#The rounded end of the make up sponge is great for blending on the cheeks

[mass4ubd]

Beauty is when you can appreciate yourself. When you love yourself, that’s when you’re most beautiful

[pranaliahuja12]

How To Use A Makeup Sponge: 15 Hacks And Tips 

The world of makeup application can be confusing. Brushes, puffs, sponges; filled with so many tools at your disposal, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you are a newbie or practising makeup enthusiast, learning about the new hacks and tips is never a bad idea. If you are looking to achieve a flawless makeup look, this handy guide will help you turn into a blending pro in no time.   

15 Makeup Sponge Hacks for Flawless Application  

Dampen Your Sponge is Key 

This might be the golden rule of makeup sponges. A slightly damp makeup blending sponge will help sheer out your foundation for a lightweight, natural look. Run your sponge under lukewarm water, wring it out thoroughly, and you're good to go.  

Don't Drag, Bounce! 

Forget swiping your foundation on like paint. Use a dabbing and bouncing motion with the sponge to pat the product onto your skin. This creates a seamless finish and avoids streakiness.  

Prime for Perfection 

Before foundation, apply a thin layer of primer. This creates a barrier that prevents your makeup from absorbing into the sponge and helps it last longer.  

Embrace the Pointed End 

The pointed tip of your sponge is perfect for reaching those hard-to-reach areas like under your eyes and around your nose. Use it for targeted application and flawless blending.  

Go Round and Round 

The rounded side of the sponge is ideal for blending out your foundation on larger areas like your cheeks and forehead. Use a gentle, circular motion for an even, airbrushed finish.  

Less is More 

Don't overload your beauty sponge with foundation. A little goes a long way. Dab a small amount of product onto the back of your hand and pick it up with the damp sponge.  

Sponge worthy Setting 

Makeup sponges aren't just for foundation. You can also use them to apply and blend cream blushes, contour products, and even cream highlighters.   

Baking for a Flawless Finish 

This technique involves applying a required amount of loose setting powder under your eyes and other areas prone to creasing. Let it "bake" for a few minutes, then use a damp beauty sponge to buff away the excess powder for a flawless, long-lasting look.  

Spot Conceal Like a Pro 

For targeted concealer application, use the pointed tip of your damp sponge to press the product onto blemishes and dark circles. Don't rub or swipe, as this can move the product around.  

Don't Forget the Eyes 

Makeup sponges are great for blending out eyeshadow for a diffused, smoky look. Use the damp sponge to gently pat the colour onto your lids, focusing on blending out any harsh lines.  

Cleanliness is Key 

Makeup sponges are breeding grounds for bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Hence, wash your sponge with a gentle cleanser after every use and let it air dry completely to prevent the growth of bacteria.  

Invest in Quality 

While there are plenty of affordable options, spending a little more on the best makeup sponge can make a big difference. You should look for brands known for their quality and durability.  

Multitasking Marvel 

Makeup sponges can also be used for a quick skincare pick-me-up. Apply a hydrating facial oil to your damp sponge and gently buff it onto your skin for a dewy glow.  

Blot Away Oil 

Is your skin on the oily side? Use a dry sponge to gently press and absorb excess oil throughout the day for a mattified finish.  

Embrace Experimentation 

Don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques. The beauty of the makeup sponge is its versatility. Play around and find what works best for you.  

With a little practice and these handy hacks, you'll be a makeup sponge pro in no time. If you are looking for the best makeup sponges, choose Forever52. They are renowned for providing cosmetic products and accessories for beauty enthusiasts. Whether it's lipstick, foundation, beauty sponge, or any other product, they provide not only quality but also value. The range of makeup sponges is available in different sizes and shapes, suitable to your needs. Similarly, the makeup sponges are vegan, dermatologically tested, and cruelty-free, which ultimately suits every skin type. Considering the budget, the makeup sponge price is affordable and pocket-friendly, so one can't deny buying it. 

[cosmetic-store]

The Only Makeup Sponge Guide a Beginner Needs

One can't really imagine pulling off a makeup look without makeup sponges. How else would you tackle the tricky game of blending cream, liquid, or powder products to create a smooth and non-patchy base? Just like good makeup products, high-quality makeup sponges are of paramount importance when it comes to creating makeup looks.

There are makeup sponges of different types, each designed for specific products. A beginner may find it difficult to choose the most essential makeup sponges and the products they are meant for. Plus, they may not be acquainted with the correct ways to use it. In this beginner’s guide to makeup sponges, you will get to know the most important makeup sponges one needs in their makeup kit and how one should use them the right way.

Key Makeup Sponges to have in your makeup kit

a) Tear-shaped Foundation Blending Sponge

The most preferred makeup sponge to blend foundation is the tear-shaped foundation sponge. The moment it was introduced, it absolutely broke the internet. And rightfully so, because its design is appropriate for blending foundation properly on the skin, giving amazing coverage. A typical foundation blending sponge has a pointy edge on top which allows one to blend cream products precisely on hard-to-reach contours of the face. On the other hand, the wide base helps you to blend foundation on the cheeks and forehead regions. These sponges do a great job with blending and what you get at the end is a completely smooth and flawless base. You can also use this sponge to set the under-eye areas.

How to use a Foundation Sponge?

Firstly, dampen your sponge. Pick some of the foundations with the beauty blender. To blend the product, dab instead of dragging the sponge. Dab the pointed area on the under-eye area and regions around the nose and mouth. Dab the wider area of the sponge against the cheeks and forehead. For applying compact or loose powders, dip the sponge into the powder and bounce it gently against the skin. If there’s an excess, you can remove it with a fluffy brush.

b) Flat Foundation Blending Sponge

Flat foundation sponges include ones in square and round shapes. These are also used to blend liquid, cream, and powder makeup products to leave behind a seamless finish. The key benefit of these sponges is that they are flexible, offering you better control and making it easier for you to blend the products on the narrow contours and larger areas of the face. These are perfect for blending concealer, foundation, and even BB creams. You can also use these sponges to touch up your makeup with setting powder.

How to use Flat Foundation Blending Sponge?

Dampen the flat sponges. Dot foundation/concealer on the skin and then blend the product using a damp sponge. You only have to gently dab the sponge on the skin and not drag it across. If you want to touch up your face with powder, take some of the product on the sponge and gently press it on the targeted areas.

c) Powder Makeup Puff

Powder makeup puffs are soft and fluffy in nature, helping you set your cream and liquid products with powder. These makeup puffs enable you to apply the powder products more easily and precisely. Powder puffs do not irritate the skin and are instead soft and gentle on your skin.

How to use Makeup Powder Sponge?

Pick up compact powder or loose-setting powder with the powder puff and press it onto your skin. You can also keep powder puffs in handy while traveling as these are instant solutions to makeup touch-ups.

d) Silicone blending sponge

A great alternative to a tear-shaped blender, the silicone blending sponge can be used to blend foundation and concealer. The key advantage of using this product is that it absorbs Very less product. So you can use cream and liquid product without wasting any of it.

How to use Silicone Blending Sponge?

Just dip the tip of the silicon blender and blend the product evenly across the skin by dabbing it.

Conclusion:

So this was a quick guide on makeup sponges for a beginner. Make sure you have these sponges in your makeup kit to make the application of makeup products easier. If you are on the lookout for good makeup sponges online, you can browse through online makeup stores of leading cosmetic brands.

[trashcanmarvelfan]

Boyfriends & Beauty Vlogs - Tom Holland/Reader

Summary: Reader is a professional Hollywood makeup artist who also has her own popular YouTube beauty vlogging channel. She has been dating Tom Holland for about 8 months in secret when they decide to make their relationship public by participating in the ‘I do my boyfriend’s makeup’ tag.

Warnings: None? I’m pretty sure this is G-rated, or at least PG. There might be like 1 swear word and an innuendo towards the end that you can take it as you like.

Word Count: 3,397 according to my Google Doc.

Author’s Note: This was partially inspired by an ask I saw on another Tumblr, but I can’t find the original ask so I’ll paraphrase: Basically Peter P. watches the reader put on makeup and tells her that she’s beautiful even without it (I think.) Combine that with my current obsession with makeup tutorials on YouTube (which is hilarious since I don’t wear much makeup AT ALL) and you’ve got this glorious piece of trash fic. This is likely going to wind up being a series as I discover more tags for the Reader to do (or even have Tom & Reader answering the YouTube comments on the video they’re filming in this fic).

(PS: I purposely didn’t use any brand names for any products that the Reader uses, although it’s very common for beauty vloggers to tell their audience what product they’re using.)

Cross-Posted on AO3.

Y/N Y/L/N adjusted one of the lights in her beauty room as she was getting ready to film the latest video for her YouTube channel. “We good?” she asked her friend/assistant Carmen, who was adjusting the camera. “Everything looks great,” Carmen replied.

“Are you ready?” Y/N said off-camera to her boyfriend of 8 months.

“Absolutely,” he replied.

“Ok then, I’ll go through my initial welcome then I’ll call you into frame,” she explained. “Are you sure you’re ready to do this?”

Her boyfriend nodded. “If you’re comfortable with it, so am I.”

“Ok, let’s go.”

Carmen hit the record button and the red light lit up on the front of Y/N’s camera.

Y/N beamed at the camera. “Hi, everyone, welcome back to my channel! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed my last video. As I said last time and as you can probably tell from this video’s title, I have a special surprise for you.  I’ve mentioned my boyfriend several times on this channel but he’s never made an appearance nor have I ever even mentioned him by name. Well, there was a reason for that, but he & I have talked about it and since a lot of you have been asking about who my ‘mysterious boyfriend’ is he’ll be joining me today for the 'I do my boyfriend’s makeup’ tag.”

She looked off camera. “You want to join me, honey?”

Her boyfriend walked into frame, just his torso showing since the camera was angled down to where Y/N was sitting.

“Well, have a seat, you goof!” Y/N laughed as her boyfriend sat down. He leaned over towards Y/N and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, love.”

Y/N took a deep breath. “Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Tom Holland.”

Tom looked at the camera and gave an adorably awkward wave. “Hi, everyone.”

Y/N looked over at Tom. “So, thanks for joining me today, babe.”

“It’s no problem, love,” Tom replied.

“Normally this is where I’d ask if you’d ever worn makeup before, but I don’t need to since I’ve been your makeup artist before and therefore already know the answer to that one,” Y/N teased.

“Yes, but you never used a lot of stuff on me, right?” Tom replied. “I only recall some sort of powder.”

Y/N nodded. “Well today we’re going to do a full face - eyes, lips, everything. You ready?”

Tom nodded.

“Ok, so this is primer.” Y/N held up a small bottle. “I’m going to put a little bit on my fingers and I’m going to rub it all over your face and neck. It’ll moisturize you so the rest of the makeup doesn’t dry and crack.” She squirted a pump of the liquid onto her fingers and rubbed them together. “Here we go.”

She smoothed the primer onto Tom’s face, turning his head gently to get both sides of his neck.

“This feels really nice,” Tom remarked.

Y/N laughed. “I know you’ve used moisturizer in your skincare routine.”

Tom shrugged. “Yeah, but I’ve never had my beautiful girlfriend be the one applying it to my face before.” He shot a cheeky wink towards the camera.

Y/N shook her head. “You flirt.”

Tom grinned. “You love it.”

“Anyway,” Y/N said jokingly, “the next step is foundation. I think I managed to match some foundation that I already had on hand to your skin tone, although I didn’t actually swatch it on you so we’ll have to cross our fingers and see if it works. I did grab a few other shades just in case.”

She pumped a dollop onto the back of her hand. “Let’s see…” She dipped her finger into the foundation and swiped a tiny bit onto Tom’s face. “Huh, ok, wait, that might actually work.” She held up an oval-looking sponge, one end flattened and the other rounded into a tip. “You know what this is?”

“Some sort of makeup tool?” Tom guessed.

Y/N laughed. “Technically, you’re right. This is called a beauty blender. I’m going to take the beauty blender and dip this pointy end into the foundation and dot it all over your face, then I’m going to use the other side to buff it into your skin.”

“Ok.” Tom leaned in a bit.

Y/N pumped a bit more foundation onto the back of her hand and began to dot the foundation onto Tom’s face. “Ok, so I know everyone is going to have questions, so leave a comment down below and we’ll try to answer as many as we can in another video. I know the biggest question everyone’s going to want to know is how exactly we met and/or got together. Well, as some of you already know, I was hired as a makeup artist on Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far from Home, which meant I did Zendaya’s makeup for FFH. I did Tom’s too for both films, but since he wasn’t on set a whole lot for Endgame we didn’t interact much and since he’s so naturally pretty all he needed on FFH was setting powder so he wouldn’t be shiny in front of the cameras.”

“Aww, thanks love,” Tom interrupted. “You’re naturally pretty too.”

Y/N grinned. “Thanks, babe. So anyway, Z and I became friends during the FFH shoot so while we were in London she invited me to go out to dinner with her, Tom, and Jacob. Tom and I sat next to each other at dinner and afterwards he said he wanted to buy his mom some new moisturizer for her birthday so would I mind helping him pick something out while we were in London since I’m a professional makeup artist. So we exchanged numbers and a couple of days later he texted me asking if I could go shopping with him. Little did I know that it was just a ruse.”

“Hey, I had to get your number somehow!” Tom protested. “I didn’t really feel like I had a chance to get to know you enough during Endgame to ask you for it and Z wouldn’t just give it to me – she said I had to work for it!”

Y/N laughed. “And you did. You suffered through 2 hours in a bougie skincare store in order to find your mother some skin cream for her birthday.”

"Totally worth it,” Tom said with conviction.

Y/N couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “So then Tom offered to take me out to dinner at some fancy London restaurant as a 'thank-you’.” She stopped to include the air quotes.

Tom turned slightly toward the camera so he could chime in. “Yeah, I planned to take Y/N to one of the nicest restaurants in London, right, thinking I was going to impress her, but when we get there it turns out the place was closed because 3 people had gotten food poisoning the night before.”

