Skin Care and Make-Up Secrets...

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"Celebrity Beauty Secrets"

So you want to look like a star?

Who doesn't? It would be really nice to wake up and have someone else worry about your hair and makeup. Celebrities have "people" whose very jobs are to help famous faces look their best. 

Award-winning actresses, runway models, even pop stars all depend on their looks. Do advertisers want to feature close-ups of crow's feet? 

Who wants to see cellulite on the big screen? Teen idols should look young and fresh so their audience will want to be like them. It's their job to look great.

Without a beautifully packaged look, they're out of work. So work they do. They work at their beauty. And so can you.

But, you don't have beauty professionals at your beck and call.

Oh, but you do. Just not the same ones the celebrities do.

You're worthy of a cast of beauty professionals, too.  You deserve it and it's not a luxury impossible to afford. 

Consider your beauty "people" and, if you choose carefully, you will have professionals looking out for you, keeping you up to date on the best products, colors and techniques available for you.

How do you choose the right people?

Use only professionals whose overall look is something you like.

If you're seeking a natural look, look for make-up and hair stylists who successfully achieve that look. If they can do it for themselves, they can teach you the same techniques they're using. 

If you want to appear polished and sophisticated, use a stylist whose own personal style impresses you.

Department store makeup counter salespeople

Use them. You don't need to buy any of their products, unless you want to. But what they can teach you at no cost is something you should really take advantage of.  They're trained in proper technique and are up on the latest trends.

Independent beauty consultants

That neighbor leaving catalogs in your mailbox is a good source of ideas. Invite her over and let her give you a makeover. Again, you're not obligated to purchase anything unless you really want it.

Hairdressers

Hairstyles change with the times, so should your stylist. If she's not attending stylists' conventions or changing her own hairstyle, she's not as professional as you deserve.

So, now you have your people.  What do stars do when they're at home being people, not stars?

Beauty Sleep

It's not a myth. Get yours.

No caffeine.

.or limited caffeine if you must.  It causes premature aging, and who needs that?

Shimmer creams and bronzers.

.help stars shine.

Eat Fish.

.like sardines and salmon.  They're full of essential oils that actually nourish your skin.

No smoking

Not only is it bad for your health, it causes lines and dullness in your skin. 

Your skin care regime

It doesn't have to be expensive. Your products can come from the local drug store.  Everyone benefits from a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer.  

Always, always, always remove makeup at the end of the day.  Two more minutes of sleep is not worth a blemished face in the morning.

Quick fixes from famous faces.

• Coffee grounds can be recycled and used as a cellulite scrub.
• Castor oil, used by a certain British raven- haired actress/spokesperson/ beauty, creates star quality shine for hair.
• Cinnamon oil (check your health food or vitamin store) rubbed on the lips creates pouty, kissable lips.
• Soak your nails in olive oil, as does a Hollywood Pretty Woman.
• A combination of milk and water mixed in equal parts, spritzed on the face throughout the day is all the rage with many silver screen beauties.
• Legally Blonde hair is baby soft and shiny thanks to baby shampoo.

Glow like a star. You deserve to look your best. Treat yourself to a day of beauty - at home or at the salon. Live the life of a star, without being chased by paparazzi.

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"How To Highlight Your Best Features"

Accentuate the Positive:  

Beautiful features come in all shapes and sizes. Gorgeous eyes, pouty lips, sculpted cheekbones, artfully arched brows, a flawless complexion. You may not have them all - hardly anyone has them ALL.  But chances are, you've got at least one.one really gorgeous facial asset that's the envy of your friends. So, are you making the most of what you've got?

Lips.full, pouty, inviting lips .

If you've got them, you're blessed. Make them as kissable as possible. Lip balm with sunscreen is a must. On no make-up days and even under your lipstick. Use a lip balm/moisturizer after you remove your lipstick at the end of the day. Lipstick and liner should be checked and reapplied every few hours to ensure that all eyes are on your best features for the right reasons.  Gloss makes those lips even more tempting.

Eyes.the window to the soul.

How about dressing up your baby blues, your doe-eyes or your emerald beauties?

Eye shadow should complement your complexion, not match your sandals.  Have a make-up professional sample different colors on you.

Choose a color combination for day and a separate one for nights out on the town. Two or three shadow colors give your eyelids dimension.

Waterproof mascara is great at weddings and graduations, but not for everyday. It dries out your lashes and causes them to fall out. Don't touch your eyes or rub them.

This causes wrinkles and introduces bacteria. Give some attention to your brows once a week. Always use a makeup remover made for your eyes, wiping gently with a cotton ball.

Cheeks.we all have cheekbones.

Using a good quality, large make-up brush - not the little, cute one that comes with your blusher - is the key to applying blush.  Smile at yourself in the mirror. Rest the brush lightly on the "apple" of the cheek and gently sweep the brush back toward the temple. Voila , gorgeous cheeks.

