Tips for Safe and Effective Tanning

Summer is approaching fast and you can’t wait to hit the beach. You pull out all of last years shorts, tanks, and bikinis and start trying them on only to realize that if you walk outside with legs that white you might blind people. No matter how slim and toned you are, everyone looks better with a little color on them. Here are some tips for safe, effective tanning so you can look your best on the beach this year.

Fake it- There are so many options for artificial tans that it makes it easy to look great without damaging your skin. Many tanning salons offer spray on tans that cost about the same as going to a regular tanning bed. Beware of the artificial tanning booths though because they can sometimes leave you looking you just finished playing in the mud. I have found the best sprays on tans are the ones where a person actually sprays you by hand. This way the tan is customized to your skin and looks more natural. A cheaper alternative is to buy some self tanning lotion and do it yourself at home. If you are looking to just add a little natural looking color then Jergens Natural Glow is a good choice. For a deeper, more exotic looking tan, my personal favorite is Neutrogena tanning foam. The foam is easier to spread evenly than the lotion products.

Take your time – Plan your tan in advance. Don’t try to double up on tanning sessions to get darker faster because you will only burn your skin and be splotchy and peeling all summer. Starting off with just a few minutes a day and gradually working your way up to longer sessions will prevent sunburn and give you a darker, more natural looking tan.

Use sun block- While your tummy may be able to handle the sun for hours at time, other parts of your body are more sensitive. Don’t forget to apply sun block to your face, shoulders, or anywhere else you tend to burn.
Cover your hair- We all know that blow drying or using a flat iron dries out and damages our hair. However, we often forget that sun and tanning beds will ruin our hair too. Be sure to cover your hair when you will be in the sun for long periods of time or in a tanning bed. Also, if you are in a swimming pool you will want to wash the chlorine out as soon as possible and condition your hair.

Use a bronzer- If you are the type that is always either ghost white or beet red and never get that golden brown you are looking for then you may need a bronzing lotion. This will help your tan turn dark brown instead of red.

Moisturize- ALWAYS moisturize when you are done tanning. Otherwise your pretty new tan will turn into alligator scales or ashy, peeling skin. Aloe Vera is one of the best after-sun moisturizers available and it will also help ease sunburn pain if you stayed out a little to long.

Move around- If you have ever fallen asleep in the sun then you know why it is important to move around. If you stay in one position you will end up with a white tummy and a red back or zebra stripes from shadows or folds in the skin. Even if you are in a tanning bed you should flip every couple of minutes from your back to your tummy to your sides to ensure your tan is spread evenly.

Oil- free lotions- Not only will oil-based tanning lotions make your skin break out and look greasy but it is also asking for a fungal skin infection. Remember that fungus grows in warm wet places. You have probably heard people say they drench themselves in baby oil to get an extra dark tan. I made this mistake once. I covered myself head to toe in baby oil and let myself bake and short while later had the most beautiful darkest tan imaginable. A few hours later, I broke out in ringworm all over my entire body so bad I was hospitalized.

PLEASE don’t tan with baby oil!

Clean the tanning bed- Fifteen people have probably laid their greased up naked behinds in that bed before you will get in it today. Please don’t rely on the staff to properly clean the tanning beds for you because it doesn’t get done. Save yourself some funky diseases and skin infections by taking an extra minute to sanitize the bed yourself before tanning.

Tips in Buying Lipsticks

Tip #1 - Know Your Skin Tone

If you want to look the healthiest and most radiant, then you should chose a color that flatters your skin tone - so you need to know your skin tone.

Skin tones come in two basic hues: warm or cool. Neutral colors look good on both warm and cool skin tones. Many cosmetic companies are now tell you if the makeup is warm, cool, or neutral.

The two basic hues can be broken down into four sub-hues, which are commonly known as "Seasons". People with warm skin tones are either Autumns or Springs. People with cool skin tones are either Winters or Summers.

Winters and Autumns have the most intense, vibrant skin tones (think classic red and hot pink for Winters or intense orange for Autumns). Springs and Summers are softer, more delicate (think pale pinks and dusty roses for Summers, soft peaches for Springs).

Warm skin tones look good in: gold jewelry and colors such as oranges, greens, and browns.

Cool skin tones look best in: silver jewelry and colors such as pinks, blues, and grays.

