Posts Tagged ‘How To’

Cardinal rules for flat ironing your hair

Friday, June 7th, 2013

Cardinal rules for flat ironing your hair

Once you have your eyeliner and lipstick on, the last thing to do is your hair. If you're going for a sleek look, you may think about flat ironing your luscious locks. However, applying extreme heat directly to your hair can do more harm than good. Even if you regularly use strengthening shampoo and conditioner, your hair can be in for lasting damage.

That being said, it can be disappointing to avoid rocking this look altogether! If you still want to go straight but you don't want to sacrifice the health of your hair, The Huffington Post recommends using a protectant beforehand. There are numerous heat protectant sprays on the market these days that can lock in moisture before you apply heat to your locks.

Next, Daily Makeover encourages you to avoid flat ironing your hair until it's completely dry. Applying an iron to damp or wet hair can increase the damage by causing temperatures to soar – this is a big no-no!

Finally, try to limit the amount of times you flat iron your hair throughout the week. Give your hair a break once in a while – it deserves it!

3 ways to stop frizzy beach hair in its tracks

Tuesday, May 28th, 2013

3 ways to stop frizzy beach hair in its tracks

With the arrival of summer comes longer days and more opportunities to hit the beach. However, the sun and salty air can wreak havoc on your tresses, especially if you already have frizzy hair. After putting all of that styling product into your locks, you might be disappointed to see your ‘do end up in shambles. Here are some tips for combating frizzy hair while you’re at the beach and catching some rays.

1. Keep your hair hydrated
Allure magazine recommends using a hydrating serum or leave-in conditioner to keep your hair tame and prevent frizz from taking over.

2. Don’t wash your hair daily
Family Circle magazine claims that you can do your hair some good by not washing it every day. This allows its natural oils to get to work, which can prevent frizz from erupting out of nowhere.

3. Know your tools
Certain tools are better than others for your hair, depending on its thickness and condition. Examine your brushes and combs prior to using them – some may be better suited for keeping frizz away and taming your ‘do than others. Your stylist can help you decipher the differences.

Do you know how to pull off a hat like a pro?

Friday, April 26th, 2013

Do you know how to pull off a hat like a pro?

You might have the perfect lipstick, mascara and eyeliner for spring, but what about your head? Have you thought about ways that you can look stylish while shielding your pretty peepers from the sun? The most obvious way to do so is with a hat, and many celebrities are donning them this season.

That being said, not everyone is comfortable wearing a hat, especially if she has long, flowing hair that’s tough to restrain. There are a few ways you can wear a bowler or a beret without looking too cheesy this spring. First, The Daily Mail claims that it’s important to be comfortable – take as much time as you need to find a hat that works for you. When sporting one such as a beret, avoid tucking in your hair to keep from looking older than you really are.

Next, Mag For Women states that it’s critical to take your face shape into consideration while shopping for a hat. For example, you don’t want one that elongates your face if it’s already naturally long in appearance.

Finally, don’t forget to take care of that hat hair! To help your locks flow out more naturally from under your hat, use a conditioner to tame your tresses.

9 easy anti-aging makeup tricks

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Do you know how to use makeup to make yourself look younger?

You already know that makeup can bring out your best features and make you look truly glamorous, but did you know that it can also affect how old you look? The way you apply makeup and the products you choose can influence how smooth, bright and rosy your skin is – but you have to make sure you’re doing it the right way! Here are nine anti-aging makeup tips that can help you look like you did 10 years ago!

1. Use a lightweight liquid foundation
As Prevention magazine notes, the wrong foundation can make your skin look older by highlighting wrinkles and creating a mask-like appearance. Powder, for example, can settle into fine lines and look chalky, as it has nowhere to go but on the surface of your face. Heavy foundation formulas may be good at hiding blemishes, but they won’t make your skin look naturally radiant. Instead, opt for a lightweight liquid foundation that will moisturize and sink in quickly, leaving no evidence!

