Month: November 2020

Regardless of the restrictions in your area, you might not feel comfortable going to a beauty salon to get your eyebrows professionally shaped in the current situation, given the close proximity of therapist to client, and also given the amount of protective equipment that needs to be worn by both.

None of us want to walk around looking like we’ve got two furry caterpillars on our faces, but none of us want to end up with that overplucked nineties look either!

To help you get it right, here’s our foolproof guide to keeping your brows under control until you’re comfortable to return to the salon.

Preparation

Start by gathering your equipment – and ensuring that it is scrupulously clean! You’ll need:

• Good quality slanted tweezers
• Brow pencil
• Small pair of sharp scissors
• Spoolie brush
• Gentle cleanser such as micellar water, and cotton pads
• A soothing gel containing aloe vera or tea tree oil

Make sure your mirror is in a well-lit space so that you can see what you’re doing properly.

And don’t forget to prepare yourself! Cleanliness is key – so cleanse thoroughly before you start. It’s easier to pluck your brows when your pores are open – ideally after a shower as the steam will help you along. But if that’s not practical, hold a (clean) warm wet washcloth over your brows for a couple of minutes after you’ve cleansed to relax the skin. This will avoid infection and blocked pores – spotty eyebrows are not a good look…

If you have long hair or bangs, wear a hairband to keep your hair away from your eyes.

Brush and snip

Some of us get very long stray brow hairs, and it can be tempting to just pluck them out. However, this can lead to uneven, gappy brows. Instead, the best way is to trim them.

Use a clean spoolie brush to brush your brow hairs upwards. Slowly and carefully, one at a time, carefully snip the end of any hairs that extend beyond the outline of your brow. Only take a little from the end – err on the side of caution if in doubt.

Then brush the hairs downwards and repeat the same process.

Determine the shape

You can use an eyebrow pencil to determine the shape of your brow. Place the pencil along the side of your nose to find the spot where your brow should start. Then angle the pencil from the edge of your nose and over the center of your eye (your pupil) – that should be the highest point of your brow. Finish by lining the pencil up with the corner of your nose and the very edge of your eye. Where the pencil intersects with your brows is the point where the brow should stop.

Mark these points using the brow pencil, and then use these points to draw an outline shape that will be your guide when tweezing.

If that all sounds daunting, and you need a bit more of a helping hand with determining your eyebrow shape, why not try using an eyebrow stencil kit instead?  They can be a lifesaver for those who are less confident with where their eyebrows should start and finish. Anastasia Beverly Hills sells a set of five reusable stencils for $20.00, available from www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com that enable you to find the right eyebrow shape for your face type.

Slowly does it

You should aim to remove as few brow hairs as possible. Take it slowly, and if in doubt, don’t tweeze!

Remove any hairs that fall outside the outline that you’ve drawn. Pluck one hair at a time and tweeze in the direction of growth. This helps avoid those unsightly ingrown hairs.

Focus on the underside of your brows – removing too much from the top can look unnatural. Only remove obvious stragglers from the top.

Aftercare

Once you’ve shaped your brows, cleanse the area again using a gentle cleanser such as micellar water, applied using a cotton pad. Then apply a soothing gel, containing aloe vera or tea tree oil to reduce redness.

To prevent blocked pores and infection, try not to touch the tweezed area once you’ve finished.

Brow products

If you go into any drugstore or online beauty website, it can seem like there’s an overwhelming array of eyebrow care products available.

If your brows are full and well pigmented, you can probably skip products designed to fill or color your brows. Instead, a quick sweep of brow gel may be all that’s needed to keep your brows tamed.

However, if your brows need additional color, whether it’s because they lack pigmentation or because they are patchy, be careful not to go too dark. Unless your hairs are very pale-colored, aim for a shade that matches, or is a shade lighter than your natural brows. If your brows are very light, you could go a shade darker, but no more.

Eyebrow pencils can be very precise but do require a light touch – feathery strokes are the aim here. You might prefer to use a brow powder instead as it’s easier to create a much softer, more natural look.

If you follow our advice, you should be able to maintain your brows in decent shape until you are able to get back into a regular routine of salon visits!

Written exclusively for our company by Sally Wood

Source: CoolMambo.com

Are there brownish spots on your face that you would love to get rid of in a few days? Well, freckles can prove challenging to clear without the right treatments and procedures. However, in this post, I would be sharing a few routines that could get them off in time.

What Causes Freckles to Appear on the Face?

