Getting The Most Out of Your Mascara

Do you ever notice how amazing the model’s eyelashes look in the beauty shots for cosmetics ads? Of course they do! They have makeup artists who spend hours making the model's lashes look perfect. Makeup artists on commercial sets use anywhere from three to five different types of mascara, a lash comb, a toothpick, and a tweezers to make each lash stand up just right. If you had a makeup artist poring over your eyelashes for three unbelievable hours then yours would, too. But let’s get real! There are a few basic things you can do to make the most out of whatever mascara you are using:

1. Replace your mascara every 3 months - old mascara doesn’t go on smoothly, making your lashes dry, short and clumpy looking. If you are on a budget, try to find a great drugstore brand.
2. Get a hand mirror - when you apply your mascara, hold the mirror down by your nose and look into it. This will allow you to see the root all the way to tips of your eyelashes and gives you the best length possible for application.
   
3. “Wiggle and Pull” - wiggle the brush back and forth to ensure your lashes grab the most mascara possible from the wand. It’s great for volume and length.
   
4. Go Slow - practice your mascara application technique and take time out of your makeup applying routine to devote to applying your mascara. Great lashes make a big difference!
   

Beginning Makeup

Here are some starter essentials for those just starting out with makeup:

1. Nude eyeshadow - This is flattering and subtle on most everyone. Make sure to get an eyeshadow brush with a handle to teach her how to apply eyeshadow.

2. Blush - Something soft and pink that matches her natural color.


3. Lip gloss - Choose a shade only slightly deeper than her natural lip color. A sheer, rosy gloss will look pretty, but not overdone.


Most kids want to appear older, but that’s not the point of makeup. By avoiding heavier makeup like mascara, liner and foundation, she will still look her age by starting off with the subtle basics. Then, when she gets a little older and starts high school, take her to a professional makeup artist to get a real lesson in applying makeup.

Covering Acne

Acne can take a serious toll on your teen’s self esteem. Going to see a dermatologist is the first step to curing severe acne. But, if your teen just has a few blemishes, or just gets a spot occasionally, then proper makeup application can do the trick.


Find a concealer that is oil-free. There are specific concealers meant to cover acne and that contain an acne fighting ingredient such as salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide. Dab on the concealer gently with a concealer brush, let it set for a minute, and then blend out the edges so you don’t see where the concealer meets the skin. Don’t brush too much directly over the spot - you don't want to brush all the concealer away! After the concealer is blended, set it with some loose powder.


For more apparent blemishes, find an oil-free medium coverage foundation. This will help camouflage large problem areas, and tone down redness caused by the inflammation of the acne. Use a clean foundation brush to apply the foundation every time, and set with oil-free loose powder. Don't use your fingers or sponges to spread foundation as they harbor bacteria and can make acne worse.

Black or Brown Mascara?

In my humble opinion, you should go with black mascara, always black. I don’t understand brown mascara. It’s just unnecessary. The point of mascara is to make your eyes stand out. Black does the trick in the best possible way. Here’s a little quick trivia for you that might come up in a Trivial Pursuit game at some point. The first mascara was invented by Eugene Rimmel in the 19th century. The word “rimmel” still means mascara in French and Italian. Early mascara was made from coal dust mixed with petroleum jelly; probably not very good for your eyes. It came in a cake form that a chemist made for his sister Mabel…which eventually became the company Maybelline. Don’t you just love makeup history class? The modern form of it didn’t get introduced until 1957 by the great beauty pioneer Helena Rubinstein. I don’t think any of the early inventors of mascara would have come up with a brown version. So in honor of them, go with black.

Eyeshadow for brown eyes

Brown eyes look great in blue and pink tones as well as golds and burnt oranges. The intensity of color you wear depends on your skin tone. For fair skin, use a soft blue on the eylid, plum on the outer edge of the eye, and pink under the eyebrow. For medium to deeper skin tone, the plum could be used on the lid and into the crease area. Line eyes with a navy or plum color and black mascara.

Fuller Lips

To make your lips appear fuller, use a deep shade of lipcolor at the outside corners of lips. Then apply a lighter lipcolor (in similar shade) to the center of the lips. Remember that light brings forward, dark recedes.

Do You Really Need an Eyelash Curler?

The number one rule to remember with curling your eyelashes is to make sure your eyelashes are clean. You don’t want to curl them after you apply mascara. If you do, you run the risk of damaging them and breakage can occur.

