The New Year is a great time to pause, take stock, and come up with meaningful resolutions that will outlive the first blush of enthusiasm and make for a new and fantastic you in 2018. And while we cannot fundamentally change the face and body we were born with, there are a variety of natural, proven means available to enhance the looks, health, and mindset of any woman.

It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With that in mind, here are a few basic but proven ways to keep your favorite beholder’s eye on you!

Image by Alexandru Zdrobău

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and its most vulnerable. Take care of it by wearing sunscreen 365 days of the year—rain or shine! UV exposure ages skin, promotes skin cancer, and is especially harmful in southern or tropical environments. Use a good quality sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30; moisturize every day, preferable after getting out of the shower and before bed. Don’t touch your face! Doing so can spread bacteria, lead to scarring, wrinkles, and even spread the flu. Keep hydrated, cut back on alcohol, and maintain a healthy diet, preferably one rich in omea-3 fatty acid, which can help boost your skin’s ability to hold moisture. Finally, try to exfoliate a few times a week, avoid direct heat exposure, and take care to keep your makeup brushes clean.

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Need to shed a few pounds from that Thanksgiving feast? Want to improve your muscle tone, regain youthful vigor, or simply need to maintain a fitness level that will help you avoid chronic illnesses and promote a sense of well-being? Get moving! Whether you hire a trainer, join a gym, or begin a fitness regimen based on your own research and self-discipline, or simply dedicate yourself to long walks, getting into and staying in shape will go a long way toward building a healthy glow while boosting your self-confidence.

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A bright, winning smile is your calling card to the world; make sure you maintain a regular schedule for dental care, fix neglected problems, and consider both the short and long term benefits of good, cosmetic dentistry. Finally, consider using an effective whitening procedure. Americans spent $11.5 billion on teeth-whitening in 2015. While there are a variety of unproven yet anecdotally successful home treatments for discolored teeth (oil pulling, brushing with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar to name a few), you can effectively prevent staining by limiting your consumption of products like coffee, red wine, and berries, and overall sugar intake. Still, to really take your smile to a new level, consider a professional teeth-bleaching procedure. Such a process, done properly, will exceed anything natural and over-the-counter products can achieve.

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There is far more to beautiful nails than polish. Healthy, strong nails are a product of a healthy diet, common sense, and meticulous care. Start by keeping your nails dry and clean; too much moisture and/or hot water can contribute to the growth of bacteria and cause nails to split. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when washing dishes, cleaning or using harsh chemicals. Make sure you cut nails straight across before gently rounding them, using sharp clippers or a manicurist’s scissors. Moisturizers, a nail hardener, or a biotin product prescribed by a doctor can help. Do avoid biting your nails, picking at cuticles, ripping out hangnails, or ignoring problems as soon as they arise. Also, when consulting a professional, be sure to select a salon that displays a current state license, and work only with technicians also licensed by the state board.

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There are few things than can as significantly alter or enhance a woman’s appearance as a new and fresh hairdo. This is one area you do not want to tackle yourself! Find a proven professional, have a specific look in mind, and remember that—as in most things—you get what you pay for. Spending more up front can ensure that you acquire a look that will last, can be maintained, and that suits the unique qualities that only you possess.

Happy New Year as you toast to a new and more beautiful you!

As millennials living in a selfie-obsessed, narcissistic world, we can’t help but wonder how those Instagram models achieve their flawless look. Or how celebrities always manage to have perfect, glowing skin. Is it airbrush makeup? Is it traditional makeup? Both methods are commonly used but what makes them different?

Airbrush Makeup:

Airbrush makeup is a light-weight makeup that is applied through an air gun. It is designed to deliver a thin layer of makeup through a consistent, fine mist. How is this done? A thin, airbrush-intended foundation is put into the airbrush gun chamber. This foundation solution can consist of one or many colors. Pulling the trigger will release a light mist of makeup from the gun. The gun is moved in circular or sweeping motions along the face to slowly build a perfect complexion.

