Commtted Concealer

How to make your concealer last until the end of the day? Just read and follow these simple tips:

First, make sure your face is dry and you’ve given it time to absorb your moisturizer before applying concealer. If your eye area tends to get oily, chances are your concealer will move around your face instead of staying put. Lightly brush loose powder around your eyes to mattify any emollients sitting there that can help move your concealer around. Apply concealer one to two shades lighter to even out under eye circles, ruddiness around the nose and discoloration on the chin. A cream concealer (usually packaged in a pot) will last longer than a liquid concealer (which often comes in a tube or will last longer than a liquid concealer (which often comes in a tube or with a wand applicator), especially in our humid weather. Make sure to blend your concealer well, using the pad of your finger (the heat from your skin should help warm up the concealer to blend nicely). Dust loose powder in your exact skin color over concealer very gently with fluffy brush, to lock the concealer in place. You can actually see the difference a good dusting makes by trying it on the back of your hand: Apply two stripes of concealer on the back of your hand and brush powder on one stripe and compare the two. The concealer with powder over it definitely knows its place!

Shopping for Face Base

Warm, cool... and then what? Figuring out your true hue equates to having an easy time with foundation, powder, and the rest of your makeup. Check out this section to help you out the next time you go to the beauty counters.

WARM

• Watch out for the words golden, warm, and tawny when browsing shades.
• Go for bronzy, olive, and terracotta colors for eyeshadow,blush, and lipstick.
• Avoid too pink bases and purplish eyeshadow they tend to cast gray tones on skin.

COOL

• Be on the lookout for the shade names like rose beige, almond, and neutral.
• Go for mauves, pinks, berry, and aquatic tints for eyes,cheeks, and lips.
• Avoid orange or coral makeup at all costs: You'll look like... well, an orange. (Yikes!)
  

Decoding Your Skin Stone

3 Ways to Tell If Your Skin is Warm or Cool

1. Look at your wrist veins. If they look greenish, chances are your skin is on the yellow side. If they're bluish, your skin's more likely to be pinkish in undertone.
2. Look at your skin by the window.If your skin looks like it has yellow undertones, then your skin is warm-toned. If you have olive skin tones, then you're still on the warm side.If you have pink tones, your skin is cool.
3. Ask a makeup pro at the counter. She;ll be able to tell you what skin tone you have, and which base shades match your skin perfectly. Tip: Swipe foundation on your cheek first and let it sit on skin for a while before buying.
   

7 Pro Eyeliner Tricks you should Know

1. Prep lids with a dusting of foundation powder. It'll nix oils and keep eyeliner from sliding or smudging.
2. Nothing complements eyeliner and finishes eye makeup better than curled lashes and two coats of black mascara. If your lashes are already thick,try a clear one.
3. A great way to wear color on your eyes without shadow is with a colored liner. Try it with green, aqua, lilac, or blue, then finish with mascara.
4. Warm a hard pencil between the pads of your thumb and index finger for easier application and to minimize tugging. Never use heat from a flame to soften eye liner.
5. Apply eyeliner after eyeshadow. It pulls the whole look together and defines eyes.
6. For an extra intense, long-lasting line, top pencil eyeliner with eye shadow in the same color.
7. Easily trace liner along lash lines by gently stretching the eyelids towards the outer corner of the eye. This creates a flat surface for liner to glide on.

Master your Liner Technique

Identify your eyes shape in a snap, and then use these quick and easy eyeliner tips. You’ll be sure to mesmerize him with your sexy stare.

...Round
Enhance big eyes with liner all around, from one end to another for definition and a bit of edge. To take it up a notch, thicken the line at the outer ends of lash lines.Black liner suits you best.







...Hooded
Having fleshy lids means you need a thicker line on top. Line your inner rims with a dark eye shadow and a damp liner brush for soft, visible definition, thendo the same for the bottom lash line.






...Close Set
Make eyes brighter by running liner on the inner corners, thickening the outer half of the upper and lower lash lines. Apply liner again,then softly smudge with a cotton bud or with your pinky finger.






...Small
Create the illusion of thick lashes and bigger eyes by lining the top lash line, thickening the line as you move outwards. Extend the line a bit past the outer corner. Skip lining bottom lash line.

Learn your Lipstick Tactic

Arm yourself with your favorite lip gloss and heed these tips for the most gorgeous kisser.





