How to give yourself a facial massage

There is a lot that can be said about the benefits of massage. One of the main goals of facial massage is to deal with stress and remove tension from the face. The face has many muscles and is the one part of your body where the effects of stress are most noticeable. The bone plates of the face allow for a sturdy but gentle massage.

Facial massage should be done after the application of cream or lotion, because the skin of the face is vulnerable and if it is not properly protected it can easily be traumatized, damaged or stretched. Massage invigorates the skin, improving blood flow and facilitating the production of collagen and elastin.

The five basic reasons for getting a facial massage are:

1. It removes stress and tension.
2. It tones the skin and muscles of the face.
3. It improves facial color.
4. Enhances the production of elastin and collagen.
5. Postpones the appearance of signs of aging.

Here are a few simple massage techniques that you can perform on yourself every day after applying your daily lotion.

Neck massage

Stretch out your fingers, but keep them firmly together and use them to massage your neck starting from the bottom and moving up. Use the back of your hand to stroke your neck from the bottom up.

Massage of the chin

Place you left fist under your chin. Use the middle and index finger of your right hand to stroke your chin from the bottom up all the way to the lower lip. Place the index, middle and ring fingers of both your hands on your temples so that you can still reach your chin with both thumbs. Using your thumbs, stroke your chin horizontally moving from the inside out along the jawline.

Lip massage

Purse your lips as if you are about to give a kiss. Use your fingers to smooth out the laugh lines with gentle circular motions. Put your left hand on your left cheek and trace your mouth with the index finger of your right hand. Trade hands and repeat.

Nose massage

Massage your nose and its sides all the way to the area between your eyebrows by using first horizontal and then circular motions. Then move from the side of your nostrils toward your cheekbones and finish at the base of the ears.

Cheek massage

Any time you want to massage your cheeks, you have to secure the skin of your chin by placing a fist underneath it. Proceed with soft circular motions beginning at the chin and working toward the earlobes. Repeat, but use patting motions instead of circular.

Eye massage

Close your eyes. Place your fingertips at their inner corners and, applying light pressure, move them over the lid toward the outer corners of the eyes. Return to the inner corner, but this time use patting motions instead of strokes. Head toward the outer corner again with circular motions done with one or two fingers only. Return back to the inner corner with patting.

Forehead massage

Place the fingers of both hands in the center of your forehead. Smooth your forehead simultaneously moving the fingers of your right hand toward your right temple and the fingers of your left hand – toward your left. Repeat several times and end with a light patting.

source:makeupsjournal

Amazing! Nigerian dancers dance to Iyanya's Kukere & Dbanj's Oliver Twist on BGT

BGT as in Britain's Got Talent. Today is week two of the talent show and two female Nigerian dancers plus one South African dancer called CEO Dancers came on stage and danced to Iyanya's Kukere and D'banj's Oliver Twist. They tore up the stage! Simon Cowell and the other judges enjoyed it so much they put the girls through to the next round. Up Naija! Watch the video...

 1:50

WATCHED

Booty-tastic! CEO Dancers shake the BGT stage - Week 2 Auditions | Britain's Got Talent 2013

 by BritainsGotTalent09 • 344,484 views

Simon's flirting gets the girls' backs up but the Judges' faces can't stay stony for long.

Bombastic CEO Dancers reunite the BGT family and score themselves a full set of YESES.

Watch the Judges verdict and plenty more fr...

MTN "I don Port" commercial feat. SAKA

How to Make up Your Eyes With a Leopard Pattern

Ever wanted some crazy eye make-up, like leopard print? Well, keep reading!

Steps

1) Make sure you have no make-up on (except foundations and things, of course!). Also scroll down to "Things You'll Need" and gather up your supplies before you start!

2) Apply a colour above the crease..

3) Draw some leopard print shapes on the corners using your liquid eyeliner (think C's and Os). Also don't worry about screwing it up, they will be touched up later.

4) Touch up the liquid eye liner in any places it needs fixing. You can also line your top lid if you want.

5) Apply your false eyelashes

6) Use mascara, and you're done. Show off your look with pride!



