How to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat in 3 Easy Steps

Whether you’ve got wavy or curly hair, straightening your tresses can become a huge hassle. Hitting the curls with a flat iron or blow dryer is fine, but after a while your hair becomes so damaged that it begins to look worse for the wear.

Even if you use a heat protectant spray, your hair can only take so much and it’s only a matter of time until you find dead, split ends.

In an effort to protect your locks from an ever-present heat styling routine, we’re bringing you the steps for how to straighten your hair without heat. The end results won’t be a flat ironed look, but they’re a much healthier alternative.

What You’ll Need:

• Straightening Shampoo and Conditioner
• Large Rollers
• Roller Clips
• Straight Hairspray

Step One: Use the Right Shampoo and Conditioner. To combat frizz and curl, use a shampoo and conditioner combo that will give you optimal results. Fekkai’s Silky Straight Iron-less Shampoo is our favorite option.

Step Two: Roll Up. Once you towel dry your hair, section off and put in large rollers—the larger, the better (think soda can width). Clip rollers in place and allow your hair to dry.

Step Three: Spray Hair. After your hair dries, apply Living Proof Straight Spray to seal in the style.

10 Natural Remedies for Shrinking Your Pores

Pores. No matter how clear or tiny yours are, they can always be smaller, right? Harsh treatments and even some serums can sometimes be counterintuitive by clogging up your pores further or, worse, spawning breakouts, though.

So, we chatted with some top skin professionals to find out which natural remedies can really make a difference when it comes to smoother, flawless skin. Below are their top tips and recipes to shrink your pores — the natural way.

Rice: Skin guru David Pollock stresses the importance of using a gentle physical exfoliator every day. “Our skin is in a constant state of renewal, which can slow with age,” he says. “A physical exfoliator will scrub away dead, possibly dangerous, skin cells.” He suggests using a cleanser with rice or jojoba beads that won’t damage your skin and can be used everyday.

Papaya, Lemon Juice and Honey: Detox and deep clean your pores a couple of times a week, Pollock advises. Try this mask he concocted using half of a papaya (seeds and pulp removed), one teaspoon of lemon juice, and one tablespoon of honey: While mashing the papaya, slowly blend in the lemon juice and honey. Apply the mixture to clean skin and let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse it off well. “The papaya helps exfoliate dead skin cells, while the lemon juice acts like a light fruit acid and the honey nourishes and balances the skin’s pH,” he explains.

Seaweed and Honey: Dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf suggests adding seaweed powder and manuka honey to a clay mask (with a couple of drops of rose or lavender essential oils as well), then blend it well into a paste. “This will help draw out impurities in the skin,” she says. “Plus, manuka honey has anti-bacterial and anti-acne properties.” While she notes that pore size is determined by genetics, this at-home mask may help make them look smaller.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Before applying moisturizer, Pollock suggests creating your own astringent with apple cider vinegar “to reset the skin’s acidic pH and remove any residual impurities.”

Vitamin C and Aloe Vera: Rianna Loving, creator and founder of organic skincare brand ORGO Beauty, says these two ingredients work in tandem to reduce pore size. “Vitamin C aids healthy skin by killing the bacteria in your pores and can increase your immune system, rejuvenating your liver, which will break down the toxins that help form blackheads,” she says. “Aloe helps fight infections that build up inside the pores, as they are rich in enzymes that eliminate bacteria and reduce the inflammation of the blackhead.” To create an at-home treatment, grate one medium-sized orange and blend with raw or fragrance-free and chemical-free aloe gel. Blend until the mixture is smooth,  then apply onto your face and leave for 15-to-20 minutes. Wash it off with warm water.

Wild Durian Fruit Enzymes: Incorporate a chemical peel or exfoliator serum into your routine a couple nights a week, Pollock says. “Look for serums containing chemical exfoliators, such as salicylic acid, glycolic or lactic acid, retinols, or my favorite, wild durian fruit enzymes from South Asia.”

Lemon Juice and Tea Tree Oil: Loving suggests this natural remedy for deep cleaning. “Tea tree oil prevents the excess build up of unwanted oils and infections. It’s got great anti-inflammatory and disinfecting properties,” she explains. “Lemon juice is a great cleaning compound, which works well for pores which are enlarged by the cause of oily skin and blackheads.” Create a toner by mixing a cup of lukewarm matter with five drops of tea tree oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice, then spray onto your face. This will shrink pores and keep them unclogged.

Why You’re Not Getting Instagram Likes: Tips For Taking the Perfect Picture

There are few things that make us feel as good as a well-executed Instagram picture. Say what you will about the trend and millenials, but it’s a universally acknowledged truth: On those off days, there’s nothing like snapping a few good selfies to get us back in that self-esteem groove.

But beware, because nowhere is the “quality over quantity” rule more important, not even in clothes.

That’s right. This is serious business. Excessive selfies are the fastest way to lose followers for us normals (models and celebrities are an entirely different matter, not being real and all), and mediocre selfies, well, it’s like having every opportunity in the world and just throwing it all away.

