How to Apply and Remove Strip Eyelashes

False lashes are one of the easiest ways to create huge drama with your eye makeup. They aren't difficult to apply. You just need a steady hand and patience!

There are many styles of strip lashes to choose from simple, natural looking to thick, long and dramatic. There are demi length lashes which accentuate the outer portion of the lash line and full length lashes which cover the full length of the lash line. Some have bands that are "invisible" and some have thick black bands that look like eye liner. You can even apply two layers of strip lashes for a spectacular effect!

Some have lashes that are uneven lash hairs lengths. 

Some have lash hairs that are more even in length. 

Some are fine and delicate looking some are thick and bold. Most strip lashes come in black but you can find them in colors including blue, green and wine. 

Then, there are fancy glittery lashes!

There are even magnetic false lashes! That's a topic for another day.

There are also different lash glues you can use. The original strip lash adhesives contained latex. Many people are allergic to latex and cannot use them. 

There are some good non latex adhesives that hold the lashes just as well as latex adhesives. 

I like Ardell Duo Brush-On Striplash Adhesive in white/clear. It's latex free and holds the lashes on very well. Duo lash glue comes in white/clear and dries clear and black as well that dries black. 

The strip lashes I use most for brides and their bridal party are Ardell Strip Lashes 110. They have lash hairs that are uneven lengths and create a natural yet flirty look. Ardell lashes are made of sterilized human hair.

How to Apply Strip Lashes

Fit the Strip
The band on the strip lash may be too long for your eye. The lash band will be slightly tacky when you remove the lash from the packaging. It will stick in place on your eye to fit the lash to your eye length. Line up the band of the lashes on the inner part of your eye so it looks good and feels comfortable. Use your fingers to hold the outer end of the lashes to mark where the band should be shortened. Remove the lash from your eye. Trim the band of the lash strip from it's outer edge. Hold the lash to your eye again to check that the length is right.

Shadow
Apply your eye shadow.

Liner
Apply black pencil liner to your upper lash line to help 
conceal the false lash band. Get the pencil in between the lashes to create a nice solid line. Tight lining is a great way to get good eye liner coverage in the lash line. Tight lining is applying eye liner from underneath the lash line instead of on top of the lash line.   

Curl & Mascara
Curl your lashes, apply a coat of black mascara and let it dry. I prefer waterproof mascara because it tends to hold the lash curl better than non waterproof mascara.  This creates the perfect guide to lay the strip lash on.

Apply the Lashes  
Hold the strip lash with tweezers or your fingers. Apply a thin layer of lash glue to the lash strip and let it become tacky. Wait 30 seconds to a minute.  Apply the lash strip to the skin close to your upper lashes, press it gently in place, and hold  it for a few seconds to set. 

If the lash is not in the right place and feels uncomfortable, it will easily peel off so you can reapply it. You may need to touch up your shadow and liner before you reapply the lash.

Liner
Once your lashes are comfortably in place and dry, use an eye liner brush to apply black or dark brown powder eye shadow on top of the lash band to hide it.

How to Remove Strip  Lashes

The lashes will peel off fairly easily when you are ready to remove them. To create a more gentle removal with less tugging at the lash line, you can soften the glue with a hot wash cloth. Apply a hot wash cloth for a couple minutes to the lashes to soften the adhesive. Now peel the lash from the outer edge inward.

The lashes can be used again. Gently peel the softened glue off of the lash band. Store the lashes in their original packaging.

Many stores carry Ardell lashes and adhesives. Find them at your local drug store, Sally Beauty, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Ulta. You can also find them at great prices on Amazon.

Shop for Ardell Lashes on Amazon

That's all there is to it. Easy big eye drama!

Have a Beautiful Day!

xo

Jill

PS: Thanks for using my affiliate links💋

Summer Wedding Makeup: Tips for Sweat Proof Makeup at The Westin Wilmington

If you are reading this, you are probably feeling the summer heat and looking for ways to keep your makeup from melting off your face! Here is a post I did a couple of summers ago. I have some great sweat proof makeup tips that work for special occasion makeup for a wedding or prom, everyday summer makeup and vacation makeup as well. I'm getting ready to do makeup for another summer outdoor wedding this coming weekend and I'll be using these techniques to keep the bride looking fresh and beautiful all day long in the summer heat!

