How To Do Eyebrows March 01 2017

Eyebrows... Quick Guide

There is a bit of an obsession at the moment for really bold brows, and yes they can look good but this look does not suit everyone.  It is about finding brows that work and suit YOU.  Eyebrows are there to complement your face and not be a stand-alone feature. 

Trends change and quite often as a therapist you come across clients who have over plucked and having problems getting the hair to re-grow properly.  If this is you and you feel they are mis matched and thin then leave them alone, let them grow then after 4 to 6 weeks visit your therapist who can re-shape and guide you on home care.

There are lots of amazing products out there now which can gently fill in sparse  and fine brows, not just the standard pencils.  I love using a powder for a soft look and colour building more easier.  There are great brow kits available, brow waxes and even pens, don't be afraid to change your product and experiment.  Another good idea is eyebrow tinting, giving you longer lasting results, especially good if your eyebrows are fine and fair.  Eyebrows typically have soft arches but thickness and height will differ on each of us.  So many times clients ask for a brow which just isn't achievable, as a therapist we can enhance, shape and colour but working within what we have available.  You can have eyebrows waxed, tweezed and threaded so there are plenty of options to get the best out of your brows.

If you are going to go it alone quick tips are to follow your natural shape and only tweeze random hairs and not from the brow line.  Often it is a good idea to use a magnifying mirror, enabling you to remove any fine fair hairs.  Try not to worry if they are not 100% identical, most of us have slightly different eyebrows and it can be easy to over pluck when trying to get two the same! Always tweeze in the  direction of your hair growth to avoid In growing hairs and hair snapping. 

Tips For Perfect Brows October 28 2014

Finding the best shape for your eyebrows can be difficult. Pencil thin and overly bushy brows are a 'no,no'. Eyebrows really do frame the face and can make a huge difference to your appearance. There are a few ways to keep your brows in shape and a few products which can help those of us who are a bit scarce on the hair front in this area too! If you are doing your brows at home it is best to use a good magnifying mirror to enable you to see each hair. Go slowly, one hair at a time to avoid over plucking. The beginning of your eyebrow should align with the centre of the nostril.

The arch of the brow should be central to your pupil - when you are looking directly in front. Each brow should follow the length of the eye, BUT should not extend onto the temple area. Eyebrow tinting is really popular and adds colour and depth to lighter brows and helps eyebrows look their best. Many of us also use eyebrow products too, to fill in, add depth and colour to brows. There are various products on the market which can achieve the look you require, from pencils to gels and powders. Play with products to find your ideal one! A good rule to remember is that pencils offer a stronger colour than a powder, and a gel (can be clear or coloured) depending on which one you choose - tend to be good for adding thickness and controlling unruly brows.

Really unruly brows can be trimmed but it is important when doing this to comb all brows upwards and in the opposite direction of hair growth to see what really needs to be trimmed. Any longer hairs can be cut, brushed back and if necessary trimmed again, it is always best to air on the side of caution when trimming to avoid over cutting. Many clients do their own eyebrows and every so often come in for a wax, thread, trim or tweeze to get them in shape again, this way they can easily follow the shape in between at home.

An Easy Way To Clean Makeup Brushes July 23 2013

How clean are your make up brushes?!...  Many of us use them but how many of us actually clean them on a regular basis?

I remember being little and watching my gran wash hers routinely every Sunday without fail and thinking she was a bit obsessive!  But really she had the right idea… and I am still trying to keep on top of cleaning mine as often as I can.  Brushes harbour bacteria, old make-up residues and dirt so it is really important to keep them in good condition as not only will it expand their life span but also protect your skin from any flare up’s which can be caused by dirty brushes!  Like my nan I did try to have a make-up free day and its normally on a lazy Sunday - so I figure this is a great day to clean those brushes.

There are products you can specifically purchase to clean your brushes but it isn’t always necessary, all you really need is a good foaming cleanser and warm water.  Run a bowl of warm water and  apply some cleanser to the bristles of you brush/es and run gently, adding the water as you go to create a foam.  Try to avoid getting more than the bristles overly wet as constant water getting onto the handles and area where bristles are attached can cause them to loosen and come away.

