WAX TIPS

BEFORE YOU WAX.

Measure Up

The ideal length for hair is about 1/4 inch or 6 mm. But we don’t expect you to pull out the ruler, so we’ll gladly trim you up before your wax. And for all you shavers out there, make sure you come at least three weeks after using the razor! Otherwise the hair will be too short to get waxed.

Clean House

Take a warm shower before your appointment to help open the pores and put the loofah in play to help smooth skin and prevent ingrown hairs.

Go Au Natural

Skip the lotion, gels and oils pre-wax as it may interfere with hair removal. The same goes for tanning 24 hours before – best to avoid as it may up the ouch-factor.

Be Proactive

While we aim to invoke more of an ”aw” than “ow” experience, some clients prefer to pop an aspirin or use a numbing cream about 30 minutes before their wax to help minimize involuntary yips and yelps.

Body Scan

Give yourself a once over before you book to ensure your skin is free from cuts, scrapes, moles, skin tags and cold sores. Trust us, it’s better than finding out the hard way.

AFTER YOU WAX.

Cool Off

Steer clear of prolonged exposure to heat – including saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, sun bathing and intense heated exercise for one to two days after a wax as you’ll be more prone to burning.

Embrace Nature

We advise keeping the freshly waxed area clean and free of products including lotions, gels, deodorant and perfumes until the following day.

Take Care

After-wax lotions and taking the time to exfoliate are a great way to keep the skin smooth, soft and free from bumps and ingrown hairs. We carry a great line of products in our shop to ease all your woes and worries.
Is this your first time? Congrats! We have a convenient checklist to help you prepare for the big day. No pressure on your first visit. Come in, check us out and take home our handy hints card to help you prepare.

40 Ways to tie a Scraf

All about face shape and hair

Do you know your face shape?

Knowing your face shape can help you make better haircut and eyebrow tailoring choices.

Characteristics of an Oval face shape.

• forehead is wider than the chin
• prominent cheekbones
• face gracefully tapers to a narrow oval chin

What kind of haircut should an Oval faced person consider?

Oval faces are in perfect proportion so this face shape is easy to work with in terms of hairstyle. There is a lot of flexibility Celebrities with Oval shaped faces Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Ashley Judd

Characteristics of a heart shaped face.

Similar to the oval, but the face narrows below the cheekbones, reaching a defined pointy chin.

What hairstyles are best for a heart shaped face

Styles that are fuller around the ends will widen the appearance of the chin and jawbone, thus making the face appear better proportioned and basically oval.

Celebrities with heart shaped faces and their haircuts

Julia Roberts - Julia realizes that a short cut will not flatter a strong jawline and a prominent chin. She avoids fringes, prefers off-centre partings and uses her hair to slim the widest parts of her face. Her hair looks best when it's long and loose - whether straight or surfer-babe wavy. Subtly graduated long layers at the front create movement and again deflect attention from her chin.

Characteristic of a Round face shape

What kind of hairstyles for a round face?

Your face is full-cheeked and circular. Keep hair sleek at the sides and you can lengthen the face by choosing a hairdo with plenty of volume on top. Avoid round or geometric styles because they'll only accentuate the roundness. Also avoid hard lines and wide block fringes that sit above the eyebrows. To object is to achieve a hairstyle that can help lengthen the face. Feathered or layered hair falling on to the face will help create sleeker proportions. Keep curly hair all one length and ideally long, to avoid bulk. Full curls accentuate roundness, but scraped-back styles, high pony tails and updos with loose tendrils around the hairline are very flattering.

Celebrities that have round shaped faces?

Vanessa Williams, Uma Thurman, Marilyn Monroe, Cameron Diaz

Charactieristics of a Square Face

• Square
• forehead, cheekbones and jawline all about the same width
• squared jawline is the most obvious feature

Hairstyle ideas for a square face?

A broad forehead and a strong square jawline dominate your face. Slim those broad cheekbones with chin-length layers and, if you want a fringe, opt for a long wispy one. A graduated or classic bob makes an ideal shorter style because it hugs the face. Curls falling onto the cheeks will slim down the widest points of the face and help rebalance it.

Celebrities with a Square face

Paulina Porizkova, Demi Moore, Brooke Shields, Minnie Driver

Characteristics of a Long Face

• Long forehead, cheekbones and jawline are all about the same width
• can tend to have a prominent chin
• has an elongated appearance

Hairstyle ideas for people with long faces?

Stay away from very short hair. Soft layers around the face are always good.

Celebrities with long faces?

Jenniefer Love Hewitt, Claudia Schiffer

Diamond/Angular Shaped Face

Characteristics of a Diamond/Angular Shaped Face

• not as common as the other face shapes
• typically the face is highly angular
• the forehead is somewhat short
• the face is widest at the temples

What hairstyles are best with Angular/diamond shape?

A fusion of square and heart proportions. Chin-length bobs and feathered shoulder-length styles will emphasise those dramatic angular features, while still rounding out the chin. Heavy fringes are a good look, as are flicks or a mane of dishevelled curls. Very Sassy.

Celebrity with angular/diamond shaped faces.

Reese Witherspoon and Katherine Hepburn

How to pick a swimsuit with my figure flaws?

How to pick a swimsuit with my figure flaws?

 

What's the best swimsuit for women with a short torso?

