What You Need to Know About Makeup Removers

When it's finally time to call it a day (a very long one, usually) makeup removal is probably the last thing on your mind. With an abundance of cleansing waters, cleansing oils, makeup removing wipes and pads on the market, how do you choose just one? Don't worry. We’ve done the research for you, but first, it’s important to know the proper way to clean your face.

It's a dirty little secret that not enough people take their makeup off at night and those that do often don't do it properly. Removing your makeup before cleansing prevents clogged pores and prevent breakouts. In fact, if you are wearing heavy makeup we recommend you perform this task twice!

For eyes, it’s very important to remove makeup with a remover made specifically for the eyes since it's such sensitive area. Why is eye makeup removal so important? Leftover mascara can lead to eye infections, discoloration, and puffy eyes come the morning. Be particular about how you remove eye makeup. Hold a cotton ball with remover over your lids for a minute to dissolve the product, then wipe away. Oils are especially good for removing long-wearing eye makeup.

So how do you decide on which remover to choose? Below is a short list composed of a few of the many different types of removers out there, so you can find the one that will really work for you.

MAKEUP WIPES: The answer to late nights and vacation time, makeup wipes come in different strengths. Some contain stronger ingredients than others, but all get the majority of makeup off your face so you can sleep clean.

CLEANSING OIL: Perfect for dehydrated skin, cleansing oil helps to balance your skin’s natural sebum production, but rinses into a milky emulsion. Ideal for removing long-lasting or water-resistant makeup, the oil breaks down virtually any ingredient.

OIL-BASED MAKEUP REMOVER: If you’re looking for a standard formula that takes off your makeup in one wipe, turn to a liquid oil-based makeup remover. Unlike cleansing oils, these frothy formulas contain water-based ingredients so you never feel an oily residue on your skin. 

MICELLAR WATER/CLEANSING WATER: A gentle option for sensitive skin, micellar or cleansing water will remove basic makeup. It often needs to be wiped on two or three times to completely clean the skin. We recommend using an eye makeup remover after if you prefer waterproof mascara or long-wearing eye liner. 

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Why use a separate remover for your eyes? The area around your peepers is incredibly sensitive, and requires a more delicate formula compared to the rest of your face. 

Makeup for Tweens

As the kiddos head back to school, one of the likely questions parents are facing is 'Can I where makeup now?' It's inevitable for most parents of tween girls. Likely some of their friends are following in big sister's foot steps. They see their friends wearing makeup so they want to too. If you have decided to say yes, here are some beginner essentials for those just starting out with makeup:

1. Nude eyeshadow - This is flattering and subtle on most everyone. This way she feels like she is wearing shadow but it’s not pink, green or bright blue. Make sure to get an eyeshadow brush with a handle for her to use with it. It makes it even more special.

2. Blush - Something soft and pink. Not outside of what she would normally flush naturally when she is running around. Also once, again if you get a nice big fluffy blush brush to use with it, she will really feel like she’s wearing more than she is.

3. Lip gloss - Choose a shade only slightly deeper than her natural lip color. A sheer, rosy gloss will look pretty, but not overdone.

Most kids want to appear older, but that's not the point of makeup. By avoiding heavier makeup like mascara, liner and foundation, she will still look her age by starting off with the subtle basics. Then, when she gets a little older and starts high school, take her to a professional makeup artist to get a real lesson in applying makeup.

Strange Celebrity Beauty Habits

We all have something that makes us particular—a unique habit or two that we don’t share with anyone else. It comes as no surprise that celebrities have some unique—and even unusual—habits of their own. People are people, right?

Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

There's no doubt that Kate is an unparalleled beauty. What's her secret? Supposedly Kate slathers on a cream that contains bee-sting venom. Considered an organic alternative to botox, the cream was created by beauty therapist Deborah Mitchell.

Cameron Diaz, Actress

Think your grocery bill is high? Not like Cameron's! Reports are that the actress prefers to wash her face with bottled Evian water. 

Tom Cruise, Actor

Sure, exercise keeps Tom Cruise looking so young but that's not all. The newly single actor also indulges in the occasional Geisha facial—which includes powdered Nightingale droppings. The technique, borrowed from Japanese geishas who used the bird excrements as exfoliants, also counts Victoria Beckham as a fan. 

Mascara Made Easy Part II

Welcome to part two of Mascara Made Easy - here we focus specifically on application technique and tips.

