Defend Innocence and August Kudos

Every month, Younique offers its customers, and presenters, an amazing deal known as the Customer Kudos. This usually comes in the form of a bundle or set that gives you great products, and sometimes new products, for a limited time deal. This month is no different, but in addition to new products and a great deal, Younique's August Kudos is dealing with something much more important.

1 in 5 children will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. That's an insane and disturbing number. Children are being stripped of their innocence every day and on of the biggest problems is people just aren't talking about it. An even more disturbing statistic is that 90% of the time the abuser is known to the child. These can be family members, friends, teachers, caregivers of all sorts. They are KNOWN by the child. Not only are they being robbed of their innocence, but they are losing the sense of trust in someone they thought cared about their well being. 

Younique has joined with Defend Innocence to bring much needed awareness to this issue. This is an uncomfortable topic, but it needs to be addressed publicly and frequently. For more information, please check out their website. There is so much education to be done, and it's a very good place to start.

August's Customer Kudos comes with 3 brand new colors of some of our current products. Sitting Pretty is a beautiful light pink shade of our Opulence lipstick. Purposeful is a deep purple shade of our Precision Eyeliner. And Hopeful is a gorgeous shimmery light pink shade of our Splurge Cream shadow. In addiiton to these new colors (to be released in our fall product line), the Kudos includes an exclusive Defend Innocence wrap bracelet and a booklet of information and statistics about childhood abuse and exploitation.

To purchase your Kudos, please visit www.lashcrave.ca

For more information on Defend Innocence or to become a Defender, check out www.defendinnocence.org

#defendinnocence #startdefending

 

Sunless Tanner Tips

When you're tan, you feel better about yourself - Nicole Polizzi

Most of you may not know that for a while I was a spray tan technician. Which means I know a lot of tips on how to make your spray tan and sunless tanning products look their best! And I'm going to share them with you!

Spray Tan Do's and Don'ts:

• DO - Exfoliate: whether you have dry skin or not, you should exfoliate before self tanning. You can use a scrub or a dry brush to slough off dead skin. This will make your tan look better and last a bit longerP.
• DO - Shave: If you shave, or wax, do it before you tan! This is basically another form of exfoliation. PLUS, shaving afterward is going to negatively affect the longevity of your tan, so do it beforehand!
• DON'T - Moisturize: Moisturizer or lotion will form a barrier between your skin and the tanning product, so it won't be very effective. If you do have really dry skin, try moisturizing plenty the day before OR wait 4 or 5 hours between moisturizing and applying your tanning product.
• DO - Apply lotion to hands and feet: Your palms and the bottom of your feet have no melanin, which means they can turn orange from sunless tanners. Apply lotion to palms, bottom of feet and between fingers.
• DON'T - Wear tight clothing: You don't want your product to rub off before it has a chance to work its magic, so wear loose fitting clothing or leave treated areas exposed. 
• DO - Wait: Wait as long as you can before showering, exercising or entering any water. 
• DON'T - Forget to wash your hands: Your palms take tanning product differently than the rest of your skin, so if you apply with your hands, make sure to wash them!
• DO - Invest in an applicator: Sometimes our hands just can't do it right! Try a reusable applicator like the Beachfront Body Applicator from Younique to get a less streaky tan.  
• DON'T - Forget to reapply: Self tanners only last so long. Apply daily until you reach your desired color and then apply every other day to maintain it. Salon spray tans usually last between 7 and 14 days.
• DO - Start from the bottom: When applying a self tanner, start at your calf and work your way up. This will prevent any unwanted smudge marks from bending over. 
• DO - Save the ankles, knees and elbows for last: Since these areas tend to be more dry, just swipe once with any leftover product on your hands/applicator to avoid dark spots. 

Don't forget to check out Younique's new tanning products!

Beachfront Body Bronzer

Beachfront Self-Tanning Spray

Beachfront Self-Tanning Body Lotion

What You Should Know: Tanning Beds and UV rays

If you know me at all, you know I am a HUGE supporter of Sun safety. As a result, I myself am quite pale (which I am okay with). I have very fair skin which is very prone to burning, so I always take precautions when out in the sun.

This has planted the seed for my hatred of tanning beds. That is putting it mildly. People are putting themselves in danger when there are many sunless tanning options! But the worst part is, salons are passing this off as a HEALTHY way to tan!

