Category: Beauty

How To Store Skin Care Products

The skin is the largest organ of the body. Not only that, it is what people will see. Because of this, it is important that it is taken care of.

There are various ways to take care of the skin and living and eating healthy is one of those. And because of this matter, many beauty companies release different kinds of skincare products. Yes, there are a lot of them in different uses and purposes. Add to that to the type of your skin, because you might need more or less. 

And because of these products, it might need its own place in your home. But how will you store them properly?

1. Away from the sun

The first thing to keep in mind is to have it away from sunlight. The reason for this is that it will affect the chemicals from the product. Because of that, it will be no use shortly. This also includes sunlight coming from the window, so you will have to store them in cabinets or drawers as much as possible. You could also have them at your dresser or table as long as sunlight does not hit it.

2. Know which should be in room temperature

Mostly, the instruction that you will see on packages is to store them in a dry and cool place, but it is not always the matter. There are products that needed to be stored at room temperature. Most of those products are oil-based and if they are stored in a cool place, there is a big chance that it will solidify and will get useless even if it melts.

3. Watch out which should be refrigerated

Then there are those that needed to be kept in the refrigerator. That is because they are very sensitive to the heat or even just the light. These are mostly products that contain Vitamin C and retinoid. Products that are organic or natural will be last longer if they are to be kept in the refrigerator. They will also be more effective that way. Other products that will be helped when stored are lipsticks that are melted. They will be solidified again. Because of this matter, you will need to have space in your refrigerator. Be sure that they are also sealed properly, so it will not have an effect on your food. You can have them sealed in a ziplock bag or any other plastic then give them their own corner.

4. Not in the bathroom

The bathroom might be the first thing that comes to mind when storing skincare products. Aside from it can be easily found, you can also have easy access when needed. But it is highly discouraged for you to do this. The first reason is that the bathroom’s temperature is unpredictable. It could easily increase once you take a hot shower, so it will affect your products. Not only that, the bathroom is full of bacteria, and they easily multiply with the condition. Another thing is that a bathroom is hardly a dry place and having them kept there is a must because water is what usually causes a mold. 

How Do You Use Fragrance Oil

If you are looking around craft stores, you will notice some oils on some racks. You would ask what they are for. Well, some of them are fragrance oils, and they are very useful not only for crafting but also for other things.

In the time when everything seems to be costly, you would think some things are not worth it. Because of that, you would just think to make some of them on your own. Well, it will be a great idea. Not only you will be able to save up, but this will also be a chance for you to have some business of your own. As fragrance oil was mentioned earlier, it is something useful for various products you can make. It will also be very useful for your own. In addition to that, fragrance oils have their benefits and that includes your health and mood.

If you are asking what are the uses of fragrance oil, here are some of them:

1. For making scented candles

If you are thinking of something to make that is easy enough to try, candles are best, to begin with. It is simple enough to make, and all you will need are some materials. The tools will not be a problem because they are basically just some kitchen equipment you may already have. You can make it more special by adding scent. It will be great for the time of relaxation. The great thing about this is that you can also give them as gifts. With holidays approaching, you can add this to your gift ideas especially if you are thinking of something thoughtful and handmade is great for that.

2. For making soaps

Another gift idea is a soap, and it can also be made at your home. This will require more materials and also might require some safety equipment, but it will be worth it once you finished one. With a fragrance oil, you can choose the scent and can even experiment with different scent mixtures, so you could have your own signature.

3. For making perfume

And speaking of signature scents, have you ever wonder how celebrities do their own? well, you can also do that with these fragrant oils. Just like soaps and candles, you will need materials. The great thing about this is you can make multiple scents of your own. You can make something seasonal. Like for example, this fall is all about pumpkins and cinnamon. And then come winter, you can make something that will be great for the holidays.

4. As an air freshener

This will be the simplest to make. You will just need some water and alcohol and then the fragrance oil, and you are good to go. This will come in handy when you have pets or in your kitchen. You will not need to spend money on store-bought air fresheners. In addition to that, you can make your own signature scent for your home. You can make something that calms you or has great memories. And if you want your friends or visitors to have something reminded of you, this will be a good option.

How To Make Face Masks With Honey

As the beauty business is getting big, many still would want to try some home remedies. The reason for this is not only cheaper, but it is also safer because it surely will be no harmful chemicals involved.

One of the most popular ingredients is honey. It is said to be healthy and have a lot of benefits when eaten, but it is not only that. It is also good for the skin and hair, and that is why honey is added to some products.

But nothing beats a home-made one, because you would know it is all-natural. Face masks are one of the easiest things you can make, and there are a lot of varieties in different issues.

Finding the Best Honey

First things first. You should need to find the best honey. The best honey you will use are those that are raw and unfiltered. Some store-bought is not really pure, so it will be better to find something locally that you will really know it is raw. 

You can use honey as is which means you do not need anything mixed in it. With just one teaspoon, spread it all over your face and then leave it for about an hour. After that, rinse it with lukewarm water, and you already have something for your acne.

But there are other solutions. Other household items can be mixed in with the honey to have more substantial results. Here are some easy recipes you can try:

1. For Acne

Aside from pure honey, you can add in a half teaspoon of cinnamon. Cinnamon is antibacterial and is great for acne. The problem is that it might be irritating to those who have sensitive skin, so it will not be for all. Add to that cinnamon is a powerful ingredient, so it is not recommended to use daily. 

2. For Dry Skin

For dry skin, honey is combined with avocado. With one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of mashed avocado, mixed them together in a small bowl with one teaspoon of whole milk yogurt until it is smooth. And then after that, spread it over your face and let it sit for half an hour. 

3. For Sensitive Skin

You will need an aloe vera gel. With one teaspoon of it, mixed in two teaspoons of honey then apply it to your face and leave it for about 10 to 20 minutes.

4. For Oily Skin

Clay masks are good for absorbing oil. There are a variety of products available in stores, but you can definitely do it on your own. You would need one teaspoon of either Bentonite clay or Moroccan red clay. Then mix it in a non-active bowl with one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Apply it on your face then after 15 minutes, rinse it with warm water then after that, with cold water.

5. For Spots

If you are having spots or even scars all over your face, there is a simple solution for that. You will just need two teaspoons of honey and half a teaspoon of lemon juice combined. Then have it in your face for half an hour then rinse. Just a reminder that lemon juice is a strong substance, so you may want to limit its use.

How To Style Messy Short Hair

Gone are the days where the hair should be neat to consider look nice. With different trends that depend upon personalities and interests, there are different styles that will match them.

Having a messy short hair can be quite a pain at times. But as said before, it will depend on your personal style. Another great thing is it does not matter if it is formal or casual. You can do anything as long as you can carry it and look good.

Use the Right Products

Even if a messy hair is hard to straighten, there are products that you can use to at least tame it. You can look for something that is compatible with your hair. There are shampoos and conditioners that have the formula to avoid frizz and dryness. You can also use other hair products such as mousse, hair spray, gel, etc. to help in styling your hair as long as it does not damage it.

The Right Styles

These are some of the styles that can be done:

1. Bob

The bob cut is a cut that is usually coming up to the chin. It is also usually typically styled straight but with trends and experimentations, it can be also styled wavy that will be great if you are planning to have something of a shaggy or grungy look. It can also be done in different ways such as cutting it like having it layered, so it would look like it is managed even if it is messy.

2. Pixie

This is the haircut that is really short and therefore easiest to manage. It does not mean it has to be boring and stick with one style. It can be layered and added with bangs. You can also add some interest in it by highlighting it.

3. Shag

It is a haircut that involves the hair in layers. It does not matter what the length of your hair is, but it can surely be done with short hair. If your hair is thick and has some wave, this will be the perfect haircut for you. In addition to that, it can still be styled and suitable for messy hair.

4. Bun

If you are asking how you will style your hair instead of a haircut, the easiest one would be a bun. It can definitely be done for both fo

rmal and casual. Nowadays, the messy bun is one of the most popular styles, and it can be done easily without any hassle or effort. You can also do a half bun or baby bun which does not require all of your hair to the do.

5. Braids

You might think that braids are only fitting or compatible with long hair, but it is not. If your hair is naturally messy or frizzy, braiding it is one of the easiest solutions to make it look tame. It can be done even if your hair is short though it might not be full unlike on long hair. It can be half or twisted. It can also be done with a bun.