A Summer Wedding in July

I had the pleasure of doing some onsite wedding makeup this past weekend for the bride, bridesmaids and mothers. One of my colleagues joined me to get all the ladies ready before the photographer arrived.

The beautiful bride was planning an outdoor ceremony at The Westin Wilmington, Delaware on one of the hottest days of the summer. Sweat proof makeup that would withstand the summer heat and last all day was definitely required! The beautiful bridal suite in The Westin, where we did the makeup application, was bright, roomy and very well appointed for entertaining I must say.

The bride's gown was a stunning trumpet/mermaid strapless

sweetheart gown in shimmering off white lace.

The bridesmaid dresses were shades of beige, brown and pink in various styles. I can't wait to see pictures of everyone!

This is a photo of the bride's trial makeup at the salon. Please excuse the shadowy lighting! We chose a soft smokey eye in pink and shades of brown and a soft pink lip to coordinate with the wedding color theme. The shadow colors really complimented her dark brown eyes.

She wanted fabulous lashes. She already had fabulous lashes! We decided to forgo strip lashes and just enhance her own lashes since they were so great already. To get her own lashes more fabulous, I applied layer of waterproof mascara, added lash fibers to the mascara to help extend her natural lashes a bit then another coat of mascara to seal in the fibers. I added a few knotted lash flares to the outer lashes to add a extra drama.

A hot summer day requires special makeup application techniques to keep your makeup looking fresh for your pictures throughout your wedding ceremony and your reception.

Sweat Proof Makeup

Clean skin

Start with fresh clean skin that has been cleansed with a gentle facial cleanser and toned with a soothing, mildly astringent toner.

Moisturizer
Use a light moisturizer before applying primer and foundation. A moisturizer for normal to oily skin is a good choice in the summertime when the skin is more oily. A heavy moisturizer will be occlusive and may create too much shine on a hot day.

Primer
Primer always helps keep foundation in place. It also helps hide flaws such as enlarged pores and shallow lines. A mattifying face primer should be used on oily skin to keep shine down as the skin produces oil throughout the day.

An eye shadow primer is also important to prevent shadow from creasing and slipping out of place. My very favorite shadow primer is Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Waterproof
Use waterproof mascara and eye liner. Waterproof products won't budge when the skin sweats. It is possible that they can smudge when the skin get oily though. Oils dissolve waterproof mascara.

Click here to see my favorite waterproof mascara!

Matte Foundation
Use a matte or semi matte foundation. Avoid a foundation that is too luminous. It can look sweaty instead of glowy.

Double Blush
Use a cream blush topped with a dusting of powder blush for super staying power. Both blushes should be similar colors.

Face Powder
Application of face powder is necessary to keep shine down. Use a brush to dust on an even layer. Dust on a second layer for extra shine protection. Using a powder puff applicator may lay down an uneven layer of powder on oily, sweaty skin and look blotchy.

Setting Spray
A makeup setting spray will help hold all the makeup in place when the skin sweats. Apply it after makeup application is complete. Try Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray  

Blotting Papers 
Carry these with you to use throughout the day. Use the blotting papers to absorb sweat and oil from your face without disturbing your foundation. Blot, don't rub, then, dust on a thin layer of face powder if you look still look shiny.

These makeup tips will help you stay fresh looking all day long! Does it sound like there are too many products to buy for just one day? I have all the goodies and can apply them all for you! I can come to you to do your wedding makeup in the Philadelphia, Pa. area or you can see me at the salon, Styling Point in Media, Pa. 

Cheers pretty ladies!

Have a Beautiful Day!

xo

Jill

Click here for more information on wedding makeup

My Foundation Doesn't Match My Tan!

You've search and sampled and finally found the perfect liquid foundation to match your skin color. The problem is, it's summer and you're a bronze goddess, so now your foundation doesn't match your tan skin! 

