A heavy rain day can ruin your perfect makeup day, but with these makeup techniques you can put your face right back on and fight your way through the rain! So girls, are you ready to explore my top 7 makeup techniques for rainy days that can truly brighten up any cloudy day? Let’s do this!

When you are dealing with rain, you’ve got to make sure that your foundation is waterproof. For me, what I’ve always used and one of my favorite makeup techniques for rainy days is all about the tinted moisturizer. Just a thin, thin coat of tinted moisturizer will actually last a lot longer than your own foundation, especially if you are out in a humid rain!

We all know that when it comes to water and mascara, waterproof mascara is a must! After all, you don’t want to end up with mascara tracks running down your face do you? So to keep your lashes locked down with that perfect color of mascara, make sure that you check the box and see that it’s waterproof before stepping out into the rain!

Girls, another makeup technique for rainy days that is a lifesaver for me is cream blush. Powder blush is great when you are out in the fall, crisp air, but when it’s raining, you want something that is going to show up and something that is going to stick. That’s exactly what cream blush will do for you! So ladies, make sure that you invest in the right shade of cream blush for you when the rain starts to roll around!

A lot of women believe that brands like Wet and Wild will work for any temperature, but that’s not true ladies! If you are looking to make sure that your lips look lush and colorful while the rain is falling, one makeup technique for rainy days that you should take into consideration is investing in high quality lipstick. It works wonders!

Ladies, another makeup technique for rainy days all revolves around primer. Makeup primer can be a lifesaver and can actually really make sure that your makeup stays in place! Remember how I said that tinted moisturizer will make sure that you have the correct coverage? Well, primer can actually help ensure that the tinted moisturizer stays on and won’t melt off!

If you are finding that you have a lot of blemishes or even just imperfections, don’t worry ladies, one makeup technique for rainy days that you can use all of the time is concealer! Just make sure that you’re matching your concealer to your skin color or, if you have red blemishes, get a yellow-tinted concealer to kick that red out.

Finally girls, a lot of the time, rain days can actually dry your skin out, so you want to make sure that you are using a great moisturizing mask on your face before bed. That way, your face will stay hydrated and look beautiful all of the time! For me, I just put a little extra moisturizer on my face and make sure that it is all rubbed in.

So girls, there you have it! My top 7 makeup techniques for a rainy day that really works! Do you have any other makeup techniques for a rainy day that I should know about?

Source: makeup.allwomenstalk

Image: Pexels

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While both of these options are a great way to try out various nail trends, locking down the right style and technique for you is easier said than done.

With risks of chipped nail polish, broken nails and more, making the right selection is key for ensuring your nails go the distance. Below, we’re breaking down the differences between gel and acrylic nails, so you know what to ask for at your next manicure appointment.

What Are Gel Nails?

Before we get deep into the gel nails vs. acrylic nails discussion, let’s recap the basics of what you get with each. Gel nails are made through a three-step process, which consists of brushing a base coat, nail polish, and top coat over your natural nails.

With each coat, the nail is placed under a UV light for somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes to cure (dry). Once cured, the layer of gel polish hardens and won’t smudge like traditional nail polish. The final result is nails that sport a glossy finish and freshly manicured look. You can use gel polish on your natural nails or on nail extensions, also called tips.

What Are Acrylic Nails?

Acrylic nails are made of a combination of liquid and powder that’s laid over your nail with a brush. Once the mixture is applied, your nails are filed and shaped to emulate the look of natural nails.

After your acrylic nails are shaped, each nail is typically painted with a regular base coat, nail polish color, and finished with a top coat. Nails are then set under a fan to dry. Acrylic can also be applied to tips or to your natural nails, though they can weaken your nails with prolonged use.

Editor’s tip: You can actually mix the two styles and get gel polish cured over your acrylic nails for the ultimate manicure that has strength and long wear.

What’s The Difference Between Gel And Acrylic Nails?

