A money-savvy individual who likes to keep an efficient eye over their finances and write about ways to optimise their resources.

Microbladding Tip

When it comes to microblading, you might be wondering how much you should be adding on as an extra tip. Microblading is a tough skill, and it can be very challenging to get right. The skill, precision, and technique involved can be hugely impressive. With that in mind, you might want to work with someone who can carry out microblading without making a mistake.

If you find someone good enough to go error-free in this tough technique, you should consider adding a tip. Good microblading technicians are hard to find, so locating someone who meets the expected standard should be a tippable experience. However, the only question you might have is quite a simple one: how much to tip for microblading services?

Tipping is, in many parts of the world, customary. What is less set in stone, though, is the amount. If you intend to head in for some microblading techniques and treatment, then you should absolutely look to focus on the tip you are going to be paying out.

So, with that in mind, how much should you tip for microblading?

Why Microblading Should Deserve a Tip

If you have ever sat through a microblading session, you will realize the investment in time needed by the experts. If you watch them deliver the technique, it is a hugely precise skill. It can be akin to getting a tattoo done, such is the level of precision and hand-to-eye coordination needed. If you would go for a tattoo and add a bit on top, then you should definitely think about adding on a tip for microblading!

These specialists know how hard they work and how challenging it is to get the exact kind of finish that you are looking for. However, the reason to tip purely comes down to the skill. While the actual price of a microblading session might seem outside of the normal means of tipping, the level of skill, organization, and preparation needed is incredible. Therefore, the person carrying this technique out is very much worth a little bit on top from you.

Spend a time in a session, and by the end, you should find it very hard to justify not including a tip. You should immediately notice just how much precision is needed and why the bar for microblading training is so high. Those who can offer this specialist service have undergone a huge amount of discipline and training; they should be respected as experts of their craft.

If you would tip for just about any other salon service, you should definitely consider your microblading practitioner worthy of tipping.

How Much Should You Tip for Microblading?

If you intend to go ahead and start tipping for microblading, you'll want to make sure you offer over a good tip. Some think that something in the range of 5-10% is enough, but most would recommend that you start your tip at the 15-20% range. Obviously, if you are not happy with the end result, tipping would not be expected, but if you feel like the practitioner has pulled off an impressive finish, microblading should be tipped at around the 15 to 20% mark.

However, it depends on how much work is being done. If you go for a shorter session of microblading, then a tip in the 10-15% range is enough. For longer sessions, even multi-session, you might want to go to the 15-20% range. Really, it depends on what you can afford, how much you feel the service was worth, and how happy you are with the end results.

Given that microblading can last for a long time and a good experience is one that can make you feel really confident in your look, tipping a bit on top is worthwhile. You could spend a lot of time and money trying to match this look on your own and reach nothing like the same quality as a microblading specialist can manage in a fraction of the time.

So, try to keep that in mind as you think about tipping for microblading. If you are left with a look that you are happy with, you should always add on a little on top for the overall quality of the service. It just depends on how much your process cost, as microblading can be pretty expensive. Given the cost, though, it should make you appreciate the specialist skills of the person involved. So, should you tip for microblading? Yes! However, how much you tip is down to your own interpretation and financial position.

Alternatives to Tipping

Don't think that tipping your microblade technician just needs to be monetary either; there is a whole array of different options to show that you're appreciative for the work they have carried out. You can show your appreciation through a certain gift that you or even something like voucher codes (I would generally recommend that is something useful like an Amazon gift card that opens a wide range of opportunities for them to utilize).

On the other hand, don't feel like it is something that you have to do and that's obligatory by any means, you don't have to tip your microblade tech, especially if you don't think that they have done a particularly good job or the service that you received was below par. You can simply pay the required fee and not offer anything on top; that's entirely your choice. Any 'tips' that you offer should be very appreciative of and typically goes a long way when you want to continue the relationship into the future for future microblading sessions.

We'd love to know if you have any other experiences regarding tipping microblade technicians. Is it something you do, and how much do you typically tip? Why do you, and why don't you tip? If you can leave your comments down in the comments section below, we'd love to hear about it.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Russel Garret

A money-savvy individual who likes to keep an efficient eye over their finances and write about ways to optimise their resources.

Tipping Your Barber

So, going for a haircut, are we? Good; there are few feelings more satisfying than going to the barbers and getting a classic haircut.

Hairstyling is always a good way to make you feel good about yourself, and it can play a leading role in making you generally feel more positive. When you look in the mirror and see a stylish fade, you know that you are onto a winner. However, if you want to make sure you always get the best cut, you want to have a barber you go to each time.

Having your own choice of barber means they soon work out exactly what you are looking for in terms of style. They get to know your quirks, and they also get to know your chatter. Now, they can stop asking you the same generic questions, and over time, you can learn a good bit about them. This is a wise choice as having a barber whom you have a rapport with and can trust is very important.

When the job is done, though, and they ring you up at the till, you want to make sure you offer them a tip that feels like a fair reflection of their efforts. With that in mind, then, you might be wondering how much do you tip a barber?

The challenge is that barber tips are quite hard to work out. You want to find a fair value, so what works for most barbers?

Should You Tip Your Barber?

The short answer? Yes, absolutely!

The long answer? Yes, it is the right thing to do. A barber deserves you to respect their craft and to see the work that they do as worthwhile. If you are someone who is unsure about tipping a barber, then just ask yourself this: could you do the same quality of cutting yourself? Could you even buy a decent pair of clippers for this cost?

This is something to focus on, as the quality of work that a barber does can be priceless to your look. You can stick on the suave and stylish suit, but if you walk about with straggly hair and a messy beard, you won’t look as good as you could. Get a barber to tidy you up, though, and you can look a million bucks!

So, if you are wondering whether or not you should tip a barber, then the simple answer is yes. You should give them the respect their work deserves, and you should ensure they are properly compensated for the work they do. A barber should always be tipped purely because the work they do is always a good value for money.

You cannot cut your own hair without hundreds of hours of training and a lot of expensive hair-cutting tools. A barber has all of this, and in less than an hour, could have you looking glorious.

How Much Do You Tip a Barber?

Typically, the cost of tipping a barber is dependent on the service provided. If you go for a standard haircut, you should probably simply round up whatever the cost is; if your haircut costs you $17.50, then round it up to $20, etc.

However, for a more structured cost, anything from 15% to 20% should be enough for most barbers to be delighted. If you are merely happy with the result, then around 15% is still seen as fair compensation for their skill and time. If you are delighted, though, going to 20-25% should make a good investment for the future.

What do we mean by investment? The same as we noted above. A barber will be able to better understand you, your hair, and how you try to look if you simply give them a better tip. They will put more effort in, they will grow to understand what you like, and they will be more focused on the end result.

Especially if you are in the process of a long-term hair change – such as growing your hair out – it makes sense to go to the same barber as much as you can. If that is the case, then you should learn how much to tip that barber. The longer you are going to them, the more comfortable you will both become. However, a little tip on top does a fine job of cementing that positive and productive relationship.

So, how much do you tip a barber? Around 15-20% should be suitable for any barber.

Tipping Alternatives

It's not just money that you can tip your barber with; if you are particularly close, you can treat them to tickets to see their favorite sports team or a voucher for a shop you know they like. It's the thought that counts, and after getting to know your barber, you will get a better idea of what makes sense for you and for them.

Likewise, though, know that you don't have to tip your barber if you are not happy with the services; it's totally up to you. You can ultimately decide if you have had a good experience or not and are happy with the outcome, then you can determine whether it is appropriate to go ahead with the tip.

It goes without saying that any barber should be hugely appreciative of any tip or even gift that comes their way, as you have gone above and beyond for them to reward them. If you don't think they are all that appreciative, then maybe next time, it is not something you feel you should do going forward. I think it becomes a little bit of an issue when they start to automatically expect tips from you. So I recommend only really rewarding when they have gone the extra mile in their service.

Let us know your thoughts. Do you tip your barber? If so, how much and why? Likewise, if not, why not? Is there some happy medium that you think is appropriate? We would really appreciate hearing your thoughts in the comments section just below.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Russel Garret

A money-savvy individual who likes to keep an efficient eye over their finances and write about ways to optimise their resources.

Tipping Lash Technicians

If you are heading to an eyelash appointment, you rely on an eyelash technician to deliver a stunning end result. When you sit down to go through the process, though, it is very important that you understand the complexity of the process.

Many who have never carried out an eyelash cosmetic adjustment will likely not realize just how much work and effort go into this process. As such, at the end of your service, it is likely that you should look to tip your technician. Are you wondering, though, how much to tip last tech specialists?

Then you are not alone. We have put together a simple explanation below to help you get a rough idea of how much you should tip for eyelash tech. This should help you to work out when (or if) you should go ahead with the tipping process.

The Cost of Eyelash Techniques Can Be a Surprise

One of the many reasons someone might choose not to leave a tip for their eyelash technician is the cost. These are not cheap processes, and some see them as overpriced for what they actually get back in return. However, this salon service comes with a huge amount of training and time put in by the specialist providing the service.

While you might not fully appreciate the challenge of the task itself, you can appreciate the results it creates. With that in mind, you should always feel comfortable leaving a tip for the person carrying out your service.

You might be surprised at the cost of the treatment, and thus you might begrudge paying a bit extra on top in terms of a tip. However, we highly recommend that you look to add on a tip to any eyelash service that you undergo.

Given you might live in a place where tipping is not really a cultural ‘thing,’ you might assume that you can simply ignore any requests for a tip. And while you could, it is not something that we would really recommend. When you are looking to make a choice on tipping for a specialist service, you should always look to go on the side of leaving a tip.

You might think the price overall is expensive, but this is a service that you have chosen to receive. The least you can do is give a little back to the individual delivering your service.

How Much to Tip Lash Tech Specialists

There is no right or wrong answer, per se, but if you do choose to go down the route of tipping, then the industry standard is set in stone. For the most part, you should be looking at something in the region 20% to 25% of the cost of the service itself. You might balk at that, but it’s a fair rate to add on – especially given most salons are always happy to go the extra mile even for the most minuscule of adjustments.

Try and keep in mind that while every specialist will do their best to leave a quality finish, a tip builds a personal rapport. Just as we all do, those who feel a personal connection with you are far more likely to give it that extra 5% in terms of effort. It also makes it easier to ask for more minor changes and adjustments if you feel like something was not quite right with the eyelash tech.

With that in mind, you should always look to add on around 20 to 25% of your cost of the process. That is a good enough tip to be received in glowingly positive terms by the specialist. It will also ensure that you are giving over a good enough tip to help provide the specialist with even more incentive to deliver an A+ service in the future.

If you intend to go for eyelash tech, then you should definitely be prepared to tip. Cosmetic changes will often cost you a fair amount when it comes to things like tipping, so just try to keep that in mind as you go about the tipping process overall. The sooner you understand this, the less likely you are to be shocked when you are asked to pay a little extra on top as a tip.

If you want to look good, then you often need to pay for it. A little tip on top of your initial cost, then, makes a very wise choice indeed to ensure you get the best quality and end result.

Alternatives to Tipping

Remember that tipping doesn't have to be monetary necessarily. You can provide a gift as an appreciation of your thanks, whether it is a bottle of wine or some chocolates. Sometimes even a written letter or card is all that is needed to show your appreciation. As the saying goes, it's the thought that counts.

Ultimately, though it is down to you as to whether you want to tip or not, there's no pressure either way. If you feel that your lash tech has done a good job and they have gone above and beyond for you to make sure that you're happy with the service that you got, then that's as good a reason as any. Whether it's a professional or even personal reason that you want to tip, that's up to you. As we say, usually, you add around 20% to a tip. Still, unlike when you go to a restaurant or even have a taxi lift, there's not generally a societal and cultural expectation that you do provide a tip. If you do offer a tip, you're likely to be one of only a few of their clientele that does.

Let us know if you tip your lash technician, and if so, how much and why? Do you provide any other alternative gifts, or is it something you just don't do? We'd love to hear more, and you can share your thoughts in the comments section below; we're looking forward to hearing it.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Russel Garret

As a former personal trainer, Sarah is passionate about all things health, beauty, and self care.

Do You Need Skin Care For Your Neck?

At a certain age, most people find that their typical moisturizing routine is not enough to avoid common signs of aging. As a result, many of us turn to different skin care methods in hopes of preventing or at the very least slowing down the natural aging process. Some of these tools may include a variety of creams, serums, and cleansers or cosmetic treatments to tighten the skin and prevent the formation of wrinkles. About one year ago, I realized that while my facial skin care routine is great, I’ve been completely neglecting my neck.

Luckily I don’t have any significant signs of aging around my neck. Still, I have noticed some lines running horizontally across my neck that are seemingly becoming more and more evident. I also want to avoid these lines from getting worse and find ways to prevent the dreaded turkey neck that comes with loose skin as we age. After doing some research, I now have a course of action to tackle the aging process not only in my face but in my neck and décolletage. Below is a list of factors contributing to signs of aging in those areas and what can be done to mitigate them.

Elasticity

Studies suggest that wrinkles can primarily be blamed on elasticity (or lack thereof), particularly in the neck area in which your skin is much thinner and less elastic than in other regions of the body.

As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity due to changes in connective tissue, meaning that it is less likely to snap back to its original form once it is stretched. Based on this article by the National Library of Medicine, lastosis (the loss of elasticity) can also be affected by sun exposure as well as the general fact that our bodies produce less collagen and elastin (primary proteins responsible for repairing the skin and the main components of connective tissue) as we get older, making it much harder for it to repair itself.

Because your neck is a more delicate area, these factors can significantly affect the quality of that area, which is why the best way to maintain your elasticity is to tackle these factors early on, at the beginning stages of the aging process.

How to Improve Skin Elasticity

• Wear sun protection (learn more about this in the following section).
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects and promotes collagen growth. It can be taken as a supplement, injected, or applied topically.
• Add Retinoids to your routine. Retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives that regulate epithelial cell growth, which goes hand in hand with collagen growth. Studies demonstrate an improvement in facial wrinkles with the use of Retinoids, resulting in a tightening effect.
• Bakuchiol is a meroterpine derived from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, which has similar effects on the skin as Retinoids and typically is used in the form of a serum. Some people may prefer this option over Retinoids because it is less likely to irritate the skin.
• Introduce Peptides into your neck skin care routine. Peptides are short chains of amino acids which are known to aid in the formation of proteins. Based on this study, they can help produce collagen and elastin in the skin, naturally resulting in improved elasticity.
• There are several medical-grade skin tightening treatments that use various methods to safely cause minor damage to the skin, causing it to produce loads of collagen and elastin to repair itself. Some of the most common methods used to create this controlled damage include different forms of microneedling, laser treatments, and vitamin-infused injectable treatments. You can read more about how it works here.
• For preventative purposes, you can also get Botox injected into your platysmal bands, relaxing tension in the neck. When your neckbands are flexed, it can cause your skin to stretch over time, which is the ultimate force behind the formation of the “turkey neck.”

Sun Damage

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sun exposure causes damaging effects to collagen, resulting in loss of elasticity, wrinkling, and leathery-looking skin. Your neck, which has much thinner and more delicate skin than other regions of your body, is especially susceptible to this damage.

To prevent this from happening, it is crucial to protect your skin from the sun. I wear a minimum of SPF 30 every day, no matter where I go and what I do to make sure I protect my skin from the sun. If I am having a beach day and know that I’ll be spending a lot of time exposed to the sun, I go higher in SPF and make sure to reapply it several times throughout the day.

You should also try to avoid things like tanning beds, which cause a significant amount of damage in a very short time due to the intensity of the UV radiation used for a quick tan. Instead, opt for a spray tan if you want a quick bronze.

Expressions and Posture

Studies have provided evidence that excessive facial expressions result in the formation of wrinkles in the face. If you see lines on your forehead when you raise your eyebrows, for example, you may not have any wrinkles to begin with. Still, the repeated movement over the course of several years gradually causes those lines to stay, forming permanent wrinkles. This wrinkle formation is enhanced as we age and lose collagen in our skin.

This is no different for your neck, meaning that different motions and positions can lead to the formation of wrinkles in your neck. While it is nearly impossible to avoid this completely, you can try to be more mindful of your posture and neck positioning.

• Try to sit up straight, especially if you work from a desk and have a tendency to slouch.
• Sleep on your back for a relaxed and level neck and chest.

Aging Is Completely Normal!

Aging is completely normal and an inevitable course of nature. For most people, the main focus in reducing signs of aging is on the face. However, the aging process does not discriminate.

If you want to maintain an overall youthful appearance, don’t forget to focus on the areas that go hand in hand with your face, including your neck. With consistent care using the tools mentioned above, you can reduce and prevent the typical signs of aging safely and effectively.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

As a former personal trainer, Sarah is passionate about all things health, beauty, and self care.

Dry Winter Skin

I generally consider myself pretty lucky when it comes to the quality of my skin. I don’t break out often, and it is overall reasonably smooth. The main problem that I have always faced with my skin was its dryness, making it appear flaky and feel tight and itchy. This gets particularly intense during the winter months when the cold air outside and the baseboard-produced heat inside cause excessive dryness in the air, leaving my skin dehydrated and looking bland.

While this is unfortunate, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve to help battle this drained-looking skin, from addressing the dehydration itself to improving the appearance of my skin covered in dead skin cells. Here they are!

Keep You Skin Hydrated

In order to keep my skin hydrated, I take a few additional steps aside from the typical morning and bedtime moisturizers. Here’s what works best for me:

• Applying a light moisturizer several times throughout the day
• Moisturizing DIY facials
• A lot of water
• Air humidity

Moisturize 24/7

If your skin is like mine, the moisturizer you put on in the morning never lasts all day. Instead of applying moisturizing lotion twice a day, I go for a lighter cream that can be applied throughout the day to use it as soon as I notice my skin starting to dry out. Overall I would say I apply a cream to my face 3- 4 times a day before applying the final layer before bed. This keeps my skin hydrated all day without any in-between time.

DIY Facials

I also use home facials two to three times a week designed to hydrate your skin. Based on the American Academy of Dermatology Association, some of the most beneficial ingredients for relieving dry skin include Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid, and Jojoba oil, which tends to be less irritating than lotions, which is why they are the main ingredients that I look for in the masks I like to use.

• Hyaluronic acid can be found in various lotions, serums, and facial masks and has become popular in the world of skin care due to its hydrating qualities. It is a compound found naturally in the body and is responsible for retaining moisture. While it mainly only hydrates the more superficial layers of the skin, it is a great addition to any skin care routine that is in need of hydration. Hyaluronic acid also has proven anti-aging qualities when used topically, making it a great addition to your skin care routine at any age.
• Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is clinically proven to function as a barrier when applied to the skin, protecting it from potentially harmful external factors such as UV radiation, and offers anti-inflammatory benefits. It is commonly found in moisturizing products and is particularly beneficial for people with more sensitive skin as it helps maintain the epidermal barrier.
• Jojoba oil is an oil extracted from the Simmondsia Chinensis plant and can be found in various health and beauty formulations, including creams, serums, shampoos, and more. Its benefits have been studied in several clinical trials confirming its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, and antimicrobial qualities. It can even be used to help battle acne and psoriasis, making it incredibly useful in various aspects concerning the skin.

Hydrate Often!

Finally, one of the easiest steps that doesn't require applying anything to your skin is to hydrate. And by hydrate, I mean drink water. By drinking the recommended amount of water daily (2 - 3 liters a day), you will hydrate your skin from the inside out, which can’t be beaten by even the best moisturizer!

Humidity

Dry skin is often caused by our environment and humidity levels. Because the winter months are typically dryer due to the weather outdoors and the indoor heating systems, I got myself a humidifier to reduce the dryness in the air at home. It has worked really well and stops me from waking up with dry and itchy eyes, which is another added benefit.

Makeup Isn’t Always Your Friend

I know it’s tempting to cover your skin’s impurities with makeup, but putting foundation or concealer on dry patches of skin makes everything look ten times worse. When I do have dry spots, I avoid putting makeup on them and try to work around them instead.

Many foundations contain ingredients that can not only dry out your skin but also irritate it. One of the primary ingredients known for such reactions is called sodium lauryl sulfate, which has been shown to irritate the skin in clinical trials. Other potentially harmful ingredients in makeup include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), both of which are used as preservatives that can result in skin irritation.

I apply a primer and slightly less foundation in the winter months to avoid that from happening. You can also try finding makeup that doesn’t include these ingredients, though most makeup products will contain one or the other.

How to Reduce Flakiness

Even with my skin care routine, my face still tends to get flaky sometimes, especially when I’m wearing makeup. In order to avoid that uneven skin texture, I’ve added a few additional steps to my skin care before, during, and after applying makeup, including:

• Microdermabrasion
• Glycolic and Salicylic acid

Microdermabrasion

One of the most efficient ways to get rid of dead skin is microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is essentially a very fine scrub that exfoliates the epidermis, the most superficial layer of the skin. There are two types of microdermabrasion: a scrub that can be used at home and a professional microdermabrasion treatment.

• The DIY version comes in the form of a very gentle scrub containing pumice, water, and a variety of oils. The scrub is then to be applied to moist skin and massaged for approximately two minutes. You may notice a little bit of redness afterwards, but your skin will be visibly and texturally smoother. I do this every other day and love how my skin feels immediately after.
• The professional version of microdermabrasion involves using a handheld device (also called a wand) that sprays tiny aluminum oxide crystals over the skin. An esthetician uses this tool to massage and work the crystals into the skin, like a gentle sandblast. Some of the handheld devices have a sandpaper-like surface made of diamonds, which are massaged into the skin rather than spraying crystals on it.

Both methods offer deep skin exfoliation and are clinically proven to improve melasma, acne scars, striae distensae (stretch marks), and photoaging. I use mine every other day, and my skin always feels so smooth right after. Sometimes I do it before I put on my makeup, to have a nice smooth surface to work with.

Glycolic and Salicylic Acid

Finally, I use a cleanser that contains Glycolic and Salicylic acid as they have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Studies suggest that these compounds can also reduce acne, which is a huge plus. I usually cycle between microdermabrasion and my glycolic and salicylic acid cleanser and follow both of them with my moisturizer.

Say Bye to Dry Winter Skin!

While dry skin isn’t the end of the world, it can get pretty frustrating and even feel uncomfortable. Using the tools mentioned above, I’ve managed my skin better and controlled the dryness and flakiness.

They also have additional benefits, making my overall skin care routine ideal for my skin type. If you do use these tips, I would also suggest speaking with your dermatologist to ensure that what I’m doing will also benefit you.

The steps mentioned above work great for me, but keep in mind that your skin is a very complex organ, meaning that no single treatment is right for everyone.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Men's Skin Care

Looking after your skin is important no matter who you are. But it can be a little confusing. Why are there different skin care products for men and women? How best can I care for my skin as a man? Here are the answers to your questions about men’s body care and skin care.

Choosing the Right Products

First things first, men’s skin is different from women’s skin. That’s down to hormones like testosterone. So it’s a great idea to use products that have been specifically formulated for men.

Did you know that men’s skin is typically oilier than women’s, and can be more prone to blemishes? Or that there’s more elastin and collagen in men’s skin, which is usually thicker and rougher than women’s skin? For these reasons (and more), specialist men’s body care and skincare products will offer more tailored help.

You can get even more detailed by picking products that work with your particular skin type, whether that’s dry, oily, combination, or normal. You can learn about this and much more when you delve into fascinating skin care facts.

Creating a Skin Care Regime

It’s not just the products that are important – it’s the way you use them, too. Creating a solid routine will help you keep your skin looking and feeling fresh. Follow these key steps each morning and evening.

1. Cleanse. You don’t need an actual cleanser for this first step – a men’s face wash will do the job well, too. It’s essential to wash your face every morning when you get up and before you head to bed to remove dirt and pollutants.
2. Exfoliate. You don't need to exfoliate on a daily basis – twice a week is a good guide. But exfoliation is a useful addition to your regime, as it helps to buff away dead skin cells that make your skin look dry, rough, and dull. You can use an exfoliating body scrub, too.
3. Moisturize. If you only apply one product to your clean skin, make it a moisturizer. It helps to hydrate your skin and creates a protective barrier against environmental aggressors. Your skin will feel and look better thanks to this crucial step. Don’t forget to moisturize your body after you shower, too.
4. Balm. If you shave, you’ll benefit from using a post-shave balm to help protect against redness, shaving rash, and dehydration. Before you shave, soften and dampen your facial hair by having a shower – the steam will make it much easier to shave. You might like to use pre-shave oil too.
5. Night treatments. When you sleep, your body does a lot of repair work, so it’s the perfect time to help your skin with some specific night products. It’s also a good time to let skincare products work their magic because you won’t be disturbing those products while you’re sleeping. You might like to try an eye cream if you have puffy eyes or dark circles. Try a special night cream for deep rejuvenation!

Other Skin Tips

How Do You Know What Your Skin Type Is?

If you feel like your skin is tight, it's probably dry. On the other hand, if you notice a noticeable shine on the nose and forehead, then it's likely that your skin is normal or a combination. In addition to the forehead and nose, you probably have oily skin if you also discover shine on your cheeks.

The Importance of Facial Sunscreen

It's very important to use facial sunscreen every day since the facial skin is almost continuously exposed to the sun and UV rays directly. In addition, the thickness of the skin in this area of the body is thinner, which contributes to making it more fragile and vulnerable to solar radiation.

With these tips, you’ll find it easy to care for your skin as a man!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Lourdes Villalobos

Want to hear candid views on products? You have come to the right place!

About Belif Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist

This is a vitamin-C-rich creamy foam cleanser infused with natural herbs that gently but effectively removes makeup and impurities while hydrating the skin.

This face cleanser is a one-of-a-kind blend of vitamin C-rich apothecary herbs, including wormwood to prevent breakouts, soapberry to detoxify, and sweet flag to cleanse and soften.

These botanical ingredients are effective, natural, gentle, and non-stripping cleansing agents. The creamy lather immediately removes impurities while respecting the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it ideal for normal to dry skin. One more highlight of this product is that it is formulated without mineral oil, SLS, synthetic preservatives, dyes, fragrances, and animal-origin ingredients.

The Product

It comes in a soft off-white creamy paste with a pleasant herbal scent. The texture is that of a mousse. The product foams up nicely and quickly into rich bubbles, making it easy to remove dirt and impurities.

After using it, though, my skin feels stripped of any moisture and kind of tight after cleansing. Do you know the squeaky feeling that you get after using some face washes? I experienced exactly that from this. Considering that this product is meant for normal to dry skin, I feel that shouldn’t have been the end result after using the product.

How to Use It

1. Lather up a penny-sized amount of the product in your palm with water.
2. Massage the face gently and thoroughly before rinsing with lukewarm water. It can be used twice a day, in the morning and evening.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The face wash has a nice consistency and texture and lathers well.
• The fragrance is kind of pleasant.
• The packaging is travel-friendly.
• It does an excellent job at cleansing.

Cons:

• The product made my skin feel really dry after use.
• The perfuming ingredients may trigger bad reactions on sensitive skin.

Price of the Product and Packaging

The product is priced at INR 2100 (USD 26.00) for 5.4 Fl. Oz. (160 ml). There is also a 30 ml size for this product. It is often given out as a sample. It comes in a soft tube packaging with a small nozzle to dispense the product. The packaging is sturdy and travel-friendly.

Ingredients

Would I Recommend This Product?

This cleanser is good in many respects, but I'm hesitant to suggest it because of how it made my skin feel.

It produces a rich, luscious lather, and it has a rich, herbal aroma that makes me feel like I'm at a spa. But when I rinse it off, though, it significantly dries up my skin. My skin feels squeaky clean after using this cleanser, but that's not what you want in a facial cleanser.

It's unsettling, especially for someone with dry skin, to feel as if all of my face's oils have been taken away. I wouldn't recommend this cleanser because of how it peels my skin, and personally, I would not recommend it to anyone.

About Belif Skincare

Belif is a Korean skincare brand that integrates the concepts of centuries-old herbal apothecary in its products. The company has a diverse portfolio of skincare products. The brand claims that it is the ‘most truthful skincare brand.’

It draws inspiration from a renowned medical herbalist, Duncan Napier, who could cure his chronic cold symptoms using various herbs to make a cough syrup. Just like the renowned medical herbalist, the company incorporates true herbs in its products to give the best results to the user.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 PGupta0919

Carlyn is interested in all things fashion, cooking and styling.

How to Stop Doc Martens From Squeaking

As the owner of a pair of Doc Martens, you know just how great these shoes can be to wear daily. They are the kind of shoes that really give you that extra sense of power and strength. At the same time, though, these are shoes that often feel pretty fantastic to wear on a day-to-day basis. When you stick them on, you notice just how well-designed they are.

However, no matter how good your DMs are, you might have one problem you cannot escape: that squeaking sound!

Unfortunately, finding how to stop Doc Martens from squeaking can be a time-consuming experience. If you find yourself losing a lot of time and effort trying to de-squeak your DMs, then this simple guide is what you are looking for.

Given how iconic and outright stylish these shoes are, the last thing you want to do is put up with that awful screeching sound. So, how can you go about stopping it? What are the main steps that you need to take to make that squeak come to an end?

Why Are My Doc Martens Squeaking?

The challenge to stopping this particular problem is that there is not often one reason why your shoes might be squeaking, and the cause is not always obvious. You could spend a lot of time going back and forth trying to clean up your shoes and trying out every tool in the book to make them stop squeaking. No matter what you try, though, you might just find that your shoes continue to make that awful noise.

So, the main reason why it might happen for most people is the friction being caused between parts of your Doc Martens. However, it could come down to a whole host of other reasons, including but not limited to:

• The shoes have a lot of perspiration which is causing this odd sound to be created.
• The shoes have a lot of moisture built-up by rain, perhaps due to a leak in the shoe.
• The shoes are wet and have been left to soak and have now taken in lots of water.
• There is an excess of adhesive on the shoe product, which can happen during manufacturing.
• An abrasion exists between the soles of the shoes and the surface area of the shoe itself.

Try to remind yourself that there will not always be one simple cause for your shoes making that awful noise.

Finding the Problem at Hand

The next step is to determine which of the above issues (or other issues) could be causing your shoes to make such an awful sound.

To help you get started, you should take the time to look at your shoes closely. A simple way to find out the cause is to listen for where the sound comes from. You might even want to put the shoes on and have someone sit close to your feet as you walk around.

The closer the ear is, the easier it might be to spot the actual reason for the sound being made in the first place. Many people choose to replace the sole, but if the squeak is coming from the inside, this will not make a big difference.

Walk and listen to the sound of the shoes and try to pinpoint where the sound comes from. When you notice the sound, try and replicate it with specific foot movements and pressure on certain parts of the shoe. Have someone next sit to you as you do this, though, and between the pair of you should quickly work out why your shoes are making this awful sound.

How to Stop Doc Martens From Squeaking

So, the main way to get this problem to stop is to get together a few simple ingredients.

Materials Needed

• Talcum powder
• Bicarbonate
• Baby powder
• Thin needle

If the sole is the cause of the sound, just lift the inlay slightly and put some powder on the midsole section. Lay it back done, and see if the squeak has stopped. You might even find that some sprinkling around the edges of your insole can be enough to lift the issue and get your shoes sounding normal once again.

Another solution might be to get rid of some of the air in the sole. To do this, all that you need to do is create a tiny little hole at the bottom of your sole using a thin needle.

Getting your DMs to stop squeaking can seem like an eternal quest, but a mixture of some powder or a quick prick of a needle can be all that you need to bring this annoying issue to an end finally. Good luck!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Carlyn Hayes

A keen digital marketer who loves helping small business grow their reach.

Are Vans Business Casual?

When it comes to getting dressed up for a business casual event, one of the hardest parts of your style to pinpoint is your shoes. Nothing can be more frustrating than a business event where you need to wear tight dress shoes all day long. At the end of the day, your feet are normally red, raw with discomfort, and undoubtedly have a few blisters forming.

If you want to avoid that for business casual attire, you might have your eye on a pair of Vans. Yet you might also be wondering, are Vans business casual?

Like any other fashion query, you might have, the answer trends to be it depends. It depends on the event, the host, your position within the hierarchy, and just about any other event-minded question. For example, service staff might get away with wearing something like a muted pair of Vans; someone in a higher position, though, might be expected to dress like a star.

So, you should absolutely keep that in mind as you go about the process of creating the right wardrobe style for your upcoming business casual event. So, are Vans business casual? Could you pull it off?

There is No 'Definitive' Answer

As you might have already found looking around, there are so many mixed responses to wearing Vans in a business casual setting. Given they are mostly casual sneakers, more formally minded people will typically say no. Basically, this comes down almost entirely to the premises that you will be visiting.

If you arrive as a guest at a business casual event, you should not really be so worried. Dress it up with a pair of chinos and a shirt and go for something nice and dark in terms of Vans, and it should work fine. If you are working there, though, the difference comes down to how your boss sees the style of a pair of Vans.

The secret is often in the description of business casual. If anything is mentioned about shirts, even open collars, then we would advise against turning up in a pair of Vans. There is no right or wrong here, but if you are a staff member who wants to avoid the scorn of higher-ups, you might want to leave the Vans in the cupboard.

There is no answer that suits every business casual attire option, sadly.

Avoid The Vans on Day One

If you are starting a new business opportunity or a new job, do not risk it unless they are very clear about casual dress. First impressions more or less always make a big difference.

However, if you turn up on day one and notice an assortment of more informal shoes, ask your boss. Before you ask, though, maybe run it by a few of the less confrontational new colleagues. You might get a good answer from someone, especially if they seem to be wearing less formal attire. The secret is to always avoid doing it on day one, though.

You can always rock up in your Vans the next day and show them off to your new workmates. The worst thing that could happen is to turn up on day one and get told to head to the store, or home, to get more suitable attire.

While business casual is about as wide in description as one could imagine, most businesses will have at least some kind of idea of what they will and will not allow.

Making Your Own Decision!

There is no real way to know if Vans are business casual until you turn up at the event. Business casual is a fashion term that can be extremely diverse or overly limited. With that in mind, then, you should spend a bit of time looking into the Vans that you do own.

If you think they are very muted (i.e., all black), then think about it. As mentioned above, though, a quick message or a quick query to a colleague could be enough to help you avoid this faux pas. If you are short on time and want to risk it, then fair enough; but we highly recommend you bring a more formal pair of shoes, like a pair of loafers or derbies, that you could change into in the off chance your boss isn’t impressed!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Carlyn Hayes

A pomade enthusiast who loves to experiment with new pomades and hair styles.

How to Clean Magnetic Lashes

If you own a pair of magnetic lashes, then you want to know how to make them last. These expensive cosmetic accessories can be pretty hard to keep in good condition if you do not properly care for them.

