Secrets to Great and Youthful Skin

Skin is susceptible to so many germs, dirt, and chemicals. It is also true you are what you eat. 

Sticking to a skin routine/method that is suitable for your skin is beneficial. Applying the correct products for your skin type can make a difference and certain natural beauty recipes for your skin can result in youthful and glowing skin.

• apply sunscreen/sunblock to your skin before getting exposed to sun. Sun exposure causes wrinkles and freckles and dark spots and so much more

• apply moisturizer( day or night) to skin after waking up or before going to bed. It nourishes the skin. Also apply all over body daily

• drink plenty of water because it cleanses out the skin 

• use an exfoliator ( once a week ) to remove all impurities and dead skin. It can strip the skin clean and give it glow

• remove all makeup ( if you have applied any sort if makeup with makeup remover wipes or oils) before going to bed. Sleeping with makeup on will cause breakouts 

• use natural remedies on skin for naturally beautiful skin

• pat towel on skin don't rub the towel because skin can scar easily and cause wrinkles 

• use a great acne product for any breakouts ( products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in the ingredients work miracles)

• don't touch your face, ever! Touching and picking on pimples can cause loose skin, scarring, and breakouts because of the germs in your hand 

• cleanse your skin with a suitable cleanser to clean face daily

• exercise, yes exercise! Exercising can cause all impurities and oils to come out of the glands  ( through sweat) and then showering with cold water can wipe all the dirt away

• eat healthy because your skin absorbs what you eat. Stay away from oily and fatty foods ( they cause breakouts) and stick with vegetables, fruits and grains

• use cold water when cleaning your face  as it creates a glowy looking skin

Body Hair Removal Methods

Many women suffer from unwanted body hair. It could be due to hormonal imbalances, genetics, medications, puberty and so forth. Removing this unwanted body hair could be frustrating and a hastle to women.

There are several hair removal methods, which include waxing, shaving, hair lasor removal, plucking, threading, and depilatory creams. 

• shaving: it is the easiest method. Harmless, painless, and cheapest but the hair grows back immediately and can cause ingrown hairs( which form into a pimple and swell)

• waxing: either done professionally or not, waxing is painful, messy, and cause loose skin. Nonetheless, through this method hair usually comes back after at least a few weeks and removes dead skin as well.

• hair laser removal: it is the most expensive method but the most long lasting method of hair removal. It is done professionally in sessions depending on how much hair. The laser destroys the hair root and thus hair is permanently removed. 

• threading: it is most commonly used on the eyebrows and lips but some women thread unwanted hair from different body parts. It is painful and can cause redness but it removes the hair from the root.

• depilatory creams: nair, for example, is most commonly used. Those hair removal creams do not remove hair from the root. It can burn your skin and cause redness but it is quick and simple to use.

• plucking: usually used on facial hair and eyebrows. some women use this method to remove few hairs here and there but it can cause scarring and ingrown hairs. 

Thus, there's no best option of hair removal because each method has pros and cons. It depends on each woman to try out different methods and decide which works best for her and give her the optimal results and the least side effects.

Use cocunut oil or aloe Vera cream on your body after hair removal to smooth skin and prevent skin irritations( redness, bumps). 

Makeup Products 101

Applying makeup can be confusing or frustrating at times. With so many products and techniques flooding the market, it can get hard to realize what each product is for and what it's used for. 

Here's the use of every makeup product:

• primer: it is used (on eyelids and face) to apply before any makeup. It sets the foundation and makeup and covers pores and serves as a base for makeup 

• foundation: it is used to apply after primer( all over face) to even out skin tone and cover imperfections

• concealer: it is used to apply after foundation has set. Apply in under eyes to cover under eye circles and on the bridge of the nose

• powder: it is used to set in foundation and concealer for a matte finish ( if skin is oily)

• bronzer: it is used to apply on cheeks and the temples for a defined sculpted face and a tan look

• highlighter: it is used on the top of cheekbones and Cupid bow for a nice shimmer and highlight

• blush: it is used as a cheekbone color to give your face some color 

• eyeliner: it is used on the eyes( gel, liquid or pencil liner). 

