Experts offer tips to get the "natural" look

 

Unless you're going to a costume party, you probably want your African American skin care product to appear natural, and enhance your skin's best qualities, not overpower them. Recently, Yahoo! published some tips by makeup artist Dick Page on how to create that look that makes people ask, "Is she wearing makeup, or is her skin that flawless naturally?"

First, the expert explained how to give your lips just a hint of color without overdoing it.

"I just dab lipstick on with my fingertip, or use a fluffy brush rather than a flat or sharp-edged brush, because I like a more diffused lip. I use fluffy brushes for everything," said Page, quoted by the news source.

Next, Page said that a new trend for this season is to wear nude colors. The makeup artist stated that you can get this look by starting with a light foundation that matches your skin tone, and then use a brush to apply an eyeshadow in the same color family as your foundation, and pick a lipstick that is a similar color as well.

Oprah recommends on her website that for a more natural look, women should use as little foundation as possible. Rather than putting it all over your face, simply put foundation on spots where your skin needs to be evened out. 

Steel Magnolias will be re-made with an African American cast

 

Deadline Hollywood recently reported that Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott, Adepero Oduye and Condola Rashad will be the cast of a re-make of Steel Magnolias, a classic movie about the bond of sisterhood.

The new version of the movie will appear on the Lifetime channel, according to media reports.

"The caliber of talent associated with this film is astounding and falls in line with our strategy to make Lifetime a first stop for the industry’s best both in front of and behind the camera," said Lifetime’s president and general manager Nancy Dubuc, quoted by the news source.

This means that the ladies may be preparing themselves for the screen with stringent skin care routines. Queen Latifah recently told the lifestyle blog Style Goes Strong that this consists of just scrubbing the skin gently with water and baking soda.

Such a simple routine may not be effective on everyone. For these women, the best African American skin care may help even out the complexion and fade any dark spots on black skin.

 

Helpful tips for women who do their own makeup

 

Unless you're a celebrity, you probably apply your African American skin care product yourself each day. While you're probably a pro at doing your own makeup after years of doing so, there are always new tips that you can learn to improve your routine. Recently, the Herald Sun made a list of the top do-it-yourself makeup tips.

First, the news source pointed out that as the seasons change, the tone of your skin may change with it, so you should have different shades of foundation in case that happens.

"Buy more than one color foundation for if you tan or otherwise. Getting this right can make you look 10-15 years younger. Match your color to your shoulder, not your face," recommended the Herald Sun.

Next, the information provider stated that you should never smile when you blush, because this may cause you to apply it on the wrong spot on your face. Also, it's good to follow the rule "if you think you have too much makeup on, you do," to keep yourself from looking over-done.

Harper's Bazaar also has some do-it-yourself tips to ensure your makeup looks natural. The news source said that the best way to apply lipstick so it doesn't look too heavy is to only put it on your bottom lip and then blot your lips together. Harper's also recommended trying a silver eyeliner, which can transition well from day to night.

 

Doctor offers tips for healthy hair and scalp

 

If you've got the perfect African American skin care product, then you've probably been working on the perfect hairstyle to match. Sometimes, women go through some painful processes for their hair, and according to researchers from Henry Ford's Multicultural Dermatology Clinic, some of these procedures can cause scalp problems.

"Hair is an extremely important aspect of an African American woman's appearance," said researcher Diane Jackson-Richards, M.D. "Yet, many women who have a hair or scalp disease do not feel their physician takes them seriously. Physicians should become more familiar with the culturally accepted treatments for these diseases."

Jackson-Richards compiled some tips for African American women to help them avoid developing conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and alopecia, which can lead to hair loss.

First, the doctor suggested allowing two weeks between relaxing and coloring. Next, she said to wash braids or dreadlocks every two weeks, and to limit use of blow dryers and other heated hair styling products to once a week.

Finally, Jackson-Richards said that you shouldn't wear braids too tightly or for longer than three months, and recommended natural hair oils with jojoba, olive, shea or coconut oils.