Free Makeup Samples and Weekly Tips -- from Makeup Chick!

Beauty Tips for your Body

2009-07-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

It’s amazing how many women don’t get any real exercise. The excuses are endless – it’s hard, don’t have time, it hurts my knees, I don’t have enough energy, I can’t afford a gym membership, yadda yadda yadda! Excuses!

I finally got back to a regular exercise routine after a hiatus of a couple of years. I have lost six pounds and hit has made a tremendous difference in my overall appearance. You wouldn’t think six pounds could make such a big difference, but it does. It’s more than the weight though. I am more toned all over.

At first it was really hard. The first two weeks I wanted to quit every day. I tried to give myself realistic goals and commit to moderate exercising at least 3 times a week. After three weeks, it began to get easier. I still notice that the first 5-6 minutes of exercising are also hard and I feel tired. But after 10 minutes or so, the endorphins kick in and I could now go on for an hour – and sometimes I do! It’s fantastic.

Just get sweaty. Sweat feels good. The shower you get afterward feels even better. So quit making excuses for yourself and just force yourself to do it. You WON’T regret it at all. Commit to making it part of your regular beauty routine.

Makeup Tips for the Beach

2009-07-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

This should be a no-brainer. It’s wet, so you want waterproof, right?! Well, actually you may just want to skip most of the makeup all together and just get over it. If you can’t bear the thought of appearing with a naked face, then keep it to a minimum: waterproof eyeliner and mascara.

Consider that you will probably have some big sunglasses to make yourself radiant and protect those baby blues (or browns as your case may be!).

I do recommend some long wearing lipstick such as Covergirl Everlast. This will also help protect your lips from sun.

Wearing your hair up in a pony tail or a clip is a good idea. It will help you keep cool and keep it under control. More than anything else, just do not let yourself get too much UV radiation. The damage will show up on your skin years later, not now.

Now break out your best swim suit and hit the beach looking your best!

Beauty Tips for Camping

2009-06-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

This should be a no-brainer. It’s a pool, so you want waterproof, right?! Well, actually you may just want to skip most of the makeup all together and just get over it. If you can’t bear the thought of appearing with a naked face, then keep it to a minimum: waterproof eyeliner and mascara.

Consider that you will probably have some big sunglasses to make yourself radiant and protect those baby blues (or browns as your case may be!).

I do recommend some long wearing lipstick such as Covergirl Everlast. This will also help protect your lips from sun.

Wearing your hair up in a pony tail or a clip is a good idea. It will help you keep cool and keep it under control. More than anything else, just do not let yourself get too much UV radiation. The damage will show up on your skin years later, not now.

Now break out your best swim suit and hit the beach looking your best!

Department Store Makeover

2009-06-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

Those nice ladies at the department store counters can give you a great makeover, but remember that they do work on commission. Their job is to sell you something! I have found that most of them tend to apply way too much product when giving someone a makeover. I'm not sure why they think more is better, but there are ways to get a good makeover and learn some new tips from these ladies.

First, plan ahead. Avoid the busy lunch hours when you will have to wait. Try to get there shortly after the store opens or closer to closing. Do some exfoliating the night before so you can start with clean skin

Choose your artist. Look for a counter that appeals to you and an artist who wears her own makeup in a well applied manner. If she loads it on, and you are a more minimal person, then look for someone else.

Don't be Shy. Speak up and tell your artist what kind of work you do and how you normally wear your makeup. You want a realistic application, one that you can actually use.

Know your obligation. Sometimes there is a minimum purchase requirement for a makeover, but most of the time there is no obligation to buy anything. If you really are not interested in their products after trying them, then be honest. Don't get suckered into buying some expensive product just because it comes with a "free gift".

Have the makeup artist write down the products you tried, in case you are interested in coming back and purchasing them later. Have fun and learn some new tips.

