Beauty

Beauty products can be found almost anywhere these days including department stores, beauty supply stores, drugstores, supermarkets, discount stores, and online. If you have ever bought makeup at a department store or moisturizer from a television infomercial, you know it can be expensive to maintain. Drugstore beauty products are another option, and here are 10 reasons to love them.

1. Save Money

The number one reason to buy drugstore beauty products is to save money. A bottle of foundation can set you back $30 to over $100 at department stores and specialty stores. You can find a bottle of foundation that is often the same quality for $15 or less at a local drugstore. If you buy a lot of makeup frequently throughout the year, that savings will add up quickly.

2. Availability

Is your favorite department store brand only available in one store? Do you have to drive 40 miles to get there and pick up your favorite products? Maybe they run out of stock frequently. Drugstore beauty products are almost always in stock, and most people have a drugstore within 5 miles of their home. You also don’t have to wait for it to arrive in the mail if you order it online or from the television.

3. Testing Products

Some department stores let you test products, but not all of them do. If you’re shopping online, not only can’t you test anything, you can’t even be sure that the shade you see online will look the same in person. In a drugstore, you can test out most products before you buy. If there isn’t a test product available, ask a store associate if you can open one to try it out.

4. Convenience

The Internet has made saving money on products much easier, and it has opened up new markets allowing you to find products that may otherwise not be available to you. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost. You have to wait for the product to come in the mail, and you probably have to pay for shipping. You can buy a product at a drugstore within minutes and you don’t have to wait for shipping. Plus, more products are becoming available in large drugstores such as Walgreens or Rite Aid, including organic, natural products.

5. Variety

Department stores are not known for their variety when it comes to beauty products. They usually carry only one brand associated with the store. At a drugstore, you can find hundreds of different products from dozens of reputable brands for hair products, skin products, and makeup. The larger the drugstore, the more you have to choose from.

6. Coupons and Deals

Sometimes online stores or department stores have sales, but it’s nothing like drugstores. Beauty products have coupons available every week. Hold onto the coupon until a sale comes around and you can save 50% or more off the retail price. ‘Extreme couponers’ have been known to get shampoos, conditioners, and body washes for free or almost for free using coupons and deals.

7. Regular New Products

With dozens of different brands comes dozens of new beauty products every year. Drugstores always want to have the latest products to get you in the store. Beauty product companies almost always have coupons for new products. That means you always have lots of new products to choose from that are inexpensive to try out.

8. Try it before You Buy it

You won’t be able to try shampoo or body wash before you buy it, but you can usually test out foundation, concealer, or other makeup products before you commit to a purchase. Ask a drugstore employee if there are any samples you can try if you don’t see any. They might open up a few and add a ‘sample’ sticker to give you a chance to test.

9. Often the Same as the Expensive Products

Television commercials are always touting their ‘breakthrough’ products that are absolutely better than anything else available. The truth is that many of the products available at department stores are the same as those available in drugstores. In fact, many of the less expensive drugstore brands are better than what’s available at the mall.

10. Make Your Own Choices

Buying makeup can be frustrating when you’re looking for the right shades and colors. Now add a pushy saleslady that is trying to push the most expensive products on you in order to get a commission.  In a drugstore, you can take your time browsing and never have to worry about someone asking you if you need help every 2 minutes.

You might have a department store brand that you swear by, but don’t underestimate drugstore beauty products. They are less expensive to try out and might be even better than what you’re used to. Take a trip to the drugstore and look at the available hair, makeup, and skin products.

Beauty

In life, one is daily bombarded with a series of choices. Those choices range from the significant (natural birth vs. C-section) to the nonsensical (boxers vs. briefs). The world of beauty and cosmetics has produced yet one more choice for the consumer to consider in the all-important arena of hair removal: waxing vs. laser. Just like with any major decision in life, one should do his or her due diligence in weighing the positives and negatives of each choice before ultimately settling on a selection. Let us then consider some of the pros and cons of both waxing and laser hair removal before coming to a definitive conclusion. But be sure to consult your dermatologist first.

