The Ultimate Beauty Guide

Step 1 : Starting at the root, begin to curl hair, twisting the hair, and adding more until the entire iron is covered with hair.

Step 2 : Gather the curled section and pin with metal clip.

Step 3 : Continue to do this to the bottom section, moving up through the entire head, until the head is completely set. curl the front away from the face, to achieve a softer, modern look.

Step 4 : Let hair set for 20 minutes, spray lightly with hair spray.

Step 5 : Start releasing the hair from the bottom up, keeping the curl intact as you go and spray hair, lightly, after all the curls have been released.

Step 6 : Gently, with your fingers, pull through the end of the hair to soften and release the curl. and you are done!

Do you have persistently frizzy hair? Does your hair frizz in the morning as soon as you get out of the shower and start drying it? Your hair frizzes because its outer cuticle lifts up and starts looking like a shingled roof; when your hair is straight, that cuticle lies flat. If you suffer from frizzy hair, know that it can be tamed pretty effectively.

1. Start in the Shower:

Start in the shower with a hydrating, repairing shampoo. When hair is well nourished, it's less likely to react to humidity. Limit sudsing to every other day. This allows your body's natural oils to condition the scalp and hair follicles.

2. Choose Tools Wisely:

They are not all created equal. For straight locks, boar-bristle brushes are gentle (read: less breakage) and will help distribute hair's natural oils. Before washing, brush hair from root to tip to detangle strands and stimulate blood flow on the scalp. Curly girls should stick with wide-tooth combs, used only after conditioner.

3. Always Apply Anti-Frizz:

Always apply anti-frizz product on damp hair from roots to tips, whether you are letting it dry naturally or using heat. 

If blow-drying, first use a heat-protectant spray. Start upside down and dry about 70%. Flip head up and run a medium-size brush through 2-inch layers, lifting at the crown. Keep strands smooth by angling blow-dryer down toward the ends. 

For wavy hair, divide into five sections starting in the back. Add a combo of lightweight lotion and styling cream to each and diffuse until mostly dry. Spritz a finishing spray all over and then let it be—touching hair repeatedly creates fuzz. 

If you air-dry, a leave-in conditioner is key to taming wild hair.

4. Strengthen Strands:

Strengthen strands with an at-home protein mask to rebuild keratin, which is what your hair is made of. Aim for once a week; regular treatments will increase softness and shine. Check label listing for corn, rice, wheat and soy proteins. All are extremely moisturizing.

5. Quick Fix:

For a quick fix, apply a silicone-based cream or serum. An oil treatment—argan, Moroccan or similar—will also give you gorgeous glossiness.

Best Products to Tame Frizzy Hair


Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Moisturizing Dry Scalp Shampoo, mass retailers, $6, is packed with good-for-you vitamins (B5, C and E) and nutrients.


Living Proof Restore Revitalizing Spray, sephora.com, $26, boasts a breakthrough molecule—discovered by MIT scientists—that blocks humidity by forming a shield around each strand.


John Frieda Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution, mass retailers, $10. A serum and lotion hybrid that won't weigh down fine hair.


Umberto Beverly Hills Controller Conditioning Spray, Ulta stores, Target stores and target.com, $9. Add bounce and shine with a sheer leave-in detangler.


L'Oréal Paris EverSleek Super Sleek Intense Serum, drugstores, $9, seals the cuticle with a mix of argan, sunflower and olive oils.


Fekkai Coiff Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Creme, Ulta and fekkai.com, $25. The sheer, lightweight formula leaves locks soft and silky.


Aussie Sprunch Catch the Wave Hair Spray, mass retailers, $3. Mist onto your part and roll the actual bottle over the sprayed section to banish flyaways.


Curlisto Deep Therapy Masque, curlisto.com, $36, combines rice, wheat and corn proteins with nourishing amino acids to strengthen hair.


Sally Hershberger Curvaceous Elasto-Curl Daily Treatment, sallyhersherger.com, $13, defines waves on damp hair and revitalizes dry curls.

We all want siren lips that are plump, full and supple. In the winter months, this becomes increasingly hard to maintain. The alternative? Dry, cracked, peeling lips, which are just plain not cute. Below are expert tips for keeping your pout in the best condition!

Prepared for anything:

“As a makeup artist, one of the things that you pray for when you show up to meet a client is that her lips are smooth, hydrated and healthy. There’s one thing that you can’t fake, and that’s hydrated, healthy looking lips,” says celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal, creator of Mally Beauty. Try burt's bees red collection tinted lip balm duo and Gentle Lip Scrub to slough off dry, chapped skin and smooth lips. 

“It’s so important to make sure that your mouth is taken care of. Lip products go on smoother and last longer. Chapped, peeled lips can bleed or even get infected. So always avoid that at all costs,” Roncal says.

