“Beauty is more than skin-deep. Beauty is unique grace and confidence, a shining light that sparkles through the eyes and smile. It’s not what you look like; it’s what you project.” – Beauty Den

Beauty Odyssey mainly focuses on improving our physical appearance by using cosmetics. Today I would like us to focus ourselves. I picked the term “Beauty Odyssey” because life is a journey. It’s a constant evolution and with each passing year comes changes. These changes also occur in our bodies, our looks, and our skin. How we deal with these inevitable changes is entirely up to us. As women, we are constantly focusing our attention on our flaws. We need to learn to appreciate ourselves as we are and always have the right attitude. All the make up and cosmetics in the world will not make us feel better about ourselves.

I think the media plays a big role in how we feel about ourselves. When we pick up that glossy magazine, most of us are aware that the model on the cover page has been digitally retouched. But there is always that little part of us that wishes for that flawless skin, beautiful body, perfect hair, and perfect smile. We need to always remember that the models you see in the glossy pages don’t always portray reality. They are human beings just like us and deal with the same issues like we do such as blemishes, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks and a whole host of other problems. In addition it takes a whole team of makeup artists, hairstylists, fashion stylists, photographers, art directors and photo retouchers to create that beautiful illusion. It’s an exaggerated perfection, something that no human being could ever look like.

Women from all walks of life, all crave the same thing – to look pretty and feel good. Looking your best is a combination of acquiring knowledge, accepting the things you can’t change and having confidence in yourself.
To help us on our way to appreciating ourselves, here are some natural beauty tips from www.beauty-secrets4u.com.

Natural Beauty Tip 1: Be Yourself
We are all beautiful in our own way and natural beauty is making the most of the looks you already have. It is learning to feel comfortable in your own skin and accepting yourself for who you are. When you are comfortable with yourself you will be relaxed and happy in any situation.

Natural beauty is about being true to yourself and believing in yourself. By bringing out your individuality, you can make yourself into a rare and special person and that is what natural beauty is all about.

Natural Beauty Tip 2: Eat Sensibly
Eat for beauty. Feed your skin with all the nutrients it needs to radiate with good health and vitality. A healthy complexion is naturally beautiful. Simply changing your diet will have a significant effect on the condition of your skin, hair and nails. You will add a sparkle to your eyes, feel better and have more energy too. A healthy body is paramount for natural beauty.

Natural Beauty Tip 3: Take Regular Exercise
Transform yourself into a thing of beauty by taking regular exercise. Walking for 30 minutes 3 times a week is enough to tone up every muscle in your body. And a toned and supple body is extremely beautiful. Exercise will improve your blood circulation which will give your skin a healthy radiant glow. In fact, eating a healthy diet and taking plenty of exercise will also have a tremendous impact on the mechanisms that control the aging of your body as well. With these mechanisms inhibited, the aging process will slow down, especially the aging of the skin. So you can stay beautiful for longer.

Natural Beauty Tip 4: Look After Your Hair
Your hair should be your crowning glory. Have it trimmed regularly to maintain its shape, keep it well conditioned so that it is soft and bouncy. A head of healthy, soft, shiny hair is an instant morale booster and will do wonders for your self esteem.

Natural Beauty Tip 5: Improve Your Posture
A simple change in your posture can improve your appearance instantly and will also help to reduce aches and pains in your neck and back. Your head is the heaviest part of your body and if it’s not perfectly balanced over your shoulders you will experience pain in your neck, shoulders or middle back area. Even if you don’t at the moment, years of bad posture will eventually take its toll as you grow older.

Natural Beauty Tip 6: Enhance Your Walk
How you walk says a lot about how you are feeling inside and about the way you see yourself. Follow this tip: when you walk add sensuality to your movements and put a distinct swing to your stride by moving from your hips. Think of models on the catwalk and how they move. Put you hands on your hips and let your hips lead the movement. It is a diagonal movement with a definite twist to the torso − as the right hip goes forwards so does the left shoulder and as the left hip moves forward so does the right shoulder. Feel your waist twist and stretch as the spine rotates from left to right. Keep your movements smooth and sensual.

Natural Beauty Tip 7: Pamper Yourself
Take time out for yourself every day and do something just for you. Show yourself self respect by putting yourself high on your list of priorities. Do whatever gives you pleasure; a walk in the park, a lunch date with a friend, or just quiet time to reflect. Let others see that you care about yourself and they will respect you for it too.

Natural Beauty Tip 8: Be Your Own Best Friend
Silence your inner voice when it criticizes and focus on all the things you like about yourself. We all have bad points, the secret is to focus on your good points and make the most of them.

Natural Beauty Tip 9: Set Realistic Goals
Imagine yourself with clear bright eyes, a smooth and flawless skin, well conditioned lustrous hair and a toned and supple body. All these are possible if you set yourself reachable targets, follow a simple plan and allow enough time to bring them about.

Natural Beauty Tip 10: Nobody Is Perfect
Try to remember, nobody is perfect and if you look for faults, you will more than likely find them. Never, ever compare yourself to pictures of air-brushed models. If you see these same models without their make-up they are just ordinary people, but put into the hands of talented make-up artists and then modified by sophisticated computer programs the result is something that is unreal and false.

Natural Beauty Tip 11: Build Your Self-Esteem
Natural beauty comes from the process of building real self-esteem. Self esteem that does not rely on what other people may think of you. This process includes self realization, self knowledge, self awareness and self respect. Spend some time discovering your own inner qualities and appreciating them. Express them freely for the benefit of others. Gradually come to know your own unique natural beauty.

Natural Beauty Tip 12: Become A Confident Woman
Confident women who take pride in their appearance are a joy to watch because self-confidence is one of the most attractive traits a woman can possess. When you ooze self-confidence you become a magnet to those around you. So work on gaining the confidence to stand up and say ‘I am who I am’ then show the world your unique natural beauty.

