Tag: beauty hacks

Creamy DIY Lip + Cheek Stain

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

If you’ve read this blog for a long, then you know we make a lot of stuff. I mean, you should see my bathroom. It’s a nightmare of bottles and jars of concoctions to test out. Some make the cut, and some sit for so long I completely forget what’s in them (apparently that’s what labels are for).

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But this DIY, this recipe is one I am so excited about. Because I love, love, love it. It’s easy to make (3 ingredients!) and makes the prettiest color for your cheeks and lips. It’s lightweight and perfect for summer.

I’m all about ‘no makeup’ in the summer. Multi-use makeup that I can apply with my finger is even better. Just swipe on your lips and cheeks for a healthy pink glow. It goes on easily and feels somewhere between a balm and a gloss on the lips. To apply, use your fingertip to dot a small amount onto your cheeks or lips and blend into skin.

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Even if the stain starts a little strong, it’s easy enough to blend out to a sun-kissed flush that looks completely natural. I’m already obsessed! I like to bring it across my nose, too—a couple of tiny dabs make for the perfect, I just came from the beach look. 

And that’s not even the best part—this stain is good enough to eat. Using beetroot powder for coloring is the perfect natural option for getting that flawless glow without resorting to using conventional products, some of which are irritating and not cruelty-free.

Most blushes rely on carmine for red pigment, which comes from crushed-up bugs. Ew! Plus, the combination of super-nourishing shea butter and castor oil makes for the perfect base.

DIY Lip + Cheek Stain Ingredients

Ingredients for Creamy DIY Lip Stain

Here’s a rundown of the 3 ingredients:

Castor oil

Castor oil is very hydrating (it works great on eyelashes) and has a nice, thick texture that makes this recipe feel smooth and glossy. It is known for preserving moisture, and its fatty acids leave the skin feeling nourished.

Shea butter

Shea butter is such a silky, creamy ingredient. It provides healing moisture and also gives the blush its staying power on the cheeks.

Beet powder

I had no idea you could get beet powder in pill form. The powder is a super bright hot pink, but don’t let that scare you! If you want to tone down the pink, you could add a tiny, tiny bit of turmeric or cocoa powder.

How to make a DIY lip gloss with beet root powder

I’ve been more than a little afraid of venturing into make-your-own makeup territory, but this DIY might just have changed my mind! To keep this stain fresh for as long as possible, keep it in a cool, dark drawer or even better, the fridge. If you have a skincare mini-fridge, that would be perfect.

Because our ingredients are good enough to eat and we’re not relying on preservatives, it’s important to store our DIY products properly. If it begins to separate or smell a little funny, then you know it’s time to let go of this batch and whip up a new one, tout de suite!

Creamy DIY Lip + Cheek Stain

Beet Lip + Cheek Stain

With just 3 ingredients, this lip + cheek stain makes the prettiest color for your cheeks and lips. It’s lightweight and perfect for summer.

Prep Time: 10mins Total Time: 10mins

Course: Natural Beauty Cuisine: DIY Keyword: lip balm

Yield: 2ounces Author: Crystal Lee Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Measuring cup
  • saucepan

Materials

Instructions

  1. Measure ingredients into a small glass measuring cup, then set in simmering water until shea butter melts.
  2. Stir in the beet powder and pour into a small jar and allow the mixture to cool.

Notes

Store in a dark area away from heat. Stored properly, the blush should last up to 6 months.

Sheet Mask Not Delivering Glow-Enhancing Results? This Could Be Why

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Turns out there’s actually a fine art to applying a sheet mask that, until now, nobody was aware of. 

It’s a little known fact that face masks can solve any of life’s problems. Bad day at work? Face mask. Overplucked your eyebrows? Face mask. Rent is due next week and you have less than five euro in your bank account? Face mask.  Accidentally swiped left to a super hot guy with a dog on Tinder? Face mask.

