Beauty Tip: How to Reduce Freckles

With Spring here, and the sunny afternoons getting warmer, we tend to be outside a little bit more, enjoying the warmth and getting sunkissed. But for girls out there with freckles, (and as much as we think they're cute and charming), we know for a fact that it's sort of a hassle, because they get intensified.
One quick and easy tip, besides wearing sunscreen, is lemon juice. That's right, lemon juice! Just squeeze a fresh lemon into a cup and dip a cotton pad in it, and apply on your freckles. As you sunbathe the citric acid will work on making the freckles clearer, less intense and less noticeable.
Don't forget to use a good moisturizer as well to prevent your skin to get dehydrated. Try Younique's Brilliant Moisturizing Gel which is a rich and restorative facial moisturizer that is formulated to leave the skin hydrated, energized, and healthy

Do's and Don'ts of Liquid Eyeliner

Liquid liner is THE makeup essential. The good news: one sweep along the lash line and your makeup look is nearly complete. The not-so-good news: it’s a littttttle tricky. And for that reason, we’re breaking down some critical do’s and don’ts.

DO pair black liquid liner with a red lip, flawless skin and nothing else for instant and effortless beauty.

DON’T pair a strong and precise liquid liner look with a heavy smoky eye. The two effects are too competitive with each other.

DO apply liquid liner THISCLOSE to the lash line in small dashes. Go over the dashed line again in a fluid motion to smooth the line, then build up the line if you want more impact or are creating a specific shape (hello, cateye).

DON’T keep piling on more liner to mask imperfections. Instead, if you mess up, clean and perfect the line using a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover.

DO follow the curve from the lower lashline when extending liner up and out to create a cat-eye.

DON’T go out imbalanced. Check that your eyes are symmetrical. Note: one side will inevitably be easier than the other. Work to make the hard side look like the easy side.

DO choose a jet black liner for a classic look, chocolate brown or slate grey for a soft look and a bright color for a seasonal/trendy look.

DON’T use a bright color liquid unless the rest of the face is neutral.

DO use a small synthetic brush with concealer on it to edge out the perfect eyeliner shape and detail a creative shape.

DON’T run liquid liner on or along the lower lashline or in the tearline. Use pencil liner for that.

DO layer on the mascara to really pop the eye as a final step after liquid liner.

DON’T apply other eye makeup until the liquid liner has completely dried.

Beauty Wonders of Baking Soda

Baking soda, how women would love thee if they only knew all you can do for them. In case you didn't know, this white powder is a naturally occurring component of the mineral Natron. It can be found in countless mineral springs and it used to be called aerated salt, like a few hundred years ago. Humans have been harvesting and using it for a long time. In fact, its healing and detoxing properties are one reason why baths in mineral springs were popular back in the day and why spas literally sprung up around them for the rich and well-heeled.

These days, you don't have to travel to Switzerland to get the skin and beauty benefits of trace amounts of the stuff in a natural mineral spring—you can just go to the grocery store and buy a box. And you should! Because baking soda will transform your beauty life, possibly your skin and definitely your beauty budget. You can toss away so many masks and expensive bath salts, and so many other prettily packaged, costly beauty products.

The Great Exfoliator

How many products on the market claim to exfoliate your skin? From little beads in body wash to face wash to masks, they all say your skin will be renewed. After you use baking soda to exfoliate, you'll understand all other claims are overblown. Your skin will feel tight, your pores will be visibly smaller, and your skin will feel like a baby's, promise. Just mix baking soda and water until a paste forms. Gently rub on your skin in a circular motion and rinse. 

Anti-Acne Mask

Instead of scrubbing to exfoliate. Apply the paste you've made as a mask. Let sit for 10 minutes. Baking soda will draw out impurities, and even helps remove blackheads. Once per week will rid your skin of common breakouts. Trust. 

Tooth Whitening
Strips and pastes at the drugstore to whiten teeth are expensive. And forget about getting it done at the dentist, you don't want to look like one of those creepy TV hosts whose teeth look like they're electric. You dip your damp toothbrush directly into the powder or sprinkle some on top of your toothpaste. Scrub stains away. 

