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4 Natural Ways To Remove Makeup Quickly

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makeup

Many of us are concerned about the use of harsh chemicals on our skin.

Most makeup remover products on the market today are loaded with such chemicals, which can be harmful or toxic to the body.

This is especially true for those of us with sensitive skin. Chemicals can irritate the skin and cause breakouts or allergic reactions.

Let’s take a look at several safe and natural ways to remove makeup, by just heading to your cabinet at home:

1. Milk

For those with sensitive skin, using milk as a makeup remover is an excellent choice.

Milk is a gentle yet effective remover of eye makeup such as mascara and eyeliner. It may not be as effective for thick foundation, but it works excellent on the eye area.

To use, dab a cotton pad in milk until saturated. Sweep over face and eye makeup. Gently rinse with lukewarm water until clean.

2. Witch Hazel

This article suggests using witch hazel to remove makeup. It is an herbal extract, which is derived from the witch hazel shrub. It has been a longstanding staple in the beauty industry for many years, due to its affordability and efficiency.

Witch hazel works extremely well on cleaning oils from the skin, so is a good choice for an all over makeup remover.

To use witch hazel as a makeup remover, you should dilute it by fifty percent with water. Soak a soft facecloth or cotton pads in the solution and gently cleanse face in a circular motion.

3. Oils

Applying oils to the face will dissolve makeup residue and cleanse the skin. You can use a wide variety of oils, such as: olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and many others.

To remove eye makeup, use a cotton swab dipped in oil to loosen the mascara from the lashes. Gently wipe away loosened makeup with a cotton pad or soft face cloth.

To remove makeup from the entire face, massage a dollop of oil into the skin for a minute or two. Next, place a hot washcloth over your face for another couple of minutes. Once washcloth has cooled, remove it from your face and wipe away any excess oil.

4. Aloe Vera and Honey

Most people are familiar with the healing properties of Aloe Vera, but it can be used as a makeup remover as well, by combining it with just a few other ingredients.

To make this all natural cleanser, combine equal parts aloe vera gel and raw honey. For each cup of this mixture, add two tablespoons of your favorite oil. Combine these ingredients until it forms a paste-like consistency. The leftover cleanser can be stored in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Apply the aloe vera paste to the face in gentle circular motions for a minute or two. Rinse away residue with a warm, wet face cloth.

Conclusion

Taking good care of your skin by using natural methods, will keep it healthy and and more youthful looking. Avoiding putting chemicals on your skin, is beneficial to your body internally as well as externally.

Not only are natural methods healthier for your body and skin, but they are more cost effective as well. Many of the ingredients are already in most people’s pantry or can be easily obtained at the grocery store.

The natural choice is a wise one, due to convenience and ease of use, combined with the lower price point and effectiveness.

For further reading on ways to help your skin look more youthful, check out: How Does Drinking Hot Water Help With Anti-Aging and 4 Exercises You Can Do To Get Rid Of Necklines.

Image: Flickr

The Five Causes Of Dark Circles

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dark circles

Many of us can relate to the feeling… You look in the mirror in the morning and you notice the dreaded dark circles under your eyes.

Dark circles will make you look tired, older and in severe cases, they make you appear unhealthy. They can happen at any age, but the older you are, the more chance you will see it happening.

There are some basic reasons why this discoloration appears. It can be a single cause or a combination of causes that result in this darker skin under the eyes.

Let’s go over some basic reasons you may notice the dark circles and how to avoid them:

1. Fatigue

An article from Mayo Clinic suggests that fatigue is the leading cause of dark circles.

Not getting enough sleep can cause bags to form under the eye or puffy eyelids. These shadows can make it look like you have dark circles.

The best way to combat this, is to get enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults between the ages of 26-64 should get 7-9 hours of sleep at night. Doing so on a regular basis, should help any puffiness and dark circles decrease.

2. Dehydration

If you are not drinking enough water, your body will become dehydrated. When this happens, there is not enough fluid in your body to provide your skin with the water it needs to stay plump and healthy.

When there is insufficient fluid in your skin, it will look thinner and will sink in around the hollows of the eyes. This will create dark circles under the eyes to form.

3. Hereditary Influence

Heredity definitely plays a role in the appearance of dark circles. It is also referred to as genetic hyper-pigmentation.

This article states that it is the most treatable types of under eye circles by the use of lightening creams, laser therapy and chemical peels.

4. Sun Damage

It is a well known fact that the sun is damaging to the skin, but often we forget about the tender skin around our eyes. Many of us apply sunscreen to the body and maybe the nose and cheeks, but the under eye area tends to be missed, causing dark circles.