If you have cool skin tone, look for lipsticks in shades of mauve, rose, true red, or pink. They will have names like Cherries Jubilee, Pink Lemonade, Wild Rose, or Magic Mauve.

If you have warm skin tone, look for lipsticks in shades coral, peach, brown, orange, and warm red. They will have names like Mango Sunshine, Peach Parfait, Coral Sun, and Bronze Baby.

Tip #2 - Look for Ingredients You Can Eat

Look - what you put on your lips ends up in your stomach. There is a statistic floating around out there that I'm sure varies from woman to woman but it says that we eat something like four pounds of lipstick in our lifetime!

I ONLY buy lipsticks and chapsticks with all natural food type ingredients from plants, insects, and minerals - no chemicals, no petroleum-based ingredients. Look for beeswax or a plant wax like carnauba or candellila; shea butter, vitamin E (a natural preservative), vegetable oils like jojoba or sunflower, and natural colors from herbs and minerals.

You may even want to try making your own lipstick or pot of gloss. When I was a teenager, I used to get beet juice from the garden and stain my lips with it and then put colorless lip balm over the top. It works good if you have COOL skin tones.

Tip #3: Buy from Stores that Give Refunds

Quite often, the lipstick you think you want does not have a tester but you buy it anyway. You are taking a chance if you buy it at a store that does not have a good refund policy. Make certain you understand the refund policy on cosmetics before you purchase a lipstick without trying on the tester first and wearing it around for a while.

Tips on how to Take Care of Oily Skin

With each passing day, if your face looks more and more like a greased up pan, then it is time to pay attention before the oil mills run havoc!! The humid weather is a bane for those with oily skins. Feeling greasy, sticky and shiny, you’d think your face resembles a pizza base… not an appetizing thought!!! The one time oil isn’t quite as prized! If your skin feels greasy to touch and is prone to blackheads and pimples, you are in the oily skin club. Oily skin tends to attract more grease and grime leading to acne and comedowns. That’s why it is imperative to keep oily skin clean.

Clean and Clear

The cleaning toning moisturizing routine acquires more importance for oily skin. But we tend to overdo the cleansing. Washing your face four time a day only ends up producing more oil. Instead, select a mild cleanser and use it only twice a day. Follow it with astringent to remove excess oil. But not to go for alcohol-based astringent as it strips too much oil from the face. Keep your skin clean. Even make-up should be kept to the bare minimum-kohl and lipstick. The more foundation you use, the higher the chances of clogging up your pores.

I Eat, So I Am

Oily skin types should resist deep fried foods and fatty foods. Drink at least 12 glasses of water. Water helps to flush out toxins. Now is a good time to make seasonal fruit (watermelon, muskmelon) and vegetables (ghia, tinda, cucumber, tomatoes) part of your daily diet. Naturally succulent they are rich sources of water.

Tone It Down

Using a toner is a good way to cut oil. Adding a pinch of salt to soda and dabbing it on oily areas to get out of the sticky situation. Toners cool the skin and they range from fresheners, toners, clarifiers to astringents with fresheners being the mildest and astringents the strongest. So start with a mild freshener and advance up the line until you get the results you want. Exfoliating and using a mud pack also help check the oil. But those with combination skin and oily T-zone must treat their skin as two different types.

Some quick fixes from your kitchen

Multani Mitti (This white powder is produced from clay which has great cleansing properties for both the skin and hair.) or Fuller’s earth makes an excellent cleansing mask, and possesses highly absorbent qualities. It is rich in minerals and when applied to the skin in the form of a paste, it helps improve circulation; it hardens slowly as it dries, and absorbing the dead cells on the top of the skin and dries up any excess oil.

Packs are a great way to check oiliness. Multani mitti is especially suited to oily skin. Add 1tsp mint, 2 drops clove oil and rose water to the mitti and apply to your face Let it dry. Wash refrigerated water. This will also tighten your pores.

If you have an oily T-zone, take 2 tsp honey and add a pinch of camphor to it. Massage it on the oily area and rinse well.

Take 1 tsp beauty grains (choker, oatmeal), 1 tsp orange peel powder and 1 tsp sandalwood. Add these to your face wash and make a paste. Apply to the skin and rinse.

