#so as to highlight the flaws and cracks rather than conceal them

[feliciadraws]

Yet again I find myself thinking about kintsugi as a metaphor for healing a broken heart

[minainphilly]

Simple Methods For Low-Cost Home Improvements

Have you been considering remodeling your home? Bear in mind that you can often achieve your goal with no giant expense. Small improvements introduced in virtually every area, including the exterior of the home can make a big difference.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Keep it clean and keep it simple!

A clean and lovely house is eye-catching and appealing. You can begin improving the look of your house by simply cleaning out debris. Consider making your garden look like a perfect place with some weeding and cleaning out the flower beds. Paint the front door to give your house a more welcoming feeling.

De-cluttering can also be a component of cleaning, so eliminate things you don't have to create space for new ones. The first glimpse is usually enough to get a selective buyer to quickly estimate a home.

Does the exterior of your house need repainting? Is there a walkway which you can highlight by introducing some flowers? Remember to keep it simple. Concentrate on making things neat and clean.

Two hot spots of every dwelling:

The two most closely scrutinized rooms of a home are the kitchen and the master bath. If you're looking to concentrate on two hot spots, these will be the inside rooms where the most value can be inserted over the course of a sale, so make them look their very best to boost your return on investment.

Is your kitchen could be in need of an update? A well-updated kitchen will dramatically increase the value of your house, so concentrate on spicing up this room to catch buyer attention. Renovating your kitchen with modern décor will instantly enhance the value of your dwelling. Many times a buyer will compromise other rooms and will purchase a house just because its kitchen is well-maintained and inviting.

The same is true for bathrooms, particularly the master bath. You may appeal open house-goers with modern upgrades like double vanities and soaking baths in your master bath. Replace the taps and clean up the bathroom counter. We would again highlight simplicity due to simple maintenance.

What to invest in?

So, you are done de-cluttering, cleaning, and upgrading. What's next? Well, if you're willing to generate a fantastic upgrade investment, it's suggested to split your renovation strategy into four components to bring remarkable improvements to your house. Here are the four areas you may want to seriously consider updating:

Lighting: If you're unhappy with the lighting system in your home, replace it.

This would involve purchasing lighting fixtures and other equipment for every room to make it appear consistent and attractive.

Plumbing: several old houses have rusty pipes and some leakage at the pipes that needs attention. Your house will not sell quickly and at a cost, you have in your mind in case you haven't already updated the plumbing system.

Flooring: Most people today search for hardwood flooring or alternatives which are easy to handle and supply health benefits rather than carpeting. Tiled flooring is also fairly okay. If you feel this advancement would bring you greater profits, make the investment without delay.

HVAC Replacement: Today new energy-efficient HVAC systems are being introduced into the market which incurs a one-time fee and can help you save massive sums of money on utility bills. You can add a special selling feature to your house by making this replacement component of your home improvement plan.

What is really worth repairing?

Recall that not all things are worth fixing; a few want to be thrown out and many others will need to be replaced. This is an excellent principle to follow when staging a house.

Inspect every aspect of your house and then produce a strategy within your budget to deliver a new crisp look to your dwelling. You might choose to replace obsolete appliances in the kitchen with fresh contemporary models. Repairing old appliances isn't feasible. If your budget does not permit an appliance update, simply provide the ones that you use a color-boost to enhance their physical appearance.

In the event you currently have hardwood flooring installed at home, start looking for scratches and be ready for some refinishing. Wooden floors are highly desirable, even if they're old and worn. Give them a small lift-up to make them more appealing and attractive.

Nowadays energy-efficiency has found its way to many of our systems such as the windows. Homebuyers look for the newest windows and other systems that are designed as energy-efficient since they supply numerous economic, health, and environmental benefits. Replace your old windows for new energy-efficient windows to enhance the value of your dwelling.

If your toilet floors are tiled, start looking for any defects or cracks particularly if the tiles are light or white. These kinds of flaws are tough to conceal even in the event that you organize everything else quite neatly. Therefore, before investing in additional bathroom accessories replace a cracked floor tile.

