Mascara tips

Handy Mascara tips

Some Mascara tips that may be useful

In today’s blog we are going to take a look at some Mascara tips that may be helpful to know.

Bending the mascara brush– As you pull the wand out of the tube, gently bend the tip so it’s perpendicular to the handle. This new shape will make the brush easier to control and get to the tiny hairs toward the inner corner of your eyes.

Wipe off excess mascara–  when you open a brand new bottle of mascara it can transfer a lot of extra product onto the wand for the first few uses which will cause clumpy lashes. So before your first coat, wipe the brush over a tissue to remove any excess product.

Keep your lashes curled– to help keep your lashes curled for longer, apply a thicker coat of mascara at the roots of your lashes and a lighter one toward the ends. You can achieve this by wiggling the wand back and forth at the base, and then lightly combing through to the tips.

Coat both sides of your lashes-  alternate between looking up and looking down while applying mascara. That way, the hairs are fully covered and appear much thicker.

Use a spoon- you can use a spoon to prevent smudging your mascara whilst applying it.  Place a spoon below your eye with the curved side facing out, and then apply your mascara like you normally would to your lower lashes. That way, the mascara will land on the back of the spoon rather than your skin.

Double it up as a gel eyeliner– take an eyeliner brush and pop it in your mascara, you can now use it as an eyeliner as well as mascara.

There are some helpful Mascara tips for you, we will give you some more soon.

Tags: eye makeup, eyelashes, eyes, lashes, make up tips, mascara, tips

Are skin whitening creams safe ?

After the  last months haul of toxic creams we thought we would look at Are skin whitening creams safe ?

Some people are unlucky enough to have uneven skin tones but Are skin whitening creams safe ?

Skin lightening is a multi-billion-pound global industry, with hundreds of perfectly legal skin lightening products available. But Are skin whitening creams safe ?

But there’s also a booming black market in illegal creams, soaps and lotions, many containing highly damaging ingredients such as mercury, bleach and even steroids.

Specialists say hydroquinone can remove the top layer of skin and the body’s natural defence against infection and the sun. It can also increase the risk of skin cancer and cause fatal liver and kidney damage if it enters the bloodstream.

It has  been illegal across the EU since 2001 to sell products containing hydroquinone while those with mercury and steroids can only be used under prescription.But why you would want these products anywhere your skin we don’t know.

Most of products that contain any or all of these harmful ingredients are  imported products – which  can be purchased for anything from £1.99 to £69.99 – and generally  come from Thailand, Pakistan, India and the Ivory Coast.

In California, there have been about 60 cases of mercury poisoning in the past 5 years,  In many cases, people seek medical help when they experience symptoms like shaky hands, headaches, or fatigue. It’s not only the users of the creams who are at risk, but their families as well. These  substances can be transferred by touch, contaminating food and bedding. Mercury can also become airborne and contaminate the rest of the house.

So the answer to the question Are skin whitening creams safe ? They are if you  you buy theses products from reputable companies.

Tags: Brightening creams, brightening skincare products, skincare, skincare products, toxic skincare products

What do your spots mean

Have you ever wondered What do your spots mean

What do your spots mean ? Lets take a look

So What do your spots mean? Have you ever wondered what those annoying spots on your face mean. Well today we are going to tell you.

Forehead- This area is linked to the Digestive system.  Chocolate and spots unfortunately are connected but in general, high amounts of fat within your diet can lead you to breakout across your forehead. Cleanse your diet with antioxidant-rich green tea and up your water intake to clear this area.

Between eyebrows- This area connected to your Liver.  Alcohol and dairy are said to be the main causes for spots in this area as well as reactions to food allergies. Consult your doctor if you are worried about food intolerance.

Top of ears & around eyes- This area is linked to the Kidneys.  Spots close to your ears and dark circles around the eyes can be caused by dehydration. Make sure you keep well hydrated throughout the day by drinking, at least, eight glasses of water and avoiding coffee, tea and salt as much as possible.

Nose- This area is connected to your heart.  The skin in this area is full of dilated pores so make sure your make-up brushes and anything that you put on your face is kept clean. Try to reduce high blood pressure for an internal solution to clearing spots in this area. Replace ‘bad’ fats with more fruits, vegetables, nuts and Omega-rich fish and consult your doctor if you have any further heart-related concerns.

Cheeks- This area is linked to the respiratory system.  If you’re a smoker you may find that you are more prone to acne along the tops of your cheeks but like most people, increasing your exposure to fresh air with long and regular walks can do wonders for your complexion.

