Dark circles

Dark circles under the eyeseyeseyes are most often caused by allergies, illness, a lack of sleep, or heredity. Knowing the cause of your dark circles can help you understand how to get ridridrid of them. For example, if allergies are the culprit, all you may need to see results is a more effective allergy medication. However, if you think your dark circles are the result of sleep deprivation, you may need to make an effort to go to bed earlier or reduce the amount of caffeine in your diet in order to get the rest you need.

If your dark circles are caused by heredity, you may find that they are almost impossible to completely eliminate. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to reduce the puffiness and skin discoloration that make dark circles under the eyes more noticeable.

In the morning, wash your face with cold water to help blood vessels constrict. Then, apply an eye cream that contains Retinol and vitamin K. Since it may take several months of daily use to see maximum results from the cream, you might want to consider using a little Preparation H to reduce the appearance of your dark circles in the meantime.

If you’re looking for an all-natural way to get rid of dark circles under your eyes, try applying cucumber slices, damp caffeinated tea bags, or an ice cube wrapped in a soft washcloth to your eyes for 10-15 minutes each day. However, if these home remedies seem to make your condition worse, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist. You may be suffering from a more serious skin condition that is causing the dark circles under your eyes.

While eating a healthy diet will help boost your energy and ward off illness, it’s also a great way to reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to prevent the vitamin deficiencies that can affect your skin’s appearance. Reducing your salt intake will also help improve the look of your skin, since too much salt can cause the body to retain water in undesirable places.

Dry skin makeup guide

Makeup can worsen dry skin conditions therefore dry skin should be prepared for makeup before applying it. It is essential to understand and follow the right methodology to apply makeup for dry skin.

Exfoliate: Exfoliating the skin will remove the dead cells. Therefore exfoliate face, neck and lips before applying makeup.

Moisturize: Moisturize your face after cleansing. Use a rich moisturizer that is non-greasy as oily formulations can clog the pores of the skin.

Primer: Apply a speck of makeup primer specially formulated for dry skin. Start applying from the center of your face outward.

Foundation: Use a liquid foundation, apply small dots and blend it into your skin using a makeup sponge. A base with very fine light reflective particles will give a natural look and dewy finish. Foundations with a reasonable degree of oil will retain moisture in the skin.

Concealer: Concealers that are liquid or creamy suit dry skin. Concealers can be used to hide birthmarks, dark spots, pimples and scars. Do not apply concealer under the eyes as it might highlight the dark circles. For dry skin makeup, choose a concealer that is a shade lighter than the foundation you use.

Eye makeup: Select creamy eye shadows and eyeliner. Use mascara and brow cosmetics of your choice.

Blush: Use a creamy blush as gels, powder and cheek stains do not suit dry skin type.

Lip makeup: Use a balm or salve. Over this, apply lip gloss or moisturizing lipstick.


Makeup application tips for dry skin

- Always use cosmetics designed specifically for dry skin.

- Before applying makeup, apply moisturizer and wait for a few minutes. This will soften the dry skin and bring out the best of your makeup.

- During summer you can use a tinted moisturizer in place of a regular foundation as it is very light when compared to foundations.

- Exfoliating the skin at least once a week helps the skin to absorb the moisturizer better.

- Use an eye cream as the skin around the eyes is very delicate and eye creams are absorbed better when compared to moisturizers.

- Use a foundation brush to apply foundation; this will help you use very little foundation thus avoiding a caked appearance. Apply foundation in downward strokes.

- Apply the cream blusher high on the cheek and blend well. Choose pink blush if you have a blue or pink undertone to the skin, peach color if you have a golden undertone to the skin.

- Use peach or neutral pink eye shadow all over the eyelid.



Choose the right makeup

Choose products that can cover the blemishes of dry skin.

Make sure that the creams and cosmetics have a water based combination.

Creams and cosmetics made from water-based fruits such as watermelon are best suited for dry skin makeup.

Makeup products for dry skin

For dry skin choose oil based or water based products. Avoid makeup products that are oil-free, avoid matte products too. Do not use powders, as they will dry the skin further.

Foundation: Use moisture rich, oil based, hydrating, light reflecting or silicone based liquid formulas. You can try cream or mousse foundations and tinted moisturizer too. Each of these products offers a special degree of coverage and finish.

Concealer: Use cream or liquid based forms.

Eye makeup: Use cream and silk textured powder. Use soft, creamy pencils and cream eyeliner.

Face Powder: Dry skin people need not use powder as it will make the skin further dry.

Hair extensions

Want long luscious locks but don't want to wait years for your hair to grow ? We help you work out which hair extensions are right for you.

