Lipstick Tips

Storing Your Gloss
Did you know that if you store your gloss in the refrigerator, there is less chance for it to melt on your lips when you apply it. And on a hot summer day, it feels fabulous.

Mixing Lipstick Colors How-to
Take one tube of red lipstick that you don't care for and mix in a little mauve lipstick. You will achieve a pretty fuchsia that will be easier to wear.

Don't Forget The Lips
You do your face in the morning and then you are out the door. How do you look by 11 am? You lipcolor is probably gone so get into the habit of touching it up several times a day. Nothing makes you look more washed out than dull lips. Some women need the color. Trust me... I actually look healthier when I have color on my face.

Lip Lines
If you have tiny lines in your lips that you would like to make less noticeable, here's the trick to try. Instead of applying your lipstick horizontally, apply it vertically.

Lipbalm and Lip Lining Pencil Together
If you have a lip lining pencil that is rather hard, try using it over lips that have been prepared with a good coating of lipbalm. The pencil will color the lips easily and has lasting power as well. (And don't simply line them, color your entire lips with the pencil).

Lipstick Everywhere
Mary Greenwell has cut back on all the different products available and uses lipstick on the cheeks, eyes and lips. I'm seeing this tip in lots of books lately. It's no longer a no-no!

Pinks VS Peaches
Leave your pinks in the drawer during the summer. Peach tinged lipcolors look terrific against bronzed skin.

Lipstick Changes Color?
Have you noticed this happening to you? The reason is the acidity of your skin which causes dark toned lips. If you have brown toned lips, stay away from the blue toned lipsticks. The lipsticks in the brown tones will hold their natural color more so than a pink or blue toned shades. Your best colors will be beiges, peaches, apricots etc.

Lipstick Trivia
Here is the little trivia about lipstick/lipbalm. In 1904, a perfumed lip salve would have cost you 25 cents and would've been packaged in an aluminum case. By 1908, it was okay for women to apply lipstick at the table during lunch at a restaurant. It was not okay to apply lipstick at dinner.

Getting your Lips Ready For Summer
Dry cracked lips is not something that you want this summer. It's easy to get your lips ready for summer with just toothbrush and a little vaseline. Brush the lips gently and the be sure that you don't ingest any of the product.

Long Lasting Lipstick
Matte lipstick will stay on longer and offer better coverage than any other kind of lipstick. However, it does tend to dry out your lips so stock up on lots of lip balm.

Retractable Lip Brushes
There are lots of different brushes on the market but a retractable brush has added features. If you are going out in the evening, pick up a little lipstick on the brush and then retract. When you need a touch up, the lipstick is already on the brush and waiting for the application.

Red Lipstick-- Yes, You Can Wear It
This question has been sent to me a number of times so I thought that I would talk about ... Red Lipstick. I find that mixing up my own shades work best for me. I have tried lots of reds and I find the same thing. The shade just isn't right for me, most of the time it is just too bright for my skin tones. So, I tried experimenting with some of the colors I have and found that adding a little brown to my red worked. It still looks red but it tends to tone down the brightness. Experiment a little. You will have tons of fun and create signature colors that are all your own.If you manage to make/mix up the perfect color for yourself and you don't want to continue mixing your own color, take a sample to the mall with you and find a red that is as close as possible to the shade that you created.

Why a Lip Brush?
Lip brushes allow you to use less lipstick but it also can be used to soften the line of your lip liner. With the brush, you can blend it right into the lipstick so that it is not visible.

Want a Fuller Upper Lip?
Outline the lips with a pencil that is the same shade as your lips. Now on the center of the upper lip, use a brown pencil and draw a second line. Apply lip color and the brown will blend right in... but your top lip will definitely look fuller.

