Homemade Makeup Brush cleanser

Makeup brushes can harbor lots of dirt and bacteria, BUT washing them can keep them clean. Plus your face will thank you for that-you want a clean and a healthy face. There are tons of brush cleansers but have you read the ingredients in the back? Do you know what the ingredients are? Chemicals you haven't heard of? How expensive they are? I have tried other brush cleansers but they always leave my brushes dry and slightly brittle.

You don't need to spend a lot of money on a makeup brush cleaner because 

I found a video on YouTube and I think it's the most natural cleanser you can make at home. The ingredients are products you have at your home. I've been using this home made makeup brush cleanser for the past year and my brushes have been good as new. The result: the brushes are virtually soft and squeaky clean. 

So here's what you need for the home made brush cleanser:

• 1 cup Distilled Water, Purified or Bottled water: DO NOT use tap water. BUT make sure you boil tap water first for 10 minutes, let cool, then you can use it.

• 1/4 cup 70% Isopropyl Rubbing alcohol: To kill bacteria and to sanitize our brushes. 

• 1/2 tablespoon Dish Soap/Detergent: To remove the oils produced from our skin. Remember Palmolive Or Dawn only. We use Dawn detergent to clean sea animals affected by Oil Spills, and are least toxic to animals. They do not cause harm to our skin. Palmolive is safe for hands because it doesn't dry out our hands. Other detergents are extremely drying. 

• 1/2 tablespoon Baby Shampoo: To wash out dirt and makeup residue from foundation, eyeshadow, translucent powder, and blush. No harsh chemicals therefore safe for your brush.

• 1 tablespoon Spray on Leave-in Conditioner (Liquid form): Leave in conditioner is useful because your hair is soft & conditioned without the need of water. Using this conditioner on your brush leaves your brushes soft, never dry or brittle. Good brands are: Aveeno: Nourish + Condition™ Leave-In Treatment,  Paul Mitchell: The Conditioner™ Leave-In Moisturizer,  Aussie: Hair Insurance™ Leave In Conditioner  Nexxus: Humectress™ Luxe Ultimate Moisturizing Leave-In Spray.  Please do not buy the "GEL FORM" make sure it's in "LIQUID FORM"

• Mixing Jar/Container

• Something to stir with: spoon, spatula, chopsticks..etc

• Empty bottle for the cleanser

Mix the ingredients together in the jar/ container starting with the water.

After all the ingredients have been mixed in, carefully and gently stir everything together. Don't mix too fast, you don't want to start sudsing/foaming. After everything is blended toghether, pour the mixture into the empty bottle. There will be little white residue due to the spray on conditioner. This is ok.

So there you go, you're very own brush cleanser. Remember to deep clean your brushes once a month. Too much washing will damage your brushes. Please take good care of your brushes. A well maintained brush help you create that flawless look.

Hope you enjoy these great tips! Thanks EnKoreMakeup for the cleanser.

4 Basic Skin Care Needs

4 Basic Skin Care Needs.   

Everytime we touch our face, put makeup on, expose yourself under the sun, you are producing bacteria, residue, and damaged skin. Therefore, our skin needs to stay healthy-looking so here are 4 basic daily skin care needs. 

1: Cleansing

First, your skin type -- whether it's oily, dry, normal or combination - you have pick a cleanser one that suits your skin type. Don't be afraid to try several products. However using too many products may cause irritation. Experimenting is the Key, to a minimum of course. Also you can always ask your friends about the type of cleanser they use. Cleansing removes hidden dirt, makeup, opens up clogged pores and keeps the skin fresh 

When you cleanse, be sure to massage it into your face for at least 20 seconds so the ingredients can penetrate and be most effective.

2: Exfoliate

Exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round.  Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing all year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. 

Retinoids (such as Retin-A or the more moisturizing Renova) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. 

3: Moisturize

Moisturizing is very essential to keep the skin healthy and glowing. All types of skins need moisturizing. Even if your skin is oily, you should use a moisturizer. Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin. Do not over-moisturize.

4: Sun Protection/SPF/Sunscreen

When you use sunscreen, you're not just helping to protect yourself from diseases like skin cancer; you're also helping to prevent the signs of skin aging that come from sun exposure. Skin that's left naked in the sun ends up more discolored and wrinkled and less elastic than skin that has been steadily shielded from UV radiation. Sun exposure causes wrinkles. It's best to use a moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning and another moisturizer without SPF at night. 

Hope you enjoy these great tips!

Hair Loss causes and prevention

Hair Loss plays a lead role in enhancing our looks. As a result poor self esteem may occur and your loss of confidence may prevent you from being happy. But don't despair unless it's hereditary, which is common baldness: male-pattern baldness/female pattern baldness, or permanent-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men/women. But if none of the above plays a role in that, here are some prevention and tips that are helpful for you.  

