Lip gloss 101

Copyright: milkmanstudioA lot of woman seem to have the same lip gloss issues: It's sticky. It runs. I have to keep reapplying. My boyfriend hates it but I love it. Etc.
Well, here are some tips, tricks and techniques to make all your lips happy...

If the tackiness of your lip gloss is your dilemma let me put you at ease. The tackier the gloss the longer it will last on your lips. You don't believe me. Test it out for yourself. Grab one of your silkier glosses and wear it for a day. Then do the same with your sticky gloss. Keep track on how many times you apply each one.(excluding when your eating of course). Its a guarantee you'll be saving money on the sticky one and there wont be a need for constant reapplying.
Try this: Apply a lip balm, lip conditioner or chap stick before your gloss. It wont be as sticky but still long lasting.

If running lip gloss (or lipstick) is your issue then it's time to friend a lip pencil. You can use one that matches your gloss, is 1-3 shades darker to give your lips dimension or a nude color that can be worn with any gloss or lipstick.
The trick is to apply the pencil AFTER you've applied the lipstick or gloss. Yes. After. Why? Because the purpose of a pencil in this case is to act as a barrier. If your applying it first it defeats that purpose. Make sense?

If your a fan of the gloss but your boyfriend isn't then you need to find a happy medium. Try using a tinted lip conditioner or a "sheer" gloss which is usually less tacky, silkier but still has that high shine that we all love. Use a lip tint or pencil first as your base for high color impact color.

KISSES!

Make-up brush sanitation 101

OMG! I almost died when I heard another make-up artist tell someone they only had to clean their make-up brushes once a month with baby shampoo. Are you for real? No wonder your face looks the way it does.
Don't listen to that nonsense.
First of all forget this baby shampoo myth you keep hearing and reading. Babies dont wear make-up. Secondly your brushes gather oil, bacteria and make-up build up, not to mention dust and anything else that comes in contact with them. If your all for breakouts and black heads knock yourself out otherwise save the baby products for the babies...once a month.

Wash your brushes ONCE A WEEK if anything once every other week. Your best bet is to use Brush cleanser (thats why they make them). They remove everything and keep your bristles soft. Your last resort should be anti-bacterial soap. I love to use them both. First anti-bacterial soap. Rinse. Then brush cleanser. Rinse. That way I know my brushes are clean. Extra clean. And I save on spending money on brush cleanser. Lay them down flat on a clean towel or paper towel to dry.
For that every day cleanser lay your brush (one at a time) on paper towel and pour brush cleanser directly on the bristles. Wipe back and fourth and repeat on new spot on paper towel till brush is clean. Feel free to rinse with water after. Any questions?

Beach Glow 101

Copyright: Gone Til Novus-embe
Question: I love seeing that summer glow on skin but I always seem to struggle getting it for myself. Creams and lotions feel sticky and mixing it with my SPF makes it worse. Oils evaporate and I end up having to re-apply. And I would rather stay away from anything with shimmers. What can I do that's easy and works?

Answer: SALT SCRUBS! Its your best friend all year round (especially in the winter when skin needs that extra moisture because Salt Scrubs are based in oil. They also come in great scents.)
Why is it so great for Summer? In the shower after washing with your everyday body wash. Turn the water off and rub in your salt scrub (EVERYWHERE BUT THE FACE). After rinsing off feel free to shave WITHOUT the need to use your shaving cream or gel. After you've toweled off your skin will feel like new. Silky. Smooth. Moisturized. Naturally GLOWING. Its your choice to apply a moisturizer but definitely apply an SPF.
It's a great exfoliant and safe to use 2-3 times a week. My top pick for the best scrubs is SABON!

Pores 101

I get a lot of clients in my chair that ask me questions about their pores. This one seems to always be number one...
I have these huge pores that look worse during the warm weather. I've tried everything but nothings working. Do you have any suggestions?
That's when I ask an array of questions finding that none of these women are taking the time in their morning or evening cleansing regimen to reverse or simplify this problem.
Wake up ladies and start taking better care of yourselves. You only get one face!

In the AM: Wash your face with WARM water. Rinse with COLD water. (cold water closes your pores which makes it harder for dirt and bacteria to invade. (Also great for acne prone skin) PAT your skin dry with a CLEAN towel. Then moisturize with your daytime moisturizer, eye cream and SPF.

In the PM: REMOVE your make-up with a make-up remover FIRST! (Don't forget to remove the eye liner and mascara as well. Don't get me started.) Wash your face with Warm water. EXFOLIATE with a micro beaded scrub (very fine grains. NOT the large kinds that you find in products like St. Ives scrubs that can cut and damage your skin.) RINSE with COLD water. PAT dry with a Clean towel. Apply a TONIFYING lotion using a COTTON BALL or PAD (not your fingers.) LET DRY then apply your night cream and eye cream.
If you can find and don't mind using a tonifying facial wash you can always use that following or as your facial wash before your scrub to skip the toning process.

You do more at night for your skin because its awake regenerating new skin cells while you sleep. So, treat it well.

Brows 101

Copyright: MaverickPhoto
Where should I start?...

Brows FRAME the face. Full brows are definitely the direction you should go. Unless of course you're a porn star. Don't get me started.

Now, when I say full I don't mean caterpillar brows so relax. The best width for brows in my opinion is the width of your pinky nail before reaching your arch. Your arch should start where your pupil ends when eye is centered. As for Brow color... Blondes should consider going 2-3 shades darker where Brunettes should consider going 1-2 shades lighter. You lucky Red Heads can go in either direction 1-3 shades.

Your options for filling in brows are almost unlimited these days:
Brow pencils... With light strokes following the direction of hair growth you can fill in brows for a very natural look.
Brow gel... This "mascara" for brows is great in so many ways. It attaches to hair and not the skin so no worries there. It comes in clear or in colors which is great for changing brow color without the dye. It keeps brows in place. And the best part... once it dries its smudge proof.
Brow wax... Also comes in clear and colors and sets unruly brows in place.
Brow shader... This shadow for brows requires an angeled brush for application. It comes in all brow shades and is great for filling and creating brows.
Eye shadow... Works the same as Brow shader.

With all these options no ones brows should be hard to come by and all of these products can be mixed and matched to perfection.
Brow stencils are also available to make arching easier as well as concealer for those in between visits to your brow specialists.

Hair 101

When it comes to choosing a new hair style (cut and color) there are a few thing you should take under consideration...
Your lifestyle: Is the style going to work for your everyday activities? should you keep your hair long in order to pull it a away from your face or cut it short to avoid the hassle?...
Your Skin type: If your acne prone should you get bangs? (The oils in your hair may cause more acne)...
Your skin and eye color: Will the hair color you choose compliment you? Bring out your eyes? brighten your skin?...
Cut: Will the style you choose fit your face? Your body type? Make you look older? Younger? Will it be easy to maintain?
And of course... when its time to grow out... What will it look like in the process?
Take the time to consider all your options and weigh in all the factors before making any rash decisions. Ask opinions of those who you are sure will give their honest opinion.