February 15, 2009

Eyebrows, an Often Forgotten Asset

Filed under: Cosmetics Advice — sue @ 8:32 pm

Eyebrows can be a perfect frame for your face or a much neglected feature so it is worth taking the trouble to get them right.

The first step is to tidy them up with a pair of tweezers. This can be painful but the more you do it the less painful it becomes. A good tip is to numb the area with an ice cube before starting.

Bushy eye-brows tend to overpower your face and eyes and need thinning out. Pluck stragglers from the brow bone and over the bridge of the nose. Try and keep to your natural eyebrow shape as much as possible as this will give the best looking result.

The ideal brow shape starts in line with the inner eye corner, arches gently upward two thirds of the way over the eve at the brow bone peak, then tapers gently just beyond the outer eye corner. Go gently when shaping eyebrows,  thin, high, half-moon eyebrows can give you a permanently startled look. Above all avoid plucking all your eyebrows and penciling in a straight line. This is so not a good look. You should be aiming for a perfect but natural shape.

Give your skin time to calm down and for any redness to fade after plucking. Put a little dab of antiseptic cream on if your skin is sore or if a spot of blood appeared as you plucked. Your eyebrow hairs will be gradually weakened by repeated plucking and the process will become much easier

Apply your foundation and eye make up  next to avoid getting colour or powder in your brows.

Then use an eyebrow brush to neaten up the shape of your brows and get all the hairs going in the same direction.

Once you have a general shape you are happy with fill out thin brows with an eyebrow pencil that matches the colour of your brows or is a tone lighter.  Avoid harsh, dark colours unless you are naturally very dark.   Use fine strokes, feathered to mimic  the natural way the hairs grow. Eyebrow pencils provide a realistic finish and don’t melt or shine as the day wears on.

Your can also fill in patchy brows with brown powder eye shadow,

Use your eyebrow brush again to soften any harsh pencil lines and blend with your natural brows.

For a really long-lasting effect you need to set your eyebrows. A clear mascara is ideal for this or you can use a product like the Hard Candy Brow Pencil and Gel which is an eyebrow pencil at one end with an eyebrow gel at the other.

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February 8, 2009

How to have Beautiful Nails in Just Two Weeks

Filed under: Cosmetics Advice — Tags: , , — sue @ 7:18 pm

Life can be tough for hands and nails. Cleaning and washing up products, exposure to the cold and wind and general wear and tear all take their toll.

But with a little care anyone can have beautiful hands and nails in a very short time.

Beautiful nails don’t have to be long talons. In fact unless you are a lady of leisure a long nail is bound to break and spoil the look of your manicure. If you want really long nails for a special occasion try false nails. Keep your own nails short and neat with a small, even half moon of nail tip around the top.

Make a late New Year resolution to never again do any washing up or cleaning without rubber gloves. This will make a world of difference. You cannot keep a manicure for any length of time if your hands and nails are regularly attacked by water and harsh chemicals.

Another resolution should be to use a hand cream regularly. Always use it at night, make it part of your cleansing and moisturising routine, and at anytime during the day.

If your nails are not in great condition to start with then you need to start using a nail strengthener and conditioner.   Sally Hansen do a huge range of suitable products, you are bound to find one that is just right for you. If your cuticles are in a bad state you will also need a cuticle cream or oil. Again Sally Hansen have lots to choose from. These products will make a real difference in just a matter of days.

For a perfect, long-lasting manicure first gently file your nails into shape. Always use an emery board, never a metal file and always file in a single direction, never saw backwards and forwards. Buff and polish the tips as this will prevent chipping and cracking.

Very gently push back your cuticles, never, ever cut them or damage them in any way as this will damage the future growth of your nails. If you have been using the cuticle conditioner your cuticles will be very soft and flexible and will push back easily with just your finger.

Wash your hands thoroughly to remove nail filings and any trace of grease or nail polish remover as any of these will damage your manicure.

