makeup-tips Archives

6 Ways You Could Be Ruining Your Skin

I get it… Skincare is both time-consuming and expensive – not to mention the weird standard that skincare is only for women. We do all have skin, y’all. But, what if I told you that some things you’re doing (or not doing) are seriously damaging your skin? A lot of these things have cheap and easy fixes that will not only help your skin now, but down the road as you age.

1. Not moisturizing

One of the biggest misconceptions about oily skin is that moisturizers will only make it more oily. That’s false. Most likely, your skin is oily because your glands have to go into overdrive to make up for your lack of moisturizing. Imagine if you could help all of that! Let me introduce you to moisturizer. There are so many out there that will cater to whatever skin type you have – even oily. Products range anywhere from $3 to $300 – all you have to do is know your skin and take your pick.

2. Not using sunscreen

I have great news for you: most moisturizers already have sunscreen in them. So, depending on what you choose, you could be killing two birds with one stone. But, if not, you’ll need to find some product with SPF in it. It doesn’t need to be a high number, but it needs to be something. Even if it’s cloudy and rainy, sun is still hitting your face. In fact, you can’t do anything without at least a little bit of sun. This simple fix will also help protect you from sun-induced skin cancer.

3. Not removing makeup

Ladies, if you take nothing else from this, hear this: take. your. makeup. off. Yes, every night. Think about it… Most makeup has chemicals and/or unnatural elements in it. Wouldn’t you want that off your face so it doesn’t soak into your skin? Not to mention the unmatched feeling of being able to rub your face at night. Leaving makeup on for extended periods of time will clog your pores which will cause breakouts which will cause scarring… The list goes on and on. Do yourself a favor and pick up a makeup wipe before your head hits the pillow.

4. Not washing your face

Honestly, this shouldn’t even need an explanation. Imagine all the dirt and grime caking onto your skin causing plugged-up glands, crazy blemishes, long-lasting scars… Have I made my point yet? Just like you wash every other part of your body (or at least you should), you need to be washing your face. Take the extra two minutes in the morning and night to just refresh. Your face will thank you.

5. Using expired makeup

I will admit, even as a makeup artist, I am so guilty of this. We spend good money on makeup so we can use it, right? And most times we don’t use it all in time, right? That’s the price we must pay for the health of our skin. To check if your makeup has expired, look at the product packaging. There will almost always be a little picture of a makeup jar with a number in the middle somewhere on the label. That number shows how many months you can use your makeup. After that amount of time, trash the products for new ones.

6. Not washing makeup brushes and sponges

Another one I’m guilty of. It’s time-consuming to clean your makeup brushes and sponges, especially if you use a separate brush for each product (which you should). But, do you know how many germs live in overly-used makeup brushes and sponges? Trust me, the number would totally gross you out, much like it did me. Luckily, there are things you can buy that make the whole cleaning process a little easier.

Your skin is the largest organ, so you should treat it with the utmost care. Even if you just start with washing your face in the morning, that’s a step in the right direction. Solve these 6 problems and your skin will feel and look much better.

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About the Author

Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Perfect Makeup Strategy for Your Next Zoom Meeting

You already know about the Zoom shirt trend – the wonderful freedom of putting on a clean, well-pressed shirt to look dashing for that video call, all the while wearing whatever you damn well please below the waist. It’s practical, easy to prepare for, and you get the perfect excuse to upgrade your shirt collection during the pandemic. However, the pandemic altered the dress code in more ways than one, and it also takes into account your makeup and beauty routine.

Suddenly, you find more people caring about their complexion, since the not-so-lovely camera lighting might make you look washed out or disinterested. Then there are the invisible pimples that come to light as soon as your Zoom camera is on. So, naturally, we need to have a makeup strategy on par with the shirt trend. Here’s what you can do!

Use your skincare to your advantage

Your beauty steps play a big part in priming your skin for every video call. Start by refining your cleansing routine so that you can use a gentle cleansing lotion, a soap (if your skin likes soap), and an exfoliator a few times per week – it will bring out the blush naturally and boost your skin’s microcirculation.