One of the easiest ways to protect the eye from the damaging rays of the sun is to wear sunglasses. It is also important to apply eye creams that contain an SPF to prevent further damage.

5. Aging

As we get older, we lose some of the fatty tissue in our face, causing it to look hollowed out around the eyes. Your skin may look sunken in around the eye area and it will appear darker.

Apply day and night eye serums on a regular basis. This will help slow down the decrease in elastin and collagen loss that occurs when we get older. The skin will thin more slowly and will stay plumper longer, than if eye serums were never applied.

Conclusion

Of course, if genetics play a part in the development of dark circles around the eyes, then it may be difficult to eliminate them completely. The best thing you can do is to stay well rested and drink a sufficient amount of water to avoid dehydration.

There are skin care products on the market that can assist in lightening the skin underneath the eye area. Apply them gently and as directed. Be sure not to pull or tug on the thin skin around the eye. Doing so will cause wrinkling, which is another issue altogether.

Cosmetics will also help to cover up the dark circles. Invest in a quality concealer and foundation. When applied correctly, you will make your dark circles virtually invisible.

For further reading, check out: Anti-Wrinkle Fruits – 4 Best Fruits To Reduce Wrinkles and How Does Drinking Hot Water Help With Anti-Aging.

Image: Flickr

4 Step Easy Skincare Routine For Busy People

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skincare routine

It seems like everyone is in a hurry these days. Between work, caring for children and trying to have somewhat of a social life, many of us find it hard to squeeze in time for ourselves.

Treating your skin doesn’t have to take a long amount of time. As long as you use the right products, techniques, and are consistent, you should be able to see the benefits of your efforts in no time.

Let’s take a look at the basic simple steps in creating an efficient skincare routine:

1. Cleansing

The first thing of proper skincare is using an appropriate cleanser for your face according to your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin, never use a cleanser for oily skin. Doing so will strip the little oils that are there and increase the dryness.

The same thing goes for oily skin, Never use dry skin cleansers on oily skin. It will only make the skin feel more greasy and will most likely cause breakouts.

Clean the skin in the morning and before bed to wash away any dirt and debris that has accumulated. A battery operated cleansing brush paired with your favorite cleanser works well to exfoliate dead skin cells and leave a radiant glow.

2. Toning

An important step, that is often skipped, is using a toner. Toners are an excellent means for balancing the skin’s pH after cleansing. When the pH is balanced, the skin is happy and there is less chance for inflammation.

Toning also hydrates the skin, which is very important after cleansing. Each toner has different ingredients and benefits. Do your research on which one is right for your specific needs.

3. Moisturize and Protect

If you want to eliminate a step in your daily skin care routine, choose a moisturizer for you skin type that also has a sunscreen added for daytime use. Protecting your skin from the damaging rays of the sun, will prevent loss of collagen and elasticity, which reduces the formation of wrinkles.

Your night time ritual should also include a moisturizer after your face is cleansed and toned. Night creams are generally heavier and tend to hydrate more than day creams. They also often contain acids or Retinol to help smooth skin and dissolve fine lines.

4. Eye Cream

Incorporating an eye cream into your regimen is a quick way to reduce and prevent crows feet. You will find a number of different eye creams and serums on the market that serve different purposes.

There are creams that help eliminate dark circles and puffiness that are good for the morning. Others are geared more for night time use and are used for hydrating the fragile skin around the eye.

Conclusion

Now that you have developed a step by step plan of action, all you need to do is put it in motion. Create a habit by caring for your skin at the same time every day. Keep all of your products in a convenient location so you can access them easily.

Always be mindful to remove any makeup before you go to bed and moisturize in the morning and night and wear a good sunscreen when going outdoors.

Once you develop the habit, you won’t even think about working skincare into your schedule, it will just be a part of your daily life.

For further reading on how to care for your skin and look younger, check out: 3 Ways To Get Rid Of Undereye Wrinkles At Home and The Right And Wrong Way To Apply Foundation To Your Face.

 

Image: Flickr

A Short Guide To Applying Your Face Mask Perfectly

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It isn’t surprising that face masks are a popular part many beauty regimens. These handy beauty products can help resolve many common skin problems and correct a number of imperfections. A properly applied face mask can leave your skin soft, supple, and radiant.

On the other hand, if applied incorrectly it could be doing more harm than good. An improperly applied face mask makes it impossible for the skin to reap all it’s benefits. In some cases it can even leave you with irritated skin.

Here is a short but comprehensive guide on how to get the most out of your face mask.