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Many of us do not understand what the term SPF really means. I know that the higher the SPF labeled on the sunscreen, then the better protected I am form the sun, or is it? Most doctors recommended we apply a sunscreen of between SPF 15 and SPF 30. But there are sunscreens out there that have an SPF of 70+. So does it offer me maximum protection from say the sunscreen with SPF 15. I always used to wonder about this recommendation. If there are products with higher SPF’s, then why don’t doctors recommend the higher SPF.

SPF is the measure of a sunscreens ability to prevent UVB rays – which cause sunburn, from damaging the skin. The SPF number is a rating that determines how long you can stay in the sun without burning. It does not indicate the quality of protection, just length of time. The amount of time it takes you to sunburn depends on your skin type, and the SPF number you need depends on how much time you expect to be outdoors. Remember that if you will spend time in water, then you need to reapply the sunscreen at least every two hours for it to be effective. Click here to view a chart on SPF values for various skin types on various levels of sun intenisty.

So, here is the reason why I think doctors only recommend a sunscreen of between SPF 15 and SPF 30. SPF protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. For example, SPF 4 blocks 75 percent of sunburn damage; however, it may not provide broad-spectrum protection (protection from both UVA and UVB rays).

A sunscreen containing SPF 15 blocks about 94% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks about 97%, SPF 45 blocks about 98% and an SPF 70 blocks about 98.6%. Sunscreens with higher SPF ratings block slightly more UVB rays, but none offers 100% protection. The difference in sunburn protection between medium SPF and high SPF is not that great. Most products with an SPF 15 or greater will provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVB and UVA damage. Remember to check for one or more of these UVA-protecting active ingredients – titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone (also called butyl methoxydibenzyl methane), Tinosorb, or ecamsule (Mexoryl) when buying your sunscreen.

It’s very important that you know the amount of time it takes you to sunburn. Generally, people of Caucasian origin, tend to sunburn easily and faster than those of African origin, mainly due to the presence of melanin. Below is a calculation to help you determine the sunscreen you need to use. A sunscreen with SPF 15 will protect you 15 times the time it takes you to sunburn. An SPF 30 protects you 30 times and so on and so forth.

Say it takes me 2 hours or 120 minutes to burn while I’m out in the sun.

• SPF 15 x 120 minutes = 1,800 minutes or 30 hours of protection
• SPF 30 x 120 minutes = 3,600 minutes or 60 hours of protection
• SPF 45 x 120 minutes = 5,400 minutes or 90 hours of protection

As always the best way to make sure that you are well protected is to reapply sunscreen often, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. Also apply sunscreen liberally.

Important: Please remember to make sure that your sunscreen product has one or more of the ingredients mentioned above and also check the expiration date on the product. There are a lot of products in our local shops that claim to be sunscreens yet do not contain any of these ingredients.

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We protect our skin from sun damage by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sunscreens are chemical agents that help prevent the suns ultraviolet rays from reaching the skin. The term broad-spectrum means that the sunscreen protects us from both UVB and UVA rays. Many cosmetic companies have products that claim to have anti-aging benefits. The truth however is that the best defense against wrinkles is a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, be it in your moisturizer or foundation.

Daily application of sunscreen prevents new wrinkles from forming or existing ones from deepening. The basics to look for are a product rated SPF 15 or higher, and containing one of these ingredients listed as active to ensure adequate protection from UVA rays: avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789 or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. The best sunscreen is one that not only protects you from the sun but also prevent damage to the skin. So look for a sunscreen that is loaded with anti-oxidants

Sunscreens absorb reflects or scatters UV light. There are 2 types:

• Inorganic or “physical” sunscreens form a film that reflects or scatters UV light before it penetrates the skin. These sunscreens include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
• Organic or “chemical” sunscreens absorb UV rays before they can cause damage. Examples include avobenzone and oxybenzone, which protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

Sunscreen should be applied liberally. Apply a thin even coat approximately one teaspoon to all exposed areas of your body, paying particular attention to the face, neck, ears, arms, upper chest and legs. Let the sunscreen soak into the skin and dab the excess amount with tissue.

Sunscreen also comes in the form of moisturizers, eye creams, foundations and lip balms. If you decide to use a foundation be sure to also use a sunscreen. This is because make up does not provide enough coverage. You would have to use at least seven times the normally used amount of foundation to get the recommended Sun Protection Factor. Use an eye cream with at least SPF 15 for the delicate area around your eyes. Do not forget to protect your lips against the sun.

So what is the order of applying all the products that we use on a daily basis. Always be sure to apply the products on a clean face. Apply the moisturizer first, assuming of course that it does not contain a sunscreen. Next apply a sunscreen. If your moisturizer already contains a sunscreen, then skip this step. It’s important to note that a moisturizer for example with an SPF of 30 is just as good as a sunscreen with an SPF of 30.. The advantage of using a moisturizer with SPF is that it does double duty – moisturizes as well as protects from the sun.

Finally apply foundation, powder and blush. Choose a foundation with an SPF of between 8 and 15. It does not hurt to add another layer of protection against the sun because most people do not apply enough sunscreen to protect them or even if they do, it’s applied unevenly.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, when applying powder use the compressed variety, and apply with a sponge. The benefits of powder are twofold. The tiny pigmented talc particles it contains provide a certain amount of protection on their own, and applying a layer of powder will help both your sunscreen and your moisturizer to stay put through the day.

As mentioned earlier in the article lips need to be protected. Lips are susceptible to sunburn as they lack melanin, the pigment that helps shield skin from the sun. A colorless lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher will do the job. If you like to use lipstick, use an opaque lipstick and top it off with a gloss for shine. Lipsticks that are glossy with little pigmentation act like baby oil for the lips, directing damaging UV rays right to the area you’re trying to protect. An opaque lipstick will provide better protection.

Caution: If you are going to be in the sun for a long time, then use a sunscreen with a higher SPF and reapply it after every two hours.

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Skin cancer is the No. 1 most common type of cancer. Many of us unknowingly spend too much time in the sun with little protection. This exposure to the sun causes damage to our skin. Repetitive exposure of this kind, can put us at risk of getting skin cancer. Daylight, even dim, obscure daylight, causes skin damage. When the skin gets damaged, it means it slowly becomes less and less able to hold moisture or feel smooth.

