Mascara. Most women have a love-hate relationship with this simple makeup item. We love what it does for our appearance. The right mascara can completely change your entire appearance. There’s nothing that emphasizes beautiful eyes better than thick, lush lashes - and mascara is the way that most of us can achieve those drop-dead gorgeous sweeps of lash.

On the other hand, mascara can also be the downfall of that natural, beautiful look you’re trying to achieve. Nothing screams cheap more than thick, gloppy lashes, running mascara and flakes of mascara dotting your cheek.

While the mascara that you choose has a great deal to do with the look that you get from it, there are also a lot of tips for applying mascara that can help you get just the look you want - thick, lush lashes that frame your eyes and make them the focal point of your face. Here are fifteen tips from experts on how to apply mascara to get the most out of your makeup.

1. Start with clean lashes. That may seem to go without saying, but mascara adheres best to clean, dry lashes. Pat lightly with a tissue to remove any residue from makeup or moisturize before applying mascara.
2. Save mascara for the finishing touch. Apply mascara AFTER applying eye shadow and eyeliner.
3. Choose the right color mascara for your eyes. Black mascara is suitable for anyone, but it may be too harsh on blonds with pale skin. Brown or brown/black mascara is a good choice for blonds, especially for daytime wear. Brunettes can use black anytime. Colored mascara may seem costume-y at first, but the results can be stunning. Navy mascara can really bring out the blue in blue eyes, and purple mascara can make brown eyes look amazing. Try green mascara with any color eyes to really highlight them.
4. Forget all the curved wands, long wands and ’specially developed’ wands that promise thicker, longer lashes. A short, straight mascara brush gives you the most control and the most options for applying mascara.
5. Don’t pump the wand in and out of the mascara tube to coat it with mascara. It will just introduce air into the mascara and make it dry out faster. Instead, turn the mascara wand in the tube a few times (open and close it) to get an even coat on the brush.
6. Look out for globs of mascara on the brush - they’ll just transfer to your lashes. Roll the brush lightly over a tissue before applying it to your lashes to remove any excess mascara that may clump on your lashes.
7. Apply mascara from beneath upper lashes and above lower lashes.
8. To apply to upper lashes: Open eyes wide and tilt your head up slightly. Place the brush horizontally against the base of your lashes and roll the brush toward the tips. Move the brush slightly to the side and repeat until you’ve coated all of the lashes.
9. To apply to lower lashes: Open eyes wide and again, tilt head up slightly. Holding the brush vertically, carefully stroke the tip from the root to the tip of a few lashes at a time. This takes practice, but the results are worth the trouble.
10. To separate lashes, use a metal lash comb. Gently stroke from base to tip of lashes after mascara has dried.
11. Use a lash curler either before applying mascara or after mascara has dried.
12. To make lashes appear thicker, apply a thin line of eyeliner at the very base of your lashes before applying mascara. With practice, you can use an eyeliner pencil to draw a very fine line along the tops of your lower lashes as well. Use brown or gray instead of black for a more subtle look. The difference it will make in your eyes is dramatic.
13. To make lashes appear longer, apply mascara with the wand held vertically as you would for lower lashes. It takes a little bit longer, but the results are stunning.
14. Don’t forget the lashes at the corners of your eyes. To apply mascara to the corners of lashes flawlessly: Clean mascara wand to remove any clumps from the tip. Hold the tip of the wand just at the corner of your eye, barely touching the lashes. Blink gently once or twice to coat lashes.
15. For really lush lashes on special occasions, try this old Hollywood trick: Apply one coat of mascara. Before it dries, very carefully pat baby powder or face powder along the tips of your lashes. Let dry, then apply a second coat of mascara over the powder and allow to dry.

Quick Repair Tip:

If you smudge a bit of mascara while putting it on, dab it with the corner of a folded tissue dipped in moisturizer or cleanser, then wipe away.

Quick Finish Tip:

Carefully fold a facial tissue to get a smooth edge. Gently slide edge up under the eye beneath lower lashes. Gently blink once or twice to remove any excess mascara.

Source: Lisa Parker

This shoe screaming for attention in Dune’s aptly-named ‘Glitz Glam’ section and was somewhat blown away by the contrast it makes between snazzy eveningwear and summer tie-dye madness.

This dazzzeling shoe is definitely one for parties and posing. You’d be best advised to wear these shoes with block colours, but if you prefer the craziness to come from your outfit, the same style is available in plain fuchsia. £95 at Dune.

Opps I almost forgot the Cluch!!

MELSEY

Tie dye clutch bag
Satin with rouched detailing $45.00

Cosmetics 101

LANCÔME

Sixty years of experience in three continents, and the world’s most advanced cosmetics research laboratories as support have allowed Lancôme to acquire a matchless knowledge of skin, its mechanisms, and its specific needs. Thanks to this unique experience we can develop high-technology products, bringing together efficiency, pleasure, harmlessness, and creativity.

