Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Bacteria in Cosmetic Counter Testers ~ What You Need To Know!

Good afternoon ladies :) Here's an interesting topic for this installment of the Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass... Bacteria in Cosmetic Counters!  In Malta, we do not have a lot of large shops that sell exclusively make-up like Sephora for example (in fact, the only one that comes to mind is Inglot) as we usually buy make-up from pharmacies and sometimes some stationers also sell a limited range and testers are not always available.  

Cosmetic Counters at Galleries Lafayette, Paris

However, in the larger shops and cosmetic counters, we all love to have a play with the skin-care and make-up product testers available as there is always something that catches our eyes. The irresistible displays and easily accessible tester units beckon you to try on a lipstick, foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, or moisturizer directly on your face. But you might want to think twice before doing that again because it may be riskier than you know!  

Our skin houses a number of commensal bacteria, such as species of the Staphylococcus genus, some of which may be termed opportunistic pathogens, meaning that they are capable of causing disease given the right conditions (for example, you get a cut and that makes it easy for the bacteria to gain access to the deeper skin tissues and cause infections). 

Coming to the think about it, it is quite easy to get an infection from cosmetic counter testers as that lipstick you have just put on, may have been already used by a lot more women with unknown hygiene/health issues (like pink eye or Herpes simplex).

While preservatives in cosmetics do a great job of reducing the risk of contamination, they only can do so much and they get less effective with time and exposure to numerous microbes from people. Plus, a product’s preservative stability isn’t tested for use by hundreds of users.

In your daily life you would not willingly share your own makeup and skin care with countless women you don’t know, but that is exactly what you are doing when you try on a cosmetic that’s open and available on the counter. It becomes even more problematic on a busy day as a tester is used repeatedly in a short period of time. When this occurs, the preservative system doesn’t have enough time to kill off the contaminants, and that leaves you vulnerable to picking up something you don’t want.

Thankfully, at some cosmetic counters there are salespeople and makeup artists who try very hard to be as sanitary as possible when helping women test products. But given how busy a cosmetic counter can become or if no salespeople are present (which happens quite a bit), or the person behind the counter isn’t well trained, sanitation efforts go right out the door.

While we know there are microbes running amok at the cosmetic counter, the real issue is what are the risks to you? Unfortunately no one knows. Theoretically, if someone with herpes just tried on that lipstick or lip gloss it could get transferred to you, same for getting pink eye from an eye liner pencil or mascara, but there just isn’t any data to reference one way or the other. Theory isn’t fact and there is no evidence anywhere that women are getting any sort of disease from cosmetic tester displays, but we know they’re not bastions of hygiene, either.

So, the real question here is 'do you have the pass up the cosmetic counters?' The answer is up to you but if you are not willing to, here are some tips for playing it safe:

~ Powder eyeshadows, pressed powders, loose powders, and powder blushes have the least risk of containing microbes because they contain ingredients bacteria, fungus, and molds don’t like, so they are probably the safest for you to play with. It can be helpful to scrape off some eyeshadow (you want to be the most cautious with your eyes) on to Kleenex and then apply it, but check with the salesperson first before you damage a company’s testers.

~ Lipsticks and lip glosses are problematic to trust, but for lipstick you can roll up the tube and take some color from the bottom. You can also ask the salesperson if they have alcohol spray so you can spray the top of the lipstick or the applicator for the lip gloss before you try it on. Be sure to allow several seconds for the alcohol to disinfect before applying the product to your lips.

~ Mascaras should never be tested at a cosmetic counter. The application and applicator makes it the riskiest item on the display unit. What about cosmetic counters that offer disposable, single-use brush applicators? They’re a nice touch, but you don’t know if the person before you double-dipped or, for whatever reason, didn’t have hygiene at the front of her mind.

~ Eye pencils are best tried on your hand, not your eyes. This especially applies to liquid eyeliners, which are almost always water-based. Used on multiple people, liquid eyeliners serve as a fertile breeding ground for bacteria.

~ Foundations should be tested on the side of the face away from the eyes and mouth to be the safest, but using a clean or disposable sponge is best of all so everyone keeps their fingers out of the product.

~ For concealer or any product in a tube, squeeze out a little amount on a Kleenex and discard. The contents at the top are the most likely to be contaminated. Next, squeeze out a bit more on a Kleenex and use that to test.

~ Skin-care products are best tested on your hands to judge the texture (you can’t tell efficacy with one application anyway so there is no benefit of putting it on your face or eye area), or ask the salesperson for a sample if available.

~ Brushes should be sprayed with alcohol before you use them. Wait for the brushes to dry before using them.

It would be ideal (though given the pervasiveness of jar packaging, not realistic) to test products whose containers kept fingers out of contact with the contents. Products packaged in airless containers or with pump or dropper applicators are safer than those housed in open-mouth jars.