Beautiful skin.if you've got it, flaunt it.

If your skin is clear and even-toned, you already have what the rest of us are trying to achieve with foundation. Consider using a tinted moisturizer instead.  Or, go natural -  forget the foundation during daylight hours.

Foundation is made to cover imperfections. Okay, it does help keep your other makeup in place, but if you can get away with not wearing it most of the time, you should.  The rest of us aspire to that freedom. Go on and give us some hope.

Your unique features make you who you are.  Show off what you've got. 

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“The Best Bedtime Routine For Your Skin”

Before you hit the sack every night, do you follow a bedtime skin care routine?

Some of us think that we are too busy to have a regular routine and others believe that they are just too tired.

Whether you are out partying past your bedtime or you are pulling a late night at the office, it is CRUCIAL to clean your face thoroughly before actually going to sleep.

The removal of makeup and daily grime from your face is essential to avoiding clogged pores and breakouts. Don't be too overwhelmed, however, because this task can be done in just a couple MINUTES. Use a multipurpose cleaner that will whisk away dirt, oil and even hard to remove make-up like waterproof mascara all at once. Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging as some cleansers contain ingredients that can burn the skin.

What to do in the cleansing stage is fill up the sink partway and wash the face with just water. Next, lather up the face wash and start rubbing in circles on your cheeks, forehead, chin, nose, etc. Once you feel like you've worked up a great lather, rinse the face and pat down with a towel.

A product I really recommend is the facial cleanser from Vichy Laboratories. While it can be slightly more expensive than other brands, the effects are astounding. After just one week of use, my skin improved ten fold.

Once your face is washed and you've patted it down gently with a towel, apply a really good moisturizer that is specific for the face area.

Don't be fooled by body lotions as they are more generic and do not contain the ingredients you need for your face. The skin on the face is very delicate and if you are prone to oversensitivity or allergic reactions, be extra careful about what type of product you use. I always check with a skin specialist before beginning use with a new product.

A great way to find a good skin product is to test the product in a small area, maybe behind the ear, to see how your skin reacts. If it works well and doesn't cause an allergic reaction, you can attempt to use it on all of your face. After you moisturize, pull your hair back off of your face using a headband or an eye mask and go to sleep. Be sure not to keep your face resting on the pillow as any dirt or bacteria from the air may have settled onto your pillow. That isn't to say you have to HOVER, just lie in a manner that your face is facing towards the ceiling and not down at your pillow.

Little steps is all it takes to get on the right path to great skin. You have to find a routine that works for you and one that you can easily adapt to.

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How To Get Rid Of Acne: 3 Steps Toward A Fair Complexion

By: Britt Gillette

There are many types of acne, but the most common form occurs during the teenage years when young adults experience a dramatic increase in hormone levels. These hormones signal the skin glands to produce more oil. When this oil mixes with dead cells, it can clog pores in the skin and trap bacteria as well. The result is often a raised tissue area characterized by swelling, redness, and pus. These bumps are also known as “pimples,” the symptom most commonly associated with acne.

Acne can occur anywhere on the face, neck, back, or chest, and severe cases can lead to social alienation, or emotional and physical scars. Although mild acne can not be entirely prevented, you can take three steps to minimize its impact.

Gently Cleanse Your Skin: Each day, gently wash your skin with lukewarm water. Avoid scrubbing your face too hard or washing it too often. Doing so can make your acne worse. Also avoid using skin and hair care products that contain excess oil. Instead, use water-based skin care soaps that gently cleanse your skin, such as Neutrogena or Dove.

Apply Topical Ointments: At least once daily, but no more than three times a day, apply a nonprescription topical ointment to problematic areas. One of the best products is Clearasil because it contains both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide works to unplug clogged pores, while salicylic acid helps clear up blemishes by causing the top layer of skin to peel. Products that contain tea tree oil (commonly found in gels, creams, and lotions) or alpha-hydroxy acid are also desirable. However, remember that if you use a product too often, your acne can get worse. So confine your applications to less than three times per day unless otherwise directed by a doctor.

Avoid the Following: Make sure to avoid the following acts which can trigger acne flare-ups: overexposure to the sun, the wearing of tight-fitting items that rub against the skin, excess stress, constant touching of the face, working with oils or harsh chemicals, excessive sweating, hair hanging in your face, or the use of hair care products that contain oils. Also avoid squeezing pimples. Squeezing pimples can result in an infection and/or long-term scaring.

While mild acne is annoying, it will eventually pass. Most people will outgrow acne by their early-twenties, so there is reason to be optimistic. Make each of the above steps part of your daily routine, and you should be able to control your acne. However, those with more severe cases of acne should consult a dermatologist.

Britt Gillette is author of two books.
http://www.brittgillette.com/