First, the major benefit of laser hair removal is its permanence. Once the entire process is completed, one never has to worry about treating unsightly follicles again. However, a chief detriment to the laser procedure is the cost. Most laser removal surgeries cost hundreds to thousands of dollars and are not covered by major healthcare providers, meaning a major out-of-pocket expense for convenient cosmetics. Also, when one factors into the equation the fact that there is no laser treatment available on the market that is a “one size fits all” panacea for all skin types and hair colors and the fact that laser hair removal often requires multiple sessions to complete, the prospect of shelling out so much cash for not-so-certain results becomes an increasingly less appealing option.

Nevertheless, if a consumer examines laser hair removal, with all its pros and cons, and says, “I still have to have it,” he or she should consult with a trained doctor, cosmetologist, or laser technician to inquire about the different types of lasers used for the procedure. Some lasers like the Alexandrite Laser use shorter wavelengths that penetrate the skin, allowing for swift treatment of large surface areas. Other lasers use longer wavelengths for deeper penetration into the skin like the Diode Laser. Yet others such as the Nd:YAG (Neodymium-yttrium-aluminium-garnet) target the deeper skin tissues, thus keeping the outer layers of skin unscathed. And only a select few perform like the impressive Alma Soprano, incorporating uniform dispensation of concentrated light energy in a sweeping technique to guarantee no skin surfaces are left unshorn. Each laser will potentially provide varying results dependent upon one’s skin tone and hair color; thus, it is imperative that one asks the appropriate questions about each laser technology before finalizing the decision.

Now, we shall consider the strengths and weaknesses of waxing. The primary positive of waxing in favor of laser treatment is affordability. Whether one chooses to have the waxing done professionally or whether one decides to take home a do-it-yourself waxing kit, this option is much friendlier to one’s purse, wallet, or money clip than laser technology. Another benefit of waxing is personal control. The timing, speed, and environment of the procedure is much more controllable for the consumer with the waxing option.

The key and most obvious negative to waxing is pain. Though there is pain potential to both waxing and laser removal, the pain of waxing is more immediate and jarring. Just the thought a spatula saturated with hot, melted wax being applied to a tuft of one’s hair before being rapidly, forcibly, and mercilessly removed by a strip of unforgiving paper leaves many consumers faint of heart. Likewise, given the fact that customers must permit their unpleasant hair to grow to a certain, noticeable length before the waxing can commence and the fact waxing is by no means a permanent solution to their hairy dilemma, many choose to forego the option altogether. They rationalize that the relative affordability of waxing is not worth the repetition of such a painful process every four to six weeks.

All things considered, waxing appears to be the more favorable option for the overwhelming majority of buyers. Though neither process is perfect or painless, waxing is far more affordable and requires far less inquiry and personal customization for favorable results. There is too much fluctuation in results between various skin tones, hair colors, and hair textures in laser hair removal for it to receive an unconditional endorsement as a whole. There are far too many variables at play than can adversely affect the results of any laser treatment; and for the kind of money that one of those procedures costs, consumers should have complete confidence in the reliability of the product.

Beauty

Many women think that makeup is the only way to look gorgeous each day. While makeup is great and fun, you don’t have to wear it daily in order to look more beautiful. Each day we spend so much time and energy in front of the mirror applying makeup, without realizing how beautiful we are without all the eyeshadows, mascaras and foundations we applied. Going makeup free will save you a lot of time and money, and will improve your skin tone and make it look more radiant. Here are seven essential tips for looking great without makeup every single day.

1. Wash your face every morning and every night

If you want to look great without makeup, you should always wash your face every morning and every night. Maybe it sounds obvious, but believe it or not, many women don’t wash their faces in the morning and that’s a huge mistake. Washing your face morning and night will help ward off acne and will make your skin look more radiant.

2. Use a gentle cleanser

A harsh cleanser strips the skin cells and can make your skin look ruddy and dry, so it’s important to wash your face with a more gentle cleanser. Try to find a cleanser which is hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and make sure it works with your skin type. It’s one of the surefire ways to look great without makeup.

3. Use the right facial moisturizer

You need to use a facial moisturizer right after washing to keep your skin looking healthy and young. Unfortunately, lots of moisturizers can cause your skin to become more oily and shiny, and can even break it out. It can be hard to choose the right moisturizer, but a good facial moisturizer is the key to a beautiful, radiant skin. Look for a facial moisturizer with SPF of 30 to protect your skin from harsh sun’s rays.

