The Beauty Bar Blog: CT Hair Styling, Bridal Makeup & So.Cap Fusion Extensions, CT Hair & Beauty Salon

Where to Part Your Hair Based on Your Face Shape

Changing the way you part your hair can dramatically change your appearance. The right part can accentuate your best features, while the wrong part can draw attention to things you would prefer to de-emphasize. Choose the right part for your hair based on your face shape.

If you have a round face, use a deep side part to accentuate the side of your face you prefer. A “curtain” of hair can give your face shape and balance. Try parting your hair at different places on the side of your head to see what works best to slim and lengthen the appearance of your face. You only need to slim down your face slightly and should not need a lot of layers.

Most hair parts will work with an oval face. Experiment with different parts to find the one you like the best. You can part your hair in the center, on the side, or in a zigzag. You can even change your part whenever you want.

Heart-shaped faces are widest at the cheeks. A center part can best complement this face shape, especially if you have long hair. If your hair is very short or layered around your face, a middle part will not work as well. A side part can balance things out, make your face look thinner, and cover your forehead. If you have a pointy chin, you can soften your chin and cheekbones with a deep side part.

A square-shaped face has an angular jaw and squared forehead. You want to choose a part that will soften angular features in your forehead and jaw line. The best way to do this is with a fairly deep-set part. Don’t make the part too deep because that can exaggerate the squareness of your face. Start above the arch of your eyebrows on either side of your face. Fringe also looks good with a square face.

Short fringe does not work well with a diamond-shaped face. Grow out your bangs and part your hair on the side to complement your cheekbones. Short hair looks good with a diamond-shaped face.

If your hair resists its new part, wet it, part it with a comb, and secure it in place. Set your hair with gel or hairspray while you blow-dry it. It will start to hold the part better with time. You can also try using a wide barrel brush or dry your hair in a particular direction.

How to Choose the Right Makeup for Your Eye Color

Many women have questions about what color eye makeup to wear. One of the most important factors is the color of your eyes. Several color combinations go best with each eye color. Experiment with these tips to find the best look for you.

Nearly any color eye makeup goes well with brown eyes. Try a rich green, purple, bronze, or blue eye shadow. You can try lining your eyes with an olive green eye pencil or wearing navy or purple mascara. You can also color individual eyelashes with lash glue and tweezers.

If you have blue eyes, try a bronze, golden smoky eye look. The colors will make your eyes glow. Lavender and purple look good with blue eyes, especially when they are blended with warmer transition shades. Brown eyeliner and mascara also look good with blue eyes.

Hazel eyes contain shades of amber, green, and bronze that can be accentuated with the right makeup. You can make your eyes look greener with purple, plum, or burgundy makeup. If your eyes have gray flecks or a bluish-gray outer ring, blend bronze eye shadow on your lids. Then line your upper lash line with a gray pencil or eye shadow, blend with a small detail brush, and repeat with your lower lash line. Curl your lashes and finish with mascara.

If you have green eyes and want them to stand out, avoid wearing blue or green eye makeup because they will compete with or match the color of your iris. You can make your green eyes look brighter by wearing eye makeup in a shade of warm bronze, burnt orange, or rich burgundy. You might also want to try a burgundy mascara.

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 Give Your Fine Hair More Volume

If you have fine hair, you have probably struggled to find ways to make it look fuller and to create more volume. You can do that by choosing the right haircut and making some simple changes to the way you style your hair.

Shorter hairstyles generally make fine hair look fuller. If you prefer to keep your hair long, you can make it appear fuller by creating texture. Use a sea salt spray and scrunch, tousle, and twirl your hair to create a messy, windswept look.

An A-line bob is a chic style that works great with fine hair. With that cut, your hair is shorter in the back and angles into a longer cut in the front. This edgy style suits all face shapes. It also works well with any hair texture, including wavy and curly, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time styling your hair. You will not need to rely on a lot of layers to create an appearance of fullness.

Getting your hair cut in choppy layers can instantly create texture. Choppy layers work well with both bobs and longer hairstyles. Long hair looks thinner because the length weighs it down. Choppy layers will create movement, fullness, and texture. Tousle your hair to create even more volume.

Strong bangs can make your hair look fuller. Choppy fringe can add texture and volume to fine hair. Sleek side-swept bangs can redefine your style.

If you braid your hair, no one will be able to tell that it is fine. You can make your braid look thicker by gently pulling on each loop. This works with any type of braid for any occasion.

If you part your hair the same way for a long time, it can get habituated to it and lie flat on that side of your head. You can give your hair instant volume simply by flipping your part to the other side. You can also use texturizing spray on your roots.

You can curl your hair to add instant volume and style. Whether your hair is long or short, you can use a curling iron, scrunch it with your fingers, and add mousse or hairspray for extra texture.

Are You Following the Right Nighttime Skin Care Routine?

The right nighttime skin care routine is critical in order to have healthy, glowing skin. Using the right products in the right order on a consistent basis can give you glowing, youthful-looking skin.

New skin cells grow faster while you are sleeping. The goal of a good nighttime facial routine should be to repair damage the skin experienced from a day’s worth of pollution, sun, and stress. You also need to hydrate since skin loses more water while you are asleep.

The first step should be to thoroughly clean your face to remove makeup, dirt, and oil. Many people do not properly wash their faces at night. Some dermatologists recommend using a cleansing brush with a gentle facial cleanser and warm water to remove dirt and oil. If you notice any changes in your skin after using a cleansing brush, reduce or stop your usage immediately.

If you have sensitive skin, use products that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Also look for noncomedogenic products that will not clog your pores.

Use a soothing face mask to help other products soak into your skin better. Face masks can have a variety of purposes, such as cleaning clogged pores and smoothing fine lines. They can also open pores to help active ingredients penetrate your skin.

A topical retinoid can reduce clogged pores, even out your skin tone, and promote the building of collagen. After you have cleaned your face, pat it dry and apply a small amount of retinoid all over your face, except around your eyes, the corners of your mouth, and the creases of your nose.

Retinoids can dry out your skin, so you should always follow them with a moisturizer. Nighttime moisturizers are thicker than daytime formulas and can make your skin soft. Look for a moisturizer with antioxidants, peptides, and vitamins A and C.

Put on night cream and then follow it with eye cream. Look for a formula with caffeine to reduce puffiness and niacinamide to increase the level of moisture in your skin.

It is important to get enough sleep. Without adequate rest, even the best combination of skin care products will not be fully effective.