[fashionwomenover50]

Older Women and Makeup: 5 Important Makeup Tips for Women Over 50

"I look forward to being older, when what you look like becomes less an issue and what you are is the point," said American actress and activist Susan Sarandon. As you get older, not only does your view of the world change, so does your approach to beauty. Both your internal sense of empowerment and ownership, and your external approach to style and fashion — starts to shift. Use these strategies to embrace and empower your changing body. And to also highlight your natural beauty while maintaining and enhancing the youthfulness and vitality of your skin.

1. A Little More Minimalism Goes a Long Way

When it comes to your makeup products and your makeup style, less is more as you age. When you were a little younger, you might have used a primer, concealer, foundation, eyebrow pomade, eyeliner, mascara, blush, highlighter, eye-shadow...the typical arsenal in a woman’s makeup kit is endless! A little sterling silver jewelry adds a nice touch as well. But now is your chance to tone it back and return to the simple basics. To return back to your natural roots, in a sense. In fact, putting on too many layers of products can weigh down your skin, accentuating any loss of skin tone and firmness that you may have. Heavy layers of product can also sink into fine lines and wrinkles, making you appear older and more tired than you may actually be. By scaling back your makeup kit to the core basics — primer, foundation and lipstick — you allow your true beauty to shine in new ways.

2. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!

For older skin, it becomes more about self-care and skincare than it is about makeup products. By nurturing your skin, you allow your makeup to do its job better. More importantly, you turn back the hands of time and keep your skin truly flawless, as opposed to simply trying to cover up flaws with foundation or concealer. Start by creating a hydration ritual. Well-moisturized skin helps your makeup glide on better. Make a habit of applying moisturizer every morning and evening, especially after washing your face or taking a bath. This seals in moisture, firms your skin and diminishes the appearance and depth of fine lines and wrinkles. You may also want to consider a retinol cream, or a cream that contains alpha hydroxy acid. These ingredients accelerate skin cell turnover, so you reveal smoother, younger-looking skin faster. They also help get rid of dead skin cells to naturally brighten and energize your complexion, while creating a more even skin surface for your makeup products. Finally, never go to bed without removing your makeup. Leaving your makeup on overnight can age your skin further and create irritation and inflammation. It can also dry out your skin more. Try a creamy cleanser or a cleansing oil to gently and naturally remove your favorite makeup products while also calming and nurturing your aging skin.

3. Find the Right Products

Makeup works with skin differently as your skin gets older and changes. While younger women might opt for bold or dramatic makeup styles, the key to looking youthful and ageless as you get older is by looking like you aren’t wearing any makeup at all. And the secret to achieving this is by making sure everything blends well. Start with your lipstick. Whether you use a lip liner or not, it should pop with color while not bleeding into your skin. Bleeding or feathering can draw unwanted attention to the fine lines around your mouth. It can also highlight any loss of firmness or plumpness you might have in your lips. When it comes to foundations and blushes, younger women often gravitate towards oil-free powders. However, as you get older, your skin needs more moisture. Consider trying a creamy blush and a creamy foundation, which can blend into your fine lines better without settling into every crack and crevice. Finally, if you don’t currently use a primer, a makeup primer can be an older woman’s best friend. It sits between your skin and your makeup, and helps your makeup glide on flawlessly. It can also help to disguise uneven skin, fine lines and other blemishes.

4. Don’t Try to Keep the Brows You Had in Your 20s or 30s

As you age, your eyebrows will start to lose a little of their definition. Rather than fighting it, embrace it and allow your natural beauty to continue to shine. That being said, good brows can keep your face youthful and beautiful. It energizes your complexion and is like a beauty face-lift (without needing a visit to a plastic surgeon). However, there are a few tips and strategies specifically applicable to older women. First, don’t over-pluck. Unlike when you were in your 20s or 30s, your eyebrow hair won’t grow back as quickly if you excessively pluck and shape your brows. Second, don’t over-paint your brows. If your brows are thinner than they used to be, overuse of makeup can dramatize this hair loss. Instead, fill in your eyebrows with a brow pencil. You can also consider brushing them with your mascara spoolie to make them appear fuller. Finally, don’t tweeze gray brow hairs. You want to maintain your natural brow fullness as much as you can. Instead, you can conceal gray hairs in your eyebrows with a pencil or a light dusting of brow powder.

