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November 30, 2008
 When it comes to getting pampered there is nothing like a manicure!! If you are looking to create a polished, well groomed appearance a mani is the way to go. But as good as this might sound there are many of us that feel this is something to be had at a nail salon or Spa. Unfortunately traveling to a salon, getting a manicure and then waiting for it to dry can take a couple of hours. And this days not everyone has the time for such luxuries..
Fortunately there is always an option: do it at home. Now some of you might get overwhelmed at the thought of giving yourself a manicure, and you might think: “there is so many steps involved, so many tools.. and cosmetic products! where do i start?” It might seem difficult, but trust me..as a do-it-myself kind of gal I am I assure you, there is nothing more pleasant and relaxing than having my nails done at home. Here are a few things you are going to need to assemble your tool-kit for the perfect manicure:
- Nail polish remover and cotton balls
- Nile file (preferably a fine-grained nail file, as this is gentler to your nails)
- Hand lotion
- Cuticle oil
- Birchwood or Orange stick
- Nailbrush
- Bowl or warm, soapy water
- Base coat, Nail color and top coat
Find a time on your day when you won’t be interrupted for at least an hour. Set up a mood, but playing your favorite music for example and sit comfortably by a table. Begin by removing any old nail polish with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover. Apply a small amount of cuticle oil to each cuticle to begin to soften them, then clip you nails if necessary and file them to the desired length and shape. Soak your hands in the soapy water for about 3 minutes. Using the Orange stick gently clean any remaining dirt and push back overgrown cuticles. Dry you hand with a towel a proceed to apply the base coat, this is a glue like product that will help the polish adhere better to your nails. Apply the color the same way, let dry for 3 minutes and apply a second coat. Then clean any excess nail color with an orange stick wrapped in cotton and dipped in nail polish remover, and after your color had dried apply a protective top coat. Massage your hand with your favorite lotion and…you are done!!
November 29, 2008
It might sound silly to you, but putting on makeup is an art form. Have you even looked at a woman on the street and thought “Oh my!! poor girl has no clue how to put on her makeup!” On the other hand, we all know the girl that always looks flawless, like a Mac makeup artist..
There are various steps involved if you want to succeed on doing your makeup right: the first step is to prep your skin. Think of your face as a blank canvas, that should be flawless, clean and beautiful.
Preparing your skin: If yours skin is dirty the makeup won’t look smooth, and it probably wont’ last. Wash your face as usual, preferably with a cleansing agent such as a Facial Wash, rinse and pat dry with a towel. If you have oily skin use an astringent right after you wash your face, this will prevent makeup from running or looking blotched. If you have acne or sparse breakout use an Acne prone cleansing bar, like Neutrogena Transparent facial bar (this product works wonderfully) followed buy Neutrogena On-the-Spot cream, or any Benzoyl Peroxide cream.
Moisturize: put on a generous amount of moisturizer right before applying makeup, this will act as a “base coat” and will help your makeup stay longer. The more hydrated your skin is, the better.
Use a primer: Although this product is relatively new, it works amazingly. Primer is a pre-makeup conditioner for the skin, worn under foundation or powder to provide hydration, enhance the wear and look of makeup, and even out skin tones.
After following this simple steps on how to put on makeup you are ready to go. Try and make it your new daily routine, and you will be well on your way to looking like you just stepped out of the salon!
November 28, 2008
Once upon a time, women did not care where their beauty products came from. Call it the need-to-know basis and not asking meant you really didn’t need to know. Well, those days have changed.
Organic products were not always in style. Aerosols in hair spray replaced with eco friendly propellants, whale fat and blubber used as a base for lipstick, and various other products that involved animal testing or some facet of the inclusion of a body part or two from animals has now been removed from the mainstream in the manufacture of cosmetics.
Organic beauty care is the new green for cosmetics, meaning if it is natural, its ok. Fortunately big business has had to make changes based on organization such as PETA, Greenpeace and others fighting for animal rights to clean up their act, but how does this affect consumers?
