HOW TO WASH YOUR FACE THE RIGHT WAY

Could washing your face the right way be the secret the better skin? According to Rebecca Tung, MD, chair of dermatology at Loyola University Chicago, the simple skin care step is more impactful than you might think."I've seen patients with really sensitive skin who 'wash' their faces with just water," she says. "That can lead to excess collections of acne-causing bacteria and yeast that result in seborrhoeic dermatitis—sort of like dandruff on your face." Here, Tung demystifies the perfect clean.

1. Wash at least every night, if not twice a day:

"At the minimum, washing your face before you go to bed is critical," Tung says. Yes, that's even if you're not wearing a smidge of makeup. To ace face washing, suds up morning and night. And always wash or use a wipe after a workout to fend off sweat-induced breakouts.

2. Remove your makeup:

That long-wear eye makeup and foundation isn't going to come off with cleanser alone. Use an oil-based makeup remover. Or keep a pack of face wipes like Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes on your bedside table so there's no excuse.

3. Divide and conquer with two face washes:

Not sure how to choose the best face wash for your skin? You can't go wrong with a soap-free cleanser, which is gentle enough to use on any skin type. One to try: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. Wet your face, and use circular motions to massage it onto your skin. Aim for at least 30 seconds of washing to let the cleanser do its job. If you tend to break out in your T-zone or get blackheads on your nose, take care of those trouble spots with an acne treatment that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Those ingredients need to stay on your skin for about one minute to be effective. The truly acne prone can use a treatment wash all over, but overuse on any skin type can lead to redness and peeling.

4. Use warm to cool water:

"A lot of patients want to use hot water. They feel like they're almost giving themselves a little steam treatment, but it can be very irritating to skin," Tung says. Stick to lukewarm or cool water. Post-workout, try Tung's trick to cut down redness and flushing: Splash your face with cold water, which constricts blood vessels.

5. Consider power washing:

When it comes to getting the most intense clean, a powered cleansing tool such as Clarisonic does a more thorough, uniform job of cleaning off surface dirt than your hands or even a washcloth. Need more incentive to try one? "A tool tightens pores and increases the cell turnover of your skin. It'll help reduce acne and even minimize sun damage," Tung says. Plus, seeing it on your bathroom sink is better than a sticky-note reminder screaming, "Wash your face!"

6. Gently pat dry:

You're at the finish line: Gently pat skin dry with a clean, dry face towel.

Source :http://www.elle.com

How Cleansing Conditioners Actually Work

Cleansing conditioners—or “co-washing”—are all the rage in hair care right now, but what does it even mean? The name makes it sound like you’re, well, showering with a friend, but it goes without saying that its actual meaning is much, much different (and a little less sexy). Lest you embarrass yourself with cluelessness as the craze gets even crazier, we’re here to demystify co-washing once and for all, and figure out how co-washing and those “cleansing conditioners” (oh, the oxymorons) actually work—and determine the difference between them.

What is co-washing?
“Co-washing” is the abbreviated term for “conditioner washing,” which is exactly what it sounds like—it’s a method of cleansing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. Co-washing has been around for a while, but designated cleansing conditioners are relatively new on the market, with tons of our favorite hair care brands following suit. This is good news, because it means everyone can get in on the trend, including super fine hair types. Originally intended for use by those with naturally curlyor textured hair, the co-washing community has since broadened to include many different hair types, though it’s still particularly favored by the curly-haired. Shampoo uses surfactants to create that squeaky-clean lather, and while conditioner also contains surfactants, it’s formulated with significantly less, and much milder formulations. Rather than wash out immediately as one would with most shampoos, cleansing conditioners and co-washing formulas are best left in the hair for a few minutes for optimum cleansing.

What are the benefits?
The purpose of co-washing is to preserve the natural oils of the hair while still gently cleansing, allowing for better hydration for all hair types and less color stripping for colored hair. The goal is to make hair healthier overall, with less of the stripping-replenishing cycle that washing then conditioning creates. Cleansing conditioners in particular are excellent for all hair types, as you don’t need to suffer through the process of bearing a few days or weeks of greasiness before the hair and scalp balances itself and regains a clean look. Because cleansing conditioners do actually clean the hair, albeit gently, they’re able to cut through environmental debris and product buildup while retaining the scalp’s natural oils.

