Woman Beauty Trends

Ways To Remove Unwanted Facial Hair

Unwanted facial hair has been a growing concern among women for a long time now. A smooth and silky hairless face is a dream of every woman that can maximize the beauty and appeal of their appearance. Moreover, facial hair has been a universal problem for transsexual women, which is also supposed to be one of the most difficult problems to solve. To combat these problems a number of methods have come to facilitate facial hair removal. Given below are some of the most common facial hair removal methods.

Application of Depilatory creams, lotions and gels

Using depilatory gels, lotions and creams for facial hair removal is one of the common and popular methods. The structure of the facial hair is altered by the chemical substance present in these creams and lotions to facilitate the removal of the hair. It is crucial to ensure the quality of the cream or the lotion before applying it on the facial skin because the chemical used in them can cause irritation to the skin. Therefore, use only those products that are specifically formulated for facial applications. It is recommended to perform a test on a small area of the facial skin to check how your skin reacts to the chemical and then apply it. Always follow the directions of use for preventing chemical burns or irritation.

Waxing

Waxing can be very effective for removing unwanted facial hair. If you choose to opt for waxing, consider doing it every 4 to 6 weeks. Before using the wax test a small area of the facial skin to detect allergic reaction. Never apply wax on irritated or sunburned skin.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is considered to be one of the most popular and effective methods of permanent hair removal. This method uses electric current to destroy the hair roots permanently. However, electrolysis may require several treatments over a period of time to follow, as each hair follicle needs to be destroyed individually.

Laser

Permanent Facial hair removal through laser needs to be done specifically by a licensed professional. Although time-consuming and expensive, laser treatments may not be a permanent solution for removing unwanted facial hair. Depending on the thickness of your facial hair and skin type it is best to consult a professional before opting for a Laser treatment.

Shaving

Although shaving is adopted as one of the easiest and quickest solution to remove facial hair, it is not recommended for women, as the hair tends to come back very rapidly. Moreover, the use of razor may not be ideal on the sensitive facial skin, which might lead to irritation or other skin problems.

Tweezing

Tweezing involves the plucking out of the unwanted facial hair from the root. Although it takes a longer time for the hair to grow back after tweezing, it can be painful at times to pluck out the hair. However, tweezing is preferred over shaving.

Tips

Consider using a lotion that contains alpha-hydroxy acid after using any of the above mentioned facial hair removal treatments to exfoliate skin, which prevents ingrown hairs.
If none of the methods seem to be effective, bleach the hair for an easy and safe way to conceal unwanted facial hair.

It is only natural for human nature to desire for an appealing appearance. Walking towards the path of natural beauty is not difficult if you really desire for it. You need to discipline yourself to attain that glow on your face. If you think availing the natural beauty products will be instrumental for achieving the best skin, best hair or the best body, then you are wrong.

Natural beauty is a combination of natural beauty products, natural beauty care regimens, good nutrition and definitely physical exertion.

Before jumping on the bandwagon of several natural beauty treatments, it is necessary for you to understand your skin type and the changes that you wish to make for your look. Accept your unique qualities and make the most of it by using natural beauty products or even following natural beauty tips. It is not necessary to run around searching for beauty in expensive beauty products, instead explore the “natural goodness” of ingredients from your kitchen and refrigerator.

There are many ways to experience the real natural beauty without getting obsessive for achieving beauty as an award. Get an idea about natural skin care regime through the following:

A beautiful face is not complete without beautiful hair. Therefore, it is important to follow natural hair care tips for keeping your hair grounded and soft.
Skin is responsible for our appearance and is vulnerable to lot of problems. The good news is, regular natural skin care tips can resolve most of the skin problems.
Some of the body parts remain neglected, as the face is one of the most pampered parts of the body. Do not be partial with your natural goodness of homemade recipes and restrict to face only. Follow natural body care tips diligently and feel the difference.
It is better to wind up your natural beauty treatments with natural hand care and natural foot care, because hands and feet are as important as your face.

When you look amazing, it reveals the love and care you have for yourself. Let the spark light within as you shine brightly.

Caution: Be careful about skin allergies; consult a skin specialist if necessary.

There is some basic information you need to know before you start looking at short latest hair styles or wondering if you should go blonde or keep your black hair.

Styles are determined by hair type, facial configuration, and length of cut. Short hair means those cuts that fall above the jaw line. Long hair styles fall below the shoulders.
Different hair styles within those parameters of short and long work for different kinds of hair, different facial features, and different occasions. Bridal hair styles will be different from teen hair styles and the latest hair styles may not be the best for you just because they’re currently in.