Sides of the mouth- This area is connected to our hormones.  This area can be a key indicator of stress and hormonal imbalances particularly around a certain time of the month.  There is little that you can do to prevent these changes but eating healthy foods and having plenty of exercise will do more good than bad for your complexion.

Chin- This area is linked to the stomach.  If your diet has been loaded with rich and heavy foods then consider a detox or adding more fibre to your diet and exercise to your routine to help with digestion.

Neck- This area would be connected to an illness.  Spots here can indicate that your body is trying to fight off bacteria. Take it easy if you begin feeling unwell and drink plenty of water to give your body some time to relax.

So there we are, now you should know the answer to What do your spots mean.

Tags: skincare, Spots, spots on cheeks, spots on head, spots on nose, what do spots mean

Weird beauty gadgets

Last year we did a blog on some Weird beauty gadgets 

And we decided that today we would do some more Weird beauty gadgets

It may not come as a surprise that most of the more imaginative Weird beauty gadgets come from Japan. here are a few of them:

• Giant Rubber Lips For a Slimmer and Younger looking face:  Now you may look a bit of an idiot wearing these giant lips (and i don’t think you should answer the door with them in. But apparently they  give  you a  slimmer and tighter looking skin. These giant lips need to be inserted into the mouth so that they fit on your lips. All you have to do is place it in your mouth and make vowel sounds – i.e., a, e, i, o, u for a few minutes a day  and it can give you the effect of face lift without surgery. Hmm I’m not sure  about that but maybe the idea behind them is the facial muscle exercises but i don’y think you need to wear these to do that do you?

• Ribbon Scalp Stretcher:  The ribbon comes with two clips attached and it claims to be a stretcher for the scalp.  This  should be worn over your head (and under your hair) everyday   and claims to reduce the signs of aging.  This simple  but effective piece of beauty care technology.  uses rubber bands which hook over your ears and then hook in the stretcher with its combs, fitting it over and around the top of your head. This will lightly pull back the hair above your ears, helping to fight sagging skin and thus reducing the wrinkles around your eyes and cheeks. Or you  could just use an big rubber band and some combs which would probably work just as well without the £30 price tag.

• Eye Slack Haruka:This gadget  shows the best potential, as it claims to treat swelling, sagging, eye bags, dark circles, and wrinkles around the eyes in just 3 minutes. This works by producing thermal vibrations that stimulates blood circulation with the warm heat that the gadget produces. Because of the way the gadget operates it might just help with puffy eyes and dark circles but it does come with a heavy price tag as the cheapest we have found it for is £59

• Happy smile Trainer: You don’t think you have the perfect smile? Train your face to give out the perfect smile with this Happy Face Trainer. It’s basically a mouthpiece that you have to bite into for 5 minutes to set angles and balance your face and cheek muscles so that your smile comes out perfectly . Ok so its a mouth guard really the  type boxers use! Not really sure how it helps you smile better not the most comfortable thing to wear but is by far the cheapest product we have found today at only costing 69 yen which is  about 38p

Well that all were doing today on Weird beauty gadgets today we will add more next week.

Tags: beauty gadgets, beauty gadgets from Japan, weird beauty gadgets

Out of date cosmetics can damage your skin

Todays blog is on Out of date cosmetics can damage your skin

Today we are going to be taking a  look at how Out of date cosmetics can damage your skin

We so many people not throwing a way old makeup we thought we would look at how Out of date cosmetics can damage your skin.

Makeup isn’t cheap so it makes sense to try and make it last as long as possible. But at what cost? Using makeup that has expired can damage your skin and here is why!

Beauty products have an expiry date. Expiry dates are there to help protect you from the side effects of using old products. Once an item is past its expiry date, the preservative has stopped working,  which means that bacteria can grow leaving you open to  the risk of infections, boils  and  possibly causing skin irritation. the ingredients  degenerate, over time which can result in you  suddenly developing a rash from product that has always been ok on your skin before.

Any products  related  to the eyes  need to be carefully maintained and thrown out after 1 year. As these can cause eye infections such as conjunctivas.

