I was showering yesterday and realized that I have a very specific routine when I shower for very specific reasons, so I figured I would share.
First of all, it's best to shampoo and condition your before you use body wash. This helps reduce bacne because then greasy conditioner isn't the last thing to touch your body before you step out of the shower.
Every time I shower, instead of just washing my face, I exfoliate it with a scrub to get rid of dead skin and make it as smooth as possible. Personally, I use Clean & Clear scrubs. They seem to work the best for me.
Now, most women know this already, but I'm here to tell you again. When you shampoo, only shampoo your scalp. Your hair doesn't get greasy except for the roots, so you don't need to dehydrate the rest of it! If there's any sort of product in your hair, it will get washed out when you rinse out your shampoo. When you condition, only condition the tail of your would-be-ponytail. If you use conditioner on your scalp, it will only make it greasy. Also, if you don't have a deep conditioner and would like a little more moisture, just leave your regular conditioner in for a few minutes (about three works). The heat in the shower really helps set it in.
As far as shaving goes, don't do it first! Soaking a bit in the shower helps you get a better shave. Don't wait too long though, any more than about ten minutes will cause your skin to swell. This won't allow you to get a close shave. Also, light exfoliating on the areas you shave is beneficial. Areas like your underarms and bikini line are more prone to ingrown hairs. Using something like a washcloth or loofah help to get rid of the dead skin that causes this. Also, if you get razor burn on your bikini line, use cream (such as Bikini Zone) specifically for razor burn on your bikini line or Neosporin to calm it.
One last tip. Make sure when you're using body wash not to get it in your hair. This sucks all of the moisture out of it.
Want lips as kissable as these?
Here are the best tips and tricks I know!
I think this is the most important thing you can do for your lips: drink water! No one wants to kiss dry, cracked lips. Women should generally drink about 60 ounces of water a day, but this is different for everyone.
Now, if you do have dead skin on your lips, the best thing to do is exfoliate. Yes, you can buy lip exfoliaters. You can also use things from home to exfoliate. I've heard people use their vibrating tooth brushes every time they brush their teeth. Some people just use a warm, damp wash cloth and rub it over their lips. I like to use a heavy dose of chap stick and a disposable mascara wand to wipe off the dead skin. Some women keep the wands from old mascaras to use for this sort of thing. Just make sure not to rub to the point of pain!
If you wear any sort of lip color, the best thing to do is dab a little bit of a shimmer on the center of your bottom lip. This has the same effect as highlighting on your face; it highlights your lips and makes them appear more full.
For those of you who use lip liner - draw only on your lips! I've seen women try to line outside the lines of their lips in order to make them appear larger. While this thought is appealing, it's not realistic. It is noticeable.
Wish you had a nice thick braid like this?
Well, me too. But there's good news! Here's how to fake it.
First, master the "inside out french braid". This is done the exact same way as a normal french braid, but instead of placing pieces over each other, place each piece under the next (i.e. of the three strands, right piece goes under the middle piece to become the new middle piece, then left piece goes under new middle piece to become the new new middle piece, etc.). This causes the braid to look like the one pictured above. Now, to make it look fuller. This is actually the easy part. All you have to do is pinch the outside of each little section of the braid. Now, just pull! That's all you have to do. It won't look perfect; don't afraid to be messy! This is sort of what it should look like.
See how the sections bubble out a bit? That's what you're going for. It creates the illusion of thicker hair. This technique can also be used on thick hair for a messy look. Hope this helps!
This is my favorite look to do because it's simple and looks great. It's sort of a natural smoky eye. Here's the finishing look!
1. First, start off using an eye shadow primer. I used to use a liquid primer by Urban Decay, but switched to a cream by MAC because Urban's was a bit stickier, so it made it harder to blend shadows. To apply the primer, I use a concealer brush. Make sure to apply the primer all over your lids, up to your brows, underneath your eyes, and on both corners of your eyes. Don't extend the primer past where you'll be putting eye shadow though, as it does have a nude coloring to it, and feels sticky without shadow on it.
2. Next, pick a champagne colored high lighter. I use Virgin by Urban Decay which is in the Naked palette. To apply it, I use the brush that comes in the palette (similar to a concealer brush with a more plastic feel to the bristles). Apply this to both your brow bone and the inner corner of your eyes. Extend the shade into the area your base eye shadow will go for better blending.
3. Next, add eye liner on both your top and bottom lids. I use Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner in Perversion. I like Urban's because it stays on well and is relatively easy to smudge. I like to apply my liner thickly, but that's up to you. Also, mine wings out a bit on the outer corners because I'm partial to the cat eye effect, but the shape of your liner is also up to you. This doesn't have to be perfect because you'll be layer shadow over it.
4. Now pick a shade to use as your base. I would go with a light, matte brown. I use Naked, which is also by Urban Decay and in the Naked palette. I use Smashbox's "Definer Brush" which is #15 and pat the shadow on rather than swipe it on. Yes, you should put the shadow on over your eyeliner. Make sure to pat the shadow on your entire lid all the way up to meet your highlighter. Also make sure to pat it on the inner two thirds of your bottom lid.
5. Now, picker a darker (still matte) brown. I use Buck (also by Urban and in the Naked palette) and the same brush. Put this shade on the outer corners of your eyes (on both lids) and in your crease from the outer corner of your eye to just before the inner. Make sure to blend fully. You don't want there to be a hard line between the darker and lighter browns. Tip: I've heard the placement of this shadow be described as a sideways V, so think of that when applying it.
6. This step is optional. Use a darker brown (I use Hustle which is by Urban and in the Naked Palette) and go over what you just did, but thinner. For this, I use an angled shadow brush. Make sure to blend this thoroughly. I like to wing my shadow out on the outer corners because again, I'm partial to the cat eye look. This is up to you. Also, how low you apply this shade on your lower lid is up to you. I like dramatic eye makeup, so I apply mine low.
7. Now it's time to reline your eyeliner. I use Shmashbox's "Double-Ended Smudger Brush" which is #20 and the shadow I use Creep (by Urban in the Naked Palette). Just go over your liner with this shadow. Make sure the line is soft. Also, it's important to go over where your upper and lower lids meet on the outer corner of your eye.
8. Now it's time to line your waterlines. Line both your waterlines (top and bottom) with a water proof liner (for staying power). Lining your top waterline (which isn't for everyone as it makes sensitive eyes water profusely) helps the liner on your bottom waterline stay on and also helps line the gap between your top lid and lashes.
9. Time for mascara! For the best ways to apply it, check my earlier post.
10. Lastly, do your eyebrows! For tips and tricks, check my earlier post!
And there's the finished look! Good luck everyone (:
