Tuesday, 25 October 2011

tips and tricks of the make-up kind...



Beauty routines and in particular make-up habits have always involved not only in-depth knowledge but also a little smidgeon of trickery..and I mean that in the nicest possible way....Where would we women be without a few secrets to call our own?

Here are some tips from the wise and the wonderful and me too...in no particular order...

When applying perfume...spray a mist ahead and walk through...let it cloak the skin....that's the French girl's secret...I do this twice when getting ready...once when I step out of the bath and again when I am just about to leave....

Lucas Papaw Ointment (in the red pot) great for dry cuticles, hands or lips..use it as an extra treatment when the seasons change and skin is at it's driest...

If toner is out of the budget, rinse with cold, cold water to close the pores and revitalise the skin...

Nail varnish lasts longer if it is kept in the refrigerator.... another French girl's suggestion...

Run around the top of new nail varnish with a cotton ball soaked in acetone...saves the top from getting gluggy....

Dry shampoo...can be awful...but if time is an issue...as it can be....and to make that blow-dry last just a little longer...turn hair upside down and blast the roots....

No time to wait for the pedicure to dry.....cover the toenails with cuticle oil and wrap the toes in cling film...shoes on and ready to go......works a treat...

As for the manicure...same problem...pressed for time...dunk fingers in icy cold water to reduce drying time....

Run out of touche eclat.....use the drier foundation that has accumulated in the lid as a concealer...

When applying mascara...coat the top of the lashes first....then use the eyelash curler before applying the next coat from the underneath and upwards...(Shu Uemera's is best)...For really thick batting babies dust a little light powder over lashes between coats....

My best Saturday night party trick when I am in town is to sneak to a Shu Uemera counter and have a few false lashes applied on the outer edges of my eyelashes....big difference....

When applying dark coloured lipstick...apply in stages....blotting in between with a tissue...building up the stain for a more long lasting effect....

Wear a moisturising  face mask overnight, once a week....guests permitting....

The same goes for a hair conditioning treatment...especially in the summer...

Instant facial pick me up....Spread Greek yogurt on the face and neck for a smooth and polished finish...

Puffy eyes? Ice cubes rubbed in muslin and rubbed gently over the swollen area...an easier and more reactive version of the cucumber slices...

Mature skin? Quelle horreur....Apply blusher just above the cheekbones for a lifting effect...

Don't forget the highlighter above and below the lip line...

A few drops of olive oil in the bath does wonders for the skin...

Eyebrows out of control? A little hairspray on a toothbrush and brush upwards into shape....

Prefer natural nails? Rub them generously with lemon wedges to clean and whiten...and then define under the nail with a white nail pencil....instant French manicure...

Don't forget to add a drop or two of serum or moisturiser to your foundation before applying....

Applying make-up is all about the build up...the layers...start light....it is so much easier to add than remove...

I could go on and on....but I think it's your turn.........xv

PS...Forgot to say.... if you can... buy a Clarisonic Facial Cleanser...I love it and have found it well worth the investment...for buffing and polishing the skin...and the biggest beauty tips...the most important beauty secrets of all...lots of water, fresh air, exercise and ....sleep.....
**Note to self...read what you write...


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40 comments:

  1. Those are really awesome tips...

    And yes I do put my nail polish inside the refrigerator.

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  2. Thank you so much for all the great tips. I love reading all the fab things that have worked.
    xxx DJ
    ps(water is the easy one, why do I find it hard to be consistent with it .. sigh)

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  3. The Oil of olay advanced cleansing system works just as well as the Clairisonic. It makes a huge difference in just a couple of days. I love this post. I can't wait to go to the beauty counter and try some of the products you mentioned.

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  4. Ah, the trick with walking into perfume! I remember being told that by the Chanel sales lady in David Jones in the 1980s, and I have faithfully done it ever since. Actually, I am not really convinced that it works any better than just spraying it on wrist, décolletage & throat, but it sure makes the room beautifully scented in the process! And when we are talking No 5, that's a beautiful thing.

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  5. So many wonderful & wise tips here! Thanks! Some I already do and some I shall now be trying.

    ~ Clare x

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  6. I have a whole little routine ... it involves toner, cleanser, facial scrubs ( a must for youthful skin, don't forget your neck)

    I've read that your body and mind do well and grow to anicipate the routine ... amazing

    I haven't yet 'walked thru' my perfume .... heehee

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  7. p.s.
    love
    love
    love
    your new 'dess' here

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  8. Funny just ordered a clairisonic, I am anxious to try it and can no longer take advantage of having good skin, its time to crank it up! Love all these tips...wow!!
    I like the ol' tea bags on the eyes for bags, it really does work.
    I do mix a moisturizer with foundation in my palm to give it a silkier feel.
    Also will use foundation under a lipstick deemed to dark or colorful to tone it down.
    Grapefruit oil is a great natural moisturizer....and can be found in all health food stores.
    I like this!

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  9. I love the redesign of your blog, especially the categories of posts up at the top. Makes it so easy to find posts in a similar vein.

    Great tips. I will have to try a few this morning to revive myself somehow. I feel like I'm coming down with something ....

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  10. I think you've practically covered all the tips I know Vicki. The only thing I can think of is that occasionally I put olive oil in my hair and cover it in GladWrap for half an hour before shampooing it out and every now and then I'll wear it as a night cream on my face.

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  11. This is much appreciated excellent advice! Thank you for sharing, we all need to enjoy the beauty rituals of our day that make us feel pampered and special.

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  12. Thank you for the tips and information you share! Will be trying several of them.

