Makeup DOs and DONTs

Rather than leaving you to scan through all of those tips on your own, we've compiled a list of the ultimate makeup DOs and DON'Ts. Follow these tips and no matter what your skill level, you can achieve a gorgeous look without wasting your money or harming your skin! Now that's what we call beautiful!

Makeup DOs

• DO use a foundation that matches your skin tone exactly. Your best bet is to try on a foundation in the department store before you buy it. Drugstore options are often brilliant, but you can't try them on, and trying to make do with the wrong color will lead to nothing but problems. Apply the foundation from your cheek down past your jaw. You're not going to wear foundation on your neck, but you want to make sure it looks natural from your face to your neck.
• DO apply foundation on your eyelids up to the brow. Applying foundation on your eyelids will help eyeshadows go on smoothly and cover any redness, giving your entire face an even and smooth appearance.
• DO use complementary makeup colors. Think of your blush and lipstick as an outfit you're going to wear on your face. For example, if you are wearing a pink lip color, make sure your blush is in a similar color family. You wouldn't wear a pink skirt and an orange top, would you? DON'T wear that on your face either.
• DO apply eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible. A soft black, grey, or charcoal brown shade can beautifully enhance your lashes and frame your eye. Be sure to get the liner between the lashes; it's helpful to use a magnifying mirror to be sure you place it exactly. If the outer corners of your eyelids have begun to droop, make sure the eyeliner turns up ever-so-slightly, so you DON'T emphasize the drooping.
  
  For the lower lash line, for daytime, it's best to use a softer color than you do for the upper lash line. Lining all the way around your eye in black is an extreme look that's best saved for nighttime, if ever.
  
  Helpful hint: Powder eyeshadow can also be worn as eyeliner. Apply it wet or dry with a fine-tip brush.
• DO shade and define your eyes. Eyeshadow is all about enhancing your eye area, not coloring it. It's best not to use eyeshadow colors that match your eye-blue eyeshadow does not make blue eyes look better, it just looks out of date and overdone, which is why you rarely see examples of this in fashion magazines. Shades of brown (there are dozens and dozens) all the way to black allow for an amazing range of sophisticated, glamorous, elegant, and classic looks.
  
  Helpful hint: Learn more eyeshadow tips.
  
• DO consider the intensity of your blush with your skin tone. If you have fair to light skin, then pale pink, rose, or peach blush shades are more flattering than deep berry or plum shades, which can make your cheek area look bruised. In contrast, women with medium to tan skin tones can look gorgeous with berry or plum-hued blush, and also can opt for russet, or even mahogany shades.
• DO use professional makeup brushes. You'll be surprised at how beautiful your makeup looks when you apply it with full-size, high-quality brushes rather than with the tiny, cheap applicators that often come packaged with makeup. Investing in a set of good brushes is one of the wisest beauty moves you can make!
• DO check your makeup in a magnifying mirror. What you can't see, you can't fix; for example, makeup settling into the fine lines around your eye or perhaps into the folds around your mouth. Applying a little powder directly over the line, and then blending upwards and out can keep everything in place, but you have to see it up close to do it right. Any mirror of 4X magnification or greater (depending on your eyesight, of course) will do the trick, and these mirrors are widely available, at most drugstores, Bed Bath & Beyond, and beauty supply stores.

Makeup DON'Ts

• DON'T wear full makeup every day. It isn't necessary to wear a full eye design every day … consider a simpler look for your daily life. Foundation, concealer, lipstick, blush, eyebrow shapers, if needed, a little powder, and mascara is plenty. Eyeshadow is great, but it's also time consuming, and it'll look bad if you try to slap it on in the few minutes you have in the morning.
• DON'T use emollient/greasy concealers on blemishes or the undereye area. Emollient products will either clog pores or slip into lines … all day long.
• DON'T use a concealer that is too light or too dark. Using the wrong color concealer will make your eye area look strange. Use a flesh-tone concealer (that means no yellow, orange, or lavender tones) that is just a shade or two lighter than your foundation.
• DON'T skip lip color. Adding a pop of color to your lips can brighten up a washed out face and polish your overall look. Experiment to see what colors and intensities look best for your skin tone, and DON'T be afraid to be bold or step out of your comfort zone. Keep in mind that small, thin lips look best with brighter, vivid colors, and larger lips do better with softer shades. Avoid dark colors because they make lips look ominous and Gothic.
  