Hair Loss Causes: 

• If you have live a high stressed life try reducing stress by taking some time out daily just to relax, excessive stress is believed to induce hair loss

• Have you experience an illness/infection, an underlying disease, hormonal problems or a major surgery? These factors can cause hair loss. 

• Certain medicines/medications can cause hair loss. Ask your doctor.

• If you color your hair, limit coloring it to once ever 2 months. Hair coloring damages your hair and the less frequently you color it the better.

• Avoid putting too much physical stress on your hair, brush/comb your hair gently, don’t pull your hair when you brush and avoid braids and ponytails if possible, they place constant stress on your hair.

• Avoid excessive wind, sun, and heat (such as from hair dryers, hot showers, flat irons/curling irons) on your hair.

Hair Loss Prevention

• Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair. Drink lots of water, avoid junk/ processed food and eat your veggies.  

• Take a multivitamin, Vitamin C and Omega 3's all play a part in maintaining a healthy scalp, skin, and hair.

• Massage your scalp will increase circulation. Plus it's soothing and calming.

• Get enough sleep.

• Visit your hairstylist for trimmings especially split ends. Having split ends means unhealthy hair. 

• If all else fails, see your doctor or a dermatologist for advice if you have concerns about hair loss and want to seek treatment. Don't forget there are wigs, hair pieces, and extensions at beauty department stores. 

Hope you enjoy these great tips!

Taking care of your skin during Winter!

Winter is fast approaching and the cold temperatures changes your skin. You skin and lips becomes dry, chapped, crusty and itchy. It is necessary to take care of your skin in winter. Here are some tips for skin care during the winter.

* Avoid harsh (typically colored, fragrant or antibacterial) soaps and stick with mild non-drying soaps.  Stick with soaps with Oatmeal or Aloe Vera or all-natural soaps. Oatmeal moisturize, protects and cleans the skin and Aloe Vera moisturizes the skin. It is often used for treating cuts and  burns. You can find natural soaps at a Natural Foods Store.   

 

* Moisturize more and frequently

The winter months causes the skin to dry, chapped and itch easily. So find a moisturizer that traps in moisture. If you have itchy skin, look for "non-irritating" and "fragrance free" products. Eucerin®​ is a good brand. Most of their line are effective for dry skin. These are typically used for the arms, body, hands and legs.

If your face turns itchy and dry more during the winter, avoid washing your face with warm water. Use cold water. Immediately after washing your face, dry your face completely dry and apply moisturizer to lock in moisture. Olay® is a good brand for moisturizer, it's not too thick and provides SPF 15. Other brands include:  Cetaphil®, Neutrogena®, and Philosophy®  

Don't forget to apply your moisturizing cream/lotion immediately after bathing and toweling dry to lock in moisture.

*Use a Humidifier

Heaters causes your skin to dry out. Humidifiers prevents your skin from drying out. Remember to use the humidifiers only when your heater is on. Too much humid causes mold to grow.

*Stock up on Lip balm

Your lips gets easily chapped and cracked during the winter. It is very common so pamper your lips with lip balm throughout the winter season.  If you have severely chapped lips (do not pick it), apply throughout the day including at night before you go to bed.

*Slather on the Sunscreen. 

Don’t forget your sun protection, the winter sun can still damage your skin.The sun ages your skin. Sun protection with SPF 15 is fine. Either use a moisturizer with SPF 15 or a finishing powder with SPF. 

Hope you enjoy these great tips!

15 minutes makeup routine!

If you're on the go, woke up late, or going for the all natural look with little makeup. 

Here are 10 steps you can follow to apply your makeup in as little as 15 minutes.

1. Clean face and apply moisturizer.

2. Apply foundation. Use lightly.

3. Shape your eyebrows. Define brows gives your face more impact

4. Apple neutral eyeshadow on the eyelid. 

5. Apply eyeliner. Make one thin line above your natural eyelash line. (Or if you prefer apply above and bottom of your eyelash line) 

6. Curl your eyelash. You can skip this if you want. 

7. Apply with one coat of mascara applied to both the top and bottom lashes

8. Apply matte powder or translucent powder to set your makeup 

9. Apply blush. Use pink or peach. Choose neutral colors. You want a light blush on your cheeks.     

10. Finish with applying lip balm first then translucent or nude lipstick. No Lip gloss. or Liplining necessary. Remember, you want the all natural lip color.  

Voila! You're Done!

That's all folks!

What is Permanent Makeup?