The latest hair style that’s “in” for you should be the one that best matches your facial features. It’s always best to be armed with some basic information before you make any changes from cut to hair color. Salon consultations are the best route, but there are basic rules of thumb by which anyone can be guided. The following text contains information about the latest women hair styles along with good expert styling tips

Curly Longing to be Straight

Because curly hair tends to get frizzy, it can present annoying styling problems. Using hair spray to spritz the hair before shaping it with the fingers or with a brush works but be aware that the alcohol in the spray will dry your hair and make the frizziness worse. The more you use hair spray the more you will need to moisturize your hair.

Select a wide tooth comb to work on tangles in straight, gentle, downward strokes. Don’t jerk the hair or work at it vigorously with a brush. You’ll damage the outer cuticle of the hair and increase its tendency to get tangled. Never brush wet hair. If possible, let your hair air dry.

Since hair style selection is based largely on facial shape, curly hair, which has good volume and body, can be coaxed into almost any style, especially when straightening products or accessories like a flat iron are used. Straightening products contain harsh chemicals and mechanical straightening implements that generate heat can burn the hair. Always moisturize and condition your curly hair when using these products.

Just as a general rule, the best curly hair styles are short. These cuts take advantage of your hair’s natural body and can be charmingly low maintenance. The longer the length of your curly hair the more problems you will have with it and the greater its tendency to tangle and to break.

Straight Longing to Curl

Straight hair can be of any type and texture. It can be cut into short or long lengths. The major problem is that straight hair often just won’t curl. Unfortunately women with straight hair usually wish they had curly hair just as those with curly hair long for straight, silky tresses. That’s usually where the trouble starts.

The degree of curl in hair is determined by the chemistry of the hair. Sulfur atoms in hair proteins join together in disulfide bonds. If the two atoms are far apart when they join, they literally bend the hair. If they are close together, the hair remains straight. By using a group of chemicals known as permanent wave solution, the cuticle of the hair is penetrated so the disulfide bonds can be broken down and replaced with new ones with greater distance between the atoms. The result is curly hair that will stay curly until new growth appears at the roots and begins to loosen the hair.

Permanents are the only long-term way to coax stubborn straight hair into wavier styles but they are hard on the hair. Shorter term solutions would be curling irons or rollers. By the end of the day, new hair styled with these implements tends to relax and if the day is humid, the increased moisture in the hair will cause any curl achieved to fall rapidly.

Your straight hair can be worn stylishly long and braided or put up in various knots and twists. Conversely stubbornly straight hair lends itself beautifully to extremely short hair styles. In the medium range of length, however, where more body is required to hold shape, extremely straight hair does not perform as well. If curls are your heart’s desire, it’s time to get a permanent and to begin a rigorous regiment of moisturizing and replenishing your hair to prevent chemical damage.

Special Hair Challenges for African Americans

African Americans face some special challenges with their hair because, unlike Europeans, the individual shafts of their hair are flat and roll into tight curls with a tendency to frizz. Consequently African American women tend to use chemical relaxing agents on their hair with regularity, making moisturizing and conditioning an absolute must.

While smooth, sleek latest hairstyles are more difficult for African American women to achieve they are not impossible thanks to relaxers and to implements like flat irons. The upside of the tighter quality of African American hair is that it responds well to braiding and weaving and will hold sculpted styles that are almost impossible for European hair unless the hair is practically lacquered into place.

African American women should tie up their hair at night or sleep with a scarf or cap to help prevent tangling and breakage. Most do not need to wash their hair more than once a week with deep conditioning only once a month. As little heat as possible should be applied to the hair and avoid alcohol based hair sprays and gels. Minimize the amount of “product” in your hair as much as possible.

In our part of the world New Year is usually associated with weddings and this year is no different. Wedding season is in full swing these days – one hardly sees any vacant marriage hall. It’s that time of the year when designers have no time to take further orders tailors are in demand, when caterers are all booked, and beauticians are all busy decking up those pretty brides. You! got lucky to get hold of renowned beautician Angie Marshall who despite her hectic schedule spared some time to share her expertise with us.”This season bridal makeup is blended and the base is subtle. You can say that the buzz word in bridal makeup today is ‘blending’. Today’s brides are more aware and they want to look naturally beautiful and no one likes to have the ‘plastered’ look. The wedding colour trend for 2008 will bring a fashionable new colour scheme and a monochromatic colour palette for brides to select from,” shares Angie.