Who should be doing it?
Dry, dehydrated, and damaged hair types find great success with co-washing, as do those with textured natural hair. While the original method of co-washing—which is to say, using conditioner only—wasn’t especially suitable for fine and oily hair, cleansing conditioners are universally beneficial. The gentle cleansing action of these products allow the scalp’s oil production to regain balance, resulting in a decrease in overproduction. Think of cleansing conditioners in the same way you think of oil cleansers and facial oils—they’re oil-regulating, not oil-causing. In fact, because fine, dry hair types are so susceptible to breakage and further damage, cleansing conditioners are actually kind of a godsend for taking the place of shampoo.

How do I start co-washing?Many people say that the trick to co-washing is to shampoo your hair every once in a while. Straight-up co-washing sans any shampoo whatsoever is beneficial mainly to the extremely dry-haired, while the rest of us can get away with shampooing once a week and sticking to co-washing the rest of the time. Cleansing conditioners, on the other hand, can be used each time you wash, and there’s no transitional greasy period while you’re waiting for your hair to adjust as there can be with co-washing.

With that said, the best way to get a head start on co-washing is with an inexpensive, lightweight drugstore conditioner: Co-washing requires a lot of product, so you’re not going to want to use the fancy stuff as your co-wash. Use a generous amount of something like VO5 Herbal Escapes Clarifying Conditioner, rubbing it into your scalp as you would shampoo, then rinse and repeat. If a gentle cleansing conditioner is more your scene, we’re loving the brand new A Beautiful Life Condish, a cult favorite find that uses all-natural ingredients like shea butter, peppermint, and lavender to make the magic happen while also smelling amazing.

Five Tips for Healthier Nails

Whether long or short, how to get healthy nails is something every woman is longing for. Take a close look at your fingernails and reconsider the way you treat them. Keep your nails strong by following those five tips for healthier nails.

1. Watch out on your nails:

Your nails, just like your hair and skin, reflect a lot about your general health. If you nails are weak,crack easily or don't grow properly then there's a good chance you need to improve your diet. If you want a way to keep your nails healthy and strong nails, you need to include vitamin B, iron and zinc in your diet. More veggies and fish are always the key to make your nails stronger. 

2. Give your nails a break:

I know, I know. Naked nails are sad nails! I personally love keeping my nails painted all the time. Yet, sometimes you need to give it a break in order to have healthy nails. Slightly dark nails or yellow nails are a result of overusing nail polish and nail polish removers. Instead, apply transparent strengthening serum or gel. Four days in between every mani-pedi sounds reasonable. 

3. Apply nail oil :

Wondering how to get healthy looking nails? Nail and cuticle oil is an excellent way to keep your nail soft, moisturised and strong. Most of nail oils are made of natural components like flax seed oil that prevent chipping and splitting. Wait, they can also keep your nails super shiny when you're not wearing nail polish! 

4. File your nails properly:

How do you file your nails? Back and forth? If yes, then you're in real trouble. Filling your nails back and forth is an everyday faux pas when it comes to treating your nails as it will weaken them more and more. It's never too late though.Train yourself to file your nails in only one direction and you will get to have healthier nails. This way your will nails will be less prone to breakage. 

5. Wear dish gloves:

Subjecting your hands to direct hot and soapy water for a long time will leave your nails at risk. You will probably recognise it yourself when you expose it to soapy water for a long time as they crack immediately afterwards. Make sure to wear dish gloves right before you wash the dishes for extra protection because this will keep your nails healthy.

You'll find everything you need to know to make your nails look pretty in our Nails section here.

Source:http://www.fustany.com 

The 5 Rules of Luscious Lashes

During this sticky, humid time of year the last thing we want are globs of makeup. But long, luscious lashes — those are a year-round necessity. Follow these five rules to get perfect eyelashes without having to revert to time-consuming falsies or expensive extensions.

