Do You Love, Love Lipstick?

How many tubes of lipstick do you have in your makeup drawer? If you are like me, you probably have lots!! I never really paid much attention to what kind of lipstick I was buying—mostly impulse buying because I liked the color. Here is some information on what those “lipstick words” mean…

Matte - These lipsticks provide full coverage color and tend to stay on longer than any other type of lipstick. They are a good choice if you are trying to make a bold statement with your lip color. They are best in dark colors, but might make your lips feel and appear dry because they contain zero shine ingredients. To remedy this, slick on some gloss. (Now I know why I use these tubes the least…)
Crème - This type of lipstick contains more emollients than the matte ones, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will shine more. You may still need that lip-gloss. Cream formulations are more opaque, so you need to be more selective about choosing a color. You'll find that the majority of lipsticks are "crème" because they are the most versatile and they wear very easily.
Frost - Mature women should steer clear of this type of lipstick. Frost lipstick tends to be pale and metallic in appearance, which makes lips appear dry and older than they are. If you have a "frost" in your lipstick collection that you love, try pairing it with a lip-gloss that has no metallic tint to it. The gloss will tone down the harshness of the metallic pigment. (I don’t have any of these so I think that is very “mature” of me!)
Satin or Sheer - This type of lipstick is perfect for the "natural" look. It is light, like gloss, but has a deeper and longer lasting color than gloss. It is full of moisture, but requires lots of reapplication. It usually has a high oil content and looks much darker in the tube than it will on your mouth. It goes on easily and doesn't smear or get transferred onto the teeth.
Lip gloss not only makes lips look plump and shimmering, but is favored especially during cold weather because it also moisturizes the lips
Moisturizing means the lipstick should be smooth and shiny and usually contains the moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E and aloe...however, it won't last as long as some other formulas.
Long-wearing means it should stay put for four-six hours but will also probably feel dry. To balance the dryness, look for long-wearing formulas that also containing moisturizers like Vitamin E and aloe.

Here's a little tip from Good Housekeeping Magazine Dec.08--To give your favorite shade more staying power fill in lips with liner,place color over it then dab on a translucent powder. Add another coat of color and a second light dusting of powder.

pamper-u.blogspot.com

Beauty Tips That Don't Break the Bank!

In this troubled economy people everywhere are looking to save money. I’ve compiled a list of ways to be beautiful by spending little or no money. Take a look…



1.When you get to the bottom of your perfume or cologne and it won't spray out anymore, pour it into your body wash or an unscented moisturizer to get more use out of it
2.Shave with conditioner instead of shaving cream. It softens the hair, moisturizes the skin, and does not clog the razor. For a shaving cream alternative, always buy the cheapest shaving foam/cream, even men's! It doesn't matter what the bottle looks like or what it smells like because it gets washed off anyway, and honestly, nobody is smelling your legs! Another alternative is cheap conditioner. You can buy those cheap conditioner for less than a dollar, spread a little bit on your legs, shave, and in one motion, you have smooth and moisturized legs.
3.Take a bit of honey and spread on your face in an upward motion, rinse after a couple of minutes. It will give your skin a glow and moisturize your face as well.
4.Drink lots of water. Most adults, especially women don't get enough water. Becoming dehydrated will dry out your skin and make you feel sluggish. Water flushes out the toxins in your body and leaves your skin, hair and nails looking great! It is like an internal shower for your body. Try adding a little lemon for flavor.
5.Instead of those expensive "sea salt scrubs" or "sugar scrubs", make your own at home. Take olive oil, mix in either coarse salt or sugar, scrub over your skin (this is for the body) in a circular motion for at least two minutes, then rinse off with cool water .Your skin will be instantly softer.
6.Sleep. It is the most important thing you can do for your body and mind. A good night’s sleep gives you a healthy complexion.
7.Washcloth = Cheap exfoliator We all know that removing the dead skin cells that build up and clog our pores is key to a beautiful complexion. Try looking right in your very own linen closet for the cheapest answer. The fibers of a soft wash cloth will gently resurface your skin with whatever cleanser you have on hand. Just be sure to use circular motions and a wet cloth for best results.
8.Exercise is free. Thirty minutes of exercise five days a week will enhance all aspects of beauty. Endorphins are released and your skin glows, muscle tone improves and attitude is enhanced. Exercise helps you relax overall, which in turn eases tension in your face (think fewer crow’s feet and expression lines).
9.An apple-cider vinegar rinse works like a clarifying shampoo and leaves your hair with great shine.
10.Use regular olive oil to get skin supersoft. Put a few drops on a cotton ball, and dab on flaky spots, avoiding any breakout zones.
11.If you saw a video of yourself sitting at your computer or watching television, you'd probably be surprised by how you hold your face. Make an effort to soften your expression, since over the years your face will carve itself along those lines. As Coco Chanel once said, "Nature gives you the face you have at twenty. Life shapes the face you have at thirty. But at fifty you get the face you deserve."
12. Give a new life to an old pink, rose, or peach lipstick (depending on your preference and skintone) and dab with fingers like a cream blush on the apples of your cheeks (blending well, of course).
13.A drop of olive oil rubbed nightly into your nails will help them grow long and strong and is cheaper than shop-bought manicure oils.
14. Dry brushing the skin (whole body) before showering or taking a bath exfoliates, detoxifies, stimulates circulation, tones, tightens, invigorates and helps with cellulite. All you need is a soft natural fiber body brush with a long handle.
15.In ancient civilizations, they used milk in their bath water to soften their skin. You can try this trick, too. Use powdered milk in your bath and you’ll find that your skin feels softer.


