Natural Method of Skin Care
DAILY FACIAL CARE
Daily Skin Care Protocol
Cleanse
Tone
Cleanser/Toner Recommendations
Treat
Skin Care Treatment Recommendations for Specific Needs and Problems
Seven Step Home Facial
BODY CARE
Cellulite
Shingles / Varicella-Zoster Virus
FOOT CARE
Foot Facts
Foot Problems: When Feet Go Bad
General Foot Care for Happy Feet
Foot Spa for Tired, Aching Feet
Foot Massage Technique
LIP CARE
Choosing Lip Products
Keeping Lips Healthy
Application Tips
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| NATURAL METHOD OF SKIN CARE
DAILY SKIN CARE PROTOCOL MORNING
NIGHT
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TONE
The toner finishes the cleansing step. It acts to clear the skin of any residual cleanser and makeup, cellular debris, perspiration, or excess oil. It also helps to invigorate the skin, increase circulation, and it will soften and emulsify deposits and blackheads in the follicles. Because the toner is left on the skin, the addition of herbal extracts, essential oils, anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants to the solution greatly increases its healing value in the development of healthy skin.
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Use a soft cotton pad (the larger size is the most useful) to gently apply a generous layer of toner over your face and neck (also chest and back if needed). Avoid the under-eye area. |
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Allow the toner to be absorbed for a few seconds. Let it air dry. Do not wipe off. |
Cleanser/Toner Recommendations
Click here to enlarge the Cleaning &
Toning Recommendation table.
TREAT
This is where individual needs are addressed. Realize that everyone is unique and there are no hard and fast rules. The goal is finding what works for you, and making the most of what you have without spending too much and time and money. Creating that healthier, more radiant you requires desire, commitment, and the right potions. Remember that happiness and inner peace are as important for enhancing your appearance as the most expensive beauty aids.
Skin Care Treatment for Specific Needs and Problems
Youthful Skin
Bleue Crème, Vitamin C Complex Crème. It is never too early to start taking care of your skin. If your skin is clear, unblemished and healthy, a twice-daily application of an anti-inflammatory moisturizer is recommended after cleansing and toning. This is especially important in the summer when the skin is exposed to damaging UV radiation.
Blemished Skin
Vitamin B Complex Crème will help heal and repair as well as prevent future outbreaks. Additional anti-inflammatory treatments include The Bleue Crème, The Yellow Crème, Vitamin C Complex Crème, Revitalizing Skin Brightener, and Vitamin A Liposome Elixir, and Weary Woman Wild Yam Crème.
Spot Remover judiciously applied, or a thin layer applied over a larger area anywhere on the face or body, will work to clean out pores, subdue inflammation, heal active blemishes, and prevent blemish formation by stopping it in its tracks.
Weary Woman Wild Yam Crème applied on the face, neck, and chest helps prevent and heal blemishes that result from hormonal imbalance in pre-menopausal and menopausal stages.
Eye Wrinkles and Dark Circles
Eye Nourishment Crème, Rosehip Serum, Intense Line Relief Serum, Vitamin C Complex Crème. The rule of thumb is that serums are most effective for relieving facial lines (wherever they occur) and creams are more effective for puffiness and dark circles. Your individual circumstances will guide you. Use a serum and a cream together for maximum effectiveness, moving towards just one or the other as the situation corrects itself. Creams are often preferred for daytime use and the serums for nighttime repair.
Facial Wrinkles and Loss of Firmness
Intense Line Relief Serum, Rosehip Serum, Carrot Repair Serum, Vitamin C+ Complex Crème, Vitamin A Liposome Elixir, The Yellow Crème, Face Firming Concentrate. Loss of firmness is the most difficult of the aging symptoms to reverse. The serums are excellent for relieving overall dryness and diminishing wrinkles. The creams will decrease depth or occurrence of wrinkles and are particularly formulated with anti-inflammatory firming ingredients. The use of Vitamin A Liposome Elixir along with a firming cream is the most effective firming regimen possible.
Hyperpigmentation
Revitalizing Skin Brightener is the most potent lightening agent available. All products that contain Vitamin C also even out skin tone and lighten age spots and other areas of discoloration: Vitamin C Tonic Herbal Rinse, Vitamin C Crème, The Yellow Crème, Face Firming Concentrate, Healing Hands Hand Repair Crème, Revitalizing Skin Brightener. Read more about Vitamin C: Amino ascorbyl phosphate.