When perfection, culture and elegance come together with beauty, it is France’s art of living which Lancôme is offering to women the world over.

The art of gentle living, with simple and refined elegance.

CHANEL

Born in 1883 and deceased on a Sunday in 1971, Chanel was able to revolutionise her world by bringing to women the comfort and ease hitherto reserved for the male wardrobe, and contributed to women’s emancipation. Later she brought the quality and elegance of her attire to her make up. Glamour had arrived to the world of women.

ESTÉE LAUDER

It all began with a dream. In 1946, moved by the desire to bring out the beauty in every woman, Estée Lauder created her own business with no more than a few jars of cream made by a chemist uncle of hers.

Even before they were labelled, these jars already had a legion of loyal followers. When she launched her first fragrance, Youth Dew, in 1953, an authentic revolution in the perfume industry, the Estée Lauder company had already built up an excellent reputation for its innovation, research and quality.

Today, Estée Lauder’s treatment, colour and fragrance collections are the best evidence of what art and science are capable of doing. The fact that Estée Lauder’s name appears on every one of the firm’s products is in itself a guarantee of quality and fulfilled promise, in over 100 countries around the world. We invite you to discover all that we can offer you.

MAX FACTOR

Max Factor is known as the “makeup artist’s make up artist”. Max Factor the man was behind innumerable cosmetic innovations, from the first full foundation to the first mascara, and he set the standard for style for generations. The glamorous look created by Max Factor for Hollywood’s divas defined the concept of beauty in the XXth Century and was copied by women all over the world.

Max Factor was not only a creator of cosmetics; he also developed numerous make up techniques, as much for movie industry special effects as to obtain an aesthetically pleasing look. This experience in make up techniques for the world of beauty evolved over years. The principle of getting knowledge of cosmetics and their application across to beauty consultants is still the watchword to this day.

BOURJOIS

It was 1863, and every day, actresses in that period used uncomfortable-to-wear make up that ruined their skin.

Mr. Alexandre Napoleon Bourjois knew there had to be a better way to make up his muses, and devoted his time to creating quality in make up. It was he who created the first powder rouge, the Pastel Joues. Rouge was very successful among Bourjois’ female friends.

And that is how one of today’s most well-known cosmetics brands was born.

LANCASTER

Founded in 1946, in Monaco. A land of privilege, bathed in sun and light. A paradise thanks to its turquoise-blue coloured waters.
An aristocratic world, touched by grace, where a sense of integrity and naturalness is innate. Lancaster is created over the Mediterranean. A place of inspiration, strength and wisdom. A fusion of crystalline water, sun and air. A drop of golden sun.

GIORGIO ARMANI

Giorgio Armani’s cosmetics bring together all the beauty of his fashion collections in a range of delicate cosmetics, creams and powders which caress the contours of the female face.

THE BODY SHOP

The Body Shop has always believed that business is based on relationships between people. The more you listen to your clients, the more you’ll satisfy them and the better the business.

CLINIQUE

Clinique Laboratories, Inc. is one of the world leaders in select cosmetics, in the production and marketing of treatment, make up, hair, and perfume products. Clinique was launched in 1968 with a range of treatment and make up products, all of which had undergone tests for allergic reaction, and were 100% perfume-free. Our products have been formulated to satisfy individual skin needs and are the result of the research and experience of outstanding dermatologists. Clinique’s treatment products are marketed as part of the 3-Step Skin Care System: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturise.

L´OREAL

For over a century the men and women of L’Oreal have shared their passion for its products and its buying public. They are proud of being world leaders in cosmetics. Furthermore, they are looking forward to the future: future advances and discoveries to come out of their laboratories and research, and their search for new markets.

RIMMEL

Rimmel stands out for breaking all the rules. Founded in 1883 in London, the most eclectic of all capitals, Rimmel has been able to follow that city’s rhythm, and has inspired itself in the ever so singular style of its streets, to create a beauty brand which is very different to those of Milan, Paris or New York.

Beauty, London-style is clever, restless and casual. It stands out because it creates fashions, doesn’t copy them; it experiments, expresses. In sum: it’s fun. The Rimmel product range is current, high-quality, colourful and accessible.

It was designed for normal women to experiment, express themselves and have fun. Why have an identity when you can have as many as you want? With Rimmel, changing your look is as easy as taking the London Underground from Soho to Camden Town, from Portobello Road to Notting Hill.

MAYBELLINE

Part of the same company as L’Oreal, it’s designed for all women, whether energetic, natural, or with a touch of sophistication; of whatever age or class.