Protecting your skin from the sun is important because the sun emits ultraviolet(UV) radiation. Over time, exposure to UV radiation causes many changes in the skin, including wrinkles, discoloration, freckles or age spots. It is important to note that most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun.

We really need to understand why exposure to the sun is so damaging. First, there are two types of UV radiation: UVB and UVA. UVB rays cause sunburns. UVA rays are believed to be responsible for photo aging(the damage that occurs to the skin from many years of exposure to the sun). UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply and cause sunlight induced premature aging, wrinkling and age spots. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer even on cloudy days.

Nearly 95% of the UV radiation that we are exposed is caused by UVA rays. When photo aging occurs, certain fibers in the skin called elastin(from the word elastic) are damaged by the rays of the sun. Elastin is found in the dermis and is responsible for giving structure to your skin and organs. As we age, elastin diminishes which causes the skin to wrinkle and sag. Exposure to the sun also causes the elastin fibres to breakdown causing the skin to sag and stretch. The skin also tends to bruise and tear more easily and takes longer to heal. Usually sun damage will not show up when you are young but will later in life. So be sure to also protect your young ones from sun damage and teach them the importance of applying sunscreen. Keep children under six months old away from the sun.

Most sunscreen products prevent sunburn by blocking UVA/UVB rays, but even with their availability we still need to be careful on how much we expose ourselves to the sun. As well as making sure we use sunscreen we must:

• Avoid mid-day sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats (3-4 inch brim that extends all around the hat). Baseball caps and visors shade the face but leave neck, lower face, and ears exposed.
• Wear long sleeved shirts and pants when in the sun. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, tightly woven fabrics and dark colors, such as deep blue and black, or bright colors, such as orange and red, offer more protection. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through too.
• Use UV blocking sunglasses.
• Installing window films on your cars windows protects you and your passengers from damaging UV rays.

Conclusion
Nothing can completely undo sun damage, although the skin can sometimes repair itself. So, it’s never too late to begin protecting yourself from sun exposure and skin cancer. You can delay changes associated with aging by staying out of the sun and using sunscreen if you must be out in the sun

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Powder
The purpose of powder is to keep foundation on longer, to set the foundation(keeps it from slipping) add a little more coverage , take away shine and give the skin a polished flawless look.

Since make up looks very different in the package than it does on your face then just like foundation it’s important to try it on your skin before you buy. The secret to powder is to get one with a yellow undertone and one that’s a shade lighter than your foundation. It will make your skin look natural, healthy and radiant.

There are four types of powder that come in loose powder form or pressed powder form. Loose powder is used when you first do your make up. It’s usually applied with a large powder brush. Always apply powder with a light hand, building it up when you need to. The key here is to apply it delicately and sparingly.

Pressed powder comes in a compact. Normally used for touch ups and to combat midday oiliness.

Types of powder

• Translucent:- This powder is not transparent. It has a gray-pink tone that looks   artificial and makes the skin look pasty. It’s great for setting concealer because pigmented powder can make the area you are trying to conceal appear darker.
• Pigmented: – This is the regular powder that we are used to. It can be used alone to create a clean fresh look or over foundation. It should be one shade lighter than the foundation
• Powder Foundation:- Offers full coverage and keeps shine under control. Can be used as a sheer foundation when applied with a wet sponge
• Illuminating: These are sheer powders that have light reflecting properties and a slight shimmer. It can be used over foundation or alone. Their purpose is to enhance the features and add dimension to the face wherever they are applied.

Bronzers
Beyonce’s dewy, shimmery and glowing skin is to die for. How about J.Lo’s sun-kissed skin? Beautiful. These women and other Hollywood stars have discovered the secret to glowing skin – Bronzer. Bronzers are used to highlight your face with a healthy glow by mimicking the sun’s effects. They give your skin a sun-kissed look. They are meant to warm your skin and not to color it.
When using bronzers apply sheer or no foundation. Also go light on the makeup. Apply bronzer on a clean, dry and matte face. Be sure to apply blush before the bronzer. Since our skin is brown, the bronzer will not show up on our skin anyway but when it’s blended over a rosy blush, the rosy-bronze gives it a slightly sunburned look.

Never go more than two shades darker than your regular skin tone. A little shimmer in your bronzer will go a long way. However, too much will make the skin look unnatural.

When going for a sun-kissed look, apply bronzer with a big fluffy brush and concentrate on the areas where the sun naturally hits your face – cheekbones, bridge of nose and forehead and blend well.

Remember to always use the bronzer sparingly.

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FOUNDATION
What do women want in a foundation? A flawless, natural-looking coverage that evens out their skin. Today, foundation comes in many different textures, consistencies and formulas. Finding the right foundation is like finding the perfect fitting jeans.

Types of Foundations
1. Oil-free and matte liquid foundations
Has a smooth finish with no shine or dewy appearance. How long foundation lasts usually depends on how oily your skin is. It is therefore a good idea to always set your foundation with a light dusting of loose powder. Most oil-free and matte liquid foundations provide sheer to medium coverage. They are best for oily skin type as they have minimal shine and leave a smooth matte look.

2. Ultra-matte foundations
This foundation offers medium to full coverage. It does not shift or move on the skin. It comes in a liquid formula but dries quickly on the skin. It works great on seriously oily skin and is also good for people who live in a humid climate or for those who like to exercise with their make up on.

However this type of foundation has some disadvantages. It’s difficult to blend it evenly as it dries quickly. It may leave the skin feeling dry and taut. It is not the best choice for women of color as it tends to look gray and ashy on darker skin tones. Because it outlasts most foundations, it is difficult to wash off.

3. Standard liquid foundations
These foundations are water-based. They are perfect for women with normal to dry skin. They provide light to medium coverage and have emollients in them. They blend effortlessly and evenly on the face. Since they leave the face with a bit of shine, they are not the best choice for those with oily or combination skin. This type of foundation is also a great option for women of color. To control shine, add a light dusting of loose powder.

