Starter Makeup Kit for Teens

There comes a time in every girl’s life when she wants to start experimenting with makeup. While its not the best idea to let her step out of the house with a bright red lipstick, putting together a makeup start kit can give her a few basic items to let her get creative! Makeup can be subjective to a lot of mothers, some may allow a lipgloss here or there and some may be strict about it altogether. The trick is to know what type of product isn’t going to make her look above her age.

By selecting the right makeup items, your teen can have a little fun playing dress up while you breathe a sigh of relief over her makeup look. The average teen doesn’t need a long list of products, the basics will give your teen something fun to play around with. Before you give your teen a makeup kit, lay down clear rules of its use to ensure your teen is willing to use the makeup during special occasions. The makeup should not be used at school but only after to play with friends and relatives.

Bad Beauty Habits to Break & Solutions

We all want to look younger and youthful for years to come. We spend tons of money on skincare and beauty products to turn back the clock from aging skin, pigmentation and fine lines. By not taking preventative measures to ensure your skin looks glowing and healthy, you might be adding years to your skin by doing any of the following beauty habits.

Using dirty makeup brushes, skipping sunscreen, rubbing your eyes and picking on your chapped lips can be harmful to your skin’s firm texture and appearance. Now it’s time to stop and break away from these beauty habits to help you towards beautiful skin in the long run.

We’ve picked the best and easily available solutions to help kick these habits to the curb!

Skipping Sunscreen

In Pakistan the scorching sun has been proven to cause premature aging, wrinkles and discoloration on the surface of our skin. Can you imagine how damaging the sun is underneath our skin?

Bronzed Glow- Makeup for Summer

From shimmery creams to earth hues, this summer calls for illuminating skin. Since the heat and dreaded sun of Pakistan ends up giving us a tanned complexion, go au-naturale and skip the unnecessary with your makeup routine.

Let’s break down the essentials for a Neutral Bronze makeup look. Since our warm toned skin gets especially tanned during many outdoor activities, a natural/earth tone will enhance your skin without giving you a cakey or dark appearance  With a tanned skin tone, going with earthy and natural hues complements your skin perfectly.

Knowing your Facial Types

We all want healthy, luminous, glowing skin all year around.  Good skin is a key sign to good health and we all want to look youthful even at an older age. Since most of us are busy handling our daily lives- taking care of our skin is hardly ever our top priority. Sure we can spend tons of money on skincare regimens that promise to reduce key signs of aging but the most important thing you can do for your skin is practice a monthly facial regimen. This regimen can be done at any salon or even at home with a few key products.

Facials allow your skin to receive a deep, detailed cleansing which can prevent discoloration, dark patches and flaky skin. A facial can give your skin a fresher appearance since it’ll rid of any and all impurities and pollutants from your skin. A professional beautician can help you achieve glowing skin all year around. How to determine your facial before you visit a salon is a must! Doing your research can rid you of any skin problems and leave you less confused at the salon.

Normal Facial:

If you’re lucky enough to have clear skin without any acne or blemishes then a normal facial is ideal for you. Normal skin types who aren’t too oily or too dry can benefit from a normal facial since it can deep cleanse your pores, steam and massage your skin to prevent aging and fine lines.

Amazing Beauty Benefits of Ice Cubes

The cold weather can really do a number on your appearance- from flaky dead skin to dehydrated lips. While the dry and harsh weather can change the look of your skin, there is a secret to using cold ice on your skin. While some might say BRRR to the idea, ice can provide beauty benefits to a list of concerns.

Using ice can improve the circulation of your skin cells to reduce certain key problems. Not just ice but a couple of splashes of chilly water in the morning can reduce darkness around the eyes, prevent wrinkles and improve dull complexion.

Makeup Tips for a Bride

"A bride should be beautiful and not overdone. It is love that makes her beautiful and not the makeup artist. She's the star and has to look like a dream, her face translucent, soft and glowing. …Never forget that a compact powder and lipstick must always be carried by a relative for a quick touch up."

