No cosmetics has to power to transform like long lasting lipsticks . Even women who don’t wear makeup wear lipstick – and say they feel naked without it.A necessary part of a polished look is applying lipstick before leaving the house. No other cosmetic helps to make a woman feel sexy and self assured like:

• Lip gloss
  

• Lip liners
• Lipsticks

Long lasting lipsticks are so easy to apply. If you can color in a coloring book, you can color your lips. With enough practice you won’t even need to use a mirror.

Lip Styles

All woman love lipsticks and how they enhance the sensuality of the lip.

So, how does it work?

Lipsticks are composed of color pigments, shaping wax, and emollients or oils to moisturize and carry the color.

The five basic formulas of lipsticks are:

SHEER: Sheer ,also known as stains, tints , and glosses , contain minimal coverage .They’re so sheer , you don’t need a mirror to apply them.

SHIMMER: shimmer, formerly known as frosted, are more beautiful and subtle now . They look heavily metallic , pearly , or opalescent in the tube , but on lips, the coverage is soft and subtle.

CREAM: Amatte look without the heavy matte feel, creams contain more oils and conditioners than mattes, which makes them lighter .They’re also known as moisturizing lipstick, hydrating lipstick, and lip rouge.

MATTE: Mattes last longest(except for long lasting lipsticks),because they contains most pigment and pigment makes a lipstick last. But mattes can be drying. Lighter mattes are known as demimatee or semimatee.

LONG-LASTING: Many works on time- release principle. The heat of the lip stimulates continuous release of color. Ingredients like porous silica seal it in, and cetyl octanate (common in foundation) makes it last.

Flavored lip gloss and moisturizing glosses are also desirable for a different twist. Shiny lip liners shape your mouth and make it easier to apply the lipsticks.

Lip Care

Make up for the lip always gets more attention than lip-care.This area needs contant attention because in this area, the outermost protective layer of the skin is very thin . The lips contain no sweat glands and very few oil glands. That is why they are prone to chapping and cracks, even leading to bleeding and infection in some cases.
The daily care for the lips involves cleansing, to remove all make up.Next, apply Shasmooth almond cream and leave it on all night. If you have dark lips ,Shasmooth will help.The lips are an extremely vulnerable part of the body, and lipsticks should provide protection.

A good lipstick will moisturize the lips and shield them from the sun without interfering with the final sheen or finish of the lipstick.

These days the most lubricious lipsticks contain moisturizers like:

• Vitamin E
• Collagen
• Sunscreen
• Amino Acids

Women over 50 usually look better when they use cream lipsticks, rather than a matte or gloss style.

In a pinch your cream lipsticks can double as a blush.

Carry a stash of different lipsticks in daring shades in your purse for different occasions, outfits, and moods.

Beautiful Lips

Some of us have less perfect lips than others. But don’t despair! There are plenty of tricks of the trade to help make your lips more balanced and beautiful. Some of the most effective solutions:

* The best lip color fixative? – A thin layer of Chap stick. The formula holds lip color like crazy as it heals and protects.

* Powder lips also gives lip color or gloss something to cling to for longer, smoother wear.

* For longer wear, blot lips after applying lipstick to set color and remove excess. Add a thin layer of loose or pressed powder then apply color again.

* Turn down too much shine by holding a single-ply tissue to your lips and pressing a little loose powder through it – just enough will sift through the tissue to adhere to color and reduce the shine.

* Turn up the shine with a thin layer of clear lip gloss over lipstick or alone.

* For high-voltage shine and color, try a lip lacquer over lipstick or alone.

* For fuller, poutier lips, spotlight lip gloss right in the center of your mouth.

* Keep matte lip color from drying your lips – use a lip primer or lip color fixative before you apply the matte color.

* For evening special-effects, apply a sheer lip gloss in silver, gold or an iridescent shade over the lip color

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.

When applying mineral make-up, always start with a clean face. When cleansing, focus on the T zone area. Rinse thoroughly and pat your face dry. Next, gently apply moisturizer. Rub it thoroughly into your skin. Allow five minutes for skin to absorb the moisturizer completely.

Now, it’s time to conceal. Use a concealer that’s one shade lighter than your foundation. Get your mineral concealer jar, remove the lid and tap a small about of concealer into the lid. Add a couple drops of water and mix thoroughly with a brush.

When applying the concealer, start in the inner corner of your eye and work your way outward. Use middle finger to gently finish blending the concealer for that natural look.

It’s time to apply your foundation. Remove the lid from your mineral foundation jar and turn it over. Tap a small amount of foundation into the lid. Use your powder brush to pick-up the foundation. Swirl your powder brush in the lid and then tap the excess powder into the lid.

