A foundation makes your skin look smooth and clear while providing a base on which you can apply your make-up

and to ensure that foundation looks natural, you need to choose a shade that closely resembles your own color or skin tone.

Choosing a foundation just because you like the look of it is wrong, as no body’s skin is exactly the same as anyone else’s. People have different skin tones and can be grouped under:

A- Yellow toned: ivory complexions without much redness (pale skin)
B- Orange toned: a mixture of red and yellow.
C- Red toned: pinkish tones without much yellow (mostly fairer skin).

Compare your skin tone to these groups and try not to choose a foundation shade that is outside your color group, although you can go for a lighter or darker shade depending on the time of year and the effect you want to achieve.

The simple 3 step process for choosing the right foundation for yourself is:

1: Know your skin type

Your skin type is also important to be considered while choosing the right foundation. Oil free foundations that have a matte finish are best for oily skin. Foundations that moisturize and are creamy are best for people with dry skin. If you have combination skin, get a foundation that is moisturizing, but oil free.

— oily skin: use foundations that come in bare minerals
— dry skin: use foundations that are water based
— Combination skin: I recommend for you to use a water-based foundation as well, but before applying makeup, use an Oil-Free Moisturizer for Combination Skin.

2: Know your tone

Determine whether you are warm toned, or cool toned. Individuals with a cool skin tone have pink undertones, while people with a warm skin tone have yellow undertones. An easy way to determine this is to extend your arm & observe your veins under the sun. Are they blue? Green? Or Both?

— cool tone blue veins
— warm tone green veins

Therefore the catch line is when choosing foundation

cool tones should choose more pink-based colors and warm tones should choose more yellow-based colors. If you feel that you are balanced between cool or warm tones, choose neutral colors.

3: Know the testing area

when choosing a foundation always try it on by rubbing a small amount along your jawline and not on your wrist or cheeks as color on skin in these areas are often different from your facial skin color. The right shade of foundation will “blend” on to your skin, while smoothing out uneven tones and giving you a near-perfect complexion.

I believe that choosing the right foundation couldn’t have been this easy till now, so know your skin, know your tone and create your base!

look beautiful — feel beautiful!

Unfortunately, this is one facial feature we choose to ignore

and even if you do apply blush on or bronzing shimmer to it, we do not do it the right way. It is about time that we realized how important it is to apply blush on correctly, because there are very few among us who know how to apply it. It is horrifying when girls overdo the blush on part and look like blushing damsels or even worse, clowns! First of all, 

overdo your eyes and lips because it adds drama and glamor but with the cheeks, you have to be really careful not to mess your look.

1. Everybody has a unique skin type and tone which you need to be aware of so that you are able to choose the right colors and type of blush on. People with dry skin should use cream blush on to add moisture and it is preferable that the rest skin types apply powder blush on.

People with fairer skin have cool undertones and should use mauve or pink colors

Those with warm undertones should use orange or warmer colors to highlight their cheeks while those with natural undertones –which falls in between both can use natural pinks.

2. Use a medium sized round brush, swirl it in your blush on and dust off any excess powder. Smile widely and brush it lightly in circular motion on the apples of the cheeks. This gives a slightly blushed and glowing look which is great for the day. If you want to give a bit more color, add some more blush, dust off and brush it just under the cheek bone towards hairline. This gives an illusion of high cheekbones as it highlights the contours, adding a yummy look. You can also do this by sucking your cheeks in and applying on the hollows towards hairline.

3. Blend it well so it doesn’t appear blotchy and keeps a uniform color on the cheeks. Remember to use clean brush to avoid contamination of skin by germs and do not use over the counter brushes because most of them have spiky bristles that can irritate the skin.

4. Cream blushes should be dabbed on by the middle finger onto the cheek and cheek bone.

Use the index and ring finger to blend the color

use circular motion and blend it well so it doesn’t appear in spots.

5. For a glitzy look, apply some gold or bronze shimmer to your cheek just under the eyes so you glow when you smile.

6. If you have a round or full face, apply blush more on the cheek, near your hairline.

To accentuate your cheek hollows, apply blush onto them. This will give a dramatic look to your high cheekbones.

Good luck with it and remember that you always perfect your skills with practice, so never hesitate in experimenting with different colors and techniques.

Practice, experiment and see which suits you best

The point is to make your face look rosy and glowing.

If you want to lighten your skin tone

without spending oodles of money

then try out the cost-effective natural home-made treatments and enjoy the results in a matter of a few days.

