Monday, March 18, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Highbrow Style
When they look good, you look gorgeous, so show your eyebrows some love.
Poor eyebrows! They are the true Cinderella of the face. While the eyes and the lips get to go to the ball, dolled up in all their finery, more often than not, the brows are left neglected and unloved. Big, big mistake. Brows are incredibly important. The brows lift and frame the face. They pull everything together. In fact, a well-groomed, well-defined brow can do so much to a face that you actually need less make-up. By the same token, bad brows can wreak havoc on the prettiest face. If you get your brow shape wrong, your whole face will change; you can go from looking chic to cheap. What shape is right? Generally, a variation on the brow shape you were born with. It may be fashionable for brows to be thicker right now.
But it's like everything if you follow fashion extremes, things can go horribly wrong. So be aware of what's in, but do what suits your face. A classic brow shape that's right for you will never go out of style.
Poor eyebrows! They are the true Cinderella of the face. While the eyes and the lips get to go to the ball, dolled up in all their finery, more often than not, the brows are left neglected and unloved. Big, big mistake. Brows are incredibly important. The brows lift and frame the face. They pull everything together. In fact, a well-groomed, well-defined brow can do so much to a face that you actually need less make-up. By the same token, bad brows can wreak havoc on the prettiest face. If you get your brow shape wrong, your whole face will change; you can go from looking chic to cheap. What shape is right? Generally, a variation on the brow shape you were born with. It may be fashionable for brows to be thicker right now.
But it's like everything if you follow fashion extremes, things can go horribly wrong. So be aware of what's in, but do what suits your face. A classic brow shape that's right for you will never go out of style.
The Glamour Brow
Also known as everyone's fantasy eyebrow. It's a classic made-up brow. It's thick and groomed, arched and elegant; this is going to look good
on anyone.
Do It Yourself: Use pencil if you're confident, and powder if you're not. Draw a defined arch and blend outwards from there. Put on more colour than you would during the day. And make sure that the outer edge is defined but tapered." Fill in gaps with feathery strokes, fading to nothing nearer the nose. Finish with a lick of brow gel. Gel adds gloss, which ups the glamour. Work it into
hairs from root to tip, then brush upwards along the top of the arch.
Also known as everyone's fantasy eyebrow. It's a classic made-up brow. It's thick and groomed, arched and elegant; this is going to look good
on anyone.
Do It Yourself: Use pencil if you're confident, and powder if you're not. Draw a defined arch and blend outwards from there. Put on more colour than you would during the day. And make sure that the outer edge is defined but tapered." Fill in gaps with feathery strokes, fading to nothing nearer the nose. Finish with a lick of brow gel. Gel adds gloss, which ups the glamour. Work it into
hairs from root to tip, then brush upwards along the top of the arch.
The Uber Brow
This is the brow at its most high fashion. It's very dark and very graphic. It's not even attempting
to look natural. Suitable candidates for this look: anyone with decent-sized brows. Mingy eyebrows need not apply.
Do It Yourself: Brush the hairs out of the way and start filling in the base of the brows with a damp brush dipped in eye-brow powder. Get the powder right onto the skin beneath hairs. Brush the brows back into place and then continue using your wet brush and powder to coat over the hairs. "Go nearer to the nose than you
normally would. Even fill in the arch you want a strong. Straighter, graphic brow.
This is the brow at its most high fashion. It's very dark and very graphic. It's not even attempting
to look natural. Suitable candidates for this look: anyone with decent-sized brows. Mingy eyebrows need not apply.
Do It Yourself: Brush the hairs out of the way and start filling in the base of the brows with a damp brush dipped in eye-brow powder. Get the powder right onto the skin beneath hairs. Brush the brows back into place and then continue using your wet brush and powder to coat over the hairs. "Go nearer to the nose than you
normally would. Even fill in the arch you want a strong. Straighter, graphic brow.
The Wild Brow
Eat your heart out. These are my very youthful, sensual and luscious.
Do it Yourself: The starting point is pretty much virgin brows. Then it's all about grooming. Brow gel really comes into its own here. Coat each hair from root to tip and brush in the wrong direction to create volume. Finish by brushing brows straight up and sweeping the brush along the top edge to join them together. There's not a bit of pencil or powder in these brows. You just want them to look glossy, healthy and dewy.
