Natural Hair Care in Simple 7 Steps

Where's My Hair? After graduating from cosmetology school, having a fundamental understanding of hair, one day I realized my hair was different from my childhood hair, in density and length, and by length, I mean not having any. Where was my hair? It was an undeniable question for so many who surrounded me friends, family members, ladies in the grocery stores. If hair grows to an inch per month if healthy, why were so many struggling with hair growth? Most were getting relaxers, so the main culprit had to be the chemical service and inadvertently unhealthy hair. Because I am committed to the overall health of hair (and finding our hair), I went beyond the theory and embarked on research into the chemical underpinnings of the mainstay product that we so willingly had slathered in our heads every six to eight weeks. This discovery revealed seven key principles to healthy hair that are now the key concepts for achieving and maintaining beautiful and healthy natural hair.

1) The Strength Is In The Curls. While researching, I began to understand that all relaxers are not created equally nor are those who apply relaxers using exact precision or superior and professional skill sets every single time. As a master stylist, I came across the most outrageous times when stylists wanted to relax. I know you have heard, hopefully not privy of, "there's breakage on your ends (which is a serious hair challenge), so you need a relaxer". Does this sound logical? The hair is shedding, so put a chemical on it. Ironically, damaged ends are a direct sign of unhealthy hair.

2) Precise trims can help retain hair's moisture, length, and strength. Physical changes as brushing, combing, blow drying, and ceramic styling and setting can affect hair from the shaft all the way down to the ends. Improper handling of everyday tools could be a factor in how often one needs a trim, but the larger point is hair like a garden needs to be pruned (trimmed) in order to grow and flourish. Continuous research showed that the strength is in the curls: this resonated with me so, I made it my motto. The closest the hair is to its natural state, the more the hair will be its healthiest, purest, and strongest. Therefore, the best potential for hair to be healthy is in its natural state. This revelation prompted my quest into how best to maintain natural hair. Maintenance is the ongoing issue most clients seem to struggle with when opting the natural route. I understand clients not wanting to worry about their style morphing due to humidity or heat half way through the day, dull dry looking tresses, or social isolation for wearing a certain look.

3) One of These Is Not Like The Other. As a director of product performance, I came to the realization, through research, that hair could perform well, maintain, and reach optimum health utilizing ceramic fusion without chemicals. These oxymoronic components could not coexist; it was an easy decision to stop relaxing. If you can gain the best hair health (I found our hair!) without chemicals, then the no-brainer was not to relax.

4) More Than a Flat Iron and a Brush. Many stylists use ceramic fusion, which is not new to the beauty industry. However Ceramic Fusion Natural Hair Smoothing Technique infuses moisture, seals cuticles, and controls texture without damaging hair like Marcel irons and pressing combs.

5) Steam Therapy, a customized conditioning treatment that combines multiple conditioners to balance, detangle, hydrate, protect, and strengthen natural hair, is imperative in this process. This technique is more than grabbing a brush and using an ionic blow dryer; there must be correct layering of products and the proper usage of tools. The revelation of success is in the actual technique, consistency, and knowledge of the technique.

6) Gentle hair color, demi-permanent, provides the safest and most chemically sound method of coloring any hair type without over processing., I think every woman has tried to achieve lady-on-the-box color with single application permanent color kits, only to find our hair feel dry and brittle and watch the color turn brassy or murky. Not quite the look or feel we imagined. The deposit only color enhances natural tones by creating depth, shine, and vibrancy. The pH level can be raised too high using semi-permanent, permanent, lighteners (bleach), and even henna (the mythically safe dye), causing hair breakage.

7) A New Head of Hair. Since chemicals were part of the non-healthy hair problem, it makes sense to use a line of products to better serve natural clients. A hair and scalp analysis should be performed to understand the historical and current state of your hair and scalp beyond an educated guess. This is necessary to determine what challenge and/or disorder a client may have such as dryness, flakiness, oiliness, or perhaps dermatitis. Knowing this hair background will allow the stylist an opportunity to customize a cleanser and conditioner that will best suit specific hair needs. Customized cleansers and conditioners four goals should be to: Remove residue, Restore balance, Retain moisture, and Reinforce strength. And you thought you only needed cleansers to remove hair product build up and conditioners to soften.

