This guide will navigate the world of kids’ makeup, breaking down the key ingredients to avoid, where most products are manufactured, how they’re made, and what to look for when making a purchase.

Ingredients to Avoid

Several ingredients commonly found in cosmetics can potentially harm a child’s delicate skin. Among them are parabens, artificial dyes, fragrances, and talc.

1. Parabens are preservatives often used in cosmetics to increase their shelf life. They’ve been linked to hormonal disruption, which is a particular concern for growing children.
2. Artificial dyes and fragrances can cause allergies and skin irritation. Always look for products free from synthetic colors and fragrances.
3. Talc, a mineral used in powders, has been associated with respiratory issues and is also controversial due to its potential contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogen.

Where and How Kid’s Makeup is Made

A large portion of children’s makeup is manufactured in China. While this doesn’t automatically mean the products are unsafe, different countries have varying regulations concerning cosmetics production. For instance, the EU bans over 1,300 substances in cosmetics, while the US only bans around 30. Therefore, it’s crucial to buy from reputable brands that prioritize safety and quality, regardless of where their products are made.

Children’s makeup is typically made like any other cosmetic product. Ingredients are mixed, heated, and then cooled in molds to create the final product. This process should take place in a clean, controlled environment to ensure the product’s safety and quality.

What to Look for When Buying Kid’s Makeup

When purchasing makeup for kids, look for products labeled as non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and free from parabens, artificial dyes, and fragrances. Brands that are transparent about their ingredients are typically more trustworthy.

It’s also wise to look for makeup sets designed specifically for children. These products are typically formulated to be extra gentle and easy to remove, reducing the risk of skin irritation.

Additionally, consider the age guidelines on the product. Not all makeup is suitable for all ages. For instance, some products might be safe for a teenager but too harsh for a younger child.

Finally, always do a patch test with any new product. Apply a small amount of the product to your child’s arm and wait 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs. This can help prevent potential allergic reactions or skin irritation.

The Bottom Line

While kids’ makeup can be a fun way for children to express themselves and engage in imaginative play, it’s important to ensure that the products they’re using are safe and suitable for their young, sensitive skin. By understanding the ingredients in these products and knowing what to look for, you can make informed decisions that allow your little ones to enjoy their makeup playtime without compromising their health and safety.

Source: beautyalist.com 

Image: Pexels

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It seems the industry is almost completely ignoring their main target market. Because of this, older women are often left to their own devices when it comes to applying makeup. If you’re feeling lost, we’ve rounded up our favourite products and makeup tips for older women so you can feel confident and beautiful every single day!

1. Wear Sunscreen Everyday
While you should implement this your entire life, sunscreen is incredibly important for aging skin. The sooner you start the better, but it’s never too late. Wear sunscreen under your makeup everyday, whether it’s sunny or cloudy outside and whether you’ll be spending the day inside or outside. Sunscreen should be part of your everyday skincare routine, no matter what, even in the winter.

2. Avoid Using Too Much Foundation
Mature skin tends to be on the drier side and has more fine lines, so you’ll want to stay away from heavier foundations that settle into crevices. You also may not need to use it on your entire face if you don’t need a ton of coverage. Opt for a hydrating foundation and only use it on areas where you need a little extra coverage for blemishes and pigmentation.

3. Try Cream and Liquid Products
Cream or liquid foundations and cream blushes and bronzers can be a game-changer for mature skin. Powder can settle in fine lines and emphasize wrinkles, specifically around your eye area. Skin also tends to get drier as you mature, so cream products will provide your skin with more moisture. Plus, a little goes a long way with cream formulas and you can often use them interchangeably on the lips, cheeks and eyes.

4. Look for Skin-Plumping Ingredients
As we age, the production of collagen on our skin slows down, and things like sun damage and environmental stressors lead to a lack of moisture in the skin. This can leave mature skin dry and sagging. To combat this, look for primers, foundations and concealers with skin-plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and antioxidants. This will add a youthful boost to your skin and feed your complexion with the right ingredients.

5. Play with Brighter Colours
Darker shades can dull out to mature skin. Shades like peach, orange and soft pink add brightness to your makeup look, specifically with your cheek, eyeshadow and lip products. They’ll bring a youthful appearance to your look, just make sure to apply them with a lighter hand.

Source: merakilane

Image: Pexels

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We guarantee it was down to a lighting issue. No worries, there are some easy fixes you can make to ensure you’re getting the best light for your look.

It probably won’t come as a surprise that the best lighting for applying makeup is natural light. You can’t exactly nip out onto the street with your mirror and kit, so find a place in your home that is near a window. This may mean setting up a little desk, or simply taking your products of the day to the couch.