1. Use a Very light moisturizer to prepare your skin. Choose a concealer of a lighter color shadow areas of the face around the eyes and nose.
2. Then apply and blend all over the face and under the neck an oil free foundation, which will last throughout a long and hot day. Try and choose a tone slightly lighter than your skin tone but never white! Indian skin has a yellow undertone and here we have used a No. 4 concealing matte foundation by Givenchy. Matte foundation is very important if you are being photographed, as you don't want bad details to show through shiny skin. If necessary touch up your face with a concealer to get rid of blemishes.
3. Apply translucent powder with a pinkish undertone and spread evenly all over the face to obtain a matte effect, paying careful attention to the forehead, nose and chin. Check the front and profile of your face, as they are equally important. Always powder your chest area if you wear a d?collet? blouse.
4. The eyes are always very important, as they are a reflection of the soul. They are the focus of the face. Use a brown eye shadow for softness and white makeup to lift. Apply a dark tone at the outer corner of the eyes and blend with white to make grey. White and black make-up is the safest to use, as almost anyone can carry it off. Keep blending and adding color and so as to avoid concentration of any one particular color.
5. Use a thin line of white eyeliner on the eyelid, to highlight the eyes. Finish the line with black eyeliner and add a little black eye shadow under the eye. Then apply black mascara to the lashes. Remove any clumps with Q-tips. Next, brush eyebrows and apply a brown eyebrow pencil for extra definition.
6. Always concentrate on the mouth, before the cheeks to give the intensity of the face. Use a contour lipstick to define the lips in the same harmony as the lipstick. Use a long lasting product and color lip in full. It is always important to have your lipstick match your outfit, so we have used Givenchy's couture lipstick No. 602 Ruby.
7. Apply powder blush in ruby from the cheekbone outwards and under the chin. Add white powder to highlight the top of the cheek. Blend with brush and powder for the final touch including ears. Finally place Tikka on forehead.

With these simple and easy tips you can easily dress up a bride very professionally even at home.

Bridal Makeup & Dressing Tips

Brides should understand the difference between everyday makeup and the type of application that will enhance their beauty in wedding photos. For brides, the choice is simple -- learn the proper techniques from a makeup artist months before the wedding, or simply invest in a professional application on the day of the event.

For Perfect Photos

For perfect photos , apply foundation evenly. Use a long lasting matte finish and end with a dusting of pressed powder. Be sure to keep pressed powder handy for touch up; you don't want a shiny nose or forehead in your pictures! Remember to match powder to your foundation color. Be sure to blend it well along the jaw line.

Avoid heavy eyeliner
It'll only make your eyes look smaller. Pass on false eyelashes, too. They can cast a shadow beneath the eyes. Instead, accent the outer corner of eyes with black or gray eyeliner.

Choose bridal makeup
Choose bridal makeup that's on the understated side. Our best suggestion, select a professional makeup artist with experience in bridal photography. 

Because skin tends to break out
Because skin tends to break out or look flushed after a facial, be sure to schedule your facial at least one week before your wedding. 

To keep your hands soft
To keep your hands soft apply our rich non greasy Hand Crème before going to bed, then put on a pair of white cotton gloves. While you sleep, the gloves will hold in body heat and help the hand crème penetrate. In the morning, you hands will feel softer and smoother. ( This trick works great on feet, too !)

Colours

Light colors such as pastels reflect more light and hence enhance the volume of a person. Advisable for persons on the slimmer side.

Dark colors such as blacks and burgundy, by virtue of reflecting lesser light diminish the volume of the wearer and are advisable for persons on the stouter side.

Short persons should avoid wearing clothes with contrasting colors. Fabrics

Banaras koras, brocades and silks
These fabrics have always been, are and will always be intrinsic to dressing for weddings in Indian culture. They remain a favorite with the designers as they are versatile and lend themselves to unlimited possibilities as far as embroidery is concerned.

