Читать книгу The Cook's Bible of Ingredients - Catherine Mortimer - Страница 7
FACE
Оглавление1. SUN SEEKER Swap sunshine for shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun’s at its hottest and you’re most likely to burn. Sun damage is one of the biggest causes of premature skin ageing, so wear a sunblock with an SPF15 on your face (or higher during summer). You can save yourself buying two products by checking the label on moisturizers to see if they already contain sun protection.
2. TURN BACK THE CLOCK Use a concealer in a shade lighter than your foundation to cover laughter lines and crow’s feet around eyes. The lighter colour highlights areas that are wrinkled and gives the illusion of smoother skin. Finish off by blending foundation over your whole face and just like magic you’ll look years younger.
3. SCRUB UP Get a spa facial at home by whipping up a homemade anti-wrinkle polish. Mix 2 tbsp of almond oil with the same amount of porridge oats. Then using your fingertips massage it into your face every morning (avoid getting too close to your eyes). Rinse clean with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
4. MAKE-UP MASTERCLASS Book an appointment with a make-up artist at a beauty counter for free make-up advice. He or she will be able to show you how to use products properly and recommend what suits you best. It’s also worth going along to update your knowledge of new products and replace bits and bobs in your makeup bag that have seen better days.
5. LIP SERVICE Oscar winner Halle Berry has a trick up her sleeve for getting the perfect pink pout when she hasn’t got her professional make-up team to hand. The star applies red lippy then wipes it off and applies clear lip gloss. The subtle hint of colour is enough to pass off as a different lip colour.
6. BRIGHT EYES Gently massaging either side of the bridge of your nose in the morning can get rid of fluid retention and reduce puffiness around eyes. Place two fingers on the top of each side of your nose, then using slow movements gently sweep fingers down and off the tip of your nose. Repeat ten times.
7. SMART SNACKING Nibble on raw fruit and vegetables rather than crisps or sweets to boost valuable nutrients needed for the health of your hair, skin, nails and teeth. Cutting out junk food, which is highly processed and stripped of goodness, will boost your antioxidant intake and act like a gentle detox for your body. If you’ve got a juicer then have fun inventing smoothies to help keep you away from the biscuit tin.
8. SHINY SKIN Instead of using powder to cover blemishes, switch to a light textured foundation. Powder settles in every tiny crease of your skin and highlights wrinkles dramatically. Choose a foundation that compliments your skin tone (see tip 16) and apply lightly to avoid overloading your skin.
9. SNOW WHITE Did you know your choice of lipstick affects how white your teeth look? Pick your lip colour with care and your pearly whites will look amazing. Shades of pink achieve a white smile but avoid orange and brown tones, which make teeth look more yellow.
10. FACE-FIXER Help a puffy face with a minute of massage. Place your hands either side of your head on the nape of the neck. Turn palms up towards the ceiling and thumbs down towards the front of the throat. (Your hands should be loosely ‘locked’ at the sides of your neck but thumbs shouldn’t touch or you’re gripping too tight.) Using gliding movements, work hands from the top of your neck to your collarbone. Repeat five times.
11. UNDER COVER Celebrity make-up artists agree that a good light-reflecting concealer is an essential part of a professional makeup kit. Use it beneath eyes, on the sides of your nose, at the corners of your mouth, over fine expression lines and to help cover dark patches. It will hide flaws and bring out the radiance in your skin by catching and reflecting the light.
12. GRIN AND BARE IT Here’s what you need to do to achieve a perfect smile:
• Brush twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride to prevent plaque building up on teeth.
• Floss between teeth every day to remove plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Change your toothbrush every three months.
• Brush teeth for two minutes minimum every morning and night.
• Limit sugary and acidic food and drink.
• Visit the dentist every six months for check-ups and your dental hygienist every three months.
13. CLOSE CALL Almost all eye shapes are flattered by emphasizing the outer corners to create a wide-eyed effect. If you’ve got deep set eyes or they’re close together then avoid applying too much make-up on the inner corners.