According to her, in 2008 brighter and dark shades will be used in makeup. ”Chocolate brown is also a colour which has been, and will continue to be popular next year. Chocolate brown is also a neutral colour which pairs nicely with both yellow and orange.”

”Makeup trends include matte foundation for the face. From dark red to deep browns and pinks, lip colours are vibrant and flashy. This season there is much emphasis on eyes – take your pick of bold red, green, blue and even yellow. You can balance out this look with black eyeliner,” she adds.

As far as hair is concerned she predicts that there will be fusion of colours like blonde with chocolate brown. ”Personally I don’t like flat colours and I like to play with them. Though soft curls are in vogue, women here still go for straight hair.”

To give our readers a fair idea of what brides want to be like and how they should look, Angie has taken gorgeous Rubab as a model bride. ”I have tried to give Rubab a very traditional yet contemporary look. Since she has a flawless skin it was easy for me to do her makeup. As you can see in the pictures I have paid special attention to eyes,” says Angie.

When doing bridal makeup Angie always takes care of bride’s preference. ”We (makeup artists) should keep in mind that it’s her big day and she should be given a free hand. We should not act like dictators. While doing bridal makeup I keep the bride’s fearures and clothes in mind. I believe that bride’s jewellery and makeup should complement each other. If the wedding ‘jora’ is too heavy then the makeup should be subtle and vice versa.”

Angie truly advocates radiant skin. ”You should take care of your skin and should have regular facials for if your skin is good then the makeup looks automatically good on you. Here, brides normally expect beauticians to make them beautiful. Well, we cannot do wonders in one day. If you really want to glow on your big day then you may as well start pampering your skin from now,” advises Angie.

She also shares some useful beauty tips for the brides-to-be. ”In winters we should try to keep our skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Also using an eye cream is a must. And before going to bed never forget to clean your skin with a good cleanser. These are simple things to do but the benefits are long term.”

Keep in mind that if you draw your colour inspiration from nature, and the season you are marrying in, your wedding will be beautiful. Colours drawn from nature are always fashionable, yet timeless. Ultimately, the colour you select for your wedding should be something you are comfortable with. Select colours you will be able to enjoy in your photographs for years to come.

Secret #1: Blending is key

Ok, well I sorta knew this, but I wasn’t sure HOW TO BLEND. You use three different colors: The base, usually a very light taupe, a highlighter for the crease and a main color for the lid, but how to get them to look as if they merge into each other like the colors of a rainbow?

My secret: Start light then go darker. Brush the base color, apply the lid color and THEN apply the highlighter. Also, don’t be too heavy-handed or you’ll have to start over. Extra tip: Practice makes perfect. Play with your makeup a few days before a big event.

Secret #2: Choose shadows that make the color of your eyes pop

Gone are the days when beauty experts advised against blue shadow. Matching the color of your eye with a shadow actually brings the color out (think blue shadow on blue eyes). At the same time, contrasting colors make eyes pop too (think a deep jeweled blue shadow on deep brown eyes).

Secret #3: Never cover your browbone with deep color — unless you’re doing a cover shoot for Vogue

You don’t want the drama too much shadow brings. Apply shadow up to the browbone but don’t apply shadow ON the bone unless it’s a neutral color or a highlighter.

Secret #4: Highlighter can make or break your look

When applying dark shadow to the crease of your eye, be careful to blend only on the outside edge. Get to close to the eye and you’ll cause your eyes to look teeny and beady.

Secret #5: Set shadow with a great base

Primers are super hot right now because they help set makeup that stays for hours. I’ve found the secret to keeping shadow in place for hours is a shadow base. Almost everyone makes them but I swear by MAC Paints.

Secret #6: Shimmer is hot, but plays up wrinkles

Shimmer makes eyes really pop, but it also highlights heavy lids, lines and wrinkles. A great look for shimmer is to create a ‘nude’ lid, but apply a bit of gold shimmer to the browbone. Gorgeous!

Secret #7: Smokey is great, but keep it to the lid

Making up a smokey eye? Keep color to the lid and just under the lower lashline. Don’t extend color above the crease.

Secret #8: How to pair shadow with red lips

Remember the beauty rule ‘Thou Shalt Not Play up the Lips AND the Mouth.’ If you’re going for dramatic red lips (never out of fashion), cover unsightly blue lines on lids with a concealer or shadow primer and then keep eyeshadow light.

Secret #9: Make eyes brighter with white

A dot of white shadow or pencil on the inside of the eye near the tear duct will make eyes look brighter.