Psoriasis / Eczema
Carrot Repair Serum, Rosehip Serum, Healing Hands Shea Butter Crème, Weary Woman Wild Yam Crème. Recurring anecdotal evidence indicates the success of Rosehip Serum in clearing up crusty patches wherever they occur.
Rosacea
Rosacea Relief is a synergy of essential oils that has been effective for many in clearing the redness that marks this delicate condition. Anti-inflammatory oils included in Weary Woman Wild Yam Crème, Bleue Cleansing Milk, The Bleue Crème, The Yellow Crème have also helped some.
Scars
Rosehip Serum, Carrot Repair Serum. Scars are difficult, and take time to evanish, but small amounts of these blends, several times a day, will help fade and heal scars from trauma or surgery. For fresh wounds, start application as soon as the skin has closed and is no longer raw. Older scars take much longer to fade. The Rosehip Serum is not recommended for acne scars.
Shaving / Razor Bumps / Ingrown Hairs
Vitamin B Complex Crème, Comfrey Tonic Herbal Rinse (ask for a sprayer), Tea Tree Cleansing Gel. Form a smooth skin surface and banish unsightly red bumps that result from shaving irritation or ingrown hairs, anywhere on the body.
Skin Tags
Carrot Repair Serum, Weary Woman Wild Yam Crème. Skin tags are common but harmless skin growths found on the eyelids, neck, chest, wrists, armpits, and groin. The treatments can include freezing them off, cutting them off (see your physician for this), tying off the tag with a thin piece of thread at the base to cut off oxygen supply, or applying essential oil synergies.
Stressed / Irritated Skin
Vitamin C Complex Crème, Rosehip Serum, Carrot Repair Serum, Weary Woman Wild Yam Crème, The Bleue Crème. The first rule is to prevent additional irritation. Vitamin C Complex Crème is very healing for sunburned skin. Rosehip Serum is a miracle worker to remove crusty patches. Weary Woman Wild Yam Crème calms crusty skin due to hormonal fluctuations.
Seven Step Home Facial
Practiced weekly - monthly, this facial care program will revitalize a dull complexion, firm sagging skin, smooth wrinkles, help repair stressed or blemished skin, and minimize the appearance of pores.
1. Cleanse
Clean your skin with an appropriate cleanser. Use only gentle exfoliation at this time; no scruffing. Remove cleanser with a wet face cloth. Rinse well.
2. Herbal steam. (Optional)
Herbal steams can soften surface cells and open pores which will allow greater penetration of treatments. In addition, herbal essences carried into the skin through the vapor improve cellular metabolism and increase microcirculation.
Directions:
A. Place a handful of herbs appropriate for your skin type into a bowl and pour at least two quarts of boiling water over the herbs. Let the herbs steep for a few seconds. Alternatively, pour the hot water into the bowl and add a few drops of the appropriate essential oils to the water. Swirl gently and proceed.
B. Lean your face over the bowl and drape a towel over the back of your head,
forming a tent to capture the vapors. Relax and allow the vapor to rise onto your face. Blemished skin should be held farther away from the bowl. Thick or oily skin can be held closer to the vapor. *CAUTION: ALWAYS test the heat level and if the vapor is uncomfortably hot, allow the mixture to cool slightly before use.
C. Remove the tent after 3-10 minutes.
3. How-to directions for facial massage.
Facial Massage. This is an important step to reduce wrinkles and tighten sagging skin.
Optimally, the series of motions should be repeated up to ten times.
Always use upward movements. You are trying to defy gravity here.
- Apply a small amount of facial oil* in the palm of your hand, rub hands together to warm the oil, and begin to lightly circle them over your face and neck using a gentle but firm touch.
- With your fingers close together, place the flat of your hand in the middle of your forehead and sweep your fingers up and to the sides towards your hairline.
- Use the tips of three fingers to sweep along the brow bone over each eye, moving up and to the sides along your eyebrow line. Moving from the middle of your face to the hairline, use your thumb and three fingers to gently pinch the skin along the brow bone, lifting the lower skin upward.
- Use your thumbs’ knuckles to apply moderate pressure to the bone surrounding the eyes and slowly follow the circle. Reverse direction.
