Easy eye makeup tricks to fix all of the common eye makeup bloopers.

On the surface, eye makeup seems pretty straightforward: Just swipe it across your lids and mosey on with your day. But in reality, there’s more to the process than meets the eye (pun totally intended). This could explain why every time you apply your eye makeup, something feels a little… off.

Here are eye makeup tricks to help avoid the common mistakes we all make, and how to turn things around:

1. Using liquid foundation as a base

You’d think that using liquid foundation on your lids would be no biggie, but in fact the opposite is true: Because it’s not intended for this purpose, it’s more likely to crease and make your eye makeup look cakey. For a neat, crease-free look that lasts all day, use an eyeshadow primer before applying your eye makeup.

2. Applying eyeshadow after concealer

When you put concealer on first, it becomes a magnet for the powdery eyeshadow that doesn’t stay on your lids. By applying your eyeshadow first, any powder that makes its way down your face can be quickly brushed off, keeping all of your hard work in tact.

3. Forgetting to blend

We all love a gorgeously contoured eye—but if there’s a harsh line between each color, your eyes end up looking very… well, paint-by-number. After applying different colors to your lids (for example, one or two on your lid and then another on your brow bone), make sure to blend each shade into the next with a shadow brush. And make sure you use a separate brush to blend than you used to apply your colors to avoid a muddy finish.

4. Applying too much shadow below the eye

Only dab your shadow on the lower lash line and don’t go any farther down. Doing so will drag down your entire look—and may even give off the impression you’re wearing yesterday’s smudgey makeup.

5. Using shimmery shadows on aging lids

Frosty shadows give aging lids an insta-cakey look, which draws attention to wrinkles and makes your eyes look tired. Swap them out for eyeshadows that have matte and satin finishes instead.

6. Using the applicators that come with the shadow

Sure, the mini-applicators eyeshadows come with are handy, but they can’t offer you the polished, blended finish that a makeup brush can. By using the sponge applicator, you run the risk of applying too much shadow, as opposed to layering and subtly blending as you go.

7. Skipping liner and mascara

Honestly, what’s eyeshadow without eyeliner and mascara? The darkness of the liner and mascara offer a stark contrast to the color of your shadow, which is what makes your eyes look dayuuum.

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Hair brushing tricks to keep your tresses looking purdy.

You might think you’ve got the whole hair brushing thing mastered, but you’d be surprised at the (many) ways you might be damaging your locks—and not even know it. Let’s take a hair brushing refresher course, shall we?

Here are 6 hair brushing rules you should never break:

1. Use the right brush

“You should really do your research and find the right brush for your hair type,” says Susonnah Barklow, editor of NaturallyCurly.com. “You might even find that no brush is best for your hair! Several ladies use their fingers in the shower to detangle and nothing else.” And when you do brush, focus on quality over quantity: Just massage your scalp, carefully get rid of tangles, and mosey on with your day.

2. Brush from tip to root

Brushing your strands from top to bottom can cause snags and breakage. “Instead, you should brush your hair in sections, starting from the ends and slowly working your way up the hair,” says Barklow. “If there’s a really nasty knot, it’s best to use your fingers to get rid of it.”

3. Brush before washing

Because your strands are weakened when wet, they’re more prone to tangle. To prevent mats and snarls, start a pre-shower hair brushing ritual before hopping in.

3. Dry your hair before brushing

“Hair is at its most vulnerable when it’s wet and breaks easily,” says beauty expert Julie Allseybrook. “Brushes are harsh on hair at the best of times, and brushing when wet can lead to split ends, permanent damage and breakage.” If you just can’t resist, use a wide tooth comb to detangle wet hair—and when blow drying, use a vented brush, which has fewer teeth.

The exception to this rule is if you’ve got curly locks, in which case you should do the opposite: Comb when wet, not dry.

4. Take your time with tangles

We’re all famous for ripping out tangles as aggressively as if it were an Olympic event. The time has come for us to put on our big girl pants and treat our hair with respect. First, ditch the paddle brush and detangle using a wide tooth comb and detangling product. If you’re detangling wet or damp hair, apply a conditioner with plenty of slip, and if dry make sure to apply a detangling cream.

5. Clean your brushes on the regs

“Just like you wash your makeup brushes, you should wash your hair brush once a week,” says Allseybrook. “The bristles get clogged up with hair and product buildup, and you’re brushing this back into your hair.” Ick. Allseybrook recommends removing any hair caught in the bristles, then running the brush under warm water. Work shampoo into the bristles, creating a foam, then rinse it off completely and towel dry. Voila!

6. Avoid static

Going overboard with hair brushing can lead to static. To avoid the frizz factor, spritz hairspray on your brush to keep flyaways on lockdown.

What are your go-to hair brushing moves?

