Do's and Don'ts For Coloring Your Hair At Home

“Don't put color on your hair. Once you start, you'll never get it back to the way it was ever again.”

This is what my late mother told me when I told her I was considering coloring my hair. It wouldn't have been anything drastic-just a shade darker than my already-dark-brown hair. Like most teenagers, I didn't listen. Also, like most teenagers, I lived to regret it. It wasn't that I shouldn't have done it at all so much as that there were a lot of things that my 17-year-old self didn't consider beforehand.

Normally I would say go to a salon if you want to color your hair, but I understand that it's not always within your budget. This is especially true if you are like me and have gray roots that won't go away-at least, not for long. If you must color your hair at home, though, here are some 'dos and don'ts;' to consider.

Dos-

-Go to a professional if you want streaks or highlights. It might also be a good idea to ask a stylist to suggest a color for you, or at least give advice about the color you're considering. If you're not sure where to start looking, here's a basic guide: http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/quizzes/hair-color-for-your-skin,

-If you are coloring your hair at home, follow the directions on the package to a T. Do whatever 'patch tests' are recommended, and don't leave the color on longer than it says to. Otherwise you might end up with bright burgundy hair like I did the day of my high school graduation. I liked it, but my mom wasn't too happy.

-If you are experimenting with colors, only use temporary or semi-permanent dyes. That way, the color will gradually fade from your hair as you shampoo it rather than having to deal with roots. Also, since they don't penetrate the hair follicle as deeply (if at all) as permanent dyes, you're less likely to have lasting damage.

-Use shampoos, conditioners, etc formulated for color-treated hair. The reason for this is that colored hair needs gentle cleansers and deep moisturizers that 'regular' products don't have-at least, not in the necessary balances. The best products also protect your hair from the sun's UV rays and help enhance its shine.

-Do use root touch-up kits if that's really all you need. I say this because doing all-over dyes too often can damage your hair. There are some out there that aren't very expensive and are easy to apply at home.

Don't

-Don't go directly from dark to light, and vice versa. At least, not by yourself. Always use a salon for drastic changes, because a lot of the 'recipes' or 'suggestions' you find on the internet can really do a number on your hair. For instance, my sister used Sun-In (heat-activated peroxide spray) to go from brown to platinum blonde. It looked good once she achieved her intended color, but there were stages in between when her hair was orange. It was equally disastrous when she tried to go from the light blonde to dark brown-her hair turned purple. Also, her hair felt like straw for the next few years. Long story short-if you want a drastic change, just go to a salon.

-Don't color your hair on a whim. Take your time to pick out the right color so you won't end up with a head full of If you're doing something like dyeing your hair for a special occasion or trying out a new or outrageous color, use temporary dye.

-This might sound obvious, but don't use color to dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. This can cause blindness.

-If you screw something up, don't try to fix it on your own. Go to a salon.

There's nothing wrong with coloring your hair; in fact, it can make you feel like a completely different person. If done correctly, it can really help your confidence. It's not always as easy as the commercials make it look, though, so you need to do your homework beforehand.

Beauty Products You Probably Already Have In Your Kitchen

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Have you ever been in a department store or spa and seen all of the fancy beauty products they have? I have and, to be honest, it can be quite intimidating. Besides the fact that I can't identify half of the tools they use, the creams and exfoliants are priced so high that you'd think they were more valuable than that ring you got for your 'Sweet Sixteen' present! The point is that when it comes to our looks, many women will spend whatever it takes. But what if I told you that you didn't have to? What if I told you that you could make beauty products that work just as well as what you find in the stores, but are at a fraction of the cost? What's more, what if I told you that you probably already have everything you need to make them in your cabinets right now? Well sit tight, because I'm about to do exactly that. Here are some ideas for 'beauty on the cheap'.