Dangers of dehydration:

Lips lack the oil glands needed to produce naturally hydrating oils. Add to this fact that the skin on our lips is super thin (much thinner than skin found elsewhere), and it’s more susceptible to dehydration. 

Did you know lips have no sweat glands? Without the protective layer of sweat and oil that the rest of our bodies enjoy, lips dry out and become chapped. Even more surprising, the skin on our lips only have three to five cellular layers; compared to the 16 layers that the skin on our face has!. It’s no wonder why lips can become old, thin and pinched. But there’s nothing like a good fact to require a call to action. Give your lips the love they badly need with restoring treatments.

Lines and wrinkles:

The danger of not taking care of your lips is that they can become dry, dehydrated, and cracked, which is just painful. Chronic dehydration makes fine lines appear around the vermillion border. This not only doesn’t look good, but it doesn’t feel great, either. The lips are the most vulnerable part of our face since they are the thinnest skin and have no oil glands or melanin. If someone is prone to fever blisters/cold sores when their lips are not healthy this can trigger an outbreak and can lead to infection which can take 1 to 2 weeks to heal and can even leave a scar.

Sun protection:

Low grade, chronic sun exposure can lead to sun damage to the lips.  Ultimately this translates to pre-cancerous spots, known as actinic cheilitis, or even cancers of the lip. The best treatment is prevention, so protect not only your skin but also your lips every day. 

Although lip cancer is on the rise, there aren’t many sunscreen formulas that we would willingly put on my lips. “A few years ago, I found Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15 and haven’t looked back since. As well as a zinc oxide sunscreen at 8% (a good addition since lip cancer is increasing), there is a base of macadamia oil, bolstered by avocado and aloe. Anti-aging antioxidants come in the form of green tea and vitamin C.

Apply for 1 month, once per week. Hair grows about 10 centimeters. Mask recipe is very simple and is based on the fact that mustard powder warms the skin of the head and causes a rush of blood to the hair follicles. 2 tablespoons of dry mustard powder (available from the department of spices) with hot water to dissolve 2 tablespoons, 1 egg yolk, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of sugar (the more sugar, the meaner).

It never fails -- no matter how carefully you put on your shirt or dress, it still gets stained by deodorant. You may not even notice the unsightly marks until after you've left home. It's an embarrassing situation, but you don't need to cope with deodorant stains every day. You can avoid them altogether by using the right type of deodorant and applying it the correct way.

Step 1: Use an invisible solid deodorant or spray antiperspirant. Unlike regular white solid deodorant, these products are less likely to leave marks on your clothes. 

Step 2: Apply a thin layer of deodorant. If you slather the product on thickly, it's more likely to rub off on your shirt or dress. 

Step 3: Wait for about 30 seconds after applying deodorant before you put your clothes on. This gives your skin time to absorb the deodorant. 

Step 4: Trim or shave your armpit hair before putting on deodorant. You'll have less hair for the deodorant to cling to, so less of the product will transfer to your clothes. 

Step 5: Hold the can about 6 inches away from your armpit if you're applying spray deodorant. If you hold the can much closer, you may apply more deodorant than you need. 

Step 6: Put on an inexpensive or old undershirt before putting on your top garment. This blocks the deodorant from touching your main shirt or dress. 

Step 7: Roll the bottom hem of your shirt or dress outward before putting it on. After you've pulled the garment over your head, unroll the bottom of it. If any deodorant gets on the garment, it will be on the inside, where it's not visible. 

Step 8: Launder your shirt or dress as soon as possible after you're done wearing it. If your deodorant has left a mark, rub some laundry detergent directly into the armpits of the garment before washing.

Bad breath is not only a sign of unhealthy oral practices but is also a problem that brings you embarrassment in public and low levels of confidence. Bad breath might not be a serious health condition but is one of the signs that the mouth is not clean as it should be. It also makes one realize the importance of having a fresh breath while taking to people and staying in public. Once you understand the significance, the next is to work towards methods that can actually help you in treatment of bad breath.



Fennel Seeds:

Chewing on some fennels seeds is a good and easy home remedy to treat bad breath instantly. Having these after each meal also helps in preventing the problems that one usually faces after having foods with strong smell. Fennel seeds also aids in digestion as added benefit.

Fenugreek Benefits:

A cup of herbal tea made from fenugreek seeds is perfect for treatment of bad breath. It is also known to be good for the respiratory tract and body odour. Add a handful of fenugreek seeds in water and bring it to a boil. Now cool it down a little and sip it for keeping bad breath away.

