Facial Toner - Is it neccessary ?

Some dermatologists say that facial toning is a waste of time and money, while others suggest it is an optional step and certainly not necessary for healthy skin.

On the flip-side, the opinion of trained estheticians, who provide facial maintenance services to many skin types every day, is that a facial toner is absolutely, if not the, most important step of a beauty routine.

Esthetician training manuals also advise that facial toning enables a thorough cleansing of the skin and, if the product is well formulated, remarkably improving skin hydration - both benefits that can help prevent common complexion problems.

So, who is right? Perhaps taking a closer look at some of the reported benefits of a facial toner can help one decide whether or not it is important for their skin...

In days gone by, facial toners were reserved for strictly the oiliest of skin types and were often based on seriously moisture-stripping ingredients, like alcohol.

Today, however, the benefits of a facial toner can be enjoyed by almost all skin types due many far more gentle formulations now available. In fact, more often than not, facial toners are now formulated with a wonderful array of gently astringent herbs, antioxidants, anti-irritants and/or ingredients to complement the other steps in one's skin care routine.

In the opinion of many estheticians and skin care formulator, Deanna Vazquez (who owns and operates Alchemilla - an organic skin care manufacturer based in Oregon) a well formulated, alcohol-free, pH correct facial toner or floral water can help promote balance and optimal skin function by offering the following benefits:

• Removes final traces of cleanser, make-up, excess oil and chemicals from tap water.
• Supports skin's return to its natural acidic pH.
  The skin's slightly acidic pH ("acid mantle") protects against the actions of bacteria and micro-organisms living in the environment, however its balance can be affected by factors such as alkaline products (most cleansers), cosmetics, poor nutrition and excessive perspiration.
• Reduces the look of pores.
  Technically, pores cannot be 'closed' by a toner, however natural astringents like Elder Flowers or Ladies Mantle, can help firm the skin's surface, making pores look smaller. In addition, a thorough cleansing process, which includes a toner, can help remove ingrained, pore-stretching impurities, effectively decreasing pore size.
• Hydrates skin and may reduce oil output.
  Adequately hydrated skin promotes optimal cell function and a younger looking complexion, and it can help with excess oil production. How? When skin is exposed to external stimuli, eg. drying weather, cleansers, controlled climates or alcohol based products, it can quickly become dehydrated. It is believed that when skin is dehydrated sebaceous glands compensate by pumping out excess oil. The result? Oily and dehydrated skin - at the same time! A gentle, alcohol-free toner, which contains a natural humectant such as glycerin or honey, can help balance this oily/dehydrated skin condition by offering hydration protection and the light moisturization this skin type craves.
• Aids and extends application of serum and moisturizer products.
  Applying a serum or moisturizer to toner-dampened skin makes for its smoother application. In addition, toner dilutes therefore reduces the amount of moisturizer product needed.
• Helps set make-up (especially mineral make-up).
  Applied as a mist after make-up application, a facial toner or floral water can beautifully set the look of the make-up, giving it a moist, dewy finish without oiliness.
• Cools, refreshes and soothes skin.
  A facial toner or floral water is delightfully refreshing after working-out or in dry, air-conditioned environments...and those that contain anti-irritant ingredients can help calm and soothe the skin.

Basic of Eye Makeup

In different cultures, beauty has been deified typically in female forms. Ancient civilizations worshiped beauty in the face of goddesses like Aphrodite or Venus, Freya and Lakshimi. Over the years, female beauty has been depicted in paintings and sculptures, or praised with lyrics. But, what contemporary people tend to consider as beautiful, or aesthetically pleasing, has probably nothing to do with the notion of beauty other generations shared. Over the centuries, the nature and meaning of beauty has undergone through considerable changes. Even among people of the same age and with common cultural backgrounds, beauty is not an easily defined term. Actually, people tend to agree that beauty is a rather subjective term, which deals with an innate and emotional perception of life's affirmative aspects-health, fertility, goodness, happiness, and vitality-within objects of the perceived world.

Although beauty engenders a sense of positive reflection in finding balance and harmony with nature, whereas the phrase "natural beauty" probably comes from, women choose to emphasize their most distinctive characteristics with the use of makeup, which can highlight their facial features. From Queen Nefertiti, who lined her eyes with black coal to the contemporary female business executives, women have been using makeup to emphasize their eyes' beauty. Being considered the "mirror of someone's soul," the eyes communicate with a unique way and sometimes convey meanings that cannot be accurately articulated. Thus, for the modern woman, who wishes her eyes to make a statement, we have collected the following eye makeup tips that can assist her efforts illustrating her beauty with just a glance.

