Beauty Tips

[usahgrad]

Through out a couple other threads, I've noticed people handing out beauty advice or mentioning a need for it. So I thought I would create a thread so we could put whatever we needed or whatever we could suggest in one spot.

My biggest problemo at the moment is my hair...anyone know of a good at-home deep conditioning treatment. I've thought about going to the salon, but that's $60 a month plus my regular haircuts.

Anyone else have some beauty tips or questions? I'm sure we've all got our share of wacky remedies for things...

[LaceyinPgh]

For my hair once a week I use Neutrogena's 60 second hair mask. It comes in a pink tube. My hair can get a little dry and I noticed that this helps a lot.

[CarlosHoney]

You can buy cholesterol for very cheap, and it's the best thing ever for dry hair. It's neon orange. It's in the African American Hair Section of any grocery/beauty supply. It's very inexpensive too.

Just put it on, leave it in for 30-45, wash it out.

If you're looking for professional, BioSilk is the best. It helps repair damage to your hair and de-frizz. Put it on after showers and whenever. TIGI Bed Head has a conditioner called Dumb Blonde made for chemically processed hair. Great stuff. Also, my favorite product right now is by Alterna. It's a help seed oil hair glaze, keeps my wavy hair looking wavy, not frizzy.

[CindySue]

I have the same problem with my hair. Ive tried the cholesterol but I had trouble washing it all out. I found something that works really good on my hair by accident. I use the Aussie hairspray and one can I bought had a trial size of this "Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor - DEEEEEP" I loved it. I only use it every few days or so but you can see and feel a big difference in my hair.

[dee177]

We have Aussi over here in the UK it really is fab. Im looking for a deep conditioning treatment to use weekly on my hair to improve the condition as im having extentions for the wedding and i know those can damage your hair further. so if anyone know of a conditioning treatment for very fine ash blonde hair it would be great if you could let me know, also i dont know if we have the same makeup brands over here but if any one knowsof a medium coverage foundation that wont move all day that would be great to know too, Thanks
Deexxxx

[LaceyinPgh]

For foundation, I am a really big fan of Clinique. I ti ssold at most major department store. I use the superbalance that actually moisturizes dry areas and absorbs oil from oily areas. It is great for combination skin like I have. But thye have other types too that can fit other skins.

Back to hair, my mother and grandmother still use the old home treatment on mayonnaise on their hair. If you look at what real mayo (not the salad dressing type) is made out of - egg yolks and oil- it makes sense. I also have had people swear by rubbing warm olive oil on their hair, wrapping it in plastic for 20 minutes then washing it.

[usahgrad]

Wow! My biggest problem is that my hair can get REALLY oily. So, I'm looking for something that will keep my ridiculously dry ends from tangling like crazy and my ridiculously oily roots from getting even more oily...yikes!

Anyways, any other makeup suggestions? I need all the beauty help I can get...lol...I don't know about the rest of you.

[LaceyinPgh]

Wow! My biggest problem is that my hair can get REALLY oily. So, I'm looking for something that will keep my ridiculously dry ends from tangling like crazy and my ridiculously oily roots from getting even more oily...yikes!

Anyways, any other makeup suggestions? I need all the beauty help I can get...lol...I don't know about the rest of you.
I can't help you much with oily hair. In the winter mine is so dry that I can get away with washing it every 3-4 days.

What kind of makeup are you looking for. It is hard to give advice on things since everyone's skin is different. I really like CLinique's foundations. The best mascara is Maybelline in the pink tube with a green cap. It is also about one of the cheapest too. It really lengthens my lashes and doesn't get clumpy. My skin tone is pretty dark so I use some more intense colors on my eyes. I love Chanel's eye shadows. They are really expensive but a little bit goes a very long way. I have had one for about 5 years and I wear it at least 3-4 times a week. Anything else just let me know.

[usahgrad]

Anyone ever used fake eyelashes? I've never used them before, but I really want to look like I have long beautiful eyelashes and I can't wear mascara...

Thought I'd pop whatever I could in here...anyone else have some questions, please post them too...maybe they'll be thing that we haven't even thought about...

[Mish11]

false eyelashes can be trichy and look really facke if you don't do them propley... the best kind to uses are the ones that are 1/2 looses eyelashes together. it gives a much more natural look, becos you can place them where you need/want them and not look like a drag queen :D remember to stick them as closes as possible to your own lashes, get a friend to help! and remember to get your eyebrows done! nothing ruins a good look than unflattering eyebrows!

