Beauty Tips for Men & Women

How To Get A French Manicure

2008-07-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

STEP 1
It's essential to prepare your hands and nails before applying nail polish. First, exfoliate your hands by massaging them using a small amount of body scrub. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly. One of the main causes of chapped hands is not drying them properly after washing.

STEP 2
File your nails. they are brittle or tend to split, keep them flat across the top with smooth, rounded edges. When filing, move in one direction, from outer corner to centre-sawing movements can damage the nail plate. Choose a nail file with a fine surface that glides over the nail.

STEP 3
Coat hands in a layer of sweet almond oil, to norish and soften, then wrap in a warm towel and relax for 15 minutes. Unwrap, and gently push back cuticles using a rubber hoof stick (available from most chemists). Never use cuticle clippers, as they can nick the skin. Rinse hands with warm water and dry thoroughly to remove any oil residue.

STEP 4
Apply one coat of base coat over your entire nail and allow a couple of minutes to dry. This will help strengthen the nail. Some products also level fine ridges and imperfections, leaving a smooth surface to apply polish. There's a wide range of base coats to choose from.

STEP 5
For a square look, paint a straight line across the tips; for a rounded appearance, follow the curve of the nail; and to get a pointed style, paint in from each side to the centre. Some manicure kits include sticky strips to use as a guide. when applying, lay your hand on a flat surface and keep the ball of your painting hand steady and keep the ball of your painting hand steady by resting it on the same surface. Leave to dry.

STEP 6
Finally, apply a coat of translucent shell-pink nail polishover the entire nail to seal the whitened tip and complete the look. Allow 10 minutes for it to dry. For extra shine and protection, apply a clear, glossy top coat.

French manicure

Curly Hair

2008-07-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

Curls, tussles, waves, twists are back bigger than ever! Trend setting Celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys at the Grammy wore sexy curls. Even Justin Timberlake did - but he can't help it.

It's a matter of convenience, less time doing your hair and more time having fun. Girls just want to have fun!

Prepare and get those curls bouncing, they're in!
For a loose sexy style curl scrunch your hair using a medium-to-strong gel. If you mix a little silk serum to soften, that's fine. Flip your head entirely over when scrunching. Try to bunch the hair in handfuls and keep the heat flowing between your fingers through your hair. After it's dry let it stay and cool for a minute, then flip it up.

To create loose curls, use a soft shine wax on the ends, if you want it to hold go in and curl with your finger any piece that did not curl so well, use some hairspray and Voila! If you want just a little wave use the soft shine wax from root to end.

If you want moving bouncing curls, invest in some hot rollers sold at Wal-Mart. Set your hair, it should take 10 minutes to heat and curl. Take the rollers out and before putting any product on it piece out the curls one by one. If you want a tighter curl, spray a little hairspray before wrapping the the hair on the roller. Spray the hairspray on your hair, not the roller itself. The harder the spray, the firmer it holds.

If you already have natural curly or wavy hair, lucky you; just remember to visit your stylist and get some long layers to revamp your curl. The same products apply in your case. Ask your Salon for more details

Sexy Lips Tips

2008-07-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

1. Apply emollient balm before putting the color. This is will hydrate your lips and make an even tone.

2. With a short and light strokes. Use a neutral colored pencil to trace around the perimeter of your lips. After it's done you can use desired color pencil you want to fill in your entire mouth.

3. To increase the size of your lips use a matching gloss or high shine lipstick. Apply the gloss or lipstick with a lip brush to make sure that color is evenly distributed.

4. To prevent bleeding dab a translucent powder around the edges of your lips.

How To Shake Dandruff Flakes Away

2008-07-03T06:09:00.002-07:00

If you have dandruff, do not worry about being alone with your problem. With one out of every two people in the entire world having, or having had, that same problem as yours, you are definitely not alone with it. Dandruff is a common hair problem. Embarrassing indeed, but a very, very common problem nonetheless.

What causes dandruff? Well, you see, our entire skin, from our scalps to the soles of our feet, sheds dead skin cells on a daily basis. We get a complete coating of new skin every 28 days or so, but we hardly even notice it.

Our bodies also play host to a lot of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, feeding off on the sebaceous oils that our skin produces. Our scalp in particular is home to a kind of fungus called malassezia fungus, and its food is the oils produced by the hair follicles of our scalp. Dandruff happens when, for some reason or another, the malassezia fungus goes crazy and irritates our scalp, causing the dead skin to shed a lot faster. So, instead of shedding the dead skin cells of our scalp for a month, the shedding happens in less than two weeks, and the oil that our hair follicles produce cause these dead skin cells to clump together and become dandruff. Until now, the factors that trigger this phenomenon with the malassezia fungus are still the subject of research.

Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, and it can recur despite your best efforts. But with proper hair care, the recurrence of dandruff can be controlled. The best way to keep the flakes at bay is to shampoo your hair every day - picture perfect hair.

Dandruff can, of course, become stubborn, so if washing everyday with your regular shampoo does not stop the flakes from becoming haywire, the next best thing to do would be to start using anti-dandruff shampoos. Look for anti-dandruff shampoos with zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. To keep your scalp from developing immunity to these shampoos, go ahead and rotate brands at least once a month.

