September 17th, 2010 by admin

By: Valerie Garner

As a cosmetologist, I wanted to share some of my findings/experience with you concerning natural mineral makeup.

Natural mineral makeup has been around a few years, but it seems the average person either hasn’t tried them, and many have never heard about them. Basically, they are various minerals crushed to a very fine powder and used as cosmetics. They are in a powdered type form.

The main properties of mineral makeup are gentleness, long lasting, pure, and many have almost a healing type of action to various skin conditions. Of course you will have to experiment to find which brands are your favorites.

Personally, I am hypothyroid which means I have super dry skin, alligator skin. Doesn’t matter what type of skin care products, etc. I use, I have flaky skin. All my life, no matter what makeup I used, it would be completely absorbed (thus disappearing) after about only 2-3 hours of wearing it. I was also very nervous about mineral makeup because with having super dry skin I avoid powders of all kinds, plus I was worried about it making the flakiness look even worse. I was SO stunned when I first started using mineral makeup on my own skin. The first thing I noticed was after 12 hours of wear, it was still there! No makeup has done that in my entire life. The other thing I noticed was it did not look flakey at all, but very fresh and light. Another benefit of mineral makeup is truly it feels like you are not wearing any cosmetics.

I also have the challenge now of rosacea (extreme redness due to intense facial flushing). I have found the brand Aromaleigh to be the best on my skin. It seems to be one of the gentlest of mineral cosmetics as far as foundations are concerned. They also carry a wonderful corrective color of green that you can use under the foundation. Green cancels red, which is why it works on rosacea skin to cover the redness, yet be very gentle at the same time. I tend to prefer Bare Esenctuals however for their blush & eyeshadow colors, they are very beautiful and perform so well.

Whatever brand you go for, here are a few tips for using it.

1. Usually less is better. They are very concentrated, so a little goes a long way. It’s common to use way too much at first. You can always add another light layer on top if you go too light at first.

2. Invest in some good quality brushes. They make all the difference in the world, be sure to gently wash them regularly.

3. If after using small amounts, with good quality brushes, things still don’t look right, or you’re not thrilled, next look at the possibility that you’re simply using the wrong shade. Sometimes it takes experimenting to find what shade is best for your skin. I found with Bare Esentuals, I wore a significantly darker foundation than I ever thought possible, yet it was the perfect shade for me.

4. Be sure to moisturize your skin preferably about a half an hour before applying mineral makeup.

5. Apply all your makeup except mascara & lipstick. Spritz a fine mist of water on your face, then finish your mascara and lipstick. I find this “sets” the makeup and gives a very fresh, young looking appearance.

6. Play with the colors and applications. You can use blush colors as eyeshadow. You can also brush on your lips, then apply some gloss over top.

7. The eyeshadows will tend to look shockingly stark when you first apply them. Don’t worry too much about that. After you apply the shadow, take a clean eyeshadow applicator and use it to blend and soften the colors. They will soften right down to the perfect hue in most cases.

Ebay many times have great deals on trying different samplers of different brands and colors. You can have a blast trying. Many different companies also sell small samples very reasonably priced to try as well. Remember, a little goes a long way. Have fun trying this wonderful category of makeup.

About The Author

Valerie Garner, mother and proud grandma. The Comfortable Life is a resource guide featuring many ideas for making life more comfortable, on a wide range of topics. Finance, creativity, beauty, health and more. Visit today at: http://www.thecomfortablelife.com.

September 17th, 2010 by admin

Designer Wedding Dresses for a Spring Wedding

By: Arianna Jordan

While many brides long for the quintessential June wedding, a Spring wedding is just as beautiful and is gaining in popularity over any other season. Perhaps it is because spring arrives with a sense of new beginning and renewal, or perhaps it is just the beautiful weather and flowers that are common during that time of year. Either way, a Spring wedding requires attention to detail in every aspect, especially the wedding gown.

Brides should remember that spring is the perfect season to unveil new styles for the hair, the wardrobe, and yes, even the wedding. It is also the perfect time, because of the warmer weather, to wear fewer layers, and this also applies to designer wedding gowns. The spring is a great time to experiment with new hemlines, fabrics, and patterns. Check out the latest trends for designer wedding gowns for a Spring wedding.

A Little Prep

Of course when one thinks about the springtime, one may immediately think about flowers. But if you are a little less “girly” and want to get away from the floral accents why not think about some preppy details for your designer wedding gown? A simple gingham ribbon trim on your wedding gown can do the trick simply and elegantly. The same goes for a hint of polka dots. If you want a bolder look with a preppy touch, go for a pleated bodice or a patterned sash for the waist.

Fun with Flowers

If preppy is not your cup of tea, and spring means flowers, then the sky is certainly the limit. A Spring wedding is the perfect time for a true garden party, so why not incorporate that theme into your dress? More and more wedding dress designers are embellishing their spring wedding dress designs with flowers. Flowers can be 3-dimensional floral buds embroidered onto the gown, sewn on accents, or even a print on the fabric. Nature-inspired dresses often bring about an air of whimsy to any style dress.

Cool Cover-Ups

Yes, spring brings warmer weather than its predecessor, but don’t be fooled by all that bright happy sunshine. Remember the age-old saying, “April showers bring May flowers?” These rain showers in spring cause temperatures to drop at night. Many brides go for the traditional silk wrap to keep warm in the cooler temperatures, but this spring, think about a cool cashmere cover-up or cardigan. Something with three-quarter length sleeves would be a modern look with a classic feel.

