Category: Beauty

We all want to look our best and many of us will hone a carefully crafted beauty regimen to ensure that’s the case. However, you can work smarter rather than work harder. Here, we’re going to look at hacks and tips that allow you to ensure your beauty regimen is as effective as possible but without taking up your whole day. We’re going to look at efficiency and effectiveness, helping you start and end your day as beautifully as possible.

Perfect the smoky look

Many women will try long and hard to get the smoky eyeliner effect just right. All you have to do, however, is draw a slanted hashtag above the outer corner of your eye. Then use the smudger to blend it inwards.

Light up that face

The better your visibility, the easier it is to notice every detail. Leave no blemish unseen and no detail undone by lighting up your face as best as possible. If the lighting in the room makes it difficult to see every contour of your face, then consider using a Makeup Light Mirror Kit. Providing the perfect amount of light to do away with shadow and see exactly how you look in every light.

Spoon your way to success

If you’re doing your mascara in a rush, you don’t have to worry about smudging your eyelids. All you have to do is cover your top eyelid with a spoon. This allows you to quickly apply mascara without worrying that the brush ever touches your skin. Just wash the spoon after or that gunk can build up.

Forget gel liners

Want gel eyeliners for the intense smudge effect but don’t feel like buying a whole new set? With nothing more than a little flame, you can achieve it with ease. Take any kohl pencil eyeliner and hold it over a lighter for a second. Give it fifteen seconds to cool and voila, all the volume you could hope for.

Empower your lip gloss

Lip gloss is perfect for making your lips look as healthy and vibrant as possible. But you can add a little something extra to make it even more effective. Peppermint oil is a great solution, just a little bit of it gives lip gloss an extra plumping factor to give you that sultry pout throughout the day.

Fake the natural look

Going for the “no-makeup” look? Use a liquid eyeliner to tint lighter eyelashes, giving them a little more volume that’s much subtler to look at. Hold the liner vertically and move it back and forth across your open lashes to get an even spread from root to tip.

Lock in that moisture

You can speed up the moisturizing and foundation process by sealing in the former. Rose water spray is easily used, just spritz it on your face after applying moisturizer. This locks in much quicker so you can apply foundation without worrying about the two mixing and affecting one another.

Turning foundation mistakes into miracles

If you accidentally get a foundation that is too dark for your skin, don’t worry about it. Take any hydrating moisturizer and mix them together with a cotton swab or your finger. Depending on how much moisturizer you add, you can lighten the mix as much as you like, finding the perfect shade for your skin.

Don’t let your makeup move an inch

You’ve spent the whole morning perfecting the look for a big day, you don’t want the sweat or wear and tear of the day messing it up. After you’ve finished applying your makeup, consider using a makeup sealer. Whether you’re going dancing, running, or dating, this spritzed sealant ensures that your makeup doesn’t dissolve and fall away throughout the day.

Clean naturally

Is there anything coconut oil can’t do? Besides hydrating your skin, it’s perfect for the nighttime ritual, too. Coconut oil on cotton pad wipes will dissolve and clean away makeup just as effectively as makeup remover without any of the artificial ingredients.

These beauty tips are going to make it much easier to put your face on, take care of your skin, and look at your absolute best. A little investment in the right tools and products and make every morning a little easier.

Eyebrow threading might seem a little out-there at first, but when it comes to shaping your brows and removing excess hairs, nothing works better. It’s much cheaper and less painful than waxing. It’s also much more efficient than tweezing. Here, we’re going to look at how to thread your brows step-by-step.

Is threading safe?

Though it might seem relatively “low tech” in comparison to waxing or tweezing, threading is actually safer than both. Threading tugs the hair out from the root without pulling on the skin too much. It can be painful, but it’s less likely to leave your skin feeling irritated and inflamed for the whole day after.

Tools of the trade

Cotton sewing thread

A pair of eyebrow scissors

Eyebrow brush and pencil

Aloe Vera gel

Find a mirror

You need to ensure that you have the right lighting and visibility to see as clearly and in as much detail as possible. For this reason, it’s best to use a mirror with light bulbs attached or a makeup light kit that fully frames and lights every angle. Give it a wipe before you begin to make sure no smudges or marks get in the way, too.

Draw an outline

When you have done that, take your pencil. Start from the inside of your eyebrows and outline the shape you want in outward motions. This is a crucial step for ensuring you don’t thread too much or asymmetrically.