  Helpful hint: Red lips can make a beautiful, dramatic statement; just keep it on the brighter side, as opposed to magenta, purple, or brown. The best way to tell you are wearing a beautiful lip color for your skin tone is the number of compliments you get from your friends and family.
• DON'T overdo mascara. Clumped mascara is distracting and messy looking. Learn absolute essential mascara application tips.
• DON'T stripe on blush. Use a great blush brush, a soft color, and apply it using light, sweeping strokes. You should see no lines where the blush stops and starts. Blending a little powder on over your blush can soften any lines.
• DON'T overdo your eyebrows. Brows that are drawn-on, pencil-thin, overly sparse, strongly arched, or too heavy or thick can make you look older than you really are; plus they can look harsh and dated. If you're at a loss as to what to do for your brows, make an appointment with a brow specialist, who can guide you to the right brow shape and show you effective grooming techniques. Many salons and spas offer this service, or ask around at your favorite cosmetics department.
• DON'T glob on lip gloss. Too much gloss can make it look like you're drooling instead of adding a beautiful shine to your lips. If you have lines around your mouth, avoid glossy, slick, or creamy lipsticks because they'll quickly bleed into the fine lines, and they won't last past mid-morning before you need a touch-up.
• DON'T get carried away with glitter and shine. A little extra shine or glitter can spice up an evening look, but during the day it's just distracting, kind of like wearing a sequined gown to the office. However, there are many "radiance-boosting" makeup products that forgo that obvious, distracting shine in favor of a subtle luminosity. Beautypedia to discover which products are best for achieving this look.
• DON'T over-moisturize around your eyes. Too much moisturizer encourages concealers and foundations to travel right into the very lines you're trying to hide. If you feel you need an extra-emollient moisturizer around your eyes, apply it at night after you've removed your makeup, and use lighter-weight products during the day.

Applying eye-makeup doesn't have to be complicated. We'll show you quick and easy steps for classically attractive eyeshadow designs so you can apply eye-makeup like a pro!
The basic concept of any eyeshadow design is to shape and shade in well blended progression of light to dark colors. Three key points to keep in mind:

• Light colors will highlight or emphasize shallow areas.
• Dark colors will recede or minimize fuller, more prominent areas.
• Always load your brushes with a small amount of color since it is easier to add more eyeshadow than to remove it.
• 
  

• HOW TO APPLY EYELINER WITH A PRO SENSE

• 
  Eyeliner makes a huge difference—it can take a basic eye makeup application to a fully-realized look that accentuates your lashes and the shape of your eye. Eyeliner can be sexy, elegant, or subtle, but it also can be harsh, overly dramatic, or sloppy—it all depends on how you apply it.
• Applying eyeliner to maximize your eye contour and size takes a bit of experimenting, but once you've mastered it, eyeliner will take your makeup look to a whole new level. Below we explain everything you need to know about how to select and apply the right eyeliner to complete your look!