5. Choose the Right Shade of Lipstick and Makeup

You might notice that as you’ve gotten older, your lips appear thinner and lose some of their firm plumpness. This is natural, as the level of collagen in your skin goes down. One of the best ways to plump up your lips is by using lip gloss. Nothing works better for older women! First, add a hint of color by filling in your lips with lipstick that is a couple shades darker than your natural lip color. Then, layer on a gentle dab of lip gloss on top of the lipstick. The extra shine is like lip contouring and will make your lips pop and appear instantly firmer and bigger. Speaking of lipstick color, most makeup artists recommend staying away from the super dark lipstick trend if you’re in your 50s or older. These dark plums and brows can make your overall face appear older. Instead, opt for pinks and rosy reds.

What About Your Eyes?

When it comes to other makeup products, use tones and shades that compliment your natural skin color, not overwhelm or hide it. This is especially true when it comes to your eyes. Your eyes are the focal points of your entire complexion. By glamoring up your eyes, you distract the viewer’s attention from the rest of your face and keep people distracted from any blemishes or flaws you might be worried about. Enhance your natural eye color with shades that make your eyes pop. What works best for you depends on your eye color. If you have brown or hazel eyes, opt for shades of blues, browns and golds. If you have blue eyes, bring out those blues with browns, golds, coppers and blue-gray shades. Finally, if you have darker eyes, deep, rich eye-shadow shades will bring out the warmth and sparkle of your eyes. By combining these five makeup strategies, you can embrace your natural beauty and help your skin to look its flawless best. Starting with foundational skincare practices like hydration, you restore the youthful health of your skin. Then, by incorporating makeup tips that highlight, not hide, your skin’s natural appearance, you can step out into the world confidently knowing that you look your absolute best.   Read the full article

[luckysconcreteproscom-blog]

stamped concrete

Summary of Decorative Concrete

Decorative cement, also generally referred to as new concrete, may most very easily be referred to as any method that changes what will be plain, greyish concrete to become more visually pleasing. Ornamental concrete can easily encompass a variety of looks as well as techniques. It may include easy coloring methods such as acidity stains, polymer stains, tangible dyes, and also integral colours (also known as integrated shades; mixed in to the concrete prior to it is poured). It can also consist of special remedies including rubber stamping, scoring, chiseling, and perfecting that can affect the texture from the surface. Often, decorative concrete floor integrates several techniques to really customize the actual slab.

stamped concrete

Probably probably the most well-known processes for transforming simple concrete to get more design-friendly is yellowing, especially for inside applications. This method involves having a cured real slab along with literally discoloration it to become a different colour (or colors). There are 2 main kinds of concrete spot. The most common kind of concrete blemish is an acid solution stain. It really is known for generating rich shade. The acid responds to the concrete saw faq and assumes its own living. The result is the marbleized color, much like grainy leather. It truly is probably the most difficult staining to work with; it takes much extreme caution while applying since you are working along with acid, in the end. This discoloration does not include defects within the concrete. On the other hand, it will probably show problems, even all those you did not see once the concrete was at its organic state. But this personality that the chemical stain shows is section of the allure in the finished item of an chemical p stain work. Water-based definite stains in addition to acrylic asphalt stains develop a much more even look compared to do level of acidity stains. These types of stains possess a thin, milky consistency, letting them seep to the concrete's skin pores, which distinguishes them through any cement paint, which could flake off simply because paints just coat the area. Because there is absolutely no chemical response between the discolor and the tangible, it is applicable more like any dye.

