Simple makeup steps for women on-the-go

It’s a fact; all women are symbol of beauty. But it is important for women to more beautify themself. Every woman wants to look beautiful. But not everyone have time to go to spas to beautify them and especially working woman’s run short of time while getting ready to office. So that woman’s don’t have time to go and find best beauty spas. Here are some easy tips to a simple  makeup to get ready to office or parties. 

Simple Home made  make up tips:

1.) Before starting your makeup you should clean your face thoroughly. Use your soap or face wash gel to wash your face.

2.) After washing dry your face with a soft towel. 

3.) Cleanse your face by using gentle cleansers. By cleansing your face you can remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and it helps to clean the dirt deep inside the pores. But while selecting a cleanser you have to be very careful. Go for gentle facial cleansers that are suitable for all skin types.

4.) After cleansing wash your face with water and dry your face.

5.) Apply a suitable toner. Opt astringent toner to close your pores which normally opens after cleansing. Apply little amount of toner to the cotton sponge and rub evenly on your face. Leave it until pat dry.

6.) When the skin is cool and moist apply a gentle  moisturizer which is suitable for your skin type. For example if your skin is oily use oil free moisturizer. Moisturizer helps to keep your face hydrate and moist. 

7.) If you are using any eye cream apply that first.

8.) If you have any issues in your face like dark spots, age spots, acne mark, or hyper pigmentation you can use a concealer. But the concealer should be a lighter shade than your foundation. Select a concealer that suits the color of your foundation.

9.) Now apply foundation. There are two types of foundation one is liquid type and one is cream type. You can select the one which will work best for your skin type. The women with dry skin can go for cream foundation. Be careful while selecting the color of the foundation that will match your skin tone. Take little foundation in your finger tips and apply on your forehead, chin, cheeks and nose carefully and blend it evenly in your face or you can use sponge to blend.

10.) Use powder. Powder is not only useful for coating but also helps to set the concealer and foundation. It also helps the foundation and concealer to stand longer. You can use pressed or loose powder as per your convenience. But give an even finish you can also use a brush to apply powder evenly.

11.) You have to start with eye shadows for your eyes. Select a perfect eye shadow which matches your skin tone and dress. Take a soft eye shadow brush and wipe it lightly in the one which you have selected and gently sweep on your eyelids.

12.) The next step is to apply eyeliner. Now we can get eyeliner with a thin brush that is more convenient to use and give a good finish.

13.) Next after applying the eyeliner is to apply the mascara to the upper and lower lashes. You can get mascaras in all shades. But black is the color that suits everyone and all types and colors of dresses.

14.) Blush your cheeks it is much important. It makes your cheeks and your face bright. Select a natural color or light color like the color of your palm to blush your face.

15.) As final steps of your makeup process we are going to finish it off with the lips. While selecting a lipstick we should be careful that the lipstick should suite the skin makeup, your outfit and your skin tone. Use lip gloss it helps to protect your lips soft and to give a shining finish to your lips.

16.) If you need to apply a lip liner suitable for your lipstick after applying the lip glosses. But use a lip liner if your lips are thin.

These are very simple make up method, but the thing is you should select the suitable beauty products that are suited for your skin type. 

Author Busi Mbatha

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Physical Wellness

Most women's definition of wellness is what they look like from following a well balanced diet and exercising regularly. Though they are important, wellness goes way beyond those aspects.

The focus of this article is to teach you more about physical wellness and optimum physical health. As i have mention at the beginning of the blog that this is going to be a journey that we are both going to take and this part of the journey we are going to talk about taking care of the vehicle that is going to help you get to your destination and ensuring you have a safe ride and that vehicle is your body. As you know by now that great health is not just being free from a disease. 

However the strongest belief systems that can affect your health in a positive or negative way are  the beliefs you hold within yourself. Exploring and addressing your personal negative belief systems are at the core in achieving long lasting health and vitality.

Hidden belief systems can be one of the most powerful sources of evoking intense emotions that often will not make sense to the then present situation. It is these emotions that can cause our bodies to be in a constant state of alarm creating havoc on our physical bodies.

