Concealing Dark Circles

Below are 3 simple steps to banish dark eye circles with the help of your concealer.

Step 1:
Using your ring finger, gently pat an eye cream with sunscreen (at least SPF 15) around the entire eye area as rubbing can stretch the thin, delicate skin that surrounds the area.

Step 2:
Choose a creamy concealer. This is to reduce the chance of caking. With the help of a concealer brush, apply three dots of colour. The dots should start under the tear duct and end under the iris. Blend the dots in with your ring finger by patting gently.



Step 3:
Make sure you choose a golden brown shade when adding in your eye colour to counteract blue circles or taupe if your circles are yellow. Since makeup along the lower lashes may smudge or flake, adding to the darkness, apply liner and mascara to top lids and lashes.


Beauty/Skincare products recommendation:

- Stila Perfecting Concealer


- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit


- Maybelline Great Wear Concealer


- Clinique All About Eyes Concealer

Food for Healthy, Bright Eyes

Fish

The Archives of Ophthalmology states that fish that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of advanced age-related mascular degeneration, the cause of blindness in adults.


Carrots

Carrots contain beta carotene, which is converted by the body to Vitamin A, an anti-oxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues, including the eye lenses.


Wolfberry

Wolfberry is commonly used to enhance flavour in Asian soups. There are claims that wolfberry may protect the retina by neutralising free radicals caused by exposure to the sun.

Different Types of Foundation

Qn: There are so many types of foundation out there, I have no idea which one to choose! Is there one that will give me a flawless and matte look?


Ans: Most compact or two-way foundations will give you a beautiful, powdery, matte finish. If you are looking for one with a slightly fuller coverage which does not weigh on your skin, try mineral makeup. It covers all facial imperfections and sits lightly on your face. However, since they come in loose powder form, you will need a Kabuki brush (rounded brush) to apply the foundation evenly to your face and avoid making a mess when you use it.


Beauty/Skincare products Recommendation:

- Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation


- Clinique City Base Compact Foundation SPF 15


- Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation


- Maybelline Pure Mineral Powder Foundation

How to Apply Mascara?

Qn: I have not tried applying mascara before and am afraid of the wand poking my eyes. How should I best apply it?

Ans: One way to apply mascara is to place a mirror in front of you, tilt your head up just a little (enough to see the root of your lashes). Then, using the mascara wand, brush through your eyelashes from bottom up. All you need is practice, practice and more practice!

Beauty products recommendation:

- Maybelline Intense XXL Mascara


- Za Cutie Curl Mascara


- Lancome L’Extreme Mascara

Mineral Makeup

Qn: We have heard so much about mineral makeup. Is it all hype or is it really good for everyone?



Ans: Mineral makeup is not a new phenomenon. It was started as a foundation alternative for women who have sensitive or acne-prone skin. The skin-loving minerals are pure, natural and non-irritating, hence, it is universally appealing. Though it feels like loose powder, it is able to give you coverage like that of a liquid foundation. Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation has a mineral complex of rose quartz, Mother of Pearl and topaz. As the particles are larger, they sit on the surface of the skin and are not absorbed into the pores. It comes with a Kabuki brush for better spreadability and even coverage.



Beauty/Skincare Products Recommendation:

The Revlon ColorStay Mineral collection includes:
- Mineral Foundation



- Mineral Blush



- Mineral Eye Shadow

Frizzy Hair

Problem: Frizzy Hair

There are a few reasons why your hair appears wiry, unruly or just plain fried. It may be due to your genes, chemical damage, or even poor diet and stress.

Solution: For healthy-looking locks, always use a deep moisturising condition. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing out. A weekly hair mask is also useful in taming frizz. Styling products like serums or leave-on conditioners protect and nourish hair while you are out. You may want to try raking some pomade through freshly-washed hair – just allow it to dry and then comb through.

Haircare products recommendation:

- L’oréal Paris Studioline Hot Straight Thermo-Straightening Spray

- L’oréal Paris Elseve Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Serum

- Senscience Smooth Shampoo


- Sunsilk Smooth & Manageable Control Leave-On

- Liese Clear Cube Wax 01

Cracked Lips

Problem: Cracked Lips



Dry, chapped or sore lips are unsightly and painful. Since lips are covered by skin, they can be affected in the same way by a variety of conditions. However, lips are even more prone to lines and dryness as they do not produce natural oils to protect them.

Solution: Do not lick your lips. Your lips may feel better for a while but when the saliva evaporates, it carries away even more moisture, thus worsening dryness. You can combat dehydration by drinking lots of fluids and protect the lips with an unscented or unflavoured lip balm. When applying your lippie, use a lip brush so colours go on more evenly and smoothly.


Skincare products recommendation:

- Origins Organics Soothing Lip balm


- Nivea Hydro Care

Dry and Rough Elbows, Knees and Heels

Problem: Dry and Rough elbows, knees and heels

The most neglected parts of the body (beauty-wise) are the elbows, knees and heels. Over time, with continued exposure to the elements, they can become dry, cracked, and even discoloured.

Solution: Exfoliate before or during your shower helps get rid of surface dead skin cells so moisture can fully and effectively penetrate into the epidermis. After showering, towel-dry before applying a body moisturiser. Apply a richer cream to these neglected areas.




Bodycare/Skincare products recommendation:

- Chanel Body Excellence Revitalizing Smoothing Scrub


- Origins Sole Searcher Soothing Foot Scrub


- Make Up Store Foot Scrub Oolong Tea/Jasmine

- Nivea Body Smooth Sensation


- Clarins Satin-Smooth Body Lotion


- Benefit Bathina “Touch Me Then Try To Leave” cream


- L’oréal Dermo-Expertise Exfotonic Exfoliating & Revitalizing Gel


- Ginvera Cracked Heel Special Treatment Cream

Tips on Preventing Insomnia

To some people, being able to fall asleep fast and to have an undisrupted sleep throughout the night is a luxury. In fact, everyone can achieve that by taking note of his/her sleeping habits.

To prevent insomnia, there are 7 sleeping habits that you got to work on:

1. Keep normal hours
Having a regular routine helps programme your body to sleep better.

2. Ensure deeper sleep
Your pillow should not be too soft, hard or small. You may try spraying your pillow or sheets with The Body Shop Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow & Body Mist. Its relaxing ingredients of jujube date and chamomile will be released throughout the night to ensure a more tranquil night’s rest.

3. Create a restful sleeping environment
Make your bedroom as comfortable as possible. This can be achieved by making it as quiet and dark as possible, keeping it at the right temperature.

4. Don’t over-indulge
Too much food and alcohol can wreck havoc on sleep pattern, especially late at night. Alcohol may help you fall sleep initially, but will interrupt your sleep later on in the night.

5. Leave your worries behind
If you have got a heavy workload, make a list of things to be tackled the next day.

6. Don’t fret
If you difficulty falling asleep, don’t lie there tossing and turning. Get up and do something you find relaxing until you feel sleepy, then go back to bed.

7. Don’t smoke
Smokers tend to take longer to fall sleep, wake up more often and experience more sleep disruption.


Bodycare/Skincare products Recommendation:

The Body Shop Deep Sleep range includes:
- (1) Dreamy Pillow & Body Mist
- (2) Comforting Milk Bath Float
- (3) Soothing Shower Cream
- (4) Peaceful Body Moisturiser
- (5) Essential Oil