Permanent Makeup?

Apparently cosmetic tattooing can give you eyebrows, eyeliner, eyelash enhancement, and lipliner on a permanent basis! Some specialty clinics also offer full lip color, scar camouflage, and hair imitation.

Each procedure takes only 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours. Follow up procedures take less time.

As with tattoos, safety of the procedures has not been confirmed. It all depends on the technician, who must be fully trained in permanent makeup application. They must use only sterile equipment and only brand new needles for every client. Be sure your technician is up to date on all the latest safety requirements. You’ll want them, as well as the room they will be using, to be neat and clean.

Beware there is a chance that you may be allergic to the pigments that will be used. Always ask for a pretest. Even if your technician adheres to all the safety guidelines there is a chance that they can make an artistic mistake. There are some complaints lodged with the FDA about procedures going wrong, things you never want to happen to you.

For example, the makeup pigments can slide around under your skin, blurring the lines that you want, resulting in a messy appearance. So make sure to do your research and really be sure you want it to be permanent!

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Pink tote and 6 freebies with purchase of $100 or more at neimanmarcus.com now thru March 2nd.

Tips for using sunless tanners

Even though you are wearing a self-tanner do not forget  sunscreen. Some self-tanners may have SPF added, but you may still have to add more.

Wear gloves. This will keep the palms of your hands clean and help to even out the tanning lotion.

When choosing a self-tanner, read the label. Look for Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This active ingredient is what causes the outer layer of your skin to darken.

Take a shower before beginning your self-tanning session. Exfoliate any dry or rough areas to give the lotion a smooth surface to cling to. If possible, shave the night before.

Be sure to apply your self-tanner in very thin layers. This will speed up the drying time and prevent too much color from being applied.

Use a makeup sponge to apply self-tanners to your face.

Time for some Sunless Tanning!

Everyone should know by now that exposure to the sun’s UV-A and UV-B rays can cause skin cancer, which, of course, should be your #1 reason for staying out of the sun, or out of tanning beds. This is caused by exposure to the UV radiation from the sun which can suppress your immune system. Even if you don’t develop skin cancer, you are doing some irreversible damage to your skin every time you expose it to UV radiation. The sun will cause premature aging of the skin, which will include: dryness, sagging, deep furrows, especially in the forehead, wrinkles , loss of elasticity and discoloring of the skin which will cause spots to appear.

Some of the best rated self tanners around:

Fake Bake self-tanning products contain Botanical extracted ingredients and no preservatives. They guarantee that all their Fake Bake sun tanning products will give you a rich looking tan, as well as moisturize and protect your body by not clogging your pores. It is also great on sensitive skin. These self-tanning products can also be used on your face, will not stain your clothes, and take about 20 minutes to dry. You will need to apply it once or twice a week. Fake Bake carries a complete line of over 30 products, which include self- tanning lotion and mousse, lip gloss, body butters, buffing powders, blushes and even self-tanning application gloves.

Clinique Self-Tanning Body Mist: This product is great if you have trouble applying these products. You spray it on and then rub it in. It dries quickly, so you’ll be set to go. It is oil-free, alcohol free, and tans you in about 2-3 hours.

Neutrogena Instant Bronze, Deep: This product is actually a self-tanner and bronzer in one. You get instant color from the bronzer and then a rich tan in about 30 minutes. Complete coverage is easy because the bronzer tint shows you where it has been applied. Drying time is about 5 minutes and it is available in medium and dark.

Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant

 A deodorant covers or eliminates body odor, while an antiperspirant is used to discourage the body from sweating.

It is a popular misunderstanding that sweat, itself, smells. In healthy people, this isn`t true. What causes body odor is when bacteria residing on the skin starts to feed on sweat, usually the fatty sweat that`s secreted by the apocrine glands. These glands usually become active after puberty  and are especially triggered by feeling nervous or aroused.

Deodorants use germ-killing chemicals, usually alcohol, which kill bacteria on contact to eliminate the resulting odor. Usually, deodorants also have fragrances in them to mask whatever smell they may have missed.

An antiperspirant uses aluminum compounds to close the ducts of sweat glands, keeping bacteria from digesting the sweat and producing foul odors. In this process, aluminum compounds can also commonly cause allergic reactions in some people. Aluminum has been identified as a neurotoxin, and has been linked to Altzheimers disease…

Wake up beautiful

Take a little time before you sleep to take advantage of the hours your skin is left untouched (for the most part) and wake up beautiful!

1. Reduce signs of aging – lines:
A cream or serum with vitamin A or retinol will help counteract fine lines, and works  best at night since you’re out of the sun.

2. Protect your face:
On the nights you’re not using vitamin A, try a cream or lotion with antioxidants, which help fight off skin-damaging free radicals.

3. Hydrate rough feet
Rub on a foot cream, then pull on cotton socks to hold the moisture in.

4. Moisturize hands
Once a week try a moisturizing glove with hand cream. Applying an intensive hand cream nightly also helps keep hands, nails, and cuticles soft as they are not constantly being washed as they are during the day.
5. Moisturize under the eyes

Dab some eye cream on – use sparingly to hydrate and depuff the eye area.

6. Relieve chap lips
Go for the most intensive moisturizing lip balm you can find. If all else fails use good old vaseline.