Although gel and acrylic nails can provide similar results, there are key differences with each nail style. As we mentioned, gel nails typically consist of brushing coats of polish on your natural nails and are cured with a UV lamp. The process is much faster than applying acrylic, especially because drying is instant, and the nails often look more natural. These days you can find online kits that let you get gel nails right at home. Once complete, gel nails will usually last for around 14 days without chipping. Toward the end of this period, they may start to peel or lift at the corners.

When you’re ready to remove gel nails, all you need to do is soak them off and you’re good to go. Typically, a cotton ball soaked in acetone is placed over the nail, then each nail is wrapped in aluminum foil. After 10 minutes, the gel polish is easily able to be removed. While gel nails can be prone to peeling, they are known to be more flexible than acrylic nails, although be warned that both styles run the risk of damaging your natural nails with continuous wear.

On the flip side, acrylic nails provide a hard, protective layer due to the powder and liquid hybrid mixture they’re created with. Since acrylic nails are durable, you typically don’t have to worry about your nails cracking, breaking, or lifting while you have the acrylics (you may even notice that your natural nails grow longer and faster with acrylics).

However, they’re not foolproof and if you do lot’s of work with your hands (think typing, washing dishes, working out with weights) there is the potential for them to break. Acrylic nails can also look bulky if your tech doesn’t take the time to smooth them down to look more natural. If you’re using regular nail polish over acrylic, drying time can take a while, so you may want to tune into your favorite podcast while you sit in the salon and wait. These nails are also challenging to remove without damaging your nail beds.

To keep your acrylic set intact, you’ll have to refill your nails every few weeks. And once you remove acrylic nails, you’re often left with nails that are long but weak. You’ll have to wait for the damaged nails to grow out to get your nails back in shape.

Typically, acrylic nails are removed in the salon by a nail technician, whereas gel nails can be removed at home with ease. If you try to remove either without taking proper steps, you can be left with broken and brittle claws. So if you’re wondering, which is worse for you nails between gel and acrylic, they both have the potential to damage your nails if worn continuously or removed improperly, and they both can look stunning when done well.

Source: lorealparisusa

Image: Pexels

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     In order to understand the constantly changing trends in cosmetics, it is interesting to take a look at the evolution of makeup. Women and men have been wearing cosmetics for centuries, although the styles have certainly undergone some dramatic changes over time. Let’s take a look at how cosmetics evolved.



The earliest historical record of makeup comes from the 1st Dynasty of Egypt (c.3100-2907 BC). Tombs from this era have revealed unguent jars, which in later periods were scented. Unguent was a substance extensively used by men and women to keep their skin hydrated and supple and to avoid wrinkles from the dry heat. The women of Egypt also decorated their eyes by applying dark green color to the under lid and blackening the lashes and the upper lid with kohl, which was made from antimony (a metallic element) or soot. It is believed that the Jews adopted the use of makeup from the Egyptians, since references to the painting of faces appear in the New Testament section of the Bible.

 Roman philosopher Plautus (254-184 BC) wrote, “A woman without paint is like food without salt.” Of course, Plautus was a dramatist, which would explain his preference for the look of a “painted woman” at that time.

Romans widely used cosmetics by the middle of the 1st century AD. Kohl was used for darkening eyelashes and eyelids, chalk was used for whitening the complexion, and rouge was worn on the cheek. Depilatories were utilized at that time and pumice was used for cleaning the teeth.

Women wore white lead and chalk on their faces in Greco-Roman society. Persian women used henna dyes to stain their hair and faces with the belief that these dyes enabled them to summon the majesty of the earth.

During the European middle ages, pale skin was a sign of wealth. Sixth century women sought drastic measures to achieve that look by bleeding themselves, although, in contrast, Spanish prostitutes wore pink makeup. Thirteenth century affluent women donned pink lipstick as proof they could afford synthetic makeup.

