beauty strategies

A make up and fashion artist has recently written a book and gives us some very useful information regarding fashion, hair and skin-care beauty tips. These tips are primarily geared for women 45+ years of age.

In his opinion, there are five fundamentals, line, proportion, color, texture and accent. The eye follows a line. The faster the eye moves across the line, the longer and slimmer the line appears. If you want to appear as tall and slim as possible, you want as few breaks in line as possible. Line is created in the entire silhouette of your body and in each individual part that makes up your silhouette. This would include the hairline, the neckline, the jawline, the brow line and the lip line.

Here are some rules regarding lines:

• Diagonal and vertical lines slenderize
• Round adds pounds
• Horizontals add heft
• Square evokes masculine
• Oval evokes feminine

The human eye is attracted to symmetry and balance. Studies confirm that babies are more attracted to a face that is balanced and proportionate. The eye is drawn to the culprit of disproportion. Imbalance creates disharmony and wherever it is, we notice. Whether it’s your hair in relation to your face, your hips in relation to your shoulders or your eyes in relations to your lips, balance in figure and features is a desired goal.

Color incites feelings in us. Our eyes are drawn to color. Wherever you put color on your body, the eye will rest for a moment. It makes the most sense to have color near and around your face because that is where the attention should be.

When it comes to color, think warm and cool. Most people look best with either warm colors or cool colors near their face. You should understand what warm and cool colors are, and which look best in your hair, your makeup and the clothing near your face.

It’s not just color; hue and intensity also create balance. When you wear black pants, your butt looks smaller than when you wear white. People look at the light colors first. Use color blocking to your advantage. Whether in your hair, makeup, or clothes, use light colors on areas you want to look larger or get more attention, and use dark colors on areas you want to minimize.

Textures can accentuate or minimize. It can add heft or slenderize. By increasing texture where you want fullness, and decreasing it where you want slimness, you can create balance and proportion. The bulkier the texture, the heavier you will look. Texture can also hide or reveal any flaws. Wearing anything shiny or sparkly will instantly reveal and draw attention to any imperfection.

Texture can also be created with patterns. Large patterns expand what they are placed upon, and small patterns diminish. Texture draws the eye to or away. Adding texture to a haircut will give movement and help to create the illusion of more fullness. Too much texture adds fullness but eliminates shine. When it comes to hair, too much texture in not a benefit.

As one ages, the texture of the makeup one wears needs balance. Dewy draws attention to wrinkles and uneven texture faster than satin over cellulite. Too much matte will remove any glow, creating a corpse-like look. Balanced texture is always flattering.

Here are important texture tips:

• Avoid shiny or frosty makeup. Ditch dramatic frosts, extreme gloss, dewy foundations and sparkly bronzers and blushes.
• Consider adding texture to hair for fullness and bounce or minimizing texture for shine.
• Choose flat matte clothing texture for the most slenderizing look.
• Wear bulky textures where you want to increase focus and fullness.
• Consider that shine and sparkle, which catch light, are best worn over a smooth surface.

Accents are the ultimate attention getters. They give any outfit a boost. Accents include buttons, scarves, jewelry, bows, metal ornamentation, stones, fabric, prints, glass and ceramic. You can make any outfit come alive with the right theme of accents.

Think strategically about the placement of accents. Use them to attract or distract; to add excitement and interest; to create a mood, feeling or attitude.

Unlike many of our favorite celebrities, we don’t have the luxury of spending our days relaxing at upscale spas around the world. Let’s face it, most of us cannot spend hundreds of dollars on a facial or skincare treatment. Hollywood beauties have access to plenty of resources for high-end skincare regiments. Even though it’s not easy looking like a million bucks for the red carpet, many of the celebrities pull off their looks with the help of elaborate treatments and luxurious pampering at a stylish resort.

