Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it’s the first thing people notice about you. Broadly speaking, the skin has two layers- the outer layer, or epidermis and the inner layer, the dermis.

The Epidermis

The epidermis is made of several rows of living cells, covered with a horny layer of dead cells. These are constantly being shed and replaced by new cells from the lower layers. the process by which dead cells are shed is know as ‘desquamation.’ In the basal layer of the epidermis are cell know as melanocytes . They produce melanin, the pigment which gives the skin its colour. Melanin also protects the skin from the damage caused by the sun’s radiation.

The Dermis

The epidermis is supported by the dermis,which plays an important role in determining the contours of the skin. The dermis is formed of tough , flexible connective tissue, the structural network of collagen and elastin fibers that support the skin and are responsible for its tone,firmness and resilience. The dermis contains sweat and sebaceous(oil producing) glands. The surface ends of oil glands form the pores of the skin .

How To cleanse gently

• Wash your face in warm- not hot!-water to loosen clogged pores and stimulate blood circulation to the skin

• Wet the face,then squeeze a dime-sized dab of cleanser into your palm , rub your hands together,and gently move them in circles around your face.

• Rinse with cool (but not icy) water to tighten the pores.Water that is too hot or too cold can cause broken capillaries.

How To rub your scrub

• After you cleanse your face, take a bit of scurb into the palm of your hand.
• Wet it and lightly press the scrub into your skin .
• Then massage it gently around your face with the same easy pressure you use to shave your legs.
• The force of the abrasion should lie somewhere between that used to wash with a washcloth and a loofah.(Never use aloofah on your face ;it’s much too abrasive.)To really get your circulation going, splash with cool,then warm water.

WARNING: Don’t overscurb,because you need some of that surface stuff around to protect your skin

How To Maximize your moisturizer

• Gently apply a dime- sized dab to your skin.
• Use an upward, circular motion to lightly massage the moisturizer into your face . Make sure not to pull or tug on the skin . If your skin is oily , don’t massage too much :facial massage stimulates the oil glands to produce more sebem, which is the last thing oily skin needs.
• When you apply cream under the eye ,do it gently .(This is the most delicate skin on the face.) Use your fourth finger (the weakest)and pat the cream back and forth under the eye, starting at the outer corner and working inward Do this twice a day once in the morning before applying makeup and once at night after removing it. Don’t put eye cream on your upper lids before bedtime or you’ll wake up with puffy lids.

Skin care tips

Always apply a thin coat of moisturizer before you enter a sauna. It helps prevent broken capillaries.

• In warm weather , stash your gel, lotion, or cream in the fridge . The chills feels good on your weather , warm your moisturizer between your hands for a few seconds before you apply it your face .It will absorb better.
• When you come home form work and your skin is almost as tired as you are, wash up and then slather on a face oil . Since you won’t be going out again to face the world anyway, it doesn’t matter if your face temporarily transforms into a reflector shield until the oil is absorbed. Once it does , your skin will feel like the proverbial baby’s bottom.
• Keeps makeup out of sunlight; keeps sunscreens out of sun when at the beach.

Toning

Toning is necessary for all skin types. It follows immediately after cleansing and helps to refresh the skin. It also helps to improve blood circulation to the skin surface and gives the skin the ‘glow’ that is associated with its good health.

Toning Tips

• A good way of toning the skin is to cotton wool pads soaking in a bowl of skin tonic, in the refrigerator. After cleansing the skin , wipe with the skin tonic pads and then pat the skin briskly. This stimulates blood circulation to the surface.
• Gentle stroking movements can also be followed. Using the cotton wool pads , soaked in skin tonic , start on the cheeks , with an outward and slightly upward movement. Using both hands, work on each side simultaneously, towards the temples. Press lightly at each temple. For the chin and on either corner of the nose, use small circular movements.Use a circular motion and a very light touch for the area around the eyes.

Whether you are starting your career as a makeup artist, or love to apply makeup on just yourself, there’s certain tools you need to complete a variety of makeup looks.   I’ve always stated that the 2 things that make or break a makeup look are your primers and your brushes.

But amiss the mass amounts of makeup brushes out there, how do you decide which ones you should have in your kit?   I’ve broken down the types of brushes you should have and what each one is used for, so hopefully this eliminates all those useless brushes sitting in your makeup drawer and saves you some money!