Freckles are those light brownish skin pigmentations that appear as spots on your face, arms, and shoulders. They are majorly caused when your bare skin is exposed to sunlight for way too long. Like you would experience with acnes, the patchy skin and exposed pores do not just go off with ease.

Getting rid of them would take precision and strict adherence to the right skincare routine. Typically, they are not harmful to your health as they are simply secretions of melanin. But, if you want to return to that spotless skin you once had, then you need this.

Note that freckles could be caused by hormonal imbalance apart from sunlight, and you cannot control where they appear.

Routines that Could Eliminate the Freckles in Seven days

Now you know all about freckles, let’s see how they can be cleared out. In this section, I would give you five home-friendly routines that you could adopt.

#1: Lemon Juice

Overtime, lemon juice has proven to be a formidable combatant of several skin blemishes and pigmentations. When it comes to freckles, it also brings such similar effectiveness. It is a natural lightening agent that could fade out the pigmentations triggered by the freckles.

Lemon juice is something that you can quickly get in your home and apply every day. However, when used on freckles, you should follow the following steps:

• Wash out your skin thoroughly: For any skincare routine to work, you would need a clean skin. This allows the product to go in, without dirt getting in the way.
• Squeeze out in a bowl: Here, I would recommend cutting your lemon open and squeezing the juice into a clean bowl.
• Apply on your skin: Now, you can take out two to three teaspoons and apply them to your skin. Do this by gently massaging until the whole place is covered in the juice.
• Allow to set: The final stage is letting it work its magic. Leave the juice for the next 8 to 10 minutes.

This procedure is suitable if you intend to extract each day. However, if there is any leftover lemon juice, you could refrigerate and use it at night. But, dispose of anyone that stays past one day.

Also, there are already extracted lemon juice available in the market. With that, you could skip to the last two steps and store as is recommended on the bottle. Repeat this procedure at least twice a day for optimum results.

#2: Aloe Vera

Skincare experts know the aloe vera as a solution to most types of skin pigmentation. It is rich in an organic component known as “Aloesin.” When this component touches the freckles, it gradually fades them out till they no longer exist.

You can apply this skincare solution by getting a freshly cut aloe vera or purchasing the market’s organic gel. For the best results in a week, you should use this daily to the freckles.

To apply the aloe vera, you should follow the steps below:

• Wash your skin thoroughly: This is an unavoidable step on your journey to a freckle free skin. Take out any dirt that may be lurking around the region as it would help the aloesin penetrate.
• Wash the Aloe Vera: This is only applicable when the aloe vera is freshly cut from your pot or garden.
• Apply on the surface: If it is your face, then apply the gel all over your face and set for 15 minutes.
• Rinse out: You can do this with either room temperature or lukewarm water. But, not too cold.

Still not satisfied with this procedure? Well, check out the next.

#3: Buttermilk

The next solution is buttermilk, and this one promises you more than the others. The buttermilk takes out the brownish signs of freckles and still leaves your skin looking more hydrated and supple than ever.

However, this is an exceptionally effective method, and you would only need to apply this three times. In these few days, you would notice a massive change in your skin. Many freckles would be out already, and your skin would almost be at its best again.

To use the buttermilk, follow the routine below:

• Wash out the region as you have done in other solutions.
• Produce a thick paste out of the milk with oatmeal.
• Apply on the pigmented region and leave out for the next 15 minutes.
• Take out the paste using a lukewarm warm.

#4: Almond Oil

Almond oil serves as a form of great nourishment for the skin and helps in controlling pigmentations. It contains a healthy dose of vitamin E and Vitamin A, known to nourish the human skin. You can apply this on the freckled spin and leave for up to an hour.

In some instances, if you are up to it, then you could leave on the skin all through the night. An overnight treatment is highly recommended as your pores are calmer while you sleep.

However, to apply the almond oil, follow the steps below:

• Cleanse the region: This is to get the pores clean and more receptive to the oil.
• Heat the oil: Take a few drops of the almond oil and safely heat it.
• Apply on the surface: Using your fingers, gently massage the oil into your skin.

Once you are ready to clean out the almond oil from your skin, rinse using lukewarm water.

#5: Bananas and Mint

Bananas are naturally known for their hydrating powers, while mint has antioxidants. The mix of these two would clear out the freckles and leave your skin looking refreshed. Applying them would be just as you were to use a face mask.