Lipstick and Feathering Lines
As we age, tiny lines around our mouth start to show up making lipstick application more tricky. Within hours you will notice that the color has started to creep up these lines. If this is happening to you, try this. Before you begin, pat the lips with translucent powder and then line them with a pencil. Be sure to smudge the line!! There is nothing worse that SEEING this line. It's there to hold the lipstick in place. Once that is done, fill in the lips with color, preferably the same color or one very close to the liner color. Pat once more with translucent powder and you are done. Your lipstick should be set for most of the day.

Lipstick Formulations For Winter
During the winter months, you might want to stay away from the lipsticks that claim that they are long lasting. Often they can dry your lips out and cold weather will do that fast enough. Instead look for creamy formulations

Cosmetic Tips
You have spotted a gorgeous shade of lipstick on a model in a magazine and you instantly run out and buy it. You spend a small fortune on the color and when you get home, it looks terrible on you. The lipstick was a complete waste of money. To avoid this trap, make an appointment at one of those cosmetic salons that will assist you in your color choices. That's their job afterall! Let them suggest colors to you, try them out and if you like it, then you buy. It's as simple as that.

How to adjust your lips (NEW)
Make Small Lips Look Larger - Apply a little vaseline or lip gloss to the middle of the bottom lip, which brings the lips out, making them look larger.
Make Large Lips Look Smaller - Use the deeper colors in your palette (deep color makes the lips recede), and stick to a matte formula; keep away from shiny glosses.

Foundation Tips

Summer Foundation vs. Winter Foundation
ou will no doubt find that the shade of foundation that matches your skin color will change with the seasons. You might want to invest in a Bronzing Liquid that you can mix into your "winter foundation" so that it will match your tan. And don't mix it in the bottle. Pour a little into your hand and mix it there.

Getting Your Skin Ready For Foundation
Foundation flows on more smoothly if you have a layer of moisturizer already in place.

Choosing a New Foundation
Are you a little nervous when it comes time to buy a new bottle of foundation and you don't have a clue what color will work for you simply by looking at the color through the bottle? That happened to me and I used this trick. Take your old bottle with you and use it to match the color on the new foundation. Simply hold the old bottle up to the new brand and find a match. Couldn't be simpler.

Setting Foundation
Loose powder appliec generously with a puff and then brush off the excess with a large natural bristled brush will set your foundation for several hours.

Foundation and Streaks
Be sure to blend, blend, blend. Special areas to watch is the hair and jaw line. And be sure that your face isn't one color and your neck another.

Where Do You Apply Foundation
It is not necessary to cover your entire face. Dot it only in the areas you might need it. In most cases, you will find areas of you face that are different shades. Your foundation will even them out.

Sponges Wet or Dry
I always apply foundation with a wet sea sponge. I like this variety even more than the little wedges that are available. When wet, the sponge promises a sheer layer of coverage. Try it both ways, and see which you prefer.

Ruddy Skin Tones
You can tone down a ruddy complexion with a beige foundation

Freckles
If your freckles are light, don't even try to cover them up. Show them off by using a sheer foundation. If you happen to have the darker ones that you just can't live with, choose a cream foundation to cover and even out skin tones.

Eye Make Up Tips

Sponge Tip Applicators
This is the first time that I have seen information that gives you a reason not to throw these applicators away. I read about this practise recently and decided to give it a try. Instead, of using a brush for light colors, use the sponge applicator. It picks up more color and gives you better coverage. I tried this and it does work. Actually, I like it even better than the eye shadow brushes. I wouldn't suggest using it for dark colors however.

Choose Green
Any greens in your makeup bag? There should be if you have a habit of wearing taupe, aqua, pale blue or even whites. Pearly greens ranging from almost a yellow-green to a moss green will work well. The only word of warning is that pearly shades will emphasize crepey eyes so give this some thought first

Eyeliner That Is Too Harsh
If you don't like the sharpness of your eyeliner, you can soften it by adding a little powder shadow in a similair shade with your eye shadow brush

Using an Eye Shadow Pencil
Don't draw the pencil across your eyelid as this could cause stretching of the skin. Instead, apply the color to the palm of your hand, pick up some of the color with your pinky and apply gently to eyelid.

