DIY - Makeup Brushes Holder

You're thinking about buying a great set of makeup brushes, like the ones from Younique, but you don't know where or how to hold them? Today's trick is very easy but very convenient to store your brushes: You will need a glass vase (any glass vase will do), rice - yes, rice! - and some imagination.
Put the rice in half of the vase, and stack the brushes. The rice will actually absorb any remaining water from the brushes (after you clean them), and will make them stand.
You can make drawings in the glass, or add colorful stickers, wherever your creativity goes.

May Kudos - Younique Exclusive Promo

This month's promo from Younique is the Mini Collection, featuring some of their best products: the fabulous 3D Fiber Lashes, the Luxe Lip Gloss Angelic, Confident Pigment Powders and a limited-edition Younique Makeup pouch for only $50 (limited stock).

Be Ready In 10 Min (Or Less)

 

Tic toc, tic toc, lets go!

Step 1:

•  Apply moisturizer (30 seconds);

Step 2:

• Concealer: grab a brush (Younique Concealer Brush) and dab it into the Moodstruck Minerals Concealer, also by Younique (30 seconds);

Step 3:

•  Apply BB Cream, check out Younique's BB Flawless Complexion, available in every skin tone (1 minute);

Step 4:

• Fix your brows. Use a brow comb sprayed with hairspray, if you need to fill them use a pencil, or a pigment closer to your hair color and apply it with the Liner Brush by Younique. (2 minutes);

Step 5:

•  Apply mascara (2 minutes);

Step 6:

• Apply the blush (30 seconds);

 Step 7:

• Apply the lipstick or gloss (30 seconds);

Step 8:

• If your hair looks too messy when loose, comb it into a high ponytail. If you prefer, make a bun, by twisting your hair and secure it with bobby pins and hairspray (3 minutes);

 Step 9:

• Spray your perfume or eau de toilette and smile ;)

How to Make The Foundation Last Longer

There are a few tricks that beauty gurus share on the internet and workshops worldwide, especially when it comes to makeup. Regarding foundation, there are plenty of different foundation types that suit every skin type, from shades, formulas, to packaging, there are really a lot of options out there.
One of the oldest tricks in hollywood and in professional photoshoots is to apply a primer and wait about 2 minutes before applying the foundation, to create a smooth, poreless and a sleek canvas for all the makeup.
So next time you're going out with makeup on and you want it to last, try the Younique Moodstruck Glorious Face & Eye Primer as it is incredible long-wearing, sweat-resistant, lasts all day and is suitable for every skin type and tone.

Quick tip: Are you out of eyeliner ?

You have an amazing event to attend, and you just started doing your makeup. You're aiming for a gorgeous and classy winged eyeliner but your eyeliner is dry, or really running out... oh damn!
Quick, grab a brush, like the Liner brush from Younique, and dip it into your mascara. Remove the excess on your hand or paper towel and draw the black wing. Black mascara is a great substitute for the eyeliner in case of emergency.
Pick a good mascara, one that is waterproof like the 3d Fiber Lashes from Younique, so you'll avoid the liner to run out.

Makeup Tips For The Ladies in Braces

Wearing braces might seem something that only teenagers do. But the number of adult women who have to wear braces have been increasing a lot since some years and, what was considered a taboo, is now the more and more acceptable and even fashion.
But it doesn't mean that all women feel comfortable and confident wearing them, and even if they do, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be careful: just because you got some eyes on you, doesn't always mean it's for the best reasons... And just because you are wearing braces, doesn't mean that you're not gorgeous or should ignore your beauty routine. The main trick is: enhance your other features other than the mouth area:

Skin: Make sure your skin is flawless, choose a good BB Cream or a good foundation if you really need a foundation. Younique has a broad range of skin tones for BB Creams which are actually very lightweight on the skin. Use a concealer on your scars and dark circles but only if you really need it, don't follow a makeup routine just because it's what they say you should do, learn your own features. It's preferable to look more natural than to have the cakey effect on your skin, especially if you're wearing braces, since it will make 2 things drawing attention (and not for the best reasons). Choose a peach or light rose pigment as a blush, for that healthy glow on your face.

Eyes: They are the main star, where all the attention should be focused on. The classic smokey eye works all the time, a simple cat eye with a dark eyeliner never fails as well. Try the Younique's Liner Brush dipped in Rose Water and the Moodstruck Mineral Pigment in the shade Corrupted to achieve a smoother and last longing effect.
The cherry on the cake should the the lashes: make them big and voluminous with the 3D Fiber Lashes mascara.

