Blush

Desi skin looks best with warm pigmented blushes, it makes the skin look fresh.  Keep it simple and just wear a blush and lip gloss as it’s the quickest way to uplift your look even on your most gloomiest days.

The best way to work blush on your face is a question which comes to mind.  It all depends on your face shape – you can pick and choose a style that can help your face look more attractive but its important to know sometimes rules can be broken.

ROUND FACES

Its commonly known that round faces shouldn’t wear blush close to the cheeks.  Round faces look better when blush is applied in an angle and the focus to remain on more contouring.  However if you wish to give a rosy cheek effect place the blush on the apples of the cheek which will give a very girly fresh baby doll look.  It’s still important to finish off this girly blush look with some contouring.

 

OVAL FACES

Long faces look great with more blush on the cheeks but still do need contouring.  It’s important tho not to over do the blush.  Eye makeup is not the only thing that can change your entire look, every kind of blush creates a different look.  Keep on trying and exploring fresh looks with blush – try pinks, warm orange and corals.  NARS Orgasm and Taj Mahal are both great peachy blushes.

Egg Sponges: Beauty Blender, Are They Good?

Makeup sponges are essential tools for applying makeup.  Boost your beauty kit with these ultimate multitasking tool: Egg Makeup Sponges.  They are definitely eye-catching in their bright Easter egg colors, but are they worth the price?  What makes them different to the regular white triangle sponges we can get from the pharmacy?  Here’s a in depth review on 3 of the most popular egg sponges on the market.

1.  BEAUTY BLENDER

What is it? The Beauty Blender Sponge is a reusable (YES, you can wash it again & again), latex free makeup applicator that can be used damp (I use it dry sometimes as well) to apply and blend powder, cream and liquid products for a flawless, smooth finish.  These iconic egg-shaped sponges are one of the best selling sponges in the world.  They are supported by Hollywood celebrities and celebrity makeup artists.

Suggested Usage:  The Beauty Blender should be used dampened with water and can be used with any type of makeup formulation: liquid, cream, powder, loose, or pressed.  It is to be used in a stippling or “bouncing” action, not a dragging motion across the face.Price/Availability: $19.95 online

Final Verdict:  Totally worth the money.  The Beauty Blender Sponge works great to give a natural and even finish to the skin.  It’s very easy to use and works great with all different types of foundations, in-particularly cream or stick foundations.  It gives the skin a lighter coverage or when you’ve applied a fuller coverage foundation damped the sponge and blend it out.  Love the finish.  The shape is great for getting around the nose, under the eyes and any small crevices on the face.  Unlike many sponges it doesn’t absorb a lot of the product.

I love the fact that the Beauty Blender Sponges are latex free, non-allergenic, odor-free and dye-free.  Comes in pink & white (the only difference being the color).  The pink probably looks a lot less ugly when stained with foundation :P.

Rating – 5/5

2.  SEPHORA PRECISION SPONGE 

What is it? Sephora Brand Precision Sponge is a 3D makeup sponge inspired by professional makeup artists.  Use it to apply foundation, concealer, contouring products and even cream blush.  Its non-disposable so wash it as needed.

Suggest Usage: The Sephora Precision Sponge should be used dry or wet.  Apply product with the rounded end of the sponge to cover large areas of the face and the pointed end to reach trickier spots and angles. 

Price/Availability: $12.00 (Sephora.com) 

Final Verdict: I bought the Sephora Precision Sponge out of curiosity on a browsing trip to Sephora at Mall of Arabia.  It looks just slightly smaller then the Beauty Blender Sponge but doesn’t expand when its wet which then makes it significantly smaller.  I found it worked better dry as compared to wet which was ideal for the clients I wanted to create a fuller coverage on.  It’s latex-free, antibacterial and hypoallergenic.  Overall, I liked the sponge and purchased another one for my kit.  From a makeup artists point-of-view, not all women have the same needs so I like to keep a variety of tools in my makeup kit to help create the best result.  For everyday use, I would recommend it as a far better alternative to the regular “white triangle” sponges.  It helps the foundation sit closer to the skin and makes blending a breeze.  It’s a bit cheaper then the beauty blender sponge and remember this is not a disposable sponge, you can wash it and use it for a long while.  

Rating: 3.5/5

3.  MAC SPONGE

What is it?  A sponge designed and shaped to enable precise application and blending of liquid or cream formulas in hard-to-reach areas of the face. Suggested Usage:Mac’s Pro Performance Sponge should be used damp with any form of foundation, concealer, gel, or liquid makeup product.  Price/Availability: $18.00 at MAC Stores 

Final Verdict: What make’s Mac’s Pro Performance Sponge different to the other “beauty blender sponges” is the round ball end.  It makes it easy to hold and handle.  The tip is also more narrow then the other sponges which help to get further into the crevices on the face. Yes, the shape is funny but extremely functional.  I particularly liked using this sponge with liquid foundations as compared to cream as i feel like it blended and worked a lot better.  Its quite durable and it can also be washed as needed.  Recommended as a great everyday sponge which gives a quick, easy and natural look to foundation and concealer. 