Have Green Tea:

The anti bacterial properties in green tea and the high levels of antioxidants helps in flushing out the toxins and bacteria in the mouth that usually accumulates and causes bad breath. A cup or two of green tea after meals is recommended as a simple home remedy for bad breath.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Mix some apple cider vinegar in warm water and cool it down a little. This should be used to rinse the mouth and is a perfect home remedial mouthwash to treat bad breath. It also helps in killing the germs in the mouth.

Parsley Leaves:

Chewing on some parsley leaves is one of the simplest ways and quite a natural one too where treatment of bad breath is concerned. Try it out to see the effectiveness of the tip.

Drink Lots of Water:

Water again is one of the liquids that helps in cleansing away the bacteria and accumulated food residues in the mouth that forms plaque and cause bad breath. Having good amounts of water thus helps in treatment of bad breath. It is suggested to drink 10-12 glasses of plain and filtered water each day. It is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to reach the goals.

Bad breath is not only a sign of unhealthy oral practices but is also a problem that brings you embarrassment in public and low levels of confidence. Bad breath might not be a serious health condition but is one of the signs that the mouth is not clean as it should be. It also makes one realize the importance of having a fresh breath while taking to people and staying in public. Once you understand the significance, the next is to work towards methods that can actually help you in treatment of bad breath.

It is best to adhere to some simple home cures for treatment of this crisis. This guide will tell you how and all you need to do is follow them with due diligence.


Have Green Tea:

The anti bacterial properties in green tea and the high levels of antioxidants helps in flushing out the toxins and bacteria in the mouth that usually accumulates and causes bad breath. A cup or two of green tea after meals is recommended as a simple home remedy for bad breath.

Drink Lots of Water:

Water again is one of the liquids that helps in cleansing away the bacteria and accumulated food residues in the mouth that forms plaque and cause bad breath. Having good amounts of water thus helps in treatment of bad breath. It is suggested to drink 10-12 glasses of plain and filtered water each day. It is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to reach the goals.

Fennel Seeds:

Chewing on some fennels seeds is a good and easy home remedy to treat bad breath instantly. Having these after each meal also helps in preventing the problems that one usually faces after having foods with strong smell. Fennel seeds also aids in digestion as added benefit.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Mix some apple cider vinegar in warm water and cool it down a little. This should be used to rinse the mouth and is a perfect home remedial mouthwash to treat bad breath. It also helps in killing the germs in the mouth.

Fenugreek Benefits:

A cup of herbal tea made from fenugreek seeds is perfect for treatment of bad breath. It is also known to be good for the respiratory tract and body odour. Add a handful of fenugreek seeds in water and bring it to a boil. Now cool it down a little and sip it for keeping bad breath away.

Parsley Leaves:

Chewing on some parsley leaves is one of the simplest ways and quite a natural one too where treatment of bad breath is concerned. Try it out to see the effectiveness of the tip.

So First off you will need:

• a glass or microwave proof cup
• olive oil
• a microwave
• time

Got that? Okay now This is what you do:

• Put whatever the amount is of olive oil to cover you whole head and put it in the cup.
• Put the cup in the Microwave for 10 seconds or less (REMEMBER: if the oil is to hot you hair may fall out so make sure its touchable and slightly warm).
• Apply Olive Oil to roots and ends.
• This sounds silly but keep your head upside down for 4 minutes.
• After those 4 minutes sit up and keep the Olive Oil in for 2 hours.
• Last but not least Wash the Oil OUT! it may take a while to get it all out but it will get out soon enough!

There you're done! now do that for a Week and your hair will grow 3-4 inches:)
I did do it and only for 3 days because of swimming and it grew a 1 inch to a 1 inch in a half! So it does work!!You will be surprised!

What can you do when you forget to use sunscreen and have to pay the price with a painful burn? A few wet tea bags applied to the affected skin will take out the sting. This works well for other types of minor burns (i.e., from a teapot or steam iron) too. If the sunburn is too widespread to treat this way, put some tea bags in your bathwater and soak your whole body in the tub.

Relieve your tired eyes

Revitalize tired, achy, or puffy eyes. Soak two tea bags in warm water and place them over your closed eyes for 20 minutes. The tannins in the tea act to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes.

Reduce razor burn

Ouch! Why didn’t you remember to replace that razor blade before you started to shave? To soothe razor burn and relieve painful nicks and cuts, apply a wet tea bag to the affected area. And don’t forget to replace the blade before your next shave.

Get the gray out

Turn gray hair dark again without an expensive trip to the salon or the use of chemical hair dyes. Make your own natural dye using brewed tea and herbs: Steep 3 tea bags in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and sage (either fresh or dried) and let it stand overnight before straining. To use, shampoo as usual, and then pour or spray the mixture on your hair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly. Take care not to stain clothes. Blot with a towel and do not rinse. It may take several treatments to achieve desired results.

Condition dry hair

To give a natural shine to dry hair, use a quart (liter) of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo.