-Baking soda makes for a better exfoliant than a lot of commercial products, particularly if you have sensitive skin. It doesn't leave any kind of residue on your face and is all-natural, so there are no harsh chemicals to irritate your skin. Just take a little bit in your hand, use just enough water to make a paste, and rub it on just like you would any other exfoliant. It might not get rid of your blackheads right away, it can 'leave the slate clean' for your other products to work.

-Tea bags soaked in cold water can soothe puffy eyes.

-Shampoo or conditioner also makes for a great shaving cream.

-Rub the inside of a ripe avocado peel on your skin to moisturize skin after a day of tanning. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse it off.

-To take off stubborn makeup, add a bit of baby shampoo to soap and water to break it up without a lot of scrubbing. Other shampoo works too, but baby shampoo is best because it's formulated not to irritate the eyes.

-Dabbing lemon juice onto a pimple can help dry it up and get rid of it.

-Use an olive oil-table salt mixture to rid your entire body of rough, dead skin. Just pour some table salt into a container until it is about half full, add enough olive oil to cover the salt, shake it up and rub on any part of the body you want to exfoliate. Olive oil has great moisturizing properties, so you'll be killing two birds with one stone.

-Oatmeal that is just slightly moistened can be a good exfoliant, as well as soothing irritated skin.

With a bit of experimentation and ingenuity, it's pretty easy to make your skin just as beautiful as the day you were born without having to spend a lot of money. Sorry Clinique; we won't be needing you anymore. I'm sure you'll manage.

Are There 'Double Standards' Between Men And Women?

Yesterday, the Today show had a segment about eating disorders. It was mentioned that Lady Gaga recently gained 25 pounds. She's not 'fat' at all-in fact, she looks pretty good. She's a very petite woman, and the extra weight gives her a nice filled-out appearance. Even so, that got me thinking about some of the double standards society has about men and women.

One such standard is weight. The very fact that Lady Gaga's weight gain was even mentioned shows a double standard. Also, think of ladies like Kirstie Alley, Mariah Carey and Carrie Fisher-all very beautiful women but, when they gained weight, people saw them differently. If you've looked at magazines in the checkout line lately, you'll see what I mean. Granted, some of those magazines aren't exactly known for the truth, but I have to ask-would the weight gain have been mentioned (or even noticed) had they been men? I don't think so. Also, I read somewhere that the average female dating-reality-show contestant is a size 2, while the average woman in the US is a size 12. That's my size. Personally I think the dating shows are stupid and are on their way out, but my point is that women are under a lot of pressure to be thin. More so than men, that is.

It's not just in the entertainment industry, either. Have you ever noticed how nearly all the clothes in 'fashionable' shops in the mall are for thin women? The strange thing is, most of the men I've known don't expect us to be that thin. In fact, some probably say that Lady Gaga looks better with the extra weight! They like that we have curves, so we should too!

Things have gotten better, in that way, though. Consider People Magazine's “Sexiest Man Alive” issue and the show Grey's Anatomy. There is quite a bit of male eye candy there! House is only seen in reruns now, but there are also several men on that show that add to the show's (enormous) appeal. Also, stores like Lane Bryant and Avenue have come out with clothes that make plus-size women look beautiful while still showing their curves. I guess the standard is getting less 'double' as time goes on.

On a related note, it can be said that women have more pressure to look good than men do. Another way to say it is that we're valued more for our looks than men are. For instance, do we ever hear about a man getting a makeover? Not that makeovers are bad; they can actually be a great way to spend a 'day with the girls', especially if it doesn't cost too much. Also, it can be fun to see what celebrities do so that we can do the same.

It can be said, however, that focusing so much on a woman's looks makes her less likely to be taken seriously. A male friend of mine once pointed out how movies such as Miss Congeniality make it seem as though a woman isn't 'whole' or whatever until she gets a huge makeover and is noticed by other women. If you've never seen the movie, Sandra Bullock plays an FBI agent who goes undercover at a beauty pageant to prevent a possible bombing. She isn't really taken seriously until she gets the makeover, comes into her own and commands everyone's respect. He thought it was disrespectful and, while I appreciate the movie for other reasons, I can see his point. We never see movies like that about men. If a 'male makeover' is mentioned, it's in the 'background'; with women, it's in the forefront. I have, however, known men who were 'picked on' for trying to lose weight or getting manicures. I guess this double-standard is changing too.