To get this duo ready, follow the instructions below:

• Clean them all: This stage, you should wash out the banana and the mint. Then you should wash out the region as well.
• Make the mask: You can do this by mixing the mint and mashed banana. This may require a mixer, but ensure you get the right mix.
• Use the mix: Now, apply the mixture to your face and leave to set for the next 8 to 12 minutes.

You could use this mix at least three times a week for faster results.

Conclusion

Freckles do not have to stay if you don’t want them. There are ways you could get them out, and I have listed them in this post for you. Ensure you stuck to one that is best convenient and watch out for solutions that could trigger an allergic reaction.

Written exclusively for our company by Sherise

Source: CoolMambo.com

For years, I battled with my naturally curly hair. Every hairdresser I visited either wanted to straighten it into submission or turn me into a poodle-permed glam-rocker from the eighties.

When I tried to style my hair at home, I would either end up with a mountain of soft, unmanageable frizz or curls that were so crispy and crunchy you could hear me rustle as I approached.

Then one evening at a business function, I was talking to a woman with beautifully defined natural-looking curls. I couldn’t stop looking at them! Over a drink afterward, I asked her which products she used, and – you’ve guessed it – she told me that she was a fan of the Curly Girl Method popularised by hairdresser Lorraine Massey. I ordered the book from Amazon as soon as I got home.

Since then, I’ve built a bespoke routine to look after my curls – blending inspiration from the Curly Girl Method with my real-life experience. But it’s taken a lot of trial, error, and frustration along the way. Here I’ll share what eventually worked for me.

To shampoo, or not to shampoo?

For me, probably the most surprising aspect of the Curly Girl Method was that it advocates completely moving away from the use of shampoo.

At that point, I was washing my hair – with shampoo. EVERY SINGLE DAY.

This was pretty much out of frustration with the frizz I encountered each morning when I woke up. I was getting in the shower anyway, so wasn’t it easier just to start again each day and tame my unruly locks by washing and styling my hair, battering into submission with a combination of heat styling and products?

It felt like a huge leap, but I was prepared to give it a go. I removed all shampoo from my hair care routine immediately and moved to ‘co-washing’ instead – using a conditioner to cleanse the scalp and hair.

And I hated it.

My scalp felt greasy, my hair felt lank and lifeless. I felt like people might be looking at me like that guy we’ve all encountered, who tells you he’s gone back to nature and given up on deodorant and shower gel and has never felt cleaner – the one you can smell from a mile away.

So I went back to shampoo, but I decided to try washing my hair every other day. After a couple of weeks, my hair felt more balanced. So I decided to experiment with co-washing for one wash a week – and it was ok! Over a year or so I transitioned from one co-wash a week to one shampoo wash a week, still washing every other day.

I started to get compliments on my hair. It was less dry and frizzy, and my curls were looking more defined. It felt good! Over the following year, I cut down the frequency, so I was washing my hair around once every three days, with one shampoo wash, followed by 2 conditioner washes. My hair has improved massively – and that’s the washing routine I’ve stuck with ever since.

My top tips:

• If you’re planning to change your hair-care routine, transition into it gradually
• Try to use sulfate-free shampoo if you can, and chose one for dry or damaged hair, as this will avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils
• For best results, loosen and separate your curls before washing by running your fingers through your hair
• As hair-washing is more about keeping your scalp clean, focus on massaging the cleansing product you are using into the scalp with the pads of your fingers to dislodge any build-up

Conditioning your curls

Curly hair can be prone to dryness – and that’s one of the culprits when it comes to frizz. Your waves and curls need plenty of moisture to keep them looking their best, and to avoid damage or breakage. And the curlier your hair, the dryer it tends to be – due to the shape of the hair strands, your hair’s natural oils may struggle to travel down the hair shaft and coat the entire length of your hair – so it helps to focus on the ends of your hair.

It’s also a good idea to use a deep-conditioning treatment every week or two – I tend to do this when I’m using shampoo to wash.

Drying your hair

It’s really easy to undo all that care by taking an aggressive approach to drying your hair. Frantically rubbing your hair with a terry towel will disrupt the cuticle and turn your hair into a frizz ball if you’re not careful. I saw a huge improvement when I started using a microfiber towel to dry my hair, particularly when I invested in a couple of microfiber towel turbans. I wrap the towel around my hair and allow it to soak up the moisture instead of rubbing. As an alternative, some people swear by using an old t-shirt to blot the hair.