[WhiskeyGirl]

I agree about the eye brows. Who wants to look like two big furry catepillars are crawling across your face on your wedding day. But do remember to wax them at least a week before the wedding to allow the pinkness and swelling to go down. I also tinted my eyelashes for the wedding. It helped make the mascara "pop" and I didn't have to worry about wearing mascara on our honey moon in Hawaii where we spent most of our days at the beach!! (A word to the wise though, tinting eyelashes can be dangerous so make sure you get someone to do it who knows what they are doing!!)

~CanadianBride~

[LaceyinPgh]

If you can't do mascara you might not be able to do the fake eyelashed either. The glue on those can be pretty harsh. I would try them out well in advance. No one likes a bride with ther eyes swelled closed. If mascara just irritates your eyes try shopping around for on ethat is desgined for contact users. Those tend to be a littl emore gentle.

[CarlosHoney]

My favorite makeup brands are Hard Candy and Urban Decay. They don't test on animals and say so on their package. Hard Candy has a FABULOUS mascara, and Urban Decay makes the BEST eyeshadow.

For foundation, powder, blush, well, pretty much anything MAC is well worth the price. The artists who work in the stores are very professional and will help you learn to apply, and help you find the colors that best suit your skin. Plus, they donate to AIDS research, and if you take in 6 empty MAC cases from your lipstick, eyeshadow, whatever, they'll give you a FREE Lipstick!! They recycle the cases, and you get quality product. What can be better?

Ladies with oily hair, sorry to tell you this, but chances are you wash TOO MUCH!! If you wash every day, you're taking all of the healthy oils out of your hair, so your ends are going to be dry. Since your hair needs the oil, your scalp is overproducing to compensate. So, you're getting oily faster. So you wash more. I wash my hair *maybe* twice a week. You can still shower, and wet your hair, but actually using shampoo is a no-no. Get a boar's hair nataral bristle brush and use it every night. The hairs help pull the oil to the ends, so your hair is getting the oils that it needs. Nothing is better for your hair than the nataral oil. And make sure to get a trim every 6-8 weeks. Cutting off the dead ends helps your hair be it's healthiest.

My mom's a hairdresser. I could write a book on haircare.

[Mish11]

note to self! will ask Carlo's honey bout any hair probs that come up :D i'm not really sure wot to do with my hair for the big day. it's just on my shoulders, long layers, blonde, med thick, so straight it's scary....

also... i need a tan! i'm quite fair and stay out the sun. i don't do the sunbed thing cos its bad for you. thought bout doing the whole airbrush st tropez/carribean tan thing, but they're quite pricy here... any suggestions on a good self tan i can do at home?

[usahgrad]

I thought about doing the airbrush thing too (I could make vampires look tan!)...I've done it once before, my only problem was my hands ended up all speckly...and I definitely DO NOT want that for my wedding...I thought I'd try it out again sometime in the middle of the winter and see how it turns out.

I would suggest getting it done two or three days before; when I had it done, I looked very dark right afterwards, but once it settled in just a bit, I looked much better.

Anyone else done it or who does it now that can share some helpful hints?

[CindySue]

There are some really good self tanners at the stores now. They arent like the ones a few years ago. I cant remember who makes it but theres one that comes in a spray can and it was very very natural looking. no streaking, or spots.

[CarlosHoney]

There are also some really nice bronzer gels out there too. They wash off, and you can practice with different shades of tan before your big day. Plus, you goof up and put on too much, you can always wash it off..

That was always my big worry with the self tanners. Messing up really bad and throwing orange into the mix as a wedding color. :)

[usahgrad]

I have seen those...some are foams, some come with a fan, some are spray cans...it's really amazing what they've come up with. I'll have to try them and see what happens...

[CindySue]

CarlosHoney, they make a lot of them tinted now so that you can see where you did or didnt put any.

[usahgrad]

Worse comes to worse, just refer to "The Wedding Planner." J.Lo says some lemon juice and salt and "scrub scrub scrub." Ok, I'm not a chicky flick person...just to clear that up; someone gave me the movie for christmas...:)

[CindySue]

OR you can always use the trick I found out by accident.
This summer I had bought some self tanning stuff (the good kind) and it was perfect! there was not a streak or a line anywhere, and it wasnt hard putting the stuff on either. Anyway, i went swimming in a pool. I guess the chlorine in the pool beached the stuff off, because when i got out EVERY bit of it was gone.

[usahgrad]

LOL! Isn't it great when you find something that works, you inadvertantly wipe it all off? Man, that's life!