- Use the flat of your hands to sweep up from your chin area towards your cheeks and away to the sides of your face.
- From the corners of your nose, sweep under your cheekbones and up to your temples. Use your fingertips to tap along the bone line under your eyes from the nose towards the sides of your face.
- Use your fingertips to tap from the middle of the chin along the jawbone to the sides of your face.
- Start at the base of the neck and move up your throat in a sweeping motion to your chin and to the backs of your ears.
- Using your thumb and the length of your index finger, start at your lower neckline and pinch the skin from the center outward, moving up along your neck and face. This will increase the blood flow and add radiance to your skin.
Use an abbreviated version of this morning and night when applying your treatment serums and creams, utilizing the sweeping motions of your hands from the inside up and away to the outside of your face. Always include your neck area, as aging is usually first apparent in this area.
*Rosehip Serum, Carrot Repair Serum, and Intense Line Relief Serum are excellent for normal or maturing skin. Spot Remover mixed with Carrot Repair Serum is excellent for oily or blemished skin.
4. Masque.
Apply a masque appropriate for your skin.
Clay minerals and other active masque ingredients accelerate oxidation and circulation and stimulate the defensive functions of your skin. Masques are one of the most effective means of decreasing pore size. Sagging skin can be firmed with an appropriate masque. Clay in particular is excellent to balance and revitalize the skin.
5. Tone
Generously apply a toning facial rinse to your freshly cleaned skin. Use the toner on a pad to clear the skin of any trace of the masque. Toners also soften and emulsify deposits and blackheads in the follicles, and allow them to be wiped away. Choose a toner appropriate for you skin type.
6. Treatment serums and moisturizers
Your skin will have maximum absorbency at this point. Wisely choose an appropriate treatment for your skin type and needs (see recommendations above). Allow the treatment to be absorbed for a few minutes. You may want to gently massage it into your skin. A second application may be useful for very dry skin.
7. Hydrate
A wonderful final step. Use an herbal hydrosol appropriate for your skin type and conditions. Rosewater is excellent for mature and all skin types. Orange Blossom calms inflammation (and anxiety) and is especially useful for oily and/or blemished skin. Close your eyes and spray a fine mist on your skin. Enjoy the incredible softness, healing, and hydration that can be achieved with healing waters.
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CELLULITE
Ask any woman how to get rid of cellulite and you are likely to be answered with, “HAH!” So, how does one obtain the unobtainable? Persistence is the key. Cellulite control is the ultimate maintenance task.
A majority of women have cellulite regardless of shape, size and age. It appears when a collection of fat cells gets trapped in the connective tissue below the skin, causing its surface to pucker. Heredity plays a large part in determining if you will develop cellulite. More women than men have cellulite because of a thinner skin structure. Also, estrogen causes the fat cells to stick together giving the dimpled look. Smoking and sun exposure worsen it because it damages the layers of skin over time, making them even thinner and less elastic. People with lighter skin tones have more noticeable cellulite puckering, as do overweight individuals because fat pockets enlarge, exaggerating cellulite’s appearance.
The lengths to which many women will go to get rid of cellulite are legendary. They’ve been wrapped, injected, sucked out, rolled, and massaged. They have inhaled pills, slathered on liters of creams and potions, subjected themselves to painful surgery, and spent thousands and thousands of dollars. The battle continues.
All is not lost. A healthy diet and routine exercise are the front line of defense. Not what you wanted to hear, but there it is. Creams, sprays and soaps will not totally get rid of cellulite, but they can go a long way towards making the skin firmer and more solid so that the fat does not pop through as much. Products alone will not change the fat underneath the skin, but they may help improve the appearance of cellulite. Twice a day application of a cream that contains caffeine, geranium, and retinol, daily scruffing with a seaweed soap, and body smoothing masques have produced results. The time frame may vary, but most people see results most quickly with a body masque that is repeated once or twice a week. Soaps and creams may require up to eight weeks for results, but a combination of all three strategies provides noticeable improvement in the shortest amount of time. As always, results are dependent upon the individual.
