The Beauty Bar Blog

Category: Beauty

Changes You Should Make to Your Beauty Routine

With so many products available and so many recommendations from experts, beauty routines can become time-consuming and complicated. Many of the things you do on a regular basis might not be necessary or could even be doing more harm than good. Here are some changes you can make to your beauty routine.

• Toners are often not necessary. In the past, cleansers were not pH-balanced and left an acidic residue on the skin that toners balanced. Modern cleansers are pH-balanced, so it is not necessary to use a toner. Some toners contain active ingredients that can be helpful for treating specific conditions, but ones that contain alcohol can dry out your skin.

• You should only exfoliate your skin two or three times a week. Doing it more than that can make your skin irritated and inflamed.

• Too much moisturizer can cause you to break out or make you age prematurely. Use enough moisturizer to make your skin feel clean and healthy, but don’t use too much.

• Bubble baths contain soap and alcohol that can dry out skin. It is better to use a product with ingredients like honey, oatmeal, or milk that soothe skin.

• Lining your eyes and then curling your lashes can take off the liner when you release the curler. Curl your lashes first.

• If you want fuller eyebrows, stop plucking. Have them shaped by a professional once a month or every other month.

• Styling your hair every day can cause damage. Let your hair air-dry and embrace your natural texture or put your hair in a topknot or braid.

• If you buff your nails before applying nail polish, that is not necessary. Nail polish adheres better to a smooth than an etched surface. Buffing your nails for every manicure can also thin out your nails. You should file and push your cuticles, but you do not need to buff your nails.

• Don’t cut your cuticles. They are there to protect your nails from infection, and cutting them the wrong way can invite bacteria. Push down on your cuticles with a nail stick wrapped in cotton.

• Picking out dirt from under your nails can irritate the skin and shorten your nail beds. Clean out under your nails with alcohol and a disposable mascara wand. You can also scratch a bar of soap and then wash your hands.

How to Use Coconut Oil in Your Beauty Routine

Coconut oil is useful in the kitchen, but it can also give you smooth skin and hair that is easier to manage. Here are some ways to incorporate coconut oil in your daily beauty routine.

Solid coconut oil has a creamy texture that makes it great for moisturizing skin. Use a quarter-sized amount on your skin after you get out of the shower. You can add peppermint or lavender oil if you prefer those scents.

The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate and is prone to fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. You can replace your expensive eye cream with coconut oil. Rub it between your fingers to warm it up before spreading it under your eyes.

You can use coconut oil as a natural highlighter. Use a small amount of liquefied coconut oil on the tops of your cheekbones, the dip above your upper lip, and just above your eyebrows.

A teaspoon or less of coconut oil can easily remove makeup. Warm a dollop of coconut oil and massage it onto your skin, then rinse with warm water. You can make coconut oil makeup remover wipes by melting one teaspoon of coconut oil per cotton pad in a microwave-safe container, laying the cotton pads in an even layer, and letting them soak up the coconut oil overnight. Store them in a container or baggie.

Make a body scrub by mixing a half cup of sea salt or sugar with a half cup of coconut oil. Use your hands to rub it over rough skin. The mixture will remove dead skin cells and moisturize your skin. Use a little more salt or sugar for tough skin. You can add lavender oil if you prefer that scent.

Coconut oil also works as shaving cream. Warm the jar under water and smooth it onto your legs before shaving to get a close shave and smooth skin. It will be easier to hold the razor if your hands are dry, so shave outside the shower.

Use coconut oil to smooth your cuticles. It will strengthen your nails and hydrate the delicate skin for younger-looking hands.

Coconut oil can moisturize your lips. Put some into a spare contact lens holder and spread it on your lips with your fingers when necessary.

You can use coconut oil as a hair mask to add moisture and shine. Put some in a jar and hold it under warm water in the shower to melt it. Then apply a generous amount to your wet hair, twist it into a bun, leave it in for at least five minutes, and rinse it out.

Coconut oil can smooth frizzy, out-of-control hair. Rub a pea-sized amount between your fingers to warm it up and apply it to the bottom two inches of your hair. If your hair is thick and coarse, apply it from the mid-shaft to the ends. It will leave your hair soft and shiny.

