Are you the type who feels garish and awkward in a full face of makeup? Does getting dressed up for a night out on the town make you feel like you’re wearing a Halloween costume? Do you prefer the natural look over super-stylized glamour?

If so, you’re not alone. There are millions of women just like you who’d rather not wear a lot of makeup. Whether you’re a holdover from the hippie era or your skin is sensitive to cosmetics, you shouldn’t feel like you have to slather on layers of makeup in order to look your best.

But at the same time, most professionals have a responsibility to look polished and pulled-together when they’re on the clock. So how can you put your best face forward without feeling uncomfortable? The answer may be a scaled-down makeup routine that looks neat and still emphasizes your natural beauty. Here are a few tips to help you look poised, pretty, and professional without resorting to a full face of makeup.

• Begin with the bare minimum. Aim for a flawless complexion with a light dusting of mineral powder or a very sparing coat of tinted moisturizer.

• Keep eyes light and bright. A very light coat of earth tone or neutral eyeshadow will help enhance your eyes and add a polished look.

• Enhance your brows and lashes. A little work on your eyelashes and eyebrows can go along way toward giving you a well-groomed appearance with little or no actual makeup. By curling your lashes and keeping your brows shaped and plucked, you’ll achieve a polished look without the hassle of layers of mascara. If you like a little more eyelash definition, try a few coats of clear mascara.

• Opt for a neutral lip colour. There are many options for women who want just a kiss of colour and shine. A lightly tinted gloss in a neutral shade is always a great look.

• Neat nails are the final touch. A French manicure will have your hands looking neat and neutral in no time at all. If you prefer an even lower-maintenance routine, opt for a clear or lightly tinted polish applied to closely trimmed nails.

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As temperatures begin to dip, it’s time to swap your summer beauty routine for a regimen that’s designed to protect against the ravages of winter weather. Dry skin, one of the most common complaints associated with cold weather, can be very unsightly and uncomfortable.

However, skin experts say that the long-term impact of winter skin can be even more damaging. If left untreated, dry skin can actually speed up the aging process, making your fine lines and blemishes more pronounced. That’s why it’s particularly important to take extra care of your skin when chilly temperatures begin to set in.

If you’re ready to implement a few cold-weather skin care tips, take a cue from the top beauty experts. Here are a few basic pointers to help you get your winter skin care regimen on track.

• Avoid extremely hot water. Nothing feels better than a piping hot bath on a cold winter’s day, but beauty experts say this is a skin care no-no. High temperatures can tend to dry out the skin, so play it safe and stick to lukewarm water most of the time.

• Steer clear of alcohol-based products. The same products you rely on to clean your complexion might actually be drying out your most precious beauty asset. During the colder months, avoid using harsh toners and cleansers that contain alcohol and other ingredients that may dry your skin.

• Use a heavy-duty moisturizer. If you usually don’t use moisturizer, choose a lightweight formula and apply it several times each day. If you already have a favourite moisturizing product, use more of it than you do during the warmer months. If you have trouble keeping your hands moisturized at night, wear a pair of thin cotton gloves over heavily moisturized skin.

• Stay hydrated. When it comes to keeping your skin moisturized during the winter, what you put on your skin is only half of the equation. Don’t forget to drink lots of liquids during the day, as well. Consider purchasing a humidifier if the air in your home tends to be very dry at night.

• Cover up. If you have to brave the elements, make sure your skin is covered. Exposing your face and hands to the cold weather is one of the worst culprits when it comes to winter dryness. A scarf and gloves will not only keep you warm, they’ll also minimize your level of direct exposure to the cold winter air.

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Everywhere you turn this autumn, you’re likely to notice that the retro look is making a big comeback. The fall fashion shows celebrated sleek mid-century looks with an array of pencil skirts, tailored suits, and even a few pillbox hats. These silhouettes hearken back to the glamorous styles of the 1950s and 1960s, although they’ve been updated with a bit of 21st century sophistication.

The retro look is a great way to ease into your colder weather wardrobe. But if you want to pull this style off, you’ve got to commit to it wholeheartedly. To get it right, you’ve got to make sure your hair, makeup, and accessories all reflect the spirit and style of the period.

When it comes to cosmetics, the centrepiece of the retro look is a bold, generously applied lip colour. Whether you prefer a dark burgundy shade or classic fire engine red, retro lip colours are rich and matte. Here are a few pointers to help you get the lip look you need to match your retro fashion flair.

