Make Up Secrets

The holidays are fast approaching, and for many acne sufferers they're dreaded because of the cofines of friends and family. With that many people close, it's hard to get excited when you know they'll get a close glimpse at your acne prone skin.

The natural inclination is to smear loads o concealer and foundation over blemishes to hide them from a close examination. But drugstore foundations that are manufactured by big brands such as CoverGirl, Maybelline, Loreal and others are ridden with oils, chemicals, preservatives and other pore clogging unmentionables.

Caking on these foundations can be more trouble than it's worth because they cause further blemishes and most times major break outs. That's not a scenario that most acne sufferers would associate with happy holidays. So what's the average sufferer to do to avoid this dreaded scenario?

Mineral Makeup is the most popular trend - recommended by dermatologists the world over and used by hollywood celebrities because of it's many benefits to acne sufferers. Mineral makeup is an all natural makeup that is made with minerals from the earth. The minerals are highly water proof so they help to dehydrate and thus kill off the bacteria in your pores that causes cystic acne.

Dermatologists are calling mineral Makeup the skin care makeup because it is so gentle to the skin that you can actually sleep in it. The mineral are ground so fine that they are too small to clog pores. instead they lay on the skin as little flakes that interlace to protect the skin from moisture getting in and feeding acne causing bacteria. The overlying flakes still allow the skin to breathe while shielding off this moisture.

The two primary ingredients in mineral makeup are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. If you read makeup labels then you probably recognize these two minerals. That's because they appear in virtually every sunblock on the market for their full range UV sunblocking abilities. That's right, Mineral Makeup is a natural sunblock as well, which means all that sunlight reflecting off the snow as you build snowmen and go sleding this holiday season is blocked by your mineral makeup. Sumblock is just as important to your skin health in the winter as it is in the summer.

And Mineral Makeup looks fabulous when you wear it. It is delivered to you in powder form and goes on very smoothly, it is so light weight that many people forget they are wearing it. This light weight quality helps it to blend seamlessly into the skin for a beautiful natural look.

Considering the many benefits of using mineral makeup could really help to turn your holidays into the happy holidays we all dream of.

Look fabulous this holiday season with our Natural Mineral Makeup Complete 9 Piece Starter Kit...

When I hit my 30's, I decided to get more serious about skin care and makeup. I've become a regular at Department Store 'Bonus Days', when you buy an item and get a bunch of samples for free! Cosmetics and makeup can be fun, easy and inexpensive if you follow these tips!

Your Eyes:

1. For great looking eyes make sure to use powder shadows for a natural look and a eyeliner pencil for drama at night. Make sure the liner has a smudge tip at one end to get that smoky eye look. Only line the top of the eye is you're looking tired. You don't want to bring more attention to dark circles under the eyes. Neutral tones with a hint of color are flattering on everybody.

2. For sheen on the eyelids, dab a bit of Vaseline for a pretty reflective quality, as well as moisture.

3. Open up the eye with a gold/beige shimmery high lighter onto the brow bone.

4. Don't throw away cash on an expensive eye makeup remover! Find a pretty glass bottle and fill it with baby shampoo.

5. If your cream eye shadow dries out, use a few drops of water or mineral oil to soften it up again.

5. Potatoes, like cucumbers, will reduce the appearance of dark, under-eye circles.

Your Lips:

1. Use blush as a lipstick, then use clear gloss or lip balm over it. Longer staying power.

2. Natural ingredients have been used for centuries as makeup: apply beet juice to lips and cheeks as a stain,or mix it with melted bees wax to make your own lip balm! Cayenne pepper can plump the lips, but use with caution!

3. Use eye makeup remover to treat super dry, chapped lips. It's a great nighttime lip treatment!

Your Face:

1. For a longer lasting foundation try a product with silicone. The silicone creates a sweat-proof and smudge resistant second skin. For me, I find it helps with my rosacea because the live yeast extract has healing powers.

2. A powder bronzer under blush can really even out skin tone. I dab my brush in the bronzer, then into the blush and lightly cover my whole face.

3. For a new bronzer, use a foundation that is two to three shades darker than your skin tone and apply where you would use your bronzer. In a pinch you could use a brown eye shadow.

4. Papaya mixed with plain yogurt into a paste makes a great exfoliating mask for all skin types!

5. Use an egg white mask for a quick fix for diminishing the appearance of pores.

Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and part-time beauty buff. You can get more health and beauty tips at her website at: http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html The website is a girl's guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

Mineral makeup is becoming ever popular as we become more and more conscious of what we are putting onto our skin and bodies. Because of this increased awareness people are asking more questions. And one of the most popular questions is about the ingredient bismuth oxychloride. Women want to know what it is and why it is in so many brands of mineral cosmetics.

There are a lot of almost facts and half- truths flying around out there. In this article we'll learn what bismuth oxychloride is, where it comes from, why it is used, and if makeup with it as an ingredient is a good choice for you.

Bismuth is the by-product of lead and copper refining, as well as other metals to a smaller degree. Bismuth occurs very rarely in nature. It is on the periodic table of elements under the symbol Bi at atomic number 83. It is very heavy and chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. It has a whitish/iridescent hue and has a very high shine property to it. Of all the heavy metals it is the only non-toxic. Bimsuth is a carrier for fuel in nuclear reactors. Bismuth components are used in everything from detection work, to making acrylic fibers, to safety devices in fire detection and extinguishing items, soldering, magnets and medicine as well as cosmetics. Because it is a by-product of lead refining, bismuth oxychloride should be lead free when companies begin using it in their cosmetics.

