Stop Regretting Your Holiday Photos: Makeup Tricks to Look Your Best on Camera

With the holiday season comes the need for countless photos documenting family time, parties and other occasions. Whether you have a shutterbug in your family or at your workplace, you may be nervous about unflattering photos. 

However, armed with these tips and tricks straight from professional makeup artists, you can put your fears aside.

Use Primer

Foundation primer is a must for photographic makeup because it smoothes out rough skin and fills in fine lines. In turn, your foundation will look smoother and more even on camera. For the best results, use a smoothing primer with a silky finish.

Shiseido Glow Enhancing Primer

Shiseido Glow Enhancing Primer enhances skin’s clarity with a silky smooth touch, leaving the skin supple and well-moisturized. Formulated with Shiseido's exclusive light technology, it optically transforms your skin into the ideal surface for diffusing light, creating a pure and clear finish. Suitable for various foundations.

Go Matte

Matte full-coverage foundation is the best kind for photographs because it does not reflect light. This factor eliminates the need to worry about overly white or reflective-looking skin in pictures.

Embryolisse Artist Secret Compact Foundation Cream SPF 20

Embryolisse Artist Secret Compact Foundation Cream SPF 20 is a surprising cream that turns into a powder when applied and sublimates your complexion with a natural, luminous and matte makeup effect. It is enriched with triple skincare ingredients of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and SPF 20, in addition to light-reflecting pigments that blur fine lines and pores.

Use Shimmer Sparingly

Shimmery products such as lip gloss, eye shadow and highlighting powder can make you appear overly shiny and even sweaty in pictures. They can also make your face look larger than it is. Pick one area of your face to use shimmer, such as the lips, eyes or cheeks and stick with matte products for the rest of it.

LANCÔME Hypnôse Effortless 5 Eyeshadow Palette

  
LANCÔME Hypnôse Effortless 5 Eyeshadow Palette revolutionises the colour universe thanks to super-smart “Wet” technology that can apply both wet and dry for different intensity. It creates mesmerizing eyes with its subtle shimmer and saturated color.  

Contour Lightly

There is no better time to contour than for photographs. However, don't overdo it. Use a contour powder no more than two shades darker than your skin tone. Apply it along your jawline, temples, and on the sides of your nose. Once you are finished, dust off any excess product with a clean and fluffy brush.

Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder

Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder is a light bronzing powder with a unique combination of five shades warmed with subtly mixed golden particles for a delicate tan.
Endlessly adjustable, they ensure an incredibly natural result. The complexion is sunny, subtly iridescent, sheer and luminous.

Stick with a Neutral Theme

Holiday pictures are not the time to test out new makeup trends. Stick with a neutral and timeless theme such as a dark lip, smoky eye or cat eye. This doesn't mean that you need to sacrifice your individuality. If you have a signature look such as a bold lip, you can still flaunt it. Just be sure to keep the rest of your makeup to a minimum to balance it out.

Look your best in your upcoming holiday photos by following our techniques. As an added precaution, practice the look you want to achieve ahead of time and take a couple photos to see how it appears on camera. This way, you can be confident that you look your best when picture day rolls around.

How to Have Luscious Lips in the Fall and Winter

The fall and winter months can do a real number on your skin. One of the most sensitive areas of your body, your lips, may react to wind and colder temperatures by becoming dry and chapped. But you can take many steps to ensure your lips appear healthy, luscious, and kissable by using some of these effective techniques:

1. Drink lots of water. 

Your body requires a considerable amount of water to make it through an average day. Consume at least 64 ounces daily to keep your lips and body hydrated.
  

2. Use lip balm daily. 

Find products that contain shea butter or other soothing ingredients for your lips. Even when you're staying inside, applying lip balm throughout the day helps to combat cracked, dry lips.

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Hydrating Conditioning Lip Balm

3. Obtain a humidifier. 

Most furnaces keep you warm by blowing warm or hot air, which is not conducive to keeping your lips moist. Therefore, using a humidifier will counteract your furnace's deleterious effects. Many furnaces now have built-in humidifiers, but if yours doesn't, you can purchase a small appliance humidifier that you fill with water each day. Your lips will thank you.

4. Keep those lips covered. 

When you're outdoors, your lips are exposed to elements that can chap them, like cool air, frigid temperatures, and gusty winds. Holding your gloved hand over your lips when you're scurrying from your car into work provides a bit of protection for them. Also, consider wearing a winter muffler that you can pull up over your lips as a safeguard against the lip-damaging elements.