And what about hair dryers? Ideally, it’s best to let your hair dry naturally, but we all know that sometimes there just isn’t time – if you do need to use a hair dryer, use it on a low setting with a diffuser, and make sure you use a heat protectant product to minimize damage.

Styling products

Before I apply any products to my wet hair, I gently separate my curls using my fingers, as brushing can damage and break the hair. I then spray my hair with a leave-in spray conditioner designed for damaged hair – I find it helps with the battle against frizz!

I then apply a styling product to help encourage my curls to form. My personal choice is to use a styling mousse specifically designed for curly or frizzy hair, although this does go against the Curly Girl Method which recommends using gel products – I just don’t like gels. You could also use a curl cream, but as with everything, it’s best to experiment and find the routine that suits you and your hair.

Definition

Once my hair is dry, I gently scrunch a little bit of serum into the ends for extra definition. You could also use an oil, such as jojoba or avocado if your hair is particularly thirsty or if your curls are on the tighter or collier end of the spectrum, but apply sparingly – it’s easier to add more but once it’s applied, you can’t take it away!

Other tips

Try to protect your hair from humidity, particularly in the shower. On days when you’re not washing your hair, use a shower cap to protect from the dreaded frizz.

Don’t brush or comb your hair. It can lead to damage or breakage – instead use your fingers to gently move your curls into place.

At night, consider using a silk or satin pillowcase to protect your curls while you sleep, as cotton pillowcases can be abrasive to your curls.

And finally – choose your hairdresser carefully! You may have to kiss a few frogs first, but having a hairdresser who understands curly hair, and who cuts your hair into a style that works with and encourages your natural curls can make a huge difference. Some prefer to cut hair dry, others wet, but your hairdresser should look at your hair when it is dry and make sure they understand the way your curls form – we all know how much curly hair bounces up when dry, and you should be confident that your hairdresser knows how to take this into account.

Why not try some of my tips to care for your curls? After some trial and error, you’ll find the hair care routine that works best for you – and your hair will repay you by looking and feeling great!

Written exclusively for our company by Sally Wood

Reference

Massey, Lorraine; Bender, Michele; Chiel, Deborah (2011). Curly Girl: The Handbook. Workman Publishing. ISBN 9780761156789.

Source: CoolMambo.com

1. 10 Step Skincare Routine

The 10-step routine is the global phenomenon that brought Korean beauty to the worldwide stage. Love or loathe the concept, it’s the only place to start when discussing Korean beauty trends!

There are several different variations of the Korean 10-step (or 8-step, or 7-step…) skincare routine, but they generally look something like this.

1. Oil cleanser – the first part of the ‘double cleanse’ process, which removes makeup, SPF, and oil-based impurities.
2. Water based or cream cleanser – the second part of the double cleanse, which removes sweat and dirt that the oil cleanser did not shift.
3. Exfoliator – keeps skin clear of dead cells, for a smoother, brighter appearance.
4. Toner – a hydrating product to prep the skin to absorb the products in the next stages.
5. Essence – a lightweight product which acts as the second layer of hydration.
6. Treatment products – such as ampoules, serums and boosters, which are highly concentrated, and target specific concerns such as fine lines, hyperpigmentation or acne.
7. Sheet mask – even if you’re not a Korean beauty aficionado, you’ve probably tried one of these! Soaked with concentrated essences or serums, they stay moist throughout and allow you to relax while your face soaks up the hydrating nutrients.
8. Eye cream – the thin, delicate skin around the eyes is prone to wrinkles, dark circles and fine lines – the sooner you start using it, the longer you’ll keep them at bay.
9. Moisturizer – seals moisture and hydration from the previous steps. Most skin types will only need a very light layer after applying the other products.
10. Sun protection (morning) – this should always be the last daytime step and should be reapplied during the day.

Sleeping mask (night) – this is the last night-time step and is basically a night cream that’s designed to help your skin repair itself while you sleep.

2. Skip-care

It’s pretty clear that the 10-step routine described above is aspirational, but not realistically achievable for most of us – my bathroom shelf certainly isn’t that big! Plus, it’s incredibly time consuming.

Which leads us to a growing trend in Korean skincare – ‘skip-care’ – which is a way of simplifying your skincare routine. Rather than sticking to the letter of the 10-step routine, Korean millennials have realized that following every stage isn’t necessary to have healthy-looking skin.

As an example, using exfoliating products on a daily basis, no matter how gentle they are, can damage the skin’s barrier and cause irritation and redness. And layering multiple products can increase your tendency to break out.

Instead, the ‘skip-care’ trend encourages you to focus on building a consistent routine that focuses on what your skin actually needs, while ensuring that you use quality products suited to your skin type.

Taking things back to basics, this could mean a morning routine of:

1. Water-based or cream cleanser
2. Hydrating toner
3. Moisturizer
4. Sun protection

With an evening routine of:

1. Oil cleanser
2. Water-based or cream cleanser
3. Hydrating toner
4. Moisturizer

You can then introduce additional products where required to address your skin’s specific needs. It’s also worth checking to make sure the products you use are labelled ‘non-comedogenic’, particularly if you are prone to acne or congested skin.

3. Glass Skin

The ‘glass skin’ trend aims for skin that is so smooth, flawless and glossy that it reflects light like a piece of glass, with an emphasis on a poreless appearance. It is typically achieved by using a multi-step approach, with an emphasis on hydrating products. Again, great in principle, not always easy to follow in practice.

In the spirit of ‘skip-care’, there are now specialist products that can be used to enhance a simpler skincare routine by creating a shortcut to that sought-after glassy appearance.

This Glass Glow Face and Body Gloss is available for $32.00 from www.kevynaucoinbeauty.com

It’s a gloss highlighter for face and body, available in six shades, that claims to create ‘youthful-looking, well-hydrated skin, with a glassy complexion’. It can be used straight after your skin care routine, or on top of makeup.

Source: https://kevynaucoinbeauty.com/products/glass-glow-face?variant=19733779087447

4. Cream skin

We’ve looked at the Korean glass skin trend – now let’s look at the ‘cream skin’ trend.

Cream skin is actually both a look and a product. It’s a softer, less shiny (and more attainable) look than the seemingly impossible dream of glass skin, with its multiple layers of product! The aim is a moisturized, soft and supple look.

Cream skin also refers to a hybrid skincare product – a lightweight lotion that acts as a toner and moisturizer combination. In fact, this is a great example of a more minimalist ‘skip-care’ approach. These products are ideal for those with oily skins, or in hot humid climates.

La Neige were one of the first brands to develop a cream skin product, and their Cream Skin refiner is available for $34.99 from www.amazon.com.

It is described as ‘a moisturizing toner with a whole bottle of cream dissolved to keep the skin hydrated’. The product also contains white tea leaf water to fortify the skin’s barrier (more about that later!).

Source: https://www.laneige.com/int/en/skincare/cream-skin-refiner.htm

5. Cloudless skin

Cloudless skin is more of a philosophy than a specific skincare treatment or product. Instead, it’s about aiming for a clear, unblemished and healthy-looking skin, through generally living a healthy lifestyle – getting plenty of sleep, taking care of your skin, and eating well.

For Korean women, cloudless skin is seen as something to aspire to – the perfect smoothness and clarity of a young child’s skin. Being told you have ‘cloudless skin’ by a Korean person is the ultimate compliment!

Key areas of focus include:

• Thorough cleansing and gentle exfoliation
• Hydration and moisturizing
• Protecting from hyperpigmentation and fine lines by using an SPF
• A healthy diet containing lots of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, avoiding over-processed foodstuffs
• Sleep – and lots of it – to help your skin to repair overnight
• Avoiding stress – although we all know that is easier said than done! Try yoga or meditation to help you relax.
• A regular exercise routine will improve your blood circulation and help deliver oxygen to the skin.
• Finding what works for you – and sticking to it. Cloudless skin doesn’t appear overnight but takes effort and consistency.

Ultimately, you should be aiming to have naturally healthy skin, rather than having to use products to cover up the signs of unhealthy skin.

6. Skin immunity

We’re all concerned with our immune systems right now, but Korean beauty has a big focus on ‘skin immunity’ – repairing and maintaining your skin’s barrier. This helps keep the bad stuff – bad bacteria, pollution – out, and the good stuff – moisture and hydration – in.

Products that can help strengthen the skin’s barrier contain ingredients such as fatty acids and ceramides, which calm, hydrate and repair. Antioxidants such as vitamin C can help protect your skin from environmental pollution.

This Ceramide Protective Cream from Kosmetic Immunity contains mBeta Glucan, which is claimed to be 20% more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid, while boosting the skin’s immunity and strengthening its barrier. It’s available for $53.00 from www.kosmeticimmunity.com

Source: https://www.kosmeticimmunity.com/products/ceramide-protective-cream

Written exclusively for our company by Sally Wood

Source: CoolMambo.com