Beauty Primer

I have a personal “ABC’s of Beauty” primer. I’ll share some of it with you here. Thanks for reading!

G is For Green Concealer

My skin has red undertones. Green mineral concealer works great for neutralizing ruddy complexion. I use a flat top brush or kabuki to apply a light dusting of mint concealer beneath mineral foundation.

Green Concealer

F is For Finishing Powder

There are endless brands of finishing powders on the market.  You may wonder what purpose is served but adding one to your beauty regimen.

A finishing powder locks in your cream, mineral or liquid foundation. They should be translucent. Since it sets your foundation, you don’t want to add one that changes its color. Finishing powder also allows blush to apply more smoothly and lightly. This is especially true if you have oily skin. FPs help to absorb excess oils and therefore reduces shine and provides a soft finish. It’s best to start out with less and build so your finish doesn’t end up cakey and dry.

One of my favorite FPs is Aromaleigh‘s Metamorphosis Finishing Powder from the You’re a Doll Collection, introduced in 2007.

 

Metamorphosis Finishing Powder

An otherworld-ly veil of transparency. This delicately odd greyish-green finishing powder imparts a metamorphosis to your skin when used as a finishing powder. A soft halo with a subtle glimmer of the tiniest twinkle when you turn your head. Frame your face in fairy-like porcelain soft-focus sheen. Use a little, or use a lot. It’s your fantasy.

If you’re not a fan of glimmer, Aromaleigh introduced a new version you’ll want to try:

The Parfait version: It’s Metamorphosis… but without the noted sheen/shimmer. It’s “low lustre” since it has only the slightest glow.

If you don’t know which version you prefer, Aromaleigh offers samples for a mere $2.00. It’s enough glow to last two to three applications. A little goes a long way.

E is For Eye Pigment

I’m addicted to eye pigments (shadows). Neutrals are my favorites, but for the last few years, I haven’t been afraid to wear color. I’ve even worn red and that is something I thought I’d never do. If you have green eyes, burnette or red hair, try it.

My train case is so chocked full of eye pigments, it takes me awhile to decide what colors to wear each day. If I only had high-end pigments such as MAC, to choose from, I wouldn’t have many since they’re expensive. Thanks to Aromaleigh, my addiction is affordable and economical. The jars are packed full for a VERY reasonable price.

Here are some of my favorite colors, purchased at www.aromaleigh.com.

From Aromaleigh’s Plush Collection

These are great lid colors (not strictly matte, nor frost…but a hint of pearl).

Dollhouse

Mink Coat

From Satin Petals Collection:

Foxglove

Balsam

Pure Hues Collection:

Garnet

 

Peacock

D is for Dried Milk

I got this tip from beauty guru, Diane Irons, and I’ve been using dried milk as a beauty product for about a year. It’s the cheapest, most effective product I’ve ever used as a facial cleanser.

I use coconut oil to remove my eye makeup and then I pour some Carnation dried milk into my palm and mix it with a few squirts of saline solution, which makes the milk creamier than when I use water. The mixture thickens as you apply it to your face, so you can make it as thick or as thin as you like. It washes aways without making your skin feel dry. The lactic acid works as a wonderful exfoiliant. It also works as a gentle scrub because not all the powder dissolves.

I challenge you to try this out for a week and see what you think of it. My experience, after about 5 days, was that I found myself waking up at night, rubbing my face and I was amazed that the little round bumps I used to feel under my skin were gone. I know that’s weird but it’s true.

C is for Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of my new beauty finds.

Coconut oil

“Technically what makes it a good oil to use for cosmetic purposes and skin care is its chemical formulation. Its small molecular structure allows for easy absorption through the skin, giving it a soft, smooth texture and hence is an ideal treatment for dry, rough and wrinkled skin. Unrefined Pure Virgin coconut oil is extremely high in antioxidants that can penetrate deep into the underlying tissues of the skin to prevent and protect against the formation of free radicals that make the skin lose its elasticity. Regular application protects the skin from developing ugly spots and blemishes caused by aging and overexposure to sunlight. That’s why this oil is regarded as the best natural ingredient lotion for the skin. It’s also very inexpensive and is easily available. The lovely smell and feel of virgin coconut oil is so enticing that you will fall in love with it.

Coconut oil pre-bath massage
One of the previous posts The luxury called ‘oil bath’, had elucidated how a pre-bath whole body massage with oils, better known as ‘Abhyanga Snana’ in Ayurvedic terminology keeps the skin soft, young and supple for years. After bath, just pat yourself dry; do not rub your skin vigorously with the towel so that your skin retains a bit of oiliness. This oil-massage is also highly recommended for people with extremely dry skins, persons of all age-groups and for all skin-types in winter. And if you do not have the time to indulge in an oil-massage everyday do remember to add a few drops of coconut oil to your bath water.