Secret #10: Go for color Taupe and lavender look great on all eye colors. Also consider mixing shades if you bought a color that’s just too bold for you. Mixing an electric blue with taupe can turn out the most perfect color

Your bridal makeup will be captured forever in your wedding photos. Therefore, it’s very important to plan your bridal makeup look well in advance.

Here are some wedding day makeup tips that will have you looking picture perfect.

Hire a professional makeup artist. The expense of using a professional is well worth it. On your wedding day, you will be nervous and won’t want to do your makeup yourself. Relying on a friend or family member isn’t the best option. If you can afford it, hire a makeup pro.
Have a pre-wedding consultation a few weeks before you wedding. Most professional makeup artists include one consultation as part of their pricing. Bring a swatch from your wedding dress and pictures of how you will be wearing your hair. Doing so will give the makeup artist an idea of what he or she will be working with on your wedding day.
Apply a primer under your foundation to help your makeup last longer. Also use a primer on your eyelids to prevent eye shadow from creasing or melting.
Use waterproof mascara.
Keep eye makeup natural and light. You don’t want to look like a raccoon in photos.
Fill in your lips with lip pencil before applying lipstick. This will give your lipstick a good base to help the color last.
Place a towel over your head when putting on your gown. This way you can avoid getting cosmetics on your wedding dress.
Have blotting papers or powdered rice papers on hand. These convenient papers can eliminate shine on your wedding day.
Put Vaseline on your front teeth. This trick will stop lipstick from getting on your teeth, which can ruin photo

The use of fragrances is an art that is as old as civilization itself. The secrets of perfumery began its development in ancient Egypt, and it was then enhanced and spread to the world by the Romans and the Arabians.

Why do we, men and women alike, use fragrances? To that question, there are many answers. Some use fragrances as a form of personal _expression, a way of making a statement about his- or herself without saying a word. Others use perfumes to make themselves more attractive and create a more favorable impression on others. Still others use perfumes to enhance their mood and to improve their general well-being.

We all have reasons for using fragrances. But before you head out to buy a bottle of scent, did you know that our bodies have a unique scent signature that makes us take easily to some types of perfumes, but not to others? So, a kind of perfume that is great on, say, your best friend may not work out for you. Our scent signature is the particular chemistry of our body, and our body chemistry is strongly affected by our diet, our lifestyle choices (whether we drink or smoke or exercise regularly), the medication that we take (if we are taking any), and other factors. Our skin type and general coloring also dictates which type of scent will smell good on us. With this in mind, what then is the best way to go about choosing what fragrances will work for us? In selecting a type of perfume, there are three keys that you should remember: theme, notes and concentration.

Theme, also known as accord, is what differentiates one fragrance from another. The theme of a perfume depends on its base, and there are four basic scent bases:

Citrus. Citrus-based perfumes are light and fresh. They are made from citrus fruits like oranges, mandarins, lemons and bergamots.
Floral. Floral scents are based on flowers, either from a single flower or a mix of different kinds. Flowery perfumes are sweet and strong.
Earth. Perfumes with an earth base are made from minerals or from plants other than flowers. Sample earth bases are sandalwood, honey, cinnamon and vanilla. Earth-based scents are simple yet mysterious.
Musk. Musk bases are taken from the odorous sacs of animals, particularly the Asian musk deer and the civet. However, because of ethical issues, perfume companies now create musk scents synthetically. Musk fragrances are heavy and sexy.

The basic concept of any eyeshadow design is to shape and shade in well blended progression of light to dark colors. Keep in mind that light colors will highlight or emphasize shallow areas. In contrast, dark colors will recede or minimize fuller, more prominent areas. Always load your brushes with a small amount of color since it is easier to add more eyeshadow than to remove it.

You can do your eyes first and then apply foundation or concealer to the rest of the face afterwards. This will allow you to remove any eyeshadow which may have flaked onto the area underneath your eyes, avoiding a lot of frustration.

Listed below are instructions on how to apply a 2-, 3-, and 4-color eyeshadow design. Whether you want to use just two or up to four colors (more than four tends to get too complicated and the results tend to be muddy-looking unless blending is extremely precise) this step-by-step guide will help you create a classic look which you can tone down or build upon.

It is best to finish every eye design with eyeliner and mascara.

NOTE: Please refer to the eye illustration on this page for placement of shades.

Two-color design: The goal of this classic, common design is to apply a lighter eyeshadow color to the lid area and a deeper color in the crease slightly blending it upward. Applying the lighter color to the entire lid will make your lid look larger and brighter thus creating a rested appearance. You may also reverse this order, which can be helpful for those with large eyelids or protruding eyes.