How to Apply your Makeup for Different Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important factors when choosing and applying makeup.  The right lighting when applying makeup can mean the difference between looking gorgeous or overdone.

The most important factor one should consider when doing their makeup is “Where am I going?” Depending on where you’re going (ie. The lighting) is how heavy or light you should apply your makeup and accordingly choose colors. Read ahead to find out how to apply your makeup correctly depending on the lighting.

OFFICE PLACES

Wearing makeup to work means daytime.  In the day your makeup should be minimal, daylight shows all.  Office buildings are generally lit with harsh fluorescent lights that release a blue hue.  This type of lighting tends to makeup colors look obvious.  Wear sheer makeup and natural colors.  Less is more!

HOMES

So your invited over to a friend or family members house and don’t know how to wear your makeup.  If it’s in the day for lunch, follow the same rules as you would for office makeup – sheer, natural colors and neutral hues.

For evening parties most homes are lit with incandescent bulbs, which tend to have a yellowish-red hue.  This light softens colors and helps to hide flaws.  Makeup can be worn a little brighter and bolder then worn in daylight or fluorescent lighting but it should still remain neutral and soft.

BEACH

Sometimes the beach can become a fashion show – but seriously ladies?!  Don’t over do your makeup, as it looks really cheap.  Beaches means extremely bright light, so keep it simple with high sun protection, some powder, bronzer, mascara (waterproof) and a tinted lip balm.   Trust me – overdoing your makeup at the beach only looks good in magazines.

RESTAURANTS

Restaurants generally have dimly lighting, if your makeup is too natural or neutral it could makeup you look dead and washed out.  For dim lighting choose bold contrasting colors.  It doesn’t mean go over the top – just add some extra blush to your cheekbones and choose a slightly darker lip shade or eye shadow.  This type of lighting is perfect to use your contouring techniques.

WEDDINGS

Weddings during the day – would follow similar makeup tips as you would wear to the office.  When getting into evening/night weddings are all depends on the hall.  In most cases halls are dimly lit with indirect lighting.  So again this is your chance to wear your makeup slightly heavy and bold.  If you don’t feel comfy wearing too much makeup – the key to look good In this type of lighting is have a good solid base – stronger blush, and either bold colors on your eyes or on the lip.  Have fun with it as late night parties are a time for some extra drama.

 Identifying Different Light Sources

The following factors may affect facial features, skin tones and textures:

Natural

• Daylight is a pure white light.  It is considered to be the most perfect light for applying makeup.

Artificial

• Fluorescent light has a blue-green tint.  It is the harshest light and is known to drain and dull color on the face.
• Incandescent light has a flat, warm yellow tint.  It is more flattering then fluorescent but softens the intensity of bright , strong colors.
• Halogen lighting has a soft, blue-white tint. It closely resembles daylight and it is good for expressing true color.
• Electronic Strobe or HMI lighting produces daylight color temperature and accentuates the intensity of makeup color. It’s mostly used in professional situations.

The Art of Sculpting Your BODY!

 WHEN I WAS STRUGGLING MYSELF TO LOOSE WEIGHT AND GET IN SHAPE, I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS ME.

Its just my body type, and I will never look athletic, lean and have great abs. After all, it was easier to accept that change is unnecessary, than it is to work hard and defy all mental blocks.

I laugh at myself now reflecting on those years. As I started my fitness journey, I realized how much science and creativity play equal parts in sculpting and molding your body. Yes, I said sculpting your body. You see, your body is like a mould. What you really need to figure out is, what your mould is made of. Then you need to envision your painting and apply the appropriate steps to create your artistry.

In my case, I was fairly proportioned all over, except with my arms being on the heavier side. Whatever I’d do, I felt my arms just kept getting bigger. It is, or was my weak spot. With time, I learned that I too can have great toned arms as those women in fitness magazines…

 I JUST HAD TO TRAIN THEM, AND TRAIN THEM HARD I DID. & WITH TIME, THEY BECAME MY GREATEST ASSETS.

Many women I encounter complain about their thighs and/or abs. I always tell my clients that what you perceive to be your weakest area can surely become your greatest asset. You see, the more energy you put into something, the more you transform and change it. All you need is the right framework to get you from the first step to the last.

For myself, I realized with time, I needed to work out my arms twice a week. Knowing that the minute I indulge in too many calories will go soaring to my arms, keeps me in check.

Here is a Sample my workout for Arms:

Note: Always warm-up. Please gage the weights for your own fitness level. I had to work up to the weights I use to get stronger, so make sure you increase your weights by 10% every week.

Warm-up

Skip 5 minutes

Arm Circles with 5lb dumbbell in each hand (to warm up shoulders)

Shoulders:

Shoulder Press – 45-60 Seconds rest in between sets.

