Plump Lips

By Rujuta Borkar

Do you look into the mirror and pout your lips over and over again? Every time wishing that you had plump lips? Why can't you have plump lips! There's nothing more sensual than plump lips. Why do your lips have to be as thin as a pencil? It's that age old query that's never going out of style. It's in the same lines of - Why couldn't I have been a little taller, a little more tanned, a little more...you get the drift. While there may or may not be much that you can probably do about the other issues, if it's plump lips that you are looking for, that can definitely be helped! Don't believe me? Read the following article.

How to Get Plump Lips Naturally

Without talking about expensive surgeries and procedures here, let us get into the ways that one get plump lips. Here are some ways how you can lend to effective lip care and get fuller lips in the bargain.

The Toothbrush Method
This one is easy to follow. The next time you brush your teeth, use a toothbrush to exfoliate lips as well, this will get rid of all the dead layers of skin and increase blood flow to that area - automatically making them plumper. Before you do this though, you need to take care of some things:

1. While sleeping, apply a lip balm and keep it overnight.
2. This will moisturize your lips sufficiently and if you have dry chapped lips, then you'll find that by morning the lips will have become soft.
3. Now take a soft bristled toothbrush and gently brush over the lips.
4. The dead skin will start to peel off easily.
5. Now wash away with a cloth and you'll notice rosier, fuller lips.

Exercises
There are several exercises that can help you to get plump lips. Keep in mind that the results will not be seen immediately. You'll need to be patient:

• Pout your lips for 10 seconds then immediately cover them with your teeth. This leads to the lip muscles being exercised. Do this 5 times a day.
• Whistling has known to provide the right kind of stretching poses that allows the lips to become plump.
• Rub your lips gently whenever you can. This leads to a massage and hence, plump lips.
• Sucking on the lips also helps to stimulate them and direct the blood flow there.

Natural Ingredients
There are certain ingredients that you can apply to get plump lips. Here are some of them.

• A mixture of cinnamon and peppermint oil
• Honey (thin layer)
• Drink lots of water to keep your lips naturally hydrated.
• Clove oil
• Eat lots of cherries

Cosmetic Products
There are several cosmetic products that can be used to enhance the size of lips and make them plump. Here are some of the makeup tricks and other beauty products.

Lip Plumper: There are several lip plumpers that are readily available in the market. These lip plumpers stimulate the lips and therefore, make them more full and plump. The ideal way to apply this is by spreading your lips wide so that it reaches all areas evenly. This might cause a little tingling sensation or mild irritation, but rest assured, if you follow the instructions on the bottle carefully, they won't be anything major happening to you. These lip plumping tips really do work.

Vitamin B3: Vitamin in the form of niacin can help you get plump lips very effectively. It has a direct effect on the capillaries of the lips, thus draws blood to that region and causes a swelling - this gives the impression of plump lips.

Makeup: Using certain lip make up tips and procedures will help to give the effect of fuller lips as well. Here are some of them.

1. Brush your lips with a cloth to remove any dry skin there (make sure they are sufficiently hydrated).
2. Now take a concealer and apply a thin layer on the lips (Make sure that the shade is lighter than your skin tone).
3. Now use a lip liner and draw a line that is slightly outside your lip line.
4. Now use a lipstick and apply over the lips, making sure to reach the outlined line as well.
5. Now slowly blend the lip liner and lipstick to look like one.
6. This allows the lip area to be artificially widened and therefore the effect is that of plump lips.
7. Finish this off by applying a thin layer of lip gloss. For added effect add more shinier points of gloss in the center of the lips (just below the front teeth.)

Now that you know the tricks and techniques on how to get plump lips at home, go right ahead and master that sensuous look! All the best!

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/plump-lips.html

Burning Lips

By Nicks J

Burning lips is often described as an unusual sensation on the lips akin to pricking of pins and needles. The burning sensation is painful and certainly can be a cause of great discomfort. In most cases, the pain remains localized and is restricted to the lips only. The intensity of pain may vary; sometimes the pain may occur at intermittent periods or last persistently throughout the day. In some patients, the severity of the pain is highest in the morning and lowest at night.

Burning Lips: Causes

Also referred to as burning lips syndrome, this unusual pain may be the result of an underlying condition. Frequently occurring burning pain on the lips is an indication of the following health problems:

Neuropathy
This is a neurological disorder that damages the nerve. As we all know, the brain carries signals to different parts of the body, and so any damage to these nerves can trigger a tingling sensation in the affected area of the body. Neuropathy, a nerve disorder, can occur as a consequence of uncontrolled diabetes. When nerves that pass through the lips are damaged, it can manifest in the form of burning lips. Sometimes, the pain is limited to the upper lip, and may not even affect the lower lip. In case diabetes is the cause behind neuropathy, keeping diabetes under control can help to relieve pain associated with burning lips. People suffering from diabetes do experience facial nerve pain, in which the lips, cheeks and the nose are involved. Read more on diabetic neuropathy.

Sun Burn
Too much exposure to the Sun can harm the lips. The delicate skin on the lips naturally cannot tolerate ultraviolet radiation for a long time. Sunburned lips are dry and appear swollen. Prolonged exposure to the Sun can lead to chapped lips, and in severe cases, the lips may show signs of bleeding. Read more on sunburn.

Cold Weather
Fall in temperature during winter can have a negative impact on the lips. Dry, cracked lips in cold weather can also cause a burning sensation on the lips.

Burning Lips Allergy
Certain food stuffs and beverages can irritate the tongue as well as the lips. An allergic reaction from alcoholic beverages like beer and red wine can affect the lips and make them swollen, and cause burning pain that may last for a few days.

Oral Yeast Infection
A fungal infection of the mouth, also known as oral thrush, can also bring burning lips pain. Although oral thrush affects the tongue and the inner cheeks, causing a formation of white lesion, the pain might also be felt on the lips. People with oral thrush often develop cracks at the corners of the mouth.