You need to emphasize your legs. Try a suit that is cut high on the thigh. This will make your leg look much longer. Even if you have bigger hips this cut will accentuate your smaller waist. Try wearing a solid bottom bikini with a printed top. This will keep the focus upward and give you a longer lean look
If your body is too short in proportion to your legs, you will want a swimsuit that gives the impression of litheness. Try a bikini with a halter-top to emphasize the bust and shoulders. Pair this top with bikini bottoms that sit low on the hips.
Don't be afraid of a low cut suit. If you wear a one-piece try a solid color with a lower neckline which will create longer leaner appearance.
Don't wear bikini shorts or any kind of a skirted bikinis as they draw the focus downward and can make you look shorter.

 

What is the best swimsuit for women with a long torso?

Try a one-piece swimsuit or bikini with high-cut legs to give the impression of long legs. High-cut legs shorten the torso and lengthen the legs. You might try a one-piece swimsuit with a cut-out which will break up your long torso, just like a bikini does
Bikini shorts are ok for you because your length usually minimizes the hips but avoid darker colors and vertical strips as they tend to elongate a person's figure. Ruffles and fringe are your friends because you tend to have narrow hips which gives you the ability to accentuate your body shape.

What is the best swimsuit for a pear shape?

Try pairing an eye-catching bikini or tankini top with subdued bottoms in a dark color. This type of swimsuit will draw attention toward your more appealing characteristics. You can go for a pick a smooth, skimming skirt that is short and sweet, but covers what it needs to. Choose a suit that draws attention to your top half, ruffles, beads and bright prints on top are ok. Strong horizontal necklines are encouraged.
Avoid boy shorts, too skimpy bottoms, or lots of ruffles and details at the hips. Think dark colors and simple.

What kind of swimsuit should you wear in you have a large bust ?

Try a suit with a straight across cut at the top of your swimsuit with wide set straps to minimize your bust. You can also go for a bikini top with a hidden underwire for extra support. Halter-top bikinis can be a good choice by offering support, while providing some sexy cleavage too. Look for styles that are banded around the midriff and can be tied in back and around the neck. This style will give you some lift and will allow you to make adjustments for a personal fit.
If you want a one piece go with something with some structure in the bust, such as soft foam cups or at least, a shelf bra. Straight cut bust styles such as a classic tank can look clean and sporty.
Avoid Spagetti straps and strapless bandeau tops. Look for a suit where you can order the top and bottom sizes separately.

What kind of suit should you wear if you have a small bust line?

Try a bikini top with triangle-shaped cups and a tie-front. These features will add shape and the appearance of size to your small bust. Try swimsuit tops with a touch of padding, or an under wire. Look for a top with adjustable straps at shoulders and around back so that you can tighten and adjust things, to help fill out the suit.
You own the ruffled top market. Ruffle tops are so much fun!
Avoid tops with too much fabric or have a poor fit. Opt for separates, where you can choose your top and bottom separately.

What kind of swimsuit should plus-size women wear?

Look for swimsuits in darker colors in a plus size, as these colors will have an overall minimizing effect. Some deep reds and blues will have the same effect as black and are a bit more appropriate for summer fun. To accentuate curves, look for a fitted swimsuit with a defined waist and a high percentage of Lycra/spandex. A high-cut leg will also slim your legs and hips. Don't be afraid to show some skin.
Look for one-piece swimsuits with lace or mesh inserts. A strategically placed cut-out, or a deep V neckline, can really change your visual image.
Try swirling patterns or V patterns. Try a swimsuit with dark, solid panels down each side of the torso and a floral printed middle.
Don't cover -up. Avoid too much fabric. Modesty is certainly OK, but too much coverage is not necessarily a better option. Also, stay away from white, as well as bright, neon fabrics and those nappy textiles.

What kind of swimsuit should one with no waist wear?

Create some curves by wearing one-piece suit with a high-on-the-thigh cut. A belted waistline on a one-piece suit will give the appearance of a whittled middle. So will a draped, surplice detail that pinches in at the waist, or a curvy seam line that runs down each side of the torso. Bikinis are good for you. Add some illusion at the hips with rings, ruffles and bows. If you're small on top, go for a strapless bandeau. Go for a dark, solid bottom and a wildly printed or embellished top.
Avoid solid-colored or horizontal striped one-pieces.

What kind of swim suit should I wear if I have wide shoulders

Try to balance your look out. Play up the bottom of your torso and minimize the top. Try wearing bikini bottoms that have lots of color and print and also sport accents at the hips such as ties, belts and sashes. Wide shoulder straps and square necklines can make you look fabulous
Avoid a plunging neck lines or tiny bikini bottoms.

What kind of suit should I wear if I have a big tummy?

Get a swimsuit with a tummy control panel built in. Tankinis are another option in that they cover just a little bit but you still expose your hip line. A one-piece with some draping around the waist or hips or a ring hole pattern can also help to conceal.
Avoid solid colored suits.

What kind of swimsuit should a pregnant women wear?

Early in your pregnancy you may choose to go with a one-piece but later as stretch marks tend to show go with a one-piece or a tankinis. Pick one that you can let out and adjust as your tummy and hips expand. You will probably want some support in the bust as well.

How to dress 10 pounds thinner?

How to dress 10 pounds thinner? 

