4 BEST KEPT PRODUCT SECRETS TO FLAWLESS EYEBROWS FROM THE EXPERTS

Posted in BEAUTY, MAKE UP GUIDE

Eyebrows on Fleek are some of the many praises given to perfectly arched and filled eyebrows (on Instagram). The brow trend is one of the biggest beauty trends of 2014 and whether you have a preference for bushy looking ones or arched ones, there are some products needed to achieve the perfection you desire.
We caught up with some MUAs from Nigeria to find out their best products for eyebrow shaping and got 4 recurring answers.
Want to know what products they listed? Read Below:

*Anastasia Brow Powder Duo
1. Brow Powders
This product gives a volume to brows by giving a natural uniform volume. This is the best type of brow product recommended for an amateur or makeup newbie as precision is not often required with application. Please note that color selection is very important when choosing an eyebrow powder as it should match the color of your brows perfectly. Shop For Brow Powders in Nigeria

*YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil
2. Brow Pencils
Is the most popular product when it comes to eyebrow shaping. Brow pencils however are best for correcting bald patches and lifting arches rather than filling brows entirely (especially if you prefer a more natural look). For precise more defined brows and arches, make your brow pencil as sharp as possible. Use blunt pencils for more natural looking arches.

* MAC Brow Set
3. Brow Gels
The brow gel is one of the best kept secrets of MUAs. This product helps set your brows after filling and ensures that no hair goes out of place all day long.
Brow gels can also be used by individuals with bushy caradelevingne-esque looking eyebrows that do not need any extra filling but taming.
Quick Tip:
Out of Eyebrow gel? Try a transparent mascara.

*Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Fix
4. Brow Waxes
This is the newest, most advanced brow product to hit the scene. Brow waxes mostly come in waterproof formulas to keep brows in place even underwater. This product may be used as a corrector pencil to cover serious gaps prior to brow powder application and is also used to add definition and lift brows in replacement of a concealer.

ARE FIBRELASH MASCARAS REPLACING REGULAR MASCARAS AND EYELASH EXTENSIONS?

Posted in BEAUTY TOOLS, MAKE UP

Are you stuck with short, scanty lashes but prefer the lushness of fuller, longer ones? Then FibreLash Mascaras which fuse both properties of regular mascara and eyelash extensions may be your best bet.
Wondering what FibreLash Mascaras are? Read ahead to stay updated on this new advancement in eye makeup. Related Article: 8 Best FibreLash Mascaras to try
What is FibreLash Mascara?
A FibreLash mascara is a type of mascara that has tiny or micro-fibres (thread like fibres) made from rayon, silk or nylon, which attach to your eyelashes in a process called “transplanting” to make them look much longer and much fuller.

Benefits of Using FibreLash Mascaras?
1. Longer, Fuller eyelashes can be achieve quickly and easily.
2. You do not need to use glue as in the case of false eyelashes, which is not only tedious and time consuming but bad for eye health.
5. Some brands include conditionings and nourishments, which can help, promote the health of your natural eyelashes.
Risks of Using FibreLash Mascaras?
1. Some less expensive brands of lower quality may begin to flake away and end up in wearer’s eyes. To prevent this, be mindful of the particular brand of Fibre Mascaras you purchase.
2. People who wear contact lenses or those easily prone to eye infection need to be extra careful when using Fibre Mascaras.
3. Many people that have tried this product complain about short wear time and difficulty in removal process. However, we think that this problem can also be solved by investing in a good quality brand.
Conclusion
Whether you are interested in trying out this new line of eye products or not, we can all agree that they make for interesting evaluation. All beauty products have their benefits and shortcomings but here is certainly one that the modern day beauty addict should try.
Reference:
BEAUTYHOWS.COM

8 BEST FIBRELASH MASCARAS TO TRY

Posted in BEAUTY, MAKE UP GUIDE

Here is our list of the best 8 FibreLash Mascaras to try (based on consumer experiences and ratings.) Related Article: Are FibreLash Mascaras Replacing Regular Mascaras and Eyelash Extensions.

1. Maybelline Illegal Length™ Fiber Extensions
Price: $5.95 (N935)

2. L’Oreal Voluminous False
Price: $6.69 (N1,100)

3. Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara
Price: $28.50 (N4,700)

4. Love Alpha Studio Secrets Professional Fibre
Price: $8.58 (N1,415)

5. Too Faced Better Than False Lashes
Price: $35.00 (N5,775)

6. Younique Moodstruck 3D Fibre Lashes
Price: $25.99 (N4,300)

7. Cherry Blooms FibreLash Extension Mascara
Price: $59.00 (N9,735)

ModelCo Fibre Lash Brush on Lashes
Price: $43.00 (N7,100)
APPLY FIBRELASH MASCARAS AT A GLANCE

To remove most Fibrelash Mascaras, you need to either use warm water and soap or makeup remover similar to the removal process of regular mascara brands.