So unnecessary, especially because anyone in the world can take a good selfie, given the right tips. And thus, we’ve rounded up our best tricks for a good take every time— because believe us, there’s nothing more identity-crisscrossing than not one “like” in sight.

The Most Flattering Filters
We’re big fans of warm-tinted filters like Rise and Hefe, which make you look like you’re basking in the sun everywhere you go (the dream). For your classic selfie, we generally avoid the filters with cold, harsh tones or frames, like Hudson or Kelvin. Unless you’re trying to look like you’re from the ’90s, in which case, go right ahead, you’re on trend! But on the other hand, if you’re really feeling confident, a simple frame can be the good kind of quirky.

Find Your Light
Selfies are a shadow game, and it’s all about playing it. The best are usually a little back-lit, which casts the most flattering shadows (light from your computer monitor can be good, but has kind of a sad undertone). Try not to take any outside on cloudy days, or in fluorescent lighting–the lack of shadows isn’t flattering, and fluorescent are the quickest way to look washed out.

How To Find Your Angle
Everyone has their own favorite angle, but a good rule of thumb is to shoot from around chin level and gently angle up. Too much of a below chin, angled up shot and you could wind up looking like you have a double chin. But whatever you do, don’t angle from above–it doesn’t get more MySpace than that…

Avoid: Duckface
…Or does it! The duck face (otherwise known as pursed, slightly stuck out lips) was a classic of the MySpace era, and it’s in all of our best interests for it to stay there. We’re all in favor of #ThrowbackThursday, but there’s a limit.

Smile, Don’t Scowl
The corners-upturned smile is our go-to expression, because obviously, we’re taking a selfie, how serious can it be? We always giggle at the selfie-ers with moody, broody expressions, even if it’s a flattering pose. A small smile is the best way to show that you’re in on the joke.

Eye Contact is Everything
Likewise, the  “eyes up and away” face may make your eyes look bigger, but at what cost? Looking a little silly, even, we dare say, grade school-ish (shudder). Definitely not what we’re going for. Eye contact is pure confidence in real life, and does as well virtually. Just try not to stare intensely into the camera–try for second date level eye-contact, not marriage proposal.

8 Weirdest Uses For Your Favorite Cult Classic Beauty Products

Whether you’re in a rush or you’re a modern-day Macguyver, double-duty beauty products are the best kind of beauty products. We’re taking multitasking a step further, though, because we’re putting your favorite beauty products that you’ve known and loved for years to good use (and for reasons other than you think). Below, the eight weirdest uses for your favorite cult classic products.

1. L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray for stains:  Everyone knows that a little clear polish can fix a pull in pantyhose, but there are other uses for your trusted hair product. If you find your clothes covered with unexpected makeup stains, pen ink marks or otherwise, apply hairspray liberally and rub it in for a quick fix.

2. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara for shoe scuffs: Whether you’re hitting the streets of Fashion Week or running around in the office all day, your shoes are bound to catch the brunt of your work day. What’s the use of dealing with scuffed up shoes when you can take the excess mascara off the brush and use a paper towel to cover the problem area? It’s a temporary fix, but it’ll get you through the day.

3. Dickson’s Witch Hazel to clean jewelry: While it’s no surprise that the daily wear and tear of our jewelry is enough to collect dirt, it’s not always so easy to clean it. Dab some witch hazel onto a cotton ball and gently clean your jewelry to restore it to its sparkly, shiny self.

4. Essie’s Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers for marking and organization: With the millions of ways to communicate and send information these days, staying organized can get pretty rough. Put your favorite polish to use by marking and color coordinating papers and folders, then take things a step further by marking the perfect temperature on your shower or the thermostat.

5. SuperSolano Hairdryer to remove stickers and price tags: We spend more time (and get more chips in our nail polish) removing price tag sticker than we’d like to admit. Good news for you retail therapy junkies, though. Simply turning on your blowdryer and concentrating it on stubborn adhesive will speed up the process and help in the removal of stickers and tags.

6. Urban Decay NAKED Palette for hiding your roots: In a time pinch and when there’s no salon in sight, use one of the shadows closest to your hair color to touch up your roots for the day.

7. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre for static cling: Static cling and lint are pretty much inevitable through sweater season, so apply a small amount of lotion to your hand and say goodbye to static cling and sweater lint with a light swipe over the fabric.

8. Mason Pearson Hair Brush for carpet stains: Though you’d have to be practically made of money to do this, there’s one thing that will help you get rid of stains in the carpet better than a toothbrush. If you have a hairbrush handy take it to the carpet to lift stains. This method is amore effective due to the larger surface area of the brush, concentrated on the stain.

The Worst Mistakes You Make When Applying Concealer

Whether you’re covering up blemishes or prepping your skin, concealer is a must have. But chances are that you might be making some avoidable mistakes with your makeup, or even worse; you might not being using this multi-purpose product to its full potential. In order to avoid any of the above, we’ve put together some of the common concealer related mistakes, and some cool tricks you probably never considered before!

