Tag: Tips

Creative Ways To Make The Most Of Staying In

Published on by Lee3 Comments

We’re clearly navigating unprecedented times. It feels like every hour there’s a new update from government officials, we’re collectively in a heightened sense of panic, and it feels impossible to tear ourselves away from our devices. While many of us are going to spend much more time at home in the foreseeable future, that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to pure chaos or neglect our mental and physical health in the process. And stepping up your self-care is a great way to stay positive, and busy.

Here’s the thing: practicing self-care isn’t selfish and it can even be quite simple. Try to reframe this newfound downtime as an opportunity to invest in yourself in ways you haven’t been able to before. It’s a chance to better yourself, to foster deep human connection around you, and honestly to just relish in some R&R. Here are a few things you can do at home to keep your spirits up.

1. Start a Virtual Book Club with Friends

Seeing as how happy hour and brunch dates are off limits for a while, why not get your crew together by way of a virtual book club? Take turns choosing the book (we suggest light choices), then set weekly reading goals followed by a virtual chat date to dish on everything. Ordering books online might get tricky, so stick to either audiobook or e-book options. Amazon has a ton of options and so does Audible. Try to make the virtual date feel special – bring a snack or a glass of wine along and dedicate a full 30 minutes to an hour!

2. Binge a New Podcast Series & Organize

It doesn’t matter how niche you go: there’s basically a podcast for every genre out there. Whether you dig true crime stories, deep dive exposes, reality TV rehashing, beauty gossip, science-y spins, or interviews with influential people, you’re covered. We recommend finding a great podcast and binging your way through the whole thing while you organize or deep clean.

3. Commit to a Daily or Weekly Physical Challenge

There’s joy in sitting around a la fat and sassy lady, but tbh, that can start to get boring after a while. It feels dang good to move your body a bit, so make it a daily/weekly goal to get physical. It can be as simple as doing jumping jacks and crunches in your living room (maybe during commercial breaks?) or some light yoga when you wake up to get the day off to a good start. If you’re feeling unmotivated, let someone else motivate you. Even though Planet Fitness is close until the time being, planet fitness app itself provides free home work-ins daily on Facebook Live and also has app workouts that can be used at home.

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4. Take up a Meditation Practice

We all need a bit more calm in our worlds rn, and meditation is a great place to start. Meditation can be as simple as mindfully breathing for a few minutes, pressing pause on everything else to listen to a song that brings you joy, or sitting outside and listening to the world around you. If you’re seeking guided meditation, try Headspace or Calm. For a free option, try this YouTube video from Calm. Yoga is another amazing way to focus your mind, so find out our guide to finally giving it a go, if you’re still not a yogi.

5. Start a Gratitude Journal

It can be hard to feel grateful for anything when the world feels like it’s collapsing around you, but writing down even the tiniest things that you’re thankful for can boost your morale. It can also make you appreciate all the good that still exists around you. If you have a physical journal that’s great – the art of putting pen to paper can be therapeutic in and of itself – but a virtual log also works! The idea is that you’re taking five minutes every day to mindfully write down your gratitudes.

6. Schedule Virtual Lunch or Dinner Dates

We’re all going to spend more time apart physically, but human connection still matters. Make the most of your lunch break or dinner time by having virtual dates with friends, partners, or family members. Check in to see how they’re doing, what they’ve got going on with work or life, and to simply connect. If you don’t feel like eating while chatting, simply set aside time to connect with the people important to you. The goal is to connect.

7. Catch Up on Your Netflix “Must Watch” List

This one is pure indulgence, and that’s 100% OK. We’re sure you’ve got a list of your own, but in case you need a few suggestions we recommend All American, Self Made new limited series (inspired by the life of the first female millionaire Madam C Walker who made her fortune by developing a beauty empire for fellow black women), A Fall From Grace, YOU, Cheer (you’ll be the one cheering for these cheerleaders at the end), Elisa & Marcela, In The Tall Grass, Rhythm + Flow, Freedom Writers, The Hunting Of Hill House, Legend Of The White Snake,The Perfection, Forensic Files, Cold Case Files and Thriller.

8. Learn a New Recipe

If there’s ever a time to get creative in the kitchen it’s now. You don’t have to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff, either. Instead, figure out what you have on hand and make something delicious from there. It also doesn’t have to be super extravagant. Maybe you’ll try your hand at making a loaf of bread, a new dessert, or a tasty sauce for your go-to protein. Documenting the process on your Instagram stories can help you feel more connected to the outside world. Get others to join in the fun!

What are some self-care activities will you be doing during this unfortunate time? COMMENT BELOW!