Satin 
Satin has a luxurious, rich and glossy feel. It is used as lining of expensive outfits. Satin is a versatile material for embroidery and can carry considerable embroidery weight.

Lycra / Lurex
This fabric hugs the body and provides a close fit. Hence, it is necessary that the wearer has a good figure else it would accentuate features of the body that are not as attractive. Embroidery on lycra / lurex is limited and requires a special technique.

Laces / Nets 
This fabric conveys a fresh, young, pretty, dream-like feel. Delicate embroidery is preferred on lace while net is more versatile and lends itself to a wider range of embroidery.

Dressing for the ceremony

Engagement and Wedding Ceremony 
These being the most auspicious of wedding ceremonies, the clothes worn are almost always traditional, primarily dictated by the background and culture of the person.

Reception 
The clothes designed for the reception tends to be the most elaborate

What is Mehndi ?

The art of Mehendi has existed for centuries. The exact place of its origin is difficult to track because of centuries of people in different cultures moving through the continents and taking their art forms with them and therefore sharing their art with everyone along the way. 
Some historical evidence suggests that Mehndi started in India while others believe it was introduced to India during the twelfth century A.D. I personally feel that it would be hard to argue the fact that it appeared as an art form in Egypt first. 

Proof has been found that henna (MEHNDI) was used to stain the fingers and toes of Pharaohs prior to mummification over 5000 years ago when it was also used as a cosmetic and for it's healing power. The mummification process took 70 days and as the Egyptians were diligent in planning for their deaths and their rebirth in the afterlife, they became quite obsessed with the preservation process.

Bridal Makeup Tips

Makeup is surprisingly often an overlooked item when planning your dream shaadi.  Brides always focus on planning their outfits, jewellery, hair and mehndi but don't realise that, to look amazingly stunning on their wedding day they really need to have good makeup applied by a professional. Bridal make up by its very nature is a unique requirement and your make up regime for the big day needs careful thought and consideration. Our bridal beauty consultant, Lubna Rafiq, of Art Of Beauty shares some of bridal beauty insights with you… My personal approach to make-up for brides is one of corrective, subtle make-up that enhances the bride's best features and makes her look naturally radiant and beautiful on her big day. The first thing people notice when they look at a bride - is how stunning and radiant she looks, not her makeup itself. In fact make - up that is too obvious can look overdone and artificial so understated and sophisticated elegance is the name of the game!

How Do I Get My Eyes Noticed?

Your eyes are the most important feature when you are doing your make-up. Whether they are small, deep-set or large, using these techniques will definitely draw the attention your eyes deserve.

The first step to achieving Dynamic Eyes is to use a highlighter like our Beige Eye-Lite and apply it from the nose, (the thickness of the brush) following up under the eye brow and extend to the hairline. Then using a large brush like our Complexion Brush start from the nose and blend the Eye-Lite upward towards the brows and the hairline.

Creating Bold Cheekbones

The steps to getting well defined cheekbones are very simple. Imagine if you will that there is an imaginary line from the bottom corner of your nose to the area where your ear is attached at the top of the ear. This line defines the top of the area where your blush will be applied. To find the bottom line simply imagine a line from the bottom corner of your mouth to the bottom attachment of your ear. I always tell my customers to use the handle of their contour brush to get an idea where these lines are. Next you will need to locate the starting point. If you can imagine a vertical line from the iris of your eye to where it intersects the lower line, this is the point where you will want to start applying your blush going up towards the ear. This starting point is also the area of your face where your cheeks start to round back towards the side of your head. Use those imaginary lines to guide you where you need to apply your blush, and make sure you blend upwards to give yourself well defined cheekbones. The greatest thing about this tip is since you are using your facial structure for guidelines it will always look right for you.

How Do I Get My Eyes Noticed?

Your eyes are the most important feature when you are doing your make-up. Whether they are small, deep-set or large, using these techniques will definitely draw the attention your eyes deserve.

