Proper skin care for inner and outer beauty and more...

Discover Proper

Skin Care tips and more...

from tanning to applying make up.

From time to time I've written articles that help get the most out of cosmetics, long lasting lip color, lipstick, lip gloss or skin care. Some contain beauty tips not widely known. Others help you make the correct cosmetic and skin care purchase that's right for you.

I also occasional come across articles that I think may be of interest. They are listed on this page. I always appreciate any feedback on anything I write or that I include on this list of "Beauty Resources."

(Please note that the articles and ideas contained herein are the individual author's ideas and suggestions. I do not endorse any product or service and, like anything, be your own judge to determine if the idea would work for you. Do your own research, it's always the best approach to get the desired results.)

So here's a list of "Beauty Resources" for you to look over. Come back often as I will be frequently adding to the list. And don't forget to take a look at our long lasting lipstick lip color information. Lip Color Selection Tips

SKIN CARE

Seven Easy Steps to a Flawless Tan

Sun Tanning And Anti-Aging

6 ways to destroy a beautiful complexion

Applying Makeup and Skin Conditioners

Skin Care

Seven Easy Steps to a Flawless Tan

Article Summary:

If you like the look of a great tan-without the sunburn-this article will outline a quick step-by-step method to make the most of a self-tanner.

Seven Easy Steps to a Flawless Tan

Author: RuthAnn Ahnen

With summer fast approaching we are all looking for that perfect tan. It doesn't take a trip to a beach in the Caribbean, just careful application of a self-tanner. And it's better for your skin.

Experts tell us that the most harmful thing for our skin is exposure to the sun. It causes wrinkles, premature aging and increases the possibility for skin cancer.

Achieving a picture perfect bronze glow from a self-tanner starts with a well thought out approach continued to the planned application.

Before you start you have several things to consider: some areas to go over lightly (elbows and knees); other areas to avoid (palms, armpits, etc.) and where to start and stop (arms, ankles to toes). Consider your personal preferences and what you expect to get out of the self-tanning procedure. Answer these questions and you'll be well on your way to a great tan.

(If any of these steps conflict with the instructions on the product, by all means follow the product instructions. These seven steps are meant to help you generically through the process.)

Here are the seven easy steps to a flawless tan:

1. STARTING: Allow sufficient time to do the job right. It may take up to an hour, but remember it would take much longer to get the same color by lying in the sun. Just think about how much better this approach is for you skin-and best of all-no sunburn.

2. PREPARATION: First dry brush your body. A long handle shower brush does a great job. Then take a shower (no soaking in the bath tub). Exfoliate your skin either with a body scrub or washcloth. Pay special attention to the folds of the skin: elbows, neck, knees, ankles and feet. Since self-tanners tend to grab on to dry surface skin cells this will help achieve the desired uniform appearance.

Completely dry off after the shower, and apply a thin layer of moisturizer (lightweight is best) over the areas that you will be applying the self-tanner. Work the moisturizer into the skin as this will help the self-tanner move smoothly onto the skin.

Another important factor to consider is to apply the self-tanner when your skin is completely dry. No perspiration, never apply in a hot steamy bathroom. If it's a hot humid day apply in an air conditioned house.

3. APPLICATION: The self-tanner should be applied while you are naked, but you can wear an old swimming suit to help determine where you want your tan line to end. Think ahead where you want to stop and start the color. (Careful with the armpits and what about your heels, hands and ears?)

Applying self-tanner to your back requires a friend with a helping hand, although you can use a long handle brush (This may pose some problems of uneven application so be sure to be careful about blending the product in.).

Apply to one part of the body at a time. Even application is more critical than rubbing all the way in. To prevent tan palms, you can try using surgical gloves to apply the self-tanner. Gloves that are tight fitting work best. Another option is to wash your hands every few minutes or after you apply the self-tanner to a part of your body.

4. SMALL AREAS: You may find that the self-tanner works better in some area of the body than others. For example, some people find that their legs turn brown more easily than their arms or torso. While others find their face or neck changes color fastest.

Experience will help you determine which is true for you. Be careful around areas you don't want additional color, such as: nose, eyes, ears, hairline and lips. To help blend a thin even amount around those areas it's best to use a cotton swab, makeup sponge or synthetic makeup brush.