What do you think? Do you think that women are under more pressure to be thin and pretty than men? If so, does it bother you? Do you think the tide is changing in that regard? I'd love to hear from you!

Ideas for Moms To Pamper Themselves

Taking care of your kids whether you're a stay home mom or not can be exhausting. There are times when you just need to take a break. But it isn't always easy for moms at home when you have a million other things to be doing. But pampering yourself even for just fifteen minutes can make the rest of the day go so much better. Here are some ideas that you can use to pamper your self.

My favorite thing to do is read. My tension slips away as I lose myself in the pages of a good book. I like to read while I am eating breakfast or lunch. It gives me a break in the day. The hardest part is putting the book down. You might also try instigating a silent reading time each day. Even if your kids can't read they can look through a stack of picture books while you enjoy reading some adult literature for a change.

At least once a month take a night that is just for you. Get together with friends. Go and get your nails done. Or visit the scrapbook store, my activity of choice. I belong to a Book Club that meets once a month. After an evening of discussing and chatting with other women about a great book I feel ready to face my life again.

Exercise. Now you might be thinking she's crazy exercise is work. But in reality exercising is pampering your self. After exercising you feel less tired, more energized, and happy because you did something good for your self. If you don't have time or the ambition to exercise try stretching. It is relaxing and relieves the tired muscles we get from hauling our children around.

When your children are little try taking a nap when they nap. When I was pregnant with my second child I took a nap everyday with my son. It was a lifesaver. We would both wake refreshed and ready for the rest of our day.

Try taking a long hot shower or soak in a bubble bath. I typically try to conserve energy and am fanatical about turning off the lights and not letting the water run excessively. Except for when I get in the shower. I love hot showers because after one I fell better prepared for my day.

Put on some classical music. Music is a great mood lifter. Give your children some paper and crayons and let them color to the music while you relax on the couch.

Do-It-Yourself Manicures

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Have you ever seen someone with awesome nails and asked, 'Did you do those yourself'? I certainly have, especially since I like a lot of different colors and patterns. Most of the time, the answer is no. They usually get their nails done at a salon, which is great for them. *Some* of us, though, can't afford to drop the $40 it often takes to get a full set done. But what if you *could* do them yourself? What if you *could* create the same awesome effects you'd get from a salon at a fraction of the cost? The good news is, you can! Here are some basic tips.


Step 1-Start with some basic maintenance work. Trim your nails to the desired length and remove any hangnails. Take off any old polish with a cotton ball and acetone nail polish remover. Smooth the surface of your nails with a buffer, use a lotion or soak to soften your cuticles and then push back gently with a cuticle pusher. It's a stick with an angled tip, something that can be found in any manicure kit or drugstore. For some extra pampering, some people use a body scrub on their hands before polishing. Just make sure you dry your nails completely!


Step 2-Apply a base coat of clear nail polish. I know it seems strange to put clear on before color, but it helps to even out the surface of your nail. Otherwise, you could end up with ridges and streaks.


Step 3-After the base coat has dried, apply two thin coats of your color. Allow the first coat to dry before you apply the second.


If you are going to use any sort of nail patterns or designs, you would want to do it here.  Sally Hansen and Cover Girl (I think) have some out with 'stamps' that you can use to put a decoration on your nails. Additionally, some stores such as Sally Beauty Supply sell kits to create your own designs at home.  Even if you don't have a kit, however, you can still create your own designs if you have the polish and know-how. For information and instruction, visit http://www.nail-art-101.com/. If you want some inspiration, visit http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/nail-photo-gallery/cool-nail-designs and http://slodive.com/inspiration/easy-nail-designs/.


