Image courtesy of Images.teamsugar.com

I recently read a magazine article on how to apply proper makeup with glasses. As I was reading the article it occurred to me that I never really wear makeup when I put my glasses on. To be quite honest, the days I don’t feel like putting makeup on I just throw on my glasses like a shield for my face. They’re like my back-up plan, my personal safety device in a case.

But this article got me thinking. Why not wear really hot eye makeup under my spectacles? Why not embrace my sexy and smart side at the same time?

I am a veteran glasses owner. I have owned a pair since I was six years old. I can actually remember the first time my dad and I went to pick them up. I had to wear them to school the next day for a class field trip to the zoo. As soon as I put them on I felt different. They were giant baby blue Coke-bottle frames, and my far-sighted vision meant I needed extra thick lenses. I was pretty hard to miss, and before long it became hard to separate myself from the oddity.

Ever since that first day I’ve struggled with feeling attractive or even cute with my spectacles. Once I got to high school sure I got contacts, the assumed savior for any glasses wearer, but as soon as I got home it was back to bifocal Dani. Parties, concerts, picnics whatever. I usually pick the contacts over glasses any day. Yet the irony remains contacts just don’t work as well. To this day I’m still trying to find ways to inspire myself to have confidence with my glasses on.

In Japan, fetishising girls with glasses is practically its own art form. The sexy nerd girl is the ideal mate for the nerd boy. She probably plays video games and loves anime. But are we all nerds because we sport frames?

Some of Hollywood’s hottest stars don prescription designer lenses. Johnny Depp, Leona Lewis, Julia Roberts, Rose McGowan and Jenny McCarthy are just a few.

Glasses are no longer your guaranteed membership to geekdom. With the right attitude and frame to pair, it may well be your ticket to the super-cool list.

If you don’t have vision problems, you can try accessorizing your look with a pair of frames without a prescription. Glasses can be a great accessory just for fun! It’s all about how you make a fashion statement. Let your glasses be the mirror to your personality.

Working with makeup and glasses can open up a whole new way to see yourself. You can create looks that don’t give you flashbacks to being called “four eyes” in elementary school. Plus, they really do make you look smarter.

I hope this post inspires other contact lens wearers to embrace their glasses!

contact lenses, Danielle Francis, glasses, Jenny McCarthy, Johnny Depp, julia roberts, Leona Lewis, makeup, Rose McGowan Hide

Image courtesy of Thesourceskincare.com

Over 80% of women in North America wear it, and most never leave the house without it. You’ve guessed it — makeup! Today, there are more product lines than ever before from blush and mascara to eyeliner and lip gloss, you name the shade and texture and you are bound to find a generous amount of products. The latest trend has shifted towards makeup that is not only flattering but made of natural ingredients to eliminate harsh chemical exposure to our skin. Mineral makeup has claimed to do just that and while it is all the rage, there are some doctors who are warning that it can have a long-term negative impact on our health.

Appearing in infomercials initially, mineral makeup can now be found on any common drugstore shelf. The concept of mineral makeup is that it’s formed primarily from earth’s natural minerals containing a combination of ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, bismuth oxychloride, iron oxides and others. These minerals are mixed with other inorganic pigments to get the right color. True mineral makeup should not contain any artificial colors, fragrances or preservatives. The main appealing quality for users is that it is non-comedogenic, meaning it should have no irritants or obstruct the skin which is ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin types. Its coverage ranges from sheer to full without damaging effects to the skin or the caked-on look.

For a product that seemingly is flawless, doctors even as prominent as television’s Dr. Oz have taken a stand against women using the product claiming there are more harmful effects than meets the eye. On his popular talk show of the same name, Dr. Oz expressed concerns that mineral makeup poses health risks to our lungs. The product contains very fine particulars that contain titanium dioxide and mica which are inhaled each time application of mineral makeup is made to the face. Comparable, construction workers who work with tiny particles of mica found in items like Spackle are obligated to wear masks to prevent scarring of their lungs over time. While studies have not examined this correlation between mineral makeup and lung damage as of yet, doctors believe it will be a factor in the long-term and advise against using the makeup.