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  13. I need to print this out and tape it to the inside of my medicine cabinet. Lots of valuable tips here.
    Catherine

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  14. Thanks for some new tips. I shall certainly put my nail varnish in the fridge in future. I too walk through my perfume mist but also put some behind my knees! (not sure where I got that tip from!) My must-have beauty product is Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. It really does make my skin look brighter.

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  15. I will be sure to follow many of them! thanks!

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  16. Hi Vicki

    I laughed "read what you write" He Hee

    Thanks for these excellent tips.

    Wishing you a day of sunshine
    Helen xx

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  17. Need all the tricks! being a gal with blonde eyelashes, I always said if it wasn't for make-up.........I wouldn't be married. mascara is my number one weapon. Like the hint about going for a quick eyelash application. Fun post Vicki. Much love XO

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  18. I feel prettier just reading your list! Thanks for the tips. The Clarisonic is amazing -- it was invented here in Seattle! Their Opal is a great little beauty secret, too.

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  19. Oooh, I haven't heard of lots of these! Hooray! Please keep them coming if you have more, Vicki--some of us clearly need help. :)

    I do have one good one: stop washing your face with water. Use rosewater in the morning and Bioderma Crealine H2O at night. It works even with my very sensitive redhead skin.

    PS. My very glamorous friend Sonny is always encouraging me to perfume my hair. I don't know if it makes a difference but it is fun to do!

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  20. PS. Hooray for all of the new things to look at on your layout! :)

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  21. Some really good suggestions here. Also, I read that failing to wear eyeliner as we get on in years is a big mistake, due to our eyes drooping a bit (gravity). Just a small flick at the end helps to add a more balanced look. Blush applied up higher as you suggested and on the apples of the cheeks (no striping to the ear area)is also recommended. And of course, don't use too much! Sometimes a lighter weight foundation, such as a tinted moisturizer is best as our skins age. I use one and only powder on the nose and near cheeks now.

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  22. What an informative and helpful post!
    These are tips that women of all ages can benefit from. I certainly plan to give several of them a try. Thank you for sharing them.

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  23. Beautiful Vicki - this is {also} fantastic....LOVE the Chanel 5...just got a fresh bottle for my Oct. bd....

    xoxo lylah

    am off to clean a watermelon patch, getting ready for Wednesday farm chick volunteers to plant lettuces and flowers....

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  24. Looking Glass said it all, some tips I already do and some I will try. Grand Post. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  25. Love the facial pick-me-up! Now I can multi-purpose my Fage Greek yogurt. There's a good reason Cleopatra took milk baths...the fatty acids in milk products soften the skin.

    I had individual eyelashes applied (1st time) last weekend, for a party, and I got quite a few compliments on my "mascara" :) however, I found them uncomfortable to sleep in, so I proceeded to gently remove them with Grapeseed oil. I think I lost a few of my originals! IF you have any more advice about eyelashes, please post! THX

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  26. Now, these are handy tips Vicki,...thank you! xx

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  27. I love the new design it's very user friendly.
    Great tips.
    Nars Orgasm will be dabbed above my cheekbones, anything to look healthy at 55+

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  28. Excellent advice ... . must try the highlighter on the lip line. Though I've always walked through my perfume - will now do so twice !
    Younger daughter loves her clarisonic - perhaps I need to add that to my Santa list.

    jjj

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  29. On my way from West Coast to East Coast for a meeting which includes one glam dinner ... taking false eyelashes with me ~ a few on the outer corners of my eyes will do the trick nicely.
    You Blog header is gorgeous!

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  30. Des trucs fantastiques... et qui marchent!

    Un autre truc, mais très différent!!! Pour votre laurier rose en pot arrosez-le avec de l'engrais pour tomate et il sera splendide!

    gros bisous

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  31. Great post. Thanks for the tips... love them!

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  32. .. another excellent post ... I have to try the highlighter on top and below the lip line !!! ... love my clarisonic too .. k

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  33. My lord, I do love these posts! I have taken to doing regular facials and scrubs lately. There is something lovely about going to the salon and having someone pamper your skin~
    Best,
    xx

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  34. Some of these beauty tips I knew about and many I did not. Thanks a million! I'm off to try some now!

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  35. Adore this post such great tips. I must make more of an effect, the intentions are there. I am going
    to make a list and try some of these. Thanks Vicki.

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  36. I have had to change a few of my routines due to the change in products available here.
    I have extremely dry skin so there is a lot of moisturizing going on at my house :)
    I like to steam myself .. just let the hot water run and fill the room and sit there a while and relax ( or lie in the tub) ... does wonders for skin and nerves ~

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  37. Love reading all the little tips and tricks here. Having just had a few little skin cancers removed from my face I would like to add the reminder to wear a zinc based sun protection cream every day. Other sun protection needs constant reapplication, but the zinc based products last all day (unless you are exercising or perspiring of course). The dermatologist also pointed out to me the importance of using only products such as Cetaphil (a non soap product) to clean the skin, and warned me off toner as too harsh for mature skin. The dermatologist was a good advertisement for these tips, as her skin was flawless.

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  38. Vikci...what would I do without you? I wouldn't be blogging for a start!
    Love your tips... agree that one must never leave home, especially fly without Lucas Papaw Ointment... one sits in my daughters Christmas stocking every year. :) Cling film, on toes...love that idea!

    So many great tips here!! Thank you!!

    Jeanne xx

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  39. I love that Chanel no. 5 graphic that you have at the top of the post. It looks just like my bottle! I'm always open to new beauty tips too.

    New follower, by the way!

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