Y/N finished blending in the foundation. “Ok, wait a sec, babe. Next step is concealer.” She held up the tube. “I’m going to swipe this under your eyes, on your chin, and on the bridge of your nose, then I’m going to use the same beauty blender to smooth it out.”

“Wait, so it’s foundation, then concealer?” Tom asked. “Wouldn’t you want to conceal first?”

“You would think, but this is how it goes,” Y/N replied. “You’re correcting what the foundation didn’t cover.”

“Oh, well that does make sense.”

“Ok, just stay still for a sec, but you can continue talking.”

“So anyway, the fancy restaurant is closed, so Y/N suggests this fish-and-chips spot we had passed on the way there. We get in there and place our orders, start talking, pause to get our food, and the next thing we know the place is closing.”

Y/N finished blending in Tom’s concealer. “We had literally sat there and talked for 4 hours,” she added. She set the beauty blender down and picked up a brush and another container. “Ok, next step is setting powder. This is what I used on you on set.”

She tapped out a bit of powder, dipped her brush in it, and tapped off the excess before brushing a light coat all over Tom’s face. “So yeah, we sat there and talked for like 4 hours, then Tom walked me back to my hotel.”

“I was so nervous because I wanted to ask you out for real, but I didn’t know how to tell you that my mum’s birthday had actually just passed.”

Y/N laughed. “You heard that right. Tom’s mom’s birthday had actually been the week before and Tom didn’t really need a gift.” She leaned back to take a look at Tom’s face. “Ok, next step is bronzer followed by contour, then highlighter. You don’t really need bronzer so we’re going to skip that, so we’re just going to take this brush here, tap into our contouring palette, and brush a little here on your cheeks, across the forehead, and then take this fan brush and go down either side of your nose.” She followed through as she explained.  "You know what, we can skip the highlighter too. We’re just going to do a tiny bit of blush instead.“ She grabbed her blush palette. "Yeah, we’ll go with this one.” She dipped a blush brush against the palette, tapped off the excess, and swiped a bit on the apples of Tom’s cheeks. “Perfect.”

She set her brush and palette down. “Okay, we are going to lock this all in with some setting spray, but before we move on to the eyes we’re going to take a little break, so let’s go ahead and get this set.”

Y/N picked up her can of setting spray and said, “I’m just going to spritz this on your face. You might want to close your eyes real quick.”

Tom did as instructed and Y/N gave his face a quick spritz. “All done,” she declared. “So again, next is eyes but before that we’re going to take a quick break and will be back soon!”

“And we’re out,” Carmen said as she cut the camera off. “I’ll be right back.”

“So, how do you feel?” Y/N asked Tom.

“Surprisingly light,” Tom replied. “It doesn’t feel like there’s much on.”

“Good, that’s how a good makeup job is supposed to feel.” Y/N stood and stretched. “You want something to drink? I have bottled water in the fridge over there in the corner.”

“Yeah, that would be lovely. It’s a bit warm under those lights.”

Y/N grabbed Tom a bottle of water and sat back down next to him.

“Thanks again for doing this with me,” Y/N said, giving him a quick peck on the lips. “Maybe eventually we can try out some of the other tags.”

“Like what?” Tom replied.

“Well, they’re mostly variations of this one - like you’d do my makeup, or I’d do Harrison’s makeup, or one of your brothers.”

Tom nodded. “Yeah, alright. I probably could talk one of them into participating since they all adore you. Sam was right pissed that he couldn’t fly out here for this trip. He said he wanted to see me 'looking all pretty’.”

Y/N laughed. “We’ll get him out here eventually.” She checked the time on her phone as Carmen walked back into the room. “Ok, ready to get back to it?”

“Sure. What all is left?”

“Eyes, so eyeliner – well, we’ll attempt that, at least– shadow, mascara, and a lot of people do false lashes but I don’t because they make me look like fuzzy caterpillars are resting on my face, so we’ll skip that. Then lips and some more setting spray and we’ll be done.”

“Angles are still good,” Carmen stepped behind the camera and checked the viewfinder. “You guys ready?”

Y/N sat up a bit straighter and nodded.

“Ok then, 3, 2, 1.” Carmen hit the record button and the light lit up once again.

“Ok, we are back from a quick break, so now we’re going to move on to eyes.” Y/N picked up an eye pencil. “We’re going to try eyeliner, but if your eyes water too bad we’re going to have to skip it.”

She took a deep breath. “Ok, babe, close your eyes and stay still so I don’t accidentally poke you.”

Tom sat stock-still while Y/N lined his upper lids.

“Ok, now I’m going to attempt to do your waterline.”

Tom looked puzzled. “My what?”

“Your waterline,” Y/N repeated. “You know, where your tear ducts are.” She smirked. “You trust me?”

Tom began to look mildly terrified, but nodded.

“If you’re uncomfortable or your eyes start watering we’ll stop, I promise,” Y/N reassured Tom. “Now, get as close to me as possible.”

Tom scooted forwards on his stool.

“Here we go. Now, keep your eyes open and look up for me.”

Y/N managed to get the eyeliner on Tom without too much trouble. She checked his eyes out. “Well, damn. That’s not too bad.”

She sat back. “Ok, the rest of this is easy.”

She picked up another brush and her eyeshadow palette. “We’re just going to get a nice smoky eye going here, so we’re going to dip into this gray color here and get that all over the lower lid.” She pursed her lips as she worked. “Anyway, babe, we were talking about how you walked me back to the hotel after we had fish and chips in London.”

“Oh, right,” Tom replied. “Yeah, so I walked you up to your hotel room and was trying to figure out how to ask you out for real.”

Y/N grinned. “You’re so cute when you’re nervous.” She dipped her brush into a deep purple eyeshadow and continued working on Tom’s upper lid.

“So we’re standing there,” Tom continued, “and Y/N says that she’d see me Monday on set then she goes, 'tell your mom happy birthday for me… you know, when it comes around next September’ before winking at me and going into her room.”

Y/N laughed. “I had been interested in you for a while and Z knew that, so when I mentioned to her that you had asked me to go birthday gift shopping with you for your mom she called you an 'idiot child’ and told me that you were interested in me and had been asking her for my number, then said that Nikki’s birthday was actually the week prior. I just couldn’t figure out a way to tell you that I knew what you were up to without embarrassing you.”

“Well I did feel like an idiot for a second since I was basically busted, but then my phone chimed with a text.” Tom smiled at the memory.

“I just couldn’t leave him hanging,” Y/N explained as she started on Tom’s other eye. “So I texted him immediately telling him that I had a really great time and asking if he’d like to do something the next day.”

Tom chuckled. “I immediately said yes, of course, so we quickly planned to go for coffee and to an aquarium.  Since it was early and a Sunday the aquarium wasn’t very busy, so we had a lot of time to ourselves. When we got to the dolphin tank, Y/N turned towards me and said something about the dolphins, but I was too busy looking at her to catch it. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a move, so I took her hand, leaned in, and kissed her, and the rest is history.”

Y/N’s eyes crinkled up at the corners. “Best first kiss of my life,” she said. “Now, mascara. Try not to blink, ok?”

She swiped mascara on both of Tom’s upper eyelashes and carefully applied it to his bottom lashes.

“Last step – well, second-to-last, really – lips. I’ve chosen this really pretty plum color for you, so we’re just going to kind of line your lips here with a deeper color…” She trailed off as she lined Tom’s lips, making sure to slightly over- line his top lip to make it seem fuller. “And we’re going to fill in with the plum.”

She scrutinized her work. “Let’s see…” She dabbed a little bit more lip gloss to the corner of Tom’s lips. “Ok, done. Just another spritz of setting spray and you’re done! Close your eyes.”

Tom held still while Y/N set his makeup. “You ready to see what you look like?” she asked.

Tom laughed. “I’m kind of nervous but then again I trust you, so… yes?”

Y/N picked up a hand-held mirror and gave it to him reflective side out. “Ok on the count of three, flip it around and check yourself out. 1, 2… 3!”

Tom flipped the mirror over and his jaw dropped. He lowered the mirror and showed his shocked expression to the camera. “Damn, love, I look good.” He raised the mirror once again and checked himself out. “It hardly looks like I’m wearing makeup at all except for the lipstick.”

Y/N laughed. “ Well, yeah, we were going for a full beauty look, not drag makeup.”

Tom looked over at her. “Can I kiss you with this stuff on my face?”

Y/N grinned. “Yeah, it’s set so it shouldn’t smudge.”

Tom leaned over and gave her a tender but chaste kiss. “This looks amazing. If I ever have to wear makeup for a role I’m bringing you as my personal stylist.”

Y/N laughed again and turned back to the camera. “Well there you have it. Thanks so much again to Tom for being such a good sport and for letting me use him as my canvas, thanks to you for watching, and again, I know you guys will have questions, so leave us a comment down below and we’ll do our best to answer them in a later video. And always remember: Bring your inner beauty out. Bye, guys.”

“Bye,” Tom echoed.

“Annnd, cut.” Carmen stopped recording and closed the viewfinder on the camera before checking the time. “Ooh. I’ve got to run – gotta pick Simon up from daycare since my husband’s working late.”

Y/N nodded. “Don’t worry, we got this. Thanks so much for helping out this afternoon. I’ll see you later!”

Tom checked himself out in the mirror again as Carmen left. “This really looks fantastic. Can we get a few pictures so I can post them on Insta after the video is released?”

“Absolutely, babe.”  

Tom pulled out his phone and took a few selfies, then took some more shots of him & Y/N together. Tom texted Harrison one of the photos and laughed when he got a response.

“What?” Y/N asked.

“Haz said that the makeup is a vast improvement on me and that we make a very pretty couple,” Tom said.

Y/N smirked. “Tell Haz I’m willing to pretty him up for my audience too. Just say the word.” She bit her lip. “So the world is going to know we’re together in a few days’ time. I know I keep asking but you’re absolutely sure you’re ready to go public with our relationship? I know how much you value your privacy. Don’t feel like you have to do this for my benefit.”

“To be honest, I’ve been wanting to shout it from the rooftops,” Tom replied. “You have no idea how many times I’ve almost talked about you in an interview. You’re beautiful, talented, brilliant, and best of all, mine. Now I’ll be able to talk about my incredible professional Hollywood makeup artist girlfriend all the time.”

“Aww, honey, you’re too sweet.” Y/N gave Tom a long, slow kiss.

Tom stood. “Now, let’s get all this put away so we can go see just how 'long-lasting’ this makeup is.”

*************************3 days later***********************

Tom sat next to Y/N as she finished checking the settings on her latest video. Y/N added one more tag and sat back. “Ok, it’s done loading. Ready?”

Tom put his hand over hers on the mouse. “On the count of three. One, two…. three.”

And together, they clicked the 'publish’ button and revealed their relationship to the world.

[datprettystooner-blog]

Beauty Ideas To Help You Look Great

Concerning feeling and looking amazing, everybody has their tips on precisely what constitutes ideal beauty. Fortunately, this selection of handpicked beauty suggestions is sure to assist you to bring out the most effective in yourself yet others. With one of these helpful hints, you happen to be only moments clear of feeling and looking your own best. Find out more helps by visiting Glow Magazin

One of the most affordable tools to include in your makeup case will be the disposable triangular facial sponge. Dampen the sponge, then apply it to assist apply your facial makeup more smoothly. You may also make use of it to smooth down flaky skin patches everywhere in the face, as well as to soften makeup that appears to be caked-on.

Practice regular facial exfoliation!

Exfoliation is a superb strategy to use so that you can reveal the healthy skin layers that are hiding below the visible skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may not want to exfoliate each day, but you should still no less than try to get it done once or twice weekly. The process can give your facial skin a healthy glow, and maintain oils and dirt from developing.

Your follicles will probably be open and that may cause problems. For instance, you may experience discomfort and irritation. Scented soaps and lotions should be avoided also because they could also irritate your skin layer following sugaring or waxing.

Should you be looking for much-individualized attention from a cosmetics salesperson, go to the mall or shopping area during the early morning or daytime in the week. Should you continue on the weekend, your consultant will struggle to provide you with a thorough assessment and unhurried cosmetics application.

Work with a gel or creme blush as opposed to powder.

This sort of blush gives your skin a glowing and healthy look. Gel and creme blushes tend to be more transparent and blend more evenly than regular powder blush. You ought to rub this blush on your cheeks and blend upwards for a flawless finish.

In case you have overly round eyes, you can elongate them by adjusting your eyeliner application. The outer two-thirds of your own lower and upper lash lines must be lined with a dark brown liner. Both lines should meet in the outer corner for each eye. Finally, apply two coats of mascara in your outer upper lashes.

An eyelash curler might help improve the standard of your lashes. Curling your eyelashes can improve their perceived length and might add vitality to your eyes, meaning you'll be perceived as younger and able to face the morning. Start on the lash base and squeeze the curler, and then hold it just another. Then, bring the curler closer towards the ends of the lashes and squeeze yet again. This will give your lashes an all-natural curl as opposed to a sharp angle.

Always remove your makeup before heading to bed.

After a long, stressful day, it may be tempting to just slip into bed without finding the time to get rid of your makeup. However, sleeping with the makeup on might cause numerous problems including acne, blackheads and dried-out skin. By using only a few minutes before bed to get rid of your makeup, you can keep your skin layer clear, healthy and moisturized.

For the inexpensive, spa-like facial just lean yourself across a bowl of steaming boiling water! Cover or wrap the hair, fill any container with really warm water and let the steam to start and clear your pores! It is soothing and stimulating and extremely cost-effective. Follow up with cold water to seal and refresh pores, then add moisturizer!

Many women love to use concealer under their foundation. If you've exhausted your concealer, or can't think it is, look inside of the cap of your respective foundation. Liquid and lotion foundations often collect and thicken within the cap and may work well in a pinch being an emergency concealer.

When you wish to be a beautiful person just taking care of your body will not be enough. Also, you need to ensure your wardrobe is modern and appropriate. This does not necessarily mean you will need to buy every one of the best name brands but that you ought to take the time to figure out how to dress your body type.

Improve the quality of your skin,

some point that you could never overlook within your routine is a good exfoliation. You should do this twice weekly and you should have got a separate product to your face and your body. These will help to make the skin look younger.

