Skin Toning Tips - Best Skin Toners

These days skin toning have definitely gone out of fashion. Skin toners helps to improve blood circulation to the skin surface and gives the skin the glow that is associated with its good health. Modern opinion is that faces do not need toning as skin tone comes from within, and cannot be applied from a bottle. But be warned, if you use toner too often you could end up suffering from dry, tight skin.

In addition, watch out for clarifying mists and lotions - they may glory in modern names, but they still often contain harsh skincare agents such as acids, alcohol and witch hazel. however, if you do not feel properly cleansed unless you make toning a regular part of your beauty regime, make sure that you choose a product that is alcohol free. This category of skin-care products include cosmetics like skin fresheners, toners and astringents. They basically contain alcohol and water. Glycerine, witch hazel, menthol, camphor, boric acid, rose water and alum are often added.

Skin toning is absolutely necessary for all types of skin and ought to be made a part of daily skin care. It is refreshing, enhances blood circulation and adds a healthy glow to your skin. Dry skin and wrinkles appear on face as the epidermal cells gradually lose their capacity to produce new cells while the dermis that produces collagen loses its elasticity. Toners are used to clean the oil from the skin. They may cause skin feel tighter because of skin irritation. The skin is freshened by skin toning lotions. They help to increase the blood supply to the skin .

Toning is important for both men and women as it is the protective step after gentle, but thorough cleansing of skin as it keeps pores clean, skin healthy and breathing and thus more receptive to ultimate in nourishing care that comes with moisturizing. For men, the need for narrowing down on top skin toners may be significantly more than women since they have about fifteen percent oilier skin and considerably larger pores than women. Thus, their skin gets dirtier and requires more frequent deep cleansing and timely toning to look fresh and healthy. Skin care experts reveal that the top skin toners and cleansing products should be as chemical-free as possible and persons with dry or sensitive skin must avoid use of deodorant soaps. Soaps that foam and lather easily usually cleanse with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind, which can irritate your skin and clog your pores, making it difficult to achieve healthy toning up afterwards.

The basic difference in the formula is in the amount of alcohol these products contain. As alcohol has avery drying effect, there is little or none of it in the products intended fordry skin while the products for use on oily skin have a high alcohol content. These products are used after cleaning the skin (with soap or any other cleanser), though they can be used as interim cleansers as well, as they can remove grime and oils. They freshen and tone up the skin and prepare it for application of make-up. They also restore the acid, alkali balance of the skin, because they are pH balanced. It contracts muscles, refines (shrinks) pores, absorbs the oil and grease immediately, leaving behind a fresh, radiant skin.

Tips for Skin Toning

* Use astringent lotions with a piece of cotton wool but if your skin is looking worn off and tired, pat it on with a brisk slapping movement.
*Moisten cotton wool with skin toning lotion and pat on the cheeks, chin and neck.
* For dry skin use rose water diluted with mineral water. Apply it gently with cotton wool avoiding the eye and upper cheek area completely.
* A piece of cotton should be used with astringent lotions.
* Oily skinned people should tone with an astringent lotion, applying to the oiliest places, that is sides of the nose, chin and forehead.
* Vitamin E oil and wheat oil are very effective for dry skin.
* For dry skin vitamin E and wheat oil are also effective.
* Rub wit a piece of potato over the face and neck and wash it off after 15 minutes. This is very effective for oily skin and can be used with moisturizer for dry skin.
* An excellent skin toner is the rose. Make rose water by mixing one tablespoon rose oil with two and half litres of purified water. Put it in a bottle and store in a refrigerator.
* Moisten cotton wool with skin toning lotion and put it on cheeks, chin and neck.
* Rose is an excellent skin toner. Make rose water by mixing 1 tablespoon rose oil with 2 ¼ litres of purified water. Bottle it and store in the refrigerator.
* Two tablespoons of lemon juice wit one tablespoon glycerine and three tablespoons of rose water should be used for a dry skin. Rub this juice on the skin.

