'Tis the season to try out a new look

 

One of the best things about the holiday season is that it can be a good time to experiment with makeup looks that you normally wouldn't try. This means grabbing the sparkles and glittery eyeshadow that would be too much for a day at the office but perfect to match that dress you bought for the Christmas party. Recently, The San Diego Reader offered some tips for ladies who feel like going wild with their cosmetics during this time of year.

The news source spoke to makeup artist Alexis Hoerres who said that in the summer, people should have a light and airy makeup look, but that the same isn't true of the winter. When it's cold and raining outside, you want your skin to be vibrant, she said, so don't be afraid to go for that green or blue eyeshadow with a hint of glitter in it. There are many bright colors that can complement your African American skin care products without overpowering them.

Hoerres warned readers that if they're going to draw attention to your eyes, they should be sure to fill in their eyebrows.

"It’s so important, especially for pictures. You have to fill in your eyebrows, otherwise you can look washed out. With a brow pencil, mascara or an eye-shadow, you can just comb it through at the end, and it looks natural and beautiful," said Hoerres, quoted by the news source.

The Gloss suggests that if you don't feel comfortable wearing eyeshadow with too much shimmer, but still want a little extra shine, you may want to try a metallic glitter eyeliner. 

Natural, simple tips to keep your skin looking young

Your African American skin care product can do a lot to keep your complexion looking young and fresh, but you need to do all you can to make sure that the skin underneath it is healthy. Why waste money on expensive and radical surgical measures to keep your appearance youthful when there are some simple and natural steps you can take now to help preserve your skin? 

First, keeping your body healthy is key to keeping skin fresh. If you exercise and eat right, it will show up in your complexion.

"We tend to focus on the cardiovascular benefits of physical activity, and those are important. But anything that promotes healthy circulation also helps keep your skin healthy and vibrant," says dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D., quoted by WebMD.

Next, it's important to wash your face regularly, sleeping with makeup on can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, so you want to make sure to go to bed with a clean slate every night. Finally, be sure to protect yourself against the sun's harmful UV rays. Using sunscreen is important for all skin tones, and there are many cosmetics that contain added SPF.

 

Experts weigh in on making makeup last all night

So you've got the right African American skin care products and you're ready for a night out on the town, but how are you going to keep your look from fading? Journal Online spoke to makeup expert Didi Gluck who offered some tips for keeping makeup looking fresh from day till evening. 

First, Gluck recommended oil-free foundation to avoid breakouts and that people with dry skin should start off by using a hydrating formula. The question remains, how do you keep this solution from running or causing your makeup to smudge?

"To avoid [the hydrating formula] from melting and to keep this in place, allow the moisturizer [to] first sink in completely, wait for five minutes or more before spreading on the foundation. Then lock it in with translucent powder, which will help soak up oils that can accelerate fading," said Gluck, quoted by the news source.

TotalBeauty.com also made suggestions for helping makeup last all day. The website recommends that women with oily skin use blotting pads to soak up excess moisture rather than constantly trying to cover it up with powder. Hiding oil with makeup will just lead to an over-done look that will start to flake faster.  

Skin care masks to help avoid drying out this winter

Sometimes, it's worth it to go the extra mile when it comes to skin care. That's why women will buy the best African American skin care products on the market and wake up early in the morning before work to apply them. Now that the winter is here, it's especially important to spare no expense when it comes to your skin routine. FeelGoodStyle.com recently suggested taking the time to apply some face masks for added protection against dryness in the cold weather. 

For dry skin, the news source suggests a mixture of ingredients such as coconut milk, honey and oatmeal. The first two substances provide nourishment for your complexion because they contain essential fatty acids and antibacterial properties, while oatmeal is a natural exfoliant.

The website also recommended olive oil as a good ingredient to protect against winter dryness. This is due in part to the antioxidants contained in this substance.

The National Institutes of Health state that antioxidants, which can be found in green tea and many other natural ingredients, help protect the cells in the body against free radicals, which occur when people are exposed to environmental toxins such as car emissions and tobacco smoke.