To make the most of your eye shape, pay attention to the colors you choose and the application method you rely on. Try some of these tips to get the most out of your shape:

For Asian Eyes – Use black or black/brown eye liner to create a thick line along the top lashes. Blend gently for a smoky look and then apply a thinner line under the bottom lashes.

For Wide Eyes – Apply deeper shadows to the inner half of the lid and a lighter shades on the outer half. Then blend for a subtle transition between colors.

For Close Eyes – Go the opposite of the Wide Eye folks and apply the lighter shades to the inner half of the lid and the darker shades to the outer half. Always remember to blend!

For the Four-Eyed – Use a black, perhaps shimmering, mascara to really play up your eyes and bring them out from behind the glasses. Be sure to use an eyelash curler and two coats of mascara. Allow a few seconds for the mascara to dry completely before putting the glasses back on.

No matter what your eye shape, remember to play up the color as much as possible and use proper application techniques to make the most of your eyes.

The first step in mascara application is to make sure there are no clumps on the wand before you even begin applying the product. Use a tissue to remove the excess mascara from the wand if necessary. Never, never pump the wand in and out of the tube.  Adding air to your mascara will cause it to dry out faster and clump easier.

To keep lashed from clumping, use a clean mascara wand after you’ve applied your mascara to take away the excess product and separate the lashes more completely. The best way to do this is to apply the mascara to the front of the lashes with your eyes open, then close your eyes and use the clean wand to go over the back of the lashes. Using a lash comb is also an option for removing clumps. Follow the same procedure, but use a lash comb instead of a clean wand. Always be sure to apply mascara at the base of the lashes first and then pull through to the tips.

Keep the wand going in a side to side motion (the shimmy) as you apply the product. If applying a second coat, which should only be done for special occasions or in the evenings, do it immediately after, the first coat is applied. Going over a dry coat of mascara will lead to more clumps and flaking. No one can carry clumps well, so be sure to take a few extra seconds for the proper, clump-free application.

We strive for those perfectly plump eyelashes that we can bat at the next cutie to walk by, but how do we get them? And how in the world are we supposed to sort through the myriad of choices when it comes to quality products? It is completely possible to find quality mascara for a reasonable price at your local drugstore.

Avoid off brands where the price seems to be too good to be true…these will clump and make a mess. Once a brand has been chosen, start thinking about the different formula options and what your personal needs are. Options such as lengthening, thickening, and waterproof are the most popular. For contact lens wearers, waterproof seems to be the best option. If you can forgo the waterproof option, try mixing and matching mascaras. Start with a swipe of lengthening and then top it off with a coat of thickening. Along with formula options, there are now color and shimmer options.

Although a shimmering mascara can be subtle and brighten the eyes, avoid glitter-rich products unless you are in a fashion shoot or off to a Halloween party. Soft blacks, charcoals, and black/browns can work for most people for either day or night. If you’re looking to mix things up, try a color that will make your eyes really stand out like plum for blue eyes and purple for green or brown eyes.

After the product has been selected, proper application is crucial. Use the hairdryer to heat up an eyelash curler for better results. Then use the shimmy method of application. Shimmy the wand from side to side as you slowly drag it the length of the lashes. This will help to separate the lashes and avoid clumps. Most of us can skip applying mascara to the bottom lashes, but if you need the illusion of wider eyes, a light touch of the wand to the bottom lashes is fine.

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.

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.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and, according the ancient Chinese, our third lung.  Not only does taking good care of this vital organ make us feel better, but it also increases our natural beauty.  The daily stress of life causes the skin to look older and less vital.  Although reducing stress doesn’t always seem possible, there are steps to take to reduce the impact that stress can cause.  Beautiful skin truly does start from the inside, and by following these suggestions, you can improve the way you look and feel.

*Start by getting enough beauty sleep.  During the restful periods of sleep, the skin has a chance to regenerate collagen, elasticity, and healthy cells.  This is also the time when the body starts to balance the hormones and chemicals from the day.