Start with the butt - Your bottom and hips will always look thinner when you are dressed in a solid color and it doesn't even have to be black it can be a beautiful incandescent hot pink if you like but solids tend to slim where other patterns don't. Now a lot of us don't go around wearing patterned pants but a lot of us wear patterned dresses and skirts - so be warned.
De-emphasize your waist - If you are trying to deemphasize your waist and or your middle then avoid crop jackets because they break up your natural lines rather then help you create long, lean lines.
Smaller bust - if you are small busted then try for some wrap shirts, which will give you the illusion of a bigger bust and smaller waist.
Big hips - go for some flat front pants, which are always a winner.
Big hips - don't be afraid to go for a black pencil skirt with black hose. It will make your hips do a disappearing act.
Big Bust - avoid lighter colors on top for they will over-emphasize your bust size and go for a geometric-shaped top with a slim pant and you will have a more balanced look.
Trying to play up your waist - try a slightly raised waist that tends to make the torso look narrower and a flared skirt which also makes the waist look narrower.
Unless you are a super model avoid horizontal stripes.
Only buy a pleated skirt if the pleats are stitched down and don't bunch up at the waist adding thickness.

 

Strategies for buying pants for any body style

Strategies for buying pants for any body style

 

• Try buying one size larger which will usually give you the right not too tight fit.
• Stretch fabric is crucial for comfort especially since at different times of the month you may need more ease.
• Uncluttered look - flat front, no pockets or embellishments, is a very flattering look and prevents bulk around the hips.
• Be careful with low rises on slim pants because you always have to be careful with how your walk or sit. A relative medium rise will give you more flexibility.
• Apply a sense of proportion to your look. For example it is difficult to wear fitted on both the top and the bottom. Try soft blouse, easy fit jacket or long sweater with fitted pants. If you choose to where fitted on top and bottom remember that wearing the same color on top and bottom elongates the frame.
• Avoid light colors or patterns on the bottom as they tend to add pounds. Unless you are a twig save those beautiful prints for the top or wear menswear type patterns on the bottom.
• Heels always make your pants more flattering.

Here are 5 fabulous “going out” outfits for five different occasions.

1. Girls’ Night Out Outfit

This look would be perfect for a night out with your favorite girlfriends – whether its dinner and drinks, dancing at a club, or just a cocktail party at your place, this look is cute and fun. The sparkly top adds interest to the look, the green clutch adds a pop of color, and the skinny jeans and heels go perfectly together. I finished it off with some dark metal jewelry for a little bit of a rocker edge.

2. Dinner Date Outfit

This pretty look is perfect for a dinner date with that special guy. The dress is from Forever 21 and includes a built-in belt. Cinched waists are really in right now, so it’s a little taste of that trend. I paired the dress with a simple black high-heeled pump and black opaque tights to keep your legs warm. For accessories, I like sparkly jewelry so I added earrings and a bracelet, but if earrings aren’t your thing, a simple bracelet is enough for this look. And who could forget the final accessory – a Chanel-esque quilted bag with a chain strap. No one has to know it only cost less

3. Keg Party Outfit

When you’re going to a party and there’s a good chance you’ll get beer spilled on you, you have to dress strategically. No expensive leather shoes for this one! This look includes skinny jeans, a sequined top, and a faux leather jacket. I paired the look with ankle boots from Forever 21 , a cute Target clutch, and a trendy layered-look necklace.

4. Casual Night Out Outfit

If you’re heading out to a bar trivia night with your boyfriend or just going to get dinner or a drink with the girls, here’s a cute and casual outfit that still has some sparkle. I paired black skinny jeans with a luxe tank and a bright cardigan for a pop of color. I also added gorgeous jeweled Sigerson Morrison for Target flats (impossible to get online, but in the off chance you find some in a store – buy em!) and some blingy jewelry to finish the look.

5. Cocktail or Dinner Party Outfit

If you’re in the mood to wear something a little more fun, consider throwing a cocktail or dinner party with your best friends. Make a rule that everyone has to dress up in cocktail attire – it’s a great excuse to buy a cute new dress! My friends and I used to do this a lot and it’s so much fun. Here’s an idea for a cute cocktail or dinner party outfit:
The blue shoes add some color, and the black bow clutch is another adorable formal wear reference. I finished it all off with a big black and silver cocktail ring and some dangly earrings to add sparkle.

Home Beauty Tips

Everyone wants to look their best and as beautiful as they can. Many of us spend a lot of money on branded beauty products and on numerous visits to the beauty parlor. There are a number of simple beauty treatments that we can use with things that are easily available in our homes. Here are a few home beauty tips that you can try using things from the kitchen without any extra cost.

• To remove puffiness from the eyelids, massage a drop of very fresh castor oil on to them.
• To cool your eyes, make eye pads using thick slices of cucumber. Another option is to use cotton pads soaked in cold milk. Lie down and place them on your closed eyes and relax for a while.
• Putting a drop of rose water into each eye just before you sleep can also refresh you eyes.
• To prevent your lips from chapping, use hot water fermentation on your lips and then apply a mixture of vaseline and honey. Apply this mixture about three times a week.
• To prevent your lips from drying you can use a ground mixture or rose petals and milk butter.
• To delay age spots on your hand, use a piece of lemon and rub all over your hand, before washing. This will delay onset of age-spots.
• If you have no time to shampoo your hair before going out, then brush 1 tablespoon of talcum powder or corn flour through your hair. Try this out first when you are not in hurry to make sure that it works the way you want.
• To prevent hair loss you should have a biotin rich drink. Blend bananas with honey, yogurt and low fat milk. Drink this for a few weeks.
• While blow drying and setting your hair, blow-dry at hot on the roots of the hair. Roll your hair inwards or outwards at the ends. To improve the setting make sure the ends are evenly rolled in or rolled out. Heat the hair for a second and then let it cool. This process of setting the hair will last longer and make your hair look beautiful.
• To condition your hair, after shampooing your hair take some conditioner on your palm and rub it with both hands. Apply from the hair shaft moving downwards. Do not apply on your scalp. Rinse your hair after 5 minutes.
• To add extra shine and glow to your hair add 2 tablespoons of malt vinegar. Use it as a last rinse and towel dry your hair.