Then apply a base coat, there are lots available in our Nail Polish and Treatments section. Allow this to dry. Always allow plenty of time for a manicure, a rush job will be only mean you have to do it again tomorrow!   Apply two coats of your chosen shade of nail polish and again allow to dry for at least 10 minutes for each coat, more if you can. Then apply a top coat, again available in our Nail Polish and Treatments section. Try not to use your hands for 30 minutes to allow your manicure to dry properly. Then polish the tips to prevent chipping and apply hand lotion.

Nail Polish remover is a harsh product, it has to be to dissolve nail polish, so keep your use of it to a minimum. Apply another coat of top coat every other day to extend the life of your manicure and cut down the number of times you need to remove it.

Your nails reflect your general state of health. Weak nails, white spots and ridges are signs of poor diet  and rough treatment. Eat a balanced diet, we all know what we should be eating, protect your nails and you will see the result. This will take a long time as it takes around 6 months for your nails to grow from the cuticle to the tip.

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February 5, 2009

Foundation, Back to Basics.

Filed under: Cosmetics Advice — Tags: , , — sue @ 8:47 pm

Foundation does exactly what it says on the tin.  It is the base and foundation of your whole make up routine. If your foundation is shaky then you are in trouble!

Foundation comes in a number of different types and varieties and it is important to get the right one for you.

Tinted moisturiser is lightly tinted with minimum coverage. Perfect for young skins and for the times when you want to look natural but need a little help.

Liquid foundation is the most popular and is suitable for everyone.  This gives medium coverage, not too light and not too heavy. Choose an oil-free formulation for oily or combination skin and a moisturising or anti-ageing formulation for dry or mature skin.

Mousse foundation has a very creamy and hydrating finish with a medium coverage. Gives a light and airy, natural look which lasts for a long time.

Stick foundations give a heavier coverage with moisturising properties and act as a concealer too. Suitable for dry, mature skin or skin with lots of blemishes. Good for blotchy or uneven skin tone.

Light diffusing foundations contain small particles that difuse the reflected light. This softens lines and wrinkles and makes blemishes less visible. The particles also give light and a radiance to the skin.

Choose a colour that is as close to your own skin tone as possible. If you can, try a tester on your face, if this is not possible try it on the inside of your wrist, never on your hand. Allow a few minutes for the colour to develop and reveal itself fully and try and look at it in natural light as well as artificial light.

Many foundations contain a sunscreen which helps protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. So it is important to look out for the SPF number on a product. The higher the number the greater the protection. 

When you use your foundation apply a thin layer of moisturiser to your skin and allow it to settle and absorb for at least 20 minutes. 

With clean hands apply concealer as needed and then dab spots of foundation over your face. Gently blend in well. Pay particular attention to your jaw line and hair line. There is nothing more obvious than a tide line where the make up finishes. If you have chosen a shade close to your skin tone then all that is needed is to blend and taper off the foundation into your neck.

Allow to set for a few minutes before applying powder.

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A History of Perfume

Filed under: Articles — Tags: — sue @ 8:15 pm

The first recorded use of perfume was by the ancient Egyptians. Their religious rituals called for the use of incense and the application of scented balms and unguent or ointment.

 

Not until the New Kingdom 1580-1085 BC was perfume used in a secular way as perfumed creams and oils and cosmetics and as pre-sex massage oils.

 

From Egypt the use of perfume spread throughout the ancient world of the Greek and Roman Empires and to the Islamic world. The advent of Christianity saw the decline in the use of perfume as a vain decadence with immoral sexual undertones and it was in the Islamic world that the skill of perfume making was kept alive and continued to develop.

 

The Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries saw the reintroduction of perfume to the Christian world brought back by the returning crusaders. Simple floral, herbal and fruit extracts were used to disguise the more unappealing aromas caused the universal distrust of bathing. Perfume was also thought ward off infections and an orange stuffed with cloves was often carried by the wealthy as a protection against the plague.