You don't want light hair turning color, so you can apply a layer of conditioner or Vaseline over the hairline.

5. MISTAKES: Mistakes can cause streaky or dark areas of the skin. Use a defoliant over these spots. Then the following morning exfoliate these areas with a wet washcloth. This should rub off and uneven stripes.

Take special care with problem areas. As an option with your hands (which can be particularly tricky to look natural) apply self-tanner as you would a moisturizer but then quickly wipe off your palms with a slightly soapy washcloth. Then take a Q-tip dipped in cleanser; eye makeup remover (one that is not greasy so it doesn't spread or smear), or nail polish remover and carefully use it to wipe around the nails and cuticle area and between the fingers.

You can also use a makeup sponge to apply self-tanner to the back of your hands, tops of your feet, temples and hairline. By holding the sponge deftly between two fingers you only need to worry about preventing this small area from changing color.

6. FINISH STEP: Wait at least 15 minutes before you get dressed. Remember that self-tanners will stain clothing until there are completely absorbed into the skin. Also, it's not a good idea to exercise or swim for about three hours. As always, be guided by the instructions on the product label.

7. RE-APPLY: As you feel the need you can re-apply the self-tanner. It will start fading in three or four days. Of course, as you get better at the application you can adjust these steps to make it work best for you.

I wish you safe tanning and many compliments.

Sun Tanning And Anti-Aging

Author: Grace Palce
People enjoy the relaxing experience of tanning. And they also
love its result, a fabulous bronzed skin. But exposure to the
ultraviolet radiation, whether from outdoors or from tanning
beds, will cause the skin to age considerably. The tanning
process takes away skin oils that make the skin elastic and
young. Tanning can lead to the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
And frequent tanning may make a person look older than his or
her age. To prevent this undesirable effect of tanning, one
should consider skin care products.

Skin care products are made up of cleansers, masks, toners,
moisturizers, and sun blocks. The cleansers, which come as
creams and gels, deeply clean the skin. The masks, which are
also known as mud packs or exfoliants, peel off old skin. The
toners, which should be non-stringent, remove stubborn dirt
lodged in the pores.

The moisturizers return the protective skin
oils. Moisturizers should be different for various types of
skins. And the sun blocks shield the skin from the damaging
radiation from the sun or tanning bulbs. Then, there are also
specialty skin care products such as eye creams that are meant
to lessen facial lines, and lip protectors (for lips are special
skin) that are used to prevent the lips from chapping due to
freezing or scorching temperatures. Women have cosmetic
foundations that have SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which range
from SPF 5 to 15.

The range of skin care products seems overwhelming. But all
these are important to give maximum protection for the skin.
Professionals, such as models, actors and actresses, and salon
owners, invest in such skin care products because the condition
and age of their skin is vital to their jobs. As for regular
guys and gals, the use of skin care products will enhance the
beauty of their skin and slow down the process of aging. These
products also contribute to the health and suppleness of the
skin.

The skin care products preferred by most consumers are those
made from naturally occurring substances. Synthetically produced
substances for skin care products and cosmetic products may
create detrimental side effects. This is why most skin care
products are composed of extracts from leaves, roots, flowers,
and fruits. These botanicals are known to be safe.

Taking care of your skin may seem to take a lot of effort. But
you only have one skin. You spend money on it so that it will
have a perfect tan. But you must also invest in skin care
products to protect your skin from the aging process caused by
tanning and to keep your skin health and younger looking.

About the author:
Grace Palce is writing articles for her own site

http://www.tanning-bed-secrets.com about home tanning beds and articles about
http://www.good-herbal-health.com natural remedies
for her other site.

(c)2005 HollywoodMakeupSecrets.com. All rights reserved.

Applying Makeup and Skin Conditioners

Author: Alicia Caldelas
We all want to look our best before we head out the door, but we
sometimes find ourselves running behind schedule and having only
a few short minutes to apply our makeup. Well, here are a few
quick steps that will have you ready in just minutes.