*Now I do compare the MAC brushes to some of the MUG ones- I am completely 100% honest in my reviews of these brushes and am not going to push certain ones just to “make a sell”- I promise!  I have spent many months trying out different brushes to sell in the store that were comparable to some of the MAC ones- my goal is for you to save money while still having decent quality tools.   I will describe each brush so you can choose for yourself whichever brush you feel is best for you

Eyes

There are 4 main brushes you should have for your eye makeup…..

This brush is used to pack on color to the lid.  It needs to be flat so you can pat on the eyeshadow over your eye primer,  and it needs to be stiff so it picks up plenty of color.

The MAC equivalent is the #239- the Eye Shader Brush

• Cost:  $24.50

A cheaper alternative is the MUG Eye Shader Brush

• Cost:   $4.29

Both brushes work well in packing on color, and both are stiff.  The MAC one is a bit larger and thicker than the MUG one.  Technically, the MUG one is a concealer brush, but does not work well at all for concealer- it is MUCH better at packing on eyeshadows or pigments…

This brush is used for creating the perfect smoky eye, for feathering in darker eyeshadows, and for applying more color to the crease.  This is my all time favorite eye brush!

The MAC equivalent is the #217- the Blending Brush

• Cost:  $22.50

A cheaper alternative is the NYX Professional Crease Brush

• Cost:   $8.89

These brushes are VERY comparable- the only difference I can tell is the NYX one is a smidge shorter

This brush is just like the stiff dome brush but much softer- it creates a much softer blended look.   It is used for blending shadow under the brow, applying a softer amount of color in the crease, and even for applying powder under the eyes to prevent that creasing throughout the day.

The MAC equivalent is the #224- the Tapered Blending Brush

• Cost:  $28.00

A cheaper alternative is the MUG Soft Dome Brush

• Cost:   $7.49

These brushes are very comparable- the only difference is the MUG one is a little bit smaller, which is actually better as the MAC one can be a bit too large for smaller eyes…

This brush is used for smudging eyeshadow under the lower lashline, for smudging eyeliner, or for creating a very defined crease.  The smaller tip allows for more precise lines.

The MAC equivalent is the #219- the Pencil Brush

• Cost:  $23.00

A cheaper alternative is the Essence of Beauty Crease Brush Duo

• Cost:   $9.99

Many companies sell similar brushes, so you can find this one fairly easily. The Essence of Beauty one has 2 sizes, so is great if you have a smaller area to work with and need a smaller brush.  They are also a bit softer than the MAC one.

Face

There are really only a few brushes you need for the face- it really depends on what all you wear.  But these 4 are the ones I use daily…

This brush is used for stippling foundation onto the skin for a more airbrushed finish.  The bristles need to be stiff in order to hold up to the foundation and not streak.

The MAC equivalent is the #130- the Short Duo Fibre Brush

• Cost:  $38.00

A cheaper (and better) alternative is the MUG Foundation Stippling Brush

• Cost:   $12.98

I am completely honest on this one- the MUG one works much better for me than the MAC one.  I say this as the MUG one has stiffer bristles which allows for more of a stippling effect and doesn’t streak like the MAC one.  Granted the MAC one is softer against the skin, but it doesn’t give the airbrushed finish as much.  These 2 brushes are quite different, but are used similarly.  I do wish the MUG one was a bit softer, so I wash mine with a bit of olive oil then baby shampoo.

This brush is used for applying darker powder under the cheekbones to create a contoured effect- it makes the cheekbones stand out and your face look slimmer.  This brush isn’t absolutely necessary unless you want to contour your cheekbones, but I recommend having if you are a makeup artist…

The MAC equivalent is the #109- the Small Contour Brush

• Cost:  $32.00

A cheaper alternative is the MUG Deluxe Contour Brush

• Cost:   $7.89

Now these 2 brushes are VERY different, but they work the same way.  I actually prefer the MAC one as the rounded edge allows me to get under the cheekbones for that more “chiseled” look.  If you are just starting to contour though, you may want the angled brush as it’s a little easier to work with.   If you do find an angled brush, make sure the bristles are stiff as you need enough powder to actually contour your cheeks- don’t use the fluffy blush brush as it will apply color all over the place.  Just my helpful tip for the day

This brush is used for applying powder blush to the cheeks.  It needs to be angled so the blush is easier to blend, and it needs to be soft so it doesn’t pick up too much color.

The MAC equivalent is the #168- the Large Angled Contour Brush

• Cost:  $32.00

A cheaper alternative is the MUG Blush Brush

• Cost:   $7.49

These brushes are VERY comparable- I honestly cannot tell much difference between the two.  They’re both soft and both apply blush beautifully!