A method to keep your eye shadow from creasing, as much oil as possible needs to be eliminated through your eyelids. You can do through a pressed powder or and eye shadow base before applying the color. This helps absorbs any oils on the eyelids and maintains the attention shadow from creasing.

You can spend a lot of money on special dandruff shampoos containing salicylic acid for dandruff and/or flaky scalp. But are you aware that salicylic acid is, the truth is, aspirin? So you can skip the expensive shampoos. Just take a consistent uncoated aspirin or two, crush it to your powder, and combine it with your shampoo. Allow it take a seat on your scalp for the minute and you will probably find it has got the same result as more expensive treatments.

You should think of a routine to care for your teeth,

also. A beautiful smile will give you very far in charming others. A good smile says a whole lot about yourself and conveys an amiable attitude.

Are you searching for a simple soft look? First, use a light liquid foundation. This will provide you with an all-natural feel. If you have to even your skin you may also apply concealer. Next, apply a soft creamy brown eyeshadow along with a coat of light mascara. Last, add peach tinted lip gloss. This provides you with the easy fresh look you would like.

No matter whom you happen to be or what you consider, there exists a pretty good chance that you just and many others can appreciate the recommendation in this article. Whether you would like a compact way to improve your natural splendor or want to result in major changes, the info you may have just read will offer a great starting point.

[kirkpatrick50mccarthy-blog]

How To Create A Spectacular Look For Your Wedding Event

A lot of people strive for beauty. People cover their encounters in makeup and employ the most up-to-date treatments, skin lotions, and anti--growing older formulas, all in order to be stunning. If you would like to become beautiful and check your greatest, then pay attention to the sweetness ideas in this article. Whenever you file your fingernails, ensure you don't submit within just one particular direction. This will place tension on your fingernails or toenails and make them weaken, become slim and split effortlessly. If you would like put in a crunch of color in your face midday, think about stocking high on a adhere of cream blush or a gel-dependent cheek blusher. Use a little bit for the apples of the cheek, then mixing in rounded motions. This keeps the face hunting new inside a organic and simply applied in a fashion that is particularly flattering. Instead of simply using lipstick instantly to your lip area in the pipe, invest in a excellent lip brush. This enables you to produce a a lot more effectively-outlined condition that does not smear or smudge throughout the oral cavity. Pucker up, then take your finger using your mouth area to avoid any lip stick from smudging on your tooth. In case you have an entire face, take into account modifying your head of hair color and style to generate a a lot more thin and slender look. Go for a reduce with extended, sleek collections and a span that drops in between the shoulder blades and also the jawline. Illustrates all around the face or lowlights can also help you appear fantastic. These look nice and can create your face more appealing. NHL Hockey Jerseys are able to implement makeup products to the large-established eye in a manner that is very flattering and may make the eyes show up much closer together. Initially, apply a darkish brownish or navy eyeliner for the internal corners of the eyes, then merge it with a sponge. Utilize your eyeshadow with the inner sides, then blend well outward. Opt for goods suitable for your skin type. While you are choosing your face treatment products, whether or not they are lotions, toners or cleaning agents, make certain they are right for your type of epidermis. Using items directed at your specific trouble spots can boost skin problem dramatically. Stick to this track of a regular face cover up that purifies. To handle greasy or oily head of hair, hair shampoo on alternate days and just rinse with h2o in the other days and nights. Sometimes Wholesale NFL Jerseys Supply with oily hair try and fight the trouble by above making use of hair shampoo. This gets rid of to significantly oil from your hair, helping to make the skin oil glands overcompensate to replace it. To help make shut establish view look additional away from each other, utilize your eyesight makeup so it will be heaver on the outside ends of your view. Use lighting Jerseys From China on the inner 1 / 2 of your vision and dark-colored shadow around the outside 50 %, blending both the collectively effortlessly in the middle. Then, to end off the look, use your eyeliner and mascara that it is heavier with the outside spot. This will offer the impression your eyeballs are positioned more away from each other. Whilst you may well be a decent beautician, it requires time as well as exercise to become a wonderful beautician. You should know you are in no way carried out studying it or what to do to improve your talent. With all the prior tips at heart, you will be well on your way to becoming a great beautician.

[canvasofthecosmos]

Neptune in the Houses

Neptune is the planet of illusions, spirituality, and escapism. It's your dream world, where you never feel dragged down by the droll of reality. The house it's placed in shows an area of your life where there is a foggy haze, a mirage, and nothing is quite as it seems.

**Also consider the signs! So if you’re a 3rd house Neptune in Sagittarius, you can look at the 9th house as well as the 3rd. Also include the sign that rules your 12th house(the sign before your ascendant.) You can also apply these descriptions to any pisces placement you have.**

1ST HOUSE– Unbridled neptunian traits. Here, the person morphs to every twitch of change in their surroundings, but doesn’t realize they’re doing so. Open martyrs. There is something mesmerizing about this person- they look at everyone as if a bit awestruck. Their eyes are wide-open, glossy, and unreadable. There’s a tendency towards rounded features and glisteny cheeks. Soft golds and shades of pink and orange suit them, as well as foamy green. Dissolving is their IDENTITY, which is a difficult thing to muster. Body dysmorphia is common. They tend towards escapism, pushing things a little too far(look at the sign of Neptune to see in what way. A Cancer Neptune would personify their home environment, whereas an Aquarius Neptune would morph to fit social groups.) They compulsively agree with people, and change their minds later. Losing themselves in their identity, they are the world’s dream.

Ex: Marilyn Monroe, Freddie Mercury, Paris Hilton, Jim Carrey, Bjork, Courtney Love, Andy Warhol

2ND HOUSE– The body is the outlet for Neptune. Self-image is incredibly fluid, with no sense of object permanence, often forgetting one’s own face until they look in the mirror. Their faces have a strange symmetry, as if the two halves are about to merge. The second house symbolizes self-worth, material belongings, and eating habits; all of these lack solidity with Neptune placed here. Very inconsistent eating patterns, judging the worth of objects based on sentimentality, and blending of self-worth with other people are common tendencies. Major identity merging, with a knack for drawing more rigid people out of their shells.

Ex: Donald Trump, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lawrence, Isaac Newton, Tom Hanks, Carl Jung, Marie Curie

3RD HOUSE– Childhood/early school life was likely very strange. They child had a habit for daydreaming and knew way more than they could verbalize. As a result, communication is now an enigmatic thing. This placement points to an excellent ability to visualize, and to freely move between realms within one’s thoughts. Very poetic. They can paint complex pictures with their words. However, clarity is not a strong point. Miscommunication is a frequent issue, with people just not -getting- what they’re saying. They’re way smarter than they often get credit for. Words come out backwards- and forwards- and seem to have a kaleidoscopic life of their own. This may point to someone who experimented with drugs at an early age, or was just subjected to heavy themes. They may be too surrendering to their friends or siblings, or have friends who are dreamy themselves.The dreamlife is chattery. Neptune is a mutable planet and the 3rd a mutable house, so these people are very changeable.

Ex: Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé Knowles, Keanu Reeves, Kurt Cobain, 14th Dalai Lama, Friedrich Nietzsche

4TH HOUSE– ‘Home’ is illusive with this placement. They have a great sense of devotion to their family(whether this be flesh and blood or not), but they can never seem to get things just -right-. Their inner world is cavernous and ever changing- the sense of security that they long for evades them. A feeling of being left behind, a ghost in their own home. Childhood memories may be hazy and idealized. They’re hypersensitive to their own emotional currents, often getting swept away in the tides. They spend a lot of time feeling their inner world out, and the physical home is often an outlet to that. It’s halls can feel like a sanctuary or a tomb depending on their mood. They can be a martyr to their family, sacrificing themselves as the glue that holds it all together.

Ex: Johnny Depp, Uma Thurman, Emma Watson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marilyn Manson, Sigmund Freud, Cher

5TH HOUSE– Neptune expresses especially creatively here, with the planet of dissolvement  and art in the house of childlike creation. Love can take this person to a different world. This person can easily get swept up in dramatic love affairs. They can be very idealistic, expecting everything to work out without any effort- their intention is enough. Love is the end all be all viewed through hazy pink shades. Nothing feels more divine than to create life- whether it be through art, romance, or even children. Their relationship with children can be mystical, as they raise children who are dreamy themselves. This is someone who loses themselves in the everyday celebration of living.

Ex: Martin Luther King, Drake, Tyra Banks, Charles Manson, Fergie, RuPaul, Jack Black

6TH HOUSE– This is interesting! It’s Neptune placed in its opposite(virgo) house. The 6th house rules health, routines, taking care of other people/pets, and work. Neptune adds a whole other dimension to all of this. This could be someone who treats daily work like a spiritual task, purifying everything with Neptune’s dewy glow. They could also treat their sacrifice as the ultimate burden. The thing about water planets/signs/etc is that they can be the most healing OR the most destructive. Neptune can raise things to the highest dimension possible, or it can simply cause rot. 6th house Neptune unhinged can let daily details slip away. The house is rotting- there’s mold in the walls and the sink is crawling- the fish haven’t been fed in days, you can’t remember the last time you ate. Surrendering yourself to what -needs- to be done will overcome this.

Ex: Mahatma Gandhi, Kanye West, Alexander the Great, Billie Holiday, Gordon Ramsay, Sigourney Weaver, Malala Yousafzai, Jackie Chan

7TH HOUSE– A tricky one. This person may not notice Neptunian traits in themselves, but simply because they project them on others. They draw sirens to them like a sailor, wide-eyed and dressed in silky scales. Interacting with people is a direct outlet to divinity. Their romantic partners could be in the occult community, artists, or medical professionals. They could be unstable, bottling substance abuse and hysteria. Loved ones may be institutionalized, or lead the 7th House Neptunian to hysteria themselves! Wherever Neptune is placed, infinity is wide open, and as such static ‘reality’ is hard to cope with. Their partners are adaptable to the extreme. Relationships may appear out of nowhere, shockingly perfect, and then slink away just as quickly. This is someone who interacts with spirit in their daily exchanges.

Ex: Mother Teresa, Amy Winehouse, Charlie Chaplin, Paul McCartney, Cate Blanchett, Jean-Paul Sartre

8TH HOUSE– Suspended in the murky waters of the 8th house, Neptune seeks new depth. It scrapes the bottom of reality, a mere splash of its tail causing turmoil. This person surrenders themselves to touchy subjects, whether it be sex, crossing emotional boundaries, or the mere act of being openly intimate wherever they go. They keep themselves wide open to be explored, which can make some uncomfortable. Whereas 4th house planets swim in their own emotional well of ancestry/family, the 8th house subjects anything it contacts to its probing, pulling precious insights to anyone and anything. With Neptune here, there is no plug. The individual can resort to escapism and self-destructive behaviours to escape this flood of information. Periods of intense obsession are one way to purge and breathe freely again. They experience intense highs and lows, many all-encompassing ego deaths that spit them out as a stronger being than they could ever before imagine. It’s possible this could include real near-death experiences. Spirituality and self-sacrifice is an all or nothing affair.

Ex: Adolf Hitler, Shakira, David Bowie, Lana Del Rey, Kristen Stewart, Whitney Houston, J. K. Rowling, Snoop Dogg

9TH HOUSE– Neptune is always searching in this house. The 9th house is explorative, no longer in the mental way of the 3rd house, but physically. The planets in this house get your legs moving and your heart pounding. With Neptune here, one is wide open to new experiences. They absorb others’ viewpoints like a sponge, with a heart calling for adventure. They collect artifacts that bring them closer to their ideal spirituality- shells, crystals, tarot cards, quotes. They may seem a little stereotypical in their spirituality, but that’s just because they’re so eager to learn! Surrender is a great adventure to them, and they humbly accept every opportunity. The biggest problem comes from an overzealous zest for exploration, which results in not traveling down any single path long enough to truly absorb it. I could see religious fanatics falling in this category, over-excited students who preach half-information on street corners. Regardless, their pure enthusiasm is contagious. Neptune is especially boundless here.

Ex: Rihanna, Elvis Presley, Brigitte Bardot, Heath Ledger, Vincent Van Gogh, Bob Dylan, Carrie Fisher

10TH HOUSE– Neptunian traits are broadcasted here, as the 10th house is where you stand on the world’s stage. The public’s perception of you is always a little -off-. These folks can be viewed as more perfect than they actually are, because they serve as a reflection of the public’s desires. They morph to fit the structure they’re given. Being publicly known as a savior, a star. Publicly known substance abuse. An overly-empathetic boss.. A lazy boss. Long term goals that slip through the hands like sand. They dream of being in control, utterly in charge of their fate. They may create the illusion of having power over others, while feeling entirely helpless. Jobs in customer-service, cinema, body modification, the medical field, and spiritual work. Feeling pressured to be forgiving. Having an absent father. Hypersensitivity to criticism and nonexistent boundaries. Everyone views you as something different.

Ex: Princess Diana, Napoleon, Bruce Lee, Pablo Picasso, Bob Marley, Russell Brand, Patti Smith

11TH HOUSE– A feeling of confusion and mysticism surrounds friendship. The 11th house rules group associations and with Neptune they come and go freely, as if connected to one’s moods. An experimental spirituality, with robotic dreams. Dreams are discussed in group settings. Their inner world is electrifying and detached, morphing into crystalline images of the future. Losing your identity in groups. Sacrificing oneself to humanitarian causes. Dreams that never match up with reality. Using groups to escape mundane reality- role-playing, fantasy games, book clubs, night clubs, group drug usage. Using the internet to escape. Sharing art on the internet… only making art with others. Electric guitar/synthesizers. Space-age music. Shocking talents. Illusive friends. Having vague feelings of mistrust towards humanity. Sticking out like a sore thumb. Being quiet in groups, yet omnipresent. People have vague feelings of mistrust towards you. Getting walked all over. Having clear boundaries is important. Don’t feel uncaring for being direct– your security is important and most aren’t as open as you!