During the Italian Renaissance, lead pain was used to lighten the face, which was very damaging to the wearer. Aqua Toffana was a popular face powder named for its creator, Signora Toffana. Made from arsenic, Signora Toffana instructed her rich clientele to apply the makeup only when their husbands were around. It’s interesting to note that Tofana was executed some six hundred dead husbands later.

Cosmetics were seen as a health threat in Elizabethan England, although women wore egg whites over their faces for a glazed look.

During the reign of Charles II, heavy makeup began to surface as a means to contradict the pallor from being inside due to illness epidemics.

During the French Restoration in the 18th century, red rouge and lipstick were used to give the impression of a healthy, fun-loving spirit.

Eventually, people in other countries became repulsed by excessive makeup and claimed the “painted” French had something to hide.

During the Regency era, the most important item was rouge, which was used by most everyone. At that time, eyebrows were blackened and hair was dyed.

To prevent a low hairline, a forehead bandage dipped in vinegar in which cats dung had been steeped was worn. Most of the country dwellers’ makeup recipes made use of herbs, flowers, fat, brandy, vegetables, spring water and, of course, crushed strawberries. During this era, white skin signified a life of leisure while skin exposed to the sun indicated a life of outdoor labor. In order to maintain a pale complexion, women wore bonnets, carried parasols, and covered all visible parts of their bodies with whiteners and blemish removers. Unfortunately, more than a few of these remedies were lethal.

The most dangerous beauty aids during this time were white lead and
mercury. They not only eventually ruined the skin but also caused hair loss, stomach problems, the shakes, and could even cause death. Although these dangers became known through the death of courtesan Kitty Fisher, the majority of women continued to use these deadly whiteners.

During the 1800’s, women would use belladonna to make their eyes appear more luminous, even though they were aware it was poisonous. Many cosmetics were made by local pharmacists, known as apothecaries in England, and common ingredients included mercury and nitric acid. Hair dye was made from coal tar, which is now illegal in America.

It might interest you to know that men wore makeup until the 1850’s. George IV spent a fortune on cold cream, powders, pastes, and scents. However, not all men wore makeup, as many looked upon a man with rouged cheeks as a dandy.

Here are some beauty-tip recipes utilized during the late 1800’s:
*For freckle removal: bruise and squeeze the juice out of chick-weed, add three times its quantity of soft water, then bathe the skin for five to ten minutes morning and evening.
*As a wash for the complexion: one teaspoon of flour of sulphur and a wine glassful of lime water, well shaken and mixed with half a wine-glass of glycerine and a wine-glass of rose-water.

Rub on the face every night before going to bed.
*To keep hair from turning gray: four ounces of hulls of butternuts were infused with a quart of water, to which half an ounce of copperas was added. This was to be applied with a soft brush every two to three days.
*For wrinkle removal: melt one ounce of white wax, add two ounces of juice of lily-bulbs, two ounces of honey, two drams of rose-water, and a drop or two of ottar of roses and use twice a day.

Victorians abhorred makeup and associated its use with prostitutes and actresses (many considered them one and the same). Any visible hint of tampering with one’s natural color would be looked upon with disdain. At that time, a respectable woman would use home-prepared face masks, most of which were based on foods such as oatmeal, honey, and egg yolk. For cleansing, rosewater or scented vinegars were used.

As a beauty regimen, a woman would pluck her eyebrows, massage castor oil into her eyelashes, use rice powder to dust her nose, and buff her nails to a shine. Lipstick was not used, but clear pomade would be applied to add sheen. However some of these products contained a dye to discretely enhance natural lip color. For a healthy look, red beet juice would be rubbed into the cheeks, or the cheeks would be pinched (out of sight, of course). For bright eyes, a drop of lemon juice in each eye would do the trick. When makeup began to resurface, full makeup was still seen as sinful, although natural tones were accepted to give a healthy, pink-cheek look.