Beauty Food
There is no doubt that all of us want to look beautiful, slim and fit. One has to exercise sufficiently to look good. But it is important to eat the right kind of diet to look beautiful.

Cause of Dark Circles
Our face attracts the most amount of attention. Therefore, we pay most attention to the way our face looks. We take special care of our face, its skin, its appearance and we try to present our face in the most beautiful manner we can.

Beauty Diet
Your diet contributes a great deal towards making you beautiful. Therefore eating a proper healthy diet is important to keep looking beautiful.

Tips to Look Young
There will hardly be any one on this earth who wants to look old. In fact, almost every one of us wants to look young throughout his/ her life. However, time is relentless and you tend to get older every year.

Applying Nail Polish

Nail polish remover not only wipes off the old color but also the grease from the nails and makes the new color coat stay put for longer period of time. Apply thing coat of nail polish, let it dry and then apply another coat. Even if you want a glossier effect, go for more than two thin coats rather than a thick coat of polish as it dries sooner and lasts longer and do not chip off easily. It is advisable to use the remover and applying nail polish only once or twice a week to prevent your nails from drying. Even if you do this, be sure to use removers with built-in moisturizers to keep your nails healthy. There are some tricks to keep in mind while painting your nails or give them the perfect look:

• For the flawless French Manicure, use a white nail pencil to line the nail tip from beneath for that pure white clean look instead of white nail polish.
• Do not forget to a weekly hand massage to pamper yourself, increase your circulation and enhance nail growth.
• To make the chip-resistant nail enamels last longer, submerge your freshly painted nails in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 seconds.
• While running for the car, you will just need five seconds to put a wide stripe of a quick-drying nail varnish down the center and you are ready to go!
• If your nail polish has chipped to an extent that touchups are of no use, better use the remover rather than trying to hide it under a coat of nail paint that makes the texture of your nails took uneven.
• You may sometimes even get away with cleaning the nails underneath, rubbing on the buffing cream and use chamois buffer for the healthy shine.
• Remember never to file the corner of your nails as it weakens them amd make them brittle.
• Get fashionable and funky by doing your nails in a solid color and allowing them to dry. Then use a toothpick to make a diagonal line across your nails in a different color. More skilled artists can go for more complicated patterns of their own.
• For club night outs or hot dates, try metallic glints; nail piercing, nail tattoos and embellishments. If your nails are not as long as you desire, you can opt for fake nails too.
• A hasty French manicure look can be achieved by using a neutral shade as the base paint and the white shade on the tips of your nails.
• For shimmer and glitter, use a coat of clear gloss or sparkle on your dried nail polish. Silver glitter looks best on dark blue and black shades while gold glitter goes well with red shade. They are the best choices for bridal look or on weddings of near and dear ones and formal wear.

Applying Mascara

Mascara gives a finishing touch to your eye makeup and must cover the lashes from roots to the tips. Deposit the color on the mascara wand by twirling it in the pack and then cover the upper lashes from their base to the tips in full strokes to make the lashes look thicker, longer, well defined and separated. Mascara is applied from the underside by holding the wand horizontally parallel to the eyelid and the brush is rolled slowly in the upward stroke. For lower lashes, one has to be more careful so as not to smudge the under eye area and the wand is to be held vertically and mascara is applied from side to side. Less mascara is used on the lower lashes and extra color should be blotted off using the tissue paper. Usually women opt for more than one coat of the mascara, which combs the lashes too so that they do not look stuck together.

If mascara is deposited on the wand more than needed, tissue the extra color off before applying it. Different colors of mascara such as brown, navy and green can make you look funky instantly. It is important that mascara is used on an individual only to avoid transferring eye infections and if it causes even the slightest irritation in the eye, it must be immediately discarded. Wiggle the brush a little at the roots of the lashes as it allows the bristles to move between the eyelashes, combing them and separating them. Let mascara dry between any of the two coats and comb the eyelashes to separate the wet lashes. Do not rub eyes to remove the mascara but use the eye makeup solvent instead. Before applying mascara, use an eyelash comb or damp toothbrush to comb your lashes. Always use a clean and fresh mascara wand on damp lashes.

Black mascara can be used by anybody at anytime though blondes should only use it for bright night makeup. Thin and short brush is best as it is easier to control and gets to the corner of the eye easily. It is also advisable to powder the under-eye area before applying mascara to avoid smudging. Curl the lashes before applying mascara by moving the wand in a zigzag fashion to make the lashes look wider and brighter. Applying mascara only on the upper lashes lend them a dramatic touch, while applying it lightly on the upper and lower lashes, make the eyes seem wider. A gel-based mascara enhances the lashes while thickening mascara looks more dramatic and adds volume to your lashes. Brown, navy and aubergine shades add subtle and sophisticated touch to your eyes while redheads can use burgundy shades. Women with strawberry-blonde hair may try different shades of brown. Be sure not to match your mascara color with your eye color.

