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I’m tired. You’re tired. My stomach is full and my bank account is… drained, sufficiently. So here’s something that should feel as refreshing as a raw vegetable right about now: Ten expert beauty tips that won’t cost you anything at all. That’s right, they’re completely free, extremely effective, and did I mention they’re free? I’ll be making my way down this list as I wait for my online purchases to arrive.

The Setting Mist

People, this sounds crazy, I know, but please exercise some trust here. Cleanse and moisturize, business as usual. Then apply your face makeup. Then get in the shower. The steam will blend your concealer, make it look more natural, and set it to help it last longer. It’s kind of like baking, except without all the extra product. Lightly pat anything that needs more blending when you get out, et voilà.

The Steam Room

Hot water vapor! It’s the necessary, included-in-your-utilities amenity that keeps on giving. If you have curly hair, it can help hydrate and give bounce to your curls. Run the shower turned all the way hot—don’t worry, you’re not getting into it, you’re just going to hang out on the toilet in its general vicinity. To take it to the next level, make it a deep conditioning treatment using a hair mask and a shower cap. Make a mental note next time you stay in a hotel to steal the shower cap—also take the sewing kit. And the slippers. You live in a spa now!

Bonus tip: This works the opposite way on clothes, conveniently. Hang wrinkled clothes in the bathroom while you take a hot shower to smooth out lines.

The Clear Solution

It’s the cute ones that hurt you the most. Well, maybe not hurt—but probably itch, and definitely turn your skin a weird green-blue color. Coating the back of cheap earrings and rings with clear nail polish creates a shellacked barrier between the metal and your skin, so you can go on wearing them. You really can’t tell at all, and it works.

The Lip Scrub

Did your toothbrush come in a multi-pack? You could save the extras for hypothetical overnight guests, or you could break into them now for a very important reason: You. Apply a little bit of balm, and make light circles on your lips to gently exfoliate. Put on more balm, wait five minutes for it to absorb, and you’ll have the perfect canvas for matte lipstick. No rough bits to be found.

Bonus tip: Grab another toothbrush and make it your hair spare! Spray with a little Elnett to brush up eyebrows, tame flyaways, and style your edges.

The Close Shave

The jury’s still out on whether hot water or cold water is better for shaving. What’s known for sure is that hot water dehydrates skin. Running a sharp razor along your face (or other body parts) daily can already lead to irritation, so minimize it by shaving with cold water. Less irritation equals fewer shaving bumps, and you’re less likely to get ingrown hairs with skin that’s not as dehydrated.

The Bathroom Break Blotter

What’s in a blotting paper? A blotting paper by any other name would blot as well. Case in point: The toilet seat covers in your office bathroom. Thin like a blotting paper, absorbent like a blotting paper, available for free in your place of employment. Also, probably, every other place you would need to be more matte in a pinch. If a toilet seat cover isn’t available, you can peel apart a tissue (you need a thin layer to properly blot without absorbing too much) or use a brown napkin like they have at Starbucks.

The Sharp Traveler

Some bad news: Everything ends eventually. Cyber week sales, the Netflix series you’ve been binge watching, even this here story (but not quite yet). Your favorite makeup pencils will too—eventually reduced to two-inch nubs that end up getting lost in your repurposed candle jar. Give them a second life by designating those as your travel pencils, and keep them all together in a coin purse in lieu of carrying around a full makeup bag. You’ve basically rewarded yourself with the gift of travel-sized versions of your makeup favorites.

The Ice Cube

No pun here—this is just an ice cube. Run an ice cube all over your face after a night out. Soothes redness, depuffs, and costs literally zero dollars.

Source: intothegoss

Image: Pexels

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In light of recent events regarding the coronavirus (a.k.a., COVID-19), many of you are at home and adjusting to your new routine, which includes social distancing, self-quarantine, and possibly working from home. We’re all looking for distractions or projects to occupy our time and mind, and to pump up our spirits. One great way to do that is to turn your attention to a little beauty self-care.

As Reviewed’s resident beauty expert, I spend a lot of time trying new products, organizing my stash, and looking for new, fun ways I can enhance my routine. To help you do the same, I put together a list of beauty products and projects—many of which don’t require you to spend much, if anything at all—that you can try for yourself. Because even in tough times, it helps to do something that makes you look and feel better.

