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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Tori loves trying out new makeup looks and sharing her expertise and tutorials with others.

Pairing Colored Mascara With Your Eye Color

I enjoy experimenting with different makeup looks. For that reason, I jumped on the opportunity to test out different kinds of mascara and research different looks to apply in real life as opposed to the runway. To start, I want to say that you should wear whatever color mascara you like the best because there are no set rules for fashion and makeup. But, if you’re curious about how different colored mascaras pair with your eye color based on color theory, or you're looking for different ways to execute a colored mascara look in your daily makeup routine, look no further!

The Theory Behind Colored Mascaras

To figure out the best colors for your makeup, including colored mascaras, it helps to understand the science behind those decisions. This is called color theory. I could go down an entire rabbit hole on color theory because I use it all the time for dying my hair. But for now, I’ll simplify it as much as possible!

There are three basic categories of color theory that can help make decisions when it comes to colors: color harmony, the color wheel, and color context. (Source)

Color Wheels

There are many different versions of the color wheel, but in general, it is a wheel of the rainbow that arranges colors in a natural order. This is where you’ve probably heard the terms primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors. Check out the wheel above for an example.

Color Harmony

Color Harmony means that colors are arranged in a way that is pleasing to the eye. There are many different types of color harmony that you may have heard of, such as monochromatic (shades of the same color), analogous (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel), complementary (colors that are directly across each other on the color wheel), or triadic (colors on the wheel that create a triangle).

When considering color harmony, professionals also consider color temperature (warm vs. cool tones), shades (adding black), tints (adding white), and tones (adding gray). (Source)

Color Context

Color context is very complex, but in a nutshell, it is how colors react when used with other colors. It can change your perspective and opinions about certain colors when they are paired with other colors, as in the example above.

All of these are taken into consideration by many industries. In particular, the cosmetics industry uses them to make recommendations to customers and develop new products. And that is where colored mascaras, as they relate to eye color, enter the room.

How to Incorporate Colored Mascara Into Your Makeup Look

Colored mascara can be a little intimidating! But in general, here are some tips to make it stand out.

Is Colored Mascara Tacky?

Personally, I don’t think any makeup look is off-limits or tacky. There are makeup looks I wouldn’t try for myself, of course, just like anything. But if you like the style and it makes you happy, do it! There is nothing wrong with experimenting to find your perfect makeup style, and you can incorporate colored mascara if you decide that you like it!

Use a Good Lash Primer

Many colored mascaras on the market today tend to dry much darker than the color you see in the bottle or on the packaging. For this reason, I absolutely recommend investing in a white lash primer, which helps the color stand out brighter. My favorite is Tarte’s Opening Act Lash Primer, but L’Oreal’s Voluminous Lash Primer is a great inexpensive alternative.

Monochromatic Makeup Colors

One of my favorite ways to wear colored mascara is with a monochromatic color scheme. Your eyeliner and eyeshadow should be of a similar color family, like the photos I’ve shared above. Not only does this makeup look accentuate your eye color, but it is a cohesive look altogether.

For this monochromatic red/burgundy look I used:

• Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette
• Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer
• L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Burgundy

Complementary Makeup Colors

Another way to wear colored mascara is with a complementary makeup scheme. Complementary colors are across from each other on the color wheel. Great pairings of complementary colors are:

• Yellow and Purple
• Orange and Blue
• Red and Green

Complementary colors are also a great tool to determine your best makeup shades for your eye color too! This could mean your favorite shade of red or purple makeup for green eyes, pink or orange makeup for blue eyes, green or blue makeup for brown eyes, and more.

For this complementary makeup look, I used:

• Urban Decay Naked Honey Palette
• Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer
• L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Deep Purple

How to Make Colored Mascara with Eyeshadow

There aren’t a whole lot of options on the market for vibrant colored mascaras, so the best way to get a vibrant mascara is by making your own. I know that seems intimidating, but it’s actually really easy with the help of just three supplies:

• White Mascara Primer: I used Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer.
• Clean Spoolie or Foam Eyeshadow Applicator: I like to wash off and reuse the wands from old mascaras. I often find these applicators are better than the generic spoolie packs you can find in many makeup stores.
• Powdered Eyeshadow: Any color you choose. I used Savage from the Urban Decay Wired Palette.

How to Create Custom Vibrant Mascara:

1. Apply the primer to your eyelashes. Don’t let the primer dry!
2. Using a clean spoolie or foam eyeshadow applicator, create a little bit of loose powder in the eyeshadow pan and pick up some of the color with the spoolie.
3. Quickly apply the color to your lashes using the spoolie until the white is completely covered.

Tips and Tricks:

• You can mix the eyeshadow and the primer separately on a clean surface, such as a piece of paper, and then apply it to your lashes with a clean spoolie. If you know you’re going to be using that color often, you can even put eyeshadow powder on the brush and mix it into the mascara container until you have the desired pigment level, and then you don’t have to mix it each time!
• It’s important to note that if you do try making your own colored mascara using eyeshadow, it works best with matte colors. I tried a few different types of eyeshadow, and I found that anything with a sparkle had a tendency to look patchy when I stepped back from the mirror, even though it wasn’t.
• Using eyeshadow can definitely create a lot of powder fallout on your face. While applying the powder, it's a good idea to hold a small piece of paper, tissue, or a makeup wipe underneath your eye to prevent it from falling onto your cheeks. When applying to the top, hold the tissue behind your lashes so that the color doesn’t smear on your eyelid while applying.
• Be careful if you do this when wearing contacts! You may want to take them out and put them back in afterward so that you don’t get eyeshadow on your contacts.

How to Wear Colored Mascara Based on the Color of Your Eyes

Based on color research and current trends, these are the best colors of mascara for your eye color! When you choose your mascara based on the color of your eyes, try using the analogous, complementary, or vibrant eyeshadow looks mentioned above to complete your colored mascara look!

Colored Mascara for Brown and Dark Brown Eyes

Based on complementary colors, violet or green mascaras are excellent colors for brown eyes. They will definitely make your makeup stand out in a crowd. For the more adventurous mascara-wearers, try a bright red.

Colored Mascara for Blue Eyes

If you have blue eyes, try burgundy or violet mascara. These colors mimic nature (think red corals in the blue ocean) which means your eyes will be the highlight of your look. If you’re looking for something more vibrant and unique, try pink!

Colored Mascara for Green Eyes

Green eyes will look stunning with burgundy or purple mascara! Burgundy and other red tones are complementary to green on the color wheel, and purple is a triad color. You won’t go wrong with either of these gorgeous shades. If you want something super vibrant, go for cobalt blue.

Colored Mascara for Hazel Eyes

Hazel eyes are a combination of brown and green—so that means that any colors that are great for brown or green eyes will be great for hazel eyes. My favorite shades for hazel are burgundy or dark green. If you want to wear a more energetic shade, I’d recommend a bright green.

Brands of Colored Mascara and Where to Buy Them

There are lots of brands that are currently selling different kinds of colored mascara, depending on what you are looking for!

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara

One of the most popular, inexpensive, and accessible lines that I have found online is L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara. L’Oreal is sold in many stores, but to have the easiest access to all of their colors, I recommend ordering on Amazon.

The line comes in five great subtle colors: cobalt blue, deep violet, deep burgundy, deep green, and black. The great thing about this brand is that they also know it shows up best with a primer, so they’ve got you covered with a white primer in the same lineup.

I bought two of their colors to try: Deep Violet and Deep Burgundy. I liked the violet, but I have to say the burgundy was my absolute favorite of the two. Tiktok appears to agree with that assessment—L’Oreal’s burgundy mascara went viral on the makeup side of the platform, and it sold out in many places during that time.

ColourPop BFF Mascara

Another great option is Colourpop BFF Mascaras, which come in bright candy-colored shades like magenta, true red, and purple prose. Colourpop is another inexpensive brand available at stores such as Ulta, but I can never seem to find it in stock because it’s so popular. Because of this, I recommend ordering directly from their website to make sure you get the color you want. I love both the pink and red colored mascaras from this lineup as they are fun, vibrant, and unique!

I love coming up with homemade, all-natural skincare recipes and sharing them with others.

Lip Oil for Dry Lips

My lips are perpetually dry and cracked—my skin generally is, too. Even though I know lip balm doesn’t help, I always carry it with me. If I don’t have it, we’re going to have a problem—it literally gets to the point where I can’t focus if my lips are chapped. I’m an addict.

Usually, winter and cold weather make it much worse, but year-round my skin and lips can struggle to hold moisture. Chapstick and other brands just don't work for me, and I know I’m not the only one! I started looking into the ingredients in typical lip balms that actually make your lips even drier! Can you believe the nerve?!

I decided to strip it all back and make my own recipe, with pure oils and without all of the other nonsense. The one thing that has really helped me keep my lips moisturized has been this simple recipe I can make at home.

How Do You Make Lip Oil?

There are many different oils that are beneficial for your lips. Pick a handful of your favorites, and go crazy refining your personal recipe! It’s really very simple and just requires blending your choice of oils in a container.

Types of Oils and Their Benefits

As I mentioned, you can choose from a pretty large variety of oils, all with different properties. I will share a giant list of great oils to use and then go into the specific blend I used for my results. Buying tons of pure oils can get pricey, so don’t worry if you can’t afford all of them, a blend of three to four oils will do just fine, and some of these will likely be around your house already!

• Vitamin E Oil: This is my favorite oil to add, and it even works great on its own for repairing dry and cracked skin! It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and conditions the skin. There are many great oils to use, but Vitamin E is surely the best oil for hydrating dry lips.
• Jojoba Oil: This oil is botanical and very similar to the natural oil (sebum) that your body already produces. It’s great for combating dry skin, dandruff, and acne.
• Avocado Oil: Another oil beneficial for its antioxidant properties, avocado oil can also protect against UV damage from the sun.
• Frankincense Oil: This oil is typically used for wound-healing because it helps with cell regeneration. My lips are incredibly dry and cracked, so I added some Frankincense to my mix.
• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a wonderful, natural moisturizer that is commonly used in cases of dry, cracked skin. It will help your lips to retain moisture and is also antibacterial. Coconut oil is commonly used in wrinkle treatment.
• Almond Oil: This is another oil that helps protect from the UV rays of the sun. Almond oil removes dead skin cells, evens the skin tone, and with vitamins E, K, and A, it helps keep the skin looking young and healthy.
• Castor Oil: This oil contains ricinoleic acid, which helps your lips to retain moisture. Some people can have an allergic reaction to castor oil, so it is recommended that you speak with your dermatologist or test out a small patch on your arm before using it on your lips.
• Olive Oil: Here’s an ingredient that you probably already have around the house. Olive oil is an incredible moisturizer containing natural vitamin E.
• Rose Oil: Not only does rose oil smell great, it’s also anti-inflammatory like many other oils listed. It helps heal scars and promotes circulation.

DIY All Natural Lip Oil Recipe

Before you start mixing anything, you’ll first need a container to store your concoction in. Empty eyedropper containers are available for purchase at most beauty stores, or you can do what I did and recycle an old makeup bottle. The bottle I used previously held a facial serum, so I washed it out to use for my new lip oil! You could also consider using an old lip gloss container.

Some oils come with eyedroppers; some do not. So, for this, there is no exact science, and if you don’t get the formula perfect, it’s no big deal. All of the ingredients are good for your lips, so feel free to experiment!

Ingredients

• 3 mL of Vitamin E oil
• 3 mL of Jojoba oil
• 3 mL of Avocado oil
• 10 drops of Frankincense oil

Instructions

1. Clean out the container you intend to use with soap and water.
2. Add desired oils to the container until full.
3. Shake the container to mix the oils together.
4. Apply the mixture to lips daily.

*Some oils may need to be warmed in the microwave for a few seconds to become liquid if they are solid at room temperature. Be careful not to overheat them.

This Recipe Works Fast!

As mentioned above, you can really get to experimenting with lip oil combos. I loved this one because it worked almost immediately. I wasn’t expecting such a fast turnaround! I figured, for the purpose of instructional photos, I would take pictures every day for a week and show the progress of this particular recipe. As you can see, on the first day my lips were terrible. It was actually painful how dry and cracked they were (don’t judge me, it’s winter as I’m writing this!).

I used the lip oil concoction all day, making sure to reapply as needed. To my shock, by the very next day, much of the dryness and cracking was gone. My lips were back to normal overnight! I have since been using lip oil at least once a day to maintain moisture. You can also add sugar to your oil mix to create a DIY exfoliating lip scrub!

Variations of the Recipe

All of the ingredients above have their own benefits! So I say, grab what you already have or whatever is easiest for you to find and start mixing. Now, if you want to add some tint to your lip oil, read further!

How to Make a Tinted Oil

There are a few safe options you can use to tint your lip oil. If you already have a lipstick or liquid lip color that you like, add a scraping or a few drops to your lip oil mixture. To make sure the color blends evenly in, heat your oil mixture for a few seconds in the microwave (be very careful with hot oil). Add the coloring and blend it together evenly! For an unlimited amount of color combinations, you can also use eyeshadow or mica powder to create pigmented oil.

Why Choose Lip Oil?

Well, let’s look at what lip oil does. It will help your lips retain moisture, shed dead skin cells, and keep them from drying and cracking. It’s a safe, natural alternative to lip balms and other lip products that actively dry out your lips with additives like alcohol.

Lip Oil vs. Lip Gloss vs. Lip Balm

Many lip balms create a layer of moisture on your lips that admittedly offers relief, but only temporarily. That layer of protective moisture eventually evaporates and leaves your lips even more dry than they were to begin with! I am a repeat victim of this process, to the point where I can’t focus when I don’t have lip balm. Think of lip balm like this—it will prevent your lips from getting chapped because it creates a layer that sits on top of them. However, it will not repair your lips once the chapping has already occurred. You need oil for that.

Lip gloss isn’t even on the same spectrum. It’s truly just for cosmetic purposes. It only adds luster, sparkle, or shine. It might make your chapped lips feel better to have something glossy on them, but as with balm, it’s not actually working to solve the problem.

Lip oil is the champion here because if you continue using it enough, you won’t find yourself desperately saying, “I need to find some chapstick!” Your lips will no longer feel like garbage.

How and When Should I Apply Lip Oil?

Lip oil is honestly perfect any time. You can apply it when your lips are dry to help repair them, or you can use it when your lips are feeling moisturized as a preventative measure. You really can’t go wrong.

Use an applicator or your finger to apply the lip oil. I like to use mine daily in the place of any other products. If you want to moisturize but still have some color, apply the oil mixture while putting on the rest of your makeup. Allow it to soak in, and then wipe it off before putting on your lipstick!

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.

Comments

Mona Sabalones Gonzalez from Philippines on March 13, 2021:

This is a great article and it's nice to know we can make our own lip balm that is more effective than what is being sold in stores. Thanks!

Tori loves trying out new makeup looks and sharing her expertise and tutorials with others.

Don't Worry, There Are No Makeup Rules

In my years spent working at a popular makeup store, I learned a lot about doing makeup in many different ways. I was also able to expand my own makeup collection with my employee discount. I fell in love with unique styles that I saw in-store and started copycatting the ones I liked best.

What I love about colorful makeup is that there are no rules! It looks amazing on any skin tone, eye color, and face shape. What matters is that you find a look you love.

Neon Makeup Looks: It's Not All Skulls and Halloween

While my primary love is Halloween and neon makeup looks often fall into that category, there are ways to utilize the trend without looking like you’re ready for the best holiday of the year! Many brands at all price points carry a neon line.

Start With a Good Base

Neon makeup needs a nice, even, flat base to give the vibrancy everyone wants. There are a number of ways to achieve it, but here are some products I use that help it stay vibrant and keep it from melting off.

• Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. This creates a nice, full coverage base. I use it anywhere I need a little color correction.
• Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. This product is just magical and really is crease-free!
• Setting Spray: Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray. When you finish your makeup, you can set it with a spritz of this stuff. I’ve tried many setting sprays, and this one is hands-down the best. Setting spray also pulls double-duty because you can use it to wet your eyeliner brush before applying a powder liner. This helps powder liners stay brighter for longer!

Neon Eyeliner Looks and How to Apply Them

Using neon as part of your eyeliner is one of the easiest ways to get a neon makeup look without going over the top. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it with instructions.

How to Do a Double Wing Neon Eyeliner

This one is so simple and perfect for someone who just wants a little color added to their normal makeup. My daily routine is concealer and highlighter, with black winged liner and black mascara. Adding this pop of blue is a great way to achieve a neon makeup look without looking gaudy.

Makeup Used:

• Black Eyeliner: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Intense Black
• Blue Eyeliner: LA Girl Shockwave Neon Eyeliner in Fresh
• Mascara: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Royal Blue (but if you want something less subtle, use Lime Crime Astronomical Mascara in Blue Moon)

Instructions:

1. Apply a base of concealer.
2. Apply a standard winged liner using black eyeliner.
3. Gently draw a thin line with the blue eyeliner above the black.
4. Finish the look with a subtle blue mascara.

Tip: Sometimes gel-based liner pencils can be tricky to apply in a thin line, so if you’re having trouble, use an angled liner brush to get some pigment from the pencil and then apply with the brush instead. You can also use the liner brush to smooth out an already drawn line and bring it closer to the black.

How to Do a Fully Lined Neon Eyeshadow Eyeliner

Yes, this look is technically eyeliner, but believe it or not, it was entirely created with eyeshadow! It is easy to pull double duty with your neon makeup look if you get yourself one really nice neon eyeshadow palette and a few types of makeup brushes.

Makeup Used:

• Aqua: Gonzo from the Urban Decay Electric Palette
• Neon Yellow-Green: Thrash from the Urban Decay Electric Palette

Instructions:

1. Apply a base of concealer and eyeshadow primer.
2. Apply the blue eyeshadow with a wet, angled liner brush, and wing it out as much as you'd like. (A wet brush is important! The color will be much more vibrant. You can use a setting spray to wet the brush—it will stay vibrant and last longer.)
3. Apply a little primer under the eye along the lash line using a clean angled liner brush.
4. Apply the neon yellow on top of the primer (again with a wet brush), taking care to bring it all the way up to the lash line and dragging it out to the point of the blue wing.
5. Finally, take a smidgen of neon yellow and apply it to the inner corner of the eye with your pinky finger, then blend it in a bit.

I was so sad to find out the Urban Decay Electric Palette has been discontinued because it is truly one of my favorites! Not to worry though, their newer neon palette, Wired, contains two colors that are nearly identical titled Chaos and Jolt, respectively.

Neon Eyeshadow Looks and How to Apply Them

If eyeliner looks just aren’t doing it for you, add a step up by applying neon eyeshadow for your neon makeup look!

How to Do a Multicolor Neon Eyeshadow Look

Looking to be a little more daring? Add more than one color by following this simple neon shadow and eyeliner placement.

Makeup Used:

• Neutral pink: Burnout from the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette
• Hot Pink: Savage from Urban Decay Wired Palette
• Yellow: LA Girl Shockwave Neon Eyeliner in Screamin
• Blue: LA Girl Shockwave Neon Eyeliner in Fresh
• Black: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Intense Black

Instructions:

1. Apply a concealer and eyeshadow primer base.
2. Use a standard eyeshadow brush to add a wash of the neutral pink color Burnout over the inner eyelid.
3. Gently press the hot pink color Savage underneath the crease all the way down to the lashes on the outside of the eye.
4. Switch to a small, dry blending brush and fade the hot pink into the neutral pink.
5. Use the yellow liner to line the bottom lash line. Smooth it out with an angled liner brush if needed.
6. Apply a smidgen of the blue liner on the inner eye, again smoothed by an angled liner brush as needed.
7. Apply a thin line of the black liner to the upper lash line and into the lower waterline.

How to Do an Electric Purple Neon Eyeshadow Look

The most daring color application of them all extends the color past your crease and into your eyebrow line. This is one of my favorite looks, and it is all about blending.

Makeup Used:

• Neutral pink: Burnout from the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette
• Grayish neutral: Darkside from Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette
• Bright Purple: 1985 by Urban Decay (single shadow pot)
• Light Purple: Blue Moon from the Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Pallete
• Black: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Intense Black

Instructions:

1. Apply a neutral base of concealer and eyeshadow primer.
2. Apply the primer all the way up to the eyebrows to give a good blending surface for the eyeshadow.
3. Use the neutral pink color Burnout to blend out between the eyebrows and crease so that the neon eyeshadow doesn’t end up too high on the lids.
4. Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend the grayish neutral color Darkside from the outer lid to just before the inner edge of the pupil, following the natural line of the crease.
5. Use a wet brush to press the bright purple color 1985 into the eyelid from the outer corner to about midway above the pupil.
6. Use the fluffy brush to blend the bright purple into the grayish neutral.
7. Apply the light purple Blue Moon highlight to the inner corners using a clean fluffy eyeshadow brush.
8. Finish the look with a black winged liner and your favorite black mascara.

Neon Lipsticks

Not a fan of having color on your eyes? Try a neon lipstick instead. Neon lipsticks will add a bright color to your makeup routine without overpowering your look. They add a perfect complement to standard neutral makeup!

Neon lipsticks are fairly simple to apply, you just have to find one that is a finish and color that you love. In the photo, I’m wearing NYX Line and Load All-In-One Lippie, in the color Girl, Please. This color is a matte, long-wear liquid lipstick.

If you’re looking for a less natural neon color such as blue, I recommend NYX’s other line Liquid Suede. It has a similar look and feel, with colors such as blue, orange, and purple available.

Where to Buy Neon Makeup

There are so many places to get your hands on some neon makeup, but your best bet for finding makeup is going to be cosmetics-specific stores such as Ulta or Sephora. They carry the widest and most complete selections of brands, many of which carry lines of neon makeup that will be easy to compare in-store.

My Favorite Neon Makeup Palettes and Brands

Urban Decay

As you can see, I’m quite partial to Urban Decay! They have a variety of fun colors that pop so nicely in eyeshadow, eyeliner, and lipstick colors. The Wired palette is an excellent palette to invest in if you want multipurpose eyeshadow that can also be used as eyeliner.

BH Cosmetics

BH Cosmetics also has an excellent neon palette called Trendy in Tokyo. This sixteen-color palette would be incredibly gorgeous as eyeliner or eyeshadow.

NYX

If you prefer using liquid eyeliners to using a powder and a brush, turn to NYX Vivid Brights liquid eyeliner. It has the pigment, the staying power, and a microscopic tip to make your eyeliner go on perfect every time!

Is Neon the Same as Glow in the Dark?

Nope! Neon colors are fluorescent, which means that they will appear bright in daylight, but they won’t “glow” unless they are under a blacklight. Glow-in-the-dark colors are phosphorescent, which means they will glow in a dark space after being exposed to bright light beforehand.

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

Ipsy is one of the most popular subscription boxes you are going to find if you’re a makeup lover. Depending on which service you choose, you get brand new full size or sample size makeup every month, delivered right to your door. You get a nice mix of skincare, lip care, eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip products, and everything else makeup you can think of. Occasionally, you’ll get nail polish. It gives you the opportunity to play with new makeup and learn new makeup routines that you would have never thought of before!

How Does Ipsy Work?

When you first sign up for Ipsy you’ll take a beauty quiz. This quiz will tell them whether you have any problems you are trying to take care of, like dry, frizzy hair or acne. It also tells them where you’re at in your makeup journey. Are you a beginner or experienced and ready to try new things, for example? Then, when they select products from that month’s selection, they’ll curate your bag so that you get products you’ll actually need and use.

Ipsy Subscription Box Services

Ipsy has several different tiers that you can choose from. Each one offers different things and comes at a different cost. Most people start out at the lowest option to see if they like it, but some start with the highest to get full-size products instead of sample sizes. You can cancel anytime, so it doesn’t really matter which one you choose. You’re not pre-committing to anything on a long term basis.

Ipsy Glam Bag

The Ipsy Glam Bag is what got Ipsy its name. It was their claim to fame years ago and is still one of the most popular options. This is because it’s affordable, and some people just like getting a little something each month for themselves.

Cost

The cost of an Ipsy Glam Bag is only going to cost you $12 per month. The recurring payment is automatically deducted from your PayPal or debit card unless you cancel. So, if you get five products, you’re only spending a little over $2 per product, which is cheaper than buying any of the makeup products at the store.

What You Get

I personally do not get this bag anymore, but I am an Ipsy member so I can log in and see what the selection for last month, and previous months, was. Usually, you get sample sizes, but there is the occasional full-size product. Sometimes members will receive full-size makeup brushes, eyeshadow palettes, or lip products, for example. When I received this one monthly, I never received a full-size skincare product. Here are some of the products that they chose previously when creating the Ipsy Glam Bag:

• Briogeo Hair Care sample size Farewell Frizz Leave-In Conditioner
• Jonteblu sample size eyeliner in black (it’s waterproof, sweatproof, and has amazing reviews)
• Kokie Cosmetics Soft Glow highlighter
• 111Skin Daycream
• Illuminati Cosmetics quad eyeshadow palette in Enlightened
• Smashbox Cosmetics Oil and Shine Control Primer

There were also hair masks, lip moisturizers, hand creams, Tarte concealer, mascara, blushes, foundations, under-eye anti-aging creams, brushes, and more! The selection they have to choose from when it comes to what they put in your bag each month is pretty diverse, so you can trust that you’ll mainly get products you either want or need based on your answers to the questions in the quiz.

Personal Opinion

I used to love my Ipsy Glam Bag. The main problem that I had with this was that I wound up with so many tiny samples. However, I started using them as stocking stuffers and that solved a lot of that. It’s really fun if you like to play with makeup.

Glam Bag Plus

The Glam Bag Plus is next on the subscription tier. Instead of five random samples, you get five full-size products. Ipsy has begun to let members choose three of their products every month, guaranteeing that you get things you love.

Cost

When you select the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus, the cost is a little bit higher than it is with the Glam Bag. You’re going to be charged $25 per month. However, that means you’re getting full-sized, brand-name beauty products for five bucks a month. You can’t find a deal better than that anywhere.

What You Get

Those full-size products won’t do you a single bit of good if you don’t use them. Here are some examples of things included previously in the Glam Bag Plus:

• Billion Dollar Brows Best Brow Tool Kit Ever
• First Aid Beauty Gentle Foaming Face Cleanser
• Naked Cosmetics 4 Piece Pigment Set
• About Face Eye Paint
• Dr. Brandt Skincare Sleep Mask
• IT Cosmetics Foundation Brush
• Complex Culture Lip Gloss
• Purlisse Beauty Moisturizer

Popular brands in Ipsy bags vary on a monthly basis. Sometimes you get Smashbox or Morphe, and sometimes you don’t. I used to research brands I’ve never heard of it, and you can trust that most of them are high quality brands.

Personal Opinion

I get the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus, and I love it. They let you customize three of the products, so I wind up with stuff that I need or want. I love face masks, so I always pick those and wind up with plenty, even on the months when they aren’t offered in my Glam Bag Plus. I think it’s more than worth it.

Glam Bag X (Previously Known As Glam Bag Ultimate)

The Glam Bag Ultimate is the highest tier in Glam Bag Subscriptions. However, you don’t receive it monthly like you do the other ones. (You’d wind up with a stockpile of products!) Instead, it only ships quarterly (four times per year.)

This is an add-on subscription. Once you subscribe to a Glam Bag or Glam Bag Plus, you can then subscribe to the Glam Bag X. When this bag ships, it will replace your regular subscription. However, you have to receive your bag every month in order to qualify for an upgrade, and there is a waiting list most of the time.

Cost

The cost of this bag is a bit higher than the other ones. You’ll be charged $55 per month when this one ships.