Is the lipstick as lustrous?
Does the foundation last as long?
Will the nail polish stay put without chipping?
Yes, in fact, synthesizing many of the components with organic alternatives such as Aveda’s product lines are proof enough that being conscious amidst the norm has merit, and women are willing to pay the difference to cast their vote in support of organic beauty care.
In today’s beauty market, we are overwhelmed with the all the different choices we have. Although not everything we find in the shelves is of organic origin, almost every brand out there has a line of “Natural’ or “Mineral” cosmetics. Us women can make a difference in the environment by choosing brands that are cruelty-free and Not tested on animal, after all the choice is ours..
November 27, 2008
As time passes fashion trends change and evolve. Yesterday’s beauty standards are very different from today’s and what was considered “hot” back in the day is “so-not” today.
In this times, a beautiful, healthy, white smile is a must. You don’t want to feel like Austin Powers waking up in the 21st century with his 3 decades ago, 10 shades-darker than modern smile! Well..you simply don’t have to. With the advances of oral care you don’t have to live with a coffee or nicotine-stained teeth.
There is a variety of products designed to keep you smile looking fresh without having to give up you love to coffee: there are whitening strips, whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes and even Whitening gum!
You can also have your cosmetic dentist perform a Teeth Whitening procedure, or go to your local “LVI Smile Dentists” and purchase a package. These last two are great options, if you can afford them…but they can be very pricey.
Here are a few tips for keeping your smile as whiter as it can be without braking the bank:
-If you are a coffee drinker, try and drink your beverages from a straw: this will minimize the coffee from becoming in contact with your teeth and stain them
-After flossing dip your toothbrush in baking soda, then your toothpaste and brush your teeth as usual. The baking soda acts a the paste the dentist uses to clean your teeth. Do this up to twice a week.
-Try this “At home” whitening paste: 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 strawberry. In a small bowl mash the strawberry and mix it with the baking soda. With an old toothbrush, spread this paste on your teeth and leave it for 5 minutes. Brush your teeth as usual. This can be done up to once a week!
Enjoy your brighter, whiter smile!!
November 26, 2008
I remember going to the beauty supply store with my mother, and coming across false lashes under a glass counter. My mom said “I remember wearing this when I was younger, back in the 70’s”. My response was “ewww, how could you have wore those things?”
Little did I know that ,as everything else in fashion, they would come back in style!!
False lashes, also known as “Faux lashes” and “Fake eyelashes” were worn by every Hollywood starlet at a point in time.
Today, most of us ladies rely on mascara to pump our natural lashes and give our eyes a more defined and feminine look.
But sometimes ,when we want that Old Hollywood glamour, let say a night out in the town or a special occasion such as a wedding, we rely on Fauxs..
As a former model, I first came across them at a photo shoot, when the makeup artist put them on my eyes as part of the look he was going for..a very very glamorous look!!
I must say that it takes a little getting use to..sort of when you try contact lenses for the first time. But after seen how beautiful and sexy they make me feel I decided to make them a part of my makeup repertoire.
These days you can find them everywhere: in the beauty aisle of drugstores, supermarkets, and even Walmart and Target offer a good variety of brands, shapes and colors to suit your style. And they are a makeup artist must-have.
If you have never try them, here are a few helpful tips:
You will need: a pair of false eyelashes of your choice, eyelash glue (they often come togheter on a starter pack), tweezers and liquid eyeliner.
Make sure your lashes are makeup free and clean. With tweezers, grab a lash and dub a little glue along the trip’s base, then wait about 20 seconds for the glue to thicken.
With your eye close position the faux lash as close to the root of your own lashes and press, keep doing this for about 30 more seconds. To conceal the seam, run a super thin line of liquid liner over their base (If you’re going for a less natural look make the line thicker). To finish up brush on a coat of mascara on your lashes to blend them in, and you are done!!
If you can’t seem to get it right the few first attempts ,don’t get frustrated, like everything else this will take a little practice.