5. Apply a lip primer before putting on lipstick. 

Primers not only aid your lipstick in staying on longer, they provide much-needed moisture for your lips. Primers are the bomb, use them.
  

6. Buy lip products that contain UV protection. 

Even though it's fall or winter time, the sun is still shining through. And that sun might be aging your beautiful lips. Keep the sun's damaging rays off your lips by applying some UV protection.

7. At night, apply petroleum jelly. 

Petroleum jelly provides a thick protective coating over your lips that guards against further drying and chapping and lasts all night. When you wake up in the morning, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how smooth and moist your lips are.
  

8. Avoid licking your lips when you're outside. 

Wetting your lips outdoors means your lips will become drier and more chapped when the cold and wind hits them.
  

9. Seek lip products that nourish skin. 

Evaluate ingredients listed on any balms or lipsticks you use to ensure you're protecting them. Look for Vitamin C and E in the ingredients list.

10. Keep your lip products handy. 

Place a salve on your nightstand and end table in the living room. Stash some lightly hued lipstick in a kitchen cabinet or drawer. Always have an extra chubby stick or lip salve in your briefcase or bag. When you have your lip balms everywhere you are, all you have to do is apply them. The more you do, the healthier they'll be.

Christian Dior Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Awakening Lip Balm

Orlane Magnificent Lip Balm

Supple, soft, kissable lips can be yours if you follow these strategies. Protect one of the most important assets of your face: your lips.

7 Tips to Keep Your Hair and Skin Healthy and Beautiful This Winter

The winter season has much to offer, but when it comes to your hair and skin the coldest months of the year can be challenging. If you want to keep your skin and hair healthy when the temperature drops, try the following:

1. Utilize Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is well-known for being beneficial to skin, and it makes an excellent moisturizer. Coconut oil can be used many ways; you can add it to bath water to help soften skin that has been dried out by the cold or apply it directly to your face or body as a moisturizer.

2. Use a Humidifier

Many people associate using a humidifier with being sick, but having one in your room while you are sleeping is a valuable beauty secret during the winter. A humidifier can drastically increase the amount of moisture in the air, which can help keep your hair and skin from drying out during the cold months.

3. Don't Forget About Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the most important vitamins for soft, supple skin. It is especially beneficial during the winter, when your skin is ravaged by dry, frigid air. Taking a daily vitamin E supplement is highly recommended, but for maximum benefits you can also carefully open up a vitamin E capsule and then apply it to your skin and hair.

4. Pay Attention to Your Pillowcase

Most people do not realize that the type of pillowcase that they sleep on each night can affect the health of their hair. If you want to prevent your hair from drying out, consider purchasing a satin pillowcase. A cotton pillowcase can draw moisture from your hair, which no one needs during the winter, but a satin pillowcase will keep your hair shiny and healthy.

5. Always Wear Sunscreen

The sun may not feel very warm during winter, but it can still do a lot of damage to your skin. Even when it is cold outside, the harmful UVA rays are just as strong as they are at the height of summer. Your body may be wrapped up in layers to keep warm, but your face will still be exposed so always put on a sunscreen or facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15.

6. Treat Your Hair to a Hydrating Mask

Conditioner is not always enough to keep your hair healthy when it is freezing out. Take the time to apply a moisturizing and hydrating mask to your hair to keep it looking great. You don't have to spend a lot of money buying a hair mask, as there are a number of DIY masks that you can make with items in your kitchen. Consider an avocado and coconut milk hair mask, or try out a mixture of yogurt and papaya.

7. Adjust Your Winter Skincare Regime

As the seasons change and the temperatures shift, your skin will need special care to remain hydrated and looking its best. During the winter, it is important to focus on keeping your skin hydrated. Use facial products containing plant oils, algae extract, green tea, and crambe oil.

How to Shave Your Legs with Less Irritation and Better Results

You were probably initiated into the female ritual of leg shaving by your mom, your sister or your best friend, or perhaps just by trial and error. Do you still shave using the same techniques and supplies as you did back in the day? Take a look at these tips to see if you can get a smoother, less irritating, and longer lasting shave!

1. Timing is important

Do you shave your legs during a morning shower? Do you do it first when you get in the shower or bath? Consider changing up your routine. Put off shaving until last so your legs get to soak in the warm water. 