Red Lips for Everyone

2009-06-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

There really is a red lipstick for every woman. The secret is in the undertones, not in the color itself. For example, a Fire Engine red will look best on skin tones with warm complexions like olive skin. A cherry red will look better on women with cooler skin tones such as fair skin. Dark complexions have more options and can pick just about any color of red.

In general, fair skin looks good in true pinks or nudes. You should avoid brown. Medium complexions should try a more rose shade. You can go toward peach as well, and when you go red, look for more burgundy. Olive skin is flattered most by shades that include a little brown in them. Avoid pinks.

Your lipstick should work with your skin and hair color, not your outfit. Don't match it to your new shirt, or a shade that happens to look great on someone else. It may not work well for you. Top it off with a glossy finish. And remember, if you use a lip liner, it should NEVER be darker than your lipstick. It should match the shade of your mouth.

Mascara Tips - How to apply it!

2009-06-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

Learning to apply mascara takes time and practice. Recently I've helped a young teen and new makeup-wearer learn to apply her mascara. She found it awkward at first. The biggest difficulty was applying it to the lower lashes she said. Here are a few tips for applying it:

For the lower lashes, the trick here is to brush it more sideways onto the lashes than brushing in the direction they grow. If you do that, you end up getting mascara all over your cheeks.

Put eyeshadow and eyeliner on first, and the mascara on last to avoid powdered eyeshadow falling onto the lashes.

Don't just comb the lashes, wiggle the brush right at the base of the lashes to give them good coverage.

Don't let any skin show between your lashes and your liner. Smudge the line to fill in the gap if needed.

Summer Hair Tips

2009-05-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

How can you keep your hair looking great in the summer?

Be sure to rinse your hair if you have been swimming a lot in a chlorinated pool. The chlorine does a lot of damage if it’s left in your hair for long periods.

Wear a hat to protect your hair from the sun if you are spending a lot of time out doors. If you are not wearing a hat, you should also wear sunscreen along the part of your hair to protect your scalp from the sun. Scalp sun burn causes dry flaking skin that has a dandruff appearance that you want to avoid at all costs!

If your hair is getting really dry from the summer sun, or pool water, you may need a deep conditioning treatment. You can easily heat condition your hair with no extra products needed. Coat your hair in conditioner, but do not rinse it. Come it out and put it up in a clip on the back of your head and wear it outside. The summer heat will help infuse the conditioner into your hair shaft and give it a deep conditioning. Follow up with a good rinse and style as usual.

Quick Summer Pool Makeup Tips

2009-05-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

If you’re heading to the pool for an afternoon, you want to look as fabulous as ever, and you don’t want to end up with raccoon eyes as your mascara and other makeup runs down your face from pool water, or just sweat even if you’re not swimming!

Start by keeping makeup at the pool to a minimum, but that doesn’t mean you have to go bare faced. Skip the foundation and the blush. Use a waterproof eye pencil and mascara. Next, use some all day lip color that will not wash off in the water. These all day lip colors are the greatest beauty invention ever, in my book! A beautiful lady never goes anywhere without at LEAST her lipstick! Above all, be sure to put your sunscreen on before you leave the house because even a few minutes of sun exposure on your skin can cause permanent damage that adds up over time. Do not make the common mistake of waiting until you get to the pool to apply your sunscreen.

Make Professional Hair Color Last Longer

2009-05-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Do you pay a lot of money every month at the hair dresser to color your hair, mostly to cover your gray? You can space out those routine colorings a little longer by using a quick catch-up product in between colorings when your roots are showing. You can buy a beauty hair product made just for touching up your color. These products blend really well and work great!

The main problem is that the roots show along your part. The touch up color comes with a small brush and a tiny packet of hair color to use along the part. The brush is a lot like the one used by your professional hair dresser. The result is that you can often hide your gray roots for an additional 2-3 weeks and stretch out visits, although in the end, there is no substitute for your professional when it comes to long lasting color for your hair!