• eye shadow : it is used on eyes in many different colors, shades and textures

• eyebrow pencil: it is used to color in( fill in) eyebrows with the designated color for a defined eyebrow shape 

• lip liner: it is used to go over the edges of the lip to lock in the lipstick or lipgloss from smearing out and make it last longer

• lipstick: it is used on the lips as a matte color and it is moisturizing

• lipgloss: it is used on the lips as a shimmer and sparkly color usually used over lipstick or lip liner 

• lip stain: it is used on the lips as a color stain with a little shimmer. It usually lasts all day unlike other lip products 

• setting spray: to spray on your face after you completed your make up look to set it so none of the makeup smears 

• makeup brushes: there's each brush designed specifically for each makeup application. For example: a foundation brush, a countour brush, a blush brush, an eye shadow blush, a smudging brush, an eyeliner brush, a lip brush, and eyebrow brush... Etc

Natural Beauty Recipes

Beauty recipes lie within our pantries at home. Natural beauty recipes are easy to find in our homes and easy to create beauty recipes from.

Using everyday foods:

• lemon: put lemon on the acne prone face to alleviate breakouts and redness and on hair to reduce oiliness 

• honey: put on face/hair/lip as moisturizer or a great toning facial mask

• cucumber: put cucumber on eyes to reduce puffiness

• sugar: put on lips as a lip exfoliant to remove dead skin

• salt: put on face/body for a scrub, exfoliates all dead skin and tighten smooth skin

• avocado: mush avocado and put on hair or face as a shiny mask to rebuild skin

• oil: put olive oil on skin or hair as a mask for a smooth moisturizing lotion

• egg: put egg whites on face for a firm skin mask or put on hair for a shine

• yogurt: put on face for a cooling and cleansing effect

• tea: put tea bags under your eyes to reduce the appearance of baggy tired eyes

• baking soda: put baking soda on your toothpaste and brush your teeth for a whitening effect

• banana: put banana peel on acne and rub, it will reduce the inflammation and redness

• strawberry: put mushed strawberries on teeth for natural teeth whitener 

• cocunut: cocunut oil is a great body moisturizer and hydrating hair mask and cocunut milk reduces hair loss if used as a mask

• vinegar: put vinegar instead of conditioner in the shower to eliminate dullness and hair product buildup

Sculpting the Face through Makeup

Suffering from acne scars? Uneven skin tone? Big nose? Double chin? Saggy cheekbones? Well makeup could be your remedy. 

I'm sure plenty of people have heard of contour and highlight which sculpts the face and hides all the imperfections. This technique can give you a flawless finish alongside the eye makeup and lips.

Here is how it's done:

• first of, use foundation all over skin to even out skin tone

• then use the concealer to dab under the eyes, on the bridge of your nose, on your cuspids bow, on your forehead ( a T shaped highlight basically) to conceal imperfections

• then use the bronzer to dab on the corner of your nose and under tip of nose, under your lower lip, on jaw line, outer edge of your forehead, and around your cheekbone to sculpt 

•then use highlighter to highlight ( or accentuate) certain features like above cheekbones for a shiny and healthy appearance

Here's the finished result!

Eliminate Blackheads and Acne

Big pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne are a daily struggle for many. Trying to formulate the right recipe of products to remove them is time consuming and frustrating. 

I suffered all these symptoms over the years and have researched to see what really works and what doesn't. 

Due to dirt buildup, blackheads form especially around the nose area. Due to excess oil, whiteheads form. Due to hormonal changes, genetics, and clogged pores, acne surfaces. 

So I have developed a daily routine to eliminate or at least alleviate some of these breakouts. 

• use Biore Pore Strips to remove blackheads on nose. After dabbing a bit of water on nose, place strip for few minutes and remove for immediate results

 

• use a Clean & Clear cleanser ( or other brand) to remove dirt buildup from the skin every night before sleeping 

• use a Clean & Clear exfoliator ( or other brands) once a week to remove all dead skin buildup ( which causes acne) 

• after the cleanser and exfoliator and pore strips, use an acne control moisturizer to seal in moisture for skin because the above steps can strip the skin from all oils 

• once a week, use a skin mask. I use Proactive Refining Mask. I place it on skin for ten minutes and remove with water

• try to use cold water on face rather than hot water to keep shine and moisture 

• always use products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide ingredients in them because these ingredients fight acne

Lip Treatments

I, for one, suffer from chapped lips. Especially during the winter time, the dry air creates chapped and cracked lips.

The best solution is to apply lip balm every time you experience chapped lips. Lip balms offer soothing ingredients for softer lips. You should also consider getting a lip balm with SPF in it so it could protect the lips from the damaging rays of the sun. 

The lip suffers decrease in collagen and lip volume over time. The lips age as well so we must take care of them. 

I suggest using a lip exfoliant to remove excess dead skin and smoothe out the surface. You could either buy a lip exfoliant or make one at home. Ingredients such as olive oil, honey, and sugar are a great natural exfoliating mix. 

