Category — Makeup Tips

As much as we would all love to look like a cover girl, most of us are rarely thrilled with how we look in pictures. Here are some celebrity hints to help you look great for your next portrait sitting or night out that ends up on Facebook.

If your hair never seems full enough, try adding some extensions to boost the volume. The majority of celebs either have them glued or sewn in.

When applying mascara, apply what is on the wand to a mini-fan brush and then to your eye lashes. This will help you coat each individual lash without any clumps. Always apply a sheer lip balm right before pictures or lick your lips at the very least. The extra shine will help your look.

When posing, stand at an angle to the camera but make sure to turn your face toward your photographer. This will slenderize your body and elongate your neck.

To make your arms look more shapely and present a certain amount of confidence or attitude, place hands on hipbones but not at the waist.

Finally, try to be shot from above. This upper angle will help you avoid that dreaded double-chin and make you appear thinner.

Following these few simple tricks will have you picture perfect for every shot!

You don’t have to invest hundreds of dollars in your makeup stash to create a marvelous everyday look. A few quality tools and products and you’ll be all set to create whatever look you’re in the mood for from natural to glamorous. Start with a clean and neat storage area. This can be a bag, box, drawer, or whatever suits your fancy. The key is to keep it clean and organized and be sure that brushes can lay flat or stand up.

Never store your brushes upside down. This will damage the fibers and make application less accurate. When it comes to supplies, every makeup kit needs to have a large round brush, eye shadow brush, sponge-tip applicator, blending brush, eyelash curler, and cotton swabs. As far as cosmetics go, keeping it simple will make your morning routine much simpler.

Must-have’s in your makeup line include powder foundation, concealer, eyeliner, eye shadow (in 3 complimentary colors), mascara, lip liner, lip gloss/stick/stain, and a natural blush. Of course, mixing it up with some fun bright colors and sparkles and shimmers is always fun!

No makeup kit would be complete without proper removal supplies. Neutrogena carries a variety of lines that are great for most skin types. Keep an eye-makeup remover, cleanser, toner, moisturizer and acne treatment product in your arsenal and be sure to use them daily. Never, never sleep with make up on.

All great skin regimens and makeup routines begin with healthy skin. Keeping these products neat organized and at your fingertips will make your daily routine simple and stress free.

Good cosmetic care prolongs life of your products and improves application, giving you the best results possible. Depending on what line or type of cosmetics you use, some of them should be completely replaced every six months, especially if they are “wet” type products like liquid foundation, lip gloss, or mascara. Mark the date on the bottom of the container to help you remember.

Over time, bacteria builds up in the cosmetics and can lead to acne and skin irritations, plus the makeup itself will start to breakdown and deteriorate. To help cut down on the bacteria growth and keep your cosmetics healthy for your use, be sure to

(1) wash your hands before applying makeup,

(2) tighten lids completely after each use to help preserve the contents, and

(3) don’t share your makeup with anybody, ever. We’re all guilty of doing it, but sharing makeup can lead to the spread of different bacteria and infections.

In addition to keeping your cosmetics clean and well-cared for, it’s also important to look after the tools you are using in your beauty routine. Makeup brushes are a haven for bacteria and build up. Follow these simple steps for good brush care

*Wipe off or shake out brushes after each use. You can use a tissue to wipe the brushes off but be sure that you don?t pull on the bristles.

*Store brushes in a bag or container to prevent dust buildup. Be sure to store them either flat or upright to help keep their shape.

*Wash brushes monthly with warm water and mild shampoo (baby shampoos works well for this). Rinse thoroughly. Reshape and lay flat to dry.

*Clean lipstick brushes after each use

*Don’t share brushes. Just like with cosmetics, this can lead to the spread of bacteria and cause acne.

Whether you are packing for a tropical vacation or gearing up for another hot summer at home, be sure to avoid looking like a hot mess while enjoying the sun and summertime. Warm weather brings out excess oil in our hair and skin as a protection mechanism from the sun and environment. To help alleviate looking like you’ve spritzed with baby oil from head to toe, try some oil-absorbing products while applying less to your look.

Start with an oil-absorbing toner to clean your face and remove hidden oil from pores that the warm weather will draw out. Follow that with an oil-free foundation applied only to the nose area and then blend it out to the cheekbones and lower forehead. Always avoid any foundation or excess lotions along the hairline where you will perspire the most.

Finish the face with an oil-absorbing powder with a minimum SPF of 15. For the eyes, most make-up will melt as the day heats up, so less really is more. Waterproof mascara along the top lashes is usually plenty for an everyday look as is a tinted lip balm containing SPF. Protect your skin and keep the make-up simple to avoid looking like a hot mess whether you’re on the beach or in the backyard.

The proper tools can make all the difference when going for a specific look, even if the look is just every day gorgeous. Imagine an artist not having the right brushes to complete a masterpiece. Why should you be any different?

Depending on what type of foundation you use, a large, round, sable brush may be necessary. This will keep the application smooth and even.

Eye shadow brushes are great for creams or powders just make sure to clean them between colors or keep more than one around for the different shades you use. Blush should be applied with a flat brush and not the same rounded one used for foundations and bronzers. The will keep the application more localized to the desired area.

No beauty kit is complete without an eyelash curler and tweezers. Popular opinion says that the Tweezerman tweezers are the only way to go to get the most precision. Eyelash curlers can be grabbed at a local drugstore just be sure that the pads are quality to avoid damaging lashes, and that it is cleaned regularly to help avoid clumps and infections.

