Category — Free Makeup samples

Staying healthy is an essential part to any beauty regimen.  Detoxifying the body can help to improve overall health and well-being.  Of course, avoiding processed foods and living a more natural lifestyle is ideal, but in today’s fast-paced world that is often easier said than done.  To help counter some of the toxins taken in daily through from the environment, try some (or all) of these at-home practices.

1.      Drink plenty of water.  A well-hydrated body is better equipped to eliminate toxins on its own.  Hot water is especially effective because it is more potent and flushes the body’s systems better than cold.  To make sipping on a warm glass of water more appealing, add some lemon juice which also improves the function of the liver, the body’s natural detoxing machine.

2.      Walk briskly 15-20 minutes each day.  By keeping a brisk pace, circulation and sweat increase and the body is more able to cleanse the lymphatic system.  The act of walking also improves colon function by utilizing the lower abdominal muscles.

3.      Try the ancient Ayurvedic practice of dry skin brushing.  By using a natural bristle brush over the entire body (except the face) in long strokes moving toward the heart, toxins are eliminated.  This also removes dead skin cells and debris which encourages the body to release even more toxins.

4.      If sipping hot water isn’t appealing, try enjoying some other detoxifying drinks such as apple and cranberry juice.  Green tea is a natural detoxifier and anti-inflammatory that can be even more effective when flavored with lemon, ginger, or peppermint.

5.      Soak in a nice warm bath that includes either Epsom or seaweed salts.  Both of these will help to pull toxins from the skin and encourage the release of toxins from vital organs.

6.      Practicing yoga daily can also help to release toxins in the body.  A simply version of the Sun Salutation done in the morning and at night will help to increase circulation and massage vital organs that will aid in the detoxifying process.

Love the look of designer nails but can’t afford the trips to the salon?  Not to worry, creating that artistic nail look can be done at home for a fraction of the cost.  Starting with nails that are clean, well-shaped and in good condition will make the look even better.

Trim nails so that they are all similar in length and shape.  Add a drop of cuticle oil to each nail and massage in before pushing cuticles back and trimming.  Every great artist starts with a smooth canvas.  Achieve the perfect nail canvas by applying two base coats.  Not only will this improve the final look, it will also help to strengthen the nails.

Allow both base coats to dry completely before creating the work of art.

Before starting this project, make sure to have all materials ready and an idea or technique in mind.  Materials don’t have to be expensive tools of the trade.  Everyday items like toothpicks and hair pins can be used to create polka-dots, swirls, letters and more.  Craft brushes also come in very handy for creating unique looks.  Spend some time in the nail care aisle to find polish pens and stencils to help create a fun look.  Be sure to have a pure acetone polish remover and cotton swabs on hand for eliminating any errors.

Once the materials are ready, start with simple designs, glitter, stickers or jewels.  More advanced techniques include blending colors and intricate designs with multiple colors.  Once you have created the desired look, apply a top coat.  To help maintain and protect your art, apply another top coat and a drop of cuticle oil every two to three days.  Whatever the look, be creative and have fun in the process!

Nothing is quite as frustrating as achieving the perfect look and then watching it fade throughout the day.  From eye liner to lip stick and everything in between seems to fall victim to midday smudging or fading.

If you find that your eyeliner and/or mascara smudges or runs halfway through the day, try reducing the amount of eye cream used in the mornings by half or leave a little space between where the eye cream is applied and where the eye makeup goes.

If your blush seems to disappear throughout the day, put a very thin layer of cream blush under your finishing powder and then top it off with a powder blush.

To keep lips in place and avoid feathering, always start with a lip liner.  Apply lip color, blot, lightly dust with face powder and finish with a gloss to add extra shine and moisture.

Trying these quick and easy tips will help keep that perfectly applied face in place all the live-long day.

Whatever look you are trying to achieve, here are some styling tips to help with the everyday styles that so many of us sport.

*To create an easy, wavy, natural look, gently use your fingers or a pick to untangle wet hair.  Add a small amount of anti-frizz or shine enhancing product and let hair air dry.

*Permed hair often requires a bit of perking up between shampoos or on the mornings when a full-styling session doesn’t fit the time constraints.  Start by lightly misting hair with water and then pushing curls into place with your fingers.  Keeping a spray bottle with water and a few drops of essential oil in your favorite scent will really kick up the overall effect of this quick fix.

*Pomade is the perfect product in a pinch.  It can be used (very sparingly) to remove static, control flyaways, or create a glossy shine to dull hair.  Always start pomade by gently rubbing between palms and applying to ends first.

*Once that beautiful braid is completely, finish the look by applying a little gel or pomade to the little loose hairs around the face and nape of the neck.  After smoothing on a little product, a hairpin can help hold things in place until dry.  These products can also be applied to damp hair before braiding to help keep everything in place.

Some people have it and some do not…hair with natural volume that is.  If you are among those who have been blessed with voluminous hair, congratulations!  On the other hand, if you haven’t and still crave volume, don’t despair.  It can still be achieved!  In addition to using volumizing shampoos and conditioners, there are also supplements that can be taken to help hair.

B-vitamins, zinc, and iron can help boost hair volume and growth and are the key ingredients that help prenatal vitamins seem to work so well.  During the styling process, creating the illusion of volume is also possible.  Try blow drying hair while bent over at the waist and flipping hair upside down.

Applying hairspray while flipped over this way will also help to volumize hair, but be sure to avoid putting a stiff layer of laquer on the top of the hair as it will weight it down and reduce the voluminous look.

