Everyone has different needs when it comes to mascara. I suggest going to Sephora and testing a few different kinds so you know what you're looking for. I usually buy mascaras that curl and separate my lashes.
Rule #1: DO NOT pump your mascara wand up and down into the tube. It sucks air into the container and helps bacteria grow.
Rule #2: Buy new mascara every 4 months-- at least! Old mascara is not good to use on your eyes. It could cause infection.
Rule #3: Once the mascara on your lashes has dried, don't put more on over it. Flaking will occur.
To get mascara on both sides of your lashes, wiggle the wand (move it back and forth, from right to left, while brushing it from lid to tip.) To make your lashes curl a little, close your eye almost all the way and then use the wand to brush the ends of your lashes upward. Obviously, for a more dramatic curl, use an eyelash curler. Make sure you use it before you put the mascara on. Using after could cause flaking, or even worse, your lashes could get stuck to it and you could accidentally rip them out.
If you have blue eyes, use brown mascara. Green eyes should be framed by black-brown mascara. And lastly, brown eyes should use black. Sometimes it's OK for brown-eyed girls to wear black-brown but those times are during the summer, when they're wearing white sundresses.
Monday, February 07, 2011
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Hair Care Isn't Fair
For every woman, making sure she can keep her hair healthy and looking beautiful every day is a daunting task. I have a few techniques for making sure that even in the most extreme weather conditions, your hair will look healthy, clean and styled.
First and foremost, let's separate everyone into three hair types: dry, normal and oily.
Dry hair, or hair that gets extremely "static-y" when it's winter, or a hair that breaks easily when you are trying to style it-- those hair types MUST condition their hair daily, deep condition every three days and use a protective serum. When conditioning, start at the ends of your hair and use a small amount toward your roots. You don't want your hair to look greasy by the end of the day, so try not to use very much at the scalp. When deep-conditioning, use the same method, but leave the product in for about three to five minutes, then slowly rinse it all out. When blow drying your hair, try not to use hot air the whole time. Using cool or warm air is better for your hair and will lessen frizz and maintain hair moisture. Before you blow dry, spray a protective serum in your hair that will decrease damage caused by direct heat from your flat iron or curling iron. Side note: A great product to try is "It's a 10." The whole line is extremely effective.
Normal hair. If your hair is not particularly dry or oily, make sure you keep it that way by conditioning daily (using a very small amount of conditioner every other day and a normal amount on the days in between). It is a good idea, especially if you regularly use a flat iron or curling iron or if you have thick hair, to deep-condition your hair every week or so. Also, don't forget to use "product." That word means something different for everyone. Basically, find something to put in your hair so that it's not exposed to the raw elements. If you don't like hair spray, mousse, or gel you should try some of "Bed Head's" products. They have straightening stuff that you put in your hair and it just helps make it extra straight. They also have product for curls, wavy hair and all types of hair that don't make your hair look too stiff or styled, but natural and flowing.
Oily Hair is always much more complicated to deal with but not impossible. Only condition your hair every other day and avoid deep-conditioning unless you're only working with damaged ends (in which case I just advise you to get a trim). When shampooing, make sure you are scrubbing your scalp. This is hard, but only use "dry products" on your hair. "It's a 10" has awesome products that spray on dry so you don't have to worry about using too much and ruining your hair for the rest of the day. Use a flexible hair spray. Call me crazy but for some reason it works better and longer on oily hair. Also, I've never tried it so I'm unsure of how it works, but "dry shampoo" is offered by many companies including "Oscar Blandi" and "Big Sexy Hair." I've heard it's a miracle.
Whatever hair type you have, just remember to stop wishing you had your best friend's hair. Embrace what you have and make it look beautiful to its own fullest potential so you will wear it proudly.
First and foremost, let's separate everyone into three hair types: dry, normal and oily.
Dry hair, or hair that gets extremely "static-y" when it's winter, or a hair that breaks easily when you are trying to style it-- those hair types MUST condition their hair daily, deep condition every three days and use a protective serum. When conditioning, start at the ends of your hair and use a small amount toward your roots. You don't want your hair to look greasy by the end of the day, so try not to use very much at the scalp. When deep-conditioning, use the same method, but leave the product in for about three to five minutes, then slowly rinse it all out. When blow drying your hair, try not to use hot air the whole time. Using cool or warm air is better for your hair and will lessen frizz and maintain hair moisture. Before you blow dry, spray a protective serum in your hair that will decrease damage caused by direct heat from your flat iron or curling iron. Side note: A great product to try is "It's a 10." The whole line is extremely effective.