Using your fingers: You may have heard this is a great way to apply concealer because it helps smoothen the application. We’re sorry to say that you’ve been misinformed. When applying makeup, our hands touch a variety of other products, and when we finally get to our concealer, there might be remnants on your fingers, which can end up casting a shadow over your concealer. Save yourself the trouble (and mess) and invest in a concealer brush or applicator for a flawless application.

There is a time and place for every texture: Like all makeup, different kinds do different things. Concealers come in different shades and textures, so make sure you’re matching the texture to its use. For example, a liquid concealer is preferable for under eye application, as opposed to a cream concealer which can crease and look cake-y under the eyes.

Tap, don’t stroke: This is another common mistake when applying concealer. Whatever tool you’re using to apply your concealer, use light tapping motions to blend the product in. This will result in an airbrush-like finish.

Powder up: This is an often overlooked rule when using any type of liquid makeup. Some might not see the importance of setting your makeup, especially concealer, but this keeps the product from sliding off your face later in the day.

Not using it as foundation: For those who haven’t discovered the magic of using concealer as foundation, listen up. When you’re looking for a lighter coverage, swap your foundation for your a pump or two of your favorite concealer in the spots that need a bit of evening.

Prep and Prime: Priming your face before makeup application is a must. Use concealer to prep your eyes and lips before applying any product over top. It works as a neutralizing base and allows the colors of your eyeshadow or lipstick to pop. A lighter shade also makes your lips look larger, giving you the effect of a plumped pout.

A little goes a long way: We all make the mistake of thinking that we need more product than we actually do, but when it comes to concealer, less is more! The less concealer you apply, the more natural your makeup will look. Plus, using it sparingly means spending less money. Win-win.

After or before foundation? The question about whether we should apply concealer before or after foundation is an age old one. There really is no right or wrong answer for everyone. Both methods produce different results, so if to cover up under eye circles, apply before foundation. If you’d like a blemish free complexion, we suggest you apply after foundation.

Contour and highlight: Want some contouring a la Kim Kardashian? Put your concealer palette to use! Use a darker shade to contour your cheekbones, jawline and nose. Then use a lighter concealer can help draw light to the center of your nose, center of your forehead and the apples of your cheeks.

Wipe it off: Taking off any type of makeup is necessary, but especially liquid makeup. Leaving concealer or foundation on overnight might result in blocked pores, which leads to a plethora of skin troubles. Get yourself some good makeup remover wipes and a gentle facial cleanser to really get the most out of your beauty sleep.

Beauty Rules You Should Be Following Right Now

Winter is harsh — not just on our mood and routine, but our skin, too. We should be always be taking good care of our skin year-round, but there are some rules you need to be following  to give skin a strong fighting chance right now. Read on below for the beauty rules you should be following right now.

Never sleep in your makeup: “This suffocates your skin, causing aging,” says Kim Laudati of Kim Laudati Skin Care. It also promotes breakouts. The pollution and makeup itself all need to be removed prior to sleep. We regenerate cells the fastest when sleeping, so don’t cheat yourself out of healthy, new skin.

Always wear SPF: “Skin cancer is in the top 5 cancer killers in the United States! It’s not just a little something that you get cut off and forget about,” Laudati says. Also, sun damage causes wrinkles and sun spots (dark brown spotting) so why not enjoy the sun while protecting yourself from that trifecta?

Never over-scrub: Sure, your exfoliating products all say “use daily” and some even suggest twice daily, but don’t believe everything they say. “The cold, hard clinical fact is that too much scrubbing will actually slow down your cell turnover as your skin tries to protect itself,” says Laudati. Slow cell turnover means faster signs of aging, dull looking skin and skin that will be more prone to break out from dead skin cell build up.

Groom your brows: They say your eyes are the window to your soul, so let your eyebrows be your window treatments!! “In my book, no makeup look is complete without the final framing, and filling in of the eyebrows. Cleaning up and stray hairs and filling in your brows creates a polished look and is the finishing touch to a professional and gorgeous look!” says Achelle Dunaway, creative director for e.l.f. Cosmetics.

Get a monthly facial: “Without proper cleaning and exfoliation, you are really just applying your products to layers of dead skin cells,” says Rianna Loving, creator of Orgo Beauty. These professional treatments help reduce wrinkles and scarring, plus they help to brighten, increase elasticity, clean pores and smooth skin.

Moisturize: Even oily skin needs moisture to keep balanced. Always apply just enough product to cover your skin so as to not clog pores and waste product. “I suggest moisturizing twice daily after cleansing and before SPF and makeup for supple and hydrated skin,” says Laudati.

Wash your makeup brushes weekly:  “I’m not a huge fan of makeup brush cleansers, as they are normally high in alcohol, which is very drying and can be very irritating to skin. If you’re not a professional makeup artist, a good rule of thumb is to wash your brushes in disinfecting soap once weekly, spin or tap to remove excess water, blot with a clean napkin or hand towel and air dry between two dry napkins or a clean, dry hand towel,” says Laudati. Keep your brushes in a plastic container that closes. The container is easy to clean, and at the same time you’re washing your brushes you can clean the container. It’ll also keep airborne pollutants off your brushes throughout the week.