How To Bring Your Indoor Photo Shoot To Life

It can be a bit tricky to make indoor photo shoots look natural. On the one hand, you want plenty of light so that the subject comes through vibrantly. In the other hand, you want to maintain an normal and appropriate level of light, color, and balance in the scenery. One way to do this is by adding certain elements to the scene to emphasize the particular style you are looking to capture. Here are some ways you can utilize an indoor space to really make the most out of it.

How To Go Bright

If you really want a nice and bright setting for your indoor photo shoot you’re going to need to rely on the same principals that you would for an outdoor photo shoot. You’re going to need a nice, bright day with plenty of sunlight for starters. You’re also going to want to make sure that the room that you’re using for the photo shoot has plenty of large windows that are receptive to the bright sunlight at the time of the shoot. It’s actually likely to be more constrained time-wise than an outdoor photo shoot for this exact reason.

Those are the basics, you’re also going to want to make sure the room itself is decorated in a way that makes the most of the sun’s vibrance. You’ll want to have lots of light and striking hues – yellows and greens are a good way to go to complement the light. You’ll want to make sure the subject matches as well, and subtle accessories that exude life and vibrance such as flowers and plants will also help.

When You Need a Little Warmth

On the other side of the spectrum, when you need to evoke warmth you’ll probably want to avoid a day when the outside light is excessively bright. If not, you’ll need to treat the windows in a way that will help you tamp down the amount of light coming in and soften the exposure.

Aside from that, you’re going to want to choose colors like reds and browns to accent the room and keep the tone exciting, but still subdued. It’s a good idea to accent the room with different pieces that will compliment the style you’re going for. A modern electric fireplace can be a great and portable way to accent the room. You might also want to consider cozy furniture or large shag rugs to really drive the point home.

It’s important when you’re staging the set to be very careful with your camera lighting. You don’t want to have your lights reflecting off of items in the room and causing excessive exposure when you’re trying to preserve a warm aesthetic.

When You Want To Make A Statement

Of course, there is always a time when you’re going to want to capture a moment that’s a bit different than the norm. In this case you’re going to have to use your own artistic discretion when it comes to basic lighting and stylistic choices, but there are still some tricks you can employ to make your photo shoot stand apart from the others.

For example, how can you make your interior shoot seem a little out of place? You’ll want to bring in objects that normally don’t go together. For example, perhaps you could have a scene where the subject is bathing in the kitchen. The name of the game is to be new here, it doesn’t matter how strange you go.

It’s getting harder than ever to stay new, as so many people are taking this approach these days. However, the same principals still apply. You want to keep an eye on what others in your space are doing well and improve upon it. If teddy bears are in style for your photo shoot (lame example I know), you’re going to want to use a HUGE teddy bear, perhaps with an extreme color like yellow or blue.

How To Prepare The Scene For Your Spring Photo Shoot

Spring has finally sprung, and you know what that means! It’s time to bust out your favorite outfits and designs and get the cameras rolling! After a long winter cooped up in doors we’re all anxious to get outside and soak up some wonderful sunshine. While it will likely be bright and on the warmer side, you’re probably going to notice a few things about the scenery. It’s just been through a long, cold period with potentially a lot of precipitation, so you may have to take a few extra measures to make sure the scene is perfect for your shoot. Let’s quickly go over some of the main points to watch out for.

Be On The Lookout For Mud

The winter can often bring a lot of precipitation, much of it in the form of snow. This combined with the fact that the ground often freezes solid means that the soil tends to retain a lot of water. As the temperature starts to rise this will begin to evaporate into the atmosphere and restore a more stable balance, but unfortunately here in the spring that means that there is the potential for an awful lot of soggy turf and mud. This can lead to dirty shoes and unstable grounds – not to mention an absolute nightmare for heels! Keep this in mind as you scope out a locale for your shoot, and if you can avoid muddy turf that is absolutely the best way to go. Sometimes this simply isn’t an option, and in these cases you’ll have to get creative. You can often make use of an area rug or similar if you in a bind.