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Sensitive Skin Care Tips

Sensitive skin is very reactive an easily affected by environmental conditions, such as too much cold, sun, sudden temperature changes or irritants contained in some cosmetics. It reacts quickly to both heat and cold therefore, it sunburns and windburns easily. It is commonly dry, delicate and prone to allergic reactions. If you have this type of skin, use sun-screen lotions or creams.

Choose products that do not contain potential allergens such as fragrance or PABA sunscreens. Wash your face with mild baby soap, rinse thoroughly and pat the skin dry with a soft towel do not use rough towel. Never use any makeup or perfume without first trying a little of it on the inside of your wrist to see the reaction of your skin to it, for very few items of makeup agree with a sensitive skin.

Every night apply home-made moisturizing cream on your face before retiring for the night. If you have dry, sensitive skin, you should consider using a cleanser such as Cetaphil Gentle Daily Cleanser or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. You may also consider using the M.D. Forte Replenishing Hydrating Cleanser, which gently removes makeup, oils and other debris without irritating the skin. M. D. Forte offers a full line of skin care products for people who have sensitive skin.

A sensitive skin is a thin or a fine-textured skin. Natural vegetables and fruits are very harmful for this skin. The goal of the skin is to sense important environmental parameters such as proximity to objects, heat, moisture, and direct touch sensations. Sensitivity reactions generally become apparent as breakouts, red or blotchy skin. However, some skin reactions are not visibly seen, instead, you may experience a burning or stinging sensation in response to an irritant. The common perception of sensitive skin is that it is skin that is easily irritated. Although not clearly defined medically, sensitive skin tends to become more irritated or 'react' more (e.g. redness, itching) than normal skin.

For some people, their skin always seems sensitive. If your skin is becoming dry and more sensitive with age, you should avoid using all cosmetics that contain harsh or potentially irritating ingredients. It is of paramount importance that you select mild and gentle cosmetics, such as facial cleansers. You should always look for skin care products that contain anti-irritant ingredients such as aloe and allantois. You should avoid products that are known to irritate the skin such as alpha hydroxy acids and Retin-A. If you have sensitive skin, you should always test any new cosmetic by first applying a small amount of it to a small area of your skin to see if you develop a reaction such as redness or itching. In addition, you should not purchase cosmetics containing fragrances. Fragrance can cause severe skin irritations, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Sensitive Skin Care Tips
1) Two or three times a week use a deep cleansing mask specifically formulated for oily skin.
2) Wash your face no more than twice a day using a natural pH balanced cleanser.
3) Use a toner that is appropriate for oily skin.
4) Use a moisturiser designed specifically for dry and sensitive skin.
5) Use your natural skin care regime every single day.
6) Ensure your diet is very high in nuts, grains and vegetables and very low in saturated fatty foods.
7) Drink plenty of water each and every day to help keep your skin hydrated.

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Oily Skin Care Tips

Oily skin is caused by over-active glands, which produce a substance called Asebum, a naturally healthy skin lubricant. Often a chronically oily skin has coarse pores and pimples and other embarrassing blemishes. It is prone to blackheads. This skin type is not necessarily bad since it is less prone to wrinkling and other signs of aging than other skin types. This is the result of the oil helping to keep precious moisture locked in the epidermis, or outermost layer of the skin.

Oily skin can be sallow and roughing texture and tend to have large, clearly visible pores everywhere except around the eyes and neck. Heredity and hormones play the key role in whether or not you have oily skin. The most important thing you can do for oily skin is to work hard and consistently at keeping your skin clean using hot water and soap. Cleaning your face with astringent pads is also recommended if washing your face frequently is leaving your skin irritated. Use only water-based cosmetics if you have oily skin.If is extremely unlikely that your diet has anything to do with whether or not you have oily skin. Because of the hormonal shifts of adolescence, oily skin is common in teenagers, but it can occur at any age.