Lashes are a vital part of the modern makeup industry, and many people have grown accustomed to attaching their own lashes. This is a common practice, as some see it as more cost-effective than going to eyelash appointments. However, if you are looking to buy magnetic lashes, then you want to know how to properly keep them in good condition.

Once you understand the cleaning process, it is pretty easy to repeat! For now, though, owners of a magnetic lashes set should focus on learning the basics of cleaning.

Let’s take a look at the easiest solutions to wind up with clean magnetic lashes. The solution is quite simple, but actually putting it into practice can be a surprisingly touch challenge overall.

Simple DIY Eyelash Cleaning Method

Typically, there are two commonly used methods to clean up eyelashes. One of the hardest challenges you might face when choosing is to decide on what method to try out. Typically, though, you can clean your magnetic lashes with a few simple products from around your house.

Materials Needed

• Strong eye makeup remover
• 90% rubbing alcohol
• Cotton buds
• A cotton swab
• A set of tweezers

Cleaning Steps

Step 1: Remove the Lashes

To get started, you need to first remove your magnetic eyelashes. To most effectively remove your magnetic lashes, we recommend you use the lash band. Simply tug on the corner of this lightly; never grab! Be sure that you are careful as you remove the lashes as you could damage them otherwise.

Step Two: Grab the Makeup Remover

Now, you should remove your magnetic lashes and then set them down somewhere safe. Before you do anything else, though, make sure you clean the lashes to get rid of any eyeliner or any residue from your makeup. This is most effectively done by taking the cotton pad mentioned above and soaking it with the eye makeup remover. Make sure you use eye makeup remover, not nail polish remover.

Also, ensure that it is not an oil-based eye makeup remover!

Once you have soaked the cotton pad, you should rub down the eyelashes with the cotton pad.

Step Three: Repeat

Do this a few times to help get rid of any residue left over. Try and use as little pressure as you can, as excessive strength could damage and ruin the look of your lashes. If you take it slow, though, it will be fixed with minimal stress.

That's It!

Once you have done this, you should now have a set of cleaned-up magnetic lashes. However, you still need to actually clean the magnets within the lashes.

How to Clean the Magnets in Your Magnetic Lashes

If you want to ensure longevity, you must also pay attention to the magnets within the product. Many do not realize how important it is also to clean the magnets. This requires very specific, very minuscule pressure. Do everything you can to remove all eyeliner from the magnet, avoiding any scratches as you work your way around the magnet.

Use Rubbing Alcohol!

If you wish to remove the magnet resid, you should use the 90% rubbing alcohol we spoke of earlier. Take the swab that was listed earlier and begin to slowly rub the strip. Again, be careful as excessive pressure could distort or even pull off the lashes from where they are being stored.

This will ensure that you are left with a set of magnetic lashes that are free from the residue and build-up that can cause them to stop working to the same level as before. If you do this, then you should make sure that you have totally removed all signs of the make-up on your magnetic lashes.

This can take a bit of time, so be prepared to be patient and to take your time.

Cleaning Up and Finalising Your Magnetic Lashes

Once you have finished the cleaning process as listed above, you should now take the time to dry off your magnetic lashes properly.

This can be done simply by putting them onto a towel and leaving them to try. You might wish to try and speed up the process, but we recommend that you let them dry naturally to avoid potential damage being done to the lashes in the first place.

Take your time when cleaning your magnetic lashes, and you can find that they will be in useable condition for a long time to come. Simply follow along with the above, and those magnetic lashes should be good for a few nights out yet!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Carlyn Hayes

I truly love writing and expressing myself through writing. I enjoy researching beauty products.

Most Expensive Perfumes

These are the most decadent fragrances bought either at auction or at regular retail. The most expensive perfumes in the world 2021 list changes year to year, but this is the most up-to-date.

10. Cherry Garden

Brand: House of Sillage

Price: $480 per oz

Containing notes of vanilla, almond, and Sicilian Bergamot; Cherry Garden evokes a sense of playful luxury experienced by those who spend their weekends yacht sailing in the south of France.

Additionally, each 2.5 oz bottle is masterfully crafted with precious gemstones.

9. Bolt of Lighting

Brand: JAR

Price: $765 per oz

JAR's Bolt of Lightning was launched in 2001 by American Jeweler Joseph Arthur Rosenthal. Bolt of Lightning is an extravagant shock to your olfactory senses. Made with notes of Tuberose and a variety of oriental flowers, it's no surprise that this lavish elixer sells for an eye-watering price.

8. Joy

Brand: Jean Patou

Price: $850 per oz

Joy by Jean Patou has been popular among the well-to-do since 1929. Each bottle of Joy contains an exquisite medley of floral aromas, including the essence of 10,000 hand-picked Jasmine flowers.

7. Poivre

Brand: Caron

Price: $1,000 per oz

Poivre was created by one of the oldest and most well-respected fragrance houses in France. Caron Poivre has been the perfume of choice for well-heeled ladies since 1954.

Dominant notes of Clove, Carnation and Red Pepper envelop the wearer in spicy aromatic indulgence. Whether attending a swanky soiree or a lavish afternoon banquet, this perfume will undoubtedly make you the talk of the town.

6. Flowerbomb Haute Couture

Brand: Viktor & Rolf

Price: $1,470 per oz

Probably the most modern entry on our list, Flowerbomb Haute Couture was released to the world in 2006 to a fanfare usually reserved for movie stars and super models. Yet, for many reasons, its popularity still persists.

For instance, it’s packaging is nothing short of spectacular. The 3-D printed Crystal engraved with rose gold fully enclose this aromatic gem which contains notes of Jasmine, Centrifolia Rose and Cattleya Orchid.

5. No. 1

Brand: Clive Christian

Price: $2,150 per oz

Sometimes called the fragrance of ultimate luxury, Clive Christian No. 1 was created by a world-renowned designer of the same name. Encased in hand-crafted crystal and topped off with a 24 carrot gold plated dispenser, Number 1 is guaranteed to make you smell and feel and smell like a million bucks….which is good, cause you’ll need some deep pockets to afford this well-heeled ambrosia.

4. Extrait

Brand: Chanel

Price: $4,200 per oz

Grand Extrait by Chanel is a deceptively simple looking bottle is actually a masterpiece of fine art and design. A collaboration between Coco Chanel and the perfumer Ernest Beaux, Grand Extrait is composed using a carefully selected array of abstract flower blends including but not limited to Neroli Grasse and May Rose. In the fine fragrance world it is widely known to be a collectors item and display piece. A simple and yet elegant way to show off your good taste and even better fortunes.

Additionally, Grand Extrait has a legion of celebrity endorsers including Marilyn Monroe and Nicole Kidman.

3. Les Larmes Sacrées de Thèbes

Brand: Baccarat

Price: $6,800 per oz

In 1998, Crystal maker Baccarat made its foray into the fine fragrance world with Les Larmes. Featuring not only a hand-crafted crystal bottle but also an amethyst cap; this aromatic work of art was modeled after the pyramids of Egypt. The fragrance itself combines old world notes of Frankincense and myrrh with with the fresh and envigorating feelings brought about by Ylang Ylang and Jasmine. The end result has been described as both mysterious and sensual by perfume lovers and novices alike. Translated to English, Baccarat’s signature fragrance is also known as the Sacred Tears of Thebes.

2. Golden Delicious

Brand: DKNY

Price: $1 million per bottle (auction price)

Designed by DKNY for charitable causes, Golden Delicious more than lives up to its name. The packaging for this eighth wonder of the world features 2,909 jewels from around the world, including 2,700 white diamonds, 183 yellow sapphires, and 1 glorious 2.43 carat yellow canary diamond. The contents of this masterpiece are just as spectacular; as it contains the essence of Golden Apple, White Rose, and the highly sought after Casablanca Lily.

However, this fragrance isn’t just for the average aromatherapy connoisseur, even the most deep-pocketed titans of industry would have to sell a chateau or two to afford this rare gem.

1. Shumukh

Brand: The Spirit of Dubai

Price: $1.2 million

Now we have our last and all around most expensive entry. A perfume recognized by the Guiness Book of World records as the most expensive single unit perfume ever sold. At number 1 we have the Shumukh.

Stunningly contained in an Italian Murano Crystal that has been meticulously set with 3,571 diamonds and giant pearls, this piece has been lovingly adorned with icons and symbolism particular to middle eastern heritage. These include Arabian horses, golden falcons and roses. And if that isn’t enough to turn your piggybank inside-out, the bottle is embossed, engraved and decorated with around 2.5 kilograms of 18 carat gold and around 5.9 kilograms of pure silver.

Widely known as a centerpiece to display the modernity of the city of Dubai, the Shumukh bottle itself comes with a host of technological innovations including a remote control which controls both the height of the perfume sprayer and the amount that is to be sprayed on the wearer.

So what do we suppose is inside the bottle? Well, when you have the crown jewel lavish perfumery as your mantle piece, do you really care?

Ayexa S. is a new mom who has found a love for perfumes. She loves sharing advice for perfume beginners.

Five Must-Have Designer Perfumes

Something about the holiday season just makes you wanna treat yourself to a luxurious treat. What treat would be better than a sensational scent that makes you feel like a queen and turns heads wherever you go?

So here we present our top five designer perfumes that are guaranteed to get you compliments wherever you go.

1. Flowerbomb by Victor & Rolf

Dare I say; this perfume is like pure luxury in a bottle! As the name implies, Flowerbomb is indeed a flower-bomb. This enticing blend of perfectly balanced scents is going to be your love at first sniff.

The Scent

Featuring the sexy flower scents of orchid, jasmine, rose, African flower, and freesia devilishly combined with top notes of bergamot and osmanthus, this floral fragrance is a burst of happy hormones and sheer confidence. While the base notes of musk and vanilla, the patchouli gives it a touch of sweetness. It sure is an explosion of one scent after another, a much-needed treat for your olfactory senses.

The Bottle

And oh my, have you seen the bottle? The grenade inspired design is sure to shine on your vanity! Sitting there in the corner with other items, it will look like an expensive statement object customized for you.

2. Light Blue Intense by Dolce & Gabbana

Light Blue Intense by Dolce & Gabbana is a citrus, fruity scent that is sure to make you perky on your gloomiest day. Featuring top notes of lemon and Granny Smith apple with witty middle notes of Jasmine and Marigold, this summery fragrance will remind you of your sunniest beach days and would instantly amplify your confidence.

The Scent

What makes it so different from other scents is that while it is citrusy, it is not a sharp one—clean, fresh, a bit sweet, and crispy. The base notes of Musk and Amber wood delicately carry the overall scent in such a way that you become the definition of freshness.

Even if you blind buy it, I assure you it is a safe bet. It even compliments the male gender too!

The Bottle

Let's talk about the packaging. The outer pack has a soft velvety feel to it, and the bottle is a rectangular frosted translucent glass, carrying the fresh floral aromatic potion in it. This bottle is a gorgeous velvety experience in light blue!

3. Boss Ma Vie Pour Femme by Hugo Boss

Boss Ma Vie Pour Femme by Hugo Boss is for my ladies looking for something fresh and floral yet unique to wear every day. Like a floral version of Light Blue, this perfume will go perfectly for any spring or summer day. It will force you to explore a side of yourself that you never thought existed. This one is a must-have if you like mild floral and woody scents.

The Scent

The top note of Cactus Flower promises to radiate a confident aura from you, while the middle notes of Pink Freesia, Rose, and Jasmine reflect the feminine side of you. The base notes of Woody Notes and Cedar promise to make your personality indulging and unique.

The Bottle

The bottle is designed in a sleek rectangular manner with light baby pink tones to it. It surely will be a classy addition to your shelf and a delightful start to your day.

4. Lady Million by Paco Rabanne

Lady Million by Paco Rabanne has been around for some time and is loved by many for fairly justifiable reasons. Designed like a diamond, this bottle reflects its wealthy signature nature that is encapsulating but not overwhelming.

The Scent

The top notes are raspberry, Neroli, and Amalfi Lemon. The middle notes are a combination of jasmine, African Orange Flower, and gardenia. These perfectly intertwine with sultry base notes of White honey, Patchouli, and Amber. Lady Million promises to be that one perfume that you will purchase again and again!

The scent is on the sweeter side, with a good mix of tempting floral tones. But if you are not into sweeter scents, then I would suggest you avoid it.

The Bottle

Designed as a diamond to reflect women's expensive and delicate nature, it would look like a masterpiece on your vanity. Also, if you place it somewhere where sunlight hits it, I assure you the aesthetics alone would be worth paying for!

5. Deep Red by Hugo Boss

Deep Red by Hugo Boss is a spicy and edgy fragrance for all my daring ladies out there who want to spice things up a bit. Not your average perfume; this is the one that would make you stand out on any occasion because of its uniqueness.

The Scent

The first spritz will hit you like a wave of freshness which will quickly dissipate into a gingery and fruity combination with a hint of vanilla. A perfect scent for a date night, it will slowly unravel itself, revealing its layers as the night goes on.

Opening up with daring top notes of Blood Orange, Black Currant, Clementine, Pear, and Mandarin Orange, the scent slowly strips down to the nose, tingling middle notes of Ginger, Ginger Flower, Tuberose Freesia, and Hibiscus Seed. And just when you think that this could not get any better, base notes of Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, and California Cedar make their grand entry. With a bit of vintage vibe, this is not a typical scent you smell here and now. Edgy, beautiful, musky, and smooth.

The Bottle

The bottle is like the base of an hourglass dipped in deep wine red color. While the bottle does not leave an etching impression like Flower bomb or Lady Million, it still is a perfect fit for any dressing table.

Comments

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on October 20, 2021:

Good information. Well compiled.

ayexa s (author) from gujranwala,pakistan on October 20, 2021:

Thx u dear

Laraib on October 20, 2021:

The way you explain these perfumes makes me wanna buy, even though I'm allergic

Robert Brown is a Writer and a Blogger. He loves to write about the content that gives value to the readers. He loves humanity.

How to Clean White Vans at Home

The classic white Vans are suitable with almost any outfit, regardless of whether you choose a lace-up or slip-on style. The bright white color of Vans will eventually fade, regardless of what kind you get. Even if you shun food and liquid spills, just regular wear will cause your shoes to lose their luster over time.

Cleaning your white Vans is not just about cleaning your Vans. You need to keep in mind that you are not just cleaning the outside of the Vans but you are cleaning the Vans on the inside too. This blog will give you some top suggestions on how to clean your white vans.

How to Clean White Vans

If the shoes are made of canvas, here are four different methods on how to clean them.

Detergent Method

1. Before beginning the cleaning process, remove shoelaces and removable insoles. canvas white Vans can be cleaned by placing the laces in a bowl of hot water and adding a teaspoon or two of laundry detergent. The shoes could be cleaned while the laces soak.
2. Use an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush to apply the solution in circular motions over the Vans. Brush the rubber soles of the Vans with the brush. Continue rubbing the shoes in circular motions until they are clean.
3. Clean the soil with a shoe brush, vacuum upholstery brush, or even an old dry toothbrush. If possible, keep a separate bowl of water nearby to dip the brush into in between applying more detergent. This keeps dirt from getting into the cleaning solution.
4. You should clean the shoes with a wet cloth or towel, and then fill them with paper or towels and allow them to dry in the shade out of direct sunlight.

Bleach Method

1. Cleaning your White Vans with bleach and dishwashing liquid is another terrific solution. Just make sure that they contain neither chlorine nor ammonia. Otherwise, you will damage your Vans.
2. Mix a small amount of dishwashing liquid and bleach in a plastic bowl, then dilute with water. This time, instead of using a toothbrush, you want to scrub your shoes with a cloth soaked in the liquid.
3. When done, wipe the shoes with a wet cloth. Rinse your shoes again if necessary. Stuff them with paper or towels, and let them air dry in an area out of the sun if possible.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Method

Your first step should be to remove any loose dust or dirt from the canvas fabric so you can easily clean it. You can also use a smooth brush to do this.

1. Using an old toothbrush or soft brush, mix one tablespoon baking soda and 1/2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Apply the paste with an old toothbrush or soft brush, then scrub the shoes lightly.
2. In order to refresh your sneakers, brush your sneakers with a clean wet cloth after applying hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Let your shoes air-dry thoroughly after wiping them down.
3. Using a soft cloth, wipe off the dirt on the rubber outsoles with the same paste you used for the fabric. Once you've cleaned your Vans from top to bottom, air-dry them in a cool place, but don't saturate them.

Rubber or Magic Eraser Method

1. You can use the magic eraser to clean your shoes by soaking them. Scrub it on the stained and scuffed parts. To remove stubborn stains, rub a piece of dish soap or laundry detergent on the stained area and scrub it.

How to Clean White Leather Vans

1. Ensure the shoe's insoles and laces are removed and cleaned separately. Wet a microfiber cloth thoroughly, wringing it out to remove excess water. Clean the entire shoe, down especially paying attention to seams and areas that have become dirty.
2. Let the shoes dry for at least 15 minutes after you have cleaned the different areas. Dampen a sponge and scrub the rubber sole edges.
3. If the shoes have leather patches, be sure to use the sponge rather than the soapy lather to avoid removing the top layer of the white leather. Instead, combine a bit of soap with warm water.
4. Apply the solution using the microfiber cloth to a section of leather and gently rub in circular motions. Start at the toes and work your way around the sides and heels.
5. Scuffs that are hard to remove can be removed using baking soda sprinkled on a cleaning cloth.
6. Rub gently until the scuff is removed, then wipe with a damp cloth dipped in plain water to eliminate any soapy residue. Let the shoes air-dry in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.

How to Clean White Suede Vans

1. If your white suede Vans have dirt, let it dry before cleaning it up with a suede brush. Once all the dirt is removed, soak a rag in white vinegar and use it to wipe them down.
2. Repeat this process until all dirt is gone. Repeat this process until all dirt is gone.
3. Scrub them gently with a toothbrush and rub the rubber lining vigorously with the rubber eraser to clean your sneakers.
4. You can also use detergent and a toothbrush to scrub the bottom of your shoes. Using a clean cloth, wipe them off.

FAQ

What is the best way to clean your Vans?

• The tops, sides, and rubber strip of your Vans can be cleaned with a toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Gently scrub to remove stubborn stains, then wipe away the remaining soap suds with a clean, damp sponge.

How do you clean ruined white Vans?

• Brush your shoes with an old toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water, then blot them with a towel to remove the suds, then let them dry naturally.

Can you use bleach on white Vans?

• Bleaching your Vans will return them to their original white color, but there are some steps you need to follow to prevent them from being destroyed.

Misbah is a big fan of the supernatural. Halloween is one of her favorite holidays, and it has influenced her since she was a child.

10 Creepy Halloween Makeup Ideas

Are you still looking for a costume for the night of fear? Don't worry, because to win the trophy for the best dressed you only need a little paint and a bit of creativity and the cake is yours. In this article, I'll tell you about 10 of the scariest Halloween makeup ideas. I guarantee that after looking at these, you will have a lot clearer idea of how to dress up on October 31st. This article will explain how to put on Halloween makeup.

1. Catrina Halloween Makeup

Catrina or Mexican skull makeup is always trendy. It is a slightly more elaborate style than the others, but if done well, it will benefit you. There are hundreds of possibilities for achieving a perfect result by varying the shapes, colors, and details.

Steps

1. After applying a white face layer, draw two circles on the eyes with black eyeliner.
2. Make a black heart in the nose and a line from one cheek to the other passing through the lips to simulate the mouth.
3. Once you've mastered the fundamentals, you can let your imagination run wild and create whatever design you want. We recommend using bright colors and a lot of glitters.

This type of Halloween makeup will give you a very elegant look, so you'll need a little more to make your own costume. You can dress completely in black and wear a flower headband to complement this pretty makeup for the Day of the Dead.

2. Skeleton Halloween Makeup

One of the most common costumes for the scariest night of the year is the skeleton. It is simple, fast and you will be right. This makeup aims to simulate a terrifying skull, although you can adapt it to your taste.

Steps

1. There are two things you must have: white and black paint.
2. Begin by covering your entire face with a white base.
3. Once that's done, use the black to draw the details: circles in the eyes to simulate skull holes, nose and jawbones, and so on.
4. If you dare, you can extend the makeup around the neck and chest to create a much more realistic and eerie appearance.

It is up to you if you want to use more colors to make a more unique skeleton. In terms of clothing, you don't need much. Dress in black, cut out some bones of white cardboard and pin them to your shirt and pants for a simple look.

3. Witch Halloween Makeup

Depending on the look you want to achieve, there are numerous ways to paint yourself as a witch. You can be an elegant sorceress, which requires you to use all of your brush skills. Make an effort to paint your eyes with wonderful shadows that match the dress you're going to wear and make an effort to paint yourself some spectacular lips.

Another option is to dress up as an evil witch and scare all of the children. Paint your face and, if you dare, your neck, arms, and legs in a bright green color. Make your nose into a monster by using various prosthetics or latex. The look will be enhanced by well-defined brows and green lips. Don't forget about the wart!

A nice pointed hat, a broom, and a witch's dress are required to complete this costume. And you will fly!

4. Corpse Bride Halloween Makeup

The corpse bride has become one of the most popular costumes for Halloween. This character is elegant and, at the same time, dark, which makes him one of the favorite options for many women.

Steps

1. Start by painting your face with a very pale foundation. It could also be very good if you give it a yellowish tone to give a feeling of death.
2. With shadows and eyeliner, mark the dark circles a lot.
3. From here, use the paint and different pieces of plastic to create scars, bumps, or bruises.
4. You can also take inspiration from Tim Burton's corpse bride to get an original costume for this Halloween.
5. In this case, you will have to paint your face blue and wear a dark wig. Draw big eyes, long lashes and paint your lips red or hot pink. Do not forget to put a scar on your cheeks.

If you get a white, toe-length dress that you can stain and tear, your costume will be even more spectacular. Make your own bouquet and put on a flower headband to complete the look.

5. Blood and Wounds

Makeup, like a wounded person if you want a quick costume that you can make at any time and doesn't require a lot of materials. All you need is a lot of fake blood and, if possible, wounds and scars. Blood can come out of your nose, eyes, and hairline, etc.

Steps

You should keep in mind that there are two types of fake blood: dark, which looks more realistic in deep wounds, or pieces of meat. The other one is light, which looks better on the skin.

Wounds are commonly made of liquid latex, and scars are made of thick ones that can be purchased at any costume store.

Don't worry, learning how to apply them to your skin, making it appear terrifying. It requires a lot of practice.

6. Evil Clown Halloween Makeup

Few things are more terrifying than a devil clown. If what you want is to cause the chills wherever you go on Halloween, this is the ideal costume. Makeup is the most important aspect of this look. In fact, it wouldn't make sense if you didn't have a good face paint.

Steps

1. Begin by painting your face white to create the scariest clown.
2. You can draw a red nose on top of it or wear a foam or plastic nose.
3. Make a couple of lines from the top to the bottom of your eyes, paint a big dark smile on your face, put on a wig.
4. If you want to change things up a little, you can always paint yourself as a terrifying mime (with a white face and many scars), a demonic harlequin (with a lot of fake blood), or a terrifying clown from the Saw movies (with a white face, spirals on his cheeks and very red lips).

7. Zipper Halloween Makeup

Zipper makeup is popular for Halloween, and it's eerie. Because it is a more difficult design to create, it is not available to everyone. If you get a good result, no one can help but be disgusted when they see you.

Steps

1. However, if you stick to the most basic level of this makeup, you only need to paint the shape of the zipper from the forehead, opening to the height of the nose, an area that you will paint in red to simulate the inside of your skin.
2. If you want to go all out and be the Halloween party's queen, you'll need latex prosthetics, a real zipper that you can glue to your face, and toilet paper to simulate the texture of raw skin.
3. The more phony blood you use, the better.

This makeup is frightening on its own, so you don't need to wear a costume as part of your attire. You can simply wear black.

8. Joker Makeup for Halloween

The Joker, the mythical antagonist of the Batman comics who has become a reference to give a lot, a lot of fear, is a classic Halloween costume. Making a clown costume isn't too difficult; all you need is a purple (or maroon) suit and some makeup.

Steps

1. To begin, paint your entire face white except for the area where the scar will be placed.
2. You can make it more realistic by applying wax to it, or simply paint it with lipstick or red paint, just like the lips and the huge smile. Even if you don't use wax, this method will give your costume a much more realistic appearance.
3. Finish your make-up design with dark eyes using black, painting around it and blending well downwards.
4. Do you want to go with the most recent version? Get a blue color and dab a little bit around your eyes to see what a cool effect you can have. So are you ready?

9. Pennywise from IT Halloween Makeup

Stephen King's "It" movie's well-known clown. Who hasn't heard about that clown? Pennywise the Dancing Clown is a creepy character who has become one of the best ways to scare your friends on Halloween. It's a fairly simple look that will only take a little time and patience to achieve.

The white, black, and red paints will be your best friends when it comes to creating this makeup. To complete the costume, you'll need a bald head or a toga (which you should wear first) and a red or orange wig.

Steps

1. After you've painted your fictitious bald head entirely white, you will need to paint your entire face white, including your brows.
2. Later, using the red paint, you must paint the clown's smile, facial lines, and nose.
3. You can use the black paint to make terrifying brows, and there you have it!

10. Angel Makeup for Halloween

So, here you are. You are the type of person who desires an angelic appearance. I can't believe I've forgotten about you. This is your look, sweetie. Didn't you enjoy the devil's make-up? Perhaps you'd feel more at ease with a much more unique, modern, and unique angel makeup with a touch of irresistible sweetness. Also, remember that you'll need to wear a white or black costume as well as large wings of the same color as your dress to complete this look. I will give you two options.

Steps

1. To create your angel makeup for Halloween, start by painting your entire face with a white base.
2. Although it does not have to be as white as a clown's face, it should be slightly pale.
3. Make use of light lipstick and eyeshadow.
4. I also recommend a pinch of pink on your cheeks to add more drama to your make-up. There you are, a pure angel.

The fallen angel makeup is your second option.

1. Use the base as mentioned in the first option.
2. Then paint your eyes black and, using purple, draw a purple line in the dark circles to blend well.
3. Next, paint your lips a dark color, such as black or maroon, and add vein details around your eyes. Ready to succeed!

Last Thoughts

I hope you liked learning about this Halloween makeup looks. There is nothing to be worried about when it comes to makeup; you simply need to be a little creative. Though, It does require some practice. Halloween makeup can be as varied as you want it to be. Any makeup, as long as it has a gloomy look, is acceptable for the ghost party. So, what are you waiting for? Go practice now because the clock is ticking.

References

75 Brilliant Halloween Makeup Ideas to Try This Year

43 Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas for Procrastinators

14 Last-Minute Halloween Makeup

50 Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas Almost Anyone Can Master

51 Creepy and Cool Halloween Makeup Ideas to Try in 2021

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Misbah Sheikh

Comments

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 16, 2021:

Hi Jason,

Glad to see you in the comments section. I am glad you enjoyed the hub. Yes, Halloween is not the same for me as well due to Covid restrictions. Thank you for your kind comment. Greatly appreciated!

Blessings to you!!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 16, 2021:

Thank you so much for your kind comment, Zeenat. Much appreciated, dear friend

Blessings to you!

Jason Nicolosi from AZ on October 15, 2021:

Very cool Halloween ideas in this article. I miss the old days. Halloween just doesn't feel the same anymore. We used to get dressed up and go out every year. Now all the kids are grown up. Plus there used to be a lot of trick or treaters in general. Last year because of the virus there were very few people out. It's kinda sad.

Zeenat on October 15, 2021:

Wonderful makeup ideas about Halloween party. Just discovered it now in my feed.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 09, 2021:

Thank you so much, dear Farah. I am pleased to know you found these makeup ideas interesting. Happy Halloween to you in advance. Stay safe and healthy.

Blessings and Love to you!

Farah N Huq from Dhaka, Bangladesh on October 09, 2021:

Those were some very interesting makeup ideas for halloween. Happy holidays, dear Misbah!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 07, 2021:

Hi Amara,

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement, dear sister. I am glad you enjoyed it. Much Gratitude!

Blessings always!!!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 07, 2021:

Hello Flourish, Halloween is also my favorite holiday. I have tried to go to the grocery store while dressed in my Halloween costume and makeup. Interestingly, on Halloween, workers in many stores in Spain dress up as different characters. It's fun, right?

I am so glad to know you enjoyed it. May be go out wearing a scary facemask on Halloween. There are so many on Amazon. No makeup required and you'll be following the COVID restrictions as well. ;) Isn't it a great idea.

Take care and stay safe!

Blessings and Love to you, dear friend.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 07, 2021:

Vidya, thank you very much for your words of encouragement. I'm glad you liked it. I am happy for your granddaughter. I hope she will have a great time on Halloween. Because she is a little child, take precautions when purchasing face paints. Try to purchase organic paints that are safe to use on sensitive skin.

Blessings and love to you, dear friend.

Amara from Pakistan on October 07, 2021:

A very interesting and detailed read about Holloween make up ideas. A perfect time to write these Hubs.

Stay happy and blessed dear sister.

FlourishAnyway from USA on October 07, 2021:

I love these! Halloween is my favorite holiday and I always overdo it and scare the kids. COVID has thrown a bucket of cold water on the whole thing so I'm not sure hot it'll go this year, but these are amazing makeup tutorials to try. Can you imagine doing this and just walking around in full costume in the grocery store?

VIDYA D SAGAR on October 07, 2021:

Great Halloween makeup ideas. It is fun to watch people turn into different characters on Halloween. My granddaughter sure loves it, she's already got a dress for it. I enjoyed breading your article.Thanks for sharing.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Lots of Love to you, Bredz. You are very kind and beautiful soul. God bless you. Amen!

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on October 06, 2021:

Dang Time Machine! I thought sure Amazon would have that part by now

Maybe we can create a new celebration & do this earlier than next Halloween.

I just know if I try this by myself...it's not gonna look like your pictures.

No kidding aside...I love your article.

Bredz

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Ha Ha! That time machine, Bredz, is still incomplete. Maybe we'll have to wait until next Halloween. Lol! Loved that. Halloween is special to me because I enjoy its liveliness. Thank you for your sweet comment. Love ya, dear friend.

Blessings always!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Hi Peggy,

In Spain, Halloween is actually a three-day-long celebration. It starts with El Día de las Brujas (the Day of the Witches) on October 31st. This day is associated with all things spooky and supernatural, like lost souls, haunted history, black magic, and of course witches! On Halloween night you will find people all over Barcelona in “fancy dresses.” The celebration continues on November 1st with Día de Todos Los Santos (All Saint’s Day). This is a traditional holiday observed throughout Spain as an opportunity to honor the deceased. People here are very lively so if if you’re still in the party spirit (which we certainly hope so,) the festivities culminate on November 2nd with Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Spanish people honor this traditional Mexican holiday with Ruta de Altares(Route of the Altars.) Halloween features everything from a creepy parade through the quaint village to special cuisine offerings and performance art pieces. I am glad you liked the ideas. Thank you for your beautiful comment. I greatly appreciate that. :) Stay well and keep smiling.

Much Love and Blessings to you!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment, Rozlin. Much appreciated, dear sister. Stay happy and healthy.

Blessings and Love

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on October 06, 2021:

Misbah

You have many talents.

Thus one us so awesome & right in time for Halloween.

You've gotta fly over here & do my makeup.

Lol...expert ideas.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Srushti, thank you so much for your wonderful and lovely feedback. I'm delighted to know that you're happy. Take care and enjoy your life to the fullest.

Blessings and lots of love to you!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Thank you so much for your sweet words, Mr. Bill. Your neighbor appears to be a very lively person. It's fun, I guess. Scary music really sounds cool. Lol! I'm glad to know you enjoyed this article.

Stay safe and happy.

Blessings always!!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on October 06, 2021:

We have never attended an adult Halloween party. Your ideas are fun ones for those who still enjoy getting into costumes.

Rozlin from UAE on October 06, 2021:

This is another interesting article on Halloween makeup ideas. Well presented article, Misbah. Thank you for sharing.

Take care.

Srushti Gamit on October 06, 2021:

Another amazing article on Halloween Misbah!!

Some of the makeup looks are so much easy for beginners and a lot of fun to do.

Thanks for sharing them.

I am really loving this Halloween series of yours.

God bless you sweet soul

Take Care

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 06, 2021:

I don't think I have ever celebrated Halloween as an adult. I'm certain I've never gotten into a costume. Funny since I loved it as a child. Did I outgrow this childish thing? If so, it's too bad, me thinks.

Anyway, loved the article. I love how some people fully embrace this holiday. I have a neighbor who decorates her yard, wears a costume for the kids, has scary music coming from speakers in her yard....pretty cool!

Blessings to you always

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging words, John. I'm delighted you found it useful for Halloween preparations. Much Gratitude, my friend. Stay safe and healthy.

Blessings Always!!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Oh! I'm in love with the word "clever." Pamela, thank you very much for your very kind and sweet comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Stay safe and happy.

Blessings and Love

John Hansen from Gondwana Land on October 06, 2021:

A really great selection of makeup and costumes here, Misbah. There is something for almost everyone I am sure. A very good article for Halloween. Blessings.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on October 06, 2021:

You came with quite a clever assortment of facial makeup for Halloween, Misbah. I do not dress up anymore, so I won't get to put your ideas to use.

Thanks for sharing them.

Love and Blessings!

Misbah is a big fan of the supernatural. Halloween is one of her favorite holidays, and it has influenced her since she was a child.

10 Hairstyles Ideas for Halloween

No matter how beautiful your dress is and no matter how worked your makeup is, if you don't do a good hairstyle, your costume for October 31 will not be complete. But don't worry, because I will give you 10 hairstyle ideas for Halloween that will make you the most admired one at the party. Never again doubt how to comb your hair on the night of the ghosts.

1. Spider Hairstyles

In the world of Halloween costumes, the spider theme is a classic. Cobwebs are necessary for creating the most frightening atmosphere possible for the night of fear. Why not wear them in your hair as well?

A bow, which serves as an arachnid nest, is the most common spider in Halloween hairstyles. You may create your spider's legs out of various colored wires. To further tangle your hair, you can apply artificial cobwebs. It would be a great idea if you included some eyeballs as well. It will make your hairdo less scary and more enjoyable.

2. Skeleton Hairstyles

Skeletons are the star characters of Halloween because it is a simple and very effective costume. If you work on it a bit, you can make everyone's jaw drop.

If you are going to dress up as a skeleton, the most important part is the makeup, but the hairstyle should complement what you have worn. In addition, you have an infinite number of possibilities to make your hair: you can use hairpins shaped like bones, dye your hair a striking color such as lilac or white. The easiest thing is to leave the brush at home and ruffle the hair a little with your hands.