To know more about lip problems, read:

• Severely Chapped Lips
• Eczema on Lips
• Cracked Dry Lips

Appropriate burning lips treatment will be given depending upon the underlying cause. In case climatic changes is responsible for causing burning lip pain, then applying recommended lip balms can help to resolve the issue. People with burning lips allergy should undergo an allergy test to find out the foods that cause irritation to the lips. People with oral thrush are generally asked to consume a cup of plain unsweetened yogurt daily, to get rid of fungal infection.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/burning-lips.html

Eczema on Lips

By Kalpana Kumari

 
Eczema is one of the most common skin disorders. It can start at any stage of life, even in infancy. According to general observation, once eczema gets underway, it does not get treated easily. In medicine, eczema is described as a kind of inflammatory reaction of the skin that involves formation of very small blisters that are a bit raised from the level of the skin surrounding them. Eczema takes place in stages. These are successively, reddening of the skin, swelling, formation of papules, crusting of the affected skin, thickening and scaling of the skin. There are numerous types of eczema. Some examples are atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic eczema, stasis dermatitis, etc. Eczema can literally occur at any part of the body. Here in this article, the discussion is restricted to eczema on lips. The most common eczema on lips symptoms are itching and inflammation of the skin. Let's learn more about eczema on lips.

What Causes Eczema on Lips?
The foremost cause of eczema on lips is dry skin. Many people have natural dry skin. Their skin becomes dryer as they grow old. Environmental conditions play a great role in drying up of the skin. This particularly happens in the winter season when humidity is low. Frequent use of heaters, blowers, and taking hot baths for a long time period leads to loss of moisture from the lip. This further worsens the condition of dry skin. There are many other things that can make your lips lose moisture. These include the habit of licking your lips, allergies to cosmetics or skin care products, dehydration, exposure to sun, smoking, certain medicines such as the ones that are used to cure acne, etc.

How to Treat Eczema on Lips
Avoid all those substances that tend to irritate your lips. This is the most effective treatment for eczema on lips. Some examples of such substances are food or drink which is acidic in nature, a particular brand of cosmetics, hand wash and items containing sodium laurel sulfate. In addition to this, there are several home remedies for eczema on lips. These are mentioned here.

• Apply petroleum jelly or another lip moisturizing agent to your lips 3-4 times a day. This will moisturize your lips as well as protect them from infection and further damage.
• Essential oils like lavender and chamomile are known to accelerate the process of eczema on lips treatment. Consult an aromatherapist to learn about the correct dosage.
• Shea butter is an excellent moisturizing agent. It assists a lot in treating eczema on lips. Use it in the balm form whenever you feel dryness on your lips.
• Use a non-prescription cream containing hydrocortisone for treating eczema on lips. It will reduce redness, itching and inflammation to a great extent.
• Take an oatmeal bath 3 times a week to treat eczema on lips. To make an oatmeal bath, mix 2-3 cups of grounded oats with a tub of water. Soak yourself in it for 10 minutes.
• Eczema with open blisters is vulnerable to bacterial infection. To prevent worsening of the condition, take over-the-counter antibiotics.
• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine medication to subside the symptoms of eczema on lips such as inflammation, itching and scratching.

The aforementioned ways on how to cure eczema on lips are highly efficacious and sure-to-deliver results. Try them for 7-10 days. If you find satisfactory improvement in the condition of eczema on your lips, continue with the same till you achieve complete cure. In case, there is no improvement, pay a visit to a dermatologist. Effective medical treatment is available for eczema on lips. Take help of it to restore the healthy state of your lips.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/eczema-on-lips.html

Dry Cracked Lips

By Priya Johnson

Smiling not only helps reduce your stress levels and increase your attractiveness, but it also pleases those present around you. However, conditions such as dry cracked lips can make smiling quite painful. Besides causing pain and discomfort, dry chapped lips can be quite embarrassing as well. It causes one to avoid being noticed at a social gathering, etc. The skin enveloping the parts of the body produces natural oils that protects the skin from harsh temperatures conditions, etc. However, the skin on the lips do not produce these protective natural oils, which is why we find ourselves stuck with chapped lips during different times of the year. This is a common problem and can be taken care of with some effort. Read more on facial skin care.

Dry Cracked Lips Causes

Medically referred to as cheilitis, dry cracked lips is mostly caused due to the following conditions:

• Overexposure to cold, windy or extremely sunny climate
• Excessive licking of the lips
• Open mouth breathing
• Dehydration
• Smoking
• Chewing Tobacco
• Vitamin deficiencies (A, B, C or B12)
• Allergic reactions (to cosmetic products)
• Side effects to certain medication
• Frequent use of soaps or other chemicals
• Badly fitting dentures
• Skin disorder
• Sores on lips
• Diabetes
• Kawasaki Disease (blood disorder)
• Sjogren's Syndrome (autoimmune disease)
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Macrocytosis (type of blood condition)
• Dry cracked lips

Dry Cracked Lips Symptoms

The different symptoms of dry cracked lips are as follows:

• Dried, flaky lips
• Rough and red lips
• Sensitivity of lips
• Constant licking of lips
• Peeling of lips
• Bleeding or cracking from the side of the mouth

How to Heal Dry Cracked Lips?

Remedy 1
Pure Shea butter when applied on the lips penetrates quickly into underlying layers of the skin. Since its high in vitamin A, E and F content, it performs the role of nourishing the skin and healing it. Mixing Shea butter to beeswax helps prepare a lip balm that helps protect the lips from chapping.

Remedy 2
Application of clarified butter or ghee onto the lips helps heal dry cracked lips and also keeps the skin smooth.

Remedy 3
If you want to treat your chapped lips and want to revive the lost pink color in your lips, then try out the rose petal treatment. Just allow some rose petals to soak for a few hours in milk. Take them out and prepare a paste of these rose petals. Apply the paste on your lips for soft pink lips. You could also crush these rose petals and mix them in some glycerin.

Remedy 4
Applying a mixture of milk cream and a few drops of beetroot juice or pomegranate juice is also known to heal dry chapped lips and restore the pink color.

Remedy 5
The ever famous aloe vera gel that is beneficial to treat various skin conditions serves as an effective treatment in this case as well. Apply some aloe vera gel to heal cracked lips.

Remedy 6
Since dry cracked lips can be caused by dehydration, it is important to make sure you drink adequate amounts of water everyday. Keeping the body hydrated, keeps dry lips at bay.

Remedy 7
Petroleum jelly or lip balms available in the stores are also effective dry cracked lips remedies. Applying lip balms, etc. not only keep the lips smooth, but also help prevent constant licking of the lips. Read more on best lip balm.

Remedy 8
One can also apply Castor oil, coconut oil or olive oil onto your lips. Applying honey on extremely dry cracked lips also works wonders. The sugar crystals in the honey perform the function of exfoliating the skin of the lips. Read more on exfoliate lips from home.

Remedy 9
Another dry cracked lips remedy is cucumber slice. Rubbing a slice of fresh cucumber onto the cracked lips works wonders in healing the lips.

