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What makeup products do you *really* need, and the beauty challenge of the week.
By Kelly Reising |
February 21, 2007
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Read more: makeovers, cosmetics, makeup, beauty tips, beauty advice, mother magnetism
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Whenever I venture out into the aisles of the cosmetic counters it seems like there are a million products. I have no idea what most of them are used for. For example, do I really need a makeup primer?
As a Beauty Editor, I get a lot of questions about cosmetic products. Not questions about the usefulness of makeup like lip gloss or mascara; everyone knows how and why they are used, but there are some makeup items that are just downright confusing. You don’t know whether they are a necessity or what in the world they are even used for! Ever see a brow stencil, for example? Here are my answers to the top seven “Do I really need this?” product questions, starting with yours…
1. Makeup Primer - This is a very popular item now, most makeup lines carry one. It’s usually a creamy gel consistency meant to go under your foundation. It doesn’t replace your moisturizer though; you still need to use that. It just sounds like an extra step in your already packed schedule right? Primer does have a purpose because it makes your foundation go on smoother, not sink into fine lines, last longer, and helps it to not change color or break down throughout the day. Do you need primer everyday? Honestly, I don’t think so, but for a more polished face or for special occasions it does increase the performance of your foundation.
2. Eyeshadow Base - I am very pro-eyeshadow base. You need it any time you wear eyeshadow, especially powder-based eyeshadow. The powder needs something to bind to, making the eyeshadow show up more vibrantly and last much longer. If you don’t use it, your eyeshadow will last all of two minutes! You can use a concealer as a shadow base. Just smooth on a sheer layer all over your lid from your lash line to brow. When I put my eyeshadow on at 7am, it lasts until I wash it off before bed, I swear!
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3. Concealer - I know everyone knows what concealer is used for, but a lot of women ask me why they can’t just use their foundation around their eyes. The reason is that foundation is not meant for your eye area, and it’s not heavy enough to conceal dark circles - especially the dark circles of a Mom. Goodness knows we Moms never get enough sleep, so invest in a great concealer and no one will know that your three-year-old got out of bed six times last night!
4. Invisible Lip Liner - There are people that love lip liner and there are those that just won’t wear it. In my opinion, you don’t need a lip liner, but it does offer some benefits. When you use a regular lip liner and not only line the lips, but slightly fill them in with the liner, your lipstick will last much longer, and it won’t bleed. This technique works especially nice with lip gloss, because lip gloss is notorious for vanishing off the lips. Liner will keep it in place and looking more vibrant and shiny. An invisible lip liner is only used to help stop gloss from bleeding out of the lip line. It won’t add any extra color boost to your gloss and keeps it sheer.
5. Brow Powder - If your brows are light or over-plucked, filling them in will add a more structured look to your face. Brows are like the picture frame for your eyes. You will look more polished and awake with your brows done. Hands down, brow powder is easier to use and looks more natural than a pencil.
6. Lip Plumpers - This is the newest trend in lip products on the market. It’s usually a gloss you apply to the lips, and it creates a slightly tingly sensation in order to increase the circulation in your lips, making them look fuller. Honestly, I have tried a few of these, and usually the “tingly” sensation is more like burning irritation! I didn’t like it, and I don’t feel like it is going to make your lips look any fuller than if you used a regular gloss. A dab of a light shimmery gloss right in the center of the top and bottom lip will make them look fuller, without the pain!
7. Any Makeup at all? If you are comfortable going bare faced, then no, you don’t really need makeup. I admire women who can leave the house without a stitch of blush or mascara. It’s not for me though. I actually decided not to wear any makeup the other day, which is very unusual for me since I usually have at least mascara and lip gloss on at all times. I wasn’t going anywhere with my girls that day, so I just skipped doing my makeup. My husband noticed though, and asked if something was wrong with my eyes?! I guess he is used to seeing them with mascara, and you can bet the next day I didn’t skip my morning makeup routine!
Beauty Challenge of the Week
Here's the deal, take a look in the mirror and analyze your brows. What do they look like to you? Are they enhancing your face or do they look like overgrown weeds? We tend to neglect our brows just as we sometimes (or all the time in my case) neglect our gardens. The brows are vital to the frame of your face and it makes such a difference when they are shaped well. Now that doesn't mean getting your brows scary pencil thin. In fact, fuller brows are quite hot right now. So my challenge to you is to get your brows professionally shaped. It will do wonders for your face and it has the same affect as getting a mini face lift. Once you have them done properly it's easy to maintain the shape at home with some handy dandy Tweezerman tweezers.
Have a question for Kelly? Send it to magnet@imperfectparent.com!
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 Kelly Reising is the Beauty Editor of Mode, a lifestyle magazine geared towards women in the direct sales industry. Her monthly column for HotMomsClub.com is called “The Beauty Bite” and you can seek out even more of her advice at Lifetips.com where she is an Expert Guru Author in Makeup. Her first book, Lifetips 101 Makeup Tips will be available on Amazon.com and at Barnes&Noble.com This former makeup artist and mother of two girls knows that while her day may not be perfect, at least her lip gloss will be. |
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