  Before You Apply Eyeliner

  1. Choose Your Colors Carefully
  One of the most beautiful things about eyeliner is how it adds depth to your lashes and makes them appear thicker. For best results, choose shades of dark brown, gray, deep plum, or black for the upper lid. For the lower lash line, use a softer variation of the same shade.
  2. Use a Powder, Pencil, Gel, Cream, or Liquid Eyeliner
  What type of eyeliner you use is purely a personal choice. Each has pros and cons you need to know before shopping:
  • Powder eyeshadow works well as eyeliner as long as you use a small, fine-tip pointed brush so you can be precise. Using powder eyeshadow as your eyeliner can achieve a softer look than you can with other types of liners. You can use the powder shadow either wet (for a more dramatic effect) or dry (for a softer look). Be sure to tap any excess powder off the brush before lining; that reduces the risk of getting specks of powder eyeshadow on your cheek or in your eye.
  • Pencil eyeliners tend to smear and smudge, unless you find a really good one that isn't too creamy or too slick. Opt for a retractable pencil versus one that requires sharpening. After applying the pencil eyeliner, apply a small amount of eyeshadow over it to help keep it from smearing. Pencil eyeliners tend to have the shortest wear time unless they have a powder-like finish, so applying a matching powder eyeshadow over helps eyeliner last a lot longer.
  • Gel or cream-to-powder eyeliners offer superb application and rich, often dramatic color payoff. The main complaints are (1) that you have to wash the brush applicator after every use to prevent the gel or cream from hardening on the brush hairs and (2) that the look is too intense. If you don't find those to be problems, then gel and cream eyeliners are an excellent way to go. Because they don't smear, they are especially great for anyone with oily eyelids or for use in humid climates. They really last!
  • Liquid eyeliner is the most dramatic and, typically, the most difficult to apply. It takes a steady hand, but it also offers the most precise and defined line. Look for liquid liner that comes with a thin, fine-point or felt-tip "inkwell" brush for impressive results. If you make a mistake with liquid liner, wait for it to dry, remove it with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover, dab eyelid skin dry, and try again.
  3. Determine if You Want a Thin or Thick Line
  As a general rule, the thickness and intensity of the eyeliner should correlate with the size of your eyelid—the larger the eyelid area, the thicker yet softer the eyeliner should be. The smaller the eyelid area, the thinner and more intense the liner should be. If your eyelid doesn't show at all, you might want to reconsider lining altogether. Instead, use a neutral deep eyeshadow shade to shape your eye (lid and crease area) and use an eyelash curler and several coats of mascara to define your eyes. Otherwise, by applying eyeliner to an eyelid that doesn't show you risk smearing and smudging on the eyelid, issues that become visible to others when you blink.

  How to Apply Eyeliner

  If you don't have a steady hand, bend down or sit down so you can place your elbow on a table or counter for balance and control. Some makeup artists suggest dotting eyeliner along the base of your lashes followed by connecting the dots; others prefer to use one fluid stroke, following the curvature of the eye and extending ever-so-slightly past the outer corner (we're not talking obvious winged liner!). Both methods can provide beautiful results and can be combined for an even more dramatic look. Ultimately, you'll want to use the application method that's most comfortable for you.

  Application Tips for the Upper Lash Line:

  • Apply eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible, and place it between each and every eyelash.It's best to apply liner after your eyeshadow to create a defined, solid line. It's also best to use a magnifying mirror so you can be sure you get the liner between each eyelash. This is a time-consuming process, but the effect is sensational!
  • To start, keep the line as thin as possible. If you desire a thicker line, you can always build up to it, but it's much easier to add liner than it is to remove what's already there.
  • If the outer corners of your eyes droop, make sure the eyeliner turns up ever-so-slightly. This will create a more youthful look that de-emphasizes the downturned corners. Combining this with a browbone that's highlighted with a soft-shine eyeshadow gives eyes a lifted appearance.
  • To add drama, line the outer corner more thickly. Start with a thin line on the inner corner of the lash line and gradually make it thicker toward the back third of the lid for an attractive, classic look.
  • Do not hug the teardrop area of the eye. It's OK if the line goes just slightly beyond the corner of your eye, but getting it too close the to tear duct makes it look too theatrical, not to mention more smear-prone, especially after a couple hours of wear.

  Application Tips for the Lower Lash Line:

  • Line only the outer two-thirds of the eye. Leaving some space unlined on the inside corner of your eye gives a softer, less severe look. For a more dramatic look, you can line all the way across, but be careful because this doesn't look good on everyone, and definitely not if you have small or close-set eyes.
  • Make sure that the eyeliner on the lower lash line connects with the back corner of the upper lash line. This creates a more natural, cohesive look.
  • Apply a thin, soft line. Heavy liner on the lower lash line ends up looking like your mascara has smeared. Even if you use black for the lower lash line, apply it softer than you would for the upper lash line.

