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Cosmetics tips and advice: must-have makeup applicators

Cosmetics tips and advice: must-have makeup applicators

A guide for creating a successful look by using the best applicators for different types of makeup.
Creating a successful look with makeup not only depends on the product type and color but the application of the makeup. Selecting the right tool for the job can make all the difference. Use this guide as a base to working with and succeeding on enhancing your natural beauty.

  • Make up can be applied with your fingers, sponges, or a variety of brushes or cotton swabs. All applicators should be kept clean with regular washing or use disposable applicators instead. It is recommended to wash applicators every three months or immediately after getting well from a cold or infection. Use your facial cleanser to wash applicators to avoid harsh chemical reactions on your face. Throw again any applicators that deteriorate after washing. Bacteria from the eyes, nose and mouth can easily be spread so avoid sharing applicators used in these areas. In addition, some makeup sponges contain latex, a product many are allergic to; read labels carefully before use.
  • For liquid or cream makeup such as foundation or blush, sponge applicators are best. Sponges provide an even distribution of makeup that's even better than your fingers. The variety of sponge shapes is wide with the wedge being the most popular. Wedge shapes can get into difficult areas such as under the eyes or the corners of your nose without discomfort. For a light, natural look, or when using water-based liquids, wet the sponge first, wring out and then use to apply. For creams or a heavier coverage, leave the sponge dry. The best method using a sponge is to dip, press and roll. Dip the sponge into the makeup, press onto your face and roll for even distribution. Try not to drag the sponge across your face as this can create streaks. Invest in quality makeup sponges that will last longer and work efficiently.

  • To apply concealer in dark or blemished areas, use a flat, thin, synthetic brush for a small area or a makeup sponge for large areas. Synthetic brushes work best with wet products, as they don't absorb the makeup. Apply concealer before the foundation and blend into the foundation with the sponge. A small, thin brush will prevent irritation in areas around the eye where concealer is used the most.
  • Powder foundations or blushes are best applied with a large, natural bristle brush. Natural brushes will pick up the makeup and hold it within the bristles for an even distribution at the selected points. Use a different brush for foundation than blush as the colors will combine to create a sun burnt look. Keep another natural brush clean and dry to allow blending of the foundation and blush for a natural, light look.
  • Eye shadow can be applied with either a brush or cotton swab. If using a powder eye shadow be certain to use a natural brush, and if using a cream shadow, a synthetic brush will be best. Cotton swabs will work for either type, though the cotton will hold the makeup ? wasting it if immediately disposing of the swab. Use a different swab or brush for each color applied and another clean swab to blend the colors together.

  • Lip and Eye Liner should be applied with a thin, synthetic brush designed for this purpose.
  • A flat-edge with stiffness to it will aid in lining with color. To maintain the stiff bristles, look for a brush that is retractable. Of course, keep lip and eyeliner brushes separate. No one needs black lined lips or red streaks under your lids.
  • Using the right tools will ease the chore of makeup and create a natural, pretty look that should promote compliments.

    E mail etiquette and common sense

    E mail etiquette and common sense

    E mail etiquette and common senseInternet mail, or e mail has it's own etiquette. Ignoring it can mean the difference between success and failure to get your message read.
  • It's so easy! Just type in your message and click on the 'send' button or find it in the drop down menu and off your message goes - to your mother, to your boss, to the webmaster of the most awesome website you've ever visited!
  • And the thrill of receiving an email from the editor of your favorite online magazine!
  • But wait. If you're new to the world of instant 'mail' via the internet, or if you've been around awhile but seem to have missed a few basic lessons along the way, there are a few rules that will help make your email more effective, or, at least not obnoxious!
  • Email has probably made the biggest impact on business and personal communications since the Pony Express, but it's easy to misunderstand the nature of it.
  • Strictly speaking, it's not mail. It's not memos flying back and forth and it's not refrigerator notes. It's not a phone call; it's not a formal letter, nor is it necessarily interactive.
  • One assumption that many people make is that the person on the other end reads all email immediately. Some people get hundreds of emails each day, and have to set aside a particular portion of their day to sort through the messages, deleting what isn't important or interesting - or that doesn't demand an answer.
  • If you want your email read, use a comprehensive, specific subject line. Cutesy is fine for a good friend and boring is even ok for a business memo (if it's a timely topic).
  • If you change the topic in the text, change it also in the subject line.
  • Don't send chatty but pointless email, unless you're absolutely sure that the receiver has time and is interested in a conversation.
  • When you do have something to say, be brief. The receiver may not have time to read a long email, or may not be interested in your topic at all, or may not be impressed with your delivery.
  • Don't forward 'alerts', stories, sermons, poems or news releases, unless you're absolutely sure the receiver wants to read them. NEVER forward more than one or two of a 'newsletter'. If a person isn't subscribed to it, the chances are that it doesn't interest him.
  • SHOUTING in upper case letters or excessive use of exclamation points ('bangs') are never acceptable and will usually get your email trashed without so much as a glance if you use them in the subject line, but don't use them in the text either; they're rude.
  • Be normally polite. If you wouldn't normally grunt 'nope' to a request to someone's face, don't do it via email, either. An email is not a telegram... use grammar and form.
  • Don't send HTML email unless it's asked for. HTML can't be read by all email programs or servers, and it takes longer to download. Fancy colored fonts and the like can even crash an email program. Not a good impression to make! (It also can be irritating to get what looks like a screaming web page in your mail.)
  • Always use the automated quote, but always edit it! Don't quote every word of every email when you reply. Keep it to a minimum, only so that the receiver can see at a glance what has gone on before in the conversation.
  • When you return an email, don't reply to everyone the email has been sent to, unless it's necessary. If you foward an email, and it's been forwarded to you, remove the '>' before each line. It's simple to do in most email programs; simply check your spelling and grammar; proofread. If you're writing about a subject that could be misunderstood, let it cool for a period before reading it again. Don't intentionally flame anyone.
  • Remember that email is not necessarily private! If you wouldn't say something to a person's face, it's best to not say it in an email. Your boss, the server's administrator, the person you're emailing to, and anyone with access to any of those computers - yours, the receiver, the boss, etc, has access to your email. It's not uncommon for people to copy and paste entire texts from an email into a forum, usenet or listserv where thousands of others can read it. Don't take a chance.
  • If you use a signature, keep it short and relevant. ASCII pictures and ultra long signatures can make your email feel intrusive. Be especially careful about this if you're posting to lists or forums.
  • Since the internet by definition is international, intercultural, and 'inter' almost everything else, be very careful of offending others. Religious, racial, political and cultural remarks, even made in perfect innocense, can offend, hurt feelings and anger someone, somewhere.
  • Sign your name. Just because it's your account, doesn't mean that it's actually you writing the email. Also, it's just good manners.
  • Don't spam! That awful four letter word makes more enemies than friends, so why would you want to use it? Even when it's targeted the returns are low. Most people resent unsolicited advertising, especially if they have to wait for it to download.
  • The worst is to send spam in HTML. Unless you're into making a lot of enemies real fast, don't do it.
  • Do use emoticons - those helpful ASCII characters that symbolize a smile or frown or other expressions.
    Here are a few:
    :) or :-) - smile
    ;) or ;-) - wink
    :P Sticking out your tongue (only to close friends!)
    :( or :-( - frown or sad face
    @>->- - Kudos or congratulations (a rose or flower)
  • Email will probably never replace the phone or snail mail, but it fills a need in our world for quick, direct, enjoyable and even intense communication with people around the world, or in the next room.
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