This opens the pores and softens the hair. Also, shaving your legs at night gives you smoother skin in the morning. Your skin swells slightly overnight, leaving the cut edges of your leg hairs inside the follicle rather than right at the surface.

2. Prep your skin first

Before shaving, use a mild skin exfoliant to buff off the surface layer of dead skin. The skin underneath is softer and less dry, which will make your legs look and feel silkier when you finish. Removing this top layer also helps cut down on ingrown hairs.

3. Use the right tools

Ditch the cheap single-blade razors, even for one-time use. Opt for razors with multiple blades, and flexible heads that move over curves more easily (because razor nicks on the knee are no fun!). Some women swear by men's razors as being better and cheaper, but Good Housekeeping tests showed the same results from multi-blade men's razors and women's razors. So get what's on sale! 

And be sure to keep your razor sharp -- ten times should be the maximum number of uses before reaching for a new one, less if you use the same razor to shave elsewhere on the body as well as the legs.

4. Skip the soap

Don't use bar soap, or worse, just plain water when shaving. It's hard on your skin and hard on your razor. Soap causes the razor to become dull faster, and shaving without enough lubrication adds to the possibility of razor burn and ingrown hairs. What to use instead? Some swear by the shaving creams made for women, but look for ones that don't have a lot of alcohol or scents that can dry out or irritate your skin. Other possibilities include baby oil or hair conditioner. Try different approaches to find the best one for you.

5. Shave both directions

You were probably told to only shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it. If you shave against the grain, it cuts the hair at an angle that makes it feel more prickly when it grows back, and increases the chance of in-growns. Instead, do one pass downward, with the grain, then take a second pass upwards. This gives your leg hair tapered ends that feel thinner and finer as it grows back.

6. Take time for TLC after shaving

After you finish your shower or bath, make sure to generously moisturize your legs. This will make your legs feel even softer than the shave alone, and your pores will still be open from the warm water, so it will be more deeply absorbed into the skin. 

MOR Essentials Body Butter

Even if you prefer having your legs waxed or using a chemical hair remover, you probably still shave once in a while for "touch-ups". And over half of women who remove their leg hair use shaving exclusively. So take the time to do it right, and enjoy the results more!

Five Runway-Worthy Makeup Looks to Try this Fall

If your fall makeup routine is in need of a makeover, spice things up with a little high-fashion inspiration. These five trends are fresh off the runway and are sure to ignite your look this season. From bold lips to work-friendly smoky eyes, you'll love the versatility of these top makeup trends.
  

'90s Throwback

The '90s are back with a vengeance in the world of fashion, and makeup is no exception. Muddy shades of brown and rich berry-toned lip color are taking over makeup aisles nationwide, and for good reason. These throwback colors suit every skin tone and can be worn alone or under lip gloss.

M.A.C Satin Lipstick

Bold Angular Brows

This fall, well-defined angular brows are taking center stage. In order for this look to work, you may want to start with a professional reshaping. Powder-based brow color is ideal for creating a soft yet defined look. Clear eyebrow gel applied in an upward stroke adds a finishing touch while sealing the style for all-day wear.

Benefit Brow Zings

Neutral Smoky Eye

Earth tones such as shades of brown and grey are replacing the traditional black smoky eye. Replace your usual black eyeliner with a medium or dark brown to soften the look and make it work-place appropriate.
  

Pastel Blush

Pastel shades of pink are hot when it comes to blush. Many designers opted for a flushed look reminiscent of a day out in the snow. To make this look work, choose a matte shade and apply it on the apples of your cheeks.

Christian Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush

Modern Cat Eye

The new cat eye style utilizes a straight-across motion instead of a wing, making it ideal for all facial structures. As an added bonus, it can make the eyes appear wider and elongate the face. To accomplish this look, simply apply your favorite liquid liner straight along the upper lash line, making sure not extend the line beyond the outer portion of your eye.

Avance Lash Serum in Eyeliner

If you're ready to refresh your autumn look, these runway-worthy trends are sure to get you noticed. Try one or put them all to the test this season to discover the most flattering looks for your personal style.

Natural Secrets to Beautiful Eyes

If it is true that eyes are the windows to the soul, then there can be little doubt that the natural beauty of a pair of sparkling eyes can be a real asset. But you don't need expensive facial treatments. All you need to do is allow nature to let your true beauty shine through. These simple steps and homemade remedies will be all you need.