Sleep with a humidifier if you live in a cold climate: During the winter months the air contains less water and thus can dry out and crack your skin. “By sleeping with a humidifier you add water back into the air. Your skin will thank you,” says Dr. Gary Goldfaden.

Hydrate: Drinking at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water every day keeps your body working properly and nourishes the skin, says Ami Shvartzman, glo minerals National Makeup Artist.

Clean your cell phone: “Cell phones are magnets for bacteria, so keep it clean and keep a clearer complexion,” says Shvartzman.

Do not use products that contain mineral oil: It is used extensively in the United States because it is inexpensive. However, mineral oil is molecularly too large to penetrate the skin, so it just sits on the skin’s surface. It can also clog pores. The reality of mineral oil is that it’s a byproduct of processing petroleum. Is that really the best thing to be putting on your skin?

20 Makeup Tricks Every Twenty-Something Needs

Because we tend to spend our time pouring over beauty products, chatting with makeup artists and testing out the products on our own, we also tend to pick up some pretty incredible makeup tricks along the way.

Whether it’s how to get your makeup to last longer, how to apply a product or which products work best for each issue, we’ve got some seriously useful makeup tricks and we’re sharing them with you.

Below are 20 makeup tips every girl needs in her 20s (and beyond).

1. To avoid your lipstick drying out in the center of your mouth, apply a nude color lip balm crayon to the insides of your lips, just behind the lipstick. This won’t change the color of your lipstick, and it’ll keep your lips hydrated, preventing cracking and making it last much longer.

2. Use a cotton swab and a drop of makeup remover to clean up any stray marks or mistakes that may have happened when you applied eyeliner.

3. When your eyebrows are unruly and you’re in a pinch, use lip balm to coax them into place.

4. Apply concealer under your eyes with your ring finger, the weakest finger, to pull the skin there as little as possible. This will avoid making the sensitive skin at your eyes loose, which can cause wrinkles.

5. To make your eyeshadow last longer, begin by applying an eye primer, then wet your brush before dipping into the eyeshadow. The wet shadow will stick to the eyelid better and won’t slide off.

6. For a subtle highlighted look, use a highlighter stick to trace a giant “C” shape on either side of your face. Starting at the inner corner of your eyes, going up to just underneath your eyebrows, following the outer curve of  your face and then going inward towards the apple of your cheek. Blend the highlighter so that there isn’t a clear, visible line, and repeat on the opposite side of your face.

7. Put a touch of white eyeliner in the corner of your eyes and along your bottom water line before pictures to make your eyes look brighter and bigger.

8. For precision and even color application, use a concealer brush instead of a lip brush to apply your lipstick.

9. If you neglect to clean your makeup brushes, you’re putting old makeup, bacteria and oil onto your skin every day, which can cause major breakouts. Clean your brushes once a week with anti-bacterial soap and warm water.

10. To coat your lashes with the most mascara possible, place the mascara wand at the root of your lashes and gently shake the brush up towards the tips, blinking down onto the brush as you go. Plus, don’t be afraid to apply two coats!

11. When you’re doing a smokey eye, use three colors. One light highlighter color in the inner corner and under the brow bone, one medium tone in the center of your lid under the crease, and one darker color in a sideways “V” shape — along the crease, then along the upper lash line. Blend the colors well for the best results.

12. Use green concealer for acne or blemishes (green will counteract the red) and pink concealer for dark circles or spots (pink will counteract the blue or purple colors).

13. On a night when you know your makeup needs to stay put for hours on end, use a makeup setting spray to hold things in place.

14. For a spot treatment on acne, apply a drop of redness reducing eye drops to the area. The formula will help to neutralize the red, evening up your skin tone.

15. To make your nose look smaller, apply a foundation two shades darker than your skin tone in vertical lines down the sides of your nose and blend. Then, apply a strip of highlighter down the center of your nose, blending that, too. The makeup will give you the appearance of a shadow, making your nose look a bit smaller.

16. Always curl your eyelashes before applying mascara, not after. Curling afterwards will cause the mascara to clump.

17. If you use heat styling tools in your hair, style your hair before applying your makeup. The heat from the tool (especially a blow dryer) can dry out the makeup, cause your mascara to shrink, and melt the makeup causing it to go deeper into your pores. Apply your makeup afterwards in a cool room if possible.

18. For a long lasting lip stain that you can DIY, use Kool Aid mix, water and your finger. Added bonus: It tastes great!

19. Get your eyeliner to stay put by using an angled eyeshadow brush and a shadow of the same color, applying it over the liner. The powder shadow will seal the liner in place.

20. Even if your makeup contains SPF, it’s not enough to rely on that alone, because you don’t apply makeup as thoroughly as you would apply sunscreen. Get a lightweight, non-greasy formula to wear underneath your makeup, even when it’s not sunny out.