Tester units at salons and spas which have far fewer traffic than department stores are a safer bet as well (though of course there are less brands and options to try on—but if you are just trying to judge color these can work great).

I hope you found this post interesting and of use ladies :) What do you think of cosmetic counters?

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Zits 101 ~ How To Pop, Treat & Conceal a Blemish

Hello loves :) This week, I want to share with you an article from Paula Begoun, the mastermind behind Paula's Choice skin care line.  We all know how frustrating it can be to wake up and find that a huge red pimple with a life of its own has decided to grow on your chin/cheeks/forehead right? This post will deal with popping, treating and concealing blemishes, so enjoy :)

Using a great skin-care routine is vital to reducing, or even preventing, breakouts, but what do you do with that pimple you see in the mirror right now?

What you do with a pimple is important, because it can determine how long you have to live with it and its memory. Here is your straightforward, honest three-step guide, with everything you need to know for ultimate damage control the next time a blemish rears its ugly head.

• Lesson 1: To Pop or Not to Pop

You've heard people say "never pop a pimple," offering only vague reasons why you shouldn't. They're wrong. In reality, popping a pimple reduces inflammation, scarring, and healing time, and gets rid of the ugly white bump, but only if you do it right. What you absolutely should not do is over-squeeze, pick, puncture, or anything else that can cause serious scabs. 

Learning when and how to remove a blemish properly is essential, because leaving a whitehead (or blackhead) sitting there on your face is just not realistic, at least not for most of us. You'll know the blemish is ready when you see a white head. So, as long as you can see an obvious head, and you're certain you're not dealing with cystic acne (deep, red swollen bumps far below the skin surface), you can follow the steps below to remove the contents.

1. Buy a comedone extractor which looks like this:

2. Cleanse your face with a gentle water-soluble cleanser, but do NOT use very cold or very hot water, because both will make the blemish redder—you don't want to make a pimple angrier than it is! Very cold or very hot water also hurts the skin's ability to heal. 

3. Lightly massage the cleanser onto your skin with a soft, wet washcloth to remove dead skin cells. This makes extracting the pimple easier. But be sure you do NOT overscrub.

4. Dry your skin gently. Do not use the comedone extractor or squeeze when your skin is wet because it's more vulnerable to tearing, which can cause scarring.

5. Center the opening of the comedone extractor over the pimple. Then gently (and we mean really gently) and with very little pressure (and we mean very little pressure), push the comedone extractor down on the whitehead and move it across the pimple. That should release the contents. 

6. You may need to repeat this process a couple more times, but that's it.

7. If you overdo it, you will create a scab and risk scarring (a reminder of your acne that you don't want to carry with you for the rest of your life). Remember: Be gentle; the goal is to remove the whitehead without creating a scab or damaging the surrounding skin. After all, scabs are not any better to look at than pimples.

• Lesson 2: Banish the Blemish

After your gentle extraction, you must follow up with a 2.5% or 5% benzoyl peroxide product and/or a 1% or 2% salicylic acid (BHA) product Don't expect these products to immediately reduce inflammation because that's not their purpose; they are intended to disinfect, which they do, and they definitely will help prevent further breakouts.

• Lesson 3: Take Cover

After you've removed the contents of the pimple and treated the area with well-formulated anti-acne products, it's time for the magic of makeup to make your blemish almost unnoticeable.

1. After following your skin-care routine, use a small amount of retinol serum to help moisten your skin, because if your skin is dry, concealer won't go on smoothly over the area.

2. Select a matte concealer that matches your skin tone exactly—no peach, pink, green, or ashen colors. It also should have enough slip to make blending easy.

3. After applying your regular foundation (if you wear one), use a concealer brush (synthetic hair with a flat, rounded point) or your finger and gently dab a small amount of concealer onto the center of the blemish, then begin blending softly outward, creating even coverage that sheers out to the unaffected skin around the blemish. If you need more coverage, let the first layer of concealer set for about a minute before adding more; again, start at the center and use the same technique. 

4. It helps to set the concealer with a gentle dusting of powder. A small, soft eyeshadow brush is perfect for applying a layer of powder over a concealed blemish. Applying powder over a blemish with a large or scratchy brush can lead to your makeup looking cakey, or cause your makeup to break down.

5. It helps to wear foundation because it makes the concealer less obvious on your face; if you're not wearing foundation you have to be extra careful how you apply the concealer. Check your application in daylight to make sure it doesn't look like there is a clump of makeup color over a blemish. You want it to look natural, not obvious. 

Even if you rarely break out, pimples happen to everyone at some point or another. Now you have three simple steps you can use to minimize the amount of time you have to deal with one!