Sheer Fabrics

The Spring season is light and airy. You can also achieve a light and airy feeling with your choice in wedding gown. Chiffon, organza, and charmeuse are great alternative fabrics to the heavy satin and silks used for fall and winter weddings. Imagine the romantic setting as a cool spring breeze gently wisps your chiffon train as you make your way down the aisle. A sweet spaghetti-strap organza dress is also a great way to celebrate your nuptials during your outdoor wedding and reception. Really dress to the season!

High Hemlines

Although you can stick to the traditional long wedding gown for your spring wedding, higher hemlines are in for this season. And why not, the weather is warmer and your legs will definitely enjoy the freedom while you live it up on the dance floor! A higher hemline on a spring wedding gown does a great job showcasing your tanned legs. If you are more daring bride, skip the tea-length gown (which is still fun and flirty) and go for a true mini dress that flatters your figure.

Finding the Perfect Spring Designer Wedding Gown

No matter which trend you choose to go with for your spring wedding, just be sure that you try on a plethora of gowns in that style. Buying a wedding gown is a not a quick decision, as this will be the most important dress of your life. Before you make it to the bridal salon, it is a very good idea to flip through some of the latest bridal magazines to narrow down your choices and to show the store’s associate when you arrive. That way, he or she will have an idea of what you like and then take it from there.

When shopping for a designer wedding gown, it is also important to remember that the more you try on, the better idea you will have about which dress style, neckline, and trend work for you. Even if the sales associate suggests a dress style you did not prefer in pictures, you may find that when you try it on, it really does flatter your figure and look great.

About The Author

Arianna Jordan is a freelance writer who writes about the fashion industry, often discussing specific kind of dresses such as Vineyard wedding dresses.

http://www.priscillaofboston.com/vineyard.jsp

September 17th, 2010 by admin

Prom Dress  2010

By: Jacob Ohabim

The 2010 spring season opens with a burst of color. Prom dresses are available in every color under the sun. Choosing a gown doesn’t have to be a torturous activity though. Setting some parameters before setting out is a good way to narrow the field.

Start with the color. Decide which colors flatter your skin tone. A good way to do this is to look in your closet. What colors do you normally wear. Which ones have people told you that look great on you. Aside from this, taking photos of your self and then reviewing them objectively is another way to discover for yourself what looks best and which color makes your eyes shine and which colors wash you out.

Color theory was big a decade ago. People were classified into seasons. While this is not as popular today, the theory stands. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall girls all should gravitate towards different color prom dresses.

Winter girls have a blue or pink undertone to their skin. They are the ones with pale white or very dark skin. Brunettes with intensely colored eyes. Most Asians and African-Americans are also winters. These girls can go straight for the basic colors and look anything but plain. Clear red, black, navy blue, and shocking pink all look fabulous on winters. Icy light colors are also shockingly lovely. Silky gowns in a ice blue work well with their coloring. Stay away from gold, oranges and beige if you are a winter.

Spring girls have creamy white or peach skin. Straw-colored blondes and girls with strawberry red hair and freckled or rosy cheeks are classified as Spring. Their eyes are normally blue or green. The very colors winters are warned against, are the ones spring girls should gravitate to. The warmer peaches and golden yellows make a beautiful prom dress for a spring. Stay away from dark colors to really shine.

Summer girls are pale blondes or brunettes with pale eyes. Girls in this category are sometimes mistaken for Winters, if you fall somewhere between the two, try the photo trick and have someone help you decide what colors look best. One clue is if you look washed out in black. Summer girls often do not look their best in black, while pastels work perfectly. Try a plum colored dress or a rosey hued gown for the best effect. But like the winter girls, stay away from orange.

On the other hand, Autumn girls are easy to spot. Their golden skin and red hair or brunettes with golden brown eyes can’t deny being an Autumn. If you need another clue, Autumns do not look their best in blue. But shimmer in orange, gold and dark brown. A stunning deep chocolate brown dress or leopard print prom gown is a head turner for an Autumn girl.

Knowing where to start is helpful when looking for a prom dress. Looking beautiful on prom night is of utmost importance to most girls and wearing the right color will get you there faster.

About The Author

We carry large size dresses at no extra charge. We got you covered for all your plus size formal dresses for occasions from prom to weddings. We specialize in plus size prom dresses. Check us out!

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.jessicasfashion.com

September 15th, 2010 by admin

Man Dress Shoes

By: Anthony Kristovich III

Which man dress shoes you pick may at first seem like a simple choice. You might shop around, see something that looks nice, and then pick your favorite color. While this might work, there are many things to consider that might not even cross your mind.

The first thing to consider is what else you are wearing. I know, seems simple, but knowing if this is going to be worn with business casual dress (slacks/dress shirt) as opposed to a full suit does make a difference. With a full suit, you want the nice, traditional polish shoes to compliment the suit, as that is the look you are putting forward with wearing a suit. If you are are dressing more casual, as most places are in recent times, you might consider a comfortable pair of oxfords or rockports. After all, if you don’t have to wear full dress shoes, why not just wear a comfortable shoe.

The average person steps 4,000 – 5,000 times a day. That’s roughly 3 miles. This can heavily impact which style of man dress shoes you wear, as well as how the padding and insole are manufactured. Quality speaks for itself, as the saying goes. How well the shoes will hold up is a definite thing to consider.

The above are just some items to consider when you’re shopping for man dress shoes, and things normal men don’t think about when they’re out and decide to grab a new pair of shoes. Shopping online can make it drastically easier to find precisely what you want at the price you want.

You can find more information on choosing the right mans dress shoes at http://www.earticlesonline.com/man-dress-shoes.html.

About The Author

Anthony Kristovich III is the author of http://www.earticlesonline.com.