Make The Surfaces Shine

Likewise, all of that built up snow is going to retain all kinds of dirt and debris and leave a coating on any surfaces until either you make an effort to remove it or the surfaces have seen several solid rains. If you are planning to shoot anywhere that has brilliant rocks, large spans of concrete, or even building facades with siding you’d be best to make sure it is bright, shining, and clean before you get started. There is no better way to remedy the situation than with a pressure washer, this is exactly what they’re made for. If you’re running a photography or modeling business, they’re a tool you simply can’t operate without for exactly this reason. You’ll want to find something that is the right size and strength for this purpose, and you can read more about them to find a good fit. They aren’t too expensive, and the payoff will be huge if it means for higher raw footage. Remember, filters can do a world of miracles to pictures, but the better the starting material the better the finished product. As the old saying goes, you can’t polish a turd.

Cleanup Dead Foliage and Plant Debris

Plants will often seem a bit weathered this time of year, and you’ll see a lot of dead leaves from when the plants were fully grown before the cold season. You may also see quite a bit of fallen leaves that were not cleaned up before the bad weather came. The plants themselves will likely be quite small still, but you can make them look much better by going in and removing all of this brown, dead debris before you get on with the shoot. It’s a bit of work but you’ll find that most of the debris comes up quite easily. Just bring a pair of garden trimmers to help with any of the tougher branches. You’ll be amazed how much of a difference this can make in bringing life to your shoot, and once you’ve put it into action it’s a technique that you can’t live without.

So that’s it ladies, these few tips should get you well on your way for preparing the perfect outdoor scene for your next photo shoot. Now onto the important stuff. What are you going to wear? What colors are hot this season. Who are you going to rep? We’d love to hear from you, let us know what you think!

Beauty Rules to Live By at Every Age

While some beauty tips and tricks seem difficult to relate to depending on your age, there are some rules that everyone should live by! Keep reading for five beauty rules to live by at every age!

1. Moisturizing Every Day

Too few people feel the need to moisturize, but it doesn’t matter if your skin is young or old, dry or oily: this is a step you should never skip! Moisturizing the face replenishes your skin with good oils. While this may seem like a step irrelevant to those of a young age or those with oily skin, moisturizing causes your skin to stop producing bad oils, and will in turn result in clearer, acne free complexion!

2. Wearing Sunscreen

This step is a vital rule to live by for everyone. Wearing sunscreen is something most people of all ages don’t think about regularly. However, the sun truly damages your skin – even if you’re only outside for a few minutes a day! You may not see the results immediately, but sun damage will lead to dark spots, wrinkles, bad texture, and in some cases skin cancer. It is never too late to add this preventative step into your beauty routine!

3. Washing Off Makeup Before Bed

This is a step that often those of an older age may not think about applying to them. This reason is because often those who are older do not wear nearly as much makeup as you younger ladies do! While it may seem that a little eyeliner here or a tad of mascara there isn’t going to hurt your skin, long term you will be regretting having gone to bed without tending to your face. Base makeup such as primer, foundation, concealer, blush, contour, bronzer, highlight, etc., clog pores and lead to acne, excess oil, and general irritation. Eye makeup such as liner and mascara can lead to eyelash loss, and products such as eyelid primer or eyeshadow can build up an excess of oil on your lids. Lip products like liquid lipstick can pull the moisture out of your lips and cause them to become dry and crack, or even transfer onto the skin around your mouth causing acne.

4. Sharing Your Makeup With Others

This applies to absolutely everyone who owns makeup. Never, in any case, should you share your makeup with another person. Doing so spreads germs and puts you at risk for a huge variety of infections as well as breakouts. Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule! Foundation in a pump bottle can be shared as it stays completely sanitary. Products such as lipstick can also be shared – but only if they have never been applied directly on the lips and instead applied with a cleaned makeup lip brush.

5. Blend, Blend, Blend

This last tip is a general tip in regards to how your makeup will look. Blending is something many people don’t see the importance of regardless of their age. However, blending your makeup will bring you beauty looks to the next level. Always make sure to blend your foundation down your neck to make sure there isn’t a harsh line where the differing colors are obvious. Never forget to blend out the harsh edges in your eyeshadow to make any look effortless. And, of course, never apply blush, contour, bronzer, or highlight unless you’re ready to spend at least a couple seconds blending them effortlessly into your skin!

No matter your age, beauty rules such as these will keep your skin healthy and your makeup looks ageless!