Traditional Makeup:

Traditional makeup comes in a cream, liquid, or powder form that is applied by fingers, sponges or brushes. This form of makeup is the most accessible and comes in the widest variety of pigments and brands. It is extremely versatile and can range from very sheer to very intense coverage. How is this used? This form of makeup can be used in any situation at any given time without restrictions.

Pros of Airbrush Makeup:

Airbrush makeup is amazing because you can custom blend your foundations to create a person’s exact skin tone. The drops of foundation that are placed in the chamber can be completely customized to each individual. For example, you may choose four drops of “sand” and two drops of “beige” to achieve the exact tone you desire. Another benefit of airbrush makeup is that it is a much finer product than traditional foundation. The pixilated spray from the airbrush gun actually mimics the way a camera would capture your face. Airbrush is also, in many cases, waterproof. This is especially advantageous if you sweat heavily or know you will be emotional. This also prevents transfer of makeup onto your clothing, which is always a plus.

Pros of Traditional Makeup:

Traditional foundation is great because it has very rich coverage. You are able to better blend the product into your skin, which is great for skin types with texture issues. This is quite difficult to achieve with a machine. Using traditional methods also allows you to be more detailed, relying on the skill of the artist instead of a machine. Coverage is also more flexible. This is important because you can actually manipulate the viscosity of the makeup through a hands-on technique. Another plus is many brands are now offering formulas that are silicone based. This allows the makeup to be water resistant while giving you more resilience against wear.

Cons of Airbrush Makeup:

Airbrush makeup is known for its clean, skin perfecting finish. However, like most things, it has its cons as well. For those with vellus hair, airbrush can leave an unwanted finish. Traditional makeup adheres to pores whereas airbrush adheres to smooth, moisturized skin. Skin with hair can leave someone looking like a fuzzy peach. Airbrush is also not ideal for those with acne, scarring, wrinkles, dry skin or fine lines. Airbrush delivers an even flow of product and, in these cases, traditional foundation would be more suitable. The downfall is that it really only works on skin that is in pretty good shape, and it should never be applied heavily.

Cons of Traditional Makeup:

Traditional makeup requires a good makeup artist to achieve satisfactory results. The consistency of foundation is usually much thicker and this can lead to a cakey look. Also, traditional makeup is not always waterproof, which can lead to a lack of durability or transference to clothing. Often, SPF is an ingredient in this type of makeup and can cause your face to look white or ghostly in pictures.

Each type of makeup has its pros and cons. The key is to make your decision based upon which makeup is best for YOUR skin type. Consulting a professional is your best option. Every person will have their own preferences, but this knowledge should aid you in making the best decision for your makeup needs!

Have you ever gone out on the town, taken a few pictures and noticed that you have white circles under your eyes? I certainly have, leaving me to wonder: was it my primer? My concealer? My setting powder? Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy a bright eye, but the white raccoon look is unacceptable, especially when preparing for my wedding day. With my special day quickly approaching, I decided to do some serious research. Here is what I found.

It turns out this ghostly look can be caused by what we call a “flashback.” So what is that? Foundations or concealers that are “illuminating” can cause this effect due to their light reflecting particles. Brides—stay away from overly shimmery shadows, intense highlighters, and glitter!

But wait, there’s more! Mineral foundations and powders are also a no-no. These products contain a large amount of silica and silver mica. One product in particular that you should avoid is: “Makeup Forever HD Powder.” This powder is white and does not apply clear. It is really quite simple; WHITE reflects light!

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) products can also cause flashback. It is best to avoid primers, moisturizers, and foundations that contain SPF ingredients. The culprits within the SPF are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, substances of a white, opaque nature. If you insist on using a SPF based product, be sure to use one with a rating of SPF 15 or lower to avoid compromising your photos.

So, at this point you may be wondering what type of makeup IS appropriate when being photographed. My personal favorites are “Makeup Forever Mat Velvet” foundation, as well as “MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural” concealer. Ultimately, the key to avoiding the dreaded flashback is to simply avoid makeup products that are illuminating, mineral based, or contain SPF when you know you’ll be having your picture taken.

At last! The mystery is solved! So, whether you are a concerned bride to be or simply looking to improve your Saturday night photos, you now have the tools necessary to look your best.

 

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