2. Skip eyeliner on your lower lash lines
You might be used to using eyeliner on your upper and lower lash lines, but if you’ve been noticing dark circles and wrinkles around your eyes lately, eyeliner on the lower lids won’t do you any favors, according to Allure magazine. Applying eyeliner on just the top lash lines can make your peepers look bigger and won’t highlight dark circles.

3. Make moisturizer your BFF
If you’re not already applying face moisturizer every morning and night, it’s time to break that habit. Makeup maven Sonia Kashuk told O, The Oprah Magazine that moisturizer not only makes your skin look fresher and plumper, but it helps your makeup go on smoother, which leads to a flawless finish. Apply a day cream before your makeup every morning and a night cream before you hit the hay.

4. Opt for cream blush
Just like powder foundation can settle into fine lines, powder blush can look obvious and highlight flaws. Instead, Redbook magazine recommends using cream blush. Not only is it easy to blend, but it makes your cheekbones look dewy and fresh.

5. Choose warm metallic eyeshadows
Shimmery eyeshadows with fine glitter particles can camouflage the creases in your eyelids, so they’re perfect for a slight tightening effect. But Allure magazine points out that cool metallics like slate or silver can make dark circles look more obvious, so choose warm tones like gold, bronze, peach or rose.

6. Blend, blend, blend
Blending your makeup is essential, especially when it comes to eyeliner, according to Kashuk. Perfectly drawn lines can look a little too dramatic for everyday wear, so try using a pencil along your lash lines and be sure to smudge it with your finger or a sponge-tip applicator. This will create a softer, more flattering effect that won’t look jarring.

7. Soften your lip lines
Redbook claims that crisply drawn lines made with lip liner can make the fine lines around your mouth look more prominent. Instead of tracing the outline of your pout to a tee, just apply liner well enough so that your lipstick will stay in place. Then, use your finger to lightly brush over the outline and soften up the edge.

8. Line your inner rims with beige
To make your eyes seem larger and brighter, beige eyeliner pencil on your inner rims is just the thing, notes Redbook. Use it to line your lower rims, which will make the whites of your eyes
look bigger and give you a wide-awake appearance.

9. Lighten your lip colors
Dark lips can be aging, so stick to lighter shades of peach, pink and nude for a more youth
ful look. Skip the high-gloss or matte finishes and opt for a shine level that’s somewhere in the middle. Lipsticks with satin finishes can help you achieve this.

3 ways to weather a rainy spring

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

3 ways to weather a rainy spring

There’s nothing worse than being caught in a downpour, but with spring showers comes the chance for makeup mishaps. Whether you’re not the best at planning ahead for rain or you simply aren’t sure how to do so, here are some tips for weathering the seasonal storms.

1. Take care of your hair
If you spent an ample amount of time styling your hair, you don’t want it to come apart once a few drizzles start to fall. The Huffington Post recommends having a shower cap on hand at all times. As strange as it sounds, quickly being able to cover up your ‘do in the event of rain can spare you stress.

2. Stay waterproof
Makeup has come a long way since the days when it was impossible to keep lipstick from running while munching on food. That being said, take advantage of waterproof eyeliner and other weather-resistant cosmetics to help you maintain your appearance daily.

3. Keep an umbrella on hand
If you do a poor job of checking the forecast before you head out the door, prepare ahead of time for potential storms by tucking an umbrella away in your purse.

Do you know how to wear lip gloss like a pro?

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Do you know how to wear lip gloss like a pro?

You might love the idea of lip gloss, but if you don’t know how to apply it properly, it can be a challenge to wear. Unlike lipstick, gloss has a tendency to become caked and messy if it’s not applied correctly. However, you don’t have to completely skip out on this cosmetic just because you aren’t sure how to use it! There are a few tips you can take into account to make sure you’re wearing it flawlessly.

First, Daily Glow recommends applying a bit of concealer to your lips with a brush prior to using the gloss. This can help you keep the gloss intact for longer once it’s on your pout. If you’re against the idea of using a concealer, think about using lipstick as a base instead. This can give the gloss a foundation to adhere to and provide your lips with some color.