How to get a Great Shave

2009-05-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

For silky smooth legs, there are several things you can do. Start by using shaving cream. Not only will it help lubricate your legs and soften your skin making shaving easier; it also helps you see where you have already shaved so that you don’t miss any spots. If you don’t have shaving cream handy, hair conditioner works well too, and is a better alternative to using soap as a shaving lubricant.

Use a good razor and be sure to change it out frequently to keep it fresh and sanitary. Take your time to avoid nicks and cuts. Be very cautious when holding up your leg to get a better look so that you don’t fall or slip in the shower. This is the most common shower accident and often happens while shaving.

Next, as soon as you step out of the shower, towel off and grab the lotion to moisturize. Doing this immediately, will help retain the moisture that is currently in your skin from being fresh out of the water. Do it immediately and you’ll have longer lasting results of softer skin and smooth silky legs.

Grab the Garnish!

2009-04-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

So, you’re out on a date and you ordered the fajitas and those onions were delicious! Now you have spicy dinner breath. Soon your date will be coming to a close and you are anticipating a good night kiss, but wait! After dinner you realize that you are all out of breath mints! You want your kiss to taste as good as you look. What to do in a pinch? Quick, grab the garnish. Chew a little sprig of parsley and it will help freshen your mouth.

Keep Your Lips Moist!

2009-04-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Dry winter air can be especially hard on your lips, and it gets worse during the night while you sleep. Wake up with soft lips that are more receptive to retaining lip color by moisturizing them before you go to sleep. Even something as simple as a chapstick can help retain moisture while you sleep. Be sure to use a night cream or face moisturizer on the skin around your lips to help prevent those crevasses that start to form around your lips as you get older. You know the ones – the ones that collect lipstick on older ladies and bleed up into the cracks.

You can also use a humidifier in your bedroom to help combat the dry air. Make sure you drink plenty of water during the day to keep your body hydrated overall. Be sure to use a lip protection with sunscreen in it as well.

No sleep?! Look Fresh anyway!

2009-04-15T10:43:00.000-07:00

There is no substitute for a good night’s sleep – your beauty rest! But occasionally, circumstances prevent this. There are a few tricks you can use to look refreshed even when you have not had enough sleep the night before. The biggest beauty problem with a lack of rest is the puffiness under your eyes. This is caused by surface capillaries. A common trick is to use Preparation H to shrink those tissues and reduce the puffiness.

You can also use a small amount of white or bright eye shadow in the inner corner of your eye to brighten your eyes and help camouflage the dark circle effect that lack of sleep often brings.

A short power nap during the day, even 15 minutes, can make a big difference in your energy level for the day too. You can't get up with the roosters if you stayed out all night with the owls! But, you can still look fabulous anyway!

French Pedicure at Home

2009-04-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more indulging than a professional manicure or pedicure! Not everyone can afford this kind of luxury, but that doesn't mean that you don't deserve one! A French manicure is such a lovely treat on your toes. It makes your nails look super-healthy because the tips are white and the nailbeds are pink.

You can do this at home if you practice enough, although some agility and flexibility is necessary since you need to be able to reach your own toes! You need two bottles of polish - white and a peach or pink tone. You'll also need a small paint brush and some nail polish remover.

Start by cleaning off all old polish. Next use the white and carefully paint at least two layers on the tips of your nails. Don't worry about being extremely neat at this point. You will then clean up the line with your paint brush dipped in some nail polish remover. Don't expect it to just all clean up at once, you may have to brush over it several times.

Finally, apply the pink/flesh tone color. You can paint it right over the white, OR you can paint it on sideways (it won't show the lines when it dries). Then polish off the whole thing with a clear coat over all of it to make it last. With enough practice, you will be able to do a nice French Pedicure at home!

Choosing a Lipstick for your Pig

2009-04-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right color lipstick for your pig is not as easy as it may seem. Pig lipstick comes in many shades. So, where do you begin?

