Fingers or Brushes!

Fingers or Brushes!

Applying makeup is something that is completely unique to each individual. Face shape, skin color, skin type, and many other aspects come into play when it comes to applying the perfect makeup. 

Though this is true, there are some things that are universal no matter what your personal preferences and skin types. In some instances, it is important to look at the individual properties of the product when applying rather than the individual properties of the person applying the makeup. Many people struggle with the age old question, brushes or fingers, which will get the best finish. The answer is to look at the product being applied.

For shadows that are powder it is always better to use a brush. Using fingers in a powder product will upset the natural composition of the product, changing it completely. For instance, if you have a powder shadow and you apply it with your fingers, you may get streaks, smudges, areas with too much or too little product and much more. The natural oils on your fingers do not bode well with powder products. For cream shadows, however, it is almost always better to use your fingers. The heat from your fingers can help to warm up the product for a smooth application. In addition, you can control the amount that is on your eyes better with your fingers than you can with a brush.

For face products like foundation, blushes and bronzers, the same rules apply. With a powder product, it is always better to use your brushes to ensure an even application with smoothly blended edge and even disbursement of product. With cream products it is almost always better to use your fingers unless you are using a medium bristle buffing or foundation brush so that you can control the application. With liquid foundations, you can use either a brush or your fingers depending on what amount of coverage you want. If you want a sheer coverage, use your fingers; for a fuller coverage, use your brushes.

For lips, unless it is in a pot or tin and you have no other way of applying it, you can use your fingers. You want to use a brush or applicator for dark colors to keep from staining your fingers. With a clear balm, it does not make much difference what you use to apply

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Preventing Puffy Eyes

Preventing Puffy Eyes

This is one of the most common beauty problems. These ideas can help:

1). Gently tap your skin with your ring finger when you are applying eye cream to encourage the excess fluid to drain away.

2). Store creams in refrigerator, as the coldness will also help reduces puffiness.

3). Place thin strips of potato underneath your eyes to reduce swelling. The starch in the pot

ato seems to tighten the skin.

4). Fill a small bowl with iced water or ice-cold milk. Soak two cotton wool pads and lie down with pads over your eyes. Replace the pads as soon as they become warm. Continue for 15mins. This treatment reduces puffiness and brightens the whites of your eyes.

5). Cooling Cucumber; this is a super-quick and simple treatment. Place a slice of cucumber over each eye, then just lie back and relax for 15mins. Cucumber will gently tone and soothe the skin around the eyes.

Note: whichever eye treatment you decide to use, it is vital you take time to lie down and relax for at least 10minutes.

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Make Your Own Beauty Products

Make Your Own Beauty Products

Did you know that grapes can soothe and cleanse your skin? 

That bananas soften and smooth your skin and honey cleanses, tones and hydrates? You can use these and other ingredients to create your own beauty products. Not only do they cost a fraction of the price of beauty products at stores, but they are also healthy and free of many harmful chemicals. 

1). You can also make a wonderful facial scrub that will help you achieve clear skin in not time, out of oatmeal and water! grab a handful of oats and squeeze it tightly, run a little warm water over you're tight fist of oats, getting just slightly damp. Scrub you're face with the damp oats, do it regularly as a face wash.

2). Honey makes a moisturizing face mask, as well as a hair rinse for silky strands. For the mask, rub honey on your face and let sit for 15 minutes. For the hair rinse, mix 1 tbs. into 2 liters of warm water and pour over your hair. Don't rinse out- style as usual.

3). Apples and pears are mild astringents. Make a quick mask by grating a large apple or pear and mixing it with 1 tbs. of honey.

4). Use Aloe Vera gel as an astringent for oily skin. Aloe Vera gel is also great for thickening hair. Massage it into your scalp then leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing.

5). Mix 1 tbs. sugar with a few drops of olive oil for a sweet facial ex-foliant. This can be mixed in larger quantities for full body exfoliation.

6).For a skin softening bath, add 1/4 cup honey and 1 cup of milk to the water.

7).Make a facial mask with honey and bananas. Make sure the bananas are not overripe. Mash 1 banana with 3 tbs. honey.

Note: Allow all facials to sit 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

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Have a Clean Face

Have a Clean Face

Good Skin Starts With a Clean Face.

Washing your face is a no-brainer, right? Well, not exactly. A recent study by Olay found that only 50 percent of women wash their face regularly. And even if you are among the half that does, most are not using the right product, rinsing properly, or treating their skin with the TLC it deserves.

Good skincare starts with clean skin. There's no point in moisturizing or using anti-aging or anti-acne products on your skin if you don't have a clean palette to work with.

So how do you achieve a clean face? Simple! Follow these steps for bright, clean skin.

1) Steam your face. This is really simple, just boil the kettle to get some hot water, pour the water into a bowl, then put a towel over your head and hold the bowl (make sure it's not too hot to hold!) near your face for about 5-10 minutes.

2) Wash your face with warm (not hot) water and a cleanser for your skin type. For example, if you have acne, you would want an oil free or lightly medicated cleanser. Nothing too harsh or drying, because you'll more than likely be washing your face twice daily.

3) Rinse your face THOROUGHLY. Make sure the soap is GONE. Do a final rinse with cool (not cold) water to close pores.

4) Pat your face dry with a soft cloth. Don't rub, it spreads bacteria.Once your face is mostly dry, allow it to finish air drying for a few more minutes.

5) Moisturize your face, once again with a product for your skin type.

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Eating for Beautiful Skin - The Nigerian Way.

Eating for Beautiful Skin - The Nigerian Way.

While lotions and potions can improve your skin from the outside, a healthy diet works from inside out. A nutritious, balanced diet isn't only a delicious way to eat- it can work wonders for your skin. A diet for a healthy body is the same one as for a healthy, clear complexion. That is, one that contains lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, is high in fibre, low in fat and low in added sugar and salt. This should provide your body and skin with all the vitamins and minerals they need to function at their very best.

Healthy Skin Checklist:

These are the essentials your body needs to keep your skin in tip-top condition.

1). The most essential element is Water. One should drink at least two litres of water a day to keep your body healthy and your skin clear.

2). Cellulose carbohydrates, better known as fibre foods, have another less direct effect on the skin. Their action in keeping you regular can help to give a brighter, clearer complexion.

3). Vitamin A is essential for growth and repair of certain skin tissues. Lack of it causes dryness, itching and loss of skin elasticity. Its found in foods such as carrots, spinach, broccoli and apricots.

4). Vitamin C is needed for collagen production, to help keep your skin firm. Its found in foods such as strawberries, citrus fruits, cabbage and tomatoes.

5). Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin that neutralizes free radicals- highly reactive molecules that can cause ageing. It occurs in food such as almonds, hazelnuts and wheat germ.

6). Zinc works with vitamin A in the making of collagen and elastin, the fibres that give the skin its strength, elasticity and firmness. It occurs in shellfish, wholegrains, milk, cheese and yoghurt.

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