Grate a cucumber finely or blend it into a paste. Refrigerate it and later apply to the face. Keep on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water. For best results, repeat twice a week, on a cleansed face. You can use apples or tomatoes similarly.

Seasonal veggies and fruits help you ban the oil:

Strawberries: Make a mush of berries and apply to the face. Acts a natural scrubber.

Tomatoes: Take refrigerated raw tomato halves and apply to the skin after cleansing. Tomoto has natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids.

Watermelons: Don’t throw away watermelon peels. Refrigerate them and rub on your cleansed face. Shrinks pores and reduces oiliness.

Papayas:Papaya paste works wonders for sticky skin.

Cucumber: Blend cucumber and mint in a blender and set to freeze in an ice-tray. Rub these cubes on your face after cleansing for a rejuvenated skin.

Basic Make Up Tips

Back to Basics: The 5-Minute Makeup

Makeup is really more about skin than anything else. And beautiful skin can go a long way when it comes to wearing or not wearing makeup -- The better the base, the less there is to hide. Keeping your skin beautiful is actually quite simple. You just need to get enough sleep, drink lots of water and have a healthy diet. Having a good cleanser can also do wonders for your complexion.

Got 5 minutes?

Here are 6 essential steps that you can use for a basic look for day or as a base to ready your face for a more dramatic application.

Moisturize

Moisturizers not only make your skin soft and smooth, it also sets the base for easy make up application. The first thing that you need to do is find a moisturizer that is right for your skin type lightly apply it in gentle circular, upward motions. Remember to let it dry first before putting anything else on your face.

Conceal

Concealers are usually used to cover under-eye circles, blemishes, ruddiness or the appearance of broken blood vessels on the skin. By choosing a product and shade that becomes your skin color and type, a smooth and flawless face can be yours. You can opt to mix two different shades to find the perfect color for your skin tone. Stay clear of very light tones, which can attract attention to areas you are trying to keep out of sight. When applying the concealer on your face, you should dab it lightly with clean fingertips on areas that need coverage and delicately blend it well.

Powder

By patting or dusting matte powder evenly over your face after you've applied your concealer, you will be able to make your concealer last longer. Because it also blots out any unwanted oils, your face will have a fresh, polished look. Pick a translucent shade that matches your skin tone. The type that literally disappears on your skin is the best choice, but should you want a little color for extra coverage. Try going for the neutral colors. They're dark enough to cover but are light enough to look natural.

Curl and Color

Here's the eye opener. Before applying black mascara, use an eye curler to make your lashes appear longer and your eyes larger. Make sure that you find a good one because getting a poor quality curler can ruin your lashes. Begin at the base of the lash line and work towards the end of the lashes with a few squeezes. Next, delicately apply thin coats of mascara to the top lashes until you get the desired effect. Make sure that you wait for the first coat to dry before applying a new one.

Blush

Whether you prefer that rosy flush you get when you blush naturally or that radiance after a sunny day at the beach, cheek color can instantly make you glow and look healthy. Although contouring can be good, applying blush on the apples of our cheeks will give us a natural glow that is more becoming. So, start this routine with a smile and start applying your blush with light circular motions. Just keep on blending until there are not more visible streaks left. Lastly, when picking a blush, make sure you spend some time trying on different shades just so you'd find that perfect color that would look natural on your skin.

Gloss

Whether you go for tinted or translucent, this can add a little bit of sexy glamour to your face. Gloss calls attention to your lips which is one of the most sensuous parts of the face. In order to get that perfect, sexy pout, apply a moderate amount on your lips.

How to Make Your Own Beauty Products

Beauty on a Budget

There are many fantastic products out there that will leave your skin, cleansed, refreshed and moisturized but when you can't afford to splash out you can try out these "beauty on a budget" recipes that include cleansers, face scrubs, face masques and moisturizers that you can make using natural ingredients.

Cleanser :

Simple Milk Cleanser!

A very simple yet effective cleanser : get a glass of milk and some cotton wool, use the milk as you would a cleanser gently removing all traces of dirt and make up, you will be amazed at how clean and soft your skin will be! Splash your face with some luke warm water afterwards and pat dry.As you know milk is packed with vitamins and so is great to use on your skin.

Face Scrubs :

Fantastic Oat Scrub!