• Pick a colour that works with your skin tone. Even when you’re opting for a bold colour choice, it’s important to choose a lip shade that works well with your skin and hair. Choose red shades if you have pale skin, but opt for purplish or burgundy shades if your skin is dark or has olive undertones.

• Set your lip colour with a primer or base. When choosing a bold lip colour, you need to set the stage for perfect application by using a product that will help you achieve a flawless finish and extend the life of your colour. Apply a specially formulated lip colour primer or a thin coat of foundation before you put on your lipstick. Make sure it’s fully dry before you add colour.

• Use concealer to help avoid creeping and bleeding. One of the most common problems associated with bolder lip colours is “colour creep,” a phenomenon that occurs when lipstick leaves the lip area and creates unsightly blurs and smears on the surrounding skin. Experts suggest that you can reduce the risk of creeping and bleeding by applying a very thin line of concealer around the borders of your lips.

• Avoid a glossy finish. When you’re aiming for a retro look, matte is where it’s at. For authentic ‘50s flair, leave your lip gloss at home. After you’ve applied your lipstick, blot your lips with a piece of tissue for an ultra-matte finish.

• Hang on to shades that don’t work on their own. When you’re searching for bolder lip colour, the process of finding just the right shade can be tricky. If you wind up with a colour that’s not perfect, resist the urge to pitch it into the trash immediately. Instead, see if it can be salvaged or repurposed by combining it with another shade or topping it with a coloured gloss.

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Have you ever wondered how the starlets, supermodels, debutantes, and ingénues that populate the pages of the fashion magazines all seem to have been blessed with such lush lashes? Well, the truth just might surprise you – in most cases, those enviable, inch-long eyelashes are fakes.

If you’ve always thought that false eyelashes were popular only among those with questionable taste, think again. Over the last few years, false eyelashes have soared in popularity. Today, they’re a beauty must for in-the-know fashionistas all over the globe.

In terms of quality and ease of use, today’s false eyelashes are a far cry from the spidery, messy products that were popular decades ago. Even a first-time user can get the lush, full eyelashes they’re looking for with little difficulty.

Are you thinking about giving false eyelashes a try? Use these steps to achieve a picture-perfect application.

Just a trim. The secret to great-looking false eyelashes is ensuring that they look as natural as possible. One important step is making sure that the false eyelashes are a good match to your real lashes in size, shape, and colour. Using cosmetic scissors, snip the false eyelashes into the right shape.

Lay the foundation. Start with clean eyelashes. Begin by curling your lashes with an eyelash curler. Then, apply a thick, even coat of your favourite mascara. This will make the application process go more smoothly, as the texture will make it easier for the false eyelashes to “stick.”

Press end to end. After you’ve applied a thin layer of glue and situated the false eyelashes in place, secure them with a finger at each corner of your eyelid and press. After holding for one or two minutes, remove your hand very slowly to ensure that the false eyelashes won’t stick to your fingers.

Use liner to fill in the blanks. You can enhance the optical illusion of false eyelashes by using eyeliner to trace over the border where the lashes meet your lid. This will eliminate the choppy, unnatural look that gaps in the false eyelashes can leave.

Go for a natural look. Before you walk out the door fluttering your newly applied false eyelashes, do one last check to make sure everything’s in place. Experts recommend checking your false eyelashes near a sunny window or on your back patio to make sure they look fantastic in natural light.

Ready to take the plunge? Take a look at our selection of false eyelashes here.

You know the drill: you dedicate a big chunk of your morning makeup routine to getting your lips just right. You painstakingly follow the advice of all the fashion magazines and make use of the latest and most popular products. You prime, you plump, you line, you gloss. And within an hour of leaving the house, your lip colour has done a disappearing act.

Does this scenario sound familiar? If so, don’t despair. You don’t have to call in the authorities to get to the bottom of the case of the vanishing lipstick. According to the top beauty gurus, the problem probably lies in your lip colour application technique.

Let’s face it – your lips are not the best canvas for holding on to colour. They’re moist and soft, and they’re front and centre in a variety of lip colour-endangering activities like drinking, eating, talking, and kissing. If you don’t use an application technique that’s specifically designed to help your lipstick last, you’ll be stuck with pale, washed-out lips.

Want to boost your lip colour’s staying power? These hints from top beauty experts can help your lipstick last all day long.