Applying the skin conditioner should be the very first thing you
do before applying makeup. If you know you are running late,
apply the conditioner or moisturizer before you begin to get
dressed. You should not apply your makeup until the conditioner
has been on for about 10 minutes. This gives the conditioner
time to soak into your skin and help keep your skin fresh and
moisturized. So, if you do this step before getting dressed, you
will have time to apply your makeup without the wait.

Now, you are ready to apply the foundation. Use a large sponge
and blend the foundation over your face and neck in an upward
and outward motion, never in toward your nose.

Next, is the blush, you can use a crème blush or a powder blush.
Apply with the same motions up and out and accent your
cheekbones.

Eye shadow is next. Lightly apply the eye shadow from the inner
part of your eye outward. Now, apply the eyeliner. Just lightly
start on your upper eyelid and move outward. Do the same for
your lower eyelid. Mascara is next. Try to get as close as you
can to the end of your eyelashes without poking your eye and
move the tip outward. An easier way to apply mascara is to open
and shut your eye while holding the mascara in place.

Now apply a small amount of lipstick. Be sure you are using a
moisturizing kind, especially if you tend to have dry chapped
lips.

Now, you are ready to go. Applying makeup is not hard. The major
mistakes women make is in the products that they purchase. They
usually choose the wrong colors for their skin tone.

Try to match your skin tone when you purchase foundation. If you
use a darker foundation your face and neck will have a tanned
look while the rest of your neck, ears and body are still pale.

For blush and lipsticks, there is a basic rule to remember
blondes should use pink colors, brunettes should use peach and
if you are a red head you should always use bronze.

About the author:
Alicia Caldelas for http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com Your
resource to makeup and beauty tips. Get lots of
homemade beauty ideas here. Catch her Beauty Blog! -
http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/blog/

6 ways to destroy a beautiful complexion

Author: Dr GW Graham
Women (and men. too) spend billions of dollars trying to make
their complexions look great. Sometimes their efforts are
self-defeating. Some of the following problems you have heard of
before but I bet you haven't heard of all of this.

Sun damage

Harmful UV rays can cause scarring of the elastic tissues in
your skin. These elastic tissues make skin soft and easy to
move. A condition called solar keratosis develops from long term
exposure to UV rays. This will cause the skin to lose its
flexibility and will make a 30 year old woman look 59. Plus skin
cancer can ruin your entire day. Use sunscreen.

Also, many women, after years of sun exposure develop a
condition called, Fungal Solar Keratosis. The sun damage cracks
the skin, allowing fungal parasites under the skin. These
parasites will interfere with normal healing even if therapeutic
skin creams are used. Special fungal skin creams are the only
solution.

Bad make up

Many manufacturers put chemicals in their products to make them
last longer. It costs money to remove spoiled lipstick et al
from the shelves of grocery stores and pharmacies. So they put
things like phenol and formaldehyde in all their skin care
products. Germs can't live with these poisons around. But these
products are very caustic. They burn skin and can cause cancer.

Use only skin products without these poisons. Check the labels.

Dryness

If you live in a dry or salty environment, the dry air will suck
moisture out of your skin. This causes the skin cells to shrivel
up and makes puckering lines develop. Women in moist
environments like Great Britain are noted for their youthful
complexions.

Good chemical free moisturizers will help. Also moving to a lake
will help.

Bad diet

Skin needs proper nutrition in order to replace dead skin cells
with new softer, healthier cells. Of course, you entire body
needs proper nutrition. But the skin shows the signs of improper
diet long before the liver does. When did you ever see an
unhealthy, ugly liver anyway? You've seen a lot of ugly skin.

Look up the food pyramid put out by the US government. Stick
with this and you will generally be OK.

Air toxins

Household cleansers contain some of the deadliest materials
known to humankind. Yet we cover our bodies with them when we
clean our homes and offices. Many contain bleach which will
destroy our skin and make us look like mummies. It's also bad
for the lungs and kills sperm development in small boys.

Also chemicals in the air from household mold will cause the
skin cells to toughen up and get scaly. The molds live in the
walls and under sinks and send these chemicals into the air of
your home.

Illness

Of course, being sick makes you look terrible.

You don't need a dermatologist for most of these problems. Just
common sense and a little time checking ingredient lists.

About the author:
For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat and
prevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean
environment. http://tennesseemold.com/
http://www.GrandPaGraham.com for free newsletter

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