Drain a boil

Drain a boil with a boiled tea bag! Cover a boil with a wet tea bag overnight and the boil should drain without pain by the time you wake up next morning.

Soothe those bleeding gums

The child may be all smiles later when the tooth fairy arrives, but right now those bleeding gums are no fun whatsoever. To stop the bleeding and soothe the pain from a lost or recently pulled tooth, wet a tea bag with cool water and press it directly onto the site.

Relieve baby’s pain from injection

Is the baby still crying from that recent inoculation shot? Try wetting a tea bag and placing it over the site of the injection. Hold it gently in place until the crying stops. The tannic acid in the tea will soothe the soreness. You might try it on yourself the next time an injection leaves your arm sore.

Dry poison ivy rash

Dry a weepy poison ivy rash with strongly brewed tea. Simply dip a cotton ball into the tea, dab it on the affected area, and let it air-dry. Repeat as needed.

Stop foot odor

Put an end to smelly feet by giving them a daily tea bath. Just soak your tootsies in strongly brewed tea for 20 minutes a day and say good-bye to offensive odors.

Make soothing mouthwash

To ease toothache or other mouth pain, rinse your mouth with a cup of hot peppermint tea mixed with a pinch or two of salt. Peppermint is an antiseptic and contains menthol, which alleviates pain on contact with skin surfaces. To make peppermint tea, boil 1 TBSP fresh peppermint leaves in 1 cup water and steep for several minutes.

If one of your resolutions for 2014 is to spend less money on beauty products, you’re in luck. Though we constantly find ourselves splurging on the latest color lipstick or a hair mask to repair our damaged hair, there are countless ways to save money on the beauty products you buy year-round.

Buy quality products:

The theory behind this one is that if you buy a quality product, it will last you much longer than a cheap imitation. In the same way that investing in a quality piece of clothing will save you money in the long run (as opposed to buying multiple less expensive products that will add up to the same amount anyway), purchasing better quality one time will save you money long term.

Return the wrong colors:

Always ask about a return policy before you buy a product, this way you know whether or not you’ll be able to return a product once you open the packaging. If you buy a foundation and it’s the wrong color for your skin tone, don’t lose out on that money by not returning something you’ll never use.

Buy in bulk and split the cost:

You may not need six deodorants or lip balms or razors or at once, but buying in bulk and splitting the cost in half with your friends will help to lower your overall out of pocket money. This one’s especially useful when shopping on mass retailer websites like Amazon or Walmart.

Take advantage of multi-use products:

Find products that serve more than one purpose (lip stain and cheek stain, or 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner, your flat iron that can also create curls) to buy less and still get the same amount of results.

Only use as frequently as you need:

That whole “lather, rinse, repeat” direction on the back of shampoo bottles? It’s false, and if you’re using twice the amount of shampoo each time you wash your hair, you’ll need to buy shampoo twice as often. Considering you should only be washing your hair once every two days or so, you’ll be saving by buying less. When it comes to makeup, taking one day off a week will be giving your wallet — and your face — a break.

Get a rewards card:

Both at drugstores and beauty retailers, customer loyalty cards yield some amazing rewards. Sephora’s Beauty Insider program rewards you with sample sized products, while some drugstores reward you in dollars you’re able to spend on your purchases there.

Make your products last longer:

Storing nail polish in the fridge, cleaning your makeup brushes weekly and not pumping your mascara wand into the tube (which puts in more air, drying it out faster) are all ways to make your products last longer. Don’t lose time, or money, by throwing away a product when it could’ve longer.

Compare prices before buying:

In store or online, use Google to compare prices at different retailers before purchasing, and be sure to keep shipping and handling fees in mind if you’re buying online. Saving $3 on a product because you’re buying from a mass retailer will add up over time.

Banish your beloved magnifying mirror for the next few minutes and reade to find out what your acne means and how to deal. With a little help from Mona Gohara, Associate Clinical Professor at Yale’s Department of Dermatology, we’ll be well on our way to clear skin.

Forehead Acne

Many things can cause the dreaded acne above your brow. On the most basic level, Gohara explains it may be a result of your styling products or oil build up from bangs. On a deeper level, blackheads and whiteheads across your forehead can occur from lack of beauty rest and poor digestion. Fight back against this type of acne by drinking lots of water to release toxins and try a mild face wash like L’Oréal Go 360° Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser. Oil free and with a small amount of salicylic acid, you’ll be able to wash product-induced acne away without over-drying.

Cheeks/Around Eye Acne

Acne across your cheeks and around the eyes can be triggered by spicy foods, red wine or changes in emotion and temperature, suggests Gohara. She warns that acne appearing over already rosy cheeks (not caused by proper blush color application, of course) may be an overlap with rosacea. It’s best to see a dermatologist if issues persists, but if you only notice breakouts when ordering from your favorite Thai restaurant, then check your diet–as sad as it may be, saying goodbye to coconut curry could clear your blemishes.