Eyeshadow That Stays In Place
Melting eyeshadow is a problem for all of us but there is a way to make it "stick" a little longer. I have found that if you use a damp eyeshadow brush and apply a layer of face powder to your lids and allow to set, the shadow will stay in place for the day. Takes an extra second or so but the effort is well worth it.

Powder Liner Know How
If you line your eyes with a powder shadow and it simply goes everywhere as you apply it, do so while holding a tissue directly beneath your eye to catch the shadow particles. Works every time.

To Make Eyes Look Younger
The first step is to apply a little eye cream on the brow bone and under the eye. this will reduce fine lines. Now dab on a concealer that matches your skin tones. The last step is to line the eye with a white pencil just beneath the lash line. It will give the impression of larger and brighter eyes.

Eye Makeup and Eye Infections
If you have been suffering from recurring eye infections, it could be your eye makeup. These products can easily be contaminated with germs and as a result, be the cause of the infection.

New Use For Gold Pencil
After applying your lipstick, highlight your bottom lip with just a dab of gold. It won't be noticeable but it will make a big difference.

Eye Liner Pencil Safety
Before using, sharpen your eye liner pencil to remove any bacteria that has built up.

Where To Use Golden Eye Shadow
Use a touch on the brow bone to make your eyes look even brighter. You can use powder or one of those fat pencils. I have even used that liquid highlighter in a bottle and it gives good results too.

COSMETIC TIP!!
Eyeliner...the best is liquid but if your hand is just a little too shaky and you end up with a mess...try lining with a pencil and then lining over it with cake liner...much easier to handle!

Bloodshot Eyes
An easy way to reduce the redness is to scoop cold water into your hands and splash it on your closed eyes. This should be enought to reduce the capillaries. If this isn't enough, mild drops that can be found at your local drug store may be required. Also be certain that the cause of the redness is not attributed to an irritation to your eye shadow or mascara.

Eye Shadow Application After 40
You might notice a tendency for your lids to appear somewhat crepey. This makes shadow application more difficult. To counteract this, stay away from bright colors. Subtley is what you are looking for at this point as softer colors are far more flattering and less aging.

Emphasize Eyes (NEW)
For evening glamour, line the inside of lower lids with navy, violet or jade eye pencil.

Remedies For Puffy Eyes (NEW)
Take a metal spoon and run it under cold water. Place the metal on the puffy area for at least 60 seconds.
Apply hemorrhoid cream (look for brands that contain ingredients of yeast and shark's liver oil) to the puffy area. Insiders have known for years that in just the way it gets the swelling out of that other area, it works the same way for the face.
Thin cucumber slices used as compresses over closed eyes will relieve sore, puffy eyes.

Lining Eyes (NEW)
Dust a sheer, loose powder on the upper and lower lids so the eyeliner sticks better. If you are going to curl your lashes, do it now. (Otherwise you could smudge the line.).
Choose the right formula. For a cleanstraight line, use a liquid version (try one with felt tip, like those from Lancome or L'Oreal). To create a softer, more subtle line, pencils are best.

Curl And Lengthen Your Eyelashes (NEW)
Draw wand out of mascara tube and remove access on a piece of paper towel.Hold wand horizontally and slowly twirl as you move the brush from the roots to the tips.To set curl, hold wand and lashes together at the tips for a several seconds.Apply second coat before the first coat has dried to avoid clumping.Apply mascara carefully to the bottom lashes, holding wand vertically.While lashes are still wet, comb through the lashes (carefully) with a lash comb to separate each lash.

Make Him Melt With Big, Doe Eyes (NEW)
Eyeliner is the magic wand for creating the illusion of bigger, more expressive eyes. Line the entire top lash line and extend the line slightly at the corners. You can also line the bottom of your eyes, but concentrate color only on the outer third and extend it slightly past the edge. (We're not talking Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra here.) A soft, smoky look will open your eyes more than a thin, hard line. Stick to dark, neutral colors with a hint of black for lining, as bright shades will only make them seem smaller.