Applying Lip Gloss

Do you want to accentuate your lips? How about trying lip gloss or shine? The glossy effect is known to add an 'oomph' factor to your face. Lip-gloss makes your lips look voluminous, apart from highlighting them on the face. They can either be applied over the lipstick or alone for a more natural and nude lip look. Lip gloss and lip shine are available in various shapes, size and colors that are convenient to use and give a shimmer and shine to your lips that you have always wished for. Also, lip glosses available today, are mostly water resistant and promise to lasts for long periods of time. One can effectively make the lips look more beautiful with the help of lip gloss and other lip products and use it strategically for lip correction. In the following lines, we have provided some tips on applying lip gloss, just for you.

Tips For Applying Lip Gloss

• Before putting on a lip gloss, apply a light film of Chapstick or lip balm. It moisturizes and nourishes the lips, keeping them naturally rosy. Apart from protecting and healing, Chapstick also helps the lip color to set more effectively.
• The best way to get a lasting effect of lip gloss would be to first, apply a lipstick to your lips and then, blot off the extra color using the tissue paper. Later, apply a thin layer of lip powder on them and apply a second coat of color. Complete the look, by applying lip gloss to make your lips look shinier than ever.
• To tone down the shine, take a tissue paper and put it against on lips and press little loose powder through it. Only a bit of it will get sifted through it and will instantly reduce the shiny effect.
• In case you are performing for a stage show and are required to radiate an extremely glamorous look, go for lip lacquer. It will give a greater shine to your lips.
• To give a fuller look, direct the lip-gloss to the center of the mouth. Apply the gloss in short strokes, until the natural line of your lips has been filled.
• For women who use matte lipsticks, you can avoid it from drying and flaking, by using a lip primer or color fixative, before application.
• Special effects and highlights can be achieved, by using sheer silver, gold or iridescent lip gloss over lip color. This would be great for an evening wet look.
• It is recommended to use creamy lipsticks for daily purpose. This would help to keep the lips moisturized. For adding an intense wet look, apply lip gloss to transform your makeup from matte daytime look to glossy night party look.
• Women with thick lips are advised to use lip gloss very sparingly, as it would make your lips look all the more fuller.

Applying Lip Color

Lip liner is not essential but if used, it should be applied first. It should either be neutral in color or match the shade of your lipstick and not darker than your lipstick, so that if the lipstick fades, you don't walk around with only the outline showing. Lip liner is used to define the look of your lips and normally, you start lining them on your natural lip line starting from the center of your upper lip to the outer edge. For sharpening the lip pencil, chill it in the refrigerator for a few minutes first. To make the lipstick stay longer, use foundation on the lips first, then apply lipstick, blot the extra color with a tissue, reapply the lipstick and then dust the lips with powder. Since foundation and powder make lips drier, use lipstick with a creamy formula to counter the effect.

For applying the color, stretch the lips and starting at the center of the lip and glide the color to the corners. Lip brushes help you to give better finish to coloring your lips and avoid the application of excess color. A quick way of applying lip color is to use the lipstick to stain the bottom lip, press them together to transfer some of the color to the upper lip and then use the angle tip of the sponge applicator to refine lip edges. For more natural looks, you can try tips given below:

• The beautiful raspberry stain can be obtained by applying the berry color on the lips, blotting it with the tissue and then use brush to apply a second coat of the lipstick.
• The nude bare lip looks can be obtained by using neutral pink lip color that matches your skin tone. Pale colored women can go for light orange color with a pinkish tint while olive skin can use brownish bronze shade. Avoid lip liners as you don't need the harsh lines. Add clear gloss to the center of your lip and you are ready.
• There are lipsticks that add warmth and volume to your lips and are also have a flavor and perfume of their own. So buy the favorite fruity, candy or other flavors of your spouse for your honeymoon!
• Older women should use creamier lipsticks.
• Orange and brown shades make your teeth appear yellow so until you have that picture-perfect smile, keep them off your lips.
• In summers, you may have those dreaded dry cracked lips. Simply use your toothbrush to get rid of the dead skin gently and apply lip balm generously on them to heal them soon.
• Brown toned lips take on brown shades such as apricots, beiges, peaches and cappuccinos better than pink or blue toned lipsticks.

Applying Lip Color

Lip liner is not essential but if used, it should be applied first. It should either be neutral in color or match the shade of your lipstick and not darker than your lipstick, so that if the lipstick fades, you don't walk around with only the outline showing. Lip liner is used to define the look of your lips and normally, you start lining them on your natural lip line starting from the center of your upper lip to the outer edge. For sharpening the lip pencil, chill it in the refrigerator for a few minutes first. To make the lipstick stay longer, use foundation on the lips first, then apply lipstick, blot the extra color with a tissue, reapply the lipstick and then dust the lips with powder. Since foundation and powder make lips drier, use lipstick with a creamy formula to counter the effect.