Normal hair. If your hair is not particularly dry or oily, make sure you keep it that way by conditioning daily (using a very small amount of conditioner every other day and a normal amount on the days in between). It is a good idea, especially if you regularly use a flat iron or curling iron or if you have thick hair, to deep-condition your hair every week or so. Also, don't forget to use "product." That word means something different for everyone. Basically, find something to put in your hair so that it's not exposed to the raw elements. If you don't like hair spray, mousse, or gel you should try some of "Bed Head's" products. They have straightening stuff that you put in your hair and it just helps make it extra straight. They also have product for curls, wavy hair and all types of hair that don't make your hair look too stiff or styled, but natural and flowing.
Oily Hair is always much more complicated to deal with but not impossible. Only condition your hair every other day and avoid deep-conditioning unless you're only working with damaged ends (in which case I just advise you to get a trim). When shampooing, make sure you are scrubbing your scalp. This is hard, but only use "dry products" on your hair. "It's a 10" has awesome products that spray on dry so you don't have to worry about using too much and ruining your hair for the rest of the day. Use a flexible hair spray. Call me crazy but for some reason it works better and longer on oily hair. Also, I've never tried it so I'm unsure of how it works, but "dry shampoo" is offered by many companies including "Oscar Blandi" and "Big Sexy Hair." I've heard it's a miracle.
Whatever hair type you have, just remember to stop wishing you had your best friend's hair. Embrace what you have and make it look beautiful to its own fullest potential so you will wear it proudly.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Foundation
"Liquid or powder?" seems to be the first question a woman asks herself when selecting foundation to wear. Many women, however, are scared away from the prospect of wearing foundation all together. If you have perfectly even skin tone, which means no redness in random areas or darker spots than others, then stop reading. You don't need foundation. But if you are part of the majority of women who have uneven skin tones, listen up.
Wearing foundation is a good idea. Don't worry about it clogging your pores. Many things clog your pores, including the natural oils that accumulate on your face throughout the day, so stop being determined to be a minimalist by cutting out foundation. Just remember to wash your face before bed, and you'll be fine.
Picking out a shade is usually such a mystery but use the skin on the inside of your wrist if you need to compare the container next to your skin in the store. If you are torn between two shades always pick the lighter one. It is always better to have a lighter shade than a darker one.
Personally, I prefer liquid foundation because if you are careful not to use too much, it won't come off your face when you're pulling a sweatshirt over your head. Even if you use powder you should be wary about using an obscene amount. The only thing worse than spotting a zit on your friend's forehead, is spotting the pounds of make-up she used to cover it up. People shouldn't wonder if you've gone bobbing for apples in a lake of tinted flour.
Also keep in mind that if you are switching brands of make-up, your skin is going to freak out on you for the first couple of days. You might have a zit forming when you wake up the next day but don't worry, you'll live.
Now, for those who have acne: believe me when I say I understand. Something to keep in mind is that it's nearly impossible to cover up. Don't be scared to switch brands of make-up until you find one that works the best. We're not discussing cover up, we're discussing foundation so the goal here is even skin tone. If you use a liquid foundation and then lightly brush powder foundation (the same brand and the same shade-- it matters) then it should do a well enough job at keeping the redness at a minimum. Concealer should be used as well, but I think it is pretty self-explanatory.
Wearing foundation is a good idea. Don't worry about it clogging your pores. Many things clog your pores, including the natural oils that accumulate on your face throughout the day, so stop being determined to be a minimalist by cutting out foundation. Just remember to wash your face before bed, and you'll be fine.
Picking out a shade is usually such a mystery but use the skin on the inside of your wrist if you need to compare the container next to your skin in the store. If you are torn between two shades always pick the lighter one. It is always better to have a lighter shade than a darker one.
Personally, I prefer liquid foundation because if you are careful not to use too much, it won't come off your face when you're pulling a sweatshirt over your head. Even if you use powder you should be wary about using an obscene amount. The only thing worse than spotting a zit on your friend's forehead, is spotting the pounds of make-up she used to cover it up. People shouldn't wonder if you've gone bobbing for apples in a lake of tinted flour.
Also keep in mind that if you are switching brands of make-up, your skin is going to freak out on you for the first couple of days. You might have a zit forming when you wake up the next day but don't worry, you'll live.
Now, for those who have acne: believe me when I say I understand. Something to keep in mind is that it's nearly impossible to cover up. Don't be scared to switch brands of make-up until you find one that works the best. We're not discussing cover up, we're discussing foundation so the goal here is even skin tone. If you use a liquid foundation and then lightly brush powder foundation (the same brand and the same shade-- it matters) then it should do a well enough job at keeping the redness at a minimum. Concealer should be used as well, but I think it is pretty self-explanatory.
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