Prevage Prowess.
I have been using Prevage Anti-Aging Formula for a while now and I must say, I am really enjoying the noticeable changes in my skin’s texture and tone. My skin is smoother, softer and firmer. Mind you, I wasn’t the saggiest creature around prior to using Prevage Anti-Aging Formula, but obviously had a bit to improve and it has, absolutely. Strangely enough, my ears have jumped in on the action too. Go figure? My ears are much more even toned then life before using Prevage. B.P. (before Prevage), there was a fair bit of uneven pigmentation on my lobes due to old, disused piercing (yes, I’m a child of the 80’s…I’ll admit it) and mild eczema scarring. That sad state of affairs has vastly improved. I’ve been using Prevage morning and night prior to moisturizing. What I love the most about Prevage Anti-Aging Formula, is that it plays well with other products in my current skincare regime. I haven’t noticed the least bit of infighting between any of the other members in my beauty arsenal. Nice. After Prevage-ing, I moisturize and then move onto the other beauty bits I’m using for the day and I’m set. Plus, between you and me, I can’t seem to keep my eyes and hands off Prevage’s sleek stainless-look packaging either. Scrumptious!
The Beauty Stone.
I bet you didn’t know that there was a stone that promotes and enhances beauty. Yep, there certainly is and that stone is rose quartz crystal. You can’t go past a beaut bit of rose quartz to give you a beauty boost. Rose quartz crystal is amongst the most highly valued and prized for its gorgeously delicate pink tone. Rose quartz is said to be fantastic for the complexion, giving a youthful appearance and promoting feminine energies and qualities. Rose quartz is also known as the love stone that is able to dispel inadequacies and create romance. No wonder it is renowned for all things beauty. It’s rose quartz ’s wonderfully supportive abilities that encourages us to freely explore the abundance of beauty around us and that’s infinitely within us all. You’ve got to get a bit of this beauty!
Beauty Marked! highly recommends That Crystal Site for extraordinary crystals and service!
Another Great Beauty Question.
As emailed to Beauty Marked!…
I seem to be plagued with persistent under eye circles. They are not bags per se, but just dark shadows. I have used under eye concealer before, but they just seem too heavy and crease. What would you suggest I do? I want to disappear these circles, but I can’t seem to find a good concealer that will cover my circles, but not crease and highlight the fine lines under my eyes. I am a Malaysian-Indian woman and I would love to wear make-up, but I just can’t seem to get it right. Any ideas?
Ah, those blessed under eye circles. So many women I know have just thrown in the towel and have forgone all makeup out of that very frustration. I suppose it can look a bit funny with immaculate makeup on, elsewhere, and those pesky circles beaming out at you. I certainly can understand your predicament.
There are a few tips that may help in your situation. Firstly, try mixing a small dab of eye cream in with your concealer and apply the mixture to the under eye area and around the entire eye area using a concealer brush. The eye cream will act as it does to hydrate the eye area and plump up those fine lines with the added benefit, when mixed with concealer, of giving coverage to the area and subtly masking dark circles. With your under eye circles concealed, your total makeup look will appear flawless.
Another thing to keep in mind too, when buying concealer, is that if you are a yellow under toned person, as many woman of Indian heritage are, you might like to stick with concealers that are also yellow based. It is often suggested that one purchase a concealer a few shades lighter than your facial colouring, but, as a woman of colour, I would suggest that you go only one shade lighter, not a few.
Lastly, a very light dusting of a non talc based powder to the area may help to set the concealer. Don’t be afraid to use a different powder on specific areas of your face, as required. An example of a non talc based product is Jurlique Silk Dust for starters. Visit Jurlique for more info. This product is talc free and is based on corn and rice starch. Not only do these type products help your concealer stay put, but will absorb much of the excess oil on your face, when used on problem areas like the T zone. Also fixing your makeup with a fine misting of water works a treat to set all of your good work too.
Always feel free to contact me at Beauty Marked! or post a comment here for more beauty tips specific to your colouring and beauty needs. Yes, that does go for all of you lovely lasses, as well. It would be a pleasure!
Sometimes You’ve Just Got To Kick It Into Gear.
Yep, as you may have gathered, it’s just one of those days. No matter what you do, it’s just one of those days when your hair won’t sit right, and you cannot…to save your soul, do things like fill your brows evenly or blend your blush perfectly, or even conceal that blasted monthly hormonal horror which is sitting so high up on your chin you might just have to give it a name. Well, it happens to the best of us. Not much more to this post than that. My commiserations.
My best suggestion for you today is just kick it into gear, hold your head up high, and channel the abundance of inner beauty that is lying below the naughty hair, misbehaving skin, and mojo-less makeup, and rock it like you mean it! Why? Because you ARE beautiful!