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While it may not exactly ~solve~ those problems, a face mask will, however, distract you long enough that you won’t become a nervous wreck and that’s pretty much the same thing. But face masks can be time-consuming, especially if you go the DIY route. So that’s why when sheet masks first came on the scene, our lazy but enjoys-being-pampered selves were thrilled. 

TRENDING TODAY: 5 “MEH” BEAUTY PRODUCTS YOU REALLY DON’T NEED IN YOUR ROUTINE

Simply take out of the packet, pop on your face, leave for 15 minutes and boom, glowing skin. Easy right? Well, actually no – it’s not that simple. Turns out there’s actually a fine art to applying a sheet mask that until now, nobody was aware of. 

It may be that you forgot to set a timer, you applied too much product, or you simply picked up the wrong formula. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Thankfully, this is a judgement-free zone and we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for common mistakes and a few tips on applying (and removing) a sheet mask correctly.

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NOT USING THE RIGHT KIND OF MASK FOR YOUR SKIN

So okay, maybe this seems like an obvious one but we bet at some stage in your sheet mask life, you’ve bought one just because it’s metallic gold…and not because it’s actually good for your skin. Hey, no judgement, we’ve done it too, but as fun as it is to have a metallic gold face for 15 minutes, you really should start paying attention to what skin type those face masks are designed for and buying the ones that best suit you and your skin.

USING TOO MUCH PRODUCT 

From foundation to ketchup, we’ve got a heavy hand when it comes to liquids and it’s no different when we use an ‘apply it yourself’ face mask. Look, there are days where our skin feels extra crap so we tend to whack on a thicker layer than usual to give our skin that bit more TLC but the truth is:  it’s actually doing more damage.

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TREATING FACE MASKS AS A TREAT

If we have a special event coming up, we often get a bit too excited because it gives us an excuse to pamper ourselves. But guess what? You don’t need an excuse to treat yourself.  You should be incorporating a face mask into your weekly skincare routine. If you’re unsure of how frequently you should be using a face mask, check the back of the packaging because no two face masks are the same. Some will suggest once a week only where others will recommend 3-4 times a week. 

NOT PREPPING YOUR SKIN BEFOREHAND

So picture this: you’re having a no make-up day and it hits about 8 pm and you’re feeling very proud of yourself for giving your face a chance to breathe so you think about treating it that bit more by doing a face mask, so you just lash it on without washing your face first. Sound familiar? Us too. Just because you haven’t applied makeup to remove doesn’t mean you can skip a cleanse. You should be applying your face mask to clean, dry skin so not giving your face a wash beforehand just means you’re layering a face mask on top of dirt and bacteria it’s picked up during the day… #gross.

THINKING A FACE MASK IS THE FINAL STEP

Hate to break this one to you but a face mask doesn’t solve all of life’s problems. After masking, you aren’t finished. You need to carry on with your regular skincare regime, applying toner, serum and most importantly a moisturizer is key to locking in all those face mask benefits.

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USING A SHEET MASK STRAIGHT OUT OF THE PACKET

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Ntof8AOsu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Okay, so maybe you’re thinking we’re the silly ones for not already knowing this but you should be cutting your face mask to make it fit your face. We mean once you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. You cut your false eyelashes to fit your eyes, so you should be cutting your sheet mask to fit your face instead of almost suffocating because it’s too big.

USING A DIRTY BRUSH

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHvUi7TpWZc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Now judge us all you want, but sometimes we just can’t find the energy to wash our brushes but applying a face mask with an unwashed brush is utterly pointless. Not only are you contaminating your tub of face mask by dipping a dirty brush into the pot, but you’re also then smearing all that bacteria around your face which is doing more harm than good. 

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LEAVING A FACE MASK ON TOO LONG

It happens: the packet says to leave on for 15 minutes so you take to Instagram to fill the time but you get carried away creeping on your crush account and suddenly, an hour has gone by. Leaving a face mask on longer than it should be is actually super harmful to your skin because the benefits only apply while the mask is still wet. Once the mask dries out, it begins to draw moisture and vitamins away from your face as opposed to nourishing the skin like intended.