1. Eyelash curlers are essential:

Sonia Kashuk, makeup artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty, swears by lash curlers as the key to giving lashes that “wow” factor. “Be sure to choose one that creates a beautiful upward curl, such as Sonia Kashuk Dramatically Defining Eye Lash Curler  and with a delicate pumping motion, move from the lash base upward for maximum results.” And always curl before applying mascara, not after. When bare, “The eyelashes are suppler so the crimping of the lash doesn’t feel as damaging,” Kashuk explains.

2. Let lashes set between layers of mascara:

Practice a little patience between each coat. “Giving a little bit of air time between each coat will allow the mascara to set and build upon each layer instead of gooping up as one big clump,” Kashuk says. One of our new favorite non-clumping mascaras is Topshop False Lash Mascara the formula adds volume while the wand combs and separates.

3. Prevent “spider lashes” with a lash comb:

Avoid spidery clumps by combing lashes after applying mascara. “A metal-toothed lash comb is key; apply a coat, wait a few seconds, brush through eyelashes, and then apply the next coat.” Sonia Kashuk’s new double-ended Lashify Mascara comes complete with a lash comb for quick brushing.

4. Don’t layer different mascaras:

“I wouldn’t recommend this, as some formulas will not mix well and end up clumping,” Kashuk says. However, some mixing and matching does work. If there’s a wand you perfer over another, clean it off and use with your favorite formula or as a lash comb.

5. Condition and treat your lashes daily:

Just like your hair, your lashes need a little TLC. Lash conditioners, such as Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum work as a primer, creating a smooth surface for mascara. Growth treatments like Latisse “stimulate the eyelash growth cycle, making it longer, so lashes come in longer, darker and thicker,” says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, Co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC. Full results take within 2-3 months, while improvements show within 4 weeks.


Read more: http://www.dailymakeover.com/

How To Leave The Hairdresser Happy

As a child I had sun-streaked, blonde hair that gradually faded to an unfortunate mousy brown by the time I entered middle school. I was so desperate to return to my once lighter shade that I began using Sun-In, which successfully transformed my hair into a color that can only be described as day-glo orange. I've had plenty of other unfortunate mishaps, including a brief stint with black hair, ends that were visibly fried from my flat iron, and a series of bad dye jobs. But in that time, I've learned some invaluable tips for getting my hair to look how I want it to. Here are the four things that I do each time I go to the hairdresser to ensure that I leave happy.

1. Bring pictures. This might seem obvious, but the best way to communicate what you want to your hairdresser is through photographs. I used to think my descriptions were sufficient until I accidentally mixed up the shade of blonde I was going for. I asked for honey-colored highlights, even though what I really wanted was an ashier, lighter shade (closer to straw). Needless to say, I walked out with honey-colored hair because of my mistake. Now I constantly save photos to my phone of girls with hair color I like. Sometimes it's doable and other times my hairdresser will dissuade me for one reason or another (more on that later), but at least I make sure to go in each time with some visual inspiration.

2. Listen to your hairdresser. When you find a hairdresser you trust, it's important to listen to him or her as to what makes the most sense for your hair. A few years back, when everyone was sporting a side swept bang, I had already begun to embrace my new style before I sat down in her chair. After looking at my natural hair (frizzy with a side of unpredictable wave) and my face shape (small forehead), my stylist encouraged me to reconsider. Of course I was crushed, but after a handful of my friends opted for the cut and immediately regretted it, I was happy that I had listened. The same goes for color: even though there are times when I've wanted to do something drastic (like platinum), after hearing more about the upkeep and the potential damage to my hair, I knew it wasn't the right decision for me.

3. Make sure you leave satisfied. On more than one occasion, I left the salon feeling less than satisfied. Yes, it's awkward to tell your stylist that you're not happy with the results, but it's better than saying nothing at all. You've paid good money, spent a chunk of time in the chair and your stylist wants you to be happy so that you remain a consistent client. Before you say anything, try to pinpoint exactly what it is that you don't love so that you properly describe the issue: check your hair color in different lights, pull it back into a ponytail (I once forgot to do this and while the top of my hair was highlighted to perfection, the underneath sections didn't lift properly and were brassy) and look at it from all different angles. Then in a tactful way, either that day or within three, describe what you don't like so that you can work with your stylist to fix the problem.

