Eyelid Primer

Makeup gurus as well as aficionados know what an eyelid primer is and definitely how to use one but do you? I recently asked a few close girlfriends if they use a primer (out of curiosity) only to find out 3 out of 4 didn’t know such a product existed — not surprised. Personally, I only heard of them a few years ago and wasn’t even quite sure if it was something I needed to add to my routine. Alas! I eventually discovered I should be using an eyelid primer…sometimes.

Eyelid primers can be used everyday depending on the person and their relationship with makeup. If you are one to wear minimal makeup it’s not necessary to bother. However, let’s talk about what a primer is and used for to determine if it’s right for you.

Generally known for making your eyeshadow long-lasting to prevent fading throughout the day or night, primers are used as a base before applying eyeshadows. A primer coats the lid for a more smooth, even application. Great for people who live in warm humid places since climates can fade makeup as well as having an oily complexion. Another great function, primers bring out the most pigment (color) your eyeshadow and makeup has to offer since it’s not sinking into your skin. My favorite use is how it prevents creasing from blinking and eye movements which makes makeup accumulate. If you are one to go ultra dramatic with your eyes, then eyelid primers are for you!

You can find eyelid primers sold in tubs and tubes. How you apply it is up to you. Depending on the brand of primer you can apply it with a brush, applicator or your finger.

The products I’d like to suggest are equally popular and coincidentally at each end of price range from higher end to dirt cheap. I have used them both and love them both.

Urban Decay Primer Potion
$20

Eden, Sin and Greed are shades that can also serve as shadows or highlighters!
Where to buy: You can find Urban Decay Cosmetics online or in beauty stores like Sephora or Ulta.

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer
$1 (seriously)

Where to buy: You can buy E.L.F. cosmetics online and you can also find it in Target in the E.L.F. section.

Easy Tomato Avocado Salad

Serves: 1
Prep time: 4 minutes
Vegan

I had this for lunch today, not only was it delicious and easy but filling. Give it a try it’s perfect for summer and packed with vitamins and nutrients.

Ingredients:

1 whole tomato
½ avocado
1 tbs chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Super Simple Directions:

Cut tomato lengthwise in slices and place on a plate. Cut avocado in half, peel then cut into slices and place on top tomato. Garnish with chopped basil then drizzle with oil and vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.

The catwalk, easy to learn but can take a lifetime to master. However, what makes runway technique so interesting to me is how requires both outward and internal calibration. Physical balance, inner confidence and a sparkling personality are all necessary to make a charming performance. Whether you are in a haute couture assemble or voguing in a living room, here are a few tips to get you on the road to your inner diva.

Walking The Runway

1. Posture: Think tall. While walking, stand up straight leaning slightly back so your legs can go first. Keep your toes pointed forward, so they aren’t turned out. Then walk with one foot in front of the other as if walking on a tightrope.
2. Hips: Most people think you need to do a lot of hip swaying. Your hips will move naturally so exaggeration isn’t necessary.
3. Arms: Let your arms swing naturally. However, take care they are not too stiff or have big movement. The clothing you have on will help you decide what to do with your hands, you may need to hold something or stick one in a pocket.
4. Attitude!: Be commanding and flirty. This will make you fun for the audience.
5. Rhythm: Get into a rhythm and let the loud music be your uplifting motivation. When a natural bounce to the beat happens add to it by thinking about holding your head high and keeping your shoulders back.
6. Eyes: You should never look down. Always look straight ahead at the cameras or pick a spot on the wall ahead of you so you won’t get distracted by anything else distracting around you.
7. Posing: When you reach the end of the runway pause then lean on one hip with lots of attitude.

By following these simple tips you’ll be on your way to a natural, confident and fun runway presence to make all the designers clothes look amazing or your living room look like a major fashion event.

For more model tips check out Secret Model Beauty’s Ebook!

When is there time for to exercise?

Without time to stick to a workout schedule, you’ll have to resort to being tricky and sneaky to stay in shape. Try combining everyday activities with exercise movements. Completing a set of lunges in between vacuuming rooms may be awkward at first, but in time it will become second nature. Benefits from this backhanded way of exercising, if done correctly, can be as great as if you had the time to drive back and forth to a gym. My favorite time to slip in some exercising is while cooking. You can do all kinds of muscle tightening and relaxation while cutting carrots or sauteing veggies. I even sneak in some exercises when I have long days on set.