 

Perfume making, particularly in France, had developed and grown into a skilled industry by the seventeenth century and the Guild of Glove and Perfume makers was established.

The court of King Louise XV was named The Perfumed Court as it became all the rage to apply perfume to clothing, fans and furniture as well as to the skin. Baths were still an annual occasion in seventeenth century France, even for royalty, so perhaps this was a blessing for all.

 

The 18th Century saw the creation of Eau de Cologne, a refreshing blend of rosemary, neroli, bergamot and lemon. It was the latest fashion and was used in every way imaginable, mixed with wine, eaten with a sugar lump or as a mouthwash, an enema, or a poultice. It was also added to bath water as by this time the wealthy were overcoming their distrust of washing and cleanliness was becoming the vogue.

 

The popularity of perfume coincided with the development of decorative glass and perfume was kept in beautiful faceted bottles as a fashion accessory.

 

The advent of the industrial era in the late 18th century saw the craft of the perfume maker turned into a science. New fragrances and mass production were introduced with France still the major centre of production. This is the time when the famous names in the perfume industry began to emerge, Houbigant, Lubin, Roger & Gallet, Guerlain and Coty.

 

In 1921 Couturier Gabrielle Chanel launched her own brand of perfume called Chanel no 5, still probably the world’s most famous and popular fragrance.

The 1930s saw the arrival of the floral fragrances with Worth’s Je Reviens, Caron’s Fleurs de Rocaille and Jean Patou’s Joy. After World War 11 the major fashion houses such as Christain Dior, Jacques Faith, Nina Ricci and Pierre Balmain all rushed to develop and market their own brand.

 

The 1970s saw the arrival of the inexpensive mass market perfume with the creation of Revlon’s Charlie. Now there are many perfumes in all price ranges to suit everyone.

 

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How to Choose and Wear Your Perfume

Filed under: Articles — sue @ 8:10 pm

 

Perfume is the ultimate sensory experience and can conjure up emotions and memories. You can use this in two ways. You can create a signature fragrance just for you. Choose a fragrance you like and wear it all the time. Layer it by using a deodorant, body lotion, bath additives, anything available in the same scent. This will make the fragrance last longer so that the scent is present whenever you are. Someone who knows you well will only have to smell a hint of your own special perfume and memories and emotions of the time you spent together will flood back into their mind.

 

This has limitations however as you must choose a fragrance that is suitable to all occasions, seasons and time of day or night. The alternative is to choose a fragrance that reflects your mood. A light energetic fragrance for work, a soft floral scent for daytime outings or a heavy, sensual perfume for evenings. Your perfume will help create the mood and feelings that most reflect your own and push the occasion in the direction you want it to go.

 

Fragrance comes in a number of different formulas and it is important to know what you are buying.

 

Perfume has 22% Fragrance Oils and it is the most long-lasting and concentrated form. This is not used all that often these days as it is incredibly expensive.

 

Eau de Parfume is very popular and contains 15-22% fragrance oils. It is still expensive but is a very clean and long-lasting form.

 

Eau de Toilette and Eau de Cologne contain 4-15% fragrance oils and should be significantly less expensive than the more concentrated forms.

 

Classically fragrance is divided into three layers of scent called notes. The top note contains the most volatile oils and is the shortest lived fragrance. The middle note last a little longer and is the dominant, central tone of the fragrance. The base note lasts much longer around 24 hours and it is the combination of these notes that gives the famous fragrances their distinctive smell.

 

Fragrances can be divided into different families.

 

A Chypre fragrance contains woody, mossy and floral notes such as Oakmoss, Sandlewood, Patchouli, Bergamot and Vetiver.

Examples of a Chypre Fragrance include Cuir de Russe by Chanel. Misouko by Guerlain and Chypre de Coty

 

Marine Fragrances are a new family of scents that evoke the scent of the sea using an ingredient called Calone. A number of popular modern fragrances like Dolce & Gabana’s Feminine, Escape from Calvin Klein and Aquawoman by Rochas are examples of Marine fragrances.