November 25, 2008
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. With over 80% of your body’s mass being composed by water, hydration is extremely important for one’s well being. In fact, the quantifiable effects of evaporating 8 glasses of water per day, only keeps you from being dehydrated, not hydrating.
Over 70% of Americans are continually in a dehydrated state, which can lead to fatigue, stress and of course, poor skin conditions. Sure, being on the go leaves little time to eat and drink healthy, but here are some tips to give back to your skin so that it can radiate vitality and vigor.
1) Keep it on the low: Limit intake of caffeine and alcohol as they have a residual effect on the body, dehydrate, and rob your skin of vitality.
2) Hydrate: Drink at least at least 8 glasses of water per day to keep your organs and skin from going into deficit.
3) Exercise: Working out is very important for circulatory health, exercise boost circulation and delivers oxygen- rich blood to the surface,
4) Moisturize and protect: Use a moisturizer that fits your skin type (oily, normal,etc) with a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF.
Here is a really simple hydrating mask that you can make at home, and its ideal for dry or normal skin types: Enjoy!
Avocado mask:
2 tablespoons of organic plain yogurt
1/2 avocado, mashed
Combine both ingredients in a small bowl. Apply it generously to your clean face. Leave on for 25 to 30 minutes and relax. Wash you face with lukewarm water or wipe with tissues.
November 24, 2008
Have you ever asked yourself if when you tan you should tan your face as well?
Several years ago someone I knew told me she “would never tan her face”,and cover it with a towel while in the tanning booth. As an avid tanner myself I would have never considered covering my face! At that moment a dozen questions popped into my head: how about the difference of color between my face and body?? and that beautiful bronze look I live for? When I asked her why..she simply said “I wouldn’t want to turn into a raising at the age of 40!” And that’s when it hit me: do I want to end up like those Californian women that tanned all throughout the 80’s without protecting the skin and they ended up with that “raising look”? I decided then that i would not sacrifice the freshness of my skin just for a nice tan color, after all a girl like me outta have options!
But what happens when you go to the tanning salon?
Well..I cover my face with a towel, and only allow 3 or 4 minutes of face tanning a month to even the color out just a little. That feels like a perfect balance between 2 extremes!
Stars like Jennifer Lopez avoid the sun at at any any price, as if by doing so she can preserve the youthful and fresh look of the skin for years to come. And there is nothing but truth to this belief, because as we all know sun and UV ray exposure can age and dry the skin, making it prone to wrinkles and premature aging.
Large hats, sunglasses and high factor sunscreens are some ways to avoid the sun rays while been outdoors.
Now you may ask yourself: what about that glowing sun-kissed look? How do I get it? Well..bronzer is the way to go.
They come in different forms,such as lotion, press powder, loose powder, etc..and your choices are infinite. If you have a favorite brand of cosmetics then check out their bronzers or self tanners, and their different shades. I personally like to try a different brand and experiment a little. So whether you like to be a sun tanned babe all year long or just wanna have that extra glow during the summer months, protecting your skin form harmful rays is the way to go!!
November 22, 2008
These days, everyone seems to be looking for natural alternatives. From chemical-free home cleaning products, to all-natural roofing products, the green/natural movement is in full force. And, this includes the personal care market. Enter the mineral cosmetic.
What Is a Mineral Cosmetic?
A mineral cosmetic can be thought of as a natural cosmetic in that it is chemical free, containing no chemicals or other harmful additives. They are so named because they are made from minerals that occur naturally in the environment, many for thousands of years.
How a Mineral Cosmetic Helps to Repair Skin Damage:
Because a mineral cosmetic is made from a naturally occurring mineral, first and foremost, it is organic to some extent. It doesn’t include harmful dyes, petroleums, drying talcs and other ingredients found in mainstream cosmetics today.
Many a mineral cosmetic has been used as additives by mainstream cosmetics companies for years to add texture to their products. So, they are already part of the cosmetics industry.
But, when used by themselves, they provide several benefits, namely:
Glow: The application of a mineral cosmetic elicits a healthy, glowing texture to skin.
Hypoallergenic: A mineral cosmetic is the perfect skin care option for those with sensitive skin. Because minerals don’t contain additives like petroleum, they won’t clog your pores and cause flare-ups and other skin irritations.
A mineral cosmetic is completely safe to apply to the skin. , they act as a soothing agent.
Natural Sun Protection: Some minerals act as natural sunscreen protection m eg, zinc oxide. Hence, many companies are promoting the health benefits of mineral cosmetics that contain it.
The Health Benefits of Minerals
Just like zinc oxide is a natural sunscreen agent, many minerals offer various health benefits. The industry is teeming with researchers who are ferreting out these benefits to be able to offer them as healthy alternatives to current cosmetics.
With as many minerals as there are, the health benefits of many a mineral cosmetic have yet to be discovered, which makes it an exciting time for the industry.
November 21, 2008
If you’re a cosmetics bargain shopper, you may turn your nose up at designer cosmetics. But, then the unthinkable happens.
You just can’t seem to find your favorite shade of matte lipstick that can be worn seamlessly from day right on into evening. The bargain brand you usually wear can’t be found anymore, and the other off-brands you’ve tried just don’t give you the true color you’re looking for. Enter designer cosmetics.
Why Designer Cosmetics?
Like designer anything, the one thing you can count on with designer cosmetics is that they’ll always be around, and they’ll always be in style. Think Chanel suit..Has it ever gone out of style darling? No. And it’s not about to.
So, in search of your favorite lipstick, you may for the first time visit a designer cosmetics counter. Following is how to get exactly what you want – for the right price.
Retrain Your Brain: When shopping for designer cosmetics, you’re going to have to retrain your brain as to what that means exactly. The bargains you’re going to get with designer cosmetics may be still paying the higher price, but accepting the free makeup bag that comes along with it.
A free gift will take the edge off of the guilt you may feel about the actual purchase price.
Scour Circulars: If you usually toss that sales circular that comes in the mail in the garbage right away, you may want to hang onto it. Sometimes department stores will advertise discounts on their designer cosmetics in these. While the discounts are usually not huge, any amount saved off a $25 tube of your favorite lipstick is a welcome price break.
Take Advantage of Charge Offers: This can be one of the easiest ways to get discounts on designer cosmetics. Most department stores invariably run offers that give you a certain percentage off an initial purchase if you open an account with them.
These are just three of many easy ways to get good deals on designer cosmetics.
November 20, 2008
If you use cosmetics, then you’ve undoubtedly violated some rules of cosmetic care. This is understandable, as most of us never get a copy of “the rules,” so to speak. Usually it takes an incidence or two, eg, an eye infection from using old mascara, to begin to take notice of caring for our cosmetics.
Following are some cosmetic care rules that can keep you looking beautiful – and safe.
Tighten All Opening Mechanisms: This simple cosmetic care rule not only makes your cosmetics last longer, it keeps them safe for use as well. Tighten all product lids. This keeps air and bacteria from getting into your products.
This is particularly true for those products that go on your face. For example, mascara left loosely closed can dry out and/or become infected with bacteria. When used, this can cause serious eye infections. So, never leave your cosmetics open. Close securely after each use.
Discard: This is a simple cosmetic care rule that very few of us find easy to adhere to. After all, who wants to throw out their favorite tube of lipstick, or their favorite eye liner. But, cosmetic experts say that all cosmetics should be discarded after roughly six months.
The reason is, after this time, most of what’s left has probably become infested with germs and bacteria from being open, closed and coming into contact with your hands after this time. It’s the gradual buildup of bacteria that can lead to infection. It’s best to discard the old, and buy the new. If not, you could be compromising your health.
Clean Storage: Clean usually means safe. This is another cosmetic care rule that most of us probably don’t give a lot of thought to. But, storing your cosmetics in a clean, temperature controlled environment will keep them safe for you to use.
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