A few weeks ago, I stumbled onto a cool online beauty supplies store called BeautyTicket . Here you can get brand name makeup and skincare for up to 70% off.
This month, they are supporting BreastCancer.org. I am not sure when this promotion end but for every purchase made using the code "AWARENESS" at checkout, BeautyTicket.com will donate 10% to BreastCancer.org. What is a better way to shop than to get some good discount and help out a great cause at the same time? =)
Disclosure: This is not a paid endorsement.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
How to Achieve Beautiful Eyebrows
A few weeks ago, I had a friend over for a makeover. She is low maintenance so I emphasized to her that if she is not going to wear makeup, she should at least draw her eyebrows as it will help frame her face. Sure enough, that night, many people compliment on her eyebrows and eye makeup. Filling in the eyebrows is often overlooked. It is one of those things where when you do it well, it is not a prominent feature. However, if you neglect it or color it too dark, it just stands not in a good way.
Since I feel like this is such an important step in an everyday routine, the following is a step-by-step tutorial on how to fill in your eyebrows.
Things you will need:
- brow powder or matte eyeshadow
- brow pencil
- an angle brush
- brow comb
The purpose of filling in your eyebrows is to define them while still keeping them looking natural. When choosing your brow powder and brow pencil, you should choose one that is one shade lighter than your brow hair color. Do not choose a darker than your natural hair color shade as this will make you look unnatural.
1. First, shape your eyebrows. For first timer, you may want to seek the help of a professional or purchase a kit from Sephora. If you are doing it yourself, refrain from over plucking. Brush your eyebrow hair in the direction that they grow in and pluck any excess, one tiny area at a time. Take a step back and check to see if it is the shape you like. Pluck more if needed. The key is to work on one small area at a time.
2. Groom you eyebrows with a comb in the direction you want the hair to lay.
3. Use the angle brush and lightly dip into the brow powder or matte eyeshadow. Tap off any excess. In feather strokes, fill in the outer half of the brow. Use the left over powder on the brush to fill in the inner half. Less product is needed in the inner half because you tend to have more hair in that section. Repeat if necessary.
4. Use a pencil in matching shade to extend the brow a little longer than where it naturally ended. Again, use short strokes.
5. Use the comb and brush your eyebrows again to blend out any harsh line.
Remember, your eyebrows are sister, not twin. The natural shape they grown in will be slightly different therefore they should look similar but not identical. Also, as I mentioned before, do not over pluck and make them too thin. A medium to thicker eyebrows lend a more youthful appearance.
Since I feel like this is such an important step in an everyday routine, the following is a step-by-step tutorial on how to fill in your eyebrows.
Things you will need:
- brow powder or matte eyeshadow
- brow pencil
- an angle brush
- brow comb
The purpose of filling in your eyebrows is to define them while still keeping them looking natural. When choosing your brow powder and brow pencil, you should choose one that is one shade lighter than your brow hair color. Do not choose a darker than your natural hair color shade as this will make you look unnatural.
1. First, shape your eyebrows. For first timer, you may want to seek the help of a professional or purchase a kit from Sephora. If you are doing it yourself, refrain from over plucking. Brush your eyebrow hair in the direction that they grow in and pluck any excess, one tiny area at a time. Take a step back and check to see if it is the shape you like. Pluck more if needed. The key is to work on one small area at a time.
2. Groom you eyebrows with a comb in the direction you want the hair to lay.
3. Use the angle brush and lightly dip into the brow powder or matte eyeshadow. Tap off any excess. In feather strokes, fill in the outer half of the brow. Use the left over powder on the brush to fill in the inner half. Less product is needed in the inner half because you tend to have more hair in that section. Repeat if necessary.
4. Use a pencil in matching shade to extend the brow a little longer than where it naturally ended. Again, use short strokes.
5. Use the comb and brush your eyebrows again to blend out any harsh line.
Remember, your eyebrows are sister, not twin. The natural shape they grown in will be slightly different therefore they should look similar but not identical. Also, as I mentioned before, do not over pluck and make them too thin. A medium to thicker eyebrows lend a more youthful appearance.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Makeup on a Budget: Avon 12-in-1 Eyeshadow Palette
I saw this new palette on Avon.com the other day and I want one! This one is a real bargain, Avon is currently having this for sale for only $9.99 (regular price $20). 12 shades for 10 bucks, can't beat that. What I like about this palette is that it have a variety of colors to do many different looks. There are both neutral shades for a natural day time look and darker shades for a night, smokey look.
Friday, October 16, 2009
In What Order Should You Apply Your Sunscreen?
Prevention against skin cancer and aging takes diligent. I always thought that you are safe as long as you do not suntan and always apply your sunscreen before sun exposure. It was until recently when I heard on dermTV from dermatologist Neil Schultz that you need to apply sunscreen before moisturizer. According to Dr. Schultz, sunscreen has to be the first thing you apply to your skin for the active ingredients to bind to your skin and do their work. Simple enough? However, I think most of us have the habit of applying our moisturizer, then sunscreen on top. If you are one of those people, you have to remember to reverse your habit.
What if you also apply toner and serum in the morning? Dr. Schultz believes you can apply toner before sunscreen but serum is only to be use at night. I can live with that, as I don’t normally use serum in the morning anyway. However, I think there are women out there that would not want to give up on their morning serum regimen. I did more research about the topic. According to a pharmacy website from Canada, it is not necessary to apply sunscreen first. It is about applying products in the order of their consistency. This totally makes sense to me and it is a practice I have been doing for years anyway. Let’s say your serum is in a liquid or light milky texture. If you apply the serum on top of your cream sunscreen, I doubt your serum will get a chance to absorb properly.
In essence, my two cents is that it will simplify things if you find a moisturizer that also contains sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher. If you must use additional moisturizer, it would be on top of your sunscreen. Also, if you use toner and serum in the morning then you would follow your cleansing with toner, serum, then sunscreen, in the order of your product consistency, from lightest to heaviest.
Related Post:
Avon and Neutrogena Sunscreen Review
What if you also apply toner and serum in the morning? Dr. Schultz believes you can apply toner before sunscreen but serum is only to be use at night. I can live with that, as I don’t normally use serum in the morning anyway. However, I think there are women out there that would not want to give up on their morning serum regimen. I did more research about the topic. According to a pharmacy website from Canada, it is not necessary to apply sunscreen first. It is about applying products in the order of their consistency. This totally makes sense to me and it is a practice I have been doing for years anyway. Let’s say your serum is in a liquid or light milky texture. If you apply the serum on top of your cream sunscreen, I doubt your serum will get a chance to absorb properly.
In essence, my two cents is that it will simplify things if you find a moisturizer that also contains sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher. If you must use additional moisturizer, it would be on top of your sunscreen. Also, if you use toner and serum in the morning then you would follow your cleansing with toner, serum, then sunscreen, in the order of your product consistency, from lightest to heaviest.
Related Post:
Avon and Neutrogena Sunscreen Review
Saturday, October 10, 2009
TOTD: Bright eyes
Line your bottom lash water line with a white pencil liner will make the white part of your eyes appear whiter and brighter.