You might try to ignore these alarms by taking medications, smoking, overeating (obesity) starving yourself (anorexia), shopping, becoming a workaholic, an exercise addict, addicted to sex or any other addictive pattern you can think off.

The problem is that most of you are not realising that the majority of these destructive behaviors are based on outdated programs collected in your subconscious.

Obesity, depression, chronic fatigue, diabetes, cancer are unfortunately only a few examples of the diseases that are on the rise. It does not just affect the elderly but nearly every age group.

We are the first generation where the projected life expectancy of our children is less than their parents.

Every imbalance in your life, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual does have a significant impact on your physical health and well being.

But for many of you it still starts with learning the basics. This means the importance of eating pure natural foods, the need for proper detoxification of the body systems, sufficient and proper sleep, fresh air, supplements and the importance of physical exercise, which more often than not is severely lacking in many of you.

Becoming aware of the deception of the food and pharmaceutical industry and the way they keep you addicted to their products while destroying your health is needed for you to take a pro-active approach.

You are unique in many ways, and that includes your nutritional requirements as well as the physical activities that make and keep your physical body functioning like a high performance sports car.

We at Optimum Wellness Solutions are here to assist you in identifying the specific needs that are right for you depending on your individual “genetic” make up, your present health, lifestyle and goals.

At Optimum Wellness Solutions we assist you in taking back the power and control of your own health. This includes educating you in the basics of good nutrition, exercise, as well as exploring any existing sabotaging behaviors. It will transform not only your body but your life.

(for more info click here)

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How to apply make-up like a celeb and steal some of their secrets

Below are a few tips on how you can get the celeb look...

Smokey eyes

Kim Kardashian

Firstly these are the things that you'll need...

1. An eye pencil or eye shadow (with brush) in any of the following colors: black, cocoa or charcoal

2. An eye shadow in grey, brown or silver

3. A sponge applicator or a cotton swab

4. An eye lash curler

5. Mascara

Step One:

Using the dark eye pencil or shadow draw a line along your upper lash line. On top of the liner brush a line of dark shadow, then smudge the lines using the sponge applicator or the cotton swab

Step Two:

Using the eye shadow brush sweep the second color of shadow from your lashes up to where your eye creases. Then, still using your eye shadow brush, blend in the shadow to just above the crease.

Step Three:

Along the lower lash line, brush on a quarter-inch thick line of eye shadow and blend with the cotton swab. You are trying to achieve a soft ring around your eyes

Step Four:

All that’s left is to curl your eyelashes and apply two coats of a good mascara.

In a hurry:

To create smoky eyes on the go try this little trick: Use a dark eye pencil (black, dark brown or charcoal) to line your top and bottom eyelash lines. Then take a cotton swab and bring the color out around your eye to create a soft haze.


Helpful hint:

To help keep eye shadow in place apply a bit of foundation and then apply a translucent face powder to your lids. This gives the eye shadow a clean surface to adhere to.

Rihanna's beauty secrets...

• Rihanna said that her favorite mascara isHypnose by Lancome. This mascara made the Best Mascaras list because it makes your lashes huge!

• She said that her favorite eye shadows are by Stila. She likes to put a dark brown shimmery shade in the crease of her eyes to make them pop.

• This natural beauty loves Nars Body Glow to make her skin glisten. This French Polynesian inspired chocolate shimmer lotion with the scent of tiare flower and coconut is a favorite of makeup artists and celebrities. Apply a sheer veil over the skin after sun exposure, or glide over medium-toned skin for a warm, fragrant, sun-kissed sheen.

• She says that her favorite fragrances areRush by Gucci and Chance by Channel.

• She is a fan of the T3 Tourmaline Wet or Dry Ionic Ceramic Styling Iron. The T3 wet-to-dry iron is a one-step ceramic iron that will eliminate the need to blow dry your hair before you straighten it. Water evaporates as it is converted into steam which is then used to make your hair silky and super-straight in record time for your most efficient styling experience ever.