The real evolution actually began during the 1910’s. By then, women made their own form of mascara by adding hot beads of wax to the tips of their eyelashes. Some women would use petroleum jelly for this purpose. The first mascara formulated was named after Mabel, the sister of its creator, T. L. Williams, who utilized this method.

This mascara is known today as Maybelline. In 1914, Max Factor introduced his pancake makeup. Vogue featured Turkish women using henna to outline their eyes, and the movie industry immediately took interest. This technique made the eyes look larger, and the word “vamp” became associated with these women, vamp being short for vampire.

During this decade, the first pressed powders were introduced which included a mirror and puff for touchups. Pressed powder blush followed soon after. The lipstick metal case, invented by Maurice Levy, became popular. Also, during this time, lipstick was tattooed onto the lips by George Burchett, who was also known as the “Beauty Doctor”. This method did not always work, and you can imagine the terrible consequences.

The earliest version of an acid peel was utilized at this time, which was a combination of acid and electric currents applied to the skin. Also, a needle would be used to insert paraffin to the eye area and cheeks, although this, too, was not very successful.

Nivea cream made its appearance in Germany, and companies, in order to compete, began creating creams consisting of Vaseline mixed with fragrance.

To help with sagging jowls and double-chins, women could purchase for wear a weird-looking contraption with chin straps, which obviously did not work.

However, the Victorian look remained in fashion until mass makeup marketing came about during the 1920’s. The newly emancipated woman of America began to display her independence by free use of red lipstick, which was often scented with cherry. By the late ’20’s, visible makeup was considered a must by rural women but was still frowned upon by the country girls. During this decade, lip gloss was introduced by Max Factor. New shades of red lipstick were developed, although were soap-based and very drying. The first eyelash curler came on the scene, called Kurlash. Even though it was expensive and difficult to use, this did not detract from its popularity. Mascara in cake and cream form was extremely vogue.

From the 1930’s through the 1950’s, various movie stars proved to be the models for current trends in makeup. Remember Audrey Hepburn’s deeply outlined cat eyes? With the ’60’s and the hippies came a more liberated makeup look, from white lips and Egyptian-lined eyes to painted images on faces. Heavily lined eyes continued through the ’70’s and ’80’s with a wide range of eye shadow colors.

Today’s trend seems to have reverted to the more natural look with a blending of styles from the past.

In today’s world, a woman has literally hundreds of cosmetics to choose from, with a wide variety of colors and uses. For a younger look, the options available are as simple as skin hydrators and rejuvenators, advancing to chemical skin peels, the now-popular Botox, collagen injections, and ending with the more-drastic surgical facelift.

It is important to reflect on one’s inner beauty as the real beauty of a woman. Outer beauty will not remain forever, no matter what drastic measures are taken. We have all heard the saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul”. Look into your own orbits, take stock of the woman inside, and be happy with who you are.

This will reflect on your outlook on life, which will send a message to others, and will be returned to you through their reactions to the beautiful you.

Source: Medusasmakeup

Image: Pexels

The post The History of Makeup  appeared first on NK Beauty.

For most consumers, there’s uncertainty about which colors will go best with their complexion or features.  To make matters worse, we now live in a day and age where there are more color options than ever before.  The internet is loaded with videos of bloggers and web-stars using rainbow palettesfull of technicolor shadows and blushes.  It’s not surprising that we would get overwhelmed.  But before you give up your search, let me give you a basic lesson on color theory and the color wheel for makeupthat might simplify the process.

The Basics

To begin, we want to understand our terminology.  When we are choosing a makeupcolor, we want to distinguish some qualities about that color.  Technically, color has three distinct qualities:  Hue, Saturation and Depth.

• Hue is what the actual color is, red, blue, brown etc. When we’re choosing which hue will work best for us, we want to first consider what colors we have in our skin, hair and eyes.  For example, people with blond hair and blue eyes tend to look good in gold and brown eyeshadows.  If your skin is cool or pink undertone, you’ll probably look good in soft pink blush and lipstick while people with tan skin and brown eyes, look good in grey, silver and blue eyeshadows.