This brush can be used for many things- light application of foundation, applying a small amount of blush to the cheeks, or for highlighting the top of the cheekbones.  My favorite use is for highlighting as the bristles are soft and pick up little color, and it is small enough to not cover the whole face with shimmer.  This isn’t an absolute necessary brush for your kit, but definitely nice to have.

The MAC equivalent is the #188- the Small Duo Fibre Face Brush

• Cost:  $34.00

A cheaper alternative is the MUG Cheek Highlighter Brush

• Cost:   $6.98

These brushes are VERY comparable- I honestly cannot tell much difference between the two.  Just like the blush brushes, they’re both soft and both apply shimmer beautifully!

Apply blush to your face to resemble the natural glow of your cheeks and watch the compliments flow in. A hint of makeup blush…and you can look fresher and prettier. The trick lies in choosing the right blush color and learning how to apply blush correctly. But often blush remains the most misused makeup cosmetic. When it comes to applying your blush, less is best. Learn simple tips and tricks to get the blush just right!

Determine your face shape before applying blush. Concentrate blush on the center of the face for high cheekbones. A rounder fuller face looks good with dusty pink or rose blush at the outside of the face near the hairline. Smile into the mirror to find out the ‘apple spot’ on your cheek. Apply blush from this spot to your hairline, taking care to blend well. There shouldn’t be an obvious patch or line of color on the cheeks.

Sweep powder blushes in one direction always. Always tap off excess powder blush before applying it on the cheeks. A dot of cream blush applied on the apples of the cheeks must be worked upon to blend with the hairline. A hint of shimmering blush on the highest point of your cheeks can add a hint of drama. Choosing a quality blush brush is the first step towards the right application.

Find a blush brush that is the size of the apple of your cheek for a perfect application. A full round blush brush can give a professional look to your blush makeup. A bigger brush gives better results – one with a dome-shaped head and generous fibers. For perfect blending or precise outlines, use a good set of makeup brushes for applying blush. Compact size blush brushes are too small and the bristles are not shaped properly. Do not use the same brush that is used for applying loose powder.

How to apply blush for round faces: Give an illusion of slenderness by applying blush in a sideways V on the cheekbones. Blend it well and add a bit to the chin.

How to apply blush for square faces: Soften the square angles of the face with dab of blush on the forehead and chin. Apply blush from the center of the eyes towards the cheekbones and blend.

How to apply blush for rectangular faces: Apply blush below the outer corners of the eyes so as to reduce the elongated square shape.

How to apply blush for oval faces: Apply blush to the prominent part of the cheekbone and blend towards the temples.

Blush Color

Choose blush to suit the occasion and the time of the day. What goes well for a dramatic evening can be over the top for office wear. For day wear, choose a lighter color than you would at night. Opt for pink shades in winter while in summer opt for peachy, warm hues. Soft natural pinks, beige and peach are ideal for a bright day. Pinch for cheeks for a second or two and check your blush color.

A blush shade that mimics your natural coloring will avoid an artificial and comical look. Keep your blush color in the same palette as your lipstick shade. Check out shades of blush in natural lighting. Discard old blush shades from your makeup box. Combine shades to come up with new ones – best suited for your skin tone.

Blushers are available in powder, cream or liquid and in a wide variety of tones. Liquid and cream blush should be applied before powder. Powder blushes are easier to apply than cream blushes. Cream blushes must be dabbed on each cheek and gently blended with the fingers. You can use a sponge to smoothen it. Cream blushes work best for dry skins. For oily skin, consider using powder blush. For rosier cheeks, consider gel or liquid tints. Liquid and gel blushes are great for oily skin. Blend skin stains fast since they dry very fast.

Quick-fixes to reduce the appearance and redness of your pimples can get you through the day. To lessen the swelling, some people swear that hemorrhoid cream will do the trick overnight. Or, try putting an ice cube on the spot for a couple of minutes before applying your make-up in the morning.

To get rid of the redness, use eye drops specifically made to reduce the redness in your eyes, (like 3-in-1 Clear Complexion Solution.) Give it some time so work and cover your blemish with a concealer stick and a dab of pressed powder.

3-in-1 Clear Complexion Solution Razor,Acne Treatment by Jack Black for Unisex – 177 ml Acne Treatment
This oil-free solution relieves razor bumps & treats acne blemishes.Acts as a superior astringent for oily & acne-prone skin. Sloughs surface dead skin cells & reveals skin-trapped facial hairs. Unclogs pores that cause acne or blackheads.

