The Pros And Cons Of Wearing No Makeup

As simple as it sounds, wearing no makeup has both pros and cons. Do you like going makeup free? Read on to find out if it is the right choice for you.

Unlike many women, I don’t wear makeup often. In fact, I rarely wear it; I could count the number of times I wear makeup in a year on one hand. As rare as this may sound, there are still many women who choose not to wear makeup, there are just far fewer when compared to the number of women who do wear makeup.

Despite society having made makeup so easily accessible and desired, there are still many pros to not wearing makeup—and many cons.

The pros of an almost makeup free life:

Your skin will thank you!

eyelashes

If you don’t wear makeup, your pores will not be clogged from all the toxins and chemicals that are in makeup. Despite makeup technically being labeled safe through testing, it does still have chemicals that can be harmful and even carcinogenic. This means that by not wearing makeup, your pores will remain open and unclogged, and your skin and body will not absorb these chemicals.

In addition, your skin will have less acne and will be less prone to getting acne if you don’t wear makeup. This is due to your pores not having the opportunity to absorb or get clogged up from the makeup. Ironically, many women wear foundation and other types of makeup to cover up acne, but this creates a vicious cycle that only creates more acne or irritates existing acne more.

It’s a confidence booster

Beautiful Smiling Girl Portrait In Autumn Park

As much as women think makeup makes them more beautiful and desirable, this isn’t really the case. In fact, by not wearing makeup, you will learn to love the ‘flaws’ you hide with makeup. When you think about it, makeup is like a mask: it’s something we use to hide, fix or cover up what we think needs to be hidden or tweaked. However, you should be confident and love the way you look without altering it.

“I feel prettier with makeup,” or “Makeup makes me beautiful” should become a thought of the past. You won’t need to say this because you’ll become much more confident and will realize you feel prettier without makeup. Don’t hide who you are and what you look like. Love yourself. However, if makeup helps to make you feel more confident, then go for it—just know that you are beautiful regardless.

At first, not wearing makeup may seem daunting, and even seem as if you are exposed, but gradually it will get easier. By not wearing makeup, you will realize that you don’t need to fix your face and that you don’t need makeup, and slowly but surely, you will become more confident in the way you look. In fact, when you get a compliment you will feel so much better about it because it will be a compliment about your natural beauty!

Not wearing makeup has numerous pros: it will save you a lot of time and money, and it will allow you to cry without making a mess everywhere. You can also cuddle up and kiss your man without leaving any traces of makeup. However, not wearing makeup often also has its cons.

The cons of an almost makeup free life:

You are clueless

Young woman shopping in a beauty shop

When it comes to the world of makeup, there is a lot more to it than most people think. There are different brushes for different tasks, different methods, designs and styles of makeup, and then different types of every product. It is a very confusing thing—especially if you only wear makeup occasionally. If that’s the case, you feel completely clueless and don’t know what to use things for and what to do.

You make a mess

You not only don’t know how to use it and apply it, but you also make a mess of your face and the makeup itself. By being a newbie to makeup, the results range from smudged and mucky to clumpy and more, which then becomes a mission to remove. Similarly, those of us who seldom wear makeup will often make a mess of the makeup itself due to our lack of experience using the various products.

It’s foreign

Mascara smudged on the eyelid

Since you don’t wear makeup often enough, you often feel like it’s too heavy and in a way even suffocating your skin, which really is lousy because wearing makeup occasionally is actually fun.

You also tend to forget that you are wearing it and run the risk of smudging your makeup by touching your face, which is not as much fun. Another negative is that it’s not only foreign for you but for the people around you who seldom see you with makeup; no matter how little makeup you wear, they’ll think it’s too much since they never see you with any makeup at all.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: some people want to wear makeup all the time because it makes them feel good about themselves while others don’t, which offers its perks and negatives. In the end, wearing makeup is a personal preference, and for me, wearing makeup rarely is the way to go despite the cons, which do cause the occasional issue. Feel free to share your thoughts on the pros and cons of not wearing makeup!

credits:youqueen

Natural Hair Care Tips: Curly, Kinky, And Everything in Between

If you’re thinking of relaxing your hair and going natural, these natural hair care tips are the right thing for you.