This is a better option than stomach acid stain with regard to concrete patches that have beauty defects due to the fact coverage is rather consistent. Still it is nevertheless a semi-translucent stain, therefore it will not totally disguise soil and other flaws in the concrete floor. Water-based unsightly stains are also frequently called real dyes. It is sometimes used to highlight the work of the acid marks job by providing certain regions of the concrete saw faq a different coloring. Acrylic spots offer a wide selection of deep plus bright colorings with a a lot broader choice than uric acid stain provides. Also, while acid spills rely on some sort of reaction using the concrete to create color, the particular acrylic mark colors are often the same inside the bottle because they are on the definite. This makes forecasting the outcome easier. It also enables easier combining at the construction site to match some other colors about. After the grime job is actually complete, it is strongly recommended to put some kind of protective covering on the surface. This can prevent falling and put on. For outside applications, a new concrete sealer is recommended. The solvent sealer or xylene-based sealer will certainly leave your durable, semi-gloss coat, whilst a water-based sealer may leave a good matte complete. For interior applications, it really is generally suggested to apply some wax, similar to that which is utilized on a fitness center floor. In conclusion, staining is generally a good option for those who have a asphalt slab presently that you would like to include color in order to. Stains usually do not hide disorders in the cement, nor do these cards change the consistency of the tangible. They simply put in a semi-transparent, semi-permanent color. There are lots of tools and even techniques which expand style options when utilizing concrete spot. For example , you will find stencils available on the market that allow for the color design and style. Also, obtained lines will also be commonly used to incorporate a design or layout into the concrete floor.

Stain may also be used in conjunction with placed concrete to provide accent colouring. Plus, there are various ways to use stain to attain different appears. advantages of discolored concrete. Naturally , the greatest benefit of stained real is the overall look. Staining concrete saw faq allows you to change a functional component into a style and design element. In addition, with the variety of colors and styles, staining may be used to compliment nearly every design concept. Another advantage associated with stained definite is that it is really a semi-permanent, long lasting option. Since you are simply changing the color regarding concrete without having altering the physical power, your tarnished concrete may have the life of the boring, white-colored slab (which some asphalt is designed to final more than 50 years! ). Also, since the color is really seeped in the concrete compared to a coating on top such as paint, expense flake off just like paint has a tendency to. Stain may also be described as any "green" restoration project as you can simply change what you curently have, which means much less waste within our landfills brought on by starting more than. In addition , soiling requires simply no extra materials aside from sealer or polish to make the floors surface expecting use. Discolored concrete is equally as easy to sustain as a normal concrete piece if not simpler because the sealer prevents discolorations and rinses easily. It might require a brand new coat involving sealer or even wax sometimes to maintain the conclusion. A simple broom or hose pipe will often brush your surface properly. Finally, an additional of marked concrete is it is relatively affordable compared to other available choices while containing a customized, unique product or service.

Stamped Concrete

Stamped cement is another typical technique of ornamental concrete. This literally requires stamping some sort of pattern and texture in to freshly set concrete. Therefore, stamped tangible requires that will new concrete floor is put. This isn't to express that you cannot add a rubber-stamped pattern or perhaps texture for your existing outdoor patio, it just needs a few advanced steps. For those who have an existing real pad that you would like to add a new stamped routine or structure to, it needs adding your layer connected with concrete or maybe overlay blend. Of course , concrete saw faq is more suitable, as it is among world's strudiest materials; but concrete will need a minimum of a couple of inch elevation increase. There is certainly another merchandise available, known as an contribution mix, which can be applied less than three-eighths ins thick. Nonetheless this plastic-cement polymer has a smaller life-span as compared to does definite. There are restrictions to capping your deck with asphalt or overlaying it. In case your patio will be cracked as well as structurally unsound, it is dangerous to put any kind of coating onto it because in which coating will probably crack together with shift too. Capping or simply overlaying your own concrete can effectively conceal any stain and small defects from the concrete, although. The process entails pouring cement much like you will do regarding ordinary flatwork. The area is usually framed upward, reinforced together with rebar, as well as smoothed away. In order to seal of approval, the tangible must be dried out enough not to be soft but damp enough to be able to still keep an impression. The actual timing is probably one of the most hard aspects of rubber stamping. At this point, big rubber rubber stamps are smashed into the concrete floor, many times having a tool known as tamper. Some kind of release system is used to maintain the stamps coming from sticking. Some other special resources, including "flippie" stamps, grout rollers, and so on are used to ideal the area. The particular coloring with stamped real can be achieved in numerous different ways. A few of the coloring components available for utilize with rubber stamped concrete contain integral/integrated hues, antiquing launch colors, colouring hardeners, and also tinted sealers. Integral colorations, also called incorporated colors, is definitely color which is mixed into your concrete just before it is put in. Integral tones come in each liquid along with powder contact form.

