Showing posts with label beauty tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty tips. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

What Happened When 1 Woman Had Her Makeup Done at 5 Different Makeup Counters



Being a woman of color has its share of problems, and for BuzzFeed staffer Nina Mohan, one of those includes makeup. She calls herself "woefully makeup stupid," but beyond that, being a woman of color often means getting "pigeonholed" into using certain colors, like purple and gold, or having to mix foundation colors to get the right match.

Mohan wanted to see how professional makeup artists would do giving her a "glam," "bold," "evening" makeover, so she went to five different makeup counters and documented the process.

Here's what she looks like with no makeup on, for reference:



Here's a makeup look she didn't like so much (MAC):



While Nina liked the silvery shadow the makeup artist used on her eyes, she wasn't really feeling the foundation. "The contour makes me look like I fell face-first into a pile of powdered sugar," she writes, saying that the makeup artist didn't swatch test on her skin before applying the product.

On the flip side, at Sephora, she got a makeup look she loved so much that she wanted to keep it forever. "I felt so glam and vampy and I had a really hard time wiping it off later," she writes. "It felt like I was taking off my best self."



After going to Sephora, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, and NARS, she came away with some learnings: Swatch test, say no if you don't like something, and you can do a strong lip with a bold eye. To see the rest of Nina's makeover looks, head over to BuzzFeed.

source by : http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/a54523/how-good-are-makeup-counters/
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The 19 Best Drugstore Products You're Not Using



If you roam the drugstore makeup and hair aisles with no idea of what works and need a little direction, this list of tried and true products will help make your shopping experience (and getting ready!) a little easier. Oh, and this beauty loot won't break the bank, so you can still keep up your shoe collection!
Daily Facial Moisturizer, CETAPHIL, $14

This sunscreen doubles as your moisturizer, protecting and hydrating your skin, without leaving any white residue behind. Instead, it leaves your skin with a gorgeous, dewy glow.



Cleansing Micellar Water, SIMPLE, $7

If you often skip washing your face before you go to sleep, stop what you're doing, pick up this formula at the store, and stash it next to your bed with some cotton balls. It's a makeup remover, cleanser, and hydrator all in one, so you can literally wash your face (no rinsing required!) while you're tucked in watching The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.




source by : http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/a54537/drugstores-products-worth-using/

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7 Scary Facts About Your Makeup



These are all the frightening, but need-to-know facts about beauty and makeup products made in the United States:

1. We don't have any real federal regulations on makeup in the United States.
The United States Food & Drug Administration isn't testing cosmetic ingredients because, well, they're not food or drugs. Which means things banned elsewhere (think parabens, which are linked to breast cancer; ethylene oxide, which is a known carcinogen; and octinoxate) are totally A-OK here. In fact, pretty much any chemical can be used as an ingredient.

The FDA does monitor cosmetics under the FD&C Act, which basically says as long as they aren't "adulterated" or "misbranded," they're cool to go on the market (so no poisons, phew). To put it frankly: In Europe there are 1,373 banned cosmetic chemicals. In the U.S.? Eight.

2. Companies don't have to test their products.
Well, not in any way that has to be demonstrated. Like we said, the FDA doesn't have legal authority to approve cosmetics. However, companies are "legally responsible" to ensure their product is safe. The way they can prove cosmetics safety? By saying ingredients are legit and comparing it to other similar product formulations. As long as that's done, it's fine to hit the shelf. In fact, this is a real sentence on the FDA website: "If a manufacturer does not have the technical expertise to determine the best way to ensure that a product is protected from contamination, the company may want to work with a consultant." May want to work with a consultant. They can't legally tell them to, because they don't have any authority over these companies.

3. Eighty percent of ingredients used in personal care products have never been tested for safety.
Wait, what?!

4. Fragrance can mean pretty much anything.
It can mean anything from a couple of natural oils to a straight-up chemical lab. But it doesn't matter. Fragrance is fragrance is fragrance in the beauty industry, and it'll be labeled as such. Think of the term as a catch-all.

5. Organic probably doesn't mean what you think it means.
There's no true, standard definition for what can be labeled "natural" or "organic," meaning as long as it's not "misleading" in the FDA's eyes, it's passable. There are certain programs—like the "USDA Organic" logo—that work to certify bath and beauty products, but definitions vary from program to program and basically, it's all a little confusing. That body wash with cucumber extract made up of 97 percent of chemicals? That can be classified organic.

6. "Cruelty-free" and "not tested on animals"?
There are no legal definitions for these terms. None.

7. The average woman uses 13 products per day with 515 ingredients. Please excuse us, we'll be scrubbing our face.

source by : http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/a54538/scary-facts-about-makeup/
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Should You Be Shaving Your Face?



Face shaving. The thing men have been doing forever. Except: The practice has apparently been used behind closed bathroom doors by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe to create a smoother, more glowing complexion. And with notable makeup artists now revealing their shaving habits, we have to ask: Um, what? Is this something we should...actually consider?