Step 4-Apply a top coat to smooth out the polish and give a protective layer.


Step 5-Just let your nails air dry. I know it's hard, but do not blow on them or dip them in water. This can create bubbles and make your nails more prone to chipping.


There, now you know how to do your own manicure. Give the salon my apologies. :)

Does Your Hair Shed A Lot? Possible Reasons Why

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When you clean your hairbrush, does the clump resemble a Tribble*? Does your shower drain seem to clog up every time you wash your hair? Can everyone tell where you've been by following the stray hairs? These are all true for me, and have been for a long time. If your hair is black like mine, it can be seen everywhere I go. If you've had this problem and been worried that you're going bald like a man, take heart. There are several reasons for us to lose hair, and not all are medical. In fact, most of them are related to the way we care for our hair.

Most people lose about 50-100 dead hairs a day, but this is only a small fraction of the over 100,000 hairs on our heads. People with curly hair tend to lose more than others, although it's not really clear why. Some of the most common reasons for hair loss in women are:

• Hormonal changes such as childbirth, menopause or stopping birth control pills
• Thyroid problems
• The effects of certain medications such as those for cancer, high blood pressure or depression
• Inadequate levels of protein, iron and B vitamins in the diet
• Crash dieting or a major loss of weight
• Stress
• Heredity
• A major physical or emotional trauma. For instance, getting in a car accident or having a death in the family can put stress on your body and cause an increase in hair loss that can last for several months.

Once a hormonal or thyroid problem is treated, the loss usually stops. Don't worry about going bald, though, because the hairs grow back. If you're concerned, check with your doctor. She may be able to prescribe a different medication or give you other ways to slow your hair loss.

The ways we care for our hair can also cause us to lose more of it than normal. For example:

• Using chemicals such as color or permanents incorrectly. When I say, 'incorrectly', I mean doing it too often or, in the case of bleaching, using overly harsh chemicals. For instance, my sister went from brown to blonde by using a peroxide mix that responded to sunlight. She did it in a period of about a week, so you can imagine how much abuse her hair had to take to change that quickly.
• Certain hairstyles that require hair to be pulled tightly, such as cornrows or ponytails. Tight hair ornaments like barrettes and rubber bands can make you shed even more.
• Heat styling. This could be one reason those of us with curly hair lose more. Many curly-haired people will use flat irons or hairdryers to straighten their hair. The 'big hair' styles from the 70s and 80s were particularly bad because of the double whammy of using curling irons to pull bangs tightly while styling.
  
  

As you can see, many causes of hair loss have nothing to do with the balding we see in men. Many of them can be fixed by changing the ways we treat our hair. If the cause is medical, the loss usually slows once the problem is addressed. Since the hair grows back, you're probably not going to go bald anytime soon!

*Tribbles-http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/ac6e/

Forget Models! Why You Should Have A Good Body Image

I recently wrote a post for another blog (http://www.mombrary.com/2011/10/help-your-daughter-build-her-self.html) about how to help your daughter build a positive self-image. While girls and young women can have a particularly hard time with self-esteem, one thing I mentioned was that it is important for you to have a good self-image too. After all, kids learn a lot more by what they see us do than by what they hear us say. If they see us looking in the mirror and saying, 'I'm fat' and comparing ourselves to other people, they may do the same thing. They may start to feel that they need to look like something else to be pretty. What I hope to accomplish here is to inject some realism so that both you and your daughter can feel better about yourselves and your looks.