You could go back to the drawing board and start shopping for a new foundation color for summer. But, foundations can be expensive. One of my favorites, Urban Decay Naked Skin, is $40.00. I don't want to pay that much for a foundation that will just be used for the summer months. Plus, the skin could get even more tan or maybe even less tan, then the new foundation would no longer match.

The other thing you could do is purchase a darker, warm tan shade of foundation and mix it with your foundation. But, then you would still have the expense of purchasing that new foundation.

There is a simple less expensive solution that I frequently use to solve this foundation dilemma. You can add a loose powder bronzer to your foundation. It's an easy solution for giving your foundation a more tan color. I use it with my clients to get their foundation looking a little more glowy for summer. It works great because....

🙆 You can easily control how much bronzer goes into your foundation to mix the perfect color.

🙆 The bronzer adds the perfect warm tan look to your foundation to match your tan.

🙆 A bronzer is less expensive that buying a new foundation.

🙆 The bronzer works as a multi purpose product. Not only does it warm up your foundation, you can use it for it's intended purpose..... a bronzer!

🙆 This technique it also great for faking a tan!

How to mix Bronzer into your Foundation to Match your Tan

Pour the amount of liquid foundation you would normally use into your hand. 

Sprinkle a small amount of the loose powder bronzer into your foundation.

Mix it with a concealer brush.

Test it out on your face. Add more bronzer if the color needs to be more tan.

If you added too much bronzer, add a little more foundation until you get the right color.

The Best Bronzer for Mixing into Foundation

Bare Minerals All Over Face Color is my favorite loose powder bronzer to add into foundation. There are 3 shades that will create a tan effect. I recommend Warmth or Faux Tan. A Little Sun has a lot of sparkle in it. It still works mixing in the foundation, but it adds a lot of sparkle. I personally prefer very little sparkle in my foundation. I like A Little Sun as a bronzer on my cheeks.

Warmth

Warmth is my favorite All Over Face Color Bronzer. 

It has the least amount sparkle of the three and has a rich warm tan with a reddish tone.

Ingredients: Mica.  May Contain (+/-):  Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742).

Faux Tan

Faux Tan is a bronzy tan with a bit of shimmer. Vegan friends, this one contains carmine.

Ingredients: Mica (CI 77019), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77491,CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Carmine (CI 75470),Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

A Little Sun

A Little Sun is a light brown with a warm rosy tone with a good bit of sparkle.

Ingredients: Mica (CI 77019), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77491,CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Here's how they look in inside natural light. The sparkle doesn't show very much.

Here they are in the sunlight. You can see the sparkle especially in A Little Sun!

What is Carmine?

If you want no shimmer at all, Bare Minerals Loose Powder Matte Foundation for oily skin comes in 32 shades including tan shades for $29.00 each that can be added to a liquid foundation in the same way as the All Over Face Color.

You can purchase a Bare Minerals All Over Face Color for $21.00 at Ulta, Sephora and the Bare Minerals site. You can also find it for less on Amazon! 
The All Over Face Colors are very pigmented. You only need a little bit whether you are mixing it into your foundation or using it as a bronzer so it lasts a really long time. Bonus: mineral makeup contains a bit of sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. 

Enjoy your summer tan whether it's real or just great makeup!

Read More: How to Choose the Right Bronzer

Have a Beautiful Day!

xo

Jill

PS: Thanks for using my affiliate links💋

Sunburn Remedies and Treatments

We have such a great time enjoying summer fun in the sun.  It's great to be outside experiencing a beautiful summer day! While you are enjoying fun outdoor activities, it's sooo important to remember that those UV sun rays are super strong and they can burn our skin. You have to take precautions and take care of your skin. I call sunscreens magic potions. Think about it. It's amazing really. You spread a cream on your skin and it prevents a painful sunburn.

Maybe you forgot to put on sunscreen or maybe you thought you wouldn't be out in the sun very long and wouldn't need it. Maybe you forgot to reapply sunscreen while having fun at the beach or pool. Or maybe your sunscreen was expired or didn't have a high enough SPF for your skin. Whatever happened, you ended up with sunburned skin. The skin is traumatized and damaged. It hurts and you need to cool it down and help it heal. 

