Blush up the right way

Glow with the right blush color

For a natural blush

Oops! Too much blush

 

The magic of blush powders is obvious. Blush makeup is fast-fix beauty, it warms up the skin, contours the cheek, exaggerates an attractive hollow, and ideally creates a glow on your face that looks like it comes from within. Never judge a blush powder just by looking at it. Cosmetics and face blushes are found in different shades and textures. Test your blush powder on the inside of your forearm if you are wearing make up already.

You need to make two tests to find the right blush powder or cream blush that will be the right color. First, the right color will look natural and the wrong one will stand out. The second test is the intensity of the color. If you are fair, you want just a hint of color, the more translucent the better. If you are strong in coloring, with olive or dark skin, you need greater depth and intensity with blush powder to bring out your good looks.

As you get older your skin needs more creams to retain it’s natural oils and cream blush can really help you prevent looking washed out. Tips for facial beauty include, use a good brush applicator, grin like a fool, brush your blush powders lightly over the apple of the cheek, with short, up and down movements and finally you can apply a light stroke across your forehead by your hair line. Supply your skin with discount cosmetic facial blushes for a rich creamy cheek color.

Blusher Tricks

BLUSH UP THE RIGHT WAY

The bottomline for the right blusher application is that it should look natural.

. Place your index and middle finger vertically against the side of your nose. Start putting the blusher from near the edge of the outer finger, going up to the temple.

. If you have broad face (square/round) apply the blusher on your cheekbones and do not brush it up towards your ears.

. Dab blusher (just a bit) on each earlobe. It can add a glow to your face if you pull your hair back or have short hair (such that the earlobes show).

. Don’t forget to add a touch of the blusher on your chin and forehead to help give the natural look.

GLOW WITH THE RIGHT BLUSH COLOR

It is better to avoid blushes that are too bright or dark for your skin colour. Says Bobbi Brown, a renowned US-based beauty consultant - “The right blusher for you should be the same colour your cheeks are naturally when you’re really healthy.� To flatter your skin tone, choose a blush colour that will give a natural healthy glow.

Color tips

. Fair skin - beige, tawny and pink tones.

. Olive/Yellow-toned skin - warm brown, almond and copper shades.

. Dark-skin - plum, auburn and deep bronze shades.

. Tanned skin - orange, apricot, peach and coral shades.

FOR A NATURAL BLUSH

How often have you seen other women with just a bit too much of blush? The ideal way to use blush is to use it in a way that it looks natural. Unlike eye make up and lipstick, a blush is like foundation (base make up). It is not meant to show. The best way to ensure that your blush doesn’t stick out like a shaded outline of your cheeks always apply blush before your eye make-up and lipstick. Otherwise, it will be competing with your eyes and lips and that is when you will apply too much. Also, ensure that you are standing in front of a well-lit mirror. Otherwise you will apply too much simply because you were not able to notice the colour yourself. If you are not sure still, apply no more than 3-4 brush strokes. It is unlikely that you will go wrong with that.

OOPS! TOO MUCH BLUSH

If you’ve applied too much blush don’t worry - all you’ve got to do is take a dry clean make-up sponge, rub gently over your brush strokes to take the colour out. You can soften colour even further with translucent powder, and redo with a new, subtler blush shade.

QUICK TIPS FOR CLEANSING YOUR SKIN

One of the most important factors of skin care is skin cleansing. Because dirt, pollution, residual makeup, etc. can cause havoc to the skin leading to skin ailments and even hastening of the aging process.

Here’s what you need to do, obvious may be, but not practiced as it should be:

·        Always wash your hands clean first. This will prevent the transfer of bacteria to your face.

·        Start with your hairline first, as hairstyling products attract dirt, and then sweep cleanser over face and lips and down the neck to beyond where you apply foundation.

·        After you’ve applied your cleanser, gently massage it in with the balls of your fingers and leave it on for a minute or so to allow make-up to melt away. Then use a soft cotton ball to wipe away dirt, pollution, and cosmetic build-up without tugging at the skin.

·        Then wash face clean with water and a good quality face wash so that all traces of dirt is gone and skin becomes perfectly clean.

 

Learn more about facial skin cleansers. Prepare your own skin cleansers.

SKIN TONING

Toning is necessary for all skin types and should be made a part of daily skin care routine. Toning is refreshing, improves blood circulation and adds a healthy glow to the skin.

·        Soak cotton wool pads in skin tonic and wipe face in outward and upward strokes.

·        Each movement should end at the temples. Apply gentle pressure at the temples.

·        While applying toner on the forehead, start from the centre and go outward on either side, again ending at the temples.

·        Apply toner on chin in circular motions.

·        Tone the neck too, stroking downwards from the chin.

·        Tone around the eyes, but very lightly.

