Beauty Tips: Add The "Extras" To Your Makeup Kit

Okay, so you've gone through the mounds of makeup in your bathroom, your makeup bag and your purse. You've covered the basics, discarded out of date products and you're ready for the next step. Still feeling as if somethings missing? Time to explore the "extras", those little things that give you added oomph. Take a look at these possibilities:

EXFOLIATE
If you're dealing with dry patches or clogged pores, you might need to exfoliate to help slough away dead skin cells. Don't exfoliate more than once a week, though. Use a gentle scrub that contains microbeads on your face. Try a sugar or salt formula for your body.
Great Bargains: Bath and Body Works has a Lemon & Orange Moisture Rich Body Scrub for about $15.

TINTED MOISTURIZER OR FOUNDATION
Concealer goes a long way toward evening out your complexion, but for a flawless finish, you'll want a tinted moisturizer (for sheer coverage) or foundation (if your skin has areas of blotchiness or discoloration). The right color disappears into your skin with one swipe-even before blending.
Great Bargains: Target has Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 for about $13: Sephora Perfecting Tinted moisturizer is about $21 (try sephora.com).

EYE CREAM
Experts say eye creams can be tricky, so look for a formula that addresses your primary undereye concern. Caffeine helps reduce puffiness; niacin amide and retinol smooth fine lines.The best treatment for pigment related dark circles is sunscreen. Use an eye cream that contains a physical sunblock (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), which is potentially less irritating than one containing a chemical block (like avobenzone).
Great Bargains: Philosophy Eye Hope Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream for about $48 at Sephora: ROC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream-about $22 at drugstores.


EYELINER
While curling your lashes and using mascara will make you more bright-eyed, adding eyeliner emphasizes your eye color. Pencils are the most foolproof, and dark brown is the most universally flattering shade. Once you try the basic dark brown eyeliner, don't be afraid to experiment.
Great Bargains: Avon Glimmersticks Diamond Eye liner in Brown Sugar-$6 at avon.com; MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy ($14.50 at maccosmetics.com)

BRONZER
Try a bronzer, it adds warmth to your skin and creates a flattering contrast with your eyes.  Apply it after blush, dusting the temples, cheekbones, and tip of the chin. Powder formulas are easier to use than gels and sprays. never go more than two shades darker than your complexion
Great Bargains: Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF-50 Pressed Bronzer (about $15 in drugstores)

DEEP CONDITIONER
A deep-conditioning treatment contains higher concentrations of moisturizer than most regular conditioners and seals the shaft of each strand to leave your hair healthy and beautiful. Use once a week, but only on the ends if you have fine hair.
Great Bargains: Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment at drugstores for about $15.

TEETH-WHITENING STRIPS
A White smile isn't just youthful, it brightens up your whole face. you don't need to drop hundreds of dollars to whiten your smile. New York dentist Jeff Golub-Evans says "drugstore whitening strips get your teeth almost as white as a treatment at a dentist's office. You must use them religiously for a couple of weeks." Here's a quick test to find out if you're a good candidate. Hold a piece of white paper up to your teeth. if they look yellowish, they'll lighten pretty easily. If they're gray-tinged, you have more than surface stains and strips won't do much for you.
Great Bargains: Rembrandt Whitening Strips- about $24 at drugstores; Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips-about $15 at drugstores.

Try something new and get a new lease on life. Don't be afraid to experiment. Call a few of your closest girlfriends and make it a party (light snacks only, every one's on a diet). Most of all, have fun!

 

 

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The Bare Necessities: Your Basic Makeup Kit, The Emerald Quill, June 2013

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Fighting Winter Dry Skin

Winter is often a time for more noticeably dry skin. It is a problem that becomes worse due to low humidity in cold weather. It can also bring about dry “patches” in certain areas such as feet and elbows. Here are some tips to fight winter dryness:

• Apply a generous amount of skin moisturizer to keep the water from leaving your skin. A thick moisturizer should work quite well, and you can also try some petroleum jelly. It is best to apply a moisturizer on your skin, immediately after a shower, while your skin is still moist.