4. Be prepared. A day at the salon is an investment, in more ways than one and a little preparation makes a big difference. The first thing is to have cash on hand so that you can tip your stylist and anyone else who helps (don't forget the person who washes and/or blow dries your hair). Bring snacks, since there's nothing worse than feeling like you're stuck ravenous somewhere without anything to eat. I usually toss a granola bar and some nuts into my bag. Finally, while this tip is quite vain, it will make your experience much more enjoyable: make sure you look polished when you arrive. You're going to be sitting in front of a mirror for a good amount of time, with foils in your hair, harsh lighting and a less than flattering smock, so a swipe of lipstick goes a long way. Plus, once you leave, you're going to want the rest of your ensemble to match your fantastic new hair.

Source : http://cupcakesandcashmere.com

101 Ways To Make Your Eyes Pop

1. If you have a hard time using soft eyeliner pencils, draw a thick line onto your hand, use a stiff eye brush to pick up the pigment and then apply to your eye.

2. Need eye drops but don’t want to ruin your makeup? Breathe air in through your nose as you drop them into your eyes. Your tear ducts will suck in the drops before they have a chance to fall down your face. 

3. Use a flesh colored liner on the water rim of your lower lash line to make eyes look bigger and brighter.

4. Apply a shimmery champagne color in the inner corner of your eyes to brighten your whole face.

5. Apply highlighter onto your brow bone.

6. Swap out your neutral black or brown liner for a brightly colored one instead.

7. Apply concealer to your under-eye circles after foundation (not before) to better camouflage them.

8. Use eye shadow made for your eye color, like Almay Intense i-Color Kit ($7.49, drugstore.com).

9. To correct eye makeup mistakes or sharpen a cat eye, dip a Q-tip in eye makeup remover and erase the offending makeup. 

10. To make your eye color stand out, apply black liner around the entire eye, including the water line.

11. Instead of swiping on eye shadow, press the color into your eyelid with a brush or finger. This will give your lids a more pigmented look.

MORE: Eyebrows: Essential Tips and Tricks to Get Your Best Brows Ever

12. Keep a clean eye shadow brush or Q-tip in your purse. Whenever you touch up your makeup, run it over your lids to get rid of any excess shadow that has collected in the crease.

13. Camouflage crow’s feet with lighter colored concealer.

14. Use blue eyeliner to make the whites of your eyes appear brighter.

15. Apply eye cream under the eyes and onto the lid before applying your makeup. It will make it go on smoother. 

16. For a dramatic eye, apply darker shadow to the crease, as well as a small triangle of color at the outside corner of your eye. 

17. Use coconut oil as an all-natural eye makeup remover. It’s gentle, yet effective.

18. After you’ve applied your eye makeup, dab dots of highlighter along the brow bone and around your eye and blend in to brighten the whole area.

19. Apply products to your delicate eye area using your ring finger, which uses less force than your other fingers.

20. To get a classic smoky eye look, combine a little bit of shimmer, tons of dark eye shadow and a whole lot of smudging.

21. Use a darker shade of concealer to cover up puffy eyes. Darker colors recede, which means bags look less pronounced.

22. If you want a more defined look, use a creamy black eye pencil to rim your eyes.

23. To combat eyes that are both puffy and dark, use an eye cream with built in coverage, like Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream ($98, caudalie.com). 

24. You can use darker shades of nude and brown to create a subtle smoky eye look that works on everyone.

25. The most important rule when wearing a smoky eye is that if you go dark, keep the rest of your face soft.

26. Use two colors that are similar but different (like light purple and dark purple) on the lids to create dimension.

27. If your eyes are brown, use navy blue shadow to really make them stand out.

28. For a unique look, dab a brightly colored cream shadow on the inner corners of your eyes.

29. If you have blue eyes, apply a peach color all over your lids and underneath your eyebrows to really make them stand out.