4. Use Vaseline instead of mascara

I know it sounds weird, but using Vaseline instead of mascara is a tried and tested way to look more beautiful without any makeup. Simply apply a little bit of Vaseline to your lashes to make them glow without applying mascara. If you wear mascara, try to use Vaseline to take it off. Vaseline is much gentler than many eye makeup removers.

5. Use coconut oil instead of store-bought lip balm

While you can use coconut oil to remove your makeup, you can also use it as lip balm. Most store-bought lip balms contain chemicals that can dry your lips out and can even cause them to appear dull and lifeless. Just a little bit of coconut oil will help keep your lips more hydrated and heal any dry cracked areas. Why not give your lips a fresh, healthy glow with coconut oil?

6. Don’t pluck your eyebrows too much

Sure, you need to keep your eyebrows under control, but make sure you don’t pluck them too much. You need to tweeze only obvious stray hairs above and below the eyebrow without going into the actual eyebrow shape itself. Even if you have thick eyebrows, you don’t have to pluck them into oblivion, instead embrace them and don’t try to change them completely.

7. Eat healthy

When you have a healthy skin, you don’t need any makeup. The foods you eat daily play a vital role in the health of your skin so make sure you stick to a healthy diet. First of all, try to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your daily diet. There are also a few healthy foods that can give you a great skin if you consume them regularly. Eating healthy is one of the most essential tips to follow when you are trying to look more beautiful without makeup.

Looking beautiful without makeup is not as difficult as you think. Small changes to your skincare routine can bring fantastic results! What are your secrets to looking great without makeup?

Beauty

Your aim may be to look beautiful, but your efforts may be sabotaging your looks. Your beauty routine may be marred by one or more beauty mistakes. If you are not satisfied with the image that you see in the mirror, check out how you put yourself together. Sometimes making a single change can make the difference between blah and beautiful. Here are ten most common beauty mistakes to avoid.

1. Overblushing

Perfect circles of color are great for circus clowns, not so much for everyday makeup. To achieve just the right amount of blush, apply color only to the apples of your cheeks and blend with a large brush. You should also aim for a blush that coordinates with your skin tone and the color palate for the rest of your makeup. Bronze tones tend to look more natural with darker skin tones, while peach and pink work well with lighter skin tones.

2. Failure to Moisturize

Even if you have naturally oily skin, your skin needs moisture to thrive. Fine lines and creases can result from skin that is dehydrated. Choose a moisturizer that is water-based rather than one that is oil-based. If your skin is dry, you definitely need moisturizer.

3. Electric Blue Eye Shadow

The electric blue eye shadow you rocked when you were seventeen won’t cut it in an office environment. Choose a more muted blue or a blue-gray for daytime wear. If you really love the look of bright blue eye shadow, try applying a thin line along your upper eyelashes, while covering the rest of your eyelids with a more neutral shade.

4. Too Much Lip Color

If you stay at home, you can wear fire engine red lips with a high gloss finish. For everyday occasions, you will have to choose between glossy lips or look-at-me color. If you love the look of showy lips, the rest of your makeup routine must be muted, especially for daytime. Even if you’re dressing for a big date, overdoing the lip color may cause your date to shy away from giving you a goodnight kiss due to the risk of smeared lipstick.

5. Over-Plucking or Under-Plucking

Many women take great pains with their eye makeup, applying multiple eye shadow shades and layer upon layer of mascara. However, many of the same women give hardly a thought to their brows. Properly shaped brows can open up your entire face. Failure to pluck your brows can negate much of the effort that you devote to your eye makeup, while over plucking can leave you with a perpetually surprised look.

6. Mask-Like Makeup

If you receive compliments like “your makeup looks really good,” that is a clue that you have overdone it. Whether you’re attempting to conceal fine lines or cover up a breakout, slathering on makeup just looks wrong. Ironically, piling on the foundation and powder makes you look older rather than younger, because makeup tends to settle into fine lines and emphasize them. If you are attempting to cover blemishes or other imperfections, opt for a concealer that is slightly lighter than your natural skin tone, and then apply makeup with a matte finish. Makeup with sheen only shines a spotlight on spots.