What You Get

In every Glam Bag X you get 7-8 full size products. Typically, these are from the same selection as Glam Bag Plus members. You simply get more of them. However, there are a few months that Glam Bag X subscribers will get exclusive products that aren’t seen in other bags. Some great examples of things featured in the Glam Bag X in the past include:

• About Face Paint It Lip Color
• Kitsch Velvet Scrunchies
• Huda Beauty Rose Gold Full Size Eyeshadow Pallette
• Complex Culture T-Bar Facial Massager
• Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow
• Billion Dollar Brows Complete Brow Kit

I’ve never seen a facial massager or velvet scrunchies in my Glam Bag Plus, so you do get a bit more of a selection when you opt for this subscription.

Personal Opinion

I’m currently on the waiting list for the Glam Bag X. I like that you get 7-8 products, which balances out to approximately the same $5 per product that you receive with the Glam Bag Plus. Most people already subscribed to this one appreciate the wider selection, as well. I can’t wait to start receiving mine!

Ipsy Refreshments

Ipsy Refreshments is the latest addition to the line up of Ipsy Subscriptions. Instead of make-up, this subscription focuses on personal care. Everything you get is a part of the Ipsy Refreshments line. The great thing about this subscription is that you get to personalize every single thing you get. You can pick up face wipes one month, decide you no longer need them and cancel them, etc. You can also unsubscribe at any time.

Cost

There is not necessarily a set cost for this subscription. Instead, you can pick and choose what you want. You pay for what you get. (All subscriptions have to be changed by the end of the month, and new items are automatically added to your next box.) The cost per item tends to fall between $5-10 so far.

What You Get

You get whatever you would like in your Ipsy Refreshments subscription. You can order one of everything, or only pick up the things you’re interested in. For example, I love Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret body washes and lotions. Because of that, I don’t add any of those products to my monthly box. However, I do get facial wipes and will be receiving their razor in the next one. Here is the current line-up of products available, and what they will cost you:

• Five Blade Razor Kit $5
• Five Blade Razor Kit Refills (2 Refill Razor Cartridges) $5
• Cleansing Face Wipes $6
• Velvety Body Cream $9
• Luscious Hand Cream $5
• Pillowy Shave Cream $6
• Pearly Body Wash $9

Personal Opinion

I think it’s great, but only to an extent. I don’t use some of the products or don’t want them. However, I do hate buying razors so you can’t beat the convenience factor of having them shipped with your Glam Bag every month. I also use facial cleansing wipes, so I’m happy with that.

Being able to personalize this subscription is one of the main things I appreciate about it. I don’t wind up paying for anything that I’m not going to use. I pay less than retail price for things like razors, and I trust that they’re good quality because Ipsy doesn’t usually let me down.

Other Perks You Get As An Ipsy Subscriber

Cheap brand name makeup has got to be the biggest perk you’re going to have as an Ipsy subscriber. Convenience is another. I live in a small town, and the closest Sephora is an hour away. There are a couple of other perks you can enjoy, though.

Ipsy Points

Every time that you post a review, and share it, you get Ipsy points. You’ll get 15 Ipsy points per product. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but those points add up. Then, they can be redeemed for free products.

Coupon Codes For Awesome Brands

Every month, Ipsy has different products from different brands. You’ll be able to shop those brands and receive a discount on products. This is awesome if you love a particular brand that you see in Ipsy!

Ipsy FAQ

Is Ipsy worth it?

Definitely. For sample products, you’re paying a little over two dollars per product from hot brand names, like Smashbox. Full-size products sent in the Glam Bag Plus and Glam Bag X will only cost you around five bucks each.

Does Ipsy ship to the UK?

No, but you can use a package forwarding company that handles international shipping for you.

Is Boxycharm or Ipsy better?

Ipsy offers more subscription options. They also let you temporarily pause the subscription if you find you’re getting too many products. The addition of Ipsy Refreshments makes it stand out even more. Ipsy also lets you personalize your bag, so you pick the products you want.

What products come in Ipsy bags?

Ipsy includes a wide variety of products. You get lip products, eye products, brow kits, facial cleansers, face masks, and more. Subscribers can receive tools, like facial massagers, jade rollers, makeup brushes, etc.

Can you buy products from Ipsy?

Yes, but only if you are a member. Each month, members can select additional products, referred to as add-ons. These are sold at a discount price. You can also click on an Ipsy Shopper tab to discover awesome deals at the same discount prices. These are typically products that were included in their boxes for the month.

In Conclusion

Ipsy Glam Bags are more than worth it if you love makeup and beauty products. They even offer tutorials to help you learn fun new ways to play with makeup. However, if you’re not a fan of having a lot of make-up, and prefer to stick with the basics, Ipsy might not be 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

Comments

Amber Lynn (author) on February 08, 2021:

That's why I love them! I like that I get to pick what I get too.

Sp Greaney from Ireland on February 04, 2021:

This is a really good overview of the company. I don't subscribe to any services like this or subscription boxes . But I do like the idea behind them. They are a great way for trying out unknown brands or getting discounts on others.

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on February 03, 2021:

Interesting and useful information.

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

Chapstick is everyone’s go-to remedy for chapped lips. It comes in delicious flavors that won’t bother you when you lick your lips, can fit in a pocket or purse, and can be great for your lips during those dreaded winter months that are full of dry, cold air.

Yet, there are quite a few things to know about chapstick before picking up a tube the next time you’re at the store. Not all chapstick is created equal. There are even a few downsides that can go hand in hand with using this convenient remedy for dry lips.

Chapped Lips Happen to Everyone

Chapped lips seem to be a part of life. This could be because we drink less water during certain seasons because it’s not as hot. The air itself is unbelievably dry, which makes you more prone to getting dry skin everywhere, including on your lips.

Even though chapped lips are common, it doesn’t mean that you have to suffer for months on end. Lip balms, chapsticks, Carmax, lip scrubs, and other wonderful lip care products are readily available to keep your lips kissably smooth all year long. It’s important to make sure that you’re informed about these products so that you can pick one that will help you instead of making the situation worse.

What is Lip Balm?

These are small cosmetic tubes that are similar to lipstick. They are supposed to prevent chapped lips. Most companies have their own special formula. This means that some products might provide additional benefits, like nourishing your lips, providing protection from the sun, and preventing chapped lips.

The Most Common Lip Balm Ingredients

Because every company formulates its own lip balm, they all have their own ingredients. For example, some will contain beeswax as a base while others will consist more of petroleum. However, there are some ingredients that are seen more often than others. Learn more about the ingredients used in lip balms to make sure that you’re picking one up that is right for you and your chapped lips.

Beeswax

Beeswax is used to help coat the lips, which therefore reduces the chance that you’re going to suffer from dry, chapped lips due to the cold air. If the weather can’t reach your lips, it can’t hurt them!

On the downside, when beeswax is made by bees, it also contains something called propolis, something that bees use in their hives. Over one-tenth of people tested developed contact dermatitis due to this. If you are allergic to honey or have ever had a problem with contact dermatitis, pay attention to whether this ingredient is listed. It can cause peeling lips.

Fragrance

Fragrance is an umbrella term that companies use on the ingredients list. It can be used as a substitute for anything that makes the product smell good. Fragrance could mean one essential oil or several known carcinogens that you would never go near if you knew they were going to go on your lips. Because this is how companies make their products smell delicious is considered a trade secret, they’re not required to tell consumers what’s in them. Instead, they must simply label it as “fragrance.” Avoid this. You have no idea what they are using as a fragrance if this is the only word used on the ingredients list.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is making a huge comeback in lip products compared to where it was in recent years. This is because more of us are opting for natural products. It’s also because so many consumers already know the plethora of benefits that go hand in hand with coconut oil.

Toxic Ingredients

Some lip balms are loaded with toxic ingredients. This blogger did a wonderful article detailing all of the ingredients in Chapstick brand products. There are some that can cause contact dermatitis but aren’t otherwise concerning, like Vitamin E oil. There are others that will make you double-check the ingredient list before picking up some Chapstick.

Types Of Lip Balm

Personally, even though I am well aware of the toxic ingredients in Chapstick, I still have a tube. If it’s cold and my lips are dry, it’s right there in my purse. I have yet to have any adverse reactions to it, so I’m okay with the occasional use when I’m not wearing makeup. If you’re planning on picking up a tube of lip balm, it’s important to understand the different types of this product on the market so you have one that meets your needs.

Flavored Lip Balm

Flavored lip balm is widely popular, especially among children and teens. If you lick your lips a lot, you’ll appreciate flavored lip balm that tastes delicious! There are products available in every flavor imaginable, from candy, like Skittles, to Coca Cola. (My youngest daughter loves candy flavored lip balm!) Most flavored lip balm also comes with other benefits, such as having coconut oil or an SPF included.

Tinted Lip Balm

Tinted lip balm is usually available in a variation of pink to give your lips a touch of color while still protecting them from the elements. If you’re a bit irritated that you can’t wear your favorite lipstick because of your chapped lips, tinted products provide a nice compromise.

Lip Balm With SPF

Lip products with SPF are designed to protect your lips from being chapped and the harmful rays of the sun. The rays of the sun can damage your lips, making them more dry and prone to damage from the elements than they already are. Products with SPF are usually available as flavored or tinted lip balm, too.

Coconut Lip Balm

This is any lip balm that includes coconut oil. This is the most hydrating lip balm that I have ever used. In fact, I use coconut oil on my kids in place of lip products when they’re at home. It will keep your lips from becoming dry, and it’s available in a convenient tube that is perfect for keeping in your purse.

Pros and Cons Of Using Chapstick

Chapstick is one of the most popular items sold during winter, particularly if you live in a state that is known for having harsh winters. While it may be convenient, it does come with a few different pros and cons that you’ll need to keep in mind before picking up a tube the next time you’re at the store.

Pros

Convenient

No one can ever claim that Chapstick is inconvenient. It’s available in small tubes that fit perfectly everywhere, from in the car to in a guy’s pocket. It’s also readily available. Most stores have a Chapstick display by the register for those long, cold months.

Affordable

Chapstick is also one of the most affordable options. You can pick up a tube for a dollar. Some versions may be a bit more expensive, such as the flavored varieties, but that doesn’t mean that all chapstick is expensive. In fact, it’s more affordable than any other remedy.

Cons

Chapstick Can Make Your Dry Lips Worse

While Chapstick may provide temporary relief, that relief might come at a cost. Chapstick works by putting a thin layer of moisture on the top of your lips. As this thin layer dissolves, you will find that your lips are still dry. This is because it does nothing to help your lips heal. As it evaporates, it makes your lips drier.

Toxic Ingredients

The toxic ingredients that can be found in Chapstick are one of the main reasons that people are tossing the tubes in the trash and opting for natural remedies instead. Remember, if it says fragrance on the label, you have no idea what is in that little tube.

So, Should You Use Lip Balm?

There is no harm in using Chapstick on occasion. It should be used to protect your lips during winter weather or from the sun, not as a solution to dry lips. When using Chapstick, make sure to use it sparingly.

When you need something daily for dehydrated, chapped lips, consider an all natural home remedy like coconut oil. A proper lip care routine is also essential to keeping your lips as smooth as satin.

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.

© 2020 Amber Lynn

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

As a single mom with three children and a grandbaby, my life is the definition of busy. I wake up early, take a child to work, babysit the grandbaby, homeschool children, and somehow manage to fit in work. Simultaneously, I always try to look my best while accomplishing all of this.

I never know when I will have family stop by or have to run a last-minute errand! That’s why I have a fast makeup routine and have learned quite a few simple makeup tips! I get to enjoy the benefits of looking great despite not having an hour to spend in front of the mirror.

Benefits Of Looking Your Best

It can be tempting to wear pj pants all day, especially when you’re working from home, and both of your kids are attending school via Google classroom. Yet, I try to resist the urge to lounge around all day. Making sure that you look your best has a few great benefits.

Increased Self Confidence

When you look better, you feel better. A little bit of eyeshadow and putting on a cute outfit will instantly make you feel wonderful about yourself. The end result of this is that you wind up happier with yourself and in life. Your clients will hear it when you’re on the phone. Teachers will be nicer to you when your child acts up. You will have a certain air about you that demands respect.

Increased Productivity Is One Of The Biggest Benefits Of Looking Good Everyday

Pajama days quickly turn into lazy days. Those days are perfect for weekends cuddling with the babies and relaxing movie nights. They’re even better for sick days. However, I’ve found that when I try to turn weekdays into pajama days, I get almost nothing accomplished. The house turns into a reflection of my own appearance. Work is minimal. I don’t put my best effort forward. Even my clients notice it (I’m a full-time freelance writer.) This is one of the best reasons to get dressed every day.

Random Encounters Are Less Awkward

When a person looks less than their best, and suddenly the hot post office guy knocks at the door, it instantly makes the conversation awkward. Going to the school last minute is even more awkward. When you start off the day by getting dressed and making sure your makeup is on point, you know you look amazing for the rest of the day.

Establishing A Quick Makeup Routine

Quick makeup routines are always a great thing to have. Even if you spend hours in front of the mirror most days, there are going to be days that you need a quickie routine because you’re running late.

Personally, I am using a quick makeup routine daily right now. Between one child needing to be at work at seven in the morning, another needing to be ready for school by 7:30 and a third needing to be logged into Google classroom by 8:30, I simply do not have time for long morning makeup routines. These are some of the tips that I use that guarantee I look awesome and don’t take a lot of time.

Know Your Routine

Before you can master doing your makeup in five minutes flat, you have to know your routine. If you don’t have one yet, remember to go in this order:

• Skincare
• Primer (including eye primer)
• Eyebrows
• Eyes (including both eyeshadow and eyeliner)
• Foundation and concealer (you can also apply this before doing your eyebrows and eyes)
• Bronzer/ Highlighter/ Blush
• Lips
• Setting spray or powder

When you already know what you’re going to do, you can instantly do it faster. If you’re new to the world of makeup, try to save the things that you’re still practicing for days when you have more time.

Lay Out Your Products Beforehand

Instead of trying to find a gold shimmer eyeshadow in the morning, lay it out the night before. Thanks to my Ipsy bag, I have a wealth of everything from primers to eyeshadow pallets. I own four different black eyeliners (each with their own benefits.) I also like to mix things up. Sometimes, brow powder is nice. Other days, a quick brow filler pencil is where it’s at. Laying out products the night before can instantly make your morning routine go faster.

Go Minimal

If you find that your makeup routine just isn’t fitting into the allotted five minutes that you have, go minimal where you can. That means minimize anything possible. Use less foundation. Don’t bother with a ten-step process to hide your dark circles (just use concealer pencil to eliminate them most of the way.) Skip your eyeliner if you must. Remember, you should look put together. It doesn’t mean you have to wear everything every day. As you get used to doing your makeup routine in a hurry, you’ll be able to implement things that you have cut out back into your morning routine.

If you’re not sure what to cut out, take a good look in the mirror and decide what you can live without. Then, look at how much time you spend doing individual things. For example, I know that I spend more time on my eyeliner, but this is my makeup must-have. Days that I don’t even have five minutes, I at least stop to put on eyeliner. However, I can say forget concealer and other things for a day because I have an awesome skincare routine and a few tricks to get rid of dark circles that go a long way.

11 Quick Makeup Steps

If you have not come up with your own routine yet or don’t have time to, that’s okay! This sample routine will get you out the door in minutes. (I’ve included a few other tips in case this one doesn’t feel right.)

1. Tinted moisturizer. This can be used as a substitute for foundation because it helps even out your skin tone.
2. Concealer pen. A concealer pen helps to cover under-eye circles. These are easier to use, and less time consuming than using a powder foundation to cover one spot on your face.
3. Brow Pencil. A brow pencil that closely matches your brow color can quickly fill in your brows.
4. Brow Brush. Tame those wild brows with a quick brushing.
   
5. Eyebrow Gel. Finally, your eyebrows need some quick eyebrow gel. (Leave it out; we’re not done with it yet . . . )
6. Eyeshadow. Use a pre-planned eyeshadow. If you don’t have one, go with an eyeshadow crayon. These are easier to apply anyway!
7. Eyeliner. Use eyeliner to thicken up your lashes. If you’re really tired, don’t forget to apply a light color to your bottom lid. This instantly makes you look more awake!
8. Mascara. Brush on some mascara to instantly life and open your eyes.
9. Eyebrow Gel, Again. One more coat of eyebrow gel. When you apply two coats, it gives your eyebrows a sleeker finish with a slight dewy touch that is flawless.
10. Lipstick or Gloss. Skip the tedious lip liner and apply a quick coat of gloss, lipstick, your favorite lip fondant, etc.
11. Setting Spray. Setting spray is quicker than applying powder. A few quick spritzes and you’re done as soon as it’s dry! I use one from Urban Decay. It dries in under a minute and keeps everything in place perfectly.

This is my personal makeup routine, but it might not work for you. If you’re not a fan of a particular thing, like eyebrow gel, simply opt-out of that step, and your morning makeup routine just got significantly quicker!

Quick Makeup Tips For Moms

If you need to cut back on your makeup routine even further, these tips are going to help you get there!

Eyebrows And Eyeliner Only

This look is a bit more basic, but it still looks great! The first thing that people notice about you is your eyebrows, so it’s always important to make sure they’re done. Then, add on some jet black eyeliner for a minimal makeup look that still appears put together.

Stay Hydrated

Staying properly hydrated will work wonders for your skin! It can help even out your skin tone, reduce circles under your eyes, and reduce pimples. When you eliminate the problems that you use makeup to cover up, you instantly have less than you need to incorporate into your morning makeup routine.

Pick Up a BB Cream

BB Cream is your best friend on manic mornings! This cream can be used to even skin tone while providing the coverage that you need. It simultaneously gives your look a boost while eliminating the extra steps of foundation and, occasionally, concealer.

Focus On Your Eyes Or Lips

Instead of applying makeup to the entire face, just choose one. This simple makeup tip will provide a chic look that is as effortless as it sounds. It also gives you the chance to highlight your favorite features about yourself! Draw attention to your lips with a makeup-free face except for baby pink lip gloss!

Tinted Chapstick

When I was a child, long before I was allowed to wear makeup, I was a huge fan of chocolate chapstick. It gave my lips that extra little tint that looked like I was wearing a touch of lipstick. Yet, I never got in trouble for this because it was just chapstick.

Now, this is one of my favorite ideas for rushed mornings. Tinted lip balm applies a slight tint to your lips, and it requires no effort. As a bonus, you can apply it in the middle of a meeting without looking like you’re fixing your makeup!

Try Out These Tips

Just because you’re rushed in the morning doesn’t mean that you have to look like a hot mess. These makeup tips will help you look your best even when you’re pressed for time. What are your favorite simple makeup tips?

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.

© 2020 Amber Lynn

Kara Foster loves researching and experimenting—especially when it comes to hair or nails. She'll put in the work and share what she learns!

How to Get the Perfect Gel Nails Manicure at Home

I'm the kind of girl who would rather go out without makeup on than without nail polish. Yet, despite my obsession with nails, I always assumed that using gel polish at home was a little too advanced for me. It turns out I was wrong. I finally took the plunge and realized it's a totally achievable goal for almost anyone. That being said, there is a bit of a learning curve.

So, I thought this article could be a quick one-stop-shop to a gel manicure. I'll teach you some basics, which will save you research, and I'll outline some of the mistakes I was making, which will spare you some serious aggravation.

What You'll Need:

• Rubbing alcohol or 100 percent pure acetone (ideally both)
• Cotton ball or face cloth (the latter is more eco-friendly)
• Cuticle stick (optional)
• Gel polish of choice (some brands come with basecoat and topcoat)
• LED nail lamp
• UV gloves (optional—but I like to be safe!)
• Nail file or buffer (optional)

Step 1. Understanding the Basics

Since there is already a ton of great information out there, I won't waste your time re-hashing applying nail polish. If you're totally brand new to doing your own nails and need tips and tricks for applying the polish, I'll leave you some great resources at the end of this article.

Personally, I will admit that I was making a lot of mistakes and assumptions when I first started out. Hands down, I think my biggest misunderstanding about gel polish is that I assumed it would offer me a quick fix. Curing under a UV light was going to save me a whack of time, right? Not really.

Whether you're using a one-step polish like the one offered by Sensationail, or a three-step polish like the one offered by Sally Hansen (both great products), you should expect to spend a minimum of 30 minutes on your nails. Realistically, give yourself an hour, so you don't end up frustrated.

Treat each nail like a little art project. It will be worth it—trust me. When I did my first manicure, I painted in fairly thick, quick strokes, and ended up with equally thick chips within a day or two, which was a bummer. You can see from the first picture that I was afraid to push back my cuticles and left ragged edges. I also didn't take the time to get as close as I could to the edges. It really didn't look much better (or last much longer) than regular nail polish!

Step 2. Prepping and Painting

I’ll be honest that the manicures were a little trying on my patience, at first. I felt like it was taking forever, and it gave me a new appreciation for professional manicurists who stay bent over and focused for hours on end. However, after putting in the time, I noticed a huge difference in the longevity of my paint.

I type at a computer all day, every day at the office, and was pretty pumped that I didn’t even see the tiniest chip after several days. You can see in the second picture (light pink polish, above) that my lines are better, there isn’t as much of a gap between my nail bed and the polish, and the nails look overall better than they would with regular polish.

Does it look like a professional did it? No, of course not. I am still learning and perfecting. One thing I am still kind of hung up on is causing damage to my nails. I was admittedly afraid to even touch my cuticles, wanted to skip buffing, and was worried about drying out my nails with too much prep work. But, I sucked it up and realized that this is an extremely important part of the process.

Take Care of Your Cuticles

If you’re like me, and the thought of cutting your cuticles makes you nauseous, know that there is a huge difference between removing/cutting, versus just pushing back your cuticles. It’s pretty much a fact that you should only be pushing them back, very gently. No reputable source will recommend cutting them, which was a big relief to me.

While a lot of people will use a cuticle stick, I actually find I’m able to just gently push them back using my thumbnails, after I get out of the shower. I try and remember to do this the day before I do my manicure, too. The last time I went to a salon, the first step was soaking my nails, but there is actually a fairly split vote on whether or not this is best since soaked nails may actually expand. If they shrink back after the polish is dry, it only makes sense that this can lead to cracking. It’s probably a personal preference, but I do not recommend soaking right before the manicure.

Buffing the Shine Off

What do I do immediately before I paint? I lightly brush a file across the top of my nails, to remove some of the natural shine, which is known as buffing. You don’t have to go overboard, just a bit to rough up the surface and give something for the polish to cling to. I also clean my nails with both rubbing alcohol and acetone. You might be thinking that all of this is a little hard on your nails. It is. But I remind myself it’s not really any different than all of the other things I do for the sake of appearances—like using dye in my hair even though it gets a little more fried each time, or wearing lipstick even though I know it dries out my lips. My list goes on.

Apply Thin Layers

By the third attempt, I forced myself to paint in what felt like thin, painfully slow, strokes, and paid extra-special attention to capping (making sure you completely cover the tip of your nail). It’s a little easier to let your nails grow out a bit, but not completely impossible to cap a short nail, either. I've shared a link on this at the end of this article.

Step 3. Aftercare

Since this whole process beats up your nails a little bit, the key is doing all of these things in moderation and taking steps to minimize the damage. You should moisturize like crazy after the manicure is done.

Cuticle Oil

You can use any oil you have lying around the house (I love coconut) or any plain old moisturizer will do. Just take a few seconds to work it into your nails and cuticles before bed. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I’ve been trying to give myself about a week or two between my manicures, and so far my natural nails still look healthy, and I’m not self-conscious about the way my hands look on polish-free days (they aren't too brittle, yellow, etc.).

Tips for a Lasting Manicure

The last comment is that after all of your hard work, don't forget to protect your nails. Yes, gel polish will last a LOT longer than regular—but it's not indestructible! I try to wear gloves while doing dishes, for example, and it saves me the disappointment of having to repair a chip (if this happens I've had great success with giving the chip a quick file to smooth it down, and then re-applying a quick layer of polish and topcoat).

The bottom line is that I am someone who has zero professional training, but with bit of patience, and only a bit of practice, I have great-looking nails that make me happy. If I can do it so can you. Good luck!

Resources for a Little Extra Guidance

• How To Cap Short Nails With Gel Polish - YouTube
  
• Gel Polish on Natural Nails - Tips and Tricks! - YouTube
  
• 17 Manicure Tips That’ll Keep Your Nail Polish From Chipping | Glamour
  

Tawny is an enthusiastic makeup and lipstick consumer and is excited to share her thoughts and findings about her experiments and products.

The Beginning of Something Wonderful

If you’re reading this, you’re either really bored or actually care about makeup enough to read about it instead of using it. But I can’t lie, I do the same thing. When Kylie Jenner first announced that she was starting a lip kit line, I really didn’t care too much. I wasn’t much of a makeup wearer, especially higher-end makeup. It was too expensive, and I didn’t have anywhere to wear it. But then I got a job as a server, so I figured I’d liven up my face a bit, so I eventually worked my way up to Kylie’s lip kits!

My first order was in 2017, and there was a sale, so I could get two kits, free shipping, and a free lip liner and a gloss for $54, which seemed like a good deal if I could use it for work and not look like my lips were the same color as my chin. So I looked around a lot, debated on if I should get velvets (which was a new formula at the time) or mattes (which started the company), but I liked the colors in the velvets better, so I went with Dazzle and Harmony velvet lip kits. The velvets were also $2 cheaper than the mattes. But I also got the lip liner Kristen and the gloss Candy K for free as part of their special.

The Packaging

When I got them about a week later, I loved how they come in a pale pink box. But me being a slightly older millennial, I wasn’t over-the-top impressed, but just thought it was cute. But inside the box, they put a piece of flexible foam wrapped around the boxes as protective packaging. They also include a “hand-written” note from Kylie thanking me for my order, which is a nice touch. I wish I had her handwriting.

The products themselves are really quite nice though. The lip liner is really creamy and pigmented for a lip liner. Most others that I’ve used are mainly just to keep regular lipstick in place (“regular” being “non-liquid” or “bullet” lipstick). I feel like if my lips were naturally a tiny bit plumper, I would wear them all on their own, the colors look that good! And they’re encased in a black, soft plastic-wood that is really easy to sharpen, and sturdy enough to use like a crayon or colored pencil.

What I’ve come to learn about Kylie Cosmetics is that the liquid lipsticks and glosses smell like vanilla! That’s actually one way you know you’re getting a genuine product as well. A lot of dupes or fakes will not smell exactly like what the original, genuine lipsticks do, so just be wary of that.

The Actual Products

Kylie’s velvet liquid lipsticks are quite amazing though. They have high pigmentation, smell like vanilla, and just feel really nice on the lips. They feel like blotting a regular crème lipstick but add a slightly moisturizing feeling while still delivering full impact color. I wouldn’t recommend rubbing your lips together upon application though, just pressing your lips together a few times to even out the tone is fine. And I was impressed by how long the color lasted and looked like I had just applied it. After working an eight-hour bartending shift, my lips were still the perfect shade as when I had first applied and not a bit out of line! That’s what I’ve come to expect with Kylie’s products, and she meets and raises the bar with every order.

A lot of first-time buyers of the velvets don’t realize that “velvet” doesn’t mean “smudge-proof” or “kiss-proof” like the mattes are, so use a bit of caution when using velvets. For me, lipstick is the last thing I apply before I leave the house so all my hair and clothes are done and ready so I won’t smear my lipstick across my face or clothes. However, the velvets are advertised as “a creamy matte look that does not dry down,” so that should be able to inform the general public that it’s not a matte. But I guess not everyone reads into things as literally as I do, and sometimes that’s for the best. Albeit, that is one perfect description that accurately details how it looks and feels—matte look, but doesn’t dry down. I’ll add that if you want to add a gloss on top of a velvet, you may want to try layering a gloss over a matte because the velvet pretty much won’t allow you to do that so easily.

