New Trend 2011/2012: Eyelash spoon/Wimpernlöffel

Eyelash Spoon
Eyelash spoon is a brand new beauty tool.

Would you buy this eyelash spoon?

Winter Skin Care Tips

Winter is here! The dramatic change in temperatures may be great on our wardrobe, but not on our faces. Not to worry though, we have some great tips that will keep you looking fresh and radiant no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.

Facials are EXTREMELY important; they’re not just for relaxation and indulgence. Think of facials as a little boost to your daily cleansing routine. Depending on your skin type, facials can help tone down acne flare-ups, reduce redness due to scarring, and brighten and moisturize dull, drab skin. Since winter can bring on dry skin, it’s best to get facials with oxygen additives. Oxygen adds tons of moisture back into the skin, and also reduces the occurrence of acne. If your skin is feeling a little dull, go for something with a Vitamin C additive. Vitamin C helps to brighten the skin, add moisture, and even out skintone (a great solution if you have pigmentation problems).

Your cleansing routine is important, so stick to it! Do not slack off, because now is the time your skin needs extra help. It’s a good idea to switch it up though (but stick to products in your favorite brand). Summer is great for thick foaming cleansers. Since the heat makes us sweat more, we need something on the heavier side to remove excess oils and dirt. Winter’s wind and cold strips our skin of natural oils that keep us moisturized, so use non-foaming cleansers or instant foam cleansers – they’re lighter and restore moisture. Also, stay away from lighter moisturizers, like gels; use thicker ones, they’ll help your skin stay moisturized all day. Lastly, do not forget sunscreen. I know you can’t see the sun, but trust me, it sees you – so stay protected.

Foundation – Skin can be so finicky during this time, which isn’t good for make-up application. Since skin is drier, give your powder or matte foundations a rest and go for regular liquid foundations. Liquid will help combat dryness and keep skin looking radiant. If you have oily skin, don’t worry, you can still use liquid foundation; just be sure to use a great primer and lightly sweep oil reducing translucent powder over foundation.

2011 Fall Beauty Trends

Fall Trends - One of the biggest makeup trends for fall 2011 is the look of retro makeup looks - red hued lips and bold brows. Strong eyes were accompanied by flawless and glowing skin. Winged cat eyes were present in reminiscent to the retro style which went flawlessly paired with red lips.

Bold Eyebrows Kiss goodbye to thin over-plucked brows as now thick natural sometimes even boyish eyebrow look is ‘in’. Moreover Fall 2011 makeup trends make us to define eyebrows with black pencils.

Spidery Lashes Lashes became a huge focal point of the face this season, keeping the makeup to a minimal and lengthening and defining the lashes.

Retro Liner This look will never go out of style it makes anyone look gorgeous! The sixties are back again. Lines, lines and again lines… from thin winged eye lines to weird thick lines covering almost all the lid.















Red Lips There's nothing sexier than a woman in deep red lips. Yves Saint Laurent -Rouge Pur Couture $30

  

Ponytails Attack The ponytail was seen in all shapes and forms this season, from disheveled to sleek (and even accessorized by feathers).









 

Lash Highlights: Yay or Nay

We say Yay. Lash Highlights add a subtle sparkle to your regular lash extensions. Our top three popular colors are Purple, Blue and Red.

 Bonus: Add Colored Lashes for FREE when you get a full set of eyelash extensions or a re-fill service  during  August.  Mention Lash L'Amour Blog

Have Your Beauty Products Gone Bad?

If you do a quick check of any woman’s bathroom, and chances are you’ll find jars of rarely used face cream, the dregs of a favorite powder blush, and at least one tube of lip gloss squeezed within an inch of its life. Whether unused, or consumed to the last drop, squeeze, or swipe, these cosmetics are taking up shelf (and makeup-bag) space because we want to get every penny out of the precious dollars we spent on them. But this hoarding habit has a catch: Beauty products do go bad. At best, they stop performing as well as they used to; at worst, they can cause irritations or infections.
Unopened, well-formulated cosmetics can remain stable for a couple of years at room temperature. But the clock starts once you bring a product home and open it. When air hits the formula, certain ingredients start to oxidize and degrade. What’s more, every time you touch your makeup or skin-care lotions and potions, you transfer germs to them — and, subsequently, to your face. Heat and humidity, which promote the growth of mold and yeast, are factors, too. That’s one reason the bathroom, though convenient, isn’t the ideal spot to store cosmetics. (High levels of airborne bacteria can contaminate beauty products, too.) A better place: a cool, dry linen closet.
Beyond the obvious signs — dried mascara or separated foundation — it can be tough to tell when something’s past its prime. (U.S. labeling regulations don’t require an expiration date on most cosmetics.) So read on for easy, expert, beauty-protecting tips on when to throw away what.

