Don't tweeze above your brows. |
Any fuzz above your brows creates an unflattering shadow, says New York City
makeup artist Vivian Hidalgo of Minardi Salon. To pluck any strays above brows,
Hidalgo suggests you look directly into a large mirror (do not tilt your chin up
or down -- this distorts your view). And starting at the inner corner, tweeze
one hair at a time. To prevent over tweezing, after you've plucked one row, step
back from the mirror to check your progress. |
Clear up a zit overnight with a dab of toothpaste. |
Models started sharing this so-called beauty secret, but the truth is, while
the toothpaste does dry the blemish somewhat, it doesn't go far enough,
according to NYC dermatologist Diane Berson, M.D. You'll get faster results with
an over-the-counter acne treatment containing five percent benzoyl peroxide. Or
try Neutrogena's On-the-Spot Acne Patch. |
You absolutely need a lip liner. |
Not always. Neutral lip colors are more forgiving and less likely to show
imprecise application. Typically, only dark or bright shades (like red) really
need a liner, but makeup pro Kat James has an easier method that produces more
natural-looking results: Smooth on lip balm, then apply lipstick to center of
lips only. Next, spread the color toward the edges of lips with a lip brush; the
lip balm helps dilute the color to create a softer stain, rather than the
hard-edged look you'd get with lipstick and
liner. |
Put on concealer first, then foundation. |
Makeup maven Laura Mercier likes to apply foundation first to even out skin
tone and provide a base for concealer to cling to. As a result, you use less of
your concealer, which makes for a more natural
look. |
Rinse your hair with cold water to make it shine. |
The theory is that a final rinse with cold water after your shampoo seals the
cuticle, helping it to reflect more light. But according to hair and scalp
expert Philip Kingsley, author of Hair, An Owner's Handbook (Aurum Press,
1995), lowering the water temperature won't enhance shine. In fact, cold water
constricts the blood vessels of the scalp, temporarily cutting off the supply of
nutrients needed for healthy hair. What helps give hair a pretty sheen? Rinsing
thoroughly so that no dulling shampoo residue remains on your
hair. |
Foundation should match the skin tone of your face. |
The surprising answer, according to Kat James, is that your foundation will
look more natural if it matches your neck -- specifically, the area near the
collarbone. The skin here has a touch more yellow to its undertone, while the
face tends to be a little more pink or red. And the last thing you want is a
foundation with pink -- it's aging and looks
artificial. |
Rub your wrists together after applying fragrance. |
Some fragrance experts feel that rubbing crushes delicate fragrance
molecules, and, as a result, you don't get the true scent. But Annette Green,
president of The Fragrance Foundation, disagrees -- unless you have oily skin.
"Natural oils mixing with the fragrance before it dries might interfere with the
scent," says Green. Allow the fragrance to dry naturally; it takes about ten
minutes. |
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