Tips

• A felt tip eyeliner makes doing the outline of the leopard pattern a lot easier to do.
• Use coloured glitter eyeliner to fill in the leopard pattern for a bit of extra glam!
• Before filling in the eyeliner outlines, wait for the eyeliner to dry. To speed up the process, hold a hairdryer to your eyelid (eyes closed!) at a low speed and low heat.  

Warnings

• Don't poke your eye!
• You may get some weird looks from people. (Probably jealousy!)
• Don't draw the leopard print patterns too close together, as it could end up looking like a mess of eyeliner and eyeshadow.

Things You'll Need

• 1 colour of eyeshadow
• Liquid eyeliner
• Mascara
• false eyelashes  

source:wikihow

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde makes the 2013 TIME 100 Icon list

TIME magazine has released its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, from artists and leaders to pioneers, titans and icons...and our very own Omotola made the Icon list. She was named the queen of Nollywood. Check the full list here - Time100.time. Then go HERE to see what TIME wrote about her.  

Homemade masks for skin with a fabulous inner glow

Cottage cheese mask

Mix 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese with 2 teaspoons of olive or almond oil. Blend well and apply to face. Rinse in 20 minutes with warm water.

Carrot mask

Puree 1 or 2 boiled carrots. Add one egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and oat bran. Mix ingredients well and apply to face and neck area. Rinse in 20 minutes.

Apple mask

Finely shred a medium apple. Add 2 tablespoons of non-fat cottage cheese. Apply this nourishing mask to face and neck area and rinse with warm water after 20 minutes.

Sour cream mask

Combine one tablespoon of each orange juice and sour cream. Mix well and apply to face. Leave on or 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

source:makeupsjournal 

The art of applying lipstick

The best way to learn perfection is to constantly try and not be discouraged by what you consider to be failure. With such determination you can learn even the deepest secrets of makeup. So next time you go out to buy lipstick, be brave and pick something new.

You can use lipstick as a blush. Use just a small amount in order to avoid looking like a doll. Dab a little with your fingers and spread it with an applicator until it blends.

Most ladies have at least one or two lipsticks that they do not like and will never use. Don’t be too hasty in throwing them away. Sometimes the best colors are achieved when you blend different nuances. Try blending your least favorite lipsticks with other colors and you might just find that you like the result.

If you use pencil lip liner but can hardly ever draw a perfect line, then break the rules. According to traditional makeup rules, the lip liner is applied before the lipstick, but it is easier to trace lips which are already colored. Try it for yourself.

It is a horrible feeling when your new lipstick breaks. Yet you don’t have to throw it away just yet. Pick up the broken piece with a tissue and put it back in, gently pressing and turning. Then put the lid back on the lipstick and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.

If you want your lipstick to last longer, use pencil lip liner as a base. Trace and fill the lips with lip liner and then proceed to apply lipstick as usual. Remember that lighter lipsticks need a colorless base.

When your lipstick is all used up, there is still a little left that cannot be reached. Use a lipstick brush to take it out of the container and mix it with a little clear lip gloss to make a colorful shine.

source:makeupsjournal

Skin Protection Tips

Found this piece interesting and felt i should also share it, hope you find it interesting and useful *winks*...................... 
       
 For a lot of people, skin is one of the places where one spends the most. Yet, protecting the skin seems to be one of the last things generally people do. So, let us see some of the tried and tested methods that would help you protect your skin, especially in adults, who have a problem maintaining and improving their skin.

First of all, it is crucial to maintain a cleaning routine for your skin. No matter if you are a man or a woman, keeping the skin clean is a good idea because it actually helps you maintain your skin better. It is easy to apply a bit of soap or good quality body and face wash all over your skin, and then washing it away with a lot of water. It is also important to wash with lukewarm water if possible, rather than using absolutely cold or hot water, especially on the skin of your face. Lukewarm water actually keeps the skin healthy and does not allow one to lose out its essential oils.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Another important thing to protect the skin is to use a good quality moisturizing and hydrating cream. Otherwise, your skin might get too dry. Your skin should also have a good bit of moisture but at the same time not look like an oil spill. So, getting the right kind of cream is important. There are a number of good protective skin creams available in the drugstores. Also, it is important to take care of the parts of your skin that stay exposed for long duration of time in any season, like your nose, elbows, fingers and feet. Using a good, protective cream, and also wearing gloves and other protective clothing would actually help your skin stay safe through the season

source:makeupsjournal. 