1. Start from within

Improve your general eye health. Include more fish and green vegetables in your diet, and cut down on white flour and sugar. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found that so-called “bad carbs” like refined sugar and flour can raise the risk of poor eye health in later years. On the other hand, fish oils and antioxidants can keep them sparkling.

2. Deal with those dark circles

If they are caused by late nights and too much coffee, you need to change your habits, for the sake of your eyes. Get some more sleep (they don't call it “beauty sleep” for nothing!) and switch to herbal teas. Bilberry was used by British and US pilots in WWII to improve night vision and has long been recognized as beneficial for eyes. Chamomile tea will help you sleep, and the cooled tea bags can be used as relaxing eye compresses.

3. Open up the eye area

Use light and luminous eye makeup that will make the whole eye area become lighter and brighter to show off your eye color. Keep your brows groomed and healthy, whether you prefer them thick or thin. Your eyes should be magnetic and draw attention.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow

4. Homemade remedies

After a night out, or long session at the computer, cooled chamomile tea bags or slices of cucumber laid over your eyes will help reduce puffiness. If you are worried about lines and wrinkles, egg white will tighten the skin around the eyes.

5. Incorporate simple eye exercises into your beauty routine

You can do these at any time, although you may want to refrain from doing eye exercises on the train as they look a bit odd. The exercises strengthen the eyes and help with the burning and itching of “computer eyes”. 

Just look up, and then down, right and then left and roll your eyes. You need to do each movement around ten times, looking as far as you can in one direction.

6. Protect your eyes in strong sunlight

Sunglasses are not just from hiding from the paparazzi. Get the best sunglasses you can afford and make sure they wrap around the sides of your eyes. UV rays will damage your unprotected eyes and give you lines that have nothing to do with smiling. Protect your skin and eyes from the sun and you will not need expensive creams or surgery in the future.

The last tip is attributed to Audrey Hepburn, whose eyes were legendary: "for beautiful eyes, look for the good in others." Attitude that counts for a lot smile lines are better than frown lines, eyes that shine with hope and compassion will always be beautiful.
  

Treating Acne Without a Prescription

While acne medications prescribed by your dermatologist are usually highly effective, they are also expensive and not always fully covered by medical insurance. 

If you are not able to treat your acne with prescriptions, it is still possible to achieve a blemish-free complexion using regular drug store products. Following this simple skincare routine two times per day will help to clear your skin in a few weeks.

The first step in your skincare routine should be washing your face with a gentle cleanser, such as Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. 

• To cleanse your face, first wash your hands. This step is often forgotten but is essential for those who suffer from acne. 
• When you wet your face, use your hands, or if you're in the shower, stand directly under the water flow. 
• Do not use a washcloth, as these can contain bacteria that will worsen your acne. Then apply a small amount of cleanser and gently massage into your face. 
• Do not scrub vigorously. It may feel tempting to scrub your acne; however, this can aggravate your symptoms, so it is best to keep your touch gentle and spend no more than about 10 seconds in one area. 
• Then rinse your face with your hands or directly under the shower head. 
• Finally, dry by tapping your face gently with a clean towel. 

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam

Once your face has dried completely, apply a pea-size amount of a topical treatment containing Benzoyl Peroxide, such as Clean & Clear Persa Gel 10. 

• Benzoyl Peroxide may irritate your skin for the first few days of use. However, unless you experience a severe reaction, you should continue to use it. The irritation will cease after a few days. 
• You can reduce irritation by using Benzoyl Peroxide only once per day. 
• It is important to note that Benzoyl Peroxide can bleach fabrics, so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after applying. 

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Booster

Finally, after the Benzoyl Peroxide treatment has completely dried, apply a gentle, oil-free moisturizer such as Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with clean hands. 

• It can seem counter intuitive to apply a moisturizer to oily or acne-prone skin. However, Benzoyl Peroxide can dry your skin, and a gentle moisturizer can help prevent natural overcompensation by reducing sebum production. 
• Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer also contains SPF 15 to help protect your skin from sun damage.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Compensating Soothing Moisturizer

In addition to this skincare routine, there are additional steps you can take to improve your complexion.