14. SAY NO TO SUNBEDS Now for the serious tip! Protect your health and skin by limiting your exposure to the sun and sunbeds. Fair enough they make you look tanned, but it’s actually a sign of tissue damage. Both produce ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which changes cells in your body and can lead to skin cancer. The sun’s rays have the following effects:
• UVA – produces sunburn and suntans (but to a lesser extent than UVB).
• UVB – the biggest cause of sunburn and suntans.
• UVC – the most damaging to skin but UVC in sunlight is absorbed by the ozone layer. UVC from artificial sources can damage eyes.
15. DOUBLE TROUBLE Tackle a double chin by strengthening lower face muscles. Sitting up straight in a chair, place your elbows on the table in front of you. Make your hands into fists and rest your chin on your hands. Press your chin firmly down against the resistance of your fists and then relax so your chin is resting on your fists. Repeat ten times. (You’ll feel your front neck muscles contracting, which is normal).
16. FIRM FOUNDATIONS Consider your skin’s texture when picking a foundation. If you’ve got greasy skin look for products labelled ‘oil free’ but if your skin is dry go for foundations that are moisturizing. Combination skin is a bit more complicated. You’ll need to first work out whether you’re skin is more oily or more dry, then choose products as explained above.
17. FISHY FACT Studies show fish fights wrinkles. Oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and herring contain omega 3, essential fatty acids which feeds skin cells and fights the effects of ageing. Salmon also contains DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) and firms skin. Pregnant women should avoid larger fish varieties, like tuna, which contains mercury that may be harmful to babies.
18. KISS AND MAKE-UP Never emphasize eyes and lips at the same time when doing your make-up. Top make-up artists say it looks too overpowering. If you’re going for a strong lip colour, cover blemishes or dark areas around eyes with a concealer and then dust a light eyeshadow over eyelids.
19. PERFECT PEGS Here’s how to make your teeth whiter:
• Dental trays – custom-made to the exact fit of a patient’s teeth by a dentist. The wearer pours hydrogen peroxide gel into the tray and puts it in their mouth overnight.
• Laser whitening or ‘power whitening’ – your dentist applies a concentrated bleaching gel to teeth and uses heat from a special light to penetrate teeth and draw stains out.
• Home bleaching kits – a cheaper alternative to dental tray bleaching (above). Instead of a dentist fitting a tray to your mouth, a standard size tray is sold as part of a pack from pharmacies.
• Whitening toothpastes – don’t affect the natural colour of your teeth but they help remove staining, which improves the overall appearance of your teeth.
20. FOLLOW YOUR NOSE Cleanse your nose thoroughly of oily pores and blackheads by using a mild soap, cleanser or gentle exfoliating face scrub. Apply it to your face using small circular movements and cover the sides, stem, grooves and tip of the nose. For skin that’s extra oily or congested, wrap a flannel around your index finger and go over your nose in the same way once more.
21. STAR TIP Broccoli, cucumber, peas, asparagus, beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach and watercress are all on actress Goldie Hawn’s shopping list. The star juices green vegetables in a blender and drinks a glass every day to fight wrinkles. Green vegetables contain lutein, a powerful antioxidant that boosts eye and skin health.
22. FANCY A FACELIFT? Protein is great for skin because it maintains your body’s tissues and stops your skin feeling rough and wrinkly. Without it you’d have poor muscle tone, brittle nails and weak hair. Whipping up a chicken stir-fry cooked in sesame oil with added linseeds is a great skin booster.
23. EYE SPY Take care not to drag the skin around your eyes down when applying or removing make-up or moisturizer. Heavy-handedness can cause wrinkles. But having said that, try not to fall into the trap of slathering your eyes with super-rich creams either. Thick moisturizers also pull delicate eye skin down. Instead choose an eye gel and lightly tap it around your eyes.
24. UNDER THE KNIFE If you’re choosing a cosmetic surgeon, make basic checks as follows:
• Contact professional medical associations to confirm your surgeon is fully registered.
• Ask your surgeon for proof of his or her qualifications.
• Ask how many procedures like yours they’ve carried out before.