Create a personalized face mask

If you’ve spent the bulk of your isolation time in the kitchen cheffing up meals or showering your family with baked goods, we’ve got the perfect beauty task for you. There are plenty of recipes for easy DIY facials available online—whether they do what they claim or not, there’s no harm in zoning out with a blend of honey, oats, and avocado on your face. Search for recipes using whatever ingredients you have lying around and you’re bound to find some hits.

Not much for experimentation? You can always buy a sheet mask to hydrate your skin or snag a clay mask to “detoxify” it. The much-loved Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask comes as a powder and requires you to mix it with water or apple cider vinegar before spreading it over your face, so you still get that hands-on experience.

Make a scrub for your face, lips, and body

While you’re in the kitchen making a face mask, why not whip up a scrub, too? The key to this spa-like treatment is creating one that’s gentle, lest you damage your skin. It’s as simple as adding ingredients you have at home, like granulated sugar or coffee grounds, to a liquid or creamy base like oil or avocado. Use the scrub to slough dead skin off of your lips, face, and body in the shower and follow up with a moisturizer to replenish the skin barrier.

Clean your makeup brushes

If you can’t remember the last time you washed your makeup brushes, (spoiler) it’s been too long. First off, the bristles hold onto your foundation or eyeshadow and potentially affect the look you’re going for when you use them, but also they can collect bacteria, which you’re then transferring to your face every time you use them.

Use a bar of gentle soap, like the Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar Soap, and run the brushes over it under water—you’ll see the makeup’s pigment run off onto the soap bar. When it runs clean, that’s how you know you’re done sudsing. Some people also use their facial cleanser to clean brushes in a pinch, and there are tons of hacks for makeup brush cleansers on the internet using household ingredients. To help the process along, you can use your cleanser of choice to coat the brushes and rub them against a cleansing mat, like the popular Sigma one, that has grooves that create friction to break up the makeup in the brush. You can also find a mitt at Ulta that works similarly and is handheld and less expensive.

No matter your method, you’ll want to thoroughly rinse out your cleanser then lay your brushes flat or maneuver them to hang upside down so that the water doesn’t run toward the barrel, causing water to get trapped at the base of the bristles or warp the handle.

Oil train your hair

Did you know that you can “train” your hair to become less oily? The more you wash your hair and remove the oil from it, the more your scalp produces oil to overcompensate for the loss, just like your facial skin. If you’re shampooing every day yet notice scalp greasiness before your next shower, you’re among the many people who over-wash their hair, especially if you also notice that your ends feel dry and overstyled at the same time. There’s no better time than right now when you don’t have to go out in public, to get yourself down to the one to two washes per week recommended for healthy hair from root to tip.

Not sure where to start? Boston-based hair stylist Graziella Meola told us to gradually space out your washes over a couple of weeks—from every day to every other day, to every third day—and substitute with dry shampoo on the off days, or by rinsing with water and putting conditioner on the ends of your hair if you simply must “wash” your hair every day.

Deep condition your hair

Many people have (unofficially) reported to me that their hair is feeling dry and snarly from throwing it up in buns everyday in lieu of their usual styling routines. In some cases, it’s also a matter of unfortunate timing with now having to postpone a long-needed haircut. A hair mask can’t repair your dead ends, but it can give your hair a needed boost of hydration. If you’re looking to invest in one, try the fan-favorite Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, which claims to replenish moisture and protect against future damage. If you want to save some cash, you can make your own using ingredient combinations like eggs and mayonnaise, banana and avocado, or yogurt and honey, according to blog recipes.

Declutter your makeup collection

You may be taking inventory of any non-necessities cluttering up your space. Unlike clothes, books, or other home purging projects you may consider tackling, makeup doesn’t take up too much space, so it may not be top of mind when you’re sifting through belongings. If you sit down at your vanity, though, you’ll likely find at least one product you haven’t touched in awhile, or ones that are expired.

Most cosmetics have a small graphic depicting an open jar on the packaging with a number inside that indicates its shelf life in months. Go through your collection and toss anything that sits unused or you’re certain you bought longer ago than this suggested expiration. If you have unopened products that you don’t see yourself using, consider donating them to an organization like Project Beauty Share, which gives products to non-profit organizations “serving women and families overcoming abuse, addiction, homelessness and poverty to help restore hope and dignity in their lives.”

Try self-tanning

You’re likely not having many face-to-face interactions these days and for those that happen over a video chat, your virtual appearance does not need to be top-notch. But if you’re someone who feels their best with the glow of a tan, don’t let the current news cycle discourage you from it. Or if you’re someone who wants to finally try self-tanning but you’ve always been afraid of it, now is the time to experiment.