Natural hair has had a bad reputation based on fear, improper regular and routine maintenance, and stigma, but now you know the seven secrets to help anyone who wants to, have beautiful, healthy natural hair. Many are simply unaware what constitutes beautiful hair. The hair must be healthy to be beautiful. And your hair is healthiest in its natural state. Debunk all you've been told. You, yes you, can have natural beautiful hair utilizing the right techniques and tools: Enrich. Empower. Educate.

Smokey Eye Makeup Ideas 2011

When I do a smokey eye the number of layers depends on the occasion. You can do just the essential steps, or for a more intense eye makeup look add a few more extras. My essential steps? Well, I start with foundation. Then I line with a soft pencil. This is just the first layer and it will all get smudged so it doesn't have to look great.

Personally, I never go inside the water line, I don't want make up in my eye. If you want to, that's up to you. I go all around, corner to corner, top and bottom, making sure to get between the lashes. Then I use a small eye brush, to blend it all out. An eye bush is one that is rounded and has stiffer bristles, but not pokey bristles.

Once it is all blended I start with the darkest shade of shadow in my smoky look. Usually it's black, or dark grey. You can also do a colored smokey eye, but you'll still start with a dark grey or black shadow to help blend out the liner. Keep the dark shadow close to the liner to seal it in and blend it out using an angled brush.

I don't put any on the bottom unless it's an evening look. Next comes your color, if you're keeping it gray it's nice to use something with a little shimmer. Use the angled brush to brush it into the crease and out to the corner. Blend, blend! Don't forget to blend, blending is the secret. Put this layer on the bottom and blend it out to corner also.

For the icing on the cake I add a little bit of my regular eye shadow, a tawny brown, over the whole thing to make it bend naturally into my brow bone. You can stop there and add mascara, and concealer, or you can kick it up a notch. Add a little highlighter to your brow bone and then use a bit of white shadow in the inner corner of your eyes to add a pop.

Sometimes I line again with liquid liner for extra definition, but to be honest I usually am running late by then. When you are wearing intense eye makeup it is best to keep the rest of your makeup simple, a nude or pale pink lip, and hardly any color on the cheeks. Remember your eyes are the focal point with a smokey eye.

Long Lasting Lipstick, Makeup Tips

Long lasting lipstick is something that it seems everyone is looking for. There is nothing worse then putting on your favorite shade, only to see it wear off on the first glass that you take a drink off of. The good news is that there are a few things that you can do to help to make it last. You can easily take these tips and have spectacular looking lips every time that you look in the mirror.

1.Apply your color to clean, dry lips if you want to get long lasting lipstick. Dirt and oil can create a layer between your lips and the product that you are going to be applying. This makes it difficult for any product to get a good hold to last. You will want to moisturize your lips with lip balm the night before. This is one of the biggest mistakes that most women make when it comes to this type of makeup.



2.You can apply lip liner to your mouth and color in the entire area before applying your lipstick. Lip liner tends to have a better staying power in general then most brand of lip color. This product will help to keep whatever look that you create on your mouth and not on your glass.



3.Blot your color a couple of times and set it with a translucent powder to truly achieve long lasting lipstick. While this will not look for glossy looks, this one step will do wonders for any of the matte finishes that you have in your case.



4.Try some of the all day lip color options that are available out there. Many of these products are designed to last as long as 16 hours. You will want to read the instructions to make sure that you apply them correctly, but these are going do wonders for you when it comes to keeping color on your lips.

While these makeup tips are centered around long lasting lipstick, you can use many of these if you are a fan of lip gloss. Lip gloss is never going to last as long as lipstick, but using a couple of the above tips will help you to get it to stay put a bit longer then it usually would. This is a great way to make sure that you look great and even save a little money on not using as much product through out the day.

Hair Colors for 2011

Getting some new and refreshed color for your hair is one ways of keeping your look updated and fresh. For the hair color trends this 2011, hair stylists have indicated that strong haircuts along with bold hues take the cake.