POND’S: Cleansing Dry Skin

Published on by Lee1 Comment

I’ve been using POND’S for about 4 years now. Pond’s has great products for people that have dry skin. Anytime I have used their products, I always end up with a soft, glowing healthy skin. POND’S has been a trusted brand in the beauty realm for over 50 years, so it’s easy to see how they’ve nailed down great quality products that are available at drugstores nationwide.

Since POND’S seems to mesh well with my skin, I was excited to give the POND’S Cold Cream Cleanser and POND’S Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes a try. The aroma of the Evening Soothe towelettes alone is reason enough to use them. It felt like such a luxurious experience to remove my makeup and cleanse my skin. A little tip I have for removing extra stubborn eye makeup is to run one end of the cloth under the faucet to create a little bit more of a “suds” and press that on your eyes to soften the makeup. I wear a lot of mascara, so I’ve found that pressing an extra-moistened towelette on my eyes before attempting to work the makeup off is much kinder on my lashes.

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The POND’S Cold Cream Cleanser is perfect for these dry winter months. And it’s both gentle and effective.

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The last thing I want to spend time on in the morning is covering up any blemishes, and these products have helped me maintain blemish-free skin while also keeping it nice and hydrated.

My skin is prone to dryness in the first place, but especially in the winter I find that dry patches and irritation is common. Here are a few tips on cleansing dry or sensitive skin in the winter months:

1. Don’t use piping hot water. I know it’s much more relaxing to use hot water when you are washing your face, but the hot water can end up being a little bit too harsh and cause extra dryness in the end. Luke warm is best!

2. Don’t rub your skin with a washcloth afterwards. Pat it dry instead or let your face air dry! This motion will be a little bit more gentle on fragile parts of the face.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink plenty of water AND use a good moisturizer. Both will contribute greatly to well-hydrated skin throughout dryer months.

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FACE YOGA: AKA FREE FACELIFT

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Have you heard? Face yoga is all the rage. That’s right. I’m serious. Face. Yoga. You know, like yoga for your face.

In this post you’re going to learn 5 face yoga exercises that you can do at home. I did not invent these. These are all from the face yoga expert, Danielle Collins who developed face yoga to tighten the skin & defy gravity.

She created The Danielle Collins Face Yoga Method after a couple years of teaching yoga. “Clients were enjoying the health benefits of yoga for their bodies & minds. I was getting more & more requests for a similar natural way for the face to look & feel healthier too. As well as my drawing on my training [in Pilates & yoga], I spent many years researching & trialing face techniques from ancient Eastern medicine, the latest studies on facial composition & renowned wellbeing strategies, & created The Danielle Collins Face Yoga Method which is now enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.” { via }

Basically, face yoga is a completely natural alternative to antiaging remedies. Face yoga consists primarily of two kinds of facial exercises. Its concept of “waking up” sleeping muscles is believed to rejuvenate and strengthen the muscles in the face if practiced regularly.

The idea behind face yoga is that muscles in the face need and benefit from regular exercise as much as any other part of the body. The exercises are broken down into two categories: moves that wake up underused muscles in the face and moves that relax muscles that get overused or stressed. Muscles that some believe need to be awakened are in areas like the cheeks and under the eyes. On the other hand, relaxing moves are practiced in places like the forehead, around the mouth, and between the eyebrows, areas that typically get overworked.

Teachers of the practice explain that by using the same muscles day in and day out, those facial areas are prone to accelerated signs of aging. At the same time, certain facial muscles get no attention at all, causing them to lose elasticity and strength. By doing face exercises regularly, practitioners believe that these muscles are able to relax and strengthen simultaneously.

Let me tell you, it works. I’ve been trying it. Anyway, here are 5 face exercises you can do at home.

5 Face Yoga Exercises To Tighten & Tone:

♡ THE V

instructions how to do the eye firmer

Good for: drooping eyelids, crow’s feet, eye bags & puffiness.

Alternative to: Botox & eye surgery.

How to:

+ Press both middle fingers together at the inner corner of the eyebrows, then with the index fingers, apply pressure to the outer corners of the eyebrows.

+ Look to the ceiling, & raise the lower eyelids upwards to make a strong squint & then relax.

+ Repeat 6 more times & finish by squeezing eyes shut tightly for 10 seconds.

♡ THE SMILE SMOOTHER

instructions on how to do the face yoga cheek plumper

Good for: cheek lines & sagging skin.

Alternative to: lower face lift & fillers

How to:

+ hide the teeth with the lips to make an ‘O’ shape with the mouth.

+ smile widely while keeping the teeth hidden & repeat 6 times.

+ hold the smile shape while placing one index finger on the chin. Then start to move the jaw up & down as the head tilts gently back. Relax & repeat twice more.

♡ SMOOTH THE BROW

instructions on how to do the forehead smoother

Good for: horizontal forehead lines.

Alternative to: Botox.

How to:

+ place both hands on the forehead facing inwards & spread all the fingers out between the eyebrows & hairline.