 

Apply to Top Lashes Only

Many makeup artists recommend applying mascara only to the top lashes. If you want to make eyes appear wider, apply mascara to the bottom lashes but make sure you give bottom lashes a light touch. Not great at getting those bottom lashes? Try putting a tissue under them before application.

 

What it Means to "Apply a 2nd Coat" of Mascara

Confused by a magazine's directives to coat eyelashes with "no more than 3 coats of mascara?" It seems magazines have been giving these directions since forever. What they mean is to apply the coats of mascara all at once before the first coat dries. Once the first coat dries, you'll get clumps if you attempt another swipe at the lashes.

Thou Shalt Not Pump Wand In & Out of Tube

This only introduces air into the tube, which will cause your mascara to dry out sooner than it should.

 

Bend the Wand

A top makeup artist once gave his secret to his steady hand: he always bends his wand at a right angle.

 

Wait to Blink & Double Check Once Dry

Try to wait 5 seconds before blinking after you apply mascara or you could end up with mascara dots all along your eye lid. Also double check your lids before you step out just in case you’ve got those dots going on. It's embarrassing to find out hours later that you've done a poor makeup job on yourself.

All About Lash Extentions

Lash extensions are quickly becoming a beauty staple when it comes to a night out on the town. Lash Extensions add length, thickness and fullness to natural eyelashes. Longer lashes will make your eyes more open and will give them an enlarged look. Often without the hassle of mascara! 

The strips of eyelashes you see in the make-up department at your local drug store don’t have a thing on professional lash extensions which are single lash extensions applied one by one to individual eyelashes. This process involves carefully separating the natural lashes with fine point tweezers to reveal one healthy eyelash. The lash extension is then dipped into a medical grade adhesive and attached to the natural eyelash. The process is repeated until all eyelashes are covered. Touch-ups are recommended every 2-4 weeks.

Here is a quick reference list on how to get the most out of your lash extensions. 

Lash Extensions DOs:

• Before you arrive make sure that your eyes are free of make up
• Before you arrive wash your eyelashes and remove any mascara or residual oils
• Lash Tinting or Airbrush Tanning should be done at least 48 prior
• Keep your new eyelash extensions completely dry for 24 hours after application
• Follow individual instructions for proper home care given to you by the artist

Lash Extensions DONTs

• No oil based products around your eyelash extensions
• No use of waterproof mascara
• Avoid excessive exposure to heat, steam and swimming
• Avoid excessive pulling or rubbing of your eyelash extensions

Mascara Made Easy Part I

Here we share our best mascara tricks and tips, plus how to properly apply mascara. Yes, there is a right and wrong way to do it!

How to Properly Apply Mascara

Ace your mascara application with a 3-step process:

1. Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots, not the tips, that gives the illusion of length.
2. Pull the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go. The wiggling part is key because it separates lashes.
3. In this final step, close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of lashes at the base and pull through to remove any clumps.

 

How to Keep Lashes From Clumping

For some, lash combs are simply too fussy. But for some makeup artists, they're a great invention and keep lashes glob-free and perfectly separated. To use a lash comb, first apply mascara at the lash base, then wiggle the lash comb through to the tips of your lashes.

Not into the lash comb? Get rid of clumps without them by removing excess mascara from the wand. Wipe wand on tissue, this eliminates blobs BEFORE you start.

Another great way to get rid of clumps is to sweep a clean, fresh mascara wand through lashes when they're wet. Also called spoolie wands, you can find these in the make-up brush area of the beauty department. Or recycle a wand from your finished mascara tube.

Don't Be Afraid to Mix Mascaras

A trick makeup artists use to make lashes pop is apply one coat of lengthening mascara, followed by one coat of thickening mascara. Remove excess product with a clean spoolie wand.

Try a Colored Mascara

Basic mascara rules are simple: Black works for everyone but can be harsh on light-skinned blondes. Blondes should opt for brown/black by day and reserve black for night. Burgundy or plum colors make blue eyes pop, as do blue mascaras. Purple mascara looks great on brown eyes.

Use an Eyelash Curler

Curling lashes gives eyes the appearance of being wider and brighter. Shoot warm air from your blow dryer on the mascara curler for 3-5 seconds to warm it up before curling lashes. Touch it first to make sure it's not too hot. It's a myth that you have to curl lashes before you apply mascara. You can curl lashes after mascara application, just make sure the mascara is dry first.

Brow Fulfillment Kit - Ciao Perfect Brow - Part II

If you have thinning or sparse eyebrows - the Chella Brow Fulfillment kit might just be for you. Here is part two of Chella's educational video on how this unique system works and how to use it and shape perfect brows.