• Enquire if you can see photos of their work.
• Ask for a detailed list of surgery pros and cons at your consultation (that way you can take it away and make a decision in your own time).
• Remember, if you’re in any doubt don’t do it!
25. WRINKLE REMEDY Botox is the better known name for Botulinum toxin, which is injected into face muscles to paralyze them and leave skin looking smoother. Growing in popularity, the treatment is used to relax fine lines and the idea is that if muscles can’t move then skin can’t wrinkle. Effects can last three to six months until the toxin is destroyed by the body. There can be initial bruising and you should always choose an experienced doctor or therapist.
26. LASH FLASH Apply mascara from the base of your lashes, sweeping outwards towards the tips. Don’t pump wands in and out of the tube because mascara dries out quickly when you push air into the tube. A secret tip from celebrity make-up artists is to bend the end of the wand at a right angle if your hand isn’t very steady. Always wait five seconds before blinking once you’ve applied mascara to avoid it smudging.
27. CHEEKY MONKEY For perfect blusher, choose a tone that matches your face when it’s flushed after exercise. Then pick the right formula – powder for oily or combination skin and cream for dry skin. To apply, look in the mirror and smile to highlight the apples of your cheeks and blend in lightly.
28. BERRY NICE Raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, you name it – berries are full of ‘good’ chemicals called antioxidants. They neutralize the ‘bad’ chemicals, called free radicals, caused by pollution and sunlight which damage cells and leave skin looking older (see tip 103). Berries have super high concentrations of antioxidants compared to most other fruits.
29. REST UP Look after your face by relaxing as much as you can if you have a stressful job, demanding kids or you’re prone to worrying. Relaxing facial muscles helps prevent wrinkles and aches and pains. Help face muscles loosen up by lightly tapping your fingertips around your eyes, forehead, cheeks and mouth.
30. GLITTER BALL As much as you might love a bit of sparkle, go easy with it if you haven’t got the youngest of faces. Foundation or blusher containing glitter or shimmer can draw attention to older skin, especially on faces and make you look older.
31. PUCKER UP To get a plumper pout, use a lip brush or lipliner to finely outline your lips just outside natural contours before you apply any colour. Avoid opaque lipsticks which generally make lips appear thinner and try tinted lip glosses instead.
32. MASCARA MAGIC Before applying mascara, always curl your eyelashes – nothing opens up eyes better. You can buy eyelash curlers cheaply from most pharmacies and it only takes a minute to clamp them onto lashes. Mascara goes on easier after curling lashes and it’ll stay put for longer.
33. SUN-KISSED SKIN Your best bet for adding colour to skin is to go for a fake tan to avoid skin damage (see tip 14). Salons offer spray-on treatments which give the best effect but can be expensive. Before you splash your cash, you can buy plenty of good self tans to help you do it yourself at a fraction of the cost. DIY tanning can be better because you can build up colour gradually and avoid waking up looking orange the next day.
34. DRINK DAMAGE As much as you might enjoy a chilled glass of chardonnay or a warming whisky, try to drink in moderation. Alcohol dehydrates the skin and speeds up the ageing process. It can also flare up skin conditions and increases bruising.
35. PERFECT POUT For plump, soft lips brush a damp toothbrush back and forth over your lips for a minute (but don’t go too hard!). It’ll scrub away dry skin as well as boosting circulation. Then slap on a lip balm to seal in moisture and form a barrier against harsh weather conditions.
36. ALLERGY ALERT When you apply a new product to your skin there’s always a slight risk that you’ll react badly. Try a patch test somewhere out of sight and leave it for 48 hours so you have time to see if it agrees with you. Products labelled ‘hypoallergenic’ suggest they won’t cause an allergic reaction. But there’s not a single product on the market that can guarantee somebody won’t be allergic to it.
37. SLIP, SLAP, SLOP If you’re desperate to turn back the clock, invest in a good face cream that contains retinol (a form of vitamin A which maintains skin) and coenzyme Q10 (found naturally in skin and prevents damage to collagen).
38. LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS The number one beauty rule when applying foundation or concealer is to always remember to moisturize skin first and give it a couple of minutes to soak in. If you don’t, your make-up won’t stay put very long and products could look crusty or flaky.
39. RISE AND SHINE Some people buy blotting sheets to mop up shiny faces. A cheaper alternative is to carry a few sheets of toilet roll in your handbag. Simply separate the two layers and place one over the oily zone of your face. Lightly press it down and lift away.
40. EYE TEST When shopping for eyeshadow, try out new colours on the inside of your wrist. That’s where skin is most similar to skin on eyelids and you can see what it will look like most accurately.
41. CHEEKY CHAPPY Make sure your blusher matches your skin tone or the end result will look totally unnatural and over the top. Pale skin suits light beige or soft pink shades. Pink skin looks good with pale beige or peach. Yellow skin tones are best with honey or coral and black skins go well with auburn.
42. NECKS BEST THING Necks are a dead giveaway of your age and they’re often left looking wrinkly and saggy without the right treatment. Every time you moisturize your face or apply sun protection, work a little into your neck using upward strokes to help keep skin as taut as possible.
43. SPOT ON If you suffer from spotty or oily skin you need sun protection that’s gelbased. Face creams made from oily formulations clog up skin and make spots worse. Always check you have sun protection of at least SPF15 or higher on hot days (see tip 1).
44. EYE TO EYE Celebrities love coloured contact lenses. If you’ve always wanted a different eye colour then pop along to your optician. He or she will be able to advise you about cosmetic contact lenses and how to use them safely.
45. OFF TO A FRESH START To give dry skin some deep moisturizing, mix together 1 tsp powdered milk with 1 tbsp ground almonds, then add 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp aloe vera gel (which you can buy in pharmacies). After stirring well, smooth over a clean face, leave for 10 minutes and wash off.
46. CAMOUFLAGE If you have trouble hiding marks on your face, there’s a big variety of cover up make-up on the market that’s thick enough to disguise everything from thread veins to scars. Special ranges include heavy-duty concealers in several shades to suit all skin types. The trick to hiding blemishes well is to build up cover gradually and blend thoroughly.
47. TURN THE OTHER CHEEK Did you know your cheeks have very few oil glands compared to the rest of your face? Dryness caused by harsh winter winds or strong sunlight will show here first. Use a good moisturizer before going outside to keep peachy soft cheeks. If you’ve got greasy skin go for water-based creams rather than oil-based.
48. FACE FOOD Make yourself a face mask using two skin superfoods – avocados and carrots. Combine 1 mashed avocado, 1 carrot (cooked and mashed), 1 beaten egg, 6 tbsp cream and 3 tbsp honey. Spread gently over your face and neck and leave for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat face dry with a towel.
49. HIGH BROW As women age their eyebrows fade in colour and lose their shape. Don’t fill them in too thickly and avoid using dark eye pencils if you want a natural look. Instead go for a mid-tone brown eye pencil and outline brows softly.
50. SLEEPING BEAUTY Studies suggest skin repairs itself mainly between the hours of 1am and 3am, making it an excellent reason to slap on plenty of moisturizer before you go to bed. It’s not called beauty sleep for nothing!
51. AGEING GRACEFULLY Skin gets thinner and fine veins begin to show with age. If you’ve stuck to the same foundation for ages then it might not be doing its job as well as it used to. Carefully match foundation to your skin type (see tip 75) and apply more heavily over blemishes.
52. TIME TO TRASH Experts say you should change your make-up regularly to make sure you limit the unhealthy bacteria you put on your face. Mascara should be binned after three months, liquid foundation, concealer, cleanser and moisturizer every six months and pressed powder, loose powder, eyeshadow, blusher, lip gloss and lipstick every year.
53. LASHINGS OF GLAMOUR False eyelashes are quicker and easier to stick on than you think. The secret is to trim them to the length of your own eyelashes before application. Always trim from the outer, longer edges and apply the glue thinly so you can wiggle them into place. Then leave them to dry for a full minute before applying eyeliner to hide the join. The best liners to use are very soft pencils that smudge a bit.
