Monday, November 29, 2010

Temporary Hair Removal Methods

I think it's safe to say that to most women hair removal is a nuisance plain and simple. Whether we choose to shave, wax or use any other method removing unwanted hair can either be painful, time consuming and in our minds the end result never lasts long enough. Unfortunately, removing unwanted hair is a necessary evil, so I have dedicated this post to help you better understand the pros and cons of the most common methods of temporary hair removal. 

The bottom line is there are two different types of hair removal, epilation and depilation, and each type has different methods. Epilation is the when hair is removed from the follicle giving you longer period of time of being hair free. Depilation is removing the hair at the surface of the skin and because the hair was not removed from the follicle it'll grow out sooner, experiencing a shorter period of time of being hair free. 

DEPILATION

Shaving: Can either be done with an electric shaver, clippers or razors and is often used to remove hair from large areas of the body. Since the hair is not removed from the root, it usually grows back beginning with short stubble within 24-48 hours.

Chemical Depilatories: Usually a painless method that dissolves the hair at the surface of the skin. These chemicals come in different forms most common are cream, paste and powder. Always perform a patch test to determine sensitivity to product, if you develop itching, burning or inflammation you should not use this product. If you decide to use this method make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply soothing lotion after product is removed. Since hair is removed at skin level, regrowth is usually in a couple days. 

EPILATION

Tweezing: May very well be the most common epilation technique but it is usually done on smaller areas such as eyebrows, upper lip, chin or to remove stubborn hairs that survived waxing.

Waxing: Depending on your pain threshold waxing can be somewhat uncomfortable to painful but the result of waxing is being hair free for about 4-6 weeks. Despite common believe it is more common to wax during the winter moths than the summer months because in order to wax, hair needs to be a certain length and for most women it is more convenient to let hair grow out when it's cold because wearing skirts or shorts is not as common in the winter. There are two types of wax, soft and hard, soft being the most common of the two and mainly used on larger areas of the body. It is applied to the skin in a thin layer with a spatula and covered with a strip of material, the material is then lifted off of the skin removing the wax and the hair simultaneously. Hard wax is ideal for smaller areas with thinner more sensitive hair. Hard wax is applied with a spatula in a thick layer and removed from the skin once it's harden. Certain guidelines should be followed before and after waxing . Before waxing avoid exfoliating at least 48 hours before. After waxing it is recommended to stay away from direct sunlight or tanning beds, avoid hot showers, saunas or steam rooms for several hours, do not apply makeup for at least a couple hours, do not exfoliate for the next 48 hours and stay away from fragrant lotions or oils over the waxed areas. 

Threading: This technique utilizes 100% cotton thread that is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin, entwining the hair in the thread and then lifting it from the follicle. The results last approximately 3-8 weeks (same as tweezing) and side effects can be less severe than with other hair removal methods. 

Hope you find this information helpful ☺

Please subscribe and make it a great day!!!

Yenuhen

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Fall Makeup Trends...

Safe to say that most of us have a go to look, either because it is something quick and simple or it may just be that you have your favorite eye shadow colors or a certain lipstick and want to use them as often as possible. Well there is nothing wrong with that but there are also trends that come and go as the seasons change. 

This autumn/winter trends are very wearable not really dramatic, the main focus is in one feature only. For example, if you decide to go with a smoky eye then wear your lips nude or if you want the focus to be on your lips then go with a more subtle eye look. The key is choosing the colors you wear wisely. For instance warm earthy tones in eye shadows are in this fall and for those days that you want your lips to be the main attraction then red and oranges are the perfect shade. As far as the rest of the face goes you want your complexion to be clean and healthy. I'm not saying go without foundation or concealer if you need it but definitely keep it to a bare minimum with the coverage. And lets not forget about the cheeks, this season you will see more pinks and peachy colors but remember that you want the focus to be on either the eyes of the lips so your cheeks must be just a subtle blush just as if it were natural. 

A picture is worth a thousand words....hehehe so I have included some pictures to give you a better idea.

Also it's worth mentioning that this is just a trend, you will follow it if you want to or not. But remember to never lose your style this is what's going to make any look your own. 

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy!!
and remember to make it a GREAT DAY!!
~DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE~
Yenuhen




Thursday, September 9, 2010

Is it time to clean out your makeup bag?

Cleaning out our makeup bag is not something we often think about...but it is something that has to be done every few months. There are several factors to consider when cleaning out your bag...to name a few,  the formula type, how you have been storing it and whether or not you have had any infections due to the makeup. The best way to store your makeup is in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and always make sure the lids are tightly sealed. 


