Wednesday, 19 December 2012

LEMON AS A BEAUTY SPELL!

Lemons, most commonly used when cooking and baking, can also be a great addition to your skincare regimen. These little yellow gems contain juice that is high in vitamin C and antioxidants and that has an abundance of fruit acids and sugars that are great for acting as an exfoliant, blackhead remover, skin brightener and as a treatment for sunburn.
I hope you try it out and please post your result and if you have donevit before post how it went! Hope you enjoy.
Lemon can be used to;
• For brighter, softer skin use fresh lemon juice on any area of your body, including the knees, elbows, and face to brighten up and soften your skin.

• Get Rid of Blackheads If you rub lemon juice on the area with your blackheads, it should make them disappear. Do this every night and rinse with cool water in the morning until blackheads are gone.

• Make a moisturizing mask for dry skin by mixing equal amounts of honey, lemon and olive oil. Apply the mixture to dry areas on the skin and allow it to dry thoroughly for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

• As a toner for oily skin, combine 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons vodka, 1 tablespoon distilled water, and 1 teaspoon witch hazel. Apply with cotton balls and rinse with cool water. If you store in the refrigerator, it should last up to a week.

• To exfoliate dead skin cells rub a cut lemon dipped into a half-teaspoon of sugar over your face for a few minutes, or create a mild mixture by using lemon juice, sugar and a small amount of water. Do this once a week to help remove dead skin cells and refresh your skin.

• To make a lemon anti-wrinkle mask mix a teaspoon of honey, a few drops of lemon juice and a drop of sweet almond oil. Apply this mixture on the face and allow it to dry for 20 minutes and wash off.

If your skin is sensitive to the citric acid in lemons, you can dilute the juice with some water. Using a cotton ball to apply is the best way. Try not to use lemon juice on your skin before any sun exposure since it will make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Thursday, 13 December 2012

Best Blush Colors for Brown Skin

The glistening sun of spring and summer means that your skin will retain a natural glow all season. Choosing a blush that enhances your skin’s undertones will make you look even more radiant. It’s important to choose the right color, so that your excitement about the sunny season will show up (well) on your face.

The Best Blush Colors for Brown Skin

Light Skin:

Black women with light brown skin (think vanilla, browned butter or honey) should opt for a peach-colored blush. Peach is ideal for both warm and cool undertones, since the blush will have flecks of red, orange and yellow color. A light, powdery blush that reflects light well is ideal for the season, like Nars Highlighting Blush in Miss Liberty. The blush is light enough to wear with a slightly darker color for an evening look, and can even be worn without foundation for a naturally stunning complexion.


MEDIUM SKIN

Medium-skinned Black women (the color of mocha, cafĂ© au lait or nutmeg) will look best in medium pink blush with bronze flecks. The blush will help to highlight the defined cheek bones that many Black women have, and will compliment the deep gold and orange undertones that are often a component of brown skin. Ideal blush options for ladies with medium brown skin include the Sephora Collection’s Microsmooth Blush Duo in Tangerine Tease. The matte satin blush will define cheekbones expertly, and add a sun-kissed glow to the whole complexion.

DARK SKIN



A deep pink or light red blush is ideal for women with dark brown skin (i.e. cocoa, dark chocolate). The color will help to bring more attention to the cheeks, but can also be used as a subtle highlighter for the whole face, which is ideal for sunny weather. MAC’s Frankly Scarlet looks stunning against dark brown skin. The fuchsia color adds just the right amount of pink to the complexion, and highlights the natural flecks of red in women with warm undertones. Women who have cool undertones should use the blush for the evening, as the pink will look even more defined on their skin.

Monday, 10 December 2012

101 Beauty Tips Every Girl Should Know

In the world of beauty, there are endless tips and rules to keep you looking fabulous. In the list below Beauty High breaks down all those tips to make the industry less scaryfrom makeup artists, hairstylists, skincare gurus and of course, our beauty staff. Remember, beauty should always be fun!

101. “Always keep your summer makeup minimal. Minimal and sheer makeup is the way to go when it’s hot and muggy outside.” – Mary Greenwell, celebrity makeup artist

100. “The best thing to do when you go to a makeup counter is be armed with what it is you want to do.”- Raychel Wade, founder of Cheek to Chic and La Prairie’s colour ambassador

99. Use excess eye cream on cuticles.

98. For smudge-proof eye makeup, take blotting tissue to remove any oil or any excess makeup from the eye area.

97. “A good perfume should consist of balanced blend of notes arranged in a way that creates harmonious accord.”- Alexis Bergman, P&G’s Global Flavor and Fragrance Trends

96. To prevent hair color from fading in the summer months, use a conditioning treatment weekly or bi-monthly.

95. Breakout before a big event? “Take oral cortisone a few days before the event to clear your skin”- Ava Shamban, dermatologist and author of Heal Your Skin.

