How To: Curly Hair

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I am one of those girls with naturally curly hair that constantly styles it straight. Even if I want the look of curly hair – I will use styling tools before committing to my curly birthright. Embracing your natural hair type will not only save time, but save the health of your hair as well.

My curls are not beautiful shiny, spiral tendrils – more like kinky/frizzy non-uniform curls that are impossible to control. Recently, I have decided to embrace my natural curls and experiment with products and techniques to make the impossible… possible. After many ditch efforts I finally found a regimen that transforms even the frizziest frock into luscious locks.

HOW TO:

‣‣‣ Apply mousse to towel dried hair, concentrating on the roots. This will add volume and definition. Favorite: Kenra Glaze Mousse 13

‣‣‣ Next add a styling cream. Favorite: Kenra Curl Defining Cream 5. This will separate and define curls – leaving them shiny and frizz-free.

‣‣‣ A simple hairdryer is not compatible with curly hair because its nozzle directs too much air at each curl, deflating it’s volume and shape. A diffuser attachment provides a steady source of heat without the pressure of a standard nozzle. Each curl will remain formed and maintain its natural body. Favorite: Elchim Cocoon Bi-Diffuser

‣‣‣ While diffusing hair, scrunch and twist random sections around finger to “assist” the shape.

‣‣‣ Add a bit of styling cream to dry curls for additional definition and shine.

‣‣‣ Next day curls can drop and/or vanish – try using a curl spray to “activate” curls back to life. Favorite: Kenra Curl Spray 8

TIPS:

• Curly hair has strong disulphide bonds because of the natural structure of the hair proteins, with which a person with curly hair is born. All hair, however, curly or not, has hydrogen bonds, which are not strong enough alone to draw the hair into a curl. But once you “break” them by wetting your hair, you can “train” them to act like disulphide bonds with heat, at least temporarily.

• Curly hair should never be brushed. On wet hair a brush may tear or stretch fragile strands and on dry hair it will separate and diffuse the curls, thus creating frizz.

• Avoid over-handling curly hair. If you touch curls as they dry you will disturb their natural pattern and create unwanted volume and frizz.

How To: Bright Eyeliner

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Bright eyeliner is a dramatic accent with minimal effort. A pop of color can “glam up” a makeup look instantly.

With this look, you want to tone down all other parts of the face. However, if daring enough, my favorite party season look is cobalt blue eyeliner paired with a fuchsia lip. Create your favorite combination with these easy steps.

Needed:

✒ Eye primer (Favorite: MAC Paint Pots)

✒ Matte White Eye Pencil (Favorite: NYX Milk)

✒ Bright Eye Liner (Favorite: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencils)

✒ Matching Bright Eye Shadow Shade

✒ Mascara

How To:

✒ Prime the lids and under-eye with eye primer.

✒ With a matte white pencil, draw a baseline where the bright color will go. (this will inhance the vibrancy of the color and help with the shape of the line)

✒ Trace over the white pencil with the bright eye liner.

✒ For a more dramatic look, make the outside line a bit thicker than the inside and extend it just beyond the lash line.

✒ Optional: Apply the bright eye liner to the lower lashes, keeping as close to the lash line as possible.

✒ Dip the bright pencil into the matching eye shadow and trace over these lines to increase brightness and ensure longevity.

✒ Apply two heavy coats of mascara to add definition and emphasize the look.

This look can be altered depending on preference and eye shape. Experiment with color and thickness of the line. If intimidated: Start by lining the lower lash line with a bright color only and leave lid neutral. Bright eyeliner is a great way to change-up your makeup routine and attain instant drama.

Great color combinations:

BLUE: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Flipside & NARS Eyeshadow: Outremer

PURPLE: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Ransom & MAC Eyeshadow: Purple Haze

GREEN: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Mildew & Urban Decay Eyeshadow: Mildew

TURQUOISE: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Electric & MAKEUP FOREVER Eyeshadow: 72

PINK: MAKEUP FOREVER Aqua Pencil: 13L & MAKEUP FOREVER Eyeshadow: 75

Tried & Tested: They’re Real! Benefit Mascara

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They're Real! Benefit Mascara

Currently loving, Benefit’s new mascara, They’re Real!

Although the formula is nice, wet and smudge-proof, the reverence goes to the brush. This amazing rubber brush coats each lash beautifully, however, the tip of the brush is where the real magic happens.

Similiar to Givenchy Phenomen’eyes mascara, the round sphere of bristles at the top of the brush adds precision and definition. Every lash, even the tiniest hairs are coated, lengthened and plumped.

The formula and rubberized brush is similar to Cover Girl’s Lash Blast mascara, but the technology of Benefit’s brush is in a league of it’s own.

TIP: When the mascara bottle has dried-up, separate the brush and clean it. Dip it into your favorite formula or drugstore mascara.

Single Sweep: bareMinerals Eye Shadow in Bare Skin

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bareMinerals EyeShadow Bare Skin

bareMinerals Eye Shadow in Bare Skin is my go-to shade when rushed for time. With a single sweep, this color looks as though you have spent a great deal of time on your eye makeup.

The rosy-taupe color adds radiance and surprising definition to the eye. When applied from eye lid to brow-bone, it looks as though two to three colors have been added and blended together. Bare Skin casts a shadow at the brow-bone, instantly contouring the eye.

This is a universal shade that looks beautiful on light, medium or dark skin-tones. Application can be daunting, due to it’s loose powder-form, but the eye shadow blends seamlessly.

bareMinerals eyeshadows can be used dry or wet using a “foiling technique.” Foiling is the process of mixing water or mixing medium with any powder eye shadow pigment to bring out the metallic base color. This will not only look amazing but will cause eye shadow to last longer.

Spend less time on your makeup this summer and more time having fun-in-the-sun, and find a one-sweep eye shadow that works for you.

Trade Secret: Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

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Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

Reverse lip liners are a trade secret makeup artist have been using for years. These lip liners prevent lipstick/lipgloss from feathering outside the lip line, without adding extra color.

The Cargo Reverse Lip Liner is a natural colored liner that provides definition, creating the appearance plumper lips. When this product is applied to the outside of the lip line and blended, the natural tone highlights and contours the lip’s shape, instantly creating fuller lips. This liner is unique in color, most products on the market are clear and are used primarily to keep the lip product in place.

Due to consistency and color, this multi-functional liner can also be used to: rim the lower lash line creating a wide-awake look, use as a concealer on blemishes or hyper pigmentation or use to define the shape of neglected brows by drawing over vexatious hairs.

Find a use for the Cargo Reverse Lip Liner that suits you and experiment. Just make sure to blend thoroughly to avoid the look of a milk-mustache.

Drugstore Find: Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer

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Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer

Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer is an exceptional 2-in-1 brow product on a budget. The dual-ended wand supplies the user with a tinted wax formula on one end and highlighter on the other.

The tinted wax is easy to apply and adds definition to the brow-line. It’s wax formula glides on smoothly sans any sticky residue. The staying-power of this product is phenomenal, all day, no touch-ups needed.

The highlighter-end accentuates the brow bone with it’s light-reflecting properties and sheen. The luminous cream formula brightens and lifts the eye area.

The Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer is available in four shades. Each shade provides a different highlight color to enhance a particular skin-type. This inexpensive brow product is an unrivaled drugstore find.

Tip: Apply tinted wax with a light-hand. Product is extremely pigmented.