• You should wash your pillowcase frequently using a gentle detergent. 
• Replace your hand lotion and hand soap with products that are fragrance-free and designed for sensitive skin. 
• Watch your diet closely to see if you break out after eating certain foods. 
• Replace your cosmetics with those that are designed for sensitive skin. 
• Use your facial cleanser to wash your makeup brushes weekly. 
• Switch to a gentle, fragrance- and dye-free shampoo and conditioner. 
• Wash your face after you exercise. 
• Finally, refrain from touching your face as much as possible. 

As your skin clears, continue following your skincare routine to keep blemishes at bay. Following these simple steps make it possible to successfully treat acne in teens and adults without expensive medications.

Natural Moisturizers You Can Make

Moisturizers can be expensive and contain questionable chemicals. Fortunately, there are natural moisturizers that you can use daily. These moisturizers can slow skin aging and infuse your skin with nutrients that will give it a healthy glow.

Coconut oil, Vitamin E, and Essential Oil Paste

Mix a half cup of coconut oil, one teaspoon of liquid vitamin E, and seven drops of lavender essential oil or tea tree oil in a bowl until you create a homogenized paste. Apply the paste as you would with a moisturizer.

When applied to the skin, coconut oil can sterilize cracked skin with its antiseptic qualities. The vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing any free radicals around and in your skin cells, thereby fighting signs of aging such as wrinkles. Lavender and tea tree oil have antiseptic properties as well. 

Although slower acting, studies show that tea tree oil is as effective as benzoyl peroxide.

Witch Hazel

Mix witch hazel with water and apply it to your skin. Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Thus, not only does it moisturize, but it also fights inflammatory skin conditions.

Grape Paste

Crush grapes and mix with an emulsifier like vitamin E to form a paste. Due to the magnesium, potassium, selenium, flavonoid, and vitamin B6, A, and C in the grapes, this paste will make your skin glow.

Rosehip Seed Oil Mixture

Mix rosehip seed oil with water and apply it to your skin. Rosehip seed oil seeps into your skin without leaving a greasy residue. It's rich in essential fats, thus making it well-suited for dehydrated skin. It can also heal scars and prevent signs of aging.

Opt for a natural moisturizer before buying an expensive commercial chemical formula. It takes less than half an hour to make, and not only will it be healthier and cheaper, but it can treat blemishes and prevent premature aging as well.

References: 

• organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/properties-of-coconut-oil.html
• goldenrule.com/health-wellness/benefits-of-vitamin-e-on-skin/
• well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/remedies-tea-tree-oil-for-acne/
• popsugar.com/latina/DIY-Latina-Beauty-Remedies-38279437
• livesimply.me/2013/09/18/simple-homemade-moisturizer/
• mountainroseherbs.com/products/rosehip-seed-oil/profile

How to Look Gorgeous in Brown Lipstick

At first glance, brown lipstick doesn't seem too wearable, most especially if you're used to the tried and tested pinks and reds. Reminiscent of the '90s, a brown lipstick shade can always be worn expertly to channel a look that's both provocative and understated. Here's how.  

Flake-Free Puckers  

Dark lipstick has a way of accentuating dry, flaky lips. So, make sure you exfoliate your lips first before you apply a brown lipstick. You can make your own exfoliator at home to prep your lips for your favorite dark lipstick shades. Simply mix petroleum jelly and brown sugar. Then rub the mixture gently on your lips to remove dead and loose skin.   

Lip Liner  

Lip liner is a must-have tool for flawless application of any dark lipsticks. Define your lips using a sharp pencil liner whose shade matches your brown lipstick. To make your lips appear fuller, carefully line above your cupid's bow.  

Flat Lip Brush  

Don't just swipe the lipstick after outlining with the lip liner. Use a flat lip brush, which enables you to evenly and seamlessly fill in your lips with color. The flat lip brush is also handy for cleaning and touching up your lip line with a concealer, ensuring a beautifully defined pout.   

Texture  

To play down a rich chocolate lipstick shade, blot it gently with a tissue so it shows up as a subtle stain. To add dimension and texture to brown lipstick, wear it with gold or copper lip gloss.  

Don't Overdo  

Dark brown lipstick can look garish when paired with blush, so you might want to skip putting on cheek color. 

As for the eyes, a few coats of mascara would do. 

All in all, the key to a flattering look featuring brown lipstick is to let the dark lip shade be the focal point. This means using subtle makeup on the rest of the face.