As for soft lips, use a lip balm with SPF whenever you go out and a lip balm for nighttime as well. They come in different colors! 

Hijab Style - The Volumizing Scrunchie

Hijabis have long been the center of attention for many people. Regardless, hijab has represented the modest wear of Muslim women today. 

To keep up with modern times and trends, the Volumizing scrunchie came about. It creates the ideal volume and lift for your hijab- without looking flat. It is made of soft and fluffy material to tie around your hair before you put on your hijab. 

I have used mine for 2 years and it gives me a perfect lift without looking unnatural. It creates the best bob without pulling out hair. It comes in different colors.

The creator YazTheSpaz, YouTube hijabi blogger, sells them on her website YazTheSpaz.com

*photo credit: yazthespaz

Day/Night Skincare Routine

Some of us suffer from skin problems but sticking to a daily and nightly Skincare routine could drastically improve your skin. Depending on your skin type ( oily, dry, sensitive, or combination), you can customize your Skincare to your needs and notice improvements. 

Since I suffer from oily skin, I have dealt with acne, blackheads, and breakouts for a long time. So I follow my customized Skincare resolutions religiously. My Skincare routine for day/night is as follows:

Day:

• Once I wake up in the morning, I use a clean & clear cleanser

• Then I apply my dual action moisturizer, also by clean & clear (which helps eliminate breakouts) 

For an outing:

• I always use a BB ( blemish balm) cream or CC ( color correction) cream as well as sunscreen (BB and CC creams offer a hint of foundation as well as moisturizer for the perfect blend).

Night:

• Before I go to bed, I exfoliate my face with an exfoliating cleanser ( to remove dirt and dead skin)

• Then I apply my night cream 

• Then I apply my rejuvenating eye cream  ( for under eye dark circles) 

• Then I apply my lip balm and body lotion

Beneficial Uses of Natural Oils

People would assume cocunut could only be eaten as a tropical fruit or almond to eat as snacks or avocado to dip with chips. That's not the case. The essential oils have magnificent benefits for the body, skin, hair , and nails. 

I have long been a fan of natural oils and have incorporated them in my daily routine. I have discovered amazing results from them.

For instance, cocunut oil is great not only for cooking but serves as a skin and hair care. It is a luxurious body moisturizer and helps with rashes and skin irritations that you may suffer from. It makes the skin smooth to the touch and glow as well. As for hair, it can be used as a natural hair mask. 

As mentioned in previous post, almond and olive oil are great hair moisturizers. Apply before shower as I previously mentioned in my blog post. 

Castor oil is a natural remedy for various problems. The most popular use for it is by applying it to eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair as a hair growth accelerator. It can help thicken hair, repair damaged hair, and darken the hair roots as well. Just apply a small dab into a cotton swab and apply it to eyebrows or lashes and it will absorbed. Use once daily for results. As for hair, massage onto hair and leave it in for a day before shower. 

Ant egg oil may sound odd to some folks but it is a traditional, middle-eastern based hair removal method. It can eliminate the hair from the root permanently - inhibiting hair growth by weakening the hair root. Any middle eastern female can attest to our lovely genes but this oil has worked miracles to many women who have complained of excessive body hair. After waxing, apply to the area and massage into the skin. Let it soak for about four hours then shower. After months of daily application, you will see results.

Avocado oil is a great face moisturizer as well as used for dry scalp mask. It is beneficial for hair, skin, and nails. 

Achieving the Perfect Winged Liner

I get so many questions on how I create my eyeliner, specifically to compliment my eye shape and eye color.

Achieving the perfect winged liner is difficult and frustrating at first. Many people are afraid to use it. I have had my share of frustrations and failures in the past. Nonetheless, with practice you can achieve the ideal winged liner. 

It is best to use brand and method suitable and comfortable for you. Whether be it pencil liner, gel liner, or liquid liner, it all works. 

My favorite look has been a neutral face but with bold eyes (jet black eyeliner). 

Here are few tips and tricks (for beginners):

• Place a piece of tape in a slant with your water line to guide the shape of the eyeliner 

• Stay as close to the lash line as possible while applying the eyeliner

• Guide the eyeliner as it best compliments your eye shape. Follow the natural curve of the lid of your eyes

• Do not push the eye upwards while lining your eye. The eyes should relax into their natural shape

• Beggining with the inner lid, thinly glide the liner towards the outter lid then draw the wing and fill it in (all the while the tape is still in place)

*check YouTube makeup channels for video tutorials on winged liners