Makeup 101:
Tips and Techniques for a More Feminine Face
By Diana Montrose
Makeup 101:
Tips and Techniques for a More Feminine Face
Makeup Application is very easy. You just have to go by your skin
tone when your using a powder and a cover-up.
- Apply powder with a big bushy brush.
- Don't put too much cover-up on because your face will look
cakey.
- Apply the cover-up sparingly with a sponge.
- For blush, apply it on the apple of your cheek. Just smile
and the big circles are the apples!
- For eyeshadow, any color you use, use an eyeshadow brush or
the little applicator that it comes with but be sure to use a
color that compliments your outfit.
- For mascara, apply it in strokes. Start in your eye and work
your way to the top, put on a couple of coats.
- For eyeliner, start form the outside of your eye and draw a
line ending in the teardrop area of your eye. Don't put it
inside your eye, it will make it look smaller and be sure to use
a color that compliments your outfit.
- Lipstick is easy, just follow your natural lip shape and be
sure to use a color that compliments your outfit and your eyes.
It isn't only crossdressers who have problems like blue beard
shadow. For centuries, women have had to hide excess facial hair and
dark marks, by using makeup.
The steps involved are actually simple, but you must follow them
carefully. You must also practice them regularly.
To begin with, you will need to acquire the following supplies.
I'm going to be brand-specific because I want you to get the right
thing, but you can buy what's available and what your budget can
afford.
Finally, a disclaimer: If you haven't tried cosmetics before,
there is a very small chance you might be allergic to some of these
products. Start with hypoallergenic make up that has been tested to
ensure there is no allergic reaction. However, we are all different
so be careful. Test make up on your wrist and if there is no itch or
bumps it is probably safe to put it on your face but not your mouth,
eyes, or other sensitive area.
 Concealer. I recommend DermaBlend, which can be found at
any JC Penny store (their official outlet) or at better cosmetic
stores everywhere. Dermablend comes in "Chroma numbers" Chroma 1 is
a light beige, Chroma 1.25 is a medium beige. If you cannot find
Dermablend, use Pan-Stik as your concealer, which is available
everywhere and online.
Cheap RED Lipstick. You won't be using this on your lips. A good
one is "Wet And Wild" in the shade "535A." You can see the displays
of Wet and Wild lipsticks in little racks at the ends of cosmetic
aisles in most drug stores. You can also go to your local costume
shop and purchase a cheap red grease stick.
Foundation. I have a few choices you might want to
consider:
- Revlon ColorStay. This stuff really has staying
power. Once it dries (in about 60 seconds) it won't come off
till you scrub it off with facial cleanser.
- Max Factor Lasting Performance. This is fairly opaque
and tends to stay on well.
- Almay Sports Formula Tint. This only comes in three
shades ("Light" will work for most of you) but it has the
advantage of being sweat-proof. Scrubs off with soap and water.
This is the one I use most.
- Revlon's Ultimate II Ultimate Coverage. This is the
most opaque of all the items in this list and is recommended for
problem faces.
Loose Face Powder. Coty "Translucent Medium" will work for
most of you. Be sure to pick up a good powder brush and you might as
well go for a complete makeup brush kit that includes brushes for
your eyes and lips.
Max Factor "Pan Stik." Some of you will need this. We will
use this if you have a serious problem with dark facial hair shadows
even after shaving.
A nice Lipstick that compliments your outfit.
Eyeshadow that compliments your outfit.
Mascara that is a basic black.
Once you have assembled your supplies, we can get started!
Start with a clean-shaven face. I know that should go without
saying, but it is very important. Use a good double bladed razor
like Gillette Sensor Excel. If you are using an electric, it is time
to convert! Wet face thoroughly and use a facial scrub sponge (the
rough side) to loosen hairs. Use a good Gel shave cream and shave
carefully.
Make sure your face is completely dry. If necessary, use an
astringent such as Witch Hazel to make sure you have removed all
oils from the surface of your face.
Start with your concealer. Put a few dabs on your cheek and blend
thoroughly with your fingers, using circular strokes. This, as with
all makeup items, should be a thin coating. Continue to cover the
entire beard area in this same manner - one section of face at a
time. Like every technique you see here, this takes practice.. lots
of practice.