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The following 5 beauty tips are inspired by the Middle East and offer only a small glimpse into the kind of beauty wisdom the region holds.

When it comes to beauty, every culture has its practices. Luckily, when we run out of exciting or effective options that are popular in our own community, we can learn from others around the world. That way, the journey never ends. Middle Eastern women, with their olive skin and thick, lustrous hair, boast strong beauty traditions that are not only effective but also delicious.

The following list of beauty tips touch upon bodily cleanliness, diet and topical treatments, so you can choose from a diverse array of approaches to optimum beauty, and without getting bored.

1. Olive Oil

Apart from being an inseparable ingredient in the Middle Eastern diet, olive oil is a beauty powerhouse. Just two tablespoons of high quality, raw, unprocessed extra-virgin olive oil each day improves heart health. Topically speaking, olive oil protects the skin from UVB exposure and can reduce the change of getting skin cancer. Olive oil’s antioxidants help to keep the skin youthful and energized. Olive oil also lowers the risk of dermatitis and other skin conditions.

Apply a thin layer of olive oil on cleansed skin prior to bed. Olive oil leaves behind a shiny aftermath, so it’s best to avoid using it as your go-to moisturizer in the morning – wait until before bedtime, so that the oil can do its magic while your sleep. For the hair, comb about 2-3 tablespoons into your tresses once a week. Let the oil sit for 30 minutes before rinsing clean. Be sure to only use the highest quality olive oil that you can find. That way, the vitamins, minerals, monounsaturated fats and antioxidants are as potent as possible.

2. Rose

Rose is a beauty staple in the Middle East and widely available in various forms – soap, lotion, tonic and oil. Rose enhances beauty in more ways than one. Stress exacerbates skin disorders, including psoriasis, dermatitis and acne. Rose to the rescue! In one study, rose oil was able to decrease the breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure among subjects, who reported feeling more emotionally relaxed and at ease. Topically, rose products exhibit the same calming affect when directly applied to skin. The plant has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make it the perfect tool for more youthful and radiant skin.

Try the Suti Rose Water Facial Toner ($34) and bask in its floral glory!

3. Turkish Bath

The Turkish bath (aka a hamam) is an ancient Turkish tradition that emphasizes relaxation and cleanliness – it is a truly emotional and physical cleansing process. A hamam experience starts in a relaxation room heating by dry air. In the center of the room there is heated marble stone, on top of which bathers can lie. After a period of sweating out toxins, bathers are scrubbed, washed and massaged from head to toe.

While a Turkish bath may not be immediately accessible to you, you can mimic the experience by visiting an infrared sauna on a regular basis. Unlike a regular sauna, an infrared sauna heats the body from the inside out, with ambient air remaining relatively cool. It boosts your circulation, burns calories and rids the skin of heavy metals and other toxins, revealing a more beautiful complexion.

4. Milk Bath

Ancient Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra, was famous for her milk baths and now you can reap similar beauty benefits too! Instead of pouring milk into your bathtub, reach for beauty products that contain the same ingredient that makes milk such an effective skincare product: alpha hydroxyl acid. It exfoliates the skin and keeps it smooth and soft.

5. Turmeric

Real beauty comes from within, and turmeric is testament to just that. Turmeric is a common spice found in the Middle East and South Asia that carries incredible health and beauty benefits – it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxifying properties. Turmeric also whitens teeth and gets rid of dandruff.

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How low would you go for a fitter bod… temperature-wise, that is? For fans of Cryotherapy, they’re willing to go colder than Antarctica. Naked.

The latest fitness trend that’s… well, trending, is Cryotherapy, a weight-loss technique that makes the weather we’re dealing with now seem like tropical island temperatures. Up until now, this therapy has been used in surgery to remove diseased tissue, such as unwanted growths on the skin, and to help treat pain related to arthritis and fibromyalgia. Now, it’s become a big thing in the beauty world, with celebs like Demi Moore and Jessica Alba ponying up to keep their bods lean and trim.

Here’s the deal: You strip down to your undies and socks and hang out in a chamber that’s minus 264 degrees for three long minutes. Word is this sci-fi-like treatment increases your metabolism, boosts collagen production, smooths wrinkles and reduces cellulite, among other things. When I first heard about it, all I could think about was a cryogenically frozen Austin Powers. (I wish I was joking.)

It’s become a popular way to lose weight, since the extreme cold speeds up your circulation and metabolism, helping you to burn a crazy 400 to 800 calories in a single session. “When you enter the machine, you’re basically fighting for your life according to your brain,” Joanna Fryben, co-owner of Kryolife told Elle. “These temperatures trigger your cold receptors and give you this fight or flight response. Your lymphatic system is being activated as your blood is being pushed to your core. That blood is being nourished with enzymes and oxygen.” Once the session’s over, the nourished blood rushes back through your body, boosting your immunity and cell renewal.

