Tips to Avoid Clumpy Mascara

Mascara is a makeup bag essential if you want to accentuate your eyes, but unnatural 'spider leg' eyelashes that result from clumpy mascara make them stand out for the wrong reason. 

Here are some tips to avoid this makeup mishap.


First of all, it is essential to ensure your lashes are free of the previous day's eye makeup before you get started. If there are remnants of old mascara around your eyes, you are likely to end up with clumps when you apply a fresh coat. Use a good eye makeup remover to fully clean your lashes. It is also a good idea to use an eyelash comb through your lashes as this will define and separate them.

The second tip is to leave at least thirty seconds between applying coats of mascara. This should ensure the product is dry before the second coat is added and avoid your lashes sticking together on reapplication. Even better, to bypass the waiting stage, invest in a single-coat mascara.

LANCÔME Virtuose Precious Cells High Definition Curves & Length Mascara

LANCÔME Virtuose Precious Cells High Definition Curves & Length Mascara has a unique 3D Prism brush and advanced lash-care formula; lashes are instantly extended, curled and separated to create an astounding wide-eyed gaze. This mascara extends lashes' life cycle to visibly regenerate lashes. 

Additionally, replace mascara after a maximum of three months. Using old, dried-out mascara will almost certainly lead to clumps. What is more, over time the bristles on your mascara wand become less effective in defining lashes. Even if the tube is half full, throw it away after three months. Your eyes will thank you.

Also, clean any excess mascara from the wand before even thinking about bringing it to your eye area. If the brush is carrying too much mascara, the product will go on overly thick and cause clumps. Before you begin, wipe the wand on the rim of the tube to prevent an overload of mascara.

Guerlain Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Volume Creating Curl Sculpting Mascara

Guerlain Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Volume Creating Curl Sculpting Mascara features an extraordinary 
combined action of three polymers: the first is coating, the second is softening and the third is setting.
From the very first stroke, they act together for a simultaneous result in order to plump up and curl the fringe of lashes in a lasting and even way.With its bevelled, facetted shape, the brush controls and sculpts curves to perfection.

Finally, when you are putting on mascara, move the wand quickly through your lashes to ensure an even coat. If your movements are too slow, you risk thick, uneven lumps forming on your lashes. A bit of practice is all it takes to achieve the desired swift, sweeping movement.

You do not have to put up with messy-looking mascara any longer. Follow the five simple tips above, and you will be rewarded with smooth, silken eyelashes to die for.

Hide That Hangover! Tips For a Fresh Look

The morning after a party, you won't be looking your best. One glance in the mirror, and you'll be praying for a transformation before that business breakfast with the boss or even before for your casual meet-up with pals from the party. 

Perhaps you'll try a couple of anti-headache tablets and a strong coffee, but check the mirror again and that washed-out ghost face will still be there. Here are some simple, cost-free ways to freshen up, tip to toe and inside and out, ready for your day.

1.  Bathe your face and soothe your eyes 

Water can work wonders for looks. Start with a cold splash over those heavy eyes to cool the swollen lids, and over your cheeks to stimulate nerves, tissue and blood flow.  Now treat your face to a steam bath over a basin of hot water. This will open the pores, plumping up and cleansing the skin, while easing your aching head. Soothe eyes with a warm, wet sponge or cotton wool, then take a hot shower, treating hair, neck and shoulders to a luxurious lather and soak. You're looking rosier already!

2.   Inhale fresh air 

Open the window or step outside for some deep breaths of fresh air. Stand tall and inhale from the ribcage, exhaling slowly. 
The oxygen will stimulate mind and body alike, and the exercise will wake your heart and lungs. The effect will be reflected in your eyes, lips, cheeks, voice and demeanour.

3.  Limber up 

However delicate you feel, you'll be better for a little exercise. Stand up on tiptoe, stretching legs, arms, back and head. Feel your facial muscles stretching, and the strengthening pulse in your temples. Jig to your favourite music, or jog round the yard, for extra colour and vigour.

4.  Drink water 

A short night can make you feel dried out and drawn, and a hangover will cause dehydration, so drink plenty of water, with top-ups through the morning, to ease the effect. 
A little moisturiser over face and neck will also help. Take some breakfast – however light – to warm you through and boost your energy. Leave teeth-brushing until afterwards, for extra sparkle.