Give yourself a manicure or pedicure

You don’t have to be a professional nail technician to groom your fingers and toes—just some basic tools that you may already have at home, like a nail file and clippers. To keep it simple, clip the tips of your nails and file down any sharp edges to avoid snags in your clothes or scratches on your skin. Then, if you have one, paint a clear coat on your nails to make them look shiny and healthy. Repeat this process on your toes.

If you want to try your hand at a spa-like nail treatment, place your fingertips in a warm bowl of water to soften the skin, then clean up your cuticles using a cuticle pusher. From there, trim your tips with a clipper, shape the edges with a file, and buff out the tops of the nails with a nail buffer or an old, worn-down file that’s not too rough. Once you’ve completed these steps, wash your hands and proceed with a clear coat or a colorful polish that flashes your work. For your feet, you can do the same process but use a foot spa—or, in a pinch, a bucket filled with warm water—to prep your feet.

Source: eu.usatoday 

Image: Pexels

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Buying new products you may or may not like, wondering what other people will think of your new look, etc. One of the biggest questions in makeup is colour! Specifically, graduating from a more nude, conservative look — to a more bold, bright and colourful look. You don’t have to take a leap of faith though! We asked some of our professional clients for some tips on experimenting with colour.

Tips For Experimenting With Colours

1/11) For bright lips, try a bright gloss instead of a bright opaque coloured lip stick. For people not used to colour on the lips, gloss is usually a little less intimidating. For eyes, try a simple wash of one colour over the lids rather than trying to incorporate multiple colours. 

2/11) Lipsticks are a great way to experiment with colour. They add a small pop to a natural look without committing to a full day’s wear. If you need to change it, just blot it off. Bright eyeliners are also a great pop. Super small and noncommittal. It won’t overtake your entire look or make you look clownish.

3/11) If you’re new to using colour in your makeup, start with colours you already lean towards in your wardrobe. Jewel tones are also a great way to transition from neutrals adding a subtle, sexy and colourful edge to your makeup.

4/11) Experimenting with colour need not be intimidating. Find clever ways to incorporate fall shade trends to your makeup. My clients love when I add a smudge of liner to lower lashes or a wash of eyeshadow to the tear duct in an on-trend shade. Most women love to be on trend without being over the top. If lipstick is more your thing why not try a new colour but stick to your favorite finish? It’s adding something new without changing up the game completely. Since most makeup retailers offer makeup applications with purchase, stop in and try before you buy. That takes the fear out of cosmetics all together.

5/11) First and foremost it’s makeup, if you don’t like how it looks you can always take it off! Fall is a great transition season to still use those bronzy colours but to incorporate more depth to them. Try a brown smoky eye or try pairing a natural eye with a dark bold lipstick in a wine colour.

6/11) Start light and build the colour up. A lot of times people want to throw the colour they see in the palette or eyeshadow straight on to the eye lid and try to have the same intensity that they see. However, those colours may not look good with your skin tone. If you start light and build the intensity you will see a good shade of green, for instance, that works for your complexion.

7/11) I love experimenting with colour! If we’re talking about eyes, more often than not I pair my pop of colour with a neutral matte shade and a black eye liner. This combo makes almost any colour instantly wearable and less scary! For instance, if I’m going wild with a bold blue on my lid, I’ll blend it out with a taupe or medium brown shade to tone it down a notch. If I want to create a smokier effect, I’ll add a matte black shadow in the “outer v” areas. As soon as I add my favorite black eye liner, I’m good to go.

8/11) I would say one of the most important things to consider that hasn’t already been mentioned would be to pick one feature to play with colour with, and then go nude/neutral on the others, to avoid potentially looking clownish. So – if you are doing a brighter eye, do a softer cheek and light or nude lip. If it’s a bright lip, softer cheek and browns/grays/tans on the eyes – you get the picture! –

9/11) Try to use one colour per brush, so it won’t end up looking dirty. And use a clean brush for blending.

10/11) I would say, make sure to keep it tight, don’t go crazy outside of the crease, not until you know what you are doing. Also, start with the eye makeup first, so you don’t freak out from the colourful fallout. And don’t think that everything has to match – pink shadow / pink lips / pink dress / pink shoes. Oh and never experiment when you are in a rush to go! The universe will make sure to get you for being too brave.