  6 Major Eyeliner Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Don't overdo eyeliner. It should blend well with the rest of your eye-makeup design, not overpower it.
  2. Avoid lining the inside rim of the lids, the area between the lashes and the eye itself. That kind of application looks good only for about an hour or two; after that, it smears and goops up into the corner of the eye, creating a messy, unattractive look. As you might suspect, it's also unhealthy for the eyes, leading to redness, puffiness, and potential eye infections.
  3. Don't apply thick eyeliner to small or close-set eyes. It will only exaggerate the smallness or closeness.
  4. Avoid applying a complete circle of eyeliner around the eye. Circling all the way around your eye can make it look like you're wearing eyeglasses, emphasizing the eyeliner more than the eye itself.
  5. Don't overblend your eyeliner onto the skin under the lower lash line. Eyeliner can be smudged under the lower line for a sexy smokey eye, but too much smudging makes dark circles look worse.
  6. Don't apply mascara before you apply eyeliner. For best results, always apply your mascara afteryou apply your eyeshadow and eyeliner. This way you're less likely to overdo the mascara to compensate for a lack of depth and definition along the lash line. It also prevents you from disturbing the mascara and subsequently causing it to flake.

When to Apply Eyeshadow

You can do your eye makeup first and then apply foundation or concealer to the rest of the face afterwards. This will allow you to remove any eyeshadow which may have flaked onto the area underneath your eyes, avoiding a lot of frustration. Prep your eye area with foundation and/or concealer and set with a dusting of powder.

Listed below are instructions on how to apply a 2-, 3-, and 4-color eyeshadow design. Whether you want to use just two or up to four colors (more than four tends to get too complicated and the results tend to be muddy-looking unless blending is extremely precise) this step-by-step guide will help you create a classic look which you can tone down or build upon.

It is best to finish every eye design with eyeliner and mascara.

NOTE: Please refer to the eye illustration above for placement of shades.

Brush Tips Before You Begin

• In order to find the perfect area to place your brush, look straight ahead into a mirror, find the highest point of your eyebrow, and then follow an imaginary vertical line going down toward the eye's crease.
• Set the brush down into the crease precisely on the imaginary line and begin blending in a slightly outward direction that follows the true crease and just above, to where the brow bone begins.
• Next, move inward (think windshield-wiper motion) in the crease and along the edge of the brow bone.
• Do not blend all the way into the inner corner of the eye unless your eyes are noticeably wide-set.

Two-Color Design

The goal of this classic, common design is to apply a lighter eyeshadow color to the lid area and a deeper color in the crease slightly blending it upward. Applying the lighter color to the entire lid will make your lid look larger and brighter thus creating a rested appearance. You may also reverse this order, which can be helpful for those with large eyelids or protruding eyes.

How-to:

• Using a large eyeshadow brush apply the lighter color to the base of the lashes and blend all the way up to the brow.
• Next, use a crease defining brush to apply the second shade in the crease, blending up and out toward the outer corner of the eye along the edge of where the brow bone begins.
• Keeping the second color in and just slightly above the crease will create a natural highlight under the brow’s arch while shading the outer corner of the eye.
• For a softer, more diffused effect after crease color is applied, use a blending brush without any eyeshadow and blend using soft circular motions along the outer part of the crease.

Three-Color Design

This design builds on the two-color design detailed above, but adds a third, darker color for shading the outside corner of the eye.

How-to:

• Follow the directions for the two-color eye design above.
• Once that is done, use a crease defining brush to apply the third shade to the true crease area
• Make sure none of the darkest shade is actually on the eyelid or to the back corner of the eye, where some of the color is blended down onto the outer third of the eyelid and also into the crease.
• When applying color in the eye's crease, be sure to blend out and slightly up rather than following the downward curve of the eye.

Four-Color Design

This design builds on the two-and three-color designs detailed above, but adds a fourth color for more intense shading. In this design, the third color is typically applied in the crease and slightly onto the back corner of the eye. The fourth (darkest) color is skillfully applied to the back corner. Combined, this look creates shape, shading, and movement.

How-to:

• Follow the directions for the three-color eye design described above.
• The fourth color is best applied with an eyeshadow brush designed for detail work, which means a brush with a smaller or more pointed head and densely-packed bristles.
• Apply the color using small strokes over the back corner of the eyelid only.
• This look is easy to get wrong until you've had sufficient practice, so do take time to experiment to build confidence in achieving this look.
• You may wish to use the third color again in the crease, to intensify the effect.
 

