Natural Skin & Hair Care : How to Care for the Skin on Hands & Feet

Read More

How to Apply Base Makeup

Base makeup can give your skin an even tone while covering up blemishes, spots and dark circles. It can also provide protection from the elements - sun, wind and pollution.Pick a foundation whether it's liquid, cream or powder that matches your skin tone and use the following tips to apply your base.Read more:

Instructions

1
Choose a foundation that blends well with your skin. Match your skin color using test samples by dabbing a little on the back of your hand and rubbing it in. You'll also be able to tell if the foundation has the right amount of coverage for your skin tone.
2
Always apply base makeup after you have cleansed your skin, used a toner and moisturized for maximum effect.
3
Using a makeup sponge, makeup brush or your fingers, spread foundation in an upward motion covering the jaw line and cheeks. Applying foundation with upward sweeps is a great anti-aging technique. Always avoid pulling downward on the fleshy parts of your face.
4
Continue to apply base make up down the nose and over the eyelids. Foundation on the eyelids helps eye shadow last longer.
5
From the center of the forehead, spread foundation outward in each direction all the way to the hairline. Using your fingers, be sure to blend the base thoroughly and directly into the hairline to avoid a mask look.
6
Once you have completely applied the foundation, using a makeup brush and loose powder, gently dust your face to set the foundation. A few light dustings throughout the day will keep your makeup looking fresh.

Read More

Eye Makeup

Using an eyeshadow pencil...

You should not draw the pencil across your eyelid as this could cause stretching of the skin.

Instead, apply the color to the palm of your hand, then pick up some of the color with your pinky and apply gently to your eyelid.

How To Match Eye Shadow With Your Eye Color

Need an eyeshadow shade that looks cool with your eye color? Here's help.

FOR BLUE EYES

1. Tried and True: taupe, gray, violet, purple, deep blue (a darker shade than your eye color makes your eyes really blue), black (mix it with bright blue for a smoky effect)

2. Funky Favorites: silver, turquoise, fuschia (brightens any shade of blue)

GREEN or HAZEL EYES

1. Tried and True: brown, apricot, purple, plum, deep khaki or forest green (because they are in the same greenish family, they brighten green eyes)

2. Funky Favorites: gold, glowing, lime-green, really light green, bright purple (super modern)

BROWN EYES

1. Tried and True: copper, bronze, champagne Uma thurman (soft pink with a touch of apricot), brown (for a doe-eyed look), beige, and khaki-green (lighter shades add highlight)

2. Funky Favorites: tangerine, royal blue, hot pink, lime-green (the contrast adds punch to brown)

ALL EYES

1. Tried and True (Classic): navy or charcoal base to define and a powder-blue shadow for highlighting (it brightens your brow bone so any eye color pops)

2. Funky Favorites: silver-sparkle shadow makes all eyes look edgy.

Make Him Melt With Big, Doe Eyes

Problem:
My eyes are very small. Are there any makeup tips to make them stand out more?

Solution:

Eyeliner is the magic wand for creating the illusion of bigger, more expressive eyes. Line the entire top lash line and extend the line slightly at the corners. You can also line the bottom of your eyes, but concentrate color only on the outer third and extend it slightly past the edge. (We're not talking Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra here.) A soft, smoky look will open your eyes more than a thin, hard line. Stick to dark, neutral colors with a hint of black for lining, as bright shades will only make them seem smaller.

Lashes can also be a great eye-opener. Curl them three times before applying mascara -- at the base, halfway up and at the tip -- to create a gentle, rounded curl. Fan out your lashes while applying mascara. Brush the inner third in toward your nose, the middle third straight out and the outer third toward your temples.

Contrary to popular belief, dark, dramatic eyeshadow will not make your eyes stand out. In fact, it'll do just the opposite. If you have small eyes, keep it simple by using only light-colored shadows, and never wear more than two shades at once. Brush a subtle base color from lash to brow, and then use a slightly darker shade to create subtle definition in the crease.

How To Curl And Lengthen Your Eyelashes

Since we can't all be blessed with long lashes, thank goodness mascara can make it look as if we were. Here is a very simple method of applying mascara for every day wear.

1. Draw wand out of mascara tube and remove access on a piece of paper towel.

2. Hold wand horizontally and slowly twirl as you move the brush from the roots to the tips.

3. To set curl, hold wand and lashes together at the tips for a several seconds.

4. Apply second coat before the first coat has dried to avoid clumping.

5. Apply mascara carefully to the bottom lashes, holding wand vertically.

6. While lashes are still wet, comb through the lashes (carefully) with a lash comb to separate each lash.

Tips:

Be sure to wash off your mascara each night. Not only will it smear during the night, you won't be able to apply more until your lashes are free from the old mascara.