Here are a few websites with recipes so you can make your own bath and body products:


http://beauty.about.com/od/kitchenbeauty/

http://allnaturalbeauty.us/hbr_mainpage.htm

http://www.bathandbodyrecipes.com/

***What's your favorite cheap beauty tip? Post your best tip and you may win a basket of lotion products from Gathered From The Garden. Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you (by blog or email) if you win. Deadline to enter is Saturday, January 31, 2009 at midnight.
Winner will be announced sometime Monday, Feb 1. Note: The winner will be chosen at random from those submitting cheap beauty tips.

Free Makeup!

As part of a class action settlement, $175 million worth of free cosmetics products will be distributed to members of the class (see below to determine whether you are a member of the class) for a maximum of seven days, while supplies last, on a first come, first served basis, beginning on January 20, 2009. No rainchecks will be issued. The products will be distributed at stores owned by the Retailer Defendants (see list immediately below).
The stores owned by the Retailer Defendants that will be participating in the settlement product distribution are the following:
Bergdorf Goodman
Bergner’s
Bloomingdale’s
Boston Store
Carson Pirie Scott
Dillard’s
Gottschalks
Herberger’s
Macy’s
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Parisian
Saks Fifth Avenue
Younkers
A class member will be eligible to receive, while supplies last, a maximum of ONE free cosmetics product from one of the Manufacturer Defendants from which he or she purchased Department Store Cosmetics1 during the class period, May 29, 1994 through July 16, 2003.

This is supposed to last a week but my evening news said it will probably last only one day. So if you can, get in today for your free makeup!

Exercise and Lower Dental Bills?

I am starting out the new year with multiple dental appointments. Not that I haven't been taking care of my teeth but I guess aging has something to do with it. As I was reading the February issue of Prevention Magazine (prevention.com) I found out that exercise can prevent periodontitis, a gum disease that's common as you get older. (sigh) Working out can help stop periodontitis the same way it does heart disease by lowering levels of inflammation causing protein in your blood.

The article I read is called "10 Reasons to Move". The article says that a better inspiration for exercising might be some amazing health rewards instead of being focused on weight loss. Besides the dental help, author Delia Cabe lists other health benefits such as: get all-natural pain relief, beat bloating, eye health, slash your cold risk and being able to feel sexy at any size. With each benefit she lists what you need to do to attain your health reward.

So get ready to Move ! It will make you sharper, happier and healthier. Three great goals for the New Year!

Shampoo and You

Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to wash your hair. How you shampoo and condition your hair will make all the difference in its health, shine, and overall condition.

The first thing you should do is to comb the tangles out of the hair before you wet it so your hair will wash easily and the tangles will not worsen. Then, wet your hair thoroughly under the shower. (When washing your hair, it is best to do so in the shower, as you won't be able to rinse properly in the sink.) Rinse your hair under the shower to get rid of the leave-on conditioner and styling products you have used previously, using gentle strokes of your fingertips.