3. Cat Halloween Hairstyles

Are you planning on dressing up as a kitten for Halloween? This is a highly flexible costume: you may channel your inner sexy feline or dress up as the cutest cat on the planet. It's entirely up to you!

Makeup, as well as your hair, is highly crucial while dressing up as a cat. To finish the makeover, do a little work on your hair and add an ear-shaped headband. But have you ever tried making your own ears out of your own hair? Simply create two bows on either side of your head. Isn't it a wacky way to do things?

4. Zombie Hairstyles

On Halloween night, the zombies come alive. If you have a last-minute commitment and require a costume, the zombie is a good choice because it is both frightening and simple (you only need some old clothes, some white paint, a hairbrush, and Hairspray).

Imagine you've been underground for hundreds of years while brushing your hair like a zombie. In fact, ruffling your hair is more important than combing it. Tease your hair with a brush, and when it's shaggy enough, spray it with hairspray to prevent it from moving. It could be a good idea to apply fake blood and cosmetics to make your hair appear filthy.

5. Devil Doll Hairstyles

Remember, if you're going to dress up like a doll for Halloween, it needs to be terrifying. Use a lot of blood, wounds, and bruises now and save the sweetness for Carnival. The clothing you pick is also crucial in helping you to immerse yourself in the character.

However, if you want to look like a true devil doll, you must pay special attention to your hairstyle, as it is what distinguishes a great costume from a bad one. The two pigtails are a great hairdo for this costume, but you can also make adorable ringlets or a bow with a headband and bows.

6. Pumpkin Halloween Hairstyles

Orange! This is the secret to making pumpkin dressing. This costume is a popular choice for Halloween, although the results are not always satisfactory.

On Halloween, there are a lot of pumpkins, so if you want to stand out, you need to pay attention to your hair. There are several excellent choices for your hair, but most of them include the use of a temporary orange color. You may, for example, use a spray to transform your bun into a little pumpkin, produce gorgeous, defined waves, or just color your entire head of hair an orange tone. You will be the most distinctive pumpkin at the party if you wear these hairstyles.

7. Catrina Hairstyles

The Catrina costume is one of the most gorgeous you'll see on the street on Halloween, and it's growing increasingly popular as it appeals to everyone. You certainly perceive yourself disguised in this way. Makeup is so important in this costume that it makes no difference what clothes you wear. However, if you want it to appear well, you must be skilled at applying cosmetics and styling your hair.

When it comes to hair, there are numerous options, but placing flowers on your head is always a winner. And the brighter they are, the better. You can have a headband with many flower hairpins or single flower hairpins that you can wear depending on how you comb your hair. To complete the appearance, make sure your hair looks healthy to finish off the Catrina look.

8. Vampire Hairstyles

Are you dressing up as a vampire for Halloween? Do not just rely on cosmetics and clothing, because a hairdo is equally essential. If you want to stand out, try one of these hairstyles since they will look great with your costume.

To imitate a vampire's hairstyle, create two tiny bows or buns on either side of the head. This outfit also looks more genuine with spiky or combed hair. However, if there is a color associated with Dracula, it is blood red, therefore you may dye yourself or apply some reflections of this shade to yourself. Don't forget your fangs at home.

9. Medusa Hairstyles

If you are looking for an original costume, choose the Medusa one. Pumpkins, cats, vampires, corpse brides… there are usually many, but very few jellyfish. This mythological character is perfect as a Halloween costume because it can be very scary if it suits you.

In this case, the hair is essential because the costume would not be understood if you do not put some snakes in your mane. You can use a lot of hairspray to lift your hair up like lurking reptiles. You can also buy small toy snakes and thread them into your hair with different hooks and bobby pins. If you want to go easy, you can always do a lot of very small and fine braids or dye your hair green.

10. Unicorn Hairstyle for Halloween

The unicorn style is fashionable and looks great, so it is valid for Halloween as well as for any other day of the year. There are many ways to put your hair in this style, but the important thing is that it has the colors of the rainbow.

Would you dare to dye your hair just for tonight? Use a Hair chalk comb and make a ponytail updo to make it look like the unicorn's tail. If you have a good hand with hair, take a paper cone and wrap it with your own hair or extensions. It will look like you have a unicorn horn on top of your head.

My Childhood Halloween Memories

Halloween has always inspired me since I was 9 years old. My school used to hold a bonfire night every 31st October. Being a child, I have always enjoyed this holiday. The school used to have food stalls, music, open ground decorated with orange pumpkins and red lights. I still remember the beautiful decorations and the costumes we used to wear. None of my friends and I have ever missed the opportunity to dress like a real witch, a fairy, or a cute doll.

Even as an adult, the holiday continues to inspire me. I still prepare my costumes, makeup, and jewelry for Halloween. A superb hairdo, on the other hand, is something that many women overlook. Even if you dress as a witch, if you don't have a stunning hairdo, you've lost your charm, my darling. So, in this article, we will look at some of the most famous hairstyles for Halloween.

“Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.”

— William Shakespeare

Last Thoughts

So, pick a great hairstyle and dress up in a fantastic costume to become an unforgettable character this Halloween. Make it a night of the dead filled with chills and thrills. Make it eerie, spooky and enjoy it deadly. It won't return back before a year. Good luck!

References:

• Easy Halloween Hairstyles for the Last-Minute Costume Crammer
• 21+ Vampire Hairstyles Halloween
• Halloween Hairstyles: 7 Spooky, Cool Hair Ideas For Halloween
• Halloween 2021
• 20 Magical Unicorn Hair Looks to Try This Halloween
• Medusa Halloween Hair
• 10 of the Spookiest Halloween Hairstyles
• 17 Halloween Hairstyles to Complete Your Killer Costume

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Misbah Sheikh

Comments

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 08, 2021:

Thank you so much for your generosity, Zeenat. I'm glad you liked the hub. I know it can be difficult to find hubs in the feed at times. Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation. Much appreciated!

Blessings and Love to you!

Zeenat on October 08, 2021:

Hi Misbah

I have read your hub about Halloween makeup it’s too cool but I don’t know how to comment there so letting you know here. Thank you!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 06, 2021:

Thank you so much for your support, Nithya. I am glad you enjoyed reading it. Yes, a killer hairstyle is a must.

Take care and stay well.

Blessings to you!

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on October 05, 2021:

I enjoyed reading your article about hairstyles for Halloween. A stunning hairdo completes the look; I agree.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Hello, Rosina.

I'm delighted you liked it and thought it was creative. I had a great time creating this hub. It was fun. I'm working on another draft with the same theme, 'Halloween.' Hopefully, I'll be able to publish it tomorrow morning. Thank you for your kind and encouraging comment. I appreciate that! Take care and keep smiling.

Blessings and Love to you!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Hello, Amara. Dear sister, thank you so much for your sweet and generous words. I'm not sure why, but all of your comments are being sent to my spam comments section. That is very weird. I experienced the same thing approximately 5 or 6 months ago. The issue was at HP's end, and it was fixed after I sent them an email about it. Isn't it mysterious?

I am glad you enjoyed it. Gratitude, dear sister.

Blessings and Love to you!!

Rosina S Khan on October 05, 2021:

I really like your article about various hairstyles going with different costumes for Halloween. It is highly creative and fun to read. Thank you for sharing, Misbah.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Linda, thank you so much for your warm and encouraging response. I'm glad you liked it. I'll be publishing another one tomorrow with the same theme, "Halloween." I'm glad you enjoyed it. Gratitude!

Blessings and Love to you!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Yes, Devika the clock is ticking and guess what? Too fast. Halloween is back again. I am glad to see you after so long.

Thank you for your kind comment.

Blessings always!!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Thank you so much for your beautiful comment, Srushti. Yes, Halloween is a cool holiday. I always enjoy it. I am glad you enjoyed reading it.

Hugs and Love to you too

Amara from Pakistan on October 05, 2021:

Hi Misbah, you mentioned some unique, spooky, and interesting hairstyles ideas which will go well on Halloween. Well done.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on October 05, 2021:

You chose a great theme for an article! I love your ideas.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on October 05, 2021:

Misbah786 I like the ideas for such hairstyles. Halloween again it makes me see how time has flown by.

Srushti Gamit on October 05, 2021:

This article is so much fun to read Misbah!!

Braided cat ears and skeleton hair style is so cool.

Take care dear friend

Hugs and love to you

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Lol! Peggy, you are a very beautiful and kind soul. Thank you for your sweet comment. Enjoy and keep smiling.

Blessings and Lots of Love as always. :)

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Thank you so much for reading, Zeenat. Your enthusiasm for Halloween Night is quite visible in your comment. I am glad you liked it. Enjoy!

Blessings to you!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Thank you so much for your kind comment, Rozlin. I am glad you enjoyed it. Stay well, dear sister.

Blessings and Lots of Love to you!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on October 05, 2021:

For people with long hair, these hairstyles for Halloween would be fun. I would need a wig to pull most of them off. Ha! Enjoy your Halloween festivities this year.

Zeenat on October 05, 2021:

This is so cool. I loved the hairstyle ideas you suggested. I am definitely going to pick one of them. Thanks!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Ha Ha! Bredz, that spooks, I assume, will live on in internet indefinitely. LOL! That sounds so good that you dressed up as a cat last year. Yes, Halloween has been lost in space due to Covid. I'm hoping it'll be over soon. The situation in Spain is under control. I'm hoping we'll be able to celebrate it this year in Spain.

Thank you so much for the sweet comment. I enjoyed reading it.

Blessings and Love always!

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Flourish, I really enjoyed the excitement in your comment. Halloween is not only about wearing a costume, but it is about discovering the creativity and costume within ourselves. Yes, that black cat eyeliner will look wow!

Thank you so much for your sweet comment.

Love and Blessings to you, dear friend

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Eman, Thank you very much for your kind response. I am glad you the hairstyles to be amazing. Take care and stay well.

Blessings and Love, dear sister

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Thank you so much, Chitra Di. I always feel happy to hear from you. I am glad you found it interesting. Good makeup and hairdo are a must to bring out the real magic of the Halloween character. Much Gratitude! You, too, have a good day.

Blessings always!

Rozlin from UAE on October 05, 2021:

Interesting article on Halloween hairstyles, Misbah. It was fun reading. Thank you for sharing.

Blessings and love to you, dear sister.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 05, 2021:

Thank you so much for your kind and sweet comment, Pamela. Yes, a nice hairstyle always brings out more grace. I am glad you found it a fun read. Take care and stay happy.

Blessings and Love to you too.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on October 04, 2021:

Misbah

I dressed up like a black cat last year. Complete with ears & tail.

It was alot of fun.

I love those Skelton hair pins.

I'm not sure if I'll be dressing up this year.

Covid is on the rise again, so a get together is probably not gonna happen.

Let you know though.

And the spooks are still in cyberspace, i didn't get a message about this one.

FlourishAnyway from USA on October 04, 2021:

I am ALL about the cat ears hairstyle omg that is perfect. I’m not sure that I’ll even wait for Halloween! Add some black cat eyeliner and wow!

Nian from Pakistan on October 04, 2021:

An interesting article with amazing hairstyle ideas.

Many Love and Blessings.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on October 04, 2021:

Hello Misbah!

An interesting and well illustrated article. There are so many possibilities with the hair. I liked all those makeups and hairstyles suggested by you. An enjoyable read.

Thank you for sharing. A good day to you.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 04, 2021:

Hello, John.

I'm delighted you found it enjoyable to read. Yes, to bring out the charm, a terrific hairdo is extremely important. Lol! I had a lot of fun writing this article. It was fun. I enjoyed reading your wonderful response. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave such a positive comment. Much Gratitude, dear friend. God bless you and keep you safe. Amen!

Sending Blessings to you and your loved ones.

Misbah Sheikh (author) from The World of Rebels. on October 04, 2021:

Oh Gosh! No, Mr. Bill, you are extremely handsome. Ask Ms Bev if you don't believe me. Her gorgeous smile in your wedding video proves that I'm telling you the truth. You are a nice and generous friend. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave such a beautiful comment. All is well with me. I am happy today. I hope you are also doing well. Sir, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Blessings and regards to you and your family.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on October 04, 2021:

I able that a good hairstyle is important,and I enjoyed everything you wrote, Misbah. You surely listed a vast number of hairstyles for Halloween.

It was fun to read your article.

Much love and blessings,

John Hansen from Gondwana Land on October 04, 2021:

This is a very helpful article for the ladies to may their Halloween costumes really impress by adding a killer hair style to suit. It is amazing what you can do with a good head of hair. The only thing I could do would be wear a wig lol. Good job with this, Misbah. I am sure it was fun to write.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 04, 2021:

LOL...I don't have to change what I look like, or my hairstyle, for Halloween. I'm scary enough just the way I naturally am. :)

Fun read, my friend, and Happy Monday to you! I hope all is well with you.

Blessings and happiness always

I've spent half a century (yikes) writing for radio and print—mostly print. I hope to be still tapping the keys as I take my last breath.

The Origin of the Top Hat

Now used mostly only by aristocrats, people in dressage competitions, and magicians to produce concealed rabbits, the top hat was once an essential adornment among influential people and those who thought themselves important.

As with many fashion items, the day the top hat first saw the light of day is difficult to pin down. One origin is based on a story of doubtful authenticity that involved a haberdasher named John Hetherington stepping out onto the streets of London wearing a topper.

The narrative is attributed to both The Times and St. James's Gazette and has Hetherington surrounded by a crowd in awe of the "tall structure having a shining lustre, and calculated to frighten timid people" (The Times, allegedly). The story continues that, after a riot, charges were laid against Hetherington for breach of the peace.

It's more likely the top hat evolved from the sugarloaf, or capotain, hat that was popular headgear for women and men in the late 16th to mid-17th centuries. And, it's also likely that the bragging rights for inventing the chapeau in question was a man named George Dunnage, who turned one out of his hatter's shop in 1793.

By the early 19th century, the top hat had become the hat of choice for society gentlemen. It carried the stamp of approval from none other than George "Beau" Brummel, the fashion dandy and arbiter of good taste; if Beau Brummel wore a top hat, everybody had to wear it. The top hat became ubiquitous throughout the western world.

The Making of a Top Hat

The beavers were tasked with donating their lives and fur, no doubt unwillingly, to manufacture high hats. The animal's pelt was felted in a process that was extremely hazardous to the hatters doing it.

The fur was separated from the skin, matted together, and subjected to a process called "carroting." The fur was pressed and shrunk using steam and mercuric nitrate. The felt was then shaped into the desired conical form and stiffened with glue.

The process gave off mercury vapour that was breathed in by the hatters, causing mercury poisoning.

Medicinenet.com tells us mercury poisoning can cause a host of unpleasant things to happen, such as "Tremors, emotional changes, insomnia, weakness, and muscle atrophy . . ."

Another noticeable symptom is a decline in cognitive function, giving rise to the phrase "mad as a hatter."

Silk Top Hats

During the 1830s, a huge sigh of relief passed in the beaver community as the silk top hat hit the market. The new hats were made on a frame of cheesecloth, flannel, and linen made rigid by shellac. Then, they were covered by black silk.

Brims got wider, and then they were made narrower; some hats became tapered while others had a lower crown. Then, they got taller, reaching 12 inches or more. This created an entirely new occupation, the theatre hatter-checker, so gentlemen could leave their headgear and not obstruct the view of audience members.

But, the Frenchman Antoine Gibus ruined that line of work by inventing the spring-loaded opera hat that squashed down to an inch or so in height.

Today, top hats are essentially back to being made of felt, with the grey version becoming more popular for slightly less formal occasions. Woe betide the man who turns up at a very formal event in a grey topper; such a bounder might well be asked to resign from his club.

The Decline of the Top Hat

By the start of the 20th century, the topper began to be pushed aside by the bowler hat, fedora, and boater. As fashion lecturer, Alice Payne notes in The Conversation, “The top hat became associated with Victorian stuffiness and formality, and was pulled out only for strictly formal occasions: weddings, the opera, garden parties, Ascot.”

Top hats are also required headgear on February 2 every year when Shubenacadie Sam, Wiarton Willie, Punxsutawney Phil, and all the other weather-forecasting groundhogs are dragged out of their burrows to predict the onset of spring.

The topper held on in a few bastions of privilege. In the rigidly formal world of diplomacy, top hats were required during official ceremonies. All the Japanese delegates to the signing of the surrender at the end of World War II incongruously wore top hats. John F. Kennedy was the last American President to wear a topper at his inauguration.

The Top Hat in Popular Culture

Wilkins Micawber is the optimistic but often bungling character in Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield who is always confident that something will turn up. He is always portrayed wearing a top hat and was modeled by Dickens's father, who also found himself in debtor's prison.

The Micawber character inspired an early British comic strip about a lazy, top-hatted schemer named Ally Sloper.

Moving right along, Ally Sloper reappeared in 1915 in the persona of W.C. Fields's onstage performances as the boozy swindler looking to make a dishonest dollar. Fields, of course, wore a top hat, tails and carried a cane. In the 1930 film version of David Copperfield, who should play Mr. Micawber? W.C. Fields, of course.

Satirists have loved the top hat as a symbol of wealth and privilege—think Monopoly's Rich Uncle Pennybags, Disney's Scrooge McDuck. Whenever there is a need for an image to depict capitalism, the trusty top hat is called upon.

Many entertainers have used the top hat as a prop, from Marlene Dietrich's 1930 movie Morocco to Slash, the one-time lead guitarist with Guns N' Roses. And, perhaps, one of the last times a topper was used without irony was in the eponymous movie Top Hat.

Bonus Factoids

• According to Quirky Science, urine was frequently used in making felt because it is nitrogen-rich. Hat makers sometimes used their own urine if the pee donor was being treated for syphilis. The standard therapy for that disease in the 19th century was to dose the patient with mercurous chloride some of which would make it way into the urine and aid in the felting process.
• Reacting to change with bewildering speed, Britain's House of Commons ceased the daily use of top hats. That was in 1998.

Sources

• “Did the Mad Hatter Have Mercury Poisoning?” H.A. Waldron, British Medical Journal, December 24, 1961.
• “Mercury Poisoning Definition and Facts.” John H. Cunha, medicinenet.com, December 10, 2019.
• “The Story of … the Top Hat, Alice Payne, The Conversation, May 7, 2014.
• “The Top Hat: Its History and Popularity.” Geri Walton, April 10, 2014.
• “Top Hat: An Intriguing History of the Topper.” The Field, June 6, 2017.
• “Mad Hatters, Felt, and Mercury.” quirkyscience.com, June 11, 2012.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Rupert Taylor

Comments

Rupert Taylor (author) from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada on October 12, 2021:

Yes indeed, silly hats

However, I did once wear one (rented) as I was an usher at a friends rather posh wedding.

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on October 12, 2021:

"silly looking hat"? I ginggle. It seems you would not like me dressed in one.

MariaMontgomery from Coastal Alabama, USA on October 12, 2021:

Thanks for a well-written and informative article. We don't think of top hats very often these days, but it was fun looking back on their history. I enjoyed reading it.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on October 12, 2021:

Now I know where the term, "mad as a hatter" comes from. Pretty interesting history of this silly looking hat, Rupert!

Joanne Hayle from Wiltshire, U.K. on October 01, 2021:

Thanks for the information...enjoyed reading this:-)

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on September 29, 2021:

Rupert, the read is a delightful. The hat looks beautiful and comical on the head. The men who wears them seems to be jovial always. Thanks for sharing.

Walter Shillington writes about products he knows firsthand. His articles focus on healthcare, electronics, watches, and household items.

Review of the Citizen Eco-Drive Brycen Chronograph

Watch collectors strongly favor mechanical timepieces. If you ask us why, we lovingly describe the craftmanship required to accurately measure time using dozens of tiny mechanical gears, a rotor, and—to power it all—a tightly coiled spring.

But there is another reason. Every week I pull a new watch from my collection and strap it around my wrist. And there is nothing more disheartening than picking through a selection of great-looking timepieces, desperately hunting for one with a working battery.

Quartz watches, however, do sell very well. They are light, accurate, inexpensive, and often include cool features that cannot be incorporated into their mechanical brethren.

Today I am taking a close look at a quartz watch that, according to its manufacture, is designed to alleviate the need to replace its battery.

Description

The Citizen Brycen Chronograph is truly an international watch. It was designed in Japan, manufactured in China, and is powered by a capacitor fabricated in Indonesia.

This timepiece weighs in at 75 grams. It is 13.6 millimeters thick and has a circumference of 42 millimeters. This black-faced analog watch features two light gray subdials and a tiny window that displays the day of the month.

The main hands of this timepiece note the hour and minutes and record elapsed seconds when the chronograph is activated. The upper subdial records elapsed minutes. The bottom subdial keeps track of the passing seconds.

Eco-Drive watches collect natural and artificial light and then convert it to the electrical energy required to recharge the timepiece’s power cell.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Citizen
• Name: Brycen Chronograph
• Model: CA7027-08E
• Crystal type: Mineral
• Clasp type: Buckle
• Display type: Analog
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Case diameter: 42 millimeters
• Case thickness: 13.6 millimeters
• Band: Black leather
• Band width: 21 millimeters
• Dial color: Black with light gray subdials
• Bezel material: Stainless steel
• Bezel function: Stationary; Tachymeter
• Features: Chronograph and day of month
• Movement: Citizen B642N Eco-Drive
• Power cell: Panasonic MT920
• Water resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)

The Manufacturer

This company is trademarked by Citizen Tokei Kabushiki Kaisha of Japan.

Visual Appeal

The Brycen Chronograph is an attractive, if somewhat understated, timepiece. The upper dial is black, with silver studs marking each hour, and includes two circular cut-outs and a small window.

A pair of subdials and a date wheel are mounted to the lower level of this sandwich-style dial. I assume that the remainder of the lower dial consists of tiny solar cells.

The case is composed of stainless steel and topped off by a rather bulbous crystal.

While I like the overall design of this watch, I feel that the effect would have been more striking if the subdials had been colored white rather than gray.

The Eco-Drive System

First introduced by Citizen in 1996, Eco-Drive watches took advantage of several technological advances that resulted in smaller power cells and longer operating times.

Solar cells are mounted beneath a translucent dial. The light captured is then converted to energy and used to power the movement and charge its battery.

According to Citizen, a fully charged power cell store can store enough energy to keep the watch running for six months.

The Movement

This timepiece is equipped with an Eco-Drive B642M movement powered by a Panasonic MT920 rechargeable capacitor.

Power Source

The Citizen Brycen Chronograph requires either natural or artificial light which is collected by a set of solar cells hidden beneath its dial. This light is converted into energy which is used to both power and charge the watch.

It is equipped with a replaceable Panasonic MT920 rechargeable capacitor. The MT920 is a manganese/lithium/titanium cell with a nominal voltage of 1.5v and a capacity of 5.0 mAh.

The Strap

A good quality black leather strap with a stainless-steel buckle nicely matches the case of this chronometer.

Features

The Citizen CA7027-08E features a chronometer and a day of the month function. It is water-resistant for up to 100 meters.

Overall Impression

This is a well-designed timepiece manufactured by a company with an enviable reputation for quality. It is accurate, includes a very effective chronometer, and is fitted with an Eco-Drive system that removes the need for battery replacement. The Citizen CA7027-08E is recommended.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Walter Shillington

I have loved handbags for as long as I can remember. Let me help you pick out your dream bag!

Understated Luxury Handbags

Are you tired of gold or silver-toned logos and excessive branding of designer bags? Sometimes, a well-made subtle purse is all you need to define your personal style!

This list of the eight understated handbags will have you running towards the mall!

1. Celine Classic Box

Celine was a very refined brand before the departure of its creative director, Phoebe Philo. Phoebe is responsible for elevating the brand to its popularity today. With iconic pieces like the Classic Box, belts, luggage, women everywhere want to get their hands on at least one Celine product.

Out of their entire line, the Classic Box is definitely one of the most understated designer bags with a very simple yet classy design. The Box bag is structured with a little clasp in the front. And that's it! No other unnecessary designs or excessive branding. This is a truly understated designer handbag that you can wear forever!

2. Loewe Hammock

Loewe is a Spanish brand that is known for its understated leather handbags and accessories. The Loewe Hammock is inspired by an actual hammock!

J. W. Anderson is a talented designer who can make a hammock look like an understated luxurious handbag. This purse comes in three different sizes, medium, small, and mini. With a crossbody strap and handles, you can wear this handbag in several different ways. With lots of colors and color combinations to pick from, you will for sure find the perfect Hammock for your lifestyle and needs. But if you don't love this particular bag, you have other options at Loewe.

3. Louis Vuitton Alma in Epi Leather

Do you think of their iconic monogram when you think of Louis Vuitton?

The Alma in epi leather is a leather bag with a tiny embossed LV logo at the bottom. If you don't look carefully, you can't even find this logo. This understated yet classy bag is so perfect for both young and mature women. With the popularity of small bags in recent years, the Alma bb in epi leather is just the perfect arm candy!

4. A.P.C Grace

Do you love the Celine Classic Box but don't want to spend that kind of money? Well, the A.P.C. Grace bag is an excellent alternative.

This bag is simple and elegant, just like the Celine but at less than 1/4 of the price. With full leather and many different colors to pick from, the Grace is definitely a super understated classic that many women love.

Pick the biggest Grace for a roomy bag that allows you to carry the essentials and many more things. Go for the medium size for women that want to carry all their essentials comfortably. The smallest Grace bag only allows you to carry a small wallet and squeeze in your smartphone.

5. Chloe Marcie

Chloe is a relatively young brand in the world of luxury handbags. However, its designs are on par with established luxury brands.

There are many iconic styles from the house of Chloe. Actually, most bags from Chloe are very understated. With no visible logos that clearly identify Chloe to anyone, Chloe purses are known for their expert use of leather. The Chloe Marcie bag comes in several different sizes for all lifestyles and needs.

6. Marni Trunk

Do you like structured handbags? The Marni Trunk is a beautifully structured handbag that comes in two different sizes. The large size is more for every day because of its roomy interior. The small size is perfect for those who are either following the current fashion trend or don't have a lot of stuff.

Although not well known in the mainstream, this brand has a very loyal cult following. With no logos or any noticeable designer branding, only a true bag lover will recognize this bag.

7. J.W. Anderson Keyts Leather Cross Body

J. W. Anderson is a very talented young designer. He revived Loewe and designed several sought-after bags for the Spanish brand.

Aside from his well-loved designs at Loewe, Anderson created his own brand under his name. The Keyts leather bag is understated with full leather and a delicate metal key and chain as the opening clasp for the bag.

8. Polène Numéro Neuf

Polène is mainly known for their iconic little backpack. However, other styles from Polène are just as cute.

The Numéro Neuf is a handheld and crossbody style bag that is very versatile. Using supple leather, this purse looks very luxurious and expensive, even without any branding or logo. Best of all, the Polène brand's price point is very reasonable. Most of their purses are under 500 dollars.

Lunnoire is an aspiring writer and high school student at First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH).

Why Did I Order?

"Thank U Next," one of the newer flankers on Ariana Grande's fragrance line, is a perfume with the theme of the same-named album. The public views it as one of the key highlight points of Grande's music career.

I ordered this fragrance in the body mist version on an online store instead of a local shop. The delivery took about four days. I ordered the body mist variation of this fragrance; it does not come with a box.

I ordered the body mist instead of the full-sized EDP to save money on a fragrance that I had not tried before. Furthermore, a benefit of trying out a fragrance in a body mist version is that you don't have to spend too much money to try the fragrance out, which is precisely my case.

In this review, I'll be rating:

• The packaging
• The scent itself
• The price
• My overall impression

The Packaging

Since the one I ordered was a body mist variation of this fragrance, this does not come with a box. Upon delivery, it was nicely wrapped in bubble wrap, preventing any damage caused by the shipping and delivery of the product. I was quite satisfied that the product did not sustain any dents or signs of damage.

Overall, the packaging of this product is a plus!

The Bottle

The body mist's packaging comes in a bottle we usually see in fellow fragrance brands such as Victoria's Secret or Bath and Body Works.

The fragrance came in a tall, bright pink bottle, with the name embossed at the center. The lid is notably translucent when compared to the rest of the bottle.

It also features a heart in the design of the body mist, as well as all the necessary information at the back of the bottle. The bottle's design looks sleek, with the minimalistic style, as it features a "glitchy"-effect on the product name and with its frosted lid.

It is simple yet girly.

Since I am a fan of product design and graphic design, I appreciate the attention to detail of the designers of this product, as they stayed consistent with the look of Ariana's same-named album.

The Scent

The fragrance is a fruity-gourmand fragrance marketed for women. Once received, I already got a whiff of the fragrance while opening the bubble-wrapped body mist. The scent was feminine and chic.

In the case of the notes of this fragrance, the first thing I noticed is that it smells strongly of raspberry. Since I happen to be a fan of fruity fragrances, I was immediately drawn to that note. It has this cotton-candy scent, sweet and feminine.

Along with the raspberry, you will also notice pear, as these two are both the fragrance's top notes. The pear plays a crucial role in making the fragrance fruity and fresh.

The middle notes include coconut and pink rose. You will definitely smell the coconut slowly peeking in as more time passes as the fragrance evaporate on the wrist. The pink rose provides a floral base and is not as strong as the other notes. In a few hours, the coconut is much more robust, though I still won't consider it a summer-beach scent to wear.

The base notes are macarons and musk. The macarons gave this fragrance a bakery feel, something you would notice when you enter a pastry shop, while the musk provides longevity to the fragrance.

Personally, I think this perfume is similar to one of Ariana's first perfume flankers, "Ari" and "Sweet Like Candy," as they are sugary and girly.

Is It Worth the Money?

In my opinion, the body mist is a great deal. Since body mists are much more inexpensive compared to the EDP variations, you can try this fragrance without hurting your wallet too much.

Furthermore, as the body mist has 236ml of perfume in it, this should last you a long time as well. This is great because if you are unsure if you would like the fragrance, you can simply buy a body mist instead of an EDP, which sometimes can get overpriced.

In conclusion, I recommend this for value-oriented customers who would like to try the fragrance out.

My Thoughts

Overall, "Thank U Next" is a fun, flirty, and feminine fragrance, definitely marketed for the younger ones, though I wouldn't think otherwise if older women would want to wear this too.

Please bear in mind this is a very sweet and gourmand-y fragrance, with a touch of floral from the rose. All in all, this product is essential to my fragrance collection and something I would want to incorporate into the fragrances I wear on a daily basis.

I will absolutely buy the full-sized EDP one once I get to finish this body mist, which I'm sure is not a lot of time, given how I am basically addicted to the scent.

Who is Ariana Grande?

Ariana Grande is an American superstar, whom is widely known in the field of music. Ariana Grande has been in businesses like fragrance and with her upcoming "R.E.M. Beauty", she ventures in makeup as well. Ariana Grande has earned over a whopping $150 million from her fragrance line, as her fragrances managed to be extremely successful. One of her fragrances, called "Thank U, Next" is part of the newer products from her perfume line, and in this article, we will talk about the product.

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.

Alyssa is a wife, mom, and coffee enthusiast who loves sharing her favorite lifestyle tips with the world.

How to Fix a Broken Paddle Hair Brush

My hair is long and thick. Most days, I love it, but there are times when I seriously consider chopping it all off. It's prone to tangling, and brushing it out can be a real chore. I used a pic for many years, and then I upgraded to a wide-toothed comb meant for curly hair. The comb is amazing for wet hair, but I needed a brush. Last year, I found this paddle brush. It cut detangling time in half and worked well. That is until my hair declared war. Over the past few months, my hair managed to dislodge the bristles, and the brush started coming apart. I didn't want to purchase a new one, so I set out to fix this one.

Using my trusty hot glue gun, I managed to get it back together. Three months later, it's still working great! Because of this, I decided to share my process just in case you encounter the same issue.

Repair Instructions

1. The first thing to do is completely remove the rubber with bristles from the plastic backing and handle.
2. Remove all hair and debris from the bristles. Run this piece under warm water and use a toothbrush to clean in between the bristles.
3. Lay flat on a paper towel and allow the rubber to completely dry.
4. Remove all the glue from the plastic and make sure the inside of the backing is as clean as possible. I used a Phillips head screwdriver and a can of compressed air to get as much of the old glue out as possible.
5. Using a hot glue gun and Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks, run a thin line of glue around the plastic on the inside of the backing. Start at the top and quickly work your way around.
6. Gently, but quickly, push the rubber back into the plastic.
7. Moving the bristles gently out of the way, run another thin line of hot glue around the seam where the rubber and plastic meet.
8. Allow the glue to completely dry before using your brush.

© 2021 Alyssa

Comments

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on September 16, 2021:

It's so frustrating, isn't it? I hope this helps in the future. Have a wonderful weekend!

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on September 16, 2021:

Isn't it annoying Denise? Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on September 16, 2021:

Aren't hot glue guns amazing? I have two now and feel unstoppable haha! Thanks Peggy! Have a wonderful weekend!

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on September 16, 2021:

Thank you Pamela!

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on September 16, 2021:

hahaha! Thanks Bill!

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on September 15, 2021:

Ugh! I hate it when your brush breaks & you are in the middle of using it.

My hair is long also. Not as long as yours though..since mine has curls.

Great job telling us how to fix it.

Denise McGill from Fresno CA on September 15, 2021:

Very practical advice. I've had this happen to me many times when my hair was longer.

Blessings,

Denise

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on September 15, 2021:

Hot glue guns are an amazing tool, and it is good to know that the Gorilla hot glue sticks have kept your brush intact. Thanks, Alyssa.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on September 15, 2021:

This is a practical article that will probably help someone who has a problem with their paddle brush. I don't have a brush like that one, but it is always good to know how to repair things. Thank you Alyssa.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on September 15, 2021:

Well there we go! I now know infinitely more about paddle brushes than I did in the past, thanks to you. :) Happy Wednesday, Alyssa!

Prachi is a fashion designer and lifestyle blogger who likes to travel.

Shackets Are the New Trend

As we relish each and every moment of summer, elusive signs point to the fact that layering season is nearby.

Undoubtedly, a wardrobe upgrade is a must, especially for winter! Having said that, a new wardrobe essential for winters has already made its way into our closet and our hearts — the shacket!

Wait, What Is a Shacket?

The term "shacket" has been in Vogue recently, but no need to over-intellectualize.

Shackets are fundamentally; the combination of a shirt and a jacket. Shackets are a hybrid fashion piece characterized by their oversized look and fit.

They are super easy to layer with and can be worn with any outfit for that preeminent look. They are usually a kind of button-down men’s overshirt with long sleeves and warm lining. It is usually a little bit longer and heavier than a regular shirt, with pockets mainly on the outside. With various fabric blends available such as wool, denim, plaid, checked patterns, neutral solids, bold neon, and even leather, they are one of those clothing pieces that you can get in various styles.