The only way to prevent that is to spread the truth. So here's a quick lesson about UV rays and tanning beds:

In natural sunlight, there are 3 types of UV rays: UVA, the long rays which penetrate deep into your skin and give you that golden tan, UVB, the short waves responsible for redness and any sunburns that may occur, and UVC, which doesn't penetrate our atmosphere (which is good because it would kill us all). In natural sunlight the amount UVA is much greater than UVB, but in such a way that they still naturally fight against each other. This means each UV ray is cancelling out some of the worse effects of the other. Interestingly enough, in natural sunlight UVB is more likely to cause skin cancer than UVA.

Here's the killer part. In tanning beds, you have an major overabundance of UVA and very minimal UVB to counter any of its effects (to lessen the chances of burning, but still get that tan). In fact, tanning beds emit up to 12 times more UVA than the Sun! As a result, the natural balance is thrown off and effects of the UVA become much more damaging. UVA penetrates deep into the dermis, which damages collagen and elastin which causing wrinkles and premature aging, causes sunspots and the dreaded Big C. The high quantities of UVA in tanning beds is also why those who frequent them are even MORE likely to get skin cancer than those who tan outside (which is STILL dangerous, by the way).

SAFE SUN TIPS:

- Wear sunscreen: Find one that blocks UVA and UVB with a decent SPF. Reapply when you spend    prolonged amounts of time outside or if you sweat or go swimming.
- Cover up: Its hard to do when it's hot, I know! Try a light cardigan and a hat.
- Sunless tanner: If you simply need that glow, try a spray tan or a sunless tanner!
- Limit sun exposure: Especially when the UV Index is high. UV rays are strongest between 10am        and 2pm.
- Drink lots of water: Or any cool beverage to stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol.
- Wear sunglasses: You can burn your eyeballs! Gross, but true.

10 Most Common Makeup Mistakes

Adjust your makeup to the light in which you wear it. - Helena Rubinstein

Makeup is supposed to be fun. It's an artistic medium for a lot of women (and men!) and that means that many of the rules are made to be broken. However, if you are looking for a makeup look you can wear everyday and not just for a photoshoot, there are some guidelines that are beneficial to follow. Check out these common mistakes and some suggestions on avoiding them!

1. Not Blending

This is probably one of the most common mistakes women make! You really want to blend everything! Harsh lines make your makeup look obvious and, frankly, a little lazy and amateur. 

When applying foundation, make sure you blend your foundation down your neck to avoid the dreaded "mask." Brushes can also be a huge help when it comes blending. Try a nice blending brush or crease brush for your eyes and a round, fluffy blush brush when applying your blush. 

2. Overdrawn Eyebrows

Eyebrows are perhaps one of the most important facial features. The brows frame your entire face! But don't mistake a dark or heavy brow for a good brow. Color-wise you should match the natural color of the brow, don't go too dark! For a natural look, use small, hairlike strokes with a sharp brow pencil or an angled liner brush with powder. Using thick or heavy lines will give a fake appearance and you're goal should always be to look natural!

3. Improper Eyeliner Techniques

This mistake applies to liner on both the top or the bottom lid. Unless you're going for a Goth look, save your heavy black liner for the top lid, especially if you have very small eyes. Dark liner on the bottom lash line will close off your eye making them look even smaller. Instead, try a white liner or lighter shadow to make your eyes pop and look larger. 

If you have hooded eyes, you may want to pass on top liner altogether. A thick line will cause any eye shadow you have applied to disappear as soon as you open your eyes. Opt for a thin line, or blend into your existing shadow. 

Also, make sure you follow your natural eye shape when applying liner to your top lash line, this will help you ensure both of your eyes get the same liner shape!

4. Clumpy Mascara

This mistake usually occurs simply because too much product is being used. If you need to use more than 1-2 coats of mascara, you may need to try a different formula to get your desired look. If clumps are occurring with just one coat, your mascara may be old or the wand is gunked up. Try wiping the wand off on a tissue to remove excess product. If that doesn't help, invest in a new tube. A lash comb is also a great investment to remove clumps.

5. Wrong Foundation Shade

This is a BIG one. A incorrect foundation can make you look like you're wearing a mask. Foundation is designed to even out your existing skin tone, not create a new one, so if you go too light or too dark, it isn't fulfilling its purpose.

When shopping for a new foundation, don't hesitate to ask a sales person for help! That is why they are there! Many makeup departments will allow you to test a product before you purchase it. When testing a foundation, it's best to pick the shade you think you are, and the 2 adjacent shades (1 lighter, 1 darker). And the best location to test your foundation? Not where you might think! Many women tend to test on the back of the hand or on the wrist, but the best place is along your jawline.