The Colors Harmony and Dazzle

Harmony is described as a “warm mid-tone pink” and it’s a pretty shade for everyday wear.

So they’re kind of discontinuing Dazzle, which is sad, it’s such a pretty color, but I’m glad I got it when I did! It’s described as a “warm terracotta.” I’ve recently grown to love the “terracotta” family of lipstick shades, I love how they look somewhat retro 90s with a slight earth tone but also rosy at the same time. However, this particular shade isn’t exactly what I would say is “warm terracotta” in real life. The picture of it on the website looks like that, but in reality, it looks very similar to Harmony.

I Love These Lipsticks!

Needless to say that ever since my first Kylie Cosmetics purchase, I have made several more. Whenever I get an email announcing a new product or shades or formulas, I get a little tinge of excitement and check my bank account to prepare for it.

© 2020 Tawny

Cat is a beauty enthusiast, honoring the essence of natural beauty and supporting informed choices to enhance what mother nature gave us.

Search for the Perfect Foundation

As a teenager, I could slather any old foundation on my face and call it good. Not that it looked good, I just didn't know any better, and the privilege of youth affords us that kind of ignorance. Back then I was just looking for a mask to hide behind. When my mom commented that I looked like a porcelain doll (and this was not a compliment coming from her with her natural, bare skin ways), I was thrilled to look like anything but myself, and I wasn't too particular about how that was accomplished.

I've grown much more particular over the years, and the quality of my skin and makeup matters because my beauty vision is more natural in my 40's, and I want my make up to reflect that. But, it wasn't easy finding the perfect foundation for my maturing skin! I can cut corners on some things but not my skin. And although I was willing to invest in a really great foundation, I found myself spending more than I care to admit on some high-end brands that just looked and felt disgusting.

I once loved matte formulas for their staying power and was quite loyal to one fancy brand in particular, but once I entered my 40's, I couldn't stand how ghostly it made me look! I tried other formulas from the same brand, but every single one failed me. Seriously, every single one. I accidentally found this foundation after finally agreeing to a color match at a salon. I only agreed because it was not an actual person doing the color match (I've never been correctly color matched by a human), but a little handheld device with scientific magic. After my color match, I went home with a sample of three different brands of a similar formula, and every single one of the colors looked amazing. However, it was Urban Decay's Naked that felt and looked more natural. I looked like my skin and didn't settle into tiny lines, like dried paint.

Why I Love Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation

I started wearing this foundation when I turned 44, and with the exception of when I had to find a disappointing replacement while traveling, it's the only foundation I've used since then.

I currently live in the Caribbean and use Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid formula in shade 7.0, which compliments my medium complexion. I used 6.0 when I lived in the mountains and 8.0 when I lived in the desert—when my complexion was slightly darker. Sometimes I mixed the lighter and darker shades together depending on how my skin color changed with the seasons. I love how it doesn't need to be an exact science to achieve a great color when mixing within my three primary shades. I don't have the patience required for exact science, which is why I also don't measure spices. In that respect, this foundation is very kind to me.

I also love this foundation's magical ability to blend into my skin and blur imperfections. It just makes everything look softer and slightly illuminated without the shine factor. Sometimes I desire a slightly more matte finish and will add a light dusting of powder to my t-zone, avoiding under eyes at all costs. It doesn't matter how amazing your foundation or powder is, once you're in your 40's most powder looks frightening.

For me, one of the most lovable things about this foundation is that it's very climate adaptable. It looks the same in dry and humid climates and doesn't make a giant ugly mess when I sweat—which is often because I live in the tropics. Somehow it all just seems to blend together without color streaks or lines. It's like magic.

Pros and Cons

As much as I personally love this foundation and think everyone else should love it too, I understand that it might not be for everyone. Following is a list of pros and cons to consider before purchasing.

Pros:

• The silky formula is easy to apply with fingertips, foundation brush, or sponge.
• The finish is natural and soft with modest illumination.
• It lasts all day without an obvious need to retouch.
• It has simple color selection featuring a mere 18 beautiful colors to choose from (might also be a con).
• The coverage is buildable without looking like icing.
• It has light-diffusing properties.
• It's easy to blend into skin and with another shade.
• It lasts for months because you don't need to pile it on for beautiful results.

Cons:

• At about $40, this foundation does not come drug store cheap.
• It has the potential to get messy if you're packing it around with you.
• It only has 18 shade choices, which some people might find limiting.

Maybe I'm biased, but for my skin and beauty vision, the cons are minor.

This is the only foundation I have found acceptable in the past five years and as of this review. I just learned that it might be discontinued! So, that is disappointing. I'm hoping that isn't true but if so, I will be stocking up.

Jessica loves all things creative in the world of entertainment, crafting, and cosmetics.

In my 20's, I developed a small complex with my sparse eyebrows. As an Italian-American brunette, I guess I had a preconceived notion that I should have better eyebrows, even if that meant that they were unruly. When I started drawing them on about ten years ago, I felt like the only person. Other than seeing my grandmother do this to herself when I was a little girl with one of those old-school red Maybelline brown eyeliners, I'd never seen my peers doing this.

Then, a few years ago, there came the eyebrow obsession. Just like that, people were using pencils, creams, powders, and gels to get thick, beautiful eyebrows. Both drugstore and high-end companies started marketing products like crazy to help make brows more beautiful. I suddenly felt like I fit in. Instead of feeling weird about what I was doing, I felt ahead of the times.

The only problem is that I tend not to wear a lot of makeup (outside of my stage job), so I was really wanting something to make them look better on their own.

When the makers of RapidLash made a product specifically for eyebrows, I was thrilled. Of course, I had to give it a try! This is my experience.

Purchasing

You can purchase RapidBrow for about 39.99 at retailers such as Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, and online.

I bought this tube on eBay from a trusted seller for about $18.99, not expired, and it arrived fast. You can also purchase on Amazon as well.

The price can vary quite a bit based on where you buy this, especially online. So take your time, browse, and only purchase from retailers you trust. There are some good deals out there. Try to purchase it sealed and make sure it is within the expiration date if you buy from a site such as eBay or Amazon.

I purchased one tube from an eBay seller that had really good reviews. I paid about $16.00 (maybe the price was too cheap) and it arrived fast. However, when I opened it and applied it to my eyebrows, the smell and consistency were not right. The box was closed when I purchased it so nothing seems tampered with. I don't know if maybe it had been kept in the heat or something that spoiled it, but I asked for a refund and got one with no questions asked, promptly. However, I will be a little bit more wary next time. I have had one bad experience out of the three times that I have purchased it on eBay.

Claim

This claims to “put the wow back in your brow“ by transforming weak, sparse, uneven, eyebrows making them look healthier. It is supposed to help condition, restore, and repair the appearance of eyebrows in about two months. It is made of powerful peptides, fortifying proteins, and beneficial extracts that are safe and gentle on skin. It is also ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested and deemed safe for contact lens wearers.

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycerin, Myristoyl, Pentapeptide-17, Biotin, Panthenol, Pantethine, Hydrolyzed, Glycosaminoglycans, Allantoin, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Maris Aqua (Sea water), Octapeptide-2, Copper, Tripeptide-1, Polypeptide-23, Prunus, Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, PVP, PEG-12, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide.

Packaging

Each tube comes sealed in plastic and in a box. When I bought mine on eBay, it was sealed and still in the original box. Sometimes it may not be in a box if you buy on a site such as eBay, but as long as it is sealed and within the expiration date, I would think that you're good.

The tube itself is pretty sleek. The cap twists off and attached to it is a brush, much like mascara.

Application

You are supposed to apply this twice a day (morning and night) to clean, dry eyebrows free of makeup and creams, in short, upward strokes. The formula is clear and has no heavy scent. It also tames brows while it works.

The Verdict

I have been using this for about six weeks, twice a day (most days) and it really does work. Even after I tweezed my brows, my brows feel fuller, and I think even the individual hairs are longer. I will continue to use this, and I am excited to see if there is even more improvement over time. I will update in about six more weeks.

Update After Eight Weeks of Use

I have now been using this for over eight weeks and I am over the moon! I feel like my eyebrows are darker. I guess it's because they were so sparse. This is truly a wonderful product. It worked in just a month or so, and my results just got better with time. Now I am only using it for maintenance, so I am testing out using it once a day, every other day or so. No more eyebrow complex for this girl.

I took a picture of this latest result (excuse my dark circles) and posted it below. I may have to tweeze more regularly now, and I'm happy to report that my brows look kind of unruly!

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.

Questions & Answers

Question: Where did you buy the RapidBrow eyebrow enhancing serum, in a drugstore or on Amazon?

Answer: I bought mine on eBay, but you can find it on Amazon as well.

© 2019 Jess B

Jessica loves all things creative in the world of entertainment, crafting, and cosmetics.

For as long as I can remember, I have had short, tiny, sparse eyelashes. They are so short, I can't even curl them! It would certainly be helpful to make them look better if at all possible. While genetically, I was given nice skin and teeth, as far as eyelashes and eyebrows are concerned, I was forgotten.

Luckily today, there are so many things to help this issue. From false lashes that are readily available to professionally applied eyelash extensions, we don't need to be born with good genetics anymore.

I have been wanting to find an option that is right for me. Even though I have heard nothing but great things, I have been hesitant to get a prescription and pay the hefty price of Latisse. Not to mention, it comes with possible side effects. I also refuse to wear fake eyelashes in everyday life because I find them uncomfortable. Life is too short to be uncomfortable, even for beauty. Mascara works fine, but I wanted them to look better without makeup.

After reading lots of great reviews, I decided to try this easy to use and affordable product to make my natural lashes look better.

Where I Purchased RapidLash

I bought this tube of RapidLash from a trusted Ebay seller. It is well within the expiration date and was unopened and sealed. I paid about $20.86 and free shipping, and it was delivered in a few days.

It is also available on Amazon for various prices. You can also purchase it at retailers such as Ulta, Ulta.com, CVS, and Walmart for about $49.99. Either way, it is much more affordable than other options, and of course, no prescription needed.

What the Product Claims

RapidLash claims to condition, moisturize, and strengthen your lashes to improve their overall appearance. The ingredients help the durability of the lashes, as well as their shine and sheen. It should help make lashes appear thicker and fuller in about four weeks.

This can also be used on eyebrows to improve their appearance too. However, they do have a separate product for that called RapidBrow. I am also using that and am in the process of reviewing that as well.

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biotin, Panthenol Pantethine, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Allantoin, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract, Maris Aqua/Sea Water, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Octapeptide-2, Copper Tripeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-1, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Black Sea Rod Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid.

How to Apply

The directions say to apply this to a clean eyelash area free of lotions, creams, and makeup only once per day. It says to apply in the evening, but I have also read online that it can be used any time of day and makeup can be applied after it has dried. I have done this a time or two, but I prefer at night. It has a precision tip that makes applying the product a cinch. I drag it along my lash line, and it doesn't feel heavy or sticky. It seems that there is no scent to this product.

The Verdict: Does RapidLash Work?

I have been using this almost daily for about a month now, and this stuff really does work. I had some inner lashes that had gotten pulled out by my false eyelashes, and they filled in pretty quick. My lashes are about as long as they can get. Are they long? No. While I think that this stuff makes lashes healthy and thicker, I don't believe it is a miracle product that makes your lashes longer (it doesn't claim to). I don't think it gives you anything you don't already have. But it is easy to apply and really does help give your natural lashes that extra boost to make them look as good as they can. And I like that it only needs to be applied once a day.

I don't know how long this tube will last, but I'm going on my second month out of it. I will update when I run out to give you a time frame. I'm hoping to get at least another month, maybe two.

I will continue to use this because my lashes do go through a lot of abuse and they can't afford it. It does what it says it will do and at a great price.

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.

© 2019 Jess B

Comments

Debra Roberts from Ohio on May 26, 2019:

Thank you for this review! I have used GrandeLash in the past with success, this is cheaper, so will give it a whirl!

Evie Sparkes is a published novelist, content writer and company director from the UK.

How to Have Natural-Looking Face

My skin has changed as I've aged. I didn't notice it aging. It just sort of did it overnight. Well, that's how it seemed anyway. I hit 42, and I started to notice every little line and imperfection. They bothered me. They shouldn't have of course. Deep lines are part of us. We earn them with years of laughter if we're lucky. The sun does the rest of the damage, and most of us don't cotton on to the damaging effects of it until much later in life. What we should do is try to maintain our skin much earlier. We wait and then make a huge effort to reverse it!

When we start to show signs of aging, I believe that we should tone down a heavy base and go for something a little more flattering that allows our skin to breath and look like skin.

I have some deep lines around my eyes when I laugh and smile. So with that in mind, a full coverage foundation was just not cutting it for me anymore. My lines were looking way worse than they did before I applied the foundation because it was settling into the creases and drawing attention to them in a big way.

What Is the Best BB Cream for More Mature Skin?

BB creams quickly made an impact on the beauty world thanks to a successful combination of skincare and other beauty benefits. Some companies simply refer to them as balms, but the general idea behind these creams is that they provide hydration, SPF protection, and sheer coverage, thus preventing the need for separate products. That's the official line anyway

I have tried so many products. I was starting to think bb creams just weren't for the likes of older women. They were just for the youthful who didn't have to worry about lines and wrinkles, so looked good in anything.

What looks good on other women may not suit you. Skin is complex. Some of us have dry skin, some of us greasy and some a bit of both. So finding the best bb cream for your particular skin type takes some time and research. I am not blessed with patience when it comes to sourcing new products. I used to jump at the first recommendation I read and hope it would be the one. It rarely ever was.

The Best Beauty Products for a Dewy Glow

STQANON BB Cream Cushion Foundation Makeup Long Lasting Cover

This fantastically light BB cream comes like a compressed powder. It's not dry like I had thought it was going to be. It comes with a sponge that you press into the damp pad.

This is definitely the best light coverage cream I have used. It's really light, yet it does cover well. Sheer it may be, but dewy glow? Oh yes, and some.

I really can't adequately describe how much this light coverage bb cream makes me feel about my skin. It does just enough to smooth out the imperfections, and the glow it produces stays with me all day. Let's face it; when we look good, we feel good. Or is it the other way around?

The Best Dewy Concealer

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream No.21

This is not a concealer although I do use it under my eyes as it's just so illuminating and works to give that under-eye area a glow too whist still covering any darkness. I love this amazing product, and as you can see, I have been using it for quite some time.

I only use a tiny amount, and I blend it in with a make-up sponge. It's very easy to blend with your fingers if you don't use a blending sponge.

It's very pale; otherwise, I'd probably wear it all over my face from time to time if I fancied changing it up a bit. It's extremely creamy but at the same time very light. If your skin is very fair and you prefer a slightly fuller coverage, then this might work for your face as a whole, and you wouldn't even need a separate concealer.

Amazing Setting Powder

This amazingly powerful HD photo finishing powder, creates an illuminating finish to your makeup look, without the use of a photo filter. That's what they say, and that's exactly what it does. You can buy it from Wunder2.co.uk

I don't always use it, but on the occasions when I'm off for a well deserved night out, I will use it to set my base. It's very light, but it should not be considered if you like that very set look. It gives a set, but it's more of a light covering, and that's what I love about this awesome product. A powder that's not a powder!

I love my skincare and beauty routines, but as I've aged, I've tried to find a more natural look that suits my love of make-up.

It is possible to get the 'no makeup, makeup look' even on older skin.

As always, keep your skin hydrated. Drink plenty of water and use hydrating creams and oils for a more even complexion.

Huma is a makeup enthusiast who likes sharing her tips for getting the most bang for your buck!

What Is Pan the Palette?

Pan the Palette projects are all over YouTube. I love watching the videos about it, my favourite YouTuber to watch on this topic is Ashley Elizabeth. But, for those of you unaware of this incredible idea let me tell you.

Pan the Palette is a concept that encourages you to use up your makeup or any item really to the best amount you can, preferably all of it. So, you can pick a few items or one at a time and challenge yourself to use it all up or as much as you think you should use, so you get your money's worth. You can set a deadline so maybe see how many products you can get through in a year, six months, three months or one month. You can personalize it to you. Do you struggle with using up eyeshadows or maybe a particular product? Then set a challenge to use it up. It is primarily a project for makeup, but it can be used for many other things, e.g., skincare, clothes or anything else you're struggling to get the most use out of.

Why Should You Pan the Palette?

I have attempted this myself, and there are a ton of benefits why you need to get involved with this Pan the Palette project.

1. You get your money's worth.

It can be so easy to buy a lot of makeup and never really even use up a product completely or even half way. You can end up buying so many foundations, concealers, eyeshadow palettes, etc. that you can end up throwing away. So much unused makeup = money being thrown away! So challenge yourself to use up at least 3/4 of the product so you can at least use up the majority of the product.

A rule that I think you should apply to your spending on makeup is "Use one, buy one." So, every time you want to buy a makeup product, make sure to use one up—then, only after that are you allowed to buy one. It's not easy to follow, but makeup is incredibly expensive and you work hard to earn your money. Spend it wisely and make sure you get your money's worth. This Pan the Palette project is a great way of ensuring you do that.

2. Get creative.

Makeup is an outlet for creativity and uniqueness, so be creative and find alternative uses for a product that is only targeted at one part of your face; for example, use a peachy eyeshadow shade for your blush, a shimmery shade for your highlight or a really dark eyeshadow as your liner. This way you'll finish the product faster and even find creative ways to use a product other than what it was said to be used for.

3. It's a fun challenge to do with your girlfriends.

I mentioned Ashley (Pan the Palette queen) at the start, and she does this with a few other YouTubers, and I think it is so fun to do with other people. If you and your friends are competitive and love makeup, then this is a great challenge to attempt together. When you do it with someone, then you are more likely to go all out and finish the project. Also, this way you can even share tips with each other, so who knows! You might even learn some new stuff.

4. Get a good idea of the product.

So many times we buy new makeup and use it just a few times. This is not a great way for us to know what kinds of things work for us or don't. For example, I bought a foundation that I thought I'd never used before. Guess what? I had one in my collection and it was more than half full. By giving a product a fair chance, you'll know whether or not it works for you and you can save yourself the hassle of buying it and trying it over and over again.

5. Avoid buying hyped up products.

It can be so tempting to want to buy new makeup releases or hyped up stuff just because we've seen our favourite YouTubers talk about it or because we think we need it. (Hint: We don't.) But if you apply the rule that you must use something up before you purchase a product, then it will save you from regretful, unnecessary and expensive makeup purchases that you only bought because you were too caught up in the hype. So many of us are guilty of this, myself included. This project is a great way for us to avoid impulse spending.

© 2019 Huma Ikbal

Taki loves to write about her experiences and products. She especially loves K-Beauty and only uses Korean cosmetics.

Many people have already been drawn to the highly-addictive world of K-Beauty. Others have settled with what they've got and don't look into the innovative products of Korea. It certainly is a hassle—some products can only be used if shipped from overseas. This means you could get the product weeks after you ordered it, and by then, you might not even need it. So, if everyone can't commit to the Korean product lifestyle, can they find a favorite product that is Korean?

Look no further than Tony Moly's Petite Bunny Gloss Bar.

What Is Tony Moly?

Tony Moly, a K-Beauty empire that specializes in adorable packaging, started up in 2006 and hasn't looked back since. In fact, it's only expanded its reign by two different countries. Now Tony Moly has stores located in California and in some parts of the UK, making it a little more available to those who don't live in Asia.

In their own words, Tony Moly is always 'fusing fun ideas with outstanding products,' including a soft solid perfume bar (WHAT!?!?!), cat-inspired blushes, and easy-to-use liquid eyeliner. To prove their cute packaging fetish even more, 'TONYMOLY' means 'putting style into packaging.'

Cuteness With Bunny Ears

Tony Moly is probably most known for its cute packaging, but it's not exactly clear which of their products is the most iconic of them all. However, it is certain that Tony Moly's Petite Bunny Gloss Bars are a well-recognized product among those who love K-Beauty. It's that nostalgic item that is the Korean equivalent to when you were a little kid and your mom buys you a kiddy lip gloss. It's pretty special, and lots of people, no matter why they like Asia, can say they own this little stick of cuteness.

The Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar comes in nine different shades of pink, each one based off of a different yummy fruit, and each one bearing a sweet little bunny facial expression.

The darkest shade available is Juicy Cherry, a cute cherry red gloss in a red bunny with a little unimpressed face. (Perhaps he hates how cute he is?) The sheerest of them all is Juicy Grape, which is the most subtle of them all and has no pink color to it at all, but a delicious grape scent.

The Design

The design of the Petite Bunny Gloss Bar seems average or normal, but the thought process behind it all is quite interesting.

The fact that this product is so skinny and does not take on a similar shape of other lip gloss or balms has puzzled a few people on the web. The reason for it all? To look subtle, whether it's in your back pocket or your backpack. Because it's not so bulky, it takes up less space, no matter where it is, and while you might have bunny ears poking out of your jean pocket, it looks better than having a small, fat lip balm pod in your back pocket. It's so much sleeker and modern this way.

Petite Bunny Gloss bars are also infused with Vitamin E to keep lips soft, and the formula is long-lasting and looks natural. You get the right amount of glam, whether you're just heading to school or are ready for a banquet!

Are They Any Good?

While some shades are liked or favored more than others, the average star rating for these cute little glosses is 4 stars. Juicy Cherry has the largest fan base with a 4.5-star rating. While I myself am a Juicy Grape fan, all of the shades are so versatile that you can wear them anywhere, with any outfit, at any time.

They smell so good, look amazing, and have the best packaging on the market. Petite Bunny Gloss Bars are available on Amazon. However, they can take a while to ship. I did not get mine until three weeks after I ordered it, which really was terrible because I was so excited about it. I mean, it's worth the wait, but who likes to wait that long.

A Good Product in a Good-Looking Package

In conclusion, those who aren't into Korean beauty need to try this. For those who are curious about K-Beauty, you need to try this. For those who are into K-Beauty, you need to try this. If you have no idea what K-Beauty is, then you definitely need to try this.

This product is available on:

• Amazon
• The Tony Moly Website (the website format and prices will vary depending on your country)
• SokoGlam and other K-Beauty websites

Comments

Bree on March 29, 2019:

cute! I might try the peach one or neon orange one!

Jessica loves all things creative in the world of entertainment, crafting, and cosmetics.

Fave. Go-to. Holy Grail (HG). Whatever you choose to call your favorite products, they all have one thing in common; we always have to have them on hand. When we find a product that we can't live without, we will buy it in different shades, have back-ups in various locations, and have a drawer full so that we never run out. These products seem to steal our hearts better than any human in the world can and we reward it with such loyalty, as it has never let us down.

There are some widely known so-called "cult" products that are written about in beauty blogs time and time again (*cough* Nars Orgasm Blush). But some products are not talked about much. They are just our own personal favorites and they feel like our own little secret treasure. I want to share five of my HG products with you. They are all so affordable and worth a try. Maybe you will love one or all of them as much as i do.

Wet N' Wild Megalast Lip Color

This affordable mega last lip color is absolutely amazing! I have been using it religiously for about six years, and it is my number one go-to lip product for any look I want to create on or off the stage. It glides on really smooth and, most days, I find that it lasts through two shows an evening without needing to be re-applied. I have also grabbed a bite to eat and drink while wearing it and have not needed to re-apply afterwards, that's pretty amazing. Yet, it comes off easily when i want it to, unlike other long-lasting lip products.

I love the bright reds, light pinks, and dark berry shades, but they also have nudes, corals, bright pinks, and spicy cinnamon shades. Every once in a while, I find i can stock up on these at any local drugstore for as little as 99 cents a piece! But I am more than happy to shell out a couple of extra bucks on this little gem when I need it.

Honestly though, because I don't have to apply it all the time, a tube lasts a really long time. It is a smooth, semi-matte and very pigmented lipstick for the money. Sometimes in a pinch, I have been able to line my lips with it as well. I will not lie, the packaging is not at all fancy and, I have cracked the clear caps from time to time, but this product delivers. It is a definite upgrade from Wet n' Wild's other lip products (I have a graveyard of their "cheaper" lipsticks). Sometimes, I will line my lips with a dark shade and then fill it in with a lighter shade for an ombre effect. You can even get crazy (as I sometimes do) and top this with cosmetic glitter.

L'oreal Paris Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

After years of scouring the drugstores and using practically every eyeliner ever made and after eventually moving on to higher-end brands, I have yet to find one that goes on this smooth.

This product truly makes my life easier since eyeliner can be a little bit of a pain to deal with. I am dreading the day that I can't find this anymore, as it always seems our favorite products eventually get discontinued (why is that?). Unfortunately for me, I think it may be soon because I can only find this online and have not been able to find it in stores for a while. Luckily, when I find it I buy several at a time so if it does go away I'll have time to find a replacement (if one exists).

L'Oreal makes this in a few shades, and although black is my go-to shade, I have used the cobalt blue and the silver. The silver is super metallic and gorgeous as an accent applied to the inner corners of your eyes. Also, gone are the days of melting the tip of the eye pencil with a lighter, so it glides better. Remember doing that ladies?

If you want a product that not only does not break the bank but feels high end, this is for you! It is not waterproof, but that is not a problem for me. As a magician's assistant, my makeup goes through a lot during a single show, and this stays put for me, often through two shows. This can be used for sharp lines and wings for drama or blurred for a smokier, softer look. Since it applies so effortlessly, it can easily be used to make a very thin line along the lashes for a more natural look as well.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

I love this amazing eye crayon so much; I always have three or four waiting in a drawer at all times. For some reason, finding a white, matte eyeshadow or eyeliner is a really hard thing to accomplish. So needless to say, when I found one that was not only matte but giant, I found myself a new addiction.

The color I am talking about is called Milk. I use it on my eyes and sometimes on my face. I apply it to the corners my inner eyes to make me look more awake and also under my brow bone to highlight that area and make it pop. In a pinch, I have used it to contour my face, because it blends so nicely.

What I do is lightly apply streaks to areas I want to highlight, blend, and top lightly with bronzer. I have not used the other colors yet that are available, but I need to one of these days. I would imagine that there is a pink or red shade that could be a multi-task for eyes, lips, and cheeks. I also would be interested in trying a darker shade for a smoky eye considering how nicely they blend. They can also double as eyeliner and eye-shadow too.

NYX makes some amazing products. I love their matte bronzer and glitter as well. If I am being honest, I get a little overwhelmed when looking at their display in the store because they do have so many amazing products (so much to try, so little time). This is definitely a staple for me for sure. If you haven't tried it, you must!

Benefit Cosmetics All Purpose Pencil Sharpener

This sharpener is amazing! I bought this on a whim while browsing at Ulta one day. Being a high-end brand, it was a little bit more of a splurge for me, but it is the only sharpener I have bought and used that has been worth the plastic it is made of.

I purchased this after being fed up with other sharpeners destroying my favorite pencils. I had a decent sharpener for a couple of years until, sadly, it cracked and it would not sharpen anymore despite my desperate attempts to fix it. So I replaced it with something I thought was comparable, but it simply would not sharpen a pencil. I now have been using this one for the last couple of years, and I feel it is made to last.

It is just a few extra dollars, but it has been money very well spent. You can also sharpen any size pencil! I had other sharpeners that could not sharpen my beloved NYX pencils because they were too big. It also comes with a little toothpick-like tool to help keep it clean and an attachment (that I have not used yet), but I believe it allows you to sharpen smaller pencils.