 

Oriental fragrances are warm, spicy and sweet. They contain ingredients like vanilla and Tonka bean and sometimes the heavy sensual musk oils. Examples include Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, and Coco by Chanel.

 

The majority of feminine fragrances are floral. Some are a blend of different flower oils with or without additional oil like citrus oil or a single floral note, again with other undernotes added. Examples include, Chanel no 19, Anais Anais by Cacharel, L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci and Dolce Vita by Dior.

 

Remember perfume can both define you and capture the essence of the moment, make it work for you.

 

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February 2, 2009

All You Have Ever wanted to Know About Concealer!

Filed under: Cosmetics Advice — Tags: , — sue @ 9:35 pm

Blemishes, dark circles, uneven skin tone and scars. We all have them. Even models and movie stars have them. They are either airbrushed out or camouflaged by the skillful use of cosmetic concealers. This last solution is available to all of us and, with a little practice, can give amazingly successful results.
   
A concealer is used to cover up blemishes and produce an even skin tone. Losing the dark circles under your eyes can make a dramatic, instantly youthful  difference to your appearance. Dark patches around the nose and chin can disappear completely so it is well worth taking the trouble to perfect your concealer technique. 

Concealers are meant to conceal and blend in completely with your natural skin tone and foundation. The best way to ensure that they do just that is to choose a colour that’s a half-shade lighter than your skin’s natural tone.

Chose the shade of your concealer carefully: For pale skin, use a light beige with yellow undertones. For olive skin, use a medium beige with pink undertones. And for darker skin, use a medium to medium-dark shade with peach undertones. Multi-tone concealers can give exceptional results but do practice before going out as they can be tricky to get right. 

 Apply concealer first, before foundation, and give it a few minutes to set before applying your foundation.  Apply a very light, non greasy, moisturising eye cream to about one inch below the eye.  Then lightly place a small bit of concealer directly over the area. You can use a small, square, flat concealer brush or you can dot it on with your finger. Gently pat the concealer onto your skin rather than rubbing it in.

Blend in thoroughly but with as soft a touch as possible.

Always start with less than you think you need. You can add more if needed, but the idea is to use as little as possible. Don’t be tempted to apply a layer so thickly that it becomes noticeable, This will only draw attention to the problem area. Less is definitely more  in this instance.

Using the correct shade for you skin will allow you to get better results with less product. When you are using a concealer tester always try it out on your face. The skin tone of your hand is completely different from that of your face.

Concealer can even help cover up acne.  Use a medicated concealer, one with Tea tree Oil is ideal, and it will even help heal the spot while it conceals it!  A yellow or green shade can help to counter the redness of acne.  

Be very careful when using concealer on an area that will be covered by eyeshadow, blusher or lipstick as the colours can be altered by concealer, test this out on your hand before using a new product.     

Concealers are available in  stick form, like a lipstick. These are easy to apply, give a good cover and are convenient to carry about. Make sure they are very soft and avoid dragging the delicate skin around the eyes as you apply and blend.

Also available are liquid concealers, often with an applicator wand in the lid, or in a small tube. These are very easy to apply and blend. You can dab it on without dragging. 

Compact concealers are usually applied with the finger tip. These also give a good coverage but make sure your hands are scrupulously clean, especially if you suffer from spots.

After applying concealer apply foundation and powder as usual. You can touch up your concealer over your foundation if necessary,  but be very careful to blend it in very carefully and to use the minimum amount possible.   

If you have scarring to your face or body there are special ranges of concealing make up that are only available on the NHS.  If you ask your GP he can refer you to a specialist who will select suitable products and give you instructions on how to use them. These products are really brilliant, the results are incredible and can be life-changing. So if you think you might benefit please go and speak to your GP.

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