15lb Shouler Press for 15 reps

20lb Shoulder Press for 10 Reps

25lb Shoulder Press for 8 Reps

20lb Shoulder Press for 15 Reps

Single Arm Lateral Raises – Switch sides in between sets (not longer)

12lb Lateral raise for 10 Reps

10lb Lateral raise for 12 Reps

8lb Lateral raise for 15 Reps

12 lb Lateral Raise for 12 Reps

Rear Delt Machine

45lb for 15 Reps and 4 Sets

Single Arm Shoulder Press – Switch sides between sets

25lb Shoulder Press for 8-10 Reps and 4 Sets

Biceps

25lb bar and curl for 15 – 20 Reps

30-35lb bar and curl for 12-15 Reps

25lb bar and curl for 25 Reps

30-35lb bar and curl for 15 Reps

15 lb bar bell or 8 lb dumbells – 100 Reps (this is a target goal)

Triceps

Rope Extension

15lb for 100 Reps

25lb for 25 Reps and 3 Sets

Skull Crushers

35-45lb bar bell and 10-15 Reps for 4 Sets
!

Million Dollar Abs

Everyone covets the nice flat stomach. After all, who wants the rolls off their pants and bulges showing through clothes. In my experience, No one! Maybe that is why “Liposuction is the most popular plastic surgery for men and women combined.”¹ Is still astounds me that looking at the numbers, “Liposuction accounted for 325,332 cosmetic surgical procedures in 2011.” ² 

So this had me thinking. If I could give the exact formula on how to achieve the Million Dollar Abs everyone is crazy about, or at least the 325,332 that invested in them, and only charged you a portion of that price, would you follow everything I say to get your desired results? So not only would you save money, but you wouldn’t have the side effects of surgery, instead you would GAIN tons of energy, balance your stress, and be in a better mood. That’s right!

Now, what if I gave you that information for free?

The truth is, when creating a plan for achieving success; it really boils down to the individual on the receiving end. A one size fits all plan does not typically work due to several personal factors including: genetics, hormones, weight, body fat percentage etc. However, having said that, there are basic protocols that everyone can follow to help you get to your desired state and the plan does NOT require surgery.

Now I’m not going to tell you if you can achieve those abs in a matter of a week, 4 weeks or 6 months, because, again, its an individual profile that will determine our final outcome. BUT, lucky for you, I will list the top things to start doing today to put yourself on that path towards success and have included a sample program to follow for 1 – 4 weeks!

1. Drink lemon water first thing in am and last thing in pm
2. Drink 3-4 litres of water daily
3. Eliminate everything white: pasta, carbs, sugar
4. Cardio 3 – 5 times a week (a mix between steady stake and HIT)
5. Take your multivitamins and a fish oil
6. Take a digestive enzyme with every meal (especially if you eat meat)
7. Weight train 3 – 5 times a week
8. Eat TONS of green vegetables and only eat your meat steamed, grilled or baked!
9. NO SUGAR
10. Sip on some green tea in the am and early afternoon (if you can tolerate the caffeine)

For a personalized individual plan, contact me and we can put your day to day plan together!

As with any activity plan, consult your healthcare professional to get the clearance on exercising and taking supplements.

hairstyle and make up look for today

5 Beauty Pinterest Accounts You Have to Follow!

Pinterest

These days, almost all of us have Instagram and Twitter accounts that keep us endlessly entertained but Pinterest is the place we love spending hours trawling for just about anything under the sun – be it home decorating, hairstyle ideas or make-up tips. We’re addicted to ‘pinning’ on the Internet scrapbook and OBSESSED with creating different boards. I’m a beauty junkie and love searching for everything from natural beauty treatments to easy hairdos. If you’re new to Pinterest and overwhelmed at the volume of images on hand, fear not! I’ve combed and searched for some of the best boards/accounts to follow.

SEPHORA:

Sephora

Why we love it: The make-up retailer’s Pinterest page is a a smorgasbord of products, inspirations, gift ideas and new launch alerts. There are also a few recipes thrown in there! My personal favourite is the Skincare iQ board.

BOBBI BROWN:

Bobbi Brown

Why we love it: I have nothing but love for Bobbi Brown, mainly because of her beauty philosophy which believes in empowering women through make-up via her Pretty Powerful campaign. Her boards are filled with inspirational quotes, bridal breakdowns and Bobbi working her magic on the runway.

THE BEAUTY DEPARTMENT:

The Beauty Department

Why we love it: The beauty department is my go-to site for looking at fun tutorials, DIYs and nail art. With IT girl Lauren Conrad’s backing, this site is not to be missed. Their pinterest board has easy illustrations and before and afters. What’s more, they have dedicated sections on fringes and braids that will convince you to try one of those haircuts at some point in your life, if not now.

NARS COSMETICS:

Nars

What we love: We might not have Nars products available  but that doesn’t stop us from browsing through the make-up brand’s Pinterest page. Boards include latest beauty mood boards, what happens backstage at fashion shows and different product ranges.

THE BEAUTY HIGH:

The Beauty High

What we love: Everything! From celebrity inspired looks, beauty quotes, runway inspirations and fashion looks. This is one place you shouldn’t miss!

Which pinterest board do you follow?