Makeup mistakes

I read the tips closely and re-read them to realize that it is so simple to make mistakes when we are putting on makeup! Thank God for CLEO (Singapore) for addressing these makeup misconceptions which many of us would possibly are making similar mistakes. Once again, these great tips are from CLEO (Singapore) April 2008 issue. 🙂

Mistake #1: Foundation should be darker for evening

This is totally wrong. Bear in mind the core rule of choosing a foundation and not be misled by the time of the day. You should always try to match foundation to your skin tone or you will end up with a different-looking skin color from your face to neck.

Mistake #2: Makeup bases are gimmicks

Well, apparently, all makeup artists sweat by a pre-makeup base before applying foundation. A makeup base brightens up lacklustre skin and is great for those who prefer a more natural look. If you have oily skin, remember to dust off with some loose powder.

There are also different type of makeup which could help to reduce redness, reduce dark eye circles, provide radiance etc. Most importantly, choose one with UV protection.

Mistake #3: Makeup should emphasize only one feature

Sometimes you just cannot have the best of both worlds – you have pretty eyes and sexy lips and you wish to show them off. Sorry, too bad, you can only choose either one.

Wrong! Generally, it is true but in the evening, you can go heavier on more than one feature. E.g. a subtle smokey eye could look great with a red liptick.

Now, you must be feeling more liberated – enhance and show the two features that you love! 🙂

How does skin breathe?

I cannot believe I have been holding onto the wrong belief for more than 10 years (for as long as I first know what makeup is).

I thought, by not putting on makeup, I am giving my skin a chance to breathe. I always feel that having makeup on my skin would clogs my pores and my skin would be “buried” under a layer of powder (i.e. foundation, blusher, loose powder etc).

However, (listen up!), I am wrong. In CLEO (Singapore) April 2008 issue, this myth is corrected. “The only way oxygen is delivered to the skin cells is from the blood supply,” says Debbie Dickson from Danne Montague-King skincare.

While putting on heavy moisturisers or foundation can hinder absorption, they do not inhibit actual oxygen from nourishing the skin.

Well, this does not indicate that you could start putting on thick makeup from tomorrow on. I must emphasize that proper skincare regime is very important to ensure that your skin is kept clean and hydrated.

Last words: Ladies, please remove your makeup thoroughly before you go to sleep, because the tissues in your skin is undergoing repair and renewal when you are sleeping.

Mascara fact vs. myth

I ponder why would one think that by not removing mascara off your lashes would make it thicker.

Once again, bringing you great tips from CLEO (Singapore) April 2008 issue. I make it sound like it is a radio show, didn’t I?

Well, putting on mascara does make your lashes look thicker in the short term.

However, applying layers of mascara without fully removing them would cause your lashes to be brittle and subject to breakage.

What would be worse? Thin lashes or no lashes?

It is obvious – I will go for the former. Thus, it is important to remove your mascara fully. If you face problems removing your mascara, check my post on “How to remove waterproof mascara”.  

Frame of your face – Eyebrows

I am very particular about my eyebrows. I trim my brows almost every night, I ensure that I tweezed away the strays and I draw my brows to fill in the gaps.

For one simple reason – eyebrows frame my eyes. It also enhances my overall appearance.

It is important to get professional help to trim your brows when you loose the shape of your brow. I would usually visit my makeup artist once every 2 months to get the right arch back in place.

CLEO (Singapore) April 2008 issue stated that, “If all you see when you look at a person are her brows, they are obviously in need of some grooming. You should balance the thickness of your brows with your face shape. If you have a broad or round face shape, avoid anything took thick or full. You should also try to achieve a fair amount of width so that there’s enough room for your eyeshadow.”

Check: are you eyebrows a little too bushy now? There are many professional help at cosmetic counters like M.A.C, Shu Uemura or Lancome. So, no excuses for unkept brows.

Hair facts or myth (Part 2)

Since we got into the “hairy” mood, we shall continue looking into other hair care tips and refute some very common hair myths.

Again, these tips are from CLEO (Singapore) April 2008 issue – I must say again that this is a great issue.

Now, let’s understand our hair a bit more…

Hair fact #1: Cutting your hair does not make it grow faster

Hair is like grass – cutting the hair away does not affect the roots. However, trimming hair ends can get rid of weak damaged ends, thus making your locks healthier.

Hair fact #2: Plucking one grey hair will not make two grow back

Pulling out the same strand of hair may result in the hair bulb becoming distorted and the new hair may grow out crinkly or even STOP growing!

This is a very serious consequence which I have never thought of. I shall stop plucking out hair, thinking that I will get two strands back.

Hair fact #3: Dandruff is caused by oily scalps

I was always under the impression that dry scalps develop drandruff because the dryness creates the flakes. However, an oily scalp enhances the production of yeast on the dermal layer of skin, thus causing excess skin renewal. To control such problem, we need to use oil control shampoo. 🙂

Hair fact #4: Sharing hair brush spreads scalp disease

Never ever share hair brush anymore – it is a fact that lice and other parasites can be transmitted from scalp to scalp through the combing tools. To avoid such problems, it is very important to wash the hair tool regularly.

This is so much on hair and it is amazing how we are following the myths, thus this post place us into a better idea about hair care.