10 Essential Makeup Must-Haves

Most women have the same exact problem: a cosmetic bag that's overflowing, but no clue exactly what to do with all the products. That's when it's time to take a back-to-basics approach: These 10 products are all you need for a flawless face -- and our makeup application tips will help you get the look just right.                                                                                                                                                            

A No-Show Foundation

Are you warm? Cool? Olive? Give up? (We don't have a clue, either.) The best way to find your perfect match is to leave it to the professionals. Stop by any cosmetics counter and ask for help finding your shade. If you're fending for yourself, swipe a few colors vertically across your jawline, and whichever one is barely visible is your best bet.

Tip: After cleansing and moisturizing your face, apply foundation with...your fingers! It's quicker and easier than using a sponge or brush. Simply dab the foundation onto the areas that need it most (ruddy cheeks, dark circles, uneven spots) and blend gently.

                                                                                               
A Super Concealer

Concealer is the only way to get rid of dark circles. And while it may just be a temporary fix, with the right technique you can hide them completely.

Tip: Apply a non-creasy eye cream, then use your ring finger to gently dab concealer onto dark areas. Allow it a minute to be absorbed, then carefully blend the edges into skin. The key is light pressure -- if you rub too hard, you'll actually rub the product off.

                                                                     
A Natural Blush

The right shade will make you look like you're blushing, not like you're wearing blush. For a natural look, start with lighter shades, and skip any with shimmer.

Tip: Use a blush brush to swipe a small amount of color across the apples of your cheeks (the round section that sticks out when you smile). If you can see clearly where the blush begins or ends, you've used too much or the color is too dark.

                                                                                             

A Great Eyelash Curler

Most eyelashes grow outward, not upward, so applying mascara without curling your lashes won't provide the same impact.

Tip: Never curl lashes after you apply mascara -- they can stick to the tool and end up getting yanked out. Use a plastic curler (which can help you avoid the "bent" look that metal curlers give). Place it as close to the base as you can without catching your eyelid, press for a few seconds, then gently press a few more times along the middle of lashes if necessary.

                    

Clump-Free Mascara

Mascara thickens as it's exposed to air over time, which leads to clumps. If yours is goopy, toss it! Or try a different brand.

Tip: Curl lashes first, then press the mascara wand against your lashes, steering clear of lids. As you move the wand up toward the lash tips, gently wiggle it back and forth in a zigzag motion, which helps ensure you hit every lash.

A Glide-On Eyeliner

Eyes are sensitive, and probably don't take kindly to us slathering them with makeup -- especially on the sensitive rims and inner lash lines. Always use a soft pencil that glides on without any pressure or tugging, and be sure the product is labeled as ophthomalogist-tested.

Tip: When lining your upper lash line, press a finger gently against your brow bone to pull up the lid slightly. This makes the skin slightly taught and helps you get closer to the lashes. Use your other hand to "dot" the liner across the tops of lashes.

An Allover Highlighter

A slightly shimmery cream highlighter has many uses -- from lifting your brows to slimming your nose to sculpting your cheeks. Choose a soft nude, peach, or pink for the most versatility.

Tip: To visually slim your nose, use your pinky to trace a thin line of highlighter down the length of the bone, then blend. To make cheekbones pop, gently blend highlighter across the tops of your cheeks, right above your blush

The Perfect Nude Lipstick

Some look too brown, and others too pink. Is it futile to try and find that one nude shade that just makes a bare face pop? Not at the Bobbi Brown counter. The makeup artist known for the natural look also specializes in natural-looking lipstick (go figure). Trust us -- she has the perfect nude for everyone.

Tip: Chapped lips should be taken care of before you even think of applying lipstick.  Wear a thick layer to bed and wake up to softer lips in the morning.

A Basic, Flattering Eyeshadow

Some eyeshadows barely show up; others make us look like we're headed to a Motley Crue concert. The perfect everyday shadow is just a few shades darker than your skin tone -- think a soft plum or light brown for darker skin, a taupey-gray or golden beige for medium skin, or light apricot for fair skin.