This a one-time investment that is worth it and you will actually save money in the long run not having to buy another cheap one ever again. Plus, it's pink! What more could one ask for? Makeup artists always say our makeup is only as good as the tools we apply it. So I say our makeup pencils are only as good as the sharpeners we sharpen them with. What other way can you get a thin line of eyeliner if your pencil is not sharp? This will do that.

Ardell Strip Eyelashes Wispies 113

Ardell is probably one of, if not, the most popular brand of false lashes around today. In show-business, you cannot get away from having to wear them no matter how long your natural lashes are. The undeniable drama they add to your eyes and whole face is beyond anything mascara can accomplish.

Over the years, I have tried various brands and dozens of styles of strip lashes and have always had one or two that I favored. I now have one hands-down favorite. On the recommendation of my lovely friend and fellow cast-mate, I bought and started wearing the style Wispies 113 and I have been a die hard fan of them ever since.

Last year, I tried wearing an old favorite style when my local CVS ran out of these and I could not wait to toss them in the trash and get back to these. They are the perfect mix of natural and dramatic, and not too short, but not too long either. With Ardell lashes, you always get the most comfortable lashes that exist in my opinion (as comfortable as fake eyelashes can be, that is).

As someone who has the sparsest, shortest, saddest (say that three times fast) eyelashes ever, I get to live a fairy-tale every time I put these on. I also find that they last a long time, which is a testament to the quality that Ardell delivers no matter which style you choose.

I am sure there are a lot of products out there that are amazing, such as mink lashes and high-end brands. I guess if you are paying $25 or more a pair they better be high-quality. But why shell out that much dough when, for a few dollars, you can get a great product like this?

What Are Your Holy Grails?

Those are some things can't live without, and I would love to hear if you have tried, use, or have a similar product that you use (just in case any of these go away!). I would love to read your comments. Thank you for reading!

© 2019 Jess B

Jamie has an interest in makeup, especially if she can do it on a budget.

What Is a Blender Sponge?

If you go to the makeup or beauty department in just about any store that sells these types of products, you might stumble upon cone-shaped sponges with different angled tips. They also can be found in just about every color. The use of these products is to blend your makeup products to give your face a flawless look. These are used to blend primers, foundations, and concealers.

I have only ever seen the sponges used wet, but I have read in the past that you can use them dry. If you choose to use them wet, just make sure to squeeze the excess water out so you can get. When you are ready to begin using it, make sure to use a quick, bouncing type motion up and down.

My Experience

Last winter, I went to get my trial makeup done for my wedding by a professional. I saw her pick up one of these sponges that I had seen before in the stores, but I had no experience with. I wanted to see if there was really a difference in how my makeup would come out if I were to use this instead of my tried and true finger to apply it.

It just so happened that the woman doing my makeup began using the sponge from the very beginning. She took micellar water, which is also having its big moment right now, and used it to clean and wet the sponge. Micellar water is a cleanser used to remove all types of face products and get rid of the dirt and makeup that sometimes face wipes don't get to. It's basically a deeper cleaning product which doesn't require any rinsing after you apply it. I must also recommend that you consider buying micellar water, as I have also discovered along my journey that it is a great product to own.

With the wet sponge, she squeezed it to make sure that it didn't have any water soaked in it, and then used the sponge to blend first the primer on my face and the foundation and concealer after. My eyes were closed, but I remember feeling her bouncing up and down with it as quickly as she could. I took notice that her sponge had the cone-shaped bottom with a top that looked like a spackle brush you paint with. I realized that she used this particular sponge because when she got to the area where she blended the foundation with the concealer, this shape was able to get right under my bottom eyelashes to get as close as possible to my eye.

By the end of the session when my makeup was done, I was looking at my face in the mirror and could see such a flawless look compared to my typical finger blending. I had been taught to use my fingers to blend my makeup my whole life, so compared to that, this made the colors on my face very even.

Sometimes, I used to wind up with a mismatched neck and face, as the foundation that I bought may have been a little too dark for my skin. I was always so self-conscious of this. After seeing the sponge in use and not just sitting on a shelf, I left my appointment with the need to buy one as quickly as possible.

There are so many on the market that it can be difficult to choose one. I was kind of shell shocked when I first looked on Amazon at the thousands of results that popped up. Where would I even start?

I know that there is a very popular sponge, called the Beauty Blender, which is supposed to be the best of the best. It was one of the first ones to come out, and people claim to love it.

On the other hand, there are sponges that cost $3, $4 and $5, and those are the ones that I have experience with.

Which Blending Sponge I Chose

The best sponge that I have purchased so far was from Amazon. I spent a long time looking for one that had the same shape as the one that my makeup artist had. My process was to search for a blender sponge, narrow it down by Prime, and lastly select that it had to be four stars or above.

My end result was the Ecotools Cruelty-Free and Eco-Friendly Total Perfecting Blender Sponge, Made with Recycled and Sustainable Materials. It even is marked as an "Amazon's Choice." It is currently selling for $3.74 as an add-on item.

As I mentioned, I have tried other sponges, but I like this one the best. The other one did not have this shape, and it was a lot more difficult to blend with it and get to the small undereye area. The other sponges were also difficult to bounce when trying to blend. I had added the water, but it had no bounce regardless.

I've had this one for a few months now, and it's holding up great. I clean it with micellar water every day before applying my makeup. I would have never known how much this can make a difference in how finished your makeup looks at the end. I'm really glad that I was shown in person how to use this product. I'm sure you can find lots of videos on YouTube if you are unsure about how to use it.

One other positive thing about this sponge is that I don't normally try to seek out eco-friendly products or those that are cruelty-free, but this one just happened to be exactly that, and I felt better about myself buying it. Usually, eco products mean a lot more money will be needed, but this product gives you quality and is good for the environment.

How Do You Apply Your Makeup?

Bushra is Indian and is well-acquainted with henna application. She is self-taught with influences from Hyderabadi and Arabic henna styles.

Designing Henna With Traditional Shapes

If you know all the details about where to get henna, henna application and storage, then great! You’re in the right place! If not, start by learning how to make henna and a henna cone, and how to apply and store henna.

The design of the art of henna is what makes it so beautiful and is the reason for its popularity. There are multiple facets to the design, and I’m going to address the shapes, the different styles, and some useful tips to bring it all together.

All of the design elements that I mention below, I highly suggest you draw them on paper first to practice and to see how much work you have ahead of you. Also, you can trace back on your practice drawings with a henna cone to build muscle memory and imprint in your mind those basic designs that will help you as you progress.

The Line

• Straight lines are usually used to section off the skin that you are applying henna on to fill with more designs later. Often, lines are also used to create a classic checkerboard designed, with every other square filled, or even just a criss-cross pattern.
• A popular design that I call the bracelet uses a line that wraps around the back side of the wrist, similar to a bracelet. This line usually encompasses a small rectangular area on the wrist that can be filled with designs.
• When you go to practice this on paper or with a cone, I recommend that you practice short, quick lines, long, slow lines, and vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines. All this practice will give you the initial skills you need to start creating your own designs.

Geometric Shapes

• Triangles, squares, rectangles, hearts, (and technically circles), and all the other geometric shapes are absolutely okay to use in henna. They are rarely used, however, because henna designs are mainly based on organic shapes and swift, curvy, flowing designs rather than rigid, exact shapes. I have used them in the past, and you can experiment with them as much as you like.

The Curve

• This is a versatile piece of design that I don’t like to confine to a certain set of things. There are so many different curves to do, and I will get to some specific ones further down in the article, but some basic curvy shapes that you should know are what I call the letters.
• The “c” shape, the “u” shape, and the “s” shape are what I am referring to. To practice these, simply write these letters on a piece of paper in varying sizes and practice them with a cone as well. These letters are generally used in smaller designs to fill in areas or to outline other shapes. They are seldom used as a shape in and of themselves.

The Circle

• This is one of the most important “curves” you need to know. You could base an entire design on just a single circle, and in fact, the classic and ancient henna design is nothing but a circle in the center of your palm.
• Practice these similar to the “letters” by drawing them in various sizes and thicknesses, then tracing them with a cone. If you want, try doing ovals and multiple circles bunched together and more.

The Petal (Also Known as the “Leaf”)

• This is a broader section of shapes because petals can be any shape at all basically. Usually, though, they are organic and not geometric shapes, but you can have whatever kind of petals you like.
• Common shapes for petals are the teardrop shape, the heart shape, a rectangular-sort-of shape with two bumps at the top, a brace shape that’s been elongated, an oval kind of shape, and even circles. Experiment with different petals and do whatever you like, but definitely practice these on paper and with a cone before going in for an actual design, because petals are easily messed up if you’re not watching the size of them.
• Petals are usually placed around a circle or a dot to imply a flower, but you can use them on a line and on any other shape you like.

The Mango (Paisley)

• This is a classic Indian shape that most people could recognize. It’s unique and authentic, and you can make it your own by playing with the size, what you put at the end of the “stem”, what you fill it with, and so on.
• To do this, base your practices on the teardrop shape, but curved. Another great way to practice these shapes is to use a yin-yang symbol because essentially, that symbol is two mangos put together.

The Spiral

• This is an excellent design to fill in areas or to add flair to a curved line, or just to add a little something to a finished design. A simple and small spiral is effective for most things unless you really want to do a large, intense spiral. In my experience, a large spiral like that is not very pleasing to the eye, and it is easy to make a mistake.

The Curved Teardrop

• I know this seems redundant because I mentioned it under “The Mango”, but the one I’m referring to here is to layer on top of itself to fill an area, or to finish a design when you don’t know what to add. This is very common to add on top of a spiral or a curve. Look up some examples to see what I’m talking about.

The Dot

• The dot is an important part of a complex design because oftentimes, henna artists will begin an entire hand of henna from a dot (or a circle). A dot is different from a circle in that it is used to outline designs, fill in areas, add flair to a design, and is not part of the main structure of a design. You can use it in varying sizes to create a sort of sparkly or smoky effect in henna.

Unify

• Make a cohesive and beautiful henna design by putting all these skills together. If you’re a beginner, draw it all out first to help you in actual application.
• Sketch out the structure with a thin stream of henna first with the major shapes. I suggest you begin with a dot, a line, or a circle because they are the most simple designs that you can stem into a bigger design from. Add petals, mangos (if you want them), spirals, and so on to take your designs to the next level.
• Add filler designs, like the spirals, like layers, lines, checkerboards, and so on to fill in areas. Make sure to leave some negative space for aesthetic. Another common thing to do, which will enhance your henna abilities, is to lay design on the fingers of the hand that follows the same theme as the rest of the design to really unify it.

Styles

There are a couple of different origins to henna, and I’m going to show you the two major ones.

Indian Style: This henna consists of thin strokes, highly detailed designs, depictions of humans and peacocks, the shape of the paisley, and so on. Indian henna tends to cover the entire hand or most of it and is used for weddings and baby showers and other generally female-oriented occasions. You can take inspiration from this when you go to create your own designs, but it is a tad more difficult than the other style of henna.

Arabic/Gulf Style: This type focuses on patterns and larger shapes, generally consisting of floral designs and a rather thick stroke. The henna tends to show more skin than Indian henna and typically follows a linear structure from the bottom of the hand/palm to the tip of a finger. Arabic designs are also used for weddings and such and are arguably the more modern and popular type of henna. They are easier to come up with and are a good starting point for beginners.

• My own henna style reflects both of these styles. I am Indian by birth, but I was raised in a highly diverse community where there were people from the Middle East, Africa, India, Pakistan, and so on. I learned henna in person from these people which is what influenced my style, as well as a hint of Westernism, which can be seen in the additions of words/letters, and hearts in the design.

Extra Tips

There are some extra things you can do to accentuate your henna and make it just a little more advanced.

1. Shading: Add a dark to light gradient in certain shapes, like petals, for example, to create a nice effect when the henna is off. It will look nice before and after drying.
2. Layers: Add multiple layers of designs, like a line of dots, then two lines, then some spirals, then some lines, then some “u” shapes, and so on. Layering this way will help fill in areas quickly and make your design look complex. Also, you can layer in that let a layer of henna dry first, then go back and fill in areas, like for a checkerboard, for example, and that will help reduce smudging and messiness.
3. Experiment: Try different types of designs together and try different thicknesses and levels of complexities with your design to create new and exciting ideas and make the henna unique to yourself. There is nothing wrong with looking to other henna designs to copy or take inspiration from towards the beginning, but as you progress, create your own designs.

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.

Bushra is Indian and is well-acquainted with henna application. She is self-taught with influences from Hyderabadi and Arabic henna styles.

If you already know how to get your hands on some henna, great! You’re in the right place. If not, you may want to refresh your knowledge of henna and where it comes from.

Now, here comes the main part of henna, the actual application. There are a few things that are crucial to the application.

1. The Cut of the Cone
2. The Grip
3. The Hand Position
4. The Design
5. The Stain and How to Intensify It

The Cut of the Cone

The cut refers to the incision at the very tip of the henna cone from which the paste comes out, kind of like ink out of a pen or frosting out of a piping bag. The thickness of the henna paste is very important to the application, and it depends on each person’s personal preferences. Think about what kind of designs you want to make, how big you want to make it.

If you want thin, lacy designs, you’ll want a smaller tip and so a smaller cut at the tip of the cone. If you want bold, thick designs, you’ll want a broader tip and a bigger cut. The size of the cut will determine the thickness of the henna threads.

While you consider this, also make sure not to cut the tip too small or too large. An extremely small tip will hinder henna paste flow and will cause breaks in the thread, leading to difficult application and a broken design. Too large of a tip, and the henna will come out in blobs, and no design could possibly be made from that.

The Grip

The next thing to focus on when applying henna is your grip on the cone. Each person will have a grip unique to themselves, so I cannot necessarily teach this. However, I can give advice on how to find your grip and some pointers on how to hold the cone.

The first thing to consider is pressure. As you would think, the harder you press, the faster henna comes out, and the softer you press, the slower henna comes out. I would suggest pressing hard to fill in small areas and to make the outline of the design but press softly when doing details, so they do not get ruined.

Try holding the cone in a couple of ways. For example, try holding it like you would hold a pen or pencil, then try squeezing towards the end of the cone and then towards the tip. This is more of a preference thing, so there is no right or wrong way to hold the cone.

When the cone is full or newly cut open, it will be easier to hold it toward the end because more paste is in the cone. If the cone is about half-way empty, fold the cone and push the henna past towards the tip and grip it that way.

If the cone is nearly empty, squeeze the remaining henna towards the tip and squeeze it out until it is empty. I’d suggest emptying a cone-like this when you are filling in areas because there is not much control when the henna is almost all gone.

If you want a visual aid, watch the video below starting at minute 1:53.

The Hand Position

To prepare the hand for henna and to achieve the best results, wash the hand thoroughly with warm water, dry completely, and moisturize. You can use hand lotion or some kind of oil or butter to do this and then apply the henna.

The Design

For beginners, I would suggest that you draw out the design you want on paper first and copy that onto your hand (or someone else’s hand). The practice drawing and copying will help as you get better at henna. I will have Part 3 of this article detail techniques and tips for henna designs.

Other options include looking at reference images. You can google henna, and millions of results will pop up. You can choose a design you like and practice by copying those.

The best practice comes from experience, so if there is someone around you that does henna, watch them, and ask them your questions (you can ask me any questions as well through commenting). I started out that way, then watched videos and looked at images as I developed my henna style and skills. It’s okay to copy at first because you’ll end up making it your own eventually.

The Stain and How to Intensify It

Once the henna has been applied, there are a couple of things you must do. First of all, let the henna dry completely and get crumbly. Your hand can feel this because when you move your fingers, the henna will break, and it will no longer be wet to the touch.

When you are sure it is dry, you may try to improve the intensity of color it leaves on your skin with a few different products. Lemon juice, lemon juice mixed with some sugar, olive oil, lime juice, and sugar water are some options that have been known to increase pigmentation.

Apply a small amount to the entire area on which henna has been applied. You can try any of these and stick to what works best for you because skin color also affects the darkness of the stain. Of course, this is all optional and only to optimize the henna’s color.

Once the applied liquid dries (if you chose to use it), crack off the dried henna with your hands. This is just to make your life easier by preventing little specks of henna everywhere but is not a mandatory step.

The best results will occur if you leave it like that overnight, but the main idea is to keep the henna-area way from water as long as possible. Because of this, I like to do henna at night when I’m done with all my day’s work so I can just sleep with henna-hands. Once you wash your hands (or wherever the henna was applied), the color stain will slow down, and so it won’t be as intense. Do whatever you want to achieve as dark a stain as you want.

As for henna application, that’s about it. As for storage, it’s really not that complicated

Keep The Henna In The Fridge

Fresh henna is the best henna and will yield the best results, but if you plan to store henna for a couple of months or more, keep it in the fridge. This will keep the henna cool and safe for a good amount of time.

Keep the Henna in a Clean Dry Place

If you are using fresh henna or henna powder, keep it in an airtight container or bag in a dry area. I usually keep my powders in a cupboard and my cones in the fridge, and that, I think, is the most efficient way to store henna.

Well, that’s more or less all there is to know about henna and its creation, application, and storage. Hope you learned something and enjoyed my article.

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.

© 2019 Bushra Ibrahim

Bushra is Indian and is well-acquainted with henna application. She is self-taught with influences from Hyderabadi and Arabic henna styles.

Henna is a popular art originating from India, Pakistan, and the Middle East that is, simply put, a form of tattooing. Think of it as a temporary tattoo that generally disappears within a week or so, depending on the formula.

For those who do not know, henna is a plant-based paste (from the plant Lawsonia inermis) of herbs and leaves that give an orange, red, or brownish pigment, and people use it to leave patterns and designs on the skin, typically to stain hands and fingernails. In olden times, henna was used as a dye for clothing as well, but not as much today.

This art form is catered towards women because, as tradition follows, they would wear it on their hands and arms for special occasions such as weddings and other parties.

To the Western world, henna is somewhat well known and like due to its quick application and not having to worry about it being permanent. It has been known to give a relaxing feeling to both the henna artist and the person getting it done. Since it is usually organic material, it is usually safe for all skin types. However, there are a few forms of henna with fake dyes of coal tar added that can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction, which is why people have to be careful in what henna they choose and what they apply on their skin.

The Henna

Anyways, the very beginning of henna is finding a good formula of henna paste and a good henna cone. There are two primary ways of doing that I recommend most.

Make Your Own Henna Paste and Henna Cone

I cannot stress how important it is to have organic henna, 100% pure and natural henna powder is the way to go. Do not, I repeat, do not use items called “black henna” or henna that is anything other than 100% pure and natural. This increases the chances of infection, allergic reaction, skin irritation, and more, so save yourself the trouble.

There are a couple of ways to attain some henna powder yourself. You can either grow your own henna tree and take the leaves and dry them and powder them or, assuming that you don’t have a tree much like myself, you can buy some powder. Usually, if there is an ethnic enclave around where you live, and there is an Indian, Pakistani, or Middle Eastern shop, you should most likely be able to find henna powders. You can do that, or order henna powder from online.

One good brand is Red Raj, 100% pure henna powder, but anything that is organic and pure henna is most likely just fine. In the video below, the YouTuber Shruti Arjun Anand uses a brand called Gazab, which is also another option you have.

Instructions for Making Henna Paste

1. Sift the henna powder you bought a minimum of three times, and store it in an airtight container to keep away from moisture.
2. Boil 1 cup of water with 7–8 cloves and two tablespoons of instant coffee for about 15 minutes. This will be the mixing liquid for your henna paste, and you will have to filter it three times to ensure no small particles and no cloves.
3. You will also need one tablespoon of thrice filtered lemon juice.
4. Mix a tablespoon of the henna powder, the lemon juice, and the coffee-clove mixture. Keep adding spoonfuls of the coffee-clove mixture until the desired consistency is reached. This should be the consistency of toothpaste and able to make strands when you lift the mixture with a spoon.

This henna mixture I myself have tried at home, and it is totally effective with a strong color stain on the skin and smooth threads and easy application. I recommend it to all those who want to use this method to make their own henna paste and cones.

Buy Pre-Made Henna Cones

Let’s be honest, not all of us have time to sit around and meticulously make henna pastes and cones every time we want to do henna, so although this is the lazy way out, you can buy pre-made henna cones. I use this method more than anything as someone who does henna quite often, and cones that are pre-made usually do not leak and are as effective as homemade ones.

Again, always look for 100% pure and natural henna pastes, preferably from India, Pakistan, or anywhere in the Middle East. It is better to get authentic cones in this case since you are not making it yourself because they are more trustworthy, in my opinion.

Like for the henna powders, you can most likely find pre-made cones at ethnic shops near you also, at least that has been my experience. You can do a bit of trial and error to see which one of the cones gives the best color stain and has the best application and buy the ones you like best. Remember, do not use anything labeled “black henna,” it is most likely not good for your skin.

Once you’ve got your henna paste in a cone, whatever method you choose, you're ready to start applying the design.

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.

© 2019 Bushra Ibrahim

Dani is a college student as well as a makeup and skincare enthusiast, as well as an Avon Representative.

This product review was not sponsored, nor am I affiliated with Too Faced in any way. Of course, if anyone from Too Faced's marketing team happens to be reading this, I would be more than happy to change that. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy my review and it helps guide your buying decision.

Quick Look

Too Faced's Primed and Poreless Face Primer is a liquid primer designed to be worn alone or under makeup.

• Retail price: $30
• 28g
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

Product Claims

According to TooFaced.com, this product claims to "create(s) the perfect canvas to allow powders, bronzers, and foundations to airbrush onto the skin seamlessly and perfectly blended. Skin appears brighter, fresher and younger. Color stays true and in place all day." To cut out the ad copy, Too Faced makes these three claims:

1. Primes the skin for blending
2. Enhances the appearance of skin before makeup
3. Keeps makeup color-fast

Packaging

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Face Pricer comes in a baby pink tube with gorgeous gold lettering on the front. There isn't an applicator and the bottle is designed to allow you to squeeze a small amount onto your fingers and smooth across the skin.

As with all Too Faced products, the packaging is sturdy and well-made. While it isn't as cute as many of their other products, it's still much more pleasant to look at than the average primer. The original box the product came in was also very pretty. As always, I'm tempted to hoard the box like a dragon.

It took quite a bit of time for the gold lettering to fade off the front in my makeup bag.

Application

This product has two main purposes:

1. To be used as a primer under foundation, powder, bronzer, etc or
2. To be used on a clean, bare face to blur imperfections.

As a Foundation Primer

This is a wonderful makeup primer. It practically cemented the foundation to my face, but it's incredibly lightweight. Due to the silky texture, I expected my liquid foundation (another Too Faced favorite, Dew You Tutti Frutti foundation) to slide across my face, but it didn't budge all day. While it is lightweight and silky, it has a slick, silicone feel that can be unpleasant in high heat or humidity.

As a Face Perfector

I had my doubts about its use without makeup, but Too Faced impressed me. My biggest problem is the enlarged pores on my cheeks and this primer did a wonderful job of well, darn near perfecting them. It's one of my favorite face perfectors but it doesn't seem to cover my largest pores as well as I'd like. I'm still on the lookout for my holy grail.

First Impressions

Compared to Too Faced's very high standards, the packaging was a little lackluster, but as soon as I opened the bottle I changed my tune. The scent is pleasant but not overwhelming, and I noticed an immediate change in the appearance of my pores. They were smaller and there was an improvement in texture. My skin also felt smoother and softer.

Texture and Scent

A lot of Too Faced products are famous for their scent, whether it be their Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Palettes or their Peaches & Cream collection. However, the Primed and Poreless Primer didn't have anything to write home about. This product had a very light and pleasant fragrance. It's vaguely floral and powdery, but not overwhelming. It would blend well with almost any scent and isn't noticeable at all after application.

While I enjoyed the silicone smooth feeling of this primer, I know that some people don't like it. It isn't necessarily a pro or con to me, but it's something to keep in mind. Once it's applied, you can't feel it on your skin, but I could tell an improved difference in the texture of my own skin.

Longevity

Overall, this product lasted all day without any worries. I did notice a difference in the wearability depending on the use, however.

As a Foundation Primer

Primed and Poreless definitely lasted longer when used as a foundation primer. My pores remained small and my makeup stayed in place. It was one of the most effective primers I have ever used.

As a Face Perfector

At first, this product gives my skin an almost matte finish. After a full day's use, I noticed that I began to see some oil creeping up on my nose, but my pores were still just as small.

Extended Use

While Too Faced makes no such claim, this primer acts almost like a skincare product. The change I felt in my skin seemed to improve the longer I used this product, which is rare in a cosmetic brand. There's definitely some skin-improving ingredients in the Primed and Poreless Primer.

What Would I Change?

My biggest problem with this product is that it doesn't have an SPF rating. It's fairly common for makeup primers to include sun protection so that this high-end product didn't was disappointing. Of course, this is easily remedied by wearing a moisturizer under it or a foundation over it that has skincare benefits. Since it is also touted as a stand-alone product, however, I felt that SPF would have been a nice addition.

Another small gripe that says nothing about the product itself is the packaging isn't as adorable as most Too Faced products are. Of course, this doesn't mean that it isn't sturdy or that it doesn't adequately perform its job, because it does.

Value

I found $30 to be a steep price for this product, but thankfully it's easy to find it for less.

Too Faced regularly has sales and specials where you can find this for a lower price. Even if their website doesn't advertise it, RetailMeNot and Wikibuy always have something to get the price a little lower.

Tips for Best Use

• Like with any foundation, your application will be smoother if you cleanse thoroughly beforehand. Primed and Poreless does a good job of blurring imperfections, but a clean face will enhance its effectiveness.
• When focusing on fine lines and pores, this product works best with a light patting application in a similar way to putting on eye cream.
• Remember to wear a moisturizer or foundation with SPF when using this primer.

Alternative Products

These products are similar quality and have the same effects of Too Faced Primed and Poreless.

• Etude House Face Blur This is my current go-to primer. It's a Korean brand and is an adorable bottle with a more lightweight, silky feel than Too Faced and has the bonus of 30 SPF.
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer I have less experience with this product, but I've seen it produce similar results.

Summary

If you haven't already found your go-to primer, I would give this a try. This product does it's job well as both a face perfector and a foundation primer, although it works best as a foundation primer.

If you don't like the silicone finish, then you won't like this primer.

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.

© 2018 Dani Merrier

Dani is a college student as well as a makeup and skincare enthusiast, as well as an Avon Representative.

Too Faced is a premier makeup brand known for making luxury products in adorable ways. I am in no way affiliated with or sponsored by them, but I wanted to share my favorite products and give honest reviews.

It is important to keep in mind that this was written by someone with a medium skin tone, brown hair, and brown eyes. I also have dry skin but am not prone to irritation.

10. Melted Liquified Lipstick

Too Faced's Melted Liquified Lipstick is a unique product. It comes across more like a lip stain than a lipstick. It is buildable, which is also odd for a lip product. I prefer to use just one swipe and use it as a lip stain, but with an easy squeeze of the tube the color becomes more intense without being sticky or tacky.

It also has a sponge applicator rather than a doe-foot applicator, which makes for easy application. This is one of the most pigmented lipsticks I have ever used. It isn't drying and has decent staying power. It isn't something that feels particularly pleasant on the lips and it feels almost gritty when applied, but the pigmentation is strong and the sensation goes away quickly.

There's also a range of Melted Chocolate liquified lipsticks with a similar consistency and a pleasant chocolate scent.