Foundation

Toss-it time: Six months for liquids; two years for powders
Insider info: You increase the odds of bacterial growth — and, hence, of breakouts or irritation — when you repeatedly dip your brushes and fingers into liquid foundation. Also, as it ages, foundation can go on unevenly, creating a streaky, inconsistent finish. Oils rise to the top, and the consistency thickens. Powders present less of a problem because bacteria can’t grow where there’s no water. However, over time, powders with botanical ingredients like aloe or jojoba can become harder to blend and are more likely to crumble, as their trace amounts of water evaporate. 

                                                    Mascara

Toss-it time: Three months
Insider info:  A mascara tube is a dark, wet environment — the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  Preservatives in a mascara only work for so long.  Plus, three-month-old mascara is a nonperformer. It’s chalky and powdery, and any lengthening or thickening fibers often separate from the fluid, so the mascara stops going on in a smooth, even coat. To avoid hastening the demise of your mascara, never pump the wand — that pushes air into the tube, causing it to dry out faster. Instead, slowly draw out and twist the brush to scrape the tube’s interior and pick up product. 

Eyeliner and Eye Shadow

Toss-it time: Liquid eyeliners, three months; cream eye shadows, six months; pencil eyeliners and powder eye shadows, two years
Insider info: As they do with mascara, bacteria tend to flourish in liquid-eyeliner tubes, and the product dries out. Pencil eyeliners have a longer shelf life because you can create a fresh, clean surface each time you sharpen them. (Just be sure to regularly sanitize your sharpener with rubbing alcohol.) Powder shadows, like pressed powders, are less prone to contamination because they, too, lack water (if you wet them, toss after six months). But aging eye shadows have performance issues: They get packed down, making it harder to pick up pigment with your brush. 

Lipstick and Lipliner

Toss-it time: Lipstick and gloss, two years; lipliner, two years or more
Insider info: Lipsticks’ water content makes them potential mini reservoirs of bacteria. No surprise, they also dry out with age. They will no longer look creamy on the lips.  Long-wearing formulas may have an even shorter life span since they often contain ingredients that evaporate more quickly than creamier formulas. Pencil lipliners, like eyeliners, may last a little longer since putting them through a sharpener removes the old surface. 

Nail Polish

Toss-It Time: One to two years
Insider info: When polish expires, the consistency turns gooey or stringy.  Formulas are especially sensitive to temperature extremes and humidity, so avoid storing in the bathroom.

Skin Care

Toss-it time: Acne creams and other over-the-counter products that contain drugs are FDA regulated and usually carry expiration dates. But cosmeceuticals (products claiming to have anti-aging and skin-changing benefits) are not regulated, and once they’ve been used, they shouldn’t be kept for more than six months — or, if they’re in pump bottles, a year — says Wilson.
Insider info: Some ingredients [such as vitamin C, retinol, and hydroquinone] degrade even more rapidly if they’re left in direct sunlight or exposed to air. Less frequently — but more alarmingly — certain products can actually become more potent over time. The reason: Active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid become more concentrated as their bases degrade, separate, or evaporate. And when proportions change, your skin may get irritated. To prevent problems, store cosmetics properly, discontinue use after six months, and look for products that come in a pump, which helps keep air out. Another option that’s starting to hit shelves: special jars that dispense creams through a tiny hole or slit when you press the top (an internal “floor” rises with each push).

Sunscreen

Toss-it time: Six months
Insider info: Sunscreens are FDA regulated, and though they usually have expiration dates of at least one year, that date indicates the purchasing time frame. When you open a tube, water may start evaporating, causing the formula to eventually become unstable. Once that happens, the ingredients are no longer evenly distributed, so you may get a lot in one dose, but nearly none in another. Protect your tube by storing it out of the sun.

Hair Products

Toss-it time: One year
Insider info: Always close the caps of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products tightly. Otherwise, water and air can get in, breaking down the formulas or causing them to separate. Good news for hairspray users: Aerosol cans are the best product protectors going, so sprays should stay good even longer.