Remedy 10
To heal dry cracked lips, you should also pay attention to your diet. Do you consume a balanced diet or are you vitamin deficient? Loss of vitamin A can conduce to cracked lips, thus, it's important to ensure you eat a vitamin A rich diet.

Read more on:

• Chapped Lips Remedy
• How to Get Perfect Lips

Try out the different dry cracked lips treatments mentioned above and find out which one suits you. Not every remedy is suitable for you. Keeping your lips moisturized regularly and drinking ample amounts of water will help prevent the onset of chapped lips. Constant moisturizing also helps counteract the habit of constantly licking the lips. Hope this article has given you enough information about how to heal dry cracked lips.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dry-cracked-lips.html

Peeling Lips

By Smita Pandit

Are peeling lips robbing you off your beauty? Peeling lips is a condition that can cause a lot of discomfort. Those who suffer from dry, cracked and peeling lips can't even think of smiling. The thin lip skin becomes dry and cracked and begins to peel. Things can get even worse for those who can't resist the temptation of pulling the dry skin from the lips. It might even lead to bleeding. Wondering what causes peeling lips and how to treat this problem? Let's understand what causes this peeling lips problem. Though chapped lips is a common problem in winter season, but sometimes it might be caused due to other factors. It might be caused due to a vitamin deficiency or dehydration. Read more on chapped lips causes.

Peeling Lips: Causes

Harsh Weather
Most of us suffer from peeling lips in winters. The cold, dry and windy climate robs off the moisture from the skin as well as lips. Sometimes over exposure to sun can also cause dehydration which might result in cracked dry lips. The fact that the lip skin is very thin and is devoid of natural oils makes it even more vulnerable to the dry peeling lips problem.

Reaction to Cosmetic Products
You need to be very careful about the cosmetic products you use. Some women don't even realize that it is their lipstick or lip gloss which is causing an allergic reaction on the lips. Bad quality cosmetics can leave the skin very dry and lead to the problem of peeling lips.

Dehydration
Do you drink enough water? Is your intake of fluids enough? If not, you might get dehydrated and this will certainly cause your lips to become chapped. Peeling lips indicate that the body is not well-hydrated and you need to drink fluids to prevent the loss of moisture.

Nutritional Deficiency
Peeling lips can also be caused due to a vitamin deficiency. Certain vitamins help in keeping our skin healthy. If there is a lack of such vitamins and your diet is not providing you with the necessary vitamins and minerals, the skin gets affected. If you suffer from deficiency of vitamin A, B, C or E, you might experience dryness of lips. It might also be accompanied by inflammation or redness of lips.

Peeling Lips: Treatment

Since peeling lips are mainly caused due to dehydration, you must drink lots of water to prevent this problem. Loss of moisture is mainly responsible for dry and cracked lips, therefore, drinking fluids will solve this problem to a great extent. In case, you are suffering from a vitamin deficiency, you need to start taking foods rich in the vitamins A, B, C and E. You must increase your intake of fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, dairy products, whole grain cereals, fortified bread, egg yolks and red meat. You must avoid spicy food.

Since lips lack the natural oils that help in retaining moisture, you need to keep your lips moisturized. You could apply petroleum jelly, cocoa butter, vitamin E gel or aloe vera to moisturize your lips. Exposure to sun or cold winter winds are known to cause dry, peeling lips. Therefore, you must protect the skin during harsh weather. If you are suffering from peeling lips, you must completely avoid licking or biting your lips otherwise peeling lips won't heal. Frequent licking would certainly worsen the problem.

Smoking dries the skin and contributes greatly to the peeling lips problem, therefore people suffering from peeling lips should avoid smoking. Cheap cosmetic products use certain chemicals that can make your lips dry, therefore, you must use good quality cosmetic products only. You could also try some home remedies. Take a ripe papaya and mash it. Apply this on your dry lips and wash it off after 15 minutes. The exfoliating enzymes in papaya will certainly soften your cracked lips. Applying honey, clarified butter or olive oil will also work wonders.

Read more on:

• Chapped Lips Treatment
• Chapped Lips Remedy
• Dry Cracked Lips

Hope you found the information on dry peeling lips useful. If you suffer from the problem of peeling lips, you must take all precautions and protect your lips from harsh weather conditions. Take proper lip care by keeping your lips moisturized and say goodbye to the problem of peeling lips. Take care!

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/peeling-lips.html

Cracked Lips

By Puja Lalwani

Not only are cracked lips unappealing, they can be extremely painful if you happen to suffer from them. Sometimes it can lead to bleeding, and further such problems. Though it is a common condition, brought on by a variety of external factors, sometimes the causes for cracked lips can be internal. It is therefore, imperative to identify these causes and resort to some remedies, to take care of this condition, and prevent a recurrence.

Cracked Lips Causes

As mentioned before, the causes for cracked lips can be both internal and external. These have been enlisted here.

• Though the intake of citrus fruits is healthy for the body, it may have an adverse reaction on your lips and lead to dry cracked lips.
• If you eat a citrus fruit and go out in the sun, the sun rays are likely to react with the chemicals from the fruit on your lips, and cause an allergic reaction. The consumption of excess vitamin A also has the same effect and leads to cracked lips.
• Constant lip-licking is a terrible habit that contributes to cracked lips. Though you may think that keeping the lips wet by licking them is a natural way of moisturizing them, it actually works the other way around.
• Playing musical instruments on a regular basis, such as the clarinet, or the saxophone, can also cause this problem.
• The chemicals and compounds contained in lipsticks, and so called lip-care products, actually have an adverse reaction on the lips, and may lead to chapped, cracked lips. Even flavored lip-balms, though meant to eliminate the problem, further worsen it because of all the unnecessary additives in it.
• Sometimes, chapped lips are a side effect of certain medication you may be undergoing for problems such as blood-pressure.
• The lack of important nutrients, such as vitamin and zinc, contribute to this condition.
• The weather can play an important role in determining the condition of your lips. Excess exposure to the sun or to dry, cold weather conditions, contributes to the problem of cracked lips.
• Smoking is another reason why you may suffer from this problem.
• Lastly, aging is a common reason why people experience this problem.

Cracked Lips Remedy

Take a look at some natural remedies, that will help you cure yourself of the problem of cracked lips.