1. Do a Skin Assessment

The first step to getting the most out of your face mask is to do a skin assessment in order to determine what kind of face mask you need. Take a good look in the mirror and examine your skin. Is it dry, oily, or combination skin with oily patches in the T zone of your face?

Once you understand your skin type, think about what you are trying to accomplish with your face mask. Are you aiming to hydrate your skin or eliminate oils? Is your goal to fight blemishes, dark spots, or wrinkles? Are you looking to soothe inflamed skin, revitalize dull skin, or exfoliate?

2. Make or Buy?

Next you should decide if you will be making your own face mask from scratch, or buying a ready made mask at the store. If you are particular about the ingredients in your face mask, making your own is a good option. On the other hand, store bought face masks are convenient and easy to use.

If you prefer to make your face mask, you will need to start with a recipe. There are many face mask recipes that you can find online but you will have to do your research to find one that uses the ingredients you are interested in and targets the problems you want to correct. Once you find your recipe, you will have to gather your ingredients as well as any tools you may require to follow the recipe.

3. Prepare Your Supplies

It is best to apply a face mask with a soft bristle brush. You should have a brush dedicated for applying face masks. Use your brush for your face alone and never on any other body part or for any other purpose. Make sure you clean your brush thoroughly before the first use and immediately after you are done applying your face mask.

Refrigerate your face mask for about an hour before use. This will ensure a cooling effect which can be good for your skin. Keeping your face mask cold also ensures that any potentially perishable ingredients in a homemade face mask won’t go bad. As an added bonus, applying a cool face mask just feels great.

4. Prepare Your Skin

Before you touch your face, wash your hands. Next you will need to clean your face. Use your favourite cleanser and warm water to carefully remove any dirt, oil, and makeup. It is a good idea to follow up with a good facial scrub to exfoliate the skin. This will remove dead skin cells and help the face mask absorb better.

Your skin will get the most out of your face mask if you open up your pores before you begin. You can do so by taking a hot shower right before applying your face mask. Or you can cover your face with a washcloth dipped in very warm water. Keep the washcloth on your face until it begins to cool off.

5. Apply The Face Mask

Use your clean brush to apply the face mask to your skin. Be sure that you apply the product smoothly and evenly over your entire face as well as neck. Use light pressure and even strokes. Avoid getting too close to your eyes, mouth, hairline, and clothing.

6. Finishing Touches

For that spa experience in the comfort of your home, cut two think slices of cucumber and place them over your eyes. The cucumber reduces puffiness around the eye and relaxes the area. In a pinch, raw potato slices work just as well.

The length of time you will need to leave your face mask on your skin will vary but 15 minutes is a good average. It’s best to set a timer so that you don’t leave the product on your skin too long. Use this time to relax and enjoy a moment to yourself. Dim the lights and play some soothing music

7. Aftercare

Use lukewarm water and a washcloth to remove all traces of the face mask. Avoid scrubbing as skin can be more sensitive and prone to irritation. Follow up with a toner to shrink your pores. Then use a quality moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out.

Most people would benefit from repeating this routine once per week. Applying a face mask more often might irritate the skin but if your skin tends to be oily you might be able to repeat the treatment more often. On the other hand, people with dry skin may want to use a face mask less often.

What kind of face mask will you be applying this week?