BLONDES

White blonde (just like Marilyn Manroe) has been one of the biggest trends during the New York Fashion week. Hair stylists have associated this bold shade with "sex appeal" and "daring." Sporting this hair color with an edgy pixie cut or full-length wavy mane should keep you in style during the summer and the coming fall.

You can also explore other shades of blonde which are still more on the "natural side." Vanilla and strawberry shades are very suitable for the summer look. Wearing these colors with braids or loose waves is a very girl-next-door, hip look. Consult with your hair salon before doing anything drastic. Make sure you pick a shade that suits your features and skin tone.

Also, hair stylists have been raving about wearing light shades of blonde with dark roots. It is recommended that if you do decide to go with this trend, make sure you go to a reputable hair salon that does this type of hair color styling. The key is DRAMA! The combination of white blonde hair with dark roots is dramatic in itself and there's no way to go but up from this point. Sharply layered short hair or long hair is a good combo.

BROWNS AND BRUNETTES

Brown and brunette hair colors are the easiest to wear and style, according to a survey among women. It suits any skin tone and is friendly to almost any classification of features. Caramel and dark brown hair colors are still in for 2011. The best way to wear it for this season is either sleek and straight; or big and wavy. Hair stylists have said that retro trends are back and so blunt bangs and big hair will be a common sight in fashion magazines and runways.

This color is ideal for women on-the-go and just wants minimum effort for maintenance. Any haircut can adapt to any shade. But if you want to style things up for special occasions, loose up-dos and minimal hair accessories should do the trick. On the other hand, sporting hats and beanies are the accessories for the casual chic chicks.

BOLD REDS

Red hair color is big this year. Celebrities like Rihanna have been going bold with red and it's going to catch on for the rest of the year. Hair salons carry numerous shades of red and choosing the right hue for your skin tone and facial features is important. Red-orange shades and hot reds are the ones you want to look for if your aim is to really stand out. However, if you want things to be more subtle, getting a few highlights could be up to your pace. However, a full head of a single bold color is the big trend for the year. A pale skin tone is perfect for this hair color.

CLASSIC BLACK

Black hair color will remain a classic go-to for the hairstyle savvy girl. This color is timeless, but to make it more high-fashion, give yourself an edgy haircut such as blunt bangs with a very short bob. Sleek and straight is the way to go in terms of hairstyle. A structured haircut is the most suitable partner for a jet black hair this 2011.

Super Sexy Smoky Eye Makeup in Simple 3 Steps

In many circles I am known as the "smoky eye expert" and get called on regularly for my tips and advice on creating them with ease. I love the classic charcoal smudgy eye shadow look, but in reality it's perfect for the runway, and if you're an eye rubber you may not last through the night. For me, it's all about a softer variation of a heavy smoky eye, especially for going out, or wearing during the day. The most important thing to remember when applying eye makeup is that less is more. Smoky eyes are all about layering the color to create depth, and give you a more finished and flattering look.

For doing a professional looking smoky eye on yourself, the three most important things to keep in mind when creating toned-down smoky eyes are:

1. Use soft shades: Choose a shadow in a taupe, slate, plum, or soft shimmer, and apply onto eyelids and lower lash line, Use a medium size eyeshadow brush for the eyelid, and underneath the eye. Next apply an eyeshadow in a contrasting color to the outer corners and into the crease. For example if you are wearing a plum shadow, your contrasting color might be a brown, or a slate shimmer. It is also sometimes a pretty effect to apply a lighter shimmer in the center of the eyelid and blending slightly. It opens the eyes, and can be done day or night. For added drama you can add a black liner and apply it along the lashline. To finish your smoky eyes, apply a black or dark brown mascara. Two coats for added glamour. Focus on the outer lashes for an elongated effect.

2. It's all about blending: The best smoky eyes are blended so that the color looks like it is going from one shade to another without any hard lines. To blend your shadow, using either a blender brush, or medium size eyeshadow brush, sweep along the edges of the shadow and back and forth until lines are softened. If wearing eyeliner you can sweep a brush over the liner to soften as well.