Start with the color of your pig's complexion. If you have a pink pig, it's easy -- choose a very bright shade from the pink color family. Black pigs will look more lovely if you choose a shade from the red color family. Things become less clear when you have a dual or tri-colored pig such as those black and white pigs. You may want to stick with more neutral browns, peach or coral shades in that case.

Whatever you choose, your pig will now look lovely and will feel great knowing you care about her so much. You'll boost her confidence like you can't imagine. Mwah!!!

(Happy April Fool's Day)

Pencil Pointers

2009-03-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

An eye pencil is part of my makeup mainstay. It works with my mascara to define my eyes and give me the illusion of long luscious lashes! Some tips for using an eye pencil:

Don't sharpen to a sharp point.
You need to be able to smudge it gently to blend.

Don't outline your entire eye.
This will actually make your eye look smaller! Most people have best results using it on the outer 3/4 of the lid (upper lid only or both lids).

Make it work with your mascara. And don't over do.
It shouldn't draw attention to its self. This is a basic rule for almost any makeup. You want a natural look to make people look at your eyes, not your eyeliner.

Forget about the liquid liner.
Liquid eyeliner is fine if you are going for the vamp look -- which may be exactly what you want for certain occasions! But probably not for every day. Liquid liner is really hard to apply without a very steady hand, and it doesn't blend at all. It is only for harsh lines.

Use Neutral colors.
Consider browns, charcoal and muted blacks. True black is too harsh. If you use brown, you can always go back and add darker colors for more effect using another pencil or even eyeshadow.

Blushing for Real not TV

2009-03-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Choosing a blush color can be tricky. You want to pick something that looks natural. Try pinching your cheeks to see what color you really get. Then try to pick a color close to that. If you would never naturally blush in orange or purple, then don't buy it!

It also helps to keep blush make-up color in the same color family as your lipstick, although this doesn't mean the same color (see the remark about purple and orange!). Think about browns, pinks, and red. However, it's much more important that your cheek color compliment your skin tone, than your lipstick color.

The purpose of blush is to add color to your face, not to contour your face and try to reshape it. Reshaping and contouring used to be a popular fad with blush, but now it's just for people who appear on the tv through a camera.

You are a real person, you need your color to look real. Then you can look your best!

Foundation Tips

2009-03-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

What do we need to know about foundation? Well, first of all there is no "rule" that you MUST wear foundation at all. You have to evaluate your own look as well as your lifestyle and decide if you need it. Then what? Well, basically there are four types of makeup foundation:

Liquid Foundation - This is the most popular and widely used. It helps even out your skin tone, but if you have problem areas, you will likely need a concealer on those spots first. Liquid foundation comes in water based for oily skin or young acne prone skin, and it comes in an oil base for mature dry skin.

Cream Foundation - This is thicker and more opaque. It gives a much more flawless look and is great for mature aging skin. It can also work as a concealer.

Tinted Moisturizer - This is moisturizer and color in one bottle. It works well if you don't need a whole lot of coverage or if you have a very active lifestyle (meaning lots of exercise, etc.)

Dual Finish Powder Foundation - You can apply this dry like a powder, or use a damp sponge. It works well if you have oily skin and don't want it to appear to shiny.

As you grow older, you might want to re-evaluate your foundation to meet your skin's changing needs. Almost all of these foundation options come with a sunscreen option, which is a fantastic idea. I personally start with a sunscreen, and then use a concealer for my problem areas, and finish off with a light powder on my oily areas.

Avoiding the Mask with Foundation

2009-03-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

Nothing is less appealing than a woman who has a clear line across her jawbone where her makeup ends and her bare skin is revealed. She's tried to look her best, but instead she just looks plastic. What can you do to avoid this?

One of the most important thing you can do to avoiding the mask look is blend and choose the right color. If it disappears on your skin, then you know you have the right color. Be sure to look at your neck color in comparison with your face. Choose a warm color if your neck is much darker than your face, which is a common problem for women who have been careful to sunscreen their face but have forgotten their neck!