Dry Shampoo
Granted, if you have dark hair, this might be a tough sell. But for blondes and light brunettes, no need to spend money on dry shampoo when you're in between washing. A mix of baby powder and baking soda sprinkled on your brush before you pull it through your hair will have that extra oil and grease absorbed in no time. 

Product Buildup
Add baking soda to your shampoo before you shampoo as normal. You'll be getting rid of all that product buildup. Perfect after your hair has done bridesmaid duty under a helmet of hair spray.

Relieve Sunburn Itching and Irritation

Just soak a washcloth in cold water that's been infused with baking soda and press it on your burn. Relief is at hand. A lukewarm bath with half a cup of baking soda is one way to relieve skin that's been burned in more than one place. It happens.

Get Healthy Nails and Cuticles
If you've got a nail brush or an old toothbrush laying around and a box of baking soda, you've also got the potential for great nails and cuticles. Rub the brush (dipped in baking soda) on your nails for a thorough clean. Its natural antibacterial properties also treat nail fungus. Just apply a baking soda and water paste, leave on for ten minutes twice per day until the fungus is gone.

Deodorant

Because of its ability to absorb oil, smells, cleanse and fight bacteria, it's no wonder baking soda can also be used as a deodorant. How to apply? Dip a kabuki brush in the powder. If you want it to smell nice, just add a drop of your favorite essential oil.

Cat Eye for Your Eye Shape

Grab the eyeliner weapon of your choice– powder, gel, cream, liquid or pencil– I devised a method for applying a cat eye that anyone can do (even those of us not blessed with the steadiest hands). Beginners and pros take note: to achieve a flawless flick at the wing, you’ll need an angled eyeliner brush, your chosen liner (I use Moodstruck Minerals Pigment Powder in Corrupted.100% natural, chemical-free and mineral-based pigment powder.. brilliant! ) and a business card.

The technique stays the same; it’s the thickness of line and the length of the wing that change depending on your eye shape.

1. To begin, take your business card (a piece of tape will work too) and align the edge with the bottom of your upper lash line. Card placement is key; make sure you’re holding the card at an angle where the wing is going up–not down.

2. Using the eyeliner of your choice, draw a line along the edge of the card. The line should start as a continuation of your last lash, going up and out towards your eyebrow.

3. Then go back and line the rest of the eye, staying as close to the lash line as possible.

4. Now that the foundation is in place find your eye shape below to figure out where and how much to build out the shape!

Long, thick and waterproof are perfect for hooded eyes. Since the lid is hooded if you do a small line you will never see it when you open your eyes, so the thicker the better. Use Moodstruck Minerals Pigment Powder in Corrupted and an angled brush to perfect this cat eye. For hooded and small eyes, I suggest forgoing eyeliner on the bottom lash line, as it tends to make the eyes look smaller.

To accentuate an almond shape, creating the look of bigger, longer, more seductive eyes, Keep the line thin on the inside of the eye and all the way to out to 2/3rds of the eye. At that point, grow the line in thickness and finish with a semi dramatic wing at the end.” For this shape, Leary also recommends bringing the liner onto the bottom lash line to really drive home the shape.

With this eye shape, first keep the liner as close to the lash line as possible, and then go for a thick, elongated wing. It really helps to give the eye some definition, shape and length.

No matter what your eye shape, if you want your eyes to look more doll-like or rounder, Keep the liner thicker in the middle of the eye and shorter at the wing. This will create the illusion of an eye that is more curved.

Choosing the Perfect Blush for Your Skin Tone

A little rouge goes a long way. At least that’s what our grandmother tells us and we haven’t been able to prove her wrong yet. When we brush a dreamy pink hue across the apples of our cheeks our confidence rises. We experience the type of excitement usually reserved for when we wear colored eyeliner. Because mastering a bright, flushed cheek means we can play the bashful card when our current crush says hi or simply get that ‘touched by sun’ look any day of the week.