Mascara is a breeding ground for germs. Be sure to replace it every three months.

Never pump the wand into the tube. This procedure only adds air to the mascara, drying it out.

Lining Eyes

It takes steady hands and the near precision of a neurosurgeon to put on eyeliner. We asked makeup artist Pamela McNeally for the tips that will save you 4 years of medical school:

Dust a sheer, loose powder on the upper and lower lids so the eyeliner sticks better. If you are going to curl your lashes, do it now. (Otherwise you could smudge the line.)

Choose the right formula. For a cleanstraight line, use a liquid version (try one with felt tip, like those from Lancome or L'Oreal). To create a softer, more subtle line, pencils are best.

Rest your elbow on a hard surface to minimize shaking. Start in the middle of the eyelid, and drag the liner to the inner corner of the eye, drawing as close to the lashes as possible. Go back to the center of the of the eyelid and repeat the process outward.

To make your eyes look smoky, dab eye shadow (in a similar shade) over the line and lightly fan it out. This will also help the liner stay in place.

If the liner smudges, don't reapply more. Instead, clean up the line with a dampened Q-tip.

The Perfect Lash

The final touch to your eye makeup is the lash. Try to always use an eyelash curler. It will make your eyes look wider, more alert, and more youthful. It's like an instant eye lift. Always curl lashes befor applying mascara.

* Lightly powder lashes to give mascara a coat to cling to.

* Heat eyelash curler with hair dryer for a few seconds. It will act like a curling iron for the eyes.

Hint: Curl twice for a rounded curl. Place the open curl near the lash roots and arrange your lashes between the two rims. Squeeze gently for thirty seconds. Squeeze again at mid-lash for another thirty-seconds. It looks very natural.

* Give upper lashes a second coat of mascara, concentrating on the tips by stroking the brush horizontally across the lash. Never wait when applying second coat of mascara to lashes. Mascara, especially waterproof mascara, dries quickly and can clump.

* Lightly coat lower lashes.

Do I Need A Moisturizer For The Eye Area?

A basic moisturizer will work well as a hydrator for the eye area, but if you want to do a little more (treat crow's feet, reduce puffiness and dark circles), you'll have better results with a moisturizer made specifically for the eyes.

Skin around the eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of the face so it is very sensitive. To avoid irritation, eye creams tend to have lower levels of active ingredients. They also contain substances not found in face creams - caffeine to reduce puffiness, vitamin K to minimize dark circles, plus light diffusers and silicone derivatives to plump up crow's feet.

So the bottom line is this: use eye moisturizers for your eyes!

Define Your Eyes - Eye Makeup Tips and Trick

No matter if blue, brown, hazel or green, eyes have been referred to as �windows to the soul,� giving those who exchange glances the power to better grasp one�s personality and emotions. Eyes reveal joy and elation as much as they uncover sadness, melancholy and distress. Sometimes pensive, mischievous or mysterious, eyes can let us in on little secrets we might otherwise miss in dealings with people we know and love.

Eyes can exercise a special power of seduction by casting an enchanting gaze in another�s direction. A wink can signal a special understanding or remind another of an inside joke or amusing memory. Eyes also key into flirtation a great deal. Cartoons and old movies always show the femme fatales batting their long, dark eyelashes in an attempt to attract the men.

No matter what your motives, playing up the looks of your eyes will bring a natural definition to your facial features while accentuating perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic on your visage. The main makeup components you may want to consider when dressing up your pretty peepers retro eyes are mascara - Lashes Unlimited, eye shadow and possibly eyeliner, though sometimes pressed powder or a light foundation will work wonders for circles under the eyes.

Eye Shadow

Depending on the hues you wish to use, you can get a little colorful and creative with the wide selection of products for eyelids on the market. No longer do you have to sift through dozens of shades of eye shadow powder looking for the perfect blend� now you can accessorize your eyes with a beautiful array of powders - see Evangeline Lilly, creams and glittery dustings. Traditional eye shadow powders are very easy to use with small applicator brushes and foam pads. For a dimensional look, blend two colors of powder or one color of powder atop a cream shadow base.

With cream-based eye shadows, less really is more. The cream shadows generally come in small squeeze tubes that really enhance the look of your eyes with a light application across the lid, reaching up to your brows if you wish.

