Many women really have no idea how to use make-up! Foundations and concealers are no exception! Foundation, concealer and blush is, well, the "foundation" of your whole look! If you get that part wrong, forget about the rest of it! Read on to learn these simple techniques, that'll help you get it right and look great!
Foundation, Concealer, and blush are the 3 products that many of us get horribly well, for lack of a better way to put it, wrong! Often we buy the wrong shade, and often don't know how to apply them correctly. So here's a few simple, easy techniques:
First of all, always bear in mind that concealer can NEVER pass for foundation or vice-versa!
Concealer is used to CONCEAL BLEMISHES i.e. blue eyelids, bags under the eyes, imperfections etc. and is used ONLY where needed. Foundation is used to even out and blend with you natural skin tone. It is used over the WHOLE face, blending into your whole neck area (when it comes to make-up, your face does not end at your jawline!) I strongly suggest that you have your skin tone identified at a reputable cosmetic counter in order to get the correct shade of foundation and concealer. It is known fact that approx. 80% of women use concealers and foundations that are 3 to 4 shades too dark!
Always apply concealer ONLY to the areas needed FIRST! Apply with your fingers to get a thin, light, even covering. You can use concealer for the eye lids, even if you're not wearing any other make-up.
When using a cream blush, apply before you apply foundation with your fingers in a patting action to the apples of the cheeks, blending as you go. Powder blush should be applied with a brush, AFTER the foundation, or else it will cake and streak. Remember: less is more!
Use your fingers to apply an even layer of foundation in a smoothing action over the whole face (remember, your face doesn't end at your jaw-line) over the concealer and blush. This is to make the blush and concealer appear more natural, and not "caked on." The idea here is to make it look like you're not wearing any make-up, and have a perfect complexion.
The final step to perfect-looking skin is: a light dusting of translucent pressed powder with a small to medium powder brush (Avoid the larger brushes, as you may over-powder!) This is to "seal" the product and stop it from "sliding" before your day is over! The powder ensures a perfect-looking face all day long!
Ta-da! Your "foundation" is ready for the rest of your make-up! If I can stress 1 point here (okay 2 points):
Salons are not heavily regulated anymore, and hygene can be a serious issue! Apart from the fact that it's just *yuck* there can be some serious health repercussions!
Whenever you feel like spoiling yourself, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a beauty salon or spa (for me, anyway!) Unfortunately, these days there are so many salons out there that you never know what you are letting yourself in for! Salons are not heavily regulated anymore, and hygene can be a serious issue! So, let's have a look at how you can arm yourself against some "scaries!"
In my experience, the very first thing you should look for when you walk into a salon is whether there's a long queue of clients waiting for their treatment. Why? The more clients waiting, the more pressure on the beautician to get through with her current client which may lead to rushed, sloppy work, sore fingers, bloody cuticles etc. Beauticians that work under that kind of pressure tend to forget that there is a person attached to the body part that they're currently working on! She may be forced to work faster and therefor less carefully just to make her quota for the day.
Look for certification / diplomas of your beautician. If there aren't any visible, ASK HER where she studied! You have a right to know whether she is qualified! Also inspect her workstation. Obviously don't go in there with a white glove, but just look at it. Is everything in it's place? Did she clean up after her last client (clean towels, sterilised her tools etc?) And did she wash her hands? Cross-contamination is a huge problem, and can only be controlled through the correct hygiene practices! (By the way, you should wash your hands too!)
When it comes to pedicures, make very sure that the foot spa has been thoroughly washed out and sterilised between clients! Germs LOVE warm water, dead skin cells, hair etc. and WILL THRIVE and easily get "under your skin" and can cause lesions, rashes, boils, fungus infection, and the list goes on! This video below is probably worst case scenario, and I'm not trying to terrorise you into never having a pedicure again! But it CAN happen if proper procedures aren't followed!
If you nail technician doesn't ask you, be sure to tell her exactly what your needs are (I.E. everyday wearing, special occasion etc.) It is also important that you let her know if you're on any kind of medication, as this can affect the product negatively. Also let her know whether or not you've ever had any kind of problem wearing nail extensions before. Also make sure that you ask your technician how to maintain your nails at home to keep them looking good (Of course, the technician should volunteer this information!)
Does your nail technician use an electric file? If so, that's fine, but there's a few rules. Firstly, those files should not be used on your natural nail as it is far too easy to file straight through the nail plate, which will be very painful (even for days) and you will lose your nail! Electric files are best used for extensions, and manual files for natural nails. A buffer (if used carefully) may be used with an electric file on the natural nail.
With these tips in mind, you're at least better equipped at choosing a safe, suitable salon.
I thought I'd quickly share a really great recipe I invented last night with you! It's quick, easy, healthy and very tasty too!I threw this recipe together quickly one night basically out of stuff I found in the fridge! I wasn't in the mood to go out shopping, and I wanted something quick and easy that wouldn't hurt the waistline too much! So, here goes!
(Serves 2) Ingredients: 250g Dry pasta of your choice (I used tagliatelle, which I LOVE. Fettuccine also works well) 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 Medium Onion peeled & chopped 2 Medium Crushed Garlic Cloves. 1-2 Wheels of Feta Cheese Herbs & Spices to taste
Method: Boil the pasta until 'al dente,' drain and immediately rinse in cold water to stop the cooking process, and place in a bowl. Drizzle with Olive Oil (don't be shy!) Sautè chopped onion with the crushed garlic in 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil . Add the onions, herbs and spices. Crumble the feta over the pasta, toss all together. Can be served hot or cold!
Optional extra: For those of you that like a little "tang" try this: Add 1tin of chopped, peeled tomatoes and 6-8 chopped peppadews to the onions while they are being sautèed. Follow the recipe as above.
The reason I say it's a winner, is because my fiancè generally doesn't like "healthy stuff" and he really liked this (with the optional extra!) So, Enjoy!
Hey All! We just finished building a facebook page! You can check it out here. Pretty neat, huh?! Be sure to share the link with everyone - we'll be posting specials there and starting discussions from time to time. Please do participate! See you there!
Foundation, Concealer, and blush are the 3 products that many of us get horribly well, for lack of a better way to put it, wrong! Often we buy the wrong shade, and often don't know how to apply them correctly. So here's a few simple, easy techniques:
Salons are not heavily regulated anymore, and hygene can be a serious issue! Apart from the fact that it's just *yuck* there can be some serious health repercussions! 
Hey All! We just finished building a facebook page! You can 