Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Hiding Dark Roots

Anyone who gets her hair colored knows that at some point the roots grow in darker, lighter or grayer than the color initially put in. A quick (& inexpensive) trick is to use Clairol's new Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up Kit ($7 at your local drugstore)..This permanent color & brush makes it easy to hide obvious regrowth (most prominent along your part). You'll find the product is thick -- a good thing because if this stuff drops on your bathmat, you'll find your hair will match it!

-Julyne Derrick

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Is it Safe for Pregnant Women to Color Their Hair?

Doctors differ in their opinions on this one. Some feel the strong fumes and the dye coming in contact with the scalp may be harmful to pregnancy. But several studies have provided no conclusive evidence that this is true, or not. The scalp absorbs a small amount of chemical, but many doctors suggest playing it safe by not coloring your hair in your first trimester. If you’re still worried, you can use vegetable dyes or get highlights only.

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

A Few Gray Strands

Cover them with hair mascara

Have a few gray strands that stand out? Rather than dying your entire head, you have the option of using hair mascara. Check out your local drugstore for different brands or if you want to go posh, a good bestseller bet is Christian Dior's Mascara Flash for Hair.

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

7 Hairdressing Tips Only Your Stylist Knows

Getting your hair color right isn't a science. It's really quite simple: Stick to the colors that compliment your skin tone, figure out if you're best off with all-over color or highlights & then decide if you're going to pay someone else to do it or do it yourself.Here are 7 tips & tricks only your hairdresser knows, from how to avoid the wrong color to exactly how to do it yourself.

1.Pick the right color. Your hair color should suit your complexion. Any hair color will look good on pale skin. If you have pink skin, avoid shades of red or golden blonde. Opt instead for ash tones to neutralize your coloring. Sallow complexion? Stick with deep reds & avoid yellow, gold or orange tones. If your skin is olive, stick with dark colors & add richness with lowlights in red or brown shades.

2. To color or to highlight, that's the question. If you have short hair, avoid highlights & opt for full color. Subtle highlights around your face will brighten your complexion if you have longer hair. Keep in mind that due to root growth, all-over coloring will need to be touched up every 4 to 8 weeks, while highlights can last up to 2 or 3 months.

3. Different types of highlights. There are basically 4 types of highlights: basic foil highlights, bialiage or 'hair painting', chunking or 'piecing' & lowlighting.

4.Doing it yourself? Rub Vaseline around your hairline as a protective measure before applying color. To remove after coloring, rub a small amount of cream cleanser & wipe off with cotton balls. Always wear gloves & wrap an old dark-colored towel around your shoulders. Rinse your eyes with water if you get color in your eyes. If you forgot the Vaseline & stained your skin, rub the area with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol-based toner.

5. Don't like the color? Don't be afraid to go back to the salon & talk to your stylist. There are all sorts of ways to fix color that's just not right. If you did it yourself with a semi-permanent color, use a body-building shampoo to wash away the color faster.

6. After care. Refresh your color by using a color-enhancing shampoo & conditioner once a week. These products deposit miniscule amounts of color into hair.

7. Root rescue. You can expect your color to last about 6 to 8 weeks before your roots show. If you're hair is colored, you'll want to get your roots touched up or do them yourself with a kit you can buy at the store. Be sure & test the color first before applying.If you have highlights or lowlights, you can avoid having your whole head colored by asking your stylist to do your hairline, crown & part. A word of warning: Foil highlights require precise application & fixing dark roots is nearly impossible. Ask about easier to maintain highlighting techniques.

Information: Marie Claire 'Hair & Makeup', 'Total Beauty' by Sarah Stacey & Josephine Fairley

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Saturday, March 18, 2006

How To Prevent Hangnails

Hangnails are tiny pieces of skin that is still attached to the base or side of the nail. The usual cause... dried cuticles. They are painful but are avoidable if you follow these helpful hints.


Here's How:

1. Avoid picking at the cuticles. This can be as addictive as nail biting and can contribute to hangnails.

2. Use cuticle oil or cream to keep the skin supple around the nails. Dry cuticles contribute to hangnails.

3. The minute you see a hangnail, snip it off with a pair of nail scissors.

4. Nighttime is the perfect time to baby those cuticles. Even a little lipbalm massaged into the area will work wonders as you sleep.