Then, pour a dollop of shampoo in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, and then apply the shampoo to your scalp and massage it in a circular motion. You should put the shampoo on your scalp and not at the ends of your hair, as the shampoo will dry your hair's ends and cause it to weaken and split. Rinse the shampoo off. (One of the best shampoo types to use is a shampoo with a balanced P.H. value, these shampoos will return your hair to its natural P.H. level and make manageability very easy.)

Sometimes, we need to shampoo our hair for a second time. The purpose of the first shampoo is to clean the oil and dirt off; the second shampoo is supposed to let the shampoo treat our hair. So, repeat the process, but let the shampoo sit on your hair for around a couple of minutes. Rinse the hair completely after this.

To get the excess water off your hair, just squeeze the water out. Be gentle! To protect your hair, smooth your hands from the top of your head down to remove excess water. Do not pull or tug at the hair because the hair is at its most delicate when it is soaked. When the excess water is out, apply a dollop of conditioner and apply it along the hairline, the nape and the ends of the hair. Pile your hair on top of your head and let the conditioner stay there for around ten minutes. And then, rinse it off completely.

Many people believe that shampooing everyday will be too drying to their hair, especially if they have naturally curly or damaged hair. However, it is completely safe to wash your hair every day. If you have very dry hair, use shampoos that are designed to be gentle and conditioners that will help seal in extra moisture. Most styling brands clearly mark their shampoos and conditioners according to hair type (ex: volumizing, color-treated, dry & damaged). You wouldn't go a whole day without washing your face, and the same should go for your hair. Skipping a day can not only result in dull, limp locks, but also the dirt and grease from your hair can spread to your face while you sleep, causing unsightly blemishes.

Follow these tips and you will have clean, shiny,healthy hair!

Beauty On the Safe Side

Just as everything has a shelf life, so does make-up. With the New Year now is the perfect time to go through your make-up and see what has passed it's expiration date or what you are not using. Anything that has passed it's date needs to be tossed. And anything that you aren't using, go ahead and toss.
Foundation - You'll need to check the ingredients on this. Anything water-based will last about 12 months. Oil-based can last up to 18 months. It can separate or dry up and it is hard to use at this point.
Eyeshadow - Powders: It's good to replace every 2 years. Creams: It's good to replace 9-12. Check for when they start to dry out.
Eye liner - This should be replaced every 2 years. It needs to be sharpened regularly.
Concealer - Up to 12 months.
Lipstick - It's good to replace this every year as bacteria can collect and live on the stick. A change in the way it tastes or smells means to toss it!
Lip liner - This should be replaced every 2 years. It needs to be sharpened regularly.
Mascara - Up to 3 months. This is the product that will need to be tossed as soon as it dries out or at the 3 months mark.
Nail Polish - Up to 12 months or when it starts to get thick.
Powder - Up to 2 years.
Blush - Replace every 2 years. Cream blush needs to be replaced 9-12 months. Check for it being dried out.

Follow these precautions to protect yourself and the quality of your cosmetics:
*Keep makeup containers tightly closed except when in use.
*Keep makeup out of sunlight; light can degrade preservatives.
*Don't use eye cosmetics if you have an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, and throw away all products you were using when you first discovered the infection.
*Never add any liquid to bring the product back to its original consistency. Adding water or, even worse, saliva could introduce bacteria that could easily grow out of control.

*Never share.
*Throw makeup away if the color changes or an odor develops. Preservatives can degrade over time and may no longer be able to fight bacteria.

I'm going to go throw away my mascara right now--I know it's past the 3 month date. I'm also going to look at the rest of my make-up and toss what I'm not using or what's old. Are any of the big cosmetic companies having a promotion now?

The Magic of Aging

I found a really fun forum at thebeautybrains.com. It has lots of good information about all kinds of beauty questions. I was there doing a little research on chemicals that are found in cosmetics. When I was done with that, I scrolled a bit and found an interesting post. It listed a site that contained the photos of an actress as she ages from 10 to 60. http://missatlaplaya.blogspot.com/2008/11/magic-of-make-up-photography-and-good.html

It is interesting to see how beautiful she becomes as she ages. I like her at 50 the best. (30 is kind of a stretch with all of the make-up). I read someone's comment that said if this had been an American project, the actress would have looked her best at 20 and very frumpy at 50 and 60. I think it's probably a French project. After traveling to France last summer I really respect how beautiful French women look and their attitude toward aging. We have a lot to learn!