Simple Stay-Fresh Secrets

1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before putting your fingers into a product.
2. Avoid reinfection. Stop using all eye makeup if you have an eye infection and lip products if you have a cold sore. The exceptions: lipsticks, lipliners, and eye pencils, which can be shaved clean with a knife or sharpener. (Just cleaning with a tissue won’t suffice.)
3. Smell your mascara when you first purchase it. If you recognize that scent, you’ll know when it goes bad: Expired mascara often takes on a funny, chemical odor.
4. Choose a cotton-tipped swab or disposable sponge to apply makeup to a pimple — and avoid double-dipping. Going back and forth from the product to the affected area with your finger or a sponge can lead to contamination.

Lash Dipping Coming Soon To Lash L'Amour!!

WHAT IS LASHDIP?

LashDip is an innovative cosmetic application that is poised to revolutionize the mascara industry. Imagine the freedom! "Dipping" your lashes just once allows you to wake up to and maintain gorgeous lashes for up to six weeks! No hassling with mascara. No makeup remover. No mess. No more raccoon eyes! Just gorgeous, beautifully sculpted, semi-permanent painted lashes when you wake up in the morning, through your exercise routine, and when you go to bed at night. 

 

 

Low maintenance, high style – the modern woman's answer to mascara.

Lush, full, dark, long lashes are the hottest trend on the beauty scene. LashDip is ideal for any woman who wears mascara but is tired of the high maintenance of daily application. Many of our clients are busy moms, executives who travel frequently, flight attendants, and athletes, all of whom have one thing in common – they want to look and feel their best 24/7.

 

Just dip and go.

Most women struggle daily with one or more mascara-related issues: smearing, running, clumping, flaking, application difficulty, sensitivity, not to mention the inconvenient time factor involved in daily application and re-application.

Any woman who wants to feel confident, carefree and effortlessly beautiful around the clock is a candidate for LashDip.

 

It's More than Mascara.

LashDip is more than your typical eyelash color formula – it goes beyond even the most perfect application of mascara to provide color and enhancement you don't have to fight with.  LashDip is the future of lash enhancement.

 

Get Wet. Your lashes won't mind.

LashDip is an ideal treatment for vacation or staycation. For women who enjoy outdoor activities that may inspire perspiration, go ahead and sweat it and forget it. Whether you're running a marathon, playing tennis, or diving into the pool, LashDip leaves you looking picture perfect. Feel confident that you will look your best, no matter the weather or the occasion.

 

THE LASHDIP PROMISE

LashDip is:
• ♦ Waterproof
• ♦ Creates lasting lash lift & curve
• ♦ Sculpts lashes
• ♦ Separates lashes
• ♦ Increases lash volume and even extends length

LashDip makes any woman go from looking fine to looking fabulous!

LashDip will be available at Lash L'Amour in June!

Lash L'Amour

55 Langley Rd

Newton Center, MA 02459

617-916-1209

7 Bad Skin Habits and How to Break Them!

Everyone is guilty of at least a few minor skin faux pas in their pursuit of beauty from time to time.  Even those that seem to have the most perfect skin confess to occasionally picking at a blemish or falling asleep with makeup on.  Most of the time this is pretty harmless, but over the years these little transgressions start to take a toll.  If you don't treat your skin carefully it can cause serious problems.  Change your bad skin habits and you'll have gorgeous skin in no time!

Skin Sin #1
You don't wash your face before going to bed.
Letting skin marinate in makeup (not to mention a day's worth or oil and dirt) can lead to clogged pores and break outs.

When makeup stays on too long, it also blocks the natural exfoliative process of shedding skin, which can leave your skin looking dull.
It is really beneficial to take a couple minutes at night and cleanse your skin properly before going to bed.  Also your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep which can enhance absorption of whatever is on the surface.  You really want to make sure that only beneficial products are on your skin, not the days dirt and oil.


Skin Sin #2
You Exfoliate every day--sometimes twice a day.

Yes exfoliating is important for helping skin shed dead cells that can make it look dull, but it is easy to go overboard.  Many women use a body scrub in the shower, a lotion with chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) during the day, and at night a cream with exfoliators like retinoids.  That's three different exfoliators in one day!  That is just too much for the skin.  This type of regimen strips the skin's natural protective lipid oil barrier.  It can lead to easily irritated skin and broken capillaries on the face.  
Try to use just one exfoliating product at a time.  For instance don't use a cleanser that contains AHAs if your moisturizer also contains retinoids.  Or use a moisturizer that contains retinoids or AHAs only at night time.  For an extra boost use an exfoliating scrub once a week, otherwise you should be using a gentle creamy or milky cleanser to wash your face daily. 