What is a viable alternative with the same benefits without the negatives? Try using liquid-based foundation with a shimmer to give you the same flawless effect without worrying about health issues. You can find products in liquid form that are just as good for your skin as minerals. If you are inclined to use powder, try a pressed powder instead and apply next to a window to avoid unnecessary inhalation.

Is the price of beauty going to cost you more than money? When it comes to your health, do not take shortcuts if it could impact your body down the line. Opt for safe, effective makeup and products that not only make you look great, but keep you feeling great!

dr. oz, Genevieve Castonguay, makeup, mineral makeup, non-comedogenic Hide

For most girls, makeup is like a rite of passage. You watch your mother transform herself from your mom to an elegant goddess with the help of a few tiny brushes and color palettes. The instruments of beauty are just a few years away, and soon enough you will be able to transform yourself.

By the time I was four, I had been in numerous dance competitions with the hair and makeup experience being just part of the costuming. So when high school hit, cosmetics were a completely different world.

My mother never wore too much makeup when I was around her, which wasn’t that often. I only knew how to put on exaggerated blush and overly red lips. When it came to organizing daytime and nighttime looks I usually went for moisturizer and bronzer, which I still do to this day.

As a waitress, I expect to get sweaty multitasking up and down aisles for five to six-hour shifts. My uniform consists of a T-shirt and jeans, so I rarely feel the need to put on makeup, but that doesn’t mean I come to work looking sloppy.

Recently, I read an article about a waitress who was fired for not wearing makeup to work, and it hit close to home. Her bosses said she was not complying with uniform standards, and “unfortunately,” had to be terminated. What if she has sensitive skin, and the cheap stuff doesn’t work well on her (I’m just speculating)?

As a fellow waitress I understand the dilemma of looking good at work, but there’s a huge difference between being presentable and appearing sexy or even attractive. I can’t imagine the day my boss comes up to me and let’s me know that I need to wear more makeup. It’s actually kind of insulting.

This story got me thinking about makeup and what it means for women. It is apparent that this case is not solely about a girl refusing to look nice. It’s about her right to feel comfortable at work while still adhering to company policy. Many think that because a woman does not wear makeup she is frumpy and “letting herself go.” The social pressures behind cosmetics propel this type of discrimination.

The craziest part of this story is the fact that it was in her employer’s legal rights to fire her! Apparently a few years ago it was established by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that it is not discriminatory for employers to require female employees to wear makeup. I wonder if guys have to comply with these standards of being presentable?

9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Danielle Francis, fired, makeup, waitress Hide

Anytime someone pulls out their camera and starts to snap candid shots, my palms begin to sweat a little. Although I try to look engaged in the conversation and blissfully unaware of the photographer, I’m constantly using my peripheral vision to ensure I’m smiling or casually laughing when the camera’s pointed my way. We all want to look good in photos even if we hate having our picture taken.

So instead of fearing the camera lens, here are some tips to help embrace your looks and learn how to become instantly photogenic!

Posing

· Practice makes your pose perfect. Work out some camera-ready stances in the mirror. It may feel silly, but at least you won’t be caught off guard the next time a camera’s flash goes off. Why do you think celebrities always strike such a calculated pose? They know how to look their best because they’ve practiced!

· Want to look instantly slimmer? Just put one foot out in front and turn your body slightly to the side, including your shoulders. Then put your hands on your hips to draw attention to your natural waist (it’s the smallest part of you).

· Press your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. This tightens the muscles at the bottom of your face and gets rid of a vicious double chin.

· Get full lips by simply looking at the camera and saying “wogan” — strange, but models swear by it.

· To minimize your thighs when sitting down in a photo, lean forward and put your elbows on your knees. If you don’t feel the need to cover your thighs, then be sure and sit up straight. Good posture is always important and makes you appear slimmer.

· If you’re worried about dark circles or puffiness under your eyes, lift your chin slightly to ensure no unsightly shadows appear on your face.

· Most importantly, smile! Looking drab à la Greta Garbo isn’t necessarily the best way to remember a happy occasion. Believe it or not, everyone really does look instantly more attractive when they smile.

Makeup

· If you’ve got blemishes, you may feel inclined to pour on the foundation for the illusion of flawless skin — but think again. Excessive makeup will show up in a photo, so try going a little more natural. Only use cover-up on your blemishes and then put some loose powder on for a matte finish — particularly on your t-zone, the oiliest part of your face.