Coconut oil as an after-bath moisturizer
Coconut oil can work as an excellent skin moisturizer if applied immediately after a shower. Oils such as olive, jojoba or coconut oil, and Vaseline (petroleum jelly) sit on top of the skin and lock in moisture, thus acting as a water sealant. That’s why they work best when applied to damp skin. Keratosis pilaris, a skin problem can be alleviated with the regular use of coconut oil on body after a bath while the skin is damp. People suffering from mild to moderate Xerosis due to some defect in their skin’s barrier have a dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin. They should regularly moisturize their skin with pure coconut oil after bath to deal with this condition effectively.

Coconut oil for other skin problems
An external application of coconut oil also relieves eczema symptoms. It can also help in conditions like fungal infections in toes, athletes foot. As an under-arm deodorant it helps to prevent body odour.

Coconut oil to protect your skin and hair from sun damage
If you can’t help venturing out in the hot sun often, then apply coconut oil to your scalp as a protection from the harmful and drying effects of the UV rays and also do not forget to soothe your skin afterwards with a liberal application of aloe vera gel to which a few tsps of coconut oil is added.

Coconut oil in face packs
Do not forget to add a few drops of coconut oil in your face-packs in winter, if you are above thirty and if you have dry to normal skins.

Coconut oil to cure cracked heels
For cracked heels, combine coconut oil with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and apply over those areas before going to bed.

Coconut oil for dry, flaky lips
Dry, flaky lips can also be rejuvenated with a liberal application of pure coconut oil on them.

Coconut oil for dark elbows and knees
Take half of squeezed lemon and pour half a teaspoon of coconut oil in lemon skin, rub on dry and dark elbows and knees to help with spots.

Coconut oil to remove eye makeup
Use it to remove eye makeup by gently applying it on damp cotton wool and delicately remove it with gentle inward motion.

Coconut oil for hair
Coconut oil can be used as a pre-shampoo hair conditioner. Warm the bottle of coconut oil by placing it in a container of hot water and then take a few drops of this warm oil in your palm and massage it gently into your scalp. It smells nice and as mentioned earlier its small molecular structure allows for easy absorption into the scalp. You can leave it overnight. This oil-massage also ensures a peaceful slumber and is especially recommended if you have trouble falling asleep easily. Shampoo it off the next morning and it will leave your hair with a smooth texture. If you do not like to keep it the whole night, then apply it a few hours before washing your hair and cover your head with a shower cap to allow deeper penetration. But you can get better results only by leaving it overnight. This treatment with coconut oil is as good as an expensive hair treatment at the salon. Coconut oil application also helps with dandruff problems too and hence much preferable to other strong medicated shampoos. You can also prepare many herbal oils using coconut oils as the base. For instance, this Aloe-oil helps with split ends and this Amla (gooseberry) hair oil and hibiscus-based hair oil not only promote hair-growth and prevent premature graying but also help with insomnia.

Curry leaves hair oil for premature graying
Curry leaves oil also delays premature graying of hair. Here’s the procedure of preparing it. Take a bunch of curry leaves and grind it with little water to get a paste. Add this paste to 2 cups of coconut oil and heat the mixture till all the moisture evaporates. After it cools, store it in a bottle. Use this to deal with gray hair problems.”

http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2008/02/coconut-oil-for-beauty.html

B is for Base

Base is not an option when you want your eyeshadow to last the day. I wish I had known this simple truth years ago. If I had a dollar for every eyeshadow I bought through the years and never wore, I’d have a stuffed piggy bank. It wasn’t bad eyeshadow. It just wasn’t applied to it’s full potential and faded out before it ever got the chance to shine.

If you don’t know about eye primers yet, let me encourage you to check them out. You will be amazed at the intensity and staying power a base will give to your eye colors. There are plenty of bases that will keep your beauty investment from creasing. The best bases aren’t inexpensive, but they last a long time.

Here are some of my favorites:

Urban Decay’s Primer Potion (($17)
bottle is annoying, but there’s now a new wand

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($17)

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Coastal Scents Eye-Poxy Shadow Primer ($11.95)
(This one can be tricky to use, but it’s easy if you press your finger into the jar and only use the residue collected. This is not a cream and if it’s grainy when you apply it to your eyes, you’re using too much.)

Coastal Scents Eye-Poxy Shadow Primer

My favorite cosmetic company, Aromaleigh, sells a good shadow base. Today, it’s 25% off, but regularly sells for $9.50. There’s a good amount of product for the price and a little goes a long way.

Eyeshadow Primer/Base