Retail price: $21

• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

9. Melted Latex Liquid Lipstick

What really makes this product stand out is the phenomenal shade range. They have a wide range of colors, from their unique, holographic shade Unicorn Tears, to bright pinks and reds to stand out purples.

The application can be a bit tacky, but it's not something uncommon for a gloss this thick.

• Retail price: $21
• Available in 15 shades
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

8. Natural Face Makeup Palette

I'm a sucker for all-in-one products, and Too Faced's Natural Face Makeup Palette fits the bill. It has bronzers, highlighters, and two absolutely beautiful shades of pink that serve as a blush. It smells wonderful is made with real cocoa powder. I can promise you that because it even tastes like cocoa powder. Accidents happen.

The face palette is highly pigmented, but might not be what you're looking for if you prefer a matte look. Most of the shades in this are shimmer or satin and can be overwhelming if not used sparingly. This product might be less suitable on darker skin tones since most of the shades are light.

• Retail price: $44
• Cruelty-free

7. Magic Crystal Lip Topper: Angel Tears

I'm going to be honest with you, I bought this product because it was on sale, I loved the packaging, and I needed something to reach the free shipping mark. However, once it arrived I was thankful I added it to my purchase. There are other variations of this product, but I can only vouch for this one.

It's surprisingly hydrating and not tacky at all. Although it was designed to be worn over other lip products, I found that the Magic Crystal Lip Topper works great on it's own. It's sheer enough not to be intimidating but still delivers a pastel wash of color where it's needed.

• Retail price: $19
• Cruelty-free

6. Sketch Marker Liquid Eyeliner

The Sketch Marker is my go-to eyeliner. It's felt-tipped and has deep pigment that doesn't skip or bleed. As usual, the packaging is cute and convenient. One of my favorite things about this liquid eyeliner is the variety of colors—they even carry a white!

I have noticed that the pens have a tendency to fray after extensive wear, but it hasn't impacted the use of this product and isn't any more than the average felt-tip eyeliner. The application itself is very long-wearing and can be somehow difficult to remove. It's the best liquid eyeliner I have ever used and would definitely recommend it.

• Retail price: $20
• 12 shades
• Cruelty-free

5. Papa Don't Peach Blush

Papa Don't Peach is one of my favorite blushes of all time. I tend to prefer brighter, pinkier shades, but this is perfect for a daily look. The best thing about this blush is how build-able it is. It has a hint of pink pearl shimmer and is warm and peachy without being too orange.

For a really casual, easy look I like to coordinate just a swipe of this blush with the Peach Oil Lip Gloss in the same shade. That's one of my favorite things about Too Faced, their collections blend together to make beautiful looks.

• Retail price: $30
• Cruelty-free

4. Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss

It's kind of hard to rant about a lip gloss, but I'm in love enough with this one to have a lot to say. While the color selection isn't bold, Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss is easy to wear.

I was surprised by the creaminess of the formula and how hydrating this lip gloss was. You get a light tint of color to be expected with a lip gloss, and yes, it does taste and smell wonderfully like peaches. Sweet Peach doesn't clump or get tacky after extended use and retains the smell and taste for a long time. In all, it's very long-lasting for the type of product it is.

• Retail price: $19
• 8 shades
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

3. Primed and Poreless Face Primer

I've found very little that helps calm down my pores, but Too Faced's Primed and Poreless Face Primer is one of those few miracle products that do.

I frequently wear it alone without foundation to give my skin a more airbrushed look without the hassle of a full face application. I've also found that it seems to soften my skin over time. My only real complaint is that this primer doesn't have SPF in it, but since I wear a daily moisturizer with SPF 25 it doesn't bother me too much.

• Retail price: $30
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

2. Clover Eye Shadow Palette

I know Too Faced is famous for their Chocolate Bar Palettes, which are also amazing and do actually smell like chocolate, but this one is my favorite. It was introduced as the centerpiece of their Clover collection, named after their lovable Chihuahua mascot. Thankfully, it isn't scented after it's namesake like many of their other products.

It's filled with bright colors, shimmers, mattes, and a handful of neutrals that hold up well even without an eye primer. The unique collection of colors is what drove this palette so high up on my Too Faced favorites list. Every shadow is wearable but no two are too similar. For this reason, I use it as my everyday palette for a wide variety of looks.

The packaging is also absolutely adorable, and as is to be expected from Too Faced, made of sturdy metal with a magnetic snap closure and will hold up well in a bag or on a hectic makeup counter.

One thing to keep in mind with this palette: it doesn't go on sale and I have never seen sitewide discounts apply to this product. Unfortunately, if you decide to buy this product, you're going to have to dish out the full price.

• Retail price: $49
• Cruelty-free
• TooFaced.com Online Exclusive

1. Dew You Tutti Frutti Foundation

I don't wear foundation. I hate how it feels, I hate how it makes my dry skin even flakier, and it settles into my pores in ways that would make the Grand Canyon jealous. All except for the Dew You Tutti Frutti Foundation. This is my Holy Grail. It wears almost like a skincare and gives my skin a dewy finish without looking oily.

It has amazing staying power and blended seamlessly. I can't emphasize enough how healthy it makes my skin feel and how lightweight it is.

Dew You even smells like watermelon and cucumbers! I couldn't find a single thing to complain about with this product, which is why it easily made its way into my number one spot.

• Retail price: $36
• Available in 20 shades
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

© 2018 Dani Merrier

After a lot of trial and error, Crystal finally figured out how to draw eyeliner without tape or assistance of any sort.

Getting Started!

Creating the perfect winged eyeliner can be very difficult if you don't know what you are doing. I have been teaching myself since I was young, and I've just recently stopped using tape to create my line and can now free hand it. I am going to break winged eyeliner down and make it as simple as possible. This look is perfect for a date or a night out on the town. It's dramatic but not over the top! Let's get started. For this look, you will need liquid eyeliner of your preference.

Easy Peasy

1. Follow Your Natural Eye Shape

Start by applying your desired eyeshadow. Step one is the basic foundation of your wing. Some of the best advice I have ever received was: always follow the shape of your eye. Starting from the outside corner of your eye take your liquid eyeliner and follow the natural shape of your eye going out and up as shown in the picture above. Try not to make the line go straight up or straight out it is not a flattering look for anyone. If you have trouble with this step, you can take a piece of tape and follow that line on your face.

2. Bring It Back In

Now you are going to make another line creating the outline of your wing. You are going to begin at ALMOST the tip for your first line and bring it in to about the middle of your eyelid, creating a sharp, pretty wing outline.

3. Connecting to Your Inner Corner

Step Three is pretty simple and probably the easiest step. You are going to take your liner and connect a simple, thin line from your wing to the inner corner of your eye. Careful not to get eyeliner in your eye! Also, remember you can always add more liner if you are not happy with how it turns out. It's much harder to take liner way so always start small and build on that slowly.

4. Fill in the Blanks

Step four is last but certainly not least! For the last step, you are carefully going to color in your wing with your liquid liner. Be careful not to color outside your wing so go slow. If you do make a small mistake, you can go in with some concealer of your choice and clean up your line!

Let's Finish This Look Up!

Now that you have finished your amazing winged eyeliner you can clean up your wing with a little concealer carefully to make you wing super sharp. Another thing you can do to enhance to this beautiful look is to add a little mascara and a pair of false lashes to make it a little more dramatic but not crazy and over-the-top!

The Best Way to Wear Winged Eyeliner

© 2018 Crystal Hart

Comments

Makayla Cox from Des Moines on October 16, 2018:

I noticed this is your first article! I recently just joined as well :)! Loved your article, I struggle with getting my eyeliner to look good, so I completely gave up doing my eyeliner. I'm going to have to give this a try and use your steps!

How to Make Fake Crimson Blood

This type of fake blood for Halloween costumes will drip. It is clean and very runny. Depending on what you would like to do with it, it may be perfect, or you may need the other recipe included in this article. Don't forget to have fun with the process!

Materials Needed

• 1 cup of corn syrup
• 2 Tbsp of chocolate syrup
• red food coloring

Instructions

1. Measure out the syrups and whisk them together.
2. Add in about six drops of red food coloring. If you would like darker blood, eight drops seems to work best.

How to Make Oxygen-Depleted Fake Blood for Halloween

This fake blood recipe is great for costumes and decorations for Halloween. It is a bit darker and is excellent to smear on clothing, costumes, and Halloween props. Remember that this is a toxic type of fake blood due to the laundry soap included in the recipe.

Materials Needed

• 2/3 cup of chocolate syrup
• 1/3 cup of Tide laundry detergent
• 4-6 drops of red food coloring

Instructions

1. Mix the syrup and the Tide with a whisk.
2. Add in the red food coloring.
3. Apply it to the cloth or props you would like to be bloody.
4. Allow it to dry.

How to Make Fake Guts for Halloween

If you would like to go all out on a homemade costume, then you may need some fake homemade guts for Halloween. In this section, you will learn what you will need, how to do it; just make sure that you have some fun in the meantime.

Materials Needed

• Pre-made oxygen-depleted fake blood
• Chunky peanut butter
• Oatmeal
• Thin strips of toilet paper

Instructions

1. Mix the peanut butter and oatmeal into the fake blood.
2. Clump the toilet paper on the spot in which you would like most of the guts to be, whether it be on a costume or a decoration.
3. Gentle add the mix onto the toilet paper strips and squish it around to your liking.
4. Allow it to dry.

How to Make Fake Scabs for Halloween

If you are out to make a zombie or a dead body for Halloween, you are going to need the recipe and instructions on how to make DIY fake scabs for your costume. You will not need one of the recipes above; in this part, you will be making a different recipe specially made for the fake scabs.

Materials Needed

• 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch
• 4 teaspoons of water
• 1 teaspoon of corn syrup
• 1 Tablespoon of onion flakes
• 4 drops of red food coloring

Instructions

1. Mix all of the ingredients together.
2. Using a plastic spatula, spread or clump the mix onto the skin.
3. Situate the mix how you would like it to sit.
4. Allow it to dry.

Ayexa has been a makeup and sfx enthusiast for the past four years. She loves to share her thoughts about things with others.

What's the Difference Between a Lipstick and a Lip Tint?

Nothing screams confidence like a woman wearing a scandalous color of lipstick. Even a hint of color can alter a woman's appearance in a way that changes other people's view of her.

While lipsticks have been a staple product in women's vanity bags for decades, some women don't enjoy continually running to the bathroom to touch up their lipstick and prefer something more natural and light.

This is where lip tints shine. With their sheer hint of color, and the ability to withstand rough treatment (like eating lunch), lip tints are slowly replacing the lipsticks that were once a staple in a women's handbag.

How Lip Tints Work

Lip tints, as the name implies, leave a tint or residue of color on the lips without a layer of product. The skin absorbs the tints, providing moisture while coloring them at the same time. The pigmentation is generally closer to a natural color; noticeable but not as obvious as lipsticks.

Some tints may fade when they come into contact with water, but most of them are quite water resistant. The pigment gradually loses intensity throughout the day but does keep the lips pigmented longer than a traditional lipstick.

Why Korean Tints Are the Best

Korea has astounded the world with its revolutionizing makeup technology while being budget friendly at the same time. Many of their products have exquisite and exotic ingredients not typically used, and the same goes for tints. Their tints have high adhesive properties, and they can withstand harsh treatment. They are smudge proof and non-transferable.

While Korean tints come in a large variety, here are my top four favorite budget-friendly products that I've handpicked for you.

Etude House Dear Darling Water Gel Tint

Etude House is a well known Korean brand with high-quality makeup and cute packaging. Their Dear Darling Water Gel Tints are one of their best sellers, and with its quality, it's not a surprise! The tint has a watery feel to it, and the color is buildable. The formula has a fruity scent, so if you are sensitive to smells, you might want to reconsider buying it.

This formula is packed with vitamins, pomegranate extract, and soapberry extracts to keep your lips ultra moisturized throughout the day. This makes it, so the product transfers vivid color to the lips, and keeps them hydrated and tinted all day long.

The tint is available in more than 10 shades, ranging from cool tones to warm tones, and we are sure you will find your perfect shade.

Etude House Dear Darling Water Gel Tint Ice Cream

Again the Etude House swayed our hearts when we discovered Dear Darling Water Gel Tint Ice Cream. That smooth, gel-like consistency glides on like a dream and gives a hint of gloss while enriching the lips with a natural flush. The tear-shaped applicator with space in between further simplifies the problems as it ensures that the color is applied smoothly and evenly.

Best suited for daily wear, this lip tint instantly gives a person a fresh and lively look, and the ice cream shaped bottle is a cute must have in your vanity bag! We assure you these adorable bottles will call to you the moment you lay your eyes on them!

The Saem Saemmul Real Tint

Gone are the days when you have to redo your lipstick after every few hours! The Saem Saemmul Real Tint is one heavy duty lip tint that will last hours before it fades away!

Enriched with deep pigmentation and a fruity citrus smell, this is the one for those who like their lipstick to stay put and endure whatever they put them through! This tint is infused with marine collagen, which is a treat for you and your lusciously soft lips!

The formula is more on the watery side and is perfect if you're trying to achieve a gradient lip effect. While the formula itself is not drying, the tint does dry down very quickly. So you have to work it in your lips with quick hands, or it'll be patchy.

Before you apply the tint, make sure you exfoliate your lips. Otherwise, the color will cling to the dry parts and enhance them.

Macqueen New York Creamy Lip Tint

A bit different from the others, Macqueen New York Creamy Lip Tint is neither a water tint nor a gel tint. The formula has a creamy, mousse-like feel, and because of the creamy texture, it is excellent for people who have dry or chapped lips.

The tint has an excellent adhering formula that will stay on your lip for hours, and the color is blendable and buildable.

It comes in a glass bottle with a long, tear-shaped applicator with a hole in the middle, which ensures the pigment is evenly distributed.

But I haven't told you the best part. The best part is that the product can also be used on cheeks to give a subtle, rosy effect. So yeah, it's like killing two birds with one stone!

© 2018 ayexa s

Comments

Shaaz on October 10, 2018:

Interesting information

darron thomas on October 09, 2018:

you should try this

Crystal is a content writer who helps emerging entrepreneurs obtain the resources and guidance needed to launch successful blog businesses.

Finding oil-free foundation is like finding a needle on the ocean floor. It’s nearly impossible to find one in the world of makeup since oil (the right kind of oil, that is) is not necessarily a bad thing. There are many health benefits for the skin in using natural oils, however, for those with acne prone skin, oil can make things worse.

If you have combination skin, oily skin, acne prone skin, or all of these problems bunched up together, then you may understand the struggle in finding a foundation that doesn’t contain oils that might make your problem worse. Luckily, after spending a lot of time browsing the Internet, I found Zuzu Luxe Oil-Free Liquid Foundation. Not only is this foundation oil-free, but it’s free many things that people are trying to avoid. Perhaps they’ll pave the way for more to come.

About the Brand

Zuzu Luxe is a sister brand of the makeup and skincare brand, Gabriel Cosmetics. Gabriel Cosmetics was established in 1995, with Zuzu Luxe being established in 2001 as a brand providing a different range of color selections. In addition to Zuzu Luxe, Clean Kids is another sister brand associated with Gabriel Cosmetics.

The passion behind this brand is creating skincare and cosmetics that are earth conscious and ethical. Every one of their products is 100% natural, gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Additionally, no synthetic chemicals are used, and their makeup is non-allergenic and fragrance free, which makes them ideal for all skin types.

In creating products that are eco-friendly, there’s no compromise on quality. Nothing such as aesthetics, functionality, and accessibility is lacking.

Review of Zuzu Luxe Oil Free Foundation

This oil-free foundation is designed to create a flawless natural looking complexion. It’s perfect for that no-makeup look.

What you get is a 30ml/1 fl. oz. plastic tube of liquid foundation. This is packaged in an eco-friendly paper box. The tube is relatively small, it fits in the palm of your hand. It has a hard silver plastic cap with silver lining at the top seal. The rest of the container is transparent so you can see the color of your selected shade.

This oil-free foundation comes in 11 shades:
• Light Skin/Neutral
• Light to Ivory Skin/Neutral Undertones
• Light to Ivory Skin/Neutral
• Light to Medium Skin/Warm Undertones
• Light to Medium Skin/Pink Undertones
• Light to Medium Skin/Neutral
• Medium Skin/Neutral
• Medium to Dark Skin/Pink Undertones
• Medium to Dark Skin/Cocoa Brown
• Dark Skin/Pink Undertones, and
• Dark Skin/Neutral

Ingredients

What makes this oil-free foundation excellent is that it’s all natural. For those who suffer from allergies and even those who want to reduce or eliminate as many chemicals and toxins as possible that they consume, this foundation solves the problem.

The ingredients used to make this product are aqua (infused with aloe barbadensis leaf juice), glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, calendula officinalis flower extract, ascorbyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, limonene, cellulose gum, lecithin, silica, mica, xanthan gum, cetyl alcohol, kaolin, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, and potassium sorbate.

Effectiveness

This brand prides itself on creating makeup that’s results driven, so every product they release has been tried to prove that it can do what it’s intended to do. This foundation is medium to full coverage and can be applied on sheer or built up to a completely opaque look. In building it up, it doesn’t get cakey or flake away. It still maintains its natural weightless feel and appearance.

Made to enhance your skin’s natural undertones, it works at covering imperfections and balancing uneven tone. With just your favorite makeup sponge or brush, a little goes a long way. It applies effortlessly on the skin and blends seamlessly.

The coverage lasts all day, which is 8 hours or more. Skin doesn’t feel dry or patchy, nor does it feel oily or messy. It hydrates naturally without clogging pores. So if you struggle with acne, this is one oil-free foundation that won’t make it worse. As you work to heal your skin, you can rest easy knowing your foundation is not impeding with that.

Another bonus is that it doesn’t have a scent. Unless you put the container right up to your nose, the only smell you get is the faintest clay scent. There’s nothing that’s powerful or strong. Importantly, this foundation isn’t sticky or doesn't get all over the place. It stays on the skin.

Verdict

At $31.30, one tube can last you up to a year (mine lasted that long, using it 5 days a week on average). Just a little is needed to cover the entire face.

On their website, this oil-free foundation is rated 4 out of 5 stars. The only obvious complaint is that not enough shades were made. Hopefully, that will be remedied in the future.

My personal verdict is 5 out of 5 stars. Having tried a lot of foundations in the past and failing to find one that not only matches my shade but doesn’t make my skin worse, is natural, and ethical, this one is a dream. It does the job, providing full coverage that stays on until you take it off.

After using it for a year, I’ve seen no negative effects on my skin. It didn’t cause more acne and was easy to apply in a matter of seconds. Plus, I like how it didn’t take up too much space in my caddy. It’s the perfect travel foundation.

Conclusion

Finally, a foundation for acne prone skin that’s oil free has been found. After testing this product, I conclude that Gabriel Cosmetics’ Zuzu Luxe Oil Free Liquid Foundation is a winner.

Not only is this foundation effective in what it’s designed for, but it’s ethical, natural, and all around better for you. It’s also backed by a company that truly cares about the environment and people’s health, and wants people to maximize their lives while enjoying much needed and desired beauty and skincare products.

If you’re one who’s concerned about how the products you use are produced and how they affect the environment and living beings, more so, if you struggle with allergies or have dietary concerns, not only do I recommend this oil-free foundation, but the products in their three lines.

Comments

Crystal (author) from United States on October 09, 2018:

It really is darron--thanks for your comment :)

darron thomas on October 09, 2018:

this is a great product

Crystal (author) from United States on October 05, 2018:

Thank you azim2562 :)

Get Tantalizing Talons!

Since February 14th celebrates romance—you will want to show your nails some love for the occasion. There is a myriad of designs to choose from, and surprisingly with these DIY Valentine's Nail Designs, you don't have to go with just plain old red. You could go with a heartbeat design or a simple tiny heart on the tip pf your nails. Check out these ideas and pick out the one that's right for you!

Pink & Black

Pink & Black

To recreate this pretty look—paint the nails in pink and one in black and one in silver. Add polka dots using a dotting tool.

Heart Beat

Heart Beat

Get hearts beating with this ultra glam heartbeat pattern. Use a base coat of gray and pop a glittery coat over this. Recreate the pattern fo the heart beat with black polish and a fine tip brush.

Neon Heart Beat

Neon Heart Beat

This nail art is a variation of the above - except it uses black as a base coat to really make the neon colors of the heart beat pattern stand out.

Red Cherries

Red Cherries

Cherries succeed in creating a fun and flirty look in this nail art idea. It would look great teamed with a 1950's style dress for your perfect Valentine's night out.

Pink Flamingos

Pink Flamingos

Recreate these lovebirds with white and pink nail polish following the step by step guide in the picture.

Patchwork Hearts & Polka Dots

Patchwork Hearts & Polka Dots

Although orange isn't typically what you would think of for Valentine's - because the design is added over a French manicure, it lends a sense of retro and delicacy to the design.

Rose Gold

Rose Gold

Rose gold is a huge trend across all the arts and these nails capture that look perfectly.

Key to My Heart

Key to My Heart

This nail art is achieved by painting a long key in gold across white nails. This is definitely more than a subtle hint for your lover.

Kisses

Kisses

Make kiss prints on your nails using a toothpick and different color pinks and reds.

Love

Love

For a minimalist but stylish look, paint your nails in white and write the word love in black using a fine tip brush on a feature nail.

Chevron

Chevron

The gold chevron design really glams up this cute baby pink mani featuring a little white heart.

Heart Tip

Heart Tip

For a delicate nod to romance - paint just one heart on the tip of one nail.

Glitter Hearts

Glitter Hearts

Glitter never fails to impress when it comes to manicures - especially this one featuring heart sequins in the mix.

Ruby Red

Ruby Red

You really cannot beat the romance added by passionate ruby red on the talons.

Pink & Gold

Pink & Gold

For a cute girly look , pink and gold team so well together and this mani would look great with a pink sweater and a pair of denims.

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.

Comments

Rachel ludwig on January 30, 2019:

Hi you are looking for a Sunday pink red the hex girls kiss you.

Lauren is a busy mother of two magnificent children and loves music, food, and experimenting with her hairstyle.

When I first began my foray into nail polish strips, there were few reviews on Color Street and none on Lily and Fox. So I decided to review and compare both companies so that others could be informed before they buy.

What Are Nail Polish Strips?

Nail strips are an alternative to nail polish. They generally consist of a set of different sized strips that you peel and apply to your nails.

Company Summaries

Color Street

Color Street is a direct marketing company founded in New York by Fa Park. Their patented products were previously sold in stores as Incoco nails, and recently the company switched to a direct sales platform and is experiencing massive growth.

Lily and Fox

Lily and Fox is an Australian-based online retailer. Their website offers only a vague account of their history and information.

Price

Color Street

These nail polish strips cost $11-14 for each set, and shipping is $3.00. You can buy three sets and get one free, or for their French manicure sets, you can buy one and get one free. Each set comes with 16 nail strips, and you can usually use both ends of the strip. I generally do my nails twice with one set.

Lily and Fox

These strips sell for a very palatable $2.99 per set, with free global shipping, although this is supposedly a sale price. The original prices are marked at $8.99. In the few months I’ve bought from this company, the sale prices have always stayed in effect. Each set comes with 16 strips, but I’ve rarely been able to use both ends of one strip.

Look and Design

Color Street

This company boasts vibrant colors and professional-looking nails. The designs are a bit limited, and they cycle through them often, but overall they are contemporary and classy.

Lily and Fox

These products are appealing and fun, and they’ve got far more variety than Color Street—in particular, they deliver some great designs for holidays. But some of the designs seem a little cheap-looking, particularly when the colors are faded or the images are a bit campy.

Ease of Application

Color Street

When I first tried these products, I was amazed by how easy they were to apply. It did take me a little while to get them lined up correctly on my nails, but after some practice, I was able to apply a full set in about 5 minutes. You peel off the strip, apply it to your nail, and file or tear off the excess. The strips are light enough to be able to stretch and fit easily.

You remove the strips with nail polish remover, although it takes a lot of remover and rubbing to get it all off.

Lily and Fox

The process for applying these products is essentially the same, but I’ve found it’s a little more frustrating. The protective sheet on the strip does not come off as easily, it’s hard to pull the tabs off, and the strips are so thick that you have to use a nail file to finish off the excess.

The company’s website does not provide any insight on how to remove the strips; I generally just peel them all off when I’m ready to be done with them.

Durability

Color Street

The company says your applied nail strips can last up to two weeks, but unless you wear protective gloves all day or are an underwear model, this is probably not accurate. They will last weeks if you do absolutely nothing, but if you plan on dressing yourself, eating and preparing food, wrangling kids, or doing any other type of daily activities, these nail strips will chip and crack. However, I do feel they hold up better than a professional manicure.

Lily and Fox

They also say their nails will last two weeks, but again, this is true if you do absolutely nothing. The difference with these nail strips is that they won’t necessarily crack or chip as much (these strips are incredibly tough), but I’ve found they do snag and stick to just about anything. Unless you file them off just right, water and dirt will get under them and cause them to easily peel off. Usually, I only keep these on for a day or so. On the occasions where I’ve kept them on for longer, they get a little warped and wrinkled.

Feel

Color Street

I really do love the way these nails feel. They’re smooth and glossy, and they generally make my nails feel stronger.

Lily and Fox

These also make my nails feel stronger, but they’re not smooth. Rather, they’re more rubbery and sticky. The company recommends painting a clear top coat over the strips, but what’s the point of having nail strips if you have to use nail polish too?

Smell

Color Street

Yes, I do mention the smell, and this is why. Color Street strips smell like nail polish, which I like. Not that I like the smell of nail polish, but since they claim that their strips are made from nail polish, and they come out of the package smelling as such, I’m more inclined to believe them.

Lily and Fox

Lily and fox also claim their strips are made from nail polish, but they smell more like rubber. Are you sensing a theme here?

Summary and Recommendation

I would actually recommend both of these companies' products. I would use Color Street more for everyday use where I’d appreciate the feel and longevity. The price point is a little hard to swallow, but they are still cheaper than most professional manicures.

I would recommend Lily and Fox for events and occasions where I only need to wear them for a few hours. However, if their magical, ongoing sale should ever end and the price of their products jumps back to $8.99, I don’t think I’d still purchase them.

I feel both of these companies offer great products that ease the effort of applying nail polish and curb the cost of professional manicures.

Which Nail Polish Strip Company Would You Prefer?

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.

Questions & Answers

Question: I find Lily and Fox nail strips peel off, is there a way to adhere better? Today I cleaned my nails with nail polish remover to see if it makes a difference?

Answer: I find that Lily and Fox nails adhere better when I don’t do anything involving water for a few hours. Usually, I put them on right before I go to bed and they have hours to bond to the nail.

Question: I love being able to reseal my Color Street nails so they last, but I can't find anything on resealing Lily and Fox. Do you have to throw out Lily and Fox nail polish strips after one use?

Answer: The composition of Lily and Fox nails is different than Color Street, and they actually don't dry out. So you can open them up and leave them out and they'll be perfectly fine to use again later.

Question: I am now a ColorStreet Stylist, I love your fair evaluation, but I would recommend you try ColorStreet Glitter Nails again. I swam for two hours in a Salt Water pool and also did 3 days of repotting plants. I was shocked that my ColorStreet Glitter lasted. About two days later I did see chipping. I believe you could give them a try again. What do you think?

Answer: I continue to wear Color Street and the result is almost always the same. They look great for one or two days and then start chipping and cracking, regardless of what activities I’m doing. I still feel they are the superior nail strip, but advertising that they last for two weeks is unrealistic.