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Face Mapping

They say the eyes are a window to your soul... fact.  But did they ever tell you that your face is a window to your general health, both inside and outside your body as well as your mental state?  The aim of this post is to give you an idea about face mapping and how it can help diagnose certain disorders just but analyzing the condition of that specific part of the face.  Having said that, always consult your doctor with regards medical advice.

Some General Info

Eastern medics, such as Chinese, have used face reading as a diagnostic tool for more than 2000 years.  So, next time you look in the mirror, take a few more minutes (preferably bare faced) and analyze the different  ares accordingly.  This post will also help you to make minor changes where needed to lead you to a more beautiful and healthy you, inside and outside!

Chinese medicine is based on the idea that there is a subtle flow of energy through the universe and our bodies.  It's thought this energy links parts of the face with particular organs, so inner health disorders can be detected.

Face reading has been used in China since the Confucian era (551 - 479BC) to help predict health problems and prevent illness.  

Chinese face reading also analyses the face shape.  Different shapes correspond with the five elements of Chinese philosophy - water, wood, fire, earth and metal, and are linked with character traits and emotions.

The practitioner also looks at the facial features and checks for harmony between hills (bones) and rivers (soft tissue).

Actual Face Mapping

Here's what a face map really looks like and what all the zones signify:

Zones 1 & 3: Traditionally, both of these zones are recognized as 'sisters' to the bladder and digestive system.  If you breakout frequently in this area, it might be a sign that you need to improve your elimination by drinking more water and eating more 'whole' foods.  You may also want to consider a detox period by cutting down on alcohol and caffeine, but don't expect an instant clear up a breakouts are a common side effect of detoxing.  Also, if possible, try and reduce stress as it may play havoc with your digestion.

Zone 2: The middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows, is related to the liver.  Congestion in this zone can indicate over consumption of alcohol, rich foods, and possibly a food allergy (such as lactose intolerance).  Also, cut back on alcohol and try to relax with calming activities such as meditation; stress is bad for your liver and frown lines.

Zones 4 & 10: The ears are a highly sensitive area related to the kidneys.  If you notice that your ears are very hot, you might be stressing them out - drink plenty of plain water and cut down on caffeine and alcohol.

Zones 5 & 9: The cheeks often give an accurate glimpse into any respiratory distress.  Smokers or people suffering from allergies generally experience fine, broken capillaries or congestion in this area.

Zones 6 & 8: The eyes are truly a window to the body's health because they are related to the kidneys.  Dark circles, while often hereditary, are made worse by dehydration and poor elimination.  Dark circles may also be a sign that you are working too hard or getting too little sleep.  Try to cut back on coffee, alcohol and rich, salty foods and instead eat more complex carbohydrates such as wholegrains.  The latter help your body release serotonin, a hormone that helps combat stress and its effects.  Also, increase the amount of sleep you get and take a well-earned break!  Furthermore, a blue-green bruised appearance at the inner corners of the eyes may indicate an imbalance in your pancreas (an organ that aids digestions and helps maintain blood sugar levels).  Avoid skipping meals as this can lead to a dip in blood sugar levels.

Zone 7: A reddened nose can indicate heightened blood pressure, or the early stages of rosacea.  Congestion around the upper lip can occur of you use comedogenic lipsticks and liners.  Reduce salt intake and eat more potassium rich foods such as bananas, fish, nuts and seeds to lower blood pressure and quit smoking - try to be more active and get your blood pressure checked regularly by your GP.  Skin irritations on the nose and lower cheeks may indicate a lung or bronchial imbalance.  Cut down on dairy foods, which can cause congestion.  Snack on apples, tomatoes and red grapes - they contain the antioxidant quercetin, which is believed to improve lung function.  Also, get plenty of fresh air.  Yoga breathing exercises can help stimulate your lungs.

Zones 11 & 13: If you've had extensive dental surgery done, you might notice a break-out along the jaw line and near the ears.

Zone 12: Breakouts or unusual hair growth can indicate hormonal imbalance, possibly caused by extreme stress.  Premenstrual breakouts are also very common on the chin.  If the sides of the chin are white and blotchy with congested pores, this may be due to a possible yeast infection.  Avoid foods containing sugars and yeasts.  Boost the immune system with plenty of exercise and zinc-rich foods, such as wheatgerm and liver, plus loads of vitamin C.  Try a probiotic supplement or live yoghurt to help re-establish the intestinal flora (beneficial bacteria in the gut).

Zone 14: Don't forget to take a look at your neck - its skin is just as fragile as that on your face, so it definitely needs the benefits of moisturisation and sun protection. 

Last but not least, do not ignore dry, cracked lips with spots at the corners as these can signify stomach acidity.  Avoid spicy and fatty foods as these stimulate acidity.  Alcohol, tension and coffee may also cause problems.  Have several small meals rather than two large ones.  Chew food well, eat slowly and try to relax as you eat.