7. Keeping Outdated Makeup

Yes, makeup is expensive, and department store or designer label makeup is especially expensive. It is understandable that you would want to hold on to your powders, lip colors and eye shadows as long as possible. However, using outdated makeup may produce distorted results from faded color or liquids that have lost their consistency. Worse, nearly all makeup has a sell-by date beyond which it is really not safe to keep. Think germs and possible infection. Definitely NOT produce a pretty picture.

8. Improper Makeup Lighting

Many bathrooms have fluorescent lighting, which is all wrong for makeup application. Doing your “face” by the glow of your medicine cabinet lighting can result in makeup that looks great in the mirror but very harsh in the light of day. Instead, try applying your makeup by natural light so that you can see how you will actually look.

9. Out-of-Season Color

It is natural to want to hold onto your sun-kissed looks as long as possible. However, makeup with bronze overtones doesn’t work during the winter, when women of nearly every skin tone, including women of color, are usually several shades lighter than they are during the summer. If you are very pale and want to mimic the sun-kissed look, try an artificial bronzer but avoid overdoing it. You want people to think that you spent a week in a sunny location, not that you spent hours baking in a tanning salon.

10. Brushing Your Hair Wrong

You know that hundred strokes that your grandmother swore by? It’s a sure-fire means of promoting hair breakage and split ends. That much brushing is too harsh for all but the very oiliest hair. If your hair is oily, it needs a shampoo rather than brushing. Brushing your hair from roots to tips pulls it out by the follicles, promoting more hair loss than is necessary. Instead, brush your hair in small sections from the bottom up to remove tangles and give your hair an overall polished look.

Beauty

As a girl entering your teen years, you experience numerous changes in your body. You begin to develop breasts and womanly curves and your menstrual cycle commences. You may also notice that you receive appreciative glances when you walk down the street. It is obvious that you are not a little girl any more, and you may want to look as grown up as possible. This is understandable, and your teenage years are the ideal time to experiment with new looks. Following these ten eye makeup tips will allow you to express your growing maturity without sacrificing your fresh-faced youthfulness.

1. Less is Often More

Many teenage girls pile on three or four shades of eye shadow along with thick eyeliner and multiple coats of mascara. Unless you are performing as a backup singer for Rihanna or Katy Perry, that much eye makeup is too much. You can call plenty of attention to your eyes with one or two shades of eye shadow and a single coat of mascara.

2. Don’t Share

You may have a BFF with whom you share everything. However, sharing eye makeup is an invitation to contracting an eye infection. If you have discovered a great shade of eye shadow that you simply must share with your bestie, plan a trip together to your local department store or drug store where she can purchase her own eye shadow.

3. It’s Not too Early for Eyebrow Shaping

According to the old saying, your eyes are the windows to your soul. Proper eyebrow shaping can produce amazing results. Your eyes look more vibrant and your entire face opens up. It’s worth saving your allowance or earnings from a part-time job to schedule an appointment with an eyebrow specialist. They can create the best eyebrow shape which you can follow at home with tweezing or waxing.

4. Save Eyeliner for Special Occasions

Especially for younger teens, eyeliner does not add maturity – it is simply too harsh. Older teens over the age of fifteen or sixteen may consider eyeliner for prom or some other special occasion. Even then, avoid drawing a line that is too thick. You should also avoid lining your lower eyelids because doing so often makes your eyes look smaller.

5. Go Ahead and Go Bright with Eye Color

Electric blue eye shadow? Vivid green mascara? Go for it! Your teen years are the ideal time to try out wild color combinations.  You might want to go a bit easy during daytime hours, but even then, there is no need to stick to mousy shades. In addition, when you are hanging out during the evening with your girlfriends, go ahead and go bold.

6. Use a Light Hand With Mascara

It is true that mascara can make sparse lashes appear fuller and emphasize your eyes. Older teens should feel free to wear mascara at any time. However, if you’re wearing mascara to enhance your eyelashes, stick with brown rather than black unless your eyelashes are naturally black. Regardless of what shade you choose for your mascara, a single coat is plenty for daytime; two coats should suffice for after hours occasions.