3. Don't pile on tons of color at once: As I mentioned above, It is easier to build up the intensity as you go, than it is to scale back. There is nothing worse then having to remove color. Starting light, and adding more color until you achieve the desired effect is a good formula for success.

Katrina Kaif Plastic Surgery

Aamna sheriff is an Indian actress and fashion designer. She is the best lady for acting and modeling. She is appears in Bollywood movies and Hindi television dramas. Her father is Indian and her mother is Persian Bahraini. She completes her education at St. Anne’s high school in Bandra. She is the brand ambassador in Balaji telefilms. When she was in college life then many companies offered her for modeling. She receive these offers for some goods such as close up toothpaste, Emami cosmetic cream, Bettle mobile phones, Nescafe, dearasil skin cream, etc. she is first seen in Balaji telefilms serial Kahin to Hoga in it her name was Kashish where she played a role of eldest sister in a middle class family. From this serial she is hit and goes on the top of the list in the television drama serials. In bollywod she is first appear in Aloo chat in 2009 and then in the same year in Aao Wish Karen.

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How To Do Emo Style Makeup

Bold eyes rimmed with kohl, skinny jeans, pale pallor, black studded wristbands, dark lipstick, studded belts and side swept bangs - yes, that is all emo. This is how one would describe their emo friend. This is a trend that has been put in the spotlight time and time again. Needless to say, it is a mighty popular trend as more are starting to turn to the emo style. It is especially popular amongst the teenagers today. If you are wondering how to do makeup emo, then we are here to enlighten you a bit.

This is the style that boasts those beautiful dark eye shadows, neon colors, tons of mascara, thick dark eye liner and those incredible false eye lashes. This makeup is all about overplaying the eyes. It is all about being ostentation with those eyes, while you keep the rest of your makeup to that natural look. For, for all of you girls out there, if you are game for emo, then it is time to play up those eyes.

Start by putting on a coat of liquid foundation on your face. By using a sponge, even the layer of foundation. Make sure you choose a shade that is closer to your skin tone. After you have applied the foundation, you could use a concealer or powder. However, it is important that you avoid that caked on look.

To do those eyes, start by applying the shadow on your eyelids. Darker hues, in this case, along with the bright neon shades are best for getting this look. It is important to make sure you do not smudge the shadow. Use a eyeliner stick to line the bottom lash. Make sure the line is close to your lashes and is swept in a straight line. To add a hint of glamour, use colored liners. Smudge the bottom liner for that smoky effect.

Going to your top lash, stretch a straight, thick line on your lid. Make sure you keep it close to the lid at both corners. The outer line should be going slightly up towards the temples. This will give that catlike look.

Now, it is time to put on the volumizing mascara on both your top and bottom lashes. Do not smudge the mascara. You can always put false lashes on if you want to have some more drama. For your lips, put some plain gloss on or wear them bare.

How to Use Makeup to Contour Your Face

Professional makeup artists know how to use makeup to contour your face and create the illusion of perfection, even without any airbrush or Photoshop tricks. For the rest of us, contouring is often seen as only existing successfully on the stage or at a professional photo shoot. This is certainly not the case! When done correctly, contouring is a simple and easy way to make your face look slimmer and your features more defined and radiant. We've got three tricks that will help you learn how to use your makeup to contour your face that you can master quickly.

You will need to have some good makeup brushes on hand to use these methods effectively. If you don't already own some, consider buying a starter set of good quality brushes from one of the better makeup lines like Trish McEvoy or MAC. You can also buy individual ones to fill in any gaps in your brush kit. My favorite ones are from Bobbi Brown. I've had them for years and they are still in excellent condition.

Now, grab your brushes and start sculpting!