Tired of putting on eyeliner, defining/shaping your eyebrows, or lining your lips everyday? Well there's a technique called Permanent Makeup. It is a form of cosmetic tattoo. Yes, a tattoo which will enhance the color of your eyebrows, eyes, and lips.

Permanent Makeup, also known as Micro pigmentation, is a form of cosmetic tattooing used to enhance our facial features.

Many women prefer permanent makeup on their eyebrows so they will never have to trace their eyebrow shape ever again. Some have it on their eyes. While some have it on their lips.

The procedure is in fact painless to painful depending per person.

Permanent makeup may begin to fade over time but some generally last 3-5 years.

Remember to choose a skilled, experienced permanent makeup professional because there are cases where the outcomes are "too dark" "too thick" or "wrong color" So it's best to look at their portfolio.

For More Information: Call NORA'S BEAUTY SALON @ 707 649 1245 to learn more about Permanent Makeup.

That's all folks!

Foundation Basics

 The beauty of foundation evens out our skin tone and hide imperfections. Whether you have blotchy skin, light or dark patches, acne, blemishes, eczema, rosacea, wrinkles, or dark circles under eyes, foundations are a girl's best friend.

* Determine your Skin Type. Is your skin Oily? Dry? or Combination of both? Pick the right shade. Look for words specifically for your skin type:
Oily Skin: Oil-free, Oil-control
Dry Skin: Hydrating, Moisture
Combination skin: Usually cream and powder works best because it's hydrating and oil free

* Okay now everyone thinks that the perfect way to pick the right shade is try the color out on your wrist or hand. WRONG!!! The skin color on your wrist and hand is usually darker than your face. Instead try the color out on your JAWLINE. Also, try and stand near the doorway where there's natural light. It's best to match your shade under natural light. Make sure you find something that closely matches your skin tone.

* There are different types of foundation.
Liquid: Easy to apply. Smooth. Maximum Coverage.
Cream: Provides milky, flawless coverage. Good for Dry Skin. 
Powder: Perfect for Combination skin types. Great Coverage
Cream to powder: Liquid form but dries to a powder finish. Long lasting coverage
Mineral: Made of natural ingredients, does not contain harsh chemical dyes. Lightweight. Excellent coverage. Can be messy due to its powder form.

* Try to invest in quality foundations. High quality foundations usually last longer, gives better coverage, and healthier for our skin. Don't forget to apply pressed or loose powder. These gives us a matte, sheer, natural look.

* Be careful not to overdo the make up, you might look like a clown, a porcelain doll or unnatural.  If you need maximum heavy coverage, avoid liquid foundation. First, get a PRIMER. Primers prepare the face for makeup. They smooth fine lines and create a perfect surface so applying makeup goes on smoothly and evenly. Plus they last throughout the day. Remember after applying primer, it's essential to let it sink in for a few minutes. After primer, use a powder or mineral foundation. They are lightweight and natural. 

* Concealer hides big or little acne spots, blemishes, dark circles or dark spots, giving you flawless skin. They are far more heavier than foundation so its best to apply a tiny amount first. One important note: make sure to blend the concealer properly. Blending is the key. Sometimes concealer is all you need for the all natural look. Apply a tiny amount first then go from there. If you did it right, your concealer should look natural. Then finish it off with loose or pressed powder and you're done!

*Steps for applying concealer

1. Clean Face, Clean Fingers, Clean Brushes or Clean Sponge. (Clean your makeup tools regularly) 
2  Moisturize your face. Concealer dries up your skin. So apply moisturizer first.
3. Apply Primer for long lasting coverage all over face or wherever coverage is needed. 
4. Apply Concealer. Use a tiny amount first. Apply under eyes, nose area, tiny acne spots, or blemishes.
5. Blend properly <--- Very Important. Use your ring finger to blend.
5. Apply loose or pressed powder to set the look. Now you're done! =)


* Steps for applying foundation:
1. Clean Face, Clean Fingers, Clean Brushes or Clean Sponge. (Clean your makeup tools regularly) 
2  Moisturize your face. Foundation dries up your skin. So apply moisturizer first.
3. Apply Primer for long lasting coverage all over face or wherever coverage is needed. If using Liquid foundation, skip this. 
4. Apply Concealer. Use a tiny amount first. Blend properly.
5. Apply foundation.
6. Blend, Blend, Blend. Use a small amount first then stop and check under natural light if you need  more. Don't forget the neck area.
7. Apply loose or pressed powder to set the look. Now you're done! =)

* Last but not least, always wear sunscreen to prevent sun damage and of course wrinkles. Some foundations comes with SPF.   

That's all Folks! Hope you enjoyed these tips.

Next Week,  What is Permanent Makeup