6. Too Much Blush

Blush is meant to give you a beautiful natural glow. If you have a thick stripe of blush on each side of your face, there are a few ways to fix it:
1) BLEND!: See #1
2) Try a new shade: the blush you're using may be too dark for your skin tone
3) Use less product: A light dusting is all you need!

7. Improper Lip Liner Techniques

Thanks to Kylie Jenner, so many women are overdrawing their lips to achieve a fuller look. In case you haven't heard, Kylie's look is mostly from lip fillers, not lip liner! Now, don't get me wrong, this can be done in a way that looks nice. This is done by only just slightly over-lining your lips; follow your natural lip, don't try to create a new one. If you still can't achieve a fuller look, try using a white liner or a highlighter to accentuate your cupid's bow and give you the appearance of a fuller lip.

Another liner mistake is matching your liner to your lipstick instead of your natural lip color. When your lipstick comes off and your liner remains, it is not a good look! If you do want to match your liner to your lipstick, make sure you are blending the liner down onto the lip, or fill in your whole lip! That way when your lipstick fades, your liner won't stand out so much.

8. Not Using Primer 

Face primer is a must for any makeup wearer! When you don't use a primer, your makeup settles into any fine lines or pores you have. We spend so much time putting our makeup on, why not try to make it last all day! Primer also helps you get the best color payoff from your products! 

Try Younique's Glorious primer for a silky smooth finish. Check out this comparison of an orange's dimples, with and without Glorious Primer:

9. Not Cleaning Your Brushes

Okay, we all do it. We get a bit lazy and postpone washing our makeup brushes. But did you know that this bad habit can lead to breakouts!? Pimples, allergic reactions, sensitive skin, PINK EYE! All kinds of nastiness! Anything you may have been fighting off can be reintroduced to your system via your brushes! Regular washing is not only better for your skin AND your health, but it can also prolong the life of your (often expensive) brushes! Try using a brush cleaner spray in between washing to keep some of the germs at bay and wash you brushes every 1-2 weeks, depending on your use!

10. Too Much Shimmer

Anytime you apply a shimmer you are accentuating that feature. The light refracts off the glittery particles and make these features appear larger and more prominent. A subtle highlight can give you a nice healthy glow, but when you go overboard it can look like you just came down from the Mothership. 

When applying shadow to the eye crease, you are trying to create depth, so try to use matte in the crease and keep shimmery shadow on the lid. For a more natural look try using a matte skin tone shade on the brow bone as opposed to a silver or gold. You can highlight your face with matte colors, as well. Just choose a powder/concealer/foundation a shade or two lighter than your skin tone.    

9 Tips For Great Lashes

"Lashes are the new breasts. Women are obsessed with getting a bigger, better pair." - Vogue Magazine

It's true, isn't it? These days women are obsessed with putting their best lash forward. Products, procedures, home remedies; we're always trying something new to perfect our lash game. Today I am going to give you my Top Tips for great lashes. From the basics to the not-so-common to the secrets. Here is your Perfect Lash guide!

1. Lash Curler

This tip is pretty straightforward. If your lashes have very little to no natural curl, you absolutely need a lash curler in your arsenal (Check out this one from Younique). However, there are many different ways to use that precious handheld tool. 

• Try experimenting with the angle you're holding your curler. Tilting your curler toward your brow bone has been known to give a better curl.

• Start at the base of your lashes and work out to the tip in small sections

• Gently pump your curler on your lashes, instead of just clamping down.

• If your lashes still won't curl, try heating your curler with a hair dryer for 10 seconds or so. Tap curler on the back of your hand to test the temperature, you don't want to burn your eyelid!

2. Mascara

Finding a mascara you love, is like finding a needle in a haystack. There are so many different brands and formulas and wands and they all claim to be the best. My opinion is to figure out what you want from your mascara and when you find one you love, stick with it! Unless you are a mascara addict, sticking with the same product will save you the headache.

• A volumizing mascara is good for those who have sparse or thin lashes. It plumps them up and makes your lashes appear thicker and fuller.

• If you have straight lashes you will want to opt for a curling mascara. These mascaras usually have a wand that is specially designed to give added curl. If your lashes are particularly stubborn, try a waterproof mascara. The wax in the formula will help hold the curl, while a water based mascara will cause your lashes to fall flat. 

• If you have been cursed with short lashes, try a lengthening mascara or a fiber extension mascara. 

