Makeup Brushes It can be confusing knowing which makeup brushes you need and how to use them.  There are so many options to choose from for eyes, face, lips and brows.  Here is a list with some of the major brushes and their uses: 1,    Foundation Brush – This brush should be used with stippling or tapping motions to create a more even and natural-looking finish.  A large brush. 2,3. Powder/Blusher Brushes – Using the flat side of the brush apply your powder, blush or bronzer.  Use the tip ng to place product into the crease of the eye.  A medium-sized brush. 4.    Small Round Brush – A dome-shaped brush used for blending.  Great for getting into creases and to define the shape of your eyes.  Start with a little shadow and build your way up to your desired finish. 5,6. Concealer Brush – Use a patting technique to cover imperfections before or after applying your foundation, and you’ll get maximum coverage that blends completely and doesn’t leave a line. 7.  Angled Brush – The fine tip works well with eyeliners and brow powders. Dip this brush in gel eyeliner or moistened eye shadow to draw a straight line along your lashes. 8.  Mascara Brush/Wand – A hard bristle brush to lift and separate eyelashes as it applies mascara to lashes beginning at the base and slowly lifting out and up. Open the mascara. Rub the end of the mascara applicator on the inside rim of the mascara tube to get excess off.  Position yourself comfortably in front of a mirror. Lean your dominant elbow on a firm surface. With a steady hand, place the mascara wand at the root of your eyelashes. Gently pull the wand up to the end of your lashes, slightly jarring the wand back and forth to separate the lashes and prevent clumps. Repeat across your eyelashes, making sure to get every lash. 9.  Brush and Comb – A dual-sided tool for combing and fluffing brows. 10.  Sponge Tip Applicator – A tool used for blending eye shadow. 11,12.  Lip Brush – This brush comes in many sizes and you may want them all.  Use it to blend out lip liner for a less harsh look.  When using with lipstick or lip gloss start at the center of your lips and blend the product out toward your lip line. Cleaning Your Make Up Brushes         Cleaning brushes is essential.  Dirty brushes don’t perform as well and they can make application turn out looking very different from what your expectations were.  Bacteria can transfer from brushes that have not been cleaned properly and no one wants what comes from that. Washing your brushes once a week would be optimal but setting your goal to monthly is more realistic.  Try using the first of each month as your goal date. How to clean your brushes: Use warm water to saturate only the hairs of the brushes. Do not soak them as this will ruin them. Place a pea-sized amount of any mild shampoo in the palm of your hand and massage the cleanser into the hairs. Rinse the brush thoroughly until the water runs clear. Create a ring with your index finger and thumb and pull the brush through the fingers while applying gentle pressure to remove any excess water while maintaining the shape of the brush. Place the brush on a towel and lay flat to dry.  Never dry your brush upright as this will loosen the glue that binds the brushes and lead to hair loss. Make Your Own Serums Serums are oil based liquids with active ingredients including antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients.  They have smaller molecules than moisturizers, designed to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin.  Serums can be quite costly when purchased.  Judging by the price tags, making your own makes sense. You will find that serums work best when applied after cleansing and toning while the skin is still damp. Then follow with a good moisturizer to lock in the serum. When using essential oil in serums, do not exceed 20-30 drops.  Here is a general guideline for which oils to use for your skin:

• Normal Skin – Carrot Seed, Lavender, Rose, Sandalwood, Geranium, German Chamomile, Rosemary or Calendula
• Dry Skin – Patchouli, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Geranium, German Chamomile, Rosemary or Calendula
• Oily Skin – Clary, Juniper, Calendula, Ylang-Ylang, Lavender, Grapefruit, Neroli, Geranium, Cedarwood, Rosemary, Frankincense, Peppermint, Patchouli or Lemon
• Mature Skin – Rose, Myrrh, Carrot Seed, Patchouli, Lavender, Cypress, Geranium, Frankincense, Rosewood, Sage, Sandalwood, Neroli, Clary, Citrus or Fennel

The next step is choosing the correct base oil for your skin type.  Base oils should total approximately two tablespoons:

• Normal Skin – Apricot Kernel, Evening Primrose, Almond, Jojoba or Hazelnut
• Dry Skin – Olive Oil, Apricot Kernel, Avocado, Almond, Wheatgerm, Carrot, Evening Primrose, Soy Bean or Jojoba
• Oily Skin – Grapeseed, Jojoba, Hazelnut, Apricot Kernel or Almond
• Mature Skin – Pomegranate, Carrot, Apricot Kernel, Evening Primrose, Rosehip, Wheat germ, Jojoba or Almond

Once you have made a serum and sealed it in a dark bottle, be sure to label and date it. Acne Serums Ingredients: 3 ½ Tbls. Aloe Vera Gel 15 drops Tea Tree essential oil 7 drops Lemongrass essential oil 5 drops Lavender essential oil Preparation: Mix and shake all ingredients Use in evening after cleansing and toning Ingredients: 3 ½-4 Tbls. Aloe Vera gel 15 drops Tea Tree essential oil 10 drops Ylang-Ylang essential oil 7 drops Lemongrass essential Oil 5 drops Lavender essential oil Preparation: Mix and shake all ingredients Use in evening after cleansing and toning Luxurious Face Serum Ingredients: ½ oz. Rosehip Oil ¼ oz. Jojoba Oil ¼ oz. Pomegranate Seed Oil 1 capsule or ½ tsp. Vitamin E oil 10 drops Lavender essential oil 6 drops Geranium essential oil 3 drops Carrot Seed essential oil 2 drops Neroli essential oil 1 oz. dark dropper bottle Small funnel Preparation:

• Pour oils into dropper bottle and shake
• Let it sit in a dark, cool place for a day
• Shake before each use
• Stored correctly this should last approximately 6 months

Use:

• Apply 2-4 drops into the palm of your hands and rub together
• Pat onto cleansed neck and face, working from base of neck upwards.
• Avoid using on the eye area.
• Wait 5-10 minutes before adding your moisturizer

*Always start with sterilized tools and bottles and clean hands. *As with all skin care products made at home, you should always test them on your skin first. Sandi’s Q & A Q:  I wonder if there is a way to remove mascara without pulling the skin around my eyes. A: Put your remover on a cotton pad to remove your eye products.  It is much gentler and will require less pressure. Q: What causes acne? A: The exact cause is not known, but an important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens.  Some things that make it worse is friction caused by rubbing or harsh scrubbing of the skin, picking or squeezing blemishes, and emotional stress.  It is no longer associated with chocolate yet it has been proven that sugary processed foods may be. Q: I have Rosacea and at times my face gets really red. What triggers that? A: There are certain foods and drinks such as alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks and foods that cause it to flare. Some activities have been associated with triggering rosacea like exercise, hot baths and saunas.  The weather is another culprit – heat, cold, humid, wind and sunlight.  Your emotions and any sudden change in them, skin products, and some medications and medical conditions can also cause an increase in your symptoms. Q: How much zit cream should I use? A: More is not necessarily better. A good rule of thumb is a green pea-sized amount. If it is a prescription follow the directions given to you. Q: My hands look so much older than my age. What can I do now? A: Keep your hands moisturized.  Look for topical creams that contain retinol or antioxidants like vitamin C, green tea, or coffee extracts.  This will help keep an even skin tone and stimulate collagen production and give your hands a smooth, refreshed appearance.  Wear gloves for chores. Views:]]>