...Full
Embrace: Lipstick, creamy glosses, and balms in blush to deep colors. Your lips are made for flaunting, so take advantage!

Avoid: Flesh colored shades and shimmer formulas. They'll wash you out and just overwhelm an up already lush mouth. Keep it soft with a lip balm.



...Thin
Embrace: High-shine glosses, which create the illusion of fullness, and neutral lip liner, to trace lips and fill them in before lip gloss for a plumper look.

Avoid: Dark dense shades and matte textures. They'll just make your lips look even thinner. Stick to pinks and peaches for a juicy mouth.



...Small
Embrace: Tinted balms and caramel glosses, to blur the borders of your mouth, making lips look bigger. Play up your eyes with liner and mascara to balance out your look.

Avoid: Lipstick that are matte or have thick formulas. They make lips look smaller.



...Uneven
Embrace: A pink-brown lip liner, and trace your lips all around,extending the upper lip line just outside your neutral line. Fill in with liner, then apply your favorite lipstick.

Avoid: Steer clear of deep colors and applying gloss only on your lower lip. Give your top lips its own coat! To make your upper and lower lips look even.

• Find the perfect lip stick. A color that's just two shades darker than your lips is perfect for daytime. For evening, pair it with mascara, blush, and shimmery eye shadow.

• Protect your lips. Touch up with an SPF-laden lip balm every hour and after eating and drinking to keep lips moist and damage free. Balm also preps lips fpr smooth lipsticks application.
• Lipstick hangover remedy. If last night's lipstick won't come off, try a make up remover.Otherwise, keep applying a clear balm to ips to keep them soft until pigment fades.
  

The Truth About Cosmetics

Before rushing to buy the latest “miracle” beauty product, listen to the advice of Paula Begoun, author of best-selling beauty guide Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me.

• Spending more doesn’t mean better. An inexpensive drugstore brand can be just as good (if not better) than a luxury brand priced ten times more. Focus on how your skin reacts to the product, not the brand name or the price tag.
• SPF comes first. Everything about beauty and skin cares begins with proper sun protection. The most expensive makeup and beauty treatments are wasted on somebody who does not bother to protect herself against the number one cause of wrinkles and aging.
• Keep it simple. Layering on too many products with the hope of speeding up their desired effects can lead to product build-up on your skin, which in turn can cause acne. Choose carefully which products you really need and resist the urge to slather on every new thing.
• Age doesn’t matter. Categorizing products according to age is a marketing tool used by cosmetic manufacturers that may have little basis on reality. There are plenty of teenagers with extremely dry skin, and thirty something women with oily, acne-prone skin. It’s best to understand what your skin’s unique needs are, rather than rely on cosmetic manufacturers to generalize for you.
• Take celebrity and “expert” endorsements with a grain of salt. Celebrities, dermatologist, and makeup artists receive a fee for endorsing certain brands. Some of them don’t even use the` brands they endorse. Don’t let a celebrity endorsement be your sole reason for buying a particular product. If the product simply doesn’t bring the right results, ditch it.

Homemade Beauty Treats

Do you love going to Spa but can’t afford to go there as often as you want?

I have good tips for you... you can now enjoy that relaxing experience in spa at your home because I will give you four fabulous recipes that put pricey spa product to shame.

SOFT HAIR MASK

¼ cup mashed papaya

¼ cup mashed banana

¼ cup mashed ripe avocado

6 drops tea tree essential oil

6 drops lavender essential oil

2 vitamin E capsule

1 tbsp. whole milk

1 tsp. honey

Blend all ingredients together. Massage generous amount into hair and scalp and leave for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly to remove all residue.

Recipe’s rationale: The fruits in this mask all contain natural enzymes that help soften the hair and are packed with vitamins to nourish the scalp. Honey and milk help moisturize and soothe stressed scalp and tea tree deodorizes.

FRUIT YOGURT CLEANSER

1/8 of a small apple

3 strawberries

2 ½ tbsp of plain yogurt

½ tsp. honey

½ tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Combine the ingredients in blender for about 30 seconds. Store the cleanser in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will last you four days.

To use, scoop out a tablespoon of cleanser and massage onto dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

Recipe’s rationale:

Apples and strawberries are natural astringents and are packed with vitamin C which dissolves facial grease and dirt. The enzymes from the yogurt help restore the skin’s proper pH balance, and honey is a natural humectant, absorbing moisture into the skin.

LEMON PEPPERMINT SOAK

2cups warm distilled water (below 40 degrees Celsius)

2 vitamin E capsules

2 tbsp. fresh mint leaves

Juice from ½ of lemon or four pieces calamansi

6 drops tea tree oil

½ tsp. olive oil

½ tsp. olive oil (or your favorite massage oil)

Combine all ingredients and blend for about 30 seconds. Soak tired, overworked feet and hands for 15 minute and rinse with warm water. Condition your skin by massaging with a few drops of scented oil.

Recipe’s rationale:

Lemon and tea tree are natural antiseptics that help eliminate germs and deodorize. Lemon’s acidic nature helps soften dead skin cells so this soak is perfect to use before a manicure or pedicure. Fresh mint leaves freshen up the skin and will take away weariness, while the oils condition the skin, locking in absorbed moisture.

VOLUME RINSE

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup beer

20 drops of tea tree oil

20 drops of chamomile oil

20 drops lavender oil

¼ cup juice from soaked “gugo” (or aloe Vera)

½ tbsp. jojoba oil

Combine ingredients. After shampooing and rinsing, pour the rinse over wet hair and massage. Rinse out with plenty of warm water.

Recipe’s rationale: This helps relax frizz and improve shine. Vinegar strips away chemical build up from hair products. It doesn’t smell good so essential oils are a must.

I suggest you do this during weekends, so that you get to enjoy the fresh products beneficial properties and relaxing scents for a long period of time... One more thing; while you’re playing chemist in the kitchen, take note not to heat the ingredients to higher than 40 degrees Celsius as not denature the vitamins.

So have fun!

6 BEAUTY TRAPS

Love make ups? That’s cool, but do avoid these beauty traps…

Clownish concealer

The best concealer shade is one step lighter than your skin tone, or the same shade as your skin. If you go too light, you’ll end up with funny white circles under you eyes (most obvious in photos). Don’t forget to blend, blend, and blend!

Streaky blush

Avoid applying orange blush from cheek to jaw; it’s great for fashion shows but looks dated for everyday wear. Opt for sandy pink blush (this shade goes well with most skin tones) and dab onto the apples of your cheeks-nowhere else.

Too much sparkle

Go easy on the shimmer-choose only a few “strategic” places to apply it, such as on the brow bone, tops of cheekbones, lips and shoulders.( like JLo in this picture I think she had too much shimmer in her face.)

Severe eyeliner

Dark eyeliner over and under eyes

(think Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in the Royal Tenenbaums) appears way harsh. Switch to using a brown or taupe pencil or shadow for a softer effect.

Standout lip liner

Unless you’re doing it on purpose (say for a school play), always match lip liner to your lip color. Fill in the lips, and then blend with a brush.

Anorexic arches

Easy on the tweezers! Over-plucked eyebrows can make you look cranky even when you’re having a good day. What’s more, sparse brows can make you look more mature.

So that’s it… I hope these tips could help all the girls out there who are just starting to put make up. Good luck and I promise to give you more beauty tips next time.

Check out these fabulous Hand Bags

What to Know when choosing Designer's Handbag

All about designer hand bag

Women love to buy designer handbags. Every time they go shopping, they make sure that they purchase at least one handbag. This is so essential in woman’s wardrobe. It is one of their accessories that complete their image.

There are several brands of handbags in the market now a day, like Louis Vuitton, Prada, D&G, Channel, Fendi, Gucci and Versace. These brands will cost us depending on a certain style and designs as much as $50,000.00 or much more higher for some. It’s okay to invest in these types of designer’s handbag as long as we know how to check its authenticity. And since I personally love to collect handbags, I made some research about it.

Here are some tips on buying a genuine designer’s bag:

• · It’s best to buy on licensed retail stores.

· To ensure that you know the definite characteristics of the designer handbag that you want to avail. Check on the particular design and style that you want. Make sure to verify from the catalogue of the designer if such design do exists. , There are some fake handbags which are proliferating that looks like the real ones. It is handcrafted in such a way that with a first glance, you will really believe that it is an authentic bag.