My bathroom at home has hopeless light, and my bedroom is internal so it’s rather dark. What I do is apply my base, blush, and highlight in the bathroom, then pop into the lounge with a hand mirror to double check. Because I know my products are correctly color-matched, it’s not a biggie to apply them under sub-par light. Checking under the natural light in the lounge just ensures I have blended properly and everything is where it should be.

You may not have a suitable way of accessing natural light at your place, and that’s okay! After natural light, white bulbs are the next best thing. White light won’t mess with your skin tone by casting a yellow or rose wash over your complexion. White light “tells it as it is” and gives you an accurate gauge of how your makeup looks.

What to avoid

Steer clear of fluorescent lights, dim (or “mood”) light, and light that leans too far on the yellow side. Lights that are too harsh (fluoro) will lead you to overdo your base and pack on too much bronzer and blush. Lights that cast shadows or add color to your skin can lead to overdone concealer and off color placement.

Source: Liveglam

Image: Pexels

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The easy-to-use DIY manicure staple not only saves money and time going to the salon, but it lets you customize your nail designs as often as you want.

But the one drawback to press-ons that we hear often is that they can be changed too easily — many find it hard to keep their press-on nails from popping off quickly after application. Well, that stops here, as we’re sharing five simple tips on how to make press on nails last longer.

How Do You Keep Press On Nails From Popping Off?

The key to making press-ons last like gel nails or an acrylic manicure is in the application process. Of course the quality of your adhesive is important, but there are other things you can also do to extend the life of your press-on nails.

1. Clean Your Nail Beds With the Right Product

If you have oily nail beds then you know how important it is to clean them before getting a manicure — gel, traditional or otherwise — to avoid premature chipping. Before you start your press-on set, clean your nail beds and the base of the press on nails with acetone polish remover. This will help you remove excess oil from your nail and any leftover polish or gel residue you may have on your nails from a previous manicure.

Just be careful when wiping the press-on with the remover, acetone is used to remove gel and other highly cross-linked varnishes. One light swipe inside the nail is all you need, and if you’re concerned about the quality of your press-on nails opt for non-acetone nail polish remover for this step.

2. Buff Your Nails Before Application

After you’ve fitted each nail and laid them out in front of you, take a glass nail file or a sanding block and give your natural nails a light buffing. Be gentle, the goal is just to create some texture for your nail adhesive or glue to stick to. This also helps you avoid air pockets that cause press-on nails to pop off quickly.

3. Double Glue Your Nails

You know how double cleansing your skin is beneficial to removing makeup and getting rid of impurities, dirt and pollution — this step is nothing like that in process, but it’s just as beneficial when it comes to making your press-on set last. Add a thin layer of nail glue or adhesive to your natural nail and be sure to cover it completely. Then add a drop of nail glue to the inside base of the press-on, avoiding the free edge. The glue in the press-on will naturally be drawn to the glue on your nail and they’ll grab onto each other, adding an extra layer of bonding.

Make sure you coat the nails well to avoid air bubbles as they create pockets between your nail and the press-on. If air gets into the adhesive your nails may be popping off before the end of the day — and no one wants that after all their hard work.

4. Apply Pressure for Ample Time

Simply placing the press-on nails onto your nails isn’t enough to get them to stay no matter what the packaging says. You have to apply pressure in the center of the nail for at least 10 seconds (on each nail) and pinch the sides while you do it to get the best possible nail bed fit.

5. Cure Like a Gel Manicure

We understand that some press-on sets will come already painted and designed and need no extra work once you’ve applied them. If that’s the case then you’re all done. But if your nails need to be painted then this presents another opportunity to add some staying power to your press-on nails.

After you’ve painted your nails with gel polish, cure them under a UV lamp. Cure each nail as you polish it, then cure the entire hand once you’ve completed all your nails. This will give your adhesive more hold, resulting in a press-on manicure that lasts just as long as your salon gel set. If you have a pack of pre-painted gel nails you may be able to cure those too, just check the packaging for warnings first.

When your press-ons are a week old, give them a light top coat to freshen up the color and keep them looking new.

Can You Put Gel Over Press On Nails?

Like we said above, if you’re using press-ons that need to be painted once applied it’s okay to put gel polish over them and cure them under a UV lamp. If you’re using pre-painted press-on nails, be careful as the gel could ruin your nails. Check with the brand before you cure pre-designed press-ons and if it won’t present an issue, cure away.

How Long Do Press On Nails Usually Last?