Chin Acne

And then there is chin acne. “Think about a potential hormonal imbalance, especially if you’re experiencing irregular periods or facial hair,” says Gohara. Hormones aren’t the only cause though. If you hold your head up during way too many boring conference calls, stop now. No matter how you break out or what skin issues you’re suffering through, avoid touching your face for less bacterial transfer and clearer skin. For additional blemish-be-gone remedies, Gohara suggests introducing a topical lotion with retinols as an active ingredient or glycolic acid. Our favorites are Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion.

Consider it one of life’s great ironies, but when it comes to beauty, the most undone looks usually take the most effort. Ever seen a celebrity waltz down the red carpet with a subtle face of makeup that says “I’m too cool to care” or a head of messy beach waves that look perfectly nonchalant? Well, since we are beauty sages, we all know those looks took hours and countless products to craft.


Unfortunately, our struggle to master the perfect, “I-roll-out-of-bed-cool” messy bun, has also required a massive amount of effort (and many lost moments). Usually it’s either too messy and deflated, too ballerina-tight, or just wrong all together… Until now. We found a fool-proof way to nail the perfectly messy bun in just 3 steps.

Step 1:

First, pull your hair into a loose ponytail, as high or as low as you’d like it. Don’t use a comb or worry about your strands being perfectly slicked back—the look is effortless.

Step 2:

Separate the hair in your ponytail into two or three sections and tease. Teasing is the key step that totally changed our bun game—it gives you the volume and messy texture you need to pull off the look and keeps your bun from ballerina status.

Step 3:

Separate your teased hair into two sections and wrap the hair in opposite directions, as you would when creating a topknot. But, instead of pinning your hair neatly in, secure your hair with a bobby pin about an inch from the bottom of your strands, leaving the ends to fray around your bun and create a messy effect. If you feel like the body of your bun is too tight, gently pull it apart with your hands or the end of a comb. We also like to pull a few rogue pieces out around the face.

And there you have it effortless style that’s actually easy to achieve. Have any messy bun tips of your own? Spill below!

Who doesn't like to have that glow of being out in the sun? Bronzing powder is becoming very popular for achieving the fresh sun kissed glow. All you need is a little bronze and a facial brush and with these tips you'll have that natural looking healthy look in no time.



Most bronzing powders comes in a couple to a few different colors. They have bronze with a pinkish tint and bronze with a golden tint. Also some bronzing powders have a sparkle to them and some do not.

If you have dry skin you should consider getting a liquid bronze because a powder can stick to your dry spots. If you have wrinkles, you should consider not getting the sparkled kind because it tends to settle in the wrinkled areas of the skin. If your skin is normal to oily, you can stick with the powder.

As far as the colors go if your hair is naturally blond, a pink tone might suit you better and if you are brunette the more golden tone would be better. However it is best to try the colors on your skin to see which looks better with your complexion.

1.) As far as applying the bronzer, start with dipping the brush into the powder and tapping the brush on the bottom side to let the bronze pack into the brush. 

2.) When applying bronze to your face start with the outer part of your cheek bone working into the center. Do not press hard, but lightly sweep on your cheek going one direction. This way you wont get it to dark. With bronze you don't need a lot, so sometimes a couple of sweeps will do. Then take a cotton pad and blend it in rubbing lightly. If you need more bronze go ahead and apply it and repeat with blending it with the cotton pad. 

3.) Next swipe a bit of bronze over your nose and use the cotton pad and do another swipe to blend it to the perfect tone. 

4.) Now it's time to put some bronze on the forehead. Take the brush and sweep it around the hairline until you get enough color and then take the cotton pad to blend it as before. 

5.) The next step is to sweep some bronze over your chin and blend it with the cotton pad. 

6.) The last step is to put a slight amount of bronzing powder on your neck. To do this, start behind your ears and work downward to the center. Just as before use a cotton pad to blend it.

Now you should be done. Take your cotton pad for any more blending you need to do. If possible do all of your makeup work by a window with natural light. This will help you apply it evenly, sparingly and give you a more natural look.

If you are using a liquid bronze use the same steps but use your fingers to apply and you can still use a cotton pad to blend.

For a more finished look you can lightly sweep finishing powder over your entire face. This is entirely up to you. It helps me, but you might like it just the way it is.

There’s something that everyone gets and we all hate! Acne! It’s gross, it’s ugly, and it hurts sometimes! Well even worse, we get those stubborn black heads that are deep in our pores and hard to get rid of! Well, here are some great, easy, natural remedies for how to get rid of blackheads!