In general, skin tends to become dryer with age. The flow of sebum or oil increases during adolescence and starts decreasing with age. During pregnancy and menopause, hormonal imbalances can also upset the oil balance and increase the activity of sebaceous glands.
Oily skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. Oily skin cleansers need to remove excess oil, but not to strip the skin bare from its natural protection. Alcohol is much too harsh and will only create sensitivity in the long run, so watch out for it on the product label. Skin oil is made of sebum, which is produced by sebaceous glands. Excess sebum can be controlled with topical applications as well as by using products such as oil blotting papers. There are many misconceptions about use of different products for oil control. Let us find out more about oily skin and know how to get the radiance of normal skin. Oily skin care second step is moisturizing.

Oily skin can, and very often is, dehydrated. That means lacking water and the first signs of dehydrated skin are very fine lines, that become wrinkles. Oily skin care third step is nourishing. This is usually the role of the night cream. Even oily skin needs antiaging products, which are used at night.Eye creams are used at night or in the morning. Masks are very beneficial and can be a part of the oily skin solutions. Masks for oily skin can be used once to three times a week. Oily skin masks will balance excessively oily skin and assist in removing blackheads.

Causes of Oily Skin

The common Causes of Oily-skin :

*Heredity.
*Pregnancy.
*Diet .
*Hormone levels.
*Cosmetics you use
*Humidity and hot weather .
*Oily Skin Facial
*Facials help in deep cleansing, rehydrating and rejuvenating the skin. There are three important steps of a facial:
*Deep and thorough cleansing that exfoliates the top layer of dead skin and gives a healthier look to the skin.
*Rejuvenates the skin by enhancing the process of cell renewal.
*Providing in depth moisturizing

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Dry Skin Care Tips

Dry skin (xerosis) usually isn't serious but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly turning plump cells into shriveled ones and creating fine lines and wrinkles. The dry areas may result in dermatitis, i.e. the skin becomes red and itchy. This may result in a crazy-paving appearance on the lower legs ('eczema craquelé) or round patches scattered over the trunk and limbs (a dry form of nummular dermatitis ). Fortunately, most dry skin results from environmental factors that can be wholly or partially controlled. These include exposure to hot or cold weather with low humidity levels, long-term use of air conditioning or central heating, and excessive bathing.
Dry skin has a low level of sebum and can be prone to sensitivity. The skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels "tight" and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated skin. Dryness is exacerbated by wind, extremes of temperature and air-conditioning, all of which cause the skin to flake, chap and feel tight. This type of skin is tightly drawn over bones. It looks dull, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. There may be tiny expression lines on these spots and at the comers of the mouth.

Dry skin is a very common skin problem. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and supple, and retaining moisture is especially difficult in winter. Dry skin can affect any part of the body, as the only significant oil glands we have are on the "T-zone" of the central face, armpits, and groin. For some people it may be a symptom of a hereditary or chronic dry skin condition such as eczema , psoriasis or contact dermatitis . For others, it is something that they suffer from at some point in their lives. Different people suffer to a different degree, but generally the same symptoms occur. The wrong moisturizing lotion can have the same effect. Generally, water-based lotions (Lubriderm, Keri lotion, others) are best cosmetically but oil-based creams are more effective in trapping moisture.

Causes of Dry Skin

The common Causes of Dry-Skin

* Dry skin is more common in those with an underactive thyroid or with excessive weight loss.
* A change in season can also cause dry skin.
* Dry skin is more susceptible in cool weather with low humidity.
* Medications and excessive air travel can cause dry skin.
* As we age dry skin increases, resulting in decreased natural lubrication and a dehydrated, tight dry skin.
* Excessive bathing, showering or swimming (especially in strongly chlorinated water) exacerbates a dry skin condition.
* Frictional irritation and chapping results from dry skin.

Symptoms of Dry Skin

Some common Symptoms of Dry-Skin

*Flaking.
*Itching.
*Redness
*Scaling.
*Peeling.
*A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming.
*Itching (pruritus) that sometimes may be intense .