11/11) My pro tip is to add colour on eye lid. It gives an easy application and a peak of colour. Just over the ball of your eye. Blending into a transition colour. If you’re wanting to be a tad more daring, blending a colour through the crease with a large blending brush will still give you a pop of colour.

Source: frendsbeauty

Image: Pexels

The post What to try Experimenting with Make-up Colours? Follow These Tips! appeared first on NK Beauty.

But even if you’ve been wearing eyeshadow and foundation for decades, there are some next-level tricks out there that will leave you asking yourself, “How did I not know this?!” So if you’re looking to learn a few smart beauty tips that will save you time and money — all while looking more glam than ever! — you’re in the right spot.

From tried-and-true beauty insider secrets to the makeup techniques celebs rely on (we see you, highlighting and contouring), we’ve rounded up the best tips and tricks recommended by makeup pros and makeup junkies alike. Whether you’re looking to fix common makeup problems like creasing, smudging, or fading, or you just want to change up your look, here are the best makeup hacks that you need to try ASAP.

Powder your lashes.

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Luckily, there are many options you can try and use to keep your skin perfectly tanned and glowing!

In order to maintain spotless skin and tan when you are already tanned, you could simply use cosmetic products you already have in your makeup bag to improve your look. We prepared 6 make up tips for tanned skin to help you enhance your natural beauty and that sleek skin tan.

1. Make Sure Your Skin is Hydrated and Protected

You always need to take care of your skin, no matter what time of the year it is. But, in summer, when your skin is more exposed to the sun and harmful UV rays, you need to take care of it even more. If you don’t want to speed up the inevitable aging process, don’t forget to use sunscreen each time before you go out.

2. Avoid Foundation

There is no need to apply foundation to tanned skin. If you really have to, opt for a light foundation, to let your skin breathe during those hot summer days or cold winter months. Opt for a BB or CC cream instead of a combination of a primer and heavy foundation.

3. Focus on the Cheeks

Cheeks should be one of your main focuses. There is no better way to accentuate the bronze glow of your skin than to emphasize your cheek area. The important thing is to choose the best color of a blush or a bronzer depending on your personal preference and your skin tone. Rose and coral tones of blush will give more color to your face, however, using golden bronzer to emphasize your cheeks will add a glowing touch to your makeup look.

4. Make A Statement With Your Lips

Another thing to focus on when choosing the right makeup for tanned skin is putting an accent on your lips. We don’t have anything against natural lips, but your radiant skin will appear more blooming if you put on some red, orange, or coral lipstick. Choosing earth color shades is also a good way to go. If you decide for wine red color lipstick, you need to make the rest of your look simple and natural.

5. Put an Accent on Your Eyes

There are so many ways you can experiment when it comes to your eyeshadow. When your skin is bronze, the choices are truly endless. If you want to achieve a more sexy look, try dark smoky eyes. If you are more into maintaining the natural look, emphasize your eyes with an orange eyeshadow tone, and blend it well.

6. Hello, Highlighters!

Highlighters are always welcome, don’t you think? When you are done with your makeup, apply glossy highlighter above your cheeks — on the top of your cheekbones, on the tip of your nose, and above your lips — over your cupid’s bow. And ladies, try to control yourself — don’t exaggerate!

Bonus tip: You should be aware of the fact that tanning with makeup on will not bring you results you are looking for. Makeup creates a barrier, and as a result, you will end up with an uneven tan.

Those were the tips that can help you achieve that perfect, bronzed glow and glossy, natural looking skin. With a little effort, the results will be stunning!

Source: artesiantan

Image: Pexels

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When you have fair or pale skin, applying eye makeup can be a bit more challenging. For one, darker looks like smoky eyes can be too dark if you use the wrong colors.

Also, while lighter colors tend to look better, they can leave you with veins and dark splotches showing through your makeup. The good news is that it’s possible to apply eye makeup and create all the popular effects when you have fair skin, but the trick is finding the right colors and matching your makeup with your undertones.

Know what an undertone means. An undertone is the basic tone of your skin underneath the surface layer, which isn’t affected by things like tanning, acne, and surface discoloration. Your undertone will help you choose the best shades for makeup, clothes, and jewelry, because undertones are associated with certain colors, which can be better matched with some colors over others.

• People with cool undertones are associated with bluish, reddish, and pinkish skin tones.
• People with warm undertones are associated with golden, yellowish, and peachy skin tones.
• People with neutral undertones can have a combination of cool and warm skin tones.