Eat your heart out. These are my very youthful, sensual and luscious.
Do it Yourself: The starting point is pretty much virgin brows. Then it's all about grooming. Brow gel really comes into its own here. Coat each hair from root to tip and brush in the wrong direction to create volume. Finish by brushing brows straight up and sweeping the brush along the top edge to join them together. There's not a bit of pencil or powder in these brows. You just want them to look glossy, healthy and dewy.
Making Up Brows
Not many of us have perfect brows, even after plucking. Often the arch is a bit sparse, or you have gaps, or the brows are asymmetrical. Filling gives the brows more impact, definition and length. Here's how to do it like a pro…
Pick Your Weapon: Make-up artists favour pencils but amateurs can find them tricky to use. If you're a beginner, shadow is an easier option.
Choosing The Right Colour: It is the most important thing with pencils and powders. To look natural it needs to be as close to the natural shade of your brows as you can manage. Generally, it needs to be no more than two shades darker than the hair on your head.
Start With The Arch: Draw a soft arch (not too pointy), then fill in the gap between it and the rest of your brow. Now decide if the front of the brow needs filling. Be careful, never go to heavy near the bridge of the nose start a little way back.
Vary Your Technique: Keep strokes feathery near the nose. When you're doing the arch and down the
outer edge, you need light but
longer strokes.
If You're Using Shadow: A damp brush will give a darker colour and stronger shape. A dry brush will give a softer cloud of colour.
Not many of us have perfect brows, even after plucking. Often the arch is a bit sparse, or you have gaps, or the brows are asymmetrical. Filling gives the brows more impact, definition and length. Here's how to do it like a pro…
Pick Your Weapon: Make-up artists favour pencils but amateurs can find them tricky to use. If you're a beginner, shadow is an easier option.
Choosing The Right Colour: It is the most important thing with pencils and powders. To look natural it needs to be as close to the natural shade of your brows as you can manage. Generally, it needs to be no more than two shades darker than the hair on your head.
Start With The Arch: Draw a soft arch (not too pointy), then fill in the gap between it and the rest of your brow. Now decide if the front of the brow needs filling. Be careful, never go to heavy near the bridge of the nose start a little way back.
Vary Your Technique: Keep strokes feathery near the nose. When you're doing the arch and down the
outer edge, you need light but
longer strokes.
If You're Using Shadow: A damp brush will give a darker colour and stronger shape. A dry brush will give a softer cloud of colour.
Top 4 Brow Crimes
1. Over-plucking
Quite simply, brow crime numero uno. The two main offences? First, the 'tadpole' where the middle section has been over-plucked, leaving a heavy section by the nose. It's a very inelegant shape. Second the 1930s brow, where the whole brow is plucked to a scary skinniness. It's not beautiful, it's too harsh and you'll just look surprised.
1. Over-plucking
Quite simply, brow crime numero uno. The two main offences? First, the 'tadpole' where the middle section has been over-plucked, leaving a heavy section by the nose. It's a very inelegant shape. Second the 1930s brow, where the whole brow is plucked to a scary skinniness. It's not beautiful, it's too harsh and you'll just look surprised.
2. Mono-Brow
Artist Frida Kahlo and actress
Kajol might have made this their trademark, but don't make it yours. A thatch of dark hairs between the brows is unflattering as it will
close your face. So pluck or thread into oblivion.
Artist Frida Kahlo and actress
Kajol might have made this their trademark, but don't make it yours. A thatch of dark hairs between the brows is unflattering as it will
close your face. So pluck or thread into oblivion.
3. Shaving
Don't go there, even if you have brows like a sheepskin rug. Even the most unruly brows can be tidied without resorting to the razor.
Don't go there, even if you have brows like a sheepskin rug. Even the most unruly brows can be tidied without resorting to the razor.
4. Unkemptness
Most brows need a little brushing and plucking to get them into shape. Four or five hairs could make all the difference. A bit of gentle plucking in the right place will transform
your face.