Honey

Honey is your best friend and is an excellent ingredient for both your health and body. It is known for its constructive effect on your skin tone. Not just that, being an excellent moisturizer, it is regarded as an excellent acne fighting treatment.

Honey, for lightening your skin complexion, works effectively.

Blend half a tbsp of almond powder with one tbsp of honey with a few drops of lemon juice

apply this directly to your face. Leave the mass on your face for 5 minutes and then give your face a massage, so that the ingredients can penetrate your skin, and again leave it on for another 5 minutes. Cleanse it off with cold water and pat your face dry with a nice and clean towel. Repeat this treatment religiously everyday for one month and you will be surprise yourself to notice the distinct change in your complexion. You’ll be able to see excellent results effecting, within a week’s time

Almonds

Almonds, again, are remarkably effective in lightening your skin tone.

Add milk to almond powder and mix it till it blends well

then apply the mixture to your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash away with cold water. This is a daily recommended treatment in order to notice a lighter complexion getting lighter. Plus, if you want to strop showing aging signs early, try out this paste and feel the rejuvenation.

Lemon

Lemon juice is generally identified to be a skin lightening agent.

Mix equal amounts of lemon juice with rose water and use the formation as a toner

You will notice results after the first treatment itself, leaving the skin fresh and glowing. Apply it to your face at night and leave it there while sleeping. Wash it in the morning with cold water.
Lemon juice is also effect in decreasing the size of the pores on your face and is an excellent remedy against fight acne and blemishes. You can use this treatment on your entire body.

Have fun.

Your body also needs to be regularly hydrated as it keeps wrinkles and skin dullness at bay.

Dry skin is more prone to skin infections but you should also be aware that a little too much moisture can lead to skin clogging and that dreadful acne which we all hate. So “do it, but don’t over do it”.

In pursuit of a happy skin, your number one ally and best friend is a good moisturizer which is available in the form of body butter or a lotion. Body butter is much thicker than a body lotion and is perfect if you are looking to treat your skin with some full of zip moisture treatment.

Shopping for a good body butter can also be a tug of war!

The attractive bottles, delicious fragrances and the lovely textures can easily manipulate you when you are out moisturizer – shopping.

The Body Shop has been in the beauty business for more than two decades and has become a famed name in providing the best of natural skin and hair care organic products. The Japanese Cherry Blossom range is a recent addition to their ever increasing list of skin care fixations. Now you can treat your senses to the Japanese Cherry Blossom Eau de toilette, body mist, shower gel, body lotion and body butter!!

For all our skin conscious readers, styleablaze recommends The Body Shop Japanese cherry blossom, a skin softening body butter by The Body Shop. And Ladies, it has it all, an attractive container, a lovely texture and a sensual fragrance!

Ingredients

The key ingredient, Japanese Cherry Blossom is known for its soothing and healing properties and the lovely exotic fragrance. This body butter has hints of cheery blossom extracts, blended with organic soya oil and Italian olive oil and mingled with Glycerin as an active hydrating agent. This concoction is just wonderful to restore the skin’s moisture barrier and nourishes it to softness in no time.

Soya oil has rich fatty acids which can do wonders if you are looking for intensive skin care treatment.

The mixture of these oils easily get absorbed with other natural skin oils making your skin look shinny and feel soft.

When to use / Why to

Recommended greatly for people with normal skin, this is a must have moisturizer especially formulated to combat all kinds of harsh winter weather. If you feel that your skin is tired or has dry patches then give this a try and you will instantly notice results. Perfect to use any time of day or night and easily applicable and does not have an oily after effect. Use it once or twice a day preferably after a shower or before going to bed.

A useful tip on moisturizer application is to apply it on damp skin. Dry skin doesn’t absorb it effectively. Your damp skin traps water on the skin surface cells making the moisture effect last longer and giving your skin a shinny look.

How to Use / Apply in steps

Step 1

Before applying the body butter, splash your body with some water. The skin only needs to be damp not wet !!! If you don’t feel like using water, a hydrating tonner is an excellent substitute.

Step 2

Take a generous scoop of the body butter and spread across your body.

Step 3

Blend it in circular motions so that it is evenly spread and absorbed. You will instantly feel the difference with a beaming skin.

Some Facts

Japanese Cherry Blossom or “Sakura” as the Japanese call it signifies the momentary nature of life. Blossoming in the spring from the months of late March to early May, Cherry Blossoms are found all over Japan and their beauty is enjoyed with an old tradition of Hanami , the flower viewing custom. This delicate flower also symbolizes feminine beauty, power and sensuality and has become a popular tattoo among young women.