Treatment of Dry Skin

*Avoiding harsh soaps, detergents, and perfumes, which tend to dry the skin.
*Reduce how often you bath or shower, and use lukewarm water. Showers may be better than baths.
*Applying a salicylic acid solution or cream (which removes the top layer of skin) - if the skin is scaly.
*Replace standard soap with a substitute such as a synthetic detergent cleanser, water-miscible emollient, bath oil, anti-pruritic tar oil, etc.
*Avoiding rubbing or scratching the skin, which can aggravate the symptoms and cause infection .
*The doctor can prescribe an Alpha hydroxyacid lotion for your skin which will dissolve the scales and will increase the moisture content of your skin.
*Apply an emollient liberally and often, particularly after bathing, and when itchy. The drier the skin, the thicker this should be, especially on the hands.
*Treat eczematous patches with a topical steroid for a 5 to 15 day course. These are prescribed by your doctor and should be only applied to the red and itchy areas.

Dry Skin Care Tips

These includes:-

*Use a mild soap because soaps can dry the skin. Try to use a mild, superfatted soap or non-soap cleanser.
*Moisturize immediately after bathing are most effective for trapping water in the skin.
*To minimize the irritating effects of shaving on already dry skin, make sure to use a lubricating agent like shaving cream before starting and shave in the direction that hair grows.
*Avoid hot water, because it removes natural skin oils more quickly.
*Prolonged showers or baths hydrate the skin, but the evaporation process and towel drying the skin. Therefore, bathing and showering should be kept brief, between 5 and 10 minutes.

How To Create Beautiful Smoky Cat Eyes

How To Create Beautiful Smoky Cat Eyes
By Joanne Elliott


It is easier than you might think to create professional looking, ‘sex kitten’, smoky eyes like Keira Knightley. This vampy look can be as subtle or dramatic as you wish. The tips below will create a more powerful look in black, but to achieve a more understated look simply select light grey, burgundy or dark khakis instead.
Remember, a lot depends on your skin tone and hair color - see blonde to brunette, so why not try a few different tones to see which suits you best?

Ingredients for powerfully sexy eye makeup:

* Black eyeliner - pencil. Ensure that it is sharp.
* Black eyeliner - brush. The thinner the liquid eyeliner is the better.
* Eye shadow brush. Thin stumpy bristles are best to maintain control.
* Dark eye shadow. Irridescent rather than flat matt (too hard), or shiny (too messy).
* Highlight shimmer for under the eyebrow. Avoid garish looking ‘high glitter’.
* A good eyebrow pencil. Try to select the most natural shade for you as possible.
* Eyelash curlers - see Jessica Alba.
* Black mascara. Obviously choose a quality brand to avoid clumping and ‘spider eyes’.


Step-by-step instructions for smoky cat eyes like Keira Knightley:

*Apply your foundation, under eye concealer and powder.
Using your black eyeliner pencil, start from the front corner of your eyelid. Draw a soft smudge line to the end of your lash line.

*Use your eyeshadow brush to apply the dark eye shadow over the top of the smudged line for a soft smoky look. Ensure that the edges are neatly blended.

*Then take the brush eyeliner and apply as close to your lashes as you can on the top lid only. Make the line as thick and pronounced as you wish, but make sure that the line is thickest at the outer corner, and thinner as you go inward.

*Apply another smoky coat of eye shadow with the brush to blend the harsh edges. Subtly blend your darker eye shadow up from your lashes to your eye crease. Then apply a shimmery highlight in white or cream under the outside corner of your eyebrow.

*Use your eyebrow pencil to make your eyebrow curve more pronounced.

*Curl your eyelashes, then apply thin coats of mascara, building the layers up gradually to avoid clumping.

Joanne Elliott is an international freelance writer and illustrator involved in several different areas. Enquiries welcome: joelliott45@yahoo.co.uk

How To Apply Eyebrow Make-Up

Make-up artist Lisa Glassock shows you how to apply eyebrow make-up to help frame your eyebrows and eyes.