Next, make it a rule of thumb to apply a little gloss at a time until you get the look you desire. Using too much can create a caked-on, messy appearance. Finally, keep your lip gloss on hand for re-application throughout the day. It’s no secret that this cosmetic can easily come off with a quick bite of food or sip of coffee!

3 tips for wearing makeup with oily skin

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

3 tips for wearing makeup with oily skin

How many times have you found difficulty keeping your makeup on due to oily skin? If this has happened to you, you’re not alone! Furthermore, the situation can become more dire when the warm weather rolls in and you start to sweat. Here are some tips for how to maintain your fabulous look and keep makeup where it belongs.

1. Give your face the TLC it deserves
You’d be surprised at how much a good skincare routine can do for your face, according to Elle magazine. Look for a face wash that caters to your skin type and use it properly to gain more control over the natural oils.

2. Use blotting papers
If you aren’t already using them, blotting papers can be a lifesaver! Think about carrying them around in your purse throughout the day and using them as needed to eliminate excess oil. As an added bonus, doing so can help you prevent blemishes.

3. Stay away from oil-based makeup
No matter how much you love your cream foundation or concealer, you’ll need to pay extra attention to cosmetics that are oil-based. These items could potentially be making your situation worse!

Do you know how to prevent split nails?

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

Do you know how to prevent split nails?

Depending on the health of your nails, you may experience split nails more often than not. If you constantly wear fake ones or you simply always have polish on them, you may be preventing your nails from gaining strength. If this is a frequent problem for you, there are a couple of ways that you can instantly repair the damage and keep it from happening again in the future.

First, remove any nail polish you're wearing prior to treating the split nail. Then, clip your nail as close to the base as possible to remove the piece that has broken. This may eliminate the length you've worked hard to grow, but it's necessary to effectively treat the issue.

Beautylish recommends applying a clear top coat onto the crack if you want to prevent it from becoming worse. However, simply applying a bandage on top of it can also keep it from being affected by other elements.

To prevent this issue from happening later down the line, the Mayo Clinic stresses the importance of good nail hygiene. This means using a moisturizer on your cuticles and the other skin around your nails daily. You should also make it a point to avoid using harsh chemicals on your nails frequently, such as glue and acetone.

3 ways to get the popular bed head look

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

3 ways to get the popular bed head look

Everyone's doing it in Hollywood – more women are flaunting the bed head look with ease, and now you can be one of them, too! If you're used to having your 'do prim and proper, now is the time to let your hair down and inject some fun into your routine. Here are three easy steps toward achieving the bed head look.

1. Skip the wash
Avoid shampoo and conditioner for a day if you want to truly get that "I just rolled out of bed" look. Seventeen magazine claims that your hair's natural oils will do all of the beautifying for you!

2. Give it some waves
Use a round brush and apply a little heat to your hair to create a few curls. This can give your tresses some bounce and provide a messier, unstructured look that's to die for.

3. Use mousse
Hairspray can be too stiffening in this instance as you try to create a light, airy appearance. Instead, add a little mousse to your hands, then run them through your hair. This will establish the bed head look and help you keep it in place throughout the day.

Do you know how to prevent pimple scars?

Monday, March 18th, 2013

Do you know how to prevent pimple scars?

When was the last time you found yourself frustrated with an unexpected pimple on your face? Chances are, you wrestled with this dilemma not too long ago. If you were impatient with the zit, you might even have remnants of it still on your face. However, acne scars can be unsightly and difficult to cover with concealer. That being said, you'll need to take a few precautionary measures into consideration if you want to keep your skin flawless.

First, make sure not to pop your pimple prematurely. As much as you want it gone from your face, popping it instead of allowing it to heal on its own can result in an unsightly scar. Try to cover it up with foundation and concealer until it runs its course.

Next, try your best not to pick the pimple. Even if your intention isn't to break the skin and eliminate the zit, picking it can also increase the chances of it scarring. Furthermore, your hands may add more bacteria to the surface of the pimple.

Finally, keep the area clean once the zit pops or goes away. Exfoliating your skin can also help rejuvenate it in a short amount of time.