 

Essential Eyeshadow Tips

• Matte powder eyeshadows in an array of neutral tones from light to dark are your best bets for a classic, sophisticated eye design that accents the shape and color of your eyes.
• Adding shine is best for the brow bone only, especially if you have wrinkles around the eye or your eyelid skin is less than taut. There are many good powder eyeshadows that impart a soft, subtle shine to highlight this area.
• Unless you're using just one eyeshadow color, use at least two eyeshadow brushes for application.
• Prep the eyelid and under-brow area with a matte-finish concealer, foundation, and/or powder before applying eyeshadow. This ensures a smooth, even application and (if you have fair to medium skin) will also neutralize the red and blue coloration of the eyelid.
• Tap off any excess eyeshadow from your brush before applying. This prevents over-application and minimize flaking eyeshadow.
• If you really want to make the color of your eyes pop, choose a contrasting color in a soft tone and apply this to the lids. Blue eyes come alive with pale peach or cantaloupe hues, green eyes seem richer with light bronze or caramel tones, hazel eyes become more alluring with chestnut and golden brown shades, and brown eyes are nicely accented by almost all neutral tones.
• For The Paula's Choice Research Team’s top picks for eyeshadows, eyeliners, and other eye makeup essentials, visit Beautypedia!

HOW TO GET THE BEST SHAPE FOR YOUR BROWS

Discovering the best shape for your eyebrows without sacrificing their natural appearance is what you want to accomplish when shaping your brows. Pencil thin or overly bushy eyebrows are dated looks that can be distracting rather than enhancing.Just as the shape of a mustache can drastically change the appearance of a man's face, the shape of the eyebrows affects the appearance of the eyes. In many ways, the overall appearance of the eye area is defined by the arch, length, and thickness of the eyebrow.