3. Lash Tint

If you don't wear makeup very often or have very light eyelashes, chances are you could benefit from lash tinting. Lash tinting is a spa service most often performed by Estheticians or other salon professionals. Many of these tints come from natural sources and are safe to be used around the eyes, but an allergy test should be administered as a precaution. The results of a tint will usually lasts 6-8 weeks and will give you dark lashes without using mascara.  

4. Falsies

Whether you are looking to fill in sparse areas or add dramatic length, there is a false lash for you! Once you get the hang of false lash application, they can be a beneficial way to give your look a boost.

• Strip lashes provide a full set of false lashes that usually conceal your natural lashes. These often give the most dramatic look, but there are also many natural looking options available.
• Cluster lashes are small segments of fake lashes that flare out from the base. These are placed at regular intervals and often give a fuller look. 
• Individual lashes are single lashes that can be used to fill in sparse or missing lashes to create a fuller look. The results tend to look the most natural compared to other false lashes. 

5. Extensions

Eyelash extensions are an extremely popular option these days, despite being quite an expensive procedure. Extensions can give anything from a natural look to a dramatic look that lasts a lot longer than most other options. Each extension is attached directly onto an individual lash with a specially formulated glue that is designed for long term adhesion. This option is the best for those who don't want to fuss with their lashes every day. Fills are usually required every 4-6 weeks. 

*The jury of Amber is still out on eyelash extensions. 

6. Conditioning

If you find your lashes to be dry or brittle, you may be in need of a nice lash conditioner. There are many DIYs, as well as actual products, that can be used for this purpose. To do this yourself at home, the secret is OIL. Olive oil, coconut oil, Vitamin E oil, Vaseline; all of these products can help you condition your lashes and you probably already have a few lying around at home! BONUS: This will also help your lashes grow long and strong!

7. Lash Perm

When you have stubborn, stick straight lashes like I do, sometimes a lash curler just won't cut it. That's where lash perms come in. Yes. Lash PERM. You don't hear about this often, but it is a pretty awesome procedure that uses the same type of product you would use to perm the hair on your head, except in a cream form. The lashes are rolled onto a sticky cotton rod and the solution is brushed onto the area where the curl is desired. Just like a lash tint, these should be performed by a professional and the results usually last 6-8 weeks.

8. The "Hair Dryer" Trick

Do you have a hair dryer? Does it have a cool setting? Try this trick! After you apply your mascara, while it is still wet, hold your hair dryer near your mouth and aim it up toward your lashes. This method gives an amazing lift and curl and helps dry your mascara. 

9. Vitamins

We all know vitamins are beneficial to our health, whether you get them through your food or ingest them via supplements. If you are looking to grow or strengthen your lashes try some of the following:

• Niacin (Vitamin B-3) - Meat, Fish, Peanuts, Mushrooms
• Vitamin C - Oranges, Kiwis, Bell peppers, Strawberries
• Vitamin E - Almonds, Avocado, Olive oil
• Biotin (Vitamin H) - Eggs, Dairy, Meat
• Calcium - Dairy, Broccoli, Spinach
• Vitamin D - Fish, Egg yolk, Breakfast cereals

What are your favorite tips for great lashes? Did I miss any good ones? Let me know!

Welcome!

Hi all! Welcome to my Beauty Blog! Here's a little introduction for those of you who don't know me.

I'm Amber. I'm an Esthetician and Younique Presenter. I currently run my own home based salon in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. I've been in the beauty industry for 4 years, but like many women I've really been in the beauty industry since childhood. From green velvet eyeshadow and LipSmackers to high end and Professional brands. 

My love of makeup started young, but my REAL passion started with watching YouTube makeup tutorials. I was too shy to make my own and, let's be completely honest here, my talents were lacking. I was studying Business when I heard about a school offering Makeup Artistry. At this point I had become involved with nail designs as well. I couldn't decide between a Nail Technology or Makeup Artistry course, so I decided to take the full Esthetics course. And I am SO glad I did! I love doing waxing, facials and massage, which I would have missed out on!

I love sharing my beauty knowledge and products I love with people. From makeup to nails, waxing to skin care, I can be your Beauty Girl! I am passionate about this industry. I love helping women feel beautiful and confident; there are few feelings in the world better than making people feel good about themselves! 

Stay tuned for future posts and I hope you see something you like! And feel free to ask me anything, I'd love to answer your questions. Maybe you'll inspire a post or video!