SHINGLES / VARICELLA – ZOSTER Virus: Lemon Balm Serum
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (herpes). You can only develop shingles if you have had a previous infection of chickenpox, usually when you were a child. Shingles is most common in people over 50 years of age, and 20% of all people who have had chickenpox will also get shingles. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains in the root of your nerve cells in a state of dormancy. While the exact cause is not known, it is believed that the virus reactivates when the body experiences a weakened immune state, possibly resulting from stress, major illness, surgery, or medications.
The word shingles comes from the Latin word for belt, or girdle. Shingles tend to follow nerve paths on just one side of the body, and never cross the midline of the body. Because shingles tend to follow nerve paths, shingle blisters usually occur in a line extending from the back around to the abdomen. A shingles rash may appear on one side of the face and some people may have painful shingles eye inflammations and infections.
Shingles is contagious if direct contact (personal or with items such as wash cloths) is made with the blister fluid with a person who has never had the virus, but the disease contracted is chickenpox, not shingles. People with shingles should especially avoid contact with infants, children, and pregnant women. Blisters should be completely dry before risk is removed.
Success has been reported in the control of herpes viruses with various essential oils (EO) found to have antiviral properties. The Abbey’s formulation of Lemon Balm Serum is based on research of the most effective anti-viral essential oils carried in a synergy of anti-inflammatory oils that target pain, itching, and distress. As with all essential oil treatments, effectiveness varies due to individual physiology. An EO synergy is best applied at the first sign of an attack to prevent the viruses from replicating, prevent blisters, and to damp down pain. Antiviral oils are useful at later stages but effectiveness is less than if used during the first stages.
VITAMIN B1: The B vitamins are nerve repair vitamins. When treating shingles, older physicians would routinely recommend taking Vitamin B1 (10 mg) three times a day.
NOTE: Consultation with your health care physician is always recommended.
References: Price, S. Price, L. 2001. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals. Churchill Livingstone / Harcourt Publishers, Ltd. Edinburgh. Rose, J. 1992. The Aromatherapy Book. North Atlantic Books. Berkeley. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2001. NIND Shingles Information. Internet.
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YOUR FOOT IS YOUR FRIEND
FOOT FACTS 1,2,3
- The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Those cover several miles, and they all add up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime -- more than four times the circumference of the globe.
- More than 75% of all Americans will experience foot problems in their lifetime.
- Women have about four times as many foot problems as men; lifelong patterns of wearing high heels often are the culprit.
- About 5% of Americans have toenail problems in a given year.
- The foot is an intricate structure containing 26 bones. Thirty-three joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles, and tendons hold the structure together and allow it to move in a variety of ways.
- The bones in your feet make up about one quarter of all the bones in your body.
- There are times when you're walking that the pressure on your feet exceeds your body weight, and when you're running, it can be three or four times your weight.
- There are 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet. Sweat glands in the feet excrete as much as a half-pint of moisture a day.
- The two feet may be different sizes. Buy shoes for the larger one.
- There are currently more websites on the Internet having to do with foot fetishes than with foot health.
- Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America. It limits everyday dressing, climbing stairs, getting in and out of bed or walking - for about 7 million Americans.
- Walking barefoot can cause plantar warts. The virus enters through a cut.
- About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which in severe forms can lead to lower limb amputations. Approximately 56,000 people a year lose their foot or leg to diabetes.
- Inspect your feet daily. Check for blisters, split skin, swelling, redness or other signs of irritation.
- Keep toenails trim. Cut straight across and round the corners slightly to avoid ingrown toenails.
- To keep your skin soft, apply a moisturizing lotion or oil after bathing or soaking your feet.
- Wear clean comfortable socks made of fabrics that help perspiration evaporate more rapidly. Excess moisture also can be absorbed by a daily dusting of foot powder.
- Bacterial and fungal growth can be avoided by wearing shoes that breathe well (with uppers made of leather, a mesh material or perforated). Treat existing conditions. Serum St. Martha will eliminate foot and toe fungus quickly, and with consistent use, keep it away permanently.
- If you are elderly, diabetic, or have poor circulation, more attention should be paid to your feet. Older skin tends to crack more easily and sores will heal slower. Ginger Tea Warming Bar was formulated to help increase circulation to the extremities.
1.
American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine.
2. American Podiatric Medical Association.
3. The Foot Health Network
Foot Spa for Tired Aching feet,
or to keep you feet happy
NOTE: If you have specific medical problems, are pregnant
or taking medications, or have diabetes, epilepsy, high
blood pressure, heart disease, or some other medical condition,
you should always consult your physician before using
essential oils or pursuing any protocol that could aggravate
your condition.