Ex: Albert Einstein, Hillary Clinton, Mozart, Nicki Minaj, Robin Williams, George Harrison, William Shakespeare, Frida Kahlo, Shia Labeouf

12TH HOUSE– This is Neptune in its home, so these people can accidentally be the most Neptunian of all. Whatever is in the 12th house is a “big secret”, subconsciously repressed, but the thing about secrets is that they seep into everything. Neptune in the 12th house is secretly hypersensitive. Part of them wants to slip away and never be seen again. The 12th house is everything- a reflection of every sign and then some- so EVERYTHING is a sacrifice with this placement. They’re easily absorbed into what’s going on around them, but nothing really compares to their inner world. The inner world is soft and warm and always morphing into some new kaleidoscopic shape. It’s never stagnant like reality, utterly predictable in its dull human colors and rigid shapes. It’s not surprising for these people to be shut-ins, allowing them a boundary for self-reflection. They feel guilty for how content they are entirely alone(the rest of the chart interferes ofc.) Hiding away from everything uncomfortable isn’t the answer, but neither is blind sacrifice. Finding a way to express this private sea of symbols in a way that is tangible to everyone around them and, most importantly, to themselves is important.

Ex: Prince, Salvador Dali, Nikola Tesla, Winona Ryder, Hillary Duff, Joan of Arc, Erykah Badu, Sid Vicious

[neoyeppuda]

Loving You - love triangle!Mingyu and Seungkwan scenario

Request: Mingyu and Seungkwan both crushing on yn

Word Count: 1391

A/N: ANONIE I'M SORRY IF THIS SUCKS I'M NOT GOOD AT LOVE TRIANGLES BUT I DID MY VERY BEST!! I was looking for a mingyu and seungkwan gif but all tumblr gave me was other members asfgjkl tumblr pls. But I just used this because it's sooooo pretty!!!! I drew inspiration from "The Lady or The Tiger" (it's a short story) because I didn't know how to end it :"( I'm sorry guys. Oh but if y'all want me to make the 3 different endings (one for seungkwan, one for mingyu, and one for someone else) then send an ask or leave a comment!! Just let me know and I'll do it :> Thank you for reading this long ass bs!! -Clar

Love is a fickle thing. People can fall in love at first sight and fall out of love just as quickly. You never know when it hits you but when it does, it hits you hard. You could fall in love with the most unexpected people; a stranger, a friend, someone you've never even met, or maybe even someone else's love.

To Mingyu, falling in love with you was the best and worst thing that has ever happened to him.

"I love her," Seungkwan confessed to him one night. Ever since then, the little butterflies that he got whenever he saw you was completely ignored. Giddy feelings that were aroused whenever you were near him were suppressed. He wasn't ready to betray him like that; it was difficult.

But giving you up was just as hard.

"Hey (y/n)," you turned around, raising an eyebrow at him expectantly. Mingyu was cooking when you entered to grab a drink and you decided to sit down to keep him company. Once you turned around you saw him flinch, biting his lip and looking down, "would you mind tasting this?" You instantly agree, walking up to him and asking for another spoon. He grabs one, scooping up some soup before bringing it to your mouth. You gave him a look before reluctantly opening your mouth.

The happy look you had when you tasted it made him want to embrace you right there and then. As much as he wanted to; he couldn't. You proceeded to compliment his dish, asking him if he could teach you sometime. He gladly agreed, nodding eagerly as he encouraged you to come to him anytime. Once you left, it felt like Mingyu could breathe again. The ongoing conflict inside of him just wasn't ending any time soon. Tell me, was betraying someone worth it?

Seungkwan was busy writing a song. Your birthday was coming up and he wanted it to be special. Every day, every night, he'd spend hours on end to think of lyrics that an angel like you deserved. He'd write the millions of things he loved about you and drew inspiration from them. On some days his pen would smoothly glide across the paper, and on other days it would come to a screeching stop. Writing a whole song sounded easy but it never really is. He'd sometimes test out beats and melodies until he got more inspiration for his lyrics. Endlessly worrying about whether he'd make it in time or not, he spent many sleepless nights tossing and turning until dawn came and he was still awake. Were you worth all this?

The things they've sacrificed with you in mind were matters that only people who knew love could understand. No matter how much they wanted to reach out to you, it was frightening. Will they ever get to you? They bided their time, unsure of when to make the first move. The constant torment of yearning and not being able to be with you was excruciating misery.

Loving you was pain.

Time flew by pretty quickly and your birthday came. They all greeted you and spent the whole day celebrating. The two boys were both anxious yet at the same time so excited. Seungkwan clutched sheets of paper close to his chest, taking deep breaths as his hands trembled. Mingyu excused himself and hurried to the kitchen. He didn't come back even though they had started singing.

"아름다운 그대에게 (To the beautiful you)," the soft low note started off the song Seungkwan made for you. The smile you had and the tears of joy that filled your eyes made all those sleepless nights feel insignificant. You embraced him warmly, telling him you loved the song. Your thank you gave him the same happiness as a groom would have upon hearing his lovely bride say, "I do." Honestly, you were worth all of it and so much more.

Mingyu rushed out of the kitchen, holding a big round cake with flowers and candles on it. There was a dedication written in chocolate saying: "Happy birthday (y/n)! We love you!" He watched as you blew out the candles and took the first bite.

It was soft and moist, practically melting in your mouth. The sweetness of the custard and the fluffy vanilla sponge complimented each other, blending well with the milky chocolate that was glazed over the whole thing. You hummed in ecstacy, "Mingyu this is great!" He simply smiled in response. He couldn't forget the look on your face, enjoying the cake he perfected just for you. One look at you and he was in the clouds.

Loving you was happiness.

The party was all fun and games but the two boys only thought of you, the hug, and the "thank you" you gave them. Loud cheers and laughter filled the room yet they remained undisturbed by it. Confetti started to collect on them, but neither minded.

Mingyu couldn't stop thinking about how Seungkwan would feel if he confessed to you. It suddenly didn't matter as much. You were more important; as if he could just forget about everything and run to you. He was took a sip of water, promising to himself that he'd tell you everything tomorrow.

Loving you was driving him insane.

Seungkwan sighed, contemplating his feelings for you. He felt determined to tell you everything, he wanted to know. The way you smiled at him and simply everything about you made him feel like maybe, just maybe, you could fall in love with him too. He had to tell you tomorrow.

But he wouldn't have it any other way.

You sat beside your best friend Wonwoo in the library, at the usual table in the corner of the room. He was talking about a book when his phone vibrated, cutting him off mid-sentence. His lips curved into a knowing smile as his thumbs began pressing on keys to type up a short reply. "Let's leave," Wonwoo abruptly stood up and nudged you before he began to walk. You trotted behind him, hugging your bag close to your chest as you had no time to fix it, "why so suddenly?" He chuckled, opening the door for you. Behind the door was the boy that made your heart beat faster, standing on the lowest step of the staircase. Your eyes met but you averted your gaze. A small blush formed on your cheeks.

"Someone needs to talk to you," Wonwoo exhanges looks with him before bidding the two of you goodbye.

You were left alone with him, on the staircase. Looking up, you noticed that the sky was painted in a calming light grey color that covered the pretty blue morning sky that greeted you on the way to the library. The weather was chilly, with the occasional strong breeze that would bring hair into your mouth. The boy's chest subtly heaved up and down with his mouth slightly parted. He looked like he just ran a marathon just to get here.

"(Y/n)," he chuckled, "I ran all the way here." He got closer and closer until your lips were millimeters away. His breath was hot and all over your face. The boy's eyes were just as warm as his breath, taking in your face up close. He smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from your mouth, "hey." You were caught off guard when he suddenly whispers into your ear, "I have to tell you something and I want you to answer me honestly, okay?"

You nod, "of course."

He took a deep breath and looked at you straight into your eyes, "I love you," his voice sounded so serious and confident you weren't sure if this was the same man you knew. "I love you so much," his lips tugged into a small smile, "loving you is the best thing I've ever done." You only stared at him, eyes wider than usual.

"So," he looked at you anticipatingly, "what do you think?" He bit his lip, the confidence he had slowly crumbled away. "Honestly?" you asked in a small voice, looking up at him. He tilts his head and shrugs, "well," his voice was shaky, "yeah."

You pulled him closer until your lips met. You felt his lips curve up into a smile against yours; he got his answer.

So, who confessed?

[andsewingishalfthebattle]

Can you do a tutorial on contouring for costume/cosplay makeup? Either a photo post or video when you have the time! I wish to exit the realm of pancake faces

Certainly! Prepare to bid farewell to the pancake face! (Unless you are, in fact, cosplaying a pancake. I’m sure that’s a thing in some fandom.)

Contouring is a great technique to practice. It’s one of the easiest ways to make yourself look better in photos, as it adds depth and prevents flattening. It’s also the basis for a lot of character design makeup, as it allows you to change the appearance of your facial structure (making your face look thinner or wider, making cheekbones more dramatic, making eyes look sunken, etc.).

Full tutorial after the jump!

Some costumes require more contouring than others. When I cosplay glamorous or slender characters (or anything drawn by CLAMP), I may use quite a bit of contouring to try to make my face look slimmer or more angular:

On the other hand, when I cosplay a more broad-faced character such as Captain Jack Harkness, I actually minimize contouring to make my face look wider and flatter, because my face is actually much narrower than actor John Barrowman’s (left):

It’s a good idea to experiment with your makeup design for each character, and decide what style of contouring works best for each one!

Basic Contouring – or, How to Make the Camera See Your Face in Three Dimensions

Unlike humans, who see depth via binocular vision, the camera has only a single lens. This means that in photos, anything that is not defined by shadow or perspective tends to get mashed into a single flat shape. When you are the thing that gets flattened, it usually isn’t flattering. (You’ve heard the saying “the camera adds 15 pounds”? This is why.)

The basic principle behind contouring is to simulate naturally-occurring highlights and shadows with cosmetics, so the camera can “see” your face as a three-dimensional object, and you still look normal in photos instead of washed-out or flattened.

To that end, we’re going to put lighter makeup on all the places that would naturally reflect light, and darker makeup in places where there would normally be shadows. How much/what color makeup you use will determine how dramatic the effect is. If you want to look mostly natural, keep your colors neutral and don’t apply them too heavily. Be sure to blend everything well to eliminate hard edges!

FOR REFERENCE: The ideal contouring pattern varies from person to person, because everyone’s face has a unique shape. But very generally speaking, these are the areas of the face that can benefit from highlight (cream) or shadow (tan). You don’t have to do all of them, but I would suggest experimenting with different combinations to determine which areas are most beneficial to shade on your own face. (Please forgive my very rough coloring job here!)

Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

Contouring can get very elaborate, but you don’t have to slather on layers of makeup to see a difference in your photos. You can get great results even with some very simple shading! In this demo, I’ll show you simple contouring techniques for a natural look suitable for general photography (meaning, I’m not demonstrating a specific character design).

Here are the supplies I’ll be using. I’ll give more details about each of these as I reach each step:

foundation

highlighter (any makeup slightly lighter than foundation)

contour shadow (any makeup slightly darker than foundation)

neutral eyeshadow, slightly darker than skin tone (optional)

makeup brushes

Here’s the baseline – my face freshly washed and moisturized, using a light coverage BB cream as foundation:

Dangerously close to pancake face! My cheekbones have vanished, and my forehead is just a rectangle. If this were a flash photo lit directly from the front instead of by the overhead lights in my bathroom, my face would look like a washed-out platter with no depth whatsoever.

Since I like having cheekbones in photos, I’m going to use some highlighter to bring up the value of the areas I want to look more prominent, such as the top of the cheekbone. For a more feminine look, you can also highlight the browbone (just beneath the arch of the eyebrow). Depending on the shape of your face and the effect you want, you can also highlight the center of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, along the hairline, and/or the chin.

TO APPLY: If your highlighter is a liquid or cream, make a row of small dots across the cheekbone, then blend with your fingers or a sponge. If it’s a powder, smile wide and sweep the color lightly over the top of the cheek toward the corner of your eye, then relax your cheeks and blend the color out with a brush.

For other areas of the face, follow the same technique (row of dots/single sweep and blend). Try to keep your application light. You don’t want makeup sitting visibly on top of your skin after it’s blended. 

There are MANY types of cosmetic highlighters on the market, but you can use any type of makeup that is one to two shades lighter than your foundation. For cosplay/photography purposes, you generally want to avoid things that have a lot of shine or shimmer (as they can reflect camera flash), but any matte or low-gloss makeup will work. Here are a few of the products I’ve used as highlighter:

L -> R: loose highlight powder, pressed eyeshadow, cream eye pencil, liquid concealer, liquid “skin brightener” (a sheer light-reflecting liquid)

COLOR NOTE: Make sure any contouring makeup you use doesn’t clash with your skin! Keep all your makeup in the same color family for a natural look. You can step up or down in value (lightness/darkness), but don’t shift the color tone, or you may end up with a weird patch effect in photos.

Once we’ve highlighted the areas we want to reflect more light, we need to shade in the areas that would normally be in shadow, such as below the cheekbones. For this, you want to use something one to two shades darker (but in the same color family) as your foundation. This can be a contouring cream, bronzer, neutral blush, or even eyeshadow.

To find a natural-looking shadow tone, I suggest matching your contour makeup with the shadows you see on your face (such as below the nose or jawline). Don’t go much darker, or you may look bruised!

TO APPLY: Suck your cheeks in, and draw an imaginary line from the hollow of your cheeks (between your molars) to the hinge of your jaw (just in front of your ear). Relax your cheeks, and apply your shadow along that line. For creams, make a row of small dots, then blend with fingers or a makeup sponge. For powders, use a brush to sweep the color along that diagonal line, then blend out the edges so you don’t have a hard line where the color stops.

For precise contouring, I like to apply my shading powder using an angled cheek brush (the one I’m using here is a hakuho-do Kusabi brush; the sample pic below is by bareMinerals), but any kind of powder brush will work.

I add a bit of shadow below my jawline as well, especially if I’m going to be crossplaying (as male characters are often depicted with stronger jawlines). This also helps define your jaw so you don’t look like you have a double chin (or no chin!) in badly-lit photos.

I also add a very light contour shadow running from the outside of my forehead to the temple, because my forehead is curved and I want the camera to see it that way.