94. “In order to keep eyeliner from running and smearing, opt for liner formulas that offer stayproof wearability.”- Robin Schoen, Urban Decay Makeup Artist


93. Always allow about two fingers from your nose to where blush starts.

92. “Make sure you hydrate the skin and put on a primer”- Jessie Powers, makeup artist and national educator for Make Up For Ever

91. “Balance out your shimmer. If youre doing a shimmery eye, do matte lips”- Raychel Wade, founder of Cheek to Chic and La Prairie’s colour ambassador

90. Brush out your curls with your fingers to give your hair a more tousled look.

89. To make your manicure last, apply a thin layer of clear every two days.

88. Wear white eyeliner to make eyes appear less red.

87. “Take a shimmery gloss to the center of your lips, top and bottom – this will attract light to your lips, making them look pouty.”-Katrina Barrion, makeup artist for Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics

86. For slicked back hair, use a serum.

85. For the perfect cat-eye, “select a thin liner brush that is tapered to the point”- Pamela Taylor, makeup artist

84. To make your cheek bones appear higher, use bronzer under the cheekbone and highlighter on the actual cheekbone.

83. Before you blow dry, start with a volumizing spray or light gel to give the roots some lift.

82. For fuller lips, extend the lip line using a flesh tone lip liner. Be careful not to go overboard!

81. The #1 reason for flaky mascara is that the formula is too dry or old. Make sure to close mascara after use to help keep its moisture.

80. To fake clear skin when you notice a pimple, “Apply tea tree oil as soon as you spot it”- Stephanie Flor, makeup artist

79. During summer, “Its easy to forget that feet can get sunburned. Be sure to apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 50 when barefoot”- Dr. Leslie Campbell, DPM

78. For clear skin, look for a cleanser with salycilic acid.

77. When choosing a red lipstick, you just want to remember to get one that looks good with your undertone. If you have a warm undertone, then go for warmer reds, and if you have a cool undertone, then go cooler.


credit: Jamelah

76. Sunscreens that claim to provide “all-day protection” and “water resistance” are not reliable; don’t be fooled by these claims and reapply all sunscreens at least every two to three hours.

75. When self-tanning, use a tanner with a guide color. “It will give you instant color before the effect and it will show you exactly where you put the color and where you may have missed”- Sinead Norenius, founder of Beautisol

74. “If you’re afraid of red lipstick, I love putting it on and then blotting it off to wear it as more of a stain”- Pat McGrath, makeup artist

73. For the summer months, you don’t want to be caked down in foundation so try a tinted moisturizer instead.

72. Use blotting papers to manage oil and shine in your T-Zone “which are also great for cleaning up around the eyes”- Rebecca Restrepo, makeup artist

71. The antihistamines in allergy medicine dry out the skin, so skip heavy foundation during allergy season. Instead, use a tinted moisturizer.

70. To make curls last, make sure hair is completely dry before you begin with the curling iron.

69. To make a zit go away faster, don’t pick at it. The bacteria on your fingeres will create more redness.

68. Use an exfoliater to get rid of dead skin but limit yourself to 2-3 times a week so you don’t dry out your skin.

67. Always wash your makeup off before bed. “That morning-after look has never been a good one, for anyone”- Rachel Adler, beauty director Beautyhigh.com

66. “Too much bronzer is a nightmare for pale skin”- Jason Ascher, resident beauty expert for Barneys New York. Opt for an illuminating cream or light powder to get a glow.

65. Pick a sulfate-free shampoo, as sulfates can be harsh and drying on the hair cuticle.

64. If you have greasy hair, avoid directly conditioning roots and condition from your ear down to ends.

63.”When you wear a red lip it’s important that it stays exactly where you put it. Using a long wearing lip pencil to create the perfect shape and a lip color are key to having a perfect red lip.”-Kristofer Buckle, celebrity makeup artist

62. To make volume last all day, avoid running your fingers through hair. “Oil from your hands can weigh down your roots leaving your hair flat at the end of the day”-Tatum Neill, Arrojo Studio

61. Try to avoid washing your hair everyday. Constant shampooing leaves hair dry and your scalp will create more oils to compensate for the loss of moisture.

60. Always use a moisturizer with SPF in the morning. Even in the winter!

59.”Go for a trim every 6-8 weeks to ensure you have no damaged ends making your hair look unhealthy”- Nick Arrojo, Arrojo Studio (and the man who worked for seven years changing lives on What Not To Wear)


credit: greenlagirl

58. Remember, clean brushes to fight against potential bacteria and breakouts!

57. Clean out your makeup bag at least once a year to get rid of old products that may be expired or you no longer use.

56. Winter can be especially harsh on your hair leaving it extra dry. Eugene Davis, celebrity hair stylist suggests using an Avocado Oil Hair Mask.