Not sure about colors? Go with something neutral, like Uma Thurman, the first couple of times until you get the hang of it. Apply a light dusting of bronze, tan - see bronze Ambition or other shimmery transparent color for a gentle hint of color.

Mascara

When selecting mascara, many factors come into play, with each brand�s newest addition to the line claiming bigger and better benefits. From thickening to lengthening to blackest black, waterproof and curling, each mascara product has a special offering of its own. Considering your own lashes, choose one that best suits your needs.

If you wish to avoid that scary-looking metal eyelash curler that appears more like an ancient torture devise, opt for a product that contains a curling formula. Choose the color you want to wear - black, brown or even navy blue. With so many options available, you can add a couple types of mascara to your collection and change your look as often as you like!

Generally, applying two coats of mascara will give enough definition to lashes to really make a difference. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second in an effort to prevent clumping. If some of the mascara accidentally brushes onto your eyelids or underneath, simply use a q-tip to remove it. This may necessitate touching up your eye shadow a bit.

Eyeliner

To really define your eyes, apply a thin line of eyeliner in black or brown, khaki, plum or navy. To properly apply the eyeliner pencil or liquid liner, gently pull the corner of your eye outward, forming a straight line along your lashes. Starting at the inside corner and working toward the outside, delicately trace a line with the pencil angled toward your lashes.

Be careful how much eyeliner you apply, as a little really does go a long way. For a dramatic look, thicker and darker is very acceptable. For a subtle definition, stick with a lighter application.

* * * *

Feel free to experiment with a bunch of different products until you find the ones that suit you best. Also, check into the makeup counters at local department stores. They have a wide array of makeup you can test before you buy so that you know what you are getting for the money. For lower budgets, drug stores sometimes offer a return policy if a customer is dissatisfied with her purchase. Doing a home makeover can be fun as well as a form of much-needed stress relief. For best results, invite some girlfriends over and make a night of it!

Read More

Complete Makeup Process

Makeup is an art and an artist must know what he/she wants in the end. You may choose for naturally beautiful look, bold and exotic nightclub look or a high-profile dinner party look, depending on the occasion and place, where you are heading. To look beautiful, you need to understand your face, your best facial features, which can be your eyes, lips, cheeks and/or eyebrows and what suits you the most. Coordinate your colors beforehand and remember, bolder colors are for exotic looks only and can play havoc on your face, if not used expertly. The basic list of products that any makeup-conscious lady needs, includes:

• Blusher,
• Eye Shadow,
• Eyebrow Color,
• Eyeliner,
• Face powder,
• Foundation,
• Lip brush,
• Lip liner,
• Lipstick,
• Mascara, and
• Moisturizer.

We will define the steps for daily or simple makeup here. For details, you can refer to our article for that particular product:

• Moisturize your face, especially people with dry skin.
• Apply foundation that matches your natural skin tone for a smooth skin effect.
• Apply powder for that flawless look to your face and matte down any shiny areas on your face. Gently tap the powder pad on the back of your hand before applying it on the face to shake off any excess powder.
• Blush adds color and freshens up your face instantly. See 'Applying Blush' for more details.
• Pluck your eyebrows, apply eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara and do eye makeup very very carefully. If you are not confident, leave this part out completely.
• Classic, tried and tested natural/neutral color combinations are best for eyes, unless you are quite an expert.
• Define the lips using the lip liner and fill up the lip color using the brush.
• You may use lip-gloss too for a sexier look.
• A tinge of shine powder can instantly transform you for that evening party.

It is always good to be aware of the latest trends and fashions in makeup and being innovative and creative to have a distinctive style of your own helps too.

Read More

Facial Procedure

Read More

Facial Techniques For Treating Acne

Read More

Will Acne Facials Clear My Skin?

I'm considering having an acne facial done at a local salon. Can facials help clear up my skin?

Answer:

There really is no clear-cut answer to that question. The results you get from facial treatments depends on many factors, most importantly the severity of your acne, how often you have the procedure done, how consistent you are with your skin care regimen at home, and the skill of the esthetician performing the treatment.

People with blackheads and other non-inflammatory blemishes may indeed find regular facials help to reduce the amount of breakouts they experience. During a facial treatment, estheticians perform extractions by manually removing pore blockages, or comedones. By extracting these impactions, the pores are cleared of excess oil and cellular debris. Blemishes are less likely to form, improving some cases of non-inflammatory acne.

Mild inlammator ance can also be treated at the salon, but a dermatologist should see anyone who has moderate to severe acne. A good esthetician will know when a case of acne is beyond her expertise and will refer you to a doctor.