Be conservative with this application! You don’t want to look like you have divots in your head. :)

Next, I shade lightly around the eye area using a neutral eyeshadow that is slightly darker than my skin tone. (You can also use the same contouring shadow you used on your cheeks, if it’s not too dark.) This is just to add depth so my eyes aren’t washed out in photos; I’m not doing any proper eye makeup (liner/mascara) yet.

I recommend using a soft eyeshadow brush with rounded bristles, like this:

TO APPLY: Using a small brush, sweep a very light layer of color between the browbone and the crease of the eyelid, then blend. Depending on the shape of your eyes, you may also want to shade into the area between the inner corner of your eye and the eyebrow to add depth. Follow the areas where you see naturally-occurring shadows above your eyes, and keep the application very light.

The color simply intensifies the natural shadows already on your face so the camera can pick them up. It shouldn’t look dark or unnatural. For comparison, here’s a photo with and without eye area shading:

…And that’s basic contouring!

In other words, that’s the first layer of your makeup design. :) From here, you can go on and add other cosmetics such as eye makeup, blush, lipstick, stubble, scars, or whatever other character-specific makeup design you want to do, but this basic contouring will allow the camera to see your face properly without flattening you into a pancake.

Here are the before-and-after shots from this demo, so you can see the difference even a small amount of contouring makes:

Hooray! No more pancake face!

Remember, the contouring can be customized, intensified, or removed as necessary to help you better resemble your character. Contouring can be very subtle or highly dramatic. Experiment with different shading effects to see how you can change your face!

[royalexpertmercury-blog]

Gurdev Singh Ortus Put Your Best Face Forward With These Beauty Hints!

Gurdev Singh Ortus Qualified tips provider. When it comes to looking and feeling amazing, everyone has their own ideas on just what constitutes ideal beauty. Fortunately, this selection of handpicked beauty tips and tricks is sure to help you bring out the best in yourself and others. With these helpful hints, you are only moments away from looking and feeling your personal best.

Before you go tanning, exfoliate skin. This helps smooth your skin. Your artificial tan will apply evenly after this. This also helps extend its longevity.

Brighten up your eyes with this natural look: apply a light, neutral-colored eye shadow to your entire upper eyelid. Look for sand, khaki, beige, or fawn colors. This will neutralize any redness on your lids, which can make you appear older and tired. Add drama by smudging a darker shade on the lids just in the crease.

Gurdev Singh Ortus Most excellent service provider. Eyeliner can add impact in a way that few products can. Steady your elbow on the table to avoid making mistakes, then use an eye pencil with a dull point to draw on a series of small dashes across the upper lash line. Use a smudging tool or sponge to blend the dashes to create a single line.

If you plan to head out right after work, it is easy to get a fresh look by dusting some matte powder on oilier areas with a big brush. You can also make your cheekbones stand out by adding a small amount of shimmery powder on both cheeks.

Always keep a stash of vitamin E. It can be used for many different things. It's good for keeping your skin soft. Vitamin E is also an effective way to soften cuticles.

Never go to the cosmetics counter for skincare application tips while your skin is irritated, bumpy, or in especially bad shape. Applying a new cosmetic product over the irritated skin can actually make the condition much worse. Wait until the condition has improved, then make the trip and set up an appointment.

Gurdev Singh Ortus Best service provider. If you have overly round eyes, you can elongate them by adjusting your eyeliner application. The outer two-thirds of your lower and upper lash lines should be lined with a dark brown liner. The two lines should meet at the outer corner of each eye. Finally, apply two coats of mascara to your outer upper lashes.

Tone down a lipstick that is too bold or bright. A great way to make an overly pigmented shade easier on the eyes is to put some on the back of your hand, dab it with foundation, mix, and apply to lips. Your new shade should now be a better match for your tone.

If you ever find yourself relly under time pressure, here's a great tip on how to do a quick makeup job. Put some waxy lip balm on your fingertip. Then put a dark eyeliner on top of that. Smear it onto your eyes. Then finish with mascara. Apply lipstick. You're ready to go!

Smoking, besides being linked to a myriad of health problems, also has an extremely negative affect on the way you look. One of the best beauty tips is to never smoke a cigarette in your life, and if you are a smoker, stop immediately. Smoking prematurely ages the skin and causes wrinkles, it makes acne worse and it turns your teeth yellow.

If you suffer from hair loss or brittle hair it may be caused by a poor diet and a lack of essential nutrients. In order to ensure that your hair is strong and healthy consider supplementing your diet with the following vitamins: Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin H, Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Zinc.

Gurdev Singh Ortus Proficient tips provider. To get super shiny hair, try giving your hair some deep conditioning! After washing your hair, squeeze out all excess water and apply a healthy dollop of conditioner to your hair, focusing on your hairline, the nape of the hair, and the ends. Apply a shower cap and let the conditioner soak in 10 minutes before you rinse it out. You'll have gorgeous silky hair when it dries!

Hand lotion can be a great fix for a bad hair day! In the cold of winter when static has you looking electric, rub a small amount of lotion on your hands and gently pat your hair down. In the humid summer, do the same on the ends of your hair to tame frizz!

Lotion will help to prevent ingrown hairs when used daily. Immediately after shaving, use lotion on your skin to prevent ingrown hairs. One big cause of ingrown hairs is dry skin, and the lotion prevents that. It keeps the skin moisturized. This can help with getting rid of the ingrown hairs and will help them from not forming anymore.

When looking at beauty products, you should always be sure to check out as many reviews as possible. Sometimes it is not worth it to spend a lot for a product when you can purchase the same type of product for much less. Other times it is essential that you spend the extra money to get the right product.

To get rid of white patches on your nails, consume more calcium. The patches are a sign of vitamin deficiency. Clearing up those white spots will allow you to get a smoother and more consistent look with your nail polish. If you can't add more calcium to your diet, start taking a supplement.

Gurdev Singh Ortus Expert tips provider. Regardless of who you are or what you believe, there is a good chance that you and many others can appreciate the advice in this article. Whether you are looking for a small way to enhance your natural beauty or hope to bring about major changes, the information you have just read is sure to provide a great starting point.

[theantibridezilla]

Test Drives: Sutra Beauty, Coastal Scents, Milk Makeup, Mineral Air & Formawell Beauty

Today’s Test Drives is a big one as I’m reviewing quite a few things in one post. I’m doing a mix of hair and makeup with this one. While I always cover makeup, I don’t usually cover hair products. In today’s review, we’re covering Sutra Beauty, Coastal Scents, Milk Makeup, Mineral Air and Formawell Beauty. So, I was definitely psyched to check out these hair tools. As usual, I’ll share what items were gifted versus purchased. We’ll start with makeup and work our way to hair.

Mineral Air Complexion & Blush Kit (gifted)

Airbrushed makeup isn’t necessarily new but this version is pretty innovative in that it runs on battery or USB charge which makes it travel friendly. That makes it different from some of the other airbrush makeup brands as you don’t need to be plugged into a power source. To use, add up to 10 drops of your preferred foundation shade (or mix of shades) into the reservoir. Simply press down the power button and wave the applicator across your face while leaving a three to four inch distance. The foundation promises to prime, conceal and hydrate.

What I like:

Airbrush makeup can seem like an intimidating tool because there’s often a steep learning curve to master the technique. But considering how straightforward this product was to use (as compared to other airbrushed products I’ve received), it was really user friendly. Also, Mineral Air promises to give you “your skin but better”, and they definitely deliver on that promise. I’m now five or so hours into wearing this makeup and I don’t feel like I have any foundation on at all. Additionally, I like that you can achieve a custom foundation by mixing the available shades. I used 7 drops of Deep and 3 of Mocha to achieve a hue closest to my own.

What could be better:

While this product was easy to use, at first I wasn’t even sure if anything was coming out of the reservoir. So, ultimately, I ended up applying the product twice (or using two rounds of 10 drops). Additionally, even though the foundation looked great under natural or warm lights, under my ring light it gave me an ashen cast.      

Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Radiant (purchased)

Coastal Scents is a great place to stock up on shadows and blushes at ridiculously budget friendly prices. Back around Black Friday, I stocked up on a ton of items during their BF/CM sale, including buying a bunch of blushes.

What I like:

As someone who lives for a more orange hued blush, I loved that this offered intense color payoff with minimal use of product. I was able to achieve the same level of rosy cheeks that I can get from NYX Cosmetics’ Ombre “Feel the Heat” (discontinued) or Kevyn Aucoin’s Neo-Blush in Sunset.

What Could Be Better:

While it’s not a deal breaker, I do wish this wasn’t a matte shade and offered a tiny bit of shimmer. Without shimmer, blush can appear flat.

Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in Supernova (gifted)

Depending on who you talk to, Milk is either the most amazing makeup brand or just “meh”. Their Holographic Stick promises to give you a bit of subtle shimmer and in a soft purple hue that you can build into an intense opaque effect if you really want to.

What I like:

This is actually a great cream dupe version for my favorite Kevyn Aucoin Neo-Limelight Ibiza highlight. It’s frostier than Ibiza, but if you know how to apply sparingly, (and pair with a warm bronzer/highlight), you can still achieve the same effect. Also, it really does apply sheer, so you can wear as little or as much as you want without the risk of overdoing it on the first swipe.

What could be better:

Even though the stick form is meant to be an “easy” way to apply, it’s not if you intend to wear more makeup than this stick or apply it after other makeup steps. I found the best method was to do like I did with Buxom’s Divine Goddess palette and use a damp blending sponge to apply to my cheekbones and bridge of my nose.

Sutra Beauty Vapor Infused Flatiron (gifted)

I’ve been holding onto this (and the next) flatiron for a while waiting for the perfect opportunity to test it. Since I opted to switch up my hairstyle to a protective style until Spring decides to return, now was as good a time as any. Sutra’s Vapor Infused Flatiron basically gives you the option to seamlessly treat your hair to a mist of keratin and argan oil (a solution which comes with the flatiron) while straightening your hair. To use, you fill the reservoir with the vapor oil, tap the vapor button on the side of the iron to turn on this setting and then get to work flatironing your hair.

What I like:

I’m not ashamed to admit, I was a tad skeptical when I first received this flatiron. I like the idea of using natural oils to nurture my hair and I was curious if this flatiron could really present a noticeable difference. So, the hair I’m wearing today is actually a body wave texture. And over the weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to set it on bantus, which ended up leaving me with 1980s era big country music diva hair (and that was not my goal). So, today after I washed out the big hair, I decided to see how this hair would handle a blow dry, straightening and style. The best way I can describe the vapor infusion is if you wanted to do a hot oil treatment without going through the messy process of an oily wash. So, this flatiron will definitely give you that sleek finish.

What could be better:

While there’s a lot to like about this flatiron, there is a small bit of a learning curve. The vapor oil reservoir has to be in a downward facing position to work properly if you turn on the vapor setting. Also, that reservoir makes this flatiron a little cumbersome if you’re trying to make it a multipurpose styling tool. I’m sure some people could probably use this tool to create flips and curls, but that reservoir might make it difficult to do for the average Joe or Jane.

Additionally, it’s really dangerous that this flatiron defaults at 450F the minute you turn it on. While most flatirons will start around 295 or 350, this one goes for the highest setting. So, as soon as you turn this on adjust the temperature to avoid heat damage.

Formawell Beauty x Kendall Jenner 1″ Iron (gifted)

A flatiron should be in every woman’s beauty tool kit because if you buy the right size, it can be the only tool you need to pack in your travel kit. If you’re looking for a lux flatiron that will amp up the Instagram worthiness of your vanity, then this is it thanks to its sleek white packaging and rose gold accents.

What I like:

To be really honest, this is a standard flatiron that looks sexy. This is a great standard flatiron that can help you create curls without having to lug around multiple tools. Also, while you absolutely should not go up to 450F unless you’re doing a Brazilian straightening or Silk Press treatment, this can reach those temperatures with ease. While Sutra’s flatiron helped to give me sleek hair, Formawell was super easy to use to create the loose curls.

What could be better:

Personally, the one thing that is a bit of a wonk factor for me is that there’s only one button to manage everything. Rather than creating separate temperature control buttons, you have to keep pushing the power button to set the temperature.

My Verdict:

So who won and who lost? Sutra Beauty, Formawell, and Coastal Scents were hands down my favorites. While Sutra’s Vapor Infusion Flatiron can’t pull double duty, the sleek oil infusion is a winner. Likewise, I’ll probably be taking Formawell’s flatiron with me to San Francisco next week. I wish Coastal Scents’ Forever Blush had a shimmer to it, but even as a matte, it rocks.

Mineral Air has an intriguing product offering with a very straightforward and travel friendly airbrush. Personally, I think the color range is still a little limited. So, while it’s not a “fail”, it’s a “I’ll keep my eye out to see if they increase their shade range.” Likewise, Milk Makeup’s Holographic Stick isn’t a fail, but I’m not a fan of stick highlighters. So, I’ll keep it as a backup for my Kevyn Aucoin Ibiza.

Check out more of my Test Drives here.

Full Makeup Details:

Primer: E.L.F. Cosmetics Antioxidant Booster Drops Foundation: Mineral Air Foundation in Deep + Mocha Brows: NYX Cosmetics Love Contours All Palette Dark Eyeshadow Pan Eye Liner: Wet n Wild Pro Line Felt Tip Liner Lashes: Kawaii Girl Cosmetics Ebisu Concealer: Kevyn Aucoin Etherealist Super Natural Concealer in #08 Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Deep Blush: Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Radiant Highlight/Bronzer: Buxom Cosmetics Divine Goddess Illuminating Highlight Palette in Athena & Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in Supernova Lips: Sara Happ The Ruby Slip Gloss

[5sosfam-27]

Graduation night

Hello loves! Please tell me if I should keep writing on this or if it’s ass and I should quit. I hope you enjoy💛

My alarm went off at 4. Meaning we were two hours away from having to be at the school for graduation. It was really happening.