Recommended Paula’s Choice Soft Matte Eyeshadow colors to be used as a base color are:

Chiffon
Shell
Cream
Nearly Nude
Beige
Beach

The best colors for use in the crease are:

Beach
Tan
Malt
Nougat
Twilight
Granite
Pale Suede
Smoky Taupe

How-to: Using Paula’s Choice Large Eyeshadow Brush or Shadow Softening Brush apply the lighter color to the base of the lashes and blend all the way up to the brow. Next, use Paula’s Choice Crease Defining Brush or Precision Shadow Brush to apply the second shade in the crease, blending up and out toward the outer corner of the eye along the edge of where the brow bone begins. Keeping the second color in and just slightly above the crease will create a natural highlight under the brow’s arch while shading the outer corner of the eye.

TIP: To find the perfect area to place your brush, look straight ahead into a mirror, find the highest point of your eyebrow, and then follow an imaginary vertical line going down toward the eye’s crease. Set the brush down into the crease precisely on the imaginary line and begin blending in a slightly outward direction that follows the true crease and just above, to where the brow bone begins. Next, move inward (think windshield-wiper motion) in the crease and along the edge of the brow bone. Do not blend all the way into the inner corner of the eye unless your eyes are noticeably wide-set.

Suggestion: For a softer, more diffused effect after crease color is applied, use the Soft Blending Brush without any eyeshadow and blend using soft circular motions along the outer part of the crease.

Three-color design: This design builds on the two-color design detailed above, but adds a third, darker color for shading the outside corner of the eye.
Examples of such colors from the Paula’s Choice Soft Matte Eyeshadow palette include:

Hazelnut
Charcoal Brown
Moonlit
Smoky Taupe
Graphite
Any of Paula’s Choice Soft Matte Eyeshadow Trio also work great for this design.

How-to: Follow the directions and refer to the diagram for the two-color eye design above. Once that is done, use Paula’s Choice Crease Defining Brush, Angled Shadow Brush or Precision Shadow Brush to apply the third shade to the true crease area, so none of the darkest shade is actually on the eyelid or to the back corner of the eye, where some of the color is blended down onto the outer third of the eyelid and also into the crease.

TIP: When applying color in the eye’s crease, be sure to blend out and slightly up rather than following the downward curve of the eye.

Four-color design: This design builds on the two- and three- color designs detailed above, but adds a fourth color for more intense shading. In this design, the third color is typically applied in the crease and slightly onto the back corner of the eye. The fourth (darkest) color is skillfully applied to the back corner. Combined, this look creates shape, shading, and movement.

Paula’s Choice Soft Matte Eyeshadow to consider for the darkest colors include:

Charcoal Brown
Hazelnut
Graphite

How-to: Follow the directions for the three-color eye design described above. The fourth color is best applied with Paula’s Choice Precision Shadow Brush or, for those with large eyelids, Small Eyeshadow Brush. Apply the color using small strokes over the back corner of the eyelid only. This look is easy to get wrong until you’ve had sufficient practice, so do take time to experiment to build confidence in achieving this look. You may wish to use the third color again in the crease, to intensify the effect.

TIP: Every eye design above should be followed by eyeliner and mascara. Paula’s Choice Constant Color Gel Eyeliner is a favorite for its ease of application and long wear. It is best applied along the upper lash line with our Precision Liner Brush or Eyeliner Brush, depending on your preference. Those who prefer lining eyes with powder (great for creating a softer look for the lower lash line) can select the following shades from Paula’s Choice Soft Matte Eyeshadow:

Charcoal Brown
Hazelnut
Graphite
The darkest shade from any Paula’s Choice Soft Matte Eyeshadow Trio

More tips:

Matte powder eyeshadows in an array of neutral tones from light to dark are your best bets for a classic, sophisticated eye design that accents the shape and color of your eyes.
Adding shine is best for the brow bone only, especially if you have wrinkles around the eye or your eyelid skin is less than taut. There are many good powder eyeshadows that impart a soft, subtle shine to highlight this area.
Unless you’re using just one eyeshadow color, use at least two eyeshadow brushes for application.
Prep the eyelid and under-brow area with a matte-finish concealer, foundation, and/or powder before applying eyeshadow. This ensures a smooth, even application and (if you have fair to medium skin) will also neutralize the red and blue coloration of the eyelid.
Tap off any excess eyeshadow from your brush before applying-this will prevent over-application and minimize flaking eyeshadow.
If you really want to make the color of your eyes pop, choose a contrasting color in a soft tone and apply this to the lids. Blue eyes come alive with pale peach or cantaloupe hues, green eyes seem richer with light bronze or caramel tones, hazel eyes become more alluring with chestnut and golden brown shades, and brown eyes are nicely accented by almost all neutral tones.