For optimum results, you can lather your hair with the shampoo of your choice twice. The first wash will clear the scalp of the flakes and the oil buildup. The second one would let the chemicals in the shampoo get absorbed by the scalp - haute hair.

You can also try homemade remedies to wash the flakes away and to keep the dandruff from recurring. What is considered the best homemade remedy to dandruff is a vinegar wash. Mix two teaspoons of vinegar with six teaspoons of water and rub it against your scalp before you go to bed, then wrap your head with a towel. Apply the same solution to your hair once again in the morning when you wake up, then rinse it with water. You do not have to worry about the smell of vinegar in your hair, as the smell of vinegar does evaporate eventually.

Whatever you do, never, ever scratch the clumps with your fingernails. It will cause wounds on your scalp.

Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, but it is not unmanageable. Just take good care of your hair and the flakes will go away.

Inexpensive Face Masks

2008-07-03T06:09:00.001-07:00

Inexpensive face mask treatments from your cupboard

* MAYONNAISE. Apply whole egg mayonnaise on your face (right from the jar) for about 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Great skin care treatment.

* PEACH & BRANDY. Mash up a peach (use ripe, canned or frozen) and mix in a tablespoon of brandy. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse off.

* TOMATO MASK. For oily skin, mash up a ripe tomato and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm (not hot) water.

* BANANA MASH. Mash up a very ripe banana. Add just enough honey to make a soft pulp. Apply over face and hair. This is such a great firming mask that aging movie stars have been known to put it in the cups of their bras to make their breasts "perky." (Just make sure that you don't use too much honey and you use a sturdy bra.)

* HONEY MASK. Apply pure honey (straight from the bottle) to your face and neck. Allow it to set until dry (about 15 minutes). Rinse with very warm water.

* MILK OF MAGNESIA. Apply it straight from the bottle. Let it dry for about five to ten minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then gently pat your face dry with a fluffy towel.

* PEPTO BISMOL. This is a face mask particularly suited for those with sensitive skin. In the same way that this product coats the stomach, it gently caresses the face. Apply it straight from the bottle, using a cotton swab. Allow to dry, then rinse with cool water.

Lining Eyes

2008-07-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

It takes steady hands and the near precision of a neurosurgeon to put on eyeliner. We asked makeup artist Pamela McNeally for the tips that will save you 4 years of medical school:

# Dust a sheer, loose powder on the upper and lower lids so the eyeliner sticks better. If you are going to curl your lashes, do it now. (Otherwise you could smudge the line.)
# Choose the right formula. For a cleanstraight line, use a liquid version (try one with felt tip, like those from Lancome or L'Oreal). To create a softer, more subtle line, pencils are best.
# Rest your elbow on a hard surface to minimize shaking. Start in the middle of the eyelid, and drag the liner to the inner corner of the eye, drawing as close to the lashes as possible. Go back to the center of the of the eyelid and repeat the process outward.
# To make your eyes look smoky, dab eye shadow (in a similar shade) over the line and lightly fan it out. This will also help the liner stay in place.
# If the liner smudges, don't reapply more. Instead, clean up the line with a dampened Q-tip.

Beauty Tips For Eyebrows

2008-07-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

Your eyebrows add strength and definition to your face. Well groomed eyebrows enhance your beauty

You should pluck eyebrows before bedtime so any redness will disappear overnight. In shaping your eyebrows use your facial features.

Use a pair of slant edge tweezers which grip hairs easily. Comb hairs one way and then the other to remove loose hairs.

You should pluck hairs between the brows and any stragglers. Never remove the hairs from above your eyebrows.

Pluck each hair individually close to the root. Work in the direction of the growth.

Always avoid over plucking. In defining your eyebrows choose a shade similar to your natural hair colour.

When using a pencil you should apply in small, feathered strokes. Starting at the inner corner work outwards.
Blend the colour with a brush. To tame stray hairs just use hair gel and comb through to neaten.

Eye Makeup Tips and Tricks

2008-07-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

No matter if blue, brown, hazel or green, eyes have been referred to as windows to the soul, giving those who exchange glances the power to better grasp one's personality and emotions. Eyes reveal joy and elation as much as they uncover sadness, melancholy and distress. Sometimes pensive, mischievous or mysterious, eyes can let us in on little secrets we might otherwise miss in dealings with people we know and love.

Eyes can exercise a special power of seduction by casting an enchanting gaze in another's direction. A wink can signal a special understanding or remind another of an inside joke or amusing memory. Eyes also key into flirtation a great deal. Cartoons and old movies always show the femme fatales batting their long, dark eyelashes in an attempt to attract the men.

No matter what your motives, playing up the looks of your eyes will bring a natural definition to your facial features while accentuating perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic on your visage. The main makeup components you may want to consider when dressing up your pretty peepers Retro Eyes are mascara - Lashes Unlimited, eye shadow and possibly eyeliner, though sometimes pressed powder or a light foundation will work wonders for circles under the eyes.

