Beauty Basic. LASH CURLING.

Which Lash Curler?

Curling your lashes opens up your eyes and makes your lashes look thicker and longer. To some, lash curlers look like instruments of torture, but to a make-up artist, they're an essential beauty tool - their favourite set of lash curlers is one of the first things out of the box when they're preparing models for photoshoots. That's because they can give even the straightest set of lashes a fantastic curl, making them look lusher and thicker - even without mascara - and giving the eyes and open youthful look.



Shopping For Curlers.

 You'll find the most basic clamp style of eyelash curler - as well as lash curling mascaras - on the beauty shelves of large high street pharmacies and department stores. Pricier heated lash curlers are also sold in some department stores and in specialist beauty shops - or try Internet suppliers.



Lash Curlers.

Curlers

What is does;

Scissor-style tool clamps lashes between curved metal bar and latex pad.

Pros & Cons;

+ Gives great lift and curl for small initial outlay.

- Can't be used after mascara, can end lashes if not used with care.

Best for Daily use before putting on make-up.



Mini Curlers

What it does;

Spring-operated plastic tool squeezes lashes between plastic bar and latex pad.

Pros & Cons;

+ Very compact, works over dry mascara.

- Awkward to use a flat shape, doesn't sit smoothly over eyelid.

Best for Boosting curl for a natural look when you're on the go.



Heated Curlers

What it does;

Lashes are squeezed into a curl between the curved plastic bar and heated latex pad.

Pros & Cons;

+ East to use, Gentle heat action gives longer lasting curl.

- Takes several minutes to warm up; batteries are pricey.

Best for Special occasions when you have plenty of time to get ready.



Heated Comb

What it does;

A plastic comb lifts and curls, while heated elements 'set' the lashes.

Pros & Cons;

+ Lifts and curls instantly, can be used after mascara.

- Can feel uncomfortably hot when places close to eye.

Best for Lifting sparse or very straight lashes after applying mascara.



Curling Mascara

What it does;

The formula contains polymers that stretch and curl the lashes.

Pros & Cons;

+ Combines curl with added length and volume.

- Lashes can clump together, less effective on very straight lashes than a standard curler.

Best for When you want to add glamour and thickness to sparse lashes with a little natural curl.



Lash Perm

What it does;

A beauty therapist uses perm solution and tiny rollers to curl the lashes.

Pros & Cons;

+ Lasts eight weeks and survives showers and swims.

- Can make lashes too curly; must be carried out by a qualified practitioner

Best for Maintenance-free lashes with round-the-clock curls for a special holiday.



Lash Curling.

Find out how to open up and flatter your eyes with the curliest-looking lashes you've ever had - and still look completely natural.



Even if your lashes are poker-straight, using a lash curler can open up your eyes and make your lashes look curly, whether or not you're wearing mascara. Lash curlers can look a bit scary, but they're easy to handle when you know what to do. You will find out in this post how to give your lashes cover girl curls; the secret is to squeeze them several times with your curler - just one squeeze can leave them looking bent and unnatural.



Lasting Curls.

An eyelash perm guarantees glamorous lashes for eight weeks - they'll stay curled even in the testing conditions of a beach holiday. It's a job for qualified professionals only; in an hour-long process, a trained beauty therapist glues your upper lashes, one by one to a tiny spongey roller, applies a perm solution and lets it act for 10 minutes. She then applies a neutraliser and peels newly curled lashes off the roller.

Rollers come in three sizes - the smaller the roller, the tighter the curl.

Before booking yourself for an eyelash perm, arrange for a patch test in case you're allergic to any of the products used. Ask for one-use only products - once opened, perm solution goes stale, with disappointing results.



For natural, smudge-free beauty, all you need is a set of beautiful curled lashes and a coat of clear mascara,



Lash Curling Step By Step.

You can apply eye liner and shadow before using your lash curler, but make sure your lashes are completely clean - mascara can glue them to the curler pads, with painful results.



Step 1: Start as close to the base of the lashes as you can. Lifting up your eyebrow, rest the curved metal bar on your eyelid and squeeze the curler pads together several times.



Step 2: Move halfway up your lashes and squeeze the curler again. Then move it near to the tips and repeat - several short crimps rather than one long squeeze give a more natural curl.



Step 3: For a natural look and to set the curl, brush on a coat of clear waterproof mascara or comb through with clear eyebrow gel. Or for a really lush look, use your usual mascara.



Do's And Don'ts

Do use curlers before applying your mascara to prevent sticking.

Don't pull on the curler - you could pull out your eyelashes.

Do pull up your eyelid with your finger to make curling easier.

Don't use just one long squeeze - your lashes will look bent.

Do change the latex pads regularly for effective curling.

Don't give up - wet your lashes, pat them try and try again.

Beauty Basics. APPLYING CONCEALER.