Question: Why do lily and fox nails look upside down with the design at the bottom?

Answer: I think Lily and Fox is a company that sells cast off or overstocked nail strips, so I think some of the designs might have been misprinted. I’ve had a couple that are upside down.

Question: Have you tried Glitterati?

Answer: I have not, but I've looked at their website and will be trying them soon!

Question: I just ordered a batch of L&F strips. I'm disappointed to hear how short-lived they are. Color street are too flimsy and tear easily, in my honest opinion. The very best are Perfectly Polished. I have had these last 3 weeks on vacation, and they are lovely and thick and don't tear. Have you tried these?

Answer: I haven't tried Perfectly Polished, although, the more I use Lily and Fox, the more I like them and the longer they last.

Question: I have flat nails with ridges. Will Color Street adhere to my nails?

Answer: Yes, Color Street nails and most nail strips are very flexible.

Question: Does cleaning your nails with nail polish remover before applying help them stay on longer?

Answer: I haven't tried that, but it seems that it would. Usually I clean my nails with an alcohol wipe before applying the strips.

© 2018 Lauren Flauding

Comments

Robini0902 on June 27, 2020:

Color Street, Incoco, and Coconut nails are all made by the same company.

Susan Berger on June 01, 2020:

I've tried them both. Lily and Fox , just put a top coat on..They last ..

Price can't beat it.

Susan Berger on June 01, 2020:

I've tried them both! Color St

Wendy Statz on May 12, 2020:

I've used Lily&fox a few times more. I love them. Great designs, great price and they lasted over 4 weeks. I did put clear polish over the top but that was my personal choice. Love them

mjcaraway64 on February 25, 2020:

Color street do not work well after time even when being sealed up. I started my nail strip wearing with CS but now prefer the less expensive wraps that last longer stored.

Amy on December 28, 2019:

To make your color street last longer apply them right before bed. So nothing comes into contact with your nails until the morning. No moisture oils etc. Since making this change my color streets last 3 weeks plus. Vrs between 1 and 2 weeks before.

Also adding a layer either with their awesome overlays or with just a clear strip will greatly increase wear time.

Lyla on December 07, 2019:

I used my first Color Strip nail strips for my daughter's wedding 2 weeks ago. I'm still wearing these, after scrubbing my floors by hand, digging in my flower garden planting bulbs, day after day, doing a lot of other household duties. I'm shocked they're lasting as well.. I have similar sparkly nail polish and have touched up tips but am not ready to take them off yet. They look fantastic. Nothing has ever lasted this long on my nails. idk if I just got an extremely durable set of strips (Tokyo Lights) or what. I didn't have the alcohol pad with me so I washed my nails and applied mouth wash to them. Maybe that did it??

Marie-Eve Riel on November 04, 2019:

Ive you try marie nail and Beauty bar?

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on September 30, 2019:

Jill,

So sorry about your lost nail strips! Honestly, the more I use Lily and Fox, the more I like them. They take some getting used to and every once in a while I’ll find a set that isn’t very consistent in quality, but for the price, they’re really quite good.

Jill McAlester on September 30, 2019:

Wish I had read this before I ordered Lily and Fox. I lost my wallet containing about $100 worth of Color Street nails. Devastated! Looking for a quick, cheap replacement I happened on Lily and Fox. From your review I think I might be disappointed. Hopefully not.

Sharon Herdenberg on June 29, 2019:

Out of the 2 Color Street is the better one. But whoever said Glitterati in the comments is right. They work the best for me also, I love that brand.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on April 24, 2019:

Kavita,

The magnificent thing about nail polish strips is that they take zero time to dry, which is one of the many reasons I feel they are superior to bottled nail polish.

Kavita Mevada on April 24, 2019:

How long does Nail Polish Take to Dry it takes for your nails to dry depends partly on the nail polish and nail polish dryer you use. All polishes can dry in a timely fashion as long as they are applied thinly and evenly on a clean surface and topped with a proper topcoat.

Please check out my web site too and let me know what you think.

http://www.atallcures.com

MARLA BAKER on March 18, 2019:

Not to get off-subject, but does anyone know if Lily & Fox are the same nail polish strips as Perfectly Polished and Lucky Moose? The packaging for all of them is pretty much identical. Wondering if they're all the same exact thing just sold under different names?

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on March 14, 2019:

Julie,

Thanks for the tip with the flat iron! What a great idea! I feel like Lily and Fox last longer because the strips are thicker, so that’s a positive. I’m glad you tried them out, they’re a nice alternative to the price of Color Street.

Julie on March 14, 2019:

Thanks for the article! Because of this I learned about lily and fox, and so far really like my first set. They've been on a week and look better than any of my colorstreet after that amount of time. I did hit them with a top coat when I got back home due to the rubbery tacky feeling and that solved it. Application was fine and I did clean my nails with alcohol like I do before colorstreet.

Also, as for saving your colorstreet after opening? Seal the plastic envelope with a flat iron! Keeps it pretty air tight, but they still won't last forever...

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on March 14, 2019:

Marla,

I’ve had a fair amount of trouble with the Lily and Fox strips coming off soon after application. Although, I have better luck with them when I apply them at night before I go to bed. That way they have all night to bond without me doing housework and getting my nails wet. I don’t know if that’s helpful. Regardless, Color Street has the superior product.

MARLA BAKER on March 14, 2019:

All of the Lily & Fox strips I've used are garbage. They lifted off within 30 minutes of application. I guess you get what you pay for. Too bad since L&F have so many more colors and designs. Oh well, I'll stick with CS, Incoco, Coconuts and Jamberry lacquer strips.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on February 23, 2019:

Tina,

While Color Street does have a fair amount of designs, when compared to Lily and Fox they are limited, as they only have about half as many designs. Furthermore, a chunk of Color Street’s designs are solid colors and solid glitters, whereas Lily and Fox offer more variety in their styles. That being said, some of the Lily and Fox designs can verge on kitschy, while Color Street designs seem to be more defined and classy.

Tina on February 22, 2019:

I can't believe she said the Color Street designs are limited- maybe back then but they are plentiful now and every season they add new designs and each year the designs for that season are different then the last. Right now they are offering at least 5 designs just for St. Patrick's day. They offer many sports themes and the list goes on. They are even about to launch a whole bunch of new spring themed

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on February 13, 2019:

Andi,

Color Street is definitely the better quality product, however, I’ve found that the more I use Lily and Fox nails, the longer they last. Maybe I’m getting better at applying them or something.

Andi on February 13, 2019:

I’ve used Incoco now Color Street for years, they last weeks but will start to have tiny crack lines after a couple days. Its really only noticable up super close so I wear them til my nails grow out too much. I used my first Lily and Fox today, it lasted til I showered. I noticed 4 completely fell off and the others I was able to pull off without any trouble. Shortest time I’ve ever had my nails done for. Disappointing but I guess the price difference explains it.

stacey on February 10, 2019:

they are not wide enough for my nails perfect for a child

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on February 04, 2019:

Francine,

You can’t post pics in the comments, unfortunately, but if you have them posted elsewhere online you can share the link in the comments. I don’t know if that’s helpful.

Francine on February 04, 2019:

I love the glitter finish, and adding Miracle Gel over them makes them sparkle even more! Definitely with Incoco (I bought MANY Incoco nail strips before they transitioned to Color Street and still have tons in inventory), that makes them last longer. I'd never been able to grow my nails very long until I started using nail polish trips. Now I have nails anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4" beyond my finger tips. Love that! Day 4 now with Lily and Fox ("Cotton Candy" design) and they still look like they did when first applied. Can I post pics of nails?

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on February 04, 2019:

Francine,

Thanks for those tips, I’ll have to try the Miracle Gel to take away the rubbery feeling. Also, what I like to do with Lily and Fox nails is use the ones that are slightly too small for each nail. Yes, that does mean that parts of my nails show on the sides, but with some of the designs you really can’t notice. I find that this helps because I don’t have to shape them.

Francine on February 03, 2019:

I've used Incoco (dba Color Street) nail polish strips for years. I am currently wearing my first set of Lily and Fox. They take longer to apply because they are thicker. It is essential that you use an orange stick to make sure the sides are firmly attached to your nail. And they ARE hard to file and shape. But I've been wearing them now three days and they still look great ... no chips or lifting. I also use Miracle Gel topcoat with both products, which dries almost instantly. If you want them to last for at least a week (either brand), taking these two extra steps goes a long way to making that happen.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on January 31, 2019:

Cindy,

Yeah, lily and Fox aren’t for everyone. But you bring up a good point. Incoco nails are Color Street nails, and you can buy them at Walmart or online for $5-$7. They’re still a great product at a lower price, but it’s kind of a slap in the face to any of Color Street’s stylists.

Cindy on January 31, 2019:

I just tried Lily and Fox wraps for the first time and by the time I had the 3rd nail wrap on, the first one was coming off. They are so so thick. It felt like I was putting children's Colorforms on my nails. I threw the package out and put on Incoco and they're all perfect after 3 days.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on December 22, 2018:

Rebecca,

Lily and Fox definitely have a better price point, and I’ve noticed that since they’re generally thicker than Color Street they don’t chip as much and sometimes last longer. Although I do have more issues with the Lily and Fox nails coming completely off. I’ll have to try doing the clear coat. I think I’m just too lazy. :)

Rebecca Strong on December 22, 2018:

I have used both types. I now put a clear coat of nail polish over any that I apply. It only takes a couple of minutes to dry and helps the polish stay in longer. Sometimes the lily and fox last longer than color street because I have experienced more chipping with color street. The difference in price is why I prefer lily and fox.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on December 14, 2018:

Leslie,

Color Street is great quality and you pay for it. I have found some Lily and Fox designs have stayed longer than a day. It seems their designs are not uniform, making me think they may get their products from multiple manufacturers. Lily and Fox are great for a quick, fun event, but the longevity and feel of Color Street is uncontested.

Leslie Jean Knope on December 14, 2018:

I would just like to say that I too have tried both Colorstreet and Lily Fox. I bought some as Christmas gifts but wanted to give them a try first to see what I was gifting. Colorstreet came in the mail fairly quickly and Lily and Fox took forever. I was already a fan of Colorstreet but for the price of the other one, I had to try. I could not agree more with this well written accurate description. Lily and Fox were more like stickers than nail wraps. I will say though putting a 'quick dry' clear top coat over the Colorstreet really lengthens the life. Unfortunately as soon as I took a shower the Lily and Fox came right off. So they didn't last 12 hours and I will not be giving them as gifts. Well maybe to the 10 year old girls, but not the adults. Again, great article, veey accurate and well described.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on November 17, 2018:

Kikilong,

That’s great! I definitely think there might be some variation of longevity between some of the Lily and Fox styles. I’ve tried a couple that were truly frustrating, but other than those ones I’ve had a pretty good experience with them.

Kikilong on November 17, 2018:

I’m currently wearing a lily & fox set that I’ve had on for two weeks! They’re glitter so I’m not sure if that makes a difference but I’m very impressed. Def going to buy again.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on November 08, 2018:

Mallory,

I have not tried Glitterati, I will have to check them out. Thanks for the tip!

Mallory on November 07, 2018:

Lauren,

Have you tried Glitterati? I have tried all three of these companies and found that Glitterati lasted the longest for me as well as being cheaper than color street. You also get 18 strips instead of 16.

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on November 01, 2018:

Sharon,

Honestly, the more I use Lily and Fox, the more I like them. I still think Color Street are the better quality, and you pay for it, but I find Lily and Fox to be more and more acceptable for dat to day use. And I love their variety of designs!

Sharon on November 01, 2018:

I love Lily and Fox! So easy to apply and really last. Dish washing house cleaning and all. I tried to order the Christmas wraps but were sold out, surprise! So excellent, I have tried a lot of wraps too. Please keep up the good work!

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on October 12, 2018:

Betsy, I actually had to go through a few failed attempts before I found a method that worked. After I use all the nails I need for the first time, I put the extras back in the clear plastic sleeve they came in, fold it over and tape it all the way around. I have found, however, that even with this method the remaining nails end up slightly more brittle than at first and shorten their life a bit, but I always get them to last at least a week.

Betsy Kleger on October 12, 2018:

I love color street. Question: you mentioned that you can use one set twice. How do you store them so they don’t dry out? I was under the impression that once they were opened they had to be used right away

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on September 29, 2018:

Katie, yeah, it always seems like the Color Street nails still smell like nail polish almost one or two days afterwards. It’s kind of weird.

Katie on September 29, 2018:

Did you notice the smell of the color street to go away? They were still smelling strong 12+ hours after application for me, which gave me a headache.

Maykup on September 29, 2018:

Sweet products free

Lauren Flauding (author) from Sahuarita, AZ on September 28, 2018:

Here are the links to the websites of these two companies, which I would imagine would be useful for anyone seriously considering buying their products.

https://colorstreet.com

https://www.lilyandfox.com

Louise is a lip balm collector from the United Kingdom. She always has a tin of the stuff lying around in her bag.

Lip balms are something I use on a daily basis. My lips get very dry, and I hate that feeling. I have several lip balms which I have in my home, handbag and work bag. I know, it's crazy. On a recent visit to Norwich, Norfolk, I decided to treat myself to a lip balm from Lush. Unfortunately, we don't have this store in my town, although it can also be purchased online.

What's This Lip Balm Like?

The Rose Lollipop lip balm comes in a small silver tin with a pink label on the top. There are several flavours to choose from, but I opted for this one as I liked the smell of it and the taste of it on my lips. Lush is good at having testers out so you can try before you buy. It costs £6.95 for a 12g tin exclusively from Lush.

The balm contains cupuacu butter, which comes from the cupcuacu in the Amazon Forest. The cupcuacu butter is found from the seeds from these trees. The butter also contains rose oil which comes from the rose farm in Turkey. Rose water is also included in this which also comes from Turkey. Roses have a calming effect and soothes the skin. One of the other main ingredients is Sicilian Lemon Oil. Lemon has an uplifting and cleansing effect on the skin. Coming from the lemon tree, this is a lovely addition to the lip balm that will help moisturise your skin.

How Does It Feel?

The balm feels quite thick in the texture. When applying it to the lips, it has a bit of a gritty feel to it, but it goes on nicely. It is not too greasy, but it softens the lips well. It does have a slight taste of roses in it, and it smells really pleasant too. I like how it leaves your lips feeling hydrated. I didn't suffer any allergic reaction from this, and the balms lasts a good while before the need to re-apply it.

My Thoughts

I love this lip balm. I love how it leaves my lips feeling soft and moisturises. I like how it lasts a good while too before I need to use more. I know it's not cheap, but as I say, this was a treat. I'm glad I purchased this—not only does it leaves my lips feeling nice and soft, but it also smells lovely, and the rose taste really comes through in the lip balm. If you can't physically get to a Lush store, then you can order online.

Lush does not test on animals, and they buy all their products from suppliers who do not test on animals. All their products are handmade, and you can get a wide range of beauty products and products for the hair and body. All in all, I would highly recommend this product.

© 2018 Louise Powles

Comments

RTalloni on June 08, 2019:

I too battle dryness so am glad to see this product with rose as an ingredient. Thanks for sharing your experience with it.

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 22, 2018:

Good to know their products are not tested on animals. Just wondering how they test their products?

Ethel Smith from Kingston-Upon-Hull on September 16, 2018:

Thanks Louise

I like Lush products but my problem with this would be in the tin form. When I have used before in winter I have ended up with more cold sores. Too easy to put some on when out and about and hands not really clean

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on August 25, 2018:

Thanks for your review. I like the fact that they do no animal testing with this product.

Louise Powles (author) from Norfolk, England on August 22, 2018:

Thanks Liz. I miss Ciao. Yes I agree, Lush is certainly good with original ideas.

Liz Westwood from UK on August 22, 2018:

It's great to see a review like the ones I used to read on Ciao. Lush is an interesting place to shop with a lot of original ideas.

Louise Powles (author) from Norfolk, England on August 22, 2018:

Linda - I wasn't sure if Lush had stores worldwide, so it's good to hear they do. I do love that store, but only shop there now and again.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on August 21, 2018:

There's a Lush Cosmetics store in a shopping centre near my home. I like the sound of the lip balm that you describe so I checked on the store's website to see if they sell it in British Columbia. They do, though it's not cheap, as you say. I may try it, though. It sounds very nice. Thanks for sharing the review.

Lisa Jane from Washington on August 21, 2018:

Love this article. I wear lipstick but this sounds like something I would like to try.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on August 21, 2018:

When staying in hotels, lips get really dry. I have not tried this product yet but it seems a good choice as it lasts longer.

BBYCGN from Uninhabited Regions on August 21, 2018:

Yum!!!

FlourishAnyway from USA on August 21, 2018:

I liked the unusual rose taste you mentioned but love the no animal testing.

Sarah is a makeup obsessed 30-year-old in Little Rock, Arkansas. I love trying new makeup and watching tutorials on new looks.

Why Wear Makeup to the Lake?

Yes, I know, it may sound crazy. Between the water and sweat, why would you want to waste time putting makeup on that's just going to melt off anyway? Well, you wouldn't want to. That's why I have put together a list of my favorite makeup products that are good for the pool, beach, lake, etc.. This look is not meant to be dramatic—it's just a makeup look that covers your imperfections and gives you that sun kissed look. So if you're wanting to try the "No Makeup" makeup look, here is a list of your must have products!

1. Moisturizer With SPF 30

The first step to a beautiful face is to keep it healthy. If you are not wearing sunscreen on your face everyday, you must start now! It keeps your skin youthful by protecting your from harmful UV rays. UV rays can cause fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots and even skin cancer. This is because UV rays do extensive damage to your collagen fibers, causing collagen to deplete and elastin to weaken. The result is skin that your skin will become prematurely aged. You should be wearing sunscreen every single day but especially when spending time outdoors like at the beach or lake. So my number one product on my list is Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Moisturizer with SPF 30.

2. Waterproof Concealer

Waterproof makeup is becoming increasingly popular. Women are loving having makeup that stays put. Having waterproof concealer will finally allow you to spend the day outside and you won't have to worry about it sweating off. When I am doing a makeup look for the beach or lake, I don't want to look or feel like I'm wearing a lot of makeup. I want to look as natural as possible but still look and feel amazing. So for this look, I am not using a foundation. I just use the waterproof concealer on my dark circles under my eyes and my acne spots and blend well. There's no reason to cover up "good skin" with makeup. Just conceal what you need to and leave the rest alone. Just make sure you get a color that matches your skin well. My pick for the best waterproof concealer is Maybelline Makeup Instant Age Concealer.

Question

3. Illuminating Primer

When I am going to the lake, I love having a nice glow to my face. An illuminating primer will not only keep your makeup on longer but it also helps give you that look like you're glowing from within. You can use this product alone as a highlighter or even mix it in with your foundation for an all over glowing look. I always use my illuminating primer on the tops of my checks, my cupids bow, underneath my eyebrows and sometimes even the tip of my nose. My pick for the best illuminating primer is L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Glow Illuminator.

4. Bronzer

Bronzer is a must have makeup product if you are doing something outdoors. If you want your skin to have a tan complexion without actually tanning, a bronzer is a great choice. Using a bronzer brush, start on your cheeks, where you would normally put your blush and work up and around the edges of your hairline. After doing that, I put just a tiny amount on my brush and apply it all over my face. I also use this as my eye shadow. Because you don't want to look like you're wearing tons of makeup, using the bronzer to color your lids will give you a natural shade, giving your face dimension. My pick for a great bronzer for your summer look is Whatup Beaches Matte Bronzer by Elizabeth Mott.

5. Highlighter

After I'm done bronzing, I want to really highlight my face. With my highlighter brush I highlight my cheeks, cupids bow, forehead and nose. Because we aren't using blush for this outside look, the highlighter still gives your face a nice dimension and makes your skin really glow. After putting it on my face, I even add some to my collarbone and tops of my shoulders. The highlighter pallet that I have been using recently is Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighting Palette.

Question

6. Waterproof Mascara

When it comes to being in the water, mascara is usually the first part of your makeup to go. It may not come completely off but it starts running and you get dark circles under your eyes. Waterproof mascara is a necessity if you are going to the beach or lake. Let me say it again, it is a necessity! You'll thank me later. Normally when I wear mascara I go for the blackest black that they have. Since I'm trying to look more natural for this look, I choose to use a brown color that is closer to my natural lashes.

7. Lip Color With SPF

For some reason, people always forget the lips when it comes to protecting it from the sun. Your lips need protection just as much as your face does. There's no need to wear a dark, heavy lipstick with this natural look. So try a slightly tinted chap stick that protects your lips and gives them plenty of moisture. My pic for a chap stick to give my lips a tiny bit of color and keep them protected is Maybelline Baby Lips Color SPF 16.

Lizzy is a MUA with 4 years of experience. She has worked on people of all skintones/types and is sharing some of the skills she perfected.

From No Brow to Wow

If you have even grazed across makeup on Instagram or Twitter, you have seen a step-by-step tutorial of how to do your eyebrows or eyeshadow but rarely do you see one of people without eyebrow hair at all.

So I have made this tutorial to show people with very little to no hair how to easily shape their eyebrows.

Measuring Your Brow

No, you don't need to break out the tape measure for this.

Measuring your brow involves making three lines using your nose as a guideline; one vertical line from the edge of your nose to mark the beginning, one diagonal line from the edge of your nose through the center of your eye to create the arch, and another diagonal line from your nose aligned with the outermost part of your eye.

Creating the Outline and Filling It In

Now it's time to get to the real stuff. After you have put down your three marks, you will start to fill in and create the full eyebrow.

First, draw a line creating the bottom of the brow following the marks, making the line darker at the tail (end) and lighter at the front. Then make another line again following the marks to create the top.

After drawing the lines, fill in your eyebrows, starting a little before halfway and moving towards the tail because that's where the most product will go and you want this area to be the darkest. Not picking up any more product start to create 'hair' by doing short strokes in an upward motion at the front. If you feel like it is too dark, you can take a spooly or any small brush and, in the same upward motion, brush some of the product away.

If you're not happy with how they look now, don't be upset because you can always clean up and perfect the shape with concealer.

The Clean Up

After what seems like 30 minutes to finish, this is the final step in completing your new eyebrows.

Using a flat brush and your concealer shade with a steady hand, follow the shape of the bottom of your eyebrow to create a sharp line. If you want a sharper, even cleaner brow, take your foundation shade and follow the shape along the top. And because blending is key, take your beauty blender or a brush and blend both concealer and foundation into your skin.

Voila! We are finished!

Tips

Here's a couple of things to know when doing your eyebrows.

• Use a brow color that is the same as or close to your hair color, so the lighter your hair the lighter your eyebrows should be.
• Using your foundation shade to clean up above your brows instead of your concealer shade prevents halo eyebrows.
• If you want to do just your eyebrows for the day and nothing else, stick to concealer that is one shade lighter than your skintone/foundation.
• The higher you put the second mark (which is where your arch is), the more raised your eyebrows will look
• The shorter your mark is, the smaller your eyebrow will be.
• Most important: This is a general shape just for demonstration. Your eyebrows do not have to turn out like this nor do they have to look like this. The beauty of makeup is in the eye of the beholder do what you think looks good on you!

© 2018 Lizzy Musaga

Comments

Scott on July 07, 2020:

I'm attempting to put the Brows on without using a brow pencil. Can I use a makeup of some kind and Im using a stencil.

Ann810 from Sunny Cali on July 02, 2018:

Nice illustration on create eyebrows from no brows. Cool

Tori is a 28-year-old, three-time animal mom and DIYer living in Northern Atlanta with her boyfriend.

Why Do a Spa Pedicure at Home?

If you're like me, you love going to the nail salon and getting a spa pedicure, but you don't love the price tag. For me, going to the nail salon and having my fingers and toes professionally done is a treat, not something I can pay for every couple of weeks. But here's the problem: what do you do when you are broke and your feet are starting to look like Frodo's?

I started doing my own pedicures about two years ago. With the purchase of some simple tools to keep in the shower, I am able to keep my feet flip-flop ready and free of uncomfortable and scratchy calluses all the time. All you need to do is follow this routine every couple of weeks when your feet start to feel a little scratchy again, and you're in the clear!

As a precursor, for me, this takes a few hours because I like to be extra moisturized. So if I were you I would set aside a few hours on a Sunday afternoon to do your pedicure!

Step 1: Apply Lotion or Oil

My feet get extra dry and super callus-y, so the first step I do before I do anything else is apply lotion or oil to clean feet and put socks on for at least 30 minutes before soaking my feet to prepare for callus removal. The softer your feet are, the easier it is to remove calluses.

If I'm using oil, I will use either coconut oil or argan oil. If I use lotion, I will use an unscented one. Slather on a thick layer and then put socks on for thirty minutes before starting your foot soak and scrub!

Step 2: Soak and Scrub Your Feet

I'm on my feet all day at work, so my feet are very callused and rough after a couple of weeks without treatment. Calluses aren't something you can slough off dry. It's uncomfortable to do so. The first thing you have to do is soak your feet. There are a couple of different soaks you can do depending on what your foot problems are.

First off, no matter what you decide to put in your foot soak, you should always put in Epsom salts. Epsom salts are made with magnesium and sulfate, two minerals that are essential in human body processes that we don't get enough of. Magnesium and sulfate can be absorbed through your skin and can help with muscle aches and pains, too. (Source)

My favorite foot soak is warm water with peppermint oil, Epsom salt, and a little bit of vinegar. I know the vinegar piece sounds a little weird, but vinegar acts as a disinfectant which can help prevent or manage fungal problems (Source, Source). You can do this soak in your bathtub or in an extra-large plastic bin. I typically do it in my bathtub with the water-filled up to my ankles. I eyeball the measurements, but it is about two cups of Epsom salt, a cup of vinegar, and several drops of peppermint oil.

If you used coconut oil in the previous step to help soften your feet a little bit, you may have to rinse your feet off before placing them in the soak. Argan oil or lotion should have fully absorbed. I like to let my feet sit for 15 minutes before I start using my tools to get those calluses off.

While my feet are soaking, I have a scrub that I absolutely love that I will apply to my feet and calves. Mix equal parts coffee grounds and sugar with just enough olive oil to make a paste. Coffee grounds have caffeine, which is proven to tighten skin and minimize the visibility of cellulite (Source). The grounds plus the sugar also act as an exfoliant, which is why I apply it to my feet too. And the olive oil, of course, acts as a moisturizer.

Rinse off the scrub when you're ready for the next step!

Step 3: Slough Off Those Calluses

Calluses are the most annoying part of keeping up your feet, especially if you are a little ticklish, but here's an easy way to think about taking them off. It's just like sanding wood. The coarser the grit that you use, the more that will come off, but the surface will still be rough, so you follow with finer and finer sandpaper until the surface is smooth.

Start with a metal foot file that resembles a cheese grater. File away on all of the roughest parts of your foot—heel, big toe, and big toe joint—to remove as much of the callus as possible. This is possibly the most important tool you will need and you will see immediate results from using it.

The next important step, as I mentioned, is using a finer file to remove the rest of the calluses and smooth the skin. I love using the Earth Therapeutics Diamond Foot File because it is double-sided and has an extra file in the handle to help with smaller hard to reach places. One side of the file is a little bit coarser and the other side is super fine.

These files work best when your feet are wet. Don't drain your foot soak solution, as you can continue to use it while you are filing. You will also be able to use the soak to rinse your feet when you are done and ready to move on to the next step.

Step 4: Lotion Up

After I get the calluses off and my feet are dry and smooth, I always take unscented alcohol-free lotion and slather it on once more under a pair of socks. This is always a good followup to a soak to lock in moisture and keep your feet softer for a little longer.