• She has just become the latest spokeswoman for Cover Girl cosmetics. The makeup brand chose her for her “natural beauty and confidence”. You will see her commercials later this year.

• If you have a complexion like her's, makeup artist Ruby Hammer, advised Cosmopolitan magazine of some products you may like to try. A full coverage makeup like Ruby & Millie Liquid Base, will work well. Her shade is number 9. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Chestnut is the perfect shade for her skin tone. A perfect blush shade is Ruby & Millie Cheek Colourin Brown. Note: Ruby & Millie is a United Kingdom cosmetics company and its product are currently available through UK websites.

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Must have new beauty products

Clinique: Super balm Moisturizing Gloss

This is a lip balm with a colorful twist to it. Besides the fact that its luscious, high-gloss shades it treats your most under moisturized skin to soothing shine. Instantly relieve dryness, protect with antioxidants and more. It has eight delightful shades root beer, ginger, apricot, mango, raspberry, grapefruit, lilac, and current. This lip balm can be worn by itself or over lipstick. I usually use it during the day and only occasionally in the evening to add shine to my lipstick. I mean all of that in a gloss?

It’s a definite must have.

IMAN Luxury Pressed Face Powder

The company brought about to cater to the beauty needs of women from all skin colour, race, culture and ethnicities. In 2004 they signed a distribution contract with Proctor and Gamble which has allowed them to come up with better and more innovative products such as their Luxury Pressed Powder that is so light and translucent to provide a matte finish or over your favourite foundation for that finishing touch. With more products that cater to all skin types, they are sure to have something to take away the strain of everyday life.

Their innovative products have won people such as Jessica Simpson their place in the spotlight due to their products that brings out the best in you. Definite must have!!!

MAC’s nail polishes

MAC is hitting us with a lot of nail colour this winter. Almost all the collections include nail polish and Riveting, MAC’s ode to 80s rocker chic, is no exception. They’re hitching their wagon on the matte polish train with three true, flat mattes. Unlike the Jin Soon polishes that were rumoured to be matte (they were crèmes) these are matte polishes as we’ve come to know them.

MAC’s matte polishes are 3-Free and behave as we’ve come to expect from the genre. They dry fast, are unforgiving when it comes to nail imperfections and become more satin over time due to water and oil exposure. In applying them I found that three coats work best if don’t excel in application. It’s not necessarily a pigmentation issue rather a case of evening out any rough spots. If you excel at application you can probably get away with two coats just like I did.

The compromise seems to be that if we’re talking matte polish vs. top coat, a shimmery matte is preferred over a flat crème. And since I have yet to come across a silver matte this light (most look charcoal) it’s a winner in my book.

Wham, Bam, Glam is a dark taupe along the lines of OPI You Don’t Know Jacques Matte. In fact, unless you’re really looking for the difference between the two, you’d swear they were the same. So if you’re looking for a matte this shade and don’t own the YDKJ Matte, this is another option.

Black Enough? Really needs no explanation. It’s flat. It’s black. It’s crème. It definitely fits in with the rocker aesthetic happening in Riveting but it’s not exactly a showstopper. It actually reminds me of a black chalkboard.

Bottom line: If you’re going to pick up just one of these polishes, I would suggest Studded.

One thing that is a bit different about the Riveting nail polishes is that, unlike other brands that included one finish per matte collection, Riveting has two cremes (think OPI Matte) and one shimmer (a la OPI Suede). If you still don’t have your fill of the matte look, take a peek at these after the jump!

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I can't laugh...i can't cry...should i tell you?

"Tears in my eyes but they not falling out as i listen to your every breath... A thousand thoughts going through my mind and i'm wondering if u r worth sharing them with?Time passes but the feelings don't fade... Days go by but the thoughts still remain.. Same as i asked you how should i show you how much i like you i ask you this...how the hell should i get over you... Should i as from this dreadfull night which is nothing more but a summation of my horrible day start calling you my past as i'm starting to believe you're as unsecure as it is? I wanted to put you as part of my future hoping that each day with you will be as bright as it is... Should i let you know how you make my heart skip a beat every time we meet be it at my sanctuary place or the streets? Should i tell you of how the mention of your name gives me butterflies? Same as how i poured out my anger feelings towards u, should i pour out my love feeling as well? I know what i've wished... as whimsical as it may have been at the time i meant it...."