Skin Sin #3
You rarely clean your makeup brushes.

I know what you are thinking....why bother if I am the only one using them?  Well brushes can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which gets picked up from the surface of your skin each time you swipe it across your face.  If you don't clean your brush that accumulation of bacteria gets transferred right back onto your skin each time you apply your make up.  That bacteria can get into pores which causes break outs.  Not to mention dirty makeup brushes don't pick up product as easily as they should since the bristles tend to clump together.  That means your makeup won't go on smoothly making the color, and your skin look splotchy.
To correct this dilemma it is suggested that you wash your brushes weekly with a clarifying shampoo.  For those that just don't have the time to wash their brushes they can also use a spray brush cleaner.  You just spritz it onto the brushes and tissue off the makeup and bacteria.

Skin Sin #4
You visit a tanning bed.

Even if you only go a few times to get a base tan before you go in vacation, the harm you're doing to your skin is equivalent to (and possibly worse than) any burn you'll get at the beach.  Tanning bed sunlamps can emit doses of UVA radiation 15 times greater than the sun's.  UVA rays penetrate deep into skin, injuring cells and tissue and raising the risk of skin cancer.  Studies have shown that regular tanning bed use was associated with increased risk of developing melanoma.  Not to mention that the number one cause of wrinkles is prolonged sun exposure and tanning!
Nowadays there are many options for getting a bronze glow other than baking in a tanning bed. 

Skin Sin #5
You pick at your blemishes.
We have all done it, squeezed a pimple in hopes it will go away sooner.  When you use your hands to squeeze some of what is clogging the pore (dirt, oil, bacteria) gets ejected but most stays put or just pushed further into the pore.  This can actually extend the life of the blemish longer than if you had just left it alone.  Your best bet to take care of a pimple is to dab on a spot treatment that contains no more than 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide at night, and if it's really major maybe a little more in the morning.  This method will get you better results that picking at breakouts and causing scarring and staining on your skin.

Skin Sin #6
You or your friends smoke.
Even if it's from someone else's cigarette, smoke can cause havoc to your skin.  When the toxins from smoke come in contact with your body's cells, they create free radicals, which break down the collagen and elastin and make your skin supple and resilient, triggering premature aging.   The best thing you can do for your skin (and of course your health) is to quit smoking.  Try to stay in smoke free environments.  If you do come in contact with a cloud of second hand smoke, when you get home hit the shower and wash off smoke residue from your skin and hair.  Once you're clean slather on a moisturizer rich in antioxidants like vitamins C and E, these will help neutralize free radical damage.

Skin Sin #7
You don't wear sunscreen everyday. 

Most of us remember to apply sunscreen if we are going to the beach.  But what most people don't realize is that we should be using sunscreen everyday all year round.  The best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is sunscreen, SPF 30 at the minimum.  There are many moisturizers and makeups that contain sunscreen, which makes it easier for you to keep your skin protected.  It may be a pain but if you apply your sunscreen everyday you'll be getting the last laugh instead of the first laugh lines!

 

10 Foods That Keep You Looking Beautiful!

While a great haircut and beautiful makeup can make you look your best, true beauty comes from healthy, glowing skin.  Makeup can only do so much you have to have a solid pallet to apply it to.  Some of the most potent beauty weapons can be found in the supermarket!  Your food picks have an enormous effect on your appearance.  A nutritious diet can give your skin a glow that no cream or makeup can do alone.  It is true when they say "you are what you eat". Boost your beauty by adding more of the following items to your cart.

1.  Blueberries And Pomegranates

Both of these fruits are packed full of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which help protect you from fine lines and dry skin by neutralizing the free radicals that weather your skin.  Plus their high concentration of vitamin C boosts production of collagen, which keeps your skin nice and plump.

2.  Dark Chocolate

This sweet stuff contains high levels of flavonoids, potent antioxidants that can help protect your skin from sun damage and amp up blood flow to your tissues, which keeps skin nourished and glowing.  Look for chocolate that's at least 70 percent cacao (it contains more antioxidants) and use restraint.  Try to stick to just having about an ounce a day. 

3. Spinach
Spinach is another powerhouse of vital nutrients and antioxidants that help fight inflammation and free-radical damage, which are the precursors to fine lines and wrinkles.  It's also bursting with an antioxidant called lutein, which helps keep eyes healthy and bright.  Most important of all spinach is a huge source of vitamin A (beta-carotene), which speeds up cell turnover and keeps skin looking youthful.  And from this beta-carotene your body produces it's own retinol which makes skin firm and resilient.  
Spinach has all these great benefits and it's practically calorie free!  One cup of raw spinach has just seven calories and 55 percent of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin A.  Pretty much all leafy greens a have similar stats so you can switch it up for a little variety and try collard greens, kale, bok choy, and Swiss chard.