• Limit the amount of time you spend while bathing and reduce the temperature of your bath water, as these factors remove the natural oil from your skin. Make sure that you do not spend more than 15 minutes taking a shower and use lukewarm to warm water.  

• Use a bath or shower gel that contains added moisturizer, instead of using a soap that is harsh and drying. 

• Avoid rubbing your skin vigorously after a shower, as it damages your skin and causes it to dry out. Pat your skin dry gently, with a soft towel and allow some of the moisture to remain on your skin while you moisturize to allow for better penetration into the skin.

• Use a humidifier if you spend a lot of time indoors or in an artificially heated or cooled environment. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean and free of bacteria and fungi. 

• Fabrics like cotton and silk allow your skin to breathe and therefore are good for the health of your skin. Certain fabrics like wool and polyester can irritate your skin, leading to dryness, itching, and so on.
It is also important to drink plenty of fluids. However alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided due to their dehydrating properties.

You can also keep skin hydrated by increasing your consumption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, zinc, sulfur, and vitamin C. With a daily regimen of these tips you should notice healthier looking skin and a happier you.

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Beauty Wigs: Synthetic Wigs vs. Human Hair

Over the past few years, wigs have made a significant statement in fashion as well as style. Wigs can be used to cover thinning or balding hair from illness, and also be used for a style change or even a color change in hair.

Some of the things to consider when purchasing you wig is price, quality, and how you plan to use your wig.

Prices can vary greatly when purchasing wigs. Human hair wigs generally cost more than synthetic wigs. Human hair can generally be colored, perm, and heat treated. Most synthetic wigs cannot be chemically rearranged or heated with a flat or curling iron. Celebrity endorsed wigs also come with a greater price. When it comes to wigs, you basically get what you pay for.

Synthetic wigs are very easy to care for, in comparison to human hair wigs. A wig should be washed after it has been worn 10-12 times. Washing instructions will vary depending on if the hair is human or synthetic.

Use products designed for wigs to keep them looking natural and last longer. Also keep wigs on a mannequin head while not using. This will keep its shape and hold the style.

Just remember, it’s you choice whether you choose human or synthetic hair.  Just buy something that’s comfortable on your head and have fun!

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Prepare for Takeoff

Prepare for Takeoff

I recently had to fly to the Windy City and let me tell you... traveling can take a toll on your skin. Here are a few tips to keep your mug looking great!

1. Drink plenty of water. Hydration is the key to looking fabulous! You can’t take liquids through security, but you can bring an empty water bottle. Once you’ve cleared security, fill it at the water fountain. If you don’t care for the taste of fountain water, jazz it up with an on the go drink mix. I like the Great Value grape flavored drink mix at Walmart. You can also ask for water during your flight.

2. Keep skin looking rejuvenated. Pick up some samples at your local Sephora or makeup counter if you can. If you choose to bring your own, make sure it is in a 3 oz container so it doesn’t get snagged by TSA.

3. Eat healthy. Avoid those salty treats they provide on the plane. Sorry, that means no peanuts or pretzels. Sodium is bad for the organs and it makes your face look bloated. Instead pack some healthy treats in your carry-on luggage. Try bringing frozen grapes.

4. Limit the amount of makeup you wear. You are going to be stuck in a cabin for several hours. Give your skin a break. You can get cute when you get where you are going. If you must wear make-up, use a tinted moisturizer instead of a foundation. It's not as heavy and while give you a little coverage. Go for a bold lip to draw attention to your mouth. This way you don’t have to use a lot of eye makeup.

5. Pack some lip balm. Flying can dry out your skin. Protect your lips against cracking, peeling, and general dryness. I always keep Cherry flavored Chapstick on me. You want to make sure your lips are kissable if you have someone special meeting you at baggage claim ;-)

Do you have some skin rejuvenation travel tips? Let me know in the comment section!

Author - Janel Green

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