There are two methods for creating the perfect brow, shaping it byremoving unwanted hair or filling in a sparse or blonde brow. Women often ask, "Do tweezed, shaved or waxed hairs grow back?"  Tweezing the Brows Which hairs you tweeze and which ones you don't is the difference between attractively shaped brows and misshapen ones. Try using an eyebrow pencil to draw on different shapes over your brow area to see which shape looks the best. Use a magnifying mirror, at least a 5X magnification, so you can see each hair. Go slowly (one hair at a time) so you don't over-tweeze. The beginning of the brow should align with the center of the nostril. The arch of the brow should fall at the back third of the eye. The eyebrow should follow the length of the eye but it shouldn't extend into the temple area. The basic rule is that the front part of the brow should never drop below the back part of the brow. Allowing this to happen, either with the way you tweeze your eyebrows or the way you draw them on, makes you look like you’re frowning and overemphasizes the downward movement of the back part of the eye. Avoid over-tweezing above the brow. A few stray hairs are fine to remove, but too much and it can create an unnatural look. Do not overstate the shape of the brow; minimal brow alteration is best. Do not pluck brows into a thin line thinking it will make your eyes look larger. It can look dated or give the face a surprised look and this shape is not easy to correct once the damage is done. The Best Tools for Tweezing To shape the brow, tweezing is probably the best option for accuracy and to prevent mistakes. The best tweezers are the ones from Revlon or Tweezerman. Which type (both companies offer several options) works best for you is about personal preference. Waxing is an option but it's hard to control the wax. You may inadvertently remove the wrong hairs. Never shave. This presents too big a risk of removing too many hairs at once, leading to a patchy, overly thin or wildly uneven brow. None of that is attractive!		Perfectly Shaped Eyebrows: The shape of the eyebrow is correct when the beginning of the brow is aligned with the center of the nostril and the arch falls over the back third of the eye. L-Shaped Brow Problem: The arch is over the front third of the eye. Solution: Grow in or color in the indicated area. U-Shaped Brow Problem: The eyebrow has no arch. Solution: Grow in or color in the indicated area. Over-Extended Brow (back) Problem: The back third of the brow is lower than the front third of the brow. Solution: Grow in or color in the indicated area and tweeze the end of the brow to align it with the front of the brow. Over-Extended Brow (front) Problem: The front third of the brow is lower than the back third of the brow. Solution: Tweeze the front of the brow to align it with the back of the brow.
Tweezing and Trimming to Shape a Perfect Brow 1. Before you start tweezing, use a lip or brow pencil to heavily draw on the shape you want; you can adjust it with makeup remover as you decide on the shape you want to create. 2. Once the shape is drawn on, tweeze any hairs that fall outside the line of the brow. 3. Next, brush the brows straight up with an old toothbrush 4. Any hairs that are too long and floppy should be trimmed with small scissors. Tweezing long brow hairs rather than trimming them can result in gaps in the eyebrow or create a patchy appearance. How to Fill in the Brow Using Products There are many ways to fill in a brow. The easiest to consider are: Brow Powders or powder eyeshadows in shades that closely match the color of your brow. Choose a soft-textured matte powder and apply with a soft wedge brush or a thin liner brush. Begin application in the center of the brow and work outward toward the brow tip then back toward the beginning of the brow. Use short, light strokes between the brow hairs, and apply a bit more pressure (for stronger color) when defining the underside of the brow. Use a clean toothbrush (or a brow brush, which is similar but more expensive) to soften the color and groom the brow. For unruly brows, a clear brow gel may be applied to keep hairs in place. Alternately, you may apply a bit of hairspray to the toothbrush, and comb this through the brow for hold and control. Eyebrow pencils are a standard way to fill in brows but many can produce a greasy, hard look or mat the brow hair, so make sure you use a pencil that has a smooth, light texture and soft, dry finish. If penciling doesn't look absolutely natural, don’t do it. Follow the same application technique described under brow powders when using an eyebrow pencil. Keep in mind that most brow pencils deposit stronger color than a powder, so take care to use a light touch. If you apply too much color, soften the effect with a Q-Tip that has been dipped in makeup remover. Do not apply eyebrow pencil too close to the inner brow (near the nose). Adding more than a bit of color here tends to create a too-strong or angry-looking brow. Colored eyebrow gels and brow tints work well for making the most of sparse, light-colored eyebrows or for giving a thicker look to most other eyebrows. These products look like mascara but they have a much lighter consistency and are less pigmented. At first, you might have trouble controlling the amount of gel or tint you apply to your brow, but once you get the hang of it, brow gel or tint can make sparse brows look full and more natural. When applying eyebrow gels and tints, follow the basic instructions for powder eyebrow colors and eyeshadows listed above, but concentrate on the brow hair and not applying any on the skin. Be patient, it requires practice before you can easily shape and shade the brows without getting it on the skin. If the brush of your brow gel or tint is dual-sided (most are), know that the longer bristles are great for combing through the brows when hairs are normal to long in length. The short-bristled side is for more detailed work or for use on shorter, thin, or over-tweezed brows. A combination approach, using a pencil with powder, can give you the control and delineation of a pencil, and the softer, shaded look of a powder. You can also use powder with a brow gel or tint; this can create a full softly shaped brow. You can try shaping the brow with the powder first and then finish the detail work with the pencil or brow gel. This is especially helpful if you have bald spots in your eyebrow or need to slightly extend the end of your brows so they frame your eyes better. Essential Tips Use an eyebrow pencil or powder that matches the color of your own eyebrows. Exception: If you have pale or blonde eyebrows, you'll need to use a color that's one or two shades deeper than your natural brow color—this prevents blonde brows from looking washed out, especially when other eye makeup is worn. Brush the brow up with a brow comb or toothbrush. Whether you are using a pencil or powder, follow the basic shape of the existing brow, using the tweezing guidelines above. Apply the color by filling in the shape of the brow between the hairs where needed. As much as possible, work only with the hair that is there. The idea is to shade rather than draw on eyebrows. Fill in only at the front or underneath the brow, or through the brow itself. Do not place your brow color, whether it is pencil or powder, more than one-quarter inch away from where the natural hair growth stops. This would accentuate the fact that there is no brow there in the first place! Do not forget that eyebrow color should look shaded and soft, not like a straight, hard line. When applying brow gel, brush the color through the brow in much the same fashion as you apply mascara to the eyelashes. Brush the wand through your brows, being careful not to get the product on the skin and not to leave the brows standing straight up. It will probably take you a few applications to get the hang of it. Do Tweezed Hairs Grow Back Again? The answer is yes and no. Tweezed eyebrow hairs can grow back but this doesn’t happen overnight. Hairs on different parts of the body have variable rates of growth. It takes about 64 days for eyebrow hair to grow in after it is plucked. However, the length of time can be longer if the hair or hairs you want to grow back are in their resting phase. At any given time, 90% of the hair on your body is in a resting phase where it has stops growing, falls out, and then starts growing again. If that's the case (and there is no way to know which hairs are in the resting phase and which aren't), then the length of time can be far greater, so you need to be patient. There is an exception to this: If you have been tweezing the same area for a long time it may be too late. Eyebrow hair is very sensitive to injury. Repeated plucking can permanently damage the hair root, which will prevent the hair from ever growing back. An interesting bit of information: The average number of days it takes for hair to fully grow back after being plucked from various parts of the body are 129 days for the scalp, 123 for under arm, 121 for the thigh, 92 for the chin, and 64 for the eyebrows. Unfortunately for women, hairs of the scalp regenerate more quickly for males than females, but hairs of the under arm and thigh regenerate more quickly in females than males.