When applying blush, you want the color to look soft and natural, as if it comes from within. Read below for tips on how to put on make-up.

1. Tap or lightly blow on the applicator brush to remove any excess blush before applying to prevent a harsh and uneven application.
2. Apply your blush on the apple of the cheek and carefully blend towards your natural hairline.
3. If you have two shades, apply the darker one on the apple of the cheek first, then use the lighter shade to highlight. Blend well so there is no visible line between colors.
4. Highlight your temples, forehead and chin.

Tip: To know “where to glow” bend over for 30 seconds, then slowly stand up. Where your cheeks are flushed is where you are meant to blush. Apply your blush there and it will be naturally rosy every time.

Tip: Cheek color should be used to enhance your complexion, not to change your natural skin tone. Use sparingly for daytime, then add more or a deeper shade for a more dramatic nighttime effect. For special occasions, dust a lightly frosted powder over your cheekbones for a subtle but alluring glow.

Tip: Make sure to blend your blush into your foundation well or it will tend to look unnatural and add the appearance of 5 years to your looks.

Applied properly, foundation can make any complexion seem healthy and flawless. The aim is to leave the skin looking as natural and unmade-up as possible. Before you start, think hard about your complexion, as you may not need to apply base over the entire face.

When choosing a foundation, take into consideration your skin type, the amount of coverage you require and the kind of finish you are after. And remember, foundation is one of those products you wear every day, so making the right investment at the beginning will pay off.

The word foundation means exactly that: It is the foundation, the basis, of your makeup routine. If it isn’t right, your whole look may be off. Foundations are either oil or water based. Some skin experts will tell you that if you have oily skin, you should use a water-based foundation, and if you have dry skin, use an oil-based one.

It is important to choose a foundation similar in color to your own skin. This is really easy-it is a matter oftrial and error, and will take at the most an hour of your time in a department store or makeup center. Try one color on the inside of your wrist (never on your face-that is a good way to spread bacteria) and walk around for a few minutes. Now look at the shade again, and then try another one. It is well worth the time to find a foundation that will look good on you.

If you think you will be interested in contouring and or highlighting your features, you need to buy another foundation a shade lighter than the one that matches your skin, and one that is three shades darker than your basic color. Again, a good cosmetician or a salesperson in a cosmetics department can help you choose the colors you will need.

SHOPPING FOR FOUNDATION

To find the perfect foundation for your particular colouring, apply three suitable shades in strips across the cheek and jawbone. You are looking for the one that literally disappears into the skin. Your foundation should blend with the skin tone of the neck and not the face, as this is where it has to work down to. If you can’t find the correct colour, custom-blended foundations are available.

When you try a new shade, check it in natural light. You should always aim to apply your make-up in daylight, so if this is not going to be possible invest in a natural daylight bulb (these can be found in lighting stores and some professional make-up outlets).

When trying a new foundation, always wait fifteen minutes before reaching a decision as the oil on your skin and the air can conspire to darken the shade you have chosen.

FOUNDATION ESSENTIALS

When looking for a new foundation, bear in mind that it should contain a sun protection factor of at least 15 for daily use. This should then be increased in summer, as the sun is responsible for 10 per cent of premature ageing. Antioxidants will also help protect the skin from visible signs of ageing, and light-reflecting pigments will give a flattering finish, taking attention away from any dark circles and sallow-looking areas, while adding instant luminosity.

SKIN TYPES FOR CHOOSING FOUNDATION

If you have sensitive skin, look for formulations which do not contain potential irritants such as fragrance, chemical sunscreens and alpha hydroxyl acids. Mature, dry skins will benefit from rich, creamy foundations which contain emollients to boost the skin’s moisture content and antioxidants to protect from environmental damage.

Oily, problem skins will benefit from oil-free formulations which are enriched with oil absorbers to keep unsightly shine at bay. Normal skins can wear any sort of foundation. In hot, humid weather, every skin type will benefit from an oil-free foundation.

HOW TO APPLY FOUNDATION – EXPERT ADVICE

To apply foundation, start from the centre of the face, dotting on to the cheeks and forehead and blending outwards, first making sure your fingertips or make-up sponges are spotlessly clean. Gently blot the skin with a tissue to remove any excess product or surface oil. Never drag the skin if you are using your fingertips to apply cosmetics.