Take the cheap lipstick ("Wet and Wild") and dot your face
lightly over the beard area. It will look a little like a case of
the measles. Blend this into the Concealer with your fingers. When
done, you should have a slight sunburned look to your face over the
beard area. If it is too red then you over did it and will need to
put a bit more concealer on to even out the color. This is not a
joke. The secret is that the red of the lipstick cancels out the
bluishness of beard shadow. Women have used this trick to hide
bruises and such for many many years. It works.
(Optional) Pan Stik. If you have a bad problem with blue shadows
even after shaving, you will want to apply Pan Stik at this point.
Make several streaks with the stick over your beard area and blend
with your fingers to an even coloration. If you use this step, you
will now need to wait about 5 minutes for the Pan Stik to "set"
before moving on to the next step. If not go directly to applying
foundation.
At this point you shouldn't have any blueness from your beard
showing through. If not, keep working at it, it just takes some
practice.
Apply liquid foundation. Again, dot lightly on one section of
your face and blend with your fingers to obtain an even color. Don't
overdo it. This will give your skin an even, natural tone...
assuming you selected the right shade to start with. Wait a few
minutes for your foundation to set before proceeding.
(Optional) Apply loose powder. Powder takes off the shine from
your skin and "locks in" the makeup you have applied. Do NOT omit
this step! Dot powder on your face with powder brush and blend in to
an even texture.
Apply lipstick to your lips according to your desires.
At this point you may choose to apply shadow then mascara, and
lipstick and whatever else you enjoy such as perfume!
There you have it! You now know how to make yourself more
beautiful, and more feminine!
Source: Bride's magazine
Love is eternal, but what about your look? Will it last through
the day or evening?
We asked three celebrity makeup artists—Sonia Kashuk, of Sonia
Kashuk Cosmetics; Matin, for Laura Mercier; and Mally Roncal, of
Sephora—how they keep models and movie stars fresh-faced and
fabulous. For a visage that stays vibrant all day long, select a
category below.
Primer & Foundation
Foundation on bare skin? No way. A primer is the right product to
fill in pores and lines so makeup glides on evenly. "It keeps your
makeup from separating," explains Matin, a makeup artist for Laura
Mercier, who favors a lightweight formula containing
polymethylmethacrylate. "It gives a softer overall look, and
imperfections like blemishes and redness won't be as obvious." And
just a pearl-size dab will do. Try Nars Makeup Primer veils the skin
with soothing botanicals to create a sparkling canvas for
foundations and concealers, $30.
Need some extra camouflage? Choose a cover-up made for your
specific problem—hiding ruddy patches, lightening dark areas,
erasing spots, or evening-out skin tone.
Candy-colored cosmetics: M.A.C Select Cover-Up in tints such as
Peach, Green, and Violet correct un-perfect skin, $12.50 each.
If primer is a budget buster, use a good, light moisturizer—it's
the next best thing for helping makeup hold its ground. And give
your moisturizer or primer time to sink in; wait at least 10 minutes
before applying foundation.
You can't go wrong taking a minimalist approach to
makeup—foundation applied lightly stays on longer, say our experts.
Oil-free liquids and dual-finish products are less likely to move;
in a humid climate, stick to the latter or try a powder formulation.
Spray misty for me: A featherweight finish is yours with Sally
Hansen Fast and Flawless Airbrush Makeup, $7.99.
Does the way you apply foundation affect its longevity? For
nonpowder formulations, Mally Roncal of Sephora puts her faith in
fingers: "You really work the makeup into the skin."
Once you've set your foundation with powder, forget creams or
liquids for touch-ups—they won't adhere. Instead, dust on a matching
pigmented powder where you need it.
With Almay Nearly Naked Touch-Pad Liquid Makeup, just one dab with
your fingertip delivers the right amount of sheer coverage, $8.95.
For a concealer that lasts, choose one with a dry consistency.
"Remember that you'll be smiling and crying a lot, so don't overload
it around the eyes," says Matin. Always apply it after your
foundation.
Eye Shadow, Liner & More
 For maximum staying power and glamour, go with a liquid liner,
but be sure to practice, practice, practice. For easier control and
application, your best bet is an eyeliner pencil, which creates a
softer look. Welling up? No problem when you use soft-touch pencils
that tough-out tears.
Try Laura Mercier Long-Wear Eye Pencil, $16; Christian Dior
Aquadior Eyeshadow, $19; L'Oreal Wear Infinite Long Lasting Powder
Eye Liner, $7.