BRIDAL BEAUTY ESSENTIALS!

Every bride wants to look absolutely beautiful on her wedding day, but many women fall into the trap of following misguided, outdated, or just plain bad skin-care and makeup advice. Using our simple, tried-and-tested beauty tips for your wedding, black tie affair, or any other special occasion, all you'll have to do is smile when the cameras start flashing!

Skin-Care Dos & Don'ts

• Practice smart skin care well in advance of your event. Don't experiment with new products a few days or even a few weeks before the event so you don't risk having a reaction to any of them. Start good skin care now, and you'll feel great about how you look! 
• 
  
• Have a well formulated salicylic acid (BHA) exfoliant on hand in case a blemish pops up the night before. The antibacterial and anti-redness properties of salicylic acid can rescue your face overnight! In a pinch, an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can help, too.
   
• Steer clear of facials and dermatological treatments shortly before the event. It can be tempting to splurge on an exotic facial treatment or chemical peel right before the big day; however, a day (or even a week) before the big event is not the time to experiment! You never know how your skin may react (even if you've had the service done in the past), and the last thing you need right before your wedding day or special occasion is a blotchy reaction from a treatment gone wrong! Pamper yourself with a massage or pedicure instead, and book all other skin-related appointments several weeks in advance of your big day—especially any procedures you'll be trying for the first time.
   
• Avoid tanning salons or laying out in the sun. Countless brides insist on getting a tan before their big day, but what they don't realize is that overly tanned skin often looks uneven, mottled, dry, and flaky. It also doesn't photograph well. This is the last thing you want for your close-up shots, not to mention the sun damage that you are doing to your skin in the long run! If you have to be tan, book an appointment for an airbrush spray-on tan or use a sunless tanner in the days leading up to the event.

Bridal Makeup Done Right

• Book appointments with at least two different makeup artists to see what kind of look you are most comfortable with. If you are hiring a professional makeup artist for the big event, get your makeup done in advance to be sure you end up looking the way you want. Any reputable makeup artist will offer this service as a test-run before the event.
• Find your perfect foundation. Special occasion or not, foundation is essential to a complete, formal makeup application. Your foundation should match your skin exactly, with no obvious lines at your jaw or hairline. Few things are worse than looking back on photos and realizing your face and neck are two different colors. In general, liquid foundations with a soft matte or subtle satin finish work best because they are most flattering and beautifully mimic a healthy skin tone.
• Have a friend or bridesmaid carry your pressed powder or blotting papers for you. Having pressed powder on hand for shine control is imperative for oily skin types, but those with normal to dry skin can also benefit from touch-ups in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), especially before pictures. Your powder should have a silky texture with a skin-like finish that closely matches your natural color. Always apply the powder with a brush, not a puff or sponge (which can make your skin look over-powdered and cakey, an effect you'll see as dull, flat skin in photographs).
• Be a blushing bride. Don't underestimate the power of a beautiful blush, especially for indoor photos. Powder blushes with a matte or really subtle shimmer finish photograph best and hold up well during long days. Apply more than you normally would for day-to-day makeup.
  
  Experiment with colors ahead of time, but if in doubt, rose and pink shades are great for fair to medium skin, or choose rosy-plum tones if your skin is in the medium to dark range. Also, make sure your blush complements your lipstick (for example, pair your pink blush with a pink, berry, or rose-toned lipstick).
• Emphasize your eyes. Keep eyeshadow tones muted and matte so that they emphasize, not compete with, your natural eye color. You can't go wrong with colors that have a brown, tan, taupe, or neutral beige base. Think earth tones (slate, shell pink, bronze) and "food" tones (cream, caramel, and coffee).
  