I came across this note the other day when i was on my FB and damn it took me back, back to the days when i could write with no limitation and the pen taking over my hand. just thought i should share it with yall... Dang!!

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Celebrity Skin Care What Are Their Secrets

Let’s face it! We all would love to know what celebrity skin care regime our favourite actress or singer is using. But before you get all upset and anxious, it is best to remember that most of the photographs we see in magazines have been touched up. And if you and I were subjected to a top to toe makeover courtesy of some of the best therapists in the world, we would look like a celebrity. Skin care can be very expensive and our idols probably pay more for their cosmetics than we spend on our mortgage.

So how can you get similar results? Well there is a gadget you can buy which will touch up your photos if you get desperate. I am joking! It is relatively easy to get great skin if you put the work into it.

You do not need the most expensive products. You just need to adopt a total skin care regime and include all areas of your life.

1) You need to eat a healthy diet. Starvation or faddy diets will not give you great skin. We need good fats i.e. omega 3 and 6 to keep our skin in tip top condition.

2) You need to stop smoking and entering smoky establishments. With the latest laws preventing smoking in a lot of public places, this does make life easier.

3) You need to cut any addictive behaviour. Alcohol, caffeine and sugar addictions will stop you having skin like your favourite celebrity.

4) Drink more tea – green tea, oolong tea and other herbal teas are all great for your skin and body alike.

5) Eat your berries and don’t just eat strawberries. Increase your consumption of blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, cherries and raspberries too.

6) Eat more nuts including walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts.

7) Instead of salt, add spices to your food for flavour and extra nutrients. Skin loves cinnamon and oregano.

8 Grow your own sprouts. Sprouted beans are not just a fad. They are simple to grow and they are proven to provide more nutrients than a lot of the more common vegetables.

9) Add watercress to your salads. This tiny plant is full of vitamin A and C – no wonder a lot of actresses like to drink watercress soup.

10) Treat yourself to a facial. Ok you may not have a celebrities budget, but you can act the part for a day or weekend at your local spa. Relax and enjoy having someone pamper you all day long.

11) Although most famous celebs enjoy their holidays, take note that they always carry sun hats and glasses. This may be for protection against the paparazzi but it is probably the damage from the sun’s rays that they are more concerned about.

When it comes to celebrity skin care, ignore most of what you read. Eating one food all day long does NOT give you great skin. Dieting to resemble a malnourished child is also not a recommended skin care solution.

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Dry or Dehydrated skin

What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?


A lot of people get the two confused. Well let me make things clear for you; having a dry skin means that your skin lacks oil, the required oil to nourish it of course. You can be able to notice this on your skin when it starts feeling rough to touch and you can feel most of this roughness after you have just washed your face. Common causes can either be genetic, harsh soaps without the correct pH balance or not using a good moisturizer.

Dehydrated skin or the other hand is when your skin lacks moisture. This is highly noticeable by the formation of fine lines around the forehead, loss of elasticity and the loss of the so called " natural glow" . This can be caused by environmental things like the sun, wind and a bad working environment that is not skin friendly not using a good moisturizer also. So i know how hard it can be sometimes to find the right make-up with skin that is either dry or dehydrated. But i am here to help you.

Firstly you have to know what exactly is causing the dry or dehydrated skin after you know the difference between the two. After finding out what the course is then you can easily solve the problem. One of the main reasons for dry or dehydrated skin is harsh Sun, Wind and not using the right moisturizer. All these three can be prevented or their effects on your skin can be minimized with use of a moisturizer suitable for for either dry or dehydrated skin and a sunscreen with right amount of SPF. Moisturizing your skin is very crucial as much as cleansing is.

