Pressed for time on Valentine's Day?

 

Valentine's Day is coming up, but that doesn't mean you have to spend hours applying your African American skin care product. Many women will have to be rushing straight from the office to their dinner plans, so they may not have more than a few minutes to get themselves ready.

Recently, BellaSugar.com offered some tips for the women on the go this Valentine's day. The news source spoke to makeup artist Emily Kate Warren, who explained steps that you can take to look great no matter how much time you have.

First, if you only have five minutes, Warren says the staples are black mascara, lipstick and blush. These basic tools will be enough to make you look ready to go out.

If you have 20 minutes, Warren recommends using everything above, but adding in foundation and bronzer for a glowing look.

Real Beauty spoke to makeup artist Jemma Kidd who offered this advice for women who are crunched for time in their cosmetic routine.

"Look for multitasking formulas like a tinted moisturizer that has SPF," said Kidd, quoted by the news source. "These are lifesavers when you're in a pinch. Eye colors should be neutral, soft, and subtle to best enhance and flatter your complexion. For the most wearable look, textures should be neutral: not too matte or too dewy."

Gifts for all the Valentines in your life

 

If you've been busy dropping hints to your husband or boyfriend about what African American skin care products to get you for Valentine's Day, hopefully you haven't forgotten to go out and buy some presents as well. This holiday can be a great time to get gifts not just for your significant other, but all of the people who are special to you in your life.

For example, your mother, sister or best friends may need to update their makeup selection. Many women will go years with the same products, and buying them a lipstick color that they've never tried or a new moisturizer could be a great way to get them to get them to switch things up.

For the man in your life, holidays can be an opportunity to introduce him to the emerging men's skin care market. There are many African American skin care products for men that can get him looking as good as you do. You may want to start by getting him a new aftershave or shaving gel.

Finally, Valentine's Day can also be a chance to treat yourself. Buy a spa package and get a facial or a massage. Or, you can always go on a little spending spree for some new cosmetics for African American skin.

Rihanna stuns at 2012 Grammy Awards

 

Pop singer Rihanna had heads turning and women all over the U.S. wondering what kind of African American skin care product she uses as she stepped onto the red carpet at the 2012 Grammy Awards on Feb. 12.

Rihanna, who was born in Barbados, wore an Armani gown with a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit to show her toned legs. Always the chameleon, the pop star also debuted a beachy blonde hair style, which stood out against very simple makeup.

"I wanted to do something very Michelle Pfeiffer from Scarface," she told E! before the awards. "Simple, but sexy, and a little gangster at the same time."

Later in the ceremony, the singer changed into a black cropped top with leather shorts, a studded belt, black tights and combat boots to perform with Coldplay.

After the Grammys, she reportedly put on a show with electronic artist Deadmau5.

Ladies who don't have the funds for Armani can still aspire to look as glowing as a pop star by using the right black skin care products and making lifestyle choices that are known to promote a healthy glow, like eating right and staying hydrated. 

Snowy conditions don't mean you can skip sunscreen

 

Winter is in fully blast now, and even if you don't have any snow flakes in your front yard, you may be finding some flakes on your skin due to dry conditions. The cold weather requires you to switch up your skin care routine a bit. It's important to do all you can to protect your skin, since it is the body's number one defense against harmful pathogens.

Recently, the Massachusetts Daily Collegian ran an article offering some winter skin care do's and don'ts. First, during the winter months it's important to moisturize often. While your African American skin care product may already have an added moisturizer, you want to be stringent about re-hydrating all of the skin on your body, not just your complexion.

"Any kind of cleansing, from showering to simple hand washing, becomes an acolyte in the dark cause of skin-dehydrating when under the evil influence of the dry, wintry air," stated the news source.

Along with moisturizing often, the news provider recommended using products with added SPF, since the sun's UV rays can damage your skin even in winter. In fact, the Mayo Clinic states that snow can reflect these rays, so even if it's cold and cloudy outside you should wear sunscreen on all exposed parts of the body, including using a lip balm with SPF.