Your abdominal muscles, your gluteus maximus, muscles in your legs and back all can be tightened and relaxed repeatedly while you are doing housework. This is one of the quickest ways to sneak toning in and you won’t need any weights or equipment. Simply clench one muscle group together and hold for as long as you can, then very slowly release. Repeat in sets and work through the muscles you want to tone.

Do The Office Workout Whenever You Can

You also have to opportunity to exercise, furtively, at the office. No one will know if you squeeze and hold your buttocks for a count of ten. Push your thighs against the sides of your desk as hard as you can, hold it to the count of ten (only if your desk has a back panel to it or faces a wall) and relax. At the same time, tighten your abdominal muscles and relax to the same count. If you happen to work on any of the upper floors, take the stairs every day if the stairwell is well lit and well used. Park your car a good distance from the entrance so that you will be forced to walk. Again, take the safety factor into consideration, especially considering what time you leave after work.

The End Justifies the Means

There are quite literally hundreds of sneaky little ways to exercise your muscles. Take advantage of them. They are like freebies and the benefits are worthwhile.

Having a toned waistline is a summer must. Yet, how do models have it to perfection? Swim catalogues are filled with pages of women who look like their waistline is the standard for everyone. We know that’s not true. Some of us have to work at it — hard (like me). The beginning of a new toned tummy is knowing which exercises to do. With an abundance of ab knowledge and exercises to pass along to your brains, I’d like to start with one of my favorites (more to come), the side plank. Not only is this exercise waist firming, it builds core strength which is a great foundation to use for other types of workouts such as; yoga, pilates, weight training, bodyweight training and tons of other fitness and sport gems.

Side plank exercises target the obliques and transversus abdominis muscles in your abdomen. Muscles which are a major part of core strength and stabilization. Secondary muscles targeted are your front abs, butt and back. It hits everything! You can incorporate these with some lower back exercises and crunches for quicker results to the slimmer you.

How To Do:

Step 1

Starting Position: Lie on your right side on an exercise mat with your legs straight and the left leg stacked directly on top of the right. Bend the right elbow and place is directly under your shoulder. Align your head with your spine and keep your hips and right knee in contact with the exercise mat.

Step 2
Upward Phase: Exhale, keep the abdominals engaged to brace your spine. Lift your hips and knees off the mat. The side of your right foot stays in contact with the mat. Keep your head aligned with your spine and your right elbow positioned directly under your shoulder.

Step 3
Lowering Phase: Inhale and gently return to your starting position. After a prescribed number of repetitions, repeat on the other side.

Step 4
Exercise Variation: You can increase the intensity of this exercise by (1) increasing the length of time you are in the raised position, (2) raising the upper leg off the lower leg or (3) raising the lower leg off the floor and maintaining contact with your elbow and the foot of the upper leg only.
When raising the upper leg off the lower leg, there is no need to raise it to a level beyond parallel with the floor.

Explaination from: http://www.acefitness.org/exerciselibrary/101/

After some thought (and anger) on this subject, I realized I was also villain. When I have my splurge day after a week or 2 of diet and exercise, I call in the troops to come and join me in my celebration of diet accomplishments. Cooking, ordering or drinking away out of sheer happiness I hit a goal. Teasing about their health choices, I admit, I’ll pressure friends to join in on the delectables even if they shy away. Eek!

Friends can be a huge influence in your weight-loss life. Staying fit requires lots of motivation, especially when you’re tired from work or studying all day. A friend who drags you to their new yoga class, hiking trail or pilates class can be a real asset. Too bad there aren’t more of those of friends in every circle. However, new studies show I’m not alone. Allure Magazine reported, “According to a survey conducted by Medi-Weightloss Clinics, 66 percent of female dieters feel that their friends and family may be sabotaging their weight-loss efforts. Out of the more than 300 women who participated in the survey, over half reported being pressured to eat “non-diet” foods by colleagues, friends, and family, and 35% were even teased about their meal choices.”

Although I’m not shocked, I’m thoughtful. Small detours here and there on a diet regime can add up. When a girlfriend can no longer zip up her favorite jeans, don’t let it be your fault. New rule: on splurge day, I won’t tease you into having some of my lasagna when you’re only having salad — if you won’t make fun of me til I have some of your double delicious dessert when I’m having willpower. If we can’t be supportive, let’s not judge the health conscious.