4. Oil-based foundations
Oil-based foundations have oil as their first ingredient and water usually as their second or third ingredient. They feel greasy and thick, look and go on greasy, yet can blend out quite sheer. They are formulated for women with extremely oily skin and wrinkled skin. The emollient ingredients help the skin look very dewy and moist, which can minimize the appearance of wrinkles. They offer medium to full coverage. Because they are greasy and thick they have to be blended well onto the skin. Adding powder to set the foundation can cause the face to appear heavily made up. It is therefore better to use cream based eye shadows and blush over this type of foundation.

5. Pressed powder–based foundation
They come in a compact and are applied like a pressed powder. However they offer light to medium coverage and are able to stay put. They have a creamy, silky feel, but when applied to the skin they blend on as easily as any pressed powder.
Powder-based foundations are great for women with normal to oily or combination skin. They’re convenient, blend on easily, and feel light on the skin. They are not recommended for dry skin types because of their powder base. For those with very oily skin, powder based foundations tend to thicken as oil resurfaces on the face during the day.

6. Cream-to-powder foundations
They are a cross between a pressed powder and a creamy liquid foundation. They come in a compact and have a very creamy, almost greasy, appearance. Cream-to-powder foundations blend on quickly and easily and provide a semi-matte or powdery finish. They work well for normal skin types. This type of foundation doesn’t require powdering after you apply as it may leave you with a caked heavy look. They don’t work well for someone with oily skin because the cream components can make skin look more oily. For dry skin, the powder element can make the skin look dry.

7. Liquid-to-powder foundations
Have a gel-like wet feel, apply easily and dry to a satiny-smooth, slightly matte finish. They typically contain water as the first ingredient, along with a slip agent such as glycerin. In contrast to cream-to-powder foundations, liquid-to-powder foundations feel lighter on the skin. They are great for combination and oily skin as they tend to last longer. No need to powder after application. Be sure to keep container tightly closed as the water component tends to evaporate.

8. Stick foundations
These foundations are essentially cream-to-powder foundations in stick form. The main difference between stick and cream-to-powder foundations is that stick foundations come in formulas that range from full to sheer coverage with either matte or creamy coverage. The coolest thing about stick foundations is that they can do double duty as a concealer. They are therefore great for those with hyperpigmented skin or with acne scars as they perfectly camouflage the scars.

9. Sheer Foundations and Tinted Moisturizers
There are foundations and tinted moisturizers that provide very sheer coverage(barely perceptible on skin). Tinted moisturizers offer a touch of color along with moisture. Many of them double as sunscreens also. They are excellent options for normal to dry or slightly oily skin that does not need significant coverage.
Sheer foundations and tinted moisturizers are extremely easy to choose and use as the shades are so sheer that getting the color exactly right is not essential. Definitely not a great product for those whose flaws are more apparent.

Testing
The reason why we wear foundation is to even out our skin tone, so it’s important to test your foundation in order to find an exact match to your skin tone. The idea is to find one that blends into your skin exactly so that when you put it on, it makes your face look smooth and flawless and as though you are not wearing foundation at all. In addition the right foundation will make the rest of your make up look perfect. A foundation with a yellow tone is the way to go for any skin tone as it warms up the skin. The darker you are the more yellow-toned foundation becomes a must. However, there are many foundations that have a reddish, orange or blue tone mixed with the yellow that works for dark skin. Also make sure the formula is the right one for your skin type. Finally a foundation with a matte finish is best because it tends to stay put. Never buy a foundation to alter skin color because in daylight or office lighting, it will appear completely unnatural.

Tips on how to pick the right foundation

• First, make sure you know your skin type
• Make sure your face is clean and fresh. No foundation on.
• Then pick three shades to try. One that looks about right, a lighter color and a slightly darker one
• Swipe each one on your jawline
• The shade that disappears or perfectly matches your skin is the one.
• Compare the shade to your neck and make sure it matches.
• Test your foundation shade near a light source or in a well lit room. Test it in daylight if possible to get the perfect match.
• Make sure the foundation does not run, separate or get dry, patchy or oily.

Applying
Applying foundation is easy. These instructions are mainly for use with liquid foundations as it is the most common. The best liquid foundations provide beautifully smooth results that provide coverage yet maintain a fresh finish that blends with skin. Foundation should never look like an obvious layer of make up sitting on top of your skin.

Dot it all over your face, then blend it in with a make up sponge using a down and out motion. A make up sponge is better than blending with your finger because it is able to absorb excess foundation as well as blend easily. Use the edge of the sponge without foundation or turn the sponge over to the clean side, to dab or buff away any excess product. Do not apply foundation on the neck or under the chin. Don’t put too much foundation all at once. Build it up until you are sure you have enough coverage. You can choose to apply all over your face or just in spots that need some coverage. Make sure the foundation blends seamlessly.

Sometimes foundation may slip and shift into the fine lines and pores of your skin. This is caused by applying too much moisturizer or putting on too much foundation. Most beauticians will recommend blending your foundation with your fingers. This is not the best way as your fingers are not able to absorb the excess foundation thus risking slippage. Always use a sponge to blend. Finally, set it with powder.

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Concealer
It’s used to cover minor blemishes from birthmarks, sunspots, age spots and under eye circles. It’s one of the most important products in any woman’s beauty arsenal. In fact it is known as the secret of the beauty universe. Most women suffer from undereye circles and usually, concealer is the only way to go.

So how do you determine what is a good concealer and a bad one. A bad concealer is chalky dry or greasy and may emphasize the flaws you are trying to cover up. A good concealer is smooth, creamy and yellow toned, blends into your skin and makes you look instantly better. You can also feel the concealer between your fingers. A good one should feel creamy and not powdery, sticky or greasy.