1. How to Slim Your Face

A slimmer face is a goal that to some may only seem possible through weight loss, but with a little bit of contouring makeup, you can have a slimmer looking face in less than five minutes. You will need a non-shimmery, matte bronzer three shades darker than your skin tone and a small fluffy face or bronzer brush. If you are having difficulties finding a bronzer without shimmer, simply use a face powder a few shades darker than you would usually wear. Dip your brush lightly in the bronzer and create the "E" "3" shape on your face. To do this, start at your temple and curve the brush around and under your cheekbone, then back around and under your jaw. This creates a letter "E" on your left side and a number "3" on your right side. Then, use a clean brush or makeup sponge to blend any harsh lines.

2. How to Sculpt Your Nose

A simple trick to making your nose seem slimmer and straighter involves the same bronzer or dark face powder you used to contour your face and an eyeshadow brush. Dip your eyeshadow brush lightly in the bronzer and run it vertically down from the bridge of the nose to the tip on each side of your nose, leaving the center of your nose clean. To create a more defined tip of the nose, create a tiny "V" under the tip of the nose using the bronzer and eyeshadow brush. Use a clean fluffy brush to blend all harsh lines.

3. The Best Way to Use Highlighting

The last step to creating a perfectly defined and contoured face is to highlight your key features. You can use a liquid, cream, or powder highlighter in the color and shade of your choice. For this step, a shimmery product is preferred. If you are using a powder highlighter, clean your small fluffy brush from the face contouring step and use it to brush the highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones, down the center of your nose, in the middle of your forehead, and on your cupid's bow. If you choose a liquid or cream highlighting product, repeat the same steps using your fingers and blend out lightly. For a long-lasting effect, layer your products by first using a cream or liquid highlighter, then going over it with a corresponding powder highlighter.

All done! Now you know how to use your makeup to contour your face and all you have to do is practice. It may take you a few times and a little experimenting to find the right colors, but you'll be amazed at the difference a few contouring tricks can make.

Want to learn how to apply your makeup like a professional? Find out how you can get a free professional makeup kit with a lifetime membership of makeup video tutorials. You will even get 10% off at the world's largest cosmetics store with FREE worldwide shipping!

Rachel Sheldon is a freelance writer and makeup enthusiast. She keeps tabs on all the latest trends and makeup lines and loves to experiment with new looks.

Neutrogena Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads - Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads - Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover

If you are a makeup hoarder like me, then you will realize that one very essential piece of skin care product is a good eye makeup remover. Every women loves to apply eye makeup, but unfortunately it is very difficult to remove eye makeup, particularly if it is waterproof. Simply washing the skin with soap and water is not feasible, since it is not efficient in removing all traces of makeup and also it makes the skin around the eyes dry. The skin around the eyes is very delicate and thin, and too much rubbing and washing can make it dry and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. So an eye makeup remover is ideal for gently removing makeup without harming the delicate skin. However, not all eye makeup removers are created equal. Some are very gentle and effective in removing makeup while others leave streaks of makeup behind. So before investing in a makeup remover for eyes, know which are the best eye makeup remover. In this article we are going to discuss the best eye makeup remover available in the market.

Best Eye Makeup Remover 2010

The best eye makeup remover is one that successfully removes all traces of cosmetic from the skin without causing dryness or irritation. In addition to this it should also moisturize the delicate eye area and should be safe for use by contact lens users. Here we are going to discuss about some best eye makeup remover.

Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
The Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover is one of the best eye makeup remover for sensitive eyes. It removes even the toughest pigment from the eyes gently. It also removes waterproof mascara and liner and you only need a single swipe to remove it. The formulation is half oil and half water and you have to shake the bottle before using it. Some women might find the formulation a bit oily, but it effectively removes all traces of eye makeup without drying or irritating the skin.

The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover
This eye makeup remover is highly effective in removing any kind of makeup and it non greasy formulation leaves the eye area squeaky clean. It is non oily and hypoallergenic which makes it perfect for people with sensitive eyes as well as contact lens wearers. Unlike some eye makeup removers that leaves a greasy residue and burns the eyes, this gentle and best makeup remover from Body Shop is non inflammatory and light in texture. It effectively removes waterproof eyeliners and mascaras as well as eye makeup that has glitter particles and shimmer in it.

