Eyelash Curling 101

Ladies, don’t be frightened.  I realize the very concept of eyelash curling may be a stretch for many of you, and I want to help assuage your fears.  Eyelash curling is painless, quick and easy, and does wonders for opening up those beautiful eyes of yours.  We brown girls are blessed with amazing eyes.  Let’s flaunt them!

Okay, let’s backtrack.  This is a standard eyelash curler:

I am not a torture device...

It works by pressing your lashes into shape.

*Please your thumb and forefinger into the grips and clamp down on your eyelashes, making sure to clamp far enough away from the eyelid so you don’t pinch yourself.  This should be painless!

*Clamp down, move out a bit towards the end of the lash, clamp down again, move out a bit, lather, rinse, repeat until you’ve curled the entire lash.

Reasons to use a lash curler? If you have naturally long lashes but they don’t quite curl the way you want, this can do the trick.  There’s no chemical anything involved because its not make up, its simple mechanics.  Regardless of the shape of your lashes, it truly opens up the eyes in a way regular mascara does not.

Eyelash curlers can be used with mascara as well!  I like to curl first, then apply the mascara.  The result is both flirty and elegant; matching wide eyed innocence with just enough female intuition to represent the bombshell you really are.

If you’re ready to procure your own eyelash curler, you should know that they generally look like the one above.  There will be slight variations in design, for example, rubberized finger grips for comfort, or rubber pads on the clamp for the same reason.  The mechanics will be the same.  That being said, here are some of my faves:

ELF’s Mechanical Eyelash Curler: Cheap, easy to use, and gets the job done. 

As you can see, the finger grips look a bit different, but the tool is essentially the same.

Tarte’s Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler: This one uses padded grips as well, but doesn’t feature the ring design that the standard curlers do.  For me, it makes no difference, but many find it more comfortable to work without rings.

And if you’re ready for the big leagues, try Sephora Brand’s Heated Eyelash Curler. Lashes are just little hairs, and if heat curling can do wonders for your hair, why not for your lashes?  It’s designed to be used after mascara application to get perfectly curled lashes that stay put.  Yes, it looks different from standard curlers, but that’s because it’s used differently.  If you’re a fan of eyelash curling and want to up the ante on your regular, check this out.

Thoughts on eyelash curling?  Still scared to pick one of these doohickeys up?  Holla at your brown girl

 

Ambi-dextrous

Remember the awesome line of skincare products developed for women like us, Rx for Brown Skin?  Well for those of you who can’t make it to Sephora or are looking for an inexpensive alternative, let me introduct you to Ambi Flawless Skin, a line of facial soaps, cleansers, creams and lotions designed for darker ladies like us.

Although not specifically designed for South Asians, Ambi Flawless Skin is body and facial care products for women of color, available at a drug store near you and delightfully low prices.

Check out their Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, which contains soy extracts to promote even skin tone.  Or maybe you’d prefer some good old fashioned soap, because they’ve got that too!  It’s a low cost line of products for beautiful brown girls, so check it out and tell me what you think.

Happy cleansing!

 

Caren, I’m not taking sides…

The title of today’s post comes from The National’s Karen, an awesome song by an equally awesome band about a very interesting woman.  Today’s post itself is about Caren Original, a line of “luxurious skin care products” that’s organic and eco-friendly.  I wanted to promote this brand because of its excellent array of body products ranging from foot treatment to hand lotion because it’s a bona fide organic brand that’s as gentle on your wallet as it is on your skin.  Comparable to Burt’s Bees in price but to Kiehl’s in luxury and quality, this could be an excellent brand for those of you who like to pamper your skin with minimal chemical blah blah-ness (yes, that’s a technical term!).  They also have an excellent line of male skin care products!

How is this remotely brown girl friendly?  Well, I’m glad you asked.  All skin is not created equal, and resultantly, neither are all skin care products.  However, natural ingredients such as aloe vera, lemon, rosemary, etc., that are all staples of Caren Original’s products, are beneficial for ALL skin types.  They’re gentle and natural, and have something to offer for thick skin, thin skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, etc.  It’s for this reason that I often recommend botanical products.  Our ancestors knew the benefits of natural products, which is why they applied coconut or eucalyptus oil to their hair.  It’s hard to go wrong with products like this because of their purity.

Caren products are available online and in select stores in the U.S. and Canada, which can be found on the website’s store locator.  Check out these luxurious eco-friendly products and tell me what you think!

Happy lathering

 

O my Gloss!

Some time ago I discussed the illusory “smart make up” phenomena.  Can make up really sense your shade and match itself appropriately?  Well, maybe not, but Smashbox’s O Gloss does a heck of a job at it.