Prepare your brows

Take your brush and start sweeping your eyebrows upwards gently. Holding the hair in place with the brush, take your scissors in your other hand. Give your eyebrow a trim so that the threading process is safer and more comfortable. Then, use the brush to comb your brows back down and to shake out any of the loose hairs that might be trapped in amongst them.

Once you’re done, make sure you brush your hairs back into their natural place. You want them to look clean and neat while also making them easier to thread.

Prepare your thread

Cut a piece of the sewing thread from 11-to-14 inches long. How much, exactly, you cut depends on how big your hands and fingers are. Then follow the steps below:

Tie the ends of the thread in a knot to make a loop.

Insert two fingers and a thumb from both hands in opposite sides of the loop. Ensure the knot is on one of those ends, not somewhere in the middle.

Twist your fingers and thumb to make an ‘x’ shape in the middle of the thread. Twist it four more times to get that middle tie really tight.

If you don’t have enough room to comfortably make and hold this shape, you need a bigger piece of thread.

Practise the movement

To thread your eyebrows, you are going to be pulling the ‘x’ of the thread across your eyebrows, against the direction the hair grows out in. Practice opening and closing your fingers and thumb on either side of the loop to help the ‘x’ move from side to side. The other hand will be used to move the twist. Get used to the movement before you try it on your brows. If you have trouble getting the hang of it, you might need a slightly shorter piece of thread.

Position your thread

Start from the outside of your brows, holding the ‘x’ in the middle of the string right at the top of the hairs you want to remove.

Get threading

This is the important bit. Open the hand that is moving the ‘x’ in the middle while closing the other. The ‘x’ should slide across your skin firmly, but not quickly. As the ‘x’ twists further up the string, it grabs your hair and tugs it out. It will be painful but don’t hesitate or it can mess up the tug and you will simply have to do it again. Make sure you are moving the twist against the direction your eyebrow hair grows in and keep it slow. If you go too fast, you will tug on the skin as well, leaving it irritated for a long time after. Reposition the twist, removing the hairs outside the outline you’ve drawn.

Aftercare

Your brows are going to be feeling a little raw after you’re done. Make sure you apply aloe vera or an ice pack soon after you’re finished. It will provide some immediate relief as well as preventing any possible infections.

That’s it. A step-by-step guide to help you thread your brows safely, quickly, and sensibly. Don’t skip a single step, or you are all too likely to get something wrong along the way.

This is merely a guide, whenever you choose to carry out procedures on yourself you are accepting any risks and holding responsibility for any issues that may arise. If you are not confident in trying this method yourself, or are worried about making mistakes, then seek professional assistance.

Over recent years, eyebrows have risen in prominence when it comes to the beauty industry. Gone are the 00s trends of plucking our eyebrows into non-existence; eyebrows are in, and more and more women are coming to understand the importance of good brows to how their face looks.

As important as eyebrows are, it’s important to remember that eyebrows are incredibly subjective. There’s no one style of eyebrow that suits everyone; what works for your friends or favourite celebrity may well not work for you.

To provide some guidance on how to find the perfect eyebrow style for you specifically, you first need to ascertain your face shape. These six primary face shapes are the first port of call when learning to ascertain the eyebrow style that will suit you best. With your face shape in mind, you can then begin to explore which of these styles will work well for you.

Rounded face shape

Your face is almost as wide as it is long

Your face is at its widest point across your cheeks

Celebrity example: Catherine Zeta Jones

Rounded faces tend to work well with the following eyebrow styles:

Hard angled. Hard angles help to create definition to rounded face shapes.

Straight – high arch.

Oval face shape

Your face “tapers” from the widest point, the forehead, down to its narrowest point at the chin

Your cheekbones are prominent

Celebrity example: Charlize Theron

Oval face shapes tend to work well with the following eyebrow styles:

Rounded, low arch.

Rounded, medium arch.

Rounded, high arch.

Flat.

Oval faces work well with most types of brows, so you’ve got plenty of choice!

Triangular face shape

Your jawline is wider than your forehead and cheekbones

Your chin is square or flat in shape

Celebrity example: Jennifer Aniston

Triangle faces tend to work well with the following eyebrow styles:

Longer, fuller brows that frame the eyes tend to work best with triangular face shapes.

Soft angled, low or medium arch.