Looking for color that won't quit? Be sure to prep lids with
foundation, loose powder, or eye primer, says Sonia Kashuk.
Unless you're going for Audrey Hepburn eyes, Matin suggests you
dot liquid liner between your lashes and smudge with a small brush
to blend—the technique adds definition without hardness—'then cover
liner with a matching powder eye shadow to set the look.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner has what it takes to resist
heat, humidity, and tears, $18 each.
Drooping eyebrow hairs tend to draw the whole face down. To keep
them on the up and up, once you've added color, comb your brows into
place with a clear eyebrow gel or mascara-style brush spritzed with
hair spray.
Our experts agree: Waterproof mascara is the only guarantee
against raccoon eyes and streak-stained cheeks. It tends to get dry
and gunky over time, so unless you're a Tammy Faye Baker fan, spring
for a new tube.
Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lash Tint goes even further than
waterproof mascara, taking you through the cake cutting and beyond
to darken and define your fluttery fringe for up to three days(!),
$7.50.
Cream eye shadows don't have to crease. The newest formulas have
special additives that promise greater adhesion and water
resistance. One caveat: They set quickly, says Kashuk, so deft
application is essential.
Whether you opt for powder or cream eye shadow, think thin—apply
as little product as possible. Your look will last longer, and it
will be easy to build depth layer by layer. Toss the little
sponge-tip applicators that come with shadows. They deposit too much
color on the lid. Instead, use a small brush to sweep on powder,
shaking off any excess.
A berry luscious palette pleaser that's good enough to eat:
Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Blue Notes, $53.50.
Blush & Powder
 For a glow that stays incandescent all day, try layering your
blush, suggests Sonia Kashuk. If you've already applied liquid or
cream foundation, start with a cream blush, dusting it with
translucent powder, then brush on a powder blush.
Try Clarins blush brush and Powder Blush in Rose Petal, $27;
Neutrogena Soft Color Blush in Soft Suede, $9.75; Lancôme Blush
Subtil in Miel Glacé, $25.50; T. LeClerc Powder Blush in Rose Sable,
$25; Max Factor Natural Brush-On Satin Blush in Mulberry, $6.80; Pur
Minerals Pressed Powder Bronzer, $15; Max Factor Natural Brush-On
Satin Blush in Plumberry and Peach Spice, $6.80 each.
Unless you're adept at blending quickly, leave the new paint
blushes, which go on creamy then dry to a powder, to the experts.
"This type of color tends to go on really bright," says Matin, a
makeup artist for Laura Mercier,"so you have to be very
light-handed."
Blush is the makeup that's likeliest to fade first, so it's
tempting to overcompensate by choosing a darker or more saturated
color. But to look naturally flushed—not clownish—choose a blush
that's the color of your chest, palms, or fingertips. "That way
you're putting back the red tone that the foundation masks," says
Matin.
The key to locking in liquid or cream foundation is loose powder;
pressed powder does a better job of reducing shine.
A stroke of genius: Caron's Poudre Peau Fine, here (from left) in
Invisible, Sable, and Peau Ambre, delivers the scent of Bulgarian
Rose Absolute along with its pigmented coverage in a fine powder,
$45. Sweep it on with Caron's fan brush, $20.
Choose the tool that's going to best deposit a thin veil of loose
powder evenly. Sonia Kashuk of Sonia Kashuk Cosmetics and Mally
Roncal of Sephora like big, full brushes; Matin prefers a velour
powder puff that you fold in half and roll into the skin.
Translucent powders can look a bit ghostly on some complexions.
To avoid resembling Marilyn Manson in a wedding dress, try using a
pigmented powder with a little hint of yellow in it, suggests Roncal,
for the most natural look.
Lipsticks, Stains & More
 Sharply defined lips in bright colors were all the rage in the
1990s, but that was so last millennium. The new era has ushered in a
much more delicate look. To go gossamer, Sonia Kashuk smoothes a bit
of foundation on the edges of the lips before adding any color,
which also prevents feathering around fine lines.
Going the distance: Cover Girl's Outlast Pearls All-Day Lipcolor
Shimmer in Rose Pearl resists food oils without parching your pout,
$9.50 (also includes a moisturizing top coat).