That's it with regards face mapping ladies! I hope you found this post interesting and now, you can have a closer look at your faces and identify any possible underlying health problems.  If you see anything abnormal, always consult your GP for medical advice.

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Corrective Make-up {Part IIIb - Eyes}

Good afternoon beauties! To catch up from last week's post, here are the rest of the eye shapes that are most commonly encountered and which are the best ways to apply make-up in order to portray them to their full advantage.

Deep Set Eyes: in this case, the eyes are deep set into the socket and therefore, the crease is not really naturally defined so we have to cater for that to make the eyes appear larger.

~ eyebrows have to be shaped in an arched fashion and always highlight this area to open up the eyes.

~ glittery/shimmery eyeshadow can be used all over the lid and create the crease with a dark eyeshadow. Take care to blend the crease eyeshadow and highlighter.

~ apply eyeliner to the outer corners and finish off with several coats of mascara.

Down-turned eyes: as you can see from the above picture, such an eye shape is characterized by a sad look imparted to the eyes due to the fact the eyes are lower at the outer corner than they are at the inner corner.  Thereby, the aim here is to 'lift' the outer corner.
~ have the brows shaped in an arch and highlight with a shimmery highlighter.
~ apply a pale eyeshadow to the inner 1/3 of the eye and on the rest of the lid, apply a darker eyeshadow.
~ apply mascara on the upper lashes only.

Narrow eyes: these are typified by a lot of space between the eyes themselves and the brows.
~ eyeshadow should be applied as follows: light in the center; medium shades in the inner corner and darker shades in the outer corner. Careful not to extend it more than the natural shape of the eyes.
~ apply a matte eyeshadow in the are between the brows and the eyes and highlight just under the arch of the brows.
~ use an eyelash curler to make the eyes appear wider and apply 3 - 4 coats of mascara.

Oriental eyes: these are basically the opposite of down-turned eyes shaped-wise.
~ make the crease appear more defined by using a medium coloured eyeshadow and apply a matte colour in the area over the crease to emphasize it and give the eyes a more rounded shape.
~ eyeliner is to be applied to the lower lash line and emphasize it with eyeshadow.  Finish with several coats of mascara on both upper and lower lashes.

So that's the end of the Corrective Make-Up Series ladies! Try out the different techniques discussed according to your own needs and let me know if they work for you!

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Corrective Make-up {Part IIIa - Eyes}

After dealing with Corrective Make-up for face and nose shapes, this last installment deals with Corrective Make-up for the Eyes.   Like faces and noses, eyes come in different shapes and sizes. In fact there are a lot more! In this post, we will see 5 of the most common eye-shapes and next week, we will see the rest.  To make the most of your, apart from applying make-up to make the best of them, you also have to take care of the eyebrows (more information on how to care and shape your brows can be found here).

What shape are your eyes?

Close Set: when the eyes are close together, attention has to be drawn away from the centre of the eyes and therefore the following measures need to be done:
~ have excess brow hair removed over the bridge of the nose (this is best done by a professional).
~ avoid the use of glittery/strong coloured eyeshadows in the inner corners of the eyes.  Instead, use a matte eyeshadow and use dark eyeshadows on the outer corners as well as some highlighter.  Don't forget to use eyeliner and an eyebrow enhancer.  Here's a diagram to help you with eyeshadow application if you have close-set eyes (source):

Wide Set: as opposed to Close Set eyes, people with wide set eyes need to make them appear more closer together, therefore,
~ eyebrows can be drawn in closer by means of a brow pencil; however, take care not to go out beyond the inner corners of the eyes.
~ use a glitter/shimmer eyeshadow to enhance the inner corners and use a matte eyeshadow on the outer corners.
~ eyeliner can also be applied thinly in the inner corners for more definition.  The diagram on the left shows you how you can apply eyeshadow to make close-set eyes appear wider (source)


Also, here are more tips on how to apply mascara and eyeliner to wide-set & close-set eyes (source):

Round and Prominent: with this eye shape, one aims to make the eyes appear less rounded and therefore more elongated and wide.  For this reason,
~ round eyebrows are avoided, a slight curve would be more suited.
~ use a dark eyeshadow colour over the centre of the eyelid.
~ line your peepers just below the lower lashes from the centre towards the outer corner to elongate the eyes, taking care not to meet the upper lid.  You can also apply false individual lashes to the outer corners.

Protuding Eyes: for this eye shape, it is best to apply dark eyeshadows over the entire lid and highlight the brow bone.  An example would be a plum shade over the lid and a light pink to highlight.

Hooded Eyes: the aim here is to reduce the fullness of the skin that hangs on the outer sides of the eyes, therefore:
~ the eyebrows have to be shaped in such a way that they look like there is a slight lift at the outermost corner.
~ glittery eyeshadow or highlighter are best applied here to emphasize the lift as well as underneath the arch of the brow.
~ a dark eyeshadow has to be applied to the area where skin hangs and blend it well with the highlighter.