Eye Brow Tips

But it Hurts
If plucking is just a little more painful that you can stand, you can apply a little Ambesol (from the drugstore) to numb the area.

Soothe Those Brow Tips Tips
If your Brow Tips Tips are red and irritated from plucking, soothe the area with the help of a few cool, wet, tea bags. It will help immediately.

When Not To Pluck
Try not to pluck right before your period. If it's going to hurt, this will be the time.

Are You Happy With The Look of Your Brows?
If you have tried and tried and just can't get them right, perhaps a trip to the salon is in order. Have a staff member wax your brows (it doesn't take very long) and it will show you exactly what they could look like. After that, all you need to do is a little maintenance every week.

Brow Shapes For Very Small Eyes
The last thing you need is heavy looking brows. Slowly remove some of the excess from the bottom of the brow.

Brow Shapes For Wide Set Eyes
Follow the same instructions as those given for close set eyes but begin the brows just a little closer to the nose.

Sparse Eyebrows
One you have overplucked your brows, they simply might not grow back. So what do you do about sparse looking brows? Try this. Brush the brows down and then with an angled brush, apply a little color along the top of each brow. Carefully brush brows back into place and check to see if there are any gaps. If so, touch them up with a little powder and then set with a bit of gel on a brush or clear mascara.

Dyeing Your Eyebrows
Don't attempt this at home. It a very dangerous thing to attempt that could result in blinding yourself. I'm including this tip because a reader asked for my thoughts on trying it themselves. I suggest checking out your cosmetic counter for the brow color that comes in tubes just like mascara. It will only take you seconds to apply and there is not danger.

Trimming Brows
This is another alternative to tweezing. Brush them up and the really long hairs will be very visible. Instead of tweezing and creating a hole, snip it with a pair of tiny scissors. Works wonderfully.

Toothbrush Those Brows
If you are having trouble taming those brows, here is another little trick. Take a toothbrush and spray with a little hair spray and then brush on brows. The stickiness of the hair spray will help keep them in place.

Another Way To Tame Brows
Here is yet another way to tame unruly brows and it might be the easiest yet. Go to your local drugstore and look for a tube of clear mascara. It has NO color and that's what you want. Using the wand, apply the clear mascara, "combing" the brows into shape. Allow to dry and your brows stay put quite nicely.

Eyebrow Tip
Did you know that your eyebrow is supposed to start directly above the inner corner of your eye? The hightest point should be just a little beyond the outer corner of the iris and should taper off to the end! So now you know!

Brow Color (NEW)
Did you know that brows should be a little lighter than your hair color? Yes, it's true...about two shades. However, if you are blond or gray, the opposite is true.

Filling In Your Eyebrows (NEW)
Brush brows downward with a dry, mascara-like wand. To define the arch, use the pencil to draw a line along the upper edge of the brow. Comb the brows upward and outward.
If brows have been severely overtweezed, brush the hairs in the direction of the growth, and fill in any visible patches with powder. Avoid adding to the top or bottom of the brows.

Control Your Brows (NEW)
Brush brows straight up and then check for hairs that are too long.
Snip any offending hair one at a time with a small pair of scissors.
Brush brows downward and check again.
Repeat the previous step, snipping any hair that seems to be too long.
Brush brows into place and check for any hairs that still might need attention.
Continue brushing and snipping until your brows can be brushed into place naturally.

Perfect Eyebrows (NEW)
Brush brows upward. Carefully trim any excess hair above the top of your natural arch. Be careful not to take off too much at the ends or you'll have brow "bald" spots.
Fill in sparse areas with a freshly sharpened brow pencil; use light, quick strokes to draw in hair. Brow powder will give thin brows overall definition, and is great for a more natural look. Using the brow brush, sweep powder up and outward over brows. If you're a brow novice, a tinted brow gel is a foolproof way to keep brows in place. Lightly coat brows using upward and outward strokes. Wipe off any excess and allow it to set.