If You’re Going To Walk The Walk…
You’ve got to talk the talk! (in the most good humoured way of course) I got the best email asking about the terms I used in yesterday’s post O’l Blue Eyes. When I replied to the email, I asked if I could share a bit of the email as the question asked may have also been on the minds of a few of you lovely lasses as well. Plus, it was too good not to share. Our gorgeous Beauty Marked! reader agreed:
“What on earth is the inner V and, well, outer V for that matter? Also, which crease do I apply the eyeshadow to? I seem to have a few creases as I suspect my eyes might be a bit older than yours.”
Well, beautiful one, the terms you asked about from yesterday’s post all refer to areas of makeup placement on the eye.
Crease = The fold just above your top eyelid that is visible when your eyes are open. Applying eyeshadow to this crease area can add definition to your eyes. Mind you, some Asian beauties may not have a visible crease on their eye lids, but only the continuation of the eyelid up to the brow area and won’t really have a need for added definition here, in any case. Remember that dark colours give the illusion that the area it’s used on is moving back or receding, therefore making everything lighter in colour more pronounced. Hence the use of light colours will have the opposite effect making that area more noticeable.
Outer V= The area of your outer upper eyelid that can be drawn like a figurative side lying V between your upper lashline and the outer edge of the crease area of your eye. The pointy bottom section of the V lies in the direction of your ears. The same rules of dark and light also apply here in regards to definition too. The Outer V is also a great place for a small pop of gorgy colour if you’re feeling a bit adventurous.
Inner V= This is the area of the eye where the top and bottom lashlines meet. This area also makes a figurative side lying V, where the base of the V is pointing towards the bridge of the nose. The Inner V is absolutely a divine place to drop a bit of highlighting colour. Often a shimmery opalescent , pale gold, or pearly colour used in the Inner V will give you a beautiful, much sought after, wide awake twinkle.
So there you go, a brief rundown of a few makeup terms used to describe the real estate of the eye. But honestly, terms like that inner eye bit, the…um…bendy/curvy/foldy section and that upper outer eye area work good enough for me too. Wink.
What are some of the makeup terms you use?
Being Body Focused.
This month, The Body Shop has released a wonderful range of products that are absolutely chockers with natural active ingredients that are sourced from The Body Shop Community Trade Program. The Body Shop’s New Body Focus Range allows you to have spa calibre body treatments at home.
I’ve had the pleasure of having the Body Focus products applied to me in a swish spa and I have trialled them in my home. I am pleased to say that with the exception of having a gorgeous spa technician apply the products for me (I really did try hard to talk her home with me to apply, but no dice.) the products were just as effective, stimulating, and rejuvenating as when applied amidst the glories of a fabulous spa.
The Body Focus Range is compiled of 6 products that are powered by natural active ingredients and one incredible spa-like tool. The products are:
Cellulite Serum- A lightweight gel that contains an active complex with amino acids, caffeine, forskolin, Makandi mint, and vitamins B and C.
Cellulite Massager- A salon-style treatment accessory to enhance the performance of the Body Focus products (my fave).
Firming Lotion- A lightweight moisturiser with sustained release technology. Two of the key active ingredients in the Firming Lotion are seaweed extract and alginic acid (a protective film that forms on the skin’s surface to act as a protective barrier from damaging environmental elements).
Sculpting Body Mask- An effective all over body mask that delivers the ultimate salon treatment feeling while effectively improving the appearance of the skin.
Stretch Mark Improver- A light moisturising cream that includes rosehip seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, and Community Trade shea butter from Ghana.
Toning Soap Scrub- An intensive exfoliating soap which cleanses and stimulates the circulation and improves skin tone. Lemon and grapefruit essential oils are used along with finely cut lemon peel, ground apricot stones and Community Trade shea butter in this knobbly textured bar.
Toning Massage Oil- A fragrant body oil that contains six essential oils to boost circulation, improve the skin’s texture and appearance, whilst uplifting the senses.
Now you’re talking! Visit The Body Shop for this and other delectable goodies. You’ll be wrapped if you do.
Never Underestimate The Power…
Of a great red lipstick! What’s so great about a fabulous red lipstick? It’s not its emollient base, its brand or its long lasting capabilities, but its ability to be a powerfully amazing confidence boost. Since our relationship with all things beauty is really about harnessing the abundance of inner beauty that lay within us and displaying it through our gorgeous exterior. Why keep your beauty a secret? Go on, grab that great red lipstick, put it on, and go forth and spread beauty and light.
You’re beautiful!
