New reader N (welcome!) stumbled upon Beauty Fool and wrote me an e-mail asking one of her beauty dilemmas – and I think that this may be a ‘popular’ beauty dilemma so I thought I should make a post out of it! N writes:
I have a question for you. Do you knw any ways of clearing the nicks and cuts at my legs due to shaving them? I have no allergies at all. But after the first time I had my legs shaved, I get cuts and nicks all over it. Its not obvious from far, but it is from near. And therefore, I have extremely low self-esteem to wear short skirts, dresses and even pants! Can you please help me?
Yes, I hope I can help! I’ll write what I think would help but I’m also gonna open this up to my wonderful readers, because I might not be correct. Basically, my first thought is that the skin on your legs are extra dry with dead skin building up, and therefore are prone to cuts and nicks when you shave. What I would recommend is to exfoliate, then moisturize your legs every night so they are soft for the next day, and also to make sure you use a conditioning shaving cream. (You can even try this tip I do myself!)
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I once mentioned that when I’m sick, I am so dramatic. I lie in my bed, prophesying that the world is ending because little old me, ordinary Renee in Singapore, is feeling like crap. :-P Dramatic, no? So I really loved N’s small question about being sick and wearing makeup.
Do you wear makeup when you are sick? I still need to go to work when I’m sick but still want to look decent.
Unfortunately, skipping the day and spending it in bed is a rare moment now, because life still goes on: school goes on, work goes on, driving lessons, interviews, you name it. And even though you feel like crap – you really can’t look like it. I’ve read countless tips on makeup to wear when you’re sick, but they were a bit too unrealistic – the last thing you want to think about is if your mascara is smudging when you feel like hell, no?
Here’s some of my advice on what beauty products to wear when you’re feeling under the weather, that can hopefully get you through the day feeling a little more comfortable.
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Reader L posed a question some time ago (I’m so sorry it took me so long, L!) where she asked about cheekbones, and I couldn’t have been happier – I adore the look of a strong, chiseled cheekbone and have no idea why I didn’t write about this earlier.
I was wondering if you could tell me how to go about creating the illusion of high cheekbones. I love how they look, but sadly I’ve not been biologically blessed. Can you tell me how to fake it?
When I was writing this post, I immediately thought of supermodel Gisele Bunchen. Hello, her kill cheekbones can knock you out! However, if you’re like L and don’t have that prominent cheekbones, it’s very easy to ‘fake’ with makeup. All you need is one simple product: blush.
The Color
The color of that blush is important, though. No girly pinks and pretty peaches allowed here – the blush is meant to mimic the natural ‘shadow’ a cheekbone creates, so the trick here is to get a blush that is a blush color that is about 2-3 shades darker than your skintone.
Personally, I normally either use a bronzer (tan colors) or a taupe color. MAC has a popular blush called Emote, which was used a lot at the magazine I once interned at photoshoots.
I remember this because it was so perfect I went up to the makeup artist and demanded (politely) for him to tell me what color it is. So I’d really recommend that, it is stunning; not to mention MAC blushes are great – stays on forever and gives great color.
Another great color is MAC’s blush in Taupe, one that I’ve been using forever and wrote about in my post on what’s in my makeup bag.
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Reader J posed a question to me recently asking how to achieve the glowing, luminous look A-listers sport on the red carpet. And although the stars have dermatologists and the whole works on speed dial, this luminous, glowing look is all thanks to makeup!
I like it when faces glow, something like pearl (not sparkles and glitters) and I’ve been trying to find the product which can help me to achieve this look. I found an article which refers to skin illuminators. By illuminating I mean pearl, not glitters or sparkles. Beyonce, JLo and Angelina Jolie have that kind of look. Something like a healthy and moisture look. Of course I always use moisturizers and I do everything my face needs, but I love this glowy look.
The article you read was right, J, they are called skin illuminators. Skin illuminators are quite self-explanatory: They are either liquid or powder based products that are meant to give your face that natural angelic glow. And don’t worry, they give a subtle glow without the tacky shimmer and glitter you were worried about! The lovely ladies above show off what skin illuminators can do perfectly.
How to Apply Skin Illuminators
Skin illuminators mostly come in liquid form, though there are a few powder and cream products. You can use skin illuminators in two ways. First, you can use it to highlight your features, so it ‘catches’ the light and appears more prominent. To use skin illuminators individually on your features, you can choose either a liquid, cream and powders illuminator and apply it to:
- your cheekbones
- down the bridge of your nose
- brow bones
- inner corners of your eye
- cupid’s bow
At each feature, ‘tap’ some of your illuminator and gently blend in so it looks natural.
However, if you want to use a skin illuminator for an all-over glow, you can squirt some liquid illuminator and mix it with your regular foundation and apply it all over your skin. Apply all over your face and remember to blend well around your hairline and jawline. (This only works with liquid illuminators, which is why they are so popular!)
Some Skin Illuminators to Try
Here are some skin illuminators in the market right now to get you started on your hunt. I haven’t personally tried any of these products, so I can’t fully recommend them. However, this list is based on recommendations from friends, research on best sellers and thru word-of-mouth. Hopefully it is a start, and as always, if you have any more recommendations, please do add them in the comments.
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Reader V wrote to me a week ago after reading my post, Beauty Tips for Flights and she wanted to know more specific tips for those who are in planes very frequently – aka, working in one!
I was wondering if you have a tip for me, or possible post on the website about it. I read your post about how the lack of moisture in the aircraft can dry up your skin. I am a soon-to-be stewardess and you know how I will be exposed to ‘this’ dry atmosphere most of the time.
So do you have a tip about how I can keep my skin healthy? Our 5 inches make-up surely is no help, and I’m not sure about the use of facial mist, with 5 inches make up on. Yeah, some stewardess tend to get worried about their skin because we can’t afford to look like we sped up our aging process.