Square face shape

Your forehead, jawline, and cheekbones are all roughly the same width

Your jawline is square and sometimes prominent

Celebrity example: Angelina Jolie

Square faces tend to work well with the following eyebrow styles:

Thick brows work particularly well

Rounded arch (low, medium, or high)

Soft angled, low.

Rectangular face shape

Your face is similar to a square face, but is longer than it is wide

Your face has a slight curve

Celebrity example: Alexa Chung

Rectangular faces tend to work well with the following eyebrow styles:

Flat brows work best with this face shape

Soft angled, low arch.

Diamond face shape

You have a high pointed chin and high cheekbones

Your hairline is relatively narrow

Celebrity example: Vanessa Hudgens

Diamond face shapes tend to work well with the following eyebrow styles:

Rounded, low arch.

Rounded, medium arch.

When you have an idea in mind, a beauty therapist will be able to confirm your choice and then create the eyebrows of your dreams!

If you’ve recently noticed how good acrylic nails can look, then you may be considering having acrylics added to your nails. Perhaps you’ve never really noticed other people’s nails before, but now that you’ve taken note of how beautiful nails can be, you want to add a little glamour to your own hands.

Acrylic nails, if they’re done right, can look amazing – which is why having a professional do them for you is so important. There are plenty of designs and styles to choose from, from bright and bold colours to pastel hues and glitter shades – there are so many effects to choose from.

As a beginner in the world of acrylic nails, the process of getting acrylic nails done can be daunting, which is why we’ve created this in-depth guide for you, discussing everything that you should know about the process of getting acrylic nails and the pros and cons that come with doing so.

What types of acrylic nails are there?

There are two main types of acrylic nails; these are ‘tips’ and ‘form’ nails. Tipped acrylics are acrylics created with a nail tip glued to the nail that’s already in place.

whereas formed nails are sculpted onto the nail with acrylic.

Both of these options are extremely hard wearing and long-lasting, so it’s just a case of personal preference and determining what option your chosen salon provides.

In addition to considering what type of acrylic nails you would like, it’s also important to think about the shape of the nails that you would want. There are various nail shapes to choose from; these include stiletto, oval, square, almond, squoval, or coffin – these are the most popular options, but there may be other shapes available that you can discuss with your salon.

Once you’ve thought about the nail type that you want, the next thing is to consider the length of the acrylics. You can opt to have whatever length nails you prefer – it’s just a case of determining what nails you can work with day to day, and what you are most comfortable with. These could be short nails or really long nails, or even medium length nails – the option that you choose is completely up to you. (Not sure what length to get? Why not pop some stick-on nails on for a few days to determine which length you prefer.)

How much do acrylic nails cost?

The price of acrylic nails can range from £25 to £80; it completely depends on where you go to get them done, and how much detail is put onto them. Usually, the cheaper nail bars don’t offer as good quality work as the more expensive ones, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune.

A tip from a professional nail expert is to never to get your nails done in a nail bar where the nail artists are wearing chemical masks – any reputable nail salon won’t use such strong chemicals. Keep this in mind when choosing where to have your nails done – take note and find a salon that doesn’t have their workers wearing masks.

When you think about the price of acrylics, it’s also important to think about maintenance costs. As your natural nails grow, you will either need to have the acrylics removed, and a new set put in place at the same price you paid for the original set, or you can have them filled in to make them last for longer. This tends to cost less than having a whole new set of acrylics and is a great maintenance option for making your acrylics last longer. (Most acrylics last two to three weeks without any upkeep, but after this, infills are needed to keep them secure and looking their best.)

What complications are there?

One issue that can come with acrylic nails is that the chemicals used for them can damage the nail. This is because very strong chemicals are used which can sometimes result in damage to the nail itself and the nail bed.

Then there’s the fact that because the acrylic is bonded so strongly to the nail, if the acrylic is caught or rips, it may rip up the nail bed, revealing the flesh underneath. This can be extremely painful and leave your finger vulnerable to infection. If this injury occurs, seek medical assistance immediately to reduce the risk of infection and long-term complications.

Allergic reactions are another problem that has been reported with acrylic nails, which can cause blisters, pain, and thinning of the nail bed.

While complications can occur, and it’s important to know these dangers, you must remember that they aren’t very common (otherwise no one would risk getting them done)!