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With incredible make-up challenges in store for you, you will get to explore a never-seen-before facet of makeup.

Make-up challenges are not only meant for fun, they even amp up your makeup routine. If you’re feeling a little adventurous but don’t wish to step out in the scorching heat, a make-up challenge is all you need. Explore your ‘adventurous side’ with a make-up challenge that you can even involve your friends and family in. If you’re up for some fun, blended with some adventure, take up these crazy make-up challenges one at a time.

1. Guy friend makeup challenge:
   

   Guys and makeup are like the solar opposites. But if you’ve grown tired of watching football games and sipping some chilled beers with your guy best friend every time you meet up, it’s time to turn the tables. Indulge your guy best friend in doing your make up by taking up this amazing make-up challenge. Layout all your makeup products on the table and just let him be in charge. Once your guy best friend takes on the makeup brush, allow your face to turn into a beautiful canvas for him. Quit worrying about whether or not he’ll give you a proper glam look and just go with the flow.

2. Blindfolded makeup challenge:
   

   This makeup challenge needs no introduction as the name gives it all. If you and your best friend have got nothing to do this weekend, take up on this challenge and add some humour with some glamour to your makeup routine. This unusual yet fun and quirky makeup challenge will involve you tying a blindfold to your best friend. Layout all your makeup products before her and let her senses work their magic. If you truly wish to have fun doing this challenge, suppress your urge to tell your best friend whether or not she’s using the right makeup products. Just let her make the picks and allow her hands to work their charm on you. Whether you get a glam look or a complete spooky look for this Halloween, it’ll be worth the wait.

3.  Mom makeup challenge:
   

   Are all your friends busy this weekend and you have nobody to hang out with? If yes then you can have some fun with your mom by taking up a makeup challenge. With this challenge, allow your mom to do your makeup while you simply sit in patience and wait for the results. Whether your mom is an amateur or a pro at her makeup game, just lay back and let her work her charm on your face. Amp up this challenge by sharing quirky banter with your mom and the two of you can bond like never before.

With these make-up challenges at your disposal, you are sure to have some serious fun.

Source: beautifullyme

Image: Pexels

The post Best Makeup Challenges That You Can’t Miss Out On appeared first on NK Beauty.

Don’t let her go out of the house with bright blue eyeshadow, over-lined lips or caked-on foundation. She’ll embarrass herself (and you!). Instead, figure out together what’s OK for school and what’s not.

Establish a skin care routine

When teens pack on too much liquid foundation or pressed powder, it’s often because they are trying to cover pimples and blemishes. Talk to your daughter about establishing a skin care regimen to help her take care of her skin properly. If her acne is severe, see a dermatologist. The doctor will be able to provide her with topical and/or oral medication to reduce breakouts and get clearer skin.

Keep it simple

Three coats of mascara, glitter eyeliner and deep red lipstick aren’t appropriate for school. Natural-looking makeup, however, is suitable for teens.

Eyes: Brown eyeliner is generally a safe bet. It enhances the eyes without looking overdone. If she loves mascara, one coat of brown mascara on freshly curled lashes should do the trick. Save the jet black and bright colors for parties.

Lips: Lip gloss or tinted lip balm is better than lipstick for teens because it’s more subtle. Bright red, hot pink, deep purple or black aren’t appropriate lip colors for school. Pale pink, peachy brown and light coral lip gloss will give her some color while still looking natural.

Face: If she needs to even out her skin tone (or hide blemishes), be sure that she knows how to apply concealer properly. She should use a very small amount that is as close to her natural skin color as possible. Apply to the area with a tiny brush and blend, blend, blend. For foundation, mineral powder is light, won’t clog pores and can be used all over the face without looking cakey.

Have a mother-daughter makeover

If you can’t get your daughter to come around to your way of thinking when it comes to makeup, take her to the pros. Head to a makeup counter at the mall for a mother-daughter makeover. Sephora, Estee Lauder and other brands offer mini makeovers and makeup how-to’s that are perfect for teens and moms. Your daughter will be shown the right way to select colors and apply cosmetics to allow her true beauty to shine through.

If your daughter insists on wearing black eyeliner and she’s getting straight A’s, there’s no reason to make a big issue of it. Continue to put the emphasis on natural makeup, but don’t sweat the details. If a little eyeliner makes her feel more comfortable, then be willing to bend the rules a bit. You can also compromise and let her wear makeup her way one day of the week.

Source: Sheknows.com

Image: Pexels

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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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