YES, THERE IS A RIGHT SIDE

https://www.instagram.com/p/CH7AfqRHPt-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Again, so maybe we really just didn’t have a clue about sheet masks to begin with but we’re feeling confident that you too have at one stage or another worn a sheet mask the wrong way round. It’s time to set the record straight reveal that the side facing the paper is the side you should be applying to our skin. Groundbreaking, we know. 

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5 “Meh” Beauty Products You Really Don’t Need in Your Routine

Published on by Lee8 Comments

As a beauty editor, I spend a lot of time telling you about the stuff you need. You know, the game-changing lotions and potions that will smooth your skin, give you shiny hair, make your hands hella soft, and a whole host of other beauty wish list items. But today, I’m coming at you with a cold, hard fact you might not be ready to hear. Here’s the truth: Mediocrity abounds in the beauty industry. That’s right. So much of the stuff out there marketed as miracle workers don’t do much at all. 

As you can imagine, I get an up-close, firsthand look at the ploys and truth-stretching that takes place, but as a consumer, I’m sure you’ve also had your suspicions. If I’m being totally honest, there are too many products that fall short of their trumped-up claims to even count. I suppose that’s not the most terrible thing—it offers choices and opportunities to indulge in the extras in the name of self-care—but if you’re anything like me, pointless products take up valuable vanity real estate I’d much rather reserve for products that will help me look and feel my best. 

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Of course, it’s true that carrying out prolonged skin, hair, and makeup regimens can be super relaxing and, on the whole, can make us look and feel fab, even if only temporarily. I’m not disputing that at all. But when it comes down to it, there are some beauty products that, on their own, are just mediocre. I sure hope this is a safe space because I’m about to put it all on the line to share five beauty products you can absolutely skip and still be a Megan Thee Stallion-level hot girl. (Okay, maybe not Megan level—she’s in a league of her own.) Without further ado, scroll on for the five mediocre beauty products you can skip and five great ones to hold onto.

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Skip: Essence

Keep: Chemical Exfoliator

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($30)

Let’s face it: Essence is extra. The charged liquids are heavily featured in K-beauty skincare lines and are said to hydrate and rebalance the skin and essentially prime it for moisturizer. But if your routine is already stacked with serums and moisturizers that leave your skin feeling adequately hydrated, this is a step you can skip without consequence. If you’re looking for a liquid to swipe over your face that will actually make a discernable difference, reach for a good chemical exfoliator to boost your glow by keeping dead skin cells at bay. Makeup artists swear by prepping the skin with gentle versions of these liquids for the most flawless application.

MORE FACE:

Pixi Glow Tonic

Pixi Glow Tonic ($18)

Moon Juice Acid Potion Resurfacing Exfoliator

Moon Juice Acid Potion Resurfacing Exfoliator ($42)

Skip: Two-in-One Shampoo and Conditioner

Keep: Hydrating Shampoo

Davines Momo Shampoo

Davines Momo Shampoo ($29)

I’m all about saving time and shower space, but not at the expense of my hair. That’s why I’ve taken a pretty firm stance against products that combine shampoo and conditioner in the same bottle. I’ve been known to carry out the occasional conditioner-only rinse—known in the curly hair community as a co-wash—to keep my hair from drying out, but beyond that, shampooing and conditioning my hair happens in two very separate steps. I’m sure two-in-one hair cleansers can get the job done when you’re in a pinch, but the product buildup situation just isn’t worth it in my opinion. I even learned from a dermatologist recently that decoupling shampoo and conditioner is essential for combatting some inflammatory scalp issues. Hydrating shampoos like this famous Davines one help to infuse nutrients into the hair without weighing it down as certain shampoo and conditioner hybrids can.