Our Recommendations

The first thing waking up the girly instinct in you is the cute pink tub with a black lid. The delicate floral scent is the second best thing that will instantly pull you towards it. Just one whiff of this lovely fragrance will take you to some Cherry Blossom Garden in far away Japan!

The Body Shop Products might seem slightly expensive, but word from the wise is never compromise on quality when it comes down to skin care.

Use this body butter as an all over moisturizer.

Now you don’t have to spend loads of money on buying lotions and creams for feet, body, arms and hands separately as this body butter does it all! This product has also been recommended by Vogue UK. Still in doubt, try the sample at the store before buying it.

Get it Now

Price

The price of this product is around $ 20 dollars / 1600-2000 rupees (approx).

Check them out and see what you think.
1. No matter what the product (shampoo, conditioner, mousse)

Use the right one for your hair type. So don’t go raiding your sister’s sticky left overs! Always ask your hairstylist for advice and get the good stuff for your hair instead.

2. All hair products leave a residue on the hair

So just like the way you detox your body after a night on the wine use a detox shampoo for your locks.

3. Don’t hold your hairspray too close or it’ll coat your hair thickly and you’ll risk looking like a crazy big helmet-head.

About 9 inches distance is fine.

4. You only need a small amount of shampoo, especially if you’re using a professional product (because they’re generally richer).

A dollop of about 1 inch in diameter is more than enough.

5.The key to applying your conditioner is to distribute it evenly from mid-lengths to ends.

A wide-toothed comb is the ideal tool for this process. (Keep one in the shower).

6. Heat protection spray is essential if you use heated styling products like hair straighteners, but don’t use too much!

Divide your hair into a few areas and just pump a couple of sprays on each area.

7. “Less is more” is the rule of thumb with the kinds of products that aim to add texture and shine (molding cream, clay, wax etc.).

Start with a little, say about the size of a quarter, warm with your hair dryer and add more as needed.

8. Rinse, rinse, rinse! You’d be surprised how dull, weighed-down hair is often the result of simply not rinsing out your shampoo and conditioner well enough.

Spend less time daydreaming (like me) and rinse those locks thoroughly.

9. Get your mousse right. I remember seeing my mum piling it so high in her hand each morning it looked like fairy floss. That’s crazy!!

If you have medium length hair you only need about a golf ball amount.

10. Say no to that extra bottle of wine on the weekend. Put the money towards decent hair products instead.

and save the cheap stuff for high school kids

Take care of yourself until next time, MJ signing off!

For every season, our hair needs are different and well, of course really important, if you want to keep your hair looking beautiful and lustrous. However, during winter season, your hair is affected in the worst ways.

To beat these winter problems, follow the hair tips Styleablaze has in house for you:

Problem: Having dry, fuzzy ends?

How often to do get your hair trimmed? If not very often, then do so, from now on! Schedule trims devotedly. To prevent a dry, fuzzy and untidy hair look,  get a trim after every four to six weeks.

Also, make it a habit of using a generous amount of conditioner to soften and nourish your hair. Conventionally, it is advised to use rather a richer conditioner than you’re the one meant for summers, and also, go for an ultra-moisturising hair mask twice week. You’ll love what it does to your hair!

Problem: Static and flyaway hair harassing you?

Spray on a nice leave-in conditioner before you style up your hair.

This will avoid your hair to look like thunder just hit you and weigh them down nicely and neatly. In case of dry hair, a small amount of shine serum, or spritz on a scanty dose of hairspray. But, in worst static cases, use a static guard spray and comb it through your hair. Enjoy the res of the day static free!

Problem: Worried about the dull look?

If you color your hair

Ask your beautician to add a few highlights for a groovy look or apply a clear gloss to boost up a shiny, radiant look

In case, you are not a dye-person, simply use a shine enhancer gel or cream, containing silicone, before finally deciding how you want to style your hair.

No more bad hair days because Styleablaze has saved another winter from being ruined!

Photo by chaparral

A Little splish-splash and there you have it – a face sparkling clean and fresh as moon’s glory.

So, invest in a nice smart face wash and see what miracles it would do for your skin. Lets scan the face wash market to make a good pick….

1. Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel for All Skin Types

It can be described as simply heaven in a tube! It’s unlike any other cleanser I’ve ever used. It’s a very unique concept – It started out on my face as a gel, and as I massaged it in, it turned into oil. The oil felt soft and smelled amazing (a lovely orange/tangerine scent), and took off every last trace of my makeup. When I added water to rinse it off, it changed yet again into cleansing milk and came off easily, with no oily residue.