Obviously, concealer is a try before you buy product. Choose concealer that’s a shade lighter than your foundation(of course keeping in mind that your foundation matches your skin exactly). And if your circles are very dark, go 2 shades lighter. If it’s too dark or too light, it will look unnatural and actually highlight the area you are trying to conceal. Sometimes undereye circle can be lighter than the skin on the rest of your face. Try a concealer that’s the same shade as your foundation or a shade darker.
A yellow based concealer is always the best bet no matter your skin color.

How To Cover Up
1. Undereye Circles
Concealing undereye circles gives your eyes an open clean look. Before you start, make sure you are facing your light source. Masking undereye circles calls for full coverage so a creamy concealer is best. First put on a bit of eye cream as a primer and also to smoothen out the area. If the skin is too dry concealer will cake.
Use a concealer brush or your index finger to apply. Bring it all the way up to your lashes and don’t forget the inner corners of your eyes. Apply in thin layers and then pat softly using your ring finger (as it has the least amount of intensity and pressure) to blend the delicate area under the eye. The key is to make sure you blend the concealer well. Never put concealer on your eyelid as it will make your make up crease. When you are satisfied with the way it looks, dust on some loose powder to set.

2. Dark Spots and Patches
They need fuller coverage than undereye circles and should only be covered when it’s absolutely necessary. Because the right concealer is a shade lighter, the dark spot could end up looking worse. If you must conceal, then moisturize the skin well and apply a creamy concealer, which is a shade lighter than your foundation. Apply with a patting-rolling motion. Then blend on a foundation shade that’s lighter than your skin but darker than the concealed spot. Set it with loose powder.

3. Blemish
Apply foundation to your face as usual. Then take a concealer brush and dip into a cream or stick foundation in a shade that matches your face exactly. Paint it on the blemish gently and then blend gently with your finger. Apply powder to set.

Tips

• In order for concealer to blend easily warm it up by swiping on the back of your hand then use a concealer brush to pick up the concealer and apply. Blending with your finger also warms up the concealer.
• If you wear concealer and foundation, try putting on the foundation first. Why? You may find that it adequately covers the areas you were going to conceal. If you still look uneven, then add concealer and set with powder.
• Adding yellow eye shadow to your concealer effectively covers undereye circles.

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The right make up tools can make a difference between looking unpolished to looking flat-out fabulous. The right make up tools also make make up application easy and results in a flaw less looking face.

The right make up brushes will probably be your biggest make up tool investment so it’s important to know how to shop for them. So how do you tell between a good make up brush from a bad one? The bristles should feel soft against the skin and never scratchy or rough. It does not matter whether they are made out of synthetic or natural hairs. How they feel is the most important.

Lip brushes and concealer brushes are best when synthetic because they need to be stiff enough to apply a thicker creamier product. Eye shadow, blush and powder brushes need to be soft and fluffy so that they spread out over your skin. Before buying try the brush out by running it over the area of your face it’s designed for. Check the strength of the bristles by running your hand over them to make sure they do not come out. The handles need to feel comfortable in your hand.

A good set of brushes will last a long time if you take care of them. Storing them in a case also helps to preserve them.

Must-Have Brushes
Powder Brush: It’s a fluffy oversized brush used to dust on loose powder or bronzer.

Blush Brush: A round medium-sized brush used to apply and blend blush or bronzer. It should be rounder and wide enough to cover the apple of your cheek but not as wide as a powder brush.

Eyeliner Brush: It’s a stiff bristled brush used to trace an exact line along the lashes. There are different types.

• A thin flat brush with either straight or slightly rounded bristles. It helps you draw a line that is not too thin or too wide. It works with both wet and dry eyeliner and is good for the top or bottom lid
• A thin and pointed brush. It will help you create a very thin, deliberate line along your top lid
• A brush that is cut on a diagonal is a bit thicker and is best for applying a smudgy sweep of shadow liner.

Eye Shadow Brush: It a fine and flat brush and should be soft and fluffy and should spread out easily when it touches your lid. It should be big enough to cover a quarter of your lid at a time. It is used to highlight the browbone, accentuate the crease or sweep color all over the lid.

Optional Brushes
Eyebrow Brush: A good eyebrow brush is slanted and the bristles are hard and a bit scratchy. It is used to sweep color onto the brows or define and darken the brows.

Wide Eye shadow Brush: It is bigger than the regular eye shadow brush and is used to apply a single base color over the entire lid.

Lip Brush: It is used to apply lipstick or lip gloss and helps give great definition. The bristles should be firm but be able to bend easily as you apply it on the lips. Lip brushes that retract are great for keeping in the purse.

Concealer Brush: Even though you can use your fingers to apply concealer, a brush makes it easier to get more concealer exactly where you want it. A good concealer brush is similar to a lip brush but a bit thicker, longer and softer. Remember that you will be using it in the delicate area around your eyes so bristles should be firm and not hard.

Brow Grooming Brush: It looks like a toothbrush. In fact a toothbrush is also perfect for grooming your brows. The bristles should be stiff and scratchy. Used to brush brow hair and keep them in place.

Eyelash Comb: Used to comb eyelashes after applying mascara. This can be skipped if your are careful about how you apply mascara.

Eyelash Separator: Looks like a mascara brush and is used to comb through mascara’ed lashes to get rid of clumps.

Wedge Sponge: Used for applying and blending foundation. Can be used dry for a matt finish, or wet for a dewier look.

Eyelash Curlers: Curling your eyelashes is not essential, but eyelash curlers help open up your eyes and make lashes look more lush with or without mascara. A good curler should feel comfortable in your hand, hold lashes firmly and should not tug at the hairs.

Tips for cleaning your brush set

• Make up brushes should be cleaned every 3 to 5 months.
• Use a gentle cleanser like baby soap or baby shampoo.
• Do not soak your brushes or they will fall apart.
• Instead, wet your brush. Squirt cleanser in your palm and sweep bristles gently back and forth and in a circular motion until all the bristles are covered in soap.
• Rinse Well.
• Squeeze out excess water with a towel. A paper towel is also okay.
• Reshape Bristles with fingers.
• Lay brush with hairs extending out over a ledge to dry.
• Never dry brushes upright, as water can seep in and weaken the handles.
• Using a hair drier on it’s lowest setting will quicken the drying process
• Keep your brush set looking new by storing them in their case when not in use.