Apply the foundation in a circular motion to blend in the foundation. Apply foundation in layers until you reach desired coverage.

Method 1

1. Prime the lids by applying a light touch of foundation or concealer to the lids to even skin tone and help shadow adhere to the lid. Blend well, but use a gentle touch and use your ring finger on this sensitive skin area.
2. Apply mascara second so it won’t mess up your eyeshadow by getting those little dots of mascara on it before it dries when you blink.
3. Sweep a color similar to your skin tone (or a touch lighter) over the entire lid from lashes to brow bone. Start at the bottom of your eyelid and work your way up.
4. Sweep a light white shadow (shimmer or matte, your preference) directly under the brows from the middle of the eye outwards. This is your brow bone highlighter and will help to open up the eyes.
5. Take the next darkest color and sweep shadow across the eyes from lash line to the crease. Blend well outwards.
6. Apply dark shadow. For the most impact, the darkest color can be applied to the crease of the eye from the corners to the outer edges, blended well. Blending is key to avoid a drastic line across the crease. Another option is to use the darkest shadow to create a sideways “V” on the sides of the eyes. Lightly apply shadow to the outer third of the crease and blend into the outer edges of the eyelid, creating a sideways “V” shape (The pointed end of the v would be pointing away from the eyes, to help visualize). This helps to define the shape of the eyes, and makes them appear bigger by bringing the focus outwards. For a more natural look, apply a medium-dark shadow in the crease and a slightly darker color in the corner.
7. Finish with a careful application of eyeliner to the top lid in a complimentary color. There are so many fantastic eyeliner colors available today, so experiment with what is out there. Plums, greens, and browns are flattering to many eye colors. Tilt the head forward while looking down, and dash short lines along the lash line to avoid drags and smudges.

Method 2

1. Apply concealer and mascara as described previously.
2. Apply eyeliner under the eyes (above eyelashes) and a thin line above the eyes close to the eyelashes.
3. Grab your thinnest eyeshadow brush and dab it in the black eyeshadow.
   • Raise your eyebrows, find the crease of your upper eyelid (where you might feel the bone for the top of your eye socket), and then take the brush and line it with the eyeshadow. Do it as if you’re holding a pencil and you’re using it to draw on your eyes. Do this to make a half circle above your eyes. (Don’t go too far out to the side of your face when doing this step)
4. Dab the same brush in your black eyeshadow
   • Fill in the space between the line of eyeshadow you just created, and the eyeliner on your eyelid.
   • Make sure to do this lightly so the first line of eyeshadow stands out more
5. Grab your thicker eyeshadow brush and lighter color of eyeshadow (of your choice, it doesn’t necessarily have to be yellow) and dab it in that.
   • Lightly sweep it across the top of your dark line of black eyeshadow. (don’t go too low on the sides of your face)
   • Dab it back in the eyeshadow and again lightly dab it where you already swept it across. Dab lightest at the edge of your outer eye and the edge of your inner eye to create a smoky, well maintained effect.
6. To do the bottom part of the eyeshadow, take out your thin brushed eyeshadow brush again and dab it in your black eyeshadow. (Tap it on the rim to get rid of excess eyeshadow that could fall off the brush and leave unattractive black spots of eyeshadow under your eyes or on your cheeks!)
   • With one easy motion, start by putting the brush under your bottom lashes and sweeping it from side to side in a straight motion to create the point under the eye on both sides.
7. Touch up by making sure no excess eyeshadow fell onto unwanted places on your face and adding a little more concealer to seal the deal. and you’re done!

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!

Winter is dreaded by many because usually it brings a challenge to every complexion, but you can look your best if you take a few precautions. During the winter months your complexion needs extra care and attention because the oil glands just below the surface of the skin become relatively inactive and produce less moisture than usual. This and the increased dryness of the skin due to the drying effects of the sun and the wind are responsible for causing the tiny wrinkles and giving rise to various skin ailments like scaling, itching, chapping and eczema.

The best way, however, to counteract these ailments is to dispense with the use of soap completely, because it has been known to have a marked degreasing action on the skin. Instead, clean your face with milk cream or top-of-milk blended with a few drops of lime juice and a pinch of turmeric powder. Excessive use of cosmetics, hair dyes and sprays, too many hot baths and perfumes also make the hair dry. Every night before going to bed, take one tablespoon of milk cream and mix in a few drops each of glycerine, olive oil and rose water. Mix well and apply over your entire face, neck and hands. Leave overnight; in the morning wipe off gently with a tissue paper, then bathe the skin in warm water until it begins to feel warm and also rinse for the same length of time in cold water. Pat dry with a soft towel.