These are the recommended guidelines, although keep in mind that if you notice the product has changed color, consistency or it has an odd smell you are better of tossing it out.


Mascara - the cosmetic with the shortest life span...you should change your mascara every 3-4 months.


Eye/Lip Liners - Pencils can be kept for a couple of years but you have to be good about maintaining them clean. The best way to do this is to sharpen them before each use if you don't wear too often or at least once a week. Liquid eyeliners should be changed every 9-12 months.


Eyeshadow - Shadows can be kept up to two years as long as you are diligent about keeping your brushes clean. 


Lipsticks - It is safe to keep lipsticks for a couple years but the minute you start noticing a rancid smell (which is very common with these) toss them out even if it hasn't been two years that you've had it. 


Blushes and Powders - Cream blushes should be kept no more than a year and powders can be kept up to two years. 


Foundation and Concealers - These have an average of 18-24 month shelf life.


I know it's not fun throwing out makeup but look at the bright side ☺ YOU GET TO BUY MORE MAKEUP!!!! 


MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!
YENUHEN ☺


Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Tips for A Healthy and Radiant Skin

Having beautiful healthy skin shouldn't be considered a luxury. In fact, a lot of the things you can do to help your skin be healthy are not necessarily obtainable at any store. Here are some tips to help you achieve healthy and radiant skin.
  • Protect skin from sun: Make sure to wear an SPF of at least 15 on a daily basis even if it is not sunny or it's a cold winter day. The damaging rays of the sun are invisible and will affect your skin on a cloudy day. Remember to reapply sunscreen every couple hours if you are going to be exposed to the sun for long periods of time.
  • Do not smoke: Smoking can speed up the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. Also contributing factors are the continued exposure to the heat from the burning cigarette and the facial expressions you make when you smoke.
  • Drink lots of water: The amount of water that your body needs is different for every person. The best way to know how much water you need to drink on a daily basis is to divide your weight by 2 and whatever that number is that's how many ounces of water your body needs. Also, try to limit you caffeine intake because it helps dehydrate the skin. But if you must have that coffee in the morning or or anything containing caffeine then make sure to compensate that with drinking more water. For every one ounce of caffeine you have to drink two ounces of water. 
  • Manage stress: It would be ideal to be stress free but if not possible definitely try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. If you are having a bad day take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and reflect on the positive events in your life. Try different things to manage your stress and soon you will find out what works for you best.
  • Eat healthy: A wholesome diet is essential for healthy skin. It is important to get a balance amount of protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables along with legumes on a daily basis. Even better if you eat organic.
  • Follow a skin care regimen: Cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin (face and necki) twice a day and exfoliate once a week. When you remove your makeup at night always cleanse twice, the first is to remove excess makeup and the second you want to make sure your skin is actually clean. It is best to use a professional skin care line versus over the counter brands. MY favorite brand is Repechage, I have used this for a few years and have been very happy with it. It is a seaweed based line therefore if you have allergies to seaweed or seafood it might not be best for you. Always do your research when starting a new brand.
  • Get some beauty sleep: Make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep if not every night the majority of them. While we sleep, our skin is being renewed and restored. Some of the stress and harmful effects from daily living is being reversed. Due to lack of sleep, we are depriving our skin of the opportunities for cell renewal. This is why it is very important to cleanse, tone and moisturize before going to bed every night.
  • Pamper yourself: Though it might not be an option for a lot of us to go to a spa on a regular basis it is okay to treat yourself every now and then. If you get a facial at least once a month it would be great for your skin not to mention that this will also help with your stress levels. I know spas can be pricey but if you shop around you will most definitely find some with reasonable prices. There are also esthetic schools where services are provided by students under the supervision of an instructor and therefore services are more affordable.

Remember this the best 'foundation' for a great makeup application is healthy skin. 

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Hi Everyone!!

I want to take the time to welcome you to my new blog, thank you for joining me in this new adventure that I'm about to embark. This is a beauty blog and I will be sharing with you my thoughts on beauty products, letting you know about beauty trends and offering tips to help make your beauty routine effortless. My vision for this is for it to eventually be a daily blog but please be patient with me, this is something totally new to me and I'm going way out of my comfort zone here and I'm sure it's going to be a work in progress. But here I am ready to jump on board!!


Remember there is always something new to learn and a great saying that goes something like this...."I do not think much of a person who is not wiser today than he was yesterday". 


Please subscribe, share with your friends and MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!!


Yenuhen ☺