Great Lengths hair extensions
Application: Attached to the natural hair with a patented keratin bond that the brand claims mimics your hair's molecular structure.
Removal: In salon-only. They're dissolved with a removal solution that promises not to damage your hair's natural cuticle.
Made from: It's 100 percent natural hair, available in 40 natural shades and 14 fashion colours.
Care factor: Be as cautious with blasting heat as you would with your natural hair. A Great Lengths soft-bristle brush is recommended to avoid tangling.
Cuts and colours: You can safely colour them with a semi-permanent or chemical-free highlights or lowlights.
Lasts: Two to three months and up to six if you use the Great Lengths home-care shampoos and conditioners.
You'll love them because: The cuticles are aligned in the same direction as your real hair so they're harder to detect (Paris Hilton, take note).
Cost: Highlights from $200-$350; half-head from $500-$700; full-head from $1000-$1400. Prices vary between salons.
More info: www.greatlengths.com.au.

Cinderella hair extensions
Application: A low-temperature bond applicator is used to attach each extension (25 strands of already-bonded hair) to your real hair.
Removal: In-salon only. A bond-removing solution is used to remove them without leaving residue on your real hair.
Made from: Human hair, but there's also a more budget-friendly synthetic Profibre option.
Care factor: Heat (including blow-dryers, curling tongs and straighteners) can be used on the human hair extensions, but not the Profibre extensions.
Cuts and colours: The human hair extensions can be cut and coloured but there are 65 shades to choose from, so you're likely to find the right one for you. Profibre extensions can't be cut or coloured.
Lasts: Three months if you treat them well (the human hair extensions may last longer).
You'll love them because: They offer a wide variety of colours and textures to match your hair (silky straight or body wave).
Cost: From $200.
More info: Schwarzkopf Professional, 1800 624 000.

Original Diva
Application: Original Diva Clip-On Inserts are clip-on extensions with a non-slip rubber grip. Original Diva Permanent Inserts use a Teflon-coated micro-ring that attaches a soft keratin tipped hair extension to the client's hair shaft.
Removal: The clip-ons simply "pop" out, while the permanent micro-rings are "squeezed" off.
Made from: 100 percent human hair.
Cuts and colours: Cut and colour with semi-permanents; straighten and curl as you would your normal hair.
Lasts: Around one year, but professionals recommend Original Diva permanent inserts be removed and reapplied every eight weeks.
You'll love them because: The "flare" technology means the base of the hair extensions puff out slightly and blend more naturally into your own hair.
Cost: From $10.95 for each clip-on strand and from $7.70 for each permanent strand.
More info: www.originaldiva.com.au.

Headlines Hairpieces
Application: In-salon only for an exact colour match and to learn how to fit and remove these clip-on extensions yourself.
Removal: Just unclip and you're done!
Made from: It's 100 percent real hair.
Care factor: Treat it like your own hair — don't blast with too much heat and wash out styling products the following day. Let them dry naturally if you can.
Cuts and colours: Brand claims to be able to match 80 percent of hair colours, but you can colour them if you wish. They come in a variety of lengths (30cm-50cm).
Lasts: At least 12 months but, if you're good to them, they could last years.
You'll love them because: You can change your look daily. They even do a clip-on fringe. They're also really popular with Australian celebs.
Cost: Volumisers from $182-$231; Extended Layer for thick hair from $289-$339; add-ons, such as a fringe from $150-$192; and Cubes for adding volume to ponytails from $80-$103.
More info: www.headlineshairpieces.com.au.

Hairdo Salon Clip-In hair
Application: Super easy they clip in and out.
Removal: Just like a regular hair accessory — you just unclip them.
Made from: It's 100 percent human hair. If you're on a budget, you can choose the Vibralite 50:50 human hair/synthetic extensions, which come in multi-tone shades.
Care factor: Take them out when you sleep and don't bombard the extensions with styling products or heat.
Cuts and colours: The 100 percent human hair extensions can be coloured, but Vibralite extensions come either curly or straight and cannot be restyled.
Lasts: Years, as long as you care for them well. Xtensions Moisturising Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner promises to extend the life of your Hairdo extensions.
You'll love them because: They're created by Jessica Simpson's hair stylist, Ken Paves (and who wouldn't want her locks?!). You can choose between wavy extensions (available in 16 shades) or straight extensions (available in multi-tone shades).
Cost: Hairdo Vibralite extensions from $159.95 to $179.95; 100 percent human hair extensions from $549.
More info: www.hair-do.com.au.

Vani-T Gloss Natural Clip-In Hair Extensions
Application: The manufacturers of Vani-T Gloss Natural Clip-In Hair Extensions claim the extensions provide instant length and volume with 100 percent human hair. Extensions are held in place with snap-lock clips with a non-slip grip for firm hold.
Removal: Simply unclip and remove easily yourself; it only takes a few minutes. Wear them as often or as little as you like.
Made from: 100 percent human hair.
Cuts and colours: May be coloured with semi-permanents; cut, straightened and curled as you would your natural hair.
Lasts: Several years, so long as you care for them just like you would your own hair.
You'll love them because: They're lightweight and easy to use, and adored by many celebs.
Cost: $350 for a set of five clip-in pieces.
More info: http://www.vani-t.com/.