MORE HAIR:

Function Beauty Hair Customizable

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo ($12)

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Skip: Sheet Mask

Keep: Serum

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($166)

My love of sheet masks is well documented, which is why it truly pains me to acknowledge their endless online scrutiny. (Skincare Twitter is a brutal place!) In all honesty, the thing I love most about these cloth or hydrogel face coverings is that you can’t really walk around while you wear them, so in essence, they force you to sit still and fully indulge in the act of boosting your skin’s hydration. While I’ve seen the plumping effect of these masks firsthand, I’m woman enough to admit that dropping them from my routine wouldn’t be detrimental to my skin in the slightest. Reaching for my favorite serums with hydrating, plumping, brightening, and tightening ingredients (the same stuff these masks are soaked in) is totally sufficient. And between us, I’m keeping my sheet masks on hand for those days I just need a little luxuriating. 

MORE SERUMS:

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($7)

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum ($20)

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Skip: Foot Cream

Keep: Body Butter

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter ($40)

Yes, feet have entered the chat. This topic isn’t at all glamorous, but footcare is important, too! The only thing worse than dry, cracked heels is investing in a special cream that doesn’t work any better than the thick body butter you already use on your other body parts. As with any skincare woe, smothering creams or oils over dead skin is pointless, so keeping the thick skin on our feet exfoliated is a good start for making sure any product is able to do more than just sit on the surface. Real ones know about the disgusting satisfaction of the Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel ($25), but of course, if you’re experiencing foot dryness that’s severe or concerning, be sure to check in with a trusted healthcare professional.

MORE BODY CARE

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter ( $15) $11

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ($45)

Skip: Shaving Cream

Keep: Inexpensive Hair Conditioner

FUNCTION OF BEAUTY Take the hair quiz and get yours today!

Shaving cream does its job just fine, but it’s just not the only product that adequately softens and conditions hair ahead of shaving. Hair conditioner, a product most people already have readily available in their showers, also gets the job done. The day I learned conditioner was the perfect substitute for the thick, mousse-like cream I’d been beholden to since the day my mom armed me with my first razor, I stopped buying shaving cream and haven’t looked back. (This happened by accident, by the way.) I like to use Nair Hair Removal Aloe Lotion ($5), it is more gentle than using a razor which causes irritation to skin. But, if I’m ever out of that, I reach for conditioner without a second thought. This hack has come in especially handy for those conditioners I’ve purchased only to discover they don’t agree with my hair. Rather than tossing them in the trash, I instead repurpose them for shaving.

MORE PRIMP TOOLS:

CURLS Coconut CURLada Conditioner ( $10)

Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture Conditioner

Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture Conditioner ($4)

Herbal Essences Shine Collection Conditioner

Herbal Essences Shine Collection Conditioner ($6)

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8 Beauty Trends to Try—Even If You’re Only Wearing Leggings

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Our team has discussed the death of the jean for quite a while now, and with winter ahead, the last thing any of us are putting on is real pants. But just because you’re in an exclusive relationship with your leggings doesn’t mean you can’t look amazing for every Zoom meeting and mirror-walk-by of the day. Putting on a fresh face and experimenting with my makeup looks and hair routine have pretty single-handedly given me something to look forward to and stay motivated throughout my day. Ready to try something new beyond your daily BB cream and top knot? Here are eight beauty trends anyone can wear that take your leggings and a tee to a solid 10/10:

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1. Winged Liner

This trend isn’t going anywhere, and this fall, we’re seeing it in practically every shape, color, and finish. Now that we have a little extra time in the morning, it’s not the worst idea to finally master your perfect winged liner look. Then, you can experiment with different shapes, styles, and colors. I’m loving a classic, deep black wing when I’m just heading to the grocery store because it adds a little bit of interest to my eyes (the star of the show since I’m wearing a mask!) without taking too much effort. But I also love the metallic liner trend, especially for holiday. A wash of gold or silver looks cool and editorial; like you just stepped out of Pat McGrath’s chair.

2. Brushed-Out Curls

https://www.instagram.com/p/CER_8hDpzDL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

If you have naturally curly or textured hair, this is a breeze (although it might feel a little unnatural if you’ve abided by the “don’t brush your curls!” rules of the past). If you are a straight-haired person, you can get the look by curling your hair at night with a small curling wand, set it with a hairspray, sleep on it, and then brush them through in the morning.