If you are one of the many who hustles through your morning makeup routine, consider adding Almay Oil-Free Makeup Eraser Sticks to your beauty kit. They are a quick and easy way to eliminate those smudges and bumps that can ruin your look.

For inexpensive tools for your beauty regime, be sure to check out Amazon. They have products from hundreds of suppliers at much cheaper prices than the mall or supply store, even after you pay the shipping.  They are definitely wroth checking out.

Eye liner is an essential makeup product for most of us. It helps to create a defined eye that can either stand out boldly or be soft and natural looking. Knowing what look you desire will help you choose the product and decide how to apply it.

For a more natural look, use an eyeliner pencil in a softer shade like charcoal or brown. Sharpen the pencil, and then light lightly touch the point against your hand. Apply the eyeliner using either small dots as close to the lashes as possible. Line both the upper and lower lashes. Using a small brush or sponge tip applicator, blend the dots into the lash line.

For a more dramatic look, use a liquid eyeliner in a bold color or jet black. The dot method can be used for this application as well but will need to be repeated after the first blending. Using a solid line from corner to corner creates a more defined look, but still needs to be blended into the last line. Once the liner has been applied, try blending with a little bit of eye shadow. This will help keep the liner from smudging and adds more color and definition to the eye.

It’s a classic look that we have all tried or want to try at some point. Those smoky, sexy eyes that every celebrity seems to have whether on the red carpet or the big screen can be yours too.

To create this smoldering look at home, start by applying a cream shadow to the entire eye lid and the inner corners of the eye in a light shade like cream, ivory, or pearl. Apply a powder shadow to the lower lid in steel, gray, or pewter. Next, brush on a dark brown shadow to the crease area and go all the way out to the edge of the eye that lines up with the end of your eyebrows. Blend lightly.

For your liner, use a black pencil. Liquid liners will run and don’t create the softness that a pencil can achieve. Line the entire eye including top and bottom lash lines as well as the inner and outer corners. Soften the lower liner with a light dusting of the same color in your crease. Finish the look with several coats of black mascara, being sure to apply the next coat before the first one dries.

If you are really wanting to showcase your new smoky look, keep lips and cheeks light and soft to allow those eyes to take center stage.

Have you ever considered the amount of your investment in your makeup? No matter what you typically spend on a particular beauty product, you probably don’t realize the total amount of your overall investment, until you start to add it up. Whether use discount products from your local drug store, mid priced products from beauty supply stores, or high end products from department stores, it’s important not to waste your products and to take good care of them. Keep beauty items sealed carefully when not in use so they don’t dry out. Keep your beauty tools such as makeup brushes in good condition so they don’t waste your product.  Store your items at proper temperatures, and not in the glove box of your vehicle in the hot sun.

Consider other places to purchase your products, especially online. If you are in Australia, you might try a store like Napoleon Makeup.  They are a great example of how you can find the same products for discounts if you order them online.  The only downside to this is that you don’t get to try them first. I usually buy a product for the first time only after trying it, but then I look for a great discount store online to reorder my favorites.

No matter what the cost of your makeup, be sure you value your investment!

With so many new products to choose from, creating dramatic eyes like the classic Cat Eyes is easier than ever and more fun.  Celebrity Emma Stone looks beautiful here with her cat eye liner look.  The  current cateye look is dramatic so play around with the look and the products to create show-stopping eyes of your own.

For the traditional cat eye, place the liner at the inner corner of the eye and start tracing the lash line with a slight upward angle. Keep going just past the outer corner of the eye. Go back and fill in the space between the liner and the lashes on the inner third to half of your eye depending on the drama you want to create. A stiffer brush with a liquid liner will work best for this look.

For a heavier look, use a thick brush like CoverGirl’s Line Exact Liquid liner. Starting at the inner corner of the eye, cover the entire lower lid and finish with an upsweep starting at the outer corner and ending at the outer edge of the eyebrow. Only line the center third of the bottom lash line with a very fine line.

These looks do not require any blending but can be enhanced with shimmery shadows and mascara. Be sure to apply the mascara more heavily at the out corners of the lashes.

No matter how old you are or what profession you have, a simple but classic look is always a good idea. Mornings aren’t for all of us and some have themselves and others to get ready and out the door in the morning. For a simple routine that will have you putting your best face forward everyday, follow these simple steps:

1. Clean, exfoliate, and tone first thing to start the day right. There are great products that even contain a hint of citrus to help energize you in the mornings. Cleansing and exfoliating can be done with one product; just be gentle and don’t scrub too hard. Follow up with a gentle toner. Witch hazel is still a classic toner that won’t dry and isn’t overly harsh.

2. Hydrate and protect before applying any make-up. Age-fighting and age-defying moisturizers are available with sun protection and a slight tent. These are great timesavers and good for the skin. If you’re not old enough for any “age” related products, be sure to at least include an SPF 15 moisturizer in your routine.

3. Bronzing mineral powders and soft blushes. Apply the bronzer all over and then give the cheeks a dab of color just out from the apple of the cheek and blend well. Soft peaches and pinks work best for everyday.

4. Eyes only need a little shimmer in light creams and golds for the lid then accent with a taupe or light brown in the crease and outer lid. Blend gently.

5. Brown and taupes are the most natural looks for eyeliners and mascaras and can be used on the tops and bottoms to create definition without drama.

6.Finish off the look with soft pink lipsticks or balms. Avoid heavy glosses or products with a lot of shimmer to keep the look professional.