Back in the real world, most women look to quality cosmetics and beauty products for glamorous looks and healthy skin. A healthy skincare regimen is essential for glowing skin, regardless of what products you use. Many women, make the mistake of thinking they have to shell out big bucks for big results. It’s actually quite easy to learn from celebrities and enjoy a treatment without a severe impact on your wallet. Here are a few skincare recommendations for those who live life a little below the ranks of a Hollywood salary:

For a fresh glow that doesn’t require that cake-on foundation, follow the style of Cameron Diaz who uses mineral powder sunscreen. Actually the good mineral makeups such as Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup have a natural SPF in them. Your pores will stay cleaner when you are not filling them with toxic materials. Jane Iredale uses micronized crystals which are non-toxic.

Eva Longoria is very careful to stay far away from harmful rays of the sun - without compromising the Mediterranean-kissed glow. She uses an all over spray tan, body shimmer, body polish and tinted moisturizer. These treatments will cost between $85.-$100. However, you can pick up products for a similar look for around $50, and that’s at least 2 treatments. Thread lifts, Botox and Restalyne are always top picks for stars on the red carpet. How about microdermabrasion at the salon instead? Or facial sculpting? If you need a deep pore treatment, try a basic 30-minute express facial at the salon. For improving the texture and tone of your skin, try Phyto Corrective Gel from SkinCeuticals.

Whether exfoliating facials to spray -on tanning to firming products, looking like a celebrity doesn’t require that you spend like one. When you’re on the hunt for some fresh alternatives to your beauty lineup, invest some time to research key ingredients and track down budget friendly alternatives.

Some women don’t try false eyelashes because they think they are impossible to apply. But, if you have an occasion coming up which calls for glamour, with a little know-how and some practice, you can look red carpet ready in no time. So, here you go, false eyelashes 101.

• Purchase a set of false eyelashes. You will need eyelash glue, a pair of tweezers and a small pair of scissors. Fantasia sells wonderful eyelashes as well as the adhesive to apply them.
• Trim the lashes to fit your eyes. Hold the strip of lashes up to your eye. If they are a little longer than your lash line, use your scissors to trim the edges.
• Apply eyeshadow primer to cover your entire eyelid from the lash line up to the brow-bone. The primer helps the glue adhere.
• Place a line of lash adhesive on the back of your hand. Allow it to set for a few seconds to get tacky. (follow instructions included with the adhesive)
• Using your tweezers, glide a strip of lashes in the glue. Make sure the glue is totally covering the edge.
• Place the strip onto your eye as close to the natural lash line as possible. Press it in to place, pushing down on the edges.
• After you are sure it’s firmly attached, repeat with the other eye.
• Use a cotton swab dipped in eye makeup remover to clean any glue around the eye area.

Now, for some finishing touches,,,

• After applying your foundation or powder to your face, add light brown eyeshadow to just the lid. You can use whatever color you like but brown works for all skin tones.
• Add a deeper complementary shadow into the crease of your eye to create some depth and definition. Blend the shadow upward and outward toward your brow-bone.
• Use a black eyeliner or ink lining pen to line your top lashes, filling in any gap between your natural lashes and the false eyelashes
• For the cat-eye look, extend the liner just slightly past the outer corner of your eye, extending it upward.
• Apply a coat of black mascara to your eyelashes. Apply the mascara to both the fake lashes and your natural lashes to help them blend together.
• Choose a deep red lipstick and matching lip liner. Avoid brick reds which make your teeth look yellow and your skin sallow. Instead pick true reds or blue reds.
• Line your lips and fill in with lipstick using a lip-brush for through application. Add a dab of clear gloss in the center of your bottom lip. Smack your lips together to spread the gloss.
• Keep your cheeks bare or very light. If desired, apply a pale pink or peach blush on the apples of your cheeks to complete your look.

Taking off your lashes.

Remove your lashes by using petroleum jelly or an oily eye makeup remover. This helps to dissolve the lash glue. Don’t tug or pull off the lashes or you might take some of your natural lashes off with them. Instead, apply more petroleum jelly and allow it to sit for about 30 seconds, then gently lift off the false lashes.