For applying the color, stretch the lips and starting at the center of the lip and glide the color to the corners. Lip brushes help you to give better finish to coloring your lips and avoid the application of excess color. A quick way of applying lip color is to use the lipstick to stain the bottom lip, press them together to transfer some of the color to the upper lip and then use the angle tip of the sponge applicator to refine lip edges. For more natural looks, you can try tips given below:

• The beautiful raspberry stain can be obtained by applying the berry color on the lips, blotting it with the tissue and then use brush to apply a second coat of the lipstick.
• The nude bare lip looks can be obtained by using neutral pink lip color that matches your skin tone. Pale colored women can go for light orange color with a pinkish tint while olive skin can use brownish bronze shade. Avoid lip liners as you don't need the harsh lines. Add clear gloss to the center of your lip and you are ready.
• There are lipsticks that add warmth and volume to your lips and are also have a flavor and perfume of their own. So buy the favorite fruity, candy or other flavors of your spouse for your honeymoon!
• Older women should use creamier lipsticks.
• Orange and brown shades make your teeth appear yellow so until you have that picture-perfect smile, keep them off your lips.
• In summers, you may have those dreaded dry cracked lips. Simply use your toothbrush to get rid of the dead skin gently and apply lip balm generously on them to heal them soon.
• Brown toned lips take on brown shades such as apricots, beiges, peaches and cappuccinos better than pink or blue toned lipsticks.

Applying Foundation

Choosing the right foundation is the first step to a successful makeup result. Perfect matching foundation can only be assessed by correct estimation of skin type, natural color and skin tone. Since most Caucasian, Latin, African and Asian women have yellow-based skin, they must buy foundation with a yellow base too so that it doesn't look like a mask. However, Asian women from the south-Asian region have skin with a yellow-greenish undertone and thus, need a foundation that has same color of pigment as the base. Experts often use two or more shades of foundation to highlight the best features of the face and underplay the low points. To master those skills, need a lot of practice and study. Yet, there are a few points that we can keep in mind while using the foundation at home to give the best possible results, for daily purposes:

• Blend the cream foundation smoothly using a cosmetic sponge in long sweeping motions.
• Cosmetic sponge helps you to manage and apply foundation more easily and gives a better and smoother result.
• For perfect matching, foundations should not be tested on hands or insides of your wrist as the color of your face definitely differs from the color of these areas of your body. The best way is to test the foundation on your jaw line and see whether it matches the natural color of your neck or not. Matching under different light settings gives you a better idea about the correct foundation for your skin.
• Foundation needs to be blended, properly, especially under the jaw line, into the hairline, on the ear lobes, corners of the nose and mouth and over and under the eyes, so that they don't let on the difference that the foundation makes to your skin to the viewer.
• To retouch a particular spot, reapply the foundation there lightly and blend it with the rest of the face. Then powder it lightly with the translucent powder to let it set properly.
• Touchup with dual active powder foundations can easily help you to change your look from day makeup to night makeup as it works as foundation as well as powder. For sheer finish using this foundation, you just have to dampen your cosmetic sponge a little.
• While applying liquid foundation, it is better to put small points of foundation at different parts of your face such as forehead, nose tip, chin and cheek bones and then blend a little at a time on the face to give a more finished look.
• You can use powder foundation just like the normal compact powder.

Applying Eyeshadow

Eye shadow is perhaps the most beloved cosmetic of creative makeup artists. Since eyes is the most important focal point of the face, the eye makeup techniques and choice of colors for eyeshadow should suit the shape and color of your eyes. The most important trick to keep in mind is that the light colors highlight the spots while dark colors tame them down. The first step in applying the eyeshadow is to apply a neutral concealer that matches your skin tone on the eyelid and then sweep the lightest shade over the entire area from the lash line to the brow line to create the smudge resistant base. Apply the medium shade on the lower lid and blend it into your base shade. A third color can also be added along the lash line and outer corner of the eyes as an accent to create the depth in eyes. The other tips that you can use are:

• Blondes with blue eyes should opt for browns and taupes while those with green eyes can go for soft mauves and lilacs.
• Blue eyeshadow should only be worn only if you either have fair skin, black or platinum hair and brown or gray eyes or very dark skin.
• Don't match your shadow with your eyes or your clothes so that attention remains with your eyes and not your makeup!
• Emphasizing the inner corner of the eyes to make them look closer to each other. This can be done by applying a neutral base color over the whole eye and then dust a medium color on the inner half of the eyelid and blend it outward. You can then use eyeliner to line the lid from the inner corner of the eye to the middle and blend it outward.
• For day makeup, base color and mascara are the only things you need to wear for eyes.
• High quality powder eyeshadows can be used wet for heavier application by dampening your applicator a little.
• Lighter shadows help the bigger while darker shades make them look smaller. For bigger eyes, sweep a light shade over lid and darker shade on the outer corner of the lid and the crease. Outline the eyes using the eyeliner on the outer side of upper and lower lids while tapering a bit on the outside the eye to elongate it. Dab a white or cream shadow in the middle of the brow bone as a last step.
• Neutral shades like browns and beiges look natural while brighter shades like blue and green look dramatic and artificial.
• On mature skin and puffy eyelids, avoid using iridescent, frosted, light colors and white eyeshadows and opt for soft matte colors instead.
• Only use cream eyeshadows that do not cause creasing upon application and should be coordinated with powder shadows that are to be used on top of them. They should be applied using fingertips.
• Sweep a light or medium-tone shade on the lid and slightly darker shade above the eye crease to downplay the brow bone. Eyeliner should be thick in the middle of the eye and tapering at both ends. Add light highlighter to brow bone.
• To add definition to your eyelids, apply a medium-toned shade across the lid and brow bone and dust the under brow area with a light highlighter shade. Use a very fine pencil liner of natural color to line the upper and lower lash lines.
• To glamorize eyes for night outs, add shimmer to highlight your eyes.
• To lift up tired eyes extend the color from the outer corner of the lid upwards to give them a feline shape. A light highlighter on the brow bone without the eyeliner brightens up the eyes. Concentrate mascara on the inner corner of the eye.
• To make them look wider apart, keep the inside corners of the eyes lighter than the outer edges. Apply concealer one shade lighter than your skin at the inner corner of the lids and the sides of your nose and blend it well. Use a matte medium to dark eyeshadow and stroke it outward and slightly upward from middle of the lid to its outer half. Use the eyeliner a bit in from the inner corner of the eye and make the line tapering up and out a bit past the outer corner of the eyes.