A set of press-on nails will typically last for about one week but if you follow the tips above and take care of your nails they could stay intact for two to three weeks (or until you remove them). If you want to remove press-on nails before they come off on their own, be sure to follow the proper steps like you would when removing gel nails or removing acrylic nails and follow up with hand care to keep your natural nails looking and feeling healthy.

Source: lorealparisusa

Written By Shalwah Evans

Image: Pexels

The post 5 Tips to Make Your Press-On Nails Last for Weeks appeared first on NK Beauty.

Regardless of your brow situation, you can clean them up in a way that makes them appear natural by filling them in using specific techniques, tools, and colors.

But these techniques aren’t limited to fixing brow mishaps. If you already have a great shape and you’re looking to enhance your look, several strokes of color can bring out your eyes. Light brows tend to disappear, especially when wearing a full face of makeup, so they can be more defined with some color. You can easily take care of light and sparse areas with pencil, powder, or mousse.

Brush Eyebrows First

Before filling in your brows, use a brow brush or spoolie to brush your brows upwards. Although primarily used as a mascara applicator, a spoolie brush can work here too. Its spiraled bristles can shape brows and blend in eyebrow filler. After you fill in your brows, you can brush them upward again to blend in the color and shape any unruly hairs.

Choose a Color

If you have dark hair, pick a color that is a shade or two lighter than the natural color of your brows. On the other hand, if you have light hair and are deepening your brows, you can opt for a tone that’s a half to one shade darker.

Select the Right Tools and Products

Beginners can try the popular Japonesque Eyebrow Kit which has all the tools you need to define your eyebrows. If purchasing products individually, consider whether an eyebrow powder, pencil, or mousse would best fit you and your brows. When you’re just getting started, it will take some time to learn which tools work best for your brows and how to use the product correctly for the best results:

• If you’re using a powder, get a stiff angled brush. The stiff bristles of the brush are great for control when putting the product on and defining your eyebrow shape. Apply the powder in angles by following the way your hair is growing.
• Those choosing a pencil will find that they’re great for filling in sparse spots. Work their magic by lightly holding the pencil and drawing hair strokes in the sparse areas. You can also use a stiff angled brush or an eyebrow brush here to soften the lines as needed.
• When opting for a mousse, you can cover gray brows, instantly deepen hair color, and provide some holding power. Simply stroke on your brows like you put mascara on your lashes—just avoid putting multiple coats on your brows.

Apply Products Carefully

Ensure you have a mirror. Whichever method you choose, use a light hand and stray away from using too much product. Don’t press on the skin hard, either. It’s always easier to add color than it is to remove it. This kind of fine-tuning will help you to manage your product so that you don’t over-do it by accident. As you’re working on your brows, stand back and look at them from a distance in the mirror. This will help you see if they’re appearing visually balanced and natural.

If you find that the color you chose is too dark or the wrong tone, it will look like you painted on fake eyebrows. Don’t be afraid to ask your salesperson for testers. It’s hard to tell how the product will look on you and your brow hair by simply glancing at the tube or color printed on the package.

Shape Your Eyebrows

When it comes to shaping your eyebrows for a natural (rather than dramatic) look, consider what would best complement your face shape. The main thing you want to do is create some shape by using small hair-like strokes. Make sure that the front of your brows aren’t squared off or appear too harsh. You also don’t want to overextend the tail end of your eyebrow, which can draw your face down. Finally, for a natural look, avoid an arch that is too pointy or over-exaggerated and instead focus on a simple and smooth curve.

Source: Byrdie

Image: Pexels

The post Tips on how to get perfect eyebrows without going to a salon appeared first on NK Beauty.

Use a primer, it helps with getting rid of your pores and will make your foundation look 10x better.

Always use a primer before applying eyeshadow, if you don’t have a primer then use concealer, it works as well. Make sure you set the primer/concealer before you start putting eyeshadow on, this will make your eyeshadow blend so so so much more flawlessly.

Learn the layout of your face and where things line up and go. Learning things like where the tail of your brow should end based off the angle from the edge of your nostril and the corner of your eye, or how eyebrows only come in as far as the outside of your nose, or finding the arch of your brow by lining a brush up off the edge of your nostril and directly through your pupil. Where to apply highlight, where to put contour (under your cheekbones/in the hollows of your cheeks) will honestly save your life. It’s the technical part to doing and applying your makeup that makes it look pulled together.

Learn what eyebrow shape goes with your face shape; just because “on fleek” eyebrows look good on Kim Kardashian doesn’t mean that you have the face shape for them also.

Know your undertone. This will make a difference in what foundation you buy. You don’t want to have a yellow undertone and be buying foundation for a pink undertone because it won’t match your skin as flawlessly and it’ll honestly just make you look artificial.

