CONCEALER

Concealer is a product that can be used with foundation or alone. Concealer helps hide the imperfections that we have. The consistency of a concealer is usually a litter thicker than foundation. Concealer can also come in various shades such a green, purple and blue to counter act the color of red blemishes, pimples, broken veins, or rosacea. Concealers usually come in a variety of skin tones colors as well. Most people pick a concealer that is one shade lighter than their foundation because it counter acts on dark spots and uneven skin tones. I have seen concealers used as base for eye shadows, neutral lip color, and a highlight color under brows. There are no hard stone rules that say how to use a concealer or what you can use as a concealer. The ways of using a concealer are endless. You can use it before you apply your foundation, after you apply your foundation or just put it on to cover a spot without foundation. With that said there are no real rules to using a concealer, it is a beauty enhancer. With make there are no rules.

LIP BALM, LIP GLOSS, LIP STICK

Lip Balm- NEED IT- Lip Balm is a moisturizer for your lips. The skin on your lips is very sensitive and thin. The job of a Lip Balm is to help trap moisture, or keep moisture in your lips. Lip balms should be used to keep lips from drying and cracking. A lip balm typically does not have any color, it purpose or main function is to protect the lips.

Lip Gloss- LOVE IT Lip Gloss is considered make up. More and more lip glosses are being created to serve two purposes - moisturizers and lip color. The possibilities are endless for lip glosses , they can be matte, glittery, shiny, sparkly, bold colors, light colors, sticky, slick, smooth and the list goes on. Lip gloss can start at $0.99 to $30. The great things about some lip glosses is that they are buildable, which means the more you put on the more color or shine you may get. Lip glosses on top of lipsticks WOW. I even mix lip glosses with other lip glosses, the things you can do with this product are endless. You can use it with a lip liner or alone.

LIPSTICK - GOT IT. Don't count this classic out. Lipstick has been around for years and it is not going anywhere. If you are looking for solid color this is your product. You can mix lipstick with lip gloss and you can line it with a lip liner. The advantage to lipstick is the color payoff, it can be intense, matte, glossy, and sparkly. Nude lipsticks are very popular and every woman should have at least one in her makeup collection.

LIP LINER- Lip Liners are my best friend, without them a lot of colors I could not pull off. For instance lets start with a MAC classic "ooh baby" on a dark skin sister without the chestnut liner is call "oh no baby" so whenever you run across a color that you like but you are not feeling it on you, pull out a lip liner to darken or brighten the color up. There are rules to lip liners, and I break them all the time. The only lip liner rule I refuse to break is don't wear black liner around the lip - a definate no no for me.
Definition
Lip liner is a cosmetic product. It is intended to fill uneven areas on the outer edges of the lips after applying lipstick therefore giving a smooth shape. The product is usually sold in a retractable tube or pencil form.

Tips for lips
- Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize..keep the lips moist day and night. Take care of your lips.
- Buy a clean soft toothbrush to exfoliate your lips. Moisten toothbrush with water and in circular motions clean all the dead skin off of the lips. Doing this once or twice a week will leave your lips soft apply a balm immediately after.
- Buy a balm or use Vaseline on your lips at night never go to bed with dry lips. "Don't go anywhere with dry lips.
- Keep balms everywhere, have one in your car, at work, at home in the TV room, in the kitchen, you get the picture have them conveniently everywhere.
- Love your lips no matter how big or small
- Try new colors and brands your lips should never be boring :-)

FOUNDATION

Foundation - The purpose of foundation is to even out the skin and conceal blemishes, dark circles and imperfections. Invest in the best foundation you can buy. Please keep in mind that price should not be a determining factor, if a cheaper brand has your color go for it. When looking for a foundation it is color that matters most.

Coverage Types

· Light/Sheer – Sheer coverage is lightweight and provides little to almost no coverage. A sheer coverage will be very subtle and can go unnoticeable. The object of this coverage is not to conceal but to enhance.
· Medium – Medium is what most women go for, noticeable coverage to even out skin as well as to conceal blemishes and imperfections.
· Heavy –Heavy coverage will cover any imperfection on the skin, the makeup itself will be thick or you can apply multiple layers (build up) your makeup to give you his effect. I believe unless you are a performer or doing some type of work with heavy lighting (TV, Stage, ect..)you dont need this. The makeup is very thick and heavy. Think of it like putting a blanket on your face.