As I didn’t write down the exact products the makeup artists used this particular day, I can give you some other suggestions to achieve the same look.

Step one: As you can see in the before picture I showed up to set highly moisturized. Start off with a serum then add a moisturizer on top.

Step Two: Apply a flawless base. Secret Model Beauty’s ebook has step by step instructions on how to achieve the perfect natural base.

Step Three: Define your brow by using a brow pencil. Make sure you follow your natural shape and use short strokes to mimic the hair follicles. Then use a brow highlighter just under the brow bone to finish it off.

Step Four: Grab an brown/bronzy color eyeshadow. Then use a eyeshadow brush and apply the shadow by working your way from the outside corner to the middle of the eyelid. Follow with a blending brush to soften up any hard lines.

Step Five: Gel eyeliner is great for this look because it can be more defined then a pencil yet have a softer feel than liquid eyeliner. Therefore, creating a less heavy look. Grab a brown gel liner and a small eyeliner brush then apply just above your lash line. Keep the line as thin as possible and go from the outside corner to about half way. Lastly, grab your blending brush again and lightly go over your work to blend it all together bringing it closer the the inside corner of the eye.

Using the bronze color again, grab a smudging brush to sweep the eyeshadow under your bottom lash line as well. Wipe away any excess shadow which may have fallen with a makeup sponge.

Step Six: Add the individual eyelashes to the outer corner of your upper eyelashes and sparse areas. You don’t have to add a ton, just enough to give your eyelashes more volume and depth.

Step Seven: Apply a peachy/rosy blush to the apples of your cheeks as well as cheek bones. Blending 2 colors to achieve the color perfect for your skin tone is always welcomed.

Step Eight: Mascara. Applying in 2 coats will ensure you get the most dramatic effect.

Step Nine: Powder one final time to make sure your makeup is set.

Step Ten: Find a light pink/neutral lip gloss to finalize your beautiful look.

Here are product suggestions:

Skincare:

• Serum – Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum
• Moisturizer –  Aubrey Organics Green Tea & Ginkgo Moisturizer

Base:

• Foundation – Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Foundation
• Concealer - Studio Finish Concealer by MAC
• Powder – Photo Set Finishing Powder by Smashbox

Brows:

• Eyebrow pencil – Anastasia Brow Definer Pencil
• Brow Highlighter – Benefits High Brow - This is also a great pencil for your waterline, if you like the white eyeliner technique for eye brightening.

Eyes:

• Eyeshadow - MAC’s eyeshadow in Bronze
• Gel eyeliner - Stila’s smudge pot in brown
• Individual Lashes (how to apply video) - Ardell False Lashes /Eyelash glue – Duo Adheasive
• Mascara – L’Oreal Voluminous

Tools:

• Bulleted eyeshadow brush – Too Faced Shadow Brush Set
• Blending Brush – Smashbox’s Tappered Shadow Brush
• Eyeliner brush – MAC’s Precise Eyeliner Brush
• Smudge brush – Smashbox’s double ended smudger brush

These 5 brands are not in order from best to worst since they all received 5 stars. However, I recommend looking through the different company’s websites and Facebook pages to see how customers s well as makeup artists have used each palette to inspire your next look.

BH Cosmetics – 120 Palette

I started here because this palette seems like a “makeup for beginner’s” kind of palette. The 120 palette gives you just that — 120 different shades to play with. For around $30 this palette is first on my list for embarking on a new color adventure.

BH Cosmetics Facebook page

Sugarpill – Quads in Burning Heart & Sweetheart

Sugarpill has created 2 vibrant quads which will knock your socks off. At $36 these quads seem to have a cult following. Their Facebook fan page is lined with loyal beauty lovers showing off creative makeup skills with excitement and enthusiasm. The colors personally got my heart pounding with curiosity. What would all that color look like on you?

 Urban Decay – Naked Palettes

With such popularity, Urban Decay decided to release a follow up version to their original eyeshadow palette. Now we have a Naked Palette and a Naked2. Beauty reviewers seem to be conflicted as to which is the most victorious. However, all are saying these palettes are the go-to for all your shadow needs. Not only are the colors perfect but the formula seems to be creamy, pigmented and long lasting.

