The Beauty Bar Blog

Category: Makeup

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 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.

How to Apply Foundation with a Sponge

You can spend a fortune to buy the best foundation on the market, but if you don’t apply it properly, it won’t matter how expensive it is. Applying foundation with a makeup sponge can help you get a flawless appearance.

Makeup sponges come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. They are widely recognized as the ideal way to apply liquid makeup. A sponge can also be dampened and used with powder makeup.

Makeup sponges used to be made for a single use, but today they are designed to be cleaned and reused. Many are durable enough to last for months, as long as they are cleaned properly.

Sponges are absorbent enough to soak up any excess liquid makeup so you do not overapply it. They blot makeup to give you a flawless complexion.

The size and shape of the sponge you use will depend on where you want to apply your makeup. If you are going to apply foundation to a large part of your face, use a large, rounded sponge. If you are going to put makeup on small corners of your face, use smaller, squared off sponges. You can also use a smaller sponge to conceal blemishes.

To get the best results, wet the sponge first. Water will help you apply makeup smoothly. If you are using liquid foundation, put a small amount on the back of your non-dominant hand, dab makeup on the sponge, and then apply it to your face using a stippling motion. Do not swipe or drag the sponge across your face because that will not give you a seamless look. Add foundation a little at a time until your entire face is covered. Go back over your face with a stippling motion without any makeup on the sponge to blend any areas you might have missed.

Is It Time to Clean out Your Makeup Bag?

Your makeup bag is filled with all of your essential beauty products, but when was the last time you cleaned it out and replaced its contents? Makeup has expiration dates and can harbor bacteria that can be harmful. You should clean out your makeup bag periodically. Here are some helpful guidelines to follow.

• Check the color of your foundation and concealer to tell if it is time to get rid of them. As a general rule, cream or liquid foundations last 12 to 18 months.

• Pumping your mascara wand in the tube allows air and bacteria to enter the tube. Seal your mascara tightly after using it and buy a new one every three to six months.

• Natural makeup does not have parabens or synthetic preservatives. You can make it last longer by storing it in your refrigerator between uses, but it will expire after three to six months.

• Always clean makeup sponges after use and change them weekly or as often as needed. If color cosmetics have created a permanent stain on the applicator, discard it immediately.

• Makeup blotting papers are only designed to be used once. Then they should be discarded.

• Check the texture, color, and scent of your lipstick or lip gloss to see if it needs to be replaced. Lipstick and lip gloss can overheat and explode in a makeup bag. They should be replaced at least once a year.

• Broken eye shadow, blush, or bronzer can create a mess. Discard them immediately.

• You should sharpen your lip and eye pencils to keep them fresh and sanitized. Keep them covered to avoid attracting germs that could make you sick.

• If your nail polish has separated and started to clump, you should get rid of it.

• Sunscreen and moisturizer have expiration dates after which they are less effective. Their consistency can also change if they are exposed to heat and humidity.

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