In terms of finding the right make up for you skin it wont be difficult as you have located the right type of moisturizer to use on your skin. Most foundations are written which type of skin they are suitable for but if it is not written just apply the moisturizer before you apply any make-up and SPF and you are ready to go.

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12 MONTHS OF DIETING (continued)

JULY

First week of July is just the worst aaarrrrrrgggggggghhh!! Now between going to work and deciding on gym you really feel like you have no choice but to choose one and it is work. You got to work even though you don’t want to, the comfort food really is comforting and warm especially when you use your mom’s “all fat” soup recipe. You are thinking that this year’s winter is worse that all the other years, which you are either right or trying to find the right excuses to use when you gym partner calls you and checks if you are okay. You end up going to gym a week later only because you feel guilty after eating a whole box of chocolates that king bought you to say sorry for the fight you had. You get on the scale at the end of the month only to find you lost 2 kgs. It’s a working progress right? Lets move on…

AUGUST

Waking up to the almost dusty streets makes you realise that you have only 4 months left till you show up at the Christmas part in that dress you bought a few months earlier that’s two sizes less than you are right now. Back to gym we go. The cold front is slowly and surely warming up and your days at the gym are increasing bit by bit. With the dress as your motive ii mean what could go wrong or possibly make you quit? Another 2 kgs lost. Let move on..

SEPTEMBER

Three months left and the zip of that dress keeps getting higher and higher each time you fit it on. Confidence levels are up on the confidence radar and your jeans are starting to fit proper with no bulge hanging out the side. The diet that you got on the internet is working like a charm. Its spring and the floral dresses you bought for your birthday look so good on you and everyone at work it complimenting you. Even the jealous Mary that always looks good in anything and gets all the compliments and looks from everyone.” Well look at me now Mary, the bump in my dress that you saw a few months ago and embarrassed me in front of everyone at work by shouting “Congratulations on the new baby on the way” is now gone. The natural glow is now getting harder and harder for people not to notice. Your energy levels are high and you feel happier. Going to gym now is just for maintenance and loosing just 1kg for the zip of the Christmas dress to go all the way baby. Lets move on

OCTOBER

Life is a breeze. You know what to eat and not to eat. And when you go visit your mom you know how to say no to her all fattening meals without offending her. You told yourself that you are not going to fit on the dress this month, you want to surprise yourself. Lovely month indeed. Work is well, kids are studying for their exams with no hustle from you; king spoils you every now an then more than before. Lovely month it is indeed… lets move on…

NOVEMBER

OMG!!! It fits! Fits perfectly at that. Oh happy day, or should I say month… you can’t wait now for the Christmas party. And with all the confidence that you are feeling you’ve decided to finally go with king to his work Christmas party that you had been postponing for five consecutive years due to the bump on your stomach that was real, sometimes. You and your gym partner go out to celebrate and life is gooooooood… moving on…

DECEMBER

You go to gym almost every day for a week trying to make sure that everything is in place for the party and many more that are going to come up after that one. It’s the night of the party and my word… the eyes are liked glued on you, confidence level off the radar!!! You are feeling so good you decide to spoil yourself that evening by eating everything in sight. You worked for that body and it also has worked with you so its time to reward it too with some goodies. The following day you go to king’s work party, wearing the same oh so fab dress. Same reaction as yesterday and king’s ego got a major boost meaning the night will be much more fun for you later…oooohhhhhh…

You go visit family showing off your new body and telling your jealous cousins and every one in your family that it wasn’t much of a hustle for you to get the weight off when they ask you wont you gain it all back by eating all that you are eating now. The guilt pass is waaaaay under the bed at home when you go to parties, lunches and dinners by your friends’ places. End of the month….wow what a lovely December you had… it’s the 31^st of December and you haven’t been to gym in three weeks, been eating yourself silly and now lets hop on the scale. What in the world!!????!!! Gained what? Yep you gained 4 kgs!! In three weeks? But how is that possible? I have been eating right and doing exercises and everything??? Ahhhh no you haven’t. Am I going to go into the New Year with all this weight? Depression mode…January….weight gets gained back… askies but the year is over…..