• The first natural remedy, not only for cracked lips, but for almost all kinds of skin problems, is to drink plenty of water. Doing so, keeps the skin healthy and naturally moisturized.
• If you use lip balm, ensure it is unflavored and without color. An ideal lip balm is petroleum jelly, that benefits the cracked lips and restores them to their natural self, without any harmful effects.
• Apply a very small amount of either coconut, or olive oil on your cracked lips. Regular application provides quick relief from this problem.
• At night, apply a very thin layer of honey on your lips, followed by a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Let it rest for 10 minutes, and then wipe your lips clean with a cotton swab that has been dipped in tepid water. Follow it up with the application of petroleum jelly, and allow it to remain overnight.
• In a teaspoon of raw milk, add a drop of honey, and a drop of rose water. Apply this mixture on your cracked lips on a daily basis. Allow it to remain overnight.
• Rub a small slice of cucumber thoroughly on your cracked lips. Then apply a very thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep the lips moisturized.
• Get a fresh aloe vera stem. Cut it open, and use the gel that is released from it as a natural lip balm, and is also a great remedy for cracked corners of mouth. This is one of the best moisturizing ingredients for almost all dry skin conditions.
• Try making some of these natural lip balm recipes, as an effective remedy for cracked lips.
• Lastly, make a conscious effort to stop licking your lips.

Lip care is essential, so that you can enhance the natural beauty that you already have. Follow these effective remedies for cracked lips, and continue taking care of your lips to avoid this problem in the future. Try to remain natural, and avoid resorting to cosmetics with heavy chemicals that further worsen the problem.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cracked-lips.html

Lip Liner Tips

By Girija Shinde

Lipstick is the most important component of any make up. In fact, when the word make up is said the first thing that comes to anyone's mind is, lipstick. And why not, after all lipstick attracts attention and also makes the lips to look good. But as lipstick attracts attention, it is very necessary that the lipstick looks perfect. And for making the lipstick look perfect, certain things to be paid attention to very carefully, like the color of the lipstick, moisturizing the lips and the border of the lips. Lip liner does this job. Let's see some lip liner tips. Read on makeup.

Why to Apply a Lip Liner

As the name suggests, lip liner is meant to create a line, a border for the lips. Many a time, you must have experienced smudging and spreading of lipstick above and below your lips. It becomes a difficult task to rub off the extra lipstick especially, when you are done with your whole makeup! You must have also faced the problem of lipstick fading on the wrong time, i.e., when the party is in full swing! Lip liner is a remedy to all these problems. Lip liner is nothing but a type of colored cosmetic pencil, which comes with a sharpener! Lip liner gives an outline to your lips, which prevent the lipstick from bleeding. Lip liner also helps to keep the lipstick on the lips for a longer time. Besides all these uses, the main advantage of lip liner is that it gives the lips a concrete shape, which makes them stand out and look full. Read on natural looking makeup.

Lip Liner Tutorial - Types of Lip Liners

Now that we know the advantages of lip liners, let us see how and which lip liner to choose. Unlike lipsticks, there are no liquid lip liners. The ones which claim to be liquid, are actually in cream form. But cream lip liners are not much used. The ones which are popular, are the traditional lip liners which come along with a sharpener and the other, which is mechanical. There are advantages and disadvantages of both forms. Read on homemade lip gloss.

The advantages of classic lip liner is that you can sharpen the pencil whenever you want and that's why there is no danger of bacteria, and you also get a fine point every time, which is not possible in case of mechanical lip liner. The classic liner is kinda dry, which makes it is easier to carry. The advantages of mechanical lip liner is that you do not need to sharp it every now and then. Mechanical lip liners have a wetter look, which makes them look more natural, but it also becomes difficult to maintain them. Talking about the color of the lip liner, remember that lip liner should compulsorily match the color of the lipstick. One darker is okay, but it should never be dark than that and nor should it be lighter than the lipstick. The reasons are obvious, if the lip liner is fainter than the lipstick, it won't be seen, which means it will be useless. And if it is darker than the lipstick, only a border of lip liner will be seen on your lips, which will look comical as well as drastic! If you are not sure which color to buy or if you are not getting the same shade as the lipstick, go for colorless wax pencil. It will be the safest as it will perform the same job as other lip liners but without imparting any color. When it comes to price, you do not need to buy the costliest lip liners. The best lip liner can be as cheap as your lip balm! So just for the best brand. This was all the basic information about lip liners, now lets see some lip liner tips, starting from lip liner application.

Lip Liner Application

• First of all clean your lips well, remove any signs of lip balm or gloss.
• Be sure that the pencil is sharp enough. In case of mechanical lip liner, refrigerate it for a couple of minutes.
• In case it becomes very pointed, do not try breaking the point! Just rub it onto a tissue.
• To start with, make a dot in center of your upper as well as lower lip. In the same way, make a few more dots on the entire lips, keep a distance between them.
• Start joining the dots one by one, with a firm hand. Continue till the edge of the lips.
• Now wait for a second and carefully check in the mirror if any space is left, if you notice any space, fill it with light strokes.
• You can apply lipstick now. See to it that the lip liner and lipstick look smooth.

These were some of the lip liner tips. I would like to give a parting lip liner tip. If your lips are thinner, apply very little lip liner, on the lip line as well as a bit above your original lip line. To make the lips smaller, apply a bit darker color than your lipstick and also apply a bit of foundation before applying the lip liner. Hope these lip liner tricks and tips help you to have irresistible lips!

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lip-liner-tips.html

Lip Makeup Tips

By Puja Lalwani

Lip makeup can look exactly the way you want it to look. It can make you look younger, or older, or make your lips appear thinner or fuller. It all depends on the kind of look you are trying to achieve. That is why we have here, different lip makeup tips that will give you a chance to flaunt your lips, and make them kissable and desirable.

How to Apply Lip Makeup

The first step involved in creating the look of those luscious lips is to take care of your lips. That means, you have to bid goodbye to dry, flaky lips. Ensure your lips are soft and protected by applying any suitable lip balm, at regular intervals. Lip balm not only protects the lips from changes in the environment, mainly harsh sunlight or dry weather, but also retains the little moisture present in them and prevents them from becoming dry. Once you have attained the desired soft texture, go ahead and try out these miraculous lip makeup tips, which will give you those beautiful lips you've always coveted, and can have now.