The first step to achieving Dynamic Eyes is to use a highlighter like our Beige Eye-Lite and apply it from the nose, (the thickness of the brush) following up under the eye brow and extend to the hairline. Then using a large brush like our Complexion Brush start from the nose and blend the Eye-Lite upward towards the brows and the hairline.

Applying Make-up

Always start your make-up with your foundation. This will even out your complexion and give you a good base to start with. Now for the trick. Use a sponge to apply your foundation. This way your foundation will not change colors due to the oils on your fingers, and you will not contaminate your foundation.
Another trick is to use a large complexion brush to smooth out your foundation around the hairline and jaw line. This way you will not have a line of demarcation around the edge of your foundation. Next apply your brow color. Follow up with a brow gel to keep your brows looking nice all day or night.
Apply your highlighter next. The trick here is to use a highlighter like our Beige Eye-lite that is creamy instead of a waxy cover-up. When you are trying to hide lines on the face, using a waxy substance will not move with your face, thus causing creases and other wrinkles to form in the product. Using a creamy highlighter will get into the lines to lighten them and make them less visible. Again use your complexion brush to blend your highlighting after you have applied it. 

Make-up Tips for Older Women

Eventually, the effects of time begin show on our faces. Here are four simple techniques to look your best no matter what age you are.

1. Instead of the traditional lip liner pencil, line your lips with a stiff bristled brush using your blush. This gives your lipstick the staying power that helps prevent any bleeding or feathering of your lip color around your lips.

2. To set your make-up, apply a loose translucent powder with a powder brush in the morning and do not reapply during the day. Excessive powder, especially from a compact, accentuates lines and wrinkles. If you need a touch up for shine, simply use a fluffy brush like our Complexion Brush and smooth it over your face.

3. Lessening the appearance of jowls (the lines from the edge of the nose to the corner of the mouth) is accomplished with Beige Eye-lite. Using a highlighter de-emphasizes the shadow created by the jowl thus making it less noticeable. Check your chart in the Free Facial Chart section of our site for a guide on Beige Eye-lite placement. To lessen the appearance of a saggy neck, use a non-frosted powder slightly darker than your natural skin tone and apply it under your chin. This creates the effect of a shadow, therefore making it less prominent.

4. Forget the myth that you shouldn't wear frosted eye shadow over the age of thirty. Frosted eye shadows, if applied properly, can make you look young. Never use one color on the entire eyelid! Per your Free Facial Chart, use one light color under your brow, one color on your eyelid close to your lashes and one slightly darker shade on the crease if desired. And, most of all... Blend, blend, blend!

Remember that subtlety is the key. Armed with these four techniques, you have the arsenal to take on aging and look your best!

Party Makeup Ideas

Whether you have a dinner, office, or New Year's Eve party to get ready for -- or it's just happy-hour with your coworkers, we've got makeup tips for you! We've asked the experts and they've provided us with everything you need to know to look great this holiday season.

For a Dinner Party

The best way to make lipstick stay put through a meal is to layer your lip products. Lip primers are a good place to start since they prevent feathering and fading. Clinique's All about Lips is a lip primer that comes in a handy pump dispenser and moisturizes in addition to keeping lip color in place. Next, follow these steps:

Preparation Of The Face For Makeup

For the best final result, you must meticulously prepare your face for the actual application of the makeup.

Identify The Structure Of Your Face:

This is very important, so that you can understand the high points and the drawbacks of your face. Then you will be able to emphasize the excellent features of your face and camouflage your handicaps. Faces are of 2 basic shapes:

1. Angular Faces are well delineated, with a strong bone structure and musculature. Angular faces could be trapezoidal, rectangular, square or triangular. 

2. Round Faces, on the other hand, have curved, continuous, gently sloping lines, without any bony projections. Round faces can be oval or the true round form.

Eye Cosmetics And Their Use

Eye Makeup:

Almond shaped eyes are considered to be the ideal. So when making up eyes, one tries with the help of light and dark eye makeup to make the necessary changes to give the eyes an almond appearance.