The typical shelf life of any make-up is two years,  But with the exception of  eye make-up  which is one year.  Below is  a list of commonly used cosmetics and their approximate expiry dates:

Liquid foundation and loose powder – 2 years
Mascara – 1 year
Eyeliner (liquid) and eye shadow (cream and powder), pencil eyeliners – 1 year
Lipstick, lip glosses and lipliner – 2 years
Nail paints – 2-3 years
Hair products – 2 years
Sunscreen – 2 years
Fragrances – 2 years
Face creams and body lotions – 2-3 years

Is there a way to extend the life of cosmetics? Nearly all products are sensitive to heat,  so keeping them out of direct sunlight is a good practice to have. Heat accelerates the degeneration process, reducing the shelf life of your cosmetics.  Light exposure affects vitamin A derivatives such as retinol, vitamin C and most oils, causing oxidative damage. This makes the ingredients ultimately inactive. Storing in a fridge  is the best option where it is cool and dark will help preserve your products, allowing you to keep them for a longer time. However most of us aren’t about to put all our cosmetics in with the veg. So just away from the window and  not near a radiator  is  the next best thing.

We know its not easy to remember when you bought all of your makeup, but a clear sign that you need to throw it away is when it starts to smell funny or look not quite right.

We hope you have found today blog on Out of date cosmetics can damage your skin

Tags: Cosmetics, Makeup, out of date cosmetics, out of date makeup, throw out your old makeup

INSTANTLY AGELESS

Beauty secrets to sooth your eyes

Today we are looking at 

With may people  suffering from  hay fever we thought we would look at Beauty secrets to sooth your eyes

With the pollen count starting to rise we thought we would have a look at Beauty secrets to sooth your eyes. Sore eyes can be  everything from tiredness through to pollen and environmental pollutants. Below are some great tips to help sooth your eyes. But please remember if your eyes are very sore  rather go to your G.P

1. Chamomile tea bags used as cold compresses can  help relieve itching eyes.
2. Cucumbers have anti-irritation properties that help in reducing inflammation, puffiness, swelling and irritation contributing to itchy eyes.
3. Milk is also one of the popular home remedies for itchy eyes. Dab a cotton ball in cold milk and rub it around the eyes. You can also place a cotton ball soaked in milk on the eyes as a compress for an instant cooling effect.
4. Green tea has many health benefits including providing relief from itchy eyes. It soothes the eyes and has anti-inflammatory benefits.
5. Owing to its soothing and moisturizing properties, aloe vera is another effective home remedy for dry, sore, and itchy eyes.Mix aloe vera gel  with one teaspoon of honey and one-half cup of elderberry blossom tea. Rinse your eyes with the solution
   Alternatively, you can simply use aloe vera juice as an eyewash.
6. Raw potatoes can bring quick relief from itchy eyes due to their astringent properties. will help relieve redness and inflammation.
7. Juice from raw vegetables, particularly carrots and spinach, is  great for soothing  itchy eyes. The juices can be used separately or combined together. Simply drink the fresh juice twice daily until you get relief.

We hope you find these Beauty secrets to sooth your eyes helpful

Find out How smoking can affect your looks

How smoking can affect your looks

Find out How smoking can affect your looks

Today we stay on the subject of smoking and look at How smoking can affect your looks

So we have looked at some of the effects of smoking on the skin and now How smoking can affect your looks.

Under eye bags- If you smoke, you are 4 times more likely than nonsmokers to report feeling tired after a night’s sleep.  It’s possible that nightly nicotine withdrawal could be causing you to toss and turn which would cause lack of sleep and unfortunately, poor sleep is not good for our looks.

Psoriasis- You can get psoriasis without smoking but your risk for the scaly skin condition goes up a lot if you smoke.  According to a 2007 study, if you puff a pack a day for 10 years or less, psoriasis risk goes up 20%; 11–20 years and your risk is 60% higher; and for those who pass the two-decade mark, the psoriasis risk more than doubles. (Even secondhand smoke during pregnancy or childhood is linked to a higher risk.)

Stained teeth-  The nicotine in cigarettes can stain your teeth and smoking can also give you gum problems, which could result in bad breath.

Premature aging and wrinkles- Experts say that smoking accelerates aging, so that  on average smokers look 1.4 years older than nonsmokers.  Smoking hampers the blood supply that keeps skin tissue looking supple and healthy and this is why smokers can be more wrinkly.

Stretch marks- The nicotine found in cigarettes damages the fibers and connective tissue in your skin, causing it to lose elasticity and strength.  Therefore smokers will be more likely to get stretch marks when gaining weight rapidly.

So its time to kick the habit as you now know How smoking can affect your looks.

Tags: Skin, skincare, Smoking, the affect smoking has on your looks

Younique 3D Fibre Mascara

Effects of smoking on the skin

Todays blog is on the effects of smoking on the skin

With still so many people still smoking we thought we would share some of the  Effects of smoking on the skin 

We all know that smoking ages you but do you really know what  the Effects of smoking on the skin are.