1. Save Them before you Paint Them: Lip balm is not only good for dry, cracked lips, it also makes a great base for lip makeup, and protects them from the harshness of various cosmetics. Apply a good, protective layer of the best lip balm before you begin.
2. Get in Shape: Use a lip liner to outline your lips. Choose a shade that is close to the lipstick you are going to use. After applying lip liner, use a lip brush to gently blend in the lip liner, but still maintain the line. Not only does a lip liner define the shape of the lips, it also prevents the lip color from spreading into tiny lines around the mouth. For instance, if you want to give your upper lip a sharp 'V' dip, a lip liner is the ideal way to achieve it. If your lips droop at the corners, you may use a lip liner to give them a slightly lifted appearance. Read more on lip liner tips.
3. Color Me Red (or Pink, or any shade you like): To be able to make the lipstick last longer, it is important that you apply it twice. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone. Some of you may want to jazz it up by using red lip makeup. However, remember that it is neither suitable for teenagers, nor for very old women. It suits women only of a particular age group. Moreover, if your lip color is slightly on the darker side, using a mild foundation on the lips will make the lipstick appear as it is on your lips, and allow for longer wear of the lipstick. After the first application of the lipstick, press a tissue between the lips and blot the color, followed by a second application. This will make the lip color last longer.
4. Gloss it Up: Dab a bit of gloss on your lips to give them a fuller look. Women who are already blessed with full lips should avoid using gloss as it further enhances the fullness of the lips. In some cases, you may use gloss without the lipstick. This is especially helpful when you are trying to achieve a nude look for the lips.

Always use a lip makeup remover to remove all the makeup as prolonged application may affect the color and texture of the lips.

How to do Lip Makeup for Different Lip Thicknesses

The procedure to apply lip makeup for lips of different shapes and sizes is the same as above, only the intensity of application of each product will vary.

Lip Makeup Tips for Thin Lips
For thin lips, when using the lip liner, apply it just outside the edge of the lips. Don't go overboard as this will distort the shape of your lips. Choose a color that is similar to the lipstick you are applying. Fill in the lip color, and use gloss at the center of your lower lip, to give them a fuller look.

Lip Makeup Tips for Full Lips
For thick lips, you may do without the use of the lip liner. However, if you still want to use it, apply it just around the inner edge of the lips. Blend the liner well with a lipstick of your choice. Try to avoid darker shades as these will make the lips stand out further. Avoid the use of lip gloss.

Some women might even want to opt for permanent lip makeup. However, it is an expensive procedure, and not feasible for many. Moreover, with these lip makeup tips, and being the natural beauty you are, do you really think you need a 'more' permanent solution to your problem?

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lip-makeup-tips.html

Lip Makeup Remover

By Rimlee Bhuyan

Your lips are the most sensitive part of your body and you need to keep them moisturized. The lips do not have any oil glands unlike the rest of the skin so they are more prone to drying and cracking. All women love to apply lipstick on their lips and some even consider their beauty regimen incomplete if they do not apply their favorite lip color. Lipsticks are available in a variety of textures and forms and you will be virtually spoilt for choice. There are some long wearing lipstick and lip stains available in the market that stays on for up to 8 hours without smudging. Unfortunately these lipsticks are more difficult to remove than the conventional variety and most of us do not bother to remove it before going to sleep. Here a lip makeup remover comes to the rescue and helps to effectively get rid of all traces of lip color from your lips.

Lip Makeup Remover Tips

There are many different types of makeup remover available in the market from all leading brands. Considering that the lips are very sensitive, waterproof makeup removers specifically meant for taking off lipsticks from lips are also available. Below we will discuss some tips for removing lip makeup.

• Although you can purchase good lip makeup remover from a departmental store, there are products in your kitchen that works just as well in removing lipsticks. Natural rose water is very effective as a lip makeup remover. Just dip a cotton ball in rose water and rub your lips in with this in a back and forth motion. Be careful to rub gently and you will see that the lipstick has come out in the cotton ball. You can keep the rose water chilled in the refrigerator for a refreshing effect.
• The best lip makeup remover that you can use to effectively remove lipstick is pure coconut oil or olive oil. Soak a cotton ball in coconut oil or olive oil and rub this on your lips until all the makeup has come off. Using coconut oil and olive oil as a lip makeup remover is a good option for women who might be allergic to certain ingredients in a conventional makeup remover. Moreover coconut oil as well as olive oil will keep your lips moisturized and will help to soften them.
• You can also apply a small amount of petroleum jelly on your lips and keep it on for a few minutes. Take a soft tissue and wipe your lips. You will find that the lipstick will come off very easily. You might like to know about homemade lip balm.
• In winter when your lips are chapped and the lipstick has bleed into the fine lines of your lips, it is very difficult and painful to remove lipstick. Dab a little cold cream in your lips and wipe it off with a moistened cotton ball for easy lipstick removal.
• If you use waterproof lipstick or long wearing lipstick, you might have a hard time removing it from your lips at the end of the day. Do not try to remove it by rubbing hard as this will end up injuring your lips. The best natural lip makeup remover for these kind of lipsticks is milk. Dip a cotton ball in cold milk and rub your lips in a circular motion. The milk will not only cleanse your lips must also keep them soft and conditioned.

So, these were some ways in which you can remove makeup from your lips. Always use a good quality lip makeup remover from a reputed brand for taking off lipsticks and lip stains.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lip-makeup-remover.html

History of Lipstick

By Bidisha Mukherjee

A modern day lipstick is made up of a large number of ingredients like oils, waxes, emollients, pigments, etc. The wax gives a stabilized shape to the lipstick while the oil and fat content give it a soft yet firm texture. The emollients like aloe vera or vitamin E helps to keep the lips in well-moisturized condition. It may also have other additives like alcohol as preservatives as well as sunscreen and fragrance. Lipstick is an indispensable part of the makeup kit of millions of modern women all across the world. This is mainly because, it is an easy and inexpensive way to make a fashion statement. However, if you look into the lipstick history, you will find that the practice of using it in order to give an attractive look to woman's lips started thousands of years ago.

History of the Lipstick

Various historical records suggest that lipstick origins in ancient Mesopotamia almost 5000 years ago. It has been found that the women of the ancient Babylonian city of Ur used to mix crushed semi precious stones with a paste and applied it on the lips to add color to them. Evidence has also been found that women in Indus valley civilization applied red color on lips. In ancient Roman civilization, women who belonged to the upper class used lip colors that they manufactured at home.

In ancient Egypt too, women loved to tint their lips with attractive purple-red color. They used to combine iodine and a compound of bromine known as bromine mannite to obtain that lip color which proved to be highly toxic. For that reason, it was later known as 'kiss of death'. It is said that Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, used crushed carmine beetles, ant's eggs and henna to prepare the luscious red color for her lips. To add some shimmering effect to the lip color, extracts from fish scales were also used.

