10 Beauty Tips

1. The Perfect Smokey Eye

It seems we're all taught to apply our eye liner after our eye shadow. In some cases, this is correct but if your goal is to create a smokey eye then it's a whole different ball game. Begin by applying your base shadows. Next, apply your eye liner and then apply your crease and outer corner shades. This will create a perfectly blended smokey eye with no harsh lines.

2. Exfoliate Your Lips

Okay so this isn't news but it's no good splashing out on a pricey lipstick if you're not going to get the most out of it. Always exfoliate your lips regularly to soften them and remove dead skins cells. I use coconut oil and a baby's tooth brush or flannel; you don't want to use anything too harsh (or rub too hard) and using something hydrating like coconut oil will nourish your lips whilst exfoliating. Having soft hydrated lips will ensure a smoother lipstick application and make it last longer.

3. Always Apply Your Concealer After Your Foundation

Seriously. Although you can buy high coverage foundation that doesn't mean you should apply a thick layer. Foundation isn't supposed to cover everything hence the name 'foundation'; it's simply a base to work with. Once you've applied your foundation you will clearly be able to see where concealer is needed.

4. Save Your Shattered Palette

We've all had to go through the devastating loss of broken blusher or eye shadow but there is a way you can salvage your product. Put some rubbing alcohol in a small spray bottle (you can buy both at drugstores/ chemists) and spray generously on your broken product. Then, take a coin wrapped in a tissue and use it to press the powder back together. Leave to dry over night et voila! Good as new.

5. Apply Your Powder After Your Bronzer/ Blush

After you've finished applying your base it's common to reach for the powder next. Don't. Apply your bronzer and blusher as normal and then, using a big fluffy brush, lightly dust your setting powder over the top. This will blend everything together harmoniously and ensure your make-up stays in place. 

6. Find Out Your Face Shape

We're now living in an age where highlighting and contouring, as part of your daily routine, has become the norm (even if it's only slight) We're lucky to have access to the hottest tutorials and techniques with just a click of a button but it's important to remember that the person doing the tutorial knows their face shape and what they are showing you works for that face shape. So, finding out yours will enable you to seek the best advice and techniques and the likes of Pinterest make it easy to establish your face shape and where to apply your make-up.

7. Don't Always Reach For Black Eye Liner

Like most women, I love black eye liner. In fact, I mostly wear black eye liner. However, even if you're heading to the club, you don't need to apply black eye liner to your upper and lower lash line. If you're wearing heavy eye liner on your upper lash line and also apply it to your water/ lower lash line, this can actually make your eyes appear smaller than they actually are. Instead, opt for a dark eye shadow, it makes a huge difference.

8. Cover a Blemish Correctly

As a teenager, I made the mistake of thinking light reflecting concealers would some how distract attention from my blemish. I then began to realise it most certainly has the opposite effect and if ever a flash photo was taken it stood out like a sore thumb! Instead, use a matte colour-correcting concealer (green based to counteract redness) and using a cotton bud, gently pat the product directly onto the blemish. Using a cotton bud will also assist with the healing process as it will prevent any bacteria spreading.

9. Highlight The Center Of Your Eyelids

No matter what kind of eye make up I'm planning to do I always complete the look by highlighting. I think we're all familiar with highlighting the inner corner and brow bone but using a highlighting powder, gently apply in the center of each eye lid. This will not only make your eyes appear more awake but also instantly bigger and brighter.

10. Wash Your Brushes With Baby Shampoo

I think we're all guilty of putting off washing our make-up brushes but it's vital to prevent bacteria building up and invading all your cosmetics. Make-Up brush cleanser can be pricey and some can be too harsh for certain bristles, causing them to lose softness, fray and even start falling out. I'll use a proper brush cleaner ever now and again but the majority of the time I use Johnsons Baby Shampoo, it's super gentle and mild so won't cause your brushes any harm. What's more, as it contains oil, it easily lifts away any product build up.

Neeks ☯

The Hair Chronicle #2- Growing Long Healthy Hair

Aloha!