4.  Walnuts

Walnuts have many perks including smoother skin, healthier hair, brighter eyes, and stronger bones.  Eating just one ounce of walnuts will give you your daily dose of omega -3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which are responsible for these radiant results.  Other top notch nuts include hazelnuts, pistachios, and almonds.  Nuts can be enjoyed by themselves as a snack or in a salad, pasta or dessert.

5.  Yogurt
Eating just one cup of plain low-fat yogurt gives you about half of your recommended daily allowance of calcium.  Calcium is the key to strong nails and teeth.  Plus yogurt is packed with zinc, which helps calm skin inflammation, and prompt regeneration of cells.

6.  Tomatoes
A tomato a day keeps the dermatologist away!  This red fruit helps protect skin from sun damage and other environmental factors thanks to its key ingredient, lycopene.  The antioxidant lycopene is actually highest in cooked tomatoes.  Healthy fats aid the body's absorption of lycopene, so eat one serving of tomatoes a day with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of vinaigrette, or a slice of avocado.

7.  Kiwis

Kiwis are jam packed with vitamin C, which can help stimulate collagen synthesis, repair damage to skin cell DNA, and keep blood vessels and hair follicles strong.  A single kiwi has practically all the vitamin C you need in a day and only 42 calories.  

8.  Edamame
If you're seeking smoother skin then reach for soy.  Research shows that the isoflavones in soy foods like tofu, soy milk, and edamame can ease inflammation and slow down collagen breakdown.  The results are more even skin tone and fewer wrinkles.

9.  Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, and Butternut Squash
These are orange wonder veggies!  They contain a bounty of beauty boosting beta-carotene, which your body converts into skin smoothing retinol, therefore helping to protect your skin from past and present sun damage.

10.  Green Tea

This soothing tea has antioxidants called catechins, which can help prevent certain skin cancers and stave off sunburns.  The variety of tea that has the highest concentration of catechins is called matcha.  For all the pretty perks, drink two cups a day.  If tea isn't your thing, try sprinkling green matcha powder (available in health food stores) into a yogurt or homemade smoothie.  Don't worry green tea has about half as much caffeine as black tea.  

Hottest New Trend for Nails: Gel Polish

A manicure that lasts for two weeks without chipping?  Sounds like a miracle but it is a reality!  Soak-off UV gel nail polish is becoming a huge trend in manicures.  Love to get manicures but tired of your polish chipping after just a couple of days?  This is the solution.  The gel polish has the long wear of an acrylic nail without damaging your natural nails.


So what exactly is soak-off gel polish?
If you're not familiar with the gel nail craze, it's much different than your run of the mill manicure.  Thin layers of colored gel are painted onto natural nails with a brush.  Some brands come in a bottle that looks very similar to regular nail polish, and have their own brush built into the top.  Others come in small pots and are applied with a separate brush.  Each layer of the gel (including a base coat and top coat) is cured under a UV light.  The great thing about the gel polish is that after just a couple minutes of curing the last layer under the UV light your nails are completely dry...I'm talking rummage around your purse looking for your keys and no smudges or chips! 
Another benefit you can't forget is the the gel polish truly lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping.  The only draw back to this is that with darker colors you can notice where the gels are growing out at the nail base, but a lighter shade makes this less obvious.
Unlike acrylic nails you don't have to drill or file down your natural nails.  This saves your nails from a lot of damage.
Also what's pretty genius about the gel nails is that you can paint right over them with regular nail polish if you want to change the color for a couple of days.  Amazingly, you can remove the nail polish with a non-acetone polish remover and the gel color is still in tact underneath!

Ok so I'm sure you've been wondering how expensive this type of manicure costs.  The price is a little steeper than the traditional manicure, it goes for anywhere from $28-$40.  But it also lasts two to three times longer than a regular manicure.  
The removal of the gel polish is a little more difficult than traditional polish.  There are a two removal methods.  You can soak your nails in acetone for about 10-20 minutes and then the gel dissolves and can be easily peeled off.  Or you can soak cotton in acetone and place it on your nails and then wrap each finger in foil.  After about 10-15 minutes the gel should easily peel off.