The first thing I will say is this: when it comes to beauty in the media, things aren't what they seem! We see all these skinny models in magazines with flawless skin and perfectly flat stomachs. You don't see any excess fat or blemishes anywhere. There's a reason for that-it's called 'airbrushing', or 'Photoshop'. Magazine editors have all kinds of tools at their fingertips that can make a photograph look like something it isn't, and they do it all the time. In the digital age, it's become even easier for television producers, photographers and editors to make someone look flawless when they really aren't. Also, celebs often have personal trainers and makeup artists at their disposal. Those of us in the real world simply don't have these things. If I spent hours in the gym and had a professional hair stylist and fashion consultant, I would probably look perfect too! The standards the media sets for beauty are mostly unrealistic, so we should not feel bad if we don't live up to them. Real is beautiful too.

Believe it or not, most men don't go for the model types anyway. One study I read says that some 80% of men interviewed prefer women with meat on their bones to the stick-thin types. Even if they do drool over Pamela Anderson, et al., men usually understand that not every woman is going to look like that and do not expect their wives or girlfriends to live up to that standard. Once they mature and get past the comic-book covers, they see that it's not all about looks; inner beauty is important too. They like us the way we are, belly fat and all. If they don't, well, feel free to kick them to the curb. That's on them, not you. Don't expect yourself to be super-stylish or have the perfect face and body, because (good) men don't either.

To sum it all up, our body images should be based on reality, not celebrity. We should notice the good parts of ourselves instead of focusing on what we see as flaws. If you feel you are beautiful, you can help your daughter feel that she is too.

Self Tanner 101

Having trouble getting to the beach every weekend? Who isn't, and craving that bright tan is something most women want but simply cannot achieve all year round. Wanting to be tan and wanting healthy and glowing skin are too different things. Tanning in artificial booths can be dangerous and an expensive habit all in one. How can you achieve a tan without going anywhere or spending a fortune? Welcome to self tanner 101...

You may be thinking of self tanner as a product that younger people use or one that turns you a nice shade of pumpkin. While both of those can be truthful, it doesn't have to be. For instance, when done right self tanner products can make your skin look beautiful and make you appear younger in the process. It is not recommended to smother yourself in it as you can turn your skin several shades of orange or brown. There are a few tricks to the trade when using the products and you can be amazed at some of the results!

~Always wash and exfoliate your skin before you apply the tanner. Your skin needs to be soft and smooth before it can be changing the pigment. You have dead skin cells on the skin surface at all times and this needs to be washed away before it can be treated with tanning products to have a clean surface.

~Use gloves! Some use their hands, but it has been shown to be a wise idea to use a set of rubber gloves versus applying it using your hands. When you apply with your hands, you never can get all of the product off by washing them and then you result in having orange palms, or dark brown lines in between your fingers, very attractive! Use the gloves and when it is time to color your hands with the tanner, you can use a sponge that you would use for any basic foundation application. This can be much easier and the end result is perfect.

~Let it dry. Some women jump right back into their clothes and then they suffer from stains on their clothing. Allow ten to fifteen minutes, even stay by a fan if you can until it is all dry. The same theory applies to going to bed at night. Use a darker pillow sheet at first until you know the product will not stain fabrics.

~Less is more. Wait a day or two and see if you life the shade your skin has turned. If you feel it is too dark or not enough, then adjust your applications. Put less on next time or add some more, and you can always buy tanners that are for certain types of skin as well. they make ones for lighter skin shades and ones for darker ones.

Is Permanent Makeup Right For You?

Using makeup is something you either do for life, or you don't partake in it at all. Those that do enjoy using makeup can certainly attest to the constant time and money it require to keep up a pretty face. Many are considering if permanent makeup is the right choice for them.

Permanent makeup is becoming very popular. It makes for less time in the bathroom every morning, which means more sleep for you! There are several questions when this topic comes up...will it look natural? Is it going to be expensive? How do you know what shades to use that will look best on you? These are all normal inquiries and the cosmetician will review them over with you carefully. The most common procedures are getting your eyebrows darkened or filled in. This can be around three hundred dollars and up depending on where you live.