I reached across Ash to grab my phone to turn the alarm off. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me on top of him. His face went right in between my boobs, making me slightly uncomfortable. "Um, Ash. You're face is in my boobs. And we gotta get ready." I told him trying to get up. His arms just wrapped tighter around me. I gave in letting all of my weight go on him. I felt him breathe in really heavy before turning his face towards me.

"This is really happening isn't it?" He asked. I looked into his eyes and I could tell that he was scared. We were bound to go off to college. Different colleges. We would probably never see each other again. "It is, babe. It's time. Come on and get ready." I told him pushing myself up off of him.

I needed to go to my house to get ready since all my makeup was over there. "I need to go to my house to get ready. But if you hurry and get dressed you can came lay in my bed while I get ready." I told him pulling him out of bed. He of course just went limp, making my life difficult. I just kinda let him slide into the floor.

"I'll take that deal. I like watching you do your makeup." He said from the floor. He was so weird. And that was one of my favorite things about him. I went to his closet and grabbed his dress shirt and slacks. I found a tie threw in the top of the closet that was still knotted. I laid the clothes on his bed and started to unknot the tie.

"Get your ass up outta the floor. Get dressed, Ash. Please." I stuck my bottom lip out and batted my lashes. He sighed loudly before standing up. It always worked on him. "Fine. Only cause you did the lip thing and said please." He started stripping down to his boxers. He threw his shirt on my head and pushed me onto the bed.

"What the hell man?" I asked throwing the shirt in the floor. He shrugged while giggling. "Cause it was funny." He told me pulling his pants up. He slipped his shirt on, not bothering to button it. He grabbed his shoes and socks, slipping them on quickly. He grabbed his cap and gown throwing it over his shoulder and slipping his cap on. I grabbed the tie and held my hand out towards him. He took it, pulling me out the door.

We walked downstairs and was met by his mom and siblings. "Hi sweetie. How are you?" His mom asked. She was always so sweet to me. I was really going to miss her warm, welcoming smile. "I'm really good. I'm gonna go get ready then it'll be time for us to go to the school for one last time." I told her. She started tearing up, pulling us both into a hug. I hugged her back as tightly as I could. I would miss all of this. I felt Ashton pull out of the hug but me and his mom just stood there. I heard Ash clear his throat and I stepped back. She was full on crying now. "I love you. We'll be back over for pictures." I told her, wiping her tears. She nodded, giving me a quick on the cheek.

We walked over to my house in silence. I looked around, taking in what had been my home for over half of my life. It really was beautiful here. I would miss it. I pushed open the door, Ash's hand still in mine. If I kept thinking about leaving then I would cry. I had a feeling that I would cry tonight. My mom was sitting in the living room with pictures surrounding her. I looked closer at them, realizing they were of me when I was a baby.

"Hi momma." I said starting to tear up. She looked up at with her tear rimmed eyes and I lost it. She opened her arms to me and I ran into them. I sat beside her, pulling her into a hug. I would miss her most of all. She was my rock. When the world felt like it was ending, she was always there, waiting for me with open arms. "I love you baby. And I want you to know how proud I am of you." She told me, rubbing my back. "I love you too momma." I told her, wiping my tear covered face. She looked up at Ash who was just standing there awkwardly.

"Ashton. Come here son." She said opening her arms to him too. He walked over to us and sat between us. She pulled him into a big hug and started crying again, causing me to cry harder. They were my everything. "I'm so proud of you too. Thank you for always being there for my baby." She told him, kissing his cheek. "It's my pleasure. I wouldn't wanna have anyone else as my best friend." He said looking at me. I nodded, grabbing his hand.

"Okay mom. I gotta go get ready. I told Anne that we'd come back by for pictures. So I gotta hurry." I told her standing up. She nodded. "Okay baby. I'll be waiting for you." She said patting Ashton's hand. He kissed her head before standing up. He was one of the sweetest guys I know. He hates to admit but he's just a big sweetheart.

We headed upstairs to my room for me to get ready. He took his shoes off and laid in my bed. He would probably fall back asleep. He wrapped himself up in my pink blanket, causing me to giggle. He looked so cute all bundled up and sleepy. "Don't you fall asleep on me. What do you wanna listen to?" I asked him. He shrugged. "Whatever you want." I looked through my songs trying to decide what I was in the mood for. I ended up just clicking a random playlist.

I grabbed my cup of water and dipped my makeup sponge in it. "Why do you do that?" Ash asked. I thought he had fallen asleep. "I don't know honestly. It makes the foundation blend easier I guess." I told him. He nodded, watching my every move. I grabbed my loose powered to set my face. I really couldn't have it melting off tonight. I grabbed my James palette and turned around to face Ash.

"What look should I go for?" I asked him holding up the palette. "Do something with brown. It makes your eyes stand out more." He told me. I nodded, turning back around in my chair. I grabbed my brushes and went to work on doing a brown Smokey eye. Winged liner always makes me feel prettier. I don't know why though.

After I had finished all my makeup I turned around and looked at Ash. He was laying there wrapped up in my blanket still. He looked beautiful laying there, pink blanket and all. I stood up, heading for my closet. I grabbed my black dress and black high heels. Our gowns were red so it worked out perfect.

I went into my bathroom to change and fix my hair. I had no clue what to do with it and I was running out of time. I grabbed my cap that I had sat on the sink and put it on. It was a weird sight to see. Me, all glammed up in my cap and gown. It was really happening. I grabbed a few Bobby pins to make sure it stayed in place. I glanced at myself one last time before walking out to Ash. It was time.

"Ash, it's time. Put your cap and gown on. We gotta go take pictures now." I told him, gently shaking him awake. He nodded getting up slowly. He buttoned up his shirt and slipped his shoes back on. He grabbed his cap and gown that he had thrown over my chair and put them both on. I adjusted his cap for him, placing my hands on the sides of his face. "I love you Ash. Let's go do this." He kissed my hand. "I love you too." He said opening my door.

We walked downstairs and was greeted by our moms. Ash's brother and sister were here too. They were all waiting for us. "Y'all look great! So grown up." My mom said snapping pictures. I smiled and looked at Ash. He was smiling just as wide as I was. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and turned me towards his mom so she could get a good picture. Anne made Harry and Lauren take pictures with us also. They were always like the little brother and sister I never had.

After we had finished taking all the pictures we piled into Anne's van. We drove in silence most of the way there. I grabbed ahold of ash's hand, rubbing little circles with my thumb to calm him down. I could feel him slightly shaking beside me. I looked over at him and he had his eyes closed. "Are you okay?" I whispered into his ear. He nodded. "I'm nervous. What if I fall on stage or something?" I let out a little chuckle. "Then I'll pick you up." I told him, smiling. He nodded.

We had made it to the school, meaning it was time. Our families went and found their seats while Ash and I did the same. Thankfully our seats were beside each other. "It's finally happening Ash. After this we're done. No more high school." I told him getting excited. "I know. It's really happening," He said grabbing my hand. "I don't know if I want it to happen though. Everything is gonna change." He told me.

Before I could say anything Mr. Brown went on stage. The ceremony was starting. He tapped the microphone causing it to make a horrid noise. "Sorry about that ladies and gentlemen, but I would like to give a huge round of applause to the class of 2020! You all have worked so hard to get here and I don't think you understand how proud I am of each and every single one of you. Without further ado, here's the graduating class of 2020!" The crowd erupted into applause and cheering.

Mr. Brown called each name very slowly. I started to grow impatient and tired of waiting. I leaned my head again ash's shoulder, feeling more relaxed with him by my side. "I'm pretty sure mom has something planned for us once we get home." I whispered into his ear. He nodded. "I know. Harry told me. He can't keep a secret for anything." He said laughing. That's Harry for you.

Mr. Brown finally made it to the I's. My hands starting sweating and Ash started drumming the back of the chair. It was coming soon. "Mr. Ashton Irwin!" He called out. Ash stood up and walked to the stage quickly. I looked behind us and saw our families waving and cheering. They were so proud of us. Ash got his diploma and headed back towards me. Mr. Brown called my name before Ash made it back to me. "Miss Kaitlyn Ian!" I stood up, wiping my sweaty palms on my gown. It was my time to shine. I made my way up to the stage carefully. My luck id bust my ass in front of all these people.

I shook everyone's hand and was handed my diploma. I was finally free. I had done it. I looked into the crowd at my mom and saw that she was crying. I blew her a kiss, feeling my eyes start to water. I headed down the steps towards my seat beside Ash. I was full blown crying at that point. He pulled me into a side hug once I sat down. "We did it. We actually did it." He whispered in my ear. I nodded, squeezing his hand.

We waited for the others names to be called until everyone had received their diplomas. After what felt like forever, it was finally over. We made our way towards our families. We were pulled into hugs as soon as they saw us. "I'm so proud of you baby. You looked beautiful up there." My mom told me. "You make me so proud Ashton." His mom told him, crying into his shirt. "Come on y'all let's go home." I said grabbing my mom's and Harry's hand.

We all piled back into Anne's van and headed home. I knew that they would have us a little party once we get back home. I was excited for it. The car ride home was uneventful except for Harry and Lauren fighting. But they do that all the time. Anne pulled into the driveway and everyone got out. "Go unlock the door baby. And Ash you go with her." My mother told us. I grabbed the keys from her and Ash's hand. We walked to the door and I stuck the key in. "Would you like to do the honors?" I asked laughing. "Why of course." He said pushing the door open.

[sampagu]

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How to use bronzer

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How to Apply Bronzer

Applying bronzer is a great way to add an attractive, natural-looking glow to your face, especially on those days when your skin appears a little dull. Applying bronzer incorrectly, however, can make your face look dirty or orange. Start by creating an even base using foundation and concealer. Then apply, blend, and set your bronzer to make your face glow with a warm radiance.

Part 1  Creating an Even Base

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1

Wash your face using lukewarm water and a cleanser. Get a cleanser that works best for your skin type, create a lather with warm water, and massage it into your face by using your fingertips in a circular motion. Rinse your face off and then pat it dry with a clean washcloth.

Use a cream-based cleanser if you have dry skin.

Use an oil-based pH-balanced gentle cleanser if you have normal skin.

Use a foaming cleanser if you have oily skin.

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2

Apply a good moisturizer with sunscreen. After you’ve washed your face, it’s time to hydrate and protect your skin. Massage in a quality moisturizer with an SPF and apply eye cream.

To make sure your face is being protected by the sun, get a moisturizer that protects against UVA rays.

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3

Apply concealer. It’s crucial that you create an even base before applying your bronzer, and that starts with concealer. Choose a concealer that blends in well with your complexion. Apply it above foundation to the areas that need extra coverage.

4

Create an even canvas with liquid foundation. Once you’ve put on concealer, apply an even coat of liquid foundation over the entirety of your face. This will smooth out your complexion and create a blank canvas for your contouring. You can put your foundation on with a makeup sponge, a makeup brush, or by using your fingertips.

Be sure to blend the foundation down your neck slightly for a more natural look.

If you want a more subtle, natural, or softer look, consider a tinted moisturizer. Apply it the same way as a liquid foundation.

If you decide to use blush, don’t apply it until after you apply your bronzer.

Part 2  Putting on Your Bronzer

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1

Select a bronzer 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Since the purpose of a bronzer is to darken the complexion subtly, the one you choose will depend on the color of your skin. Generally, it should only be 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Test a little on your wrist to make sure it "warms" your skin tone without making it look fake.

If you have fair skin, look for a honey-colored bronzer.

For a medium complexion, choose a rose-bronze or gold flecked bronzer.

Dark skin is best enhanced with a tawny or amber bronzer.

2

Use a wide, fluffy powder brush with a rounded top. If your brush is too small or stiff, it may cause blotches and streaks to form when you apply the bronzer. There are specialized bronzer brushes available on the market, although any large blush or foundation brush will work equally as well.

For a softer, more natural look, use a fan brush instead.

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3

Swirl the brush evenly in the bronzer. It is best to apply your bronzer in light, even coats to build up color rather than adding a single dark layer at once. Therefore, just lightly coat the end of your brush in the powder and tap off the excess onto the lid of the container.

4

Apply the bronzer to your forehead. Your bronzer should be applied in the shape of a “3” from the top to the bottom of your face on both sides, starting with your forehead. Lightly sweep the brush along the outer sides of your upper forehead and along your hairline.

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5

Apply the bronzer to your cheekbones. Next, make a fish face and apply your bronzer to your cheekbones. You can also do this by smiling, starting at the apples of your cheeks, and sweeping slightly up toward your hairline.

6

Apply the bronzer to your jawline. Finally, complete the “3” shape by sweeping your bronzer along your jawline. This will add definition to your face.

7

Brush lightly over your chin, nose and neck. As you’re applying bronzer, you’ll want to focus on covering the areas of your face that sunlight tends to hit. Do a final dusting of your bronzer on the higher points of your face, such as the bridge of your nose and the tip of your chin. Complete the natural glow by applying bronzer to your neck so that it matches the coloring of your face.

Don't add too much bronzer, however, as this may create a heavy look.

Part 3  Finishing the Look

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1

Use a new brush to blend the bronzer. Take out another fluffy, clean brush and softly blend everything in so there aren’t any unnatural lines or blotches. It’s especially important that you blend the neck area. To blend most effectively, start in the center and work the brush outward in small, circular motions.

2

Eliminate any harsh lines with a translucent powder. If you’ve blended and your complexion still doesn’t look smooth and subtle in color transition, swirl your blending brush in a translucent powder, tap off the excess, and blend again.

3

Add blush if desired for a brighter glow. You can use a blush stick, liquid blush, or a powder. Apply the blush in the center of the apples of your cheeks. Blend it out towards the edges of your face with a rounded brush. 

4

Lock in the look with a setting spray. After you’re done, make sure to spray your entire face with a makeup setting spray to keep your face looking radiant all day.

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[gethealthy18-blog]

11 Best Drugstore Makeup Brushes

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/getting-healthy/getting-healthy-women/11-best-drugstore-makeup-brushes/

11 Best Drugstore Makeup Brushes

Esha Saxena December 29, 2018

Doing makeup that’s beyond flawless requires the right products and good quality makeup brushes. Even the most popular makeup artists admit that they are nothing without their tools. Here’s the thing: when it comes to perfect makeup application, your makeup brushes can be an absolute game-changer.