That's it for today ladies! Next week, we will see the rest of the eye shapes!

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Corrective Make-up {Part II - Nose}

Hello my lovelies I hope you're all doing well :) Catching on from last week's post, today we will be having a look at different nose shapes and how to correct them to achieve that balance between facial features.  So let's have a look at the different nose shapes and what can be done to correct them with make-up:

1. Wide nose: apply shader to the sides to make it appear slimmer.  Alternatively, you can apply foundation that is darker than your skin colour to the sides of the nose. Start by applying it from the inner corners of the eyebrows and head downwards to the nostrils and cover the bridge of the nose with a lighter shade of foundation. Finish it off with applying transparent powder to the nose.

2. Long nose: apply shader to the tips and highlighter to the sides to give the illusion of a smaller nose.

3. Short nose: to add length to a short nose, highlight down the centre of the nose to the tip. 

4. Narrow nose: Apply concealer darker than skin color on the center of nose, and then cover the side of the nose with another concealer that is few shades lighter than the skin tone. Spread it with downward strokes towards nostrils to create width.

5. Naso-labial folds: are deep creases which run from the base of the nose (near the sides of the nostrils) down to the corners of the mouth and very prominent in heavy-smokers.  To diminish their appearance, simply, apply a lighter shade of foundation with a fine brush and blend carefully.

That's it for correcting nose shapes ladies! Stay tuned for next week's post regarding Corrective Make-up for eyes!

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Corrective Make-up {Part I - Face}

Good morning cupcakes :) I hope this post finds you all in good health :)  Today, we shall be dealing with the different corrective make-up techniques that are best to minimize the attention on certain parts of our faces and emphasize our best features to the max.  Covering blemishes and disguising prominent features is also considered as corrective make-up.  I had already done a post about how you can correct the shape of your lips (which you can have a look at here) so today, I am going to discuss different face shapes and common flaws.  The next two posts with regards corrective make-up, will deal nose shapes and eye shapes respectively so look out for them :)

What shape is your face?


How many times have you been asked this question and you are not so sure about how to answer it?  I found this flowchart off the internet which seems quite helpful in determining what shape your face is and I have also included another picture which shows celebrity faces and their face shape is written underneath as I think seeing a 'real' face would help our understanding better on this subject.  Pull you hair back ladies, stand in front of a mirror and answer the questions on the flowchart to determine your face shape!

source

source

Next, identify any flaws you might have such as generalized skin redness (apply a green tinged concealer prior to applying foundation); sallow complexion (usually accompanies oily skin and is typical of Asian skin tones.  Use a purple tinted moisturizer/primer/concealer before applying your foundation); dark circles (use a lighter concealer to make the eyes appear brighter); puffy eyes (use a lighter shade of foundation in the crease under the puffy bag and a darker shade on the bags themselves to make them look smaller).

The most common face shapes are:

1. Round face: the cheeks are full and rounded so choose a darker shade of foundation than you normally would and apply it to the outer edges of the lower half of the face to achieve a slimmer face.  Apply highlight to the chin to give the impression of a longer face and balance it out.

2. Square face: faces with this shape, usually have a broad forehead and a squarish jaw-line.  Consequently shading the sides of the forehead and the jaw angles is essential to soften any harsh angles.  Highlighting the outer part of the cheekbones emphasizes the centre portion of the face.

3. Long face: shading the top half of the forehead as well as the chin is of utmost importance when dealing with a long face to make it look shorter.  Create some width by highlighting the cheeks.

4. Heart-shaped face: such a face shape is characterized by a wide forehead narrowing down to a point at the chin.  Thereby, width is needed at the cheeks and the jaw-line, which is easily achieved by applying blusher to the cheeks and highlighting the jaw angles.  Also, some shader may be applied to the chin.

What is your face shape ladies? How useful did you find this post? Liked it? Look out for the next two posts dealing with Corrective Make-Up!

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: How to Prevent Make-Up Melt-Down in Summer

Happy Wednesday lovelies :) This week's Beauty Masterclass will concentrate on various products I use to prevent my make-up from melting down in the summer heat.  In Malta, we get high humidity percentages all year round and our hybrid Mediterranean - Tropical climate doesn't help when it comes to make-up lasting all day so it is key to invest in some products that will take your make-up a few hours further to look fresh all day!  I will also include some tips on how to apply the products to make sure they really last well throughout the day.  I have changed my skin care products so an updated skin care routine will be coming up soon but in the meantime, here's a rundown of the products I have been using to make my make-up last:

A good moisturizer is key to help keep the skin hydrated and if you have oily/combination skin, it is important to keep the oiliness at bay.  I have been using La Roche Posay Effaclar M moisturizer which hydrates my skin and I have noticed that I do not get oily by midday and at the end of the day, I only have a little oil and no shine.