This isn't to say that those with more advanced cases of acne can't enjoy or benefit from regular facials. An esthetician can offer treatments complementary to a doctor's care. Some dermatologists even employ estheticians to perform facials right in their office.

During a facial, the esthetician begins by thoroughly cleansing the skin. Various masks, steam baths, and facial massage may be incorporated into the treatment. The esthetician may use products to reduce surface oil, remove dead skin cells, soothe, or hydrate. Your esthetician can also recommend products for at-home use, like cleansers and moisturizers, that won't aggravate your acne.

If the skin is at all inflamed, extractions should be held at a minimum if they are done at all. No one, not even an esthetician, should attempt to extract deep inflamed blemishes such as nodules and cysts.

If you decide to make facials a part of your skin care routine, remember you will get the best results if they are done regularly. Be sure to tell your esthetician about all topical and oral medications you are currently using to avoid unwanted reactions. For example, vigoro exfoliation should not be done on anyone taking Accutane(isotretinoin) or using topical retinoids like Differin or Retin A. If a dermatologist is treating your acne, it's always a good idea to talk to him or her before having any facial treatment done.

Read More

Everybody in the world is fond of white skin and is ready to do anything to get the skin whiter. Even fairer skin people put their best efforts to keep their skin tone whiter. Especially Asians are fonder to get a whiter skin and do lots of things to get the skin whiter and lighter than the natural shade.

There are many ways to whiten the skin. There are plenty of treatments, creams and lotions available for skin whitening, which are meant not only for those who have darker complexion but also even for those who gets darker complexion because of sun tan, age or pollution. Darker skin has more production of melanin a substance in body, which makes the skin appear darker.

The fairest the skin the lesser melanin it has. But fairer skin has more chances to get effected by Ultraviolet rays of the sun than the darker skin as melanin absorbs the UV rays and prevents them to penetrate the skin to get it darker. Skin whitening creams have agents as bleach, aloe Vera, extracts from lemon and all those things which can clear the complexion and can make it whiter. They reduce the production of melanin in the body, which is the cause of skin darkening.

To get the skin whiter you can try any of the whitening cosmetic creams, soaps, lotions, herbal whitening creams or cosmetic treatments available at many saloons or you can try some home remedies which are quite helpful to some extent.

• Many establish cosmetic companies produce their skin lightening face washes, facial gels, creams, lotions and pack to whiten the skin. You can choose any of them for your skin. They are helpful in lighten the skin tone to few shades. If everything from the same brand range is applied for skin whitening than it helps more as they have same ingredients for different purposes. Use the same brand of face wash, lotion, day cream, soap and night cream to target the darkness of your skin.
• If you want to go for advanced treatments then you can consult a cosmetologist who gives peels to your skin to make it appear lighter. But some of these treatments are not suitable for sensitive skin.
• Bleaching helps the skin to remove scars, reduce sun tan and pigmentation and clears the skin to make it look lighter in shade. But it should be done carefully as if the ingredients have not mixed in proper proportion or you put it more than the applicable time, it might burn your skin. These days' bleaches are available in the market for sensitive skin so people who have sensitive skin should choose them. Herbal bleach too is a good option. One can learn applying bleach in a right way on the face and body from a professional beautician and then can do it oneself.
• Some of the creams and lotions from the skin whitening range of L'Oreal Paris are very helpful in reducing pigmentation, brown spots and prevents discoloration of the skin tone. They make it smooth, even and much lighter in shade without any side effects.
• Even while choosing a whitening cream or lotion, ones should keep the skin type in mind and should buy them according to the skin type. As some of them might not suit the oily skin or some might no help dry skin.

Prevention can be taken to stop skin from further darkening-always apply good sunscreen lotion on skin when going in sun. Use waterproof sunscreen lotion while going to swimming. One needs to reapply the sunscreen lotion on the skin every 30 minutes if one is staying directly in the sun. Sun makes the maximum damage to your skin and skin, which is naturally white, too gets tanned and dark if stays directly in the sun without any protection.

Home remedies to whiten the skin-certain home made packs and remedies are really helpful in giving you a lighter and whiter complexion.