*Drink plenty of water or eat foods high in water.  Consuming 64 ounces of water a day is the minimum. Increasing that amount by just a glass or two more can help the body to clear out extra toxins that start to build up over time.

*Exercise not only increases overall health, but also improves circulation and helps to detoxify the body.  The increased blood flow helps pump more blood to the skin’s surface while sweating helps to release extra toxins.

Regardless of the routine you follow, remember that true beauty lies within and is greatly accentuated by being comfortable in your own skin.  Being true to yourself, smiling, laughing, and embracing your natural beauty will lead to a more gorgeous you.

Beautiful Body Care — When we think about beauty, most of us concentrate on the face, but what about the body?  How you feel can greatly affect the amount of beauty you put out into the world.  Your body deserves just as much tender loving care as your face and hair.  If you aren’t feeling your best about yourself and how you look from the neck down, some small changes can create a large impact to help energize you and improve your life.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be a burden or overwhelming.  Small changes to your diet and minimal, but regular, amounts of exercise can help you feel more confident about your body.  In addition to keeping the muscles in shape, there is a lot of skin covering that body of yours.  Look for body washes with anti-aging ingredients and deep moisturizers.  These products can help reduce the look of fine lines in dry skin and restore some of that supple, youthful glow.

Don’t disregard your underarms…especially during tank-top season.  Choose a deodorant with moisturizers and soothing ingredients like soy and acai berry or chamomile.  These will reduce redness and condition dry, irritated skin.

If you find yourself struggling with dry or dull skin, you can use a lemon-honey mask by mixing equal parts of lemon juice, honey, and olive oil.  Leave on for 5-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.  Adding a half of a cup of lemon juice to your bath an create an all over brightening effect when you’re getting ready to show off a little skin.  Be sure to take some time to pamper yourself and take care of your body.

When you think about clearing up your skin, for most people, it immediately brings to mind things like Proactiv or expensive acne treatments. Some people spend years of their lives trying to find something that will give them that silky smooth complexion that they crave. Surprisingly though, it may be more than within your reach.

St. Ives is a product that you have probably seen in the store. More than likely, you may have dismissed it as something cheap and ineffective. You can even find it hiding in some dollar stores! The great thing about St. Ives though, is that they make something of a miracle cream — their apricot scrub. It doesn’t sound like much, but if you make sure to get it in a blackhead specific formula, it will help clear your face up in no time.

If you just can’t stand to spend money on a product, wash your face each day in the morning and at night. Make sure all of your makeup is off before you head to bed. This will help keep your pores clean, and prevent things from popping up! A gentle soap can help you in this process.

Applying mascara has always been a simple thing.  You brush it on in one or two layers, and then go about the rest of your makeup (or apply it at the end and move on to something else!).  Now, most of the time, when you search out mascara tips, you get the basic.  How do I stop clumping?  Where did all of the other tips go?  What no one tells you is that there is a way to make your lashes look extra long and gorgeous.

As you start your makeup, apply one coat of mascara.  This is usually best done right after you apply your base foundation and powder.  Continue with your normal routine next.  Make yourself pretty with your eyeshadow, blush, lipstick and anything else you like!  Now here’s where it changes a bit.

Add another coat of mascara.  Yes, over the already dried coat.  It will add that extra sass to your lashes, and make them look even longer!  You may want to use an eyelash brush now to separate them and remove any clumping, but other than that, they should look amazing!

My daily makeup routine includes Almay “one coat nourishing mascara”. I prefer the “thickening” variety, in the color black.

I have tried a lot of different mascaras over the years, but I always seem to come back to this one. It has never let me down. I am a contact lens wearer, so my mascara brand is very important. This one does not flake off, it’s easy to apply, and it really makes my lashes look thicker. I usually only need one coat to get the effect I want, which lives up to it’s name!

It’s easy to wash off with soap and water. I don’t normally wear the waterproof one since it’s much harder to remove. This one will run if I get really wet (like surfing!), but it’s not too bad if I’m just crying at a beautiful wedding.

It’s super comfortable, very affordable, and gives me the look I want. I have been using it for many years and will continue.