I usually will let my feet rest in the socks and absorb the lotion for about 30 minutes before starting the next step, which is painting my toes!

Step 5: Beautify Your Toes

After you've finished the grunt work, you can continue on to the actual pedicure part of the process if you like. If you don't care or don't want nail polish on your toes, you can skip most of this step!

Start by clipping your toenails to the desired length. If you are keeping them a little bit longer, use a nail brush to clean the undersides of your nail. I personally prefer my toes clipped down as short as they will go.

After your toes are clipped, you can use a cuticle trimmer to trim extra cuticle if you need it. I don't usually have to do that because I don't have a lot of extra cuticle on my toenails to worry about.

Next, you can paint your toes. Start with a clear base coat. If you don't apply a base coat, you risk the nail polish bleeding through your nail. When you go to remove it, your nail will have a tinge of whatever color the nail polish was. I really like using ORLY Rubberized Base Coat because it has the best staying power out of every other non-gel nail polish I've ever used. After your base coat, apply the color and a top coat to seal it in. Use a Q-Tip dipped in acetone to correct any mistakes.

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.

Alex is an esthetician from St. Catharines, Ontario with a passion for makeup and beauty.

Why Do We Tell Women That Beauty Has an Age?

Lately, I've seen a lot of different articles and videos about why older women shouldn't wear makeup, or that they have specific guidelines that they need to follow. I say, forget that. I work in a cosmetics store, and the other day a woman came in with full glam eyelashes on and a poppin' red lip. I found out she was 87 years old!

Of course, some women prefer a more natural look going into their retirement years, which is awesome. However, this woman taught me that you do not have to be a certain age to be in your beauty prime. I know what you're thinking, "Alex, you're 20. You're in your beauty prime." To which I say you might be correct. However, if you have a passion for cosmetics and beauty, an age limit does not exist.

Skincare Is the Key to Beautiful Skin

Of course, the best way to create flawless makeup is to have a good base. A skincare routine is the best place to start. It's never too early to start using anti-aging skincare products, and it's also never too late.

If you're looking for intense firming and lifting without the hassle of going to a plastic surgeon, a great option is the Kate Somerville Tight'N™ Cryogenic Skin Tightening Gel. This innovative formula goes on like a mousse and has an amazing crackling sensation. Press it onto the areas you would like to firm. Don't forget your décolletage! Use this product once a day to get intense, firming results over time.

Firming and lifting products such as this mixed with a good cleanser, exfoliator, serum and moisturizer will significantly improve the appearance of makeup. Go into your local Sephora location for a free consultation, and mini facial, to find your perfect skincare routine.

Full-Coverage Foundation Is Okay

If you want to use a full-coverage foundation, don't let anyone tell you that you can't. If you want full coverage and don't use the right products, you won't get the desired smooth look you want. However, using the right products will help you achieve a flawless, full-coverage look without looking heavy or cakey.

Foundation

I recommend using a hydrating foundation that has medium-to-full coverage, such as Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion, or the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. Both of these foundations have a lightweight feel to them as well as a smoothing effect on the skin.

Concealer

Use a concealer with antioxidant ingredients and moisturizing properties. Too Faced Born This Way concealer is amazing for hydration. It has coconut water in it to help smooth the skin as well as moisturize. It's also formulated with hyaluronic acid, which essentially attracts moisture into the skin and penetrates it deep into the epidermal layer.

Setting Powder

Setting your foundation is essential for making it stay all day. Make sure you set it lightly using a fluffy brush with a hydrating and luminizing setting powder. Hourglass has recently come out with an amazing option. It has a radiant finish and will beautifully set makeup so that it doesn't crease throughout the day.

If you're more into a pressed setting powder, try the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders. They are like a filter for the skin that will add dimension, luminosity and extends the wear of the foundation underneath without looking like you're wearing too much powder.

Let's Talk About Mature Eyes

As for eyes, you are allowed to use any colour and finish your heart desires. You can use shimmers, mattes, glitters and more. Just make sure that you use certain placement methods according to your eye shape to enhance your eyes as much as possible to make those peepers poppin'!

Make sure you find tutorials that focus on lifting and elongating the eye. It's easy to mistakenly use an eye-makeup technique that will drag down the eye if you're not careful.

Enhance Your Lips Without Feathering

Lips are the most amazing part of a look. You can use subtle but effective techniques to help make the lips appear more plump and full. I would recommend using a hydrating lipstick such as the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks. Jam-packed with essential omega oils, they're moisturizing and they come in many different shades. If you have a Bite Beauty Lab near you, you can even go in and create your perfect shade by hand alongside one of the Bite Beauty Lab technicians!

A great tip for keeping your lipstick from feathering into the fine lines around your lips is to use a lip liner all over your lips. You can slightly overdraw if you'd like to make the lips appear bigger. Make sure your lipstick is the same shade as the lip liner to ensure beautifully blended lips that won't enhance any wrinkles around your mouth.

Every Age Is Beautiful

Well, there you have it. No matter what your age, you can still be in your beauty prime. Whatever you do, don't conform to the typical beauty standards for mature women. Use whatever products you want, and wear what you want. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you're happy and comfortable in your own skin.

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.

If like me, you spend a lot of your shopping time standing in the aisles with a product in one hand and your phone in the other as your eyes dart rapidly between both whilst you attempt to uncover whether this desired product you hold is in fact cruelty free or not, then you will also know that this time-consuming exercise is something you could really do without. Fortunately, thanks to Chloe, the amazing owner and founder of The Cruelty Free Beauty Box, there is another way of discovering new cruelty-free brands, and it's much more enjoyable and relaxing than the former option.

With The Cruelty Free Beauty Box, you can receive products right to your door, making it a fun and exciting way to uncover new companies and products that could quickly become one of your favourites.

Disclaimer: This box was kindly sent to me for free by The Cruelty Free Beauty Box company however all opinions are my own.

Who Is This Company?

At The Cruelty Free Beauty Box, they understand that it can be difficult for consumers to shop cruelty-free when there are still companies out there that aren't completely honest about how their products are created. But instead of backing down they have taken on the fight to stand up for those without a voice and show that, one step at a time, we can make it closer to our end goal: to end testing on animals. This intense passion for what they believe in is why they are not your regular subscription box service.

They take away the stress and responsibility associated with shopping cruelty-free and offer their customers choices from a wide variety of possibilities that will suit their individual wants and needs with the guarantee that what they will receive will be entirely ethical.

How Does It Work?

The Cruelty Free Beauty Box offers a monthly subscription box containing five entirely cruelty-free and vegan-friendly products which will have a combined minimum value of £30. These items are a mixture of both full-sized and trial-sized items and you can choose which payment timescale works best for you i.e.

• Month by Month – £14.95
• 3 Month Prepay – £43.50 (£14.50 each box)
• 6 Month Prepay – £84 (£14 each box)

If you are more makeup-obsessed, then not to worry because they also offer a makeup only subscription option for £19.95 per month, again with the available pre-pay options this cost will reduce.

As a company they are always coming up with new ideas like their most recent launch, the Build Your Own Box which allows you to select your own five products from their store at a very reasonable cost of £19.95 and as there is no subscription with this item you can purchase them as and when you want to.

If you would like to know more about what you can expect from their monthly subscription box, then keep on reading.

Dr Botanicals Pomegranate Superfood Regenerating Sleeping Mask (30ml) RRP £14.90

Our first item is the Dr Botanicals Pomegranate Superfood Regenerating Sleeping Mask from their Apothecary Natural Collection that aims to nourish thirsty and dull skin. It's 30 ml, RRP £14.90

The mask is very lightly scented with pomegranate allowing it to perfectly serve its purpose as an overnight skin treatment as it will not disturb your sleep. The texture is very lightweight and comfortable to have on the skin overnight as it feels just like a heavier moisturiser.

I definitely have seen the benefit of using this product as my complexion the following day was visibly dewier and brighter and my skin felt unbelievably soft. Definitely a simple and effective pick me up!

Balm Balm Hibiscus Face Mask (5g) RRP £1.50

The Balm Balm Hibiscus Face Mask was by far the most intriguing product included in this box. The packaging is minimalistic and compact, ensuring it doesn't take up unnecessary storage space and also making it convenient for travelling with. The mask itself is 100% organic and unlike anything I have ever used before as it comes in powder form which is then to be mixed with water until a paste consistency is formed.

The mask feels gentle and non-irritating even to my sensitive skin and the aromatic floral scent adds to the relaxing experience. Apart from being a mask it also acts as an exfoliator and brightens the skin while drawing out impurities as it dries leaving skin soft, smooth and deeply cleansed.

To avoid unnecessary mess and ensure an even coverage I recommend using a flat foundation brush or spatula to apply the product to your face. Though it took some trial and error to achieve the correct ratio, the process was a lot of fun and the results were impressive.

W7 Cosmetics Very Vegan Lipstick (Full Size) RRP £5.95

The Very Vegan Moisture Rich Lipstick in the shade ''Red Rose'' from W7 was the next thing included in this box. Although I regularly use other products from this brand as I find them to be of really impressive quality, I have never actually used their Very Vegan lipstick range so I was a very pleasantly surprised to find this product added to the box.

The shade I received is a very lovely and highly pigmented true red (none of those orange or fuchsia undertones here) which is enhanced with a soft and subtle almost iridescent shimmer. If I'm honest I usually I find myself gravitating towards a completely opaque lipstick colour but with the Very Vegan lipstick I have really been enjoying the freedom in ability to build up the product to suit whatever look I'm going for that day.

The formula is very hydrating making it perfect for the winter months and has a muted fruity scent. The colour builds easily and once applied doesn't budge much at all throughout the day. I've also found that it even works well as a lip stain if you don't fancy going for a full face of makeup.

CB&CO Extreme Whitening Gel (Full Size) RRP £19.99

I think most of us would love to have whiter teeth but in my experience, the journey can be a time consuming and tedious one. In the past, I have tried whitening strips, baking soda mixtures and activated charcoal powder (I've never known a mess like it) and while each of these did show varying degrees of positive results they all had one thing in common; they weren't practical.

Activated Charcoal in beauty products is very popular at the minute and this is because of the incredible health benefiting properties that charcoal has. Charcoal is known to be a safe and effective way to clean and whiten your teeth without the fear of long-term damage to enamel.

CB&CO's Extreme Whitening Gel is fluoride-free and natural and not only whitens teeth but removes plaque, stubborn stains and freshens breath. The black gel formula is contained in an easy to use pump action bottle and gives great results without taking precious time from your day. Simply brush your teeth with this product twice daily for a couple of minutes in place of your usual toothpaste and voila, whiter, brighter teeth.

Evolve Beauty Superfood Shine Conditioner (60ml) RRP £6

The final item in this months box was the Superfood Shine Conditioner from Evolve which targets normal to dry lackluster hair and aims to replenish and re-hydrate with its combination of pomegranate (for re-hydration and hair protection) and boabab (to increase shine, strengthen, protect, reduce frizz and tangles as well as increasing softness and smoothness).

The fragrance of this conditioner is strong and luxurious which immediately draws you in and the consistency is rich and creamy making it easy to comb through wet hair. The product is very easy to wash out thoroughly and the results are incredibly soft and shiny hair which feels healthier and more manageable.

The Cruelty Free Beauty Box provides items that are not only entirely ethical and inclusive to everyone, but that are also current, practical and great value for money. The passion and love for what they do really shines through as their customer service is exemplary and their boxes so well thought out. There is something for everyone in each box showing that pleasing their customers is a top priority.

If you would like to help the Cruelty Free Beauty Box celebrate their first birthday, you can make a purchase from their website or subscribe to the Beauty or Makeup Box as a monthly treat for yourself, or even as a gift for a loved one.

I have really enjoyed sharing my experiences on this month's box with you and I hope you have found this review helpful. Remember to take part in the polls and if you have any thoughts, opinions or questions about the company or included products, then feel free to write them in the comments section 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.

© 2018 BunnyClaws

Tori loves dying her hair all colors of the rainbow and shares her tutorials with others.

Why Should I Try Nail Powders?

I love multichrome or holographic anything. I even own a pair of holographic silver tennis shoes. I am to the point of my multichrome/holo obsession that my boyfriend's eyes can't roll any further back into his head when I find something that is holographic or multichrome. I can't help it—I want it all!

Nail polish, in particular, gets me. The first time I ever got anything chrome or holographic on my nails was about a year ago, the day that I quit my job in preparation to start a new role. I got black SNS (SNS is a brand) with silver chrome in gel over top on all fingers except the ring finger, on which I got silver holographic. I continued on the SNS path for a while, but let me tell you . . . when I decided to stop using it, my nails were ruined. I knew I had to figure out a way to still have my multichrome and holographic nails without using gel or SNS to achieve it.

I immediately went to Amazon and shopped around for some powders. I settled on a couple and purchased them, and got to work as soon as they came a couple of days later.

How Did I Figure This Out?

Honestly - figuring it out was pretty dang easy! I was already obsessed with nail color, and I had quite a collection already. I knew the trick was going to be using the right kind of base coat. I knew it would have to be a sticky base coat because if it wasn't, the powder would have nothing to stick to when I rubbed it on.

I only had to try two base coats. The first base coat I tried was Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat. For normal nail polish, this is one of my favorites. But unfortunately, it wasn't sticky enough for the nail powder.

The next one that I tried was ORLY Bonder Rubberized Base Coat. I had to look no further. This one was sticky enough once dry for the powder, because of its rubbery properties. The next trick was finding out the best process for application to get the most reflection and best results out of my nail powder.

After some experimentation, I came up with the below process for applying. Follow this process and you'll have great results on your own too!

Supplies Needed

1. Apply Peel Off Latex

First, you'll need to start by applying peel off latex around your nails to assist with mistakes. If you're anything like me and you get nail polish and powder all over the place when you paint your nails, then peel off latex is a literal god-send and makes cleaning up mistakes so much easier. I love Pueen Peel Off Latex. It is easy to use and dries quickly. It is also easy to see when it is dry—it turns from an opaque baby pink to a translucent "barbie" pink.

2. Apply Base Coat

After the latex dries, apply one coat of the ORLY Rubberized base coat. Allow it to dry for about a minute and a half. Then, apply a thin coat of base color of your choice. I recommend the base color be a color you have used in the past so you know how it dries. You don't want to use anything that peels off easily or doesn't dry very well. I particularly like using Sinful Colors Black Nail Polish or Essie Penny Talk Nail Polish as base coats. Both of these dry relatively quickly into a hardened state and do not peel.

Let the base color dry for a couple of minutes. You want to make sure it is fully dry before proceeding any further. If you're impatient like me, watch a 5 minute YouTube video in between layers. That helps the time pass so you're not just staring at the walls waiting for your nails to dry!

3. Apply the Powder

After the base coat is dry, paint another layer of the ORLY base coat on top. Let this fully dry. Now you are ready for the powder. I purchased all of my powders from Amazon, and my favorite ones are by What's Up Nails. In this tutorial, I used What's Up Nails Paradise Powder, which is a multichrome powder that shifts from teal to purple.

Using a makeup sponge or an eyeshadow applicator, dab lightly into the powder container. Then press lightly onto your nail. Once you have pressed powder in, gently rub it in. The more you rub it in, the smoother it will get.

4. Apply Base Coat Again and Repeat

You'll notice after the first layer of powder that there's not a whole lot of sheen or color difference there. That will happen. This is why we do two layers.

After your first layer has been buffed in, Carefully, with extremely light pressure on the brush, apply another layer of the ORLY base coat on top of the powder. This step is critical. Do NOT go over your nail more than twice with the brush, because if you do it will remove some of the powder and make it look streaky. This needs to be done in one swoop motion with a second only for light touchups.

Let the base coat dry fully again. After the base coat has dried fully, follow the same process of dabbing the powder on, then rubbing it in. If you would like, you can repeat this step one more time for additional coverage.

5. Apply Top Coat

After you have finished your layers of powder and ORLY base coat, it is time to apply your top coat, which will protect the powder for even longer. My favorite top coat to use with powders is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat. It is not actual gel, but it dries to look in a similar fashion, and helps my nail polish stay on longer without chipping. This top coat is my go-to for any nail look.

Again with the top coat, you need to use a light hand and as few strokes as possible. Let this dry fully. After the top coat has fully dried, peel off the latex around your nails. There will still be some residue to clean up, but not nearly as much as if you didn't have the latex. To clean up the residue around your nail bed, dip a Q-Tip in acetone nail polish remover and gently rub around the nail, being careful to avoid any contact with the nail itself so that you don't accidentally rub off your nail polish.

Results

After your layers have fully dried, you will end up with beautiful, multichrome nails that last for about a week and a half. Depending on your line of work, this could increase or decrease how much time the polish will stay without chipping. If you are in a role where you have to do a lot of typing, you may notice more chipping than someone who doesn't spend a lot of time typing.

I hope this tutorial was informative. The most important parts are the ORLY base coat and the Sally Hansen top coat. Without those, your multichrome or holographic effect will not show up as well.

Happy Nail Painting!

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.

Sheryl, a Transformational Therapist with qualifications in all areas of beauty, specialises in working with women from the inside out.

Introduction to the Application of Lipstick

Lips are a noticeable feature on the face! They are soft, sensitive, and pliable. Being an extension of the inner mouth and a tactile sensory organ, lips serve for many different functions apart from the application of colour. These include expression (smiling and making funny faces), along with verbalising sound. Falling under the classification of an erogenous zone, lips are also used for kissing and other intimate pleasures. When it comes to makeup and the introduction of lipstick, working in the industry myself as a beauty therapist and makeup artist, I quite often hear “play up your best facial feature”. While this is a general recommendation and one of course worth following, I believe and teach outside the box with that theory. The appearance and surface structure of your lips are different in shapes, with the categories for creativity being limitless. Before delving into lipstick application, let’s take a look at the lip structure and importance of personal care and hygiene.

Understanding the Lip Structure

The lips composition falls under three cellular layers. The outer surface is known as the stratum corneum; this is the protective covering. Once the cells reach this layer, they are dead. Underneath the stratum corneum, we find the epidermis. This layer is responsible for the production of melanocytes and new cells. Melanocytes produce melanin and give our skin its pigment. However the production of these cells are absent in the lips. The dermis is the innermost layer and is where the blood vessels are tightly compacted together giving the lips with their reddish/pink pigment. These delicate blood-filled capillaries are located just under the surface of the skin, and are visible due to the thin layers of the stratum corneum and epidermis.

The skin of the lips does not produce a hair follicle or sebaceous (oil) gland, which is the skins resource for moisturising. If your lips become dry or irritated, I do not recommend licking them, instead apply a moisturising lip balm 2-3 times daily. From the age of 25-30 years of age, our bodies become less capable of generating and producing collagen (firmness) and elastin (stretch) therefore we begin to experience the first signs of aging with fine lines, sagging, wrinkles and thinning lips. Hyaluronic acid is also an essential component as it adds volume and plumpness by binding cells and absorbing water 1,000 times heavier than its own weight. It promotes the youthful vibrant appearance and assists with the production of collagen, when it’s unavailable we see the loss of lustre and shape.

Maintaining Good Health and Personal Care of Your Lips

Due to the fact that the lips are without a sebaceous gland for moisturising, it makes them susceptible to irritation and vulnerable to the environmental elements and bacterial infections. The lips rely on saliva to keep them moisturised, along with the surrounding oil glands on the facial tissue. In most cases, this is the reason why lips become rough, dry and chapped, especially in harsh weather conditions. When it comes to home care and good maintenance, I recommend the use a good quality facial wash, one that’s formulation is devoid of soap or chemicals that will cause irritation and dryness-follow this with the application of coconut oil, olive oil or a moisturising lip balm. To promote healthy lip care and prolong the length of your lipstick coverage, it is best to gently exfoliate your lips once to twice a week, removing the layer of dead skin cells. Home remedies are often the best and most affordable.

What to Look for When Purchasing Lipstick

As with most cosmetic products on the market, there is a vast range of lipstick colours and manufacturers. Marketing from such manufacturers promotes and generates the belief that a particular product(s) is a necessity, and essential to your make-up kit. Most consumers purchase online, however if you are a tactile person and purchase your cosmetics from a department store, pharmacy or cosmetic distributor, I always recommend doing the research on the product prior to purchasing. Information and awareness with the composition of the ingredients in a lipstick is of great importance, as some companies still use lead and other undesirable nasties.

It has become a growing concern amongst consumers with hypersensitivity and allergic reactions to many products on the market. As beauty therapists and make-up artists, it is our duty of care to make all customers and clientele aware. When it comes to allergies of particular preservatives, emollients, perfumes, flavourings and ingredients, there are many make-up brands and organic alternatives within cosmetics available which cater for sensitivities and intolerances such as gluten, sugar and the likes. What is applied to the lips, is consumed into the body! Another valuable tip.. once in-store never apply a lipstick directly to your lips, proceed to ask the make-up representative to remove the top layer or do so yourself using an on-counter spatula or tissue, and apply using a disposable lip brush, you never know who has placed the tester directly to their lips prior to you.

What You Will Need to Apply Lipstick

• Lip liner (natural tone + matching lipstick shade)
• Lip primer
• Lipstick
• Concealer
• X3 fine lipstick brushes

Ensure lips are cleansed and moisturised before applying lip primer to the top and bottom lips with a fine lip brush or applicator stick, and allow for drying time (approximately 2 minutes). The use of a primer, promotes the long wear of your lipstick, and assists with filling in any imperfections, ridges or small scars on the lips. Primer combined with a lip liner will prevent your lipstick from bleeding.

Apply lip liner (natural tone) to the lips, ensuring the tip is sharpened with a point for a clean line. Starting at the Cupid ’s bow (centre of the lip), work your way down either side- proceeding to the bottom lip. When you have finished your line, fill in the entire lips with the liner, then proceed to apply the matching lip shade liner over the top of line that you have created. I recommend a natural tone liner to be used prior to colour, as it promotes longevity of your lipstick. A natural tone liner also assists with an uneven lip line, once you have applied the liner, stand back and observe, ensuring your lips are symmetrical, once even fill in with colour.

Using a clean lip brush, apply your lipstick over the top of the base that you have created. If you don’t have a desired colour in your make-up kit, improvise mixing eye-shadow with primer or lip gloss, the same applies with a lip liner. Apply gloss over the top of your lipstick if desired.

When you have finished applying your lipstick, to clean up the edges and give sharpness to your lip line, apply a small amount of concealer (matching your skin tone), using a fine lip brush to the outer edges of your lips and feather outwards with the use of your brush. This will disguise the concealer, creating definition to your lips.

Making Thinner Lips Appear Fuller

If you have thin lips and desire a fuller look, apply the lip liner outside of the edge of your lips and fill in with colour. Highlight the centre of your lips with a lighter colour or with gloss, this will promote a fuller looking lip. Using a lighter colour in the centre also accentuates an ombre look and creates a sexy pout.

Making Fuller Lips Appear Thinner

When applying your make-up base, cover the edges of a fuller lip with the make-up. Line the inner edge of your lips with a natural or coloured lip liner, then fill in with colour. This will draw attention away from a fuller lip, giving more emphasis on other facial features.

© 2018 Sienna May

I have a degree in ancient history and a passion for reading, cooking, DIY projects, tea, science fiction, and a myriad of other subjects.

I love drag queens—their style, sparkle, sass, artistic sensibilities, and most of all, their confidence. As a resident of San Francisco, I've been fortunate enough to see live productions starring drag royalty like Peaches Christ and Bob the Drag Queen, as well as attend local events organized by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a world famous charity and activist group whose organizers consist of gay men dressed as drag versions of Catholic nuns.

My latest obsession is binge-watching RuPaul's Drag Race on Netflix. While watching season 8, I was inspired by Kim Chi's dream to one day start her own cosmetic company. I wondered whether or not she had achieved it, so I turned to Google to find out if any Kim Chi makeup lines existed. While she hasn't started her own cosmetic company (yet), I was pleased to see that she has released two product collaborations with Sugarpill Cosmetics, a liquid lipstick and a pressed eyeshadow.

I became curious about whether or not other queens have inspired, endorsed, co-created, or collaborated on cosmetic lines, so I did some research. Below is a comprehensive list of drag queen products.

1. Kim Chi + Sugarpill Cosmetics

You're in luck if you're looking to buy, girlfriend. Kim Chi's liquid lip color and pressed eyeshadow are still available for purchase. Announced in May of 2016, just days after the grand finale of RuPaul's Drag Race season 8 where Kim Chi was a runner up to the title of America's Next Drag Superstar, the eyeshadow and lip color were released a few months later in September. Both products got good reviews, and the lip color even smells like donuts as an homage to Kim's famous "donut come for me" line from the show.

I couldn't resist trying Kim's products myself. You can see mine in the image above. The colors are beautiful and the liquid lipstick really does smell like donuts.

2. Divine + Kat Von D

The I Am Divine eyeshadow palette and the Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick in Divine are also both still available for sale, but this is an extremely limited release, so it's unlikely they'll be around for long. Launched in February of 2018, Kat Von D describes this homage collection to the late queen as a celebration of self-expression and positivity. The names of each of the shades in the eyeshadow palette were chosen to honor Divine's most iconic performances; Babs, Hard Magic, Baltimore, Waters, Filthy, Pink Flamingo, Female Trouble, and Hairspray.

3. William, Detox, and Vicky Vox + Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

This collection debuted in May of 2013, so readers will have a rough time finding the products for sale, though some might get lucky with online marketplaces like eBay or Poshmark. The collection featured a series of 6 lip tars with matching nail polish. Each of the famous Hollywood queens was featured on the packaging for two shades: William was featured on the ANIME and NSFW shades, Detox on the BLACK DAHLIA and STRUMPET shades, and Vicky Vox on the KAVA KAVA and Grandma shades.

4. RuPaul + Colorevolution

Mama Ru herself has released a line of cosmetics with California-based Colorevolution in November of 2013, and you can still find them for sale! The collection includes a Glamazon unisex fragrance and a Glamazon Limited Edition Gift Set that includes a blush, two pressed eyeshadows, lipgloss, a waterproof eye pencil, a mascara, and a liquid liner.

Sadly, a few of the products are limited edition and are no longer available for sale, though some can still be found for resale on marketplaces like eBay or Poshmark. Hopefully the cult success of past lines will inspire more collabs in the future. I know I can't wait for new products that will help us everyday peasants channel the fierce queens we know and love. I'm here for it!

Comments

Christy Kirwan (author) from San Francisco on March 29, 2018:

@Natalie I'm so jealous. I'm a fan but I never had the opportunity to see Divine in person.

Natalie Frank from Chicago, IL on March 28, 2018:

I lived in DC for almost 10 years and every Halloween there was a high heel drag queen race in Dupont Circle. I went several times and had a lot of fun. I also had the opportunity to meet Divine with a boyfriend who was from Baltimore and see him perform. He was amazing in John Water's films but in person was really something else.

Sheryl, a Transformational Therapist with qualifications in all areas of beauty, specialises in working with women from the inside out.

There are so many ways to be creative with nails to improve and uplift the appearance of your hands. It is important to care for your nails as it helps to keep them healthy and hygienic. They can provide important information regarding your health that can indicate nutritional deficiencies. Our nails are made of layers of protein called keratin, a protein also found in hair and skin. On average, your fingernails grow at rate of about 2-3 millimetres per month, therefore it takes around 4-6 months for regeneration. Due to the fact that our nails sit outside the body and at the tips of our fingers and toes, they do encounter a lot of abuse through knocks and chemicals. For good home maintenance, here are some tips and techniques for home manicures and healthy nail care.