Lips: Avoid the lip glosses and shimmer, choose nude, soft, peach and opaque shades.

And don't worry: braces aren't forever !

The Best Lip Shades for Blondes

Many of us women out there struggle to find the right shade of lipstick or gloss, that one color that no matter what you're wearing will definitely enhance your whole look. So here's a quick guide to choose the right color, starting with blondes:

Day: Choose a nude tone (like Luxe), or if you want more color, choose a light pink (Loveable), peach (Ladylike) or watermelon (Lethal). All shades from Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss.

Night:Create a chic contrast to the skin using a deep red (Luscious) or cherry, also from Younique collection.

Tip: Avoid brown tones, going off the pink of his skin

The best manicure at home

By doing your nails at home, not only you are saving some bucks, but it can be therapeutical as well. Just sit down in some relaxing position and start these steps:

• Step 1 : Start by removing the nail polish with a good amount of acetone. If they are too big and damaged, cut them to a fair length.

• Step 2 : After cutting, file the nails as you prefer : if you opt for a square format start by the middle and then the lateral zone ; if you prefer a more circular shape , start by filing the sides towards the center, always with slight movements .

• Step 3 : Wash your hands with soap and water, rubbing them well, and then dry them .

• Step 4: Apply a moisturizing cream on hands and nails, giving special attention to the cuticles, as they should stay hydrated and soft. If you're not a big fan of moisturizer formulas, that are often too greasy, try Rose Water instead, as it moisturizes and revitalized the skin, leaving you with divine hands.

• Step 5 : Push back the cuticles with cotton or a Q-tip and remove the excess with pliers, but be careful, cut just the bare minimum, because the cuticles are protecting the nail.

• Step 6 : Before applying the nail polish, apply a base coat, especially if you have nails with an irregular surface (base coats are specifically designed to smooth these imperfections ).

• Step 7 : Apply the nail polish in the center of the nail and then spread to the sides. The layer should be thin so that it lasts longer. Remove the excess with a toothpick or you can actually dip a liner brush in acetone, as the oblique angle of the brush is ideal to remove just the extra (just don't forget to wash the brush with soft soap after, so it doesn't get ruined). If you are not very precise or don't have much patience for this step, do not worry. With the hand washing it will eventually come out. 

And that's it, you can now do your makeup and take a stroll to town, have a glass with your friends, go out to dinner with your husband, and be prepared to receive some compliments on how beautiful your hands look.

Pamper yourself in just one hour

To take advantage of this 1 hour in the best way, here are some coordinates you can do:

• 5 minutes:

Start treating the face , wiping the skin well . Then apply a scrub (which can be homemade ) and remove the dead cells from the face, smoothly .

After removing the scrub, apply a mask ( to moisturize , firm or clean the pores , for example) .

• 5 minutes:

While the mask works , let's move to the hair hydration . Damp your hair and put a deep hydrating mask on your hair, particularly on the ends. Put an old warmed towel ( wet it with hot water and twist it ) around the head, leaving the mask acting.

• 5 minutes:

Now let's turn again to the face: remove the mask and apply your daily serum and moisturizer.

• 15 minutes :

While hair mask works, let's move to the nails: make sure the nail polish is good or if it needs some retouch. If you don't like bold colors, try the soft ones instead: milky white or light pink - a simple touch that makes all the difference .

• 15 minutes :

Having the nails completely dry, let's jump to the bathroom . Exfoliate the skin of the body, preferably by placing the scrub with dry skin also for a more effective action. Give particular attention to the rough areas of the body such as knees , elbows and feet .

Then wash body and hair , removing the mask and applying the shampoo and conditioner .

• 5 minutes:

After the bath, moisturize well , with a cream or oil of your choice . Re- hydrate the face, which, with the warm bath water tends to dehydrate a bit .

• 10 minutes:

After hydration pick up an outfit that will make you feel special and do a natural makeup look. Just 5 minutes is enough to achieve a simple but at the same time, beautiful makeup .