You may be wearing white, but stains can be a good thing—at least
when they're on your lips, where they sink into the skin and repel
oil. (Take that, Caesar salad!) Keep in mind, however, that a stain
isn't a rich look and can even cause lips to become dry; to sustain
shine and moisture throughout your wedding day, you'll have to
continually top it off with gloss.
The new math: It's protection cubed in the form of Estée Lauder's
Pure Color Lip Vinyl, with mineral waxes that form a barrier to help
block color-busters, $20 each.
To set your color like the experts, line and fill in your lips
with pencil. Brush on your lipstick and blot with tissue, then
reapply. Matin, a makeup artist for Laura Mercier, likes to separate
a tissue into two layers, then uses one layer as a lip screen,
dusting translucent powder over it with a big brush.
Sustainable shine: Shu Uemura's Rouge 4 lipsticks deliver intense
color and weightless texture while retaining moisture, $20 each.
It's not just a wedding—it's an hours-long kiss-fest. And
although you love the look of gloss, it may not be quite your
father-in-law's style. To stop the shine from settling on your
guests, apply a small dab of gloss in the center of your bottom lip.
It's just enough coverage—your lips' natural movement will
distribute the gloss evenly—without sticking it to your receiving
line.
Matin warns brides to avoid wearing bright lip colors. "They
smudge the most," he explains. "Some reds, for example, bleed a lot
more than soft peaches and pinks. It's just the pigment
formulation."
Pencil this into your schedule: Molton Brown Perfect Lips
Stayfast Definer Lip Liner softly outlines while fighting
feathering. Your bonus: a brush at the other end for blending, $18.
Have your wedding cake and eat it, too—just make sure to touch up
afterward. First, blot your lips with a tissue to remove any excess
oils, then reapply your color. Rather than tissue off smears outside
your lips, dab them with some pressed powder.
You have only about five minutes to primp, but never fear --
Cosmo's crash course on how to get foxy at a feverish pace is here!
Whether you have an impromptu date or you woke up too late, these
sly moves will have you looking pretty pronto.
At-the-Mall Makeover
You've spent the day shopping in frenzied department stores and
you're running late for a date with your guy or some other p.m.
appointment you want to look awesome for. The problem: Your hair has
fallen flat, your eye makeup has suffered a meltdown and since
you've learned it's best to tote less when you holiday shop, the
only thing you're packing is a lip gloss. Don't fret -- instead,
check out these artful freshen-up strategies.
Blot away oil-slicked skin.
If your face is shinier than the patent-leather pumps you just
picked up, make a beeline for a bathroom stall. Since you don't want
to wash away what's left of your makeup, tear off a piece of
toilet-seat-cover paper and use it to dab away grease gently.
Caveat: Don't rub or you'll smear off every trace of color.
Look for lotion.
Hit the beauty floor of a department store and seek out the one
product that can cover the most get-gorgeous ground: moisturizer.
You can use this multitasker to smooth dry skin on your face, clean
up old makeup and even calm frizzy hair. So pick a beauty counter
selling skin-care items and use a sample of their latest silkener to
lube up liberally.
Snag samples and do a speedy makeup job.
Next, get to work using the cosmetic color testers to foxify your
face. Play up either your eyes or your lips using a bright or bold
hue -- emphasizing just one feature is a fast way to look hot and
p.m. appropriate, says makeup artist Robin Nardaez, of NYC's Borja
Color Studio.
Get blown off.
You can revive limp long-past-their-prime locks with a blast of
warm air from the hand dryers found in most public rest rooms, says
Lisa Chiccine, senior stylist for Avon Salon and Spa in New York
City. Aim the nozzle toward your tresses and finger-tousle while the
hot air hits them. To give definition to frizzed-out curls, wet your
hands and use them to scrunch your twirls as the air blows. Note: If
the nozzle won't turn upward, you can bend at the waist, flip your
hair over and massage your roots to amp up the volume.
Plump up your pucker.
The paper towels in rest rooms are just rough enough to polish
your pout perfectly. First, wipe away any cakey leftover lipstick
residue, then rub a towel over your lips to exfoliate dry, chapped
skin and bring a natural, just-kissed flush to the surface.
Speedy "Yikes... I Overslept!" Strategies
By the time you finally hear your alarm, you realize it's been
buzzing for more than an hour. Now how the hell are you gonna pull
it together enough to look bright-eyed and beautiful when you're
nursing a school-night hangover and have to be at work ASAP? Don't
panic. We have sneaky tricks to resuscitate your look on the double.