Read the label. Today’s cosmetic formulas are a far cry from the more rudimentary ones that existed even a decade ago, scientifically speaking. Most of the long-wearing lip colours you can find these days have been engineered to last for up to 12 hours at a stretch without drying up. If you prefer a glossy finish, try one of the new two-part formulas that have flooded the market in recent years.

Prime time. The real secret to long-wearing lip colour lies in a strong foundation. Experts recommend priming your lips, either with a specially designed lip primer product or with a light, even coat of foundation or liquid base. This layer will “grab” your lip colour and help it last for hours longer than it would on its own.

Line up. Lip liner is another way that you can extend the staying power of your lip colour. After you’ve applied a coat of primer, line your lips slightly outside of your natural lip line. Then, fill in the rest of your lips with the liner. This will add depth, dimension, and unbeatably longevity to your lipstick. Choose a colour that’s close to your natural lip shade for best results.

Powder puff. After you apply a coat of your favourite lip colour, dust on a very light layer of face powder and then add a second coat of lipstick on top. The layer of powder between the two coats will “set” the colour and significantly extend the wear of your lip product.

Apply dry. If you’re the type who prefers a wet look, begin by patting your lips dry. Although it may sound counterintuitive, this step is necessary to extend the life of what is usually the shortest-wearing type of lip product. It is very difficult for gloss to “cling” to moist lips, so applying it to a drier surface will help you squeeze every last bit of wear out of your favourite gloss.

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If you start up a conversation about makeup with your girlfriends, you’ll quickly find out that almost every woman has an eyeliner horror story in her past. Whether your high school yearbook picture included layers of bright blue on the inner rim of your eyes or great swooping wings of black liquid eyeliner applied with an unsteady hand, it’s time to move on.

Although it can be tricky to apply, eyeliner can add an attractive dimension to your daytime or night-time look when it’s done properly. Without liner, your eyes may not be getting the attention they deserve. A bit of defining colour can go a long way toward highlighting one of your most enticing facial features.

Some women report that they are hesitant to incorporate eyeliner into their beauty routine for fear of applying it incorrectly. With the right techniques and a bit of practice, your confidence will grow. Before you know it, you’ll be an eyeliner pro. Here are a few tips from the experts to help you get started.

Set the stage. Before you apply eyeliner, wash your face and make sure all lingering traces of eye makeup are removed. If you’re using a pencil, make sure that the tip is sharp. Lightly sweep a sparing application of facial powder over your eyelids as a foundation.

From the outside in. Hold the eyeliner in one hand. Place a finger from your other hand on the inner corner of your eyelid, holding it steady. Beginning at the outer corner, work your way towards the centre of the eyelid with short, overlapping strokes of the pencil. Then, repeat the procedure from the opposite direction until you’ve achieved the look you’re after.

Think soft and sexy. In most cases, a sharp, thick application of eyeliner is not a flattering style. This look can be aging, and it can also make your eyes look smaller than they really are. After you’ve applied your eyeliner, you can soften the line by gently smudging it with a damp sponge applicator.

Clean up. If you’ve made any mistakes while you’re applying your eyeliner, you can erase them by using a damp cotton swab. If you’re using liquid eyeliner or a waterproof formula, dip the cotton swab in a liquid makeup remover – this should easily clean up even the most egregious mistakes.

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If you’re in the market for fine cosmetics and skin care products, it’s likely that the offerings of beauty industry luminary Estée Lauder will rank among your top choices. This long-time leader in the field burst onto the scene in 1946, initially introducing a limited line of crèmes, cleansers, and skin care products to New York City department stores.

The company’s product line was met with excited enthusiasm from the public, and Estée Lauder’s offerings were quickly expanded to meet growing customer demand. The brand became a flagship offering of a number of international department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods.

Estée Lauder is recognized as an innovator in the luxury cosmetics market, having been one of the first companies to experience success with diversified product lines that included wide-ranging offerings such as fragrances and skin care products designed for men. The company’s uniquely glamorous image has been boosted by spokesmodels such as Karen Graham, Willow Bay, Paulina Porizkova, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Rhoda, Elizabeth Hurley, and Carolyn Murphy.

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Studies have shown that as many as 80% of women experience problems with dark under-eye circles at some point in their adult lives. Other surveys have indicated that these unsightly bags rank behind only blemishes and wrinkles as the most distressing beauty problem women face.