Forget everything you think you know about hair care. When it comes to returning to your natural hair it’s pretty much a whole new ball game.

You need to retrain yourself and know that you can’t treat your now curly, coily or kinky hair as if it were still relaxed. If you’ve been natural for a while, but feel like you’ve come to a plateau in your natural hair journey, then revisiting these natural hair care tips can be the jump start you need.

Here is everything you need to jump start your natural hair journey.

natural hair care tips

Shampoo less

Shampooing removes dirt and product buildup but it also removes at least some of the natural oils that the scalp produces for the keeping hair lubricated and nourished.

Shampooing less means keeping hair supple and moisturized for longer periods. Shampooing less will be particularly beneficial to you if you notice that your hair usually takes a few days to feel moisturized again after your full wash day routine.

Use sulfate free shampoos

natural hair care tips

Whenever you do shampoo, use sulfate-free formulations that are gentler on the hair. If your hair has been color treated, then using sulfate free shampoos will also help to preserve your hair color so that it stays vibrant, for longer periods of time.

Shampoos that contain sulfates are particularly drying for naturally curly, kinky or coily hair types and can lead to breakage, tangles and split ends.

Sulfate shampoos can also cause the scalp to become dry, itchy and irritated. Sulfate free shampoos will not remove silicones, mineral oil or petrolatum, so you should avoid using products that contain these ingredients when on a sulfate free cleansing regimen.

Better yet, use no shampoo methods for cleansing the hair

No poo or no shampoo cleansing methods keep hair moisturized thereby reducing the risk of split ends and breakage. No poo cleansing methods also promote shine so hair looks better.

Overall hair health is improved and your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is reduced. No poo methods of cleansing the hair include using co-washes, cleansing conditioners, shampoo bars and or mud/clay washes.

For the most part, these methods will not produce the lather that sulfate shampoos provide. If you desire lather you can try a cleanser such as Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. If castile soap is used, be sure to follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse to restore the hair’s pH.

Deep condition often

natural hair care tips

Deep condition every time you cleanse your hair. This will help hair maintain a healthy moisture balance and better equip it to deal with environmental stresses such as dry air or air conditioning or the heat from spending lots of time in the sun.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Moisture comes from water and nowhere else. There is no oil that will moisturize your hair, though oils can help hair retain moisture and in some cases (castor oil) attract moisture i.e. water to the hair.

Your moisturizer’s first ingredient must be water or it’s not truly a moisturizer. Develop a moisturizing regimen that addresses the particular needs of your hair. Listen to your hair.

If it feels dry at the end of the day, moisturize it, paying particular attention to the ends of the hair. The ends of the hair are the oldest parts and require extra TLC.

Trim often

natural hair care tips

Keeping the ends of your hair healthy is a critical part of maintaining hair growth. If your ends aren’t healthy then they’ll continually break off making it impossible for you to notice the new growth happening at your scalp.

If your hair breaks off at a rate that is greater than the rate at which it grows then you will actually lose length over time. Damage never stays confined to the ends, splits will travel up the hair shaft and weaken more of the hair. Regular trims help to get rid of splits and make sure they don’t spread.

Protect your ends

Protecting your ends ensures that they stay moisturized and aren’t exposed to conditions that dry them out or cause them to break off because of friction. If ends are protected, then trimming becomes less necessary and length retention is easier.

Sleep on satin

natural hair care tips

A satin sleep cap, scarf or satin pillowcases are essential if you want to keep your hair healthy. Satin minimizes friction and won’t pull moisture from your strands. are essential if you want to keep your hair healthy. Satin minimizes friction and won’t pull moisture from your strands. Your styles will stay fresher for longer periods and frizz, dryness and breakage will be distant worries.

Know the ingredients you need to avoid

If a product contains mineral oil or petrolatum (petroleum jelly) it’s probably best to avoid it. These products sit on top of the hair and prevent the hair from being re-moisturized.

Let’s say you washed and deep conditioned your hair and then applied a moisturizer containing mineral oil or petrolatum. In a day or two, your hair may start feeling dry and require additional moisture.