How to properly straighten tight curls without poofiness?

BEAUTY Q & A: How do I properly straighten tight curls without poofiness?

Posted in BEAUTY Q & A

Q: Hello Beauty Editor,
I recently did the big chop after 3 years of transitioning and I must confess that I am loving my new hair texture which I would say is in the ‘4’ category. I wear my hair in protective styles most of the time but there are times that I would love to wear my hair straight. I have tried numerous methods and products when it comes to straightening but my hair ends up a poofy mess by the following day and so I revert back to my twist out styles.
How can I get my hair properly straightened and how do I make it last for at least a week?

Chioma.
A: Hello Chioma,
I am glad that you love your new curly texture. However, it seems to me that your hair reacts badly to humidity when straightened, hence the poofiness. My advice is for you to try one of these 5 temporary straightening products for curly, coily and kinky girls that made our list while following the instructions carefully as they are designed to manage this problem. Please keep in mind that you may have to try more than one product on the list before finding one that is perfect for your hair type.

Also, I recently stumbled on @Downazzjawn’s Profile on Instagram (pictured above) who shares a similar texture as yours and she swears by these three products for achieving her sleek look.
1. Carol’s Daughter Chocolat Blowdry Cream
2.Elasta QP Curl Wax
3. Nexxus Heat Protectant Spray.
I hope this helps.
Love,

WHAT IS A SILK PRESS + HOW TO PREVENT HEAT DAMAGE

Posted in HAIR CARE

*Image source: google.com
A silk press is simply a temporal hair straightening process which requires blow drying hair in sections before going over with a flat iron (preferably Chi or Ceramic) for a smooth even finish. Products specifically designed for ‘silk’ straightening (usually indicated on label) must also be used.
This process is believed to yield best results especially when straightening naturally curly, coily and kinky hair with little or no damage while leaving the hair light and bouncy instead of weighed down and oily like traditional press systems.
Despite the overall safeness of this method, many curly haired women have suffered heat damage through this process as they neglected certain steps during the straightening process.
Want to prevent heat damage during straightening process? Here are 5 steps to follow:
1. CLEANSE
Ensure that hair is properly clarified, conditioned, detangled and moisturized before embarking on the silk straightening process.
Out of Clarifying shampoo? Apple Cider Vinegar or Baking Soda mixed with water are cheap and effective methods to clarify hair after shampooing.
2. DEEP CONDITION
For extra dry hair, try deep conditioning hair for 15-20 mins before beginning the straightening process, as properly conditioned hair is less likely to suffer heat damage.
3. SILK PRODUCTS
Products specifically created for the silk straightening process must be used for maximum results. Related Article: 5 Best Temporary Hair Straightening Products For Curly Girls

*Recommended: (From left- right) Chi Silk Infusion, Bio-Silk Silk Therapy and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.

*Based on readers reviews (left-right) Supersilk Professional Fortified Silk Amino Acid Professional Smoothing Solution and Supersilk Professional Silk Amino Acid Professional Solution
4. HEAT PROTECTION
Don’t forget heat protectant serums and sprays.
No heat protectant serum? Try light weight natural products such as Shea butter, Jojoba and Coconut which contain heat protecting properties.

5. SEEK A PROFESSIONAL
Visit a hair salon or seek the services of a professional when trying out this process to avoid preventable damage to your hair.
Why do this?
Hair stylists are better experienced with the different hair types and textures, heat and product requirements and would most likely know what’s best for yours.

CAN VELATERAPIA AKA ‘HAIR BURNING’ MAKE YOUR HAIR STRONGER?

Posted in HAIR CARE

Brazilian Victoria’s Secret model, Barbara Fialho seems to think so, as she shared her a secret technique to keep her split ends at bay. The treatment, known in Brazil as ‘Velaterapia’.
What is Velaterapia?
Velaterapia, which is also known as candle cutting, is a technique in which a trained hair stylist uses the flame of a candle to burn split ends and begins with the stylist sectioning off dry hair, then twisting small sections until fly aways. The split ends then come poking out of the main hair twist. The hairs that are left out are quickly burned away with a candle flame.
Today, when we have split ends, our solution is to take pair of scissors and cut them off. The flaw in this technique is that the cortex of the hair is exposed leaving it susceptible to future damage. Perhaps this is why we need to trim so frequently. If the theory of singeing the hair to cauterize it holds true, then the hair is sealed at the ends preventing further damage from traveling up the hair shaft.