With their increasing acceptance globally, designers are implementing many ways to style this hybrid fashion item for the upcoming autumn/winter season. They are becoming the latest trend bubbling up everywhere.

Why Wear a Shacket?

There is perhaps no other outfit than shacket that better summarizes the idea of staying comfortable during the transition between seasons. It is presently our favorite summer-to-fall outerwear piece; (my sincere apologies to the denim jacket)!

Shackets are heavier than your regular shirt but more sheer and thin than your usual winter coat; therefore, it is appropriate to wear them with an overcoat or turtleneck.

The prevalent thick wool and leather blends make them perfect for rough falls or extreme winters. Whereas a nylon and cotton blend shacket is an ideal pick for the rainy season. In the summers, try a linen shacket with a midi dress.

The lightweight fabric construction is just flawless for warm days and a contemporary twist to the classic attire. Similarly, adding the layer of an overshirt jacket over a tank top will elevate your style instantly.

All these factors make shackets an all-season fashion item. Moreover, you can wear anything under a shacket, from a blazer to a t-shirt. From playful motifs and pops of color to soft and muted pastels, they add an ultimate dash of glamour to any ensemble.

If you want to experiment with something edgy and exciting yet remain professional, shackets are your go-to outfit.

Are there different Types Of Shackets?

Yes!

Women’s shackets come in all shapes and sizes. From light and overlapped to lined and textured, there is always one available for every occasion.

Plaid Shackets

If you are looking for a more minimalist look this season, plaid shackets are your thing.

You can find plaid patterns in an assortment of designs and patterns. From old-style tartans and classic checks to attractive tattersall- plaid shackets will add an autumnal aesthetic to your outfit.

Choose details like sherpa-lined Corduroy collars and raw-edge hems for that superfluous edge, or for that chic style, pick a classic checker and wear it with a dress.

Oversized Shackets

When talking about shackets, getting boxy and big fits is a top priority. An oversized shacket that easily layers over sweaters.

Search for long, loose fleece shackets that drape effortlessly over dresses and surging silhouettes. Extra style points for loose shackets as they add a perfect dimension to those tight-fitted silhouettes.

No matter your style mantra, with a considerable fit, a shacket is the fall layering essential.

Flannel Shackets

Flannel shackets are the perfect solution for all your unplanned layering needs. Embrace your comfiest soft pastel flannel shacket on a rainy day for that lazy and cozy vibes.

It's easy enough to wear them together with your most casual outfits; however, flannel shackets also can be dressed up with high-waisted shorts, a loose t-shirt, and ankle-length boots.

How to Style a Shacket

Still wondering how to wear a shacket?

Well, you can wear a shacket with practically anything and everything. With the variation in hues, textures, prints, and silhouettes, you have a plethora of style options with a shacket.

Here are a few options:

• Wear your shacket with a cute plaid skirt, and your favourite sneakers. I love how the shacket offers that kind of androcentric vibe to any cute girl outfit.
• If you didn’t know yet: flare pants are ‘back in the game.’ Pair them with a neutral-toned shacket to finish the look
• Team up your shacket with a pair of ripped jeans for that casual, off-duty vibe!
• And last but not the least, this one is my fav! Wear your favorite shacket over a t-shirt dress. An all-time classic!
• From powerful prints, color pops to soft neutrals; this season include an array of shackets in your closet to level up your style quotient.

Are you all set to ace the skill of layering with a shacket?

© 2021 Prachi Srivastava

Comments

Prachi Srivastava (author) from India on September 14, 2021:

Indeed...It is!

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on September 14, 2021:

Interesting trend.

Amber has written about fashion and design, beauty, and skin care for several years.

How to Make a Makeup Kit

When you first begin to learn how to do makeup for beginners, you’re going to be bombarded with products. There are so many different types of eyeliner, eyeshadow, and even lipstick that it can be hard to figure out what to buy. Not to mention trying to figure out whether you need bronzer or highlighter! Take a deep breath. This comprehensive makeup for a beginner kit list will help you have the ideal beginner’s makeup kit with all of the essentials.

Three Tips to Build the Perfect Makeup Kit for Beginners

Building your makeup kit is not going to happen overnight. As you explore the world of makeup, you’ll discover new products that you love and want to add. You’ll also wind up tossing a few products that simply do not meet your standards. It’s important not to rush out and buy everything on a list. Instead, keep these tips in mind to create the perfect makeup kit for you.

1. Pick What Type of Products You Need

   There’s no point in picking up mascara or an eyelash curler if your eyelashes are so full that you won’t use them. However, if you love playing with lipstick and want to learn to do lipstick art, consider picking up more than two tubes of lipstick. One important thing for every beginner to remember is that there are no rules to makeup. You can do, or not do, whatever you like.

2. Start With the Basics

   Likewise, you want to make sure that you get at least the basics of makeup products. You won’t jump into doing a full face of makeup overnight. Since you’ll start doing your makeup with the basics, it’s only important that you get the basics for makeup.

3. Learn a Little Bit at a Time

   One of the biggest mistakes that beginners make is when they want to jump right into the world of makeup and learn everything they possibly can. Watching hours of YouTube videos about how to do makeup or product reviews for makeup products will make you feel burnt out. There is so much information out there it would take months to learn it all, even if you studied every day. Because of that, you need to take your time. Check out different videos and websites for makeup tips for beginners. Focus on one thing at a time, such as your eyebrows. You’ll be doing a full face of makeup before you know it!

What to Include in Your Makeup Kit

This is a comprehensive list for every beginner that includes the basics you will need for a full face of makeup. Keep in mind your individual preferences instead of simply buying everything on the list. For example, if you’re not a fan of foundation, do not buy it thinking you’ll use it later. Instead, wait until you’re ready to use foundation to pick some up.

Makeup Brushes and Tools

In order to apply makeup for a beginner properly, you need to have the right tools for the job. Pick up a makeup brush set with various makeup brushes to ensure that you have everything you need.

Other tools you will want to consider include:

• A makeup mirror (a magnifying makeup mirror is a must if you have poor eyesight)
• Beauty blender
• Eyelash curler
• Eyebrow spoolie

You can use a brush instead of a beauty blender, but beauty blenders are easier to use, so you should pick one up if you plan on using foundation.

Face Primer

Primer is applied after your moisturizer but before your foundation. You can use strobe cream as a primer, too. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizing Primer is a wonderful product for beginners. It works well for all skin types. This primer helps minimize the appearance of pores. It also can be worn by itself for a smoother complexion! You can find it on Amazon, Sephora, or by doing a quick Google search.

Foundation and Concealer

Your skin shades will change over time, so it is recommended that you have various shades of foundation and concealer in your makeup kit for beginners.

Start off with a shade of foundation that matches your skin tone now. Your foundation should match your jawline, not your neck or chest.

Your concealer should be two shades lighter than your foundation. However, if you use concealer to cover pimples, pick up a shade that is two shades darker to cover the darker spots.

If this is your first time buying a foundation and you are feeling a bit lost, head to your local Sephora or Ulta. The customer service experts will be happy to help you find a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly!

Eyebrow Pencil and Gel

There are a lot of eyebrow products out there. The easiest to use is an eyebrow pencil. Use this to fill in sparse areas, and then set the look with an eyebrow gel.

Black Eyeliner

Black eyeliner is always a great go-to option. Pick up an Urban Decay 24/7 glide on pencil (available at Sephora) for a seamless look that is easy for beginners. After you get the hang of how to wear eyeliner for beginners, you can try out the other eyeliner options on the market.

Mascara

Thrive mascara is a great vegan option that you can find at Sephora! It goes on evenly, rarely clumps, and is perfect for your eyelashes regardless of how thin or thick they are. If you’re not a fan of this mascara, you still need one black mascara in your makeup kit. This is another one of the must-have makeup products that you don’t want to leave out of your kit.

Lip Color

Lip color is one of the easiest things to apply, so which makeup products you use depends on your personal preference. Pick up a lip gloss for a glossy shine. Lipsticks are always great. (A nude lipstick is always on my vanity.) Browse through makeup products to find a lip color that you love, and go with that. Make sure that you buy at least one classic color that you can wear with anything, such as a pink or nude shade.

Blush, Highlighter, and Bronzer

These are optional, but they’re awesome to have some fun with, even if you’re just learning how to do makeup for beginners. TheBalm has a small compact that includes one of each, so you won’t go broke just to find out that you purchased several products you don’t like.

Eyelid Primer

Before applying eyeshadow, you need to prime your lids just like you do your face. Because of that, make sure that you pick up a great eyelid primer, like Urban Decay or Stuck On You.

Eyeshadow Palette

If you’re just getting started out with makeup, you don’t need several different eyeshadow palettes. One eyeshadow palette with several neutral shades is essential, though. Make sure that your palette has at least ten different colors to give you plenty of options.

Setting Products

Setting products are makeup products that help keep your makeup in place. Some people prefer to use a setting powder. These are wonderful for anyone with an oily skin type of T zone. If you don’t have oily skin, you’ll be fine with a setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter. Setting sprays are easy for a beginner to use.

Makeup Remover

If you make a mistake, and you’re bound to make a few as a beginner, you’ll need to be able to wipe it off. Even if your makeup is flawless after your first try, you still need to be able to wash it all off at the end of the night. Make sure that you pick up some makeup remover wipes. These won’t substitute properly cleansing your face, but they are a lot better than sleeping in makeup. They are essential for cleaning up mistakes, too.

Are You Ready to Build Your Makeup Kit?

Ensuring that you have these makeup products in your beginner makeup kit will guarantee that you can look amazing! You’ll have the makeup basics that you need to learn a few things about makeup too.

However, practice always makes perfect, and soon enough, you'll be a pro!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

A keen house proud house dweller who wants to share her tips on cleaning.

How to Clean Yellow Shoe Soles

After time you will notice that your trainers will begin to yellow at the soles, even if you only stick to wearing them on dry days and pavements. This is natural for a lot of trainers and white-soled shoes.

Trainers and other footwear tend to go yellow because of the natural reaction of oxidation. This occurs when your soles touch water, accelerating the oxidation process, meaning your trainers go yellower faster.

It’s best to avoid water the best you can; however, the process can usually be reverted should they become yellow.

Before you start any of the cleaning processes below, wipe down your trainers, so they are clean and dry ready to apply the whitening treatments.

So without further ado, here are some of our favorite concoctions to get your trainers and footwear looking brand new and pristine white once more. We are going to discuss the five following cleaning methods:

1. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
2. Baking Powder and Washing Detergent
3. Toothpaste
4. Using a Professional Shoe Cleaner

1. Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda

Make a paste using hydrogen peroxide & baking soda, ensuring you don’t make it too watery. Hydrogen peroxide can be bought from most supermarkets or on amazon.

Then using an old toothbrush, scrub the paste onto the white sections of your shoes and where they are most yellowing. Leave for a few minutes, ideally in direct sunlight, to help bleach them back to pristine white.

Rinse off, and they should be back to looking new. If the results aren’t as white as you would like, repeat the process, leaving it on for a little longer.

2. Baking Powder & Washing Detergent

Baking powder is well known for getting your trainers sparkly white, so for this mixture, we’ve used it again along with some washing detergent too.

Ideally, it’s best to use white-specific washing detergent rather than generic color washing powder. Most people will have this in their utility room, though.

Follow these steps:

1. Mix one part of baking powder into two parts of washing powder - you will properly only need a teaspoon for quantity.
2. Add a drop of water so that the powders form a paste - remember you can always add more water, but you will struggle to take it away without losing the mixture, so go careful.
3. Once you have the mixture, apply it to the yellowing soles using a toothbrush, scrubbing as you work your way along.
4. Putting your shoes in a sealed plastic bag will help avoid the oxidation process, which makes your footwear yellow in the first place.
5. Leave to dry for around 30 minutes or longer so that the mixture has time to dry completely. Wash off using warm water and a sponge where you should reveal pristine white soles once more.

If you feel your trainers could do with another round of treatment, repeat the process once more to make them whiter.

3. Toothpaste

This toothpaste option works best on mildly yellow soles and is a nice safe option to begin with, as some of the other options can be a little abrasive. If your trainers are stained, using some other methods may be more effective, though.

Follow these steps:

1. Apply some toothpaste (ideally pure white toothpaste, not the kind with blue particles) onto an old toothbrush and work into the areas of the yellowing trainers.
2. Leave this to soak in, ideally in direct sunlight, to help with the bleaching process.
3. Wash off with warm water and keep repeating the process if your trainers still look a little yellow.

If you need to do this process again, try scrubbing a little harder and leaving on for longer; this should help get them cleaner.

4. Professional Shoe Cleaner

There are many professional shoe cleaning solutions on the market, specially formulated to combat yellowing soles to make them white again.

Choosing a trusted name is always a good route to go down, such as ‘Kiwi White Shoe Cleaner’. This is created with a built-in sponge applicator, where the solution is squeezed through the sponge, directly onto the shoes.

All individual professional shoe cleaning solutions will have their own instructions to ensure you get the best results. This tends to be a very quick and easy option with most having a built-in sponge applicator and ready-mixed solution, which is great for some on-the-go quick cleaning.

Going for a specific ‘trainer whitener’ or specific to the types of shoes you are trying to make less yellow will be a good way to go too, rather than going for more of a generic shoe cleaner.

Say Bye to Yellowing Soles!

The results from any of these methods can vary as to how long or often you should be cleaning your yellowing soles. The best advice is to stay away from water to slow down the oxidation process so that you shouldn’t have to clean them as often.

It also depends on how often you wear them and how often you will have to clean them. It is best to clean them once they have a hint of yellow, rather than leaving them until they get very yellow and the stains are much more stubborn to remove.

I hope this has given you some good tips to removing those nasty yellowing stains and have those shop-bought pristine white trainers once more. Should you have any questions or may have some of your own concoctions to getting your trainers white from a yellowing sole, please do get in touch.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Carlyn Hayes

Sylvia Sky, astrologer, Tarot reader, and gemstone enthusiast, is a widely published author of books and articles about spiritual matters.

The Handbag Universe

A just-right handbag feels like a gift from the heavens. When you find one that pleases you, life is grand!

There are so many choices at a huge range of price points that choosing a new bag can be overwhelming. Sun-sign astrology is about your personality, and ideally, your handbag must match your personality.

Aries: The Totally New Concept

“The bag from outer space,” with a uniquely sculpted shape, color, or graphic design, appeals to the Aries. It will likely be a trend-setting work of art. It might echo a classic shape, like the gym bag or bowling-ball bag, or, as above, the bangle. It will be crafted in a surprising way or with unheard-of materials.

Taurus: Only the Best, for Spiritual Reasons

Someone must be buying the handbags that cost thousands and are so envied by everyone on the planet that they are favorite targets of thieves.

Taurus will love and guard their Louis Vuitton/Gucci/Prada/Bottega Veneta/Chanel accessory. To ask a Taurus to surrender their valuables is like asking them to surrender their values!

Gemini

A handsome clutch purse, lightweight and streamlined, satisfies the Gemini who likes a pick-up-and-go purse, not one requiring hauling up from the floor or shrugging onto the shoulder.

One hand on the purse at all times is a silent, clever signal to those around Gemini not to ask her to do anything requiring two hands. Geminis will have wonderfully glittery silver, pearly, or iridescent evening bags for walking those red carpets.

Cancer: A Heart So Big They Love All Shapes and Textures

This gentle heart admires the soft-sided pillow bag, moon bag, or a pouch of maple-colored suede with long fringes, or the hand-beaded reticule, usually bought at a cute little shop.

Because Cancers wander, they might choose a sizeable tote made of quilted fabric, carpet fabric, or denim for everyday convenience. Their compassion is the reason for their preference for fabric or suede.

Leo: My Designer Bag and Rippling Mane

Buy the eel-skin or python handbag for your Leo Sun or Leo ascendant. Those whom the gods have gifted with a Leo Sun or Leo ascendant prefer to receive their (costly, exotic) handbags as tributes and presents from their mates or entourage.

Gold-tone only, please. The Leo’s purse must draw attention to itself and stun. Scuffed, stretched, or worn purses are not an old friend to Leo. They are chucked or given to charity.

Virgo: Better Bags When I'm With Better People

A Virgo purse is functional, earthy, and maybe washable. Young Virgo chooses a brand-name purse, but mature Virgo will avoid accessories with the manufacturer’s name or initials on them.

Liking accessories but owning few, Virgo usually directs their efforts elsewhere, where they really count, toward their health and welfare, job, community, and children. Virgo probably carries a separate nylon bag holding workout clothes or books, a water bottle, and a snack.

Libra: The Day I Wore Everything Because I Couldn't Decide

Much more than the purse itself, Libra cares about the money or credit cards in it or whom they're going to see. Of all zodiac signs, it's Libra who thinks least about having an impressive handbag.

Libra is the only real market for the high-priced wristlet or mini-bag, otherwise tending to choose mid-priced purses. Their favorites are sometimes several years old. In summer, Libra prefers a white purse.

Scorpio: Do Not Mess With My Handbag

Scorpio wants a deep, dark, thoroughly opaque, reasonably priced handbag that can hide what’s in it: Pop-Tarts (Scorpio thinks sweets are sinful and tends not to indulge in them publicly), energy bars, sex toys, cigarettes, purse-sized firearms, or makeup.

Like Virgos, Scorpios freak out if you touch or reach into their handbags; their purses are very private property. For this reason, Scorpio likes bags with extra security, such as bags that zip closed and then buckle or cross-body bags. Drawstring closure? Never! Their secret stuff might fall out!

Sagittarius: Grab and Go

A designer bag is nice if Sagittarius can get it at a discount. Sagittarians are the “grab and go” type. What they care about is the destination, not their luggage or the fashion police.

They could care less about owning elegant accessories, but they might shun leather bags or belts and choose vegan alternatives instead. They gravitate toward handmade, imported items because of their philosophy.

Capricorn: Pure Natural Authentic Everything

If you are a Sun Capricorn or Capricorn is prominent in your chart, your favored bag, or bags (often carrying more than one), must announce your presence and status, always and naturally high-class.

Capricorns please themselves first. There's elegance in knowing one's own name is enough. Topstitching -- too crude! Capricorn thinks Nature provides the finest clothes and accessories.

Aquarius: I Like It the Same, but Different

After giving up backpacks, the Aquarian trademark, the Aquarian will choose practical medium-sized leather totes. After finding a good one, it will be purchased in several, usually electric, colors.

Heavy or lumpy purses interfere with the Aquarian lightning-bolt lifestyle, so Aqua likes angular bags like Dooney & Burke's Lexington. Zipper closures are favored; fumbling with buckles is not Aqua. Very secretly, Aqua admires certain Balenciaga bags.

Pisces: Beauty Has No Boundaries

The “hobo-style” bag appeals to Pisces just because it’s called a “hobo-style” bag -- they are in no rush yet on the move. Or they choose “bucket”-style handbags because in this life anything can happen: Pisceans are magnets for souvenirs and mementos.

A flat-bottomed purse or packable to stand alone is favored because Pisces can then park it on the floors of jazz clubs, trolleys, places of worship, and yoga studios.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Sylvia Sky

PGupta0919 is a skincare nerd who likes to share her own learnings about the beauty industry!

Is Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Fluid Ayurvedic Night Serum Worth It?

Yes, I admit the thought of using saffron oil on your face as a night serum might seem like a crazy idea at first, but Kumkumadi oil has been used by Indian women for ages as a beauty serum. I was surprised by the product, and I am sure you would be too!

This product has changed my pre-existing notions about oils for face skin. I used to think that using oil on your face could never be a solution. But this product changed that thought process. The product absorbs quickly, and I could see a difference in the pigmentation of my face. I would definitely recommend trying this product out. The good part is that it comes in a 3 ml bottle. Yes, the fragrance is a little overwhelming, but once you see the benefits of this serum, the fragrance becomes a secondary issue. I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 for its benefits and overall after effects.

Pros of Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Fluid Ayurvedic Night Serum:

• The product absorbs into the skin pretty easily.
• It does not cause acne.
• It contains great natural ingredients.
• The serum brightens and rejuvenates the skin.
• The packaging is travel-friendly.

Cons of Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Fluid Ayurvedic Night Serum:

• The product is quite expensive.
• The saffron fragrance is a little overwhelming, but over time I got used to it.

About Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Fluid Ayurvedic Night Serum

The word ‘kumkumadi’ is actually ‘saffron’ in Sanskrit, so Kumkumadi oil would literally translate to Saffron oil in English. Saffron is known to treat pigmentation and lighten the skin. According to Kama Ayurveda, the oil is clinically proven to brighten and illuminate skin and delay signs of aging. Traditionally, it is made from a herbal paste of over 21 herbs. The main ingredients of this product are:

• Sandalwood: It has powerful skin antiseptic and anti-microbial properties, making it useful in clearing blackheads and spots. It also helps in moisturizing dry skin and relieves itching and inflammation.
• Mulaithi: Due to its antiseptic properties, it helps protect against various bacterial and fungal infections.
• Saffron: As mentioned earlier, it helps in rejuvenating the skin making it glow. It also helps with pigmentation and acne.
• Manjhistha: It has antioxidant properties and works brilliantly to treat uneven pigmentation and treat several skin allergies like eczema and acne.

The Product

The oil has a yellow-orange color to it. As soon as you open the bottle, you can smell the saffron, and you can smell the fragrance around you after the application of the product too. For me, after 30 minutes, I get used to the product’s smell.

You only need a tiny drop each time you apply the product, so a 3 ml bottle has lasted me for a good amount of time. The product uses sesame oil as its base, so it has a medium consistency to it. After applying this serum on your face, it feels really moisturized and doesn’t feel oily, which I think is great. It also absorbs into the skin quite easily.

How to Use The Product

I was a little skeptical when I heard that you were supposed to apply this oil to your face each night. The thought of making my face super oily was scary at first, I must admit. But then I heard raving reviews of this product on various beauty websites and thought, okay, let’s give it a try!

Because I was so skeptical of incorporating this product into my daily regime, I took it slow. And by slow, I mean applying one drop of this oil on my face only twice a week. On the days that I would apply this oil, I would inspect my face thoroughly the next morning. To my surprise, it wasn’t bad, and I actually started using the product more frequently. The usage went from twice a week to each night.

The brand recommends using this serum after cleansing and toning at night. I like to use only 2-3 drops on my face. I usually apply it onto my palm and then massage my hands before applying it onto my face.

Ingredients

The product has the following ingredients:

• Sesamum Indicum Oil
• Aja Ksheera
• Caesalpinia Sappan
• Crocus Sativus
• Ficus Benghalensis
• Glycyrrhiza Glabra
• Monochoria Vaginalis
• Nelumbo Nucifera
• Rubia Cordifolia
• Prunus Cerasoides
• Vetiveria Zizanoides
• Laciferra Lacca

Price of the Product and Packaging

The product comes in two sizes: 3 ml and 12 ml. It is priced at INR 845 (approx. $11 USD) for 3 ml. It comes in a dark brown glass bottle with a pipette to make it easier to take the right quantity of the product for use. For trial purposes, I took the 3 ml bottle. It is extremely compact and travel-friendly. Although it comes in a glass bottle and feels that it might break, I have taken this product with me during my travels, and it hasn't broken.

About Kama Ayurveda

Kama Ayurveda was started in the year 2002 in Delhi, India, by four co-founders. The brand aims to bring the power of authentic Ayurveda to its customers through its products. Today it has become synonymous with the term luxurious Ayurveda. Their range of products covers skincare, haircare, bath and body, and even men’s products. You can purchase their products both from their retail stores and online website.

I've been an online writer for several years. My articles focus on a wide range of topics, including skin care, fashion and holidays.

Facetheory Green Tea Face Mask Review

Raise your hand if you've ever found shopping for skincare to be a confusing, overwhelming, daunting, or otherwise stressful experience? Yikes. Okay, hands down. It's time for the good news: You're not alone!

With countless brands fighting for your attention by promising dewy, filtered-looking skin via a tube, vial, roll-on, or whatever bizarre new applicator is on-trend at the time, it's no real wonder why you'd feel any combination of/or all of the above. And the never-ending stream of ingredients to master only seems to make matters 10x worse, right?

And so, when you do eventually find a brand that ticks all your boxes, meets your skincare needs, and is affordable to boot, you never want to let them go. For me, that brand was, and still is, Facetheory.

First Impressions

As is the case with nearly all of Facetheory's products, the Green Tea Face Mask MK2 comes in a recyclable glass jar, which is better for the environment and looks great on display. Talk about a win-win, eh?

Colour

The mask itself is a lot less green in colour than I had been expecting, though, and is instead a more of an 'oatmeal' shade. To be clear, this isn't an issue, but if you were planning on, let's say living out your wildest Shrek fantasies...? Well, you might have to rethink is all I'm saying! Also, while the online description describes the product as being unscented, it definitely has a strong green tea fragrance (go figure), which I personally really like and find soothing.

Application

As far as the application process goes, using this mask is very straightforward and I really appreciate the thick consistency, which means you don't have to worry about making a mess of your bathroom! Simply spread a thin layer of the product over your face and neck (I prefer using it on already cleansed skin), sit back and relax for about ten minutes before rinsing it off with warm water, a washcloth or, my personal favourite, Facetheory's Konjac Sponge - and voila; fresh, glowy skin!

How Much Does The Green Tea Face Mask Cost And Is It worth it?

On the whole green tea face masks are generally pretty pricey. While there are definitely some more affordable alternatives available on the market, I have yet to see any offer the same premium-quality ingredients list that Facetheory is for £14.99 - 60ml.

This might seem like a steep price to pay for such a little face mask, but from my experiences with it, I'd argue it's good value for money. I've been using the product consistently for a few months now and still have a lot of product left because (apologies for the upcoming cliché!) a little goes a long way - especially if you use a silicone applicator instead of a brush or even your fingers, as these often waste a lot of product.

On top of this, my skin always feels really smooth after using it, and I've noticed an improvement in the overall texture, appearance of pores, and general health of my skin, which is exactly what I was looking for.

What Is In The Green Tea Face Mask MK2?

You don't need to be a dermatologist, but before you put anything on your face, you should at least have a good idea of what's in it and if it's right for your skin type.

While you might already know that Facetheory products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, you perhaps didn't realize that they are also free of:

• Parabens
• Silicones
• PEGs
• SLS
• SLES
• Mineral oils
• All those other chemical nasties that we are frequently warned against.

Instead, they are packed full of naturally derived ingredients, which in the case of the Green Tea Face Mask MK2, are formulated to gently cleanse and brighten the skin by absorbing oil and accelerating the renewal of skin cells.

The Benefits Of French Clay

The clay used in this mask is French clay, otherwise known as ''green clay'', which is one of the most commonly used clays in the beauty industry. From Kiehl's and Glossier to The Body Shop, and, of course, Facetheory, too, you'll find this sage-coloured clay is a key ingredient in some of the most popular facial treatments. Here's why:

• Natural Exfoliant: Green clay gently removes dead cells from your skin's outer surface, resulting in an improved skin texture.
• Boosts Circulation: It increases blood flow to your face, giving your skin a more youthful and radiant appearance while also making it feel soft and moisturized.
• Minimizes Pores: Many of us make great efforts to minimize our pores, and French clay does this by removing impurities and toning and tightening the skin.
• Reduces Inflammation: Acne-sufferers can use this product to minimize the redness and swelling associated with angry breakouts.
• And more!

It's easy to see why green clay is often dubbed a miracle worker by beauty experts and shoppers alike, and Facetheory has chosen to blend a superfine version of this clay with premium face oils, chamomile, and green tea, which promises to gently cleanse and balance the skin without drying it out. For this reason, unlike traditional clay masks, you'll find that the Green Tea Face Mask MK2 never dries once applied.

How I Discovered Facetheory

I first discovered Facetheory 2 years ago now, and while I still shop around and try out new brands on occasion, the foundation of my skincare routine comes from Facetheory.

Since placing my first ever order with them back in August 2019, I've tried and tested loads of different products from their range, including their organic face cloths, cleansers, multi-purpose scrubs, moisturizers, primers, tools - well, you get the picture. I'm a big fan!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I'm really impressed with this mask, which leaves my skin feeling so unbelievably soft and refreshed after every use. Also, while Facetheory recommends using this product only twice a week, I have found it's gentle enough on skin to be used more frequently than that.

So, now it's time for the all-important question: Do I love it enough to re-order? *insert drumroll effect* Yes! I will definitely replace this product in the future when I (eventually) run out.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 BunnyClaws

Amara is a blogger and writer. She has a deep knowledge of holistic health and wellness. She believes in home remedies.

Four Products You Should Never Use on Your Face

We all dream of glowing and flawless skin, and we spend a lot of time and money to keep our skin looking beautiful and young. There are certain products that you might think are good for your face, but they are not!

You might be surprised to learn that things you have been using for years are terrible for your skin. So here is a list of things you should never put on your face.

#1: Bar Soap

You might have used bar soaps on your face before, but actually, bar soaps are not suitable to wash your face with.

According to Healthline, "Bar soaps can be drying. Any cleanser you use on your face needs to have moisturizing ingredients. Most traditional bar soaps don't contain these ingredients and will strip your skin of moisture."

Bar soaps often contain sodium laureth sulfate, a substance that causes the soap to leather well. Unfortunately, this lathering substance can dry your skin. So, you can use bar soap on your body if you want but keep it far away from your face.

#2: Petroleum Jelly

The next thing you get to keep away from your face is petroleum jelly. You may have seen your elders putting petroleum jelly on their faces and lips as a natural moisturizer. But think about it, how can we apply petroleum to our skin?

Petroleum is a substance discovered at the bottom of petroleum barrels.

If you have acne-prone skin, you should avoid putting Vaseline on your face. Doing so may trigger breakouts and can make acne worse.

It can clog the pores, and if you have any history of acne, don't dream about putting it on your face. Some natural products made of bee wax are available at the market, which is an alternative to petroleum jelly.

#3: Body Moisturizer

Body moisturizer is excellent for your body but not so great for your face. Like petroleum jelly, body moisturizers can also clog your pores and can cause skin irritation.

These body moisturizing products also contain other harmful ingredients which are not so good for the sensitive skin of your face. Whenever buying a moisturizer for your face, make sure that it's a good quality facial moisturizer.

#4: Rubbing Alcohol

An article from Healthline reports, "Rubbing alcohol may also make your acne worse. When your skin is dried out from these types of substances, your sebaceous glands respond by making even more oil. This excessive amount of oil, or sebum, can create unintentional acne breakouts. Redness, peeling, and flaking also tends to make acne breakouts more noticeable."

When you put alcoholic toners on your skin, they give you a clean and cold feeling which you may like, but what do they really do? They actually remove all oils from your skin.

People who have really oily skin, or excessive sebum and oil on their skin, use astringents to get rid of these oils, but when they get rid of oil temporarily, their skin starts producing even more oils in response.

So using alcohol-based astringents and toners may make your skin even more oily in the long run. On the other hand, these astringents and toners kill the microbiome of your skin.

The microbiome is made of good bacteria which help maintain the health and condition of your skin. So avoid rubbing these alcohol-based toners and astringents at all costs.

Two Must-Have Skin Care Products

We spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars buying the most expensive and quality products for our skin, but you only need two products to keep your skin healthy, glowing and beautiful.

Skincare companies won't make much money if you buy only two of their products, so they keep on coming with different new products to bombard you with. So let me help you to save your money and improve your skin with these two essential products.

#1: Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serum is a must-have. You probably already know that vitamin C is an essential part of a healthy diet. Your daily dose can help boost your immunity and offers several other benefits for your overall health.

You should apply vitamin C serum to your face every morning as it is a powerful antioxidant and fights free radical damage. All day long, your skin is attacked by free radicals, from the food you eat, from the pollution in the air, and your body's daily processing, and an antioxidant fights off these effects.

Applying an antioxidant to your skin protects your skin from this oxidation damage and will help keep your skin young and healthy. You can pick any good quality brand vitamin C serum. If it contains vitamin E along with vitamin C, it's even better because both vitamins together boost each other's effects.

#2: Retinoid

An article from Healthline states, "By now, you've likely heard how amazing retinoids are for the skin — and with good reason! They've been proven in study after study to encourage cellular turnover, stimulate collagen, help treat acne, soften wrinkles, fade pigmentation, and give the skin an overall youthful glow."

The other must-have product is retinoid, which you should apply before going to bed. Retinoid comes in two strengths:

• Prescription-strength Retinoid
• Non-prescription strength Retinoid

The great thing about retinol is that it does pretty much everything anti-aging for your skin, it exfoliates your skin, and it potentially helps to thicken the dermis of your skin. If you've got the issue of thinning skin, then you must try retinol.

Prescription-strength retinoids like Retin-A can even reverse some early skin cancers, so there are a ton of things that retinoids can do.

To use any retinol, test it first and check how your skin reacts to it. If you notice some dryness or redness after using it, use it less often and gradually increase its use as your skin gets used to it.

Retinol moisturizers are really a cornerstone for any anti-aging skincare regimen. You can choose any good quality brand retinol for your skin, as per your choice, and you will notice reversing of the clock, as it's the best scientifically proven anti-aging product you can get.

More on Skin Care

• What Is a Perfect Daily Skin Care Routine?
  What is a perfect morning and night skin care routine? Are you confused? So here is a simple yet most effective daily skin care routine.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amara

Comments

Amara (author) from Pakistan on August 20, 2021:

Aww Misbah thank you, thank you, thats really very sweet of you.. and Ameen..

Your lovely comment made me smile.. I am glad you liked my hub, and found it informative.

Much love sweet sister..

Misbah Sheikh from The World of Rebels. on August 20, 2021:

Amara this is an Interesting and Informative article about skin care products. Thanks for the suggestions about what to use and what to avoid. By the way beautiful couple and beautiful profile photo. Allah Nazr e bad se bachaye. Ameen! (May Allah protect you from Evil eye. Amen!)

Blessings and Love to you

Amara (author) from Pakistan on August 20, 2021:

Thank you Peggy for your visit and comment. I am glad to know that you liked them.

Have a great day. Much love..

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on August 20, 2021:

Thanks for your suggestions about what to use as well as what not to use on our faces.

Amara (author) from Pakistan on August 19, 2021:

Thank you very much Manatita.

haha yes dear you can call me an expert, as I have a deep knowledge about these things, and my husband is a doctor. Sometimes wife of a doctor becomes half doctor. lolzz

Vit C is not only good for skin it also boost immunity, so its needed more than ever now in these pandemic days.

You must be using soap on your face, and extreme dryness can cause itchy skin condition like eczema or dermatitis etc. I also has skin dryness issue, eventhough I don't use soap. So I also use dermol or photonic tar sometimes.

Thanks for your visit dear.. Gratitude..

manatita44 from london on August 19, 2021:

Thorough! Are you an expert, Amara? So a great job done well!