Tip: Use a soft eyeshadow brush to sweep shadow across lids, blending into and just above creases. Make sure to use light, feathery strokes so that there are no hard line.

A Good Brush Set

With the right brush for the job, you can perform makeup miracles. (You don't see professional makeup artists using the tiny sponge applicators that come with the products!) 

Tip: Remember to clean brushes every so often to keep bacteria at bay and makeup colors fresh. You can buy brush cleaners at department and cosmetic stores, or dilute a gentle soap or baby shampoo in warm water and soak brushes in that.

source;ladies'homejournal

10 TIPS FOR THE NUDE MAKE UP LOOK …

I love the natural look. It looks so much prettier than caked on make up..........There are plenty of places to go wrong, though, and sometimes trying to look like you aren’t wearing make up requires even more make up! Here are my top ten tips for getting it right…

Tips for the nude make up look

1)The image                                                                                                                                Remember that the nude look is luscious lips and fluttery eyes, rather than smoky eyes and heavy foundation. It can be so easy to slip into routine when you are applying make up!

2) Know your colour                                                                                                                                       
Knowing which colours will suit you is important. If you have pale skin, go for peachy colours, and light pinks. If you have olive undertones, select cream and pale beige   

3)Test it first!                                                                                                                                        Test any new make up, preferably before you buy it, but definitely before you wear it! You’d be surprised how many people choose a colour that looks wrong, and gives them a ghostly, washed out, look, or have to scrub it off and leave their faces looking red and sore.

4)Use a lip exfoliater
Nude lips are best achieved by using a slightly coloured lip balm, so your lips need to be in good condition! Invest in a lip exfoliate to make sure they are looking and feeling their absolute best.

5)Concealer
Don’t forget that you can use concealer, but check you have a good quality one that is in the right colour and blends into your skin tone well. Just use it where you need it, including on your lips, if you want to create a creamy look!

6)Mascara!
Remember that your eyes can still look amazing without masses of make up! Apply lashings of a good, volumizing mascara and curl your eyelashes, to give them maximum impact.

7)Foundation?
If you can, try to skip foundation. Instead, blend concealer over your trouble areas, and leave the rest of your skin bare. If you just can’t live without it, use a foundation that’s pale & closely matched to your skin, and use much less then usual. A thin layer is fine, it’s a natural look!

8)Lip gloss
To give your lips some more oomph, try using a tiny amount of silver lip gloss in the middle of your bottom lip, or applying a clear gloss over your nude lips. This is perfect for transforming a day look into a night time dazzle!

9)Skin prep
If you know you are likely to be doing the nude look soon, make sure you cleanse, tone and moisturize as frequently as possible before hand. This will make your skin glow, and make you look naturally flawless!

10)Update the look.......
If you need to transform the nude look, and fast? Add some bright red lips, or a shimmery neutral coloured eye shadow. You’ll instantly look old school glamorous, in less than a minute!

source:allwomenstalk




                                                                                                                             

The Rules Of Perfect Eyebrows

                                                                                                                                                             Eyes may be the windows to the soul, but eyebrows are the window treatments. Since everyone covets perfectly sculpted arches. There are a lot of helpful tools to make brow grooming easier, like Tweezerman’s 10x Lighted Mirror, which helps illuminate even the lightest of hairs.                                                                                                                   

The rules of perfect eyebrows are five(5)

1. Never tweeze angry.
Whether you’re mad or bored and just looking for something to do, you should never take it out on your eyebrows. Focus that beauty energy elsewhere, and take a pumice to your much-neglected heels.

2. Stock your brow kit.
Always have a brow pencil to draw in your ideal shape, brow powder to fill in bald patches, and gel to set them.

3. Treat brow color like hair color.
When it comes to color, eyebrow hair is just like regular hair. There is top and undertone to consider. Try on different brow powders in the store and see how your brow shade complements your hair and skin tone.

4. Don’t cut yourself (or your brows) short.
Many people think brows should end in line with their irises. Instead, Anastasia says they should extend to follow the brow bone. If you’re like me and find that your brow tails are no longer growing back, try a growth serum. 

5. Know where to start shaping.                                                                                                                             The easiest way to decide where to start shaping is to place your thumb on the nose bridge and mark both side.

source: dailymakeover