Concealers...They are not as Tricky as They Seem

Okay day two of my week devoted strickly to EVERYTHING MAKEUP !!!! Today I wanted to concentrate on concealers. Haha, no pun intended !!!

Concealers are used to cover blemishes and imperfections once a foundation has been applied. They offer heavier coverage than foundations, and also help to cover dark circles under the eyes.

When using a concealer, ALWAYS consider both consistency and colour. It should be lightweight and creamy, and NEEDS to beable to glide on smoothly and not require a lot of rubbing. Find the right shade and blend it in so it looks flawless, not obvious - IT SHOULD MATCH YOUR SKIN EXACTLY !!!

I cannot stress this enough... CONCEALER LOOKS MOST NATURAL WHEN YOU WORK IN SHEER LAYERS AND BUILD IT UP GRADUALLY !!!

***If you are using concealer to cover major undereye circles, you are going to want a formula that provided heavier coverage.

***If your skin is sensitive then you should choose a formula that contains only pure mineral pigment colour. No dyes, oils, talc or starch. This will help with sensitivities.

TINTED CONCEALERS:

Use a yellow-tinted concealer to hide dark purple circles.

For brownish circles, try a mauve or tan concealers. These are also best for blending into dark or black skin.

Try a green or blue tinted concealer for red under-the-eye circles.

The Art of Concealing in 4 Simple Steps:

1. Apply foundation first, conceal second. Apply foundation you normally wear to even out your complexion. Blend it as you usually would, without paying any special attention to under the eye. Once your foundation is in place, your should be able to clearly see any dark circles still evident. Then tap in a heavier coverage of concealer.
2. Apply several dots of concealer under the eyes, then tap and press in usig your finger, NEVER rub. Apply Concealer on other uneven spots on the face - including the chin, and around the nose and mouth if need be - and tap in.
3. Pay close attention to the area where your eye meets the bridge of your nose. This area tends to have the darkest circles and consequently may need more concealer.
4. Powder the concealed areas with a translucent powder, using just enough so that the concealer no longer looks sticky or shiny. ***Using a soft brush helps application.

***For more staying power and better coverage, let the concealer set for five to ten seconds after application and before blending.

***Mix a highlighter with the concealer to ass brightness under the eye or use a brightening concealer. It will camouflage like a concealer while adding flattering highlights to the face.

Enjoy your day. And REMEMBER the best smile cames from within!!! XOXO

Foundations...What's the Difference, When to use them and How to Use Them ?!?

With there being a plethra of different products out there, I actually feel bad for the average consumer. I mean walking into Sephora can be very confusing and intimidating at times. After all there are so many different types, brands, etc.

And who do you trust for non-biased advice? Well, I mean besides yours truly of course. Well here I am to the rescue, yet again, to help you choose the right product for your skin type and problematic areas.

I have decided to devote this week to the different types of makeup, how and when to use them,

And to help you learn how to apply it appropriately ... LIKE A PROFESSIONAL!!!

Let's start with foundations ...

The main point in using a foundation or base is to even out the tone and colour of the skin. Choosing what type of product to use is one of the biggest challenges someone can face.

Full Coverage Foundation

• Give the appearance of flawless skin.
• Can cover scars, discolorations and blemishes
• Best used on Dry Skin Types, due to how heavy the consistancy is.

***To get a flawless base on any skin type using a full coverage foundation, dilute foundation with a sheer fluid tinted moisturizer.

Sheer Coverage

• Lets the skin look natural and unmade.
• Evens out tone
• Allows beauty mark, freckles, and so on, to be visible.
• Gives the effect of a makeup-free face.

Oil Free/OilControl

• Great for those with Oily Skin Types.
• Can help with excessive shine, by creating a matte textured finish.
• Usually "oil free" means it contains no lanolin of mineral oil (these oils tend to clog pores and cause sensitivity)

Illumintating

• Leaves a glow and luminous finish on the skin.
• Some foundations contain pearl and glitter particles.
• Best for people with Dry Skin Types.

***Do not use if you expect to be photographed. It can make the skin look greasy, due to the reflective quality of this foundation.

Moisturizing

• Best for Dry to Normal Skin Types.
• Gives skin extra hydration.
• Works well on Mature Skin.

Cream to Powder

• Traditional texture and usually comes in a compact.
• Goes on creamy and dries to a powder finish.
• Medium finish application.
• Ideal for skin that needs more coverage than a liquid foundation, but not as much as full coverage.