There are many brands that make gel nail polishes now.  It seems that the most popular gels are OPI Axxium soak-off gel lacquer, CND Shellac, Calgel, and Dashing Diva Gelife, but there are many more brands out there as well.  

OPI Axxium comes in 26 shades based on the existing OPI polish shades we all know and love.  Calgel is available in over 80 shades, including some glitters and nail art colors.   Right now both CND Shellac and  Gelife have limited shades but more are being released soon. The great thing about the gel colors is that they can be mixed and blended together to make new colors.  If you feel that a color is too dark, the nail tech can add a little bit of white gel to it to lighten the shade for you.  That is something that can't really be done with regular nail polish.
So next time you go for a manicure try a gel polish, you may be pleasantly surprised!
Lash L'Amour is currently offering gel manicures.  Come try it out while having luscious lash extensions applied!


Lash L'Amour
55 Langley Road
Newton Center, MA 02459
617-916-1209
www.lashlamour.com
contact@lashlamour.com

A Flawless Face Starts With A Strong Foundation

Even skilled makeup users can be stressed out by foundation, it's the easiest thing to screw up...and any mistake will be written all over your face!  Choosing the correct foundation can be a simple process if you know what to look for and how to test it properly.  Below are some tips to help you learn the art of flawless foundation selection and application.

Step 1  Find Your Perfect Match
Aim high!  Foundation may be the one makeup product you should spend a little more money on.  Department store and higher end brands often contain high-tech anti-aging ingredients.  Their formulas are perfectly blended which gives a smoother, more even finish.  The foundations you find in the drugstore most likely won't offer the same level of anti-aging ingredients.  Sometimes you do actually get what you pay for.  You pay more money for a high end brand foundation because you are paying for the active ingredients in the makeup.  There are more potent active ingredients which cause the makeup to adhere to the skin longer and give a smoother, more flawless appearance.

 
Watch Your Tone!  To find a hue that matches your complexion use your skin tone as a guide.  If you have a cooler undertone, meaning your skin has hints of red, pink or blue, look for for foundation shades that have cool in the name.  If your skin has warmer undertones, hints of yellow or orange, look for warm on the label.  To make things even easier some brands even make shades that are neutral tones, meaning they will work on both cool and warm tones.

Put it to the test.  A shade that appears perfectly blended on the back of your hand may not look so good when its on your face.  Your hand is usually a couple shades darker than your face, so instead of testing on your hand try swiping a bit on your collarbone or neck, which is a closer color match. 

Step 2  Choose the Correct Formula

For Oily Skin:  Women whose skin tends to get a little shiny  should avoid oil based foundations.  These oil based foundations tend to bond to the oil in the skin and then "melt" and slide down the face.  Instead try a wet/dry mattifying powder foundation.  A powder foundation will adhere to skin better and give a more matte, flawless finish to oily skins.

For Dry Skin:  Now if your skin is parched you should use an oil based liquid makeup that contains emollients like glycerin, lanolin or ceramides.  These ingredients will give dry or aging skin a dewy finish, and keep it looking soft and supple.

For Combination Skin:  Combination skin can be tricky because usually the face is oily in the t-zone and drier around the perimeter.  Your best bet is to use a mineral powder foundation.  Mineral foundations usually give the skin a nice dewy glow, but it is still a powder so it can absorb oil where necessary.  If powder foundation just isn't for you apply a creamy foundation along the outer part of your face and then blend it inward toward your nose.  Finish with a translucent powder concentrating heavier on the t-zone.


Step 3  Apply it Right
Before you smooth on your foundation prep your face with a primer.  This will create a base for the makeup and help hold it in place all day.  You want to look for a primer that is silicone based, which seals in your skin's imperfections, creating a smoother surface.

A foundation brush helps the product go on smoothly and covers imperfections with out looking too cakey.  Using your fingers can't always give as smooth a finish, also using your fingers can cause skin irritations because bacteria under your nails can be transferred to your face.  If you are using a cream or liquid foundation use a brush with synthetic fibers such as nylon.
Pour a quarter size amount of foundation onto the back of your clean hand, or into a small bowl.  Then dip the brush into the product (just enough to cover the bristles - you don't want to drown them), and smooth it onto your skin with even strokes.  Be sure to cover underneath your jawline and blend into your neck.  The key is to blend, blend, blend!  Take a look in the mirror after applying the first layer to be sure that you are covered evenly.  You can always add more if you need to.  Then set your entire face with a dusting of translucent powder.