Also, massage your body well with olive or coconut oil blended with a few drops of rose water 10 minutes before your bath to make your skin soft and glowing. If dryness has resulted in scaling, take foods rich in vitamin A, because this vitamin is stored in the fat just below the surface of the skin counteracting any tendency towards dryness and roughness. In case the scaling is quite severe, also take this vitamin in the form of tablets but as this vitamin sometimes produces toxic effects in the body if taken indiscriminately, it should only be taken under medical supervision.

Another common skin ailment in winter is eczema. Initially the surface of the skin becomes red but later it turns dry, rough and scaly. Here are two effective remedies for this ailment. Grind a walnut to a paste, squeeze out its oil and apply on the affected parts a few times daily. In case this does not give relief, try this remedy.

Take a dry coconut and hold it with a pair of tongs over a burning flame. When its skin turns completely black and while it is still burning, place it on a tin-plate and cover it immediately with a small vessel. Remove it after a few seconds and you will find a layer of oil on the vessel. Rub this on the affected parts twice daily and within a week you will find definite relief in your condition. Itching too is a common complaint during this weather. Take a tablespoon of sandalwood oil and mix in an equal quantity of coconut oil. Apply on the itching parts of the body a couple of times daily until you get relief. The juice of Basil leaves is also equally effective.

Another type of itching which is very severe is known as winter’s itch. This is usually due to the excessive dryness of the skin. It is also due to wearing too many woolen garments, too many hot baths, too little sun, lack of sweating, too much use of soaps and scent and dietary deficiencies. Arms and legs are commonly affected by it. To minimize winter’s itch, every day an hour before taking your bath take two tablespoons each of curd and olive oil and mix in a few drops of essence of rose. Mix well and apply on the body an hour before you take your bath. Abstain from wearing woolens next to the body. Reduce hot baths and. the use of the soap to the minimum. Take vitamin A in the form of tablets and expose yourself to the sun for at least an hour daily. It automatically disappears in the warm weather because perspiration caused by the heat helps to keep the skin soft and moist.

If the skin on the soles of your feet becomes hard and cracked, rub the soles at bath time with soapy water and pumice stone. After bathing be sure to dry the feet well especially between the toes to prevent cracking. Massage them well with olive or coconut oil to keep the skin soft and smooth and to help the circulation of blood. After exposure to cold, take a foot bath using warm water and soap. Wipe dry, massage them vigorously for five minutes and then wear woolen socks. This is very important to prevent chilblains.

If your lips happen to chap, peel or crack, here is an effective remedy.

Take a rose flower and grind the petals to a paste. Mix in a little cream of milk and apply it generously on the lips before going to bed in the night. This will help keep the lips soft and pretty. Dry, itchy skin around the mouth is a common complaint during winter. Vitamin B tablets will help in this case. To protect your hands from rash and chapping wear a pair of rubber gloves when doing household chores. Every night before going to bed take an equal quantity of lime juice, glycerine, rose water and Cologne and apply nicely on the hands and after you finish your household chores rub glycerine and sugar on them for a couple of minutes and then wash off. This will help keep them soft and smooth.

Winter plays havoc with the hair, making it dry, brittle and dull. To bring a healthy shine to your hair, take some warm coconut oil, make partings along the hair and dab it along each parting with your finger-tips. Continue in this way till the whole scalp has been oiled, then wrap hot towels over the head to keep the scalp as warm as possible. After half an hour when the scalp has absorbed oil, wash the hair with shikakai and water Hair can never be completely clean and shiny until it is rinsed thoroughly-it should squeak at your touch.

Use a moisturized foundation to protect your ,skin against the harsh effects of the cold weather. Touch up your lips with warm, creamy colors. Pale lipsticks will make you look pale and sickly in this weather. Add lip­gloss or a little vaseline to keep your lips soft and pretty.

Also follow a healthy diet scheme to enable your body to fight against the many ills of winter and to put an attractive bloom in your cheeks.

1. Begin with clean hands and a clean face.
2. Apply moisturizer appropriate to your skin type. Let it set a few minutes, particularly if your skin is oily.
3. Camouflage under-eye circles and blemishes with concealer.
4. Select a foundation that is appropriate to your skin type and the coverage you wish to achieve. The color should match your skin, disappearing when blended well.
5. Shake the bottle well to mix the formula. Or, simply open a stick or compact version.
6. Place a small amount of foundation on the back of one hand. Dip your makeup sponge or your middle finger into it.
7. Apply to the center of your face: cheeks, forehead, chin.
8. Blend out to your hair and jawline until the foundation vanishes. Pay special attention to blending around the nose, mouth and jawline.
9. Set the foundation with loose powder immediately following application.

By an eHow Contributor