*** Can emphasize wrinkes and fine lines, on Mature and Dry Skin Types.

Powder Based

• BEST USED ON OIL SKIN TYPES.
• No liquid moisture in it.
• Powder-based foundation gives a matte, non-reflective finish to skin.
• Can be used with a brush to set makeup.

***Not for Mature or Dry Skin Types, will emphasize wrinkles and fine lines when used without a thicker primer.

Mousse

• Whipped product that gives light coverage and a natural glow or matte finish.
• Feels light on the skin.

Tinted Moisturizer

• Combination of a moisturizer and some colour.
• Tinted Moisturizer is perfect for evening out the skin tone.
• Has light coverage but, can have buildable coverage depending on the brand. 
• Sinks easily into the skin.

*** Try using a tinted moisturizer if you complexion is dewy, and you are really looking for a light, sheer wash to even out any blotchiness.

How to Apply Foundation

1. Before applying the foundation, make sure the skin is cleansed and moisturized. Wait a few minutes for the moisturizer to settle into the skin before application. If the face is damp and sticky, it can cause the foundation to clog up and look uneven.
2. Dab a small amount of foundation on the face in little dots on the forehead, down the nose and on the chin and cheeks.
3. Always apply in downward strokes to minimize pores. Sweep over ears and under jaw and do not cover up natural freckles or rosy cheeks.
4. Blend the foundation with a brush, sponge or fingertips. Make sure it is blended completely to create a natural, flawless look. Always apply foundation quickly and lightly. Smooth, even strokes will prevent the colour from looking clogged.
5. Check application in natural light to make sure the foundation is properly blended. If you need more coverage, apply concealer in specific areas rather than adding more foundation.

Hope that this helps educate everyone a little more!

And NEVER FORGET my favorite quote...

"I have never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful"

After All, True Beauty Comes from Within!!!

Top Anti-Aging Ingredients Uncovered

I have officially become a detective. A detective of skin care that is. Here to uncover the mysteries of anti-aging ingredients for you. 

Everything you wanted to know (and more) about anti-aging ingredients is right here. I have listed out the top 4 ingredients you should be looking for in your products. What they are...and what they do for your skin, uncovered! No more mystery, just fact !!!


Peptides - The message carriers
Peptides are powerful protein fragments. There are many different types of peptides, and each one delivers a different message to your skin cells. Power Peptide is packed with palmitoyl tri-peptide 3. What's the message? Slow down aging and stimulate collagen! Collagen acts just like the coil springs in a mattress. When collagen is strong and stimulated, it helps support the structure of your skin, smoothing lines and wrinkles. Message delivered. Message received.

Hyaluronic Acid - The Moisture Maker
What does hyaluronic acid do? Hyaluronic acid has a trick up its sleeve – it can bind 1000x its weight in moisture. That's quite a feat – and quite a powerful addition to any anti-aging lineup. Why is moisture so important? Imagine the surface of your skin as a grape – smooth, plump, and free of lines and wrinkles. Now, take the moisture out of the grape, and what do you get? A dry, wrinkly raisin. Dehydration is a major cause of lines and wrinkles on your skin, so it's important to hydrate. And no ingredient hydrates better than hyaluronic acid. Who knew one little ingredient could deliver such a dramatic dose of moisture?


Topical Calcium - The Strengthener
Why 'strengthen' the skin? You've heard about the anti-aging benefits of lifting weights – you get stronger bones and muscles, and greater flexibility. The same can be said about your skin – the more you strengthen it, the better it will function. That's why topical calcium was such a discovery. What does it do? When added to skin care, it helps strengthen your skin from top to bottom: it helps connective tissues (like collagen and elastin, which support your skin's structure) to regenerate, lipids (essential fats that keep your skin supple and smooth) to strengthen, and encourages your skin's barrier layer to strengthen.


Probiotics - The Defender
What are probiotics? Your skin hosts an environment of friendly bacteria – they're called probiotics. Their job is to fight free radical damage and irritation that can cause a number of aging signs. But as time goes on, this community of bacteria can diminish and weaken, leaving your skin susceptible to damage. How do they defend my skin? Probiotics work to protect this environment by replacing lost bacteria, and preventing further loss. With a fully functioning and thriving probiotic environment, your skin will become balanced, calmer, and more resistive to aging.