The first thing a woman should do before applying any eye makeup is to create the right base. In this initial process, a concealer can be used to hide dark circles and create a smooth surface for the rest of the makeup to be applied on. It is better if the tone of the concealer is a bit lighter than the natural skin tone since it will create a much more natural effect and it will blend better. Then, the eye shadow has to be applied in several thin layers and they have to blend well. Experts advice is to put the sheer color on the center of the lid and then with a sponge applicator to spread it all over the lid's surface. It is important to brush it up and out toward the eyebrow or nose. If a deeper shade color is to be used, this has to be placed to the crease of the lid. Additionally, to highlight the eyes, makeup artists use a lighter shade of the same color of eye makeup applied on the lid, now to the brow bone. In order to outline and define the eyes, it is best to use a soft eyeliner pencil and create short, close little dots instead of a straight line on the top and bottom of the eye lids. The outcome can become smoother if the dots are smudged from the inner eye corners toward the outer ones. Finally, for great eyelashes it is advisable to go over the lashes with an eyelash separator comb. Then applying a thin coat of mascara to the lashes and re-comb the ones painted immediately afterwards so as to keep them apart. When they dry the process can be repeated. The final stage of a great eye makeup experience is that of removing the makeup. When it stays on for hours-especially during sleep-it will create a coat of coloring over the eyes and will itch. It is always better to remove eye makeup first, since one has to be very gentle with the eye lids and eyelashes. A cotton ball or swab can do a perfect job after being soaked in makeup remover lotion.

Eye makeup can become a woman's ticket to stares of admiration as long as it is applied carefully and removed before bed every time. Eyes are very sensitive and need to be taken care of as much as possible. Harsh rubbing and being in a rush will not result is astonishing glowing eyes. Thus, be careful and let your eye's beauty shine the room.

The Many Faces Of Mascara

After finding the right foundation shade, choosing mascara is probably the next most challenging beauty task. Sure, there are less color options, but quality of the product is what will make the difference in the way you look.

Volume building, lengthening, clump-free, hypoallergenic… Will your eyelashes look longer, become curlier or fuller? Will the mascara go on smoothly without clumps and stay on without flaking for many hours to come? In other words, will it live up to the promise, or all these words are nothing more than money-making tricks? In most cases, you will know the answer only after you trade your hard earned money for the little pretty tube.

• Lengthening Mascaras
  These usually do make your eyelashes a tiny bit longer. This is achieved by the addition of ingredients that build up on the tip of the lashes. Actually, any mascara will visually lengthen the eyelashes. In most people (at least those who feel they need mascara), the tips of eyelashes are lighter and sometimes invisible. When you apply mascara, you show off the real length of your eyelashes. What a nice surprise! If that is still not enough, a lengthening mascara will help.
  
  
• Volume Building Mascara
  If you desire fuller lashes, this is the kind of mascara you need. The effect is provided by the higher concentration of waxes in the formula. They encapsulate each lash, making it more prominent.
  
  
• Waterproof Mascara
  As the name suggests, waterproof mascara stays intact even in contact with water. Synthetic polymers, included in the formula, instantly freeze around each lash, creating a water resistant barrier. There is a downside, though. Waterproof mascaras usually make eyelashes pretty stiff. In addition, waterproof mascara will rarely perform for more than 3 months, becoming flaky afterwards. Choosing a mascara that is truly water resistant can also be tricky, and the price is not always the true indicator of quality.
  
  
• Hypoallergenic Mascaras
  Hypoallergenic mascaras are formulated to reduce the odds of triggering an allergic reaction. Fragrances are known to be the most aggressive allergy causing components in cosmetics, so they are excluded from hypoallergenic formulas. In some people, ingredients other than fragrances may create problems. Testing is always a good idea to avoid puffy, itchy and watery eyes. Apply a small amount of mascara to the back of your ear. If the area does not get inflamed or itchy after a few hours, the product is safe for the eyes.
  
  
• Colorless Mascaras
  Colorless mascaras are designed for weak or damaged eyelashes, but healthy lashes will certainly benefit as well. Sometimes these mascaras are made with vitamins, vitamin B in particular, and plant extracts. They are used as a base coat under color mascara to add length, thickness and volume. In addition, they are great to shape your eyebrows.

Do you need all the different kinds of mascaras? Of course, not. These days, manufacturers try to combine several features in one tube. However, it is difficult to be perfect all around. A mascara may perform better adding length, but not so good at building volume, or vice versa. It may resist water well, but won’t curl as expected. And who needs the perfect curl if it can’t provide the water resistance you need?

Try and error method is probably the only sure way to find a mascara that is right for you and for your eyes, but it may become expensive. Don’t despair. Look at it from another angle: with the ever-changing variety of products, search for the perfect mascara will never be boring.

Look Natural – Wear Makeup!

Have you ever considered how difficult it is to look natural? Quite difficult – isn’t it? Especially if there had been no makeup available to achieve it! Many-a-website points out how ordinary our glamorous celebrities look in real life without makeup on. No wonder then that they are always on the lookout for innovative makeup supplies. Such demands have seen a virtual makeover for the makeup business much to the delight of a demanding population yearning to look good.

The art and science of good makeup.

Makeup is still an art – supported ably, of course, by science. Gone are the days when good makeup meant just soaps, perfumes and oils carefully selected after word-of-mouth recommendation. Today, your persona comes through in MAC makeup – or was it Max Factor? Take your pick! Show off your gorgeous eyes - wear eye makeup. Impress your peers with a prom makeup worn specially for 'the nite'. Make a statement with a tattoo or a strategic permanent makeup.

Take expert advice – makeup tips are available for the asking. Desist from using chemicals which may harm your sensitive skin – wear mineral makeup instead! Consider this – you don’t have to wear stage makeup if you don’t need to flaunt your expressions under the arc lights to an audience. Wear makeup – an appropriate one. Or better still; don’t wear any – especially if you are among the lucky few who can carry off that natural look – naturally