• Saturation is how intense the color is. Highly saturated colors work well for dramatic looks while low saturation colors look softer.  For example, for natural looking, daytime pink blush, we want a blush that’s not too saturated.  While we typically want a red lipstick worn in the evening to have a lot of saturation.  Keep in mind that, just because a color is very saturated doesn’t mean it will be dark.  It will just be intense or bright against the tone of your skin.

• Depth, of course, means how light or dark the color is.  It’s important to consider the depth of your skin when choosing the depth of your makeup colors.  For a color that’s too light may not show up while a color that’s too dark may look more dramatic than you want.

When choosing colors that work well with our features, we typically look at our skin, eyes and hair color to determine what will work best.  We have the option of using colors that are similar to our features – Monochromatic, or using colors that are opposite the color of our features – Contrasting.  To help us understand, look at the color wheel.  Colors on the opposite side of the color wheel are contrasting and colors that match are monochromatic.

Let’s take a closer look at the color wheel for makeup.Historically it was thought that blue eyeshadow would make the eyes look bluer, but in reality, we realized that the pigment of a blue eyeshadow would inevitably be bluer than the eyes thus making the eye look less blue in comparison.  We realized that colors like orange, gold and copper are best for contrasting with blue eyes to make themlook bluer in comparison.  Likewise, green eyes looks most green when enhanced with purple.  Brown eyes have often been confusing since blue is the closest opposite of brown.  In reality, a brown eye looks just as beautiful when enhanced with cool colors such as grey, platinum or silver.

With all of this information stated, it is important to know that you don’t have to wear these colors to make your eyes look good.  We’ve found that varying levels of flesh tones, soft browns and neutral taupes look beautiful on most eye colors.

Correction Before Enhancement

Now that we understand what our color options are we may want to start exploring new colors.  But before we go creating our look and choosing the colors that we do want, we must first take a critical look at our face and make sure we’re properly correcting any discoloration we don’t want.  I’ve had many clients tell me they can’t wear purple eyeshadow because it brings out their dark circles.  My response to that is “what concealer are you using?”  If you don’t properly correct dark circles, no shadow will look good.  This is another important element to color theory.

If we have discoloration, we don’t need stage makeup or heavy concealer to fix the problem.  We work smarter, not harder – with color correcting makeup.  If there is redness around your eyes, or in your cheeks, a yellow based concealer or a yellow based foundation will definitely neutralize the redness.  If you have grey, blue or purple circles, use a peach concealer to neutralize the darkness.  This also works great for hyperpigmentation. You’ll be amazed at how much more easily you can cover the discoloration.  Once your skin has an even tone and your dark circles are covered, you’ll be able to choose any blush or eyeshadow color without worrying that you’ll bring out these issues.

If your entire face has a lot of natural redness and you don’t want to try to cover it, then apply a gold-based bronzer to soften then red.  Likewise, if your skin is very sallow or gold, try a peach or pink based bronzer. These opposing colors can help neutralize your undertone and enhance your complexion.

Dramatic Vs Natural

Another challenge I see consumers face is whether they can get away with dramatic looks or not.  So many of us stick to soft, muted and natural looking colors because we think we can’t get away with drama.  I can’t tell you how many women I’ve met that have 5 of the same color lipsticks from a bunch of different brands…. forever in pursuit of the perfect pink brown.  We wear a color once and get a few compliments and then we think that’s what we’re supposed to wear when in reality, we’re capable of much more diversity than we think.  My recommendation is to go up to the lipstick unit, close your eyes, pick a color and wear it for the day.  Don’t look at yourself and make comparisons to how you normally look.  Look at yourself as if you were a stranger you met on the street.  You may surprise yourself!  And don’t be afraid to try some red.

Source: janeiredale

Image: Pexels

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