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Growing up, the only skin care regimen I knew was to cleanse with Imperial Leather soap and then slather on some Vaseline to moisturize my skin. I have since moved on to a more sophisticated skin care regimen but Vaseline still remains my number one choice when it come to taking care of dry skin issues especially my lips, hands, feet and elbows. There is always a tub of Vaseline petroleum jelly in my house and I’m sure it’s the same with many other households around the world. The great thing about this product is that it’s cheap and very versatile.

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly was named Vaseline by Robert Cheesebrough in 1869, after he discovered its various remarkable healing properties on the skin. However it has no medicinal value. Vaseline cannot be absorbed by the skin, therefore it acts as a seal around minor cuts and burns preventing germs from getting into the wound and locking in moisture thus it’s healing properties.
Vaseline has been around for over 100 years and over time it has evolved to include a variety of uses. Is it any wonder that women have discovered that petroleum jelly acts as a wonderful and cheap beauty aid. Here are a few ways you can use Vaseline as part of your beauty routine. Some were new to me and I can’t wait to try them out.  

• It works as a great makeup remover. It can be used to take off eye-shadow eyeliner, mascara and lipstick.
• Use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly with salt for a foot scrub or on elbows to get rid of dry skin.
• Dab it lightly around the eye area to hydrate and smooth away fine lines.
• Add to lipstick for real shine.
• It is a great remedy for chapped lips.
• Put Vaseline on your lips, leave it a few minutes, then scrub your lips with a toothbrush to exfoliate and leave them. It leaves them smooth
• Apply a small amount of Vaseline on eyelashes as you would mascara then apply mascara as normal. It helps extend the effectiveness of mascara gives you a wide eye look.
• If you need a break from mascara, rub some Vaseline on the lashes, It gives the appearance that you have a light coat of mascara on.(A good idea would be to clean an old mascara brush and apply Vaseline using it). It defines eyelashes and leaves them with a glossy and waterproof look.
• Also if a lip gloss or lipstick is too harsh colored for your skin tone, blend a small amount of Vaseline into it and apply as normal, brings it down a tone or two and moisturizes the lips at the same time!
• Use it on dry hands by rubbing a small amount onto dry skin.
• For beautiful soft fingers and healthy looking nails apply Vaseline all over the fingers and palms and massage for two minutes until the Vaseline is completely rubbed in, then put on a pair of cotton gloves. Do this overnight, 2 to 3 times a week and you will never have any need for hand creams.
• For smooth hands and fingers you can also use Vaseline to exfoliate rough and dry flaky skin on your hands. Just add a little granulated sugar plus an equal portion of Vaseline and scrub your chapped hands with the mixture for at least a minute and wash off with a mild soap and water to get the sugar off.
• After your daily bath massage your feet with Vaseline to add moisture. You can also put it on your feet before bed and wear socks and you’ll wake up with soft, smooth, lovely feet.
• A small dab of Vaseline can act as a primer for your eye-shadow. Helps it stay on longer.
• Vaseline will help your rings slide on and off easily on the fingers.
• To keep hair color from staining your skin, apply Petroleum Jelly along hairline and ears before you begin.
• It’s also used as a base on the scalp before applying relaxer.
• If you have sensitive skin Petroleum Jelly can be used as an all over body moisturizer. It contains no chemicals or perfumes.
• Rub Petroleum Jelly on the skin around your nails before polishing. If you make a mistake it can be wiped off when your nails are dry and it softens cuticles at the same time.
• It is sometimes spread on the teeth of beauty pageant contestants in order to remind the contestants to smile
• Keeps your hands clean. Rub some petroleum jelly onto your hands before doing any type of messy work. It’ll keep things like paint from absorbing into your skin, making it easy to just wipe them off later.
• If you apply Vaseline on your lashes every night before bed you will have longer, stronger, thicker lashes over time.
• Apply to your cheeks for a radiant dewy glow.
• Helps tame your brows. Apply a tiny bit of petroleum jelly to your brows for a fabulous finished look.
• Vaseline removes false eyelash glue. Rub a little on your eyelashes to remove frustrating leftover glue from fake eyelashes.
• It’s great as an after-shave lotion. Apply a little to your legs after shaving. It will both soothe them and smooth them.
• Maintains perfume scent longer when applied at perfume points before spritzing the perfume.
• It lubricates ear lobes and helps to make earring insertion easy and painless.
• Use with your lipstick to create a cream blusher for your cheeks.
• It reduces the scaling and itching associated with dandruff.
• Use a tiny dab to put a quick shine on your shoes and bags.
• It removes makeup stains from clothing.
• Rub Vaseline on the neck of your nail polish bottles and they won’t get stuck to the caps. (Not beauty related but works the same on a tube of super glue)
• Stretch your favorite lotion by mixing it with Vaseline.
• Use it on your belly during pregnancy. It minimizes the appearance of stretch marks.

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If you are like me, you’re probably feeling the economic crunch in a big way and have been looking at your budget every month trying to figure out what things you can really do without. For many of us women, it becomes very difficult to compromise on our beauty regimen especially when it’s taken so long to find those great products that work so well on our skin. Well, the good news is you don’t have to compromise. You can still get that weekly, bi-weekly or monthly facial by learning how to do it yourself at home. It’s a very simple process and with a few tries, you will be well on your way to becoming your own beauty expert. In addition you will save yourself a good amount of cash and numerous trips to the beauty salon.

What You Need:

• Cucumber slices or tea bags for your eyes
• Towels and washcloths
• Facial cleanser
• Facial Exfoliator
• Facial mask
• Facial moisturizer
• To give yourself a relaxing spa atmosphere you need:
• A relaxing place to lie down
• Aromatherapy spray
• Relaxing music

Get prepared: Gather everything together so you won’t need to go looking for something you need later on.