Other procedures are lip liner, lip coloring inside, eyeliner, and making beauty marks on the face. They can all run between one and two hundred dollars to complete. The other types of things you can obtain is to lengthen your lashes and even color them. They have the ability to add longer lashes on that last generally two to three months. Also there you can sign up for microdemabrasion sessions as well. If you buy them in a package deal you will save more money in the long haul..

It appears that the most expensive procedure is getting your eyebrows done. Most that have this done have really enjoyed the results, it makes your appearance much more beautiful in the morning when you awake. They also have new procedures that can change the way the rest of your body looks also. For example, many moms have complained over the changes their breasts can make from having babies. They now have a method of coloring the inside of the areola to make them darker or lighter. This is all a part of the newest technology in permanent makeup practices.

You can find an excellent permanent makeup artist through your local dermatologist or cosmetic surgeons office. They can set you up with a reputable person and from there your consultation can be completed. Carefully review exactly the shades and styles you want and be sure to look at pictures of the past work the artist has done before going through them for your work. Also, be certain to check into the after care of your new look. Some may desire not to have any events scheduled just following the procedures, as the colors may need a day or two to blend in. Most looks last up to a few months, with some lasting longer than others making it a money saving opportunity on your monthly makeup spending budget.

How To Obtain Great Looking Skin

Sleep. Sleep is one of the most important, best kept beauty secrets available today. If you ask any celebrity, any model, any actress, or anyone in the public eye how they keep such great looking skin, one hundred percent of them will tell you that they get at least a solid 8 hours of sleep every night. When you sleep, it allows your body to repair cells. Since your skin is made entirely of cells, sleep is very beneficial to beauty. It’s essentially the easiest and best thing you can do for your body. If you’re not getting adequate amounts of sleep, you should really factor it in. It’s worth it.

Lotion. Applying lotion to your skin is incredibly important to keep it moist and to prevent it from drying out and cracking. There are all kinds of lotion for all kinds of skin; from face lotion, to hand lotion, to body lotion, to moisturizing lotion, etc. There are tons to choose from! The reason the lotion industry is so huge is because they are fully aware that in order to have beautiful skin, people need to apply lotion. Any model will be able to tell you that. Be careful, however, when choosing your lotion because if you choose something too oily or too greasy, it may have a negative effect on your skin, causing pimples and blemishes due to oil buildup.

Makeup. Everyday women all around the world apply makeup to their faces. Their makeup stays on their faces usually anywhere from 8 hours to 14 hours a day on average. This is a huge chunk of time that you facial skin spends under makeup. Therefore, you want to ensure you are not using anything that is blocking the pores on your face. You want to allow your skin to breathe at all times so by purchasing lighter makeup, you are allowing this. Something like Bare Minerals is a fantastic example of a great makeup choice. It comes in a powder, not a thick liquid, and allows your skin to breathe.

Wash your face! After you apply makeup and wear it all day long, you need to wash it off to air out your face through the night. Even if you get the best breathable makeup available, you still need to let your natural skin feel some air and oxygen. Without oxygen, your skin will need breathe correctly which may end up as blemishes on your face. Also, when washing your face, make sure you are not using a soap that is too hard, or a wash cloth that is too rough. Your facial skin is extremely sensitive so you only ever want to apply gentle things to it. Dove soap is a great band for washing your face if you haven’t tried it yet. It’s smooth and gentle and it really deep cleans. Facial scrubs are good for you too because they were designed specifically for facial tissue. This means, the abrasives in them will not be too harsh for your face skin.

Understanding Acne and How It Effects Women Living With It

Having acne can change the way your perceive yourself. It can cause depression and even ruin your self-esteem. Many people do not realize the impact that living with acne can bring and how it can profoundly effect those living with it.