54. BIG MOUTH You can get plumper, sexier lips naturally without resorting to surgery or make-up techniques. Many makeup manufacturers make lip gloss containing ingredients like ginger and chilli pepper that tingle and stimulate lips so blood rushes to the area and plumps them up.
55. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Cover up spots using a concealer with a narrow nib to help blend coverage precisely over small areas. Check it also contains a drying out agent such as tea tree oil or witch hazel to get rid of spots faster.
56. COLOUR CRAZY Experimenting with eye colour can make you look young again and it’s a fun way to jazz up your make-up. If you’re fair skinned go for cool pastels, but if you’re medium or dark skinned then choose rich colours instead. Start by applying the colour along the top of your upper lash line. Flick out at the ends and blend upwards to cover your eyelids, without going up as far as your eyebrows.
57. TONE UP Beauty products are often formulated for different skin tones to get the best results. Check you’re using the right category for your complexion. Here’s how:
• Light skin products are designed for ivory or porcelain skin tones.
• Light/Medium skin cosmetics suit rose beige, light olive, or ash brown faces.
• Medium/Dark skin products go well with yellow beige, medium olive or brown complexions.
• Dark skin products are suited to dark olive, bronze or black shades.
58. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE If you’re going to be outdoors most of the day, apply your make-up in as natural light as possible (close to a window helps). But if you’re going for a candlelit dinner bare in mind that low light can make strong shades look harsh so go for a more subtle look.
59. NOSEY NEIGHBOUR Make the most of your nose with these clever tricks:
• Disguise a long nose by using a light foundation on the lower half and blending it into a darker shade on nostrils.
• Slim down a wide nose at the bottom by applying a little dark foundation just above each nostril and blending it into your regular colour.
• To narrow a nose at the bridge, dot a little dark foundation at the top of the nose and at either side of the bridge and blend in to your normal shade.
60. LINE UP When you’re using eyeliner always draw the line all the way across the length of your eyelid for the most flattering effect. Lining only the outside half of eyelids makes eyes look smaller and closer together.
61. GLOW GIRL Make use of bronzing powder to give your face an extra special glow. Remember to apply bronzer on areas where you naturally tan – on your nose, forehead, cheekbones and a little on your chin.
62. SOFT SKIN Vitamin A is fantastic for conditioning skin. Many moisturizers now contain this vitamin (see tip 37), but you can get it naturally by eating liver, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, apricots and milk. Pregnant women should avoid taking vitamin A which can damage babies.
63. EXERCISE FOR GOOD SKIN Exercise improves your body’s ability to transport oxygen throughout your body. Aerobic exercise is particularly good for improving blood flow and oxygen to skin, helping maintain a healthy glow and keeping it firm and toned.
64. BRIGHT EYES If you have pale eyelashes or eyebrows and can’t be bothered to apply mascara and brow pencil every day then try tinting. It lasts six weeks and colours can be matched to your natural colouring. Always get tinting done professionally and have a patch test first to check for allergies (see tip 36).
65. FRUITY FRIEND When you’re browsing the face cream counter look for alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) in the list of product ingredients. The most researched AHAs include lactic acid (from sour milk) and glycolic acid (from sugar cane). Benefits include increased skin firmness and scar reduction.
66. SPOT ON Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic and antibacterial but it should only be applied to skin – never drink it. It’s effective for drying spots out in a flash and treating cuts and grazes so they heal without infection.
67. KEEP IT ZIPPED Sharing the contents of your make-up bag means spreading germs and infections. Cosmetics such as lipsticks, mascaras and make-up sponges are breeding grounds for all kinds of yucky bacteria and eye and mouth infections. Don’t pass yours around and when trying tester products stick to the back of your hand.
68. PROTECT AND PERFECT Tackle crow’s feet by wearing a moisturizer everyday with an SPF15 or more to protect skin from the sun. When it’s really sunny wear sunglasses too so you avoid squinting which causes wrinkles around eyes.