· Flatter your best features by picking either your eyes or your lips — never play up both. If you’ve got a great pout, then throw on some shiny lipgloss. If you love your eyes, consider some false lashes or eyeliner and mascara.

· Blush will give your face some liveliness. Put it on the apples of your cheeks for a little color that will go a long way in each photo.

With these savvy tips you’re sure to have a great photo just about every time. Just remember to play up your best features, trick the camera to love the features you aren’t so crazy about and always flash a smile.

Add new tag, camera, celebrities, features, flash, look good, makeup, photo, photographer, picture, posture, skin, smile, smiling Hide

Summer, like winter, requires its own proper fashion and beauty etiquette. Whether you’re cruising the beach or headed poolside this season, it’s important to keep it effortless and fun. Say goodbye to your dowdy recession attire. Below are my tips to help make sure you’re a fashion “do” this season and not a fashion “don’t.”

Don’t over-do it with fake spray tans. Do opt for a more natural glow. Not a fan of the fake and bake? The key is finding the right self tanner designed to give you the perfect tan. Summer is the best time to give yourself a great tan but long exposure to the sun isn’t the healthiest. Look out for sunless tanning cream for a gorgeous and flattering glow without the damaging side effects of the sun.

Don’t be a victim of makeup overload. Do keep it simple. Keep makeup from melting off your skin by keeping it light. Foundation is out and tinted face moisturizer is in, at least for the next three months. Replace bright blush for bronzer and dark eye shadows for sheer colors. Try to avoid makeup at the beach and remember to choose bold, colored nail polish. For the best lip coverage, apply shimmery lip-gloss or clear lacquer—red lips are big summer don’t!

Don’t wear barely there clothing. Do sport breezy tops, summer skirts and lightweight dresses. Steer clear of tiny shorts and belly-bearing tops. Do incorporate denim and khaki shorts, summer skirts and baby doll tops. “Be mindful of the length of your hemline; select miniskirts and shorts that hit right below the widest part of your thigh for the most flattering silhouette,” suggests stylebakery.com. Another affordable alternative is the chic “Maxi,” a bohemian inspired dress that hits the floor. It can be worn to the beach or on the weekends. Take into account visible bra straps. Tank tops are nice and cool, but visible bra straps are tacky. Before heading out, make sure to do a bra strap check.

Don’t wear bathing suits in public places. Do wear a cover up or tunic over a bathing suit. Wearing swimsuits under clothes should be avoided in places other than the beach like restaurants or the mall. Keep in mind that swimsuits can be sexy but also fitted. Try to wear a full-coverage suite that fits properly. Beach cover-ups come in a variety of styles and colors, not to mention are a huge hit this season.

Don’t rock unflattering shoes or winter styles. Do wear flat sandals, espadrilles and dressy flip-flops. Store the Ugg boots and leave the ballet flats at home. In its place, sport glam beach to street sandals. Espadrilles and gladiator sandals look great with long skirts and sundresses. Socks with sandals are a huge fashion faux paux for summer (well, let’s just say year round).

Don’t wear excessive jewelry. Do look for key summer accessories. Limit big necklaces and flashy pieces. You can’t go wrong with a chic beach tote, a great beach bag or a straw fedora. No outfit is complete without a cool pair of aviators or retro chic sunglasses.

photo by nathan umstead

accessories, bathing suit, beach, clothing, fashion, jewelry, makeup, sandals, spray tan, summer, sun, tunic Hide

We’ve all squirted a palm-full of thin, faintly bubbled liquid from the soap pump into our hands at a restaurant or gas station, making us wonder just how long it has been diluted almost to the consistency of water. Actually, the theory of this product-life-extension trick is quite economically and environmentally efficient. In the current financial climate, consumers should learn the secrets of using less and conserving more when it comes to products we regularly rely on at home.