 

Making skin tonic at home is simple and easy. All you require is rosewater and witch-hazel. Rosewater is one of the best-known skin tonics and is easily available. Witch-hazel is available at a chemist or homeopathy shop. Toners vary according to skin types:

For normal skin

Mix ¾ cup rosewater with ¼ cup witch-hazel and store in a jar.

For very greasy skin

Mix equal quantities of rosewater and witch-hazel and store in a jar.

For dry skin

Mix ¾ cup rosewater, ¼ cup witch-hazel and ½ teaspoon glycerin or honey and store in a jar.

More about skin toners.

USE A FOAMING BATH TO TONE YOUR SKIN

·        Bathing foams with plant extracts like mint and rosemary are ideal for maintaining your skin’s firmness.

·        They tone the skin by providing nutrients and improving blood circulation.

·        For instance, balsam (which contains pine extracts) improves breathing by improving oxygen intake.

·        And finally remember that toning foam baths are also great energy boosters.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY SKIN THIS WINTER?

Winter’s here and it’s time to watch out for dry skin, coarse hair, shriveled cuticles and rough hands…Caring for skin becomes a

daunting task during winters. Skin turns ultra sensitive and tends to give in to the pressures of pollution and seasonal imbalances rather easily.

A few simple tricks will however, ensure that skin stays supple and pretty pink, here is how:

·        Use cleansing milk to dislodge dirt and grime especially during winters and if you suffer from dry skin.

·        Use a generous helping of moisturizer for a smooth, clean complexion. However do not apply moisturizer while stepping out of the house, that way you will only attract more dust, the best time to dab on the magic option is in the evening, after a warm bath.

·        Your face will thank you for the invigorating cold cream and skin tonic massage you give it just before hitting the sack.

·        Limit the use of make-up during winter months, as skin tends to burst into pimples.

To give body skin a glow, add a spoonful of olive oil to a bucket of hot water for your bath. This gives a glow to the skin. If the skin is very dry massage with warm olive oil fifteen minutes prior to bath.

Mascara opens up your eyes and lets the world see in. The eyes have it and mascara is the perfect solution after adding eye makeup, to bringing out the inner sparkle of your eyes. There are two basic types of mascara, waterproof and regular and unless you cry a lot or are in the water constantly try to stick with the normal mascara because water proof mascaras can be difficult to remove.

Most women wear black mascara because it looks sophisticated and works well on almost anyone. For a more natural eye makeup look the best shade is brown. If any mascara is too dark for your lashes, try clear mascara for a subtly enhanced look. Bringing out the best features in your eyes requires the application of eye liners, mascaras & lash curlers.

For the best mascara application always apply mascara in a stationary position. Never apply make up on a bus or in a car because if you poke yourself you can scratch your cornea. Mascara is easily contaminated by bacteria which you definately don’t want in your eyes. Discard mascara after four months use or when it begins to get dried out or clumpy.

If you want to give your eyes a more open, wide-awake look, you may want to curl your eyelashes with a eyelash curler. Curl your lashes before you apply your mascara and avoid curling your lower lashes because they are more vulnerable. Mascara is a key step in a perfect makeover and allows your eyes to make a bigger impact on your overall look. It is smart to stick to your favourite mascara but you might be missing out on a wonderful new product if you don’t try experimenting from time to time.

Which of these do you think is the closest match to your skin?

Normal Skin Type

Normal skin does not feel dry or oily.
Pores are visible but not large or clogged.
After a wash it feels smooth and comfortable.
At midday it still looks fresh and clean.
Only occasionally break out in spots.

Caring for Normal Skin Type:

To care for normal skin you should start with a gentle foaming facial wash. Massaging it into your face will give you a rosy complexion. Cool your skin with a refreshing toner. to finish dot moisturiser onto your skin and massage it with your fingers in light upward strokes.

Dry Skin Type

Dry skin has a thin and papery texture.
It feels dry to touch.
The pores are very fine.
After a wash it feels tight, as though it is too small for the face.
By midday flaky patches appear.
Hardly ever break out in spots.

Caring for Dry Skin Type:

For dry skin use a creamy cleanser to melt away dirt. Leave it on your skin before sweeping it away with cotton wool. Splash cold water onto your face to clean and refresh your skin. Use a thick cream moisturiser to seal in as much moisture as possible.

Check out some home remedies for dry skin type.

Oily Skin Type

Oily skin feels very greasy.
The texture is often very thick and coarse.
There are large, visible pores.
After a wash it feels fine.
By midday it looks shiny.
Often break out in spots.

Caring for Oily Skin Type:

To care for oily skin you should start with a gentle, foaming facial wash. This will remove dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. Soak cotton wool in a gentle astringent lotion and sweep it over your skin to refresh and cool it. Even oily skin needs a moisturiser, but chose a light, watery fluid; this will be enough for your skin. Allow the moisturiser to sink in and then absorb the excess with a tissue to prevent shine.