What you need to know about blush

Blush is that wonder pigment that can change your whole look from pale, to healthy & glowing face.
From powder versions, to cream formulas, there are plenty to choose from. But do you know what to look for in a blush?
Here's a quick guide:

1. Pick your blush according to your skin type: a powder version is more suitable for oily skin, and a cream one goes best in dry skin.
2. If you choose a cream blush, blend the color into the apples of your cheeks as much as possible, for a natural look.
3. Blushes last between 12 to 18 months, so in case you have the same blush for years, maybe it's time to replace it to a new one.
4. Choose the right brush: a bigger brush isn't always better, try an angled brush, as it makes for a precise application and contour.
5. Slightly tap off the excess powder from your brush before you apply, so you don't risk overdoing it. You can always apply a little bit more after, if needed.
6. Experiment with different colors: blushes come in a variety of colors: pink, coral, peach and neutrals. 

These foods are ruining your skin !

I'm pretty sure Leonardo Da Vinci and Picasso didn't chose bumpy and stained white canvas for their masterpieces, they wanted the best, clean & smooth canvas. And it's the same with makeup: a smooth and healthy skin is the best canvas for a flawless makeup. And how to achieve that? Well, there are two ways: Exfoliators, moisturizers and beauty masks; and nourishment.
The rule number one for perfect skin is: drink plenty of water, the rule number two: don't go to bed with makeup on. As for rule number three, a list of forbidden foods that ruin your skin:

1. Chocolate: it increases the production of interleukin -1b, a marker of immune system inflammation, which causes an increase of the inflammation due to acne.
2. Sugar and high carb foods: they will increase your insulin levels causing the skin to create more sebum (oil).
3. Dairy: Not only they will increase the insulin levels as well, but removing the fat from the milk (to become skim milk) means more lactose (sugar) which will contribute to rosacea and acne.
4. French fries: they lack nutritional value, lack antioxidants, which are essential fighting the free radicals, and are very high in salt (that will create bloating and puffy eyes).
5. Alcohol: it dehydrates, and this is reason enough to be careful. 

We're not saying you should stop for good the consumption of all these foods for good, but remember: moderation is key!

How to make your hair grow faster

Everyone knows at least someone (if not themselves) who wants to grow their hair faster and stronger. Long hair is one of the oldest symbols of femininity and a beautiful, long and well treated hair caught the attention of both men and women. It's a sign of health and youth.
There are tricks to make the hair grow faster and healthier, a treatment that comes from within. Of course there are good hair products, and tools but if you don't eat well and drink plenty of water, I'm sure all the chemical treatments won't do miracles.
Drink water: drink plenty of water, not only it does wonders for your hair, but to your whole body as well, flush those toxins out! Your skin will look cleaner and fresher and your make up will last longer in a clean and healthy canvas.
Eat well: foods that are rich in Omega-3, proteins and vitamin D promote hair growth and a healthy scalp, like salmon and eggs.
Get your antioxidants right in as well, like oranges, yellow peppers and berries: vitamin C will prevent hair breakage and will give strength to your hair.
Add sunflower seeds and almonds to your salad: not only they will provide an extra flavor to it, but the sunflower seeds are abundant with Vitamin E, which promotes the blood flow to the scalp and a faster hair growth, and the almonds are very high in biotin, which will help your hair grow faster and thicker.

Mineral Makeup Comparison Chart

Check out Younique's amazing line of natural, mineral, gluten-free and/or vegan, cruelty-free makeup + beauty products!

Gorgeous Eye [Mineral] Makeup

 

Get this gorgeous eye using Younique Mineral Eye Pigments! [100% natural, chemical-free, mineral-based pigment powders, free of talc, oils, preservatives, perfumes, synthetic dyes, and parabens]

1. Innocent
2. Glamorous + Innocent Blended
3. Glamorous
4. Regal
5. Corrupted
6. Heavenly
7. Corrupted (wet) as an eyeliner. Blend pigment with a drop of rose water for a super smooth line)

Top off with 3D Fiber Lashes & enjoy your beautiful eyes!

Quick Roots Fix

Eek! Just noticed your grays are showing and you don't have time to get a touch up? No problem! Here's a quick cover up trick:

You'll need:

• Eye shadow (or powder concealer) close to your hair color. (I find a loose powder pigment works best, but a packed color works too!)
• Makeup Brush (I recommend a tightly packed brush)
• Hairspray 

Directions:

Load your brush up with color, apply it on your roots using a tapping motion (not strokes -- think jackhammer!). When the grays are gone, simply top it off with hairspray to keep it in place all day - VOILA!