Light/ Sheer Makeup- Include Tinted Moisturizers and Mouses.
How to Apply – Clean hands * Apply like you would any moisturizer, because they are sheer you may not want to use a brush or a sponge because most of your product will get left on the sponge or applicator. By using your hands, you able warm the product up with your natural body heat which will allow for the moisturizer to penetrate into your skin. Most tinted moisturizers have a SPF of 15 some have more so that is an added plus for protecting your skin.

Medium Makeup- include Liquid, Powders and Creams
How to Apply – Clean hands, makeup brush or sponge. As mentioned above using your hand will allow you to warm the makeup up, however it also will allow you to get makeup in places too small for a sponge. A sponge allows you to control the amount of product you put on your skin, although a sponge soaks up some of the product it is going to give you a lighter coverage, the same concept applies when you use a foundation brush. This is where building or layering your makeup comes in, you can keep adding until you achieve the look you looking for.

Heavy Makeup include all of the above with an emphasis on Cream/Cream Stick Foundations
How to Apply – Clean hands, makeup brush or sponge. Very few people need this type of coverage. If not done will your makeup can and will look like mask. I strongly advise against an heavy makeup application for everyday. I think that normal/medium application with the help along with a concealer usually is a enough. Keep in mind Makeup is not Magic, if you have a serious problem you need to seek a dermatalogist to help.

Mineralized Makeup - The best thing about mineralized makeup is that you can sleep in it and it does not block your pores and allows your skin to breath and it has UV protection. Mineralized makeup is all natural and is good for people with sensitve skin. The trick is finding you color and the right coverage. For women of color it is a battle finding a chemical makeup that is the right shade, well finding a mineral one is even harder. (Still looking) As far a coverage I would say light to medium.

Tips to great foundation application.
- Less is More always start off with light coverage, and build from there. Once makeup is on it is hard to take it down without starting over.
- Try putting it on with different ways to see which way works best for you. First use your hands, then try a sponge and next try a brush and see which one gives you the look you would like to have.

CLEANSING

Hey Ladies I love makeup and creating a good cleansing routine is essential to any make-up routine. I will address all of the things you will need to implement the cleansing portion of your beauty plan. The key to great make-up is great skin. Your skin does not have to be perfect and blemish free, but it does need to be the best it can be. If you plan to start using makeup this becomes more important because you want your makeup to look good and maintain healthy skin. Before you apply any makeup your face needs to be clean and moisturized. Think of your face as a canvas; you would not paint on a dirty canvas. I have outlined a very basic cleaning program. When you become comfortable with your routine you can add or take away things from your program. Please remember what works for some simply may not work for others. Listen and observe how your skin reacts to products. Always consult with a doctor if you have specific problems you would like to address.

Cleansing Regime
Wash your face twice a day. Morning (am) Evening (pm)

am cleanse
Apply a cleanser that works well with your skin type (oily, dry, or combination)
Apply toner (optional)
Apply eye cream
Moisturize – Massage your face in circular motions

pm cleanse
If you wear make up start by cleaning face with an oil cleanser or some type of makeup remover.
Wash face with your facial cleanser, if I was going to exfoliate (use a facial scrub) I would do it after I cleaned my face.
Apply a Mud mask – (once a week or more) Mud mask helps tones, deep cleanse and refines your face.
Apply a Moisturizer – specific to your skin type (see article on moisturizer)
Apply Eye cream – Cream made for the eye.
Apply your overnight creams ect. I personally use an anti-wrinkle cream at night.

** I do not regularly use toner, but if you feel the need by all means do so. On occasion I will use an all natural lemon toner .
** Once a week I hydrate my face using steam.
** Twice a week I do a facial peel.

There are so many companies that sell facial cleansers; so this is a personal preference.
Access your needs, figure out what you need it for.