  If you want to add a touch of shimmer to your eye makeup, find the sheerest product possible, use a brush and apply sparingly to highlight your brow bone or the inner corners of your eyes. Make sure you like how the shine looks in photos before the big day arrives. Beware: Flash photography always magnifies shiny makeup!
• Liven up your lashes. Long, luscious lashes can make a woman feel sexy and confident so make sure your mascara can go the distance. Opt for waterproof mascara if you know the tears will be flowing.
• If you want to actually grow longer, darker, and fuller lashes before your big day, splurge on Latisse, a prescription eyelash enhancement product. For best results, you'll need to start applying Latisse daily and begin doing this couple months in advance.
  
  Fake eyelashes or lash extensions are alternative options without the side effects possible from Latisse, but you'd need to experiment with these ahead of time so you're sure you like the result. Most makeup artist-driven lines offer false eyelashes and counter personnel to show you how to apply and remove them. Lash extensions require a trip to a salon that offers this service. Do not go for lash tinting, as the dyes used for this service as not approved nor considered safe for use right next to the eyes.

• Easy access to your makeup is a must! Between tears, kisses, eating, and burning up the dance floor, your makeup is bound to need a touch-up. Find a cute clutch bag to stash your basics or have a trusted bridesmaid or friend keep them in her purse. At the very least you should have quick access to your lipstick or gloss, pressed powder, and a small, retractable powder brush. Also include a clean makeup sponge in case you need to smooth any areas of your makeup. Oil blotting papers, cotton swabs, and Kleenex complete your list of must-haves.

Get Ready for Your Close-Up!

Outdoor Photo Tips
For the most flattering lighting during outdoor photography, try to schedule photos in the late afternoon as the sun begins to set. Often referred to by photographers as “the magic hour,” this is the kind of outdoor lighting that makes almost anyone look their best. Outdoor photos at midday are the worst, because the sun is directly overhead, casting unflattering shadows on your face.

Getting married outdoors during daylight hours? Less makeup is preferred for outdoor weddings so follow these tips:

• For your complexion, use a sheer, satin-matte foundation; medium coverage concealer for trouble spots; a light dusting of pressed powder; and powder blush.
   
• Eye makeup can include soft eyeshadow colors that are matte or barely shiny, and eyeliner that is medium to dark brown or slate gray rather than black, which can look too harsh in daylight. Too much shine can make your skin look sweaty and greasy in photographs, not the glowing luminous look you were going after.
   
• Apply at least 2–3 coats of a lengthening mascara that leaves lashes softly fringed.
   
• Lips can be any color, but keep in mind that opaque lipstick with sheer makeup can look too harsh. Pair a sheer lip stain (which will last for hours) with a soft shade of cream lipstick.
   
• Keep lip gloss to a minimum because a heavy or vinyl-shine gloss can make your lips look unnaturally wet or glaringly shiny in photographs (and your groom will thank you for not making his mouth feel globbed with gloss!)
   

Indoor Photo Tips
Because indoor flash photography tends to emphasize pink or ruddy skin tones, proper camouflage with a neutral- to yellow-toned foundation is a must for indoor ceremonies.

• Avoid foundations and powders with high concentrations of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients have an opaque, reflective quality that can make your face look whiter than your neck in photos. Foundations or powders that list titanium dioxide under the "May Contain..." list generally have a much smaller amount, but be very careful with anything labeled 'mineral makeup', as such products tend to contain a lot of titanium dioxide.
   
• Do not use overly shiny products to give your skin a glow. Even when applied sparingly, shimmer can make skin look slick and greasy instead of luminescent in photos. A great way to add a hint of shine is with a sheer highlighting powder. One to try (being sure to apply sparingly): Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour. The Hourglass brand, sold at Sephora, has a gorgeous shimmer powder, too.
   
• Don't forget to use concealer to camouflage under eye darkness, red spots (especially around the nose), and other minor discolorations. Apply concealer after foundation or you'll risk applying too much. Highlighters can be great, too, and work over concealer or may be used on their own. Yves Saint Laurent's Radiant Touch is a classic brush-on highlighter.

Follow these tips and you'll look gorgeous, whether it's a wedding or any other special occasion.

                                                           Stay Smart; Stay Beautiful!