Neutrogena Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads
If you are a fan of smokey eye makeup, then you must have realized how hard it is to get rid of all that makeup at the end of the day. To help you with removing eye makeup, Neutrogena presents the Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads. These eye makeup remover pads are kind of wet wipes that are silicone based. They are very soft and are highly effective for removing makeup from eyes. It also works well on waterproof mascara and eyeliners and does not cause any irritation to the eyes. It is one of the best eye makeup remover for waterproof mascara and is very gentle on the skin.

Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads
This is one of the best eye makeup remover for women who frequently use heavy eye makeup. It removes eye makeup quickly without smudging and streaking. This natural eye makeup remover is a super hydrating formula and is great for women who have dry skin. As applying heavy makeup everyday causes the skin around the eyes to become thin and dry, these makeup pads are ideal for removing makeup because of there rich formulation. These eye pads are good value for money and the best part is that they are very easy to carry while traveling, and there is no fear of leakage as is the case with remover bottles.

This was all about best eye makeup remover. At the end of the day, you need a good eye makeup remover that will remove even the tiniest bit of makeup. Removing eye makeup is very important as sleeping with makeup on might result in inflammation and eye infection. So invest in a eye makeup remover to remove makeup and keep your eye area smooth and soft.

Some Tips On How To Do Makeup With Blue Eyes

Women can enhance their appearance in a big way by choosing the make up carefully. The focus should be on highlighting the eyes instead the make up. It is also possible to hold the make up for the whole day, but using some smart planning and execution. Some highly useful tips on how to do makeup with blue eyes are presented here.

Use a base coat for covering the eyelids. A white cream is preferred for this purpose as against powder. It is possible to apply the base using a fingertip pretty easily. It is very important to apply the base as it helps rest of the make up to stick like a barnacle. In addition to that, going for multiple shades of an eye shadow can enhance the looks.

A combination of three colors is considered optimum, but one may even go for a combination of two shades. Combining more than three shades has the potential to be disastrous and must be avoided. Considering the colors of the spectrum, those towards violet end are preferred over others.

The lightest shade can be placed under the brow and ought to be brushed downwards. One has to position the medium shade of the eye shadow along the center of the lid. A brush can help in spreading the shade along the center and merging it with different shadows. Eyelid crease ought to be spared for the darkest shade. One can use a brush for spreading the shadow evenly.

A soft pencil is useful in lining the eyelids. The colors most preferred for this purpose include taupe and smoky gray. To soften the appearance and smudge the line, one can go for a pencil sponge. These tips on how to do makeup with blue eyes can be enhanced by an advice from an expert.

Read Bella Mia's beauty site and discover skin care tips the most beautiful women in the world follow. Get the make up tips you need to become even more beautiful than you already are.

Five Tips On How To Apply Makeup In The Evening

The following article will help you discover how to apply makeup in the evening. Applying makeup in the evening is different to applying makeup for the daytime. With evening makeup you can have a more dramatic look so you don't get lost amongst the candlelight.

Your face can speak a thousand words, if you dress it right. The next time you are getting ready for an evening function, here are some top tips on how to apply your makeup to suit an evening function:

1. Make sure you use your eyeliner correctly. Eyeliner is much easier when using a pencil. Choose the right pencil shade for your and make sure it is sharp. Make sure the tip of the pencil is a smooth and pointy finish to make it easier to apply. Keep the skin tight and hold the eyeliner with a steady hand and start from the outside corner of the eye following the lash line. Don't go on the eyelid too much follow the eyelash hair. Remember you can always add more so start with a small sharp line and add more later if you wish. Once you have finished put on lots of mascara on the eyelashes. If you use false eyelashes, add these at the end of application.

2. Choose the right eyeshadow color. Decide whether you suit cool shades such as light blue, light pink or yellow or dark shades such as brown, deep blue, red. Choose a color that suits your skin type and clothing. A hot shade and trend for eyeshadow is purple. If you are not that bold, you can settle for shades of pink, brown or beige depending on your skin tone. Metallic colors like gold and silver are also perfect for evenings.