I was left with a very smooth, soft, clean face. I never used anything like it. It’s very pleasing to the senses. It smelled great, felt nice and left my face clean and soft, and hydrated! My skin did not feel stripped or dry, just a clean, smooth canvas at the end of the cleansing process.

This cleanser contains Marula Oil, which is a “dry” oil, almost instantly absorbed by the skin.

It felt so good to massage it onto my face that I looked forward to my very pleasant evening experience every night. There were even some evenings when I was so tired that I decided to skip moisturizer, and found that I really could! This is worth every penny, as it is truly a luxurious and effective product.

And even better, the three-phase process allows you to pack fewer skin care products if you are crunched for space!

2. Clean Clear Morning Burst Cleanser

Just as the name says it, a great choice for everyday morning use. Not only does it do everything it says on the bottle but it actually makes you feel good. It has beads in it that lightly exfoliate your face in the morning. The best part is the orange scent. It’s wonderful, I recommend for anyone that has a pimple or two, it cleans them up in a couple of days.

3. Aqua Dessa Honey Pomegranate Facial Cleanser

An absolute treat for your face, it’s super mild and smells incredible. It takes off all makeup too with just the tiniest amount. The fragrance is wonderful, it leaves the skin clean and smooth (not squeaky and tight, which I don’t like). There is a light foam.

Did I mention the fragrance? Fabulous!

It’s only flaw is in the product design – It’s almost impossible to get a little out without it running down the side of the bottle. This needed to have a pump. It is too thin of a product, (no synthetic thickeners are added to this product), to put in a glass bottle with a little rubber dispenser on top, it all runs out.

4. Juice Beauty Cleansing Gel

I was very impressed with this organic cleanser. The texture of the cleanser is a mid-weight gel and it took off every bit of oil, makeup and debris from my face. It made my skin look and feel clean afterwards. It did not feel harsh or irritating and rinsed off very well. Anyone with oilier skin looking for an effective, gentle cleanser this is the one – and the fact that it’s organic is fantastic!

This cleanser also keeps acne at bay! After using it for several weeks, you will yourself notice a significant difference in the amount of flare ups that occurred.

5. Ponds face wash

Ponds face wash is suitable for both oily and dry skin. It is great for Asian skin. After using Ponds face wash the face could get a bit stretchy and tight but its fabulous for summer season where it really keeps your face from perspiring and becoming a sweat fountain.

6. L’Oreal Skin Genesis Pore Minimizing Gel Cleanser

It is a fruity scented cleanser. It makes the pores minimized (not completely but there is a difference) and prevents breakouts. Overall the face feels softer and clearer. The cleanser also removes eye makeup quite easily. This particular face wash works great for combination skin.

7. Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin

A simple face wash with nothing fancy, except the way it works on the skin. It perfectly cleans the skin without any harsh ingredients. Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, For Normal to Oily Skin promises to clean your skin, while gradually improving the skin complexion. It promises bold long term results that you simply can’t turn it down.

8. Olay Gentle Foaming Face Wash with Aloe, Sensitive Skin

For someone who is not aware, to me Olay products are like testaments of beauty and skin care. An excellent face wash, just the kind you would expect from Olay. Olay Gentle Foaming Face Wash with Aloe-Sensitive Skin says it’s 100% soap free, oil free, and dermatologist tested. Only takes a small amount to cleanse your face. Even a dime size is plenty to get the job done. Works great for sensitive skin and make-up removal. This product is recommended for middle-aged women.

9. Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash

I bought this because I needed something to use in the shower in the mornings- not really abrasive or drying, just something gentle to have a fresh face. I really liked it because it got rid of all of last night’s traces of mascara and didn’t dry, it also smelled great, and really familiar.

Then I realized one morning it smelled exactly like baby shampoo. And it pretty much was baby shampoo. So I’ve switched to that- cheaper, more comes in the bottle, and the soap dispenser lid doesn’t leak everywhere.

10. The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Foam, Clarifying Acerola

I’ve had good experiences with Asian products in the past. After using this for a week, I’m thoroughly impressed. It foams up into a really luxurious lather, and does an excellent job of removing most makeup (waterproof mascara may need extra attention, but that’s to be expected).

The best part is, after rinsing, it leaves the skin smooth and baby soft — not dry or tight at all.