Concealer picks up where foundation leaves off, disgusting spots and imperfections that you don't want to see.



Into ...

When skin needs a bit of extra help, that's where concealer steps in. It focuses on the trouble spots that foundation can lessen but can't hide, covering blemishes, under eye shadows and concealing spots.

Light - diffusing formulas blur lines and wrinkles, where new and improved formulas can hide imperfections such as scars, bruises and discolouration. Worn with foundation, concealer helps you to create the perfect canvas for adding colour, while without foundation it's perfect for emergency touch-ups and giving you instant confidence.



GETTING THE COLOUR RIGHT FOR THE JOB!

Concealers only work if the colour is right.

Choose the wrong shade and you'll end up drawing attention to the area you want to hide.

Concealers come is smaller range of colours than foundations, so if you can't find the exact match for your skin, try mixing two or more to get the tone right.



Blemishes and scars: Match the colour to your skin exactly - test the colour on your face.



Raised Spots: Try using slightly darker colours than your skin tone to make the spot 'recede'.

Anything lighter than your skin tone will highlight the spot, making it more noticeable.



Under eye shadows: Match your skin tone or go up to half a shade lighter - no more or you'll end up with eye's like raccoon's.



TYPES OF CONCEALERS



CREAM CONCEALER

What it does: Gives light to medium coverage with a velvety finish.

Pros & Cons: + Multi-purposes, easy to blend, gives lasting coverage.

                                - Can settle in fine lines around the eyes.

Best for: Hiding dark circles, spots and evening out blotchiness.



LIQUID CONCEALER

What it does: Gives light, sheer coverage with a natural looking finish.

Pros & Cons: + Easy to apply and blend into skin.

                                 - Coverage is too light for more noticeable blemishes.

Best for: Concealing dark shadows and redness around the eyes and nose.



STICK CONCEALER

What it does: Gives full coverage with a creamy finish.

Pros & Cons: + Blends well, Often doubles as concealer and foundation.

                                - Can be too creamy to stay put on raised spots.

Best for: Disguising redness on cheeks, chin and nose, and hiding indented scars.



PENCIL CONCEALER

What it does: Gives medium to full coverage with a matte or creamy finish.

Pros & Cons: + Precision targeting of spots and blemishes.

                                - Can drag the delicate skin under the eyes.

Best for: Doing quick touch-ups of small blemishes.



LIGHT DIFFUSING LIQUID CONCEALER

What it does: Gives translucent coverage that reflects light away.

Pros & Cons: + Makes dull skin glow and fine lines disappear.

                                 - Isn't designed to conceal spots and redness.

Best for: Brightening shadows under the eyes and blurring the appearance of wrinkles.



MEDICATED CONCEALER

What it does: Gives medium to full coverage with a creamy medicated finish.

Pros & Cons: + Special ingredients like tea tree and arnica help to heal spots quicker.

                                - Not for use dark rings or skin discolouration.

Best for: Covering spots and treating them at the same time.



Every make-up bag needs two concealers - a light-diffusing liquid for shadows and a thicker

coverage for blemishes.



CONCEALER STEP BY STEP



Before you begin, cleanse, tone and moisturise, then leave it to sink in for a few minutes.

Follow these 3 easy steps to conceal under-eye shadows.



Step 1: Use a small brush to dot cream concealer at the inner corner of your eye.

Add two dots under the first half of the eye and another dot at the outer corner.

Use more at the inner corner but don't over-do it under the eye or it will settle into fine lines.



Step 2: Gently blend the concealer using your ring finger. Start at the inner corner and work outwards,

blending just beyond the shadow to prevent a hard line. Most people don't need concealer under the

outer third of the eye.



Step 3: To lighten the darkest area and to brighten the eye's and open them up, dot light-diffusing concealer

on to the inner corner of the eye using the tip of the brush or your ring finger. Blend it in carefully then set with a dusting powder.



* SPOTS Dab on concealer with a fine brush and blend it at the edges. Don't let it spread on to the surrounding skin - it will highlight the spot.



* SCARS Build up indented scars by dotting on layers of either solid cream or liquid concealer with a fine brush. Use a slightly lighter shade than your skin. Pat into the skin before re-applying.



* FINE LINES Place a tiny dab on skin-concealer or light-diffusing concealer on the tip of an eyeliner brush. Carefully fill in the wrinkle then allow to dry. Check to see how it ooks and re-apply if needed.



Do's and Dont's

Don't apply concealer to unmoisturised skin - it won't blend.

Do warm your fingertips to make blending easier.

Don't use a magnifying mirror - you may overdo it.

Do keep building until you have the coverage you want.

Don't cover up broken skin - it may cause infection.

Do apply concealer over foundation to avoid wiping it off.

Don't forget to wash applicators to prevent bacteria spreading.



An expert tip : If you look too close you'll overdo concealer. Stand two feet from the mirror to dab it on, then go up close to blend !