Most brows need a little brushing and plucking to get them into shape. Four or five hairs could make all the difference. A bit of gentle plucking in the right place will transform
your face.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Monday, September 17, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Beauty Tips for Monsoon
From frizzy and limp hair to patchy, clogged skin, humidity can play havoc with your looks during the monsoons. Follow these tips for an all-round beauty treatment to beat the rainy blues.
Face First
1. Pimples: Keep your skin squeaky clean as dirt and oil can clog pores, resulting in pimples, blackheads and other problems. Wash your face frequently and use a toner to close the pores to restore your skin's pH balance. Exfoliate twice a week with a good face scrub.
2. Make-up: Use minimum make up in the monsoons, and try using products that are waterproof to prevent makeup from running. Cream-based colour makeup tends to form ugly patches during the rainy season. So, ditch oily foundations, blushes and eye shadows for their powder-based counterparts. Instead of kajal, you can use water-resistant eye-liners and mascaras. Opt for a coloured lip balm or soft matte lipsticks in shades of brown and pink. Don't forget to use sun-tan lotion even in this weather.
3. Diet: Drink plenty of water and eat a protein-rich diet with lots of fresh fruits and green vegetables. Avoid fermented, fried and spicy foods. A nutritious diet will naturally make your skin healthy. You can ask your physician to suggest the right supplements according to your needs.
Mane Talk
1. Frizz: Hair tends to absorb moisture from the air. Dirt particles stick to this moisture, making hair sticky, frizzy and unmanageable in the monsoons. Wash your hair more often than usual and keep it well moisturised. Use mild cream-based shampoos and leave-in conditioners to lock in the moisture. Hair masks for dry and frizzy hair will help improve its quality.
2. Oily/Dry & Limp Hair: Oily hair tends to become dirtier while dry hair becomes very dull in this season. For oily hair, opt for a gentle shampoo and conditioner. They can be used everyday to get rid of excess oil and dirt. Those with dry hair should oil their hair every fortnight. Treat your hair to spas enriched with protein at least once a month. This will lock in moisture, adding gloss to dull hair. Use volume boosting shampoos and conditioners to make fine hair look thicker.
3. Hair Fall: Monsoon tends to aggravate breakage of hair so oil your hair regularly. To avoid breakage, comb your hair on the edges first and then start combing from the roots. Use wide toothed combs to untangle hair, and opt for anti-hair fall shampoos and conditioners. Masks and spas can help strengthen hair from the roots and also impact its length.
4. Dandruff: Humidity leads to itchy, flaky scalp in monsoons. To get rid of dandruff, always oil your hair before a wash. It will also make them tangle-free and manageable. Use an effective anti-dandruff shampoo, and condition your hair with curd and egg to make it shine.
Body Basics
1. Allergies: Various skin allergies like itching and red rashes, skin eruptions and acne, and urticaria reactions (an insect bite like rash) become rampant during this season. One may also encounter exacerbation of pre-existing conditions of eczema and psoriasis etc. The most important precaution that one can take during the monsoons is to keep yourself clean. Also, keep your clothes and footwear dry and hygienic.
2. Infections: Fungal and bacterial infections are some of the other concerns that one can be faced with during the rainy season. Bathe regularly and use an antiseptic soap/body wash. Always gently rub your body dry with a soft, clean towel, especially after getting wet in the rain. You can use gram flour or green gram flour optionally mixed with butter-milk, honey, milk, rosewater or aloe vera as a scrub before a bath. This helps to cleanse the body and also works as a moisturiser and a skin purifier.
3. Clammy Skin: The skin can feel oily, cold and clammy due to humidity and heat in the monsoons. This dampness also makes one more prone to contracting infections and allergies, especially when caused by dirty rain water. You can use appropriate body scrubs every now and then to keep the dirt and
germs away.
4. Dryness: Monsoons can also make the body dry, depending upon your skin type. Application of a little almond and coconut oil after a bath protects the skin from cracking due to dryness. This also protects the body from insect rashes and mosquito bites that can cause serious allergies
and ailments.
5. Body Ache: One can also be faced with aches and stiffness in various parts of the body. Applying warm oil on the head and the body before bathing, at least weekly or thrice weekly, helps to prevent most problems.
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