The most obvious question that comes to our mind when we are discussing about history of lipstick is 'who made the first lipstick'. The credit for developing the first lipstick or the lip color in the form of a stick is given to Abu al-Quasim al-Zahrwai. He belonged to Andalusia area of Spain and is often referred to as father of modern surgery. He created the first lipstick at around 900 A.D. He used wax to form the base to which fragrances were added and then pressed into a mold.

During the Middle Ages, the popularity of lipstick declined. In that era, lipstick was considered to be a cosmetic which is suitable for prostitutes and lower class women. Hence, women belonging to upper class stopped using it. Lipstick once again regained its popularity in the 16th century. It was the Elizabethan era and Queen Elizabeth I, England, herself used bright red color on her lips along with chalk white face powder. Once again, in the middle of the 17th century, lipsticks faced stiff opposition from an England pastor named Thomas Hall. He led a movement that strongly opposed the use of any kind of cosmetics and regarded painting of faces as ‘Devil’s Work’. In 1770, the British Parliament passed a law to ban wearing of lipstick. It stated that if a woman wears lipstick, she could be tried as a witch!

In the late 1890s, the popularity of lipstick started rising all over again. Gradually, it became a craze among women. The Hollywood film industry had a major contribution in this regard. Women wanted to have an enhanced and fuller lips like their favorite actresses and thus sale of lipstick went higher and higher. The small pot of lip color was replaced by the push up tube around 1915. Women wanted a lipstick that stays on their lips for a longer period of time. Thus the "kiss-proof" lipstick came into being. It was introduced into the market by a cosmetic company called Hazel Bishop Inc. in 1950.

From the lipstick history you must have now come to know how it evolved over a period of time to its present form. Today, one can find lipstick of a wide range of shades. Apart from the color choices, there are also lipsticks in the market with special ingredients that are essential for lip care. Like, some of them have sunscreens, moisturizers and conditioners in order to keep the lips in healthy condition.


Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lipstick-history-of-lipstick.html

Flavored Lipstick

By Aparna Jadhav

 Lipsticks, being the favorite make up accessory in a woman's purse, is always the reflection of her choice and "taste". In the millions of shades and colors which are presented by the well known cosmetic brands, today there are a number of flavors which they flaunt as well. The whole concept of flavored lipsticks was started keeping in mind that, since most of the times, lipsticks are tasted by the ladies while they are on, they might as well be flavored. Thus came the many lipsticks which were colored in the same colors of the flavor which they boasted. For example, a cherry flavored lipstick was red in color and a chocolate flavored was brown. Like these, there are many flavors in the market today, which are conveniently preferred by women all over the world. Thus find your choice of flavored lipsticks out of the few mentioned in the following paragraphs.

Flavored Lipstick

You must have always wondered why do we feel the taste of a lipstick simply by smelling it? The answer is quite simple as, your ordinary lipsticks which are not sweetened or flavored, only have flavor oils as an additional component. These flavor oils are lip safe fragrances as they only smell but not taste. When commercial brands use these flavor oils to make lipsticks, they only put the smell of a certain fruit or product which gives you the idea of the lipstick. More on long lasting lipstick.

Flavored lipsticks, however have an actual sweetener, commonly aspartame or any other sugar substitute. This sweetener tricks the brain into thinking that the lipstick has the particular flavor but the fact is that you are only smelling it. Thus, when you buy flavored lipsticks, you have a tendency to keep licking your lips and ingesting the flavoring oils. There are many organic cosmetic brands which do not use any animal products to make their lipsticks and only use herbal extracts. Thus, it would be advisable that you use flavored lipsticks, glosses and lip balms produced by these companies.

Common Flavored Lipsticks

Out of the many flavored lipsticks used by women today, we have a few mentioned here, find out which ones are your favorite. More on lipstick ingredients.

Chocolate flavored lipstick: If you're a die hard chocolate fan and wouldn't mind tasting and smelling it the whole day, a chocolate flavored lipstick is all you need. The rich glossy look of the shiny lipstick on your lips and the intoxicating aroma of dark chocolate is definitely a treat for an onlooker as well as you! This flavor of lipstick and lip balm is the most bought and the most used product by many women. Even in the chocolate flavor, there are flavors like, chocolate hazelnut, chocolate orange and chocolate mint which loved by young girls and ladies.

Caramel flavored lipstick: After chocolate the second most sold flavored lipsticks are those with caramel taste. The crispy smell and the sweet taste of these lipsticks are the also preferred by many young women. Caramel is a very different and unique flavor for cosmetics and thus is the second best flavor any girl would want to have on her lips for at least 12 hours of the day. This flavor also has many other flavors to accompany it like Mocha Latte and roasted Almond with caramel.

Bubble gum flavored lipstick: This is another very well known and used lipstick flavor. Many girls like to chew gum every hour of the day and this flavor would definitely save that energy of theirs by providing the yummy bubble gum taste to their tongues. This flavor comes in many colors, preferably shades of pink and peach. They look very natural and go with almost any casual or formal attire, and also taste really good. More on lipstick color guide.

What more can you ask when those shiny and glossy lips are combined with the best of tastes to make lipsticks even more enjoyable. So, have fun with those yummy and luscious flavored lipsticks made only to make your lips more perfect.


Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/flavored-lipstick.html

Beeswax Lip Balm

By Florentyna K

 Who doesn't love the flavor and feel of juicy strawberry lip balm on their lips? Well, everyone does, at least we women do! Dabbing a bit of lip balm on our lips every few hours has sort of become a habit for us. Lip balm is a great way of protecting our lips from chapping due to harsh weather. A layer of lip balm underneath your favorite lipstick protects your lips from the chemicals in the lipsticks. However, sometimes the ingredients in the commercially available lip balm itself are dangerous for your lips and do more damage than good. In such cases, making your own beeswax lip balm is a great way of ensuring the beauty of your lips. Given below are some recipes for making beeswax lip balm.

Beeswax Lip Balm Recipes

General Instructions
Beeswax comes in shredded pieces or blocks, which need to be melted at home. It does not completely become liquid. but turns into a soft mass when heated adequately. It should never be heated directly on the flame, instead it should be either micro waved with small, repeated time intervals or double heated in a pot of boiling water. Other lip balm ingredients can be added depending upon the desired flavor. The key to making a quality lip balm is thoroughly mixing the ingredients, so that there is no lump formation. You may also melt a capsule of vitamin E, to increase the health value of your lip balm. Given below are some recipes for making flavored beeswax lip balm. You will need to arrange for lip balm containers and tubes to store your homemade lip balm.