How do you know if you need to curl your lashes? Consider the natural texture of your hair…is it wavy or curly? If so, then your lashes probably follow suit and curl naturally when you apply your mascara. If your hair is as straight as a board, then an eyelash curler will be useful. Curling your lashes will open up the eye area and make them stand out more.

Invest in an eyelash curler that is metal and has a rubber pad. You should replace the pad every three months because eventually it will flatten out and not curl as effectively. Don’t be afraid to get right down the root of your eyelash so that you get the maximum curl. Hold it for at least 20 seconds, squeezing gently. Make sure you completely release the handles before removing the curler so you don’t yank out your lashes!

Lipstick Choices

The type of lipstick you use depends on your individual taste. There are matte lipsticks that are drier and thus longer lasting. There are cream lipsticks that give good coverage and contain moisturizers. There are hydrating lipsticks that are good for dry lips. There are sheer lipsticks that are moist and give your lips a stain. There are also lipglosses that are fluid and have the most moisture.

Eyeshadow for blue eyes and blonde hair.

For blue eyes and blond hair the best looking eyeshadow colors are violets and lavenders or neutral tones. Use the violet on the lid and in the crease of the eyelid. Use the lighter color lavender above the crease to the eyebrow bone for a dramatic night look. Use natural colors for daytime.

Eyeshadow recommendation for blue eyes and blond hair: Natural tones for day and purple hue's for night!

Makeup Brushes

The quality of brushes does make a difference. Natural bristled brushes are best as they are soft to the touch and apply powder blush,face powder,eyeshadow or lipstick most effectively. Synthetic brushes are best to use for eyeshadow base,cream eyeshadows,and concealers. They should all be washed with a gentle foaming cleanser,hair shampoo or just plain soap and water. Squeeze out excess water with a towel,lay flat and air dry.

How Natural Is Mineral Makeup?

Most mineral makeup companies claim that their mineral-based products are “so natural” you can sleep in them. But how true is that, really? How different is mineral makeup versus regular makeup?

Mineral-based foundations came on to the market with a big bang when the company Bare Escentuals introduced their i.d. bareMinerals makeup. Mineral foundation is essentially crushed minerals that are free of preservatives, talc, oil and fragrance. People with sensitive skin usually responds well to mineral makeup because it's made up of fewer ingredients. They do share some of the same ingredients as regular makeup though, like mica or titanium dioxide.

As far as the coverage goes, it’s sheer to medium depending on how many layers you buff on with a powder brush. On the plus side, it is good for all skin types because it’s oil-free. Bare Escentuals basic mineral foundation goes for around $25. Lucky for us, more budget-friendly options are now available at the drugstore level because it seems that every cosmetics company has jumped on the mineral bandwagon lately. L’Oreal has a mineral foundation called Bare Naturale ($12). In most cases, you can just use a light coverage with this makeup. Just dust a light layer over your t-zone and chin, or any other areas that are red and uneven.

 Even though mineral makeup may have fewer ingredients than traditional makeup, you still need to wash it off at night. During the day dirt, oil, and bacteria accumulate on the skin and need to be removed before you go to bed.

A Solution For Those Who Hate Foundation

Foundation comes in all different kinds of formulas. Even with a wide variety to choose from, the most common refrain I hear from women is, “I hate foundation!” Even a sheer foundation feels like a mask covering up their skin. I have tried many times to put foundation on someone who doesn’t like it to try and change their mind, and it doesn’t work. There is a solution for all the foundation haters out there.

If you want your skin to show through, skip foundation altogether and try a tinted moisturizer. It’s the best choice for natural coverage that evens out skin tone and will give a healthy glow to your complexion. A tinted moisturizer is closest in texture to a sheer foundation, but also has the added benefit of hydrating the skin. Most tinted moisturizers also offer an SPF of at least 15. If you can find one with an SPF 30, then you are really doing your skin a favor by protecting it daily from incidental sun exposure.

Best Makeup Colors for Brides

After you pick your perfect foundation, try to find eye, lip, and cheek colors that are neutral and compliment your skin tone. Also remember not to put mascara on lower lashes or you can end up looking like a raccoon. If you need a little color in your skin try using a bronzer. This will give a natural glow without looking fake. Try a neutral lip color with a fantastic, hint of color gloss.