3. Another great trend for the evening is a smoky eye. To achieve a smokey eye look you can use any color shade. The rule is to start with the deepest shade on the eyelid till the crease and gradually go lighter as you go up your eye crease. Use the brightest shade of the same color on the inner eye corner in shape of a question mark. The darkest color also goes below your lower eyelashes.

4. Keep the lip color simple. If you decide to have dramatic eyes make sure your lips are soft and vice versa. Be sure to choose a color that suits your eyeshadow and clothing. You can mix shades of gloss or lipstick to get your desired shade. Apply lip liner first, followed by lipstick, followed by lip gloss to ensure your lip color lasts all night!

5. Dramatic eyebrow is another makeup tip for the evening. High fashion designers such as Nina Ricci and Prada are embracing a dramatic eyebrow look. The rest of the foundation is kept nude with a bit of concealer and shimmer to the cheeks. Your eyebrows should be 2 shades darker than your hair color. Use a brow pencil to contour your eyebrows.

The rule of dramatic eye makeup is that you keep the other part of your face neutral. Use a lipstick that is as close to your natural lip color as possible. A slight touch of blush on the cheeks and you are ready for your evening function.

How to Wash Makeup Brushes

Hygiene is the most important factor to consider when cleaning your makeup brushes. Whether you use the lower priced nylon brushes or the more expensive animal hair types, if your brushes are not rid of bacteria, skin oils, pollution, old minerals, clogged powder and pigment, your finish will not be flawless.

Hygiene

Imagine having just washed your face and applying your favorite day moisturizer and then picking up an oily rag full of brightly colored moldy blotches and wiping your face with it. Is there something wrong with this picture? That oily rag is what your brushes would look like if you extracted every bit of dirt from them after a month of use. Your brushes need to be sanitized. Shop for a bottle of anti-bacterial face soap. Wet your brush under warm running water. Squeeze a small amount of soap onto a wet hand and cup your hand. Hold the shaft of the brush and place the bristles into the cup of your wet hand and swirl the brush to pick up all the soap. You can be relatively vigorous. You will see the dirt and color in the soap suds as you do this. Run warm water over the bristles and massage them until the water runs clear. Repeat from the beginning once more to ensure all residue is gone.

Skin Problems

Brushes should be cleaned as often as you have time for. Ideally, a clean after every application would be perfect however, a woman's schedule in today's world may not allow for this. Set some time aside at least every week to clean your most used brushes and those you use over large surfaces of your face like your foundation, blush and powder brushes. Eye shadow brushes can skip a week if you always use the same colors and brow brushes can last up to a month, depending on the condition of your skin. If you have problem skin and buff your skin every day with a powder brush, that powder brush picks up the bacteria from problem areas and houses the bacteria until your next brush cleaning routine. Every other day, the housed bacteria grows and deposits more bacteria onto your clean skin the next time you use it. With most problem skins, a good wash can sometimes open pores leaving a fresh invitation for brush bacteria to deposit itself. Also, a good wash can sometimes open inflamed pores leaving a little pot of liquid open for your brush to pick up and smear across your face and deposit further bacteria into it, worsening the problem.

In the case of free radicals and pollution which ages your skin and can contribute to a myriad of fatal diseases, it is imperative that your brushes remain as clean and free radical and pollution free as you can make them.

Conditioning

If you are using nylon brushes, you may not have to condition your brushes. If you are using natural brushes and would like to keep them in excellent condition, shop for an organic and natural, chemical free hair conditioner. Once you have washed and sterilized your brushes, add a small amount of natural conditioner through the bristles and leave for a few minutes. Rinse clean of any trace of conditioner so as not to deposit hair conditioner onto your face during makeup application. Squeeze water out of the bristles and leave to dry. If you would like a fluffy effect for your bristles, blow a shot of air from your hairdryer to your bristles, pointing the dryer directly to the center of your bristles.

Remember that whatever you clean your brushes with will end up on your face. Choose your products carefully.

Candice is a wedding makeup artist and hair stylist specializing in modern and couture weddings. She keeps a keen eye on fashion and only uses mineral makeup and natural hair products on her clients. She is currently building a website as a resource tool for the world to use and be a part of. Keep an eye out for it.