· Another thing to consider is the distinguishing mark of the designer label. Example of this is that for Channel handbags, the logo is a double C which is placed back-to-back with each other. You should be cautious with the tags, care cards as well as the warranties that go with the handbags. There are original bags which only uses embossed tags while the replicas where printed. Be wary on such things.

· You should also check on the workmanship and the materials used for the bag. Designer bags are very 'clean' and efficiently made. There are no double stitches and there is consistent spacing in between each stitch. There is also a particular color of thread used by the designers. The zipper that is use to zip the bag usually has the name of the designer embossed in it. It is likewise made from good quality of zipper and is not easily damaged. It is likewise durable and can last longer than the bag itself. The leather of the bag feels leather when you touch it. It is not very smooth or shiny at all. The straps are not made from scraps or any extra materials. It has the same quality as the original leather of the bag itself.

· You should also be able to check the serial number of the bag. Designer handbags have its serial number. There are no the same serial numbers because the handbag manufacturer usually has the original list with them.

· These handbags are very expensive. There is a definite price range for each style and design. If a designer handbag is given to you at a very low price, you should be careful. This is a give away that the handbag is not authentic. There is no such thing as bargain designer handbags. Each handbag is valuable and there are a lot of individuals who would want to have one.

So there you go, I hope these tips will make us to be better and wiser consumers. Do not let your hard earned money go anywhere else. Save and purchase from reliable stores only.

Till next time enjoy shopping!

Choosing the Right Perfume

Are you figuring out what perfume suits you, Here are some tips when buying a perfume.

Figure out your preference when it comes to fragrance. Some like a citrusy smell while others prefer a more floral scent.

Each scent has a top, middle and base note. Remember that the top note is what you first smell and that citrus and light spices are the first to evaporate.

Focus on your favorite smells and ask a sales attendant to let you try perfumes with those scents.

Apply a scent and wait for 10 minutes. Be sure that you spray on pulse points, such as the back of your wrist and on your neck, where skin is the warmest, so that the scent will easily diffuse.

The perfume you still like will likely be the one for you. Just remember when the top base and middle base evaporate, you are left with the heaviest oils that make up the base notes.

Hope these tips provide some insights to you.

THE RIGHT FOUNDATION FOR YOU

Finding the right foundation is a never ending concern of most women. When looking for the right foundation, always put the product on before buying it. The shade of the foundation when tried on the hand will have a different effect when applied on the face. The right way is apply the product an inch up from your jaw line down to your neck. If the product blends well in this part of your face, then that’s the shade for you. If it’s too white and does not “disappear” on your skin, then get a few more shades close to your skin tone and line them up on the side of your face down to your neck and choose the right color of your skin. Of course, you want the color of your face to match the color of your neck.

Tips for choosing a foundation for your skin type:

If you have oily skin, then it is best to use a dual finish powder instead of liquid oil-based formulations. This way, every time you go to the powder room to retouch your face, you will find it easier to add the powder where the oil from your face has removed the product. If you have oily skin, the key is retouching, Oil removes make up so you will have to keep on removing the oil first by dabbing with an oil blotter or facial tissue before reapplying the powder. This way, it will be easier to maintain your makeup look all throughout day or night if the product accumulates on the certain areas such as on the side of your nose, simply blend it with your fingers and dab the oil before reapplying the powder foundation.

If you have dry skin, using liquid foundation is your best bet. Simply apply the foundation using your fingers on your entire face and make sure to blend it into the skin. Remember, you are creating a nice clean smooth base for your make up so blend the foundation well into your skin. Next step is to set the liquid foundation with loose powder, the loose powder will “hold” the liquid product on your face. After setting the liquid foundation with loose powder, then you are ready to complete your natural look by simply grooming your eyebrows. Curling your lashes before applying your mascara then applying your blush and finishing your look with a lip color.

The simpler and more natural you apply your make up, the better. You cannot go wrong with an understated look. Now, all you need is to practice. When you have perfected this natural look, then the rest will be a piece of cake. Why? Simply because any makeup look start with a clean, perfect base. So once you have perfected your foundation, then rest will follow. Start it simple and clean and then slowly add more color if you want to emphasize your eyes or lips. It will always take practice to perfect any look you want to create. Just remember that in any look, it will always start with a good foundation. So girls what are you waiting for? Go to the mall and find the right foundation for you. Happy Shopping!