Makeup artist to the stars offers tips

Recently, makeup artist Scott Barnes, who has worked with many celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, gave some tips to BecomeGorgeous.com about how to create a flawless look. 

First, Barnes said that the foundation is the base for the rest of your makeup, so you want to be sure to use the right one. He explained the best way to find the shade that works best with your skin tone.

"Ease the application by using this formula. Choose the perfect shade by applying a tiny amount of this product on your chest as this is the spot where the sun also gets in contact with the skin," said Barnes, quoted by the news source.

Barnes said that to really make yourself stand out you should use an eyelash curler before putting mascara. DailyMakeover.com states that when you use this tool, you want to clampdown and then slowly walk the curler to the end of the lashes, rather than just clamping down and releasing. This way, you'll have a nice curl to the lashes rather than a random crimp in them.  

Doctors make winter recommendations

Even if you're using the best African American skin care products on the market, winter winds can find a way to leave you with a cracked, dry complexion if you're not doing all you can to protect against the chill. Recently, skin care experts from The Peer Group, a collection of cosmetic and plastic surgeons based in New Jersey, offered some tips for staying moisturized during the cold season. 

First, the doctors recommended drinking plenty of water. Doing so has been shown to keep your skin hydrated, and so the physicians suggested making a habit out of having water with you during very meal, especially if you're drinking dehydrating beverages, such as coffee or alcohol.

Next, the experts suggested getting rid of dead skin with gentle exfoliation.

"You can find a good product for this at local drug and grocery stores, but be sure to avoid rough, granular scrubs for the face and body," said the physicians.

Finally, the doctors said that you should avoid hot showers, which take moisture away from the skin. Instead, they recommended taking a warm soak in a tub with some oatmeal to soften skin.

 

Winter foods benefit your skin

 

Many women stock up on moisturizers and other African American skin care products designed to hydrate the skin during winter, since this time of year can be treacherous for your complexion. The colder months aren't all bad, however, as The Huffington Post recently spoke to Kerri-Ann Jennings, associate nutrition editor for EatingWell Magazine, who pointed out some foods that are ripe and in season in winter and that can be great for the health of your skin.

First, pink grapefruit is still in season during the colder months, and contains lycopene, which is a natural substance that has been shown to potentially keep your skin smooth. Next, the expert suggested eating carrots, which also deliver lycopene and other helpful nutrients.

"Carrots contain the carotenoids beta carotene and lycopene - both of which may shield your skin against UV damage. In one study, participants who were exposed to UV light had almost 50 percent less skin reddening after they drank about 1 2/3 cups of carrot juice," said Jennings, quoted by the news source.

Along with eating these foods, there are other things you should do to protect your skin in winter. The Skin Cancer Foundation reminds people that skin carcinomas can still strike during the cold months, so be sure to wear sunscreen if you're going to be outside. 

Give your man the gift of skin care

 

This holiday season, when you're adding the best African American skin care products to your wish list, you might want to pick up some for the guy in your life as well. According to a recent article in the New York Times, men are changing their attitudes about beauty routines, and are buying expensive skin care products more often.

"The man today purchasing these products is so different than [he was] eight years ago," said skin care expert Celeste Hillings, quoted by the news source. "These guys who always thought it was vain or too metrosexual [to splurge on beauty products], now think it’s almost a badge they wear to say, 'I’m a modern guy because I care about my skin.'"

The Times stated that men like products that multitask, such as moisturizer that works as a sunscreen or toners that double as conditioners.

AskMen.com reports that even though men tend to care less about their skin care routine than women do, they participate in many outdoor recreational and work activities that can damage their complexion. If nothing else, men need to remember to always wear sunscreen, even in winter, if they are going outdoors.