By Janene Mascarella
Looking glamorous is not without its glitches. Sure, beauty blunders are bound to happen but there are some simple ways to avoid the oops in your routine. Read on…
Give yourself space: If your bathroom has only a sink and no vanity counter, here is a great way to increase your makeup area in a flash from beauty expert Susie Galvez: “Purchase a simple cutting board made of polypropylene in a size slightly larger than your sink below and place it over the sink to create instant counter space for your products. If you spill anything, it can be easily washed right in the sink. Afterward, simply store it away for next time.”
Blend like a pro: They key to a soft, “air-brushed” and professional finish is blending, says makeup artist Laura Geller. “Take a professional lambswool paddle brush (or pull and fluff a cotton ball in a pinch!) and once makeup application is finished, blend all over the face. This softens any harsh lines and creates a super-smooth, natural-looking finish.”
Ban breakouts: To help with acne, drink hot lemon water first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything else, advises celebrity esthetician and skin guru, Renee Rouleau. Squeeze fresh lemon into a mug full of hot water and drink when you wake up, she says. If you don’t have a fresh lemon handy, you can pour in lemon juice. “Use enough so that the water tastes very lemon-y. This will help flush out and purify the body internally.”
Nix the nics: One of the biggest beauty offenses is shaving with soap, says Tia Williams, beauty expert and creator of the blogs ShakeYourBeauty.com and the newly launched TheFlyCut.com. Not only does it clog your razor (hello nicks!) but soap dries out your skin, leading to bumps and irritation. “I’m all about double-duty products, so I use my hair conditioner as shaving lotion. It softens the hair, making it easier to remove – and it leaves my legs incredibly silky!”
Make lipstick last: To help lipstick last longer, Mamaroneck, NY based hair and makeup artist Heather C. Adessa offers these simple steps. Dry the lips, apply a little foundation or translucent powder, then line and fill in the lips with a lip liner, then apply powder again, then apply the lipstick. “The layers of powder and liner help keep the lipstick in place!”
Skip the bleach: Fresh-squeezed lemons and sunlight are a great combination that brings out the natural highlights for people with light brown and blonde hair, says celebrity hairstylist Darico Jackson.
Rehearse your tan: If you’re planning to get a professional spray tan for a big event (like a wedding), go in for a trial run to make sure you’re happy with the results, says Stephanie Smith, the spa director of Viana Hotel and Spa in Westbury, NY. If you love the look, book your service one to two days before your event.
Lighten up: Look for a light foundation. “Mineral makeup allows the skin to breathe,” says Gail Sagel, founder of FACES Beautiful. “It is also known to offer maximum sun protection that won’t feel heavy on the skin and won’t melt in the sun. It contains no fillers or powders so it will not settle into fine lines on the face.”