Toxins in cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 toxins many of which are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and are taken by the blood right into the structure of your skin.

Smoking cigarettes reduces the efficiency with which the skin can regenerate itself, it constricts the blood vessels at the top layers of the skin which in turn reduces blood supply to the skin.

Cigarette smoking causes the blood vessels at the top layers of the skin to constrict and so reducing the oxygen level in the blood This thickening  the blood and reduces the levels of collagen in the skin and can cause wounds to take longer to heal as a result.

Smoking makes your skin thinner

A recent British study took 25 pairs of identical twins where one twin was a lifelong smoker and the other had never smoked. The doctors used an ultrasound technique to gauge inner arm skin thickness. The smoker’s skin was a quarter thinner than that of the non-smokers and in a few cases there were differences of up to 40 per cent. If consider that this study was done on the arm where the skin is thicker than that on the face can you imagine  how much thinner the skin on the face would be.

So the next time you feel like a cigarette just remember what the Effects of smoking on the skin

Tips to improve the skin elasticity

Today we are looking at Tips to improve the skin elasticity

We are always looking at different way to stay youthful today we are looking at Tips to improve the skin elasticity 

As we get older are skin ages and is less elastic so we have decided to todays blog should be on  Tips to improve the skin elasticity .

When the skin is healthy the skin contains it elasticity as compared to unhealthy  skin. As we age,  the elasticity of skin reduces with wider density of wrinkles, spots and blackheads and bigger pores.

The are a variety of environmental factors which are responsible for reduction of skin elasticity.  Such as exposure to the elements,(sun/wind/cold) to name one.

Face muscle excises

There are several muscle exercises you can try to help keep you skin subtle. Doing facial exercises, or facial yoga, is a natural way to make your face look younger by firming muscles and reducing wrinkles. There are approximately 42 muscles in your face, and exercising them has the added benefit of helping eye strain and releasing neck and facial tension.

Don’t smoke

Smoking cigarettes reduces the efficiency with which the skin can regenerate itself  smoking causes the constriction (narrowing) of the blood vessels at the top layers of the skin which in turn reduces blood supply (to the skin). It is the reduced blood supply which causes a reduction in the availability of oxygen (which is necessary for all living cells) and the removal of waste products, dead cell fragments etc… which provide the necessary environment for regeneration.

Avoid harsh products

Avoid using harsh products on your skin , such as soaps, acne, medications, lightening creams etc . These products ca do more harm than good always read the ingredients before buying a product or if possible ask for a sample this includes using creams that are too rich for your skin type.

Take supplements

One of the best products to take is fish oil this helps the skin have and nails, don’t just buy it from the supermarket shelf though go to a health shop it is one of those things that you really do get what you pay for.Ask for help for you are not sure which one to buy.

We hope these tips will help we add more Tips to improve the skin elasticity

Stop biting your nails

Stop biting your nails now

Ways to Stop biting your nails

It’s a bad habit but a lot of people do it, so today’s blog is going to help you Stop biting your nails.

I don’t know about you but we are constantly telling our daughters to get their fingers out of their mouths.  Its very unhygienic to bite your nails and very damaging to them too.  To help all you nail biters out there, take a look at the tips below.

• Try covering your nails with plasters, out of sight, out of mind, just don’t be tempted to take them off.
• Change your habit. Whenever you have the urge to bite, do something else instead. Some people like to drum their fingers, twiddle their thumbs, clasp their hands, put their hands in their pockets, or just stare at their hands. Just make sure it’s not a bad habit; choose a helpful one or one that doesn’t really matter either way.
• Take up a new hobby.  Not only will the new hobby keep you from biting your nails, but you could also discover a new passion at the same time.
• Keep your mouth busy.  Chew gum and drink water throughout the day to try and keep your mouth busy and this will hopefully keep your nails from being in it too.
• Use a nail inhibitor, paint this on regularly, it won’t taste nice so will deter you from biting your nails.  Wash it off before eating finger food though as it could ruin your lunch.
• Paint your nails in a bright or dark colour, something noticeable so that you won’t like the look of it if you nibble it.
• Pop some fake nails on, just the ones you stick on yourself as gel nail extensions or acrylics will not last unless you have enough nail to stick them to in the first place. But keeping stick on nails on will stop you biting your own.

So its time to Stop biting your nails now and work towards having lovely nails.

Tags: biting your nails, nail biting, nail care, Nails