Sometimes you may need to wash the bristles a couple of times until no make-up and dirt is coming off onto your hands.  Once you feel satisfied they are clean, rinse well and gently squeeze as much excess water out as you can.  Dry with a clean cloth, and place brushes out to dry on some kitchen towel.  Leave them to dry naturally and out of direct sun light.  Sometimes I pop mine in the airing cupboard to help them dry that bit quicker!  They should dry relatively quickly and in no time you will be ready to re-apply your make-up, knowing your brushes are in tip-top condition!! 

Wedding Planning Help June 10 2013

Planning your 'Big Day?'

I know a few that are and as a therapist many clients ask how they can get their themselves in the best shape so that they can look and feel extra special on their Wedding Day.  Once you have set the date you can then set yourself a ' TO DO' list.  These are great for just about everything but never more than now!  I recommend that 6 months prior is a good time to look at your skin, body and health issues.  Take a moment to really look at your skin and establish your skin type/condition/s.  Once you have done this, check out products that will suit and work for you.  But is not the only answer!!  If you find this hard speak to your therapist who should be happy to assist you and guide you on the correct regime.

One of my earlier blogs touched on diet, and this is really important.  Aim for a well balanced diet, full of fibre - think fruits, vegetables, oats, brown rice, beans nuts and seeds.  Water - for hydration and good digestive health.  Cut back on saturated fats, alcohol and sugars - all these put added stress on your liver and can result in unbalanced skin.  Oily skin types are often caused by hormonal imbalances, so to help balance these choose foods high in phytoestrogens, such as soya, beans, peas and chickpeas.  Dry skins usually lack essential fats, so avoid a very low fat diet and add a serving of omegas to your daily diet - a good way todo this is to sprinkle flaxseed onto your cereal.  If your prone to breakouts, zinc and vitamin A are the two key nutrients for you.  These immunity-boosters will help to repair skin cells.  You can find zinc in shellfish, green leafy vegetables and whole grains.  Vitamin A can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes and butternut squash.  Flushed skins and rosacea can be a nuisance and real concern for some, but by cutting out caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, chocolate and cheese can often really help.

Now your skin is on the road to perfection, most brides dream of getting body beautiful and again 6 months before wedding is a great time to start.  If you need to lose a few pounds access your diet and see where improvements can be made, a dietician can help if your clueless and want a healthy diet and not just a quick weight loss plan.  Look into your exercise routine, do you have one? What do you enjoy doing? Getting active is a great way to have fun and see results, grab your bridesmaid/s along and get fit.

Finally right before the day itself, look at booking yourself into your favourite salon/spa for a days pampering, again bring mums and bridesmaids along.  Most salons/spas offer great packages to accommodate bridal parties.  Think about what you want, some brides are happy with nails and make-up, others want tans, eyelash extensions, waxing, facials... The list is endless.  My advice is to discuss your treatment requirements with your therapist and make a plan!  Remember lots of brides have monthly facials for a few months before to really see fab results.  It's all up to the individual, but this day is special and so are you...  Happy planning.

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes At Home April 14 2013

Clean your make-up brushes...

This is REALLY important, and often forgotten by most of us.  I like to set aside time once a week to do this job as left brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause breakouts, eczema and many other skin conditions.

Simply wash your brushes with your cleanser, rinse well, gently squeeze and lay them out on a clean tissue towel to dry.

Expert Beauty Tips March 19 2013

• Remember... Not to use too much moisturiser as it can make your foundation slip.  A great idea is to blot your skin prior to applying foundation to ensure a long lasting finish.
  
  
• Quick glow required?  A great tip of an all over healthy glow is to mix a drop of your summer foundation with your regular moisturiser and instantly you will look and feel healthier.  Great not only for your face, but all over!
  
  
• Brush your way beautiful... Dry body brushing is one of the cheapest and best ways to enhance your skin.  When done 2-3 times a week, prior to shower/bath on dry (not damp) skin, it provides a gentle internal massage, which speeds up the elimination of toxins, while topically leaving you with super soft, glowing skin.  Get your brush ASAP!
  
  
• Just out the shower/bath, quick pat yourself dry and smother on your favourite body product.  Whether it is a serum, gel, cream, butter or oil, they all will work and penetrate better on damp skins, leaving you seriously hydrated and smooth.
  
  
• Very important, always remember to use your skincare products on your neck and décolleté, as these areas show signs of ageing too and are often missed out in our daily routines.  Treat these areas the same as your face, and any excess of product left over - quick rub on the backs of your hands, these again are another area often neglected!