If your attending an important event such as a wedding, your dermatologist can give you a cortisone injection 24 hours before the event to quick-start the healing process.

Treating Acne and Pimples on your Back

While all of the above home remedies are affective for pimples, there’s no doubt, the back is difficult to treat without some help. Invest in a good back-scrubber to get to the areas you can’t reach in the shower and always use clean, dry towels.

Ask for some help to apply some astringent to your back with cotton balls after every bath and shower. Keep your bed sheets and mattress pad clean. If you have discoloration but no scars, these too will probably fade as time passes.

Want professional looking nails without spending your day�s pay in the salon? With some practice and a little patience, you can enjoy fancy nails anytime you want for only the cost of your nail polish!

Their pale pink base and bright white tips characterize the ever-popular French manicures, which are a common request at nail salons everywhere. Professional nail stylists may paint your nails alone or they may apply fake tips if you desire. Based on your personal preferences, a nail designer will give your nails a strengthening and conditioning workout prior to painting them. If you get your nails done with fake tips, you may have to make a trip back to the salon to get your French tips �refilled� when your nails have grown noticeably.

Ms. Manicure At-Your-Fingertips, 10 Terrific Tools Plus an Extra Pocket for Polish
At-Your-Fingertips, 10 Terrific Tools Plus an Extra Pocket for Polish

Keeping longer, healthy nails will be most conducive to sporting a French manicure. To complete your own French manicure, begin with the following steps to prepare your nails for the procedure.

• Using a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover, wipe off any old nail polish prior to painting nails. Wash hands and soak in warm water for a few moments.
• With an orangewood stick, gently push back the cuticles so they are all even with each other once the water has softened your skin.
• With nail clippers, beauty scissors or a nail file, shape your nails evenly.
• With a steady hand, carefully paint only the tip of each nail with a white hue. A second coat may be desirable, depending on the thickness and opaqueness of the polish. Allow polish to dry between coats.
• Using a slightly transparent pink or nude color, paint the entire nail once the tips have dried. A second coat may be necessary. Allow nails to dry thoroughly.
• Once all the coats have dried, apply a clear topcoat to protect your new French manicure. To lengthen the manicure�s lifespan, make an effort to paint a clear coat on each night. Be sure it has ample time to dry completely.
• If you are feeling especially creative and ambitious, kick off your shoes and match your tootsies to your fingertips!

This procedure is best performed on a lazy morning or evening when no other pressing errands or tasks will get in the way. After painting your nails, avoid doing things with your hands while they dry.

Peacekeeper Nail Polish, French Manicure Kit
Nail Polish, French Manicure Kit

For an easier painting technique, check the beauty section of a drug store or superstore for a French manicure kit. The set should contain, at the very least, nail polish in white and pink or beige and a clear topcoat. Some manicure sets – like Ms. Manicure At-Your-Fingertips and �Peacekeeper Nail Polish will contain tiny, sticky nail guides. These make the manicure process 100 times easier by allowing you to place the guides on each nail individually, leaving a small margin where the polish can spill outside the tip without tainting the rest of the nail.

As the holidays approach, let your crazy side out by concocting a wildly modified French manicure – green and white for St. Patrick�s Day, pastel shades for Easter, black and orange for Halloween and red and green for Christmas. Have fun and remember, even if you find the do-it-yourself French manicure difficult at first, practice will provide you with the skills you need to create beautiful and perfect manicures all year long!

Pimples, blemishes and acne are the most universal skin care complaints and can be a huge source of embarrassment. Contrary to common belief, this problem is not exclusive to teens and adolescents. Adults often experience acne problems after years of clear skin.

Treatment of pimples is somewhat tricky. While there’s no quick, homemade cure for those unsightly blemishes, putting a stop to major breakouts will greatly reduce your discomfort and chance of scarring.

Prevention

Keep your face clean and don’t over scrub it. This will only irritate your skin and make you more prone to breakouts. Wash your face gently twice a day with antibacterial or mild soap, perhaps three times a day for acne prone skin. Do not use harsh soaps and fragrances as they may aggravate pimples.

100% Pure Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam
Mild and gentle 100% Pure Lavender Honey Cleansing foam washes away makeup and other impurities while nourishing the skin. Does not contain harsh detergents that can strip, dehydrate, or irritate.

To avoid transferring bacteria and germs, clean your pillowcase, washcloths, towels, make-up brushes and applicators frequently. Try washing your make-up applicators in antibacterial soap or clarifying shampoo. Keep your hair clean and out of your face. Along the same line, keep your phone mouthpiece and writing instruments away from your chin and clean them often.