7. Wear Metallics Sparingly

Metallics can be fun, and they definitely add a glam touch to your outfit. If you’re wearing metallics, do so sparingly, especially during the day. A light dusting of metallic eye shadow can be striking and attractive. A heavy coat of metallic eye shadow plus glittery blush and shimmery lip color may send the wrong message to onlookers.

8. “Do” Your Eyes or Your Lips (Not Both)

Do you love the look of a smoky eye? If you are skilled in achieving this tricky makeup look, great! However, full eye makeup necessitates a light hand for the rest of your face. Stick to sheer blush (or no blush at all) and neutral lip colors. Remember, you want people to notice your eyes, not the fact that you are wearing a ton of makeup.

9. Insert Contact Lenses before Applying Eye Makeup

If you wear contact lenses, there are two important rules: wash your hands before inserting your contacts and insert your contacts before applying any eye makeup. You will run a lower risk of eye infection, plus you will be able to see what you are doing! Cream eye shadow is less likely to migrate into your eyes than powder eye shadow. Be extra careful when applying mascara. You don’t want to poke the wand into your eye.

10. Apply Slightly More Makeup with Glasses

Are you a glasses-wearing diva? You can wear a bit more eye makeup to ensure that your eyes are not lost behind your frames. You may also consider using an eyelash curler to make your eyes look wider and prevent mascara from smearing your lenses. But if you consider eyelash curlers to be instruments of torture, it is totally OK to skip this step.
If you have some other eye makeup tips for teens, feel free to share them with us in the comments section.

Beauty

French manicures are a simple, yet elegant way to dress up your nails. The style is a professional one and can be used even in the most elegant of settings. It also ensures that your nails look their best at all times. In addition, the squared off style helps keep fingernails strong and prevent breakage. There’s no reason to stick with white and clear nail polish for your manicure. Try a light pink with a shimmer gloss on top or a baby blue. The possibilities are endless. Here are a few important tips to follow to get a perfect French manicure at home.

1. Assemble your supplies

Make sure you have everything you need for the French manicure. You’ll need a nail file, nail polish remover, and nail polish. You should have a nail polish in an opaque color, as well as a clear one. The clear polish can be tinted to compliment the opaque color. Another un-tinted, clear polish is a good idea, as well.

2. Prepare your fingernails

Shape is very important when it comes to a good manicure. While the trending nail shape may change over the years, the slightly squared off look is best for French manicures. You can achieve this by gently filing the nail flat at the end and then rounding the corners slightly. Always file from the center of the fingernail and move the file toward the edge. Moving in this direction will help prevent splitting nails and irregularities that can cause breakage later on.

3. Soften the cuticles

Soak your fingers in warm water for five minutes. This will help soften the nails and the cuticles alike. You can use an orange wood stick to gently push the cuticles back. Moving the cuticles will give you more space for the manicure and help your fingernails look longer and more elegant.

4. Clean the nails

Removing an old nail polish is an essential step in prepping for a manicure. Even if you don’t have any old polish, it’s a good idea to wipe your nails down with nail polish remover anyway to remove grease. Residue on the nails may make it difficult for the polish to adhere correctly.

5. Apply base coat

Use a clear primer to ensure an even surface for the design. Apply it carefully, using three strokes from the bottom to the tip of each nail for the best results.

6. Stick on templates

You can find a number of French manicure template stickers to purchase, but you can also use round children’s stickers. Place the sticker or template the desired distance from the nail tip on each nail and press down firmly. It’s easiest to do all your nails at once so you don’t smudge the polish later.

7. Paint the tips

Use your chosen opaque color to paint the tips of your nails. Don’t worry if the polish goes over the sticker. Allow the polish to dry for at least 10 minutes. The drier it is, the less likely it will interfere with the next layer. Remove the stickers. If any residue from the stickers stays on the nails, you can remove it very carefully with a small amount of nail polish remover.

8. Add a clear coat

The next step is to apply the clear polish in an even layer. Use three strokes to cover the nail completely. Allow the polish to dry completely. You may want to add another layer. The polish you use for the clear coat does not need to be completely clear. A slight tint or even glitter or shimmer polish can give you a unique look.

9. Seal

A top coat is a good idea if you want your nails to stay nice for a good long time. You can purchase a specially formulated top coat or you can simply use clear nail polish to add shine. It will protect the polish underneath and will keep your nails looking great. The special top coats are designed to dry very hard for extra protection.