Any product you place on your hair to re-moisturised it would be prevented from getting into the hair by the mineral oil/petrolatum because these products sit on top of the hair, creating a barrier that is impenetrable. Additionally, petrolatum and mineral oil can only be removed by sulfate shampoos which makes their use twice as problematic.

Similarly, silicones, though great for minimizes frizz and boosting shine, sit on top of the hair and prevent moisture from entering the strands. Silicones can also lead to product buildup since products afterward just sit on top of the hair instead of penetrating.

Silicones, also need sulfates to remove them unless they are water soluble. Regardless of their solubility, silicones will lead to dryness in the same way that mineral oil and petrolatum do.

Avoid dry heat

Dry heat refers to heat from heat styling tools such as curling irons, blow dryers, and flat irons. This type of heat removes water molecules from deep within the hair strand, leaving the hair severely dry.

Heat styling, blowing drying or flat ironing suck moisture from deep within the strands of the hair and can result in breakage, split ends, and perpetual dryness.

The heat can also alter the bonds between the molecules of the hair strand, resulting in permanent alteration of the hair’s natural curl pattern. Heat damage is irreversible and the hair usually has to be trimmed or the dryness and split ends will only progress and become worse.

For this reason, it is better to air dry the hair or use the cool setting on your hair dryer. It is also much better for your hair if heatless methods of curling the hair are used.

Moist heat on the other hand, such as the heat from steamers is very good for the hair and can help moisture and beneficial ingredients penetrate the hair.

Never detangle dry hair

natural hair care tips

When it comes to getting rid of knots and tangles, it is best to ensure hair is lubricated. Detangle hair when it is saturated with conditioner, using a wide tooth comb or detangling brush.

Finger detangling is also a great way to minimize damage, but this can be a time-consuming process and not everyone has the patience for it.

If hair is dry, consider adding oils to reduce the friction between the strands and facilitate the strands sliding past each other when undoing tangles.

One size does not fit all

natural hair care tips

One of the most important things to remember when going through a natural hair journey is that what works for someone else might not necessarily work for you.

Additionally, something may work for weeks, months or years and then stop working. As time passes, as the seasons change and as your hair grows, you’ll need to adjust the products and or practices you use.

Listen to your hair. It will tell you what it likes and you will see the results. There is nothing like the satisfaction of seeing something you care for thrive and your hair will thrive in time. Be patient, gentle and attentive.

 

credits:youqueen

How to Pick the Right Foundations for Your Skin Type

To find the perfect foundation, you need a formula that enhances your complexion and solves your skin hang ups. Here’s our guide to the best foundations.

As the base of every beauty look, foundation is one of the key products in any girl’s makeup kit.

Sometimes the quest to find the perfect foundation can be a little overwhelming, with so many products on the market all claiming to suit a range of different skin types. We  have rounded up the best foundations to suit every skin type.

Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, the best way to control shine is with an oil-free foundation, so it’s best to avoid any formulas that are ‘dewy’ or ‘luminous’ in texture.

When applying your foundation, it’s a good idea to use a sponge or duo fibre foundation brush, so less product is applied but it’s blended seamlessly for a flawless finish. Plus, it stops oil transferring from your hands to your face.

Dry Skin

If you have dry skin, it can be difficult to find a foundation that hydrates while still providing coverage and lasting all day without flaking.

When trying to find the perfect foundation, it’s best to look for liquid foundations that include ingredients that will hydrate your complexion, such as light reflective pigments.

Acne-Prone Skin

If you have a tendency to suffer from breakouts, then it’s best to opt for a fuller coverage foundation to cover those red areas. Don’t be tempted to cover your entire face in full-coverage foundation though; it’s best to apply it to those areas with breakouts and then let your skin show to give you a more natural result.

Using mineral foundation is a trick makeup artists use to enhance skin that suffers from acne. Mineral foundations are often more comfortable to wear on the skin as they contain fewer chemicals, oils and other additives that can irritate sensitive skin or cause unnecessary breakouts.

Mature Skin

When it comes to mature skin, you need a formula that leaves the skin even and glowing without emphasizing fine lines or wrinkles. Any formula that is too matte or full coverage will age the skin as it gives a flattening effect, so it’s best to use light-reflecting products with a dewy finish.