Companies use this in their cosmetics because it is cheap to buy and is an inexpensive filler. It does have binding qualities, so the makeup will stick to your skin, so to speak. There are other products that are just as effective at adhesion, and are better for your skin. Because of its molecular make up, it is often viewed as shiny or pearlescent. It is often sold in these two varieties. This makes it highly refractive, which is something companies want. Refraction will camouflage fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations. If you use a brand with bismuth oxychloride you'll notice a shiny look after applying the makeup. Not like oiliness, but almost shimmery. That's the bismuth oxychloride.

It's a very heavy element, which makes it difficult for many people to wear. It has to be forced into the pores (hence the buffing technique) otherwise it is capable of sliding off the wearer's face. The heaviness can result in clogged pores or irritated skin. Bismuth oxychloride often feels silky and not rough when rubbed between the fingers. Mineral makeup companies that do not use it have a lighter feeling makeup that usually blends into the skin better and with less effort.

Its molecular makeup is a crystalline shape, which may be a cause of the itchiness some women get when they wear it. Many women experience noticeable itching when they sweat. Don't forget it is also kin to arsenic, chemically. Your body will reject things it does not like, and if you'll get sick from ingesting arsenic, it would make sense that your skin would get irritated from having arsenic forced into it.

So, if you find you're experiencing some problems with your current mineral makeup and it contains bismuth oxychloride, you may want to consider switching brands. Many women experience skin irritation when using mineral makeup and don't know why. It's likely that bismuth oxychloride is the reason.

Lynn is the proprietor of Beauty Bliss Mineral Cosmetics at http://www.beautyblisscosmetics.com as well as http://www.ultimate-skin-care-tips.com

Everybody wants to be a glowing beautiful bride on that special day. Taking care of your skin will make it appear more flawless when the makeup artist will apply the foundation.

Drink plenty of water, get facials and on the day of your wedding cleanse, tone, and moisturize.

If you have tired looking eyes try some cucumber eye cream. One word of caution: do not get a facial two weeks before your wedding day because as with any facial, skin might get irritated and you end up with either pimple or skin irritation.

Join a gym for you to excercise not only you will loose some extra pounds, but it will give your face a healthy glow.

When it comes to your makeup that special day, make sure you have a clear sense of what you want for your hair and makeup.

There are six basic cosmetic needs when it comes to your makeup: foundation, powder, lipstick, and concealer.

Having good communication with your hairstylist and makeup artist, you will accomplish your desired look.

Mina Dimakis-Lev is an expert in the field of skincare and makeup artistry. She has created countless of beautiful makeup for brides and models.

In 2006 women have many choices. Every day the media portrays women in positions of power in newspapers, on TV and the radio. Women are buying their own homes, having babies when they are over forty, marrying younger men or not getting married at all, driving race cars and working as the president's right hand man. Women are beginning to believe they can have it all, that their dreams can come true and they are right. As a permanent makeup professional I see many women in my practice from all walks of life. I am pleased that so many women I meet who are over fifty are living exciting, inspired and transformative lives. Quoted in a recent article by Jane Ganahl in the San Francisco Chronicle Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City, stated Five or six years ago we [women were talking about men, relationships and sex. But now it's about careers, aspirations, hopes, dreams -- what you hope to do in your life.

Redefine the Word ?Older?

Writer and humorist Erma Bombeck once said When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. Living life to the fullest is one of the important parts of experiencing wholeness and satisfaction with your life. These days women in their 50's, 60's and even 70's go back to school, start dating, visit places they have never been, feel sexy, write novels, start businesses and purchase property. Women have reinvented themselves. Getting older no longer means hating loud music, getting shorter and having blue hair; it means being free of the responsibility of raising children, being more financially stable, having stronger and more passionate relationships because you know yourself better.

Let Yourself Shine

Loving the way you look is beneficial to how you age. Permanent makeup offers a wonderful alternative to cosmetic surgery, hours of applying makeup or simply feeling bad about your appearance. The ultimate aspect of beauty is up to you?shining your own unique light. Permanent makeup strives to enhance the features you have and increase the sharpness and clarity of facial color that begins to fade as we get older. Recently I had a client who is over seventy and after her permanent makeup procedures she told me even with the plastic surgery [3 facelifts, the permanent makeup is the one thing that gave me the most self-esteem. I wish I?d known about it and done it years ago.?

Believe in Your Own Power

It takes courage to grow old gracefully. Many people focus on the negatives and allow themselves to focus on the end of life, but life is really a series of beginnings and endings that happen every day. The experience of life really makes us more self aware and therefore more powerful. If we acknowledge that, we manifest growth and transformation. If we believe that age drains us and makes us weaker than it is very likely that will occur. Speaking of transformation, let me tell you about another client of mine. For over forty years, she had suffered from serious illnesses. Then multiple organ transplants freed her of diabetes and dialysis. To celebrate her new health and vitality, she had me apply color in her brows and lashes which had thinned out since the surgery. A burst retina makes it difficult to apply conventional makeup so permanent brows and eyeliner seemed the perfect solution. While in my office she told me It was not until after my transplants that I found myself asking the big questions of Life and seeking understanding.? It is never too late to take a new lease out on life and you can never predict the changes the Universe will give to you.

Carrie Fisher once said, I don't want life to imitate art. I want life to be art. Permanent makeup is living art. It is also functional, transformational and can change the way you view yourself and your future. As you get older don't wallow in the past, keep dreaming about the future and believe that you can age well. Manifesting beauty in your 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond happens inside and out; you have the power. To learn and read more about giving yourself the gift of permanent makeup visit my web site at http://www.dawncolors.com.

Dawn Willard has been in the fine arts field for over 23 years. She currently owns the Permanent Makeup Studio in Asheville, NC. Ms. Willard accepts clients from many states including North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina. To learn more about permanent makeup and cosmetics visit http://www.dawncolors.com.