This “intuitive” lip gloss comes out clear and spreads on your lips just like any other gloss, but then ever so slightly it pinkens and pinkens until it matches your lips with just the right amount of tint.  Your lips look kissably plush, not too bright, not too gooey and just the right shade of pink.

Pink?  Pink on a brown girl?  How can that possibly work? It’s not exactly pink like coral or carnation or hot pink, its the subtlest hint of color that looks just right on darker lips or against darker skin.  Well, that is the magic of make up, ladies!

 

Fashion Fair

Hello lovely readers!  Here it is, the first official post of the new year.  I apologize for the hiatus…again. I feel so lucky to have such loyal blogophiles like you all; I’ve just been incredibly busy and all over the place.  Ok, enough mushy stuff.  Let’s start the new year off right: I’d like to introduce you to yet another ethnic cosmetics brand: Fashion Fair.

One of the largest make up brands for women of color, Fashion Fair has been in the business since the 70’s and are all about make up, cosmetics and skin care products for dark ladies like us.  While not specifically intended for South Asian skin tones, you may have a good shot of finding a match in terms of pressed powder or concealer when your range begins a little further down the spectrum. 

In particular, they have loose and pressed powders in both a normal and oil control formula.  So, you not only have a better range of colors to choose from, but different types too.  Expect the same variety with foundations as well; there’s full on liquid as well as cream based and even a “souffle!”.

Fashion Fair products are available online and in various department stores (listed on the website), so check it out and find your shade, ladies!

 

When you’re walking in a winter wonderland…

Season’s greetings make up lovers! I hope you all had an amazing and delicious Christmas and got all of the make up and beauty products you desired.  When I posted last about winter make up I emphasized the importance of lip care, but I realized that lip care deserves a whole post of its own.

When you’re walking around in that winter wonderland you really don’t want to get home and find that you can barely move your lips because they’ve chapped to the point of pain.  So my brilliant readers, this means: moisturize!  But how?  And with what?  And how often?  And what if I still want my lips to look oh-so-pretty?

Welcome to Brown Girl’s winter lip care 101.

*There is nothing wrong with good old fashioned chapstick.  It’s been around for decades and it gets the job done.  It’s a perfect size for the pocket or purse and it only takes seconds to slide it across your lips.  Nowadays, chapstick is available in shimmer colors, so if you’d like the benefits of an old standard with a bit of zing, try Chapstick’s True Shimmer in Tropical.

*Blistex can do the trick just as well.  In fact, Blistex is generally medicated and feels delightfully cooling on already irritated lips.  If you’re interested in a subtle gloss for that sexy snow bunny appeal, try Blistex Silk and Shine.

If you want to step it up a bit….

*Bathe your lips in the glorious luxury of Rosebud Salve from the Rosebud Perfume Company. This is a truly moisturizing lip balm without the waxy consistency that sometimes turns people off of Chapsticks and Blistexes.  There’s also a lovely light scent and a light glossy finish that definitely says, “kiss me, I’m not chapped!”.

And what about colors?  I want a moisturizing lip balm that’s also colorful!  Check out Sally Hansen’s Miracle Care Lip Saver for a subtle burst of color and a whole lot of lip treatment.  For colors, try Gentle for a nude glimmer or Joy for a light cocoa touch.

If you’re still craving color, you can check out Kiehl’s Lip Gloss, a highly moisturizing medicated gloss that delivers a blast of color and smoothness to your lips.  Personally, I don’t find the colors to be overly brown girl friendly, so I’d recommend going for subtlety.  Try Mahvelous Mauve or Earth Day.

Noticably absent from this list is any actual lipstick.  That is because lipstick is NOT ideal for moisturizing and treating chapped or cracked lips.  Many lipsticks will purport to be moisturizing and many are, but certainly not to the level that is necessary in a cold dry winter.  But don’t despair!  It’s easy to make lipstick work in the winter, just apply some lip balm under it!  I’d recommend a lip balm like Chapstick that isn’t particularly glossy.  Allow to dry and sink in a bit, and then apply your lipsticks.  For added seal, top it off with a clear or light colored moisturizing gloss like Neutrogena’s Moisture Shine Lip Soother in Sparkle.

Happy puckering

 

Hazy Shades of Winter

Darling readers, I owe you a tremendous apology for my recent absence from blogging.  Life seemed to get ahead of me, but fret not, I have returned and have much to discuss with you.

Winter is upon us, and Virginia is seeing more snow than it has in decades.  As a New Yorker, I’m pleased to see it as well, because to me, winter is not winter without a hearty dose of school-closing snow.

Let’s discuss colors.  Autumn conjures images of earthtones and muted palettes of gold and brown, but winter can be a time for sparkle all on its own.  Colors that match the weather and low lights of glitter can be just the thing for the winter wonderland.  Winter is an especially excellent time for cheeks, since cold weather can create a naturally rosy blush and the right cheek tint can just enhance that.