Regardless of how short the sessions are, there are of course health risks: You have to make sure your skin is bone dry before entering the chamber so as to not end up with frostbite. And the treatment isn’t recommended for moms-to-be or women with health issues like high blood pressure, asthma, or poor circulation in your fingers. But don’t worry, because the chamber remains unlocked in case you get cold feet (ha, get it?).

While research on whether or not Cryotherapy really works is mixed, the scroll of celebs and athletes who are on the bandwagon isn’t. (Mandy Moore even shared her visit to Cryohealthcare in Hollywood with Minka Kelly on Instagram, saying she’s obsessed with the sub-zero treatment.)

And at $90 a session, with Fryben recommending 10 to 20 consecutive treatments at a time for maximum results, I wouldn’t need the sessions to lose weight because I’d be too broke to buy food. I’m not doubting its efficacy—I find extreme temperature workouts incredibly intriguing—but for someone like me who’s not stomping a runway or starring in a James Bond flick, I think I’ll stick to good ol’ fashioned diet and exercise over becoming a Krissysicle.

Remember back in the day when sit-ups were cool? I miss the days when burning calories wasn’t so complicated. Le sigh.

Would you consider Cryotherapy for a fitter bod?

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How to rock metallic makeup – you know, without looking like The Tin Man.

As much as I love the look of metallic makeup, I’m secretly terrified to use it – I mean, one wrong move and you end up resembling aluminum foil. That being said, I’m constantly drawn to take the plunge because of its futuristic and streamlined aesthetic. Whether you dive into the world of metallic eyeshadows or you dig a shimmery pout, metallic makeup can take what would otherwise be a ho-hum look and kick it up a notch (or seven).

So how to you make sure you don’t end up looking pale and ghost-like? Here are 6 important tips to ensure your metallic makeup look is more human than cyborg:

1. Start with your skin

A smooth canvas is crucial when pulling off a metallic makeup look. Much like applying foundation to dry skin, the metallic particles will exaggerate every fine line and dry patch. Make sure to exfoliate, moisturize and prime before applying. Use a matte effect on the rest of your look to give the shimmer of your metallic makeup the attention it deserves.

2. Work with your skin tone

The general breakdown of metallics versus skin tone goes a little something like this:

• If you have fair skin with cool undertones, go with pale pink or pearl shades.
• If you have fair skin with yellow undertones, test the waters with soft gold.
• If you have medium skin with cool undertones, choose rose-gold.
• If you have medium skin with yellow undertones, a peachy-gold metallic is your best bet.
• If you have olive skin, reddish-copper is best.
• If you have dark skin with cool undertones, break in with bronze.
• If you have dark skin with warm undertones, make a statement with copper.

3. Choose a focal point

Choose whether you’re going to use metallic makeup on your eyes or your lips, and keep the rest of your look soft and fresh.

4. Morph your go-to picks into metallic makeup

The best way to ease into using metallic makeup is to play with the beauty staples you’re already super comfortable with. For example, plaster on your go-to lipstick and add a frosted lip gloss on top of it. It amps up your look without taking it to an entirely new dimension.

5. Start small

If you want to take the plunge with your eye makeup first, a great way to do so is to run a thick line of metallic eye shadow across your top lash line, much like you would if you were applying eyeliner. Pair with a black eyeliner and mascara and you’ve got yourself a beauty statement.

6. Always use an applicator brush

When it comes to applying metallic makeup, blending is key – use an applicator brush instead of your fingertips, and make sure you swirl the brush on the shade instead of rubbing it so you don’t pick up too much on the brush.

What do you love most about metallic makeup?

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This Fall, equip yourself with the inspiration to attend to your beauty with more gusto, more color, creativity and sparkle, all while scrolling through the endless Instagram feeds. All you need is some extra motivation, and what better way than stunning, flawless images? These 10 Instagram feeds are devoted to beauty tips and are sure to give you enough tools to don your best makeup, hair and nails.

1. @patmcgrathreal

Seasoned makeup artist Pat McGrath uses his account, @patmcrathreal, to showcase photos of the process that goes into his creations for fashion shows, ad campaigns and editorial shoots.

2. @birchbox

If you are looking for beauty tips, deals and new products, @birchbox is your answer. Birchbox’s feed gives you an idea of what’s “in” in fashion and beauty and helps to you discover products you love.

3. @lotstar

Up-and-coming makeup artist to the stars, Lottie Stannard exhibits what she does best on @lotstar, where she provides beauty inspiration full of glitter, glow and color.

4. @mrchrismcmillan

Hair stylist to the stars Chris McMillan takes you along with him via @mrchrismcmillan as he tends to the tresses of the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian. His beauty tips speak for themselves.