After one month of daily application of your $12 face lotion, the last spit of thick cream spurts out. You pump or squeeze over and over to no avail, then cringe at the thought of buying a fresh bottle or tube, but toss that empty one away and head to the nearest Walgreens. Depending on your regiment, up that price to $35 and destination to any neighborhood department store. Either way, if you could get three to seven more uses out of that product before ditching it, you could plausibly go through two less bottles of lotion a year. Monetarily that adds up to $24 (or $70), and environmentally it translates to two less plastic pieces of material sitting in a landfill, spewing anti-aging chemicals into the earth. Multiply that by every product you use and save a small fortune while practically saving the world. Try these clever little tricks and keep a few extra bucks in your pocket:

Pump Products. The bottom of the bottle may not have enough lotion for the tube to suck up, but there is definitely more in there. Take the pump out and use it to scrape along the sides and bottom of the bottle.

Squeeze Products. Cut the tube in half. You will be amazed how many days worth of sunscreen, toothpaste or conditioner are hanging out along the walls and pooled in the neck.

Makeup. Use a Q-tip to scrape the corners of a powder compact, blush or eye shadow. Gather it in the middle and press into a new hunk or dot your brush into those pesky crumbs.

Shampoo. Drip a little hot water into the apparently empty bottle and swirl around. It will be a little watery but, depending on how much hair you have, you will have one to three effective washes swirling around in that bottle.

Deodorant. The plastic may be chafing your skin, but there is quite a bit of deodorant trapped in the little holes of the applicator. Use a toothpick to scrape them out and rub the deodorant on with your fingers. It really isn’t gross and still works the same.

The number one way to extend the life of your products is to use less. Do you really need that much shampoo? Are you dumping detergent into your washer without discretion? Is that mountain of toilet paper in your hand really necessary every time? Being conscious of your product intake is responsible consumption and even your wallet will take notice.

photo by questioning lovely photography

deoderant, detergent, environment, lotion, makeup, product, q-tip, soap, walgreens Hide

Want Nicole Richie’s smoky peepers? Or Sienna Miller’s vibrant baby blues? Then look no further and take a peek at Kitten Vixen, a new makeup line started by sisters Geraldine and Shani Shaker. This sister act has become the favorite of Hollywood’s starlets, and you can find Kitten Vixen’s “Eye Put A Spell On You” eye kits in every it-girl’s makeup bag. But the Shaker sisters don’t only have celebrity on their brains. They’ve hopped on the “Go Green” bandwagon, bringing hot new eco conscious products to the ethically concerned consumer.

Kitten Vixen is an organic and vegan makeup line made with the smart and savvy women of today in mind. The Shakers understand that women want more than just quick-fix beauty products.

“More and more women are becoming conscious of the amount of chemicals that are in everyday products. As yet, we don’t fully understand the impact that these chemicals have on us and the environment, but I think it’s fair to say that it’s not positive,” Geraldine remarks. And, while there are limits regarding certain formulas and ingredients, Kitten Vixen is constantly searching for natural alternatives to replace the chemicals found in mainstream makeup. “Our commitment with Kitten Vixen Cosmetics is to create the highest performing, cleanest color cosmetics available today,” promises Geraldine.

Okay, so we don’t have to feel guilty about using this makeup. But what exactly makes Hollywood’s hottests go crazy over these products?

“It’s the colors!” Geraldine exclaims. “The actresses and models I made up were constantly amazed at the colors I chose to put on them and at the results these colors gave them. Women have been conditioned to choose neutral and brown colors as a safety mechanism, but when chosen correctly, color acts as couture for the face. Kitten Vixen was established to demystify the cosmetic use of color. The brand is based on universal beauty colors that suit all skin tones and are appropriate for women of all ages.” So we can look fabulous and flawless without compromising our eco-friendly ways? Sounds good to us.

What also sounds good is the sisters’ sensible approach to makeup despite their years in the beauty industry. As a makeup artist, Geraldine spends all day with gorgeous women, so you would think that she would feel completely down on herself for not being a 6-foot Gisele. Au contraire.

“We need to understand that the images we see in magazines have been created by a whole team of experts under conditions that just don’t happen in real life. Even models and actresses don’t think they’re physically perfect. But the reality is that how we feel about our appearance plays a vital role in our confidence level. And I hope that Kitten Vixen helps women maximize their beauty potential without giving it a second thought,” Geraldine explains.

Kitten Vixen is makeup for the new generation of women – socially conscious yet still chock full with the fun and whimsy that makeup should have. Check it out. Your inner kitten and vixen will thank you.

celebrity, eco, green, kitten vixen, makeup Hide