7 Herbal Remedies for Clear Skin

As good as your hair and makeup can look, clear, smooth skin is the foundation of looking great. We’ve seen our fair share of serums, creams and cleansers that promise a blemish-free complexion, and while we have a certain skin care regimen we swear by, sometimes going natural is the best thing you can do for your skin. Spices and herbs can add some zip to your meals, and many even have digestive or antioxidant properties. But some actually serve another purpose — as natural beauty products.

To get a better grasp on which spices and herbs are the best for your skin, below are seven seasonings that not only do your body good, they keep your complexion looking good as well.

Cumin: According to dietitian and nutritionist Elisa Zied, author of YOUNGER NEXT WEEK: Your Ultimate Rx to Reverse the Clock, Boost Energy and Look and Feel Younger in 7 Days, this is an active component of turmeric and can act as an antioxidant to combat free radicals (as in, the chemicals that are found in your body and in the environment that can harm your cells, including skin cells). “There’s also growing evidence that curcumin can play a role in treating skin infections, among other things,” she says. “Applying it topically can help treat skin-related disorders.”

Black pepper: A natural detoxifier, using a product with black pepper can make your skin glow. But beware of putting it directly on your face in its pure form as high concentrations can cause irritation.

Ginger: Rubbing fresh ginger on your skin may help even out skin tone and reduce blemishes.

Fennel: This seed-like spice is known for reducing redness and irritation, making it a perfect remedy for those with sensitive skin.

Cinnamon: Zied says that this sweet spice may have anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, antioxidant and free radical-scavenging properties. Some reports show that cinnamon can actually stop acne-causing bacteria in its tracks.

Paprika: This spicy seasoning is packed with vitamins A and C, meaning it may help reduce free radicals attacking your skin.

Sesame Seeds: They’re not just good on bagels! These tiny seeds may actually help lighten acne marks when made into a pasty mask and put on the face.

Tips for Empaths!

Are you a highly sensitive person?  Do you tend to take on the energies of those around you?  Do other people’s moods affect you so much, that at times, it’s hard to differentiate between their feelings and your own?  Sensitive people, or empaths, make up a large portion of those with psychic gifts.  For the untrained empathy, this trait can feel like more of a curse than a gift, because it’s one of the most common, but difficult psychic gifts to understand. 

The best way to defend yourself against the detrimental feelings that come with high sensitivity is to be aware of your environment, and the people who inhabit your life.  We can choose our friends, but we can’t always decide whom we work with or the family we come from.  Remember, when other people with negative attitudes come into your personal space, it is likely to affect you and your senses.  The first step in taking control of your sensitivity is to be aware of these energy-suckers in the first place.  If are constantly surrounded by negative energy – whether directed at you or not – you must learn ways to cope with your sensitivity!  Try some of these tips to harness your psychic gift: 

Be aware of your own sensitivity.

-Just being aware that you are an empath is the first step in taking back control of your energy field!  Growing up, I never understood why I seemed to feel sick, drained, emotional, or depressed for no apparent reason.  Now, after learning about my own sensitivity, I have a better grasp on how I am feeling, and why.

Make a list of energy-suckers you encounter.

-Take out a notebook and write down all the names of people you encounter on a daily or weekly basis.  After writing down their names, go through the list and read each name aloud.  Close your eyes and allow yourself to feel any physical or emotional sensations as you say each name.  As an empath, you’ll have a gut feeling when thinking about each person; make notes as you go down the list, and highlight those who give you a sense of anxiety, fear, or negativity.  Next time you’re around one of those people, and you feel out of balance, you’ll have a better chance of deciphering whether it’s their energy or your energy that you’re feeling.

Shield yourself around negative people.

-Imagine a white bubble of light surrounding you when in the presence of negative people.  Use your mind to visualize the bubble expanding as far as it can go.  This will help protect your energy field from lower vibrational energies that are in your vicinity.   You can also shield particular negative people around you in their own bubble – ensuring that their low vibrational energy stays within their bubble.

Remember that you are not responsible for other people’s feelings.

-Many empaths take on the weight of the world by feeling a sense of responsibility for others feelings.  Don’t get sucked into this trap – negative people love to feed off of other people’s energy, so don’t let them use your energy for their benefit and your detriment.

Use affirmations to boost your energy daily.

-Remind yourself through affirmations how wonderful you are and how great your life is!  You are responsible for your own actions and feelings, so make the best of them by telling yourself every day how great you are.  There’s no shame in boosting your own energy!

Take care of your environment.

-Get rid of excess clutter to boost the energy in your workplace and home.  Use candles, incense, Himalayan salt lamps, or smudge sticks to get rid of stale energy and make room for positive vibrations.  Keep a live plant or two to bring in more good energy, while providing your space with fresh oxygen and something pretty to look at. 

Use crystals and gemstones.

-Many crystals and gemstones protect empaths from negativity.  Keep a few tumbled gemstones in your pocket, around your desk, and near your bed while you sleep.  Try Hematite, Black Tourmaline, Obsidian, Bloodstone, Laborite, Jasper or Onyx for psychic protection and grounding; use Amber for releasing negative energy; try Citrine, Quartz, or Tiger’s Eye for an increase in positive energy.  Be sure to cleanse your gemstones daily after use!