Here are my tips for a beautiful wintery glow:

*Dark skin doesn’t exactly look its best during winter.  Actually, no skin does.  It’s drier, its sun starved, the pores are smaller so the skin looks tighter, and there’s a real tendency to look ashen and almost sickly.  Blemishes always appear more obvious when skin is looking this way, so my very first tip is to take care of your skin.   Moisturizing is KEY during winter, and before applying make up, a primer is a really good idea.

*Use a wet foundation: Mineral foundations or powder foundations are really excellent, but a dewy look from a wet foundation can give your skin a boost of moisture to make it look healthier and full of life.  Go easy with it, of course, I’d suggest even a few drops and rubbing in with your finger tips.  If you really need to stick to your powder foundation, then please do use a primer to give it a bit of juice.

*Eyes can be a blast to play with in winter, and there’s no shame in going theatrical.  Silver shadows, bright black liners, and long, dramatic lashes are an excellent combo for a chilly night out.  Sheer shadows with glitter are also good, particularly on the upper lid along the brow bone, to create a subtle highlight.  Try Bare Escentuals Glimmer Kit, an excellent stocking stuffer for winter eyes.  Not a glitter gal?  No sweat. Blue is a badass color for the holiday season, and brown skin can look really beautiful with peacock blue or plum over the lids.  Try Illamasqua’s Powder Eye in Fatal.

*Cheeks! I’m very into cheeks this winter.  Your standard summer color is not going to fly, because the bronzed look is not going to take on ashen brown skin.  I’d recommend going lighter than usual, something peachy, and keep it subtle. Even in the dead of winter, a brown girl can blush, and we should let our bodies do the hard work and let our make up do the easy work.  Check out Flirt cheek color, available at Ko

Dark skin can totally rock out with dark lips in winter

hl’s department stores.  They’ve got an excellent range of winter cheek colors for darker skin.  My line? Flirt’s # 15 in “Oh Please!”.

*Lips: Oh baby.  Winter lips are delicious.  This is a great time for those candy apple reds or deep plums that you’re scared to wear.  The contrastagainst the lighter tones of your skin will be splendiforous.  Go for a moisturizing lipstick or wear a chapstick underneath it.  We all know how lips get in the winter and they deserve a lot of TLC from us if we want them to look good on those special days.  If you’re not feeling bold, there are plenty of subtler lip colors that will still look very sexy.  I’d stay away from nudes because we don’t want that washed out look, but again, a peachish or pinkish tint can be excellent in the winter.  Just be sure and moisturize moisturize moisturize!  Apply chapstick or lip balm nightly before bed to protect your delicate lip skin.  Even the best lipsticks cannot save you from horrible chapping.

Do you have some favorite winter colors?  How about tips to combat icky winter skin ashiness and chapped lips?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy painting

 

Prime Time: Lashes and Lips

So you’ve seen my rants on lid and face primers, but did you know that primers exist for lashes and lips as well?  Think about it–primer helps make up to stay put and stay fresh, and lipstick can easily run the risk of kissing off, smearing, sticking to your teeth, and just fading away.  Eyelashes are vulnerable as well; if you happen to have made yourself up for an evening on the couch with Steel Magnolias, you dont want your mascara sliding off your face under the weight of your tears.  More realistically, if you rub your eyes, or get them wet in any way, you don’t want the mascara to smudge and run and look funky.

Lip Primers: Ideally, you want something light and moisturizing, that evens out lip texture.  As always, particularly for brown girls, you want a colorless primer so that it doesn’t alter the shade of lipstick you use.  Be aware, though, that when using primer, you’re altering the canvas before you paint it.  When you do apply your lipstick, the color will appear more matte than glossy and may not look exactly as it does on unprimed lips.  However, it will look more even and will last longer.

Urban Decay’s Lip Primer Potion is a good place to start.  Feels like chapstick, works like primer should.

A similar product comes from DuWop, whose Prime Venom acts as a primer, chapstick and plumper, meaning you can wear alone or under lip color.

Go a little easier on the wallet with Sephora Brand Lip Primer, or hit up your local Target for NP set Lip Primer.

Now, on to lashes: You want a waterproof primer that wont add gunk or clump to your lashes.  Often times mascara primers will be sold along with a specific mascara, but don’t worry, you don’t need to use it that way.

My personal favorite is Origin’s Underwear for Lashes.  Many big name make up brands offer mascara primers, but there’s no need to break the bank on a good one.  Try Clinique’s Lash Building Primer or Revlon’s Lash Fantasy Total Mascara and Primer.