69. SUNBATHING BEAUTY Statistically, women who use fake tan are twice as likely to get sunburnt skin because they wrongly assume a fake tan serves as a base tan to protect them from the sun’s UV rays (see tip 14). Fake tans with sun protection only cover you for two hours after a tan is applied and not for as long as your tan lasts.
70. PEEL AWAY THE LAYERS Chemical peels are used to rejuvenate skin and combat the signs of ageing, scarring and discolouration. Chemicals are applied to your face to superficially burn away the top layer, revealing fresher-looking skin. Choose between superficial peels which can be done once a fortnight, medium peels done once a year and deep peels which are once in a lifetime treatments. Results are good but there’s some risk of scarring and it can be painful. Always choose a qualified surgeon or therapist.
71. MAKE-UP MAGIC To hide imperfections make-up artists highlight other facial features. For example, if you have thin lips then play up your eyes to take the focus away. Take a look at your face and don’t be afraid to say what you think is your best feature. Then always emphasize it when you’re doing your make-up.
72. SLEEPING BEAUTY When actors have been in heavy make-up all day they know the importance of taking it off properly. The secret to having great skin is removing all make-up before going to bed. If you leave it on overnight it can cause spot breakouts and uneven skin tone.
73. MAKE-UP ON THE MOVE If you’re short on space for make-up in your luggage, pack the bare essentials – mascara, tinted lip gloss, cream blush, and cream eyeshadow (which can be applied with fingers, not brushes). A matt mousse foundation is also handy because you can blend it with your fingers and it leaves a powder finish. Always stick to neutral and pale colours which don’t need to be applied precisely.
74. TWIST AND POUT You can buy a good variety of long-lasting lippy but to give any lipstick staying power you must blot your lips. Apply a coat of lip colour, slip a tissue between your lips and press down, then apply a second coat. Your lip colour will stay put even when eating, drinking or kissing.
75. FINGER PAINTING Selecting the perfect colour foundation is one of the most important beauty rules when it comes to make-up. Choose a colour that’s as close to your own skin as possible and apply dots along the jaw line to check for a colour match. Once you’re happy with it, buy it and when you get home you can play around with blending and standing in different lights to see how much you need for good coverage.
76. CHIC CHEAT If you’re running late, feeling hungover or can’t be bothered to put make-up on then a quick trick is to throw on a pair of sunglasses and swipe on some lipstick or lip gloss. If it works for celebrities, then why not everyone else? Keep an extra set of shades and lip colour in the glove compartment of your car. It only takes five seconds to fake looking great.
77. SEXY EYES To achieve dark, dramatic eyes, use a black kohl pencil to outline top and bottom lashes and follow with a black liquid eyeliner on the top lashes only. Sweep a little grey eye shadow over your eyelids and blend for your desired look. Be careful not to use too much or you’ll end up more ghoul than glam.
78. PUFFED OUT If your eyes are puffy from a lack of sleep there are lots of soothing eye gels on the market or gel-based eye masks which you pop in the fridge before placing over the eyes, but a cold flannel or cloth does the job just as well.
79. DAZZLE LIKE A DIVA Eyeliner that’s infused with tiny glitter particles is an easy way to add a touch of razzle dazzle to your makeup. Glitter pencils also add sparkle around eyes without looking over the top. The thicker the line you draw, the more dramatic the end result.
80. GOBSMACKED When applying foundation avoid getting an obvious line along your jaw where the foundation ends and your neck starts. A good tip is to open your mouth when blending foundation around the bottom of your face. It exposes the skin under your neck so you can blend it under your chin.
81. BUDGE THE SMUDGE If you’ve ever put lipstick on and somebody has pointed out it’s rubbed off on your teeth, chances are you’re not the first person and you won’t be the last! Avoid it happening by putting your finger in your mouth after applying lip colour then close your lips around it and pull it out. Bingo! Lippy stained teeth will be a thing of the past.
82. LATHER UP Daily cleansing is important for removing dirt and sweat so moisturizer doesn’t just sit on top of grime. Ordinary soap can be too harsh for some faces, stripping away natural oils and upsetting the skin’s PH balance. Try foaming cleansers or creams instead. Work them into your face before bed, leave for a minute and wipe off.