In fact, I feel totally comfortable using this in the morning and not worrying about flakiness! I will definitely be looking in to more The Face Shop products in the future…for the price and quality they are awesome!

Schedule a time, make up your mood and spare yourself for a nice one-on-one with yourself, because every once in a while, we all need a good pleasant, relaxing time and special treatment.

This home-made recipe will give you the experience of similar to one in a professional spa and you will feel divine.

Ingredients:

1 cup strawberries or Blend strawberries or papayas
1 small bowl of yogurt

What to do:

Simple blend the strawberries or papayas with one bowl of yoghurt and there it is ready to be applied all over your body. Let it remain on your body for approximately 20 minutes, while you can listen to some nice music or inhale some exquisite aroma using aroma therapy. After 20 minutes, and rinse it away and amuse yourself with the nourished, moisturized and lighter effect it has on your face and body.

I recommend you do this once a week or whenever you are in the mood for a little pampering-yourself experience.

A cold cream

that has sun block in it – so you can protect your skin from the winter sun. Have you ever wondered why some people start looking dark during the winters? It’s because a lot of people forget that even if its winters, the sun will still be shining and rays will still be falling on your face and skin. So, remember to apply a cream with a sunscreen in it. Oil-based moisturizers are considered better during summers because they will retain the oil in your skin and besides your dry skin will look radiant.

Moisturizers

keep your skin moisturized at all times and by skin we do not only mean the face and hands. Keep your whole body moisturized because your skin can really dry up in the winters and you do not want to be itchy under all those layers of sweaters! It is terrible! So, just apply moisturizing lotion over the whole body after a shower and it’ll keep you comfortable throughout the day.

A lip balm

Lips tend to get chapped and dry up in the winters, especially if it’s windy and dry. First of all, don’t lick your lips because if you do it will only make them more chapped! Always keep a lip balm handy in your purse or pockets and apply it before going outside or even indoors.

No matter how tempting coffee and tea sounds in winters, don’t overdo the daily caffeine dose because it will show on your face in the shape of pimples or such. It is the holiday season but still chocolates and sweets are to be kept to a limit for your skins sake.

A bottle of water

It is very important to drink water in winters, no matter what you think.
You need to keep yourself hydrated otherwise skin will start looking wrinkled and boring. Winters make us forget that we have to drink water because it’s so cold and we only drink when we’re really thirsty. But, don’t do that to yourself, keep drinking water, even if in a reduced amount because you don’t normally lose body water by sweating during winters.

Now, who hasn’t heard of the winter blues? But, let me tell you all that gloominess and stress shows not only on your facial expressions but it shows on your skin too! Stress can make you look dull and skin puffed.

De-stress by a hot aromatic bath and keep smiling!

1. First of all soak you feet in this Cocktail Foot Soak which combines lemon juice, milk as mild bleaching agents as well as olive oil for moisture. What you need for this is

• 1 cup Lemon Juice
• ¼ tsp Cinnamon Powder
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• ¼ cup Milk
• Water

Squeeze out 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, add the cinnamon powder and olive oil in it and then add the milk. Mix it well. Fill a tub with warm water and mix this ‘cocktail’ into it. Put your feet into the water, sit back and let your feet soak for a good 15-20 minutes.

2. After that, take your feet out and wash them with mild soap, pat them dry with a towel and apply a moisturizing foot cream.

3. After you’ve soaked your feet, the skin will be soft and porous because of the warm water. You need to make this Coffee Scrub –it is amazing! What you need is

• 4 tablespoons of ground coffee
• 3 tablespoons of corn meal (or ground oatmeal)
• 3 tablespoons of sea salt or Epsom salt
• 3 tablespoons of Olive or Almond oil
• 2 drops of lavender oil for relaxation or peppermint oil for revitalization.

Mix all the ingredients well and scrub it onto your feet in slow circular movements. Lightly massage your feet with it. Don’t let it dry completely, but when you feel that you’ve massaged it into your skin, wash the scrub off with warm water and pat dry.

4. This is a very exciting recipe –Foot Lotion that you can make all by yourself! The things you will need are Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Lavendar Oil, Wheat Germ Oil and fragrance oil. Take a nice, washed and dried empty bottle, poor 1 tablespoon of each oil and a dozen or so drops of the fragrance oil. Close the bottle tightly and shake the bottle extremely well. Just rub the lotion into your feet after the foot scrub or after you have cleaned them. Rub it in well and get someone to massage your feet with this lotion.

It’s home-made and natural so there are no side-effects or chemical reactions to skin.