Don’t throw your lashes after wearing once. You should be able to wear them about three times. Place them back in their origional container so they will retain their shape.

With just a bit of practice, you will soon be the most glamorous girl around town!

Let’s talk about some common concerns we occasionally deal with and what to do about them. Beginning with circles under the eyes. A good rule of thumb is to select a concealer that is a shade lighter than your foundation. Concealer tends to enhance wrinkles around the eyes, so, if you have fine lines and wrinkles, apply a primer first to fill in the wrinkles before applying the concealer.

Use a small, flat brush to apply concealer to the circles under the eyes. Don’t use too much and be very careful to blend well. Add a light dusting of translucent powder before applying your foundation. You could also think about buying yellow concealer which will help correct the blue color of under eye circles.

Blemishes are always a pain, no matter when they show up. Don’t freak out when you wake up with a big pimple. Don’t squeeze or pick at it. Wash your face as normal and apply a topical acne treatment. Some ice will help reduce inflammation. Use a green concealer before applying makeup to help combat the redness. If you are getting more pimples than normal, be sure to consistently drink lots of water and get 8 hours sleep per night.

If you feel a cold sore coming on, look for a topical treatment (drugstores, retailers.) It pays to buy the more expensive brand. This will help heal cold sores and reduce swelling quickly. You can also apply ice to the cold sore to reduce swelling. Probably after all of this, no one will notice the inflammation but you.

If you are emotional or teary-eyed, rather than deal with raccoon eyes on a regular basis, use waterproof mascara. And, it’s good to rely on waterproof mascara on hot, humid summer days. There is nothing worse than sweating and having mascara run in your eyes and burn. Better yet, perhaps you want to think about having eyelash extensions or wearing false eyelashes, then you don’t have to worry about mascara!

If you wake up with a headache or puffy eyes, apply cold in the form of a mask or towel and rest for about 10 minutes. I have this wonderful mask thing filled with lavender which I keep in my freezer. If I am dealing with either of the above issues, I take it out of the freezer, head for a comfy chair, and sit with my feet up for about 10 minutes. It always does the trick!

So, there you have it. Don’t panic, just try some of the common sense approaches listed above! And remember, this too shall pass!

Gorgeous, natural looking eyelashes are the most effective tool in accentuating your eyes. My husband has phenomenal eyelashes and my daughter and granddaughter have inherited them.

My eyelashes are marginal, at best. I keep thinking I need to find, dig out, or perhaps purchase a new eyelash curler. I had a horrific episode many years back that has left me reticent in utilizing an eyelash curler. I was late, running through the house, while curling my eyelashes, and tripped over something. Not only was it painful, but it took a long time for those lashes to grow back and I looked really bad for a while with no eyelashes on one lid.

Well, the good news is that today we have options! Perhaps you have perfected the art of wearing prosthetic (false) eyelashes. Twila, of Fantasia fame, has this one down and has taught many people over the years to work with prosthetic eyelashes; from customizing them to applying them. You don’t put them on just as they come out of the package, they are not necessarily going to fit you. It’s important to customize or “modify” them. And there are right and wrong ways of applying them from the adhesive used to the exact technique of putting the lashes on.

There are also eyelash extensions which are a bit pricey but wonderful. Even if you don’t wear them all of the time, only for special occasions, they are a wonderful option. These lashes are applied by a professional, incorporated in with your own lashes and can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 2+ months depending on how you care for them. Then, if you want to wear them all of the time, it works much like having your nails “filled”, only you are having your lashes filled.

If you are not interested in either of these options, there are some dos and don’t for working with your own, natural lashes. Back to the eyelash curler. Curl your lashes for 10-15 seconds per eye. My advice would be to stay in one place when doing this, DO NOT WALK AROUND THE HOUSE, as you never know what can happen! Now, be sure not to squeeze too tightly because this can result in lashes falling out (not good) or a kinky look, verses a curled look.