 

Discuss your sensitivity with others.

-If you notice someone’s energy is affecting you, try discussing your feelings with him or her.   Sometimes being upfront and honest about your sensitivity can do wonders.  You may find that by talking and explaining your feelings to others, even those who bother you, can help the situation.

For more information, please go to:

‘The Knowing’ celebrates 30 Traits of the Empath

http://acelebrationofwomen.org/2013/04/the-knowing-celebrates-30-traits-of-the-empath/

Beauty School: Serum Spotlight

Hey Beauties! I got this information from Michelle Phan.

Serums are important for your skin because they act like liquid specialists. There’s literally a serum for everything; wrinkles, hyper pigmentation, white spots, age spots, firming; you name it and there’s a serum to fix it.
Serums have much smaller molecules than moisturizers, which means that you want to apply them first. You have to work quickly though, because serums dry really fast, and you want them to penetrate deep to deliver all of their goodness into your skin.

Depending on your specific beauty needs, there are some pretty amazing drugstore serums that you can pick up and try out, especially if you’ve never used one before. L’Oreal has really good drugstore serums that are department store quality and same with Roc and Olay. Check them out below:

1. Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum
2. L’Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Serum
3. L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum
4. Roc Skin Renewing Serum
5. Aveeno Positively Ageless Rejuvenating Serum $19.99
6. Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Serum $14.99

7. Neutrogena Retinol NX Concentrated Retinol Serum

8. ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum

9. Olay Total Effects Instant Smoothing Serum

10 Things No One Ever Tells You About: Moisturizer

Hey Beauties! This information I got is from Beauty High. 

Moisturizer is, arguably, the most important part of skin care. After cleansing, washing, and harsh weather conditions, our skin can be left feeling dried out and dehydrated. That’s where the beauty of moisturizer comes in. More than just applying lotion to your skin, there are some important facts about moisturizer that are often left out of the conversation, and below are 10 things no one ever tells you.

1. You should be wearing moisturizer with SPF  all the time: Yes, all year long, although you may be enduring a blizzard every other day, SPF is very important in your skin care regimen. Exposure to sun without protection can lead to damage and eventually wrinkles, so pick up a moisturizer with an SPF count no lower than 15.

2. Moisturizers can help reduce wrinkles: After skin loses moisture, it also loses elasticity which can result in wrinkles. Moisturizers help by locking in liquid or draw or water from the innermost part of the skin.

3. They’re not all the same: Because of the various skin types that we have, there are also various moisturizers that work for everyone. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to stay away from moisturizers loaded with fragrance. If you have oily skin, avoid products with added oils and other ingredients that are bound to clog pores.

4. Know when it’s time to switch it up: Although you should be wearing moisturizer all the time, know when to switch it up. For warmer weather stick with a lighter moisturizer that wont clog pores and cause breakouts, and during the colder months go with a heavier cream formula.

5. Read the label: There’s more to moisturizer than knowing what works for your skin type. Certain ingredients work the best for reducing wrinkles and improving skin’s elasticity. Look out for ingredients such as vitamin C and soy compounds, as they work well in producing collagen and helping skin elasticity.

6. Use an oil: Not crazy about the greasy feel of creams? Try anything from almond oil to olive oil for your skin. Oil is a natural alternative and it also leaves your skin with that healthy glow we all love.

7. Moisturize at night: Moisturizing isn’t just for the day time! After cleansing your face at night, you should be applying moisturizer as well because it works faster on your skin while it’s in resting mode and not exposed to weather.

8. Don’t skip the serum: A serum is a great component for moisturizing the skin. As moisturizers stay on the barrier of skin and prevent moisture from escaping, serums delve deep into the skin and replenish moisture that was previously lost.

9. Less is more: You don’t have to pile on the moisturizer. A pump or two is sufficient for the face and neck. Use enough product to moisturize your skin, but also give it room to breathe.

10 You don’t have to break the bank: With a lot of high end moisturizers on the market, some people think that the more expensive a moisturizer, the better. In reality, drugstore moisturizers do the trick, too — you just have to find the right one.

12 Things Only Pale Girls Will Understand

Hey Beauties! I saw this post on Facebook and thought that I would share it with all of you! Just note: Girls aren't the only ones that are pale. Believe it or not but there are some guys out there that are pale.

Just like curly haired girls understand what it’s like to always be mindful of their hair, pale girls know that working with their fair skin tone is always a consideration when it comes to hair and makeup. Some things just come with the territory of having pale skin. Too dark hair can look gothic, and the wrong foundation color can look downright scary. In honor of the pale-skinned girls of the world, below are 12 things only you will understand.

1. Try as you might, spray tans will never, ever, ever look anything close to natural on you.

2. SPF 50 is as low as it gets. Otherwise, it’s Lobster City.

3. Buying makeup at the drugstore means veering all the way left for the lightest, fairest foundation.

4. “Who’s the fairest of them all?” You win. You always do.

