Beauty tips before an office presentation

 

Before heading into a big meeting, do you check to make sure your African American skin care product is keeping your complexion flawless? If not, then you may be walking into a room full of people who are more distracted by the lipstick on your teeth than the important business you are talking about.

Recently, Skincare-News.com made some suggestions for things you should do before a big meeting.

First, the news source pointed out that those long days in the office can take a toll on the complexion, since workplaces often have dry air. The night before a major meeting, you may want to moisturize and exfoliate to ensure that your skin is fresh.

Next, the beauty website said that you should remember your nails.

"Polished nails are probably the last thing on a woman's mind as she prepares that last PowerPoint slide, but ragged nails and chipped polish are a faux pas in the professional world. Just as a job interview candidate should come into the office with neat, manicured nails, so should a professional woman during any big event," stated the beauty news source.

Finally, be sure to get a good night's sleep and use makeup to cover any dark circles you have under your eyes. While you want it to be clear in your work that you had many sleepless nights coming up with this presentation, you don't want it to show on your face! 

New York Times explores the new generation of skin lighteners

There was a time when fade cream for black skin was aimed at lightening the complexion overall, resulting in an unnatural appearance, discoloration and lesions due to the harsh chemicals that these African American skin care products contained.

But black skin care products have come a long way. They allow men and women to flaunt their gorgeous complexions while evening out dark spots on black skin and reducing the appearance of scarring.

Recently, the New York Times ran an article about some of these products and how they're being marketed worldwide.

"In Asia, there are a lot of whitening products, and that's what the category is called, which is in reference to the pearl-white skin that they aspire to have. In the U.S., it's different because it's more about evening the complexion, and it's for all ethnicities. We call it brightening. It's not about the color of the skin," said Christine Dagousset, an executive vice president for Chanel cosmetics, quoted by the news source.

In decades past, many skin lightening products for African Americans contained a chemical called hydroquinone. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the chemical is a potential carcinogen and has been linked to a number of skin conditions, including ochronosis, which results in thick, dark patches of skin.

How does Kim Kardashian get her glow? With foundation primer

 

Ever wish your brown skin care products could transform you into Kim Kardashian or one of the many other beautiful celebrities that you see on the covers of magazines and on TV? Well, while your makeup may not put you in the magazines, there are certainly tips and tricks you can take from celebs that may help your skin look camera-ready.

According to The Daily Mail, the secret behind Kardashian's glowing skin is foundation primer. The news source published a picture of the star with yellow primer all over her face. This product is used underneath foundation to help even out the color of your skin.

Oprah Magazine offers some tips for how to apply cosmetic primer.

"A light gel or lotion, primer makes foundation go on more evenly and last longer by creating a smooth base for the pigment to adhere to. Massage a pea-size amount onto your face. Let it absorb before you apply foundation," according to the news source.

The information provider also recommends that if you use a concealer, apply it after primer but before foundation. The news source said this is also a good way to conceal black skin dark spots. 

Liquid vs. Powder: Which foundation works for you?

 

When you're choosing an African American skin care product you might, like many women, wonder if you should go for a powder or a liquid foundation. As with most other makeup choices, this one comes down to your skin type and personal preferences. Makeup.com offers some things to consider while making this decision.

According to the news source, either choice holds the potential to give you a smooth and even look, but it all depends on how you apply the product. Liquid foundation should be applied using a damp sponge or a brush for the best results. If you do use a brush, then be sure to blend well to make sure that you don't leave any spots.

If you have oily skin, then avoid liquid foundations that have a dewy finish, and set the foundation with a translucent powder to avoid shine.

Powder foundation can be applied using a dry sponge, and tends to take less time than liquid. However, women with dry skin should avoid this type of foundation, since it will settle into areas of dryness on the face.

Oprah.com recommends using a powder foundation if you have a combination of dry and oily skin because it "allows you to distribute more of the oil-absorbing makeup where you need it and less where you don't, without leaving visible lines."