Posted on Sep 27, 2011 in Beauty
Eyeshadow can enhance beautiful eyes, making quite ordinary eyes look really glamorous. There are a number of types of eye shadows to choose from and preference will be influenced by the overall effect and wearability. Powder is by far the most popular choice. It’s easy to blend with other shadows so you can achieve really great depth and color and they have great staying power. Eye creams are easy to apply and you don’t have to pay so much attention to detail when applying them, favored by many because of ease of application. Gloss is also easy to apply but adds shine rather then depth of color, so may require several coats.
Do your eye makeup application before you prepare your base. This way any mistakes can easily be rectified and any spillage on the cheeks can be dusted away with out smudging your foundation. Another eye makeup trick that makeup artists use, is to apply a thick layer of loose powder under the eyes and onto the upper cheekbone to catch any excess shadows, dusting any excess away with a powder brush
For a classic sophisticated eye makeup look choose eye shadows that come in neutral tones. The more dramatic the shading the more the eyes will be emphasized and often too much color around the eyes can cause overkill. Too much dark eye shadow and eyeliner can make the eyes recede and appear smaller
Powder eye shadows should be applied exclusively with brushes. that are specifically designed for your eye makeup application. The size of the brush should match the size of the eye and angled brushes should be used to help you have control when applying your eye shadow in those hard to reach areas.
Use the flat of your brush against your eye when applying eye shadow. Use long strokes in one direction across the eyelid and up into the crease. This action of laying strips across the eye will help to gently layer your shadow helping to create a well blended design
When using eyeliner pencil once you have finished apply a small amount of eye shadow over your eyeliner to help set it and prevent it from smudging. Another great tip is to apply eye shadow with a damp angled brush which can be used as an eyeliner
If you have mature skin and are worried about fine lines and wrinkles it is best to avoid any iridescent or creamy eye shadows, as they can draw attention to lines and will have a tendency to sit in creases
Mascara can really help to give lashes definition. If you have thinning or small lashes then use an eye shadow and really work it into the lashes, layering as you go which will help to give definition. Then with your mascara brush begin at the base of the lash and quickly move the brush up through the lash to the tip and repeat if you want more coverage. This way you will prevent clumping and help lashes to look longer and thicker.
To complete your look you need to give your eyebrows some attention, as they can really help to frame a face and will make such a difference to your overall makeup look. Before you start tweeze your lashes draw on the shape you want with a brow pencil. Once you are happy with the loo,k it makes it much easier to pluck the brows. Eyebrow pencils are great for helping to define your eyebrows, but be sure to only use a color that is as close to your natural hair color as possible, otherwise they will look unnatural.
Posted on Sep 19, 2011 in Beauty
Our eyes and lips are the most important and expressive features on our face and they are usually the first features that people notice about us. Before you begin any makeup application think carefully about the overall look you want to achieve and how best to enhance these features:
- If you are thinking about using a number of different eye shadows to create a layering effect, be sure to prep the eye first in order to prevent any smudging from occurring. Applying foundation or primer on to the eyelid to set the base first will also help to set makeup in place. Once you have completed this step then apply a sweep of powder or primer across the lashes, helping to boost the mascara and give it ultra staying power.
- Unless you want to go all out and create a really dramatic evening effect with your eye makeup, stick to warm neutral colors such as bronze, chocolate, taupe and creams, that will help to create a more sophisticated classic look.
- When applying eyeliner always work it into the lash line and make sure you don’t leave an obvious gap. Think carefully when using eyeliner on the lower lashes as it can look to dark for most people, especially if you are very fair. If you do want to go for eyeliner under the eye opt for using a powder instead, one that will give a softer more subtle effect.
- Your lashes are a really important part of your overall eye makeup look. To help to really pop those eyes out use an eyelash curler before applying mascara. Apply your mascara right at the very bases of the lashes, and then jiggle the wand from side to side as you work up the lash towards the tips for great coverage. This technique helps to deposit color right at the base, whilst keeping lashes separate and always have a lash comb handy to separate the lashes. Once you have completed this step then apply a sweep of powder or primer across the lashes to help boost the mascara.
Next to your eyes your lips are the second most expressive feature on your face, which is why it is equally important to pay attention to their preparation. Whilst these tips address both features it is important to note that that you should only emphasize one feature on your face at a time.
- Before you purchase lipstick study your lips to know what colors will suit you best. For instance thin lips look better with brighter colors and the more vivid the color the more noticeable a smaller mouth will look. Avoid dark colors if you have thin lips as they work to minimize lips, making them look more severe and harsh. If you are fortunate to have full lips then use more subtle and neutral tones, as dark and bright colors will make them look more prominent.
- As a general rule soft fleshy pinks and warm corals lipsticks will look great on almost everyone. If your someone who doesn’t like a lot of color on your lips then carry a lip balm with you, one that has just a hint of color. This will not only keep your lips looking healthy and fresh but will also keep them hydrated throughout the day.
- Gone are the days when using a different highly pigmented liner is used to enhance lips. Your lipstick should never create a contrasting line so that it looks like there is an obvious border around the lips. Use a liner that matches the color of your own lips perfectly, your lip liner and lipstick need to blend in with each other so that you are not able to see where one starts and the other one finishes.
- Avoid trying to exaggerate the shape of your mouth with your lip liner or lipstick. This will only look like you have missed your mouth and look completely unnatural
Remember that makeup on your face should be perfectly balanced. If you are going for a dark smoldering look with your eye shadow then keep the lips neutral, opting for a softer lip to allow the eyes to take the lead. Alternatively if you are using no eye shadow then dare to be different with a deeper lip color, that will work to offset this look.
Posted on Sep 12, 2011 in Beauty
Hair growth reflects a lot about our self-esteem, preference, gender, age, and attitude. Hair can be an attraction or a conflict. From the beginning of time, there are different reasons why humans have hair. Hair kept them warm, protected them from cuts and scrapes, it provides camouflage, and even serves as a nice handhold for the young, (ouch).
Our follicles serves as a protector by signaling bodily threats. Nerve endings connected to the hair root tell us when our hair is being pulled and bothered.
Humans have the most hair follicles when we are in week 22 as a fetus. This hair is called lanugo hair and it is only found only on human fetuses. This is the thinnest type of hair.
Hair is made up of follicles, (tiny sacs) and shaft (long narrow passage). The follicle lives deep under the surface of the skin and extends down into the dermis (layers that makes up the skin). The shaft is made up of protein called keratin. Which is a very strong protein made of amino acid.
The inner layer (medulla) and the middle layer (cortex) make up the majority of the shaft. The base of the follicle contains little blood vessels that nourish the cells.
The living part of hair is the bulb that is located at the base, while the shaft of the hair that we see is dead. Surrounding our follicles are tiny arrector pili muscles that gives you goose bumps.
These muscles squeeze the glands that lube up your hair with sebum from your sebaceous gland, giving you your own natural vitamin E that provides rich hair and skin conditioner.
It also goes through its own growth cycle that’s unrelated to seasons or hormones. It’s a random biological process that is based primarily on genetic disposition. The two main phases are anagen=active and telogen= resting.
Anagen is the beginning stage of the cycle. The cells in the root are dividing quickly and pushing the hair out and normally takes 2 to 3 years. The cells in the root of the follicles are dividing rapidly, adding to the shaft. During this phase the hair grows about 1 cm every 28 days.
Telogen last around 100 days on the scalp and the hair is completely at rest (final cycle). Fifty to one-hundred follicles are shed daily from a normal scalp. The middle phase is catagen = transitional, it signals the end of the active growth of a hair. This phase lasts for about 2-3 weeks while the hair converts to join the others.