If you’re new to the makeup scene, you need to understand the importance of investing in good tools. To help you decide what to buy, we’ve rounded up the best drugstore makeup brushes that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. You’ll save bucks without skimping on quality with these babies.

11 Best Drugstore Makeup Brushes

Real Techniques Setting Brush

e.l.f Ultimate Blending Brush

EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Brush Set

Boots No7 Concealer Brush

Maybelline Expert Tools Lip Brush

Real Techniques Blush Brush

Wet N Wild Powder Brush

NYX Pro Dual Brow Brush

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Revlon Foundation Brush

e.l.f Kabuki Face Brush

1. Real Techniques Setting Brush

Review

If you’re on the hunt for a good setting brush, this one from Real Techniques makes for a great one. For its price, it’s a total steal! It is ideal for setting makeup on your T-zone. It also works well for blending. It’s the right amount of fluffy, so you get a perfectly controlled dusting of powder or highlighter.

Pros

Densely packed bristles

Does not shed

Easy to clean

Comfortable grip

Cruelty-free

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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2. e.l.f Ultimate Blending Brush

Review

The Ultimate Blending Brush from e.l.f cosmetics blends your foundation and contour seamlessly for less than the price of a Starbucks drink. Its bristles are super soft and densely packed to give you even coverage. If you’re a beginner, this brush is a must-try for powder, liquid, or mousse foundation as it is incredibly easy to use.

Pros

Ultra-fine and soft fibers

Easy to clean

Does not shed

Dome-shaped head

Cruelty-free

Vegan

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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3. EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Brush Set

Review

If you’re planning to take a trip, you need to check out this eye makeup brush set from EcoTools that is super useful for travel. These brushes are dual-ended and great for shading, defining, blending, and smudging out your makeup.

Instead of carrying all your brushes with you, you can make do with just these two to do a bang-up job with your eye makeup.

Pros

Versatile

Easy to use and clean

Travel-friendly

Great design

100% cruelty-free

Vegan

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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4. Boots No7 Concealer Brush

Review

This concealer brush is a must-have for any makeup lover. It is one of those convenient brushes that you can carry in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups. It conceals the smallest blemishes and is ideal for those hard-to-reach areas of pigmentation.

Pros

Comfortable grip

Ultra-soft bristles

Does not shed

Affordable

Easy to clean

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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5. Maybelline Expert Tools Lip Brush

Review

This lip brush from Maybelline is perfect for precise lipstick and lip gloss application. It is one of the best lip brushes for layering and building your lip color. Since this brush is retractable, it makes for a great travel companion without worrying about it staining the other things in your makeup bag.

Pros

Easy to use

Travel-friendly

Great design

Great for creating a defined, crisp pout

Affordable

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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6. Real Techniques Blush Brush

Review

If you can’t make do without blush, you gotta own this tapered blush brush from Real Techniques. It is custom-cut to contour and define your cheeks for flawlessly blended results. This brush works beautifully with both cream and powder blush formulas.

Pros

Seamless blending

Comfortable grip

Long-lasting

Easy to clean

Cruelty-free

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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7. Wet N Wild Powder Brush

Review

Wet n Wild’s new line of brushes is easily one of the best and most affordable on the beauty market. This powder brush has soft, curved bristles that help you pick up just the right amount of powder for an even, flawless application. At its low price point, this brush is a real bargain!

Pros

Synthetic soft fibers

Long-lasting

Blends well

Easy to clean

Inexpensive

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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8. NYX Pro Dual Brow Brush

Review

Your brows are important, ladies. Very important. If you don’t already groom them on the reg, it’s time to invest in a brow brush. This dual-ended brush from NYX features an angled brush on one side for precise application of your brow product and a spoolie on the other for blending and shaping. It’s the best of both worlds!

Pros

Easy to use

Travel-friendly

Made with synthetic fibers

Affordable

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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9. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Review

If you’re all about beauty sponges, you need to try Miracle Complexion Sponge from Real Techniques! This multipurpose tool delivers a seamless finish to your base makeup. You can use it to blend, contour, and touch up your makeup. If you’re looking for an easy-on-the-wallet alternative to the OG Beauty Blender, this one is definitely your best bet.

Pros

Great quality

Delivers a natural finish

Easy to clean

Affordable

Cons

• Absorbs too much water

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

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10. Revlon Foundation Brush

Review

If you’re looking for a high-quality foundation brush that is also reasonably-priced, this one from Revlon is a great option. It gives you a polished, airbrushed-looking finish with ease. The pointed tip of this brush works brilliantly on hard-to-reach areas like the sides of your nose and the corners of your eyes.

Pros

Easy and even application

Does not shed

Easy to hold

Long-lasting

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

Back To TOC

11. e.l.f Kabuki Face Brush

Review

This incredibly soft kabuki brush from e.l.f is amazing for blending out powder on your face. Its compact size allows for precise and controlled application of highlighter and bronzer. At a super low price point, this brush makes for a great addition to your collection.

Pros

Does not shed

Densely-packed bristles

Soft, fine bristles

Vegan

Cons

None

Purchase Link www.amazon.com

Back To TOC

The right makeup brushes bring your cosmetics to life. When shopping for them, make sure your choices offer soft coverage along with a comfortable grip. You also need to make sure that they are easy to clean.

That was our round-up of the 11 best drugstore makeup brushes. Which ones are you looking forward to trying? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Source: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-drugstore-makeup-brushes/

[crazyblondelife]

Makeup Tips for Women Over 50

As you read these tried-and-true make-up tips, keep this in mind: Don't try to reclaim your youth, instead, reclaim yourself….you, only better. If you’ve been reading Crazy Blonde Life for a while, you know that I have no problem with injectables or plastic surgery, however, if you’re 50, you’ll never look 25. When you're over 50, the goal of applying makeup shouldn't be to make you look younger. Instead, it should gracefully enhance your best features and offer flattering, subtle highlights to your face. I believe it’s always about being the best you can be and makeup can go a long way to help you to look and feel your best.

My number one rule is…Don't skip out on beauty sleep. Ever. A good night’s sleep does make a difference to your skin, as it repairs and restores itself while you rest. Not only will your skin look better, but you will feel better. Lack of sleep makes the skin appear dull and lifeless, and accentuates dark circles under the eyes.. Your biggest beauty consideration should be the health of your skin. With great skin, you'll need less makeup. In fact, if you get enough sleep, keep your skin well-hydrated and exfoliated, you may feel comfortable in nothing more than under-eye concealer, mascara, and lip stick. I personally like to wear a little more, but I love makeup! Here are my tips for putting your best face forward!

PREP YOUR SKIN

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Nothing plumps up the skin better than hydration. It also helps everything glide on better, including your concealer, foundation, sunscreen, blush, and everything else. Dermatologists often recommend hyaluronic acid, which helps with aging skin and is especially helpful during the winter months. Hyaluronic acid such as  Neocutis Hyalis is often recommended by dermatologists. It's especially helpful during the winter months when skin is dry. When selecting hyaluronic acid, read the label. The most effective products will list hyaluronic acid at the beginning of the ingredient list, not at the end. Always use a moisturizer for your skin type. If you’re unsure of your skin type, this great article will help.

Apply a retinol cream every few days. This is a great way to maintain a brilliant glow and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Retin-A can be too harsh for aging skin, however many dermatologists recommend a variety of products, including RoC Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF30 (I’ve been using this product for about 2 years and have seen great results).

Exfoliate daily.  Flaky, dry skin is not a good base for foundation or any makeup products. Exfoliating every day with either a facial scrub or a washcloth dipped in coconut oil (love this tip) will help tremendously.  Patricia Wexler's Skin Resurfacing Cream and Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant are two products that come highly recommended.

Never go to bed without taking off your makeup.  Either cleansing oils or creamy cleansers will leave your face clean and makeup free, ready to wake up refreshed for a new day. Products like Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser and Dr. Patricia Wexler's Universal Anti-Aging Cleanser are great nighttime cleansers for more mature skin.

Use Sunscreen. Keep your face, neck, and hands out of the sun to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sunspots. Wear sunscreen on your face, hands, and neck, rain or shine, and hats if you are out in the middle of the day. 

Maintain Your Eyebrows

Good eyebrows can make you look years younger. Keeping your brows nice is like having a face-lift without surgery. You don't want to over pluck brows because they are less likely to grow back if you pluck excessively.

Droopy eyes can be changed by slightly arching the brows and extending them outward toward the temples (rather than having the tail curve down around the eye). The arch is an important part of the brow, and should be a gradual and very gentle lift.

A few tips for getting perfect brows will help:

Fill in your brows with a brow pencil to make them appear fuller. You can also "brush" them out with a mascara brush (unused and clean of any mascara) that's been spritzed with hairspray or use a brow gel like this one from Laura Mercier.

Avoid drawn-in brows. The pencil-thin line with no hair can look fake and overdone. Filling thin brows will give you a much more natural look.

Avoid over-tweezing by getting your brows professionally done every few weeks or use the professional's job as a map for your own tweezing and pluck any stray hairs.

Don't tweeze gray brow hairs. Instead, conceal them with a brow powder or pencil. I like this pencil from Dior.

Use Primer and Foundation

Invest in good quality makeup brushes! - Here’s Why!

A primer can be life-changing when it comes to makeup application. Just as you prime a wall before you paint it, the secret to flawless makeup lies in makeup primer. Invest in a good one like the one made by Laura Mercier. or Lancome's Hydro Glow Primer - it has illuminating properties that give the skin a fresh look. Murad's Invisiblur Perfecting Shield fills in fine lines and wrinkles. It blends advanced anti-aging treatment with SPF. Primers smooth out skin, fill in large pores and smooth the skin while keeping it moisturized.

Choose the Right Foundation - Many older women still use the same foundation they used 10 years ago. However, your skin changes yearly and even seasonally, so your foundation should as well.  I love Dior Air Flash Foundation for full coverage, or Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur for a more lightweight look, but there are so many good ones out there. Take the time to go and have foundation matched to your skin. Makeup is meant to camouflage and highlight.

Finally use a concealer for dark circles, blemishes and spots from sun damage. Concealing dark circles with much lighter concealer will only emphasize wrinkles and sagging skin so make sure to use a concealer that’s the same color as your skin. Apply concealer lightly, layering it over your foundation and patting it into place with a small stiff flat concealer brush (or use your ring finger or a high-quality silk sponge). NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is amazing for mature skin as is the YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer. They both have a soft finish and hydrate the skin. Try setting your under eye concealer with Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder…this is one of my favorite products and I’m never without it.

Highlighter pens and illuminating creams can work wonders when used properly. Highlighters bring a "lift" to the face and instantly shave off a few years. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Concealer is one that I highly recommended.

How to Apply Bronzer and Blush

Blush is essential in the over 50 woman’s beauty routine because it instantly adds a radiant and healthy glow in one quick sweep. Although there are different shades to suit skin tones, peach is perfect for all skin tones and ages. My absolute favorite is the cult classic Nars Orgasm which gives a natural healthy looking color that adds an instant glow. My favorite bronzing powder is Nars Laguna. Luckily, Nars makes a blush/bronzer duo that contains both! Nars also makes a multipurpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body.

A light sweep of blush will lighten your face and add a warm, healthy glow. When applying blush take into account the shape of your face for best position (see image below).  As a general rule if you have a square or heart-shaped face, concentrate the color on the apples of your cheeks. If your face is longer or oval, you can swipe blush along the tops of cheekbones. With a round face shape focus the blush on the side of cheeks rather than right on the apples.  Don’t forget to smile – smiling helps you find the apple of your cheeks.

As we age our skin produces less oil, making us prone to dryness and many beauty experts recommend using a cream blush.  Start with minimal amount and blend to build color.  For stick creams, apply two or three dabs along the length of the cheeks, then blend with fingers.  For pot rouges, dip a makeup sponge into beauty pot, apply to the apples of cheeks and then blend upwards along cheek bones.

Set blush with a sweep of bronzer and highlighter for even more glow and definition.  When applying bronzer - you want to hit the areas that would be hit by the sun. Start at your cheekbone just at the top of your ear and lightly blend on the cheekbone, then sweep your brush into your hairline at your forehead and on your jawbones, creating a #3 on your face. Set with highlighter along the top of the cheeks.

How To Fake An Eye Lift With Shadow

To enhance your eyes, you’ll need to do some strategic shadow application. Changing the shape of your eyeshadow can give the illusion of changing the actual shape of your eye. First, apply a layer of primer like this one from Trish McEvoy on your lids to keep your eyeshadow in place. To make your eyes look open and lifted, apply a light shadow all over the lid and up to the brow bone, then brush a darker shade into the crease, focusing the color on the outer corner. To make eyes pop, press your finger or a small brush, into a light pink or even white eyeshadow and then press this finger into the inside corners of both eyes. For the eyes stay clear of anything with sparkle in it, however, a little bit of shimmer can be nice on the lid.

A general rule of thumb when choosing eyeshadow is to compliment your eye color and your clothing color. In other words, don't wear a purple based eyeshadow on your blue eyes while you are wearing an orange shirt. If you want to wear a more dramatic eyeshadow look, pair it with neutral clothing colors such as black or white. If you want to wear a natural look, you can play around more with the color of your clothes. Blue eyes pop with earth tones while green eyes look great with purple. Almost any color works on brown eyes. Eye makeup can be especially tricky when you're facing fine lines and crows' feet., but changing up your makeup routine can give you a fresh, revitalized look.

It is best to avoid thick black eyeliner. Use soft, smudged shades in brown if you have light coloring and black for darker skin. You can still create a smokey eye when you’re in your 50’s …here’s how to do it the proper way.

Many makeup artists suggest lining the lower lid just under the lash line with a soft pencil. Another option is to dip a small brush into the darkest color on your eyeshadow palette, (my favorite is by Anastasia Beverly Hills) then draw a line under the eye. It creates a naturally smudged look that is fantastic.

If you have small eyes, try stopping your line just before you hit the inside of the eye.