30. To further blend a smoky eye, swipe the same color you use on your lids on your bottom lash line.

31. Rub an ice cube over puffy eyes in the morning to reduce swelling.

32. Don’t be afraid to extend your shadow well above the crease for a dramatic effect. Instead of an intensely dark shadow, a rich café au lait shade looks less harsh.

33. Apply a light colored, cream-based shimmery shadow to the eyelid to open the eye.

34. Change out your mascara every three months. When it comes to your eyes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

35. Never use liner in the inner first third of the eye; it will make eyes seem closer set.

36. If you have green eyes, try out purple eye shadow shades such as lavender, violet, or amethyst. Keep the color sheer so it won’t look garish. For eyeliner, a deep plum is perfect.

37. Create a triangle of opaque white shadow in the inside corner of the eye and up towards the brow to instantly change the shape of your eye.

38. If you’re constantly waking up to puffy eyes, consider changing your laundry detergent. You may be allergic.

39. Apply a primer before eye shadow to give it lasting power and to intensify the color. 

40. If you have blue eyes, go for a warm copper, burnished gold, or rich brown eye shadow. Chocolate is an excellent shade choice for eyeliner.

41. Pair a black liner with pale eye shadow all over the lid and a darker shade in the crease to make the eyes pop.

42. If you have brown hair, use peach and warm neutrals on the eyes.

43. If you have red hair, use neutral eye shadow shades that don’t compete with the hair.

44. Dark eye shadows can be applied with a damp, thin brush on the upper or lower lash line for a defined eye that will last all day.

45. Since dark makeup can make the eyes recede, add depth with shimmery highlight shades.

46. You’ll probably need less eye shadow than you think you will. Start with a tiny bit of product on your brush, and work it outward to create a soft smoke.

47. Erase hard lines of eye shadow by blending in with a brush.

48. Once you’ve applied concealer to dark under-eye circles, follow up with a yellow-based setting powder to help it last longer and to counteract dark circles (yellow cancels out blue and purple).

49. If you’ve applied too much eye shadow, take a Q-tip and dip it into a moisturizer and gently swipe off the tone you need to take down. Then, take your pinky or a sponge tip applicator and just dab on a bit of a neutral shadow to soften the look.

50. Beware of brown eye shadow shades that are reddish, as they can make you look tired or (worse) hungover.

51. Never use an eye shadow that’s the same color as your eyes or nothing will stand out.

52. If you need a smoky eye in a pinch, try Color On Pro kits

Tips For The Perfect Cat Eye

53. When drawing a cat eye, follow the outer bottom lash line upward to get the perfect line.

54. If you have a hard time drawing a straight line of eyeliner at the base of the lids, draw dashes and connect by smudging the liner with a Q-tip.

55. When creating a cat eye, keep applying eyeliner past the length of your eyebrow. You can always remove the excess, but it can be really hard to lengthen a liquid line with precision if you’ve stopped too soon.

56. Use a palette of stone grey shades for a smoky cat eye. Try Bobbi Brown Black Pearl Eye Shadow Palette ($47.50, bloomingdales.com) for a great range of colors.

57. For a daytime cat eye, begin at the inside of the eyelid and drag the liquid liner applicator all the way across the lid to the outside of the eye. When you get to the outside of the eye, move the applicator up and out to create a wing effect. Do not make this line any longer than an eyelash to keep it from being too dramatic.

58. Apply shadow before attempting a cat eye to ensure you don’t smudge it.

59. If you want a daytime-appropriate cat eye, apply a layer of shadow, draw on your cat eye, wait for it to dry, then apply another layer of shadow to tone it down.

60. Tilt your chip up but look down at a mirror when drawing your cat eye.

61. Make your cat eye bold by drawing it on with a bright color, instead of your basic black or brown.

62. If you’re having trouble with liquid liner, draw a practice line with a taupe eyeliner and the trace it with the liquid.