I can relate to air stewardesses who are wary about speeding up the aging process – those working full time in cold, dry offices also have the same complaint (like my friends!). Thing is, unfortunately, I’m aware about the makeup stewardess are required to wear daily, so it’s quite a challenge. No worries though, I have a few tips up my sleeves!
Here’s an idea to start you off – even though it’s just a plane, you can actually just research “winter skincare tips”, because, as you’ve guessed it, one of the main factors is the extremely dry temperatures. They have tons of tips for dry climates and would definitely help in your work environment!
Before the Flight
First of all, it’s vital that you start by cleansing your skin very well before your flight. Try switching to a cleanser made for dry skin. While in the shower, avoid very hot water as it will just dry out your skin more. Instead, opt for a luke warm temperature, and really clean your face well. (Read here for more tips on cleansing.) Basically, leave the cleanser on your face for at least 30 seconds to really let it work.
I’m not sure if they give you makeup to wear or if it’s your own, but if it’s your own, I highly recommend finding a mineral/organic foundation, as this will not clog your pores and irritate your skin. Find formulas made for dry skin, preferably a tinted moisturizer made for dry skin. Since you’ll be traveling a lot, you can go overseas and find winter-related skin care products that would cater to extremely dry weather conditions.
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Reader A asked me this question recently and I thought it was perfect, because I’m the Queen of Split Ends.
What is the best way to get rid of all my split ends? And how can I prevent new split ends?
I remember the days back in highschool where I’d sit at the back of class and start trimming to pass time. I also started to do it to pass time when I couldn’t sleep (my goodness I’m weird) so I’d be lying in bed giving myself a trim.
I stopped with this obsession when one morning I woke up with a pair of scissors next to my face, because I had forgotten to put it away before sleeping. I vowed never to be so dumb again because cutting my face open and dying due to “obsession with split ends” kinda sucks. Anyway – on the the answer.
I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no solution other then cutting them off. When your hair has split into three sections (or 8, in my case), then it’s beyond repair – hair can’t stick back together, so it’s best you just snip it off to prevent more splitting.
Also, prevention is better than cure – so to prevent split ends, here are some ideas:
- Before blow-drying, flat ironing or curling your hair, remember to use a heat protective spray beforehand. Also, try to keep heat styling tools to a minimum as much as you can and avoid using the highest heat level – they do unbelievable damage to your hair in the long run.
- Apply a deep conditioning mask at least once a week to keep hair soft so your ends won’t split as easily. You can read how to do a deep conditioning mask at home at my post, How to: Deep Conditioning Hair Mask.
- Get regular trims to keep your hair looking healthy and free of split ends. If you’re trying to grow your hair out, just get 1/4 of an inch trims each time, something called “dusting” – basically, an extremely short trim to keep your hair still looking great!
So to summarize: split ends can only be cut off, so it’s really better to take care of your hair and get regular trims. Sad but true. :( What do you do to prevent split ends? Do you get them a lot?
I was asked a great question from N a few days ago, and I think that all of us – men and woman – can relate to. Blackheads on the nose!
I was wondering if you could write a post on blackheads especially for those on the nose. Mine are big and are very noticeable, I hate it! Are there any removal solutions for the blackheads specifically on the nose?
Though blackheads are just clogged pores and could develop anywhere on our face, those damn things seem to love setting up a tent on our noses the best.
From my research, trial and error after all these years and people I’ve talked to, extraction is the only way to really get rid of blackheads.
Squeezing isn’t recommended for zits, but if it’s tiny blackheads on your nose … I say if you dare, do it. And by little I mean little ones. I had one tiny ‘crater’ on my nose thanks to me trying to squeeze the living soul out of a big one, so trust me, get too squeeze-happy and they will scar. The good news that since blackheads are normally much smaller than zits, the scars will go away after while. But still – don’t risk getting scars, so only attempt to squeeze the smaller ones.
The trick is this: start by warming up your face so the blackheads loosen up. Remember, pores don’t open or close, but I do think warm water and it’s steam also makes the skin much more soft and easier to squeeze the gunk out.
Next, take a clean tissue and aim for one of those suckers, and gently press down, then towards the blackhead – the trick is to squeeze from “underneath” the blackhead. Tiny blackheads normally come out with ease, but if you’ve tried a few squeezes and it’s not budging, STOP. Believe me when I say this: you will start to become frustrated, will start to get obsessed and will eventually scar your face.
If squeezing doesn’t work, you can try nose stripes. I recently asked if you all still use nose strips and a few of you wrote that they do work, so it could work for you too! Basically you apply it to damp, freshly cleansed face. Leave the stripes on for 10 minutes, and gently pull off.
Another method you can try is a blackhead extractor. It looks pretty scary, but this tool is very simple. After a shower, when your face is damp and warm you position the “head” of the tool on a blackhead and gently press. The blackhead should shoot out and the blackhead vanish (for now)! I’ve tried it before and it doesn’t work too well on the bigger ones but it might work for you. Worth a try, no?
To sum it up, the only way is through getting the blackheads out, and regularly. Unfortunately you will always get blackheads – they clog up our pores, (which are always there, obviously) so there is always a chance a blackhead will form in it.
Just remember when extracting, make sure your skin is fresh from the shower and your skin is damp and warm. Also be extra careful when focusing on one blackhead – if after one ‘try’ it doesn’t budge, leave it alone. Also, if you can, getting a facial will help too – they know how to really extract it properly (although their way is always more painful!).
What do you do to get rid of blackheads? Do you have any other tips to add? And, as always, if you have a question just e-mail me and I’ll try my best to help. :)
Images: eHow.com
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