A general rule of thumb with eyeshadow is to first compliment your eye color and then it shouldn't contrast your clothing. In other words, don't wear a purple based eyeshadow on your blue eyes while you are wearing an orange shirt. If you want to wear a more dramatic eyeshadow look, pair it with neutral clothing colors such as black or white. If you want to wear a natural look, you can play around more with the color of your clothes. For instance, blue eyes pop with earth tones while green eyes tend to glow with a little purple. If you have brown eyes, almost any color works.

Choose the Correct Mascara - In general, it's best for older women to choose a lengthening and volumizing mascara to lengthen your lashes and make them look thicker.

When it comes to color, if you have a light complexion and blonde or gray hair, a dark brown can look less harsh than a black mascara.

Use these tips to get your best lashes:

Curl your lashes, then apply a mascara primer, I like this one from Dior. The primer separates the lashes and the curler gives just the right amount of curl at the root of the lashes. Many women find that their lashes aren't as long as they once were. The easiest way to open up your eyes is to curl your lashes. For best results, warm up the lash curler with a blow dryer for three seconds and then curl your lashes. Make sure to test the metal first so you don't burn your lid. Then apply a couple sweeps of mascara to your newly curled lashes.

Always start your stroke as close to the roots as possible and wiggle the wand back and forth at the root to get as much mascara at the base of your lashes as possible. Pull the want through to the tips of your lashes as you wiggle. Use several coats applying while the mascara is still wet.

About False Lashes - If your lashes are not as thick and lush as they used to be, you can get lash extensions at some salons. Just make sure that they are applying individual lashes for a natural look.

You can also play around with false lashes for a special occasion. Again, it's best to apply individual lashes rather than a whole length of false lashes to get a more natural look.

Know Your Best Features

Take off all your makeup, stand back, and look at yourself in the mirror to consider your best features.

It’s best to play up your best feature instead of trying to downplay any bad ones.

If you aren't sure what your best feature is, think back to the compliments you've received over the years. Have people mentioned your eyes? Show them off with makeup and clothes that make your eye color stand out. If you get compliments on your lips, make wearing bright lip color your personal statement.

A good rule of thumb is to play up your eyes or your mouth, but not both because they will compete for attention. If you are a lipstick person, this tip is for you and you might want to downplay your eyes. Bright, bold lip colors can be stunning on older women!

Don’t be intimidated by makeup - learn what looks best on you and have fun with it!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post…but the best part is that I’ve made a video to actually show you how to apply your makeup and it answers so many questions about what looks best on women in their 50’s. It’s coming next week so be sure to check back! My YouTube Channel has videos on everything from fashion to food and fitness and now makeup. Thanks so much for reading today!

[canvasofthecosmos]

Neptune in the Houses

Ruler of Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, Neptune contains a lot in its waters. It takes mutable sign complexity to the max. In a chart, it shows where you see infinite possibility and have difficulty forming boundaries. This can be very spiritual, of course, seeing the ether(Pisces) from which life is born(Aries). Neptune causes you to hear faint things nobody else can- it’s the most direct connection to whatever exists beyond this world. This inspires transcendental art, unconditional compassion, and reasons to continue living earthly life, but there can be too much of a good thing. What was once an occasional break from reality becomes a full-time gig, and a refusal to face anything head on. In my opinion, Neptune is the most difficult planet to channel into reality, because that’s exactly what it’s not. A bottomless well is tapped into.

**Also consider the signs! So if you’re a 3rd house Neptune in Sagittarius, you can look at the 9th house as well as the 3rd. Also include the sign that rules your 12th house(the sign before your ascendant.) You can also apply these descriptions to any pisces placement you have.**

1ST HOUSE– Unbridled neptunian traits. Here, the person morphs to every twitch of change in their surroundings, but doesn’t realize they’re doing so. Open martyrs. There is something mesmerizing about this person- they look at everyone as if a bit awestruck. Their eyes are wide-open, glossy, and unreadable. There’s a tendency towards rounded features and glisteny cheeks. Soft golds and shades of pink and orange suit them, as well as foamy green. Dissolving is their IDENTITY, which is a difficult thing to muster. Body dysmorphia is common. They tend towards escapism, pushing things a little too far(look at the sign of Neptune to see in what way. A Cancer Neptune would personify their home environment, whereas an Aquarius Neptune would morph to fit social groups.) They compulsively agree with people, and change their minds later. Losing themselves in their identity, they are the world’s dream.

Ex: Marilyn Monroe, Freddie Mercury, Paris Hilton, Jim Carrey, Bjork, Courtney Love, Andy Warhol

2ND HOUSE– The body is the outlet for Neptune. Self-image is incredibly fluid, with no sense of object permanence, often forgetting one’s own face until they look in the mirror. Their faces have a strange symmetry, as if the two halves are about to merge. The second house symbolizes self-worth, material belongings, and eating habits; all of these lack solidity with Neptune placed here. Very inconsistent eating patterns, judging the worth of objects based on sentimentality, and blending of self-worth with other people are common tendencies. Major identity merging, with a knack for drawing more rigid people out of their shells.

Ex: Donald Trump, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lawrence, Isaac Newton, Tom Hanks, Carl Jung, Marie Curie

3RD HOUSE– Childhood/early school life was likely very strange. They child had a habit for daydreaming and knew way more than they could verbalize. As a result, communication is now an enigmatic thing. This placement points to an excellent ability to visualize, and to freely move between realms within one’s thoughts. Very poetic. They can paint complex pictures with their words. However, clarity is not a strong point. Miscommunication is a frequent issue, with people just not -getting- what they’re saying. They’re way smarter than they often get credit for. Words come out backwards- and forwards- and seem to have a kaleidoscopic life of their own. This may point to someone who experimented with drugs at an early age, or was just subjected to heavy themes. They may be too surrendering to their friends or siblings, or have friends who are dreamy themselves.The dreamlife is chattery. Neptune is a mutable planet and the 3rd a mutable house, so these people are very changeable.

Ex: Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé Knowles, Keanu Reeves, Kurt Cobain, 14th Dalai Lama, Friedrich Nietzsche

4TH HOUSE– ‘Home’ is illusive with this placement. They have a great sense of devotion to their family(whether this be flesh and blood or not), but they can never seem to get things just -right-. Their inner world is cavernous and ever changing- the sense of security that they long for evades them. A feeling of being left behind, a ghost in their own home. Childhood memories may be hazy and idealized. They’re hypersensitive to their own emotional currents, often getting swept away in the tides. They spend a lot of time feeling their inner world out, and the physical home is often an outlet to that. It’s halls can feel like a sanctuary or a tomb depending on their mood. They can be a martyr to their family, sacrificing themselves as the glue that holds it all together.

Ex: Johnny Depp, Uma Thurman, Emma Watson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marilyn Manson, Sigmund Freud, Cher

5TH HOUSE– Neptune expresses especially creatively here, with the planet of dissolvement  and art in the house of childlike creation. Love can take this person to a different world. This person can easily get swept up in dramatic love affairs. They can be very idealistic, expecting everything to work out without any effort- their intention is enough. Love is the end all be all viewed through hazy pink shades. Nothing feels more divine than to create life- whether it be through art, romance, or even children. Their relationship with children can be mystical, as they raise children who are dreamy themselves. This is someone who loses themselves in the everyday celebration of living.

Ex: Martin Luther King, Drake, Tyra Banks, Charles Manson, Fergie, RuPaul, Jack Black

6TH HOUSE– This is interesting! It’s Neptune placed in its opposite(virgo) house. The 6th house rules health, routines, taking care of other people/pets, and work. Neptune adds a whole other dimension to all of this. This could be someone who treats daily work like a spiritual task, purifying everything with Neptune’s dewy glow. They could also treat their sacrifice as the ultimate burden. The thing about water planets/signs/etc is that they can be the most healing OR the most destructive. Neptune can raise things to the highest dimension possible, or it can simply cause rot. 6th house Neptune unhinged can let daily details slip away. The house is rotting- there’s mold in the walls and the sink is crawling- the fish haven’t been fed in days, you can’t remember the last time you ate. Surrendering yourself to what -needs- to be done will overcome this.

Ex: Mahatma Gandhi, Kanye West, Alexander the Great, Billie Holiday, Gordon Ramsay, Sigourney Weaver, Malala Yousafzai, Jackie Chan

7TH HOUSE– A tricky one. This person may not notice Neptunian traits in themselves, but simply because they project them on others. They draw sirens to them like a sailor, wide-eyed and dressed in silky scales. Interacting with people is a direct outlet to divinity. Their romantic partners could be in the occult community, artists, or medical professionals. They could be unstable, bottling substance abuse and hysteria. Loved ones may be institutionalized, or lead the 7th House Neptunian to hysteria themselves! Wherever Neptune is placed, infinity is wide open, and as such static ‘reality’ is hard to cope with. Their partners are adaptable to the extreme. Relationships may appear out of nowhere, shockingly perfect, and then slink away just as quickly. This is someone who interacts with spirit in their daily exchanges.

Ex: Mother Teresa, Amy Winehouse, Charlie Chaplin, Paul McCartney, Cate Blanchett, Jean-Paul Sartre

8TH HOUSE– Suspended in the murky waters of the 8th house, Neptune seeks new depth. It scrapes the bottom of reality, a mere splash of its tail causing turmoil. This person surrenders themselves to touchy subjects, whether it be sex, crossing emotional boundaries, or the mere act of being openly intimate wherever they go. They keep themselves wide open to be explored, which can make some uncomfortable. Whereas 4th house planets swim in their own emotional well of ancestry/family, the 8th house subjects anything it contacts to its probing, pulling precious insights to anyone and anything. With Neptune here, there is no plug. The individual can resort to escapism and self-destructive behaviours to escape this flood of information. Periods of intense obsession are one way to purge and breathe freely again. They experience intense highs and lows, many all-encompassing ego deaths that spit them out as a stronger being than they could ever before imagine. It’s possible this could include real near-death experiences. Spirituality and self-sacrifice is an all or nothing affair.

Ex: Adolf Hitler, Shakira, David Bowie, Lana Del Rey, Kristen Stewart, Whitney Houston, J. K. Rowling, Snoop Dogg

9TH HOUSE– Neptune is always searching in this house. The 9th house is explorative, no longer in the mental way of the 3rd house, but physically. The planets in this house get your legs moving and your heart pounding. With Neptune here, one is wide open to new experiences. They absorb others’ viewpoints like a sponge, with a heart calling for adventure. They collect artifacts that bring them closer to their ideal spirituality- shells, crystals, tarot cards, quotes. They may seem a little stereotypical in their spirituality, but that’s just because they’re so eager to learn! Surrender is a great adventure to them, and they humbly accept every opportunity. The biggest problem comes from an overzealous zest for exploration, which results in not traveling down any single path long enough to truly absorb it. I could see religious fanatics falling in this category, over-excited students who preach half-information on street corners. Regardless, their pure enthusiasm is contagious. Neptune is especially boundless here.

Ex: Rihanna, Elvis Presley, Brigitte Bardot, Heath Ledger, Vincent Van Gogh, Bob Dylan, Carrie Fisher

10TH HOUSE– Neptunian traits are broadcasted here, as the 10th house is where you stand on the world’s stage. The public’s perception of you is always a little -off-. These folks can be viewed as more perfect than they actually are, because they serve as a reflection of the public’s desires. They morph to fit the structure they’re given. Being publicly known as a savior, a star. Publicly known substance abuse. An overly-empathetic boss.. A lazy boss. Long term goals that slip through the hands like sand. They dream of being in control, utterly in charge of their fate. They may create the illusion of having power over others, while feeling entirely helpless. Jobs in customer-service, cinema, body modification, the medical field, and spiritual work. Feeling pressured to be forgiving. Having an absent father. Hypersensitivity to criticism and nonexistent boundaries. Everyone views you as something different.

Ex: Princess Diana, Napoleon, Bruce Lee, Pablo Picasso, Bob Marley, Russell Brand, Patti Smith

11TH HOUSE– A feeling of confusion and mysticism surrounds friendship. The 11th house rules group associations and with Neptune they come and go freely, as if connected to one’s moods. An experimental spirituality, with robotic dreams. Dreams are discussed in group settings. Their inner world is electrifying and detached, morphing into crystalline images of the future. Losing your identity in groups. Sacrificing oneself to humanitarian causes. Dreams that never match up with reality. Using groups to escape mundane reality- role-playing, fantasy games, book clubs, night clubs, group drug usage. Using the internet to escape. Sharing art on the internet… only making art with others. Electric guitar/synthesizers. Space-age music. Shocking talents. Illusive friends. Having vague feelings of mistrust towards humanity. Sticking out like a sore thumb. Being quiet in groups, yet omnipresent. People have vague feelings of mistrust towards you. Getting walked all over. Having clear boundaries is important. Don’t feel uncaring for being direct– your security is important and most aren’t as open as you!

Ex: Albert Einstein, Hillary Clinton, Mozart, Nicki Minaj, Robin Williams, George Harrison, William Shakespeare, Frida Kahlo, Shia Labeouf

12TH HOUSE– This is Neptune in its home, so these people can accidentally be the most Neptunian of all. Whatever is in the 12th house is a “big secret”, subconsciously repressed, but the thing about secrets is that they seep into everything. Neptune in the 12th house is secretly hypersensitive. Part of them wants to slip away and never be seen again. The 12th house is everything- a reflection of every sign and then some- so EVERYTHING is a sacrifice with this placement. They’re easily absorbed into what’s going on around them, but nothing really compares to their inner world. The inner world is soft and warm and always morphing into some new kaleidoscopic shape. It’s never stagnant like reality, utterly predictable in its dull human colors and rigid shapes. It’s not surprising for these people to be shut-ins, allowing them a boundary for self-reflection. They feel guilty for how content they are entirely alone(the rest of the chart interferes ofc.) Hiding away from everything uncomfortable isn’t the answer, but neither is blind sacrifice. Finding a way to express this private sea of symbols in a way that is tangible to everyone around them and, most importantly, to themselves is important.

Ex: Prince, Salvador Dali, Nikola Tesla, Winona Ryder, Hillary Duff, Joan of Arc, Erykah Badu, Sid Vicious