I have had problems with soap and I did not fancy make up stuff anyway, like most men nowadays. Now I use a doctors product called Dermol as my skin was pretty cracked. I take essential fatty acids and Vit C and a few more things, probably useful to slowdown Covid-19.

Fabulous work, my friend!

An avid beard lover who loves helping her partner improve the look of his facial forest.

How to Grow a Pointed Beard

Have you ever wanted to get your beard to be a bit more shapely?

Many guys just have wild beards. Sticking out at one end and totally flat on the other. Most of that comes from how you sleep and the kind of natural parting that you create through hours of being asleep.

However, when you want to get something a bit more specific, you may wish to get a pointed beard. No, not like the caricature style of Satan; more like something akin to a Van Dyke or Stiletto beard style. How, though, do you go about doing that? Specifically, this post will show the steps you can undertake to get an all-around more pointed style beard.

Step 1: Take Your Whole Beard Off

To get a quality pointed beard, we recommend going back to the start.

This means dicing off as much of the beard as you can and then getting it back to totally smooth. We even recommend going for a classic Turkish barbers razor shave. Within a week or two, you should now have a solid level of growth (well, at least the foundations).

Anything from 1/4” to ½” in length should be good enough for this point. This allows you to build the beard from the start into that sharp-pointed overall look for the beard.

Step 2: Get Your Cheeks Nice and Smooth

Make sure that you have your cheek areas entirely smoothed. They should not have any kind of hair or build-up, even those silly whisker-like hairs that come in need to come off. If you do that, then you will already have created a lot more definition.

Now, your beard will have a clear point of definition, especially as the chin is often the place with the most prominent beard growth. You can still use a beard trimmer for most of these steps; again, these are general guidelines and not hard and fast rules.

Step 3: Get the Little Parts Right

The next challenge of making a pointed beard is making sure you leave the right shape for your beard.

So, make sure that you start from the sideburns and then move inward. Get to around 2” from the mouth, and you should shave the neck sides and the bottom hairs underneath and around your Adam’s apple. This should leave you with a kind of circular beard style.

Step 4: Get the Goatee Sorted

Next, you will want to start working on the goatee part of your beard.

This means making sure that you get the line as clear and as defined as is possible. Trim from the neck upwards, taking off increasingly smaller sections of the beard as you go about the shaving process. You should look to use a good quality razor to help you achieve this, as cheaper razors will typically create messier finishes.

Step 5: Style It Right

Now, to finish this cleaner and sharper beard off, you want to use some form of beard wax. It should leave your chin, beard, and your mustache separate from one another. With some wax, you can create some natural protrusion that should help to make your beard a bit sharper and pointier.

This is a hard thing to get right, and it will usually mean that you have to keep coming back and making small adjustments daily. If you want to get a quality pointed beard, though, you’ll need to learn the value of patience and precision.

With the beard trimmer, you will want to start on a higher grade and come in naturally towards the beard. Then gradually lowering the grade more but getting further away from the beard as you reach the bottom of the point. This is what creates that natural point. Less is more at this stage; you rather take off too little than too much. Then make sure to mimic the same actions that you are doing on one side of your face and beard as you do the other to create the symmetry naturally.

Towards the very end, you will be one of the lowest grades but also barely on the edge of your beard as you create the natural curve and pointed aspect of your beard.

You can see a great example of this in the video just above. Notice how the beard trimmer barely gets into the beard towards the end, but make sure to be brave enough to actually shape and curve out the beard-pointed aspect that you want.

The Alternative Approach: See a Barber

If you are looking for a quicker approach to the whole few steps above on styling and growing a pointed beard, you can always just grow a standard one and then head down to the local barbers and ask for that style.

Then take note of what they are doing to form that style you're after, and don't hesitate to just ask them questions about general beard care and how to form the point.

Just to be sure, it's a good idea to bring a picture of the beard style that you're after, so you and the barber are on the same page as to how you want your beard to actually look.

They will be more than happy to help you with the above. Plus, make sure that you do actually take care of your beard the right way as well. Make sure it doesn't get too dry; lukewarm showers and beard oil are good for that. Be sure to wash your beard as well, because just like regular hair that forms on the top of your head, they get dirty and smelly too.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Carlyn Hayes

Amara is a blogger and writer. She has a deep knowledge of holistic health and wellness. She believes in home remedies.

What Is a Perfect Daily Skin Care Routine?

We all desire clear, perfect, and glowing skin that can look flawless without makeup.

A good daily skincare routine can help you to keep your skin healthy, beautiful, and glowing.

But after reading a dozen of skincare routines all across the internet, how can you decide which one is the most effective? Today, I will share with you a simple yet very effective morning and night skincare routine.

A Perfect Morning Skin Care Routine

Step 1: Cleanse Your Skin

So, the first step you get to do is to cleanse your skin. Do not use bar soap, ever, on your face, as they are extremely drying. There are typically two types of cleanser you should look for.

"And if your skin tends to be oily, you can likely tolerate more cleansing," says Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, founder of SLMD Skincare.

"Though most people should be washing their face morning and night, it's essential for those with oily skin to give their face a complete cleanse in the morning," Lee says.

Oily Skin: If you have oily skin, you should look for a foaming cleanser to control the extra oil of your skin.

Sensitive/Dry Skin: If you have sensitive or drier skin, you should look for some hydrating or moisturizing type of cleanser or a gentle milky cleanser.

Step 2: Tone Your Skin

After cleansing your skin, ideally, the next step is toning. Unfortunately, people have been using astringents, which are typically alcohol-based toners. Due to the high percentage of alcohol in them, they make your skin apparently cold and clean. Still, the problem is that the alcohol strips off the oils and the useful bacteria of the skin called the microbiome.

Now, if you have oily skin and use an alcohol-based toner on your skin to get rid of all the skin's oil, what happens?

When you get rid of all the oil, your skin starts producing even more oil. So you might see your skin free from oil for a short time, but in the long term, your skin condition starts getting worse.

The other drawback of astringents or other alcohol-based toners is that it kills the microbiome of your skin, which like the good bacteria of the gut, help to maintain the good health of your skin. And getting rid of good bacteria means replacing good bacteria with bad bacteria, which can cause many other skin issues.

It's not bad to use a toner, but it should be the right kind of toner, like the tea tree toner, as they help maintain the skin's pH. The ideal work of the toner is to re-establish the pH, to allow the skin to be slightly acidic because sometimes the cleanser causes it to go more in a basic direction. So choose the right type of toner and make sure that alcohol is not the main ingredient.

Step 3: Apply an Antioxidant

This is the most important step in the morning skincare routine. A perfect antioxidant for your skin is a Vitamin C and Vitamin E combination.

According to Dr. Rhonda Klein, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, “Antioxidants protect the skin by limiting free radical production, which can damage the skin. With daily use, they can reduce lentigines (sunspots), help combat visible signs of aging, and calm skin inflammations. Several antioxidants provide the skin with hydration and increase moisture retention to help revitalize dull-looking skin.”

Step 4: Apply an Eye Cream

After applying an antioxidant, the next step is to apply an eye cream. When buying an eye cream, it's better to buy a cream with a minor amount of retinol. This helps tighten the skin and moisturize your skin.

Step 5: Apply a Sunscreen

The final step is to apply sunscreen, and ideally, it should be SPF 30 or above, which is what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends.

Dr.Bailey from Bailey's Skincare also recommends "It always goes on after all of your other products, like acne medicine and moisturizers, except makeup.”

An SPF above 30 with a broad spectrum helps block 97% of the sun's rays. You can now also apply makeup after applying sunscreen if you want to.

A Perfect Night Skin Care Routine

Like the morning skincare routine, you have to develop a habit of taking care of your skin at night before going to bed. A nighttime routine is essential for anti-aging and overall skin health.

Step 1: Cleanse Your Skin

Like in the morning, the first step in the night skincare routine is to cleanse your face. It is super important to cleanse your face at night, and if you want to cleanse your face only once a day, then do it at night.

It's necessary to get rid of all the pollution, oils, dried sweat, dirt, and makeup of the skin, let your pores breathe, and let the skin rejuvenate at night. To cleanse your skin, you can choose a foaming or milky cleanser, according to your skin type.

Step 2: Tone Your Skin

Even in the night skincare routine, ideally, the second step is to tone your skin, but if you want to skip any step in the night skincare routine, you can probably skip this one. But again, avoid using astringents and classic alcohol-based toners.

Step 3: Apply a Retinol or Growth Factor Cream

Now, this is the most important step in the night skincare routine: applying an anti-aging cream, ideally a Retinol or a Growth factor or peptides-based cream.

According to a Healthline article, "Retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) has long-proven efficacy when it comes to fighting aging. Apparently, that’s not all it can fight, either. Retinol has actually been used for more than 3,000 years to help address all kinds of health problems, including night blindness."

Retinol should be your first choice as they are scientifically proven to help prevent skin aging, but if you cannot tolerate Retinol, you can go for a Growth factor or Peptide-based cream.

Step 4: Apply an Eye Cream

It's better not to apply an anti-aging cream on your eyes because your eye skin is the thinnest skin of all, and your eye skin can react against it. It is recommended to use a good eye cream that has a minor amount of Retinol in it. It can help your eye skin to stop sagging.

Step 5: Apply a Moisturizer

Now the final step is to apply a moisturizer as needed.

Moisturizing is a very important step if you have oily skin. If you have oily skin, stop at step 4; you do not need to apply an extra moisturizer, but people with drier or thin skin can apply a moisturizer after applying all the products.

Taking care of your skin in the morning and the night can really help your skin look young, beautiful, and glowing for much longer.

More on Skin Care

• Skin Care: 4 Products to Avoid and 2 Must-Have’s
  Here is a list of products which you may have been using for years without even knowing that they are not actually good for your skin, and two essential skin care products which everyone must have.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amara

Comments

Nian from Pakistan on August 07, 2021:

Welcome Amara.

Many Blessings and Love.

Amara (author) from Pakistan on August 07, 2021:

Thank you very much Manatita, I am glad you liked it.

I will write something on Spirituallity soon in sha Allah.

Its always nice to see your comment.. Thanks for your visit.. Salam..

manatita44 from london on August 07, 2021:

Very good article on skin care, Amara. Mines pretty dry. I did not use anything for years! Now I use some emollients and have cut out soap. Always a joy to read your work. Do some spiritual pieces: poems, essays ... only if you feel the Tao, of course. Much Love.

Amara (author) from Pakistan on August 07, 2021:

That sounds great Miebakagh. Its a good habit.

Amara (author) from Pakistan on August 07, 2021:

Thank you very much Nian.. Thanks for your visit and lovely remarks.. Salam sis..

Nian from Pakistan on August 07, 2021:

Very informative and useful article.

Thanks for sharing.

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on August 07, 2021:

Amara, you're welcome. I do take care of my facial skin day and night.

Amara (author) from Pakistan on August 06, 2021:

Thank you very much Miebakagh. I really appreciate your visit..

Blessings n peace..

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on August 06, 2021:

Hi, it's interesting andta good read. Thanks.

Want to hear candid views on products? You have come to the right place!

Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant

Bioderma has some impressive products which I have tried in the past. Recently, I was on the hunt for a new face wash, and I came across yet another product from this brand. It had amazing reviews online, so I figured it should work for me too. The product claims to eliminate the excess sebum and purify the epidermis. With that being said, I went ahead and tested it out for you guys.

How to Use The Product

Take a small amount of product on your palm and apply it on wet skin. Work the facewash on the skin and rinse well. You can dry with a towel.

Pros of Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant:

• The face wash cleanses well.
• It is non-comedogenic and works well on a combination and oily skin types.
• The cleanser is very gentle in nature.
• The packaging is travel-friendly.

Cons of Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant:

• The fragrance is overwhelming. Even after using it for about a month, I did not get accustomed to it.
• I did not think it was very effective to control the oil secretion on my skin.
• It is a little expensive for its size.

Price of the Product and Packaging

The product is priced at INR 840 (approx. USD 11) for 100 ml. It comes in a clear tube. The product comes in multiple sizes. I purchased the 45 ml tube for trying purposes, which is extremely travel friendly as it is compact in size.

The Product

The facewash has a thin gel consistency and has a blue color to it. I think copper sulfate might have something to do with it. You need just a little bit, about a pea size amount, and that covers your entire face. The facewash does not really lather once you put it on, but it applies easily to the skin. The product itself is lightweight and has a strong fragrance to it.

Personal Opinion of Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant

The cleanser is very gentle on the skin and also cleans well, but I doubt its efficacy and longevity. I have read great reviews about the product and have seen this work for a lot of people. The fragrance of the product is really overwhelming, and I really wish this product was fragrance-free.

Overall, I would like to give it a 3 out of 5.

About the Ingredients

The product is designed to act as a daily cleanser for combination and oily skin types. The product contains zinc sulfate and copper sulfate, which cleanses and purifies the skin without drying it. The ingredients also help cleanse the epidermis, reduces the number of blemishes, and limits sebum secretion. The product is soap-free, and it also ensures that the skin’s pH is maintained. It is also non-comedogenic, which ensures it will not block your skin pores.

About Bioderma

In 1977, pharmacist Jean-Noel Thorel started the Bioderma brand, and Bioderma has come a long way since then. Throel came up with a skincare line in collaboration with renowned biology and dermatology specialists.

The idea behind the skincare range was that the product should not treat the skin; rather, the range should work with the skin's biology to repair and improve the skin's function. Today, Bioderma has over 50 patents.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 PGupta0919

Walter Shillington writes about products he knows firsthand. His articles focus on healthcare, electronics, watches, and household items.

I do most of my shopping at Amazon and AliExpress. They provide good products and work hard to ensure their customers are fully satisfied.

Wish is another website that I sometimes visit. While not my favorite eCommerce site, Wish's vendors offer a variety of unique and interesting items. They even sell replica watches.

Most internet stores avoid selling replicas because these watches are produced without regard to copyright laws. The factories that manufacture them steal both the originating company's design and their branding information. These timepieces are of lower quality than the original and, when they fail, the company whose name is featured on the watch is the one whose reputation suffers.

Replica watches, however, are popular. Because of this, I sometimes tear one apart to determine its strengths and weaknesses. Today I am taking a close look at a replica of the Seagull 1963 Airforce Watch.

History

In 1961 the Tianjin Watch Factory was assigned to manufacture the first Chinese aviation watch for the People's Liberation Army's Air Force. Two years later, the factory completed and delivered 1400 of these timepieces.

The Seagull ST1901 mechanical movement was utilized to power these chronographs.

Lately, the Tianjin Watch Factory has begun to manufacture an official remake of this watch. It is equipped with the same hand-wound movement that powered the original.

However, the replica described below is not the official authorized version, was not manufactured by the Tianjin Watch Factory, and does not include a Seagull movement.

Description

This replica, which arrived packed within an attractive cardboard box, weighs in at two ounces. Its case spans 40 millimeters and is 14 millimeters thick. This timepiece is matched with a black PU leather strap.

A Sunon PE60 quartz chronograph movement is encased within what appears to be a stainless-steel case. An acrylic crystal hovers above.

The watch face is white colored with gold markings and a pair of subdials. The hour, minute, and chronograph second indicators are attached to the timepiece's center wheel and pinion. The left subdial is used in conjunction with the chronograph's 60-minute timer. Unfortunately, the right subdial—the movement's 24-hour clock—is mislabeled as a thirty-minute timer.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Unknown
• Brand: Replica of Seagull 1963 Airforce Watch
• Condition: New
• Place of origin: China
• Gender: Male
• Display: Analog
• Movement: Sunon PE60 quartz chronograph
• Style: Retro
• Features: Chronograph
• Functions: Time of day, timer, 24-hour clock
• Band material: PU leather
• Band width: 20-millimeter
• Dial color: White
• Dial window material: Acrylic
• Case material: Stainless-steel
• Case diameter: 40-millimeter
• Case thickness: 14-millimeter
• Weight: 59 grams (2 ounces)
• Water resistance: 3Bar

Visual Appeal

The original timepiece was quite handsome, and this reproduction proved to be a reasonably faithful copy. The combination of a white face with gold numbering and a pair of subdials provides a clean and functional appearance. I also appreciated the use of blued hands offset by the red chronograph second-hand timer.

This watch is enclosed within a well-designed case and equipped with a black PU leather strap that matches well.

The Case

The case appears to be composed of stainless steel and is equipped with a metal crown and two metal pushbuttons. The caseback is of the screw-on variety and is relatively easy to remove.

The Crystal

This timepiece is fitted with an acrylic crystal. This type of cover can be easily scratched, but I won't complain because the original Seagull 1963 chronograph also featured an acrylic crystal.

The Movement

In an effort to build this watch as inexpensively as possible, the manufacturer substituted the Seagull ST1901 mechanical movement with a Sunon PE60 quartz chronograph movement. A G6A LR921 button battery provides power to this mechanism.

Sunon appears to have acquired a decent reputation as a manufacturer of low-cost quartz movements. Please note, however, that the gears of this movement are composed of plastic. This suggests a lifespan of approximately one year.

The Sunon PE60 can present a visual indication of hours, minutes, and seconds and provide both a 60-second and a 60-minute timer. There are also provisions to accommodate a 24-hour clock and a day-of-the-month indication.

The Strap

My timepiece is fitted with a black PU leather band of decent quality. A NATO-style strap is also available.

Operation

To set the time, pull out the crown and turn it until the hour and minute hands have reached their proper positions.

When the upper pushbutton is pressed, the chronograph begins to count. It will stop when the button is pushed again.

The chronograph hands return to their original position when the bottom pushbutton is depressed.

Chronograph Adjustments

If the chronograph's second counter is not centered correctly at the start position, pull out the crown. Then depress the top pushbutton and hold. This will cause the second counter's hand to turn. When it reaches the twelve o'clock position, remove your finger from the button.

If the chronograph's minute counter is not correctly centered at the start position, pull out the crown. Then depress the bottom pushbutton and hold. This will cause the minute counter's hand to turn. When it reaches the top center position, remove your finger from the button.

The Design

The designers of this replica worked hard to provide a faithful visual copy of the original timepiece while keeping costs to a minimum. This resulted in selecting a quartz movement with outputs that differ from those provided by the Seagull ST1901 movement.

The outputs associated with the second hand and day-of-the-week are not used. The left subdial is utilized as a 60-minute counter instead of a second hand.

The right subdial is used as a 24-hour clock rather than a thirty-minute timer. Because this subdial's indications are numbered from 0-30, it provides a measurement of thirty hours with a length of 48 minutes each. This feature would be helpful to the man who is always complaining that there are not enough hours in the day to get his work done.

Overall Impression

While it was a lot of fun to test this replica, I certainly cannot recommend it. This timepiece is overpriced, features an inaccurately marked 24-hour clock, and lacks a second hand.

If you like the style, I suggest you go to Amazon or AliExpress and check out the official Seagull 1963 Chronograph. This timepiece is reasonably priced, well constructed, and is fitted with an accurate and reliable mechanical movement.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Walter Shillington

I am a property manager in Little Rock, AR. I enjoy writing about various topics that I think may be helpful to others.

5 Ways To Look Put Together

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We all have different styles and ideas of what beauty is. For some people it's being blonde, tall and thin. For others it may be being short, curvy and with hot pink hair. None of that matters as long as you are happy and confident. With that being said, there are certain things anyone can do, regardless of their personal style that will make you feel more confident. Here are 5 ways to look more put together.

1. Make Your Eyes Pop

Your eyes are the window to your soul. Whatever your style is, making them stand out can really make you stand out in a room. It also will automatically make you seem more confident because people equate eyes to confidence. Whether you want to do a nude eye or a fun, bright-colored lid, both are fine options as long as you do the following three things.

1. Use a good volume mascara. Mascara makes your eyes look bigger, lashes look fuller, and because of all the different types and colors you can choose from, it can help you to look sexy, sophisticated, or trendy, just depending on your mood.

2. Curl your eyelashes. Curling your lashes is one of the quickest ways to make you look more awake and thus put together. Finding a good eyelash curler is an easy and super cheap way to brighten your eyes by lifting the lashes.

3. Don't forget your eyebrows! It really wasn't until a few years ago that people really started taking care of their eyebrows. Having groomed, proportionate brows that are filled in do wonders for making you look more awake, put together, and just overall feel confident. The reason being is that your brows frame your eyes, and having more symmetrical brows, makes your face overall more appealing to look at. If you are new to getting your eyebrows done, I don't recommend making a drastic change at once. Maybe start by lightly tweezing or filling in your brows with a slightly darker color than your natural hair color. You can find many tutorials on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, or you can go to a professional nearby. Just make sure you research their work. The different ways you can work on your eyebrows are:

• Tweezing
• Waxing
• Staining
• Microblading (for a more permanent look)
• Threading
• Filling in with an eyebrow pencil.

2. Wear Heels

Wearing heels is such a simple way to make you look more put together. Whether you're wearing heels with jeans and a t-shirt, a sundress, or a skirt and crop top, heels can be worn with most outfits and quickly make you look more confident and attractive.

Some of the benefits of wearing heels are:

• It makes you taller.
• It makes your butt look perkier.
• It can make you look thinner by elongating your body.
• Studies have shown that women who wear heels that fit and are comfortable instantly feeling more confident.

If you hate wearing heels, don't. Of course, you won't be more confident in something that makes you uncomfortable. However, if you don't wear heels very often, I suggest giving it a try and seeing if you feel more polished and put together. There are so many different heights, styles, and colors that you could definitely find something that fits your personality and makes you feel powerful and sexy.

3. Wear Solid Colors

Wearing solid colors is an easy way to look more put together. While there is nothing wrong with patterns or fun designs, I highly recommend wearing solid colors if your goal is to look more polished. That typically gives you a look that appears less chaotic.

When you have stripes, flowers, or chevron, your eyes tend to gravitate towards the pattern. When you are wearing solid colors, however, people are more focused on you as a person.

4. Keep Jewelry Simple

Jewelry is an easy and fun way to complete any look. However, too much jewelry can be distracting and actually cheapen your look. One mistake many people make is wearing earrings, a necklace, a ring, and a bracelet all at the same time. While that look may be ok sometimes, as a general rule, if you're trying to look more put together, less is more. Having every type of jewelry on, unless done correctly, can look chaotic.

If you're wearing bold statement earrings, either don't wear a necklace or make sure it's very simple or dainty. If you're wearing a ring, skip the bracelet. Make sure not to mix metal colors or types of stones as well.

5. Wear Your Favorite Fragrance

Wearing perfume can boost your confidence, make you seem more attractive to others, and can be a natural aphrodisiac.

Some scents that are known to attract other people are:

• Rose oil
• Vanilla
• Vetiver
• Orange
• Jasmine
• Peppermint

Find a scent that you love that isn't super overwhelming. You'll be sure to get compliments!

Comments

Muntzirmehdi from Mianchannu Punjab Pakistan on August 04, 2021:

Very interesting article

Buying your first luxury designer bag? Looking for something timeless, classic, and chic?

Well, most people understand that buying a designer luxury bag is not for the faint of heart. Oftentimes these bags run upwards of thousands of dollars. In extreme cases, some bags are worth over six figures. For example, a Himalayan Crocodile Birkin from Hermès could cost well over a quarter-million dollars.

Let's just say that most of us aren't looking for a Birkin, nevertheless a Himalayan Birkin, for our first luxury designer bag. So, what should you look for when you're buying your first luxury designer bag? Well, you'll want a good "investment piece."

What Is an Investment Piece?

You're probably wondering what I mean by "investment piece." An "investment piece" is something that you can continue to use five or ten or even twenty years down the line. Hence, the word "investment." You'll want something that will survive the trends and won't become outdated when the new fashion season rolls around. You might even want to pass down your bag as a family heirloom. And since luxury designer bags are so expensive, you'll want your first luxury designer bag to be something versatile that you can use for all occasions, whether you're going to a casual lunch date or a classy dinner.

But how do you know if a bag is a good "investment piece." You can look at how long the bag has been around. For example, the Chanel Classic Flap bag has been around for ages. It was popular twenty years ago, and it is likely to be popular twenty years later. The Hermès Kelly bag (made famous by the late actress Grace Kelly) has been around since the 1930s and is still highly sought after in this day and age.

Just a little disclaimer here. If you have your eyes set on a specific luxury designer bag, by no means am I telling you not to buy that bag. When you have the money to buy a luxury designer bag, you should buy whatever makes you happy. I wrote this article to hopefully help out those who are taking their first steps into the luxury designer fashion world.

10 Beginner Designer Bags

1. The Classic Flap Bag by Chanel
2. The Alma by Louis Vuitton
3. The Lady Dior by Dior
4. The Antigona by Givenchy
5. The Jackie by Gucci
6. The Loulou by Yves Saint Laurent (YSL)
7. The Gabrielle by Moynat
8. The Cleo by Prada
9. The Réjane by Moynat
10. The Triomphe by Celine

1. The Classic Flap Bag by Chanel

There's a saying that every girl should have a Chanel bag. As mentioned earlier, the Chanel Classic Flap bag has been around for ages. This bag is great for a casual outing, but it is also suitable for an elegant affair such as a wedding. This bag comes in many different colors, but the bag is beautiful in black. While the prices for new Chanel bags keep skyrocketing through the roof every year (thanks to their numerous price increases), you can always find a preloved bag online.

2. The Alma by Louis Vuitton

You've probably seen Louis Vuitton bags with the classic monogram print every time you walk down the street. While the Louis Vuitton Alma bag looks great in the monogram print, you might want to consider the Alma in Damier Ebene if you want something more subtle and elegant. This bag comes in four different sizes (BB, PM, MM, and GM). Perhaps for your first bag, you might want to consider the smaller BB or PM size because small bags tend to be more versatile. Larger bags tend to be difficult to wear for formal occasions. And don't be fooled by the BB's small size. The bag can actually hold quite a bit.

3. The Lady Dior by Dior

The Lady Dior was made famous when Princess Diana carried the bag. France's First Lady, Bernadette Chirac, gifted the bag to Princess Diana when she visited the Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris. This bag comes in many different colors, styles, and prints. Some of the styles and prints might be a little too trendy for your first designer bag. When buying this bag, you might want to consider sticking to solid neutral colors. It'll be easier to accessorize with your outfits. This bag is rather pricey, and you'll probably be better off getting one preloved.

4. The Antigona by Givenchy

This bag is the ultimate boss bag in black leather. This bag is named after a heroine in Greek mythology, and its design reflects Givenchy’s duality in its strong, architectural shape and contrasting soft leather finish. It is a great bag for working ladies or ladies who are always on the go. The bag is made of very durable leather, and it is scratch-resistant. However, this bag might not be the best bag for a formal evening.

5. The Jackie by Gucci

This bag was first designed in 1958 and initially named the G 1907. It wasn't until1961 when this bag was renamed after being frequently spotted on Jacqueline Onassis, wife of the late John F. Kennedy. This bag has appeared intermittently throughout Gucci's collections, and it was recently revived in 2019 when it was seen in Alessandro Michele’s Chateau Marmont collection. The new Jackie bag comes in the classic GG supreme print and solid colors such as black, red, white, pink, and blue. The strap comes with an additional leather piece, so it is easy to transition from a shoulder bag to a crossbody bag.

6. The Loulou by Yves Saint Laurent (YSL)

The puffer-style look of the bag might not be for everyone, but this bag can easily transition from day to night. This bag can also easily elevate a casual outfit. Although the Loulou is not as classic or timeless as the other bags in this list, its chicness makes it a bag that could be seen years from now. This bag comes in small, medium, and large. The small is more versatile than the other sizes, but the large is great for a workbag.

7. The Gabrielle by Moynat

Moynat is rather unknown compared to the other fashion houses on this list. However, Moynat has been around longer than Louis Vuitton and is known for its impeccable leather craftsmanship. Some have said that Moynat is on the same level as Hermès. Not surprising since Moynat's former creative director Ramesh Nair is from Hermès. Moynat's Gabrielle (named after the French actress Gabrielle Réjane) is a sophisticated and elegant bag. This is a great bag to take to a cafe or a fancy dinner. The bag comes in three sizes, BB, PM, and MM. It also comes in many different colors, and the hardware comes in either palladium or gold. For your first bag, I would recommend a black bag (either in the BB or PM size) with gold hardware. You can't go wrong with that combination.

8. The Cleo by Prada

The Cleo is a newer bag, but it takes inspiration from a popular Prada shape from the 1990s. This bag is sleek, chic, and elegant. Its smooth leather finish looks so luxurious. In addition to black, the Cleo comes in several different colors, including white, silver, aqua, cornflower blue, desert beige, and alabaster pink. A Cleo in black, white, and desert beige will be easy to accessorize with any outfit. However, the Cleo in cornflower blue or alabaster pink is great if you want color.

9. The Réjane by Moynat

Another recommended Moynat bag to consider for your first luxury designer bag is the Réjane. This bag was first created in 1903 for the French actress it was named after, Gabrielle Réjane. Each bag is made by one artisan and takes twenty hours to complete the bag. The bag regularly comes in black or taupe with either palladium or gold hardware. Additionally, the bag comes in many different seasonal colors, but the quantity of those bags is limited. You can find the bag in nano, BB, PM, or MM sizes. It also comes with a shoulder strap so you can keep your hands free. I would recommend either the BB or PM sizes since the nano might be too small.

10. The Triomphe by Celine

The Celine Triomphe is a relaxed and carefree bag for those who want an elegant bag that goes great with a pair of jeans or a sundress. The hardware logo is subtle in a way that doesn't scream, "designer." The shiny calfskin of the bag will develop a nice patina, and the leather will age beautifully as the years go by. The tan bag is great if you want to go for a more casual and relaxed look. The bag also comes in black if you want something a bit edgier.

Luxury Lasts a Lifetime

These are just a few bags to consider when buying your first luxury designer bag. Ultimately, you can disregard everything written here. The important thing is that you buy something that you will love forever. Luxury designer bags are too expensive to love only for a few months before tossing them in your closet. Your first luxury designer bag will be with you hopefully for the long haul.

Dolores's interest in fashion history dates from her teenage years when vintage apparel was widely available in thrift stores.

Bonnet History

During the 19th century, women of Western Europe and North America always wore head coverings outdoors or in public. Women kept their hair covered due to modesty, tradition, religious beliefs, personal decoration, and protection from the elements. Bonnets were the predominant headgear for women for most of the century. In a time before sunblock or sun glasses, a bonnet's brim protected the face and neck from sunburn and protected eyes from the harsh glare of the sun.

A bonnet covers the crown of the head, features a small or large brim, and ties under the chin. Some 19th century bonnets featured a flap of fabric at the back of the neck. Bonnets were often lined and decorated under the brim as shown in the portrait at the top of this page.

A hat is worn perched on top of the head. Hats of the 1800s were kept in place with hat pins which pierced the hat and anchored the hat to the hair. Hat styles changed as hair styles changed to accommodate curls, chignons, or extensions.

Caps cover the crown of the head. In past centuries, a cap called a coif was worn indoors and outdoors topped with a hat. Day or morning caps of the 1800s were similar to a coif and worn indoors by older women. They could be very plain made of white linen or muslin or decorative with the addition of lace, eyelet, ribbons or ruffles.

Mobcaps, more widely worn in the past, continued to be worn by some working women and domestic servants. Mobcaps were easily handmade out of a round piece of cloth featuring a full crown and gathered by a band into ruffles. The caps were usually white cotton or linen and sometimes edged in lace or eyelet.

The Business of Hats

Hats were handmade by milliners. Hat making was a respectable, creative, and skilled occupation in a time when jobs for women were generally limited to factory or domestic work. Milliners created hats for the elite as well as the middle class. Rose Bertin (1744 - 1813) was the first internationally known milliner who worked out of Le Grande Moghul in Paris, making hats for the nobility and upper class. Paris remained the arbiter of fashion. Wealthy women and milliners traveled to Paris to learn about the latest styles and decorative elements.

Royalty and the nobility had influenced fashions of the past. In the 19th century, a proliferation of women's magazine began to gain influence including Godey's Lady's Book (830 - 1898), Townsend's Monthly Magazine (1823 - 1888), and La Follet (1829 - 1892).

Rural women often made their own hats and bonnets using scraps from larger projects.

The Industrial Revolution increased production and lowered the cost of hats, making attractive head gear more available to lower middle class and working class women. As production increased, ready-made hat could be stored and sold to wholesalers. In the latter part of the century, department stores in large and small cities began to feature millinery departments

Early 1800s

At the beginning of the century, women's fashions reflected simple, classic styles as well as an interest in a romanticized pastoral life. Rustic bonnets came in many forms and could be plain or decorated with artificial flowers. Warm weather bonnets were made of straw and featured wide brims.

Popular styles included:

• Capote bonnets had close fitted, gathered crowns with stiff brims. The brims grew to later become Poke bonnets.
• The Poke bonnet featured a small crown and large, forward brim that protected the face from sun and rain. Worn in urban and rural areas, the Poke bonnet was The Hat of the American West.
• The Calash was formed over collapsible whalebone or cane hoops and had been popular in the 18th century.
• The "Gypsy" style featured a low crown with a moderately wide brim. Ribbons were fastened over the outside of the bonnet and tied under the chin.

Hats of the Romantic Era: 1820-1850

The Romantic Period emphasized sentimentality and emotion. The fashion elite's goal was to appear pale and lethargic with garments that hampered movement. Bonnets remained the most popular headgear for urban and rural women. Enslaved women of the American South wore turban-like head wraps as well as bonnets and mobcaps. Mature women continued to wear day caps indoors.

Hats featuring large brims and high, rounded crowns were decorated with lace and large feathers. From 1835-1845 birds - of - paradise blooms were in great demand.

Bonnets grew bavolets, flaps, or ruffles that hung over the back of the neck. Fashionable women wore bonnets with attached veils which could be thrown back over the crown of the head or hung forward over the front brim.

In the 1840s, a central dip appeared in the front center of the bonnet brim, creating a heart-shaped frame for the face. Ruffles, lace, or other trim were added to the underside of the front brim.

Drawn bonnets were built over wire or cane. Small channels were sewn into the silk, and the fabric was drawn over the cane. Similar to the calash bonnet of earlier years, the newer version was smaller and rounder than the tall oval bonnet of the 18th century.

Women who engaged in equestrian sports wore men's style top hats for the rest of the century. A loose veil was attached. Women wore large, round straw hats with flat, low crowns and down-turned brims for the beach, garden, or country.

Hats of the Crinoline Period: 1850-1869

The Crinoline Period refers to when women's skirts grew quite huge, first with crinolines then with added hoops. While Paris remained the fashion leader, Queen Victoria was highly influential and encouraged the growth of industrial production.