Applying Eyeliner

Eyeliner is used to give shape to the eyes and define them as desired. An important part of eye makeup, it is often used after eyeshadow and before mascara. Eyeliner can be used to add the dramatic touch to your face or soften the look of your eyes and must be used, keeping the color of eyes and the eyeshadow that you use in mind. Brown, navy and charcoal liners look gorgeous on light colored eyes while brown and plum shades are often used to enhance the beauty of dark brown and black eyes. Precise and dramatic strokes can be achieved by using liquid eyeliner while pencil eyeliner is the best to give soft touch to the eyes. To experiment with colors, you can moisten a small flat brush to use dark eyeshadow as eyeliner or a cake liner and the brush must be held as a pen. Pencil eyeliners need to be sharpened before using them.

While applying the eyeliner, tilt your head back slightly and keep your eyes half-open to let you see yourself in the mirror as you are applying the liner. The line must be drawn on the upper lid from the inner side of the eye to the outer side. Let the liner dry before opening your eyes fully. To soften the look of harsh eyeliner, smudge it a little using the brush. Lower lid is lined from outer edge tapering to the inner side of the eye. Liquid liner has to be applied in one smooth stroke while pencil is applied by stroking the area lightly. Too thick eyeliner does not look good so go for thinner lines. Liquid liners need practice and brushed must always be washed with a makeup remover after using them. If your hand is shaky, stand close to the mirror to provide it support from the mirror.

While using a powder shadow as a liner, it is wise to hold a tissue directly beneath your eye to avoid it from getting all over the dace. The best tool to apply eyeliner is the sponge applicator. Liner applied as a series of dashes or dots or short feather-like strokes on the lash line are much easier to control than a solid line. If your lids are oily, you need to prepare it first just like you did for eyeshadow to avoid eyeliner from moving up to the crease area. Kohl pencils are ideally suited for the inner rims of the upper and lower lids and not the eyeliner as it soon smears easily and is also not good for eyes.

Classic traditional eyeliner look can be achieved by determining the thickness and intensity of the eyeliner according to the eyelid area. Larger eyelid area can use thicker and softer eyeliner while smaller eyelid area needs thinner and more intense liner. Since eyeliner is meant to create depth to the eyes and give thickness to the lashes, traditionally you can stick with dark brown, gray or black eyeshadow for the upper lid and softer tan, taupe, chestnut, brown, gray or black shades for the lower lid.

Applying Concealer

Helping to even out the facial skin, concealers are sometimes the only cosmetic that many women prefer to use along with powder for daily purposes. For summer, you may need a shade darker to match your skin tanned and baked in the sun. It basically camouflages facial imperfections and balances out your complexion by hiding out the skin blemishes and under-eye circles. For accurate results, apply the concealer using a small fine tipped brush and blend it well. A yellow-based concealer is a best match for most of the skin tones while translucent powder helps it to set.

A concealer with a high pigment level and having mineral oil as its contents is best for camouflaging purposes as it covers the spot better and stays on the top of the face for more time. It is best to check whether a concealer matches your skin or not in sunlight for correct estimations. Buy the concealer that blends so well that it seems to disappear on the skin and yet hide the targeted spot. Here are some tips to use concealer wisely to get best results:

• Adding yellow eye shadow to the concealer can effectively cover dark circles.
• Blue or green eye shadow added to concealer is helpful to mask ruddy tones and broken capillaries.
• Dry your pimple with the help of a blow dryer on low heat and then use a pointed brush to target the yellow-toned concealer that matches the tone of your foundation, which is dry and has a high pigment level, to the spot. Lightly press around the edges with fingers. Set with loose powder. You can also use concealer pencil for the purpose.
• Freckles and pigmentation must only be hidden when it is absolutely necessary as it takes a heavy layer of concealer to cover them up and can look worse. Moisturize the skin well and apply a creamy concealer, which is a shade lighter than your foundation and set it with loose powder. For added glamour, you can also dust it with subtle, skin-toned shimmer powder.
• The inside of the nose bridge, corner of moth and outer corner of eyes are the most susceptible areas and need special attention while applying concealer.
• The slightly dehydrated residue in the cap of your foundation can be quite an effective concealer that matches your foundation perfectly.
• To eliminate under-eye dark circles, choose a creamy concealer with medium pigment level and matt finish. Loose powder may end up accentuating the aging lines in the area. A silky make-up primer with a high level of silicone applied to the area before using the concealer, helps to better mask the area while it also hydrates and smoothen the lines. Apply the concealer by using the synthetic concealer brush and then press into the skin with the fingertips.
• To get rid of red scars and birthmarks, use yellow-based concealers. Apply a matt primer to the scars before using drier concealers with high pigment level to cover them up. For raised scars use a slightly darker shade of concealer than your natural skin tone while lighter shade is for indented scars. Set with loose powder.
• To hide broken capillaries, you need a yellow-based concealer with a high pigment level and pointed fiber brush for precise application. Press the concealer using the fingertips and then dust with loose powder to let it set.