+ gently sweep the fingers outwards across the forehead, applying light pressure to tighten the skin.

+ relax & repeat 10 times.

♡ THE FLIRTY EYES

instructions for doing the temple lift

Good for: deep eye hollows & dropping eye brows.

Alternative to: eyebrow lift.

How to:

+ place an index finger under each eye, pointing towards the nose.

+ hide the teeth & tease the top lip & bottom lip away from each other at the mouth.

+ flutter the upper eyelids while gazing at the ceiling for 30 seconds.

♡ THE GIRAFFE

instructions on how to do face yoga jaw stretch
instructions how to do the giraffe neck

Good for: lines & loose skin on the neck.

Alternative to: neck lift & jowl lift.

How to:

+ looking straight ahead, place the finger tips at the bottom of the neck & lightly stroke the skin downwards with the head tilted back.

+ bring the head back down to the chest & repeat twice more.

+ finally, jut the lower lip out as far as possible to pull the corners of the mouth down & place finger tips on the collarbone with the chin pointed upwards ( hold for 4 deep breaths ).

Benefits of Face Yoga:

♡ non-invasive alternative to Botox & surgery.

♡ increases blood circulation.

♡ allows more oxygen & nourishment to reach the cells of the skin.

♡ stimulates elastin & collagen production.

♡ creates a beautiful glow.

♡ tightens & smooths the skin.

♡ you can do them at home for free.

♡ Meghan Markle is a big fan (she’s also a fan of buccal massage)

Face yoga is something that I’m playing with & I can’t wait to do more posts on it, but I just wanted to update you guys that it is a thing, it is a trend, it does work, & it’s happening.

It goes hand-in-hand with facial massage which we talk about all the time. If you haven’t gotten on the facial massage train, you gotta.

Facial massage is life-changing. There is just no better way to depuff, debloat & look contoured like a Kardashian.

There are a few ways to go about facial massage. 1.) You can do it for free! 2.) You can get a little handheld machine. I love mine! Sure, I have a facial brush but this is different guys. This is like a vibrator for your face. In fact, it sounds like a vibrator, kind of looks like one, maybe you could even…oh, we’re getting off track here. But it’s very efficient. 3.) Lastly you can also do what I always do: the second I get back home, I haul my ass to the closest spa & get a lymphatic drainage massage. This works like a REAL charm. You go from swollen, Sloth from The Goonies to beauty pageant status.

Other ways to keep your face young for longer

There are a number of important ways to maintain healthy skin. All should be part of an overall daily self-care routine. 

  • Smile more. Smiling is a way to work the muscles in your face throughout the day. It is also a quick mood booster, and according to research, creates more feel-good brain chemicals than eating a bar of chocolate. 
  • Clean up your diet. The old adage “Beauty comes from within” is true. What you eat (and drink) plays a significant role in your skin’s appearance. Antioxidants like red berries and vegetables, green leafy veggies, healthy fats (like avocado and olive oil), and seafood can all go a long way to keeping your skin looking young. Deciding which foods to leave out (such as processed products, fried foods, and inflammatory fats such as canola or sunflower oils) is just as important as choosing which foods to put into your body.
  • Use sunscreen every day. Research has shown that the sun damages skin. Apply sunscreen every day, especially to your face, neck, and chest, and stay out of the direct heat of the sun during peak hours of the day.

So what are your thoughts on facial yoga. Are you getting into downward dog with your face or what?

Let us know by tweeting us at at @beautyleebar

x, lee

+ check out everything you should know about brow lamination.

+ check out everything you should know about sweat belt.

+ check out everything you should know about melanin is amazing but I need sunscreen.

HOW TO APPLY FAKE EYELASHES, ACCORDING TO A LASH PRO

Published on by Lee1 Comment

If there’s one makeup skill that can make even the most veteran beauty editor quake, it’s applying fake eyelashes. It’s not everyday we decide to break these babies out, but when we do, it’s usually for a special occasion, so we need them to look as natural as possible. Think of them as the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae.

We don’t know exactly where it all goes wrong, but somewhere between adding the glue and placing the faux lash strip on our eye, things tend to get a little messy. To help us master how to apply fake eyelashes once and for all, we tapped celebrity makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez. Keep reading to find out all her false lash tips and tricks.

STEP 1: Apply Mascara

The first step to applying fake lashes doesn’t actually involve any falsies. “I like to start with a light coat of mascara,” says Gonzalez. This helps the lash strip blend with your real lashes better. She calls it “camouflage” for falsies. One of our favorites is the Maybelline New York Falsies Lash Lift Mascara.

how-to-apply-fake-eyelashes

STEP 2: Fit the Strip to Your Eye

“If you’re using a strip, you want to fit them first, then trim if need be,” explains Gonzalez. To properly trim a fake lash strip, you want to always cut excess off at the outer corners. Try the DodoLashes D328 3D styles (apply code: BEAUTYLEEBAR for money off) or the Lily Lashes for a subtle look.