TULA’s sugar scrub is a good choice especially if you don’t have sensitive skin, but you might consider something gentler for picky pores. Either way, a good scrub will wash off those dead skin cells and prep your skin for the heavenly impact of your moisturizer and other hydrating steps.

Hydrate in different ways

There’s no way your skin can retain that radiance and glow if you don’t nourish it before you put on your makeup. Start off with a good moisturizer that is both protective from any environmental damage, but also light enough not to make your skin appear greasy.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, since no amount of good cream can replace your healthy diet and hydration. If you’ve applied the sunscreen to beat the summer heat and the serum as well, you can move onto the actual makeup, having your skin so well cared for from step one.

Start with the basics – your foundation

The foundation you choose will set the tone for your overall Zoom-friendly look. It will even out your complexion, mask certain imperfections you might not be too happy about for the time being, and it will help with bringing out your finest features. You can try the nourishing La Prairie foundation that serves as a concealer, plus it grants your skin some sun protection, too.

Make sure you find the foundation that matches your skin tone, and don’t overapply. It’s meant to blend naturally with your complexion and then become the basis for the rest of your makeup choices for the day.

Brighten your gaze with mascara

On one hand, you want your eyes to give off that “I’m fully awake and ready for work” sense, but you also don’t want to have that fake lashes look that’s far from expected for your professional setting and a Zoom call. If you don’t already have extensions, but you’re struggling to make your lashes look full and lush, you can use a timeless Maybelline mascara that packs quite a color punch without making your eyes look and feel heavy.

The best thing about finding a good mascara is that it lends a natural look to your eyes, but it also doesn’t require too much maintenance, so that you can focus on your work. It takes mere moments to apply, so you’ll be ready to go even if you don’t have the time for any razzle-dazzle in the form of lipstick or eye shadow. Mascara alone will often do the trick.

Add some tint to your lips and cheeks

Going back to that washed-out look, if you’ve scrubbed your face beforehand, you’ve likely added some fresh pink to your cheeks naturally. More often than not, however, calls might happen on days when you don’t exfoliate, and not to mention that your camera isn’t always as flattering as it should be. Among so many quick beauty hacks to give your cheeks and lips some rosy freshness is to use a lip tint.

There are many that double as your cheek tint, too, so you can use one product for several purposes. Pro tip: take your mirror in front of your camera, and give your cheeks and lips some touch ups if needed so that you adapt your look based on how you look just before the call.

And you’re good to go! In fact, this quick and easy approach to Zoom makeup will help you even with in-person meetings where you don’t want to build up a glam look, but you still want to look and feel fresh and plump. Let these tips make your Zoom meetings easier to handle, and you’ll no longer want to turn off your camera, even on Monday mornings.

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Speed Up Your Makeup Routine with These 10 Tips

Today we are talking about how to speed up the morning routine of applying makeup. It often happens that we are not even ready for work, but we all know we need to look nice and tidy when we leave the house. If you are also struggling with morning fatigue, and you do not have time or coffee to drink in peace, then it is the right time to change your routine.

Below, we share with you the best tips on how to start your day and how to speed up your morning makeup routine!

Start the day with a smile!

What is very important for the proper functioning of the body is to get some sleep. Experts say you should sleep a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 9 hours during the night. When you wake up, forget about the phone. Browsing social networks in the morning can stir your thoughts and give you many useless information. Organize your morning so that you have at least an hour to prepare for work. Drink coffee alone, in silence. It would be best to go out on the terrace or in the yard and be in the fresh air. Drink your favorite coffee that will wake you up and be sure to make a healthy breakfast before you go out. And finally, arrange yourself so that you are satisfied with yourself. Choose clothes that will be comfortable for you. The next step is facial care and makeup! Follow this guide for the perfect makeup effect that takes about ten minutes!