This method seems new but, upon further research, singeing the hair has been around for ages. Although the naysayers describe the technique as dangerous and ineffective, those who partake in the hair burning ritual have nothing but great things to say about how smooth and healthy the hair is following the treatment and how much easier it is to retain length.

After giving me a quick lesson in pronunciation and assuring me I would still have hair, Ricardo began twisting the small sections of my hair. He then burned the spilt ends section by section, leaving my hair ashy with rather smelly dreadlocks. My cameraman found that amusing. After my hair was burned with the candle, Ricardo washed my hair thoroughly and applied a deep conditioning treatment. This, he explained is the most vital step to the process. Velaterapia utilizes the flame and essentially cauterizes the hair. After the ash and dead split ends are washed away, the freshly flamed hair follicle is more receptive to nutrients, hence the deep conditioning treatment. While I was admittedly wary of Velaterapia, I was so shocked by the results. My hair was incredibly soft to the touch and completely smooth!
–Donovan Longo (Latin Times)

In another testimony shared on a hair forum, a woman stated that she conducted this method on one side of her hair and the search and destroy method on the other. In her words, she preferred her singed side compared to the other side of her head where she trimmed over split hairs one by one.
Conclusion
As interesting as this process might seem, we are wondering if it will be the best method for textured or relaxed hair as tutorials showing specific results on this hair type are yet to be found.
Sources:
RELAXEDHAIRHEALTH

WAIST CINCHING OR MODERN DAY TORTURE?

WAIST CINCHING OR MODERN DAY TORTURE? by Ariel Ugorji

Posted in AVERAGE JANE

**Do you want to look like this? Please discontinue reading this article by all means.
I thought I had seen it all until I was introduced to this last week. Apparently the latest fashion/fitness/cosmetic craze is the “waist cincher” (sounds like the name they could have given to a medieval torture tool used in the spanish inquisition to torture witches).
Unsurprisingly, celebrities with questionable credibilities such as Kim Kardashian, Amber Rose, Holly Deacon amongst others gushing about it’s “miracle working” capabilities.
Here’s the thing, this “waist cincher”, as I understand it, is a corset that tightens around the waist and supposedly “trains” your waist into a smaller shape, emphasises your hips and create that craved hourglass figure- the dream of every some women.

As much As I would like to
get into the medical implications of wearing this so-called implement, I will keep this post strictly based on my view as a heterosexual guy.
First off, guys (and I speak for many guys out there) are already weirded out by the numerous things ladies do for beauty. From wearing false eyelashes, to eyelash curlers and everything in-between. Truly amazing!But to be honest, this waist cincher/ corset craze has taken the weirdness to a whole new level.
Why the obsession with thin waists?
I partly blame Disney. With their picture perfect characters in Sleeping Beauty, to Snow White, Beauty in Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, blessed with unrealistically perfect looks and ridiculously small waists and subsequent happy ever afters. Young girls are given the notion that they can only be beautiful if they appear to have bountiful bosoms balanced on waif-like waists with shapely bottoms.
This just me but I also think it smacks of laziness. There are exercises that would produce the hourglass effect without going through the self inflicted strangling.
Love yourself!
Not everyone is going to look like Barbie, that’s a fact; women come in a variety of shapes and sizes and women I can confidently tell you that we men love THEM ALL. Whether you’re shaped like a pear, a half eaten apple, a pineapple or you’re as flat as a damn ironing table.
Case in point: look at the amount of men who would do ANYTHING to sleep with one of the many anorexic models that strut the runways.
There’s another reason why God made women with ample waists and hips. Childbearing. When a woman gets pregnant and the child gets closer to delivery, her hips expand. That’s just natural. God knew you’d be pushing out another human through those hips so He designed those hips to expand, and thus the waist too. Now when you’ve gone and compressed everything because you want to look like Amber Rose, theoretically there might be complications.

History Lesson
Corsets aren’t new, just like most other things. They were here in the victorian times and they suffocated women just as much then, went out for a while and have been resurrected again. In fact the corsets of that era where probably worse seeing as they were largely made out of metal, not the composite fabric of this generation.
Guys Aren’t Always Fooled
Besides these days, boys can spot all the various enhancements you ladies pad yourselves with from a mile away; from the push up bras to the buttock pads, to the boob pads to the fake eyelashes to the tight waist bands to keep your bellies in, etc. And we still go in or back off when we want to.
But then it’ll also be wrong for me to assume that ladies do some of these things just to get the men, there are those who do it to look good for themselves; well, carry on then. Again each to their own.