Older women continued to wear day caps, now with lappets which were long extensions or ribbons hanging from the front at the sides. The bonnet still ruled. Bonnet crowns were lower and sloped toward the back with wide front brims. Lappets hung from the front of bonnets from the 1850s to the early 1860s.

Beaded hair nets called snoods were popular at this time. A loose net-like weave hung from a headband to envelop the back roll of hair.

In the 1860s, small hats perched forward. Sailor hats featured round crowns with narrow brims. During this time, women also wore bonnets tilted back with the front part of the crown built high with decorative feathers, ornamental grass, and artificial fruit or flowers. Bavolets often hung from the back.

Late Victorian Hats

The 1870s and 1800s reflected a materialistic culture that emphasized consumer consumption. Women's garments and hats reflected the over-the-top sentiment with huge bustles at the rear of dresses and lavish ornamentation. Conversely, the Aesthetic Movement and Dress Reform Movements, as well as a new interest in sports, led to a simplification of styles at the end of the century.

Hats and bonnets were worn tilted up or set forward to accommodate great piles of hair at the top and back of the head. When hairstyles simplified, hat and bonnet crowns rose.

• Brimless toques became popular.
• Garrison caps were small and jaunty, decorated with feathers.
• The Post Boy hat, set high on top of the head, featured a high crown and narrow brim.
• Boaters were the same as men's versions. Flat crowned with a medium brim and ribbon surrounding the base of the crown, boaters were made of straw.
• The Trilby was similar to a Fedora. Trilby's have a smaller brim, turned up at the back with less pronounced creasing. The style was worn by men and women, with women's styles featuring more embellishment.

In the 1880s, hats perched high with medium brims turned up on one side.

By the 1890s, day caps were no longer worn indoors. Hat sizes were small to medium, some without brims. Decorations and trim appeared higher on hats and included ribbons, lace, flowers, and feathers. Embellishments were fastened on one side of the hat and rose above the crown.

Late 1800s Feathers as Decoration and the Decimation of Wild Bird Populations

For much of the century to the early 1900s, women's hats were decorated with bird feathers and plumes. From 1875 - 1886 entire stuffed birds or wings adorned hats. The feather trade was so huge that wild bird populations were devastated by the slaughter. Birds were killed during the breeding season when plumage was most attractive, leaving nestlings to starve to death.

Conservatives spread misinformation claiming that feathers were gathered from the ground at rookeries. Others believed that wild birds were an inexhaustible resource.

Harriet Hemenway and her cousin Mina Hall encouraged women's groups to help end the slaughter of egrets, birds - of - paradise, flamingos, roseate spoonbills, kittiwakes, and great crested grebes. Along with ornithologist William Brewster, they created the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1897 and launched a boycott that eventually led to the prohibition of wild bird feather trading in their state. In England, Emily Williamson of Manchester pushed to establish the Society for the Protection of Birds.

By 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty ended the trade of many wild birds and prevented the extinction of the Snowy Egret, Sandhill Crane, and Wood Duck, and helped restore populations.

For Further Reading

Victorian Fashion by Jayne Shrimpton; Shire Library

Victorian Fashion : A Pictorial Archive 965 Illustrations by Carol Belanger Grafton; Dover Publications 1998

Survey of Historic Costume by Phillis G. Tortora and Keith Eubank' Fairchild Publications; 1999

"Victorian Hats," Victoriana Magazine

© 2021 Dolores Monet

Comments

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on July 11, 2021:

Excellent and interesting information about the women’s hats and caps. I liked reading about the details provided by you, in your well researched article. How times have changed, especially with regard to womenswear.

Great article and great pictures.

Thank you for sharing.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on July 11, 2021:

This is a very interesting article, Dolores. I liked the hats from the romantic era the best. I appreciate all of the information you provided.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on July 11, 2021:

I love reading these fashion articles of yours. This one about hats and bonnets was equally informative. I am glad that they stopping killing beautiful birds merely to display their feathers on hats.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on July 11, 2021:

As always. I appreciate the interesting and informative facts on fashion so long ago. The hats and bonnets added elegance to the woman's appearance. Hooray to the milliners who created such exquisite styles.

Amber has written about fashion and design, beauty, and skin care for several years.

Are Beauty Blenders Worth It?

The debate between whether you should use a beauty blender compared to a brush remains a constant controversy. Some beauty experts swear that a brush is essential, while others claim that a beauty blender is in your best interest for certain products.

Whichever product you choose to use to apply makeup is ultimately up to you. There are a few great things, and some not-so-great things, about both products. Learning about the pros and cons of a beauty blender, how to use a beauty blender, and what products you should be using a blender for can help you decide whether they are right for you.

Pros and Cons of Using a Beauty Blender

There are some great things about using a beauty blender. They’re more convenient for a variety of reasons. However, there are a few downsides that you’ll need to keep in mind before stocking up on your favorite beauty blender.

Pros

Beauty Blenders Don’t Leave Streaks

When applying a liquid foundation with a brush, you’re going to have to deal with streaks. Then, you’ll have to blend in the streaks for a natural look. That isn’t the case when using a beauty blender for application. Instead, you’ll find that it instantly gives you a streak-free finish.

Beauty Sponges Give a Natural Appearance to Makeup

Beauty blenders tend to absorb more product than brushes do. Because of that, they give you a more natural finish as they evenly deposit products all over your skin.

It’s Easier to Fill Your Pores

When you apply makeup, especially face makeup like foundation, you’re jamming the product into your pores. To do this with a brush, you have to essentially stab yourself with the makeup brush to get it down into the pores. Not only is this time-consuming, but it can also get uncomfortable. Beauty blenders naturally push products into the skin as you apply pressure to the sponge to blend, and they aren’t uncomfortable.

They Feel Better on Sensitive Skin

Beauty sponges are nice and soft. While some brushes are designed to be soft, they still don’t compare to the smooth texture of a sponge. If you have sensitive skin, especially around your eyes, using a brush can be uncomfortable.

You Only Need One

When it comes to brushes, you’ll need quite a few of them to complete your makeup routine. If you’re using a beauty blender, you only need one. You can use it for contouring, foundation, concealer, and everything else in your routine if you would like to.

Cons

Sponges Result in You Using More Product

Because makeup sponges absorb more product to distribute it on your skin properly, you’ll find that you use more products when you use them. At the same time, a lot of that product stays on the blender and never makes it onto your skin. When you’re spending close to $50 per bottle of foundation, that isn’t ideal.

They are Harder to Get Clean

Your favorite makeup brush will look new again after you disinfect it. That does not happen when you use a beauty blender. In fact, these are much harder to get clean. If you use them for darker makeup, such as eye makeup, they can be permanently stained. Typically, they’ll never look new again.

Wet Sponges Breed Bacteria

To properly use a beauty blender, you’re supposed to use a damp one to blend products onto the face. This results in a flawless look, but that damp sponge can be a breeding ground for nasty bacteria that can cause acne. It’s gross when you put a lot of thought into it.

You Have to Replace Them More

A good set of makeup brushes that are taken care of can last for years. A beauty sponge is doing great if it lasts for a few months. Even if it lasts until then, you’ll still need to replace them due to bacteria. You wind up spending more money for the little bit of convenience that a beauty blender offers in the long run.

Sponges are Not Very Durable

Sponges will slowly begin to flake and chip over time. After a cleaning session, it’s always iffy as to whether you’ll have a chip in your beauty blender. This means that you need a backup or three just in case it chips in an inconvenient spot.

Which Is Better?

Beauty blenders are more affordable than brushes, but that convenience comes at a cost. You do wind up paying more by replacing them, disinfecting them, and by having to spend more money on makeup products.

They can also grow mold and bacteria if not properly taken care of.

However, they provide an amazing finish for your foundation and feel so much better than a makeup brush when blending.

5 Common Questions About Beauty Blenders

1. Are beauty blenders bad for your skin?

If they are not cleaned after every use, a dirty beauty sponge can slowly collect dead skin cells and harmful bacteria. This bacteria can also get into your makeup, resulting in it finding its way into your pores. Then, it will cause blemishes and breakouts.

2. Can a dirty beauty blender cause acne?

Yes, it can. A beauty blender should be properly cleaned and disinfected after every use. This is because they are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can then make their way onto your face. That’s how a beauty blender can cause acne.

3. How long do beauty blenders last?

Beauty blenders need to be replaced every three months due to bacteria and dead skin cells. They typically last 4-5 months before chipping or cracking. Cheaper beauty sponges are known to last 1-2 months before starting to break.

4. Do beauty blenders get moldy?

Yes, they do. However, this won’t happen if they are cleaned and disinfected after every use. After cleaning a beauty blender, you need to make sure that it is in an open-air space to dry properly. Avoid putting sponges in a dark place, such as your makeup bag. That will encourage mold growth.

5. Do you wash beauty blenders after every use?

Yes! Every time you use a beauty blender, it collects dead skin cells and bacteria. This can grow and cause acne if your beauty blender isn’t cleaned properly. Not only do they need to be cleaned, but they also need to be properly disinfected after every use.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

Rachel Anders is a formal model and fashion enthusiast. She has tremendous insight into current fashion trends and styles.

Choosing the Right Panty Style

In the realm of clothing, women are afforded great flexibility in regard to their underwear preferences. This is due, in part, to the wide array of fabrics and styles that are available to consumers. From thongs to “cheekies” (and everything in between), the opportunities for creative combinations (and styles) are endless and limited only by the extent of an individual’s imagination.

Knowing which style and fabric to choose, however, comes with its own host of problems as many women are unsure which panty style is best-suited for their particular needs. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the various fabrics, materials, and underwear styles that are currently available to women. It includes a complete overview of each panty style, as well as their suitability for everyday use. Following completion of this work, it is the author’s hope that her readers will be better-equipped to understand the various options that are available on the market. While unseen to the outside world, proper selection of panties is a vital component to any outfit. As such, a deeper understanding of panties can play a major role in amplifying a woman’s overall comfort, confidence, and sense of style.

How to Choose the Right Panty Fabric

Fabric for women’s underwear and lingerie is extremely diverse, providing ladies with an almost “unlimited” selection that fits their individual bodies and needs. In fact, most ladies will tell you that fabric is one of the single most important factors when choosing panties (even more so than style). Why is this the case? Both “breathability” and comfort are extremely important to how you look and feel. Likewise, both of these factors can go a long way in preventing unnecessary sores and infection of your delicate areas.

Before selecting a fabric, however, ladies should consider a number of factors. This includes the fabric’s overall stretchiness, weight, look, and feel. Each of these factors are pretty self-explanatory, and are dependent upon your individual preference. For stretch and weight, do you desire a close-fitting (snug) material or one that that is slightly loose? Likewise, do you want a thicker material, or one that is thinner and more breathable? Finally, and crucially, for “look” and “feel,” you should always ask yourself: “is this material right for me?” Is it comfortable, and does it make me feel secure?

Listed below are some of the most common fabrics available on the market today.

Cotton

As with many clothing options, cotton is perhaps the most popular fabric for panties due to its level of comfort and breathability. Cotton is appropriate for everyday use, and is capable of absorbing upwards of 25-percent of its weight in moisture (keeping your skin dry throughout the day). They are also quite affordable, and highly recommended by many gynecologists due to their breathability and infection-fighting potential. And while the overall price of cotton has certainly increased over the last few years due to growing demand issues, cotton remains one of the most affordable fabric options on the market today.

Satin

Satin is renowned throughout the world for its soft and smooth texture that feels great to the skin. While it is often used in lingerie (due to its flashier appearance), satin is a popular choice for looser-fitting panty styles. It is cool to the touch, making this fabric extremely comfortable. And while it is quite shiny, this fabric is generally suitable for everyday use. Moreover, consumers can expect satin prices to be moderately cheap in price; however, this is subject to change when satin is combined with other fabrics (such as silk) which can dramatically increase its overall value.

Lace

Similar to silk, lace is usually reserved for fancier underwear such as lingerie and nighties. The material is renowned for its light and transparent qualities, along with its “seamless” feel. Despite these qualities, lace is extremely thin and flimsy. Moreover, its rougher texture can cause irritation (including itching) over time if continual contact with the skin is maintained. For these reasons, lace is usually not recommended for everyday use as they can be quite uncomfortable over longer periods of time. In regard to price, expect panties with lace fabric to be much more expensive than cotton and satin alternatives, as this material is considered a luxurious fabric that is in high-demand by consumers.

Mul Mul Cotton

Originating in Northern India, mul mul cotton (sometimes referred to as “mal mal”) is a softer and slightly thicker alternative to regular cotton. It is extremely light and feels great against the skin due to its natural “cool to the touch” texture. Generally speaking, this fabric is suitable for everyday use. However, it is vital to note that mul mul cotton is far less-breathable than standard cotton. This, in turn, increases the risk of skin-related issues when worn for extended periods of time. In regard to price, mul mul cotton is a relatively expensive fabric due to its fine weave and texture. Due to its widespread availability though, it is important to note that mul mul cotton has experienced a slight decrease in cost over the last few years.

Silk

Silk is typically reserved for making lingerie due to its softness and overall texture. Silk has a “weightless” dimension to it, and feels incredibly smooth against the body. It is also quite cool to the touch, providing incredible comfort to the wearer. Nevertheless, silk is usually not an “everyday” option in the realm of panties as it is not a breathable material. This is problematic, as the material can result in unwelcome infections of your delicate areas over time. In spite of this, the fabric is incredibly durable and will hold its shape for longer periods of time when compared to other choices (such as cotton or spandex). Durability comes at a price, however, as silk is generally more expensive than other panty fabrics on the market.

Jersey

Jersey is a material comprised of cotton, wool, nylon and polyester. It is waterproof and is a favorite for bikinis and water-based attire. Generally described as “springy” and “stretchy” in its overall texture, jersey materials offer a great deal of support as they move freely with the body. Jersey is also quite warm due to its knitted quality. This makes it an ideal choice for colder months. In regard to price, jersey is considered a middle-of-the-road option for many individuals, as it is neither cheap nor expensive.

Spandex (Elastane)

Spandex (sometimes referred to as “elastane”) is a super-stretchy material that is usually combined with cotton. The material is a great choice for athletes and more-active individuals, as its stretchiness provides maximum flexibility, while its cotton component actively “wicks” away sweat from the body. This, in turn, helps the wearer stay dry and comfortable during intense workouts. In spite of this, spandex does not provide a great deal of “breathability,” and can trap heat. This creates a perfect breeding ground for yeast infections over time (healthline.com). Price is also a factor that should be considered when looking at spandex, as this material is slightly more expensive than other fabrics (due to the cost of labor required to manufacture it). Nevertheless, price for this material is still considered to be reasonable, as it is not classified as a “luxurious” fabric.

Organza

Organza is a sheer and transparent material that is often adorned with a touch of “sparkle.” As such, it is generally used for lingerie (or gowns) due to its flashy appearance, and soft texture. While this material can certainly be incorporated for daily usage, individuals seeking a fabric that is comfortable and breathable will be better served by cotton-like materials instead. Moreover, it is important to note that organza is generally more expensive than the other fabrics included on this list due to their luxurious finish and design.

Florence Net

Florence Net is an extremely strong and durable fabric that is stretchy, lightweight, and breathable. Virtually weightless (and soft to the touch), this particular fabric is a favorite for lingerie items and nighties. In spite of this, Florence net is usually not recommended for everyday use. While extremely comfortable and breathable, they are not as durable as other fabrics on this list and may tear (or rip) over extended periods of time. Likewise, Florence net is generally more expensive than other options on this list.

Linen

Linen is an extremely breathable fabric that is capable of absorbing upwards of 20-percent of its weight in moisture. As an all-natural fiber, it is also incredibly lightweight, and softer than most of the fabrics on this list. Linen is generally available in both knit and woven forms, and is a great choice for summer attire due to its breathability. For these reasons, it is usually suitable for everyday use. It is important to note, however, that linen is usually characterized as a luxurious material due to the costs associated with harvesting and producing it. As such, linen-based panties are usually much more expensive than cotton-based alternatives.

Merino Wool

Merino Wool is one of the softest fabrics in the world, as well as one of the most breathable (due to its porous fibers). This fabric will not only keep you comfortable and dry throughout the day, but is also great at regulating your body’s natural temperature (keeping you cool in the summer, and warm when it is cold). As a result, this fabric is generally suitable for everyday use and can be easily incorporated into a variety of panty styles. It should be noted, however, that this particular fabric is incredibly expensive due to the number of fibers present (nearly double that of cotton).

Tencel

Tencel is an extremely breathable fabric that is derived from eucalyptus trees. It is comprised of super small fibers (known as nanofibrils) that actively wick away moisture from your skin. This fabric is highly durable, as well as extremely comfortable (making it suitable for everyday use). Nevertheless, women who are interested in this fabric choice should note that Tencel is also a lot more expensive than other options on this list. This is due (in part) to the technology required for its development, as well as its perception as a luxurious fabric by the public.

Panty Buying Tips

Know Your Body and Personality Type

As with any type of clothing, it is vital that you understand your body type when selecting panties. Some styles are more appropriate than others, depending on your overall shape. Likewise, panties are designed for a wide array of personality types, seasons, and purposes. If you are more modest, for example, choosing a thong or G-string probably isn’t the best choice as the lack of coverage will leave you feeling both vulnerable and exposed. Similarly, fabric choice should be dependent upon the time of year that you plan to wear it. Lighter materials will not offer much protection during the winter, whereas heavy materials will often prove problematic in the summer months.

Know Your Size

Before selecting panties, it is also crucial that you understand your waist and hip size before you begin shopping. Buying a set of panties that is too large (or too small) can result in extreme discomfort for the lady, as well as cause irritation. As such, finding a “perfect size” that fits your particular body shape is an essential part to panty shopping. After determining your particular size and needs, shoppers should also spend considerable time researching different brands as sizes can vary significantly between companies. Again, a proper fit is a vital component to panty selection, and will go a long way in making sure that your panties are as comfortable as possible.

Panty Styles

Now that we have covered the basics of panty fabrics, as well as the importance of size, we can now turn our attention to the various panty styles that are available on the market. In the sections that follow, a detailed overview of each style is provided, followed by a subsection that discusses each style’s “suitability” for everyday use. When selecting a style, always examine “why” you are interested in this particular look. As with any clothing option, some styles are more preferable to women than others. Likewise, some women may find some of these styles to be extremely revealing or uncomfortable for everyday use.

Bikini Panties

Bikini-style panties offer an “in-between” option for briefs and thongs, and were inspired by bikini bathing-suit bottoms (as their name implies). Offering medium (moderate) coverage to the wearer, a bikini’s waistband usually sits between the bellybutton and hip (unless they are low-rise). They also have relatively high-cut leg openings and offer a fair amount of coverage in the back. Straps on the side of bikini briefs are generally thin, while the rear fabric sits relatively high on the cheeks. Bikini briefs come in a variety of colors and fabrics that are designed to fit nearly any preference. A string option is also available and is distinguishable by its thinner sides and higher-cut legs.

When to Wear Bikini Panties

Bikini briefs are appropriate for nearly any occasion. Considered highly-versatile due to their size and shape, bikini underwear can be worn with nearly any outfit. This includes skirts (regular or mini), jeans, pants, or dresses. Although panty lines are relatively invisible with this style, certain fabrics (and bottoms) tend to show more than others. So be sure to keep this factor in mind when choosing bikini panties for your wardrobe.

Boyshorts

As their name implies, boyshorts are modeled after men’s boxer briefs and maintain a rectangular appearance similar to hipsters. This style offers full coverage to the wearer, with most sitting below the crease line of the cheek. Some boyshorts even reach as far as the thigh in their length (depending on your particular preference). Generally speaking, these panties tend to sit at the hips with significant coverage on the side regions. However, two major exceptions to this rule can be seen with bootyshorts and girlshorts, which tend to show more “cheek” and sit lower on the waist.

When to Wear Boyshorts

Boyshorts are regularly described as one of the most comfortable styles of panties on the market, with numerous fabrics to choose from (including cotton, nylon, and microfiber materials). As a result, they are great options for sleepwear and athletic attire. Seamless versions work great with skirts, dresses, and tighter-fit clothing. It should be noted, however, that normal boyshorts are prone to show panty lines. As a result, they should typically be worn with loose-fitting jeans, skirts, or pants if this is an issue you wish to avoid. Nevertheless, women seeking a full-coverage design can’t go wrong with boyshorts, as their total cheek coverage offers both a comfortable and modest style that is hard to beat.

Hipsters

Hipsters are often described as a mixture between bikinis and boyshorts. Offering a good deal of coverage, the hipster style maintains a wider waistband that tends to hug the body and hips (as their name implies). Often described as a “square cut,” hipsters are usually accentuated by bikini-style leg holes, along with full coverage in the rear. Generally speaking, these panties often sit low on the hips with the openings sitting just below the crease-line of the cheek. They also come in a variety of colors and fabrics that are tailored to fit nearly any individual’s preference.

When to Wear Hipsters

Hipsters are appropriate for nearly any occasion, and fit a wide-array of clothing options. They generally offer full coverage to the wearer, and are considered extremely comfortable by modern standards. Due to their low-cut features, panty lines are also less visible with this particular style. For these reasons, they are appropriate for almost any outfit, including dresses, skirts, tighter pants/jeans, and shorts (depending on their length).

Tap Pants

Tap pants are a sexy version of the boyshort that were designed to be relatively loose. Originally developed for tap dancers (hence their name), this panty style is often designed with delicate fabrics (such as silk or lace), making them extremely comfortable alternatives to other styles. Tap pants offer full coverage to the wearer (both front and back). In addition to their loose-fitting design, leg openings are usually quite open on this style with the waistband being the only piece of fabric that hugs the skin.

When to Wear Tap Pants

Despite their relatively longer length, tap pants are traditionally worn with skirts or dresses due to their loose-fitting design and lack of panty lines. Due to their extreme comfort (similar to men’s boxers), they are also well-suited as sleep attire.

Briefs

Briefs refer to standard underwear for women. Offering great coverage, briefs sit on (or just below) the bellybutton, and come in a variety of fabrics/materials. While similar to bikini underwear in many ways, briefs tend to have extra coverage along the hip, with additional material also appearing in the legs and rear. This style is also quite thick, and can provide a great deal of support to the tummy area when worn properly.

When to Wear Briefs

Briefs can be worn with any clothing option, and are widely considered to be one of the most comfortable options on the market. Their full-cheek coverage is also a great choice for individuals that prefer modesty over sexiness. However, due to their thicker fabrics, briefs are prone to show panty lines around the edges. For this reason, they are best suited for jeans and thicker clothing. It is also important to note that individuals (when selecting briefs) should attempt to find a pair that won’t bunch up, or “ride up” in the back.

Hi-Cut Briefs

Hi-cut briefs (or high-waisted briefs) are an extremely comfortable style of panties that sit just below the belly-button. Hi-cut briefs offer exceptional coverage to the back and front, and provide additional tummy support/shaping. Possessing wider leg openings, hi-cut panties also give the appearance of “longer legs” due to their relatively thin sides. Generally speaking, hi-cut briefs are simply briefs that sit higher on the waist. And while this panty style experienced a lull in popularity for a short while, it has recently experienced a dramatic revival in recent years as women come to recognize their overall comfort and support.

When to Wear Hi-Cut Briefs

Hi-cut briefs are a great choice for outfits that involve high-waisted bottoms. They are also great for providing a comfortable layer between your skin and high-cut jeans that normally cause discomfort. As a result, this particular style is highly suitable for everyday usage, and can be incorporated into a number of outfit options. As with regular briefs, however, it is important to note that this particular style can show “panty lines” around the edges. For this reason, they are best-suited for jeans, thicker clothing, or loose-fitting dresses and skirts.

Full Briefs

As their name implies, full briefs are designed for maximum coverage to the wearer. Classic styles typically sit high on the waist, and are designed with thick sides along with a lower leg line. Sometimes referred to as “granny panties,” full briefs provide a great deal of support to the wearer, especially along the tummy section and lower back. They also provide a great deal of protection against rougher fabrics (such as jeans and denim), affording women a greater degree of selection in regard to their wardrobe preferences.

When to Wear Full Briefs

Full briefs are generally designed for women who desire full coverage and support. As such, they are suitable for nearly any occasion and can be worn with dresses, skirts, and jeans. Due to their design, however, women should note that this particular style is more likely to show panty lines with tighter-fitting attire. For outfits that are more form-fitting, individuals will be better-served by “cheekier” options such as the thong, tanga, or bikini-cut styles.

Brazilian Briefs

Brazilian briefs, also referred to as “Brazilian knickers,” are a cross between the bikini and thong styles of underwear. These panties tend to sit low on the waistline, and possess wide sides along with minimal coverage in the back (providing a “cheeky” appearance to the wearer). Brazilian briefs are considered extremely sexy in the realm of panties, while simultaneously giving the appearance of regular briefs in the frontal region. For individuals wanting to transition (slowly) from bikini to thong, this style may be a perfect choice.

When to Wear Brazilian Briefs

Brazilian briefs are usually suitable for any outfit due to their comfort, and lack of visible panty lines for the wearer. And due to their coverage on the sides and front, they are even acceptable for jeans as they provide an extra layer of protection against the harsh feel of denim on the body. It is important to note, however, that this particular style has a tendency to “ride up” on the wearer, making them an uncomfortable choice for some women. To avoid this issue, always select panties that are properly fitted to your specific size. Likewise, choose fabrics that fit your particular tastes in regard to comfort.

French-Cut Panties

French briefs are similar to normal briefs, but possess wider sides that wrap around to the back. Generally speaking, French-cut briefs offer minimal coverage in the back as the bottom zone of the cheeks are exposed. Nevertheless, they offer considerable coverage in the front as they sit at the wearer’s natural waistline while hugging the natural curve of the legs. While some ladies look at this style as “granny panties,” their extreme comfort is difficult to beat in the realm of underwear and should definitely be a part of every woman’s attire.

When to Wear French Briefs

Due to their coverage, French briefs are suitable for nearly any outfit. They are extremely comfortable, sit securely along the hips, and are highly-suited for tummy control. In spite of these clear positives, however, it is important to note that this particular style is generally not suitable for low-rise pants (or shorts), as the top portion of your French briefs will be highly visible. Likewise, visible panty lines can be an issue with this style as well (depending on the particular fabric that you choose).

Cheekies

Cheeky panties are often described as a “cross” between the thong and bikini (similar to Brazilian briefs). Sometimes referred to as “cheekies,” the thong-like origins of this particular style are clearly evident upon first glance as these panties tend to reveal more of the lady’s lower bottom. Likewise, they follow a similar design to traditional bikini-cut patterns, but are slightly more revealing and “flirty.” Due to their coverage and thickness, this particular style is also incredibly comfortable to the wearer, and will provide your cheek area with a great deal of support. As a result, this style rarely “rides up” on the wearer (as long as a proper fit is obtained by the lady)

When to Wear Cheeky Panties

Cheeky underwear is a highly practical panty style that is suitable for nearly any occasion. They can be worn with dresses, skirts, and even jeans (providing an extra layer of protection against the rough feel of denim). Cheekies are also well-suited for tighter-fitting clothing as panty lines are virtually non-existent with this particular style. This is due to their back panels, which are far narrower than traditional panties, allowing them to practically “disappear” under your pants and skirts. Likewise, their low-cut design makes them a perfect choice for low-cut jeans.

Tanga

Tanga underwear is an extremely comfortable panty style that offers moderate to minimal coverage for the wearer (depending on your overall preference and style). Often described as a cross between the bikini and thong (similar to the cheeky), tanga underwear showcases much of the lady’s rear, while still maintaining a sense of coverage. They are also slightly narrower than a traditional bikini, providing minimum coverage on the front and sides for the wearer.

When to Wear a Tanga

Tanga style panties are appropriate for nearly any occasion due to their skin-hugging design and lack of panty lines. As such, they can be easily incorporated into nearly any outfit, with dresses and skirts being among the most popular combinations with this style. Due to their “minimal” style, however, it is important to note that tangas can be uncomfortable under jeans and rougher materials, as more skin will be in contact with these particular fabrics (leading to irritation and discomfort in your more sensitive areas).

Thong

Thong panties are one of the most sought-after forms of underwear, and come in a variety of patterns and fabrics. Although they look like normal panties from the front, a thong narrows to a thin piece of fabric in the back where it sits snugly between the cheeks. As a result of this narrowing, waistbands are usually quite narrow in appearance. While they are considered unconventional (due to their minimal coverage), a thong prevents the appearance of panty lines with tighter-fit clothing. They are also considered extremely sexy by modern standards.

When to Wear a Thong

Thongs are appropriate for nearly any occasion. Plus, many women consider them to be one of the most comfortable style of panties available on the market. In more recent decades, they have even become popular as swimwear. Depending on your particular tastes, however, a thong is most often worn with tighter clothing (to prevent the appearance of panty lines). You should also consider wearing a thong with shorts, dresses, and skirts. They are also highly-appropriate for fabrics that are more see-through, such as white jeans, tights, and leggings. In these latter situations though, it is important to note that the wearer should select a color option that matches your outer layer to prevent your thong from being visible.

G-String

Similar to the thong, G-strings (also known as V-strings) are incredibly minimal in their coverage areas. Often described as the “loin cloth” of the panty realm, the G-string offers only a small amount of coverage to the front (usually a triangular piece of fabric at most), whereas the back usually consists of a single string that sits between the cheeks. Occasionally, designers will adorn the top of the back piece with a pretty bow, ring, or other detail to add to its “sexy” factor, or feel.

When to Wear a G-String

Due to their minimal coverage, G-strings can be worn with a wide-array of outfits as panty lines are virtually non-existent with this style. For these reasons, the G-string is often worn with form-fitting attire such as skirts, dresses, leggings, and tights as they give the appearance of a “no-underwear” look. Nevertheless, many women tend to avoid wearing G-strings with jeans or denim shorts as there is no protection offered against the fabric (making them incredibly uncomfortable). Moreover, the G-string is usually quite uncomfortable (when compared to other styles on the market). Be sure to keep this in mind when selecting this style.

C-String

As if G-strings weren’t small enough, designers decided to create a new form of panties designed for absolute minimum coverage. The result was the C-string; a single-piece item devoid of waist bands that tucks neatly into the crotch and bottom area. C-strings are the closest a woman can get to going “commando” while still maintaining a sense of coverage. Often described as an “extreme thong” by designers, the C-string is held in place by a curved wire that sits between the butt cheeks.

When to Wear a C-String

The overall purpose of the C-string is to provide women with a sense of coverage while simultaneously avoiding visible panty lines for their clothing. As a result, the C-string is great for tighter-fit clothing. Nevertheless, it should be noted that women maintain radically contrasting views in regard to the overall comfort level of the C-string, with some loving it and others downright hating its feel. With no waistband for this particular style, many women also fear that the C-string is capable of sliding off during the day, resulting in a potentially embarrassing situation. For these reasons, great care should be taken when selecting this particular style.

"Peekaboo" Panties

“Peekaboo” panties, also known as “crotchless underwear,” is a style of underwear known for their split front. Peekaboo panties come in a variety of styles, including thong, boyshorts, or briefs. This particular style is highly impractical, as they offer virtually no support or coverage to the wearer.

When to Wear "Peekaboo" Panties

Peekaboo panties are usually reserved for “sexy” occasions, as they are not practical for everyday use. With virtually no support or coverage (especially in the front), the “peekaboo” style is best-suited for special evenings at home with your significant other. As such, wearing this particular style with jeans and other materials is not recommended, as the front opening can lead to serious irritation (or injury) after prolonged contact with rougher materials (such as denim).

Questions and Answers

What is the Most Comfortable Style of Panties?

If comfort is your number one priority for panties (rather than style/appearance), then you will be best-served by more traditional pairs such as briefs. To date, briefs (and their variations, including high-cut options) are recognized by women as one of the most comfortable pairs of underwear on the market. Of course, this assumes that a proper fit is achieved before wearing, as panties that are too small (or too big) will be problematic to the wearer.

Boyshorts are also cited as extremely comfortable by women, due to their coverage area and relaxed feel. Likewise, a number of women have also cited “cheekies” and “hipsters” as extremely comfortable as well. At the end of the day, however, comfort is a subjective term that is relative to the individual wants and desires of a lady.

What is the Most Comfortable Panty Fabric Available?

Of all the options available on the market today, cotton continues to be one of the most comfortable fabric choices for panties. Although other (more softer) fabrics, such as silk, are incredibly smooth and cool to the skin, prolonged contact with these type of fabrics can result in excessive “rubbing” that can leave your skin sore. Likewise, a number of softer fabrics are known to trap heat and moisture, leaving a lady in an uncomfortable position.

What is the Most Affordable Panty Option?

As of 2021, cotton-based panties continue to be one of the most affordable options on the market. This is due to the fact that cotton is both cheap and easily produced (harvested) worldwide. This is subject to change, however, as the price of cotton has steadily risen in recent months due to shortages.

What is the Most Expensive Panty Option?

To date, some of the most expensive panty options on the market include both silk and wool-based fabrics. This is due, in part, to shortages in materials as well as growing demand amongst consumers. As with all fabrics though, this is subject to change in the future as consumer desires are evolving every day.

Which Panties are Suitable for Everyday Use?

Of the options listed above, thongs, boyshorts, hipsters, tangas, and briefs (including all their variations) are among the most suitable for everyday use. These options can be incorporated into nearly any outfit, and will provide you with a great deal of support and protection from harsher fabrics (such as denim). Of course, “suitability” is a relatively subjective term in regard to clothing. As such, only you can know what panty option is best-suited for your particular needs.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, panties come in a wide array of colors, patterns, fabrics, and styles. With this extensive selection and variety, women are afforded great flexibility in the style and options they choose. From the “sexy” thong and tanga, to the more modest bikini, panties continue to be a vital component to nearly any wardrobe. As a woman, your options are limited only by the imagination, as well as your sense of style, comfort, and particular desires.

Works Cited

Articles/Books:

• Victoria's Secret "Panty Guide." Accessed: June 23 2021.
• Fresh Pair "Panty Guide." Accessed July 5 2021.
• Fruit of the Loom "Panty Size Guide." Accessed: June 4 2021.

Images/Photographs:

• Wikimedia Commons
• Pixabay

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.

© 2021 Rachel Anders

I love coming up with homemade, all-natural skincare recipes and sharing them with others.

How to Make Your Eyelashes Longer

I have been experimenting with eyelash serums and mascaras for a couple of years now, trying to find what combination works best to grow my lashes naturally. Big, long, curly lashes are definitely in right now, but extensions are costly and require upkeep every six weeks. With a few easy tricks, you can get the look without spending $100!

How to Grow Longer Lashes With Eyelash Serums

Growth serums are a godsend, and yes, they can work! I started with one that kept popping up on my Instagram advertisements - ForLash Eyelash Serum. I have been using this one on and off for over a year now and love the results. Generally speaking, eyelash serums work by conditioning and strengthening individual lashes.