10. Touch up as necessary

To ensure the manicure stays in great condition for as long as possible, you will need to do some touch ups here and there. You can apply a fresh layer of clear nail polish a couple of days after the original manicure to keep everything in place. If there are any chips, carefully apply the corresponding color and let it dry. Then add another top coat. Your beautiful nails can last for over a week with careful fixes as needed.

When you take the time to do a proper French manicure, it will last for more than a week. Make sure you follow each step for the best results. You will have fingers to be proud of when you are finished, all while saving money by doing the manicure at home. It is also easy to customize the look of your nails with specific colors and textures of nail polish, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

Beauty

Anyone can do their own pedicure, but if you want truly professional results at home, you need to know a few things. Just a handful of techniques can turn an ordinary pedicure into a great one.

1. Use cuticle oil

While cuticle oil may seem like a waste of time at first glance, it actually gives you a more professional pedicure. It can be tough to avoid painting your cuticles. Nail polish on the cuticle can look messy and very unprofessional, so carefully apply a little cuticle oil before you start painting, but after you have soaked your feet. If you don’t have any specialized oil, olive oil also works well.

2. Avoid painting your skin

It is fairly common to paint the skin just above your toenail when working on a pedicure. This gives you the annoying task of trying to eliminate the nail polish later on from your skin. You can skip the whole issue by just slipping a bit of newspaper under your nail. If you cut it to be slightly curved, the paper will fit better. When you slip up, the paper will be painted, rather than your skin. Toss the paper at the end of the session to enjoy nice, neat nails.

3. Fix mistakes quickly with nail polish remover

A Q-tip and nail polish remover will make it easy to fix any mistakes you make with your pedicure. Rather than leave the smudges or uneven edges, you can use the Q-tip dipped in remover to gently smooth out those wobbly lines. It’s easier to handle than a brush and will give you great results every time.

4. Apply polish the right way

To get a perfectly smooth finish, you need to work quickly when applying nail polish However, the strokes you use will also affect the end result. Start in the center, near the cuticle, and gently push down to fill in the rounded space above the cuticle. Then sweep the brush straight up the center of the nail. Without reloading the brush, move it up each side from the cuticle to the tip. This will redistribute the excess polish and make it look nice and smooth. The trick here is to avoid using too much polish.

5. Dry your nails faster

There are a few methods of getting your polish to dry faster than usual. You can dip your toes in ice water, which will also harden the polish more than letting it air dry. Another popular method is to use a quick dry top coat. This is a special substance that will not smudge your polish, but will help it dry extra fast. If you are always in a hurry or don’t want to smudge your nails, a quick dry top coat can be a good investment.

6. Avoid split nails with a crystal file

A crystal nail file is far superior to the usual metal or sandpaper ones. If you have brittle toenails, you will find that a crystal nail file is a better choice. It can handle even the most fragile nails and shape them without breakage. Better yet, the file can be washed, dried and reused for years to come.

7. Keep your feet moisturized

It can be a real hassle to scrub and scrape and exfoliate your feet when you want a nice pedicure. If you keep up with the maintenance, a pedicure can be as simple as sitting down to paint your nails. Take some time each evening to rub baby oil or coconut oil into your feet. After each bath, use a pumice stone to remove dead skin, especially around the nails.

8. Leave time for drying

It can be tempting to rush the drying times on your pedicure, but it’s best to wait at least 5-10 minutes before you add another layer of polish or attempt to do anything that could smudge the polish. The longer you wait, the harder the polish will be and the longer it will last.

9. Add a few layers of clear polish

Whatever the design you have chosen, a few coats of clear polish will help seal the design in. You can use any kind of transparent nail polish. Using a couple of extra layers is an excellent way to eliminate the bumpy feel of glitter polish, without losing the look of the glitter polish.

10. Loosen clumpy polish

Is your nail polish getting dried out and hard to use? Before painting it on your nails, add a few drops of nail polish thinner, cap and shake well before using. Just make sure the product you use is actually nail polish thinner. Nail polish remover will not work the same way and will ruin your bottle of polish.
The perfect pedicure is not necessarily simple, but when you have all these tricks up your sleeve, you can get those nails looking great. Your toes will sparkle in no time.