Eye Shadow Artistic Palettes

Depending on the hues you wish to use, you can get a little colorful and creative with the wide selection of products for eyelids on the market. No longer do you have to sift through dozens of shades of eye shadow powder looking for the perfect blend now you can accessorize your eyes with a beautiful array of powders - see Evangeline Lilly, creams and glittery dustings. Traditional eye shadow powders are very easy to use with small applicator brushes and foam pads. For a dimensional look, blend two colors of powder or one color of powder atop a cream shadow base.

With cream-based eye shadows, less really is more. The cream shadows generally come in small squeeze tubes that really enhance the look of your eyes with a light application across the lid, reaching up to your brows if you wish.

Not sure about colors? Go with something neutral, like Uma Thruman, the first couple of times until you get the hang of it. Apply a light dusting of bronze, tan - see Bronze Ambition or other shimmery transparent color for a gentle hint of color.

Mascara

When selecting mascara, many factors come into play, with each brand's newest addition to the line claiming bigger and better benefits. From thickening to lengthening to blackest black, waterproof and curling, each mascara product has a special offering of its own. Considering your own lashes, choose one that best suits your needs.

If you wish to avoid that scary-looking metal eyelash curler that appears more like an ancient torture devise, opt for a product that contains a curling formula. Choose the color you want to wear - black, brown or even navy blue. With so many options available, you can add a couple types of mascara to your collection and change your look as often as you like!

Generally, applying two coats of mascara will give enough definition to lashes to really make a difference. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second in an effort to prevent clumping. If some of the mascara accidentally brushes onto your eyelids or underneath, simply use a q-tip to remove it. This may necessitate touching up your eye shadow a bit.

Eyeliner

To really define your eyes, apply a thin line of eyeliner in black or brown, khaki, plum or navy. To properly apply the eyeliner pencil or liquid liner, gently pull the corner of your eye outward, forming a straight line along your lashes. Starting at the inside corner and working toward the outside, delicately trace a line with the pencil angled toward your lashes.

Be careful how much eyeliner you apply, as a little really does go a long way. For a dramatic look, thicker and darker is very acceptable. For a subtle definition, stick with a lighter application.

Eyebrow Waxing

2008-07-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

Unless you have very sensitive skin, waxing is a quick and relatively easy alternative to plucking your eyebrows. Although it is generally best to get eyebrows waxed professionally it can be expensive - up to around $15 (Rs.600-1000) as a general rule, although salons do differ. If you have a tighter budget, or if you are feeling fairly brave, here are some simple steps for you to try at home...

1) Preparing the Eyebrow

Brush the eyebrow into place with a baby toothbrush or clean mascara wand, so that their natural shape is neatly defined. Next, apply an astringent such as witch hazel to anesthetize the sensitive skin under the brow. Work out your natural brow shape by standing several feet away from a mirror, and following these simple steps

Working out the length of the eyebrow

Hold a ruler parallel to your nose, and level with the inner corner of the eye, to work out where the brow should begin. If your eyes are close together, make the gap between the brows wider. If your eyes are far apart, don't wax the start line of the brow too much so that they are closer together. Mark the correct point with a dot.

Working out the curve of the eyebrow

You can work out where the highest point of the curve/ arch should be by holding a ruler from the edge of the nostril past the outer edge of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and up to the eyebrow. Mark the spot with a dot.

Final planning

Now link up the dots in a gentle arch to draw on the ideal shape of the eyebrow that you want to achieve. This will give you a guideline to go by when applying the wax. You should aim for a smooth arched brow that tapers slightly at the outer ends.

2) Applying the Wax

Buy a professional waxing kit - basically a jar or tub of wax which can be warmed up in boiling water and applied with a small applicator or spatula, and (usually muslin) removal strips. Each product varies slightly, so be sure to read the manufacturers directions carefully.

Warm up the wax to optimum temperature and use the small spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to the growth. Make sure that you only use a small amount of wax on the spatula to avoid the wax dripping when it is applied. Apply wax with the hair growth under the eyebrow, (i.e. in the same direction that the hair grows in). You don't need to use much, and you should not let the wax dry.

3) Removing the Hair

This is the painful bit! Ouch!!

Never wax above the eyebrow, only ever shape from below. Waxing from under the brow will widen your eyes and help to get the line even. This will make you look younger and much more glamorous if done correctly! As soon as it is applied remove the wax against the hair growth, (i.e. in the opposite direction that the hair grows in). This is done by gently smoothing a piece of cotton muslin over the waxed area, pulling the skin taut with one hand, and pulling the muslin off with the other.

It is a good idea to take a little hair off at a time, especially if you have fairly this growth. You will be surprised how much difference a little hair removal will make to your appearance.

4) The Aftermath

Any straggly hairs left over after waxing can be easily plucked out using a set of good tweezers. Apply a soothing balm like tea tree oil onto the area afterwards. You should avoid direct sunlight, acid based facial treatments, and liquid makeup for several hours.

To give the gorgeous new eyebrow shape emphasis, use an eyebrow pencil or tinted brow shadow to subtly fill in any gaps, and even out the natural color tone. Don't worry if you make mistakes, even if you have bald patches or empty spaces. Practice makes perfect, and anyway, the hair will have grown back before you know it!!