Although late nights and hectic lifestyles undoubtedly play a role in causing dark under-eye circles, scientists have also suggested that genetics could be a major factor, as well. Dark circles tend to run in families, so if your mother and grandmother were forced to deal with the dreaded “raccoon eyes,” it’s more than likely that you will, too.

The good news is that with the right kind of makeup and a bit of beauty know-how, you can make those dark circles virtually disappear. Here are a few clever tips, tricks, and techniques from the experts to help you escape from the curse of dark under-eye circles.

Fight purple with yellow. Use the power of the colour spectrum to fight your under-eye shadows. Because yellow lies on the other side of the colour wheel from the dark purple and blue tones that comprise most under-eye circles, concealers that are yellowish in tone are very effective at minimizing the appearance of unsightly bags. Choose a product that is specifically designed for under-eye application.

Choose a slightly darker concealer. If you have darker skin or severe under-eye circles, a yellow-toned concealer may not be the answer to your problem. Instead, opt for a product that is slightly darker than your normal foundation. The shade differential will offer you additional camouflaging power that should help disguise even the most persistent under-eye circles.

Avoid oil-based products. Although oil-based concealers are generally regarded to have more covering power than other types of formulas, they aren’t ideal for covering up under-eye circles. These products can sometimes sink into the fine lines, crevices, nooks, and crannies under and around the eyes, calling attention to the very area you’re trying to conceal.

Set your look with powder. After you’ve worked your magic with concealer, make sure that you lock it in with a light, even dusting of translucent powder. Because the under-eye area is particularly prone to perspiration, your cosmetic artwork is likely to smear and run if you don’t boost its staying power with an application of powder.

Draw attention away from your baggage. If concealer alone just isn’t enough to minimize the appearance of your under-eye circles, use the time-honoured technique of distraction to deflect attention from them. Choose a bold lip colour or eyeshadow to create a competing focal point. Just one caveat: avoid colours with bluish or purplish undertones, which could have the unintended effect of emphasizing your under-eye circles.

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When it comes to planning your big night out, half the fun is prettifying and primping beforehand. Whether you’re gearing up for a hot date, a romantic dinner for two, or a girls’ night outing, it’s always exciting to set aside your office-appropriate makeup and attire and glam things up a bit.

Still, some women are intimidated by the prospect of adopting a bolder look for evening and opt instead for a slightly enhanced version of their workaday style, while others take things too far and wind up with a look that’s more garish than gorgeous. According to beauty experts, the happy medium you should aim for is somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.

Need a few ideas to help you create the perfect look for a night out on the town? Take a look at these tips from top beauty experts, then pop a bottle of bubbly, put on some fun music, and get ready to pamper yourself as you prepare for the big event.

Disguise blemishes and dark circles. In dim mood lighting, skin eruptions and discolourations can be exaggerated and thrown into sharp relief, so it’s important to begin your evening beauty routine by camouflaging any not-so-cute features that might stand up. Dab light layers of concealer on blemishes or circles with your finger until they disappear from view.

Apply base generously. The foundation of your evening look is a flawless, porcelain complexion. Using a product that is a close match with your natural skin tone, apply makeup in light, even layers. Multiple light layers will allow you to use exactly the right amount of product without overdoing it. Immediately after you’ve applied the base, use a light dusting of powder all over your face and neck to “set” the foundation.

Create enticing eyes.  Bold, smoky, glamorous eyes should be the centrepiece of your evening look. Lay the foundation with a base coat of off-white, ivory, or buff eyeshadow applied evenly from brow to lashes. Then, create drama with a layer of shadow in a medium to dark earth tone, such as sable brown or slate grey. Using a brush or an applicator, completely cover the area between the lashes and the top of the eyelid. Blend lightly with your fingertips to remove lines and excess eyeshadow.

Shape your facial contours. Now it’s time to create a sophisticated profile by visually enhancing your cheeks with blusher. To create the illusion of high cheekbones, suck in your cheeks and apply blush generously in the hollows. Use light, even strokes, moving the brush upward and outward until you’ve achieved a dramatic look.

Add the finishing touches. The last step in creating your evening look is assessing the overall impact and then adding just the right touch with a layer of mascara and eyeliner. Select a liner in the same colour family as your eyeshadow and create a line of medium thickness along your upper row of eyelashes. Smudge gently for a soft, sexy look. Finish with black or black-brown mascara, applying two generous coats to the top lashes and one lighter coat the bottom lashes.

Voila! Now you’re ready to paint the town red. Have fun!

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