To further lessen oil production, I use e.l.f. Mineral Booster over the moisturizer to further absorb oil and perk up my complexion.  In summer I don't wear foundation but when I do, I use the NYX HD Foundation in Soft Beige and after applying moisturizer, I prime my skin with Inglot Under the Make-Up Base, stipple on the foundation with my Sigma F80, set it with e.l.f. Mineral Booster and finally stipple on some e.l.f. Studio Make-Up Mist & Set.  On an everyday basis, when I need just a little coverage, I use e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer in Rosy Beige or the Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream.  I like the pat both of these products with my fingers to ensure complete blending and then set them with the e.l.f. Mineral Booster which will also counteract the whiteness of the BB Cream.

So, these are basically the products that work for me! I hope you found this post useful and if you use the same products/techniques as I do as well as different ones, please share them in the comments :)

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: How to clean and care for your False Eyelashes

Hello my lovelies :) I scheduled this post as I will be at a wedding while you're reading it :) This week, I will show you how I clean my false eyelashes and preserve them for another few uses rather than using them just once and dispose of them.  This is also a great tip for saving some money with the more expensive falsies.  I honestly do not wear falsies much but when I wear them, I tend to clean them the day after as after a night out I would be too tired to clean my falsies :p 

What you will need:

~ Paper Towel

~ Brow/lash Comb

~ Small fan brush

~ Tweezers

~ Eye Make-Up Remover

~ Small plastic container

~ dirty false lashes

Method:

1. Pour a little eye make-up remover into the plastic container and put in a pair of the dirty lashes.

2. Leave the lashes to soak in the make-up remover for a couple of minutes.

3. Carefully, take one lash out at a time by means of tweezers and place on the paper towel.

4. Dip the small fan brush in the make-up remover and remove mascara from the lashes. Put the lash back in the container and repeat until no more mascara comes off.  Do the same with the other lash.  Remember to clean the underside of the lashes as well.

5. Take off any left-over lash glue with your fingers.

6. Brush the lashes through with the lash comb to separate them.

7. Store the lashes back in their original case and voila'! Lashes are clean again and ready for another use!

Steps 1 - 4

Steps 5 & 6

Step 7

I hope you found this post informative :) If you have a different method as to how you clean your falsies, do let me and other followers know :)

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: BB Cream

*Yesterday Blogger decided it won't let me upload pics so that is the reason I am publishing this post today*

After an absence of a number of weeks, the Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass returns! I know I have gone through the basic make-up products already but I just couldn't skip on BB Cream which seems to be the latest hyped about product on beauty blogs and the beauty community on YouTube.  After I have recently won one myself, I can totally understand what the hype is about but I will tell you more on that in a separate post where I review the actual product.

BB Cream stands for Blemish Balm Cream and it is widely popular in Asian countries such as Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong to name a few.  In fact, it was first used by laser surgery patients as an after care product to cover up the redness and scars this type of surgery tends to leave behind; but it soon gained popularity and Asian actresses starting using it to create that particular flawless look synonymous with East Asian girls.  

The BB Cream formula has since been reformulated to suit this new demand for it and nowadays, there is quite a vast number of Asian cosmetics brands that offer BB Cream.  However, unlike foundation, it doesn't come in a lot of shades, often presenting 1 or 2 shades so it is not particularly suited for darker skin tones.  You may also find that BB Cream has a greyish undertone to it but it adapts to your skin tone as it gradually oxidizes.  BB Creams usually come in tubes and are either supplied with a pump or you just squeeze the product out. Personally, I prefer the pump as it makes for less waste of product and is more hygienic.

So what does this BB Cream do that is so special you might ask? Basically, it is a foundation with healing properties as it offers a better coverage than a tinted moisturizer and at the same time help heal blemishes and also aids in the skin's regeneration process.  Thereby, BB Cream can be seen as a product to replace your make-up primer, foundation and concealer.  I can actually confirm this from my own personal experience and it therefore makes up for days when I'm in a hurry and do not have time to apply a lot of make-up.  BB Cream also offers protection against UV rays as it contains SPF and it also helps control oiliness.  However, due to its skin whitening properties, I do not recommend its use in the summer.

Common ingredients in BB Creams include Ginkgo extract (anti-oxidant), Licorice (helps even out skin tone),  Vitamin C (whitening & anti-oxidant) as well as Green Tea (oil control).

With regards application, I find that the best way to apply it is with your fingers and remember that a little goes a long way! Avoid the use of brushes as they will make it look cakey and also, pat it onto your skin for better coverage and maximum absorbance.  Most of these BB Creams dry to a dewy finish but there are others that dry matte.  For dewy ones, I prefer to set them with a little powder so as not to make them look shiny.