Almond Oil Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 8 oz. Sweet almond oil
• 1.5 - 2.5 oz. Beeswax
• 1 tsp. Honey

Take almond oil and beeswax in a pyrex measuring container and melt them together by any of the methods mentioned above. Mix them well and add honey to the mixture. Blend all the ingredients well until a homogeneous mixture is formed. Pour the lip balm in the containers and tubes.

Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 2.5 oz. Cocoa butter
• 2.6 oz. Beeswax
• 1.4 oz. Sweet almond oil

Melt all the ingredients together and mix them well. Pour into glass containers or tubes and store in cool, dry place.

Peppermint Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 2 tsp. Beeswax
• 7 - 8 tsp. Light oil (sweet almond oil, castor oil, jojoba oil)
• 1 tsp. Honey
• 5 Drops peppermint essential oil

Melt the oil and beeswax together in a pyrex container. Switch off the heat and add honey to the mixture. Thoroughly mix the ingredients and add drops of peppermint oil to it. Pour into containers and tube and store. You may replace peppermint oil with an essential oil of your choice.

Creamy Lip Balm

Ingredients

• ½ tbsp. Grated beeswax
• ½ tbsp. Grated cocoa butter
• 1 tsp. Coconut oil
• Bavarian cream

Mix all the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Heat the mixture for about 45 minutes. Blend it well and pour in the lip balm containers.

You may add coloring agents such as beetroot juice to your beeswax lip balm recipe. However, refrain from adding synthetic coloring or flavoring agents, as they could deteriorate the value of your lip balm. Always seal your lip balm containers tightly and store them in cool, dry place. If you find a change in texture or smell of your lip balm, discard the entire batch and make a new one.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/beeswax-lip-balm.html

Tinted Lip Balm

By Florentyna K

 Lip balm is basically an ointment for keeping your lips, moist and crack free. The natural ingredients in lip balm promote the healing of chapped lips. Lip balm is mostly made from petroleum jelly or natural substance like beeswax. Lip balm is different from lipstick or lip gloss, both of which only serve a cosmetic purpose. Until now, lip balms were available in neutral, colorless shade. However, many cosmetic companies have now introduced tinted lip balms which, apart from nourishing your lips also give them a desired color.

Tinted Lip Balm

Lip balms are tinted according to the flavor they represent. Strawberry flavored lip balm comes in a lovely shade of pink, while cherry lip balm comes in a bright red color. Deep red colored cranberry and purple blueberry lip balm is also popular. Bubblegum flavored lip balm comes in a variety of funky colors such as fluorescent green, yellow and orange. Mint flavored lip balm is available in cool blue color. Other flavors such as peach, coffee are available in neutral colors. Tinted lip balms allow you to apply a subdued version of your favorite lipstick. Since, the tint of lip balms is very light, they render a natural appearance to your lips. Some tinted lip balms also come with a shimmering effect which alleviates the need for applying a lip gloss.

Just like ordinary lip balms, tinted lip balms also include an array of nourishing ingredients. These lip balm ingredients include vitamin E, jojoba oil, almond oil and other nutrients. Tinted lip balm with SPF 15 or more provides protection against sun damage. Sun damage is the main cause of cracked, chapped lips, since the lips dehydrate and lose all of their moisture. Best tinted lip balm not only hydrates chapped lips but also keeps them soft and supple for a long time. More on best lip balm.

Make Your Own Tinted Lip Balm

You can easily make your own tinted lip balm at home. The recipe for making tinted lip balm is same as that of ordinary lip balm recipe. You simply have to add a coloring agent of your choice to give your lip balm a desired tint. You can either make use of your old makeup products, or your can make a tinted lip balm entirely out of natural ingredients. More on natural lip balm recipe.

To make tinted lip balm from makeup products, collect all old blushes, eye shadows and lipsticks. Choose the color of the eyeshadow or powdered blush and blend it well with a small amount of Chapstick or Vaseline, in a container. If you are planning to use a lipstick, then break off a small piece of lipstick and crush it to mix well with Chapstick or Vaseline. This way you can create a lighter version of your favorite bold colored lipstick. More on homemade lip balm.

Another way of making tinted lip balm is by mixing certain natural ingredients together. Heat an equal amount of almond oil and honey in a microwave bowl. Take a handful of cranberries and crush them to release their juice. Add this cranberry pulp to the mixture of honey and almond oil, and reheat it. Add a small amount of beetroot juice to the above mixture to enrich the tint of the lip balm. Strain the mixture and add a pinch of cherry powder for enhancing the flavor. Pour the mixture in small lip balm tubes or containers and allow them to cool in a refrigerator. This type of natural tinted lip balm can be used on little girls who yearn to color their lips. More on beeswax lip balm.

Tinted lip balm looks glamorous but not too bold, unlike lipstick or lip gloss. It is perfect for a subdued yet sophisticated look. 


Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/tinted-lip-balm.html

Best Lip Balm

By Rutuja Jathar

 Lip balm, also called as lip salve or lip moisturizer is a sort of cosmetic, that is used as a topical product for application over lips to keep them moist and relieve them of chapping, drying and getting affected by the cold dryness. There are various lip balm ingredients, but mainly lip balm is a compilation of petroleum jelly, beeswax, camphor, menthol, some scented oils, essential oils, vitamins, salicyclic acid, alum and or aspirin. Well, all these ingredients are not combined but they are substituted with one another as well. As a matter of fact, the first lip balm was made from earwax, with undesirable taste!! Read on lip balm ingredients.

The main function of lip balms is to form an occlusive layer upon the surface of the lips. This process helps in sealing the moisture and stopping the constant exposure of the lips to the harmful external factors like air, sunlight, dirt and pollutants, etc. To evade you with the trouble, there are way too many lip balm manufacturing companies that claim their individual superiority. They are enough to confuse the customers to the maximum, well in that case, what can be the best lip balm for dry lips? Quite an obvious question that can come to everyone's mind. Let's find out.

Best Lip Balm
When we talk about the best lip balm, amongst those available in the market, the answer get very simple and obvious. The best lip balm is made using organic and natural ingredients. The more natural ingredients in a lip balm means it is very less harmful as there will not be place for the chemicals and other substances, that can prove to be a potential harm for the lips, on the longer term. The best lip balm is the one, that is less medicated. Some natural substances like menthol and camphor do give that tingling feeling to the lips but they also can cause lip balm addiction.