Using 3 teaspoons of dry oatmeal and a little water, make a paste, apply to your face using a gentle circular motion,rub in paste for about 1 minute paying particular attention to your t-zone to unclog your pores. Leave the mask on fora further 5 minutes, wash off and pat dry. Oatmeal has exfoliating and moisturizing properties so is beneficial to your skin.

Amazing Almond Scrub!

Soak some almonds in water, when soft add a little water and mix to make a paste, apply to your face in a gentle circular motion, leave on for 5-10 minutes, wash off and pat dry. This is an amazing skin exfoliator due to the texture of the almonds and the natural almond oil is a fantastic skin moisturiser.

Face Packs/Masques:

Perfect Peach Pack!

Peel and de-pit a peach, mash up the peach and apply to your face, leave on for 5-10 minutes, wash off and pat dry. Peaches have antioxidant and cleansing properties.

Cucumber Cooling Pack!

Blend a small cucumber, 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt and 2 teaspoons of honey, and blend to a nice consistency. Apply to your face and allow to dry, wash off and pat your face dry, Cucumber has refreshing and cleansing properties and honey is one of natures most nutrient rich substances.

Amazing Avocado Pack!

Mash up an avocado and apply to your face, leave on for 5-10 minutes to absorb all the nutrients from the avocado. Avocados have lots of nutrients and have moisturizing properties making it a fantastic moisturizing face pack.

Moisturizers :

Olive Oil Moisturizer!

Rub a little olive oil into your skin working it deep into your pores using a gentle circular motion. Leave on overnight and wash off thoroughly the next day to reveal beautifully soft skin. Only recommended for those with dry skin

Light Aloe Moisturizer!.

Using 5 parts aloe vera gel and 1 part vegetable glycerin, mix in a bowl until you get a nice consistency. Use as a light moisturizer,aloe vera is one of the best moisturizing plants and has cooling and refreshing properties. Store in the fridge to keep it cool and fresh.

These are some beauty on a budget facial recipes that are easy to make yet very effective and are a fantastic alternative to store bought beauty products when you can't afford to buy in store, get mixing and enjoy!

Home Beauty secrets

As women we tend to over analize ourselves by picking and pointinting out every mark or blemish we come across. We often find ourselves looking for and spending ridiculous amounts of money on skin beautifiers, creams, and softiners to restore our naturual beauty back to what it once was or what we want it to be. Only to find out after you've spent these large amounts of money you find that the product either A. doesn't work, B.cost too much money to continue purchasing, or C. just isn't for you. Why continue to purchase disappointment ? when you could save and find beauty restoration within the walls of your own home.

Im a women myself and I often found myself in many of the disappointing situations named above, until i began to experiment in the hopes of finding something that would help soften and restore my skins natural glow. After researching things that would help, i found that most of the minerals and vitamins your skin needs were right in my own home or at your local grocery stores. So i began to mix and match different things on the chance that they would help, and to my surprise many of the combinations actually worked!! My skin felt and looked softer and was glowing more radiant than it did before.

So as Im sure many of you are wondering, what are these free, and easy at home beauty secrets? well i couldnt just keep them to myself, so here are some of my free at home skin restoration beauty secrets.

1st: the Mush Mask (for smoother skin)

2/3 cup of regular oatmeal

2 1/2 tablespoons of honey

1/2 tablespoon of almond oil

take ingredients and mix together in a bowl until contents are completely mixed. Then apply mix to entire face (avoiding eyes and mouth). leave mask on for about 15-20 mins. after time had elapsed rinse face with warm water and towel dry. you will immediately notice smoother and more radiant skin. for best results apply mask daily.

2nd: honey glow (for natural glow)

3 to 4 tablespoons of honey

1/4 cup of diced cucumbers

1/2 tablespoon of olive oil

pour honey and olive oil over cucumber, and mix until contents come to a thick sticky texture. apply contents to face entire face, leave on for 10-15 min and rinse with warm water. your skin will radiantly glow from this sticky situation.

3rd: banana nana (for softer skin)

1 whole smashed banana

1 teaspoon of almond oil

1/2 cup of oatmeal

mix together until a smooth and clumpy texture, Apply to face (avoid eyes and mouth). leave on for 20 mins, rinse with warm water for softer skin