Tip 1 – Facial cleansing

Dermatologists claim that many skin problems occur due to improper facial cleansing. For facial cleansing, you need mild products that are in line with your skin type. You can choose gel or natural soap. Facial cleansing is mandatory during the morning and evening routine. The difference is that during the evening you take off your make-up and the dirt that has accumulated during the day. During the morning routine, you remove sebum and the remnants of the cream that you applied before going to bed. In the morning, wash with cold water, apply the gel and rub the gentle face and leave it to dry naturally. If dark circles appear on the face, take an ice cube and gently run it over the skin. Ice treatment has become very popular because it tightens the skin, improves the tone and affects the eyelids. If you have pimples on your face, we advise you to make ice cubes from tea. Green tea or chamomile can soothe the skin and provide a great effect. While you wait for the water to dry, we move on to the next step.

Tip 2 – Hydration before makeup

It is a big mistake when you apply powder on a dry face. Moisturizer is needed before applying concealer and powder. It should be light and absorb quickly. You can apply it while your face dries after washing. Apply a layer of cream and when it absorbs, apply powder. If you do not have skin imperfections that you want to cover, we advise you to choose BB or CC cream. These are tinted creams that also hydrate the skin, have good covering power and provide a fresh look. If the cream has an SPF factor, that’s a full hit! These creams can save you time and replace three products, which will mean a lot to you in the morning. For fans of classic powders, the procedure still takes a bit longer because each product must be applied correctly. Then just wait to be absorbed.

Tip 3 – Balm instead of lipstick

It takes more time to apply lipstick, but you have to take care of it throughout the day. In addition to requiring precision, applying lipstick also requires frequent repairs. This does not benefit the ladies because they have a lot of responsibilities during one day. That is why it is better to choose a lip balm on busy mornings that provides hydration and shine, and is applied in one go. You can also find colored balms, which will fit harmoniously into the overall makeup.

Tip 4 – Applying mascara

Mascara is mandatory, and it doesn’t take much time to apply it, if you are a real makeup expert! However, it is definitely a better solution to try upgraded lashes and you will always look like you have just put on professional make-up. In addition to the upgrade, there are now several other techniques that will help you avoid mascara and have long and well-groomed lashes. One of these treatments is keratin for eyelashes.

Tip 5 – Eyebrow shaping

Shaping eyebrows can really take a lot of time. Surely you are familiar with the scenario when the tip of your pencil breaks or you fail to shape your eyebrows precisely in a hurry. To prevent this from happening again, you need to find a permanent solution for eyebrows them to be always tidy. One of the most practical solutions is cosmetic eyebrow tattoos, perfectly shaped in accordance with your facial features. Once your eyebrows are trimmed, your morning makeup routine changes and you won’t need much time to tidy up.

Tip 6 – Bronzer

Bronzer is not just for summer! You can use it after applying BB or CC cream and it will define the look of your face in an instant. You can also use bronzer as an eye shadow, so that you don’t waste time choosing the shades that match your outfit. The bronzer will give you a fresh look and will easily cover skin imperfections.

Tip 7 – Is eyeliner mandatory?

Many ladies cannot imagine their makeup routine without eyeliner, but it is unnecessary in the morning. If you can’t do without it, a better solution is to use eyeliner. There are pens on the market that guarantee precise drawing and are easy to use. They are durable, and you don’t have to think about whether they will smudge during the day. Since you don’t have time to shade your eyelids in the morning, an eye pencil can be useful and functional.

Tip 8 – Loose powder

Loose powder is great if you have oily or combination skin. It will base your makeup, and you will not have to worry about sebum on your skin. Choose a neutral powder, so you don’t have to worry about a color that will combine with a tinted cream.

Tip 9 – Choose waterproof makeup during the summer

When the summer season comes and the heat sets in, we advise you to choose waterproof makeup that is ideal when the temperatures are high. In the summer months, avoid intense and heavy makeup and choose waterproof mascara and eye shadows to prevent spilling on your face during the day.

Tip 10 – Wipes to absorb excess fat on the face

When the humidity in the air is increased, sebum is often secreted on the face. If you are facing this problem during the summer, use handkerchiefs to absorb excess fat on your face. In just a few seconds, you will clean your face of sebum and will not spoil your makeup.

We believe that these tricks will help you look great in the morning and shine, with very little effort and time spent.

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