So clicking upon this post you're probably thinking something along the lines of.. *hair?!* *grow?!* *LONG?!*. Yes this IS what I'm going to be talking about but let's be realistic here.. I hate to break it to you but there is no magic potion that will give you long locks over night (trust me I've tried it all) but there ARE things you can do to encourage hair growth with these simple steps. Remember, I have naturally fine, straight hair that has never been permanently dyed and the below is just what I find works for me and my hair type :) There is a lot of information on this that i could write but I'll try and keep it brief and stick to the point! 

No 1. Bite The Bullet

The first thing you have to do is pluck up the courage to have a good chop! I know, the thought terrifies me too, but it has to be done if you want long, but most importantly, healthy hair. Saying ta'ra to those dead ends will be the best thing you'll ever say bye to because although some products claim to 'fix' split ends, the results are always temporary and the only real way to get rid of them is to cut them off! Otherwise they'll travel up the hair strands, leaving you with thin ratty ends, and we all know that's not a good look. I must admit I'm terrible at getting regular hair cuts but, I myself, trim the ends of my hair every couple of months, bare in mind, if your hair is more damaged, you may need to approach this step twice.

No 2. Have a Balanced Diet

Eat plenty of fruits/ veg and drink lots of water. Healthy hair and growth comes from within so although it's important to look after your hair on the outside, it's just as important to look after yourself from the inside. You can buy supplements but, in my experience, I've not found a supplement that makes a noticeable difference (if you know of any please lemme know!) Remember hair is made from protein and if you lack this in your diet your hair is likely to become brittle so eggs, nuts and red meat will help keep your hair strong! Not only that but iron is also essential for hair growth, as the hair follicle and root are fed by a nutrient rich blood supply so if you become deficient in iron it disrupts this supply and can lead to hair loss and even Anaemia. 

No 3. Stay Away From Heated Tools

I use my ghd's less than once a week, I know many people say they absolutely must straighten their hair every day but try and think of alternative hair styles, up do's, plaits, buns, top knots; the possibilities are endless and you may even discover a new fav hair style! Not only that, but your hair will seriously thank you for it in the long run! John Frieda 3 Day Straight is a great product for those of you that find it hard breaking away from the straighteners and if you are going to use heated tools be sure to use heat protection to prevent any damage; TRESemme Heat Defence is my current favorite, I can't fault it at all, it gets the job done yet doesn't weigh my hair down! Perfect. 

No 4. Give Your Hair Some TLC 

Try and avoid shampoos and conditioners with harsh chemicals and parabens in them, these can have an adverse effect and cause your hair to dry out. Instead use a mild shampoo with an ultra moisturising conditioner. I find Aussie and Garnier Ultimate Blends are the best affordable brands at the moment but use whatever works for you! Try and limit how often you wash your hair, and when you do, shampoo the roots and condition the ends; washing the ends can cause dryness and conditioning the roots can cause greasyness! I usually try and leave the conditioner in for as long as possible before rinsing it out and twice a week I'll give my hair a deep treatment, usually with trusty old coconut oil, it deeply moisturises the hair shaft and restores shine and elasticity. Moreover it's cheap as chips, you can buy it almost anywhere and it will leave your hair feeling soft and smelling gorgeous! It's also good for massaging, this will encourage blood flow to the scalp and stimulate the hair follicles thus encouraging hair growth. 

 Another thing to be careful of is brushing, especially when your hair is wet! When hair gets wet it's weaker than usual so rather than brushing it, spray the ends of your hair with a leave in conditioner and gently use a wide tooth comb to untangle it; remember to begin at the ends and work your way up, this will avoid creating more knots and breakage! 

More on TLC in The Hair Chronical #1 My Current Hair Routine.

No. 5: Time 

Nothing will make your hair grow faster than time itself and to begin with you may feel like you're not getting anywhere, but don't be disheartened, I felt the same. Bare in mind that the average hair growth time is around half an inch a month but the above steps can increase that. Also bare in mind that, based on genetics, your hair has a natural stopping length which means that no matter what you do, it will not grow passed a certain point. For some people it's bra strap length, for others it continues growing until they can sit on it! Find out what your natural stopping length is and when you get to it, have a trim to maintain it's healthiness. 

So I hope that some of you have found this useful, there is much more to talk about on the subject of hair, find out in my next hair post, 'The Hair Chronical #3'

Do you have any tips on hair growth?

Neeks x