5. @mpnails

Need some nail inspiration? Check out @mpnails for editorial nail artist and Sally Hansen global color ambassador Madeline Poole’s latest and greatest looks. Even if you aren’t a fan of creating your own nail art, just looking through Poole’s pictures is entertaining enough.

6. @allure_magazine

How could you go wrong with the beauty experts at @allure_magazine? Be it hair, nails, makeup and even a little fashion, this Instagram handle keeps your glam quotient satisfied.

7. @intothegloss

Emily Weiss, a former New York mag girl, runs a beauty blog called Into the Gloss, and its @intotheglass handle gives you a condensed version of what you are likely to find on the blog. Weiss inspires followers by reporting new trends, highlighting celebrity beauty looks and giving a glimpse into her own unique style.

8. @evachen212

Now the editor-and-chief at Lucky magazine, Eva Chen was once the beauty editor at Teen Vogue. Her @evanchen212 account invites you into her world, where it’s quite obvious she has a knack for affordable, “in” products and chic, but approachable styles.

9. @realbarbarapalvin

Who to trust more for beauty and style tips than a model herself? Stalk the @barbarapalvin account for looks you are destined to fall in love with.

10. @goop

Goop goes beyond beauty in outward appearance and instead presents a lifestyle that finds beauty in all things, from a gluten-free chocolate cake to a well-manicured working desk. But of course, if you are looking for inspiring seasonal looks and new products, you can be sure @goop is one step ahead of you.

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Photo Credit: @patmcrathreal, @birchbox, @lotstar, @mrchrismcmillan, @mpnails, @allure_magazine, @intothegloss, @evachen212, @realbarbarapalvin, @goop

The post 10 Instagram Feeds for Fall Beauty Tips and Inspiration appeared first on EcoSalon.

Fact: Beauty products are expensive. Here’s how to make your natural makeup last just a teensy bit longer.

Considering the cash we shell out on beauty products, there’s nothing worse than having to let go of a product because it’s giving us attitude. Whether you’re saying goodbye to a razor after two shaves because it’s gone rusty or tossing your blush because it’s turned into play-doh, learning how to make your natural makeup last longer (or at least, until your next trek to Makeup ‘R Us) is key.

Here are 9 ways to stretch your natural makeup without sacrificing results:

1. Practice portion control
A little goes a long way: You only need a quarter-sized dollop of shampoo and a nickle-sized of conditioner. When it comes to your body wash, you don’t have to suds up every inch of your bod – concentrate more on the areas that get sweaty or trap odors, as too much soap can lead to dry skin. Near the tail end of a bottle, just add a little bit of water so the rest comes out easily.

2. Purchase pump/squeeze bottles instead of jars
When you can help it, purchase your natural makeup in pump or squeeze bottles instead of jars. The air that hits the surface of your creams and lotions can make them go bad faster, and this can be alleviated in your choice of packaging. That being said, trying to get the last remnants of lotion out of a tube can be a little… well, annoying. Invest in a paint tube wringer and leave nothing behind.

3. Just add oil
If your cream eye shadow, blush or concealer are starting to cake up (and they haven’t expired yet), warm up a couple of drops of coconut oil and mix it in to bring your natural makeup back to its former glory.

4. Bring on the pliers
If your favorite makeup brush is starting to go bald, simply use a pair of pliers to secure the metal part and keep those bristles from slipping away.

5. Dry your razor after use
After you’ve used your razor, shake it dry and soak it in oil. The oil will prevent the minerals in your water from hanging out on your blade and keep it from rusting.

6. Keep them cool
To keep your lip and eyeliners moist and firm, store them in your fridge between uses.

7. Choose hard-working natural makeup
You multitask a good 23 hours a day, so why shouldn’t your natural makeup?

• Let your lipstick pull double-duty by using it as a cream blush.
• Use your plain lip balm to tame unruly eyebrows.
• Use a smidge of hand cream to tame frizzy hair when you’re oot and aboot.
• Use eye shadow instead of an eyebrow pencil for a more natural look.
• Use eye shadow as eyeliner when black’s feeling a little blasé.

8. Invest in empty containers/pallets
Most makeup companies sell empty pallets that are just waiting to be filled. These really come in handy when you’re crunched for cash and your lipstick tube’s running on empty. Using the tip of a cotton swab (sans cotton), scrape the remaining lipstick into a pallet and use a lipstick brush to apply. When it comes to your lotions and creams, transfer what’s left into small, clean jars to give you more bang for your buck.

9. Transform old makeup into new
Turn leftover powdered blush into a chic lip gloss by mixing it with cocoa or shea butter. The same goes for powdered eye shadows: By turning them into crème eye shadows, not only will the colors look bolder and richer, but it’ll feel like brand new natural makeup (you know, without the hefty price tag).

How do you make your natural makeup last?

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