Step 1: You will need
- Hairspray
- Eyeshadow brush
- Lash wand
- Dark brown powder eyeshadow
- Slanted eyebrow brush
- Highlighting eye shadow

Step 2:
Pluck your eyebrows into a good shape.

Step 3:
Brush your eyebrows with an eyebrow brush or old mascara brush.

Step 4:
Apply the eyebrow makeup in the direction of the hair growth.

Step 5:
Apply a light dusting first, then build up as needed.

Step 6:
With the mascara or eyebrow brush, remove any excess powder from the eyebrow.

Step 7:
Use a strong hold hairspray on the brush and comb through each eyebrow.

Step 8:
Use a light eyeshadow underneath the eyebrow to define the shape.

How To Apply Fake Eyelashes

Applying fake lashes is best left to your makeup artist, but with a little patience and practice, you too can master this art. So don't try it five minutes before leaving to a big party. Andrea lashes are great and they are available inexpensively at the drugstore.

Keep a piece of paper handy to hold the lashes, and a magnifying mirror, which makes the job a lot easier. Using a tweezer, dip the base end of the lashes into the glue, then place the lashes as close to the baseline of your own as you can, filling in wherever you want the greatest impact (generally, the mid to outer lashes look fabulous in false lashes). Press gently, but firmly with something blunt. Hold the lash in place for about 5 seconds until the glue has a chance to hold.

Let the glue dry, and then apply a dark eyeliner to camouflage the line of the fake lashes and then apply your mascara. The mascara will help blend your own lashes with the fake ones, and make your eyes look fuller and larger.

To remove, gently pull them off with tweezers.

Step 1: You will need
- A pair of fake eyelashes
- Some Eyelash glue
- Small scissors some
- Liquid eyeliner
- Tweezers some
- Mascara A damp cloth
- some petroleum gelly
- fake eyelash remover

Step 2: Choose the right eyelashes
Fake eyelashes widen the eyes, can enhance the natural lashes and give a dramatic effect that could not be achieved otherwise. They are available in all colours, lengths and shapes. For a more subtle look, individual lashes or small clumps of lashes can be used. Synthetic fibres are usual, but sterilized human hairs can also be found. These are most commonly used by people who have lost their natural lashes.

Step 3: Preparation
Apply a little translucent powder before gluing on the lashes. If you will be wearing eye shadow apply it now. Oiliness will prevent the glue sticking adequately, and eye shadow or powder will help to prevent this.

Step 4: Trim the lashes
Fake eyelashes are made so one fits the left eye and one fits the right. Hold the lashes up to the eyes, noting which eye the lashes will be applied to. If they are longer than the eye, the width should be trimmed with a small scissors on the outer corner of the lashes. Do this BEFORE gluing them on.

Step 5: Check the packet
Some items like glue will vary from brand to brand. For best results follow the instructions supplied with the lashes or glue.

Step 6: Apply the glue
The easiest way to apply an even coat of glue, is to squeeze some on to the back of your hand and run the lash through the glue. Some glues will need to be left for a couple of minutes to become tacky before application to the eye. Check the tackiness with your finger before using the lash.


Step 7: Put the lashes in position
Rest your elbow on a table to steady it in front of the mirror.

Pick up the lashes with tweezers.

It is essential that you press the lashes to the eyelid as close to your own lashes as possible, it is very difficult to mask a space between the two lines of lashes.

Single or clumps of lashes can be glued under the real lashes, to seem more natural.

Step 8: Be Careful!
Watch carefully in the mirror as you put the lashes on to ensure that no glue gets in to your eye.
If it does, rinse the eye with cold water immediately. Make sure you know what to do for the glue that you are using, before you put on the lashes.

Step 9: Hold
Hold the lashes in place until the glue is completely set. Again, glues will vary so check the packet.

Step 10: Finishing
TouchesOnce securely in place, fake lashes can be curled, or have extra mascara applied. This is useful if the fake lashes are a different colour to your own lashes. To do this press your finger behind the fake lashes, apply mascara to your own lashes, pressing the fake and real lashes together. This binds them together.

