How to Look 'Effortlessly' Beautiful
by Fauziah Zin
Since 'Effortlessly' is in quotes, you can safely assume that what this article talks about involves more than 1) Wake up 2) Look Beautiful. If you're the kind of girl who avoids playing sports because it 'messes up my makeup', or the kind of woman who sleeps in her makeup to avoid scaring her mate in the morning, then this article is for you.
These tips will allow you to spend less time in front of the mirror and more time at the beach AND look gorgeous at the same time. Some of these tips also work for guys who want to look good but balk at the idea of wearing makeup.
An 'Effortless' Glowing Complexion With Sunless Tanner
Sunless tanners are great for boosting your natural coloring. Fake tans also do a good job of hiding blemishes and making your skin look more even-toned. If you use sunless tanner on your face, make sure that it is specially formulated for use on the face.
The look we want to achieve with sunless tanner is a subtle glow. If you are fair-skinned, go for a very light tan, if your skin is medium-toned, you can go a little darker. Going too dark makes your tan look very obviously fake, and it no longer looks 'effortless'.
For an even more 'effortless' look, get a moisturizer with a hint of sunless tanner. It's foolproof (no streaky/blotchy mess), and you can gradually build up your tan with each application. Some of these moisturizers even have SPF protection, so you don't have to apply a separate sunscreen product before you go out in the sun. Very convenient! Sunless tans usually last 4 - 7 days so keep applying it once or twice a week to maintain your glow.
Sleep with your makeup on - use mineral makeup
Mineral makeup products are free of preservatives, talc, oil, waxes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can irritate skin and cause breakouts - which means you can fall asleep with it on, and never have to worry about a blemish in the morning. It also has the added advantage of being very water resistant and long-lasting, making it suitable for humid conditions. It all sounds too good to be true, but this kind of makeup has received rave reviews from virtually anyone who has used it.
'Effortless' Beautiful Eyes
Eyelashes are the deal-breaker when it comes to gorgeous eyes. People with long, thick and full lashes don't need to apply as much mascara and eyeliner (if at all) compared to those of us who are not so fortunately blessed. However, there's no need to despair; there are many options now for the eyelash-challenged that doesn't involve fiddling about with an eyelash curler and mascara every day.
Put aside that eyelash curler...
You can say goodbye to your trusty eyelash curler...for about 8 weeks. Many beauty salons now offer eyelash perming. Eyelash perming is a bit like hair perming - but for your eyelashes. The curl generally lasts about the lifetime on an eyelash (8 weeks to 3 months). Unlike with a conventional lash curler, your eyelashes will stay curled even when wet.
Get glossy dark lashes - no mascara needed
If your eyelashes are nearly invisible or not as dark as you would like them to be, you can go to a beautician and get them tinted. Your eyelashes will remain dark for up to 45 days. These tints or dyes can also be used on the eyebrows. Since this procedure involves putting irritating chemicals (the same kind used in hair dye) very close to your eyes, make sure you get this done with a certified professional, who will do skin testing on you first to make sure you won't react negatively to the dye. There are DIY kits out there, and if you want to use them (and I <em>don't</em> recommend it), USE WITH CAUTION and pay careful attention to the safety instructions as mistakes can potentially cause severe eye irritation and even blindness.
24/7 Falsies with lash extensions
Lash extensions originated from Asia but have become very popular among Hollywood celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. Lash extensions involve glueing false eyelashes one by one to your own eyelashes. The process takes 2 hours, lasts about 2 months and cost between $300 to $500.
Lash extensions sounds like a nice idea - but I can't afford it!
A less costly alternative would be to use semi-permanent eyelashes, which lasts for up to 10 days, takes only a minute to apply and costs only $50 a pair. Semi-permanent lashes are waterproof so you don't have to worry about going in the pool with it on. However, since semi-permanent lashes use waterproof glue, avoid oil-based eye makeup removers. You can apply semi-permanent eyelashes at a salon or use DIY kits.
Permanent/Semi-Permanent makeup
I don't recommend this, unless you like eyebrows that look like its drawn on with a Sharpie. That said, there are some good applications for permanent makeup. Chief among them is the concealment of blemishes, birthmarks and scars. Think of it as a permanent concealer. People who are not physically able to apply makeup for themselves and chemotherapy patients (where the eyebrows and eyelashes are gone) can also benefit from this. There are many reasons to use permanent makeup, but don't opt for it just because you're too lazy to apply makeup!
Conclusion
Ultimately, it all comes down to how much time you want to shave off your daily makeup routine and how much time and money you are willing to spend on the weekly or monthly maintenance for your 'effortless' look.
About the Author
Fauziah Zin writes articles for the AeteenShop.com website. Visit http://www.aeteenshop.com for more free health & beauty-related articles, tips and news.