How to remove acrylic nails

The best way to remove acrylic nails is to head back to the salon and get a nail expert to remove them for you. However, if you don’t have the time or money to do this, you may be wondering how to remove them yourself at home. Whatever you do, don’t attempt to rip them off, this can cause serious pain and damage to your natural nail and nail bed.

Here’s a guide that can be used to remove acrylic nails yourself:

This is merely a guide, and is not a proven method to safely remove your acrylic nails. If you choose to follow this guide or remove acrylic nails by yourself then you are accepting any risks and holding responsibility for any issues that may arise. The safest way to get your acrylic nails removed is always by a professional from reputable salon

Clip each nail as short as possible using nail clippers.

Gently lift the edges of the nail slightly using tweezers.

Soak the nails in nail polish remover for 30 to 40 minutes.

When you feel the acrylics starting to lift off of the nail bed, gently pull them away using tweezers.

Never pull too hard, only lift up the acrylic nail after you’re sure it’s completely free from the nail. If not then its time to head back to the salon and let the professionals remove them.

Acrylic nails can be a great way to minimise nail maintenance, as once they have been applied, with regular infills, acrylic nails can last for weeks or even months.

What are they? How much? & Are they worth it?

Ever look at a woman and see that she has beautiful eyelashes and wonder how she got them? So, on a whim you ask “what mascara do you use?” Only to find out her reply is “none, I woke up like this.” But of course you chuckle and say “no for real” – which initiates her reply “they’re eyelash extensions!” Eyelash extensions? What? That’s a real thing? Of course it is, it’s the newest trend and trick to get fuller full time lashes. If you’re like me, I rarely leave the house without mascara. I’m not one of those women who have naturally full lashes, and that’s okay. But if you’re wondering how you can become one of those lucky ladies by skipping the your daily mascara routine here are a few things you need and should know about eyelash extensions:

Things you’ll know by the end of this article:

What are eyelash extensions

Different types of eyelashes / styles

Overall costs

Risk & Rewards

1. What are Eyelash Extensions:

Eyelash extensions are just like hair extensions except these are made for your eyelashes. Little pieces of hair are attached to your natural lash line to give your current eyelashes a little boost. You can choose the type of hair you’d like and also the style, just like you would choose the color and length of your hair extensions, it’s basically the same thing. You choose hair type, length, curl type and the overall dramatic effect you want to achieve. Most salons will have a diagram for you to choose from and a technician to help you decide. The process is fairly relaxing, you sit in a chair with your eyes closed as a technician applies one eyelash extension at a time until the look is complete. The process can take up to 2 hours for a (first time) full set but you’ll need to go back for refills after a few weeks if you’d like to maintain your new look.

2. Type of Eyelashes / Styles:

First, there are many different hair types that can be used for your eyelash extensions; silk, mink, fox fur, human hair, plastic synthetic, or poly-fiber blend synthetic. Each one will be priced differently according to your choice, the most expensive being mink. Once you choose which type of hair, you can choose curl type, lash thickness, and finally lash length. Then you would choose your style, the four common lash styles are natural, open eye, cat eye and doll eye. If this is your first time getting eyelash extensions, be sure to ask your technician what she or he would recommend for a first timer, usually something more natural helps you get used to your new lashes.

3. Overall Cost:

Overall costs will vary. Depending on the hair type, location and experience, eyelash extensions (for a full set) will run on average between £70 and £120 for both eyes. Usually, cheaper rates means the salon uses cheaper lash hair so be sure to get all the details before saying ‘yes’ – cheaper hair/lashes look less authentic. After 2-3 weeks you’ll need a touch up and that will run you about £40-£90, again depending on the hair type and if you want to change up the style you had recently gotten before. Most people choose ‘Real Mink Eyelash Extensions’ as these look the most authentic but of course cost the most, followed by silk extensions and then any type of synthetic lashes.

4. Risks & Rewards:

With everything in life comes risks and rewards, the obvious reward here is that you’ll have beautiful fuller looking eyelashes without the need to apply daily mascara, or daily false lashes (you know the strips you glue to your lash line) – Most women get eyelash extensions to enhance their ‘I woke up like this look’ – or the ‘makeup free but still beautiful look’, and with eyelash extension this can be achieved.