Smooth foundation over the lips and eyelids to act as a base for lip and eye products. If you’re not very good at blending foundation, try applying it with a make-up sponge. After smoothing on, moisten the fingertips and then work over the neckline to remove any signs of haphazard application.

Hair Care for Curly Hair: Curly hair is prone to dryness therefore you should use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. After washing your hair and towel drying it, apply 4 to 6 drops of silicone-based shine serum and then detangle your hair with your fingers. Allow to air dry.

Hair Care for Wavy Hair: Use shine enhancing shampoo and conditioner. After towel drying, separate the wet stands with a wide tooth comb and use some silicon based shine-enhancing spray from ends to the roots of your hair. Blow dry your hair and direct air down the hair shaft and seal the cuticle.
Hair Care for Straight Hair: Straight hair tends to lie flat against your scalp when it accumulates grease. Use a deep-cleaning shampoo and apply a clarifying gel treatment to the roots once a week to prevent oil buildup. After drying your hair use flatiron for shiny hair.

Hair fiber has no color, bleach any hair and the fiber looks white simply because it reflects light. Hair color is provided by pigments produced by cells called “melanocytes”. The pigments are called “melanin”. Melanin actually means black so strictly speaking we should only use this word when talking about black hair. However, today scientists and dermatologists use the word melanin when talking about any kind of hair pigment blonde, red, brown, or black.

So black hair is the result of a very high production of eumelanin which is very densely packed into the hair fiber. Brown hair comes in various shades and richness of color but basically people with brown hair have a somewhat lower density of eumelanin in their hair fiber. The warmer, richer tones of brown hair are due to a greater presence of red – yellow pheomelanin. So the relative quantities of eumelanin versus pheomelanin in brown hair increase the heterogeneity of brown colored hair. People with blonde have eumelanin in their hair fiber as for black haired people but the eumelanin is present at a very low density. Plain blonde hair is predominantly eumelanin while richer honey blonde hair has relatively more of the yellow red pheomelanin present. Red haired people have a high density of the pheomelanin pigments in their hair fiber. Those who produce virtually no eumelanin have a red to orange color depending on the density of the pigment in the hair fiber. Red haired people who have a greater relative proportion of eumelanin production have a deeper red to red brown color. Gray hair is essentially the result of reduced pigment production. The contrast between the hair with more color and the hair with less color, causes the appearance we call gray hair.

It may sound a bit odd but your hair is a mixture of 3 colors; red yellow, and blue. These are the primary colors. Secondary colors are orange, green, and violet. If you look at the “wheel” a color opposite (directly across) will “negate” that color. This means if your hair is orange color – blue will make it a brown/black color. If you hair has a yellow tone, violet will cancel it out.

One of the most important elements of hair coloring is determining the hairs’ “underlying pigment” (the hairs’ natural color.) When you chose a color in a swatch book, your hair may not come out that color because of the underlying pigment in your hair.

Types of Hair Color

Temporary – Color lasts from one shampoo to the next and is deposited on the outside of the hair shaft.
Semi-Temporary – Color lasts up to 4-6 shampoos. Usually contain no ammonia and does not have a developer.
Demi Permanent – Color usually contains little or no ammonia and utilizes a low peroxide developer (under 10 vol.) the color lasts about 6 weeks and fades gradually back to the natural shade.
Semi-Permanent – Color usually contains some ammonia and uses a developer of 10 to 20 vol.
Permanent – Color formulas change the natural hair color. They require maintenance to new hair growth after 4 to 6 weeks.

Natural Henna Hair Color: The henna plant is native to Asia and the Mediterranean coast of Africa and thrives in warmer climates all over the world. The leaves are harvested, dried, and ground into a fine powder. Henna contains hennotannic acid, a dye that bonds with the collagen in skin cells and keratin of fingernails and hair, leaving behind a coloring.

Natural Indigo Plant: Indigo’s botanical name is Indigofera tinctoria found in India and other sub-tropical countries. A blue dyestuff is obtained from the various species of Indigofera readily soluble in water. It is a very well-known and highly important dye, millions of pounds being exported from India annually.

Hair Color Tips

Wet your hair with bottled spring water before getting in a chlorine pool. It will dilute the harsh chemicals.
Be careful in the sun. Please use hats, scarves or products with sunscreens to help protect against color fade and the drying effects of the sun. Great for the beach, leave-in conditioners generally contain sunscreens to protect against color fade.
Shampoo gently with a shampoo specially created for color-treated hair.
Use color enhancing conditioners as color grows out to help blend root areas.
Don’t brush hair when wet. Comb with a wide-tooth comb, working tangles out as you move from the ends toward the scalp.
Don’t over dry. When you blow dry, dry the hair until it is almost, but not completely, dry. Leave some moisture in to prevent static.