Another way to apply BB Cream

I hope you found this post useful and that you now have a clearer idea on BB Creams and their uses. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to leave them as a comment or drop me an email :)

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Choosing the Right Make-Up Colours

Hello everyone! Middle of the week already (and the day's almost gone), hence time for this week's beauty masterclass! Today, I will guide you to choosing the best make-up colours according to skin-tone and eye colour so keep on reading to find out what works best for you!

Make-up according to your skin tone

First, you need to determine where your skin tone falls in terms of cool or warm under-tones.  It is very easy to know this... just place a pink towel on one shoulder and a peach one on the other and stand in front of a mirror, possibly in day light (if it's not possible, choose a room with white light).  The colour which suits you most is your under-tone. 

Pink = cool colours suit you best

Peach = warm colours are your best bet

Both = you're lucky as you can get away with pretty much anything! (most applicable to people with fair skin and dark hair).

Make-up according to your eye colour


We mostly apply make-up near our eyes so it is important that the colours chosen complement their colour and shape (we will see into the issue in more detail in another post).

While natural tones suit anyone, younger people may want to opt for brighter colours but always make sure to balance them out so you don't look OTT.  The best way to see which colours works best for you, is to get experimenting! Get help from your beauty therapist or else dig into your collection and you are bound to own an eyeshadow palette with various colours... apply them and see which ones suit you best.

For those starting out, here are a few tips:

Dark colors will minimize your eyes, while light shades will make them stand out.

Consider soft browns and tans with sandy or pink undertones for blue eyes.

Wear khaki and brown shades with yellow undertones for green eyes.

Accent dark brown and black eyes with brown and charcoal shadows.  However, brown eyes, unlike other eyes, do not have an opposite or complementary color. This is because brown is actually a combination of the other colors. In other words, it contains blue, red and yellow. So, technically when it comes to eyeshadow makeup tips for brown eyes, most eye makeup colors work!

So basically, you just have to find what works best for you, then don't be afraid to experiment with new colours and application techniques :) Enjoy!

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Taking Care of Your Make-Up Brushes and Tools

Good morning everyone!! Today we will be taking a look at how to care for your make-up brushes and tools to make the utmost of them.  I will be sharing with you how I store and care for mine including cleaning routine etc... I hope you find this post helpful!  For a general idea of brushes and what are their best uses, please click here.

Storage

Let's start with storage... I always store my clean brushes in their brush roll and with the dust cover on.  When dirty, I like to keep them in a little pot I have on my vanity shelf but I still like to keep their dust cover on to prevent dust from adhering to the bristles.  When travelling, I suggest you take your brushes with the dust covers and put them in a case so that they won't get damaged.

All my brushes in their brush roll (top) and the pot I keep them in when dirty

Cleaning

I thoroughly clean my brushes once a week with Brush Shampoo while in between uses, I keep them as clean as possible by wiping them on a cloth dampened with a little Brush Cleaner.  Here are a few tis to bear in mind when washing your brushes to avoid them shedding hairs and coming off:

1. Always wash your brushes in lukewarm water and keep the bristles facing down so that the soap solution won't go into the ferrule and dissolve the glue in there.

2. Gently squeeze the wet bristles in a clean towel to absorb as much water as possible and hence cut down on drying time.

3. Leave the brushes to dry in a horizontal position so as to protect the glue inside the ferrule.

4. Make sure you rinse all the soap thoroughly from the bristles so as to prevent bacteria from flourishing in your brushes.  Also, never store away your brushes while still damp as this also creates the perfect environment for bacteria to breed. 

5. Here's a little tip to save water and brush shampoo... clean your brushes with some brush cleaner first to remove as much product as possible.  This will in turn lead to less rinsing time (hence saving water) and less use of shampoo (saving on it and ensuring you remove it all!).

6. To clean brushes used for foundation, cream eyeliners, lipstick and other creamy products, if shampoo is not enough, simply pour a little baby oil in the palm of your dry hands and dip the brushes into it.  The oil will lift the product in no time and you can then wash your brushes like all others.  I use this method for lip brushes, cream eyeliner brushes and concealer brushes and I can confirm it totally works!

Taking Care of other tools

Some people prefer to use make-up sponges and puffs over brushes to apply certain products.  If you are one of these people, make sure you replace your sponges every so often as these tend to house a lot of bacteria. You can use the same cleaning routine as for brushes to clean them but always remember to replace them frequently.

Eyelash curlers and tweezers are also two of the most widely used tools in the make-up routine of many women.  May sure you clean yours thoroughly to avoid any nasty eye infections and always store them back in their pouches.