4 Eye Makeup Mistakes You're Probably Making

NOT USING AN EYE PRIMER
The virtues of a pre-foundation primer have been drilled into us pretty hard by now, so why do so few of us utilize one for the eye, too? The premise holds up: a primer creates a barrier between product and skin, not only to keep it on for longer, but also for skin protection. Shadows, crèmes, pencils, and gels can be drying on the lid so for the best canvas possible (minus creases), apply a skin-smoothing primer.


NOT BLENDING EYE MAKEUP
Do you shy away from even trying a smoky eye look now because you just can’t get the colors blending right? For the perfect gradient (read: no muddiness between the shades), you can’t just use the same brush that you applied them with. Application brushes contain more densely packed fibers so that you can press color onto the lid for longevity, however a blending brushfeatures soft bristles in a dome shape, perfectly for sweeping color outwards, blending up into the crease or gently merging two shades.

NOT USING TAPE TO GET THE PERFECT CAT EYE
Liquid eyeliner is tricky, but if you’re spending four hours every Saturday night trying to match up your flicks to the perfect symmetrical degree, you are wasting your time. Even top makeup artists cheat with Scotch tape! It’s one of those duuuh tricks that once you start, you’ll never stop.


NOT USING THE RIGHT EYE MAKEUP REMOVER
Heavy removers that are sold on most shelves leave behind a “sludge” residue that sits on the top layer of your skin and can travel into your eye for a damaging effect. Also, any moisturizer or eye cream you spend the next five minutes carefully patting into your skin just can’t get through the heavy, oily film. Try this DIY: Natural Eye Makeup Remover that won't hurt your skin.

Younique Mineral Makeup Takes on the NFL

Younique is making it easy for you to support your team in style! [100% natural, chemical-free, mineral-based pigment powders, free of talc, oils, preservatives, perfumes, synthetic dyes, and parabens.] Listed are all the colors you'll need to show your team spirit :)

49ers: 

Heart Broken

Sexy

Daring

Gorgeous

Panthers:

Naive

Playful

Risque

Saints: 

Daring

Curious

Confident

Risque

Seahawks: 

Awestruck

Feisty

Famous

Playful

Broncos:

Curious

Awestruck

Giddy

Chargers:

Playful

Precocious

Innocent

Colts:

Curious

Playful

Awestruck

Patriots:

Curious

Precocious

Feisty

Heart Broken

Awestruck

Younique Lipgloss for Every Skin Tone

Simple guide to the best shade for your skin tone: 

Can I just say how absolutely in love with Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss I am?! Younique carries a line of high-end natural, mineral makeup (at a great price) so I guess it's no surprise the quality of this gloss is amazing. It's not goopy or sticky, but very rich and goes on smoothly. It's highly pigmented so a little goes a long way and stays put longer than any other gloss I've tried. Highly recommended!

Thou Shall Moisturize Daily!

So many people do not realize the importance of moisturizing your skin daily. Your skin, especially your face, goes through a lot of abuse through out the day. Plus, as we start to age, our skin tends to become drier. Moisturizing your face should be an essential part of your daily routine. START YOUNG, before you start to see wrinkles and damage.

• Repair- they are so many factors that will take the moisture out of your skin. Pollution, poor diets, cold weather, dry furnaces and stressful lifestyles can all dehydrate the skin, that is why we need to give our skin some added help. While these elements are draining moisture away, the only method to hydrate and provide a bit of nourishment back in is by applying a moisturizer every day.
  
• Prevent - applying moisturizer stimulates the skin improving the circulation of blood to the body helping to boost collagen levels. The depletion of collagen increases the amount of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin on the body.

I LOVE Brilliant Daily Moisturizing Gel. Made with pearl powder, natural silver and ginseng - this gluten-free moisturizer is seriousssssly heaven in a bottle. 

Peacock Eye Tutorial

This look is GORGEOUS and if you have a quality shader brush, it's super easy to pull off! Using a quality brush will effortlessly blend the colors together to make this great peacock-inspired eye!

Use the following mineral pigments to recreate this beauty. (PS - They're all 100% natural, chemical-free, mineral-based pigment powders, free of talc, oils, preservatives, perfumes, synthetic dyes, and parabens. LOVE.)

1. Dignified (wet)
2. Empowered
3. Regal (wet)
4. Infatuated
5. Flirty
Line with a black liquid liner then:
6. Confident (wet)

Top off with 3D Fiber Lashes (better than false lashes).