5.  Let your hair work for you 

Make the most of your freshly washed hair. Comb it up and back as you blow-dry it to let the air through, then sweep it loosely down to your eyes and over your cheeks, if possible. Your rejuvenated locks will draw attention away from remaining hints of hangover, concealing them, too.

6.  Let your clothes help you 

Neat, tasteful clothes will compensate for a pasty face, so choose your outfit carefully. Soft, muted colours will blend with your pallor and set your natural colouring, but avoid drab or neutral shades. Add an eye-catching accessory.

Relax! 

Once you've had a wash, a stretch, breathe, dance and drink (of water), and dressed up smart for the day, you'll be surprised how much better you feel, and if you feel better, you'll look better. Relax and enjoy yourself. At this rate, you'll be the star of your post-party gathering, or the brightest spark in the office!

Eyeliner Basics

Eyeliners are an essential for any makeup box, but when it comes down to deciding on a type of eyeliner, you have to take certain things into consideration. 

How precise do you want your lines? How bold do you want the lines to be? In what style do you intend to wear the eyeliner (everyday, cat-eye, drag, etc.)? Where are you going to be wearing it (work, clubbing, etc.)? Will you be wearing it on the top or bottom eyelids? 

Welcome to Eyeliner Basics, a handy-dandy little guide where you can figure out the pros and cons of each type of eyeliner before making any purchases.

Eyeliner pencils

Eye pencils are the most fundamental types of eyeliners, and also are the cheapest. Every makeup brand – from cheap dollar store lines to luxury cosmetics – has a selection of eye pencils in at least a handful of colors. Some are 24-hour wear, some are gel liners, some are kohl, some are retractable, some are metallic and there are plenty more options in between.

Pros of eyeliner pencils:

• Can be smudged with a fingertip or brush for a more dramatic/smoky effect
• Usually cheaper in comparison to liquid liners
• The pencil itself won't dry out and become unusable (if stored correctly)
• Perfect for applying color to the water line to enhance the appearance of the eyelashes (a.k.a. tightlining)
• Easier to remove, making mistake correction a little simpler than liquid liners
• Some can double as eyebrow pencils
• Dries quickly when applied (if drying is necessary, such as with gel pencils)
• Generally a better choice for everyday wear or more subtle application 

Cons of eyeliner pencils:

• Can be smudged on upper eyelids due to sweat or tears
• Not as bold as liquid liners
• Fade more easily than liquid liners
• Not precise
• Require sharpening (sometimes)
• Tips can break off if sharpened too much or if pressed too hard against the eyelid
• They can tug on the eyelids, making application uncomfortable 

Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner

Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner is a unique gel-based pencil that delivers richly pigmented color and precision lining with resistance to sweat and humidity for 12-hour wear. It has a twist-up design that lets you apply on the go, while a built-in sharpener ensures the most precise application every time. This Eyeliner features super-saturated color that doesn't flake and stays color true all day. Plus, its silky-soft and creamy texture gives it a lightweight, comfortable feel without tugging or pulling.

Liquid eyeliners

You can find liquid eyeliners in a variety of forms too: brushes inside of bottles or felt-tip. Some brushes are flat while others have a more tapered edge, and certain brushes are better suited for certain applications. A flat brush is going to be better for simple lines, while a tapered brush (such as a felt-tip one) will work considerably better for a cat-eye look. Much like their dry counterparts, liquid eyeliners have their own upsides and downsides.

Pros of liquid eyeliners:

• Precision
• Bold colors
• Last longer than pencils before fading or smudging
• Felt-tip eyeliners offer a constant stream of ink, making for consistent lines
• Great for the cat-eye look or much more dramatic looks, such as drag / stage makeup
• Better control of line thickness (more so for felt-tip)

Cons of liquid eyeliners:

• Some don't dry very fast once applied and can easily smudge if you blink
• Creates a more noticeable mess if your eyes tear up
• Felt-tip eyeliners can become clogged with eyeshadow and stop working
• Messier than pencil liners (and thus more difficult to correct mistakes)

SK-II Color Clear Beauty Liquid Eye Liner

SK-II Color Clear Beauty Liquid Eye Liner is so smooth and draws fine lines which fully fill the area between lashes, creating different looks and gives long-lasting and anti-smear color. It contains clear Radiant Complex E formula, which moisturizes fragile eye skin, making eyes look bigger and more radiant.

As you can see, each type of eyeliner has its advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on where and how you intend to wear the eyeliner that will determine which type you should go with. 