Nail Care and Healthy Eating

Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is essential to good nail development and growth. For nails to be in a healthy state, it is essential that you consume high amounts of calcium, which can be found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. This will assist you in avoiding the discolouration, splitting or cracking of your nails. The body also requires an adequate intact of vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, phosphorous, folic acid, silica and vitamin D, working in synergy to maintain good nail health. Keep your body hydrated, a minimum of two litres of water per day is recommended to prevent chipping and promote nail durability. Eating foods rich in iron is a must! Ridges and fragile nails can be an indication to the deficiency of iron present in your body, you may even notice hangnails and white spots on your fingers. Foods such as red meats, certain species of fish, lentils, fresh vegetables, soy and whole grain products just to name a few, will increase and stabilize your iron levels, and if you are vegan or vegetarian, supplementing is highly recommended.

What You Will Need in Your Manicure Kit

• Nail polish remover
• Cotton balls
• Cotton tips
• Nail file
• Nail clippers or scissors
• Nail buffer block
• Nail buffer (polisher)
• Base and top coat
• Nail polish
• Vaseline
• Hand and nail oil or moisturiser

Step 1

Remove old polish using nail polish remover and cotton balls. I recommend the use of non-acetone polish remover over acetone polish removers due to it retains the nails natural lubricating oils, preventing them from becoming brittle. If your nails are quite long, before trimming down with your nail clippers, it’s best to soak your hands in a bowl of warm water and an essential oil if you have one available, this will soften the nail and prevent it stressing by ripping as you remove the unwanted length.

Step 2

It is important to maintain your nails with regular trimming using sharp clippers or nail scissors—if they are blunt they will do damage to your nails. The best way to trim your nails is to cut them straight across until they are medium length.

Step 3

Take your nail file and begin to shape your neatly trimmed nails. Rule of thumb when filing—never see-saw the sides and tips of your nails with your file as it will make the nails more susceptible to peeling and breakage. Gently run the file across your nail in one direction only. Begin at the outside edge (the bridge of the nail) ensuring that you file straight up, once you reach the tip, begin to file pulling towards the centre. The reason that we file the bridge straight up and not rounded is that the bridge gives the nail more strength to withstand bumps and knocks to nails on a daily basis.

Step 4

Time to buff your nails. Buffing your nails is equivalent to brushing your teeth—it brightens and gives the nails a more youthful appearance. Buffing your nails stimulates blood circulation and assists in the removal of built up natural oils that can affect the duration of the final polish. You can use a see-saw motion across each nail and down into the cuticle. Once you have finished buffing with the sponge block, you can go over the top of your nails with the smooth buffer, giving your nails shine. Give your nails a rinse with water removing any nail dust from the outer edges and you are ready to polish.

Step 5

Base coat is necessary to apply before your nail polish as it will give a smoother coverage to your final colour coat. It is important to use a high-quality base coat as it nourishes, strengthens, fills in the ridges and protects against stains. Some base coats today come standard within the coloured nail polish.

Step 6

Apply a very small amount of Vaseline on the skin around the edge of your nails using a cotton tip. This will assist with clean up of the edges if you paint outside the lines, ensuring that you keep the Vaseline of the nails or your polish won’t adhere. The key to a successful polish is to only load enough product onto your brush to cover the entire nail. Three strips down each nail are all that is required, one stroke down the centre, followed by one stroke down each side. Tidy up any polish applied on the cuticle and outer edges using a clean cotton tip and nail polish remover. Allow this coat to dry before applying a second coat using the same technique. The final touch is using a quality top coat to ensure shine and durability to your nail polish. Once dried, massage a small amount of moisturiser or oil to the cuticles and outer edges of your nails. Walla! You are done.

Step 7

Time to clean up! Good sanitisation of your tools is important to prevent infection by stopping the spread of bacteria next time you manicure your nails. In a tub of warm water, place your tools in an anti-bacterial solution and clean with a tooth brush. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and allow drying naturally on a towel before putting away for next time.

Cuticle Care

A hand massage will stimulate the blood flow assisting in the strong healthy growth of your nails, however if you are active with your hands within your daily work this will naturally stimulate the tips of your fingers, promoting good blood circulation which provides fast growth and strength in your nails. Cuticle care is important especially if your work is related to a field where your hands are constantly in water. An excess of water makes the skin dry by withdrawing sebum (natural oil), hot water can cause dilation of the capillaries leading to redness and high amounts of alcohol will dehydrate your skin and nails, creating hard nails and leading to premature aging. I recommend maintaining hydration and applying a daily hand and nail moisturiser to your hands, massaging the cream into your cuticles to prevent them for becoming hard and uncomfortable.

Handy Tip for Stained Nails

To remove stains and clean your nails, place your hands or feet into a half filled large bowl of room temperature water and add in one and half tablespoons of lemon juice, which is a mild astringent and useful for stain removal. Soak for a couple of minutes and remove rinsing your nails in warm-hot running water. Finish with massaging moisturiser into your hands and feet paying particular attention to your nails.

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.

© 2018 Sienna May

Sheryl, a Transformational Therapist with qualifications in all areas of beauty, specialises in working with women from the inside out.

Makeup is the creative expression of how you see yourself. If you look good, you feel good! Its transforming effects have a unique impact on our appearance and personality, adding an element of self-confidence. Makeup application can vary depending on what you set out to create. A great place to start is learning new tips and tricks on the correct way to enhance your features with the most basic natural makeup.

Where to Begin?

Before we learn new tips and tricks, we first need to select a makeup that best suits you and delivers a flawless long-lasting result. With the vast range of makeup companies and beauty products available throughout department stores, pharmacies and beauty stockists, it can be quite daunting with where to begin?

I always start with “do you have any reactions to selected ingredients in products?” Most people are unaware as to whether they are hypersensitive to problematic ingredients, essential oils and formulations. However, as a makeup artist and beauty therapist, I see this issue come up a good majority of the time. When shopping for makeup, I recommend “try before you buy.” This allows you to experience the feel of the makeup on your skin as contraindications to any of the ingredients will present themselves during the trialing application or soon after.

Having allergies and intolerances myself, I have moved into the direction of natural mineral makeup, being vegan and gluten free. I have confidence in knowing it’s safe to apply to my clientele’s skin without any concerns of an allergic reaction and it can be worn everyday with benefits for any age group and skin type. Of course, at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and price point. Once you have purchased your makeup, a quality set of brushes to assist you with the application is a must. Again, many of the above-mentioned companies stock a range of suitable brushes. Keep your set small and simple—too many brushes just causes confusion and I believe less is more.

Things You Will Need in Your Makeup Kit

• Hand sanitiser
• Facial wipes
• Cleanser, toner, moisturiser, and exfoliator
• Cotton tips and tissues
• Foundation primer
• Concealer
• Foundation
• Loose powder
• Blush colours
• Eye shadow
• Eyeliner and brow product
• Mascara
• Lip pencils
• Lipsticks and gloss
• Tweezers for stray brows and false lashes application
• Spatula
• Pencil sharpener
• Makeup brushes
• Makeup brush cleaner

Step 1

Skin Preparation: Skin needs to be cleansed, toned, and moisturised prior to makeup application. For best results, I recommend facial exfoliation twice a week—this will ensure a smoother coverage for easier product transfer.

Step 2

Foundation Primer: The base work is the most important for long-wearing makeup. Your primer will assist in evening out skin textures giving a flawless base to work with, especially when it comes to enlarged pores, oily or dry patches, fine lines, and wrinkles. Apply foundation primer evenly to the face using a flat foundation brush or your fingers—if you are using an eye and lip primer for fine lines or small facial scars, apply with an eye shadow brush or fingers. Using your hands, gently press into your skin.

Step 3

Concealer: It's used to disguise blemishes, lighten dark circles, and blend areas of discolouration such as age spots and pigmentation. Of course, you can go one step further with colour corrector. Your concealer needs to be one to two shades lighter than your foundation and work in tandem to give the appearance of an even skin tone. For lightening dark circles under the eyes, I recommend applying a pink-based concealer as this will not only draw attention away from this area, it will counteract the darkness opening up the eyes. Apply your concealer to the corners of the eye with an eye shadow brush, extending under the lash line and paying particular attention to any problem areas. Gently blend using your index finger—the warmth of your finger will assist in setting the product.

Step 4

Foundation: It provides an even skin tone and achieves a flawless complexion. It is most important when selecting the correct foundation that you consider your skin type and colour, matching your face, neck, and decolletage. Another important factor is the skin has three different pigment undertones, pink, yellow and neutral. How do you know which one you are? I recommend performing a test match for foundation on your jaw line using three different shades, when the colour is noticeable on your skin it’s the wrong colour, if it blends that’s the shade for you. With skins that reflect redness or broken capillaries, proceed to a neutral undertone. Apply foundation using a round or flat foundation brush, with the round brush you would use a swirling motion over the entire face. Start at the nose and work your way outwards, feathering under the jaw line. When application is complete, gently press your face into your hands, setting your foundation.

Step 5

Eye Shadow: There are many ways of applying eye shadow to create different effects and correct different eye shapes. A rule to remember with eye shadow is that light colours open the eyes and dark colours close them, for mature age eyes use less shimmer and more matte shades. Once you have product on your brush, before applying to the eyes tap your brush or use the back of your hand as a palette so that the excess product doesn’t end up under the eyes causing fall out, this can be tedious to remove.

Lid: Using a flat eye shadow brush, blend a soft pale colour across the entire eye lid stopping at the crease—this is the base tone and will open up the eye area.

Crease: Using an eye shadow blender brush, apply a medium to dark shade, creating a C shape design starting half way across the crease of the eye and extending outwards to the outer corners. Once you have your C design, blend out with the blender brush, using feather strokes to soften the look.

Eyeliner: It gives definition and makes the eyes pop. Using a brown eye liner pencil and starting at the outer corners of the eyes, use feathered strokes across the lash line to the inner corners of the eyes. Do the same along the bottom lashes stopping just short of half way. To soften the lines, smudge the liner with an angular makeup brush or add eye shadow over the top.

Step 6

Mascara: My personal preference when using mascara is to volumise. Apply your mascara starting with brushing from the top of the lashes then turn over giggling and sweeping your mascara in an upward motion. Use gentle strokes in a downward motion across the bottom lashes. For a more dramatic look, apply a second layer.

Step 7

Eyebrows: The eyebrows frame the face and add expression and character. Using the line of your own natural brows, apply a brown eye shadow with an angular brush feather, stroking in an upward motion along your brows.

Step 8

Blush: It gives colour to the face, enhancing your natural features. Using a blush brush apply powder blush or eye shadow to the apples of the cheeks extending upward towards the hairline near the ear lobes. Remember with powder on your brush, tap first before application to remove excess product.

Step 9

Lip Liner and Colour: Lip liner provides an outline to work with and prevents your lipstick from bleeding. Starting at the Cupid’s bow, outline your lips using your lip liner pencil working your way outwards, continuing down and around the bottom of the lips. To create a base for long lasting lipstick, fill in the entire top and bottom lips with your pencil. Next apply the lipstick over the top using a fine lip brush, this gives you more control of the product and long lasting results.

Step 10

You have created the natural makeup look which can be used for any age group.

Cleaning Your Brushes: It’s important to keep your brushes clean and free from harmful bacteria. To do this, I always wash my brushes with baby shampoo and warm water. Individually wash each brush in a basin of warm water then rinse each one thoroughly. Place your brushes on a towel to dry, allow the edge of the bristles to overhang. This ensures that the brush hairs stay intact, prolonging the life of your brushes. Pristine clean brushes perform better giving you a flawless finish to your makeup.

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.

© 2018 Sienna May

Middle-aged women are forgotten about by retailers. I offer help with clothing choices, skincare, and healthy eating for the mature woman.

Mascara for Older Ladies

Recently, I had a woman email me asking for my advice about mascara for mature women. She contacted me after reading an article I had written about eyebrow pencils for gray hair and was curious about the rest of my eye makeup routine.

I had to stop and think about whether I had changed my makeup over the years without realizing it. It turns out, I had. Sometimes these choices were subtle and other times quite drastic. When I began thinking about how aging changes our face, I realized it isn't just a change of color we need to make—there is much more to consider.

Should You Curl Your Eyelashes?

Like most women, I always wanted long lashes that curled up and framed my eyes, but I didn't have those. Mine are straight and blonde at the ends. In other words, they aren't framing my face; they are just there doing their job of keeping dust and particles out of my eyes.
I will tell you, when I go out, I curl my lashes. There are some drawbacks, though. One thing I have always hated was the look from the side. It created a sharp angle that looked unnatural. From the front, it looked great. The lashes fanned out, which was the look I was after. Of course, I could never get both eyes to look the same. Perhaps, it's the same for you. When I was younger, I used a sewing pin to separate the lashes. That was pretty dangerous, and thank goodness nothing happened. Now my hands aren't as steady. Whether it's my coffee consumption or just a sign of aging, I'm not sure. I no longer use a pin, only the tip of the mascara brush or a lash comb.
Although I currently curl my lashes, I can see that this may have to change as I age. As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag. Gravity is a bitch! Wouldn't you agree with this, ladies? You may think that this has nothing to do with using an eyelash curler, but it does. The skin on the upper eyelid below the eyebrow begins to droop. It may also fall at the sides. A friend of mine had her eyes lifted, saying it interfered with her driving. I questioned that, but it is what she told her medical insurance company, so she decided it was an okay reason to give me. I don't know why some women make themselves feel guilty about having cosmetic surgery. Everyone is conscious of the way they look, and if you want something done and can afford it, do it.
If you have deep-set, drooping, or hooded eyes and try to curl the lashes, they touch the skin above. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it also leaves smudges where the mascara is rubbing. Even if you look down until your mascara is dry, you'll get a dirty smudgy line by the end of the day. I've included a video further down the article where a woman with hooded eyes demonstrates her makeup routine.

False Eyelashes

In my family, false eyelashes seem to have jumped a generation. My mother loved them and so does my daughter. Perhaps they weren't the 'in' thing when I was growing up but they are once again popular. They are also more accepted now.

There are different types, some you can wear for a few weeks and others should be removed at the end of the day when you remove the rest of your makeup.

If you have problems wearing mascara, give false eyelashes a try.

Colors of Mascara

When the woman I mentioned in the first paragraph sent me the email, I had to stop and think, had I changed my mascara. Yes, I have, and although I thought this was because I was trying different brands, it was more than that. I was altering my look to suit my age. When I was younger, I wore black to give myself a dramatic look. Now, I prefer a brown as black looks too harsh on me. As we age, our skin color changes and becomes less rosy and more ashen. Black mascara can give us a hard unappealing look. It may work for Morticia in the Addams Family, but less is more for the rest of us.

Although you may think there are just variants of black and brown, there are several mascara colors, for example, blue, pink, and white. In my opinion, garish colors should be left for the younger crowd.
Sometimes it can be challenging to change as we have become comfortable with our look and continue to use the same product just because we have in the past.

Sensitive Eyes

If you've noticed your eyes are now more sensitive than they once were, you may opt for mascara specifically for sensitive eyes. Choose one that has been humanely tested and won't irritate. The irritation in mascara can come from a few different areas. It could be the mixture of ingredients or even fibers. Avoid mascaras with fibrous particles in them that attach themselves to the eyelashes, thus building volume. These tend to flake off during the day and fall into the eye or onto your cheekbones.

Ethically Produced

The cosmetic industry has seen the market for ethically produced makeup. These might include ingredients that are organic or have not used animals. Some of these may be from well-known large manufactures and others from companies that specialize in only ethically produced products and may have branched out and begun making cosmetics.
Some of the mascara ingredients can cause the glands to dry up, causing dry eyes, especially in women over 50. It's worth looking at the list of ingredients to be sure you're not sensitive to them.

Wearing Glasses

If you wear glasses, applying makeup can pose a few problems. It can be difficult when applying eye shadow and mascara. If your eyesight prevents you from safely applying mascara, try using a magnifying glass. I have seen, as I'm sure you have, those glasses that flip down to allow makeup to be applied. I've never tried them but would be interested to hear if you have, and how well they worked for you.

The other consideration is the length of your eyelashes, especially if you wear false eyelashes. Check that your eyelashes aren't going to hit the lenses or the upper frame. For reading, I wear narrow glasses and have noticed when I look up, my eyelashes hit the frame. For me, it isn't a big problem as I only wear my glasses at night for reading and I always remove my makeup before going to bed.

Eyeliner

If you don't feel your mascara has enough impact if it isn't black and heavily applied, consider eyeliner. Both the liquid and the pencil are great alternatives if you don't want to or can't wear mascara. It still can draw attention to the eye. Now, however, at our age, our eyelids aren't as smooth as they once were. It's like painting on crepe paper! Avoid the desire to straighten out the skin by pulling on the eyelid. Instead, use your non-applying hand to lift your eyebrow. Goodness knows we don't want to be making more wrinkles than is necessary. Here too, heavy eyeliner can be aging, so go easy on the amount you use.

Eyeshadow Colors for Mature Women

Your makeup colors are your own choice but if you're revamping your mascara, now may be a good time for a total change. If you love the color you use, perhaps a toned down shade. Browns, creams, and peach work well together. These are the colors I choose now where I used to wear charcoals, grays, and a muted white.

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.

Questions & Answers

Question: I keep hearing that, for mature women, you should not put eyeliner on the bottom. Is that true?

Answer: I believe people are referring to the inside edge of the lower eye. I know women who do this, and I personally don't think it is a good idea. I am referring to the area between the eyeball and the lashes, not below the lashes.

Using liner below the lashes, isn't a problem except that it can get caught in the wrinkles and folds, and gives an aging look.

Question: I wanted to clarify about hooded lids, I’ve always called them German eyes, it is true they can droop enough to interfere with vision. My mom had the surgery years ago for that reason. Second, question - why different brands? Example the eyeliner. As a 61 year young women who has never been much good at makeup, I value your opinion.

Answer: Regarding the different brands, I use products I like and that work well for me. I am definitely not a 'brand groupie'. If I find a product I love, I stick with it. However, I do like to experiment with other manufacturers.

Question: What mascara is easiest to apply for mature women with limited sight?

Answer: I can't recommend a brand that I feel is better than others but I do have some ideas that you can try. Opt for a short mascara brush and one that has a short handle. If the handle is long, move your hand nearer to the brush. The shorter the brush the more control you'll have. Using a lighted magnifying mirror is helpful.

As I mentioned in the article, don't use a mascara with fibers, you don't want the irritation of a fiber in your eye.

Instead of moving the brush to the eye, rest your elbow on a table if possible and move your face forward. Blink over the mascara brush. Slowly move your head while keeping the brush still. You'll be less likely to have an accident. Relax and take your time.

© 2018 Mary Wickison

Comments

Elizabeth Valentine on November 26, 2019:

I find using mascara that make lashes curl up shows pink waterline not a good look.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on February 13, 2019:

Hi Audrey,

I think we are both in the same boat, straight and short. You're right curling them and applying mascara can really open them up.

Thanks for the share.

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on January 23, 2019:

Thanks, Mary, for this helpful hub. What an informative guide on makeup for older women. My eyelashes are straight and short. I curl them which really does give my eyes a better look.

I'll be sharing this article with other women.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on January 21, 2019:

Hi Linda,

You're more than welcome. I too like to use an eyeliner, as you say, it helps create a better look, especially as our lashes begin to thin.

Great to hear from you. Thanks.

Linda Chechar from Arizona on January 15, 2019:

Thanks for these great mascara tips. My lashes have thinned and they're not nearly as long as they were. I continue trying different mascaras. I have started using eyeliner which does enhance the look of my lashes.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on September 04, 2018:

Oh Shauna, I feel for you.

Until that redness on your eyelids goes, you're right not to wear any makeup. It could be an allergy, or a type of contact dermatitis. That could be caused by a reaction to a change of face soap, shampoo, laundry soap etc.

I have noticed dark circles from too much computer time.

The lady who does the hooded eye tutorial, explains her technique well.

Thanks for reading.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on August 17, 2018:

Mary, in the last couple of years my eyes have gone from big and bright to hooded. I hate it. My eyelids are also now pink (have no idea why!). I haven't worn eye shadow in years, but until a few months ago, I'd wear mascara and maybe some eyeliner on the lower lid. I've even cut that out now because I seem to have a problem with my eyes becoming red and irritated on a regular basis. I know it's a combination of age, droopy upper lids, and working on a computer 40 hours a week. I also wear glasses now.

I never wore a lot of makeup when I was younger, with the exception of eye shadow and mascara. Now I don't do my eyes at all. I wear Almay pressed powder on my face, blush and pink lipstick. That's it. On weekends I go bare-faced.

I'm definitely going to watch the hooded eye tutorial. And yes, getting older is a Bitch. Why can't our skin and bodies keep up with our minds?

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on June 05, 2018:

Glad you enjoyed it. The woman in the video isn't me, but I felt she explained it so clearly, I felt it would be a benefit to the readers.

Thanks for reading and your comment.

Gribbie on June 03, 2018:

The video of you applying makeup to hooded eyes is the most informative and sensible one I have ever watched. ***** to you.

Will buy the products you named as I need a better look. Thank you.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on April 28, 2018:

Hi Angie,

I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for reading.

Christine Watson on April 28, 2018:

Hi Angie

Thank you for the tutorial for hooded eyes. I will be trying the tips. Great video.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on April 16, 2018:

Hi Audrey,

What a great tip, I will have to try that. I am finding it more difficult to curl my eyelashes as I get older. I also like the idea the woman in the video mentioned about curling it twice to make it look more natural.

Great to hear from you, thanks for your comment.

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on April 15, 2018:

Thanks, Mary, for these helpful tips. I am in the group of aging women who qualify for the "over-the-hill" group. But what a marvelous climb it has been. I love this hub and I'm all for curling the eyelashes. Mine are naturally straight. I apply a little heat to the eyelash curler, using my hair dryer. It's helps the lashes to curl faster and holds the curl longer.

Super hub!

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on April 13, 2018:

I do wonder who comes up with such wacky ideas. What good is such a long wand?

I think you'll like the one from Ecco.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

C Garcia on April 03, 2018:

Great tips but I was also looking for a mascara recommendation. I have been waiting for my Estee Lauder (Sumptuous Extreme) to run low so I can switch. The wand is tooooooooo long (don't know what they were thinking!), the wand is heavy and the mascara flakes and smudges easily.

I'll give the Ecco Bella a try. Thanks.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on March 16, 2018:

Hi Dianna,

I think the adage about teaching old dogs new tricks is wrong. I love discovering new ways to improve. If I can find a way to do something better, I am up for the challenge.

There are so many talented ladies who have found a life hack for making the eye look lifted.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed the article. Have a wonderful weekend..

Dianna Mendez on March 16, 2018:

You have made my day! I am on the hunt for a good mascara and I will try the Ecco Bella brand next purchase. As I age, I am finding makeup to enhance the process but you must know how to apply it properly. Thank you for the helpful suggestions.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on March 15, 2018:

Hi Audrey,

Isn't it funny, the more comfortable we are in ourselves, as we age, the less makeup we use.

I just wonder if it is in fact, a mask we wear. You're right, keep it simple.

Thanks for your comment.

Audrey Howitt from California on March 12, 2018:

I use less and less makeup--even when I makeup at all--I need to use it for professional reasons, but a little mascara and lip gloss is about it for me--good ideas here Mary! Thank you!

Nikki Khan from London on March 10, 2018:

Your daughter is right regarding extensions, may be I should wear them occasionally to get used to them.And hopefully would find some great mascara as well.Thanks for the extensions tip dear.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on March 10, 2018:

Hi Nikki,

We have to love the products we use, so keep looking and I am certain you'll find one that's perfect for you.

Regarding the extensions, according to my daughter, the more you use them, the easier it gets.

Thanks for reading and I hope you find a great mascara.

Nikki Khan from London on March 08, 2018:

Some great tips Mary to wear mascara, I have one from Mac but I am not really satisfied with it.Need to try some other brand and may be colour.

I am not very good with extension lashes, so just wear them sometimes.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on March 08, 2018:

Hi Thelma,

I think many of us have changed our daily routine with makeup. When I was younger, I didn't want to go to the shops unless I had my 'face on'.

I'm pleased you found the information useful, great to hear from you.

Thelma Alberts from Germany on March 07, 2018:

Great and very informative hub. I seldom wear mascara and have not used eyelash curler in my life. It is indeed difficult to apply mascara as I get older. Thanks for sharing Mary. I have learned a lot from this hub.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on March 07, 2018:

The key is to go subtle. Toning down the colors and opting for demure instead of dramatic. I think we get into a routine where it is easier to not wear it, but if we make a little effort, we can get back into the habit. I always feel more confident when I have makeup on.

Give it a whirl again and see how you go.

Thanks for reading.

Jo Miller on March 06, 2018:

I haven't used eye makeup for years. I just think it is unbecoming as we age. This article makes me want to try some again, though. Thanks for all of the information.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on March 01, 2018:

Hi Dora,

Regarding the sagging, I have found if I wear a high bun or ponytail, it is amazing how many years i can remove.

Great to hear from you.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on March 01, 2018:

Ouch, that has to hurt!

If you're wearing contact, then definitely look for a sensitive mascara. Also avoid ones which are beginning to dry out, you don't want bits falling into your eye.

Thanks for reading.

Natalie Frank from Chicago, IL on February 28, 2018:

Great article. I haven't considered whether I need to change mascara as I get older. I still use blackest black and liquid eyeliner. But I do have trouble applying it as I wear glasses and with my contacts I need magnifying glasses which makes it tough to apply. The number of times I have stuck the wand in my eye is frustrating - I never though of a simple magnifying glass! Plus the mascara for sensitive eyes - I haven't even seen it but will be looking for it. Thanks for the article.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on February 28, 2018:

Hi Linda,

I think we can get so excited about a new shade or the hype surrounding a product, we forget to delve a bit deeper.

For so many things we have always done without thinking, we need to slow down and reevaluate what we are doing and using.

Maybe this is the wisdom that comes with age.

Thanks for your comment.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on February 28, 2018:

Hi Ruth,

I think it's all about staying adaptable and doing what we feel is best for us.

I agree with the curler, they do pull. I once had an unexpected sneeze when I was curling, nearly ripped my eyelashes out!

Thanks for your comment.

CaribTales on February 28, 2018:

Mary, I agree that the sagging and the drooping is against us. I admire you for keeping up and sharing all these beauty ideas.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on February 27, 2018:

Thank you for sharing the makeup tips and for reminding us about safe ingredients and the use of animal testing, Mary.

Ruth Coffee from Zionsville, Indiana on February 27, 2018:

Good info. Everything changes as you get older. I stopped using mascara altogether around 50. My lashes aren't as thick and it just didn't seem worth it except on a special night out. However, I did start using eyeliner (which I didn't really use when I was younger) and I wear it only on my top lid. Love it. Love not having to pull on my lashes with a curler too.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on February 27, 2018:

Hi Jill,

We all seem to be aware of the additives in food but not in our cosmetics. We disagree with animals testing but don't look into what is being used that needs testing.

It's especially important when we think it is being put near our eyes.

Glad you liked the video. Although it's quite long, I felt she made some valid points about possible problems and finding a work around solution.

Thanks for reading.

Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on February 27, 2018:

I'll bet you never knew how much we women have to consider when choosing our makeup. Guys just throw on a shirt and jeans and they are ready. Not so for us women.

I do, however, appreciate your support.

Jill Spencer from United States on February 27, 2018:

I hadn't thought about the additives. Thanks for a thoughtful article. I liked the video tutorial, too.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on February 27, 2018:

Not in this lifetime for this guy. Just stopping by to wish you a great week.