5. You go on vacation and see a tan line and come back so excited, but no one even notices a difference.

6. Every time someone holds up their arm next to yours for a tan comparison, you lose. The one day you win, you Instagram immediately.

7. Flash photography. No.

8. Good luck trying to talk to that cute barista without blushing.

9. Experimenting with dark hair colors is like toeing a fine line between “bombshell” and “gothic.”

10. Basically never being able to wear a white shirt.

11. “Oh my god, do you glow in the dark?” Sit down, people.

12. People can’t believe that you actually like being pale. Own it.

10 Mistakes You’ve Been Making With Your Eye Makeup

Hey Beauties! I saw this post on Facebook and thought that I would share it with all of you!

Too often it seems like we leave the house in the morning in good condition, but then we look in the passing mirrored window when entering work and just stop to wonder, “where did I go wrong?”  There are a few slip-ups that most of us make when it comes to eye makeup, and if the eyes are the windows to the soul, we need to make sure those babies look beautiful. In order to avoid some all too common pitfalls when it comes to eye makeup, we’ve rounded up 10 mistakes everyone makes with eye makeup, plus how to solve them. Read on below!

1. Wrong concealer color for your dark circles:  The color of your circles (blue, green, purple) will impact the color concealer to purchase. We go to the color wheel for help in this department. Use a pinkish tint for green circles and a peachy tint for blue or purple colored circles. This way the colors will counteract each other to hide the fact that you’re tired.

2. Curling lashes after mascara: Unless you want to end up with mega clumped lashes and a clogged eyelash curler, we suggest you curl your beautiful lashes before applying mascara to give them the foundation they need.

3. Only using a primer when your using shadow: Primers work wonders and need to be given more credit! The magical thing about a primer is that it not only prevents creasing, but also holds liner in place. Sweep a small amount onto lids even when you’re doing a quick five minute makeup routine and you’ll see a major difference in how long your eye makeup lasts.

4. Applying liner and mascara before shadow: By applying shadow last, you’re just making it difficult to blend out the eyeshadows to achieve the color blend you want. Instead, use shadow and blend, then think of liner and mascara as the frosting and sprinkles.

5. Using liner on your waterline: Be mindful to apply lower liner on the lid, not the waterline, which will almost immediately be removed.

6. Placing a dark shadow on your inner corner:  This will bring darkness to the area of the eye that’s already looking like it’s suffering. Instead, opt for a shimmery white or cream color. This will bring more light into your eyes making them appear brighter (and bigger, too!).

7. Lining a cat-eye down:  When lining your eyes in an extended cat-eye style, you want to make sure you are keeping the line upwards when extending it beyond the eye. When it’s lined more downward, this makes the eye look droopy and smaller. Open up the look by extending the line towards your temple.

8. Not using a waterproof mascara: When it comes to mascara, opting for the waterproof formula is a safe bet. This way, you won’t have the lower lashes creating a black rim on your eyes mid-morning.

9. Applying a dark, powder eyeshadow after applying concealer: To avoid having loose, dark powder on your face, apply any dark shadows you’re using, then sweep off excess and apply concealer.

10. Sleeping with eye makeup on:  Just because you won’t get acne in that area of your face does not mean it doesn’t have to be properly removed! Look for eye makeup removers with oils that will help to remove the makeup with out having to scrub it off.

Makeup Swaps: Winter to Summer!

Hey Beauties! Okay so in this blog is going to be about Makeup Swaps. Transitioning from Winter to Summer and visa versa.
So, let's get started!






Winter Makeup Routine
-Foundation
-Powder Blush
-Lined Eyes
-Matte Lips
-Lip Stains
-Dark Polish
-Highlighter
-Eyeliner Pencil

Summer Makeup Routine 
-Tinted Moisturizer
-Cream Blush
-Long Lashes
-Glossy Lips
-Bright Polish
-Bronzer
-Gel Eyeliner

The Best of the Best in Makeup in 2013!

Hi Beauties! Welcome to the 2nd annual of the cosmetics battle. I will share with you some of the best of the best cosmetics that’s out, from drugstore to high end. There are 23 categories and I will break it down into 3 Groups: Eyes, Face and Lips. If there is something that I didn’t mention and should be in this battle, let me know and with any luck, perhaps it will be in next year’s competition.
So, let the battle begin!!! 