STEAM: Before cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser, it is wise to give yourself a light steam treatment to open your pores and prepare your face for cleaning. To do this, simply bring 3 cups of water to a boil and pour into a bowl. Drape a towel over your head and the bowl. Let the steam envelope you for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse your face with cool water.

CLEANSE: Clean your face using your basic facial cleanser and warm water to remove any grime or dirt. If you have eye makeup on, gently remove it with eye makeup remover. Wash your hands to avoid transferring bacteria or dirt to your face. Then warm the cleanser by working it between your palms. Gently massage the cleanser into your skin, distributing evenly. Use upward, circular movements of the fingertips to gently stimulate the skin and help lift surface debris and excess oil. Rinse your face clean and gently pat excess moisture from face with a soft towel. If you wear heavy make-up, you might wish to repeat the cleansing process.

TONE: The toning process is optional. In fact, toners of any kind do not close pores, they do not deep-clean pores, and they do not reduce oil production. What a well-formulated toner can do is help reduce inflammation, add antioxidants, sooth the skin after cleansing, help remove any last traces of makeup, and impart some lightweight moisturizing ingredients to skin.Toners will have maximum benefit to those people who have extremely oily skin or who use heavy make up. However if you are like me and cannot do without a toner, be sure to use one that is irritant free. In other words, it should not irritate your skin or leave it feeling dry. Apply the toner with a soft cotton pad, but do not rub the skin. Rather, saturate the pad and pat the toner over the face and neck area. Do not pat skin dry. Avoid eye area when using a toner.

EXFOLIATE: Exfoliation is the key to smooth healthy skin. Dead cells, which clog pores and flake, can make skin look dull and patchy. Dampen your skin. Apply exfoliator to your face and gently exfoliate your skin, being careful not to get it too close to your eyes. Using your fingers, rub in a circular motion on your face. Concentrate on the areas around your nose and forehead or if you have combination skin, work harder on the areas that tend to be ‘greasy.’ Rinse your face well since exfoliating scrubs tend to be drying. Don’t forget to pay attention to your neck and chest, because these areas show skin blemishes and aging just as much as your face does. Repeat only once or twice a month, and don’t exfoliate if your skin is irritated or broken out.

MASK: Masks serve multiple purposes in a comprehensive facial. They deep-clean, stimulate circulation, remove dead skin and hydrate. Use a mask best suited for your skin type. For oily skin, use a clay-based face mask. For dry skin, go for a hydrating gel or cream mask. Apply a good amount of mask to all areas of your face, neck and chest, but avoid the eyes. Keep it on for 10-20 minutes (or, according to the directions on the product). You can use this time to treat your eyes. Lie down in a comfortable spot and place your cucumber slices or tea bags on your eyes. Turn on some soft music and relax. Using a warm wet towel, wipe off your mask making sure you pay special attention the areas around your nose and your hair line, to ensure no mask is left behind.

MOISTURIZE: The final step is to apply your moisturizer. Put a generous amount on your hands and work them together to warm up the cream. Feel free to give yourself a slight massage while applying, concentrating on your temples. Concentrate also on areas where muscles are overworked like cheeks, mouth, forehead and around the eyes. Once the lotion is completely absorbed and it becomes more difficult for the fingertips to slip across the skin, blot off any excess with a tissue, and you’re done.

(Photo courtesy of chrisgusen on Flickr)

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December is around the corner and here in Kenya, the wedding season will be at its peak. So this is for all the brides out there busy preparing for your big day. Right now if you have not done so already, you are busy looking for the perfect dress, perfect invitation, perfect location, perfect flowers and perfect everything. Or so you think.

One of the most overlooked areas during this time is wedding day beauty. Usually the bride-to-be will have envisioned how her hair and nails will look but totally ignores the makeup department or leaves it for the last minute. Yet, you will be photographed on this day more than any other day in your life. In other words, you will be the star attraction.

Begin to think about your wedding day make up at least three months before the wedding. Remember your makeup is only as good as the skin it’s on. Hopefully you have already established a good skin care regimen. Your skin care regimen should include a good cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, a healthy diet, exercise, drinking plenty of water, facial treatments every 4 to 6 weeks and getting plenty of rest. This will ensure that you do not have any unsightly breakouts before you wedding day. If you have a blemish or a breakout just before your day, keep your hands off your face. Don’t pick or squeeze. It is almost impossible to cover a scab.  The skin that’s well looked after is the one that makeup looks more natural on.
Schedule your last facial at least two weeks before the wedding day

Are you going to hire a professional to do your makeup or are you going to go at it alone? If you are a makeup guru, then be sure you have all the products you will need to achieve a flawless look. You must do a trial run on yourself to see how you will look.

If you decide to hire a professional, have an idea of the look you want to achieve before meeting with them. Take the time to go through magazines and pull the makeup styles that you really like. Remember that on your wedding day, you want to look like you but at your most radiant and beautiful.

Do not try anything trendy. Makeup styles change as often as fashion does. When you look at your wedding album in the years to come, you want to look timeless.
Schedule a trial run with the makeup artist at least a month before the wedding day. This is to give your skin plenty of time to recover should it react to the makeup.

Your make up trial should be on a day that you can go out to see how the makeup lasts and how your friends, family, and fiancé like it. You will also get a good idea on whether your makeup artist is qualified for the job. Make sure that the makeup artist uses quality products. Good quality makeup has staying power.

Another important step in creating a flawless look for your wedding is to make sure that you and your bridal party all have a seamless look. It would be a pity to look radiantly beautiful for your photos then one of your bridesmaids out does herself in the makeup department and stands out negatively in your photos. To be safe, extend the makeup service to your bridesmaids.

Your wedding day is not the day to be stressing about how you look or how you will apply your makeup. So sit back and relax and let the experts pamper you on this day.

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Skin type is the description and interpretation of how and why your skin looks, feels, and behaves as it does. It is the single most important factor influencing the decisions we make about the kind of skin-care routines and the products we buy.