- Soak your feet in a warm water foot soak (Foot Care) to soften and clean the skin, relax tight muscles, and soak away tiredness. I. Fill a basin with warm (not hot) water and find a comfortable spot where you can sit undisturbed for 15-20 minutes. You can even use a foot soak at the computer, while eating, or any other activity that requires sitting. Best of all: Relax and read a book.
- Place the basin of water on a thick towel to keep it warm and to catch any spills. You can also place the towel you will use to eventually dry your feet over the basin while soaking to better retain the warmth. (Be sure this towel does not touch the water.)
- Add soaking herbs, salts, or oils to the water, swishing to mix. Note: Using too much salt will cause dehydration.
- Soak feet undisturbed for 10-20 minutes. NOTE: Very swollen feet, or “hot feet” may benefit from a cold footbath. Use the soaking therapy in cool – cold water. Headaches are especially responsive to a cold foot soak.
- While feet are still wet, wash with an exfoliating scrub (Scruffing Milk Cleanser) to remove dead cells on the surface of your feet.
- Pat your feet dry with a towel, drying between toes.
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Use a pumice stone/board to gently scrub any corns,
calluses, or thickened skin on your heels, toes, and
along edges. Use gentle back and forth movements to
prevent burning. It is better to remove dead skin
in small increments over a period of time.
NOTE: NEVER try to cut corns, calluses, or cuticles. Consult a physician if this is needed. Some physicians recommend using a pumice stone/board on dry skin before soaking. Use common sense to see which works best for you. Whichever you choose, always be gentle. - Massage lotion or oil into your feet. Feet that have been soaked first will absorb the essential oils much more effectively. Using an oil formula intended to reduce corns, calluses, and cracked, thickened skin. Carrot Repair Serum is excellent for this purpose. Vespers Oil is very relaxing to use in the evening. If your feet are very sore, use a moisturizer with muscle and joint pain relievers (St. Luke’s Pain Relief).
- Perform a full foot massage as outlined below.
- Optional: Any pedicure would be performed at this point.
- Apply Serum St.. Martha to the nail and cuticle area, massaging well. If nail fungus, or thick, yellowed nails, is a problem, use Serum St. Martha twice a day until healthy nail grows. You will notice a difference immediately, but full nail growth will take approximately 3 months. Thereafter, reduce use to alternate days to maintain healthy nails. Wash feet every day with a handmade soap with anti-fungal essential oils – e.g. Ginger Tea Warming Bar, Lemongrass, Patchouli.
- Gently rub a final, thin layer of moisturizer or pain relief gel (St. Luke’s Pain Relief) into each foot and ankle. Place warm, clean cotton socks (20-30 seconds in the microwave) onto each foot. Leave socks on overnight for maximum benefit. Warm socks are a real treat and your feet will thank you.
Full
Foot Massage Technique
The following is a guideline for a full foot massage. The technique is the same whether using oil or lotion. While the instructions cover a complete massage, ]pick and choose any part of it. Use what feels best for you. Don’t be intimidated by the length of the procedure as outlined below. It takes longer to tell you how to do it than to actually carry it out.
- While sitting, place the outside ankle of your left foot on your right thigh. If you have difficulty doing this, you can reach your foot by placing it on the on the floor while you bend over. Improvise. Enlist the help of a friend. Foot massage tools are also available.
- Place a few drops of oil in the palm of one hand; rub both hands together to warm it. Don’t use too much or your feet will be too slippery. If using lotion or gel, adjust accordingly.
- Completely cover the foot with the oil using gentle strokes.
- Cradle the front of your left foot with your left hand to support it. Relax your toes to keep the bottom of your foot pliable
- Use the knuckles of your right hand to apply pressure to the heel of your foot, rolling your knuckles from side to side. “Walk” your knuckles up the foot from your heel to your toes by rolling them from side to side, applying pressure along the way.
- Massage each toe. Start at the base of the big toe. Place your right thumb at the back of the toe and your second and third fingers at the front. Squeeze between the joints starting at the base of the toe. Repeat this for the other four toes.