• Dry orange peels in sun. When they are fully dried, grind them in a mixture and make powder. Add raw milk to it, make a paste and apply it on your skin everyday. Rinse it off with lukewarm water when dries. It's tested pack for skin whitening.
• Take sandalwood powder, add lemon juice, tomato juice, cucumber juice to it, make a paste and apply on the skin till it dries to get a brighter, lighter and even skin tone.
• Gram flour has whitening agents to it. Take 2 spoonfuls of gram flour; add a pinch of turmeric to it, few drops of lemon juice and few drops of milk cream. Make it a paste and apply on the skin. When it dries scrub it off. It can be applied all over the body everyday.
• Soak almonds in water overnight. Peel them off in the morning. Make a paste and add honey to it. Apply it on face and scrub it off when dries to make skin whiter and glowing.
• Potatoes have bleaching agents in them their juice is quite helpful in giving an even skin tone. Reduce pigmentation and blemishes. It can be applied on the skin everyday to get it whiter.

Read More

How To Make Herbal Facial

Are you looking for ways to beat the dust and pollution that make your skin dull? If yes, then the answer to your problem is an herbal facial clean up! With the rising mercury, increasing pollution and mounting dirt and dust, one thing that remains common for everyone is dull, gloomy and lifeless skin, with face being the most affected region. Thanks to this, more and more women today are becoming conscious of their looks and skin. In case you are one of them, you would be surprised to know that one of the most effective ways to deal with the problem is to indulge in an herbal facial.

Herbal facial not only cleanses the dead skin cells and oil build up, but also improves circulation and stimulates renewal of skin cells. While pampering your face with an herbal facial treatment from a salon or a parlor would turn out to be an extremely expensive deal, doing the same at home would be cheaper and extremely pocket friendly, bearing in mind that the result would be more or less the same. If you are wondering how to make herbal facial, this article would come in handy. In the following lines, we have provided easy recipes for making your own herbal facial.

Herbal Facial Recipes

Type 1

Ingredients

• 3 bars Soap
• 1 ½ cups Dried Chamomile
• ½ cup Dried Lavender
• 1 cup Oatmeal
• Cheesecloth/ Soft Cloth
• Container, with lid

Instructions

• The first step would be to grate the bar soap to fine residue. Make sure that the soap you use is gentle on your skin, leaving it soft, smooth and clean.
• Add dried chamomile, lavender and oatmeal to the grated soap. Blend the mixture thoroughly.
• Now, cut the cheesecloth or soft material into 4-5 inch squares. Fold up the squares, to make double layer.
• Place a tbsp of the soap mixture onto one square. Pull up the edges and tie them with a string. This would seal the mixture.
• Make similar small bags with the other squares, until all the mixture has been used.
• Store these bags in a container with a lid. Use them one at a time.

Type 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup Grapeseed Oil
• ¼ cup Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Lanolin
• ½ oz. Beeswax, grated
• 2/3 cup Distilled Water
• ½ cup Aloe Vera Gel or Juice
• Vitamin E (at least 10,000 IU)
• Vitamin A (at least 150,000 IU)
• 2 drops Essential Oil (of your choice)
• Clean Jar

Instructions

• The first step would be to mix grapeseed oil, coconut oil, lanolin and beeswax in the top of a double boiler, over low heat. Apply the heat until the ingredients melt.
• Now, pour the mixture into a glass measuring cup and allow it to cool for sometime.
• In the meantime, combine distilled water, aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin A and essential oil. Blend them in a mixer, on the highest setting.
• At the time of blending, pour the oil mixture into the blender.
• Just as the lotion starts thickening, the blender would slow down. This is when you should turn it off.
• Now, all you need to do is pour the herbal facial cream into the cream or lotion jars and store it in a cool place
• Your herbal facial cream is ready to be used.

Note: In case you would not be using the facial cream soon, store it in the refrigerator.

Herbal Facial Scrub

Ingredients

• ½ cup Ground Oatmeal
• 1/3 cup Ground Sunflower Seeds
• 4 ½ tbsp Almond Meal
• 1 tsp Ground Peppermint Leaves
• Container with Lid/Ziplock Bag
• Wet Ingredient (Water/Heavy Cream)

Instructions

• Firstly, mix ground oatmeal, ground sunflower seeds, almond meal and ground peppermint leaves together, in a medium sized bowl.
• Now, transfer the mixture into a container with a lid. You can also use zip-lock bag for the purpose. This is the dry mixture for the herbal facial.
• You now need to select a wet ingredient to moisten the dry mixture and apply on the face. In case you have an oily skin, water would be the best bet. For those with dry skin, heavy cream would be suitable.
• At the time of using the scrub, take about 1 tbsp of the dry mixture with enough wet ingredient to make a thick paste-like substance. Let it stand for 1-2 minutes.
• Once thickened, massage the scrub onto your face and neck region. Leave it for a minute or two before rinsing off.

Read More