Acne can come in two forms, it can develop on the face and it can develop on the body. Some unlucky folks have acne on both their face and their bodies as well. The face seems to be more stressful as it is not a place of your body that one can hide. The body acne develops on the back, neck and shoulders generally and there are more men suffering from this type of acne than women. Men typically develop body acne over women because they play sports and the heavy sweating and dirty sports clothing and head gear can quickly effect how their skin looks. Women too can experience the acne on the back and shoulders and doctors are blaming acne prone skin for that as well as women not wearing clean undergarments and having long hair. Long hair can be greasy and when it lays against the skin on the back it begins to develop acne. You would be alarmed to see the large amount of women that wear dirty bras and sports bras under their clothes. This can be from a lack of good hygiene or from not realizing they need to change their bras out each day and not wear them over and over again before they wash them. Dermatologists are also claiming sleeping on dirty sheets and pillowcases can attribute to body and face acne becoming much worse. With the results of all of these hygiene findings it is making a very clear explanation for why so many people are suffering from acne.

Now that you understand the types of acne that can develop, you must understand what it can do to the person living with it. To begin with, it looks bad and even somewhat disturbing on some faces. Some people have simply given up trying to treat their acne and they have several blemishes all over their face or horrible scarring from past acne spots. These people are well aware of what their skin looks like as they have to see it everyday, and when others are hurtful or judgmental of those suffering from acne it can be a lifelong challenge to gain back their self-esteem. While many years ago people assumed that those suffering from acne were people that were dirty, or un-kept and that simply is not the truth. Some people have great hygiene habits and they have acne as a result of unfortunate genetics. There are more cases that are harder to treat types of acne than the cases where the acne can be treated quickly. These people are suffering from low confidence and need to get the help to cure their acne as fast as possible. If they cannot seek the proper treatment, then perhaps finding some form of makeup will suffice for the time being. If you have a child with acne, do them a favor and try your best to work with them to cure their acne to make sure your child always feels their best.

Bridal Makeup Tips

Wedding Day Make-Up Tips

For most women weddings only happen once in their lifetimes, so it would be imperative that you look your best and better looking than what you normally look like. Some enjoy the treatment of having their make-up done at a beauty salon while others prefer to do it themselves. But the most important thing to remember is that you apply make-up shades that you are used to. This way you’ll feel comfortable and won’t have to worry about the color of lipstick you are wearing.

DIY Bridal Make-up

Whichever the case, there are a few tips that you could apply that will help ensure that you look stunning on your special day. For your skin to look smoother you could apply a heavy pigmented cream foundation then top it off with a powder foundation. The mistake that most women make is to powder their face and then forget about their ears and necks. This will leave you with a painted face kind of look which is not very attractive. So when you apply the cream foundation then powder one, remember to repeat the procedure on your neck and ears.

If you’ve decided to skip the whole professional salon experience and want to do your make-up yourself, always do test runs before the big day. Also have someone handy who will give you an honest opinion of how you look.

When applying lipstick use a liner that matches your lipstick shade. This will give you a more defined look. For ladies with full lips a darker shade will work best, but for those who are thin-lipped a lighter shade would be the best choice. For your lipstick to last the whole day, you may want to begin by applying foundation on your lips. This will help keep an even lip tone. Next line your lips with the lip liner then fill them in. Apply your lipstick then blot it with a tissue. Re-apply your lipstick and let it set.

Avoid shine enhancing products on that day. This is because as much as you may want that glowing healthy look; in photos someone may actually mistake it for sweat.

Another bridal make-up tip is to mind the season you are getting married in. as mentioned earlier it would be disastrous to apply shine enhancing make-up if you are getting married during the summer. If you are getting married in the winter, dramatic make-up is allowed but it should just be an enhanced version of yourself. You could always apply a green tinted concealer that will hide the effects of the cold should your face adapt a red hue.

There are people who are very emotional and can even cry on their wedding day. If you fall into this category it would be advisable to use water-proof mascara. That way you will avoid looking like you walked off the set of a horror movie.

More bridal make-up tips can be found on the internet and in magazines specifically aimed at making your wedding day the most special day in your life.