55. If you don’t have nail polish remover, apply clear nail polish over and then wipe off. It will remove old polish.

54. During the summer, wear chapstick or lip gloss with SPF.

53. To add volume to clean or unwashed hair, use a dry shampoo spray.

52.Change your beauty routine for Spring/Summer months. Your skin needs less coverage during the spring so you can swap the heavy products for lighter ones.

51.”I always think that less is more, there’s a point where you look in the mirror and say ‘Is this too much?’ and if you even have that inclination then it usually is.”- Kim Catrall, Sex and the City

50. When applying bronzer, “first start by applying it around the perimeter of your face and follow with a light dusting on your forehead, nose and chin”- Mally Roncal, Mally Beauty

 

49. To get curls when you have straight hair, use the following, “a volumizer or volume thickening agent, a curl enhancing product, light holding finishing spray”- Vicktor Stevenson, Hair Stylist

48.”Foundation should never be heavy”- Aura Schwartz, makeup artist

47.”The right red [lipstick] will light up your hair, eyes and skin immediately, the wrong one will not.”-Poppy King, Lipstick Queen

46.Use a shimmer eye shadow to compliment a bold matte lip.

45.To revive curls mid-day, “Take a very small amount of pomade and put it in the palms of your hands. Rub them together. Next gently smooth the pomade over your curls and scrunch just a little bit”-Eugene Davis, celebrity hair stylist

44.”You should always go to a hair-removal specialist, where waxing, laser etc. is their main business – don’t go to a nail salon for a wax”- Cindy Barshop, Completely Bare and Bravo’s RHONYC

43.”A little silvery-blue eyeliner on the lower lid is very flirty”- Dimitri James, makeup artist, author and creator of Skinn Cosmetics

42. “Use your concealer as a base on your eyelids”-Melissa Silver, Maybelline makeup artist

41. If you’re not a fan of liquid liner, get the look of liquid eye liner by using a gel instead.


credit: yumenouta

40. Exfoliate before applying self tanner to get rid of dead skin. Tanning products tend to cling to dryer areas.

39. If you straighten your hair with a flat iron, cause less heat damage by letting hair air-dry. The less heat, the better!

38. To minimize pores, use a pore-minimizing facial wash followed by a toner. Make sure the toner is alchohol-free so it won’t dry out your skin.

37. The healthier you are, the healthier your hair! Take a daily multi-vitamin with Biotin to help hair grow.

36.To mask split ends, use an iron to straighten ends and then apply a hair repair cream.

35.There are always cheap, natural and effective homemade beauty recipes.

34.To fix brassy hair color, use a color-depositing shampoo with purple tones. For unwanted redness, use a color-depositer with a green tone.

33. To cover up roots in a hurry, use a dry shampoo spray for your hair color. If you don’t keep this product around, use eyeshadow (in a shade closest to your hair color) for a quick fix.

32. Get a “dewy glow” using a highlighter or illuminator above your cheekbones and on the browbone.

31. To contour cheeks, use a matte powder (a few shades darker than your skin tone) with an angled brush. Blend on temples and under cheek bone.

30.When using a cream product, lock it in by using a translucent powder over it.

29. Get quick volume by using a root lifter, then use hairspray to set hair. This will prevent it from fall flat during the day.

28. For makeup that lasts all day and night, use a makeup-sealing product.

27. To help you find the right shade of foundation, choose the product you think is closest to your color and try it on your jawline in natural light. You will be able to easily compare it to your neck’s color to see if you need to go for a different undertone, lighter or darker.

26. Try out the funky hair color trends without dying your hair. Instead, dust bright blush in your ponytail for the same effect. (Refinery29)

25. “Foot perspiration is typical in the summer and can lead to fungal infection and unwanted odor. Wash feet daily, and let them dry thoroughly before putting shoes on”- Dr. Leslie Campbell, DPM

24. Splurge on items that are important to you.”If mascara is really your thing and you fall in love with a mascara that ‘s $40, buy the mascara.”-Raychel Wade, founder of Cheek to Chic and La Prairie’s colour ambassador

23.”Don’t be too serious: It’s only Makeup! “- Francois NARS insists you play around with new colors

22. To reduce unwanted shine, use a moisturizer that mattifies, that way you get the moisture your skin needs without looking greasy.

21. To create a lived-in look for your hair, use thickening or sea-salt mist before you blow-dry. Follow by running a volumizing or texture cream through hair.

20. When using an eyeshadow primer, only place the primer where you’ll be adding color.

19.”Cream rouge [blush] should be the first thing that touches your cheeks when you want to project an image of healthy and pinched cheeks”- Pablo Manzoni, former creative director for Elizabeth Arden

18. If you choose to use false eyelashes, remember to use the dark glue as it will blend in with the lashes.

17.When buying “organic” beauty products, make sure to check if they are FDA certified organic. This will prevent you from getting scammed.