63. If all else fails, try a stick-on Eye Rock Designer Liner ($13, birchbox.com) to get the cat eye you want.

Lush Lashes

64. Use a lash primer before mascara to make lashes look bigger and thicker. 

65. Use a small mascara brush on your lower lashes, as well as the lashes near the inner corner of your eyes. A tinier brush makes it easier to grab onto the smaller lashes.

66. Try out false lashes. They make your eyes look bigger. 

67. Apply a dark kohl liner to the root of your lashes to make them appear fuller. 

68. Skip mascara on the bottom lashes to make eyes appear lifted. 

69. No need to stop at one coat of mascara! Wait for the fist coat to dry, then apply another. Just make sure you’re using a non-clumping mascara.

70. If you wear glasses, go with a lengthening mascara instead of a volumizing one, which can look clumpy when magnified by lenses.

71. When applying mascara, as you move the brush up slightly turn it outward to fully separate lashes. 

72. When lining your lashes, push the color into the lashes so there’s no gap between your lashes and the line. You want the liner to look like a part of your lashes. 

73. Layer individual false eyelashes along the top lash line. Use black mascara on the top lashes and brown on the bottom.

74. For extra long lashes, place the tip of the mascara brush on the outer corners of your lashes first, do a few strokes, then work your way in. Extending those corner lashes will make your eyes look more open.

75. Place the mascara wand at the very base of your lash, then, using a side-to-side motion, wiggle the wand upwards in one long, even stroke.

76. When using a lash curler, clamp down at the base, move the curler out, clamp down, move the curler to the ends and clamp down again.

77. Use a metal-toothed lash comb to help separated clumped lashes.

78. Don’t layer different mascaras, as some formulas don’t work well together, making clumps inevitable. 

79. Highlight under the eyes to brighten the face and bring attention to the eyes. 

80. Don’t pump your mascara wand too many times in the bottle. It pushes air in, which can create clumps.

81. If your lashes are already clumped, take a spiral brush and remove the mascara by swirling against the lashes.

82. If your lashes are thin, dust them with translucent powder before applying mascara to add bulk.

Tips For Better Brows

83. When filling in brows, make tiny hair-like marks with your brow pencil for a more realistic look.

84. Use a primer on your eyebrows before applying pencil or powder. It’ll make the product stay on much longer. 

85. If you want a more defined eyebrow, use a stencil to help shape them, like Anastasia Brow Stencils ($20, anastasia.net).

86. Use clear mascara to groom your brows and keep them in place.

87. When plucking eyebrows, be sure to pluck in the direction of the hair. Otherwise, you could end up with an ingrown hair.

88. When penciling in your brows, extend the tail end so it’s higher or at the same level as where the brow begins (never lower, which brings down your features).

89. For a bold nighttime look, use a brow powder that’s a shade darker than you typically wear.

90. If your brows are sparse, try combing them downward instead of up after you fill in with pencil. This way, the hair will cover the pencil marks and create a more natural finish.

91. Thin brows make you look older, so don’t be afraid to fake a fuller look.

92. Never tweeze when you’re bored or angry, or you might end up taking off more than you intended.

93. The highest point of the brow should be about two-thirds of the way out, not in the middle of the brow.

94. Use a brow regrowth serum with active ingredients, like Joey Healy Brow Renovation Serum ($125, joeyhealy.com) to help sparse eyebrows grow back in.

95. Make sure brows start at the bridge of your nose.

96. If you have a square-shaped face, go for a thick brow.

97. If you have a round face, aim for a more defined brow arch to make your face appear more oval.

98. If you have a long face, go for a straight, flat brow shape.

99. Don’t feel the need to make your eyebrows match your hair color exactly. Sometimes it’s more flattering to go lighter or darker than your natural color.

100. Remember that brows are sisters, not twins, so no amount of plucking will ever make them identical.

101. If your eyebrows are out of control, then brush them upward with a clear mascara and then trim them ever so slightly.

Source: http://www.dailymakeover.com/trends/101-eye-makeup-tips/#ixzz3QhdNlYux