We talked with Dr. Debbie Palmer, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder and Medical Director of Dermatology Associates of New York, to get the scoop on everything you ever needed to know about putting a razor to your face.
What's this all about?

"Women performing at-home face-shaving has been getting some recent attention, but it's something that has been done for years," says Dr. Palmer. "Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn are even rumored to have done it. It's a less intense form of dermaplaning, a cosmetic procedure performed by an aesthetician, dermatologist, or cosmetic surgeon, in which an instrument similar to a scalpel is used to shave the face. The procedure exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells, and in the process also removes fine vellus hair. My patients feel it gives them a smoother finish for makeup."
Will it make hair grow back like stubble?

"There is a myth that shaving facial hair will cause it to grow back coarser or darker. This myth is not correct. Your hair will grow back the same way."
What are the pros?

Aside from less facial hair, Dr. Palmer says you'll see:

• Smoother, exfoliated facial skin

• Increased skin cell turnover

• Easier makeup application

• Increased skin penetration and effectiveness of facial rejuvenation skin care products
And the cons?

• Not addressing a larger facial hair issue with your dermatologist, which could indicate a hormonal imbalance, according to Dr Palmer. (I.e. if you feel you have a change in facial hair, make sure to discuss it with your doctor.)

• Folliculitis (where your hair follicles become inflamed)

• Ingrown hairs
If you're gonna go for it, here's to get the most effective shave :

Wet your entire face first to soften the hairs, then apply a shaving cream or gel to minimize irritation. Use your razor in the direction of hair growth. Finish with a rinse and antioxidant moisturizer on your skin. "The shaving will allow for better penetration of your antioxidant and the antioxidant will help to minimize inflammation and irritation," Dr. Palmer says. She recommends Replere Protect & Rejuvenate Day Lotion to her patients. To avoid folliculitis, sanitize the razor in rubbing alcohol after each use.

source by : http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/a54541/shaving-face-women/=
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I Tried Over 50 Drugstore Mascaras and These Are the 10 Best



If you've ever stood staring at the wall of drugstore mascaras, paralyzed by all the options—Lengthening! Volumizing! Thickening!—and confused as to which one to buy, I'm here to help. I tried over 50 drugstore mascaras to help you find The One without breaking the bank. Here, in no particular order, are the 10 best.
1. CoverGirl Plumpify BlastPro by LashBlast Mascara, $12






The brush on this baby is a serious multitasker! It's thick, so it grabs a lot of lashes in one swoop, and it has a spiral staircase brush design that lifts and twirls your lash hairs, wrapping them in lots of formula. As promised, it definitely "plumpifies," especially since it deposited product at the base of my lashes, which gave the look that I was wearing liner on my upper inner rim.

2. Rimmel London ScandalEyes Retro Glam Mascara, $5






I'm a sucker for anything retro, so I was stoked to give this a try. The first thing I noticed was how quickly it worked: In two speedy, haphazard coats, every hair was covered, which never, ever happens for me. The brush also has a cool hourglass shape that pushed all my lashes up (like a lash curler effect), which, moving forward, will cut out one extra step for me when I get ready.

source by : http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/a54547/10-best-drugstore-mascaras/
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The Easy Concealer Trick That Brightens Up Your Face



Concealer seems like a pretty straightforward makeup tool. You plop little dots of it under your eyes and blend, then voilà—you have flawless skin sans dark circles, right? Wrong. There's actually a trick to applying concealer that makes your face look fuller and more youthful by highlighting the front area of your face. And it's so easy.



Step 1: Apply Concealer

Begin after applying your usual primer and foundation. Rather than dotting or swiping it along your under eye area, draw a triangle with your concealer.
Step 2: Blend

Gently blend the concealer into your skin with a sponge or small concealer brush. Be sure not to tug or pull as you blend, as the skin under your eyes is very sensitive. Repeat on your other eye.

Rather than simply coloring over the circles directly under your eyes, applying concealer with this technique brightens up your face and draws all the attention to your eyes.

source by : http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/a54581/triangle-concealer-trick/g
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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Kylie Jenner's Most Recent Lip Kit Restock Literally Broke Google



Kylie Jenner is no stranger to breaking the internet – basically every time she restocks her lip kits, her website crashes under the massive amounts of people trying to get her beloved matte lipstick. Last night she restocked her lip kits for the second time in a week, and this time around fans not only broke the Kylie Cosmetics website, they broke Google.