How to Curl Your Eyelashes

Beautiful curled eyelashes can make your eyes look more open and can make mascara unnecessary. If you have naturally straight or limp eyelashes, you can easily change that by using an eyelash curler. While the device can look intimidating, it is actually easy to use and can deliver excellent results.

The first step is to apply your eye shadow and eyeliner. Let them dry before you begin to curl your lashes. Curling wet lashes can make them look bent. If you want to wear mascara, you should always apply it after you curl your eyelashes so they will not break and the mascara will not smear.

Open the eyelash curler and place your upper lashes inside the mouth. Close your eye slightly and then open it. All of your lashes should move into the eyelash curler’s mouth. You should always hold the curler so the mouth is parallel to your lashes.

Move the eyelash curler closer to your eye until it is touching the base of the lashes. It should not cover the skin of your eyelid.

Keep your eye open and slowly close the curler. Your lashes should fan out across the tool’s upper bar. If you feel any pinching, readjust the eyelash curler.

Hold the curler closed while you slowly count to five. Be sure to keep your hand and face steady. You can repeat these steps if you want to get additional volume. Do the same with the lashes on your other eye. With practice, you can learn to easily curl your lashes to get the volume you want.

How to Make Your Blush Last All Day

If you wear blush, you have probably been frustrated to find it wearing off just a few hours after you applied it. Here are some tips to help your blush last all day, even if you have naturally dry, oily, or sweaty skin.

Blush that simply sits on your skin will slide off. To make it last longer, it needs to blend into your skin. You should always wash and moisturize your face before putting on blush, even if your skin is oily. Skin that is dry, oily, or flaky will not absorb makeup as well as skin that is healthy, exfoliated, clean, and moisturized. Washing and moisturizing your face will help your blush blend in and last all day.

Applying a primer before blush will even out your skin tone and create a smooth surface to which you can apply the rest of your beauty products so they will last longer. This is especially important in the summer because humidity and sweat can cause makeup to wear off.

Like moisturizer, liquid foundation creates a smooth surface that allows blush to blend into the skin. This will make it look more natural and help your skin retain the color.

Using a cream or gel blush underneath powder blush can help you get a beautiful customized color that fits your skin tone and will last all day long. Use a powder blush instead of setting your makeup with a translucent powder. Use each formula sparingly.

You can spritz a setting spray all over your face after you apply your makeup. This will seal in your makeup without drying out your skin or adding another layer of color.

Common Misconceptions about Beauty Products

Beauty magazines and the internet are full of articles with advice about makeup and skin care. Much of that advice is contradictory or is really marketing intended to sell products. Here are some common misconceptions about beauty products and how you can find the products that are right for you.

Companies that produce makeup and skin care products want to create loyal customers. They often produce a complete line of products and say that they need to be used together to achieve the best results. This is a marketing tactic designed to get people to purchase multiple products. Just because one product from a particular company works well for you, that does not mean that another product made by the same company is also the best choice for you. Experiment with different products made by a variety of companies to find the combination that works best for you.

In a bid to be healthier, many consumers are embracing products labeled “chemical-free” or “all-natural.” These are essentially meaningless marketing terms. The human body is made up of many natural chemicals, and many products that are labeled “all-natural” contain ingredients that can irritate skin. Preservatives are necessary to keep products stable. Instead of looking for products labeled “chemical-free” or “all-natural,” check the ingredients for anything that you know has irritated your skin in the past or that has helped your skin. You should avoid denatured alcohol because it can dry out your skin and linalool because it is a known allergen.

Although there are some differences in people’s skin based on gender and age, there is no product that works well for everyone of a particular age and gender. Many products that are marketed for specific groups are essentially the same as ones sold for other groups, just with different fragrances or packaging.

The phrase “dermatologist recommended” is essentially meaningless. Any product can be recommended by a doctor or dermatologist. Research the product and its ingredients and understand how your skin responds to different ingredients.

Airbrush Makeup is great for girls to use when getting Senior Portraits done. No more retouching makeup in-between outfit changes!