Eyes:

1. Eye Makeup Remover
• Winner- Maybelline Expert Eyes Moisturizing Remover
• Runner Up- N/A

2. Makeup Remover Wipes
• Winner- Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
• Runner Up- Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

3. Eye Creams and Gels
• Winner- Benefit Eye Cream
• Runner Up- Simple Soothing Eye Balm & Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On

4. Brows
• Winner- Salon Perfect Brow Defining Powder in Taupe
• Runner Up- Essence Brow Pencil in Brown

5. Eye Primer
• Winner- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
• Runner Up- E.L.F. Primer 

6. Cream Eye Shadow
• Winner- MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
• Runner Up- Maybelline Color Tattoos in #25 Bad to the Bronze & L'Oreal Infalliable Eyeshadow in Amber Rush 

7. Eyeshadow
• Winner- CoverGirl Eyeshadow Quad/Trio in Shimmering Sands
• Runner Up- Wet n' Wild Eyeshadow Quad/Trio in Walking On Egg Shells

8. Eyeliner
• Winner- Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Pencil in Black & Nude
• Runner Up- Maybelline Master Precise By Eye Studio Felt Tip in Black

9. Mascara
• Winner- CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion in Very Black 
• Runner Up- Maybelline The Falsies Vloum' Express in Black Drama

10. False Eye Lashes
• Winner- N/A
• Runner Up- N/A

Face:

1. Face Primer
• Winner- Almay Smart Shade Perfect & Correct Primer 
• Runner Up- Stila One Step Correct Skin Tone Correcting Brightening Serum 

2. Foundation
• Winner- Revlon Color Stay Combination/Oily Skin Ivory 110
• Runner Up- Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Airbrush Finish in Light 02 Classic Ivory

3. Concealer
• Winner- Mary Kay Concealer in Beige 1 
• Runner Up- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment in Fair 10

4. Powder
• Winner- CoverGirl Clean Sensitive Skin in Ivory 205
• Runner Up- NYC Smooth Skin in Naturally Beige 702A 

5. Cream Blush
• Winner- Stila Convertible Color in Peony
• Runner Up- Revlon Photo Ready in Coral Reef 

6. Powder Blush
• Winner-Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Blush in Sweet Cheeks
• Runner Up- Kat Von D. Blush in Heartagram

7. Highlighter
• Winner- Bare Minerals Stroke Of Light Eye Brightener in Luminous 1
• Runner Up- Benefit High Beam 

8. Bronzer/Contour
• Winner- NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in #720A Sunny
• Runner Up- Benefit Bronzer in Hoola

Lips:

1. Lip Balm
• Winner- Chapstick Classic in Cherry
• Runner Up- Eos in Strawberry Sorbet & Summer Fruit 

2. Lip Tint
• Winner- Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch
• Runner Up- L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in #518 Tender Mauve

3. Lip Liner
• Winner- Avon Ultra Luxury Lip Liner in #T520 Neutral
• Runner Up- Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner in #D450 Red Brick 

4. Lip Stain
• Winner- Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in #001 Honey 
• Runner Up- Avon Lip Stain Marker in Ready Red  

5. Lipstick
• Winner- Milani Lipstick in #14 Rose Hip 
• Runner Up- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in #668 Primrose 

6. Lipgloss
• Winner- NYX Butter Gloss in #BLG02 Eclair 
• Runner Up- Juice Beauty The Organic Solution in Champagne

P.S.
I got this idea from a blog post on Tumblr from Makeuptips.tumblr.com plus from two beauty Guru's on YouTube: KissndMAKEUP (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Series) & BeautyBroadCast (Emily Awards Series).

Back To School: Makeup Bag Essentials + Drugstore Starter Kit! ♡✄✐♥☆

Hey Beauties! Okay so its that time of year again where everybody is going back to school; including myself for photography to help out with my interior design career. But what everybody is always looking for is, back to school makeup bag essentials.

Either your starting high school or college for the first time or just wanna keep up with the latest trend. Whether you wanna carry a lot or a little, here is your  Back To School Makeup Bag Essentials guide!

This list is just an example of what might be in a makeup bag. Choose items to tailor your makeup bag to your own personal preferences to best suit your needs.  Also, there will be a Drugstore Starter Kit at the end of this blog. So, let's get started!


 Your List of Essentials

1. Makeup Bag 
2. Compact Foundation
3. Foundation or tinted moisturizer
4. Concealer
5. Eyeliner (Black, Brown, White or Nude)
6. Basic eyeshadow palette (light, medium, or dark colors)
7. Eyelid primer
8. Mascara (regular or waterproof)
9. Eyebrow pencil with brush
10. Blush (Cream or Powder)
11. Bronzer
12. Lip Products (Chapstick, Lipgloss, Lipstick, Lip Stain, Etc...)
13. Lotion/Moisturizer 
14. Hand Sanitizer
15. Perfume Sample or Body Spray
16. Mints, Breathe Strips or Gum
17. Blotting Sheets
18. Nail Clippers, Nail File, Hair Ties, & Bobby Pins
19. Makeup Sponges 
20. Small Hair Brush
21. Face Wipes 
22. Deodorant Travel Size
23. Dry Shampoo Travel Size
24. Hair Spray Travel Size 
25. Makeup Brushes
26. Eye Lash Curler

Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit

1. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara
2. NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss
3. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
4. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain
5. Milani Smooth Finish Blush
6. L'Oreal Infalliable Eyeshadow
7. Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow
8. L'Oreal Hip Chrome Eyeliner
9. Milani Liquify Eyeliner 
10. Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner

Back To School: What's In My Makeup Bag?