Get more pigmented eyeshadow by dampening your brush, keep in mind that it won’t blend as well if the brush is wet so make sure you have another brush to blend with that’s dry.

Learn how to contour your nose based on your nose shape, it’s not the same for all noses. Basically just learn the layout of your face, memorize that shit to the point that you’d be able to do your contouring without a mirror.

Exfoliate and moisturize your lips by scrubbing all the dead skin off with either a lip scrub or just scrubbing it off, and then put on so much chapstick that your lips practically slide when they touch because of how much chapstick you have on. Do this before bed.

Exfoliate often and make sure you have no dead skin on your face before doing your makeup.

Blend beneath your jawline. Good grief, make sure you blend down past your jawline and into your hairline, but not onto your hair.

Get rid of excess lipstick by putting a piece of paper or a tissue in between your lips and lightly closing your lips down on the paper. This will get rid of all the lipstick that’s in too far on your lips.

Get any lipstick to be matte by putting a tissue over your lipstick and then applying a translucent mattifying powder with a brush on top of the tissue where your lips are. When you move the tissue the lipstick should be matte.

Baking helps so much with setting your makeup. Baking your face will help prevent creasing on your under eyes where your concealer is and in other places that you crease as well. I highly suggest baking your face.

Don’t put foundation in the areas underneath of your eyes where you put your concealer, you’re unnecessarily layering your makeup and making it thicker and cakier there than it would be otherwise. Try to avoid putting foundation under your eyes where your concealer is, but make sure you thoroughly blend your concealer into your foundation so you can’t tell that they were done separately, if that makes sense.

Source: quora

Written by Bex Marie

Image: Unsplashed

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But what will beauty look like in 2022?

Mintel’s Category Director – Beauty & Personal Care Roshida Khanom explores three key beauty trends that are set to dominate this year.

Consumer education is more important than ever

The thirst for knowledge is going to be ramped up as consumers look for proof before purchase, researching things like product effectiveness and natural ingredients. Recent Mintel research found that nearly a third of UK facial skincare users research the ingredients used in skincare products to find out how effective a product is.

Information at the point of purchase is more important than ever before as people have low attention spans and want information instantly – beauty brands will need to find creative ways to give consumers information on demand while shopping, especially in stores where on-shelf and on-pack space is limited.

Custom Beauty – Make it for me

Consumers are increasingly rejecting one-size-fits-all, and want products created especially for them: over a third of UK facial skincare users are interested in using skincare formulas that are personalised to their needs.

Personalised beauty products and packaging, customisable formulas and DIY beauty kits are going to have appeal as consumers seek to treat their specific beauty needs. Beauty by life stage is also going to gain traction as people want solutions better targeted to them, and we’ve already seen mass-market players tap into menopausal beauty.

Beauty with a cause

Consumers are buying with a conscience, and beauty brands will need to be transparent about their ethical practices as well as their opinions on topical issues.

Sustainability claims in beauty products have become mainstream and still remain at the top of the agenda for consumers, but they’re also looking at brands’ commitments to things like diversity and equity, as well as ethical supply chain practices.

Source: premiumbeautynews

Image: Unsplashed – freestocks

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There’s something about defined, magnified lips that manages to pull an entire look together. And while dangerous cupping tutorials and injection stories have certainly made the rounds on the internet, there’s a 100 percent safe way to create the look up plump lips: With makeup.

It’s easy to create the appearance of larger lips, you’ll just need lip liner, a lip color, concealer, and highlight. The key to this look is contrast and definition, making dark areas darker and lighter areas even lighter, without compromising the sharp, clean lines that separate your lips from the rest of your skin. Don’t worry, because it’s way easier than it.

Step One: Outline Your Lips With a Skin Tone Lip Liner

The first step is all about creating a crisp outline to frame your lips, using a smooth lip pencil. “Use a shade that’s just deeper than the shade of your lips,” Matin says. “I’m filling in the contours of the lips, not all the way around, coloring in the outsides by basically shading it. I’m leaving the inside almost clean.” You may choose to slightly exceed the line where your lips meet your skin in order to create the appearance of larger lips.

Step Two: Fill in Your Lips With a Light Lip Color

Just like we accentuated the darker outline of the lips in step one, now we’ll be accentuating the lighter center of the lips (where your top and bottom lips meet). “The lighter the color lipstick you use, the plumper the lip look. Darker lipsticks make your lips look smaller, while lighter lipsticks make them poutier.” You can use a lip stain, lipstick, a lip tint, or a lip crayon for this step, whichever formula works best for you.