Hardly anyone has just one skin type. This is because of the fact that the skin is susceptible to outside factors such as weather, diet, whether you smoke or don’t smoke, whether you live in an arid, humid or highly polluted climate. Medications you are currently taking will also affect the way your skin behaves. Genetic predisposition also affects your skin type. Your skin also changes with your period, if you are pregnant or when you are stressed.

A woman with oily skin may also have sensitive skin or someone with dry skin may also have acne-prone skin. Therefore, diagnosing yourself as one skin type is not an effective way of approaching skin care. It’s important really look at the way your skin behaves.

The important thing to remember here is that your skin type will not remain static so you need to be aware of the changes going on so the products you are currently using do not aggravate the situation.

There are four basic skin types:

• Oily Skin
• Combination Skin
• Normal Skin
• Dry Skin

OILY SKIN
You have oily skin if:-.

• You are prone to breakouts, clogged pores and blemishes.
• You have large pores.
• Your face looks shiny when you wake up, especially in the T zone.
• Your foundation wears off after a couple of hours.

Oily skin tends to overproduce sebum(produced by the sebaceous glands) thus making it feel and appear oily.
Sometimes a greasy or sticky feel remains for several hours after cleansing. Oily skin is always well moisturized since the large amount of oil on the skin surface helps the upper layers retain water and protect the skin from environmental causes of dryness.

People with oily skin therefore tend to have fewer wrinkles as they age. Oily skin is prone to breakouts because sebum has the tendency to mix with dead skin cells in your pores. This clogs them and produces pimples.

Solution
Even though oily skin has some protection from dryness, using an oil-free cleanser and moisturizer is still essential.

Cleanser
Never use regular soap on your face because it really strips the skin of its natural oils, causing the oil glands to panic and overproduce sebum – ultimately leading to breakouts.
A gel cleanser is good for oily skin as it will cleanse and limit oil without stripping the skin. It will deep clean pore openings of impurities and oily build up.
A foaming cleanser is also good as it will cleanse without dehydrating.

Steam
If you still feel greasy or sticky after cleansing, clear out you pores further by steaming your face.

Recipe

• Bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
• Pour into a bowl
• Add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil(concentrated extracts of plants that come in a variety of scents) – optional
• Drape a towel over your head and the bowl.
• Let the steam envelope you for 5 to 10 minutes
• Rinse your face with cool water.

Oil-Free Moisturizer
As a general rule you should never let your skin get too dry. Dry skin tends to make you look tired, dull and older. An oil-free moisturizer will keep the skin well hydrated without causing greasiness or clogged pores. It helps control surface oiliness, leaving the skin feeling smooth and radiant.

It’s important to note that the skin on your face is delicate. So the way you apply your body lotion does not apply for your face.

How to apply moisturizer:

• After you cleanse pat your face dry.
• Apply moisturizer while your face is still damp from cleansing(this will prevent the water from evaporating)
• Dab it on with the pads of your fingers
• Gently massage in the moisturizer with upward outward strokes.
• Don’t rub, tug or pull your skin.

Note: If you have acne but your skin is dry or normal, oil-absorbing acne products will irritate your skin.
Also if your skin is extremely oily, you can skip a moisturizer.

COMBINATION SKIN
You have combination skin if:-

• Your cheeks are dry, but your T-zone is oily or pimple prone
• You are oily or pimple-prone along the perimeter of your face but dry every place else.
• Products that help one part of your face hurt another.

Combination skin is healthy looking skin with a smooth texture and some oiliness in the T-zone area. Your T-zone consists of your forehead, nose and chin. These are common places for excess oil, acne and blackheads since oil glands are usually concentrated here. Using the wrong products can result in skin that’s drier.

Taking Care of Your Oily T-Zone
Cleanser. If you’re dealing with excess oil, you’ll need to use a cleanser meant specifically for oily skin in that area. A gel based cleanser works best to eliminate oil and clean out your pores.

Toner . But only if your skin is very oily. Toners eliminate excess oil, but if your skin isn’t extremely oily, you may be left feeling dry and tight.

Facial Mask. Use a facial mask once a week that is formulated for acne or oily skin. A mask that has a clay-based formula is a good start. Apply only to your t-zone to ensure you don’t dry out the rest of your face.

Oil Blotting Sheets. They are an easy way to instantly get rid of excess shine. These discreet tissues are perfect to stick in your handbag or purse to refresh your face and makeup.

NORMAL SKIN
You have normal skin if:-

• Your skin always feel and look supple, with or without moisturizer
• You have few or no breakouts
• You can use almost any product without irritation
• Your skin tone is even, without any darker or lighter areas

Normal skin is healthy looking with a smooth texture and contains a balance of oil and moisture.

A person with this skin type should use products that maintain the moisture balance for a healthy, radiant glow. Your cleanser should leave your skin feeling supple and not tight. Your moisturizer should be lightweight with at least an SPF 15.

DRY SKIN
You have dry skin if:

• Your skin feels itchy or tight especially after cleansing
• You have rough, flaky patches.
• You made it through adolescence without acne.
• You are sensitive to sun, wind and cold.
• Your complexion looks dull.
• Is your skin characterized by small pores

Dryness occurs when your skin does not produce enough moisture and sebum. This can happen if you live in an arid climate because the dry air saps the moisture from the skin. You can experience dryness also because of artificial heaters, sun exposure or chlorine from swimming pools. Dry skin is common in women over 50 and among women who do not protect their skin.

Solutions

• Use a rich cream-based cleanser containing emollients that gently cleanses without overstripping.
• The moisturizer should soften, lubricate and restore needed moisture.
• If you have dry skin, it is a good idea to skip a toner. Use one only if you wear a lot of makeup. Be sure to choose one that is alcohol-free. Basically if your skin feels tight and dry after washing, forget about toning.

In a nutshell, skin care products and cosmetics will help the skin look and feel good but will not cure skin disorders. If someone has severe acne or some other skin disorder, seek the help of a dermatologist. Skin care products might only make your condition worse.

Let us know in the comments what your skin type is and what you do to take care of it.

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