 

Eye shadow:

Application Technique: 
The following steps are followed in the application of eye shadow shades. 

The Secrets of Concealer

Concealer is the little white lie of the makeup world -- we all use it on occasion, and no one has to feel guilty about this kind of cover-up. But with all the types of concealer available, women often question how and when to use it.

Concealers come in sticks, pots, cremes, and pencils. Any type will do. It's okay to use your fingertips to apply. Just make sure you dab or pat it on -- never wipe or rub. For the most covert application, use a concealer brush. It helps you to be subtle and precise, especially when you're working on small areas like blemishes (yes, we all get them -- pimples, zits, and the occasional Mount Everest). 

Even when you're blemish-free, there are places where concealer works miracles: under the eyes to cover dark circles, on the outer corners of the eyes (where it's often reddish or dark), around the nostrils, and in the dark bluish spots where each eye meets the bridge of the nose (check your face in this place, as most of us get a bit of a dent there). A dot on either side keeps the eyes looking brighter. 

Basically, concealer is a slightly heavier version of foundation. If you're using concealer with foundation, go with a color that's one shade lighter than the foundation. These two products work in tandem to bring your face to one tone.

Apply concealer first, to cover dark spots or blemishes, then go over the concealed areas with foundation. If the spots are still dark, you can go back and apply more concealer on top of the foundation. (When I'm working under the eyes, I sometimes add more concealer over the foundation just to make the eyes pop a bit more.)

If you're using just concealer without foundation over it, make sure the concealer matches your skin tone. This can be tricky, since it's offered in far fewer shades than foundation. If the color's too light, you'll actually draw more attention to the problem you're covering. But if you get a great match, you can get by with spot concealer and nothing else on the face -- even with blemishes. 

Sometimes foundation alone can take the place of concealer; although it's a lighter formula, you can use it in the same areas and it often does the trick. On the other hand, if you're not wearing foundation, just use concealer. 

It's really your choice: foundation alone, concealer alone, or a combination of the two. Another option is tinted moisturizer. If your skin's nearly perfect, it's all you need.

The Key To Flawless Foundation

Types of Foundations

Most of us keep our foundation as close as our ATM card. And just like crisp cash, we tend to "spend" too much of it. That's the most common problem women make -- putting foundation all over their face when that's very rarely needed. When you get the right shade, and you know how and where to use it, you'll find you need very little.

But first -- which form do you choose? There are sticks, liquids, creams, and powders. If you have normal skin, you're fine with anything. Dry skin is best with a cream or liquid -- these glide easily over the skin. Oily skin is best with an oil-free liquid but a powder foundation's even better.

How To Do Your Nails Fast

When you are in a rush, decisions have to be made. Prioritize. Do you shape or polish? Do you quick-dry or go the long, slow route? New formulas allow for snap decisions:

Speed-dry enamels are worthy of their name (you can open mail, search for keys, or put on your tightest long-sleeved shirt within seconds), but there's a downside: "As fast as they dry, that's as fast they chip," insists manicurist Elisa Ferri, so save them for emergencies. Eke a few extra days out of a fast-dry manicure by doing a daily touch-up with a quick-drying coat.

In the other corner, there are strong, chip-resistant formulas - the torttoise of the polish race. To pick up the pace of these tougher enamels, like L'Oreal Shock Proof, carefully submerge freshly painted nails in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 seconds to harden still-groopy polish.

Light or sheer shades are best for hasty manicures, Ferri says. "You can even get away with just a wide stripe down the center" rather than painstakingly painting the entire nail.

If a manicure is beyond the repair of a topcoat or two, face facts and call in the remover. You can keep single-use packets of nail polish remover (Cutex and Get Fresh make them) on hand so you can strip away color on the run.

When there is no time for polish, just clean underneath the nails, rub on a buffing cream, and shine them with a chamois buffer.