Brightly colored steaks are all the rage these days.  These are a fun and quirky way to express yourself and the look can often be achieved in a temporary way.  Normally, dark hair has to be bleached first and then colored for the vibrant colors to show.

There are some products on the market now such as Spiker colored gel and various hair sprays that can help you achieve the look without the bleaching.  Obviously, the process and intensity of the color is easier for those with lighter hair, but anyone can achieve the look.  The ‘at-home’ method involves using peroxide or a bleaching kit from the local drug store to strip the color from the hair (unless the hair is already a light blonde).  Any shade of Kool-aid can then be used to dye the hair and create the desired color streak.  There are also dyes at the local beauty supply store that can be used.

For the less adventurous or those who don’t want to make the full commitment, single extensions can be clipped into the hair and come in a rainbow selection of colors.  These extensions can be trimmed to match the hair’s length, but DO NOT use the curling iron on these locks because it isn’t real hair and will melt.  Even with the clipped-in version, the look is fun and cool!

Using a customized, homemade herbal rinse can do wonders for hair color, whether natural or artificial.  Often, even the healthiest of hairs could use a little refreshing treatment or enhancement.  The effects are often subtle and smell great.

* In order to brighten blonde hair, create a quart of tea using 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile and 2 tablespoons of dried marigold.  Allow these to steep in the boiling water for half an hour.  Once the tea has cooled to a comfortable temperature, pour through wet hair.

* To add extra luster to those beautiful brunette locks, follow the same procedure as the blonde tea except substitute the herbs with rosemary and sage and add 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar.

* Rejuvenate red hair by adding 2 tablespoons of saffron and 1 tablespoon of honey to a quart of boiling water.  Follow the same procedure of the blondes and brunettes for a fantastic final rinse.

*Repairing damaged hair is always a good idea.  A quick remedy that can be done monthly is to beat 1 egg yolk with olive oil and massage into a hair.  Start at the ends and work toward the scalp, but don’t massage into the scalp.  Leave this concoction on hair for 10 minutes and shampoo.  If hair is overly damaged, this treatment can be done weekly for a month.

Do a little research and come up with the herbal combination that’s best for your hair.  Experimenting with different herbal rinses can be a fun and inexpensive way to spruce up the look of hair.

No matter where these tips and tricks originated from, they are some of the most tried and true home remedies for creating healthy hair.

* Mayonnaise may not be the healthiest of condiments, but it can do wonders to help condition hair.  Slather up to half a cup of mayo on dry hair and let sit for half an hour.  Rinse and shampoo as normal.

*Combine 1 cup of water (preferably distilled or filtered) with ½ cup of strained lemon juice.  Comb this through hair after shampooing to brighten hair.  Since lemon juice reacts unpredictably to heat and sunlight, avoid doing this in the summer months or right before blow drying hair.

*To reduce static electricity in dry hair, rub a dryer sheet over the comb and then run through hair once styling is finished.

*If hair seems to have an excess build up of conditioner, styling gel, or hair spray, add a tablespoon of baking soda to shampoo once a week.  Rinse and dry as usual, but skip the conditioner on this one day.  An alternative to this is to mix 6 tablespoons of beer to 1 cup warm water and use as a final rinse once a week.

*For a quick, dry shampoo and to eliminate that greasy hair look, rub a small amount of talc or baby powder into your hair.  Be sure to brush it out completely.

These home concoctions cost much less than expensive name brand treatments and are usually more natural and environmentally friendly.

Often we get so caught up in creating the latest look or trying the “new” secrets to beautiful hair that the basics get lost along the way.  There are a reason these things are called “the basics” and practicing them will make hair all that more beautiful.

*Thoroughly wet hair before adding a quarter-size amount of shampoo and lather for less than a minute to avoid breakage.

*Rinsing with cool water seals in moisture.

*100 strokes of a brush will help distribute hair’s natural oils and keep the scalp healthy.  Be sure to flip the head over and brush back to front for at least half of those strokes.

*Use a comb to get tangles out of wet hair.  Using a brush will cause more breakage and do more damage than good.

*If hair has been recently colored, be sure to wait at least 48 hours before shampooing.  When hair is wet, the cuticle opens up and the color needs time to be sealed in to avoid fading.

*Coated rubber bands are a must to secure ponytails and the ends of braids.  They reduce the chances of breakage.

By remembering and following some of these tried and true basics, hair will be healthier, happier, and hotter!

Healthy hair is shiny and soft to the touch, but often in the process of creating the perfect hair-dos, we use a lot of hair-don’ts.  Always avoid styling products that contain alcohol.  The alcohol in many hairsprays and gels can dry out hair, leaving it dull and lifeless.   Once you’ve chosen a good (alcohol-free) product, keep it off the scalp.  Putting products like mousse, gel, and pomades on the scalp can clog the pores and lead to flake-causing build-up.

As you are creating the perfect style, remember that hot air can damage hair as well as heat-styling products.  Change the hair dryer setting to cool, especially if you are also using a straightener, curling iron, or hot rollers.  To speed up the drying process and keep the heat off of your hair as much as possible, try towel drying your hair and then doing the other things in your morning routine such as brushing teeth and applying body lotion as the hair has a chance to air dry.

Finishing any hairstyle with a leave-in treatment such as Redken’s Extreme is always a good idea and a win-win for your hair’s look and health.