Archive for August 14th, 2008

Ask the Non-Blonde: Makeup For The Beach »

By leily on Aug 14, 2008 in Beauty | 0 Comments


Lynn from Philly is asking:
” I’m about to spend a couple of weeks on the Jersey Shore, and while I’d hate to look tacky and overdone, I’m no longer comfortable walking around all day with bare face. At my age it’s more frumpy than cute. What can I do to look fresh and natural but still well put-together?”

I hear you. There’s something utterly ridiculous in going to the beach looking like you spent an hour putting on your face, but unless you’re a 16 year old California girl, au-natural doesn’t always do the trick. The thing is to wear the essentials, but not make it obvious.

You still need some coverage and a little defining color, but it shouldn’t look like layers of makeup, and it should never ever smear.

Natural beauty starts and ends with healthy, even-looking skin. A primer, both face and eye, keeps whatever you put over it in its place. Also, you need far less colored product when you’re using a one, so a tinted moisturizer that gives the sheerest coverage is enough. Make sure that at least one of the products has a 15 or 20 SPF. Smashbox has a version of their famous primer with a 15 SPF, and many tinted moisturizers come with one. This summer I’m loving You Rebel from Benefit Cosmetics, which really deserve a separate post.

If you still need a little extra coverage, dab a little concealer, but do it after the tinted moisturizer is in place to avoid over-application.

If you’re going to be outside all day, chances are your cheeks will get naturally flushed, so unless you have the complexion of an extra on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, you can probably skip the blush, and just give your face a light dusting of powder that also has some pigment in it. My holy grail in this department is Laura Geller Balance-N-Bronze .

Eyes: Avoid anything too harsh and too black. Unless you really need both eyeliner and mascara to look alive (we all have these days), use just one of them. A dark or medium brown look less painted while still doing the job. I’d also avoid liquid eyeliner and prefer a pencil for a softer look. The eyeshadows can wait till you go out at night.

Lip balm, rosy lip gloss or tint and you’re all set.

Now for some 80s goodness from my long lost youth:

Copyright ©2006-2008 The Non-Blonde, under the author’s name. Content poaching is both illegal and ugly.

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Organic Skin Care: Your Natural Wonder »

By leily on Aug 14, 2008 in Skin care | 0 Comments

by Julia Elorriaga

The word organic is not only for food but now it expands to skincare. Problems like irritations, rashes and other skin reactions due to chemicals used in products prompted the way for organic skin care. Many organic brands are now available in the market and some also includes organic ingredients in their products. You can now shop for pressed powder made from natural minerals and all-natural body washes and scrubs.

But what is organic? And why should we go for organic skin care? Organic simply means natural and chemical free. Most beauty products contain chemicals that may be harmful to our body. Chemicals are used as colorants, fragrances and preservatives to prolong the product’s shelf life.

Consumers should beware of components like formaldehyde, imidazolidinyl urea, methyl paraben, and propyl baraben and many more. These chemicals may cause irritations and other bad reactions especially if you are allergic to these substances. Some chemicals are too harsh and make skin dry and look dull. Chemicals are widely used in soaps, lotions, creams, cosmetics and perfumes.

Why go for organic skin care? First, it is natural therefore; you can be assured that it is safe to enter your system. Organic products are best for people with sensitive skin that is very prone to irritations. People prone to acne are advised to opt for organic skin care products to avoid chemical reactions and may worsen the skin problem. Chemicals that are used to combat bacteria in our skin may be too harsh.

Since it natural it is also good for the environment. When released to the environment, they don’t harm animals or plants unlike synthetic products. Organic substances will just naturally break down and blend with nature. However, consumers should be extra careful in choosing organic skin care products. Some products are misleading, labeled as organic though the product only contains a very small percentage of organic components. How to avoid this? Look for essential oils in beauty products like tea tree oil and jojoba oil. Shop for products that are fragrance free and doesn’t have colorants. Carefully read the label and check for chemicals stacked in the product. Look for products that used natural ingredients like milk and plants like lemon, calamansi, avocado and many more. But the best and surest way to have organic skin care products lies in your own hands. Check what you have in your kitchen and what is stored in your fridge. Coffee, eggs, oats, honey, yogurt and milk can be used as part of your skin care. Coffee or oats (with little water or honey) make a good facial or body scrub. Raw eggs or milk is a good facial mask. Cucumber and empty tea bags can do wonders for your eye bags. You can certainly prepare these by simply adding water or put it directly in your skin. In closing, it doesn’t matter if where and how you obtain your organic skin care product. It is fine if you just shop for one or make your own. What matters is that you are sure that it uses all natural ingredients for your skin. For sure, your skin will thank you later.

About the Author
Skincare, acne and health expert. I also have been building a variety of websites for the last 3 years.

Julia Elorriaga LastSkinCare.com

For more information about Skin Care visit Skin Care - LastSkinCare.com

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