Normal Skin

If your skin doesn’t fall into any of these categories, then it falls into the normal skin type. Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily, with few blemishes or sensitivity. If you have normal skin, then there’s a whole host of foundations at your fingertips.

 

 

 

I hope y’all are doing fine. I will be back soon. See you then, Take care 😘😘

5 Beauty Secrets: Tricks and Tips for Fuller and Luscious Lips

Women are often looking for ways to obtain fuller lips that resemble stars such as Angelina Jolie. It may seem challenging, but rest assured that there are ways to get that desired look without resorting to drastic measures. Find out how to achieve more luscious and kissable lips in just a few simple steps.

So many women desire lips that are full and luscious yet so few are knowledgeable about the things they can do to get what they want. Instead they resort to plumping products, lip injections, and even plastic surgery as a quick fix for the problem. However, with just a little investment of time and energy, the lips you want can be yours with little effort or money.

#1 Exfoliation

Womans red lips strewed with sugar

Exfoliation not only works to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother lips, but it also helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation. This in turn leads to fuller and plumper lips. A simple scrub can be made at home using household ingredients to produce the effect. Mix sugar and water until it creates a paste. Rub the mixture on the lips and rinse for lips that are naturally smoother and bigger.

#2 Make-Up

Lip liner works to help define the lip area. When aiming for a fuller looking lip, apply the liner a little above your natural lip line and then fill it in with your desired color. This will give the effect that your lips are larger and will also help color from running outside of the lined area.

#3 Lip Exercises

Young woman wearing a straw hat while puckering her lips in front of the sea

Smiling

Believe it or not a simple smile can work wonders for your lips and it is probably the easiest method, requiring the least amount of thought. Watch a funny program in order to get your laughs in or just smile a few times throughout the day when you think of it. This will work to strengthen your lip muscles so they don’t sag and help create fuller lips.

Kissing

Kissing is not only exciting, it can aid in creating those luscious lips you want. Pucker up for a few seconds and repeat 10 times or just kiss someone you love multiple times a day. Either way, you are working those lip muscles in order to get a larger pout.

Whistling

Whistling also works out those lip muscles by helping to keep them firm. Firmer lips mean a fuller and plumper pout that you are sure to be proud of. Whistling for 5-10 seconds for 10 repetitions is a good way to help your lips naturally in your down time.

#4 Essential Oils

Essential oils are great ways to use natural ingredients in order to get the desired full lip look. Many of the lip plumpers sold on the market today contain these ingredients, so why waste money on a product that you’ll buy over and over when you can just access the main ingredients yourself for much cheaper?

Cinnamon Oil

Cinnamon helps to stimulate lip capillaries and enhance blood flow which in turn makes lips more plump and rosy. A tiny drop of cinnamon essential oil rubbed on the lips will create a slight tingling sensation (that should fade quickly) that will give you the full lips you desire.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint works in a similar way as cinnamon in that it stimulates the lips and increases blood flow. Just like cinnamon essential oil, a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil can be dabbed on the lips for a refreshing, cooling, and plumping experience.

#5 Hydration and Moisturization

woman applying balsam on lips

Your lips will reflect what you put on them. If you expose your lips to harsh conditions (i.e. wind, sun, or excessive lip licking) without taking the steps to replenish them, it will show itself in shriveled and dry lips.

Hydration

It is important to nurture the lips from the inside out by staying hydrated (i.e. drinking water) each day. Drink the recommended eight 8 oz glasses of water each day to ensure your body and your lips are being filled.

Moisturization

Taking steps to moisturize your lips regularly will also keep your lips supple and fuller. Try using drops of essential oil on your lip balm or even Vaseline throughout the day. The result will be lips that are healthier, suppler, and plumper.

Before resorting to drastic steps such as fillers or plastic surgery, take a few moments to try a few of these suggestions mentioned above. They are all simple and will make a positive difference in the way your lips look for the better. You may not get lips just like Angelina Jolie, but you’ll notice a difference that may just save you the pain and cost of more significant measures.