1. Mix together 2 tablespoons of milk with 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin. Heat over a low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Apply to face and leave on for 30 minutes! Peel off the mask and watch the blackheads peel away with it! Tip: This method smells DISGUSTING, but it really works!
2. Apply honey to your face nightly and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm and you will notice you have a much clearer glowing skin! This is what I have found to be one of the best methods to get rid of blackheads.
3. Mix together 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of water. Apply this to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes! This acts for a blackhead mask as well as an exfoliant!
4. Another great way to get rid of blackheads is lemon juice! Lemon juice acts as a natural astringent! Therefore it is good for removing blackheads when used consistently! Apply lemon juice to your face each night before bed! Avoid eyes!
5. Mix together 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply this to special problem areas of the face especially in you t-zone to get rid of blackheads!

These are all great, natural, affordable and effective methods to get rid of blackheads! Enjoy!

Ask any guy what makeup look he likes on women and, besides being surprised there are more than two: makeup and no makeup, the average dude will tell you he likes a natural beauty. Hey, we get it. Kissing a face full of gloss and powder is no fun. But us natural beauties also know that the natural look your boyfriend says he digs takes a little time...and a little makeup. Here, how to get the au naturale beauty look men love:

1. Prep your skin:

A great natural look starts with great skin. Make sure you're washing your face every night and using makeup remover to scrub off your war paint. Once you've got a clean face, moisturize. Make sure you're choosing a moisturizer made for your skin, especially if it's sensitive, dry, or oily. Next, give your foundation or concealer a base to hold on to with a makeup primer. We love MAC's Prep + Prime, which blots away excess oil, soothes skin, and improves the application of foundation.

2. Even out skin tone:

Your weapon will depend on how much coverage you need. If you've got great skin, go for a tinted moisturizer, or just cover up red spots and slight discoloration by lightly patting concealer on the spots where you need it. Need a little more coverage? Apply a light, pea-sized layer of foundation all over your face. We love the Beautyblender sponge for this, but if you're using your fingers, use your pinky for the lightest application.

3. You glow, girl:

The key to taking your natural makeup to the next level is a gorgeous glow. Our secret weapon: shimmer and highlighting. We use Stila's All Over Shimmer. The liquid luminizer looks like a nail polish, and the brush gives great application control. Light up your face with a few light dabs: on your brow bone and in the corners of your eyes to open up your peepers, and along your cheekbones to give your skin a sexy sheen.

4. Add a touch of color:

There's a fine line between bedroom eyes and I-just-got-out-of-bed eyes, and that line is an eyelash curler and a coat (just one!) of mascara. Step away from the eyeliner and shadow for this understated look. Want a pinch of color on your cheeks? Choose a cream or liquid blush for a more natural, blended look.

5. Set it and forget it:

If your skin is oily or your makeup is prone to sliding off by the middle of the day, set it with a light dusting of sheer powder. Skip this step if your skin is already dry.

Who doesn't like to have that glow of being out in the sun? Bronzing powder is becoming very popular for achieving the fresh sun kissed glow. All you need is a little bronze and a facial brush and with these tips you'll have that natural looking healthy look in no time.


Most bronzing powders comes in a couple to a few different colors. They have bronze with a pinkish tint and bronze with a golden tint. Also some bronzing powders have a sparkle to them and some do not.

If you have dry skin you should consider getting a liquid bronze because a powder can stick to your dry spots. If you have wrinkles, you should consider not getting the sparkled kind because it tends to settle in the wrinkled areas of the skin. If your skin is normal to oily, you can stick with the powder.

As far as the colors go if your hair is naturally blond, a pink tone might suit you better and if you are brunette the more golden tone would be better. However it is best to try the colors on your skin to see which looks better with your complexion.

1.) As far as applying the bronzer, start with dipping the brush into the powder and tapping the brush on the bottom side to let the bronze pack into the brush. 

2.) When applying bronze to your face start with the outer part of your cheek bone working into the center. Do not press hard, but lightly sweep on your cheek going one direction. This way you wont get it to dark. With bronze you don't need a lot, so sometimes a couple of sweeps will do. Then take a cotton pad and blend it in rubbing lightly. If you need more bronze go ahead and apply it and repeat with blending it with the cotton pad. 

3.) Next swipe a bit of bronze over your nose and use the cotton pad and do another swipe to blend it to the perfect tone. 

4.) Now it's time to put some bronze on the forehead. Take the brush and sweep it around the hairline until you get enough color and then take the cotton pad to blend it as before. 

5.) The next step is to sweep some bronze over your chin and blend it with the cotton pad. 

6.) The last step is to put a slight amount of bronzing powder on your neck. To do this, start behind your ears and work downward to the center. Just as before use a cotton pad to blend it.

Now you should be done. Take your cotton pad for any more blending you need to do. If possible do all of your makeup work by a window with natural light. This will help you apply it evenly, sparingly and give you a more natural look.

If you are using a liquid bronze use the same steps but use your fingers to apply and you can still use a cotton pad to blend.

For a more finished look you can lightly sweep finishing powder over your entire face. This is entirely up to you. It helps me, but you might like it just the way it is.

I’ve finally found the perfect dress to wear. It’s strappy, it’s backless, it’s black and sexy. However I also have to cram some big ol’ boobs into that dress as well. I’ve tried using those stick on bras a couple of times, however they really aren’t made for anyone who is larger than a C cup and they don’t provide any support at all.

However, I’ve heard you can use duct tape, masking tape, or medical skin tape to do the same thing…. but how you might ask? Well look, I found the directions! So listen up girls, here is how to tape your boobs up so you can have good support, great cleavage, in your backless top or gown.


First start with clean skin, no lotions, powders, etc.

For strapless or non low-cut gowns:

Step 1: While leaning over a bit (to give the boobs a lift) I usually start by using a strip of tape (about 12-16 inches long depending on how big you are or where your dress is cut) from one side of boobs (end of tape pointing toward armpit), under the boobs (pulling them together a bit), then up the other side of boobs (with this end pointing toward other armpit). 

Step 2: (You can stand up straight for the rest)I take a strip of tape and place it horizontally across boobs while pulling them together for cleavage and to where it covers nipples, being sure each end touches the previous tape strip on the side (near armpits). 

Step 3: A third strip can be placed above the second for reinforcement, pulling the boobs together again.

A modification of the above for low cut gowns is this:

Step 1: (Leaning forward a bit) Place strip of tape on side of boob, tape in a diagonal (pointing toward opposite hip), but not necessary to go completely to other side. Repeat with other boob. 

Step 2: Place strip of tape above previous strip, overlapping a little,while pulling boob to position you would like it to be (more or less cleavage) covering the nipple and ending close to where other strip ended. Repeat for other boob.

Your tape strips can cross one another or can be made to not cross if your dress is really low cut.

However it is suggested to go out and buy the medical tape or use masking tape, as duct tape has been known to just rip off your skin.

Bronzer. I have a love affair with bronzer, for real. If I had to pick one beauty product and vote all the rest of the island you best believe I’d pick a bronzer above all else. So you better believe that knowing where to apply bronzer is a pretty important piece of knowledge for me! Bronzer can do so many things for us; we can use it in our highlight and contour routine, use it to fake a tan, add a little bit of dimension and shadow to our makeup and give ourselves that sun kissed youthful glow!

Hairline & Temples:

I go ALL out here and apply bronzer to a bit of my forehead right up into my hairline and onto my temples. This will give you the perfect sun-kissed look as if the sun has just touched your skin. If I skip this step I can always see the difference in pictures and I look a bit more pale.

Outer Edge of Your Nose:

You can skip this step if you’re already one of those super lucky gals with a perfectly shaped nose! I do this to thin my nose and give myself a bit more of a defined profile.

Cheeks:

Okay ladies, MAKE THE FISHY FACE!! That’s the best way to explain it; make that face and use a contouring brush to apply a powdered bronzer right under where you would apply your blush. If you’re using a cream product I would blend it with a beauty blending sponge. You can really control the product in this section and for the Fall & Winter months go with less and Spring & Summer start adding a bit more for a darker look.

Under The Lips & Chin:

If you haven’t been using your bronzer in this is area of your face, start now! Ladies, applying here will not only make your lips look a bit more plump but when you do it on the chin area you are adding some dimension and thinning your face out. It’s funny, in pictures this step alone has the ability to make you look 5 lbs lighter it’s my secret weapon ;)

Down Your Neck & Decolletage:

You don’t want to look all kinds of crazy and have your face be one color and the rest of you another so when applying your makeup be sure to bring it down to these areas!

Now we’re going to talk about some of my very favorites!

WET N WILD COLOR ICON ‘RESERVE YOUR CABANA’ - $3.99 - Add a golden glow and a touch of luminosity to any complexion for a radiant, sun-kissed look. Special micronized blend of treated nylon powders adhere to skin to provide long-lasting, blendable color! This one is so affordable so it makes it even better that you’re getting a great quality product. No shimmer so it’s perfect for us pale girls looking for a matte type look but would be great for any skin tone.

PHYSICIAN’S FORMULA SEASON TO SEASON BRONZER - $14.99 - Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Season-To Season Bronzer by Physician’s Formula is a multi-colored bronzing powder that provides an instant and lasting tan-boost that blends and builds easily to your desired lever of bronze. You can use each season accordingly or blend it all together if you’re feeling rebellious!