After purchasing went live, Kylie Snapchatted the whole thing from behind the scenes (because, Kylie). It took less than two minutes for the website to crash, and soon after that Kylie's team found out there were so many people on the website that Google Analytics wasn't able to keep up.
After she recovered from the shock of breaking Google and selling out her lip kits faster than ever, Kylie posted a super sweet message on the Kylie Cosmetics Instagram. She thanked fans for their patience and congratulated the lucky Lip Kit Victors – because this is the beauty version of the Hunger Games – on being lucky enough to snag one. She's kept her promise of weekly restocks so far, so if you didn't get a lip kit last night, just be patient! And hope that her website holds up.

source by : http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/a14832/kylie-jenners-most-recent-lip-kit-restock-literally-broke-google/
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Friday, March 18, 2016

Yes, You Can Make Your Hair Grow Faster


Your hair is the fastest growing tissue in your body. On average, it grows about half an inch per month or about 6 inches a year. If your hair doesn’t seem like it’s growing, length retention may be a factor. Hair damage may be causing hair to break off, negating any apparent hair growth. And though there are no magic potions or lotions that will instantly make your hair grow faster overnight, there are hair treatments and good practices, such as a healthy diet, exercise and minimizing stress that will promote and stimulate healthy growth. So, take great care of your hair and treat it right.

Here are several key tips on how to get long hair faster plus products to encourage growth and help maximize length.

Detox Your Scalp

When you frequently cleanse and treat your scalp with healthy ingredients, you will produce healthy, beautiful, shiny, strong hair. “It’s important to clean the scalp of all impurities so that you’ll have an ideal environment for hair growth,” says Lucinda Ellery, a world-renowned hair loss and extensions expert and founder of Lucinda Ellery Consultancy New York. Be sure to use a mild, sulfate-free hair wash that won’t strip hair of its natural oils.

Energize Your Roots
Stimulate hair growth by massaging the scalp. When your scalp is being massaged, the increased blood flow oxygenates the area, which in turn stimulates follicles to increase hair growth and speed. Scalp massages can be even more beneficial by adding essential oils to help moisturize the scalp and nourish hair.

Minimize Tangling

Be gentle to your hair. Rough handling will cause hair stress and damage. “For longer hair, it is wise to keep it up at night in a bun when you sleep. It’ll prevent unnecessary tangles and tugging in the morning,” says Ellery. And if you do get snarls, be sure to divide your hair into sections and use a seamless, wide-toothed comb that won’t snag on your hair or pull out your strands. Work you way up from the bottom and apply a little leave-in conditioner to ease the process. This step is especially important when your hair is wet and it’s at its most fragile state. (Get more tips on how to detangle hair here)

Stop Abusing Heat

We love how flat ironing makes our hair lie straight and feel silky smooth, but frequent heat styling breaks down your hair’s protein bonds causing irreparable damage. Blowdrying can also cause tress stress. “Be careful not to over-dry your hair and always use a nozzle. Remember to keep the nozzle moving, moving, moving. If you leave it in one spot for too long, the heat can easily cause harm,” advises Chaz Dean, founder of WEN. So, turn down the heat and use a heat protectant before any heat styling to minimize damage.

Add Protein

Poor diet can lead to iron deficiency, which in turn can cause hair loss and breakage. “Proteins are the building blocks of hair, so it always helps to have a balanced diet and eat protein-rich foods, such as organic chicken, beef and eggs or plant-based legumes, nuts, seeds and hemp daily. Avocados and even oysters are also rich in proteins and nutrients, which promote hair growth,” adds Ellery.

Nourish Your Scalp From Inside Out

Good nutrition is extremely important in achieving hair growth. But if your diet is lacking in colorful fruits and vegetables, lean protein and healthy legumes, be sure to supplement it with antioxidant-rich vitamins. “Vitamin A, which can help promote shiny, healthy hair. Vitamin E can nourish damaged hair and prevent breakage. Biotin is a supplement that encourages hair and scalp health,” says Ellery.

Stop Smoking

“Smoking restricts the blood vessels, which can drastically reduce the amount of fresh nutrients that reach your hair roots,” says Ellery.

Limit Chemical Processes

Avoid overprocessing your mane with strong chemicals, such as bleach, relaxers and perms. These chemical processes break the protein bonds of hair, which causes breakage and hinders healthy hair growth.

Protect Your Locks

A lightweight, moisturizing leave-in conditioner will help keep your strands soft and supple. Coating the cuticle seals in moisture, reduces breakage and promotes elasticity. Also, after a fresh cut, smooth on a split end repair treatment daily to prevent future tears, splays and frays. These protective measures will guard hair from styling and environmental damage and help maintain your hair’s strength and length.

Dust Off Your Splits

Unruly, broken strands can inhibit the growth and strength of healthy hair. Dusting your tresses is a great way to maximize length, while avoiding cutting off large amounts of damaged hair. When you dust your hair, you’re basically micro-trimming it to rid it of splayed ends. Simply twist a small section, then snip off the damaged sections that stick out. Repeat the procedure every eight weeks to keep your mane healthy and split ends at bay.

Now that you know how to make your hair grow faster, below are some products to help encourage hair growth and maintain your healthy long hair.

source by : http://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/678639-how-to-make-your-hair-grow-faster/#/slide/1
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