- Beginning at the big toe again, roll your toe between the thumb and fingers of your right hand while also gently pulling it away from the foot. Repeat with the rest of the toes on your foot.
- Hold the outside edge of your foot (along the instep area) with your right hand. Grasp all your toes with your left hand and slowly stretch them backward and forward.
- Use both hands to hold your foot: fingers on the top of your foot, thumbs pressed on the sole. Use each thumb in turn to move in an arc from the middle to the outside, alternating thumbs as you move from heel to toes. Repeat this several times.
- Place foot on floor, left leg bent. Warm several more drops of oil between your hands, and massage it into the lower calf of your leg to your ankle. Wrap your hands around your calf, one thumb above the other at the back of your calf. Apply gentle pressure with your thumbs while sliding down the middle of your calf to your ankle. Repeat on the left and right sides of your calf.
- Massage the oil into your ankle and the front of your foot.
- With knee bent, lift your leg slightly off the floor, clasping your hands below the front of your knee to support your leg. Rotate your whole foot in circular motion several times clockwise. Repeat the rotation several times in a counterclockwise motion. With your foot still off the floor, point your toes toward the floor then towards the ceiling. Repeat several times.
- Repeat procedure with the right foot.
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Choosing Lip Products
Look for lip products that are based on natural waxes, plant oils, Vitamin E, and earth oxides. Avoid exclusive use of products that contain an overabundance of synthetic or petroleum based chemical ingredients. Contact sensitivity, allergic reactions, headaches, irritation and other side effects are not uncommon. These side effects are often insidious and you would never make the connection between symptoms and a seemingly benign lip product. Keep in mind that natural ingredient products do not have the hardeners of most commercial products and need more protection from heat.
- Remember that the lips have no sweat glands or oil glands, and thus are more sensitive to the environment.
- Drink lots of water during the day to keep the lips hydrated along with the rest of your body.
- Exfoliate your lips routinely. It will keep the surface smooth and soft. Adds Diane Irons, author of the The World’s Best Kept Beauty Secrets: “Not only does it take away any chapping, but it plumps up the lip temporarily for that sought-after ‘pouty’ look.”
Application Tips for Soft and Smooth Lip Colour
A. Exfoliate your lips. Use an exfoliating, moisturizing lip product, a scruffing cleanser (Scruffing Milk Cleanser), or rub a rough facecloth across your lips. Alternatively, Diane Irons (The World’s Best Kept Beauty Secrets) recommends brushing your lips with your toothbrush after brushing your teeth. This can be a bit rough though so be gentle because the bristles may actually tear the sensitive skin if care is not exercised.
B. For the smoothest, most professional appearance, always apply lip color with a brush It makes that much difference. Use a lip brush for all forms of color: dry or wet minerals, cream lip minerals, gloss, or any lip tube color.
C. Don't make a habit of using long-lasting matte lipsticks. Matte lipsticks can be extremely drying (which is what helps these lipsticks stay put for so long). Use them sparingly, but especially when your lips are chapped. Instead, alternate use of them with moisturizing lip colors that contain Vitamin E and are not full of synthetics, or use a hydrating balm or gloss in place of lip color until your lips heal. If you just must use a certain matte color, precede its application with a moisturizing lip balm.
D. For a sophisticated sheen, apply a swish of gloss across the middle lower lip. The glossy Lip Stains are beautiful, long lasting, and all natural. Mix with a slight touch of gold or silver mineral color for an elegant look.
E. Increase the staying power of lip color: Apply as usual, place a tissue over your lips, lightly dust with loose powder, and then apply a second coating of color.
F. Keep lip color from bleeding by applying a smooth base of Lip Plumping Balm, Flawless Finish Liquid Powder, or SuperMatte Antishine.
How to tell if a lipstick has staying power:
The more soft wax a lipstick has, the shinier and greasier the lipstick will be, and the harder it will be to keep it on. A lipstick that is too creamy won’t be stiff enough to keep the pigment in place. Wax melts, so if it's a hot day, creamy lipsticks take a beating. To test whether a lipstick has staying power, run the lipstick across the back of your hand. Notice if it is very slippery and deposits a large amount of lipstick on the skin. If it easily smears on your hand, it will smear on your lips as well. The best lip colors glide on and leave only a modest layer of pigment behind.
G. Smile. It is still your most beautiful feature.