[LaceyinPgh]

If you are really really worried about self tanners, have you thought abou the spary on tan? It is the same thing only someone airbrushes it onto you. I have had it done a couple of times with great results. The only thing that sucks isyou have to stand in front of a fan to make sure that you are totally dry, which can get very cold. You also can't shower for a couple hours afterwards so you walk around feeling kind of yucky and smelling like a coconut. Just make sure that you get the kid that develops like the bottle tans instead of the one that brozes like a bronzing gel. I have heard the ones that don't develop have a habit of coming off on your clothes. I have only had the developer ones and never had an issue.

[usahgrad]

I did have one that came off a bit on my clothes, but they told me it was going to happen. After I washed it off though, it didn't. I stood in a machine and was sprayed by it and I learned that I looked REALLY good tan! The only problem I had as I said before was that my hands were speckly and that's the LAST thing that I want speckly on my wedding day!

[LaceyinPgh]

I did have one that came off a bit on my clothes, but they told me it was going to happen. After I washed it off though, it didn't. I stood in a machine and was sprayed by it and I learned that I looked REALLY good tan! The only problem I had as I said before was that my hands were speckly and that's the LAST thing that I want speckly on my wedding day!
Maybe instead of the booth try to find someone who actually airbrushes you. That way you get more control on where the solution goes.

[usahgrad]

We'll see...we get into pricey type things when someone actually stands there and sprays you...but I'll see.

[LaceyinPgh]

We'll see...we get into pricey type things when someone actually stands there and sprays you...but I'll see.
I think that mine only cost around $50. It has been awhile since I had one. Call around and get some prices. You might be surprised.

[Mish11]

i think i've found one that really works for me! it a mousse... it's by PizBuin and wasn't too pricy... it's the Max Self Tan one. Wots nice is that you do it once and can apply more foam in areas you need it, and less where you don't. it didn't streak or blotch AND didn't leave my hands orange! it came out really even and i've gotten sooo many compliments. Also it dries real quick and you only need to wait an hour before you can shower..... (i roped my fh in to get where i couln't reach :D )

[usahgrad]

That could be kinky... :wink:

Thanks for the tip. And what better way to use a FH! :)

[sarahomalley]

alright...let's talk about eyebrows a minute. My eyebrows are so light that it looks like I don't have any! I use a pencil and it works really great. But for the big day I want to go get them waxed or tweezed professionally (because I hate doing it) It's embarrasing that I have to use a pencil and I'm not 90!

[LaceyinPgh]

alright...let's talk about eyebrows a minute. My eyebrows are so light that it looks like I don't have any! I use a pencil and it works really great. But for the big day I want to go get them waxed or tweezed professionally (because I hate doing it) It's embarrasing that I have to use a pencil and I'm not 90!
I pencil mine in too. It is beause I have very dark hair so the little in between spots are super noticable. I know a lot of girls who pencil theirs in. Just make sure you get waxed a couple of days before the wedding. That way you can avoid the big red irritation marks. I would actually start going about once a month 6-9 months before the big day. That way you and your waxist have enough time go groom them into a good shape.

I have been getting mine done regularly for years. I just schedule an appointment whenever I get my hair cut.

[Mish11]

I've also been getting mine waxed for years! Keeps them neat and nice :) my cousin owns a beauty salon and also does make-up for special ocasions and stuff. I always use to fill in with a pencil, but she said no, use a powder and an angled short tip brush instead. the look is much more natural, especially if you have light eyebrows :D

[usahgrad]

Don't worry...mine are REALLY light too. I don't use anything but that's just cause I don't wear makeup on a regular basis and I can't seem to get myself to like anything I draw as an eyebrow...lol.

If you get them waxed or anything waxed for that matter, I'm sure you all know, but do it about a week beforehand so the puffiness can go down. For prom, I had a makeover done and they drew in my eyebrows then and it looked pretty good (at least from all the pictures I've seen). I don't know what I'm going to do about my eyebrows though.

While we're adding new questions...anyone found a deoderant that works really well and doesn't leave white stuff all over? (White stuff...definitely NOT beautiful!) I have a clear one I use, but it really doesn't work very well and I'm going to be nervous that day...

[CindySue]

Well I know a couple of girls that had their eyebrows dyed. Theirs were really light too and they had them darkened up just a little. Nothing drastic, just where they would stand out a little more.

[bnd94]

I don't wear make up so I have no tips for that.

How often do you girls have to get your eyebrows waxed? I have pretty thick eyebrows and there is no way I would tweeze them(it would take way too long!) I don't think they look bad now but I would like to get them waxed sometime just to see if I would like them better.

[bnd94]

Has anyone ever tried putting Mayonaise in their hair? I got this tip off another board. It is suppose to take the build up out of your hair. I tried it and loved it. My hair had a little bounce and was really shiny!