How to Avoid Getting Nail Polish on the Sides of Your Fingers

Given that you learned to color inside the lines so early in life, you'd think you'd be good at it long before adulthood. But when applying nail polish, it's easy to find yourself once again going outside the lines. Like most things, the more often you paint your nails, the better you will be at keeping the polish where you want it. In the meantime, there are a few tricks that can make it a little easier to keep your fingers clean.

Hoard brushes. The more you like a particular nail polish color, the more likely it is to have a cheap brush. When you find a nail polish application brush you like, wash it out and keep it when the polish bottle is empty. That way you will have a nice brush to use when you find a great color with a not-so-great brush.

Lay your hand flat when painting your nails. It is hard to hold your hands perfectly still when they are not lying flat against a table or other solid surface. 
The odds of painting your nail instead of your finger are better if you aren't aiming for a moving target.

Avoid using too much polish at once. Each nail should be painted with three brush strokes -- one down the middle and one on each side. 

Wipe the brush on the sides of the bottle until you have only the amount of polish you need to do one stroke.

Apply a bit of pressure to the brush when applying polish. Quality nail polish brushes will fan out with a bit of pressure. This helps spread the polish out over the surface of the nail and keeps it from running or dripping onto your skin.




Keep the nail polish remover handy. Even professional manicurists sometimes color outside the lines. When mistakes happen, a paper towel or cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover makes a great eraser. If you accidentally take some polish off of your nail while cleaning your skin, wipe away all of the polish from that nail and paint it again.

While applying perfect polish still takes some practice, utilizing these tips will make the application process much easier. With the right techniques and a little time, you'll be painting like a pro.

References

1. Linda Rose: The Perfect Woman's Manicure   
2. Cosmopolitan: Paint Nails Professionally at Home 
3. Hints and Things: Ten Steps to Give Yourself an At Home Manicure 
4. "The Complete Nail Technician"; Marian Newman; 2005

Keeping Your Skin Looking Young and Radiant

If you are concerned about your overall appearance, and you wish to remain looking young and radiant, taking care of your skin is one step that will make a huge difference in stopping the appearance of aging signs. There are several ways you can boost your skin's appearance by doing a daily regimen of maintenance tasks. Here are some ways you can slow down the appearance of aging by caring for your skin.

1. Cover Exposed Skin

When going outside, put on sunscreen even if you are not going to be in the sun for more than a few minutes. Sunscreen will protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays and wearing it even when in rainy weather will help to filter out any of these rays from penetrating to your skin in any way. Put on a moisturizer first and then apply a coating of sunscreen over it about twenty minutes before you intend to go outside. Cover your arms and legs in addition to your face if you plan on driving, as UV rays can still get to you through glass.

2. Drink Plenty Of Water

If you are interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you are most likely aware that drinking approximately six to eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day is recommended. Water can help the appearance of your skin by moisturizing it from the inside, giving you a smooth and supple appearance.

3. Protect In Cool Weather

When temperatures plummet, using a moisturizer on your skin will not be helpful as the water content within is rather high. This will instead promote chapping. Look for a cream made with emollients rather than moisturizing properties. This will keep your skin hydrated and looking younger.

4. Kick Bad Habits

Everyone knows that smoking is bad in general for your health. It is also a premature aging factor to the skin, causing wrinkles around the mouth area. Smoking depletes your body from Vitamin C, which is needed to maintain supple, healthy skin. Stopping smoking will save yourself from looking older than you really are. If you enjoy alcoholic beverages, drink them in moderation. Alcohol causes the blood vessels to dilate. This will bring blood close to the surface of your skin, making it look red and blotchy. It also causes dehydration of the body, leaving your skin lackluster in appearance.

5. Eat Healthy Foods

The diet you eat will help your skin's appearance. Load up on leafy greens as they are beneficial to overall skin tone. Foods with abundant Omega-3, such as tuna, salmon, walnuts, kale, spinach and flaxseed are all rich with this vitamin, helping to keep skin smooth and elastic rather than rough and rigid. Limit the amount of sugar you consume as it will cause skin to wrinkle or become dull. Sugar damages the collagen in the skin, which is a protein in the body that helps retain the elasticity. When collagen is damaged, your skin will appear brittle and may begin to sag. Eating healthy foods while maintaining a fitness routine will help keep your skin looking younger overall.