16. Use a facial exfoliater bi-weekly to get dead skin of dead skin. Makeup will look better on a clean, smooth canvas.

15. After using a a hair conditioning mask, follow with “a cold water rinse to close the hair cuticles”- Ursala Stephensen, Motions celebrity stylist

14. To get your braid to last all day, try styling hair that’s “dirty with product”. This will make the style stick longer.

13. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of any product build-up that may have occured during the week.

12. If you have chipped nail-polish, add crackle or glitter on top to disguise the look of chipping.

11. Use a pumice stone on your feet after the shower to get rid of calluses on your feet.


credit: silkegb

10. Hydrate your under-eye area with an eye cream to prevent puffiness and bags.

9. If you have light hair,”put a lotion over the eyebrows and hair line” when self-tanning the face. Also remember to “apply it in circular motions and blend down to the neck”- Sinead Norenius, founder of Beautisol

8. If you often find yourself being too tired to wash your face at night, keep makeup removing wipes in your night stand to prevent a runny mess or morning break out.

7. Pop 1-2 Advil before going waxing to prevent pain.

6. The best way to get rid of ingrown hairs is to exfoliate,”which rids the skin of dead cells and allows the hair to break through the surface”- Marlena Ramoy, Bliss Spa Esthetician

5. Carrots are good for the hair. A healthy diet leads to a beautiful you.

4.”The best time to apply creams is after the shower, as the skin has been de-oiled.”- Dr. Stephen P. Bracci

3. Replace mascara and liquid eyeliner after three to four months.

2. To keep hair color vibrant longer, use shampoos and conditioners formulated for colored hair.

1. Use a cream or milk cleanser to wash your face. Creams are less drying than gels.

Wow you made it this far! That’s a lot of tips, but there’s always more. Leave a comment below and share your favorite. Don’t forget to share this post with your friends!

Sunday, 9 December 2012

STRAIGHT FROM THE PROS: MAKEUP TIPS FOR THE AFRICAN WOMAN


Women of color have some of the most gorgeous skin tones but may find their makeup choices limiting -- Check out this guide featuring some of the best makeup tips and products for that perfect glow


When browsing the makeup counters at department stores, some women of color may find that not all cosmetics lines cater to their beauty needs. In other words, it can be difficult to find makeup for their skin. Some makeup lines simply do not have foundations that go dark enough, causing one to look washed out, while others may lack the colors that will show up on darker skin. Los Angeles Makeup artist Phil Ranger shares some African American makeup tips to help you achieve the ultimate look.

1)Face: Avoid makeup that is too light, as it can make skin look chalky. Yellow-based foundations work best for women with darker skin. The goal is to see the makeup disappear after applying it on your skin, with no visible boundary between. Test foundation colors in natural light -- if you have trouble finding the right color, try mixing two shades (one darker than your natural color and one lighter). When searching for blush or bronzer, brown and copper complement dark skin tones. A touch of shimmer will highlight cheekbones nicely.

2)Lips: Earth tones, neutrals, pinks and dark burgundy instantly add glam to lips. For a more natural look, dab on some lip-gloss. Choose a lip liner that is close to the shade of your lip-gloss or lipstick to avoid a dark outline.

3)Eyes: Shimmery and metallic eye shadows can look amazing against dark skin. Mixing two complimentary colors like gold and purple can boost the drama factor. The darker your skin, the brighter the colors you can pull off. Accentuate eyes with brown or black eyeliner. Black mascara will make eyelashes stand out. For extra pizzazz, try false eyelashes.

For those looking for the best makeup for dark women, there are several noteworthy lines. Supermodel Iman founded IMAN Cosmetics in 1994, a collection that features makeup for women of all shades. Cover Girl carries the Queen collection line, which actress Queen Latifah posing as the new face for the cosmetics. Cover Girl has some of the best makeup for African women, and includes everything from concealer to nail polish. M.A.C. is another popular brand that carries a variety of shades and bright shadows and lip colors to give darker skin that extra pop. Black Radiance is dedicated completely to women of color, and Fashion Fair is the oldest and most established makeup brand for black women. With these few tips am sure you will be concious when next you go shopping and also Tara and Diving make the best for Nigerian women because they aim at Nigeria because they are Nigerians. If you need me to direct you on where to get your makeup comment your location bellow.

Friday, 7 December 2012

HOW TO APPLY MASCARA!

Ace your mascara application with a 3-step process:
Step 1: Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots -- not the tips -- that gives the illusion of length.
Step 2: Pull the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go. The wiggling part is key because it separates lashes.
Step 3: In this final step (which I always skip), close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of lashes at the base and pull through to remove any clumps.