5. Petroleum jelly is another good moisturizer for your cuticles. The fats in the jelly penetrate the layers of skin while the jelly forms a film preventing air from drying out the skin.

Vitamin E oil is another great method of healing hangnails quickly. Keep a supply of vials available at all times.

Tips:
Can be caused by nervous habits of picking and nail biting.

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

French manicures

What makes for a great French manicure?

Every so often French Manicures become popular yet again and mistakes are being made. To begin with, French manicures are supposed to be feminine and tasteful. I have been noticing a lot that simply aren't. The idea is there, but they have taken the manicure too far. Some of the nails that I have been seeing lately are strickly from the 80's!

The biggest mistake is painting the white line is too wide. Only a thin strip is supposed to be painted. And the edge is supposed to be curved. If you have square shaped nails, you need the oval shape to soften the look of your hands.


Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Keeping Nail Polish In Place

Ever spend an hour doing your nails only to smudge a nail within minutes of finishing up the last coat? Here's 6 tips to avoid those smudges on your next manicure...

Tip #1: Use polish remover first Even if your nails are polish-free, apply polish remover to get rid of oils on the surface of nails. Oils help chip faster.

Tip #2: Don't lay on the polish too thick Three to four thin coats of polish rather than 2 thick coats will last longer, cut down on drying time & cause fewer changes of bubbles brewing on your nails.

Tip #3: Consider a shimmery color. The little particles of sparkle will help polish cling to your nails.

Tip #4: Apply a clear topcoat Topcoat helps extend the life of your manicure. Do brush topcoat on & around the edges of nails as well, it's an extra seal against chipping.

Tip #5: Allow proper drying time Make sure you give your nails a good 45 minutes drying time before handling objects. Once dry time is over, submerge nails in cold water then apply lotion. This allows for a slippery surface until nails are completely dry.

Tip #6: Keep topcoat handy To prolong the life of your manicure, apply a topcoat every other day.

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Self Tanning Tips

There is no such thing as a safe tan, but luckily we now can look as if we have been in the sun for hours. The formulations are far superior to the ones of a few years ago.

Here's How:

1. Exfoliate area to be tanned. This is a very important first step so don't skip over it.

2. Rinse skin thoroughly. There can be no soap film from your last bubble bath.

3. Do not apply moisturizer before applying the tanning product.

4. Thoroughly rub the self-tanner into the skin to avoid streaks.

5. Do not apply to knees, elbows or feet.

6. Wash hands to remove the product.

7. Allow color to develop.

8. If smell is an issue, wash the area well after the color has fully developed. With the self-tanners on the market today, this is rarely an issue any more.

Tips:
Apply your self-tanners with a light hand. Additional layers can always be added later.

Dark red toe nails will look great with your freshly tanned legs.

Be sure to protect your skin with a sunscreen of at least SPF 20. If you plan a day at the beach, be sure to apply a waterproof sunscreen. It will need to be reapplied ever hour or so. Be sure not to forget!

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Bright Lipsticks for Spring

Gone are the days of the sultry eyes & light lips? Not really. Spring accepts that trend, but is also all about bright lipsticks (and we think it's about time) this year. Go for the bright pinks, the subtle reds & the deep glosses. To make a bold hue more sheer, layer lips first with lip balm before applying the stick.

Enjoy,
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Whats Hot For Spring?

Some trends to consider following this year:

1. Ponytails & braids are hot, loose buns are not. As much as we LOVE the loose bun trend of '05, it's purported to not be back this spring, according to Glamour magazine. Instead, opt for loose ponytails & braids.

2. Rummage around for red...lipstick that is. As we reported earlier, red lips are hot for spring. Just remember to keep your eye makeup light.

3. Long lashes are a must. A big trend right now are individual false lashes permanently applied. Not ready to go the glued route? Layer on the mascara. Several coats should do you.

4. Don't overbronze. Fake tanned skin is in again, but don't go overboard ala 'Dancing With the Stars' George Hamilton. Instead, try layering your fake tan with a light tanning creme set with a tinted moisturizer or a bronzing powder.

5. Long waves are still hot, while straightening irons still are not. Ironed hair has been out now for a couple seasons & it stays out for Spring. Instead, opt for long, loose waves. Think your hair is too long? Don't worry, as long as you keep it trim, super long hair is in.

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com