Check out some home remedies for oily skin type.

Combination Skin Type

Combination skin is normal with a few dry patches and a few oily patches.
Dryness is usually on the cheeks.
Oiliness is usually on the T-zone.
After a wash some areas feel dry and some smooth.
By the midday the T-zone is shiny.
Often break out in spots in the T-zone.
Most women have combination skin.

Caring for Combination Skin Type:

If you have combination skin use a foaming facial wash in the mornings to cleanse your skin. This will keep the oily areas clean to prevent blackheads. In the evening use a cream cleanser to soothe your dry areas. This will keep a balance between excess dryness and excess oiliness. Use a strong astringent for your oily areas and a mild skin freshener for the dry areas. This is not an expensive option, as you will only need a little of each. Use moisturiser on your whole face, but make sure you concentrate on your drier areas.

Learn more on combination skin care.

Sensitive Skin Type

Sensitive skin can be easily irritated.
Typical reactions are itching, burning, chafing and stinging.
After a wash a wash it feels dry and itchy in places.
By midday there are flaky patches and some redness.
Occasionally break out in spots.

Check out some home remedies for sensitive skin type.

Caring for Sensitive Skin Type:

If you have sensitive skin do not use facial washes or soap; instead use a light, hypoallergenic cleansing lotion. Use a moisturiser to strengthen your skin and provide a barrier against irritants. Make sure you use an unperfumed moisturiser so as not to irritate your skin.

Do check out our section of homemade face masks for every type of skin.

Makeup Tip 2) Work your foundation onto the face with fingers in circular motions, working one area at a time, say from forehead down one side of face, then down the other side with quick motion. Blend downwards and outwards with a dry sea or makeup sponge.

Makeup Tip 3) Concealer is best applied after foundation - apply small dots where needed and gently pat into the skin, then wipe with a sponge to remove excess. Concealer can be applied with a sponge flusk or lip brush using the tips. If you feel a little more colour is needed add to the spots, and blend again with sponge.

Makeup Tip 4) Use Translucent Loose Powder to set the makeup using a large soft brush and dusting over the face quickly in a downward motion. If the skin is more mature just use powder in the T-Zone of forehead, nose and chin.

Makeup Tip 5) To work out where to apply blusher, place finger along bottom of cheekbone and apply blusher in soft circular motions above that area. Never apply below the bottom of cheekbones, nor past a line from the centre of your eyes.

Makeup Tip 6) For a lighter much more natural look, after loading blush onto brush, tap end of brush lightly against your hand to remove excess, then apply.

Makeup Tip 7) Foundation over the eye lids provides a smooth matt base and it helps stop creasing.

Makeup Tip Go for a “no-colour” eye shadow as a base, like a soft creamy shade “highligher” and place this on lids up to brow bone. For most eye shapes the dark colours needs to be used on outer eye area and/or in crease. If you use too much, add a little “no colour” or translucent powder.

Makeup Tip 9) Dont use colours to match your clothes, go for colours that suit you. Using neutral, smudgy colours will flatter your face and try to avoid mauve, and real pinky shades.

Makeup Tip 10) Eyeliner should be applied close to base of eyelashes to make them look thicker. A soft pencil is easier to manage.

Makeup Tip 11) Keep the thicker look to outer edge and with elbow on table for stability, draw the line towards inner corner of eye, thinning as you go. On lower lids, after application, smudge slightly with sponge tip of shadow applicator for a softer more natural look.

Makeup Tip 12) To determine the correct length of eyebrows hold a pencil at the base of the nose, align it to inside corner of eye, then angle it from the base or your nose to outer corner of eye.
This shows where brows should start and finish. To keep tidy, brush with eyebrow brush. Define with light strokes of a pencil OR add a little eyeshadow power on the brush.

Makeup Tip 13) For hygiene it is best not to keep product beyond certain dates….

Foundation 1 year, Lipstick 1 to 2 years, Powder 2 years,
Mascara 3 to 4 months, Shadow/blush 2 years.

Makeup Tip 14) ALWAYS keep brushes clean - wash very regularly in mild natural shampoo and let dry naturally. Sponges should be washed weekly and thrown out every 4 to 5 weeks.

Makeup Tip 15) For ladies over 40 to 50 years of age, simplify your style - in clothes and makeup. Blend more carefully, and make sure foundation is a good match for your skin.

Makeup Tip 16) Make sure your lips have been moisturised, and foundation/powder applied. Outline your shape with a lip pencil in natural or a toning shade to the chosen lipcolour. Apply lipstick with a lipbrush. Then blot by “kissing” a tissue held between the lips, then reapply more colour. Choose colour tones in either warm or cool tones to suit your complexion.

Makeup Tip 17) If you have dark circles under your eyes, dont apply eyeliner untill dark circles are coverd with concealer. or else your eyes will become too dark.