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12 MONTHS OF DIETING

JANUARY

This is the first month of the year coming from the busy and fattening December. It is also the month where you are trying to sort out your life for the next 11 months: Making sure that all outstanding bills-that you forgot about due to the high fever of festive-are paid for, the kids uniform is in place, your soon to be teenager get settled at the very expensive high school of which she threatened you that if she does not go there she is quitting school because her social life will be ruined, making new and renewing old resolutions ( which you never keep). And in one of those resolutions there is always “I want to lose weight” or I want to lose 5-10 kg this month which never happens of course.

During this month of change you are so caught up with a lot of things and on top of that you are broke (good excuse not to renew your gym membership by the way) and still want to lose weight by not only exercising, also by eating the right foods which in most cases are expensive and you don’t have the money for, so you end up eating comfort food to help you forget about the outstanding light bill. So January is off… lets move on….

FEBRUARY

Right, the perfect month!!! I mean what could go wrong? Your bills are paid- well, most of them- kids settled at school and you just got paid. YEY! Lets go renew that membership card. Problem, valentines is just around the corner and hubby has been so loyal to you the whole of last year you want to do something very special for him that is obviously going to cost money and you and your friends started the “Be my Valentine” society that is for the friends that are not taken and feel lonely on valentine because they don’t get any gifts from no one. By the 15^th you broke and have indulged in boxes and boxes of chocolates and sensual foods that made you gain an extra 3 kilos. What to do now? Well I am going to have to start dieting properly next month with no distraction…. Lets move on

MARCH

New month ready to make some changes (mostly if not only physical) in your life. So you finally renewed your gym membership and go back to gym and start on the “healthy” foods. GREAT! The month goes by well and you lose 3 kgs at the end of the month….lovely…. lets move on

APRIL

Things are going great for you and your body and then comes Easter, what I call the first Christmas of the year. You have to go home and eat your all of your moms 12 course meals with no exception. You try to lay off eating too much by telling everyone who asks that you are on a special diet due to medical reasons. Everyone tries to believe you except your mother who for one slaved for more than 20 hours on the stove to all by herself and two she is your mother you know.

So the whole loooooooooong weekend she is force feeding you all your favourite meals that you obviously cant say no to. So the 3 kg comes and it brings along an extra friend, one more kilo. How lovely is your life now? And your body, your poor body. To top it off your mom asks you to stay an extra week since u already took leave from work and she is saddened by the fact that your sister (her favourite) wasn’t able to come home for Easter. Yep mom, just bring on the kilos. So a week passes and you go back to your blissful life with an extra baggage at the back. And by baggage I really do mean baggage…. Lets move on…

MAY

Now all that the Easter fever is over and the media and all its advertisement are done eating your money you go back to gym… Good thing you took the update monthly gym membership. Everything goes well for this month; the weight is being shed the way it is supposed to be shed. AWESOME!! You are using an online diet that u found on the internet to also help gain back the energy. Buy the end of the month you have lost about 5 kgs which is not bad considering the amount that you gained in April… Even though you gained almost twice that much. One problem, winter is really starting to settle in and waking up in the morning is not as easy as it was the past few months because the sun isn’t as bright/ up as it used to be at 5am. You know you cant go to gym in the afternoon because between leaving work at 5pm, fetching the kids from their friends’ or sport practice, to getting home and making sure that they all do their homework while you do dinner and try to relax which you end all thing by 8 really does not give you any time to sneak out to gym. Plus the king needs your attention when he comes back from work (you would swear you are the “head” of this family)…so you keep to your 5am...Let’s move on