MAYBELLINE FIT ME BRONZER ‘LIGHT BRONZE’ - $4.49 - This gives a flawless look that lets the real you come through. Lightweight pigments blend easily and wears evenly. Provides a natural, fade-proof bronzed color that leaves skin the way it was meant to be! Gorgeous shade!

RIMMEL NATURAL BRONZER -  $4.99 - Natural tan without the sun! Rimmel’s Natural Bronzer is a high performance powder for face & body. Velvet soft texture blends easily. Leaves skin looking healthy & radiant.

Stick this list on your bathroom mirror and repeat daily, like affirmations. Thou shall do what we say, so thou shall have kickass hair.

NEVER

Run your flat iron over the same piece of hair twice. It’s actually counter productive to keep going over and over the same piece of hair, and highly damaging. Aim for one slow pass down each section of hair.

ALWAYS

Use a thermal heat protectant that coats the hair with protective ingredients (usually silicone-based) to reduce the amount of damage caused by high heats from flat irons and curling irons.

NEVER

Put a high-heat product on wet or damp hair, even if the tool claims to be a ‘wet-to-dry’ product.

ALWAYS

Be aware of your curling patterns. Curling the hair away from the face opens up the face and neck more and is generally more flattering, however using an alternating pattern of pieces curled towards and away will give a more natural result.

NEVER

Start with your heat settings at the highest point. Even the thickest curls don’t need to be tended to at 400 degrees Fahrenheit — start low and if you feel like you need more, adjust slowly. Remember: With both curling and straightening, it’s not about how the hair heats up, but the way it cools back down into formation.

ALWAYS

Apply mousse (for curls) or a straightening balm (for flat ironed lengths) to assist the process. Working with mousse first for hold allows you to avoid excessive hairspray at the end.

Time to come clean. How long have your makeup products crowded your medicine cabinet? Filled your bathroom drawer? Overflowed your makeup bag(s)? Be honest, you’re a bit of a hoarder, aren’t you? Don’t feel bad, we all do it. Nobody wants to part with their makeup stash (or the hard-earned cash that brought it into your life).

Unfortunately, though, your makeup and skincare items are like a ticking clock once you’ve opened them. They only last for so long before being contaminated with bacteria that’s harmful to your skin. And just like you wouldn’t eat anything in your kitchen that smelled funny or was discolored, lumpy or separated, you shouldn’t put it on your face.


When do eyeliner expire?

Liquid liner is in the same category as mascara, toss it after three months to avoid a potential eye infection (and never, ever share… but you knew that, right?). Pencil eyeliners can have a longer shelf life, but you need to sharpen them regularly. “Most people don’t do it every day, so bacteria lingers and could cause irritation. Spray alcohol on the tip before sharpening and do at least three rotations to remove germs.”

When do mascara expire?

You’ve got two to three months with your mascara wand once opened, Once the mascara has gotten thick, or starts to flake, it means its had too much contact with air, and there could be bacteria lurking inside the tube. To prevent this, never pump your mascara. When pulling the applicator out of the tube, twist it around slowly to build up the product.

When do Lipstick expire?

You can get away with keeping your lipsticks for two years without spoiling, If you keep them stored in a dark, cool place they can be kept longer, But once they start smelling rancid or looking fuzzy you’ll know it’s time to throw them away. Lipsticks shouldn’t have a fur coat!

When do Foundation expire?

Use your judgment on this. “Once opened, you’ve got 6 months to a year,” Check that the consistency still looks the same and apply it using a brush or sponge. ”If unopened, it can last a couple of years, so don’t be afraid to stock pile your favorite!”

When do Blush/Eyeshadow expire?

Provided they are powders, they have the longest shelf life of any product. If you wet them, different story. This’ll create a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause nasty eye infections, They’ll have to be tossed around the six month mark.

When do Cleanser/Moisturizer/Serum expire?

The shelf lives of these vary depending on the product, but you’ve generally got one to two years with each product, and most products also come with an expiration date. However, like sunscreens, they lose efficacy if you are pushing the limit, and if you use your fingers to apply, the risk of contamination is higher.

When do Sunscreen expire?

Most come with an expiration date — heed it. Sunscreens lose their efficiacy over time, so an old 50+ sunscreen won’t have anywhere near the same protection it did when you bought it.

When do Brushes expire?

If they are good quality and you take care of them properly, your brushes should last for life. Wash after every use with a brush cleaner (or baby shampoo works just as well) and lay them out flat on a tissue to completely dry before storing away.

When do Nail Polish expire?

Nail polishes will also go the distance for two years, probably drying out around this mark, You can also prolong the freshness by keeping them in the refrigerator or another cool, dark place to hold the consistancy. There’s little danger in using an older nail polish, but they may not apply as smoothly onto your nail beds.