Avoid wearing heavy make-up and always wash it off before going to bed. Buy make-up specifically designed for your skin type and throw it away after it’s expiration date.

Wash your hands frequently and make a conscious effort to avoid touching your face during the daytime hours. This is when you’re most likely to do it and you may not realize that it’s a habit.

Any correlation to diet and blemishes is a myth. There is no proof that greasy food and sugar will cause your skin to break out, however, too much junk food can lead to health problems down the road — so keep your diet healthy.

It’s best to keep your anxiety level down and get your beauty rest. When you’re under stress, do not neglect your skin care routine. Take the time for preventive maintenance or your pimples will return with a vengeance.

Stopping Pimples and Blemishes

Acne prone people are still going to experience pimples and blemishes, even after the best skin care routine. After they appear, knowing how to get rid of them quickly and sensibly reduces your chance of scarring.

Use the preventive maintenance above, along with some pimple drying techniques to shorten the life of your blemishes and breakouts.

If your skin is oily, use an over the counter cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to start the drying process. If you’re experiencing one of those painful “under the skin, cystic” pimples, put a warm compress on it to drain it first, then dry it up with benzoyl peroxide. Sometimes putting a small piece of tape on your blemish overnight will help draw out the fluid and infection.

100% Pure Organic Rose Hydrosol Tonique
A refreshing drink of moisture for your skin, 100% Pure Organic Rose Hydrosol Tonique is like having pure essential rose oil in a mist form. It relieves various problems ranging from dehydration to acne to rosacea.

Another overnight home remedy for zapping a zit is to put a dab of toothpaste (not gel) on it to help dry it out. You may need to test this on a short-term basis to make sure it doesn’t irritate your pimple. Calamine lotion will have the same drying effect.

Aspirin is a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory drug. It can also be used for drying out pimples. Put uncoated aspirin in a small bowl. Crush with a spoon and add warm water to make a paste. Apply it to the pimple and leave it on for several minutes. Rinse. You should notice reduced redness and swelling. This also works on bug bites!

Acne Complex Kit – 30 days by Murad for Unisex – 4 Pc Acne Care
Acne Complex Kit – 30 days. 1x Clarifying Cleanser 60ml. 1x Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel 30ml. 1x Acne Spot Treatment 7.5ml. 1x Skin Perfecting Lotion 30ml.

It’s not recommended to squeeze a pimple, but the jury is still out. While doing this makes you more prone to scarring and skin discolorations, sometimes it’s the only fast way to drain it. If you’re at the point where you feel the need to squeeze, consult your dermatologist for treatment.

If blemishes persist, scarring needs to be prevented and there are many useful products to put a stop to recurring acne and pimples. If your blemish is gone and you have some discoloration but no scar, don’t fret. Chances are, it will fade with time.

Smoky eyes have been around for quite some time. There is nothing like a woman with beautiful, sultry, smoky eyes, and there’s no sign this makeup trend is leaving anytime soon. I’ll show you step-by-step instructions on how to get the perfect smokey eye.

You will need the following products: concealer, a dark eyeliner pencil and liquid eyeliner, and Stila Smoky Eye Palette Original.

Stila Smoky Eye Palette Original

Get smoky eyes with these 8 simple tips and tricks:

1. First dab your concealer under your eyes.
2. Line the top lashes with liquid eyeliner as close as possible to the lash line. Line the bottom lashes with a pencil, as close to the lash line as possible.
3. Begin applying a matte black base on the inner portion of your lid. You want to pull the color upwards and outwards to begin covering the lower part of your lid. The matte base should be in the form, shape of your natural eye.
4. Next take a light silver or gray eyeshadow and blend from the top lash line up to the brow bone. The color should be applied lightly.
5. Brush a mid-toned gray from your lash line to just above your eye crease and blend upwards. Keep your brush at this angle as you apply the eyeshadow to the outer edge of the base.  To help soften some of the line, gently swish your brush back and forth over the outer edge.
6. Apply a dark gray eyeshadow over your eyelids, blending any hard edges. Gently swish the brush along the curve of the outermost edge of the gray shadow, making sure you avoid the crease.



7. Apply the dark gray eyeshadow against your outer lower lash line. Gently place the brush against the outermost portion of your lower lash line and then gently move it towards the inside of your lash line, make certain that you stop one third to one half of the way to create a soft line below your lower lashes.
8. Finish with two coats of mascara and you are finished.