7. Shrink Zits
You can make pimples dissapear by treating them with a product containing an antibacterial ingredient (bacteria can cause acne) and a sebum controller like zinc. Also go for benzoyl peroxide or sallycilic acid products.

8. Brighten your smile
Crest Night Effects contains packets of whitening gel and disposable brushes for painting the gel on and is formulated to be worn during sleepy time for 14 consecutive nights.

Money Saving Tips

1. Hit the drugstore. Most drugstore cosmetics are related to department store brands: L’Oreal to Lancôme, Jane to Estee Lauder. That means the cheaper versions use the same cutting-edge technologies as their pricier sisters. Best low-cost bets: Mascara and lipstick. Don’t be fooled by high-price skincare. Dermatologists consistently recommend their old (low-cost) favorites: Neutrogena, Purpose, and Cetaphil cleansers and moisturizers.

2. QUick manicure – soak nails in lemon juice to clean, then use a nail buffer to make them shiny.

3. Forego exfoliating treatments at a spa and do it yourself. Mix a handful of coarse sugar crystals with some olive oil and use to scrub off dead skin in the shower.

4. Maximize your lipstick by changing the finish. Apply lipstick over a thin layer of Vaseline for a glossy look, dust with loose powder for a matte look, pat on with a fingertip for a stain and mix with a dark shadow for an evening effect.

5. Use hair products wet and dry. Instead of investing in two different styling aids, use one for all of your needs. Apply a hair cream to damp locks to tame frizz, then smooth on a bit when hair is dry to smooth flyaways. Try gel on wet hair for hold, then add more to dry hair for shine.

6. Stake out salon training nights. Most top hair salons or beauty schools  offer low-cost cuts on training nights, where student stylists work their magic under the supervision of their senior colleagues.

7. Try a multi-purpose product. Vaseline and Smith’s Rosebud Salve are great for lip balm or gloss, keep eyebrows in control, moisturize cuticles, and smooth dry skin.

Food For Thought

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are compounds that are taken from sugars found in milk and fruits. Alpha hydroxy acids are known to be effective in rejuvenatind the skin and fading wrinkles, while healing damaged caused by photoaging skin.  AHA exfoliates dead cells off the skin, encouraging the skin to grow cells to replace the old ones. AHA also induces the production of elastin and collagen, the compounds responsible for the reduction of wrinkles and the suppleness of the skin.

AHA can be found a variety of beauty products, but should be used in moderation. If used incorrectly or if you use too much, it can irritate the skin. Pigment scarring has also been associated with the use of too much AHA.

Be very careful when applying alpha hydroxy products on your skin. The best way to do it is to choose one or two products out there containing AHA (as your exfoliant and moisturizer), then use other beauty products that do not have AHA – so you don’t overdo it.

Always remember to use sunscreen when using a product with an active alpha hydroxy acid ingredient. AHA increases the skin’s sensitivity to damage from sunlight. Because too much alpha hydroxy acid can be dangerous to the skin, make sure to use a product with only the right levels of AHA in it. The ideal AHA concentration in any product should be around 5 to 8%, with a pH level of three or four. Any more can do more damage than good!

Today’s Quickie

To save money on exfoliation, try using regular old white sugar while in the shower. It makes a great face and body scrub. To fix streaky self tanners, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.

To alleviate pain from plucking hairs, tweeze right after showering when your hair follicles are open. The hair will slide out more easily.

Foundation can also become concealer. When the amount you have out starts to thicken, use a concealer brush and layer it on to whatever needs to be covered. Makes a great color match too!

Tool kit to brush up your makeup

Bring out the makeup artist in you with a good collection of makeup brushes, sponges and curlers. Even the most expensive and quality makeup in the world won’t look particularly great without the correct makeup tools. For a professional finish you need the right tools. This means investing in a set of good brushes and applicators. Here’s your basic cosmetics tool kit .

1. Makeup Sponge

It is best to have a wedge-shaped makeup sponge, so you can use the finer edges to help blend in foundation round your nose and jaw line, while the flatter edges are great for the cheeks, forehead and chin. However, if you prefer not to use a synthetic sponge try the small, natural ones instead.

2. Powder Brush

Get used to using a powder brush each time you put makeup on. To prevent a caked or clogged finish to your face powder, use a large, soft brush to dust away any excess.

3. Blusher Brush

Use to add a pretty glow to your skin with a light dusting of powder blusher. A blusher brush is slightly smaller than a powder brush to make it easier to control.

4. Eyeshadow Brush

Smooth on any shade of eyeshadow with this brush.

5. Eyebrow Tweezers

It is essential to have a good pair of tweezers for regularly tidying up the eyebrows.

6. Eyeshadow Sponge

An sponge applicator is great for applying a sweep of pale eyeshadow that does not need much blending or applying high lighter to your brow bones.

7. All-in-one eyelash brush/comb

Great for combing through your lashes between coats of mascara for a clump-free finish. Flip the comb over and use the brush side to seep your eyebrows into shape, or soften penciled-in brows.

8. Lip brush

Use to create a perfect outline for your lips and then use to fill in the shape with your lipstick.

9. Eyelash curlers

Once used, they’ll soon become a beauty essential! Curlier eyelashes help open up your eyes and make a huge difference to the way you look.