Blush Tips

Do I Add More?
There are two ways to know if you have enough blush to perk up your coloring. Either wait until all of your makeup is in place and then apply your blush or, apply a first layer of blush and then check it again when your makeup is complete to see if the intensity is right. It's your choice. Both will work.

Don't Put Blush Here
Don't be tempted to put blush on your chin. I know that it seems to give a sun kissed look but your neck is usually lighter than your face and the blush is going to draw your attention to this fact in a big way. You can put a dusting of blush on the tendons below the ears however! It can be a very pretty touch.

How are Blusher Gels Different?
Gel blushes are for the very young or those with impeccable skin. It will look as if you aren't wearing a thing and the touch of color will look so natural. They don't seem to have the lasting power of the cream and powder combination.

What Color is My Natural Blush Color?
You want a color that is natural but have no way of knowing what that color might be?? Here's a quick way to find out. Check out your face when you come in from the cold. You will see your natural color AND you will see where you blush naturally as well.

How To Tone Down Blush
Did you make a bad purchase? According to Gale Hayman, author of "How Do I Look", sometimes brushing a little face powder over the bright blush will tone it down nicely.

Why Don't Blushers Stay On
Have you asked yourself this question a million times? Okay, here is what could be causing your problem. You have oily skin. You might want to use a mild astringent before you put on your makeup. Now for the blusher. If you love cream blushers like I do, all is not lost. You can still use it. Just be sure to apply a light layer of face powder over the cream blush followed by a layer of dry blush. Using two different textures will ensure that the color lasts as long as you want it to.

Should I Suck In My Cheeks?
I see this so often when I'm at the mall. Women apparently think that they are supposed to suck in their cheeks and then sweep a band of color beneath their cheekbones. Apparently, that is exactly what it looks like. I don't know who made up that rule of application, but it doesn't work. Color should be applied on the apple of your cheek and then blend the color up to your hairline.

Are You Blushing?
Did you know that there is nothing like a little blush to perk you up after a long day at the office. You might be feeling exhausted, but you would be surprised what a little blush will accomplish. Carry it with you at all times.

Dramatic Cheekbones
Before you turn to sculpting perfect cheekbones, finish your eye makeup and your lipstick application so that you can judge the correct amount of color required. It will be very easy to use too much. You are after balance and this can be done if the eyes and lips are taken care of first.

Life Expectancy of Blush
A good rule of thumb is to toss it after 6 months. I know that the compact won't be close to empty but six months is plenty long enough to transfer bacteria to the powder and you don't want to transfer that to your face. Just a little scratch is all it would take to start an infection. And keep your blush brush as clean as possible!

Combining The Colors You Have
Do you have a few of shades of blush in your makeup collection? Most of us do, so try combining the colors to make new ones. The possibilities are endless. Try combining pinks and peaches together. You will be surprised at the shades you can create.

Make Your Blush Last Longer
It doesn't take as long to sweep a little powdered shadow onto your cheekbones, but it just doesn't last very long. Try this instead. Smooth on a little cream blush and then apply the powdered shadow in the same shade family and watch how long the color lasts now.

Staying Power Blush Tip
If your blush won't stay on it could be because your skin is too oily. Try using a mild astringent on the cheek area before applying the blush. Start out with a cream blush, topped off with a little powder and top it off with a dry blusher. Remember to blend it well.

Natural Looking Blush
There are lots of little tricks to use with blush. Here's one of them. Apply it after your moisturizer but before your foundation. This technique will give you a natural glow of color that is very subtle.

Makeup Tip
Blush can be a nightmare for some. Just where exactly does it go? Well, in a nutshell, here goes. You look for the fullest part of your cheek and thats where your blush goes. Take your blush brush and sweep the color back toward the temple. Its that simple. Now, here is a little trick. Once you have your blush in place, take a cotton ball and blend until you have just a hint of natural looking color. Subtle is the key word here. No strips of color please.