If there is an area where the space between the fake and real lashes is obvious, fill it in with liquid eyeliner or eye shadow. Also use liquid eyeliner or eye shadow to cover any noticeable glue.


Step 11: Taking them off
Fake lashes should always be removed before going to sleep. Some glue requires a special remover, which should be supplied with it. Most are water based, and can be removed by moistening with a damp cloth and pulling away gently.

Step 12: Storage
Once off, fake lashes can be used again. It's best to store them in their original packaging, as this will help them to retain their shape.

If the lashes are proving stubborn, don't pull hard, this might remove some of your lashes too! Try some petroleum jelly, on the stubborn lashes, leave for a few seconds, and try again.

Step 13: Practice, Practice, Practice
Applying fake lashes becomes easier with practice. It is a good idea to try a few times before the big night when they have to be perfect.

Beauty Tips for Teen Girls

Beauty Tips for Teen Girls
By Beverly Smith

Makeup and clothing is an issue for many teenage girls. If you are stressing about what you should look like as a newcomer in middle school, or a freshie in high school, here's a quick guide to help your fashion mature with you throughout middle and high school.

In Sixth grade, wear lip gloss, some mascara, and maybe a little bit of pale eyeshadow; don't go too heavy or it may look bad. If you want to try out more types of makeup, keep that for home experiments. As for clothes, keep it in your comfort level. Bear this in mind: if you are wearing a bra or undershirt, don't let the straps hang out. It doesn't look cool; it just looks sloppy. If you are wearing a short shirt, check in the mirror to see if your stomach hangs out of the bottom. Otherwise, wear something a little bit longer. Also, if your pants are likely to slip, wear a belt. Belts are totally hip now! * The main point is to keep the makeup light, and the clothes clean cut.

In Seventh grade you are beginning to care a little more what you look like; you might want to try curling your hair a few days a week, and using different hairstyles besides your typical ponytail. If you are acne prone, try foundation. Remember thet even oily skin can get flaky and that looks horrible with foundation. So try it on weekends first and ask your mother (or someone that uses foundation well) if it looks okay. In Seventh grade you might want to try eyeliner. But not too much because you don't want to look like a racoon! Start trying to tie outfits together with accessories. It's good to try new things with your makeup and clothes. But when you try the new things, make sure it looks good on you, not just in the picture or at the store. Check out different stores, and find out if there is a style that suits you.

In eighth grade you are probably getting good at makeup and you know what you like. Try establishing your own hairstyle without looking like everyone else. For example, if everyone has long, layered hair with no bangs, try light wispy bangs and a shorter, layered look. You might be wearing tighter jeans now and probably starting to get concerned with impressing the guys, so it's safe to try out more mature styles such as a sleek leather blazer, or lower cut necklines. If you are happy with your sports bra, that is totally OK. But it's safe now to check out the actual bra department and wear something that makes you feel pretty - like lace.

Ninth grade: high school! This is a big transition. Now in the same world as seniors, you are going to want to look like the rest of your peers. You should by now have your makeup and hair styles already. Try to update this look a bit, because no one wants to carry the same look they had in middle school. Dramatize a detail in your hair. If its known for it's left side part, part it even deeper. Make a straight style even sleeker and hip. Learn to make youre curls tighter, or looser.

In high school you might want to wear your usual make up during the day, and as you start to go out with friends and boys at night, add a darker shade of eyeliner, or jazz up your lips with something more festive. It's also good to try new shoes, try wearing spikier ankle boots with a pair of hot jeans and a blouse.

Chunkier heels aren't as hip as spikes as you get older. Incorporate accessories into your outfit. Buy yourself a bag that's in suede or leather to keep your schoolbooks in, instead of a backpack. You will want to buy yourself a new jacket, and make it your own. You know what you like, so go and find clothes that fit your style, but crank it up a notch for a more mature feel.