JUNE

Winter!! My Gosh I cant feel my toes!! That’s all that is going in your mind as you are driving to the gym thinking if you should turn and snuggle one more hour under the warmth of your bed and the king’s arms. But Nah, you are stronger than the urge! Stronger than the urge to back and make a nice cup of hot chocolate, while wearing your winter pjs and slipping into the blankets and feeling all of that warmth envelop you in its assurance that it wont allow any coldness enter to harm you… but NO!! You are way stronger than that… off to gym we go. Mid June the gym itself starts looking emptier by the day. Even your sometimes there gym trainer is not there period! In fact you haven’t seen him the whole of June. What are you to do? Keep going to gym of curse, what else? Oh next week is the long weekend, you thinking of taking a week off from gym, I mean you have been good so far thus you deserve it. And one week turns into two. Before you know it, the month is over… lets move one

(To be continued)

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Beauty Tips

Welcome to the cherry blog. This is where you are going to get your dose of make up tips and a whole of other beauty tips. I am going to be giving you a range of different ways to apply make up for any occasions.

This week is all about the brushes, type of make up to wear when and how and basic make up applications. I am going to start off with brushes. Now this blog is not a make up course so lets only deal with the simple stuff. On the brushes above you only need number one, five and the last one. The first brush is for lining, its can be used for lip and eye lining. The fifth brush is for eye shadow application and the last brush is also for eye shadow application but the difference between the two is that the fifth brush is mostly and perfectly used for applying eye shadow on the top of the eye lid and the last one for the whole eye lid since it offers wider an longer bristles . Good for when you are doing one colour on your eyes but alternatively you can use them both for two different colours.

Below are samples of blush brushes.

This is an angled blushing brush for a more defined look and contoured cheeks. It is good for doing the half moon blush shape.

This one is the normal fit for any type of blushing shape brush. And makes it easy to do the round cheek blush.

This is a MAC powder brush, perfect for loose powder.

This is a eye lash curling brush, also perfect for untangling lashes before applying mascara or after it dries.

This brush is for the lashes and brows. perfect untangling.

There you go with all your essential brushes. Below you'll find tips on how to keep them clean and safe.

All you will need is normal hair shampoo, a towel and your brushes.

• Run the bristles of the brush under warm running water
• Apply a small amount of shampoo on the brushes and work into it until a leather forms.
• Rinse the brushes under running water until no colour comes out and out with the dirt and in with the clean...
• Finally allow them to air dry on top of the towel for a few hours then they are ready for their next use

*Remember not ruffle them too vigorous when cleaning them because they will lose their shape.

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Valentine Tips

I am sure by now you all know the story of St. Valentine and how the whole shebang eventful day came about right? Now i know that for many of you it means a lot of things and to others it means...well.. practically nothing. But for those of you who do celebrate V day i have some nice tips for yall to spoil that special one without spending a cent like you are expected to.

You know amongst the two of you who works the hardest and who deserves the most break. Take a moment to think about it.... yep it ain't you is it? So tip number one: The oh so obvious breakfast in bed ( for those that live together). You don't have to go the whole nine yards to make the breakfast especially if you cant cook- we don't wanna kill anyone-just a simple breakfast and nice good morning kiss and then some.. if you like will do the trick

Tip no. 2: A massage, which is my specialty. Here is a quick guide to those of you that don't know a thing about massage except moving your hand up and down your partner's back...you know yourselves....

• Prepare some calming music in the back round and dim the lights or swich off the lights completely and light some candles
• You can use oil or cream depending on what you have in the house.
• Instead of just moving your hand back and forth on their back ask him/her where she would like a massage
• Start by stroking the area with firm pressure ( ask which pressure suits her by asking) using the palms of your hand
• Next movement use your thumbs now to do circular movements without changing the pressure
• If you are massaging the back use firmer pressure around the neck area to feel for knots and then massage on top of them but not with too much pressure because they are painful.
• Now last movement is to stroke to thumbs up and down the back( or whatever area u are massaging) alternatively
• Make sure you finish off the massage with a nice warm kiss on the area to seal the intimate moment....

Tip no. 3: let him/her know how much they mean to you. A simple note/letter goes a long way but if u not big on writing you can just do the note. Write what he/she means to you and how she/he makes you feel.