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jigsy

[atypical60]

CAVEAT:  This post would have been published last night. But my &*()&*(&* damn laptop stinks.  My finger touched a certain key and everything disappeared. I’m writing this on the PC instead!

And away. We. Go…

My morning routine is very important to me. While I wait for my day cream and serum and primers to dry upon my visage, I enjoy sipping upon the coffee that Bonaparte makes and serves me—princess that I am.  It is also time for me to read one of my favorite blogs, “That’s Not My Age”, by Alyson Walsh. She’s a spunky Brit with tons of style and panache.  She actually qualifies as one of my delusional best friends forever. I’m sure she would call Scotland Yard if I ever showed up within two feet of her, but that’s the way it goes!

This morning I read a post referencing the new “No Makeup Movement”.  Have you heard of this or seen any of the photographs of the many celebrities posing *cough* *ahem* makeup free?

Most of those who have freed their pusses of cosmetics are under 30 and they are wrinkle and rosacea free as well.  They are also lady whisker free.  You know where this is going don’t you?

Yeah.  Harper’s Bazaar glorified quite a few celebrities who snapped “No Makeup Selfies” and I question the “no makeup” part.  Shall we?

Look closely at Heidi Klum’s cheeks.  She’s wearing contour.  Her bottom lip is also a brighter shade of pink than her top lip and that pink isn’t even.  She’s wearing a minimal amount of makeup.  I’m more impressed with that beautiful wrinkle-free neck.  I want Heidi Klum’s neck.

Salma Hayek thinks that snapping a photo of herself with wet hair means no makeup.  Look at her eyes.  She’s wearing a very, very light brown shadow on her lids.  And look at the bottom lids..I detect a bit of liner and mascara.  WTF has cheeks that are naturally illuminated?  Nobody. That’s who!  She’s wearing some sort of highlighter.  Nobody’s hair looks that good wet.  The lighting is also a factor in a softer look.

Lady Gaga is so incredibly pretty. But I am deeply confused.  Either she has a killer spray tan and didn’t want her face tanned, or she applied a ton of powder on her face before this “no makeup” selfie was snapped.  If that is her natural hair, she’s even more gorgeous than I imagined.

I’m having a hard time with this one because it looks like Cindy Crawford has foundation or concealer on that sexy mole of hers. She lined the bottom of her eyes too!  I’m wondering if I’m a freak of nature because MY lips are naturally much darker. I need lip color to get MY lips that Cindy light color.  I think Cindy does too!  Cindy is also very aware of lighting. That’s why she took the photo under the covers.  I love my Cindy Crawford sofa. It’s held up so much better than my overpriced Ethan Allen one.  Cindy is NOT makeup free in this selfie.

Diane Kruger IS gorgeous.  But This is not a completely no-makeup selfie. She’s got lip balm or a very light gloss on.  I detect a bit of a line of demarcation above her upper eyelid.  But the BEST thing about this selfie is that she has the very beginning of fuzz on her chin. Welcome to the world of lady whiskers my pretty!  Soon you will have a tweezer in every purse!

I swear to goddess.  Bazaar had the balls to add this pic of Kylie Jenner in the “no makeup” selfie.  Oh. Wait. This look IS what no makeup means to the Jenner/Kardashian clan!

Alright.  Bar Refaeli is makeup free.  And if I looked like her, I would not have the need to wear cosmetics.  And SHE is one in a hundred million who could carry this off on a daily basis.  She is a freak of nature!   Nobody is that naturally beautiful!

Megan Fox has watermarked her top inner eyelids.  I know this. I do it all the time.  She filled in her brows.  She also filled in her face. She admitted to it in an interview.  So basically, her makeup is internal. 