Wake up your complexion.
Give your tuckered-out skin a jolt with a splash of very cold
water to bring color to your cheeks, then dab moisturizer on your
cocktail-dehydrated epidermis. We like Chanel Precision Energizing
Radiance Lotion, $32.50. Don't forget to fix red eyes with a squirt
of eye drops.
Forget foundation.
Since you don't have time to apply base expertly all over your
face, apply concealer just where you need it -- over blemishes,
under-eye circles and any red areas, says Sephora makeup artist
Charlie Green.
Work second-day makeup.
Slept-in eye makeup can look inexplicably great, says Nardaez. So
if you couldn't muster the motivation to clean your face before you
crashed, use it to your advantage in the a.m.: Dampen a cotton swab,
then clean up any smudges and go.
Put color in your cheeks.
You tend to look pasty after a night of revelry, so enliven your
skin with a peachy shade of rouge to avert "someone had a late one"
comments from your coworkers. Use a cream blush, which looks more
natural than a powder when you're going for a lot of color. We like
Sephora Aqua Tint in Peach, $14.
Create a stylishly sloppy mane.
Since you don't have time to shampoo, blow-dry and style your
strands, sweep them into an easy updo. Put hair in a ponytail, then
pull it through again, stopping halfway, and leave some pieces
hanging loose, says Chiccine.
Getting Decked Out Deskside
The only date you have planned for the night is with your remote
control until your coworker springs a last-minute invite to a hottie-filled
happening. There's no time to go home and primp, so what's a girl --
whose morning makeup is all but a memory -- to do? Try this advice
to go from rundown to ravishing.
Switch your style.
Revive a tired workday do with a quick coif change. If your
hair's been up all day, the pony holder or clips should have given
your mane some sexy texture, so shake it out and scrunch the crown
to emphasize that volume. But if you've worn your locks down all day
and they're looking a bit bedraggled, try switching your part or
sweeping your hair into a twist to make it look more party-girl
pretty. If you don't have a comb, try a plastic fork, which is also
really good for teasing your roots, says Chiccine.
Darken your lids.
You can make your regular daytime eye shadow look sultry and
nighttime trendy by wetting the applicator before you apply it. Just
go over your lash lines, then smudge the color across your lids,
says Nardaez.
Take a utensil to your lashes.
Curled lashes make eyes look big and bright, but who carries a
curler around? No need to! A metal spoon from the office break room
can fill in. Hold it against your desk lamp to warm it, then place
the back of the spoon under your upper lashes and press up lightly
as you partially close your lid.
Shine, shine, shine.
If there's one bit of beauty loot you should make a permanent
place for in your desk drawer, it's shimmer powder. When impromptu
p.m. outings arise, use it to add radiance to your collarbone,
shins, cheekbones and even your hair. We love Victoria's Secret
Dream Angels Heavenly Shimmer Brush, $25, which comes in a neat
fairy-type wand and smells sexy too. If you prefer an unscented
version, try becoming Shimmer Color in Gold Dust, $6.50.
Erase your cuticles.
If you haven't tended to your talons in weeks and your cuticles
are overtaking your nails, use the eraser tip of a pencil to push
back the overgrown skin gently, then buff your nails to a shine with
a tissue.
Highlight your pout...literally
Desperate times call for desperate measures. On those occasions
when you find yourself stuck without lipstick and craving some
color, dot a nontoxic pink highlighter over your lips and lightly
rub them together before the color sets. Yes, a Cosmo editor has
actually done this and it looks good -- like a pink popsicle stain.
We swear!
 If I told you that people have been applying methods of body
adornment for 1,000's of years, would you believe me? Well, it is
absolutely true, so let me put some perspective on this situation by
saying that belly piercing has been in and out of fashion forever or
at least since Cleopatra realized it turned Mark Anthony on. No, I
am not going to give the pro's and con's of such nonsense, but I am
going to surprise you with the testing and comparison of a Chinese
art that has been around since 3000 B.C.. What you ask? Well, nail
lacquers or as we call it nail polish is the topic and the testing
for this months installment. The hardest part of testing finger nail
polish is: finding the time to apply every four days a new polish.