When applying foundation with your fingertip or with a sponge, the thing to remember is that you probably don't need it all over your entire face. The problem areas where your color is uneven is where you want to concentrate. If you do your entire face, you are much more likely to end up with the mask.

Use the minimum amount foundation that you feel you can. The heavier your foundation is, the more likely you will end up with the mask look. Foundation will not do much to get rid of fine lines. In fact, it may make them more obvious. If you have a lot of fine lines, you might do better with a more forgiving tinted moisturizer instead of liquid or cream foundation.

Blending is extremely important. If you do wear it over your entire face, be sure to extend it over your jawline to avoid that boundary look. Also - check near your hairline to make sure it is well blended there as well. Look at yourself in different lighting as well.

Makeup Experiment

2009-02-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

When you were a young and first trying makeup, you probably tried all kinds of things. I remember getting together with girl friends and giving each other huge "makeovers" and then washing it all off and trying again. You can still do it!

The wonderful thing about makeup is that it isn't permanent like a tattoo, hair cut, or hair color (although even that is un-doable). Give yourself permission to try some new things on yourself. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to wash it off though, and don't do it right before you are about to walk out the door in case it's a disaster. Try some new colors, a new way of applying the makeup, or some new makeup brushes and tools that you have never used.

If you would rather try a vitual makeover first, then by all means. You can see some of my virtual makeover results here!

Go ahead! Experiment. You might find something wonderful to make a part of your regular look.

Toe Nail Polish Tips

2009-02-18T07:13:00.000-08:00

If you can't afford the luxury of a professional pedicure, you can still pamper yourself! Or get some girlfriends together and have a pedicure party! Think about the things that professionals do to your feet to make them nice.

Start by soaking them in some warm soapy water for a few minutes. You can do this just by soaking in a nice hot bath for a while - another plus to doing it at home! When you get out of the tub, it's time to exfoliate. Scrub the areas of dry thick skin on your feet and make them soft. Then slather on some lotion and be sure to work it into your cuticles.

Once the lotion has been absorbed, you are ready to start. Trim back hanging cuticles, and trim and file the nails. Discolorations can be buffed out with a nail buffer.

Before adding any color, begin with a clear base coat. This will help prevent discoloration of your nails from darker polish. Dark polish has a bad tendency to turn your nails yellow, so don't skip this step! Add a couple coats of your polish, and be sure to let it dry thoroughly in between coats. Apply the coats quickly so they don't go on too thick which will cause drying problems down the line.

Finally, add a top clear coat. This will make the manicure last a long time. If you need touch ups every few days, then add them. A good pedicure should last at least 2-3 weeks.

Flat Iron Tips for Hair

2009-02-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

The flat iron has done wonderful things for hair styles since it became popular a few years ago. It smooths hair and makes it shiny and flowing. Those of us who have moderately wavey hair benefit the most from a flat iron. There are several tips and tricks you can use to get the most out of your flat iron.

First, make sure you have invested in a good one. It's tempting to get a cheaper one, but trust me when I say it will not last very long and it really won't work as well as a more moderately priced one. Even those will wear out after a year or two of heavy use.

Use it on freshly washed hair that is mostly dry, but not entirely. The long strands of hair should be about 80% dry and will steam out nicely when straightened. Be sure the hair near the roots is very dry or you'll risk burning your scalp from the steam.

Separate out small sections of hair that are as wide as your iron, but only an inch thick across the scalp. Run the iron over each section twice, and at a different angle each time in order to insure that you smooth the hair cuticle on all sides.

There are several products you can use on your hair to help straighten it as well. Some work to put moisture into your hair, and others are spray on products that help neutralize the ions that cause static and add sheen. If you use these kinds of products on your hair before you iron it, be sure to wipe the iron clean after each use. That will ensure that your hair slides easily through the plates for the next use and will help minimize breakage.