When applying mascara, use a volumizing or lengthening formula. Use a tissue to blot the applicator before application. (Seriously, who does this?) Hold the applicator at the base of your lashes, then very slowly blink. Then, apply further at the very ends of your lashes to make sure they are covered. If you have trouble with clumping, use a lash brush to comb them immediately after application.

Well ladies, there you have it, eyelashes 101! Your eyes are beautiful dahhhling!

Deciding to go gray, or “natural” as it’s now being referred to, is not an easy decision. I know for me personally, it’s not something I’m ready to do anytime soon. If you are one of the brave souls who feel this is something you want to do, here are some suggestions to help you and your hair look good.

There are a couple of ways to transition to gray according to one stylist. If you hair is long or a medium length, cut it short so the gray doesn’t take too long to grow in. The easiest transition however, is to go with heavy highlights in blond, silver or gray. New growth will then blend in with the highlights.

A stylish cut is very important, to keep you from looking matronly. Younger women with gray hair advise having a stylish cut and staying current with fashion and makeup.

Gray hair tends to be coarser, so it is imperative that you use a good conditioner. A purple or violet-based shampoo used once per week will remove environmental toxins from the hair that can cause it to look yellow. A protectant spray will keep gray hair from turning dirty and brassy when you are in the sun. Look for a product that has thermal protection to deflect heat damage and add shine and luster to your hair.

As women age, they lose pigmentation, not only in their hair but in their skin. When this happens, the sun damage and freckles become more prominent. If you are going gray, you will have to rethink your makeup. Consider foundations with more luminosity, more moisture and just a hint of shimmer.

Let’s face it, if your skin is dull, it takes away from the whole package. So, if you have always worn pale, beigy pink, you may have to step it up to mauve or darker pink-brown. Or, perhaps a soft burgundy. You need to compensate for the loss of color in your hair, somehow, someway.

It’s not just about adding more foundation, lipstick or blush. It’s about adjusting the color. A bright lipstick will define the lips better and a lipstick will offer more pigmentation and last longer than gloss. A bit of color on the cheeks makes one look healthier.

Don’t ever go without mascara, that will “fade” you out with gray hair. People who go gray, go gray in their lashes and brows also. You need to add color to your brows and lashes as your eyes are a form of communication. If you are washed out, it can affect the way you feel. It’s important, if you have absence of hair color, that you put the color back in somewhere else.

Just know, if you go gray, that won’t be the only change you have to make. Oh, if life were only that simple!

These days, there are a few options if you have less than lush eyelashes. You can have eyelash extensions which are not inexpensive but look fantastic. To keep the look, there is maintenance required, much like having your nails “filled” on a regular basis.

However there is another option which may be of interest to you and that is a product called RevitaLash. RevitaLash was created by Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff as a special gift for his wife, Gayle, when she was recovering from breast cancer. Intensive chemotherapy treatments had damaged Gayle’s once beautiful eyelashes, leaving them fragile, sparse, and thin.

Dr. Brinkenhoff, a practicing opthamologist for over 25 years, had extensive knowledge and experience and believed he could develop a formula that would give Gayle’s eyelashes renewed health, strength and beauty.

After extensive research, Dr. Brinkenhoff, together with a talented team of cosmetic chemist, created RevitaLash, much to Gayle’s delight, giving her lashes renewed vitality.

RevitaLash is a remarkable cosmetic innovation which will help ;you achieve amazing looking eyelashes, appearing dramatically more beautiful, longer, thicker and fuller. Within weeks , your own natural eyelashes will look as though they had extensions.

Like liquid eyeliner, RevitaLash is simply applied once - a - day to the base of the eyelashes. Within 60 days your own natural eyelashes will look spectacular.

With RevitaLash, you can do it from your home and maintain it yourself. Again it will cost a fraction of what eyelash extensions would cost, so, this may be a way for you to get the eyelashes you have always wanted!

