Beauty Tips for a Beautiful You		Printer friendly version |  Email to a friend

Everyone desires beauty. A few simple tips can help you change your looks and your lives – but remember you can be nothing without confidence. It is all about inner beauty at the end of the day!

Skincare | Hair care | Makeup Basics | Lipstick | Makeup Tips | Lips | Eyes

Skincare
Our skin (especially the face) is the largest exposed portion of the body. That pure, translucent and creamy texture of baby skin disappears before we can even begin to appreciate it. As teenagers, we have what we call teenage skin problems and by the time we overcome them, we suddenly start facing age!

Though a lot of skin problems are genetic, with the kind of products and treatment available in the market, anything is possible.

However, the most important way to maintain your skin is to clean it, moisturize it and protect it on a daily basis.

Daily cleansing, (more than once a day depending on your routine) is of vital importance. If you are always on the go, it is advisable to carry wet towels or an astringent with you, even if it means reapplying your make-up. If you have oily skin, splash your face with water a couple of times during the day and use oil-free cleansers and toners.

Use sun block (preferably a water proof one) every day (and not only when you are on a vacation).

Use a moisturizer (on your body as well) at least once a day. You could use an oil-free moisturizer if you have an oily skin, but a moisturizer is a must.

Before applying or reapplying make-up, ensure your skin is absolutely clean (this will help preventing blocked pores). Again, make sure your skin is devoid of all make-up before you sleep. The skin repairs itself while you sleep and blocked pores will only come in the way!

Hair care

No matter how much efforts you make, or spend time or money on the perfect hair cut or a color job, nothing is more attractive than a head of healthy hair. For healthy, shiny hair, you need to:

• Eat healthy food – fresh vegetables, salads, fruits and fish
• Avoid cigarettes
• Take vitamin supplements – Vitamin B, C and E
• Wash your hair regularly – be gentle, use a mild shampoo and scrub with the pad of your fingers
• Condition your hair regularly
• Get a cut to complement your face, body, hair texture and lifestyle. Spend time deciding your cut – consult your hair dresser and be confident and comfortable before you get your cut.
• If you decide to color you hair, think about the colors you wear and are comfortable with. Remember to use color-specific shampoos and to do regular protein treatments.

Makeup Basics

Base
Most of us have yellowish skin, rather than pink. The most common error made in choice of foundation is choosing a base that’s too pink! Fortunately, most cosmetic companies have now come out with foundations with yellow pigmentation. According to US make-up artist Kevin Aucion, “Make-up should blend with the color of the neck, not the face.” These days some companies hand out samples for trial – it is always helpful to take the sample home and try the foundation for a few days – that way you will know how you feel with it before buying the full size. Applying foundation with a sponge, brush or your fingers is an individual decision and should be done with whatever is most comfortable for you, but these are few ground rules you can work with.

How to apply compact:

• A compact is best applied with a sponge (usually comes with the compact you buy).
• Liquid foundation is best applied with your fingers.Spot and smudge. The other option is wedge shaped sponge.
• Loose powder foundation is best applied with a big brush.
• Cream foundation is best applied with the fingers or a wedge shaped sponge.
• Foundation mousse is best applied with a soft flat sponge or with your fingers.
• To dilute or for lighter coverage, you could dampen the applicator you use before dipping into foundation.

A foundation works best with a good concealer – make sure your concealer matches you skin tone perfectly. It is best to dab on your concealer (lightly) after applying your foundation. That way the foundation will not wipe off the concealer. You could apply a translucent powder after – to conceal the concealer!

Lipstick

The best reason to buy a lipstick is to make you feel better, to help enhance your mood and to just add that special boost to your life. Lipstick can provide a subtle or dramatic change to your natural look, and will always make you feel different, like hair color, for instance.

The worst reason to buy a lipstick is because you think it’s a beautiful color or because it is the latest rage. The color you choose should your complement your skin tone, your hair color and your eyes – not change them!

Lipsticks are available in four basic textures: Glossy, sheer, creamy and matte.

Makeup Tips

Concealer is used to hide dark circles around the eyes, and is also used to cover blemishes and scars. A beige concealer is ideal for dark skins and one with natural tones for fairer skins. This should be spread evenly using a dry sponge or your fingers. Now, apply the foundation.

Foundation is used to enhance the colour of the complexion. Three basic types may be used, depending upon your skin type. For dry skin, liquid foundation works best whereas semi-liquid is best for combination skins. Foundation can be applied with a sponge and blended into the hairline and along the jaw for a natural finish.

Translucent powder is used to dust the face. This helps the foundation to stay on longer. Excess powder should be brushed off. Blusher should be blended evenly along the cheekbones.

Lips

The lips should be outlined with a lip liner so that the lipstick does not bleed. Lipstick is then applied and blended with the lip liner. Then dust your lips with powder so that the lipstick lasts for a longer period of time, and then apply the last coat.

Eyes
Eye shadow colours should be selected carefully, light shadow is applied on to the lids to create a base. Darker eye shadow is then used at the outer corners of the eyes, to enhance the eyes. A kajal or kohl stick can be used in the inner eyelid to make the eyes appear even more dramatic. Mascara applied to the lashes increases this effect. Eyebrows should be sharp and tidy and should be free of all traces of makeup.