Beauty Tips

This Weekend I went to the Beauty Bash for the opening of the new Nordstroms at Fashion Place Mall! It was a blast. I made sure to pay lots of attention to what the makeup artist do in order to bring you my observations. Here are a few tricks I picked up:

1. Use a flat ended, firm bristled eyeshadow brush to get a nice, solid (powder) eyeshadow application. Dip the brush onto the eyeshadow, tap off the excess, and then use the ends of those blunt bristles to tap on the powder. This way you can tap on more in the areas you want a more saturated color. Experiment around with this!

2. Pencil in just a little bit of white, shimmery eyeliner on the inner rims of your bottom lid to make you eyes look big and awake. If it looks a little too strong, blink a few times. Blinking will soften the line.

3. Bronzing powder goes in an arch around your temples and forehead, and along your jawline. You need a big, fluffy brush for bronzer, or you'll look a little cartoonish! Put a little bronzer on the brush, and go along these areas making circles with your brush. Remember, you don't need a lot of bronzer to wake up your skin tone! Also, a multi-shade bronzing powder is good, because it makes it much easier to blend in.

4. Lip liner looks great if you line around the inner rim of your lips (not around the outside!) and then bring some extra lines in on the corners. Blended in with your lipstick, this really makes your lips look fuller!

5. You can use a very natural shade of blush near the inner end of your eybrows and your browbones to pull your eyeshadow colors together. It sounds wierd, but it actually makes your eye makeup look very polished!

Do you like my little model? I named her Lydia. I drew her, because all the face charts I have seen look grumpy! We'll see if she serves me well.

Hydration

What it the best anti-aging formula (along with sunscreen)? How about the most energizing substance? What do the best dermatologists recommend?

Would you believe me if I said that the answer to these questions is water?

OK, we've all been lectured over and over about the importance of proper hydration and our health. But, I have learned a few new things for myself about water lately and i just really want to share it.

Just look at the ways water will benefit your looks:

1. Because water is in every part of your body, it affects your skin. Water will help keep your skin naturally moisturized, which will prevent it from becoming tired, ashy, and inflamed. Your skin will also retain elasticity, which could help prevent the effect of aging (wrinkles anyone?).
2. When you are dehydrated you may also look more tired. Dark circles and a sallow complexion just aren't flattering.
3. Being improperly hydrated on a daily basis leads to food cravings that will make you end up gaining a few extra pounds. If you are especially craving something greasy and salty, you are probably somewhat dehydrated.

Signs you need water NOW!:

1. Unexplainable headaches or migraines (I realize some people have disorders where they get migraines often, but if you don't have a disorder or large migraine history, you probably need some hydration)
2. Food cravings when you've eaten a good amount or when you are bored
3. Fatigue and overall tiredness

How to be hydrated:

1. Water is really the best way to stay properly hydrated. You see, even though sugary and carbonated drinks are liquid and probably contain water, they counteract one of the roles water takes in your body. Water helps keep your body clean, and putting in the dirt (such as sugar) with the water is just going to put you back at square one.
2. Some other drinks that can help you stay hydrated: 100% juice, skim milk, flavored water(with little or no sweetener) and herbal tea.
3. Avoid caffeine. I know, it's so great, but it is also a diuretic, which means it will drain the water out of your body. (pee anyone?) Not so good in the end. Alcohol is another dehydrating substance, so maybe drink a glass or two of water after the cocktail party?
4.When exercising, you should have a drink every 15 minutes or so. Also, drink a good amount of water right before and right after your workout. From the beginning to the end of your workout, you should have drunk around 24 oz. of water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before a workout!
5. When you start a new exercise regimen, you need to drink more water for the first week or so to allow your body to adjust.
6. Is it hard for you to like water or remember to drink it? Slice up some cucumber or citrus fruits and keep it in a pitcher of pure water to make it a pleasant experience. Just remember to take to fruit out at the end of the day!
7. Depending on your size, routine, etc. you should have 7-11 8 oz. glasses of water every day.

In conclusion, some words from Dr. Perricone, world renowned dermatologist: "...If you do not drink water, your organs and cells cannot function. You don't have to overdo it, but if you don't drink water, you cannot metabolize fat, nor can you flush wastes out of the cells. A dehydrated body provokes the development of aging, inflammatory compounds. Water has great anti-inflammatory properties and will help your skin to be radiant, soft, and supple."

(The information in this post was taken from Seventeen Magazine, Sephora: the ultimate guide to skin, beauty, and hair from the beauty authority, The Body Book from Klutz Publishing, and my exercise class.)

Mascara!

I am one that can't live without mascara. It's the best thing to wake me up in the morning...when i don't put on mascara, I am sluggish all day! I have tried many different brands and types of mascara. here is the comparison of 3 that I have been trying for the past month. One is designer, one is high-end, and one is from Wal-Mart.


First: Dior Diorshow Blackout Mascara, $24, Sephora stores and sephora.com

Pros: This mascara was very thick, dark, and dramatic. It made my eyelashes stand up tall for the doe-eyed look I try to achieve. It didn't clump easily, and it dried flexible so it was easy to fix mistakes (such as an eyelash pointing in the wrong direction) Also, it stayed on all day without flaking, but because of how flexible it was, it was really easy to take off with eye makeup remover.
Cons: The only thing I can complain about this mascara is the brush. The bristles were too soft and thick. It was hard to get used to putting it on, because I didn't feel like I was combing through my eyelashes. Once I got used to the brush my eyes looked amazing, but that didn't last for long. After a month or so the flexible bristles started sticking to each other. Now I can't even put the mascara on properly. Too bad, because the formula is so great.


Second: Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara, $15, Mary Kay consultants



Pros: This mascara also made my eyelashes stand tall. The brush was easy to use, and it gave my eyelashes a little extra curl.
Cons: I don't think I have sensitive eyes, but something about this mascara made my eyes burn and water for a couple hours after using it. And if my eyes watered a little too much, this stuff RAN. And it burned my eyes even more when it ran. Also, it wasn't very easy to put on, because the formula was very wet and goopy, which made it dry hard. Which in turn made it very hard to fix any mistakes, because it was like my eyelashes were stuck togeth in plaster. So when I did a good job, it looked awesome, but if I made a mistake, I was stuck with it. The other thing is that it's hard to take off. Even with Mary Kay eyemakeup remover, which has always done a good job for me.

Last: Rimmel London LYCRA® Lash Extender Mascara, about $5, Wal-Mart


Pros: This mascara had a great look. It wasn't as dramatic as the dior mascara, but it came close. It didn't make my eyelashes stand quite as tall, but they looked long and thick enough to satisfy me for school. The brush was a pretty standard easy-to-use one. It didn't flake, and hardly ever clumped. My eyelashes didn't stick together! And when I applied too much in one spot, or made any mistake it was easy to fix.
Cons: I just wish it curled the base of my eyelashes better so they would stand taller. If it was as thick as the Dior mascara, it'd probably be perfect. Also, not much comes in the little bottle. Seems like I am running out fast.

The Verdict? Finish running out of the Rimmel mascara, then use the Rimmel brush with the Dior mascara. Oh, and give the Mary Kay to my sister that likes it more than I do.