One way to maintain healthy looking hair is to use Nioxin products.  It is an extensive product line so I will hit some of the highlights and uses of a few of the top selling products. 

Nioxin Cleanser and Scalp Therapy may be of benefit when used on blemished and irritated or reddened skin for shaving and daily skin cleaning and care.

The  which is for the hair, can also be use for washing the face and body.  Either of the Bionutrient Cleansers will cleanse your skin.

Scalp Therapy can be used for the face and body as a moisturizer.  After your shower you can use it to cool, relax and moisturize the body and face (avoid the eye area).

Scalp Therapy can also be used for massage over the entire body or specific areas to stimulate and refresh the skin and relieve muscle tension

Scalp Therapy can be used in place of conventional hand lotion.  It moisturizes dry skin and soothes nail cuticles.

For a foot moisturizer use Scalp Therapy to relieve hot, tired, aching feet.  After washing with either of the Bionutrient Cleansers, pat feet dry and generously massage into feet and ankles until absorbed by the skin.  Scalp Therapy moisturizes dry, rough feet without being oily or heavy on the skin.

For sunburn peel or to preserve your tan, apply Scalp Therapy to the affected area.  Natural essential oils and rich moisturizers quickly cool and soothe to prevent sunburned skin from peeling and tan from fading.

Scalp Therapy for shaving the face and legs.  Use as an extra moisturizing shave cream to help protect the skin form razor bumps.  It helps the razor glide over the skin providing a close shave, minimizing cuts.  Wet shaving area and apply generously to area to be shaved.  After shaving, rinse and re-apply your choice of Scalp Therapy for extra moisturizing.  Leaves the skin feeling refreshed all day and is never oily or greasy.

For waxing, apply a small amount of Scalp Therapy to waxed areas to soothe and refresh.  It also helps to remove residual wax.

Makeup removal and facials.  Remove makeup with your choice of Scalp Therapy.  It is exhilarating for the face when you don’t have time for a facial.

Soothe your skin with either of the Bionutrient Cleansers to help soothe blemished and irritated/reddened skin, follow-up with your choice of Scalp Therapy and leave on for optimum moisture.

So, if you thought Nioxin was just for your hair, think again!

How about some quick beauty strategies that will fire you up from head to toe? You can look and feel instantly energized and lets face it, who doesn’t want a tad bit more energy these days?

The eyes have it! De-puff by placing ice cubes over swollen eyes. The science? This shrinks blood vessels quickly. Or, try cucumber slices. Use a moisturizer with lots of proteins and vitamins. Splash some cold water on your face. The cool temperature will even out a blotchy complexion. Or, if you prefer, use your spray water bottle and mist.

Red lips scream confidence so apply some red lipstick or lip gloss. If red isn’t it for you, try some coral or a berry shade. To freshen up eyelids fast, dust on some peach or bronze eye shadow. Dark circles? Use a little beige eye shadow just along the lower rims of your eyes to offset darkness. Use the blackest mascara you can find on the lashes, the contrast will make the whites of your eyes stand out. Bronzer can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Too much and you look orange - so you can try a cream highlighter instead.

Dress for success. People notice what you are wearing. A well dressed person will always get precedence over an underdressed person - even if the underdressed is more qualified. Spice things up with a shimmery belt or dangling earrings.

Breathe, exhale slowly and deeply for five seconds, then exhale for five. Smell something mint or citrus. Studies have found that fragrances with citrus or mint help keep you alert. They also improve concentration and memory.

Posture. Stand straight up with shoulders back, don’t slouch! If you catch yourself slouching, pull your spine up. Bad posture is not just bad but it makes you look tired. People will feel they are not getting the best out of you if you are constantly slouching.

Eat and drink for health. Rather than skipping breakfast and lunch, have a protein shake, it will work wonders for you! Snack on citrus fruits, they may improve your mood. Drink lots of water and forget the pop!

These may seem like simple things but they will give you the appearance of professionalism!