and ease of application, there are many gel and liquid blushes that do the trick equally as well, if not better. What are peoples favorite brands of liquid blushes? And what are some good tips for application?

What are your secrets?

2004-12-10T18:55:00.000-06:00

Feel free to add your favorite makeup tips and links to this site!