Step Three: Apply Lip Gloss to the Center of Your Lips

Focusing on the center line where top and bottom lips meet, apply a high-shine lip gloss. Opt for a shade that’s two or three shades lighter than the lip liner you chose. This contrast helps create the optical illusion of plump lips.

Step Four: Define Your Outer Lip Line With Concealer

“Just use a touch of [concealer] in the corner of the lips to really sharpen the corners,” Matin says. Essentially, you’re tracing outside of the line you created with lip liner in step one using concealer to create even more contrast and definition—the key to a 3-D, pouty lip. As a finishing touch, you can also add a dusting of highlight to the Cupid’s bow.

Source: byrdie

Image: Pexels

The post This is how to make your lips look larger (No Injections Required) appeared first on NK Beauty.

Standing tall, feeling confident, believing in yourself — these are all important ways to feel your best.

But as any woman who’s ever stood in front of a mirror can tell you, beauty secrets count too!

While the way we look may be only one part of who we are, it is still a part of us. And feeling that you look your best can be a real confidence booster.

Looking your best doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, either. Experts say most of us really only need to pay attention to a few basic beauty secrets – essentials that can help you look and feel great without spending a lot of time or money.

To help you find the beauty tips that really work, WebMD talked to top skin care and beauty experts, who parted with their personal tips for looking great:

The post 5 Beauty Tips Every Woman Should Know! appeared first on NK Beauty.

But when it comes to the most popular beauty trends, each country has its own style. There are so many ways to interpret beauty. Things we find attractive or interesting may be completely opposite across the world. Whether beauty trends are inspired by culture, tradition, or society, it is amazing to see how women worldwide seem to find confidence in their beauty routines.

Some go for full glam while others focus on their hair or brows. The standard of beauty can be so distinct, yet it all comes back to the power that beauty has. It enhances our self-esteem and lets us define beauty for ourselves. So what are the most popular beauty trends around the world?

Japan

In Japan, a look described as “doll face” is wildly popular. This makeup look helps the face appear more youthful and round. Applying blush directly beneath the eyes gives women the rosy cheeks that children tend to have naturally. Also, applying mascara and even false eyelashes to widen the eyes adds a bit of child-like curiosity to the look. Colored contacts are also often used to enhance the eyes as well.

South Africa

It seems anti-aging is an international trend that all women are reaching for. Specifically in South Africa, drinking certain teas is a common way to reveal younger-looking skin. From plumpness to preventing wrinkles, women rely on the ingredients in tea to achieve results more so than expensive creams, as we often do in the US. This might be something to consider for yourself. Have you seen the women from South Africa? They radiate a healthy and youthful glow.

India

In India, long and glossy hair seems to be the focus. Although makeup is growing more popular every day, it appears beautiful and luscious locks are still the go-to. Most women use oils to help their hair remain healthy and retain shine. And as many Indian women naturally have thick and strong hair, women from western regions tend to covet this look.

Arabic

Arab society has an overwhelmingly large population of Muslim women. In many cases, this means women cover most of their faces. So the focus of beauty here is the eyes. Using black kohl liner seems to be the standard to draw attention to the eyes, but more recently, winged eyeliner and newer trends are surfacing to truly let the eyes speak for themselves.

Korea

Korea is a beauty hub for the rest of the world, especially when it comes to skincare. The US beauty market has been long inspired by the K beauty sensations like BB and CC creams and even cushion makeup. Flushed and glowy skin is all the rage in Korea, and the primary way to attain this look seems to be intense hydration. From face masks to creams and lightweight, dewy foundations, skincare is the focus in Korea.

United Kingdom

You may already know that full brows are a go-to in the UK. And it is not just fullness, but a natural and almost bushy look that is popular in London. Dubai follows a similar trend, but along with bold brows, they tend to be more straight and flat when it comes to shaping. The UK seems to reach for a higher arch when shaping the brows. But either way, steering clear of tweezers altogether is a must-have.

Latin American

A favored beauty trend in Latin America is using colored liner on the lower lash line, AKA reverse eyeliner. These shades tend to be quite bold, like neon green or electric blue. Even bright yellows, oranges, and pinks are becoming the norm. This look also seems to be gaining quite a bit of traction in Hollywood as of late.

France

Finally, there is France which tends to admire a more natural look. There is a low maintenance quality to France’s idea of beauty. Air-dried hair, light makeup, and using fewer products appear to be the routine. And to add a touch of chicness to a makeup look, an orangey-red lipstick seems to be the perfect pop of color and flare. Otherwise, the model-off-duty look is wildly popular every day.

Source: YouBeauty.com

Image: Adobe Stock – By deagreez

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