Do you need a make up remover – oil cleanser and foam/cream cleanser?
Do you just need a clean face – foam, cream cleanser?
Do you need something for oily skin?
Do you need something for breakouts?
Research what type of products would be good for you. – Go look on the Internet, go makeup counters, ask friends and family what they use, check on YouTube. Please keep in mind that you are not getting information from a doctor so be very cautious when taking advice from the above mentioned sources.
If you have problem skin go see a dermatologist and they can help you create a cleaning program specific to your needs.

There is no such thing as a perfect product; I feel that all products work, you just need to take the time to see what works for you. Don’t be afraid to ask, try and return. Department stores as well as drug stores take products back. I would say give a product a week but if right off if you don’t like it take it back and return it for something different.

Essential Steps to Beauty Program

There are many products out there making claims to give you a flawless look, true beauty comes when you take care of the basics. Here are a few keys I have found to be useful to me in creating a beautiful look. Even the best make-up cant hide the dreadful things going on inside your body.

1. Skincare - I cannot stress this enough, take care of your skin. Clean it , Moisturize it, and Sunblock it! If you do these three things daily you are on your way to beautiful skin.

2. Exercise - Exercise gets your blood pumping and sweating is good for you. Added benefit is it helps with weight control.

3. Detox - We eat a lot of processed food and we need to clean the plumbing from time to time..your body gives you signs when it needs detoxing...for instance breakouts, bloating, constipation ect...need I say more! Fasting is a good way to detox, all natural detox are available at health food stores . If you have health problems consult with your doctor before starting any type of detox program.

4. A good Multivitamin goes a long way. Taking vitamins aid in nutrition not replace it. Nothing could every replace good veggies and fruits. With that said eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.

5. Limit sugar intake which includes -soda, bread, pasta, and candy

6. Flossing - Yes Flossing is good for you, getting rid of the bacteria in your mouth with can lead to infection and sickness...need I say more.

7. Colon Cleansing...I cant stress this enough; this goes along with Detoxing but I had to put it in its on category. You MUST clean you colon, and I believe as often as possible. You don't want that NASTY stuff lingering around in your body.

8. Go to the Doctor get a physical and regular check ups, it is so much easier to take care of potential problems early.

9. Blow your nose, clean your ears and clean your nails. Did you know that these two simple things could be life changing. Clearing your air passages in the morning allows you to breath in freely without strain. Ear cleaning well I will let you figure that one out! Its nasty just do it. It is important to wash your hand before and after you go to the bathroom - did you know that you could be putting bacteria on your unmentionables from other sources. Your nails is a happy home to many types of bacteria that is why it is not a good idea to put your hands on your face and in your mouth before washing them.

10. Make an appointment to Laugh everyday. I watch the comedy channel just to get in a good laugh.

Hope this helps! God bless you!

HOME SPA - MUD MASK

Mud Masks have many positive benefits, I think that everyone should give one a try. For me personally it relaxes me and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and smooth. Here are a few benefits of a facial mask. Try one on your home spa day!
Benefits of a facial mud masque:

Absorbs excess oil, Aids in shrinking large pores, Clarifies skin's texture,Eases tension lines on face and neck, Helps to dry up pimples, Reduces appearance of blemishes , Relaxes tired muscles, Removes dry cells and impurities, Replenishes vitamins, minerals and moisture ,
Rinses away blackheads

Mineral Clay Masque. Queen Helene? offers a very effective product, The Original Mint Julep Masque, which goes on green and just zaps the oil from your skin. These are just a few of the countless facial masque products out there.

I personally use a Mud Mask 3 times a week, and I have noticed significant changes in my skin. Everyone is different. If you have sensitive skin you may need to use one less. Listen to your skin, if it burns, itches are irritates discard use. As always follow the directions on the package they are not there for deocration.

Beauty Start Within

Did you know that beautiful people have attractive personalities? A persons attitude really effects how you percieve them. Someone that may look good on the outside and may act like monster on the inside. When you meet a person with a bad or negative attitude no matter how beautiful they are you begin to notice their flaws. I dont know about you but when I see someone by "socieity standards" that is not considered attrative however they have a beautiful personality I tend to notice things about them that are attractive. Which leads me to the following conclusion that true beauty radiates inside out. You can put makeup on a Monster but its still a monster. So be the person you love to be around, and let your beauty shine from inside out. Love You and Take Care