Another product I love is Loreal's anti frizz cream. I don't like it alone cause it doesn't seem to add any volume. I mix it equally with gel(I use Dove) I have wavy hair but I blow dry it to be straight. This works great! Makes my hair have volume and look silky.

[CindySue]

I tried the Mayo trick but I couldnt get it to all wash out. Finally got it out with dishwashing soap and you can guess what that did to my hair.
I have thick eyebrows too and Im considering having them waxed. i do tweeze mine and your right it is time consuming.

[bnd94]

OK one more post! (triple post!!! :shock: )

Do any of you use any cream on your face? To reduce fine lines or to just take care of dryness? I have been using dove, cause it's cheap and has sunblock. But I would love to find something that would even out my skin more. KWIM? Like models skin. It looks smooth and soft, I know it's probably air brushed photos!. Does any one have any suggestions? I am only 27 but I figure it can't hurt to start using something to prevent fine lines. Ya know??!!!

[CindySue]

Girl......I have been using Oil of Olays Total Effects Anti-wrinkle, Anti-blemish cream and I love it. I also use the cleanser. The cleaser is only about $7 but the cream is $16. You dont have to use both. I think its worth it. Im 32 and do not even come close to looking it. Especially with my freckles!

[bnd94]

I tried the Mayo trick but I couldnt get it to all wash out. Finally got it out with dishwashing soap and you can guess what that did to my hair.
I have thick eyebrows too and Im considering having them waxed. i do tweeze mine and your right it is time consuming.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention that. It does take a long time to rinse out. Once I thought I had the majority of it out I washed my hair with shampoo and conditioner.

[bnd94]

Girl......I have been using Oil of Olays Total Effects Anti-wrinkle, Anti-blemish cream and I love it. I also use the cleanser. The cleaser is only about $7 but the cream is $16. You dont have to use both. I think its worth it. Im 32 and do not even come close to looking it. Especially with my freckles!

I tried oil of olay once, the cream, not the same one though. I think it made my face look white, like there was a tint in the cream. Have you noticed that with the cream you use? I'm gonna try it if you don't. :D

[LaceyinPgh]

When it comes to eyebrows I get mine done about every 6 weeks when I get my hair cut. Then between waxings I can just pluck the stray hair or two that comes out with tweezers. I just do it every morning when I am putting my makeup on. Then about a week before I get them waxes agai, I start to let the little hairs come back so I can wax again.

I know when it comes to laugh lines around the eyes I love Clinique's eye products for that. It has an SPF too. It can seem super expensive for that little pot of cream but it will last months and months. You just use the tiniest drop. I can't use anything Oil of Olay or Dove without totally breaking out. If you have an Ulta store near where you live. (Check online too) my mother loves Roc products.

I don't know if I mentioned it for hair or not, but I swear by olive oil. I have dry hair at the ends. So every now and then, I take olive oil and heat it until it is just warm to the touch. Then I massage that into my hair all the way to the ends. I wrap that with plastic wrap, heat it unti it is warm with a blow dryer then wrap it in a towel. I let it sit for aout 20 minutes then I was it all out.

For other hair care products I use John Freida Frizz Ease and Thermasilk heat styling gel to prevent frizz and give me a little bit of control.

[rainbowtreat]

OK I have a question for you all. I have very oily skin. No matter what I do I get all shiney half way through the day. And I alwsy showerin the morning but if I have an early morning ahead of me I will wash my hair the night before. If I do that my scalp is oily half way through the day. Is there anything that you all know of that could help me out here?

[CindySue]

Becky, the cream I use has a slightly yellow tint to it, but it rubs in completely and the color of my skin doesnt change that I have notice. I have noticed that my make up seems to go on smoother, whether I have the cream on under it or not.
rainbowtreat, there are creams out there that can help control oil on the face. Your shampoo maybe the culprit behind the oily scalp.

[LaceyinPgh]

OK I have a question for you all. I have very oily skin. No matter what I do I get all shiney half way through the day. And I alwsy showerin the morning but if I have an early morning ahead of me I will wash my hair the night before. If I do that my scalp is oily half way through the day. Is there anything that you all know of that could help me out here?

Of course I am assuming that you already use a shampoo for oily hair. THat said, I would get a good clarifying shampoo and use it once a week. I like Neutrogena daily clarifier (although I use it once a week) It should help to get you a deep down clean. Also, make sure that you are conditioning your hair so that it won't over compensate for being dry. If you read earlier in the forum Carlo'sHoney gave some good advice on dealing with oily hair. I know a trick tha tI have learned is that if your scalp is too oily, dust it with some baby powder to absorb the oil then brush the powder out.