I have had many clients come into the salon with painful sunburns looking for relief. We use YonKa skin care products for our facials. They make a product that is amazing for healing sunburn, YonKa Lotion. I highly recommend it for calming and healing sunburned skin. I have other remedies as well, so I put together a little guide of remedies to help cool and heal the sunburn.

Sunburn Remedies

Water:

Shower

Take a long cool shower to cool down the skin. No soap on burned areas!  Apply a light moisturizer after showering. Avoid creams containing petroleum and petroleum jelly. The petroleum will be too occlusive and trap heat in. Look for hydrating lotions containing glycerin, aloe, soy, vitamin E and oatmeal. Burt's Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother is a good one.

Bathe

Soak yourself in the tub for 15-20 minutes.
-Add 1 cup of oatmeal to a lukewarm bath

or  

-Add 1/2 cup baking soda to a lukewarm bath

or

-Add a few drops of lavender and/or peppermint essential oil to a lukewarm bath. Lavender is amazing for healing burns.

Air dry or pat dry gently with a towel. Apply a light hydrating moisturizer after bathing. 

Drink

Drink plenty of water to cool and hydrate your body. Try coconut water.  It helps dehydrate the body fast.

Food:
Fruits and Veggies Your skin has been damaged by the sun. Eat foods high in anti oxidants to help the skin fight skin damaging free radicals and heal quicker. Brightly colored fruits and veggies are high anti oxidant foods.

Aspirin:

Take aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation. It is most beneficial when taken within 48 hours of sun exposure.

Topical Remedies:

Aloe

Apply Aloe Vera gel to relieve pain and inflammation. Keep it in the refrigerator for extra cooling.

Lidocaine
Try a sunburn treatment product containing lidocaine for numbing relief.

Cucumbers
Cold cucumber slices are great for healing and cooling small areas.

Vinegar

Use apple cider vinegar to balance pH, relieve pain and heal the skin. Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water. Put in a spray bottle and spray on frequently or pour it on a soft cloth to make a compress.

YonKa Lotion
This our favorite topical sunburn remedy at the salon!!!
Spray on YonKa Lotion. It is called lotion but it is a healing toning mist. It is an amazing healer for burned skin. It contains a blend of healing essential oils: cypress, geranium, thyme, lavender and rosemary. 

There are two formulas, one for dry/sensitive skin (it's pink) and one for normal/oily skin (it's white). The sensitive formula has a lower concentration of essential oils than the normal formula and it also contains plant glycerin. The normal formula for not contain glycerin. Glycerin makes the sensitive formula better for holding water in the skin which will help it heal faster. Spray it on several times throughout the day. You can also make a compress with it.

Tea

Use tea, especially mint tea. Brew it fresh. No sugar. Chill it. Put in a spray bottle or on a soft cloth as a compress. The tannins in the tea speed the healing process.

Honey 
This is a messy remedy but very effective due to honey's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. The best honey to use is Manuka honey. Apply it straight to the burned area and lightly cover with plastic wrap or make a thin paste of 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup honey to apply to the burned area. Keep it on as long as possible. Take a cool shower to rinse large areas. You can read the details about Manuka honey on wikipedia. Here's a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuka_honey

The Doctor:
See a doctor if you have symptoms of sun poisoning which is a severe sunburn. Sun poisoning symptoms include large blisters, facial swelling, fever, chills, rapid pulse, upset stomach, headache, confusion, fainting and dehydration. You need more than the sunburn remedies I listed. You need medical attention to prevent infection and treat the extreme physical reaction the body is having to the burned skin .

Click here for tips to prevent sunburn

Do your best not to pop blisters from sunburn. I know it is so tempting to pop them, but popping them can cause scarring and the popping opens the skin up making the already damaged skin susceptible to infection.

I hope these remedies help you heal your sunburn pain. Take care of the skin you're in!

Have a healthy, happy skin day!

xo

Jill

PS: Thanks for using my affiliate links💋