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3. Multi-Masking

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHBwpIknrMU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

So, you can’t *exactly* wear this for a work meeting, but I’d be damned if I left out one of the best WFH perks out there: masking while we work. I’m all for a self-care night filled with my skincare favorites, but sometimes my skin calls for an all-day mask situation. Something hydrating is great for dry, winter skin; you can opt for a depuffing, oxygenating mask with a facial massage in the morning with your coffee; or I swear by a purifying mask after a hot, steamy shower when I wake up with a breakout. I especially love this trick with undereye masks. The serum in an undereye mask stays on your skin, leaving it hydrated and plump for the entire day—why would I waste that when I’m just heading to sleep?!

4. Beaming Highlight

There’s nothing like catching yourself in the mirror when your cheekbones are highlighted. And I’m not talking your run-of-the-mill highlight either; I mean “aliens up in space are discussing the beam of light coming from an undisclosed North American location” type of glow. When you’re wearing an otherwise understated look, adding a striking highlighter to your cheekbones can turn up your confidence and make a look seem a lot more intentional (when really you just rolled out of bed). I also love having a bit stronger cheek highlight for Zoom meetings—I typically powder more because the webcam can make you look shiny, so adding extra highlight makes it look like your skin is truly perfect.

5. Grey, Plum, and Taupe Shades

There’s no time like the fall and winter to dive into deeper makeup tones, and instead of opting for your usual pumpkin oranges and rich browns, 2020’s spin involves something a little cooler. Cool-toned makeup is slowly but surely making its way back in the hearts of makeup-lovers everywhere, and we’re starting with rich plums, taupes, and greys. An easy way to tackle the look is a cool, grey-toned purple lip—like this one from The Lip Bar—but if you have a little extra time in the morning, a swipe of a shimmery, taupe eyeshadow looks put-together, glamorous, and chic. Bonus points if the shade has a bit of sparkle too!

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https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2lpOhFGJL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Another iteration of this look is using matte shades for a more retro-style. Think Ariana Grande in the “Positions” music video. Create a wing with a cool-toned medium brown shadow (if you have a medium or dark skin tone, apply a white/cream shadow all over the lid to make this brown pop!) and a brush, and bring the wing over your crease. This look is actually pretty wearable, but looks so impactful (some might say West Wing worthy). 

6. Face-Framing Tendrils

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKC-8RhfSi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The ‘90s have influenced the biggest hair trends of the last few years, and this one is in full-force right now. This look can be done many ways, whether it’s braiding your front pieces—like in the above photo—or pulling out a few pieces from a bun or ponytail. I love adding little braids to frame my face, and it takes seriously no time at all. Whether you have layers and shorter pieces cut already or you want to fake it, this look is probably the easiest on this list with some of the highest impact.

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7. Monochrome

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7t0iEGHAAu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

One of the simplest ways to look put-together, in my opinion, is a monochromatic look. Whether you go for a light neutral eye look with a nude lip or opt for a pink cheek and lip, you’ll look like a professional makeup artist graced your face with seriously minimal effort. The easiest way to do this is using a lipstick and swiping it across your lids (use a primer and set with a translucent powder to make it stay all day with no creasing), on your cheeks as blush, and on your lips! A few shades to try this with include: red cheeks and lips; berry eyes and lips; taupe eyes and lips, rosey-brown eyes, lips, and cheeks; and cinnamon-brown eyes, lips, and cheeks.

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8. Red Lip With A Bare/Natural Face

This look has been around for decades, if not centuries, but it’s a gold standard of the life we’re living in 2020. A simple red lip can improve your mood ten-fold; plus, it makes even a messy bun and “I-was-too-lazy-to-put-in-my-contacts” look chic and intentional. Wearing it with a bare face keeps the look natural while also increasing the impact of the bold red lip.

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