As for oily skin, make sure you use a cleanser made for oily skin. Also, make sure to use an oil free moisturizer. Like with your hair oily skin will over compensate for being too dry thus making itself oiler. You can also get those little blotting papers. I like the rice paper ones from Burt's Bees. I get them at Whole Foods Market. But you can probably find something similiar at your local drug store. You just blot the paper over your oily areas and it sucks it all up. I know that several brands of make up have a foundation that actually works to absorb oil so you don't get shiny too.

[bnd94]

This is such a great thread! I love it!! I hope we all keep it going. THere is some very handy info in here. I have heard about olive oil but never tried it. I will have to give it a try :D

[usahgrad]

Do you dry your hair before you go to bed? I know that sometimes I'll just jump into bed with a wet head and my hair gets MUCH oilier MUCH faster. The hair dryer helps to slow down the oil some. As for your face...have you tried those neutrogena pads that pull the oil from your skin (you know the commercial where the two girls are in the photo booth taking pictures of their oily cloths). I haven't used them, but maybe that will help. Also, if you try astringent, that might help to pull some of the excess oil from your skin. I could SWEAR by my "cleanser"-it's astringent they just don't call it that. It's made by Neutrogena and I LOVE it. It just makes my face feel cleaner and less oily! Boy, Neutrogena should pay me for the plug...lol

[CarlosHoney]

For oily skin, Proactiv has this stuff called 'Daily Oil Control'. You use a pea sized ammount over your whole face, the bottle lasts forever, and it really does help keep the oil at bay. Also, they have face powders with silica in it, so that it will absorb. They're a little shimmery, but it evens out the skin tone and hides bags under the eyes.

I only reccomend it because I use it, and I know it works.

As for the eyebrows, if you're not comfortable with penciling, get an eyeshadow the color that you want and use the eyeshadow. That's a little easier and sometimes more convincing than a pencil. Another good tool with the eyebrows is an unused mascara wand. You can get the ones that they use at the department store to test with, and they're great!

[andysgirl07]

I have combination skin. But for the past week I've been trying Clean and Clear's sensitive skin deep action cream cleanser twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) and also at night I use Biore shine control moisturizer. It's helped a lot. I used to get shiny half way through the day too, but not as bad since I've been using that.

[CarlosHoney]

I posted this powder in the Fab Makeup Finds thread, it's by Hard Candy and is made specificly to absorb oil and nix shine. Check it out:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P74305&categoryId=C11129&shouldPaginate=true

[theweddinghelper]

I tried oil of olay once, the cream, not the same one though. I think it made my face look white, like there was a tint in the cream. Have you noticed that with the cream you use? I'm gonna try it if you don't. :D

My mother uses Oil of Olay and has used it for a long time and her skin is very very soft and smooth! :) I have tried it before and loved it. It never left any marks on either one of us.

[theweddinghelper]

For Oily Hair:

This recipe just might help you control the oil, not to mention the dandruff that usually accompanies it. Mix 2 - 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts with 1/2 cup of shampoo and store in a plastic container. Massage about a tablespoon of the mixture into your DRY hair. Add water and shampoo as usual. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Also:

Avoid all products containing silicone, oils or lanolin, as well as two-in-one products - these can be too heavy and oily for fine hair. During the day, comb your hair a few times to help redistribute oils and reduce thin hair's stringy appearance. Or, for a more serious case of oily locks, spritz a little water on your hair and blow-dry it using a comb to remove and redistribute oils - the heat of the dryer will make the oils easier to manipulate. Good luck!

For Dry hair:
Use a conditioner. When hair becomes dry, the outer layers, called cuticles, peel off from the central shaft. Conditioners glue the cuticles back to the shaft, add lubricant to the hair, and prevent static electricity (which creates frizz). Pick a conditioner that works well for you and use it after every shampoo, says Dr. Goodman.

I looked online to see if the mayo really does work and this is what I found:

(dry hair cont.)
Go heavy on the mayo. "Mayonnaise makes an excellent conditioner," says Steven Docherty, senior art director at New York City's Vidal Sassoon Salon. He advises you to leave the oily white goo in your hair for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour before washing it out.


I've used mayo in my hair myself and it did help and it also made it more shiny!
I rinsed w/ hot H20 for about 5mins w/ out shampoo
and then I washed for another 5mins w/ shampoo to get most of the mayo out afterwards. (I didn't put cond. bc most conditioners have oils in it as well.)