The trick to pulling off blush the right way? Finding the right blush color for your skin tone. When you apply the wrong rouge your makeup instantly enters the clown zone. But the right color to accent your skin tone will make your Friday night makeup and just about everything else in life, that much better. So take grandma’s words to heart, and my tips below, and you’ll be well on your way to always picking the right blush!

Fair Skin Tone

Fair skinned beauties, don’t get carried away; a soft pink, peach or light coral will enhance your porcelain skin just right. The key is light application. Too much product or the use of saturated hues, will create a harsh finish reminiscent of Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Avoid a stage makeup faux pas when you select the right formula of blush for a natural, flushed cheek finish.

My top picks: Moodstruck Minerals Blusher in Stunning or Sweet

Medium Skin Tone

Similar to your fair skinned friends, pinks and peaches are your best bet. You’ll want to take these colors a step further by applying a deeper shade of each. A rich pink, and even certain shades of mauve, will leave you with a dramatic edge–especially when you apply blush on all the right spots. Bonus tip, stray away from blush colors that have a bluish undertone–if your skin tone isn’t right on point, you’ll be left with what looks like slightly bruised cheeks.

My top picks: Moodstruck Minerals Blusher in Sweet or Seductive


Dark Skin Tone

Deep shades of red, orange and brown are the ideal blush colors for those with dark skin. These colors, unlike light powder pinks, will leave you looking radiant instead of washed out. Try a fuchsia if your skin tone tends to be warmer; a bold tangerine if it is cooler. By targeting the apples of your cheeks with a vibrant swipe of one of these shades you’ll be left with a daring effect even your granny can get behind.

My top picks: Moodstruck Minerals Blusher in Sophisticated  or Scandalous

Beauty Tip: Save Old Mascara Wand

Quick Tip: Warm Curler for Fuller Looking Lashes

Quick Tip: Blowdrying Your Hair

Quick Tip: Nail Polish Remover

Quick Beauty Tip: Detox Bath

PRO TIP: Using Concealer to Hide Dark Bags

Feel like your concealer is highlighting those pesky dark eye bags instead of hiding them? Here's a pro technique to help!

I highly recommend using a concealer brush.  The fibers are tapered and tightly packed so it perfectly fits the contours of eyes and blemishes for ideal coverage.

Blend in a little orange pigment to your concealer. With your concealer brush, swipe the color-correcting concealer under your eye in a "V" shape from your outer to inner corner. Then, buff the concealer into your skin, until you get to the center of your lower lid, where you'll want to feather the concealer for a lighter application.

It's really that easy! 

I personally prefer mineral powdered concealer since it doesn't clog my pores and GREATLY reduces oil & shine. 

Beauty Secret: Make Your Lipstick Last!

1. Clean Lips: Lipstick simply can't stick to dry, chapped lips. Apply a generous amount of lip balm using a disposable mascara wand. Gently rub back and forth, up and down & in circular motions to work off any dry flakes, then use a tissue to wipe off excess balm & flakes. (Follow this tutorial.)

2. Use a Lip Pencil: Lip liners contain the same pigments as lipsticks, but the color is suspended in a waxy pencil instead of a creamy stick. Particles of pigment cannot move as freely in their waxy base, so they provide a platform to which layers of lipstick can cling. Pick a lip liner color that is slightly lighter than the intended lipstick color and fill in the ENTIRE lip. Start in the center and lightly fill in the rest of the lip -- this ensures the brightest hue is mid-lip and not around the edges.

3. Blot & Re-apply: After applying one coat, blot with a tissue & then apply a second coat. Blotting removes excess oils  from the first layer of lipstick while leaving the pigments largely intact. Adding a second layer of lipstick after blotting increases the pigment concentration relative to the creamy ingredients that are the enemies of lipstick longevity.

4. The Tissue Trick: Apply a thin tissue over the lips & apply a loose powder using a brush. The powder helps keep the color in place.

The PERFECT powder to use is Moodstuck Minerals Concealer. It's high-quality, all natural (vegan, gluten-free) & contains Zinc Oxide + Titanium Oxide - the active ingredients in sunscreen - so it will protect your lips from harmful UV rays as well!