Finally, sharpeners have to be cleaned thoroughly with a little antiseptic spray to remove all left-over traces of other colours and prevent contaminating your pencils with bacteria.  For this reason, it is best if you clean your sharpeners both before and after use.

I hope you found this post useful ladies and if you have any more tips on how you take care of your brushes/tools, do post them in the comments below :)

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Make-Up Fixers

Just like we use a base and top-coats on our nails to achieve a perfect manicure that lasts, we use a primer and fixer for our make-up for the same reasons... create a smooth canvas to work on and make the make-up last longer! You can read more about make-up primers here.  This week's post will focus on make-up fixers.

Basically, as they name suggests, a make-up fixer fixes your make-up so it lasts longer.  Since they usually come in spray bottles, people also tend to carry them around to refresh their faces if needed especially in the hotter months.  Personally, I skip using a fixer more often than not as I do not wear a lot of make-up everyday but I do use it at weekends to keep my make-up looking fresh all night.

As I said before, make-up fixers are usually supplied in spray bottles so you just have to keep them around 15cm away from your face and spray just once (keep your eyes closed!).  Alternatively, you can spray a little in the air and walk into it.  Apart for keeping your make-up on for longer, fixers also give a nice dewy finish to your face.

There are different fixers available on the market to suit all budgets but if you don't want to spend money on one, just remember to apply a good base for your make-up and take care of your skin the proper way :)

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Eyebrow Fillers

Hello my lovelies! I hope you're all doing great! After last week's absence, the Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass is back again with all the other posts :D This week, we will have a look at the Cinderella of our faces... eyebrows and ways to fill them in to polish up our look.  I referred to them as the 'Cinderella of our faces' simply because we tend to neglect them more often than not; but nicely shaped and well-groomed brows are essential to give us a more polished appearance.  For more information how to groom your brows, check out this post, then hit 'backspace' to see which eyebrow filling method works best for you!

Eyebrow pencil is the most common form of eyebrow filler.  It is very easy to control and you have to be careful so that it doesn't look too harsh or unnatural.  You can find eyebrow pencils in an array of neutral shades that match most eyebrows and most of them come with a little blender as well.  Pencils are also practical to carry around due to their smallish size. Always remember to keep the point sharpened for a more precise application!  Eyebrow pencils are also a much more natural-looking way to draw brows from scratch, especially for people who used to shave off their brows completely... eyebrow tattoos are way too harsh and unnatural if you ask me! 




Here are a couple of diagrams that show you how to fill in brows and define your arch:

Eyebrow wax/powder compacts are a more practical and handy alternative to pencils as they usually also come with a mirror and a little applicator brush.  You first fill your brows as needed with the powder and then put on a little wax to help seal everything for a longer time than a pencil lasts.


Eyebrow mascaras are literally like mascaras that come in a range of colours similar to the eyebrow pencils that you can coat your eyebrows with for a fuller look.  Clear eyebrow mascaras are used to keep your brows in check during the day!

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Lip Products

Following last week's post, here are different lip products one can use to enhance the natural colour of the lips as well as changing altogether.  (Needless to say, never share lip products so as to avoid contracting infections or transmit them for that matter). Ranging from lipsticks to lip glosses, here is everything you need to know about them!

Lipstick is perhaps the most popular lip product around ranging from the most subtle neutral shades to the more striking colours.  Furthermore, you get different finishes like matte, shimmery and frost so you are bound to find what works for you.  Lipsticks are usually enriched with moisturizing ingredients so they come in creamy formulas usually.  However, you may still find that some of them may dry out your lips.  Nowadays there are formulas that claim to last and be kiss proof and all that but I have never met that kind of lipstick (till now at least) so it's great that they come in tubes small enough to carry in your bags for touch-ups!

Lip Gloss is a product that you either love or hate. Some people are put off by the fact that some glosses are sticky but you can counteract that by slapping on some lip balm before you put gloss on.  They are not very much pigmented usually and they come in various tubes with different applicators; the most common being, the doe foot applicator, the ones where you twist the base and apply the product with the little brush and the squeezy tubes.

Lip Stain is half-way between a gloss and a lipstick as it applies like a gloss but is as pigmented as a lipstick.  They do last longer than lipsticks though so they are worth a try. 

Lip Balm is an indispensable product that everyone should have as it is the moisturizer of your lips.  They come in a variety of formats which are all usually handy to carry around (except those that come in pots for me at least as I hate having to put my fingers into them so I always use a brush with them) and they are flavoured most of the time.

Plumping lip formulas is a general term I'm using here for all the lip products that claim to make your lips looking fuller and plumper. In reality these do nothing except increase the blood flow to your lips making them feel tingling and look fuller. You can achieve the same effect minus the tinging by putting on some lip balm/ Vaseline before going to bed and by morning you will have plump lips!

I hope you have enjoyed reading through this post and maybe leant something new! Stay tuned for more!