Tip no. 4: Forget the ordinary. Dress up during dinner as if you going out. Look your best and tell him/her to do the same. A kiss goes a long way so don't forget those in between conversation kisses and looking into his/her eyes every time before you do it.

After all of this enjoy the pleasures that comes with that thank you kiss... and enjoy the rest of the lovers day....

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Emotional wellness

I was feeling kind of down the other day until I got a wall post from one of my long lost (now found) friends that said “I am proud of you sweetheart”. At that very moment I was confused and didn’t know what to say to her seeing that we haven’t spoken in a very long while nor have we seen each other. I asked her what she meant and why she said what she said even though I felt elated at that moment that someone out there is proud of me even though I didn’t know what for. Then she said “You have done well in life. . .despite all the ups n downs u have been through u still standing high. People like u motivates me . . . That's the type of drive I crave n with people like u . . . I always have positive energy.” I was totally appalled…

But at the same time at that very moment I reflected back into my life and I realised she is right. There really was no reason for me to be down. This brings me to what I want to talk about... Emotional wellness.



The emotional dimension emphasizes on awareness and acceptance of our feelings and behaviour, a positive attitude about ourselves, a realistic assessment of our limitations, effective stress management and the pursuit of satisfying relationships and oneself.
In pursuit, we begin to believe it is better...
To be aware of and accept our feelings than to deny them.
To be optimistic in our approach to life than to be pessimistic.
To develop independence, healthy relationships, and effective stress management strategies.
I found this on a college website called Cabrini. This got me thinking if my emotional wellness is being taken care of. I realised that I was down because I was a bit disappointed in myself which after my friend said she is proud of me I really didn’t feel the need to be. Emotional wellness is about loving yourself inside as you would outside. Appreciating yourself and your works. At the same time it makes you aware of your feelings and how to deal and accept them when there is a need. My favourite magazine is Destiny magazine and I came across something in one of the issues that changed my thinking and my whole view of MY life

It was an article written about Wendy Luhabe from one of her talks and it was about Rules to live by the three Rs… it said “Always practice the three Rs- Respect for self, Resilience to live and Responsibility for all your actions.”

After reading that article I went to write them down so that I always remember. Those words helped me become a better person and mould my self and feelings into some thing even better. At this moment my emotional wellness is slowly and most definitely getting steady and I love it. Try Practice the three Rs and read this small passage when you feel like your emotional wellness is taking a down fall. And remember that sometimes it is all about you. Not all the time but sometimes. And there is nothing better than self satisfaction.

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All about wellness

A healthy state of being free from disease, Healthy and balanced Mind, Body and Spirit, being in maximum , physical and mental health.....etc...etc...

All these are definitions of wellness,yes, but what i wanna do is break down the real and much more simplified meaning of wellness and how to archive maximum wellness that you desire... To me wellness is an experience, a journey into a more balanced and happier you. When i was studying holistic health and wellness it was a journey that i was not well prepared for... i just thought that i was going to be studying holistic healing and all the other stuff that you call "beauty" things. When i went into my second year that is when i discovered that i am on a journey of beautiful change-though some of the time I hated it( it being school) just like any other student...I think....

I realised at the end of my three years of studying that i am going through a journey, a journey that i didn't even know when it was beginning. I want to share my journey and help you in turn start your own journey into wellness and holistic healing. and yes you can share yours too... i would happy to hear from you. During my (now our) journey i learned a lot of alternative therapies i.e

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Colour Therapy
• Hydro-therapy
• Indian head massage
• Massage therapy
• Reiki
• Reflexology
• Yoga

Though most of them i learned the theory and less practical and i am still learning more...you really can never stop learning... In our journey i am going to be giving you home remedies and therapies you can use on yourself.

But getting back to wellness, I believe that it is a choice that one makes, a way of life and a chance into getting a better life for oneself. It is divided into a lot of categories which i believe makes it easier for a person who is new at venturing into wellness. these catagories include;

• Intellectual
• Social
• Spiritual
• Emotional
• Physical
• Occupational
• Environmental

All these categories i will break down and define every week. So all thats left is for our journey to begin...

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