Makeup for Oily Skin

We can’t all be blessed with normal skin. Unfortunately, for many of us, oily skin is our struggle. On the positive side, those with oily skin have skin that doesn’t show the signs of aging as quickly as other skin types. So, when life gives you lemons, create lemon juice and water to apply on oily skin. Rinse with warm water.

Oily skin can occur at different stages in your life; adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause. Hormones can play a role in oily skin. Oily skin is characterized by large pores, dullness, a grease-like appearance, and roughness. The sebaceous gland produces excess oil thus giving the skin the shine associated with oily skin. Washing the face several times a day can make the situation worse, causing the gland to produce even more oil. Choosing the right skin regimen and makeup for oily skin is not as difficult as it might seem.

Identifying Your Skin Type

It is important to know your skin type. Examine your face closely. Do you see large pores, flakes, or redness? Each can indicate a different skin type or be indicators of oily skin. Take a tissue to your face and blot. Did you absorb oil? If your self-examination reveals large pores and oil on the tissue, you could have oily skin.   The redness can be from excessive washing or sensitive skin. I have combination skin. It is very oily with large pores in the t-zone and dry around my cheeks. If you are still unsure, consult a dermatologist or aesthetician.

Taking Care of Oily Skin

Caring for your skin now will provide benefits for the future. Your skin will thank you five years from now. Know how to take care of you skin, both inside and out. It is important to drink water so that the skin remains hydrated. Taking vitamins, especially vitamin B2 and B5 will also help your body. These vitamins can help the skin look more radiant and improve paleness.

Products for Preparing Oily Skin for Makeup

When cleansing, use an oil-based cleanser since it will help dissolve oil better. Do not use harsh cleaners that leave the skin feeling tight. This tightness will restrict oil flow and lead to clogged pores later. Also, massage the face when cleansing to avoid pushing dirt and oil into the pores. Scrubbing will clog the pores. Rinse with warm water to help dissolve oil. Use a mud or clay mask one or two times a week.

Read labels. Look for products that are for oily skin. Avoid products that contain alcohol since alcohol dries the skin. Petroleum based products such as mineral oil   contain too much oil and can further clog pores. Use astringents containing acetone. Acetone dissolves oil better.   Moisturizers need to be oil-free. You may only need to moisturize certain areas such as around the eyes. Mature skin will need to moisturize the entire face.

I find that applying cucumber juice before applying makeup helps my skin’s appearance. Witch-hazel will do the same. Both are excellent ways to create a more balanced ph for the skin. You may even want to spritz lavender water on your face several times a day. It is a good hydrator for oily skin as well as providing antiseptic properties.

Makeup for Oily Skin

Read labels. There are some items that should be avoided and some items that you should look for in makeup for oily skin.   There are certain makeup companies that are known for their work in designing products for specific skin types. I recommend Clinique .   It has a reputation for excellent care and products. I also like Jane Iredale Cosmetics . This is a mineral based line used by many dermatologists.

Avoid

1. Avoid products containing oil from petroleum. This includes mineral oil. Use oil-free makeup or makeup that is intended to benefit oily skin.

2. Avoid makeup that contains alcohol. Alcohol will strip the skin of oil, which may cause the body to produce even more.

3. Look for ingredients such as bismuth oxychloride and dimenthicone. Both can clog pores and may cause blemishes. These are commonly found in foundation or powder based products.

Beneficial

1. Find foundations that contain titanium dioxide, a naturally occurring sun protector.

2. Makeup for oily skin should contain serecite to reduce the appearance of pores and help absorb oil.

3. Kaolin clay added in foundation will help oil control.

4. Zinc oxide used in makeup will act as an anti-inflammatory.

A makeup artist will use products designed for a customer’s skin type in order to promote healthy skin. It is equally important for the makeup artist to become familiar with products and ingredients for specific skin care. Knowing how to take care of a customer’s skin will benefit the client and the makeup artist’s reputation.

In some ways, this move isn’t just the end of a brand; it’s the end of a particularly American success story. The company’s eponymous creator was born Maximilian Faktorowitz, the son of a rabbi in Russia’s pale of settlement.

Apprenticed to a dentist at the age of 8, he later went into business selling wigs, makeup creams and rouges. When the Russian Imperial Ballet began using his products, he was appointed the official cosmetologist for the royal family and the ballet.

In 1904, Factorowiz came to the United States with a growing family and $400 in his pocket. Shortly after going through Ellis Island, he changed his name to the more Americanized “Max Factor” and began selling his makeup from a booth at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. A few years later, he moved his family to Los Angeles, where he developed the first makeup for screen actors. Unlike traditional stage makeup, Factor’s creamy greasepaint wouldn’t crack. In the next few years, he became the world’s most famous cosmetician; in the process, he coined the term “makeup,” and developed the first lip gloss, pancake makeup, and liquid nail enamel.