The color experimented with RED, of course. The manufactures were
department store brands as well as drug store of home sells, such
as, Avon - Color Last, Revlon - Creme nail enamel, Estee Lauder -
Perfect Finish, Cutex - Color Quick, Cover Girl, NailSlicks. Wet n
Wild, Chanel - Creme enamel, and Maybelline, Long Wearing Nail
Color.
You can find nail products in the most unlikely places, once
while on a trip home to western PA to see the family. I stopped off
at ride side diner. In the ladies lounge, in a vending machine,
there were for sale glue on "nail jewels". I did not see the nail
polish and thought this rather curious, but we are talking western
PA here. I think most situation in this area are missing a few
links, but that is another story for another time.
What I look for in a nail polish is probably no different then
what you should be looking for that is the following: does it go on
smoothly and evenly, does it provide good coverage in two coats or
less. The biggest concern of most is, how long will it take to dry
and how long will it last without chipping?
In regards to drying time I placed on a piece card board a layer
of each product and tested how long it took each to dry. Cutex Color
Quick did dry first, keeping in tow with its claim: It was
completely dry in four minutes. The slowest in drying time was was
the most expensive brand: Chanel, Wet n Wild and Maybelline all took
about 8 minutes. The trick to nail polish is something I have been
trying to stress throughout my articles. That is time
is the proving factor in all conditions of beautification. So, with
nails it is deemed just as important or more so crucial in drying
nails. You must let at least 5 minutes laps in between applications
- this includes the base and top coat applications.
This brings up a good point. Are base and top coats necessary? I
would venture to say if you took a poll and ask how many woman in
the private as well as professional sector use a base and top coat.
You would find that the majority rules. Most of us sandwich a layer
of a base coat on the nail as preparation, which is to help the
color stick to the nail and the top coat provides shine and extra
layer of hard enamel to strengthen the nail. I must admit that when
using a base coat provides an easy application of the product. It
goes on much smoother with the base coat, then it does alone. Cover
Girl polish purports to have a build in top coat thus saving you
time, but the shine just did not hold up after the product dried
completely.
You are probably asking yourself. Well, there Ms. Tips, how do I
get solon nails at home? Here are some methods that may make your
finger fun more enjoyable:
Shape your nails with an emery board. The trick is not to file
the nails down on the their sides, but to shape in a square fashion.
This helps strengthen and a poorly filed nail will be weakened. File
from the sides of the nail to the center in one motion as opposed to
the see saw method which can cause the nail to peel. This is the
number one problem with weak nails - poor filing. If your nails do
peel, you need to buff out the ridges before applying the polish.
You need to wash your hands right before the manicure. This will
eliminate all surface dirt and excess oils. If it is necessary,
please use a nail brush.
The bottle of polish always needs to be shaken. But you do not
just shake the bottle, you roll it between both hands, as if you
were washing them with soap and water. This method eliminates air
bubbles, which can devastate all of your efforts.
The proper way to apply color to the nail is as follows: You use
three strokes: one down the center of the nail and then left to
right of each side. The thinner the application, the faster the
drying time.
If your polish is too thick to begin with, you need to purchase a
nail thinner....DO NOT USE NAIL POLISH REMOVER. Begin with a small
amount in an eye dropper and roll to the desired consistency.
To reduce any nail faux pas, you should allow each coat to be dry
to the touch before the next coat. It is imperative that the nail be
completely dry before you do anything...and that includes touching
your hair, scratching your nose or pulling up a sagging stocking.
All your hard work will be ruined in a split second without
practicing the rules
You can dry your nails mush faster with a hand held dryer, bought
in any local drug store, for a minimal price. You can use a standard
hair blow dryer, but the setting must be placed on cool and low. If
you use a high speed or too hot, it will blow the polish off the
nail, creating a wave effect and the heat will melt the polish. The
market sales many nail drying aids, from sprays to UV lights, (which
I personally use) to hand held mini fans.
Despite all these tips the most important to implement is use
your drying method between coats of polish, not to wait until all
coats are apply.
If your manicure is looking tired and dull after a few days,
then, apply one color coat, wait until dry and apply another top
coat for shine. If your nail is chipped, buff, do not file (an emery
board will be too rough) the nail until the surface is flush with
the nail. Here is a quick tip....use the friction strip of a match
book in desperate times....it is less abrasive than an emery board
and will not damage the nail. When the nail is smooth to the touch,
apply the color again and a new top coat.
To keep your nails looking great and making your manicure last
longer, you should be wearing cotton lined rubber gloves.