Image: Flickr

The Right And Wrong Way To Apply Foundation To Your Face

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foundation
One of the fastest ways to look younger and more vibrant is to wear makeup. Doing so, has the ability to even out skin tone, make your eyes more dramatic and also enhance the positive features of the face, while downplaying the not so flattering features.
The completed look starts with a quality foundation. You may feel overwhelmed at the store, deciding between all of the different varieties available. But with a little knowledge and practice, you will have your skin looking picture perfect in no time.
The biggest rule of thumb is to always avoid pulling or dragging the skin. Doing so will cause unnecessary damage and aging.
Let’s take a look at several types of foundations on the market today and how to use them correctly:
Cushion Foundation
One of the newest trends in the beauty industry is cushion foundation. One of the greatest characteristics of this type of foundation, is the ability to layer it according to the coverage needed. It also is known to work well with all skin types.
Loreal makes a terrific formula that is buildable and can cover as much or as little as you desire.
To use, simply press the applicator into the cushion to transfer the foundation to the applicator. Gently tap the applicator across the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Pat the applicator over the face, until desire coverage is achieved. Then, using downward strokes, gently smooth and tap over the face until completely blended.
Liquid Foundation
Liquid foundation is a staple in most cosmetic bags. When applied correctly, it has amazing coverage yet won’t look cakey. This is also excellent for all skin types, ranging from oily to dry and everything in between.
There is a lot of versatility when it comes to applying liquid foundation. You can use many different things to achieve different effects from this product.
If you are looking for a sheer finish, then a stippling brush should be your tool of choice. It is recommended that you use a “pouncing motion” with the brush, lightly across the entire face. Tap the stippling brush all over until the foundation is well blended and evenly applied.
If you prefer more coverage, apply the foundation with a beauty sponge and build up the areas that need more product. Just dampen the sponge slightly and squeeze out any excess water before adding foundation to it. Use a pressing motion to apply foundation to the skin, then blend by gently tapping the sponge and feathering out the product.
Powder Foundation
Powder foundation works best on normal to oily skin. Drier skin will tend to show more lines with this type, so if your skin is dry, stick with a liquid or cushion form. Powder foundation works great if you are in a hurry or need a quick touch up during the day.
To apply, use a beauty sponge to smooth the product over the areas where you want the most coverage, then gently blend it out with light sweeping motions.
It is also recommended to use a buffing brush to apply the foundation. Simply load the product onto the brush and dot over the face where the most coverage is desired, then blend out in a swirling, circular motion.
Conclusion
The tips above should help you to apply foundation correctly. You may want to try a few different types to see which ones work best with your skin type. You may also prefer applying one kind over the other.
Remember that practice makes perfect and the more you apply the foundation, the easier it will be and the better it will look.
If you are interested in other methods that will keep your skin looking younger, give facial exercise a try. Doing so will tone the facial muscles, smooth fine lines and tighten the face,
For further reading, check out: 12 Hacks And Home Remedies To Naturally Reduce Wrinkles and Skin Friendly Makeup That Won’t Break The Bank.
Image: Flickr

Skin Friendly Makeup That Won't Break The Bank

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Makeup Budget
When it comes to buying cosmetics, prices can range from very inexpensive to getting a second mortgage on your house for the latest eye shadow palette.
Cost is not the usually the only factor when purchasing new makeup. Another thing to consider, are the ingredients and the quality of the product. Just because a cosmetic has a higher price point, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for your skin.
You also need to think about the importance of cruelty free products. Many larger companies still test on animals,so if that is something you feel strongly against, be sure to read the labels before you buy.
So, what are some makeup brands that are skin friendly and cost effective as well? Let’s take a look at several options that may help you decide on what is best for you.

Milani

If you are looking for a wide variety of quality cosmetics with a great price point, look no further. Milani has everything you need.
All of their products are highly rated and are also cruelty free, which is an added benefit.
You will love their highly pigmented eye shadows that last all day. They come in a number of coordinating palettes in matte, shimmer, pearl and metallic.
Another fabulous product is their Conceal + Perfect foundation and concealer combination. There are 19 shades available that will match any skin tone.

e.l.f. Cosmetics

Besides from their budget friendly price and wide selection of products, e.l.f. Cosmetics have other benefits to consider as well.
All of their products are non-comodogenic, which means that they won’t clog your pores and cause blackheads. They are also do not test on animals or endorse doing so.
e.l.f. Cosmetics offers a complete line of make up and skin care products for all skin types. They also sell tools such as make up brushes, beauty sponges, and cosmetic bags.

Physicians Formula

If you are one of the many people with sensitive skin, then you realize the importance of using hypo-allergenic make up. Cosmetics that contain harsh ingredients can cause inflammation, breakouts, excessive dryness, redness and other issues.
Physicians Formula cosmetics are specifically formulated for sensitive skin and eyes. It is also highly recommended by allergists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons.
You will find that they have a full line of makeup for the entire face. Additionally they offer a line of skin care products, such as serums, oils and primers.

Wet N Wild

Wet N Wild has been voted the number one value brand in America and has been around since 1979. Many of us can remember their first make up purchase was a Wet N Wild product.
Their cosmetics are very low in cost but high in quality. You will find a large selection of products to choose from, for any skin tone or type. The color selection is incredible, featuring over 400 shades!
Known for their safety, Wet N Wild cosmetics is the leading brand of lead free lipstick.
Conclusion
With a little research and label reading, you should be able to find the right makeup for your budget and skin type. Aside from the brands listed above, there are many others on the market that will fit the criteria you are looking for.
Whether you have young skin with no signs of aging or mature skin, you can find products that will help you look and feel your best without breaking the bank.
If you are interested in further reading about skincare and ways to keep a youthful appearance, check out: 10 Minute Facial Exercise That Will Help You Look Younger and Does Anti-Aging Make Up Really Work? Dermatologists Have Their Say.
Image: Flickr