Makeup Tips for the Natural Look.
As Helga Surratt, President of about Faces Day Spa & Salon of Towson, Md., says, “Applying makeup for a natural look is easy with practice.” Follow these face makeup tips for a flawless finish to your makeup application:
Start with a clean and moisturized face. This is your canvas.
Start with a clean and moisturized face. This is your canvas.
- Use concealer for coverage. “To hide imperfections without adding color, use a concealer that has a yellow undertone,” Surratt says. Your concealer should be one shade lighter than your foundation or tinted moisturizer. Dot the concealer wherever you have a spot to cover and carefully blend it in with the rest of your skin using a makeup sponge.
- Choose the best base makeup for you. For the sheerest and most natural look, use a tinted moisturizer after your concealer and gently blend with a makeup sponge under your jaw line. If you want to use a foundation for additional coverage, use a thin layer and carefully blend it under your jaw line.
- Mineral makeup is great for a natural look and is easy to apply with a brush.
- Experiment to find the right texture for a natural look. Mix your favorite liquid or cream foundation makeup with a dab of skin cream or moisturizer for a lighter, moister finish.
- For eye makeup, stick to neutral tones. Try taupe, beige, or a light dusting of a dark pink for eye shadow and brown or gray for mascara. “For the most natural look, skip the eyeliner,” Surratt suggests. If you do use it, choose a brown or gray color rather than black.
- Go light on your lips. “Select nude or sheer pink shades that enhance your natural lip color, and forgo any lip liner,” says Pam Messy of Mary Kay Cosmetics in Owings Mills, Md.
- Blend. Blending is the secret to using blush. Choose a cream formula or a loose powder applied with a makeup brush. Both are easy to work with. Apply the blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend down. In summer months, you can use a hint of bronzer to add more color to your face. “For the most natural look, use a blush that is closest to the color of your own cheeks after a light workout.
Most Effective Acne Fighting Products.
Cleanser for Sensitive Skin Types
Continually using a standard cleanser or soap can irritate the skin, causing overly dry and inflamed skin. Use only a soap or cleanser that is designed for sensitive skin types.
Toner Without Alcohol
Alcohol-based toners will dry out the skin and can sting. Use a toner that has a base of witch hazel.
Low-Strength Benzoyl Peroxide Cream
Benzoyl peroxide creams are powerful acne fighters. Using a lower-strength benzoyl peroxide cream will clear the skin without causing redness or peeling.
Sensitive Skin Moisturizer
After treating the skin with benzoyl peroxide, it is important to moisturize the skin to prevent the skin from becoming too irritated or dry. Use only an oil-free lotion or moisturizer so it will not clog the pore or cause acne.
Calamine Lotion Overnight Treatment
Calamine lotion makes a wonderful nighttime treatment, and can dry up and clear larger cystic acne quickly. Apply a dab of calamine lotion to the acne blemishes, leaving it on overnight.
Continually using a standard cleanser or soap can irritate the skin, causing overly dry and inflamed skin. Use only a soap or cleanser that is designed for sensitive skin types.
Toner Without Alcohol
Alcohol-based toners will dry out the skin and can sting. Use a toner that has a base of witch hazel.
Low-Strength Benzoyl Peroxide Cream
Benzoyl peroxide creams are powerful acne fighters. Using a lower-strength benzoyl peroxide cream will clear the skin without causing redness or peeling.
Sensitive Skin Moisturizer
After treating the skin with benzoyl peroxide, it is important to moisturize the skin to prevent the skin from becoming too irritated or dry. Use only an oil-free lotion or moisturizer so it will not clog the pore or cause acne.
Calamine Lotion Overnight Treatment
Calamine lotion makes a wonderful nighttime treatment, and can dry up and clear larger cystic acne quickly. Apply a dab of calamine lotion to the acne blemishes, leaving it on overnight.
How to Get Rid of Shaving Bumps on Legs.
Allow adequate time between shaving sessions. Let your hair to grow long enough that it won't grow back into the skin, becoming an ingrown hair and ultimately becoming a bump.
2 Use an electric razor if possible. An electric razor does not cut as close to the skin as manual razors, so your skin will not become irritated. If you decide to use a blade, make sure it is sharp. Try different types of razors until you find one that works for you.
3 Lather a moisturizing soap, shaving cream, or shaving gel into your leg before shaving to soften the hair.
4 Shave legs in the opposite direction the hair grows. Do not use a loofah or washcloth on your legs after shaving because shaving already exfoliated the skin.
5 Rinse legs well after shaving and pat dry with a towel. Do not rub legs with the towel; rubbing will irritate your legs.
6 Apply moisturizing lotion to the recently shaved area. Lotion is better than aftershave because aftershave is alcohol-based, and alcohol can irritate the skin. Apply lotion nightly to keep skin moist.
2 Use an electric razor if possible. An electric razor does not cut as close to the skin as manual razors, so your skin will not become irritated. If you decide to use a blade, make sure it is sharp. Try different types of razors until you find one that works for you.
3 Lather a moisturizing soap, shaving cream, or shaving gel into your leg before shaving to soften the hair.
4 Shave legs in the opposite direction the hair grows. Do not use a loofah or washcloth on your legs after shaving because shaving already exfoliated the skin.
5 Rinse legs well after shaving and pat dry with a towel. Do not rub legs with the towel; rubbing will irritate your legs.
6 Apply moisturizing lotion to the recently shaved area. Lotion is better than aftershave because aftershave is alcohol-based, and alcohol can irritate the skin. Apply lotion nightly to keep skin moist.
Hair Care for Curly Hair.
Shampooing Choosing a curl-enhancing shampoo helps provide the hair and its roots the proper vitamins needed to leave hair looking full of volume. For those with curly hair, it's important to only wash no more than twice a week. Washing more often strips hair of its natural oils and can leave hair looking dry and flat. Every time you shampoo, a conditioner should be used in order to remoisturize your hair. A leave-in conditioner also helps prevent frizz and gives hair a natural-looking shine.
Brushes Avoid narrow-toothed combs and brushes if you have curly hair. They can create more frizzes by separating the hair too much and causing more volume than one with naturally-curly hair needs. A wide-toothed comb is the best option to help prevent frizz and breakage.
Detangling is an especially important process for those with curly hair. Start in the shower when your hair is freshly moist and conditioned, and begin untangling your hair with your fingers. Continue the process with a wide-toothed comb from the ends to the roots (in that order). After detangling, rinse your hair once more. And remember: don't detangle with dry hair as it attracts a frizzy look.
Blow-drying For those with curly hair, using a blow-dryer is not suggested. Letting hair air dry helps to reduce the look of frizz. Additionally, brushing your hair while wet can create breakage. Blot it with a towel---do not rub---if your hair needs to be dried faster than the air will permit.
Styling Use products that include moisturizing ingredients to prevent frizz. Applying a mousse while the hair is wet can help maintain a healthy-looking curl. A shine serum is a great finishing product for those with curly hair. The serum leaves a naturally-looking shine, completing your look.