Apply moisturizers to nails often and frequently. In the Winter
months use gloves and when applying new polish, wait a day to allow
the nail to breath before any treatment.
Question the manufactures claims. If a nail product claims to
nourish or condition the nail, you must ask how. A nail, like hair
is dead tissues that you can not add moisture to. No matter what the
claims are, whether it be added vitamins, minerals or proteins the
basic structure of our nails simply will not allow this to claim to
be true. Any product can provide superficial strength to a soft
nail, and some can add microscopic fibers to strengthen, but as soon
as the polish is taken off. The nail will be just as soft as it was
to begin with.
Now, for the testing of the manufactures: The Prices of polish
range from $1.00 to $15.00. The Drying times for most were about 4
minutes per layer, the best being Cutex and the slowest being Wet n
Wild, Chanel and Maybelline. Easy of application and evenness was
universal. In regards to opaqueness of product, Cutex is the winner
and Maybelline applied just fairly. Where chipping is concerned, and
remember each color was worn for four days, with one day of
breathing time between manufactures. Avon, Estee Lauder, Wet n Wild
and Chanel were the best in endurance, and Cutex and Maybelline were
the first to beginning chipping. Overall wear of the products: none
were excellent, but all were at least very good to so so, th eonly
two that were not as durable were Cutex and Maybelline long wear
color.
So, the next time you decide you simply cannot live without your
nails being polished, remember that any product will do in a pinch.
Now, I realize that most transgendered people do not have the
opportunity to wear polish for long periods. But, be that as it may,
one still needs to use common sense in it application. Meaning, give
yourself enough time to enjoy the moment, as time is the answer to
all questions of how and why when it comes to making one's self
beautiful.
 Warm weather means sandals, bare feet and regular pedicures.
Remove dry skin and calluses. Soak feet in warm water for at
least five minutes, then wet a pumice stone or foot file and rub
feet using a back-and-forth motion. Don't be tempted to use a callus
shaver for immediate satisfaction. It can remove too much skin and
lead to infection, according to Leslie Campbell, D.P.M., of the
American Podiatric Medical Association.
Moisturize. Apply an emollient-rich foot cream with shea butter
to seal in moisture or alpha-hydroxy acid (aha) for extra smoothness
and exfoliation. Try Sally Hansen 18 Hour Cracked Heel Creme, $5.95.
Add color. Apply base coat, two coats of polish (the season's
must-haves are bright, hot colors like orange, tangerine, melon and
coral) and top with sealer from base to over edge.
Do it yourself or go out to a nail parlor that also provides
pedicure services. If this is your first time, go out and have it
professionally done!
Source: Donna's ezine
 We surveyed thousands of guys on how they're affected by a girl's
fragrance. Read on to see why the results blew us away: Your scent
can make a guy lust after you, long for you -- and can even increase
his love for you.
You know that when you're sporting a snug, cleavage-enhancing top
or a pair of low-rise jeans, guys are guaranteed to take note...if
not drool, pant and babble. But you probably never realized that the
way you smell can actually have just as much -- if not more -- of a
knock-his- socks-off impact. Sure, you've sensed that guys love
fragrance, but how much so has never been fully measured...until
now. According to the more than 4,000 hot-blooded hombres who
responded to a poll we conducted on the Men's Health Website (and
the scientists we consulted about the results), a woman's fragrance
not only matters, but it also wields tremendous power over the
opposite sex. To find out exactly what these powers are and how to
harness them to enhance your own man-entrancing abilities, keep
reading.
One Whiff Can Hook a Hunk
When asked if they thought a woman's fragrance could boost her
overall attractiveness, a whopping 89 percent of the respondents
said yes. And 60 percent actually said that at one time in their
past, a woman's scent was the main reason that they wanted to meet
her. One explanation for this crazy phenomenon: Studies have shown
that smelling a fine fragrance can improve a man's mood and make him
more eager to socialize, says Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D.,
professor of psychology and director of the Human Development Lab at
Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In other words,
your luscious scent can make your lad much more likely to stay at
your side and get to know you better. Avery Gilbert, Ph.D.,
president of the Sense of Smell Institute, has another reasoning:
"If a guy's brain gets lost in the sensual experience of smelling
you for the first time, then he's not assessing your physical traits
as critically."