The risks are minimal but worth mentioning; the funds you will be putting out for your new love of lashes will add up (because let’s be honest every beauty habit we tend to take on becomes expensive after a few months of pampering), and then there is the possibility of not liking the way they feel and feeling like you just wasted £120. The more serious risks though include the chance of an infection to the cornea or an infection to the eyelid, loss or damages to real lashes and swollen eyelids. It’s also important to mention that while you can still wear eye makeup you will need to be extra careful in removing your makeup as oil-free products (oil-free removers contain products that break down the lash adhesive) and water may increase the risk of accidentally removing a few lashes. You can still shower and swim with lash extensions but again be careful not to rub your eyes to hard when drying your face.

Sure there are horror stories that make eyelash extensions seem scary, but the truth is if you follow the instructions and take care of your extensions your chances of these problems happening are reduced. No two eyes are the same, just because someone you know had a bad experience doesn’t mean you will too.

When it comes to beauty and taking care of your skin, there’s always new advice on the horizon; from new ways to use your facial primer to the use of activated charcoal for almost everything (seriously, there is so much that you can use this stuff for).

There are a lot of beauty secrets out there, some of these are things that are total game changers, and others of them not so much. While certain beauty secrets work wonders for some people, that doesn’t mean that they will work as well for others. While your best friend may swear by makeup setting spray instead of baking her face, you may find that baking works best for you – different people find different hacks useful.

There are some beauty secrets that are just too helpful not to share, even if they don’t work for everyone, these are things that every woman should know about and have the chance to try. You can’t determine if a beauty hack will work for you without trying it, which is why it’s so vital that you take the time to give beauty tricks a try.

To help you give your beauty regime a boost and achieve better results, below is a guide to some of the very best beauty hacks that you might want to try.

Use the right lighting

When it comes to applying your makeup, one of the biggest mistakes that you can make is failing to apply your ‘face’ in the right lighting. When it comes to makeup application, the use of natural lighting is always best, but a lighted mirror can be the next best thing. When your face is properly lit up with natural or natural-looking light, you are less likely to overdo your makeup, plus there will be fewer shadows on your face.

It’s potatoes, not cucumber

When it comes to revitalising our eyes, the commonly used trick is slices of cucumber. However, experts recommend using sliced potato instead to see even better results. The enzymes released from raw potatoes help to naturally tighten skin and improve your complexion. The cooler the potatoes are, the better – so it could be worth popping them in the fridge for an hour or two before using.

Extend those lashes

Long lashes are a luxury that every woman wants, but unfortunately we’re not all born with luscious long lashes. While eyelash extensions are an option that has proven popular in recent years, they can be a little pricey. Fake eyelashes can be a great alternative as these are affordable, easy to apply, and can look just as natural as eyelash extensions. It’s just a case of choosing the right eyelash type to match to your natural lashes.

Plump those lips

To give your lips a ‘natural’ boost, add a couple of drops of peppermint oil to your lip gloss or balm, and let the green stuff get to work. As the mint tingles your lips, it should start to plump them up, giving you a more prominent pout.

Redo your nails every three days

Hate having chipped, grimy nails? Then perhaps you could consider redoing them every three days. The reason that nails chip so easily after the first three days of wear is simple: because most base coats stop working as effectively after that time period. So if you want to ensure that your nails always look smart and perfectly polished, redoing them every three days could be the answer. Of course, if you opt to gel nails or acrylics, it’s a different story – these last much longer – but for regular polish, three days is the max that you should wear it for.

Make your eyes ‘pop’

Want to make your eyes ‘pop’? Use a white eyeliner or pale concealer to add a light area under and above your eyes. If you’re adding eyeshadow to your lids, use your palette properly and take advantage of every colour. The lightest shade on any eyeshadow palette is always the highlighting shade, the shade that can be used under the eyes, in the corner of the eyes, and under the brow bone to make your eyes really ‘pop’.

Make your mascara last longer

Has your mascara become flakey and clumpy? If it has, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to throw it away and buy a new one, you could use saline solution to save it. Add a couple of drops of saline to your mascara pot, mix it around with your mascara wand, and you should have a usable mascara once again.

Heal those feet

Do you have cracked, sore feet? You can heal they while you sleep. All you need is two ‘foot bags’ and a deep moisturiser. Squeeze moisturiser into the foot bags, pop your feet in, tighten them, and leave overnight. By the time the morning comes, you should have super soft, smooth feet.

There you have it, a selection of beauty secrets that every woman should know and take advantage of to improve her beauty regime.