Now THIS is what I’m talking about. THIS is a true no-makeup photo. It isn’t a selfie. It isn’t from Bazaar.  But it’s a bonafide photo of a woman who is in her late sixties, photographed in natural lighting, without filters.  THANK YOU SAINT HELEN MIRREN!!  Look at the photo after she’s been made up.  The cosmetics that have been applied to her face are not a mask. The cosmetics are enhancing the beautiful features she has.  She looks a good 15 years younger.  I’m very jealous of Mirren. Look at her neck!!!  She’s no turkey!

Now take a look at me without makeup. In one photo the lighting is more natural. In the other, the lighting is more subdued and my hair—or the hair that’s left on my head is cascading over my face to hide some of the many flaws.

Both photos, no makeup. Actually the photo in the subdued light looks much worse than the one of me in regular light.  My lips need some toning down. I have a bit of rosacea. Look. One nostril is larger than the other. That’s because I had a serious Afrin addiction when I was in my thirties.  Back then I didn’t need tweezers in every purse. I carried nasal spray in every purse instead! I was trying to look like Salma Hayek in that other pic –I couldn’t get my hair wet!

I got something to tell youse.  I ain’t getting rid of my makeup. I ain’t leavin’ my house makeup free either! Not now. Not ever. Never!

The only place these eye shadows are going are on my eye lids!

I keep my beauty assistants close by…

I have trunks full of stuff I’ve never even used!

My new brushes now have a special place on my vanity. They are for MY vanity!

The last time I left the house makeup free, with my hair in a bun, I was referred to as “sir”.  My bun must have looked like one of those man buns—or “muns” because of my receding hairline and I’m sure I needed a lip and chin wax.  I rest my case!

Yeah.  Hair back. No makeup.  A bit late to wax the lip and chin. And I”m called “sir”!  Hmmm.. Just like “Sir” Ray Davie and “Sir” Paul McCartney.  I would rather be called Her Highness!

Those crazy celebrities.  Yeah—you can go makeup free when you are younger.  Hell, when I was young I never needed foundation.  I didn’t even wear eyeliner until I reached my thirties!

When I was young it was lip gloss, blush and mascara.  I always had Angel Face pressed powder in my purse because of my then oily “T” zone.  Which I now wish would return!

As a teen, I was never without my Pond’s Angel Face pressed powder. I can still remember the lovely scent it had!

And as I aged—cosmetics became my new best friend.   My once peaches and cream complexion turned into one of dried fruit and sour milk—but sour milk that has been in the fridge that there is a dry-cracked coating. (Yes. This happens. Trust me.  I’ve left milk in the fridge that long).

Foundation brings a new glow to my skin and evens the tone out.

See what I mean. I’m NOT wearing a ton of makeup in this pic.  Just enough to enhance my bone structure and features.  And to NOT make me look like a “sir”!

  And all the products that I very carefully apply, some days more carefully than others, I think of as my little assistants.  Because they assist in enhancing the features that I have to bring life back into them.

And I’m not fond of an overly made up look anyway.  I did an experiment a while back. If you may or may not recall–I decided to make myself up like a Kardashian (click the Kardashian name to read the post)

This was my homage to Khloe–when she wore her hair back.  Now you know why I love to dye my hair–those gray roots look horrific!

This look scared me because Bonaparte liked it so much! Jesus!  Look at my crepey neck!  

It took me forever to slop all those cosmetics upon my face. I needed a nap after I was done.  It’s too much work. I’ll settle for less makeup and more enhancing!  But my point IS cosmetics are a good thing–even better if they make you feel confident!  Right??

So please. I don’t want to be a part of any  movement that feels women should free themselves of cosmetics.

I’m still trying to deal with the militant group who feel women should go gray!  You want to sport gray hair, go do it. But don’t tell me that I should follow suit!  I’m quite comfortable in my naturally dyed jet black #1 hair.

In the end, no matter whether or not we wear makeup. Or whether or not we let our tresses go gray, we are all beautiful people.

Melanie knows that–she sang a beautiful song about it!

  Makeup Free Movement? Nope. I’m of the Make Me Up Movement!!! CAVEAT:  This post would have been published last night. But my &*()&*(&* damn laptop stinks.  My finger touched…