Latisse

That being said, there’s only one serum that is proven to extend the growth period of lashes—Latisse. Latisse is FDA-approved but requires a prescription. Basically, each individual eyelash goes through a growth cycle. The Latisse serum has been proven to prolong the growth period of the lash before it is dormant for several weeks and eventually falls out. If you’d like to try this one out, ask your dermatologist!

OTC Lash Serums

Over-the-counter serums have different ingredients, one of which is peptides. These coat the lash and make it more flexible, therefore less likely to break. I think that using over-the-counter serums is still beneficial, even if they're not clinically proven to grow your lashes. If nothing else, they will condition and make your eyelashes look and feel thicker.

A Note on Biotin for Hair Growth

Many serums or growth products will boast that they contain biotin, a vitamin that promotes keratin production for hair and nails. There are a couple of problems with this. First, biotin must be consumed in order to be effective. Second, while biotin is in many hair/skin/nail products, there isn’t a whole lot of evidence that it actually makes hair grow faster. Typically, it will be most beneficial for people who are biotin-deficient.

Castor Oil for Eyelash Growth

Many tout the use of castor oil for eyelash growth. There have not been any scientific studies on this specifically, but there have been studies that ricinoleic acid, which makes up around 90% of castor oil, can prevent hair loss.

Note: Some people have allergic reactions to castor oil, so before trying this on your eyes, test a small amount on another part of your body, like your forearm.

How to Use Castor Oil For Eyelash Growth

1. Clean eyelashes and remove all makeup before going to bed.
2. Dip a cotton swab in 100% pure castor oil.
3. Carefully apply the castor oil to the top of your eyelash line. Avoid getting this product in your eyes! If it does cause irritation, gently rinse your eyes out with water.
4. Wash the oil off in the morning with a facial cleanser.

Use an Eyelash Curler

This won’t make your eyelashes longer, but it will certainly help them to appear that way! When you use an eyelash curler, you make them curl up more and become more visible instead of just sticking straight out. Plus, curlers are super inexpensive and can be found at pretty much any drugstore. Use the curler as close to the roots of your eyelashes as possible, holding for at least 10 seconds. Then, apply your mascara on top.

Mascara Tips for Longer-Looking Eyelashes

Of course, certain types of mascara and specific application techniques can also make your eyelashes appear longer.

• Try an eyelash primer first. Applying an eyelash primer before mascara can help make your lashes appear thicker.
• Use a small wand. The precision with a smaller wand can help define individual lashes and prevent clumping.
• Apply multiple layers. Going over in a second layer with a thicker mascara and brush can add volume and length.
• Wiggle the brush from left to right at the roots, then pull it up through the rest of the lashes. Wiggling it a bit at the roots helps separate the lashes and keeps them from clumping up together.

Use a Combination of Methods

There are several different ways you can make your eyelashes grow longer, or even just appear to be longer and fuller. I typically go for a combination of the two, using a serum daily to condition, paired with an eyelash curler and my favorite mascara (Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extension Mascara). This creates such a dramatic effect, as you can see below! These tricks help me to get the lash extension look, without spending the money.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Alex Rose

I am a long time freelance writer and poet. I enjoy sharing my advice with the public.

Patek Philippe Watches

Patek Philippe is a luxury watch company founded in 1839. The watch company is considered to be one of the most renowned watch manufacturers in the world.

The Swiss company is known for groundbreaking, unique and rare watches. These timepieces include the Grandmaster Chime 6300A010 which holds the record for the most expensive timepiece in the world and the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication which is the world's most expensive pocket watch.

The manufacturer has over ninety-eight patents in watch innovation and has invented over nineteen basic models.

The History of Patek Philippe

The history of the manufacturer is quite prolific. In 1845, the company received a patent for a keyless winding and hand-setting mechanism. The manufacturer also created the world's first Swiss wristwatch. By 1881, the company patented the precision regulator and, in 1902, the double chronograph.

Patek Philippe created the world's first split-second wristwatch in 1923. By 1949, the manufacturer had created the Gyromax balance and their 1986 invention of the secular perpetual calendar with retrograde date indication, which the company also patented.

The manufacturer also holds the record for the most expensive timepiece ever sold in the Asian market, the Star Calibre 2000. The timepiece features more than nineteen complications which include Westminster chimes, minute repeating, and lunar orbit.

Over the many decades, other high valued collections have been made. The company continues to be one of the most regarded and outstanding watchmakers in the world.

The World Time Collection

The world time collection was created in 1939. One of the collection's earliest models is its Ref. 1415. The timepiece features more than twenty-three world time zones. The collection also has more than five timepieces that are ranked among the most expensive in the world.

Nautilus Collection

This particular collection was introduced in 1976. The collection is made up of the most finely crafted steel sports watches in modern-day history. It is one of the most popular collections from the manufacturer. The most highly regarded models include the Ref. 5711 and 5712. Many watch collectors love this great and unique collection of handmade watches.

Patek and Phillippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Collection

The collection is quite alluring and exclusive. It is also among the most celebrated and groundbreaking watch collections ever. The timepieces were originally introduced in 1941. In 2016, Ref. 1518 became the most expensive wristwatch in the world.

The second edition wristwatch Ref 2499 is considered to be one of the most prolific timepieces ever created. A little over two hundred and ninety-nine plus pieces were created from the 1950s until the mid-1980s. It is why the watch collection is so highly valued.

Sky Moon Tourbillon Collection

The Sky Moon Tourbillon collection came about in 2001. The collection features amazing dials and more than eleven complications, including the tourbillon, sky chart, and moon phase. The crafting of some of the timepieces is one for the record books. The watches took over ninety hours to be made. It is why so many watch collectors love the timepieces so much.

Patek and Phillippe Calibre 89

The manufacturer is best known for its most difficult mechanical watch, the Caliber 89, which held the record for the most complicated mechanical watch in 1989. It has more than thirty complications which include the equation of time and a leap year application. It is so rare. The company made only three such watches. It is one of the most expensive watches on earth, with a price tag of five million U.S dollars.

Conclusion

What is your favorite collection from the amazing watchmaker? Have you heard of the company before? Do you own any of the luxury timepieces? Let me know in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing from you.

Comments

Mark Tulin from Palm Springs, California on July 01, 2021:

Great description of an amazing product.

Iris bought her wedding rings on Amazon. They outlasted the marriage. She regrets her choice of husband but not the rings!

Amazon Wedding Rings

One out of six women are disappointed with their engagement ring. 36% of them say they would much rather have picked the ring themselves. The commonest reasons for disappointment are usually the diamond being too small and the ring’s design not being to their tastes (despite detailed instructions!).

If you’re planning to propose soon, there’s no doubt you want things to go well, and for it to be a beautiful memory for both yourself and your partner. So, protect yourself against this risk by buying your wedding ring online.

Pros of Buying Online

• Thousands of different styles – Buying online has a whole bunch of advantages. For instance, on Amazon, you can choose between thousands of different styles and view buyer guides and reviews, so you can get a better idea of what your special lady will like. And if she’s around, you can look together! It’s something she’ll wear for the rest of her life, so you should make sure it’s to her tastes.

• The difference in cost – Another major factor – the biggest, in my opinion – is the difference in cost. Did you know that the average American spends $6,351 on a wedding ring? The amount is staggering, but what’s more surprising is the fact that the same ring can cost up to 50% less if bought online. When choosing a lesser-known brand, the discount for a ring of the same quality can be even steeper, like an insane 97% savings on what you pay. Jewelry stores – especially established ones – are notorious for marking up their prices. It’s not uncommon for them to have a 300% mark-up on popular rings. Furthermore, the average ring on Amazon costs way less because of higher competition and transparency.
• Super convenient – Buying online is also super convenient. No need to get dressed and go to a store where the employees will try to push you into buying something then and there. If you’re looking with your partner, it’s better still! You won’t need to find a time that suits both of you and then find the energy to actually go out. Lie in bed and have some snacks while browsing through the designs.
• No outside opinions – One other factor is that online, your decision will be completely your own. In a store, employees have their commission and monthly goal to consider. There have been times when I’ve been desperately asked to make a purchase, with the employee stating outright that she’s short of her monthly goal. You’ll never encounter that sort of pressure (or veiled emotional blackmail) online – especially on sites like Amazon.

Cons of Buying Online

Of course, buying a wedding ring online has its downsides as well. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

• Sizing problems – While most of us know our t-shirt and shoe size, ring size is a wholly different matter. While buying online, this is one issue that might arise – although some websites send out free ring sizers (they look like a mix between a miniature measuring tape and a zip-tie) and others, such as Amazon, often have helpful sizing charts online. And like Joe, you can always go to a store to get measured. Some others buy a couple of different sizes and return the ones that don’t fit.
• Sketchy websites – Amazon is a pretty safe bet while buying anything online – especially if the product is Amazon fulfilled. However, if you want to go with another website, such as an online jewelry store, do the necessary research and make sure the site is safe. Even with the price differential, wedding rings are still an expensive purchase! Try to only buy rings that come with an authenticity certificate.
• How it’ll look on your hand – Some people need to try out clothes and accessories and see how they look on them, before they can make a decision. Unfortunately, that will be a problem online. It can be done with a bit of creativity, or you can always return a ring if you decide it doesn’t look that great on your hand, but it will make online shopping a slow, inconvenient process.
• Missing out on discounts – Prices fluctuate a whole lot online, so it might happen that a few days after you place your order, the price of the item you ordered drops by a couple of percents. Or you might find a coupon that you could’ve used, had you known about it. To prevent this from happening, you can use a price tracker such as CamelCamelCamel, and/or coupon finders such as Honey.

Reviews of Amazon Wedding Rings

Let’s hear the opinions of some people who bought their wedding (or engagement) ring online.

Review #1

Andrew Emerson Ryan, 25-year-old CNA from Spokane, WA says: “I bought my wife's engagement ring online for about $680. I really enjoyed the experience, because I was able to customize the ring so it suited my wife and made her happy, all without breaking the bank. I feel like if I’d gone to a store I would’ve been shown a lot of options I did not want to choose, and ultimately I might’ve been unsatisfied with the ring I ended up picking.

“I was able to customize the ring to my own specifications that I knew my wife would like. I went with a ring that had exclusively colored stones in it. I chose aquamarine accents because my wife likes blue and green. The center stone was a mint Swarovski zirconia, and I decided on 14k yellow gold for the whole setting.”

Would he recommend buying a wedding ring online? “Yeah,” he responded. “Buying online allows you to customize exactly how you want, without looking at any options you don't want to or feeling pressured to make choices that don't seem ideal.”

Review #2

Joe, a 29-year-old businessman from Kearney NE says: “The ring I bought costs $159.20, though I happened to catch them doing a sale so I got a decent discount on it. The ring is Titanium, with a carbon-fiber interior that glows once it absorbs UV light. They also had copper, gold, silver, stainless steel, and some non-metallic options. My fiancée (and soon-to-be-wife) said she loves it.”

When asked about his experience buying a wedding ring online, he said: “I had an excellent experience. The hardest part was getting both of us sized – for which we had to go to a jeweler. Other than that, it was great. It arrived promptly. No-fuss, no issues needing returns, just a quality product that’s served me well over the past year.”

Now that you’ve saved yourself some time and effort, in addition to a considerable sum of money, you can buy something useful with it! Treat yourself, take your partner out on a date, or spend the extra money on a fantastic proposal. After all, even if she knows what the ring will look like, she has no way of knowing what else you’ve got in store for the special day!

Robin is a writer and researcher for Global Serendipity, an online shop that features one-of-a-kind jewelry from around the world.

What is 925 Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is made with 92.5% pure silver and is considered to be a precious metal. Silver plating is made with 0.15 to 0.2 mils of sterling silver over a base metal, often brass or copper. Unlike silver plating, 925 silver will never flake. Properly cared for, it will last for generations.

So, how do you keep your new 925 silver jewelry looking splendid for many years? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Keep It Dry

The fastest way to tarnish your jewelry is by exposing it to moisture and liquids, including showers, hot tubs, cleaning products, high humidity, sweat, lotions, makeup, hairspray, and perfume.

Instead of memorizing all these items, just get in the habit of donning your jewelry last, after you've gotten ready. And, when heading out to the gym, for a run, or a walk in the rain, leave your gold jewelry at home or in a secured locker.

2. Store It Correctly

I personally think it's a drag laying my head on the pillow and realizing that I still have my earrings on. So, besides my regular jewelry case, I keep a little box with a lid on my nightstand, so I can just roll over and place my earrings (or other jewelry) in it. During those hard-won 8 hours, the oils and heat your body produces can tarnish jewelry that is touching your skin.

But, in general, the absolute best way to store your jewelry is in individually sealed bags (like Ziploc) to prevent scratches by other jewelry, and putting them in a cool place (box, drawer, case whatever) but not the fridge, which might produce too much humidity.

3. Clean It Carefully

Only clean jewelry when it is visibly dirty or tarnished. Just wipe it gently with a jewelers or microfiber cloth. If it needs more attention than that, put a drop of a gentle dishwashing liquid in a cup of warm water. Carefully swish the jewelry around for a minute or less, then wipe it with the cloths mentioned above.

Never, ever wipe jewelry with paper products as they will cause fine scratches. Sidepoint: You'll probably run across some articles that recommend using a toothbrush and baking soda to clean jewelry - utter disaster! Baking soda (besides in cooking) is used to abrasively clean things.

© 2021 Robin Young

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

Lovecraft Beauty: Warm Rituals Eyeshadow Palette Review

Lovecraft Beauty is a company with a great concept. They stand for Love+Craft+Beauty.

Their motto is to love yourself, love your craft and love your beauty. They aim to create makeup that helps every person express themselves and their individuality.

With a belief like that, it’s understandable why everyone has tried this makeup at least once. However, there are quite a few things about their eyeshadow palettes that you need to keep in mind before you pay almost $30 for one eyeshadow palette.

Lovecraft Beauty Warm Rituals Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

The colors are warm tones of cream, brown, orange, and green. The three brown shades are matte formulas. The others are shimmery, especially the orange. A unique combination of fall colors makes this eyeshadow perfect for those with brown eyes!

Warm Rituals Pros Vs. Cons

On the surface, this eyeshadow palette looks like a dream come true. I have hazel eyes, and these shades were the perfect colors. Lovecraft Beauty was designed by a professional makeup artist, so you instantly assume that it’s going to live up to your expectations. However, there were a few areas where it fell short.

Pros

No Smudging or Creasing

While the look seems to fade away as the day goes on, it’s not going to look bad. The eyeshadow does not crease in the center of your eyelid. It also won’t smudge across your face due to the humidity that summer brings. If you can figure out a way to make it stay all day, this eyeshadow can become one of your favorite products.

Cruelty-Free

This company advertises that they do not test their products on animals. When you pick up one of these eyeshadow palettes for brown eyes, you know that you’re not contributing to animals being used to make sure that makeup products are safe.

Great for One Color Looks

While this eyeshadow is horrible at blending, that doesn’t matter if you only wear one color of eyeshadow. You can create a look by swiping a chocolatey brown across your eyelid with some eyeliner and be done for the morning! That makes this a great beginner eyeshadow palette.

Cons

The Shades Are Not Very Pigmented

While the eyeshadow colors look exceptional in the palette, they are not highly pigmented once you put them on. This works well for people that might want a more neutral look with shades of brown. However, it’s not going to be your favorite palette if you prefer to add a pop of color to your eyelids, as most of us do.

Poor Staying Power

I’ve tried to wear this eyeshadow three ways. First, I just wore the eyeshadow. It didn’t last all day. Unfortunately, I got similar results when using primer and my Urban Decay setting spray. To enjoy a look all day, you’ll need to reapply it during your lunch hour.

This eyeshadow also wipes off relatively easily with water. Wearing this formula in the rain, during high humidity, or any time aside from cooler Fall weather is not a good idea.

Doesn’t Blend Well

When trying to pull off the perfect smokey eye, you’re going to run into problems when using this formula. The colors muddy together to form almost a new shade instead of blending smoothly together for a seamless eyeshadow look. Overall, that was very disappointing.

Matte Formula Is Powdery

The matte formula used is a bit powdery. It doesn’t go on as smoothly as the shimmer or glitter formulas do. In the picture above of Lovecraft Beauty Warm Rituals swatches, you can see that the matte formulas have chunks of powder. This is also how it goes on your eyelids. This can be a problem, especially if you prefer cream eyeshadows.

The Price

Paying almost $30 for an eyeshadow palette with six colors that do not stay, and do not blend well, is not going to happen for me. I simply can not justify spending that much on this product from Lovecraft cosmetics when Morphe is a fraction of the price and blends beautifully. (Morphe palettes cost approximately the same but include so many colors that you get a fantastic deal every time.)

Who Is Lovecraft Beauty Warm Rituals Eyeshadow Palette For?

While this isn’t my favorite palette, there are a few people that it will work well for. If you’re interested in trying it out, keep these things in mind before adding it to your cart.

Does Not Look Well With Faces That Have Red Undertones

If you have red undertones, even if they are mild, the shimmer colors can leave you looking more like a clown, thanks to your rosy cheeks. In order to make this eyeshadow palette work, you will need to cover the red undertones with foundation before applying.

Makeup Artists Will Be Frustrated

Blending eyeshadow to create an amazing look is one of the fun things about being a makeup artist. You can create unique looks and make someone’s day with eyes that pop. Because this eyeshadow doesn’t blend well, it’s not a great tool to have.

Beginners Will Love It

Using this eyeshadow palette instantly reminds me of the way that I put on eyeshadow as a beginner. In the beginning, I used only one color. Blending was a foreign concept to me. If you know anyone just beginning to wear makeup, they’ll appreciate the Lovecraft Beauty Warm Rituals eyeshadow palette.

Worth It?

The Lovecraft Beauty Warm Rituals eyeshadow palette has beautiful colors that work well with brown or hazel eyes.

The formula leaves a bit to be desired, though. You simply cannot pull off a lot of eyeshadow looks with it.

However, if you’re a fan of using a single color of eyeshadow, this could easily be the palette for you.

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

I am a freelance writer and I am passionate about writing content about topics that I know and love!

Acne Treatments Can Start in Your Kitchen

The majority of people want to get rid of their acne. As a result, there are several acne treatment options. The Natural Acne Remedy is a unique type of acne treatment. Natural Acne Remedy, unlike most acne treatments, treats acne by natural processes. There should be no negative side effects from using these natural acne treatments since they are all-natural.

The only difference between natural acne treatment products and non-natural acne treatment products is that natural acne treatment products have no side effects. While natural acne treatment products have grown in popularity in recent years, another form of acne treatment, homemade acne treatment products, has emerged as a common option.

Natural and non-natural ingredients can be used in homemade acne care products. The most significant benefit is that you can experiment with various acne treatment products before finding one that you like and that works best for you. So this way, they do not need to buy many different products to find one that works best but easily make the product at home to try it and make more when it gives a good result.

Basically, homemade acne treatments are made with the sources that one has. Since everyone is different, the identical acne treatment product will not give the same results to everyone. So, therefore, homemade acne treatment can quickly find the perfect acne treatment product for you. For a long time, this form of acne treatment has been gaining popularity. This is also the cheapest form of acne treatment available. Some researchers have discovered that other people's acne remedies don't always work, but using a homemade acne remedy can help you get rid of your acne.

There is also a disadvantage of using home remedies for acne. They may or may not function, and in some cases, they may add to the problem. If the treatment isn't done properly, it may increase the acne problem by causing side effects and other skin problems. Most people can rely on trial and error because most skin problems caused by side effects can be cured. It is best to do some research before making your own homemade acne treatment product.

8 Home Remedies to Consider

1. Oatmeal

Oatmeal appears to have some properties that help to improve acne and the overall appearance of the skin. Who'd have guessed?

One way oatmeal helps cure acne by absorbing excess sebum, which is a big cause of acne. It does so by preventing pore congestion, which in turn avoids potential breakouts.

It can exfoliate the skin without being too rough. According to Healthline, oatmeal is a great gentle exfoliator that helps to slough off dead skin cells, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer natural skincare. It also has proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities that may help relieve dry, irritated skin and protect against damage.

You can get rid of toxins and acne-causing bacteria daily by using it as an exfoliator without messing with your skin's natural oils. Isn't it fantastic?

2. Honey & Cinnamon

Cinnamon's anti-inflammatory properties, combined with honey's antimicrobial properties, enable this combination to be ideal for acne treatment.

To make the mask:

1. You’ll need three tablespoons of manuka honey and one tablespoon of true cinnamon.
2. Microwave for 30 seconds
3. This mixture should be applied to the face to mask acne and pimples.
4. After 10 minutes, wash it off with lukewarm water.

3. Garlic

Although the smell is unpleasant, we'll take a chance when an ingredient can make you glow forever. Chock full of antibacterial, anti-aging, and skin-smoothing properties that will help you maintain a healthy, flawless complexion.

Here's how to use it in your beauty routine:

1. To release the juices from a fresh piece of raw garlic, cut it in half and press it.
2. Apply this to the blemishes and spots.
3. Allow for a five-minute soak before rinsing. It aids in the reduction of redness and swelling. If the juice is too much for you to handle, mix the juice with a little honey.

4. Orange Peels

The acidity of oranges, combined with their high vitamin C content, makes them one of nature's perfect acne remedies. Given that vitamin C is anti-inflammatory, it may help reduce redness and swelling related to acne when used topically. Thus, it may improve the appearance of acne lesions

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is known for fighting free radical damage to skin cells and may help treat acne.

To treat acne, you can use orange peels and orange juice as much as you like. If you don't see positive results after six weeks of therapy, see a dermatologist for more help.

5. Tomatos

Tomatoes are not only delicious, but they are also good for your skin. Tomatoes are important to eat since they contain lycopene, an antioxidant that acts as a natural sunscreen. Some people claim the enzymes in tomatoes can offer exfoliation benefits when applied to the skin.

Tomatoes are an anti-aging agent because the antioxidants help to prevent cellular damage and skin reddening, researchers have also found that lycopene has a powerful anticancer effect.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric has a reputation for treating a number of conditions, including acne. According to Healthline, tumeric has been touted for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects.

Turmeric's antibacterial and antiseptic properties help reduce the risk of acne breakouts and the healing of existing acne. Turmeric is rich in antioxidants, which can help slow down the skin's normal aging processes.

In addition to being a fantastic natural exfoliant. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help to alleviate certain acne symptoms.

7. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an excellent skin treatment choice, especially for oily, acne-prone skin, and is widely considered the best natural acne treatment. Tea tree oil can help prevent the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, making it particularly effective in the fight against acne.

However, it is very important to note that you cannot ingest tea tree oil as it is toxic. Ingesting it can cause serious symptoms, including confusion and ataxia. You also have to dilute tea tree oil to not burn your skin!

Tea tree oil can also be used as a cleanser and as a moisturizing solvent. It quickly removes oil and dust while also helpful in the protection of the skin from oxidative stress. Tea tree oil combines with the skin's natural oil when added, preventing the blocked pores from becoming the bacteria’s food. Without nourishment, the acne-causing bacteria won’t grow.

How to use tea tree oil safely:

1. Dilute 3 drops of tea tree oil into 2 ounces of witch hazel.
2. Use it as a toner throughout the day. You can use a face wash, moisturizer, and spot treatment containing tea tree oil as well.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Modeling is about exhibiting works of art created by designers. However, the models themselves have become brands and it is not unreasonable

Famous Indian Models

Modeling is all about exhibiting works of art created by designers. However, the models themselves have become brands, and it is not unreasonable to say that they are the backbone of the fashion community. This post takes a look at the top 8 Indian female models who will change the game in the fashion industry.

• Ujjwala Raut
• Nina Manuel
• Deepti Gujral
• Archana Kumar
• Noyonika Chatterjee
• Sheetal Mallar
• Nethra Raghuram

Ujjwala Raut

One of the few Indian models with no plans to change the silver screen. At one time, Rawat was full of Bollywood offers, but she turned them down for her modeling career and met the demands of becoming a young mother.
She began her career in 1996 when she won the Femina Fresh Luck of the Year, immersed in direct modeling. Now 40 years old, she is the most successful Indian model abroad. Hugo has done shows for everyone, from the boss to Gucci to Victoria's Secret.

Nina Manuel

Nina was voted one of the top 50 stylish people in 50 consecutive years by Elena Magazine (India). Maxim and FHM have also voted her as one of the 100 sexiest women in the world. Not only has she walked the ramp for big names in the Indian fashion industry, but she has also covered some of the country's biggest fashion magazines (Cosmopolitan, Maxim, FHM, Elle, etc.).

Nina Manuel has been at the forefront of the Indian fashion industry for over a decade. In addition to making a name for herself as a model, she also earned acclaim as a performer. She is currently expanding her horizons, integrating into the design, fashion, and events, and adapting to Mumbai and New York.

Deepti Gujral

Dipti Gujral is an Indian actress, VJ, and a famous model. She has also successfully hosted popular MTV shows. She began her journey with modeling and when she was featured in Kingfisher's famous calendar. Gained fame. She is considered one of the most popular models in India and has endorsed many famous brands through print media and television commercials. He made his debut as a VJ on the MTV show - Pulsar MTV Assistant Mania Underground. Her second show with MTV was MTV Splitsola, Season 3. He hosted a reality series with Nikhal Champa, who has also played small roles in films like Ishq Vishq and Me, Me and Me. Dipti Gujral was born in Calcutta and spent his childhood there.

Archana Kumar

Archana Kumar is from Bangalore. He is a former state-level basketball player and field hockey player. Archana Kumar started modeling in 2008 along with her education, with the full support of her parents. Archana had completed two years of modeling in Bangalore before moving to Mumbai in 2012. She attended Elite Luck of the Year 2011 in Shanghai and was selected in the top 10 models in the world. She has appeared in all major magazines, including Vogue India, Elle India, Harper's Bazaar, and Marie Claire.

Noyonika Chatterjee

Originally from Calcutta, Niwonika started her career at the tender age of 13. Initially, he did small projects as a hobby, but when he entered junior college, he began to take it seriously. Doubled as "India's Naomi Campbell", the shiny-skinned beauty of "5'11 broke the stereotypes and quickly became a ramp favorite. She was incredibly popular in the 1990s and has been modeling for the past two decades. She took a break from modeling after her marriage and the birth of her daughter.

Sheetal Mallar

Sheetal Mallar is an Indian fashion model from Mumbai. The 44-year-old model, who reached 5'10, started her career in 1994 at the age of 16. Her first shoot was for photographer Gautam Rajadhiksha. She was named Femina Luck of the Year and Elite Luck of the Year in the same year. Through Elliott, she moved to New York, Milan and Paris and worked there for two years.

Nethra Raghuraman

Nethra Rahuraman was born into a Tamil-speaking family. She began her career in 1997 and won the Femina Magazine of the Year competition. Shortly afterward, she turned to acting and won Best Female Newcomer at the 2000 Star Screen Awards. Since then, she has also done reality shows.

Nitra has been married to Singaporean businessman Konal Goha since 2011.

Amber has written about fashion and design, beauty, and skin care for several years.

Victoria Beckham Future Lash ($28)

Victoria Beckham Future Lash vegan mascara is hands-down one of the best smudge-proof mascaras that I’ve tried so far. It definitely lived up to my expectations, although there are a couple of downsides that you’ll need to keep in mind before picking up a tube for yourself.

Victoria Beckham has brought the wonderful things that we all adore about luxury makeup brands into the world of vegan, clean beauty. There are so many positive things about this cruelty-free mascara that it was hard not to instantly try it when I got it in my Ipsy bag.

Pros

Vegan Mascara

After realizing that I have a gluten intolerance, I was unwillingly thrown into the world of gluten-free foods. This has quickly transpired into a profound interest in vegan things, including vegan mascara. Animals that are raised so that we can use them for products, including cosmetics, contribute damage to the Earth at a faster rate than humans via water consumption, etc., so it’s nice to know that this product is vegan.

Cruelty-Free Mascara

When a product is advertised as cruelty-free, it means that it is not tested on animals. Although all makeup products aren’t cruelty-free, it’s great knowing that this product from Victoria Beckham is. If you’re on the hunt for cruelty-free mascara, this one is worth looking into.

Smudge-Proof Mascara

This product advertises that it’s smudge-proof, and it definitely is! I wore it for an entire day, and it stayed perfectly in place. It dries quickly, so you don’t have to worry about smudging because it’s still wet when applying other makeup around your eye.

The Applicator Makes Application Easy and Mess-Free

While applicators with large, thick bristles have dominated the mascara industry for decades, smaller brushes like this one definitely have their benefits. Because the bristles are small, it doesn’t load too much product on the brush. You won’t have to worry about accidentally getting mascara on your upper or lower lid during application. Applying this cruelty-free mascara is as simple as pulling the applicator out of the tube and brushing it along your eyelashes.

Looks Natural

The perfect application wand combined with a smooth, non-clumping formula can help you have lashes that look naturally darker. Because the formula does not have a thick coating, you don’t have to worry about lashes sticking together or looking fake. They aren’t so crunchy that you’ll spend the day fearing they are going to break in half, either. Instead, you get slightly darker, fluttering eyelashes with one swipe of this vegan mascara.

Cons

Not Waterproof

While there are plenty of vegan mascara brands on the market with waterproof mascara, this is not one of them. While it will survive in a slight drizzle, this isn’t a mascara to wear during a downpour or day at the beach.

Those of you that are looking for a vegan mascara that is also waterproof should check out:

• Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara (available at Ulta)
• Thrive Causemetics (available on their website)
• KUSH Waterproof Mascara by Milk Makeup (available at Sephora)

These are all exceptional brands that offer vegan mascara. The above products will survive a day at the beach, too!

Although this can be a huge downside to this cruelty-free mascara during the day, it’s a blessing when it is time to remove the mascara. You can easily wipe your eyelashes with water, and trust that it comes right off.

Should You Buy It?

Yes! I love the mascara minus the fact that it’s not waterproof. It’s easy to apply, simple to remove, and gives you a naturally flawless look that won’t smudge until you’re ready to wipe it away. The price for the mascara is affordable and well worth it for a vegan mascara like this one.

About the Company

Those who have not heard of Victoria Beckham might recognize her as Posh Spice. Beckham was branded as the most stylish member of the girl group Spice Girls in the 90’s. Long after songs like “Wannabe” and “Who Do You Think You Are” stopped blaring on the radio, Beckham took her career a step further by launching her own clothing line. She joined the cosmetics industry in 2019 with a company, Victoria Beckham Beauty, that managed to set itself away from the rest of the industry with a few features that fans have come to love.

Women Empowerment

While Beckham had collaborations with previous companies, such as Estee Lauder, this is her first makeup company and brand. She is the co-founder. Victoria Beckham Beauty was founded by both Beckham and Sarah Creal. They loved the idea of makeup that is created by women.

Clean Beauty

The cosmetics industry, and several other industries, continue to include ingredients in their products that are known to be harmful to humans and/or animals. For example, soda brands that have flame retardant in them. The high levels of arsenic and metals that were once found in baby foods. Cosmetics are not the exception.

Clean beauty products are free from these toxic ingredients. When we apply cosmetics to our face, our skin absorbs the ingredients through our pores. The fact that Victoria Beckham offers clean beauty products is one more thing that we love about them.

Vegan and Cruelty-Free

Although the company tends to focus more on having clean beauty products and being environmentally friendly, it’s definitely worth noting that most of the products are also vegan and cruelty-free. Even some of the waterproof products are!

Transparency

The company claims that they are transparent. You can see on each product description whether it is vegan and cruelty-free. Granted, no one is going to inform the public that they are testing products on animals. However, it’s worth noting that they include plenty of information in the product description to form your own opinion.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Prices

Future Lash Mascara is one of the most affordable products on the website. Other products are also seemingly affordable, such as the waterproof vegan eyeliner that you can pick up for under $30. However, before you fall in love with this brand, it’s worth noting that they get more expensive as you continue browsing. A matte bronzer brisk will cost you over $50, and lipsticks are almost $40. A single-pot eyeshadow is going to be closer to that $40 range as well. I love the brand and this mascara, but I’m not going to fill my vanity with it. Instead, I’ll enjoy a product on occasion. (I could get an entire palette from Tarte for less than what a single pot eyeshadow costs at Victoria Beckham Beauty.)

Where Can You Buy Victoria Beckham Beauty?

This line of beauty products, including skincare, can be found on the website www.VictoriaBeckhamBeauty.com. You can also find this line of products at your local Sephora, if they haven’t sold out already Bloomingdale’s and Estee Lauder carry them as well.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

Comments

Sp Greaney from Ireland on May 14, 2021:

Thanks for sharing this review. I wasn't aware that she had a beauty range. It's nice to hear about celebrities finally making products like this.

Carson is passionate about helping people find chic, affordable fashion options.

Princess Polly: Comfort Over Frills

If you're fashion-obsessed and love to rock the hottest trends, then Princess Polly is your go-to boutique for that much-needed wardrobe and accessory fix for less. Princess Polly is taking the fashion industry by storm, taking the copycat scene into an entirely elite level. The business model is angled towards providing the market with high-quality luxury wear at unbeatable prices.

Know who's on our top 7 hottest and sophisticated stores like Princess Polly down below.

Luxury Designs for Less

Are you looking for something upbeat and fashion-forward? If you are into bold yet chic pop culture fashion and swerve into street style, then Princess Polly is the shop to beat.

There's a reason why this Australian clothing boutique is trending and considered one of the most-coveted shopping portals in the world.

Apart from having quick product shipping and fantastic promo codes for their loyal fans and customers, Princess Polly is a darling of the crowd especially for the younger generation of shoppers because of their wide variety of collections catering to women looking for Boho-inspired and high-quality fashion apparel at affordable price tags.

They also offer express worldwide shipping and also have an awesome 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stores Similar to Princess Polly

Many online boutiques got this unique inspiration from Princess Polly and are now jumping on the same trend. If you're still sticking to your good-old favorites, you're missing out on what Princess Polly has to offer in terms of providing you the most spectacular designs at prices that you can afford.

Below are online boutiques like Princess Polly that you can check out right now:

1. Pretty Little Thing

2. Hello Molly

3. Dissh

4. Nasty Gal

5. Jean Jail

6. ASOS

7. ChicWish

1. Pretty Little Thing

If your favorite influencer has been sporting this posh dress and getting attention – then you deserve that too. Pretty Little Thing is a fashion retailer based in the UK geared towards the younger generation of women or those under 30. They boast of the newest trends in fashion apparel, which allows you to shop to embrace your curves and flaunt them.