83. HAIR-RAISING Stars who prefer not to go under the knife have a trick up their sleeve to make their faces look taut. Tightly plait a section above each ear and fasten the plaits together at the back of your head. Viola! A facelift without the pain.
84. SEEING RED Try to avoid situations such as smoky rooms or bright lights that will increase eye sensitivity and make you want to rub your eyes. Soothe blood shot eyes with an eye wash. Going without eye make-up is wise but if you can’t bear the thought wear a mascara for sensitive eyes. See your GP if redness remains after a few days.
85. HOOD WINKED To enhance eyes that are deep set or heavily hooded, use a light eyeshadow under the arch of the eyebrow to open up the area. Then apply a base of eyeshadow over the entire eyelid. Finish off with a little colour to highlight the side of your eyelid so that when you open your eyes the colour can be still be seen.
86. MORNING GLORY Before going to bed put your moisturizer and foundation in the fridge. If you have a puffy face in the morning it will be cool enough to calm it down and it feels wonderfully refreshing (great if you find it hard to wake-up in the morning!).
87. LOOK OUT Getting the right eyeshadow to enhance your eyes works wonders for the look of your whole face. If you’ve got brown eyes then try slate blue and navy colours, for blue eyes look for taupes and if you’re the owner of green eyes go for mauves and lilacs.
88. GO GREEN Buy a concealer with a green tint if you blush easily – it will cancel out rosy cheeks and red blotches or spots. Most pharmacies stock makeup ranges which include correction make-up with green tones to counteract redness (see tip 46).
89. BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT Wearing eye colour is a great way to help eyes look younger (see tip 2) but make sure you use a good foundation over eyelids first. It acts as a primer before adding powder eyeshadows. If not, powder will stick to creases and make skin look a lot more wrinkled.
90. KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Consider having permanent make-up applied at a salon if you dread the prospect of being caught barefaced. Popular treatments include eyeliner and lipliner, which is applied with a tiny needle that plants pigment just under the skin.
91. GETTING LIPPY Stop lipstick from creeping all over your face by lining lips with a matching lip pencil after applying lipstick. It prevents colour bleeding around your mouth, which shows up instantly with strong colours like bright reds or dark plums.
92. MOISTURE MUST HAVE Apply moisturizer to your face in upward sweeping motions to pull skin up, rather than dragging it down and making it sag. Spend two minutes every day massaging your face to boost circulation. If your skin is oily then only use moisturizer on dry areas like cheeks and avoid your forehead, nose and chin.
93. ROSY CHEEKS Blushing is a natural response to anxious situations and the key to stop cheeks going crimson is to relax. Hypnotherapy helps reprogramme your subconscious and retrain your mind and body to react in different ways to situations that cause you to blush. Have a few sessions with a registered and qualified hypnotist to get you started, then try a self-hypnosis tape or book.
94. SWEET DREAMS Studies show the skin’s ability to repair itself peaks at night – that’s why you should use a night cream once you turn 30. They’re usually thicker and contain more nourishing ingredients than day creams so they stimulate cell renewal much more and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. If your skin is greasy, then look for a light formulation that won’t clog pores.
95. TIRED EYES Line lower eyelids with a creamy white eye pencil. It may sound odd but it gives the illusion of opening up your eyes and makes them look bigger. It’s great for covering redness without having to wear lots of eye make-up. Apply it to the inside corner of both your upper and lower lids for best results.
96. RED WINE A small glass of red wine every now and then could help you look younger. Resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine, influences enzymes in the body which control the ageing process (but that doesn’t mean drink it by the bottle!).
97. GO BALMY Never apply lipstick if lips are chapped as it may aggravate them and make them look flaky and crusty. Instead use a medicated lip balm or petroleum jelly twice a day to lock moisture in and protect lips.