The only turn off to these palettes is the $50 price tag. Lucky us, for spring they are giving 20% off your purchase on UrbanDecay.com. Use code: FFSPRING12

Too Faced - Natural, Naked & Smokey Eyed Collection

Being reviewed as the best everyday palette, the amount of pigment is highly praised. From shimmy to matte colors $36 per palette seems like a fair price for something you wear everyday. The consensus is it’s worth the $$$.

Too Faced Facebook fan page has great tutorials.

Kat Von D – True Romance Palettes in the color Mi Vida Loca

Bright pigmented colors, Mi Vida Loca in the True Romance palettes by Kat Von D is a must at $36. Overwhelmed with 5 star ratings, my first dismissive opinion has been crushed. I assumed Kat Von D would create something for younger girls but I’m completely wrong. She’s an artist and has offered perfect colors to play with in springtime or anytime.

Hair Coloring Shampoo

YOU WILL THANK ME!
This is an amazing product which will save you a lot of $$$ on salon visits and give you hours of your life back. Not only will it rejuvenate your hair, Naturesque is an all in one hair colorant, shampoo and mild conditioner. I can make serious promises of gorgeous shiny hair after your application. Best of all, it’s herbal based containing zero ammonia and protects the scalp with nourishing ingredients.

All you have to do is apply it to clean wet hair and leave it on for 5-10 minutes (depending on hair type) then rinse. I recommend all girls with dark hair to try it at least once, you’ll never go back to the salon.

Where to buy: There are only a few retailers which sell this product. I found it at EdenElixir.com on sale for $12.99.

Colors available: Black, dark brown and natural brown.

SMB recommended use: Use Naturesque once every 4-6 weeks or when your hair seem dull.

*All Product of the WEEK! recommendations are the views of Secret Model Beauty because we love the results we get. We are not being paid (yet) or have sponsors. Sharing products which work is our only goal. Oh yeah, attempt at your own risk and consult your doctor for any new regimens.

Of course, we all notice pregnant women have a healthy glow. But, why? Can’t women who are not pregnant obtain the same fresh factor? Increased blood flow, new mommy excitement and a boost in health and vitality all attribute to rosiness. However, pregnany rituals can be done by all women to get better skin and healthy looking hair. By simply taking prenatal vitamins you will be on your way to a beautiful glow without having to put a bun in the oven.

Kid-less after all, I didn’t even know what prenatal anything was. I assumed you should be trying to make a baby or expecting one to be taking prenatal vitamins — not the case. Women prepping for motherhood should definitely be taking them but other women can too. It’s merely a specially formulated multivitamin with extra iron, folic acid and calcium. These vitamins are to help make up for any deficiencies in the mother’s diet. Therefore, making up deficiencies in our diet too. When I asked my doctor about them, he said, “you should be taking them anyway.”

Vitamin Benefits:

Folic Acid:

Beauty Benefits – A type of B vitamin that’s key for cell growth and metabolism. Healthy new cells mean shiny hair, strong nails and rejuvenated skin.

Pregnancy Benefits – Folic acid can lower the risk of preeclampsia and early labor. Folic acid also reduces the risk for devastating birth defects of a baby’s brain and spine — spina bifida and anencephaly — by 50% to 70%.

Iron:

Beauty & Pregnancy Benefits – Iron helps carry oxygen in our blood stream which means more nutrients can get to all our vital organs as well as skin cells, hair and nails.

Calcium:

Beauty Benefits – Calcium can regulate your metabolism making it easier to maintain a healthy weight, aid in cell renewal, help with lipid barrier function, and is important for antioxidant protection from DNA damage. Known for it’s role in building and maintaining bone and teeth health as well as calming the nervous system, a deficiency can lead to brittle nails, and osteoporosis.

Pregnancy Benefits – Calcium during pregnancy can prevent a new mother from losing her own bone density, as the foetus uses the mineral for bone growth.

If you are pregnant, you might be wondering… Are all prenatal vitamins the same? (webmd.com)

No, they are not. Look for one that includes approximately:

• 400 mcg of folic acid
• 400 IU of vitamin D
• 200 to 300 mg of calcium
• 70 mg of vitamin C
• 3 mg of thiamine
• 2 mg of riboflavin
• 20 mg of niacine
• 6 mcg of vitamin B12
• 10 mg of vitamin E
• 15 mg of zinc
• 17 mg of iron

Your doctor or midwife can also advise you on certain brands. In some cases, your GP will give you a prescription for a certain type of prenatal vitamin.