Factor also opened a salon that catered to Hollywood royalty, which then led to the development of his makeup brand. For years, the link between Max Factor’s consumer products and its glamorous ties to Hollywood guaranteed it a solid share of the consumer cosmetics market. Of course, research and development also played a part: in the years after Max Factor’s death, the company developed pan-stick, cover up makeup, and waterproof cosmetics.

Factor’s son ran Max Factor, Inc. until the early 1970’s, after which it was passed around from parent company to parent company in a series of deals. In 1991, Procter & Gamble bought the brand from Revlon for $1.5 billion.

Although Max Factor is a powerful, Horatio Alger-style success story, it is also a dwindling division of Procter & Gamble USA. While more than 50,000 stores carry Cover Girl, Max Factor is only sold in 8,000. On the other hand, the brand is very popular overseas, where customers in England and, ironically, Russia account for most of the line’s $1.2 billion in annual sales.

As the makeup of makeup artists leaves its adopted country, it seems worthwhile to ask if this is the end of an era or simply the next step in the development of global trade. Either way, it will be interesting to see if Max Factor becomes the makeup of (overseas) makeup artists!

Source

Breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer — the list of cancers that disproportionately affect African Americans is long and scary. Skin cancer, usually associated with people with fair skin, is not on that list. In fact, many blacks believe that the pigmentation in their skin protects them from this particular form of the disease.

It’s true that dark skin provides some protection from UV rays and that blacks are less likely to get skin cancer than others, but it is dangerous — and potentially deadly — to assume that because you have dark skin you are immune.

“Pigmentation doesn’t give you a free pass,” Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III, a dermatologist with African American skin cancer patients, told CNN recently. “It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, everyone can get skin cancer.”

Studies show that when blacks do get skin cancer, it is often discovered at a later stage and is more deadly. Musician Bob Marley, for instance, died of malignant melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer that spread to his organs.

Sunscreen is the first layer of defense against the sun’s dangerous rays, but a Consumer Reports poll shows that while 67 percent of people identifying themselves as light-skinned wear sunscreen, only 27 percent of dark-skinned people do. Experts recommend that everyone, regardless of skin color, protect themselves with SPF 15 sunscreen.

For black people with skin cancer, melanoma will usually appear in places where there is less pigmentation, like the palms of the hands, bottoms of the feet, under nails and on the genitals, but it may look different based on skin tone. The best way to be safe is to get any suspicious growths or moles checked out, just as you would a lump in your breast. It may be less likely that you’ll have skin cancer, but no one is immune.

1. Smaller Sections, Better Results!

The key to a flawless style is precision. The devil is in the details. While styling, remember to always make precise parts and take small sections. Try to make sure that the same amount of hair is on each roller or that you are always blowdrying/flat ironing the hair in small sections.

2. Avoid Being Cool!

Before removing rollers, twists or braids, always make sure the hair is 100% dry. Look for any parts of the hair that feel “cool” to the touch.
Damp hair or wet spots will cause the style to drop instantly and frizz. And no amount of heat or product will be able to save your style.

3. Use a Little Muscle!

If you want styles that will last, you have to use a little tension. As you roll your hair, make sure to “roll, roll, and then pull” on the roller firmly so that the hair and roots will dry sleek and smooth. As you braid, twist or bantu knot, remember that tighter is better.

However, use your best judgment. Styles should not be so tight that they damage the hair or make you feel uncomfortable during the drying process. The key is to avoid loose styling, which will cause the style to frizz and drop instantly.

Source

Mac Baby Bloom Collection. The new collection by Mac called Baby Bloom which will be in stores July 30th, introduces a new product called Studio Moisture Tint. The new tint moisture product will become apart of the permanent line so there’s no rush if you can’t afford it come July. This is Mac’s version of a tinted moisturizer which is perfect for summer months

Mac Baby Bloom Collection

Studio Moisture Tint SPF15 ($29.50 U.S. / $38.00 CDN)

• Light Soft pale beige
• Medium Warm beige
• Medium Dark Caramel beige
• Dark Deep caramel
• Deep Dark Rich golden bronze

Suntints SPF20 Liquid Lip Balm ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Just A Smidge Soft, pastel yellow with multi-coloured pearl
• Lilt of Lily Soft, creamy pale pink
• Pink Tinge Clean bright yellow-pink with gold pearl
• Full of Grace Soft, sheer rose
• Moist Plum Light lilac with very fine pearl

Braun is called the Silk-épil Xpressive Wet & Dry epilator, and has been designed specifically for use in warm water. They’ve promised me that the water won’t stop it working or give you an electric shock, ans that they’ve improved it so it can reach 4x shorter hairs than waxing. The idea is that the water soothes the skin, the included rollers massage and relax the body and then zap, the hair is pulled out neatly and efficiently and (hopefully) painlessly. And in case you were worried the water would obstruct your vision, they’ve included a blue switch and SmartLight