Here is an ongoing list of beauty tips. I’ve got a million of them!
- Apply makeup in natural light. The more brightly and evenly lit your face is, the easier it is to blend well and not over-do anything.
- Instead of waiting to wash your face at midnight when you might be too tired and want to skip it, get it done as soon as you get home early in the evening.
- Bronze or gold eye shadow create a beautiful contrast for blue eyes. Try using your bronzer as a shadow.
- Good posture can make you look taller, thinner, younger and more confident. And it’s free!
- Avoid anything with mineral oil (a by-product of petroleum). It’s like putting saran wrap on your skin; smothering the skin not allowing it to breath or eliminate toxins, clogging pores and actually drying the
skin out. - Even if you’re a “no makeup” girl, you may need concealer. Don’t resist. This is a must have for many of us. Getting rid of the darkness under the eyes, makes you look healthy, well rested and brings more attention to the eyes.
- Get a shower filter. There are many health and beauty benefits.
- Be as diligent about reading cosmetic labels as you are about reading food labels.
- Nothing opens up your eyes like an eyelash curler. Curl lashes first then apply mascara.
- Don’t be concerned about using a cleanser from one company and a moisturizer from another. It’s about you and what works best not brand loyalty.
- Think of red lipstick as a fun accessory! Because many commercial lipsticks contain lead especially the red shades, opt for one from a natural/organic company.
- Brows are very important and one of the first things I look at when doing a woman’s makeup. Have your brows shaped at least once by an expert, then keep up by pulling out the strays once or twice a week with a good tweezer like Tweezerman.
- Is under-eye puffiness in the morning a problem? Use an eye cream that contains caffeine and store in the fridge. The cool temperature of the cream (along with the active ingredients) will help to reduce swelling.
- Sunglesses! Large-framed wraparound styles block out the most light limiting both vision damage and sun-induced wrinkles. Protect yourself especially between 11am and 3pm.
- Consciously relax your face. We give ourselves some of the lines on our faces by squinting, raising our forehead, puckering, or habitual movements that can etch fine lines and wrinkles in place.
- Make your own tinted moisturizer by mixing a drop or two of your favorite liquid foundation with a moisturizer in the palm of your hand.
- Think of your face as extending down to your chest. So when applying treatment products, massage into face, throat and chest. These areas need the same TLC as your face.
- According to every wellness guru, sugar is BAD for your skin. Sugar triggers the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products), which are believed to cause fine lines and wrinkles. Treat yourself once a week instead of every day.
- Avoid sleeping on your side or even worse on your stomach. Try sleeping on your back to avoid wrinkles. Wake up without creases and lines from the pillow pushing up against our skin all night.
- Does your skin feel dry when the weather turns cold? Most women are over-cleansing and under-moisturizing. Dry skins should cleanse once a day with a non-foaming cleanser and switch to a rich cream moisturizer. The products you use in the summer usually don’t work in the winter.
- Follow the 3-4 month replacement rule on mascara. Why take a chance with bacteria and possible infections? I jot down a date in my appointment book reminding me when to buy a new mascara.
- Have a yearly check-up with a dermatologist.
- If your brows need filling in, use a stiff angled brush and eye shadow. Let your hair color determine the shade. Blondes can go a little darker, brunettes should go a bit lighter, redheads are best using a light brown shade (red would look strange) and if your gray or white, go with a taupe shade.
- Don’t pick your lip color according to your outfit. It’s tacky. Go for shades that compliment your skin tone.
- Skin issues? Adult acne, clogged pores, redness, rough dry skin? Seems like everyone thinks about covering up with makeup when you should be thinking about what you’re doing to care for your skin. Put your time and attention into skincare. You’ll need to wear less makeup as your skin starts looking better and better.