If you have ever wondered which device mimics the body’s natural electrical energy to re-educate and tone facial muscles, the answer is a microcurrent device. It is one of several facial treatment devices used in salons and at home, alongside galvanic, high frequency, ultrasonic and LED tools, each working in a different way. The device…
Many spas and salons offer both a Dermalogica facial and a so-called Clarity facial, and the menu descriptions can sound similar. Both cleanse, exfoliate and treat the skin, so it is not always obvious which one to book, especially if you are dealing with breakouts, blackheads or dullness. A Dermalogica facial is a treatment built…
Skinimalism, sometimes spelled skinminimalism, is a reaction against ten-step routines and shelves full of half-used products. The idea is simple: use fewer, well-chosen products, let your skin look like skin, and spend less time and money on steps that add little. It has grown popular as more people notice that long routines can irritate skin…
Working as a makeup artist looks glamorous from the outside: weddings, photo shoots, fashion shows and grateful clients. The reality is a mix of genuine rewards and real pressures, and anyone thinking about the career deserves an honest picture of both sides before investing in training and a kit. The main advantages of being a…
Many brides are surprised to find that the same makeup artist charges noticeably more for wedding makeup than for a party or photo shoot look. It can feel like a wedding markup, but in most cases the difference reflects real extra work, time and responsibility that ordinary bookings do not involve. Makeup artists charge more…
Tipping etiquette can feel confusing, especially for services you only book once in a while. Hairdressers are commonly tipped in many countries, but makeup artists work in so many different settings, from salons and department store counters to freelance bridal work, that it is not always clear what is expected. In many places, including the…
Your wedding makeup has to look good in person, in daylight, under venue lights and in photos you will keep for decades. It also has to last through tears, hugs, eating and dancing. The artist you choose shapes all of that, as well as how calm your morning feels. Taking time to choose carefully is…
Freelance makeup artistry appeals to creative people who like working with others and want to set their own schedule. It can lead to bridal work, photo shoots, events, theatre and film, but getting started takes more than a good eye for colour. You need skills, a clean and well-organised kit, a portfolio that shows your…
At-home microcurrent devices promise a lifted, more toned look in a few minutes a day. Getting any benefit from one depends less on the device itself and more on how you use it: clean skin, enough conductive gel, slow upward passes and, above all, consistency. Used carelessly or by the wrong person, it can be…
Snow mushroom, also known as tremella or silver ear mushroom, has been used in East Asian cooking and traditional practice for centuries. In skin care it has become a popular alternative to hyaluronic acid, marketed as a plant-based way to get plump, dewy, glowing skin. Some of the claims are reasonable. Others lean heavily on…
If your usual products suddenly sting, your face feels tight an hour after washing and flaky patches keep appearing, the problem may not be a new skin type. It is often a damaged skin barrier, the thin outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. The good news is that the barrier usually repairs…
Niacinamide shows up in serums, toners, moisturisers and even sunscreens, and it is often described as the ingredient that suits almost everyone. That reputation is partly deserved. It is gentle, stable and works on several common concerns at once, but it is not a cure-all, and the strongest bottle is rarely the best one. Niacinamide…
Lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo that adds soft colour and definition to the lips. After spending time and money on the procedure, it is natural to want to try lipstick over your new shade, but putting makeup on healing skin too soon can cause irritation, infection and patchy results. Most artists advise waiting…
Royal blue is a rich, saturated colour that flatters a wide range of skin tones. Because it is so vivid, the lipstick you pair with it can either complete the look or compete with it, so it is worth choosing with a little thought. The best lipstick colours for a royal blue dress are a…
A red dress makes a statement on its own, so the lipstick you wear with it has an important job. The right shade makes the whole look feel intentional; the wrong red can clash with the fabric and make both look slightly off. The best lipstick colours for a red dress are a red that…
Green eyeshadow is one of the most flattering eye colours to wear, but it can leave you stuck at the lipstick stage. Go too bright and the look competes; go too pale and your face can look washed out next to a bold eye. The lipsticks that go best with green eyeshadow are soft nudes,…
Face masks and lipstick do not get along easily. The fabric presses on your lips, your breath adds warmth and moisture, and every time you talk the mask shifts a little. The result is often a stained mask, a smeared lip line and colour that has vanished by lunch. To keep lipstick under a mask,…
Lipstick has a way of ending up everywhere except your lips: on a shirt collar, a napkin you then drop on the sofa, a white top pulled over your head or the carpet when a tube rolls under your foot. The mark looks alarming, but lipstick stains usually come out if you treat them the…
A lipstick snapping off at the base is one of the most annoying makeup mishaps, especially with a favourite shade. The good news is that the colour itself is fine. Because lipstick is mostly wax and oil, it can be softened, re-joined or re-set with a little care. To fix broken lipstick, gently warm the…
Lipsticks get passed between friends, tried on at make-up counters and carried around in bags for months. It is natural to wonder whether yours is hygienic, especially after a cold, a cold sore or letting someone else borrow it. To sanitize lipstick, wipe off the top layer with a clean tissue, then dip or spray…
A lipstick looks simple: a smooth stick of colour in a tube. Inside, it is a carefully balanced mix of ingredients that has to stay solid in a warm handbag, glide on easily, cling to moving lips and stay safe when some of it is inevitably swallowed. Lipstick is made mainly of three groups of…