STEP 3: Glue

Once the eyelashes are the proper size, it’s time to apply the glue. You can either brush a light coating of glue directly onto the lash strip or apply a dab of glue to the back of your hand and run the strip through it. No matter which method you choose, just be sure you don’t glob on too much product. Lightly blow on the glue until it becomes less wet and more tacky, then you’re ready to apply. Gonzalez’s favorite glue is the KISS Lash Couture Strip Lash Adhesive in Black. 

how-to-apply-fake-eyelashes

STEP 4: Apply Your Lashes

Now time for the tricky part — application. “Staring downward into a mirror, place the lashes and push with [your] fingers as close to the root of your lash,” says Gonzalez. Looking down is the key here; it will help you get the fake lash strip as close to your real lash line as possible. 

HOW TO MAKE FAKE EYELASHES LOOK REAL 

Let’s be honest, the ultimate goal here is to make our fake lashes look like the real deal — right? To do so, Gonzalez recommends applying your fake lashes after you do the rest of your eye makeup. “If done before, eyeshadow tends to fall onto the tops of the lashes,” she explains. 

Another hack: Opt for individual lashes instead of a strip. It may seem like more work, but for truly natural-looking lashes, individually placed fake lashes mesh better with your real ones. Just be sure to mix in different lengths — small medium and long — to help them blend nicely. Try the KISS Ever Ez Trio Lash to get this look.

how-to-apply-fake-eyelashes

Gonzalez loves one of KISS’ newest products, Falscara, to achieve I woke up like this lashes. “They are perfectly wispy and instead of applying above the lash, you apply underneath, which is why you also can’t detect the lash weft,” she says. “They are great for those of us who love that lash extension look.”

HOW TO REMOVE FAKE LASHES FOR MINIMAL DAMAGE

While peeling away fake eyelashes can be very satisfying, taking them off the wrong way can pull at your real lashes. To avoid any tugging in this sensitive area, reach for a makeup remover. “I like to use an oil-based remover, paying close attention to the roots. They will literally slide off.”

HUDA BEAUTY FALSE LASHES TUTORIAL:

How To Apply False Lashes – For Beginners:

If you’re still struggling – we feel your pain – then try cutting the strip into three pieces. We know this sounds weird, but it will be SO easy to apply the tiny blocks of lashes individually – trust us, it will revolutionize your lash game. Once you’ve trimmed the lash to the right length, cut it evenly into three pieces. Then, start to apply the pieces, starting from the outside of your eye, working your way in.

How to apply false lashes

What we love about this technique is that because the pieces are separate, they fit the shape of your eye really comfortably, and you don’t get the corners pinging off halfway through the day! This way of applying lashes is so perfect that Huda Beauty herself created a lash inspired by the technique, the Huda Beauty Eazy Lash – Harmony, $18.

How To Choose Lashes To Suit Your Eye Shape

The beauty of false lashes is that they can open up your eyes, alter the shape, and make them look bigger and sexier. But, if you choose the wrong pair of lashes, they can do the complete opposite. Depending on the shape of your eye, whether it’s almond, round, hooded, deep-set or monolid, the lash style needs to change. So, while almond-shaped eyes can get away with almost any lashes and deep-set eyes can go extra glam, round eyes will look even more sultry with a whispy lash that has more drama at the outer lash, and hooded lids need to go a little smaller. Check out Huda Beauty full guide on their fave lashes to suit every eye shape here.

How To Easily Clean False Lashes

False lashes can be expensive, but spending money on quality lashes is totally worth it and cost-effective in the long run if you know how to clean them properly. Lashes are super delicate, so the most important thing to remember is that you need to be gentle with them. Whenever you’re cleaning them, always hold them firmly at the base of the lashes so that the lashes aren’t pulled from the band. Check out this video to see how easy Huda Beauty lash cleaning method is:

Storing the lashes back in the original package is the best way to keep your falsies clean and safe. If you attach them firmly to the band and press them down this will help them to stay curled.

How To Safely Remove False Lashes

Removing false lashes can be dangerous – if you’ve ever caught your own eyelashes in the process, you’ll know the pain is real! The trick is to soak a cotton pad with your weapon of choice (micellar water, eye-makeup remover, or cleansing oil) and let it sit on your eye for at least 20 seconds to loosen and dissolve the glue. Then gently peel away the lash with your fingers. If the lash still isn’t easy to remove, soak another cotton pad in solution and let it sit on your eye for longer and then try again. Et voila! You’re lash-free with your natural lashes still intact!

Let us know if you guys have any more questions about false lashes in the comments below.