While make up artists often swear by mascara primer, many casual make up users will complain that the white base clumps in their lashes or doesn’t actually do anything.  If your lashes are loath to curl and don’t get the length and lift you want, a primer can be a good accessory.  Sometimes, though, it’s just a matter of the right mascara.  Finding the right make up is all about experimentation, but that’s part of fun

Happy priming!

 

You are what you eat!

Happy Thanksgiving, lovely readers!  I hope you all ate, drank and made merry to your heart’s content–I know I did.  I thought this would be an excellent time to discuss the impact of food on our skin.  The holidays are ripe for gluttony, and we all deserve to push the limits and suspend the diet once and again.  Let’s talk about what that means for our beautiful brown faces.

Okay, here’s the straight dope: you can use all of the right beauty products, but if you take lousy care of your physical health and diet, your skin will never look as good as it could be.  You know the deal, eat fruits and veggies and all that, but it’s hard to really stick to that around the holidays.  Below are a few of my general tips to keep in mind about the relationship between food and skin health.

1) Combat dehydration: This doesn’t just mean drink water, but also be mindful of foods that tend to dehydrate such as chocolate, coffee, soda and liquor.  Wine is always flowing around the holidays and its easy to go nuts, just know that particularly in winter when the weather is cooler and drier, keeping a well hydrated internal environment is going to help maintain skin health and suppleness.

2) Reduce oily buildup: Certain foods that are high in glucose such as potatoes (mashed, fried, baked, whatever), sugar (duh, sugar is high in glucose) and baked goods made with white flour (like cupcakes or home made bread) can all increase oily buildup and facilitate the growth of pimples.  During the holidays you’ll be bombarded with sweets and treats, so try to go easy if you’re prone to acne.

3) Git’ yer fiber: Fiber helps to promote healthy digestion and excretion, which is a way of removing toxins from the body.  Stay regular kids, because its a good way to clean your system and prevent internal bacteria from manifesting externally.  You can get fiber from bananas, wheat and bran bread, and yogurt.

4) Be pro-protein: Protein is required to repair body tissue and maintain muscle strength.  Protein deficiencies often result in drab, washed up looking skin because your body has been unable to combat damage from the elements.  Typically, protein comes in the form of meats, but vegetarians can easily derive proteins from beans, soy, sprouts, cheese and milk.

5) Be wary of bad food combos: Different foods require different digestive enzymes to break them down.  Eating weird combinations of foods that require too much enzymatic activity can lead to indigestion, which in turn facilitates toxin and bacterial build up that can affect skin healthy.  If you’re eating some really spicy food, don’t pair it with Blood Marys or highly acidic wines.  Think about what you’re eating and try to balance out the flavors so you don’t send your stomach through the ringer.

Got tips of your own to share?  Thoughts?  Comment away!

 

Via

 

Prime Time: Eyes

Recently I discussed facial primers and reviewed some of my favorites.  However, one thing I didn’t mention is that primer is not only for the face–it can be for the eyes, lashes and lips as well.  Today I’m writing about eye primers, and in later posts I’ll discuss lashes and lips.  As always, your feedback is welcome!

The eyelid is a unique site for make up application.  The skin is thinner, softer and more sensitive, and it protects one of the most important organs of your body.  It also is often the recipient of a whole lot of make up, from foundation and powder to eyeshadow and eyeliner, this tiny inch of skin above your eye has to tolerate a great deal of product.  Eye primer smooths out soft eyelid skin and helps to increase the brightness and longevity of your shadow and liner.  It’s a must for any eye make up aficionado.

Try Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion in nude.  Apply with the lash wand and use your finger tips to rub it in until the color runs sheer.  The primer is colorless and will not interfere with your shadow color choices.

Another excellent eye primer is made by Bare Escentuals, whose light and silky primer is designed to work specifically with mineral make up.  It is dye, paraben and fragrance free, meaning it glides on to your eyelid like cream and vanishes to reveal a smooth and primed eyelid.  I’d even recommend this for sensitive skin.

Too Faced also makes a cute little number called Shadow Insurance, an ultra concentrated eye primer that increases eye make up’s longevity with just a tiny little drop.

Everybody’s favorite make up store, Sephora, also makes their own primer.  This is a bit more cost effective than the previous options and still comes from a reputable brand.  Lastly, if the only place to get make up where you live is the drug store, don’t fret, because Nordic cosmetics brand Lumene carries a lovely eyeshadow primer, available at a CVS near you.

Tips on eye priming: as always, make sure the area is clean and moisturized.  Do not apply your regular facial primer to your eyelid–instead, use the eyelid primer.  Your facial primer is for everywhere but your eye area.  And of course, as brown girls, remember not to fall into the trap of getting a tinted primer.  You want something sheer that will be invisible against your skin, not something with a light apricot tint which will affect the look of your eyeshadow.

Stay tuned for posts about lash priming and lip priming soon.  Until then, happy painting