Applying Blush

Blush is often the last cosmetic to be used on face while doing makeup. The method of applying blush differs with the facial shape and the right application of blusher can make your face look longer or wider, as desired. Here are some tips to use while applying blush:

• A little shimmer on the highest point of cheekbone near eyes lends you an instant sexy look.
• Accentuate the cheekbones by using a slightly darker shade there while blending it down the cheek for a more natural look.
• Clean blush brushes are very important to avoid bacteria transfer in skin and thus, one should clean them with non-soapy cleansers and baby wipes.
• Cream blush can be blotted off using a tissue while applying translucent powder can dilute powder blush. However, gel and liquid blush have to be washed from face and the makeup has to be redone.
• Cream blush can be used on lips for sheer and soft color and should be applied using the fingertip.
• Dusky pink blush warms and freshens up the face, especially on the tendons below the ears, but blush on chin may not look good, if your neck is lighter than your face.
• Frosted blush may not be a good idea after all and frost on lips or eyes are more in fashion during night parties. Still, you can get that look by applying a light colored frosted eye shadow or lipstick such as gold, silver, light pink, peach, champagne and beige on the top of the cheekbones. Frosted highlighting powder is also available in the market to be used on any part of your face.
• Gels and liquids are best to get rosy cheeks but since they stain the skin be sure to wash your hands after applying them.
• Gels are dabbed as dot on apple of the cheek and two smaller dots on cheekbone and rubbed in small circles to blend them well all the way from cheeks to hairline.
• Make the face look wider, by looking straight into the mirror and applying blusher on the cheekbone from under the center of the eye to the temple. Suck in cheeks and use the darkest shade in the hollow making a 'C' shape up to the temples but not higher than eyebrows. Use lighter shade on top of cheekbones and stop before the under eye area. You can add a little lush on tip of the nose, forehead and chin.
• Never use blush on underside of cheekbones.
• Often the small blush brush that comes with the cosmetic is of no use. A full round brush gives a professional look and make the overall look softer and more desirable. It is important to have separate brushes for the blush and the powder.
• Powder blush should always be applied in one direction to avoid streaking.
• The best method to apply a blush is to take the blush on the brush and tap off any extra color in the box itself. Alternately, if you are using gel or cream blush, put a dab of it on your fingers.
• The best shades are warm, golden browns than cool, grayish browns, especially when used as cheek contour.
• To find out the actual position of the apple of your cheek, look into the mirror and smile and then sweep the brush upwards in an arc from your cheekbone to your hairline. Color should be light and well blended.
• To make the face look longer, focus your blush on the outer area of the face and near your hairline. Suck in cheeks and use the darkest color in the hollow making a 'C' shape, no higher than eye on side of face. Use lighter shade on top of the cheekbones and below your darkest blush shade to help slim down the face. Apply lighter shade on apple of the cheeks and chin.

Tips on How to Wear Leggings

Tips on How to Wear Leggings

Start with basics, expand for variety.
Leggings come in every color under the sun, feature different prints, washes, and finishes, and can be worn in all different ways. (Proof: see our list of legging trends for fall!) If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend a solid, opaque pair in a neutral color like black or brown. Sheer, footless tight styles are also great to experiment with, especially under shirt dresses.

Try different lengths.
Leggings come in all lengths, from capri to ankle. Ankle length leggings are definitely the hottest style right now, but play around with proportions and decide which length looks best on you. Leggings that hit mid-calf might look adorable on a tall, skinny girl, but might make a shorter leg look wide.

Consider your shape.
If you’re curvy or just worried leggings might not be flattering to your body type, you may want to stick to slimming black and dark brown. Of course, you can still have fun with solid-colored leggings with fun details as well. If you’re still feeling self-conscious, try your leggings with a minidress or a top that hits just below mid-thigh. That way, the largest part of the leg is covered! If all else fails, I firmly believe that self confidence is really all you need to pull off even the craziest outfit, so if you feel good, you’ll rock your leggings.

Invest in key pieces for pairing.
You need to wear leggings with something! Plan to invest in flowy dresses, tunic tops, and shorter skirts – they pair perfectly with leggings. Some girls love the look of sheer leggings under shorts as well. If you’re planning to wear a shirt with your leggings, it should be long and have some volume to balance out the tightness of your bottoms. Dolman sleeve tops, for example, are perfect with leggings.

When it comes to heel height, less is more.
The combination of sky high stilettos and tight leggings can go from zero to 80′s in 60 seconds flat. This can sometimes work if that’s your desired look, but can also go very wrong. Fortunately, leggings provide the perfect opportunity for you to bust out your favorite flats–ballet style, boat shoes, moccasins, low-heeled boots, and even oxfords all look totally chic with leggings.

Remember: Leggings aren’t pants.
I know they’re comfortable and cute, but traditional leggings are not pants and should not be worn as such! (With the possible exception of jeggings, of course.) Leggings as pants = overexposure. If you’re going to wear leggings, make sure you’re wearing a top, skirt, or dress that covers your butt and your front! You should also avoid wearing anything that’s too tight over your leggings for the most flattering look.

The Look

Formal-feeling button-ups of the past have given way to something silkier, sexier, and distinctly made for a woman. Perfect for layering or solo wear, the style staple's basic shape secures it high-rank in a starlet's wardrobe of go-to favorites. Think of it as the A-list's version of a t-shirt.