If you iron your hair every day, it's probably a good idea to give your hair a rest occasionally. And be sure to keep your hair in good condition by getting it trimmed regularly.

The Search for the Perfect Mascara - Part 2

2009-02-04T06:55:00.000-08:00

The perfect mascara will depend on your needs – you might want huge eyelashes; at other times you might want something more subtle; you may also be looking for a waterproof mascara for the holidays. It is important to bear all of these factors in mind during your search, and to know that it is unlikely you will find one magic brush to match all of these needs.

For an everyday mascara to create a tidy, yet subtle effect, I choose Max Factor Masterpiece mascara. It brings perfect definition every time and in truth I was amazed when I first found a mascara with this brush design. I have seen many others since then, but I have stuck to what I know. I also found that Max Factor’s Masterpiece Max was a perfect step-up from their original Masterpiece, to create a thicker look yet still not overdone.

There are, of course, those nights out when I just want my eyes to look as dark and as thick as they possibly can. We all want to make an impact at times, and mascara is a great way to do this. On these occasions I tend to use Benefit’s Bad Gal which does what it says on the tin. It isn’t meant to be nice and subtle – but bold and obvious! As for the waterproof, I have found simple is best – cheap and cheerful classic waterproof mascara from Maybelline was all I needed.

guest post by vgal!

The Search for the Perfect Mascara

2009-01-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

Most girls consider mascara an integral piece in their makeup bag. It can do so much – on a basic level it lengthens and defines our lashes but it also does that work to make us feel more sexy, beautiful and confident.

When I was younger I often went for the cheapest brand of mascara I could find. This often consisted of mascaras that came free with magazines (until I realized there’s a reason they were free!) or mascaras from makeup boxes I had been given as a gift. The most extravagant mascara I used to own was usually the store brand offering from the local pharmacy.

Back in those days I was fine with what I had. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t too bothered about the quality – it seemed to be more about quantity and making my eyes look as dark as possible. But there comes a day when every girl starts to be able to afford the make-up she really wants, yet finding out what that might be is more of a challenge.

Often, it’s easy to go for the most expensive and well-packaged mascara that just must be able to work miracles for the price they’re charging. Not the case! Of course, price can mean a lot when it comes to looking for makeup, but it isn’t everything. Often brands will bump up the price just because they can put a famous name to the product, but speaking from personal experience this does not always work out for the shopper.

Continue reading next week to see what I chose....

guest post by vgal!

Eyebrow Shaping Tips

2009-01-21T11:20:00.000-08:00

The worst thing you can do for your eyebrows is go overboard. Over-plucking results in an unnatural look and takes a very long time to grow out. Some people, especially those who have thin eyebrows to begin with, never regrow their over plucking mistakes and end up drawing in their eyebrows for the rest of their lives. NOT a good look when you are older, which you will be someday (hopefully!).

Cleaning up your natural brow is really the only plucking/waxing that should ever be done. You have to work with what you have. Trying to force a new shape onto your eyebrows will not compliment your face.

A huge mistake many beginners make lands them the "tadpole" eyebrow look. This is where they have a big thicker brow towards the nose, and a thin tiny tail following it all the way back. This is overplucked! Another huge mistake is "boomerang" brows. These are pointy at the top instead of nicely arched.

What you should do: Clear up the space between your eyebrows for starters and lose the uni-brow, without putting too much space between them. More space between the brows tends to make the eyes look farther apart which is NOT usually a good thing, unless you have very close eyes to begin with. Then clean up all the stray hairs above and below your natural eyebrow. This will be the best look for you. The underside of the eyebrow usually requires more frequent maintenance than the top. Finally, trim up remaining hairs that are especially long. Come them down and then shorten them with a small pair of eyebrow scissors.

More than anything, you want to appear natural, otherwise it just draws (unwanted) attention to the wrong areas.