The chilling cold in the air from the sudden change of seasons can leave your skin chapped and devastatingly dry. Winter atmosphere is notorious for scarcity of humidity, compounded by indoor heating which is winter’s most vicious skin-drying scoundrel.

Winter often spells disaster for your skin. It looks rough and chapped, feels tight and drawn. What should be one of your greatest assets becomes one of your biggest beauty problems. You have to take extra care for your skin during this season and with our tips you will find that having a beautiful skin is not that difficult after all.

Your mission: remove less oil and moisture, and add extra oil and moisture as needed.

Keep your whole body hydrated. Drink approximately 64 ounces or more of water daily. Limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you intake; these act as diuretics releasing fluid from the body.

Protect your skin from sun damage. Apply sunblock, preferably SPF 25 or higher, as a part of your daily skin care routine all year long. Remember to apply to all parts of your body that will be exposed during the day: face, arms, neck, etc.

Take warm-not hot showers or baths or at least reduce the amount of time. While this may not seem best during the cold winters it will actually help prevent the amount of natural acid mantel that is stripped off by the hot water which leads to dry skin. A soak in a warm bath amply infused with sweet almond or jojoba oil would be a soothing and skin-nourishing way to end the day.

Ditch your usual soap and use an emollient-rich beauty bar, such as Dove or Oil of Olay. Cleanse gently and don’t soap up dry parts such as legs and arms.

Smooth on body oil or lotion as soon as you get out of the shower, to trap in the shower’s moisture. Apply petroleum jelly on problem areas to seal in moisture and heal very dry skin. This includes your face — petroleum jelly is noncomedogenic (it won’t clog your pores) and very soothing.

The eyes are the window to the soul, and the skin around them is no exception. That is why it is easy to tell a person’s age by how wrinkled or bright the skin around their eyes looks. There are many reasons for wrinkle development – the sun, the wind, and even the cold can all cause wrinkle formation. A person’s genetics also plays a role in how wrinkles form, an anti wrinkle eye cream may be a good option to consider treating the development of lines and wrinkles if it’s too late for you to prevent them completely.

Skin can also be strengthened with natural extracts like algae, which encourage new tissue to grow and revs up the natural skin cells. A product with multiple natural ingredients is a good place to start, and is also a product that will be more gentle on your skin.

The best formulation to look for is the nano-lipid form, which permeates through the skin instead of laying on it, which will do little to achieve the effect you’re looking for. Anti wrinkle eye creams containing CoQ10 help to firm up and regenerate the skin around the eyes by combating free radicals and slowing the oxidation of cells. Skin hydration also helps improve the appearance of wrinkles, and the creams with the best results use plant-based oils such as Babassu oil or orange essential oil to moisturize.

There are some ingredients to stay away from when looking for an anti wrinkle eye cream, however. Your skin can get dried out from Parabens, which can lead to disease. Pores can get clogged from mineral oils, and this can stop your skin from being hydrated and refreshing itself.

Even synthetic fragrances, which are a pleasant-smelling touch but not necessary, have been found to be cancer causing. Be sure to avoid these ingredients, and stick instead to natural ones that haven’t been tested on animals.

You can amp up the results you get by drinking a lot of water, and maintaining a healthy diet and a consistent exercise program. Be sure to invest in a good sunscreen, too. The right one provides protection against all kinds of UV rays and helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Large, dark sunglasses can also help reduce crow’s feet, and hey, they look good too!

Do your research into the available products, and make sure what you’re reading is from credible sources, like a dermatologist or medical professional. Compare the ingredients, and be sure to look for CoQ10, or Coenzyme 10, a key antioxidant that helps heal skin tissue and aids with hydration.

Inform yourself before you shop. Pick a product with natural ingredients, one that will support the soft skin around your eyes and refresh your skin. The best anti wrinkle eye cream for you is one that works with your body- not one that harms it.

Lips tend to dry out the fastest at this time of year. Be sure to keep them covered with a good lip balm applied several times during the day. Warm sesame oil will also soothe your lips . Avoid licking your lips and don’t bite the skin on the surface of your lips. The skin will never have a chance to heal if you chew on it. This is a hard habit to break but well worth the effort. Lip balms are now commonly available with an SPF factor as well to protect them from the harmful rays.

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