Perfume Power Play: How to make a perfectly fragrant first
impression? For starters, only people within a one-foot radius of
your body should be able to smell you. "If anyone can smell you
outside that invisible circle, you're overly scented," says Gilbert.
Go light on the juice -- one spritz or a couple of dabs should be
enough. Another tactic is to perfume your hair lightly, suggests
Mark Knitowski, vice president of product development for Victoria's
Secret Beauty. Then, when you're cruising by the object of your
affection, subtly tousle your tresses (a seductive move in and of
itself) to release a dose of scent.
Your Aroma Can Arouse Him
If you've ever doubted that your fragrance alone could actually
get a man in the mattress-mambo mood, consider this: Fifty-five
percent of our randy poll respondents said they've wanted to go to
bed with a woman just because they found her scent to be a major
turn-on. "If a woman is wearing a sensual, feminine scent that has
some erotic oomph to it, men subconsciously tend to perceive
receptivity on her part -- as though she has ramped up her scent for
a sexual encounter, which is very attractive," says Gilbert. In
short, guys know it takes two to tango -- and if your fragrance
seems to suggest you'd be a willing partner, they're all the more
likely to want you.
Perfume Power Play: So what kind of sensual scent should you be
spritzing on yourself to ignite a nookyfest? While heady, spicy
oriental-inspired notes are always a safe bet, you don't have to
limit yourself to only that category. "Potent florals -- such as
those containing ylang-ylang -- are effective too," says Gilbert. In
fact, since most modern scents are based on flowers, you can pick
from a wide range of fragrance types, as long as your selection
exudes the aforementioned oomph. ("There is no scientific way to
quantify 'oomph,'" notes Gilbert. "You just have to use your
judgment and stay away from light florals and overly sporty
scents.") And you're in luck, because this fall, there's a large
selection of brand-new sexy fragrances to choose from.
Your Lingering Perfume Will Make Him Miss You
"Scent can powerfully enhance emotional attachments," says
Theresa White, Ph.D., assistant research professor in the department
of neuroscience and physiology at SUNY Upstate Medical University,
in Syracuse, New York. "This happens by way of classical
conditioning: If you start to associate a scent with someone,
smelling it from then on will call that person to mind and evoke the
feelings you have for him or her." That explains why 69 percent of
the guys surveyed say that thoughts of an old flame pop into their
noggins when they get a whiff of the perfume she wore when they were
dating. Even more impressive is the fact that 85 percent said that
when a girlfriend leaves behind a lingering trail of scent (like on
an article of clothing or pillow, for instance), it conjures up
strong feelings about the sexual relationship he shares with her.
Perfume Power Play: There are so many ways to leave tantalizing
traces of your scent around: Spritz a naughty-but-nice note and
leave it under his pillow, for example. Or you could always "forget"
a scented scarf in his car. There's also this trick from Knitowski:
When hand-washing your lingerie, spray it with a bit of your
fragrance as it dries. Then any nightie, cami or whatever else you
wear to bed will transfer just the right hint of scent to his
sheets. Note: To make this advice work for you, don't be a scent
slut -- stick to just one or two signature fragrances when you're
with him so he'll associate them only with you.
Scent Can Make Sex Even Steamier
Though it may seem hard to imagine, even the best sex you've ever
had can be made hotter if you add a delicious scent to the mix.
Fifty-eight percent of the men we polled said that the alluring
perfume of a partner has indeed made their lovemaking moments more
erotic. "Scent adds another sensory dimension to the sexual
experience, which can heighten sexual abandon and help you become
totally lost in your partner," says Gilbert.
Perfume Power Play: Simply spritzing on some scent before sex
will spice things up, but if you want your romp to rank among the
greatest of all time, take advantage of what White calls "the high
level of integration between sensory systems." She explains: "When
you experience something, it's never through only one sense -- and
the more senses you play to (like touch, sight, taste and sound in
addition to smell), the more heightened the overall sensation will
be. In fact, lots of studies suggest that when an experience is
strongly perceived through multiple sensory systems, you remember it
better." If you want to work his senses to the hilt and create the
right ambience to have some of the most memorable sex ever, stock up
on sensory multitaskers: candles that give off a seductive scent and
a romantic glow or a body oil that makes your birthday suit smell
and feel amazing.
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Published on TGGuide.com with express
permission of the Author, Diana Montrose, who retains her copyright on this
article in its entirety. This article and photographs may not be reprinted
without permission.
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