Whether you're voluptuous or petite, there are pieces that will fit you perfectly. Like Princess Polly, the shop has a ton of promo codes to help customers save on their orders, plus students also get to save as much as 20% off on their purchases. Pretty Little Thing operates in Australia, UK, France, the US, Ireland, North Africa, and the Middle East.

2. Hello Molly

If you want it elegant yet affordable, then you better say, Hello Molly! This shop is one of the best alternatives to Princess Polly. They don't stock many items, so it's best to order immediately once you see a design you love on their boutique. They have many cute and trendy designer-inspired clothing, bags, and shoes that you can grab for really low prices.

They have fast turnovers, which I love, plus you can also pay in installments! More so, the shop also has these awesome free shipping perks if you order more than $AUD50.

You also enjoy a 10% off bonus on your first order immediately after you sign up, plus students also get a whopping 10% discount on their orders. They also have a 30-day return policy that you can exchange for store credits.

3. Dissh

If you love uniquely designed clothing, then Dissh is your go-to shop for women's clothing. It's dubbed to be one of the best stores like Princess Polly because it’s right here where you can find classy and unique clothing and accessories that will get you dolled up from head to toe on the most important occasions. They're very meticulous with details and love to create designs that embody every woman’s unique personality and lifestyle.

So, if you're the romantic girl who loves vintage dresses or the woman-on-the-go who prefers denim, then DISSH has dished it all out for you!

You also get to save more when you shop with their 25% off when you shop for at least $AUD200.

4. Nasty Gal

If your kind of fashion is geared towards bold and edgy fashion statements – then you must check out Nasty Gal! It can transform your dark fashion taste into classy yet extraordinary fashion statements that reflect you at its core.

Like Princess Polly, Nasty Gal caters to young women looking for fashionable hip designer clothes for reasonable prices. You can even find clothes that cost less than $50, so you can boost your savings.

Comfort and confidence over frills are important for Nasty Gal. They also offer accessories, dresses, loungewear, shoes, and other accessories catered to plus-size women.

5. Jean Jail

If you love the simplicity and class of wearing basics, then Jean Jail is for you. They're not the type of boutique that chases trends like Princess Polly, which makes them a great alternative or alter-ego for those who want practical pieces that are beautiful and functional at the same time.

The brand is all about empowering women of all shapes, sizes, and colors, knowing that each woman is unique and deserves these simple joys. I especially love their fast and personalized customer service. They have handwritten letters for customers, which make them a memorable brand.

You also get a smashing 20% off on your first order after signing up for their newsletter.

6. ASOS

This is one of the best-loved shops similar to Princess Polly because they could mesh affordability with timeless designer finds. Right now, they have also expanded their product line and have added makeup, skincare, and body care to their roster of products.

If you are longing for a boutique that hugs every type of size or even plus size clothing, you will find it appealing that ASOS carries sizes from XXS to XXXL.

7. ChicWish

It's a lot like Princess Polly with this slight difference – ChichWish caters to the older crowd. So, if you're not a part of Generation Z or the millennial breed of customers, then ChicWish is perfect for your classic taste.

They're a little steep on pricing, but the quality is top-notch, making the price tag worth it. If you are into indie designs and love dress collections that are more conservative cuts, this is the shop for you. They also have a maternity and kids' line so you can find everything your family needs when it comes to fashionable finds in one shop.

Snag Trending Styles at an Affordable Price!

If there is designer wear that you love to have but cannot afford, Princess Polly and the alternative boutiques we have listed above has that on their racks for an irresistible price!

With that being said, you get to snag designer clothing styles for unbelievably low prices. They have fast product restocks and turnovers, so customers don't have to wait around to shop and splurge.

It's tough to combine elegance with edgy fashion, but Princess Polly has successfully merged both worlds in their stellar clothing, bags, and accessories designs.

If it's a style that's going viral, then alternative stores like Princess Polly have that available for you at really reasonable prices compared to what's lined up on the luxury racks.

Comments

Lady Dazy from UK on May 11, 2021:

Princess Polly looks like a good ethical company selling some lovely clothes.

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

About Face by Halsey

The About Face makeup line by Halsey was anticipated across the world. This singer is known for doing her own makeup looks for concerts. She even completed all of her own makeup looks using the About Face line for the launch videos and pictures! Halsey takes the definition of creativity to new heights, and her makeup brand did not disappoint.

Review of the About Face Eye Paint

The About Face eye paint is available as Matte Fluid Eye Paint. It’s only available in a matte finish. Each tube of eye paint is $24. According to the website, it’s a one swipe finish, thanks to the applicator. It’s also smudge-free, so you don’t have to worry about your makeup being a mess later on.

Pros

There are quite a few benefits to using About Face Eye Paint that make it well worth the price tag. The pros are:

• Smudge-free
• Dries quickly
• Dries smooth
• Very pigmented
• A complete look in one eyeshadow
• It doesn’t require a primer or setting spray to stay in place
• Easy to remove

Cons

This eye paint comes with some serious benefits, but it also comes with a few downfalls.

• Is not waterproof
• The applicator can make getting a smooth line on your eyelid difficult
• Limited eyeshadow looks

This eyeshadow can handle rough days. It can stand up to babies poking your eyelid because they are curious. It was designed with staying in place in mind.

Great for Minimalists Too

About Face is marketed as a great makeup for being creative, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be creative with five different eye paint colors. Instead, it can work for the minimalist, too. A quick swipe is all it takes for a complete eyeshadow look.

Not only is this ideal for the makeup minimalist, but it is also an exceptional product for those busy mornings. Full glam makeup looks are always hot, but eye paint will get you out the door in under a minute while still looking fabulous.

Easy to Remove at the End of the Day

To remove About Face Eye Paint, you simply wipe it off. It might take a couple of wipes with a makeup remover, but it comes off as effortlessly as it glides on. My Ipsy Face Cleansing wipes took this makeup off, and they don’t have the power to remove anything waterproof. That means that you could also use a damp rag with water.

About Face Eye Paint is Not Ideal for the Beach

While this eye paint can hold its own if you have to go somewhere in the rain, it’s not going to survive a day at the beach. Swimming is out of the question. Not only is swimming out of the question, but long walks in the rain are also not going to happen when you’re wearing this eye paint. Make sure that you keep your plans for the day and the weather in mind before putting it on.

Those that are looking for a waterproof eyeshadow can switch out their About Face Eye Paint for something else for the day. Tom Ford Emotionproof Eye Color is seriously pigmented so that you can wear a single eyeshadow color for a complete look just like About Face, but it’s going to stay in place when it's exposed to more than a little bit of water.

Opt for Powder or Cream Eyeshadow for More Looks

The one major downside that you’re going to notice about this eye paint is that it is not blendable. It dries so fast that completing an entire smokey eye is impossible. Aside from a quick eyeshadow topper or graphic eyeliner looks, you’re just too limited with eye paint.

How to Apply About Face Eye Paint

When applying this eye paint, it’s important to remember that the brush is not like any other eyeshadow brush. Because of this, it holds onto too much product after initially taking it out of the tube. Make sure to scrape the excess off the brush by sliding it along the opening of the tube as you take it out.

After that, simply slide the brush along your eyelids. If you are a beginner, use a concealer brush before the product sets for a crisp, smooth eyeshadow line.

Use a Concealer Brush For a Crisp Line

The lip gloss style applicator that comes with the eye paint is great for making sure that you have plenty of product on the brush. It lets you paint your entire eye, or parts of your face, in one swift swipe. However, if you’re going for a basic eyeshadow look, you want it to look nice. Before the eyeshadow dries, use a small concealer brush to smooth out the rough line at the top of your eyelid.

About the Brand

About Face breaks the rules when it comes to makeup. Instead of focusing on perfection that the makeup industry bombards us with, the focus for this makeup is on the fun. After all, that’s why we all began playing with makeup when we were younger, right?

This is seen in the lack of precision tools designed for perfection that shoppers have become accustomed to and in the beautiful, bold colors. Halsey strongly feels that makeup helps you look cool; it’s never about being flawless. We are all imperfectly gorgeous.

No Sexism

The Halsey makeup line isn’t just for women. Instead, it’s for everyone that loves makeup! The website doesn’t use pronouns to describe their makeup as other brands do. Pictures on the website display every gender! About Face nailed being inclusive with their makeup line.

Great for Different Skin Colors

About Face doesn’t display just one skin tone on their page. Instead, you’ll notice a nice variety to show you that this makeup is designed for you, regardless of whether you have light skin or dark skin.

Vegan and Cruelty-Free

Halsey boasts that her products are both vegan and cruelty-free. This is something that she stated before the launch, according to this article. More and more makeup is trending towards vegan being the future of beauty, and About Face is right on time to help you transform what used to be a trend into a lifestyle.

Affordable

When compared to other name brands of make-up, About Face is one of the more affordable brands. The complete line ranges in price from $14 to $32.

Where Can I Buy About Face Eye Paint?

You'll find the entire collection for sale on the About Face website here. (Please keep in mind that this is not an affiliate link. That means that I don't make a single cent if you choose to click the link and purchase something from the website. This is an honest review, and I won't make anything from you purchasing the makeup.)

About Face makeup is being sold directly to the consumer via the website.

Aside from the website, you can find About Face makeup sporadically in your Ipsy Bag! (That's where I got mine.)

In Conclusion

About Face Eye Paint will instantly remind you of stage makeup. The colors are bold and heavily pigmented. It lasts all day long, no matter how active you are. The primary downside is that it’s not as blendable. This isn’t going to work for a person that loves doing a smokey eye every day.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

Comments

Sp Greaney from Ireland on May 07, 2021:

I didn't even know that she released a makeup line. It's interesting to see that it is also vegan and cruelty free. I think that consumers will eventually expect all beauty products to be like this. It's amazing how theses celebrities can release beauty products at such affordable prices too.

Amber Lynn (author) on May 05, 2021:

It definitely is!

Iqra from East County on May 05, 2021:

Thanks, Angel for sharing this face eye paint. It looks like 2021 is already off to an exciting start with a new beauty brand called About Face.

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

Il Makiage Brow Shaper and Filler

Il Makiage is known for being unapologetically extra. They pride themselves on selling makeup that is for the maximalist instead of the minimalist. This makeup company has made a splash in the cosmetics industry that leaves customers wondering if their products are worth it. Their brow products are some of their most popular products, including their eyebrow mascara.

About Il Makiage Fill and Fix Brow Shaper

This eyebrow mascara is supposed to be an effortless way to achieve a dramatic look. You simply swipe the spoolie brush across your eyebrows for an instantly better brow.

You can pick up Il Makiage Fill and Fix Brow Shaper in a color to match your eyebrows for a more natural look, too.

Colors available include:

• Latte
• Caramel
• Cocoa
• Truffles
• Espresso

This product can be used to create tiny hairs for a more natural look if you use small strokes with the brush. The colors blend perfectly with your natural color!

Advantages of Il Makiage Fill and Fix Brow Shaper

There are a lot of good things about this product. When you wear it, it feels like you’re not wearing a single thing. Because you don’t have to use an eyebrow gel to hold it in place, it really is a one-step eyebrow look. The colors blend with natural colors even better than I thought they would! You can’t create one hair at a time, but you can definitely add some eyebrow hairs in sparse areas where you need them. The formula dries quickly, and it does last quite a while.

Disadvantages of Il Makiage Fill and Fix Brow Shaper

This was the ideal eyebrow mascara except for one thing: it clumped horribly. You can see the clumping on the original picture. As soon as I used it, there were clumps in my eyebrows, as you can see in the picture below.

I did try to smooth the clumps out, hoping that I could make this product work because of all of the pros of Il Makiage Fill and Fix Brow Shaper, but it just wasn’t possible. I wiggled the brush during application. I didn’t pump the brush in and out of the tube. There wasn’t too much product. (I thought that might be the case, so I made sure to wipe the brush to eliminate the excess product.) After double-checking the date I received it, I observed that it was not expired.

According to other reviews, this seems to be a chance you’ll instantly take when ordering the product. Some users claim it’s the perfect product to get natural, amazing brows. Others agree that it clumps as soon as you use it.

What Is a Brow Shaper and Filler?

A brow shaper and filler is exactly what it sounds like. These products help to give your eyebrows the shape that you want, and the look that you are trying to achieve. This can include giving them a fine point at the end or filling sparse areas. Certain products are designed to accomplish different things. What product you choose can also depend on your skill level.

Types of Brow Shapers and Fillers

A quick walk down any drugstore aisle will instantly reveal quite a few different types of brow shapers and fillers. You’ll find everything from pencils to products that look like markers, pomades, and more. Picking the perfect product for your eyebrows will instantly make filling in your eyebrows easier.

Mascara like Liquid Shaper and Filler (Also Called Brow Mascara)

Brow mascara is exactly what it sounds like. It is a mascara designed for your eyebrows. These come in a tube and are applied with a small spoolie brush, just as mascara is. The spoolie is smaller so that it’s the perfect size for your eyebrows.

This product has similar application features to mascara. It goes on wet, takes time to dry, and then can stay in place all day long. Brow mascara typically stays in place longer than other products, like brow powder, so you don’t always need to use a brow gel to keep your look locked in all day long.

Eyebrow mascaras are not ideal for beginners, though. They do take a little bit of practice. Because they are applied with a spoolie, it can be hard to draw in just a few hairs, and they aren’t ideal for outlining the eyebrows, either.

Pencil Brow Shaper and Fillers

Eyebrow pencils are similar to eyeliner pencils. They come in a variety of formulas, from your basic eyebrow pencil to a gel like formula. Pencils are perfect for drawing individual hairs to fill in sparse areas. They can be used to draw a defining outline of the eyebrows for a wow look that looks perfect for selfies. Filling in the eyebrows with a pencil will result in a more natural look than when you use eyebrow mascara.

These are great for beginners! They’re simple to use, and wipe off easily if you make mistakes. There are several different formulas available so you can find the one that works for you.

The major downside to using an eyebrow pencil instead of other products is that they don’t have a lot of staying power. These don’t always last all day. You’re going to need an eyebrow gel or wax to make your look last.

Brow Powder

Brow powder is another great product for beginners. You apply it along your eyebrows with an angled brush, and it helps fill in sparse areas. It doesn’t look as natural as drawing fine hairs with an eyebrow pencil, but it still looks more natural than brow mascara. Brow powder is similar to pressed eyeshadow in both application and staying power. This product also requires brow gel or wax to last all day.

Brow Pomade

Brow pomade is similar to a creamy, gel like eyeshadow single. These products usually have deeper colors, making them perfect for a bolder look. The gel like formula is applied using an angled brush to fill in sparse areas. It’s great for beginners! Thanks to the unique formula, a pomade will stay in place longer than a powder. Some of these might require an eyebrow gel. Whether or not you need one depends on the product and the brand.

In Conclusion

I really wanted to love this product. Aside from the clumping, it’s the definition of perfection. You can use it heavily and make it obvious that you’re behind the dramatic eyebrow look or lightly for a natural look. It blends wonderfully with natural eyebrows. However, if it clumps you simply can’t use it. I wouldn’t recommend it.

How to Apply Eyebrow Mascara

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

Makeup Palette Organization

If you’re trying to determine the perfect way to organize your palettes, you need to keep in mind that those makeup organization tips are going to be different than tips to organize eyeshadow singles. This is because palettes are larger. They don’t conveniently fit in a lot of makeup organizers. If you have more than a few eyeshadow palettes, you need makeup organization techniques that can handle that many palettes.

Ditch the Makeup Drawer

Makeup drawers are classic. They have a certain amount of elegance to them that instantly makes them appealing. Drawers can also be locked, making them even more appealing if you have small children.

Drawers are also known for being crammed full of things. You’ll wind up with stacks of palettes, and will still find yourself having to hunt for what you want every morning. Instead, you can put your palettes on top, and save the makeup drawer for things like brushes that you don’t want to get dusty.

Consider Your Space Available

Makeup organization is going to look different for everyone. Someone that is organizing vanity space might not have as much room to work with. On the other hand, if you have a larger vanity, organizing vanity space might mean that you have ample room to work with. If you have the top of a dresser, you have more than enough room for makeup organization. Before you think about how to organize eyeshadow palettes, take a good look at where they will be in your room.

Look at Alternative Options if You’re Out of Room

One of the biggest problems that I used to have was simply having space to work with. I’ve installed eight feet of glass shelving to create my own vanity across one wall of my room. Before this, I found that I was constantly looking for other storage options.

Thankfully, there are plenty of options available if you seem to be out of space. You can store makeup on your wall. Vertical make-up organization options are another great idea! Those of you that are out of vanity or dresser space need to look at what other space you have available. Is there floor space next to your vanity that you can use for makeup palette organization? Do you have wall space available for vertical storage options?

Organizing Vanity Space for Makeup Storage

Organizing vanity space is the easiest way to organize your makeup palettes. There are plenty of cheap palette organizers on the market. Personally, I use this acrylic one. It has enough slots to hold palettes, and I have enough space on my vanity for a few of them.

Vertical Palette Storage

If you don’t have a lot of space left on your vanity, consider picking up an organizer that lets you store them vertically. This takes up less space, and you can store your palettes so that you can see all of them. As soon as you can see all of your makeup, you’ll discover that it’s a lot easier to find.

Use a Dishdrainer to Organize Makeup Palettes

A wire dish drainer does the exact same thing that the acrylic palette organizer above does but at a fraction of the cost. Most dollar stores sell them for a few dollars. You can simply place your palettes in between the wires like you would if you were putting plates in a dish drainer.

I think that this idea looks better when you use a wire dish drainer without the silverware cup at the end. However, you can use any dish drainer for this idea on how to store makeup palettes.

Pick Up a Desk Organizer

Desk organizers are designed to hold letters and pens. The spaces that are designed for letters are the perfect size for makeup palettes! The areas that are supposed to be used for office supplies like pens are usually the ideal size for makeup brushes.

Whether this idea works depends on how many palettes you have. If you have over 15 palettes, a desk organizer is not going to meet your storage needs. You’ll need so many of them it’s a bit unrealistic. However, if you have a smaller makeup collection, this is a great idea. Desk organizers come with more colors and options than makeup organizers do, which is a huge bonus!

Utilizing Floor Space To Store Palettes

When you’re out of room on your vanity, organizing vanity space isn’t going to matter. If you have a spot available on the floor next to your vanity, there are a few different options that you can use to make that work.

Organize Palettes in Wire Baskets on Shelves

Small wire baskets are the perfect storage option for palettes! They are small enough that you can sit all of your palettes on the side to guarantee that you can see them all.

Then, you’ll need something to put those wire baskets on. This will depend on how many palettes you need to organize. If you have more than a few wire baskets, consider bookshelves. Another great idea is to use a cube styled organizer. These are stylish, and you’ll have more room in case your collection grows.

Pick Up a Wire CD Organizer

CD organizers come in two styles. There are plastic organizers and wire organizers. The problem with plastic CD organizers is that they usually have a tiny slot that the CD fits in perfectly. Your palettes won’t all fit in that slot.

Wire organizers, on the other hand, don’t have sides. Instead, they have a slot that you simply slide the CD in, but if you want to slide something of a different length (like makeup palettes) in that same slot, it will fit just fine. Those little slots are a perfect size!

Large products that are designed to sit on the floor are called CD towers. You can sit one of these right beside your vanity, and you suddenly have room to store at least twenty palettes.

Use a Dresser

A single makeup drawer is bound to get messy, but using a dresser for only your palettes and properly organizing it can turn out wonderfully.

Before you buy a dresser, decide whether you will lay all of your palettes flat inside the drawers or use organizers inside the drawers to sit them on their end. This will determine what size drawers you need.

Then, you will need to decide how many drawers you need. There are smaller dressers that have three drawers. You could opt for a vertical dresser with ten small drawers too. Keep in mind how much floor space you have, how you will store your palettes in the dresser, and this idea has the potential to give you the perfect makeup organization that you’re looking for!

How to Store Makeup Palettes on a Wall

Personally, I’m not a fan of storing my makeup palettes on the wall. However, I have considered the idea when I was out of room on my vanity and there just wasn’t enough floor space for the ideas mentioned above. There are some great ideas that can make your room look fashionable and help you store your palettes.

Glass Bathroom Shelves

I use this idea to store my lotions and body sprays among a few other things. These glass shelves are sturdy, and they have a rail in the front so you can stand all of your palettes on end without them falling off. They’re also pretty easy to put up. (I originally considered this idea for palettes I don’t use as much, but decided to keep those on the vanity.) For this picture, I moved all of my lotions off of one shelf and put a few of my palettes on it to give you an idea of what it will look like.

Use Bookshelves for the Wall

Anything that is designed to hold small books will work perfectly for palettes. You can opt for angled shelves so all of your palettes will sit perfectly on the shelf. More modern shelves have a lip on the front of them to guarantee that nothing falls off, too. You can’t really go wrong with this idea.

Make Your Palettes Stick to the Wall

I’ve never tried this idea, but it’s a really cool, crafty idea that I almost did at my old house. How you do this depends on just how crafty you want to get.

For a simple, barely DIY idea, you can purchase magnetic makeup boards on Amazon. Then, you simply glue magnetics to the back of your palettes or anything else that you would like to stick to the board.

For a more customized look, you can pick up a simple bulletin board and some flimsy magnetic sheets. Cut the magnetic sheets to fit the bulletin board, and then glue them into place. Finally, cover the board with contact paper or wallpaper. After that, you just need to hang it on the wall and attach magnets to the back of your makeup!

In Conclusion

It doesn’t matter how impressive your makeup collection is if you can’t find what you need. That’s why makeup organization is so important. You should be able to easily find your go-to foundation in the morning, your concealer that is a little bit darker than the rest to hide a pimple at the absolute last minute, or anything else that you need. These makeup organization ideas will make sure that you can do just that.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

Ipsy is known for delivering high-quality, brand-name make-up and beauty products to your doorstep. Their subscription boxes and the benefits of being an Ipsy subscriber remain unrivaled. This same company also has its own line of personal care products called Refreshments.

Ipsy Refreshments

Ipsy Refreshments are personal care products, such as shaving cream, lotion, and body wash, that are delivered with the same convenience that subscribers get from their Ipsy box.

They are advertised to be environmentally friendly. The back of the bottles confirms that all of the bottles used are recyclable. Not only can you recycle them after you’re done, but they are also partially made of recycled plastic. This varies depending on the product. For example, the back of the deodorant states that it is comprised of 40% recycled materials while the lotion packaging claims it is only made of 30% recycled materials.

All products are vegan and cruelty-free. They pride themselves on not testing their products on animals. Every product is also carefully designed to be great for sensitive skin. Even the deodorant is wonderful if you have sensitive skin!

How Does the Subscription Work?

In order to subscribe, you need to be an Ipsy subscriber. You can subscribe to the Glam bag for $10 a month or the Glam Bag Plus for $25 a month. This is necessary because your Refreshments products will be delivered with the rest of your Ipsy products.

One of the things that I love about the brand's product line is that you control the products that you get monthly. You can update your subscription preferences by the end of the month to either stop receiving a certain product or receive one that you don’t usually get. For example, I updated my subscription to get one of everything so that I could try all of the products offered. Then, I updated it again to make sure that I only receive the ones that I’m going to keep using.

Ipsy Refreshments Products

Ipsy has a nice line-up of products to meet your basic personal care needs. There are cleansing face wipes, razors, and more. Every product features the same soothing design, and they come in nice, pastel colors so they will all coordinate perfectly sitting on a shelf in your bathroom.

Cleansing Face Wipes ($8)

These come in a package with a flip top just like other cleansing wipes do. You get a total of 30 wipes per package. There are quite a few great things about these wipes and a few areas that were a huge disappointment.

Pros

• Moisturizing
• Biodegradable
• Vegan
• They smell nice
• The convenient flip top package
• Very gentle on the skin (so gentle that I used them with confidence on a baby when I ran out of baby wipes.)

Cons

• They aren’t the best at removing make-up. All they did was smear my waterproof eyeliner. I had to scrub to get them to remove the rest of it, which left my skin red and irritated. They did almost nothing when I tested them on lip paint on my arm to see how they would do.

The Verdict

These are great for cleansing, especially if you have dry skin. However, you’re going to need another product to remove make-up. Refreshments cleansing wipes will take off a basic layer of eyeshadow, but they are nothing up against makeup that is designed to stay in play for 16 hours.

Luscious Hand Cream ($7)

This luscious hand cream is made in the United States and is available in a citrus scent. The scent isn’t so strong that the entire room will smell your hand cream, but it’s strong enough that your hands, and anywhere else you apply the lotion, will smell delicious.

Pros

• Small bottle that is the ideal size for your handbag
• A thick formula that is perfect for dry skin (it’s the same consistency as Bath and Body Works body cream)
• Does not leave a greasy residue

Cons

• The small bottle does not last long. A little bit of this lotion does not go a long way.
• Only available in a citrus scent

The Verdict

For the price, you could get a much larger bottle of lotion elsewhere. However, this lotion does keep your hands moisturized longer than cheap bottles of lotion you’ll find in local department stores. For hand cream, it’s great to have, especially during the winter months. Don’t depend on it for more than that, though. The small bottle is not going to last as a body cream.

Luxe 5-Blade Razor Kit (Free) and Razor Cartridge Refills ($5 Per Pack of Two)

When you first subscribe, you get a starter kit. The razor kit is included in this at no cost to you. In each razor kit, there is the razor handle, a razor holder that is designed to suction to the shower, and two razor cartridge refills. After this initial delivery, you can subscribe to receive razor refills monthly.

Pros

• The moisturizing strip leaves your legs silky smooth
• A very close shave thanks to the five blades
• It’s really convenient to always have razor refills. Those are the one thing I always seem to run out of.

Cons

• The razor holder won’t stick to my shower
• The moisturizing strip on each razor works a little too well. Every time I use a new one, I get a thin, greasy film on my leg that I have to wash off. This only happens on the first shave, though.

The Verdict

These are more than worth it. The razor comes at no cost to you, so you can always try it to see if you like it. The cartridges are more affordable than most razors on the market today, and they provide a closer shave.

Before using this razor, I swore by men’s razors. Women’s razors just don’t seem to shave as well. If they do, I have to shave again the next day. This razor gives me the same close shave that I want, is great for my dry skin, and I love the colors.

Pearly Body Wash ($11)

The body wash comes in a large, 10 oz. bottle. Olive oil and shea butter are just a couple of the star ingredients you’ll discover, which means that it is moisturizing. There are quite a few great things about this body wash.

Pros

• It is moisturizing. Your skin will feel nice and soft after using this body wash.
• A little goes a long way. I could see this bottle lasting an entire month.
• Nice lather

Cons

• If you have really dry skin like I do, it doesn’t moisturize it enough. I still have to use lotion after using this body wash.
• Only available in citrus

The Verdict

Personally, I don’t think it’s worth it. I can get the same thing in a scent that I love from any other store. It is moisturizing, but so are a lot of other products on the market, and they’re more moisturizing than this one. I just don’t see myself spending $11 on a body wash in a scent that I’m not a fan of if the product itself doesn’t blow me away, and this one did not.

Pillowy Shave Cream ($8)

This moisturizing shave cream comes in a lotion bottle, which is extremely convenient. It’s impossible to accidentally squirt out too much shaving cream. The bottle is the same size as most hand creams at 4.5 ounces. You’ll notice that the same extra moisturizing theme you’re seeing in all of the refreshments products is found in the Pillowy Shave Cream as well.

Pros

• When using the Pillow Shave Cream with the brand's razor, your legs are going to feel like satin.
• The type of bottle that it comes in is a major pro
• Doesn’t have a strong scent

Cons

• It’s a small bottle. If I were to use this every time I shaved, it would not last an entire month.
• For something that doesn’t last that long, the price is a little high
• Not a good lather

The Verdict

I hate the price on this one, but the results are so amazing that I think it’s worth it. I’m not going to order three bottles a month year-round, but I am definitely going to use this throughout the summer.

Velvety Body Cream ($12)

This large bottle of body lotion comes in a citrus scent. It features the same soothing design and offers the same awesome moisturizing properties. The grape seed oil provides rich antioxidants while shea butter helps combat dry skin for a smooth, non-greasy feel. According to advertisements, this lotion is supposed to hydrate your skin for 24 hours after application.

Pros

• Not greasy
• Moisturizing
• Has olive oil
• Decent price for the size
• A little goes a long way

Cons

• Whether or not it moisturizes your skin for a full day depends on the type of skin you have. If you have really dry skin, it’s not going to last the entire day. My skin was itchy again after a few hours.
• Limited scents available

Verdict

Personally, I don’t see myself spending $12 on this lotion because it doesn’t meet my needs. However, if you love environmentally friendly skin products and don’t need a thick body cream for your dry skin, this could be an awesome product for you.

Breezy Deodorant

This deodorant is free of aluminum, baking soda, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. You’ll notice the same pastel colors used as with the rest of the brand's packaging. It comes in a standard 2 oz. size that most other deodorants do.

Pros

• It lasts all day
• Available in 3 scents and an unscented version
• Glides on clear
• Doesn’t clump throughout the day
• A pleasant scent that isn’t too strong
• Anti-bacterial properties

Cons

• Price
• This is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant
• According to the website, it can take a few weeks for your body to eliminate the aluminum build-up if you have been using products that contain aluminum, which can result in some serious BO. I have yet to experience this, but it’s only been a few days since I started using the product.

The Verdict

Although I’m not a huge fan of the price (you can buy six Suave deodorants for this price), I think this product is worth it. It goes on clear and genuinely lasts all day. There are no deodorant stains on my clothing, either.

The main thing that I do not like is that this product isn’t an antiperspirant. That means that it’s not going to prevent sweating. Some people have tried this and decided that it’s not for them because it doesn’t keep you dry. Whether or not that will matter depends on how heavily you sweat. Just in case this becomes a problem during hotter times of the year, I’m going to keep some of my other deodorants for those days.

Final Thoughts

I think the convenience that this offers is great. It’s awesome that I can pick what I get so I don’t wind up with a ton of products that I don’t use. The fact that these products are recyclable, vegan, cruelty-free and most of them are made in the United States definitely adds to the appeal.

On the downside, I’m not a huge fan of the citrus scent that every product comes in. I also don’t like that you have to be an Ipsy subscriber in order to enjoy the Refreshments line. I have so much makeup I was going to put my box on hold, so I’m going to have to order enough of my refreshments products to get me through that period. It would be much better if the two were separate.

I’m still going to order some deodorant, cartridge refills, and shave cream on occasion. The rest of the products either don’t fit my needs or I have another product that I prefer. However, when you’re deciding if Ipsy Refreshments is for you, it’s important that you consider your own needs and do what’s best for you! I don’t care for the citrus scent, but if you love citrus you’re going to be in heaven!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

Growing up, I always had healthy hair. I take steps to prevent damage because I use heat to style my hair and think it’s fun to dye my hair. There is also a hair maintenance routine that I use to make sure that my hair stays healthy. It’s still far from dry or frizzy, though.

Then, along came my third little one. Her hair type is the definition of both dry and frizzy. Without proper hair care, it’s a mess that can only be tamed by putting it in a bun. It took quite a while, and a lot of trial and error, but I have finally developed a complete system for caring for her hair to make it look beautiful, and keep it moisturized.

Ditch The Cheap Shampoos

We went from baby shampoo to Pantene and other brands. Then, while at Family Dollar, my little one spotted Frozen shampoo. She was dying for it. It was only a dollar. Without thinking, I bought it for her. Within one day her hair looked more damaged than mine had in my life. I was mortified.

We have never used cheap shampoo on her hair again. Instead, it’s only wonderful brands. Thankfully, we’ve never had this problem again. She was equally mortified and understands why we don’t use Frozen shampoo anymore.

Use Leave In Conditioner Daily

When you are dealing with dry, damaged, or frizzy hair you’re going to need to constantly moisturize the hair. Leave in conditioner is the best product for that. We use Aussie Leave In Conditioner. I’ve had a hard time finding it in the stores lately, but you can still order it off of Amazon. We use this every day. (It also worked wonders for my older daughter’s hair when it was severely damaged.)

Consider Using Hair Oil

Leave in conditioner isn’t for everyone. I love Aussie because it doesn’t make anyone’s hair feel or look greasy. However, there have been times when it wasn’t an option.

During those times, I used Brazilian hair oil. Not only are hair oils and serums great for damaged hair, but they also provide moisture that dry hair desperately needs. When used in small amounts, you can enjoy all of the benefits of hair oil without your hair looking oily.

Always Use Conditioner After Shampoo

When hair is damaged, it has been stripped of the protective outer layer that helps keep moisture locked in. Conditioner coats the hair so that it can act as a protective layer for your hair. It does the same thing for dry hair!

Do A Weekly Hair Mask

Hair masks are quite as popular as other products, but they should be. Depending on the hair mask, these are wonderful for your hair.

There are two different types of hair masks on the market. One works like leave in conditioner. You put it in your hair every morning, just like you would other products. The other type of hair mask is used once a week. These hair masks are applied to the hair just like shampoo. Then, you wait until you are supposed to wash it out (it will tell you on the bottle) and wash your hair. Some hair masks recommend rinsing with only water. Others say that you should use shampoo. It’s important to read the directions to make sure that you use them correctly.

Avoid Damaging Your Hair When Possible

My littlest adores having her hair blow-dried after the shower. Unfortunately, that only happens on a rare occasion. We try to avoid any type of heat to prevent further damage to her hair. You’ll also want to avoid:

• Any styling that involves heat when possible
• Overwashing your hair
• Extremely hot water
• Cheap styling products

This isn’t going to make your hair less frizzy, but preventing damage will help you guarantee that it doesn’t get worse.

Develop A Hair Care Routine

A hair care routine will look different for each person. If your hair requires that extra coating that conditioner provides, it could include washing your hair with conditioner every night but only using shampoo every other day. A hair mask is a great idea to include in your hair care routine.

We have a morning hair care routine that involves moisturizing via leave in conditioner, brushing, and styling. After I brush her hair, I run my fingers through it to make sure that it’s properly moisturized.

Our nightly hair care routine consists of washing and conditioning. No heat is used. When I dry her hair, I never rub the towel all over her head. Instead, I gently move the towel in a motion from her scalp to the end of her hair squeezing as I go. This helps dry her hair without tangling it.

As you can see, I moisturize her hair at least twice a day. If something happens where she does not take a nightly bath, I use leave in conditioner or hair oil at night. Not only does this moisturize her hair, but it also helps prevent tangles!

In Conclusion

If you’re wondering how to take care of dry hair, remember that the key is to keep it moisturized. While I love Aussie leave in conditioner, hair oil might be better for your hair. Try them both. Consider what works best for your hair, and develop a personal hair care routine to keep your hair silky smooth.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Amber Lynn

Comments

Iqra from East County on April 26, 2021:

I am very thankful to you Angel because these tips are very useful for my dry hairs, I must follow these tips. Blessings