98. BAREFACED CHIC If you’re not a big fan or colour, keep make-up simple. For an Audrey Hepburn look, focus on covering flaws by blending light-reflecting concealer and foundation over your face. Dust over a little powder and sweep blusher on cheekbones. Then using a sharp brown eye pencil, fill in eyebrows lightly.
99. GLITZ ‘N’ GLAMOUR Metallic make-up is an up-to-date way to glam up an outfit. Blend metallic eyeshadow over your eyelids (you can take it up to the brows if you want a dramatic effect). Line your upper and lower lashes with a metallic eye pencil and apply black mascara. Keep the rest of your face simple, adding only blusher to the apples of your cheeks and gloss to the lips.
100. HOLLYWOOD SMILE Many celebrities owe their dazzling white teeth to veneers, thin sheets of porcelain or plastic moulded over teeth to change their colour and shape. They’re the perfect solution for teeth that are crooked, heavily discoloured, gappy or uneven. The downside is they’re very expensive. But saving up for a few visits to the dentist to fit veneers will totally transform your teeth for ten to fifteen years.
101. BROW BUSINESS Brush eyebrows into place before plucking. If it’s your first time, use a white eye pencil to draw the shape you want and then make sure eyes are symmetrical. Your starting point is the inner corner of your eye. Pluck towards the arch and then find the best place to end by placing a pen or pencil vertically in front of your nose with the tip pointing up. Then move the tip diagonally until it crosses in front of the outer corner of your eye. This is the natural end to most eyebrows and is the most flattering point for your face.
102. SOFT TOUCH If you’ve got sensitive skin and find facial exfoliators too harsh then invest in a muslin cloth and use it to cleanse your face every morning. It gently exfoliates without irritating delicate skin.
103. HIGH FIVE You’ve heard it before but you are what you eat. Limit damage to skin from the environment by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables (or at least the recommended five a day!). They’re packed with vitamins A, C and E, chemicals that neutralize the effects of pollution and sun damage. It’s worth its weight in gold.
104. PICTURE PERFECT If you want to hide a big nose, get photographs taken from an angle slightly above you. Alternatively, you can slightly lower your head when somebody is taking a photo directly in front of you. It minimizes your nose and makes eyes look bigger.
105. MASK IT Give skin a boost by doing a face mask every now and then. Pharmacies and beauty stores sell a huge variety to suit every skin type and problem. Choose between clay, cream or peel-off masks. Study the labels carefully because the wrong face pack will leave skin spotty, oily or dry as sandpaper.
106. SUN SAFE Keeping your face protected from the sun is the best way to keep skin looking young. But if you want to add a healthy glow then buy a tinted moisturizer. They’re a great combination product and come in a variety of shades to suit all skin types.
107. NUDE SCENE All the rage with celebrities, nude lips give you a natural and well-groomed look. Neutralize the pink colour in lips by applying a layer of foundation, than add gloss that’s got a tan tint.
108. LUXURY LINER If you have trouble drawing a steady line when using eye pencils or eyeliners, a good trick to steady hands is to place a mirror flat on a table and lean closely into it. Rest your elbow on the table and draw close to the eyelashes in an outward direction.
109. SANDPAPER SKIN Dermabrasion has become a popular anti-ageing treatment. It involves skin being ‘sanded’ by a machine and although you’re given a local anaesthetic there can be some discomfort afterwards and recovery takes two weeks. Micro-dermabrasion is a less painful alternative where a machine bombards skin with thousands of sterile crystals, then a pump removes the crystals along with dislodged skin. Both treatments should be carried out by a qualified surgeon or doctor.
110. BREATH OF FRESH AIR Having a good tooth-brushing routine is vital for oral health (see tip 12). But don’t forget your tongue if you get bad breath. You can buy specially designed tongue brushes but your toothbrush is every bit as good. Brush your tongue as part of your morning and night tooth-brushing routine.
111. LASH OUT Erase dark circles under eyes with a good concealer. Then sweep a soft neutral eyeshadow over your eyelids and up to your eyebrows for the perfect canvas for black liquid eyeliner and mascara. It really makes eyes stand out and your make-up will still look natural.