Another important factor in deciding the best lip balm is the SPF factor. The Sun Protection Factor in all the beauty products make sure the degree in which it is capable to protect you from the harmful sun rays. The body is covered with several skin layers but when it comes to the lips, they are covered with one of the most softest possible layer and hence they need to be protected more than the other body parts. Hence the best lip balm must be helping the body with its correct SPF degree, like SPF more than 15 and within the range of SPF 30.

There are several organic lip balms that amongst which one can choose the best lip balm, they are hemp lip balm, lip balms made using tea tree oil, jojoba oil, beeswax lip balm and lip balms that are made avoiding several harmful substances like gluten, paraben, lanolin, etc. When buying lip balm, make sure you go for the ingredients and benefits rather than the brands. Keeping this factor in mind, one can definitely get to know which is the best lip balm for them. Read more to exfoliate lips at home.

Best Lip Balm Recipe
I might sound crazy while reading this but one can make the best lip balm for himself, by the DIY way! There are too many lip balm recipes that one can easily access on internet and make the best lip balm using some household products and avoiding harmful chemicals as well. Try this simple recipes to make lemon lip balm. Melt ½ teaspoon beeswax on lower heat and add a tablespoon petroleum jelly in it. Stir the mixture well and stop heating it. Fill the desired container like an empty lip balm container with it and add some of the lemon essential oil in it and cool it down. What are you waiting for? You have just learned to make arguably the best lip balm for chapped lips! Read on how to make homemade lip gloss as well.

Best Lip Balm Reviews
When we try to take a general opinion of people about the best lip balm, there are a few brands that are holding firm places in the customer's mind. Some lip balm manufacturing companies like Carmex, Chapstick, Softlips, Blistex, Mary Kay, Burt's Bees, Aveeno, Merry Hempsters, La bello, Nueva, Nivea, Vaseline, MedEx, Lip Smacker and many more are very popular amongst the lip balm users. Most of these lip balms have managed to maintain SPF within the range 15 to 30 and they also contain the natural ingredients that do not cause any harmful aftermaths on the lips.

There are a few things that a person can do to make sure that he won't need the trouble of finding the best lip balm in the first place. Enough vitamin E levels in the body, balanced diet, things that will avoid dehydration from within, like drinking plenty of water, will keep the lips naturally healthy and moist. On this note I conclude this article about the best lip balm. Hope it was helpful for you all! Stay gorgeous! 


Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/best-lip-balm.html

How to Make Lip Balm

By Rimlee Bhuyan

Dry, chapped lips are a common occurrence during the winter when the weather is cold. This happens due to lack of moisture and a lip balm can come to your rescue. There are many kinds of lip balms that are available in the market and they contain ingredients like petroleum jelly and shea butter that keeps the lips moist and hydrated. But you can make lip balms at home and the advantage of using a home made lip balm is that it is free of artificial colors and additives. As the lips are soft and sensitive, artificial additives might cause an allergic reaction. You can also add your favorite infused oil in the home made lip balm to make your lips smooth and soft. Here is a guide to how to make lip balm at home.

Easy to Make Lip Balms

Honey Jojoba Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoon jojoba oil
• 3 teaspoon grated beeswax
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 6 teaspoon lime oil

Method

In a double boiler, melt the beeswax and the jojoba oil, stirring constantly so that they are thoroughly combined. Remove from heat and add the lime oil and honey and give it a good stir, taking care that the honey does not clump. Now pour this mixture into clean dry containers and let it sit undisturbed for 20 to 25 minutes. Use small cosmetic jars to keep the lip balm. You might like to know more about lip balm ingredients.

Coconut Oil Infused Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 1 ½ teaspoon beeswax
• 1 teaspoon cocoa butter
• 2 teaspoon coconut oil
• 2 teaspoon sweet almond oil
• 2 teaspoon vitamin E

Method

In a microwave safe bowl heat beeswax and cocoa butter together for about 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, remove the bowl from the microwave, and mix them ingredients thoroughly, so that the ingredients are well combined. Now add the coconut oil, sweet almond oil and vitamin E and stir well. When the mixture starts thickening pour the lip balm into a clean container and it is ready to be used.

Tinted Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon beeswax
• ½ teaspoon cocoa butter
• 1 teaspoon mango butter
• 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
• 2 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 ½ teaspoon aloe vera oil
• ½ teaspoon castor oil
• ½ teaspoon amber mica

Method

In a microwave safe bowl, heat the mango butter, beeswax and cocoa butter and microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir in the sweet almond oil, coconut oil, aloe vera oil and castor oil. Mix all the ingredients together until you get a smooth paste of a thick consistency. Add the amber mica and stir again. Pour this mixture into pretty pots and tubes and use it for yourself your gift them to your friends. The addition of castor oil in this lip balm makes the glossy and shiny. You might also like to read about homemade lip gloss and how to make your own liquid lip gloss.

Cocoa Mint Lip Balm

• 2 teaspoon cocoa butter
• 1 teaspoon shea butter
• 2 tablespoon beeswax
• 1 teaspoon pure vitamin E
• 4 drops mint essential oil

Method

Melt the cocoa butter, shea butter and beeswax over a double boiler. Once all the ingredients are melted and properly combined remove from heat. Add 4 drops of mint essential oil along with vitamin E and stir the mixture. While the mixture is still hot, pour it into a small container and let it stand undisturbed for around 20 minutes. When the mixture cools down, it solidifies and your lip balm is ready for use. This is one of the best ways to how to make lip balm recipes. Read more on

• Homemade Lip Balm
• Best Lip Balm
• Lip Gloss Ingredients

All the above recipes regarding how to make lip balm are among some ways to make them at home. You can try a lot many variations by using different essential oils. One important thing to remember in making lip balm at home, is that while melting shea butter, do not overheat it, as at very high temperature the shea butter turns grainy. If you prefer a hint of color in your lip balm add some of your favorite lipstick to it while melting the beeswax. Now that you know how to make lip balms, you can gift them to your friends and I am sure that they will greatly enjoy these customized beauty presents.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-make-lip-balm.html

Natural Lip Gloss

By Deepa Kartha

Lip gloss has become one of the most popular cosmetics in recent years. The reason due to which people are opting for lip gloss instead of lipstick is because the former gives the lip a shimmering and subtle look at the same time. It is also one of the best cosmetics for teenagers, as it gives a natural look to the lips. However, most of the lip glosses that are available in the market are made of chemicals which may not suit everyone. Hence, it is best to opt for natural lip gloss which one can buy from the local stores. Nevertheless, the problem here is that many experts are of the opinion that the lip gloss that are said to be made of natural ingredients are not actually so. In other words, though manufacturers claim that these lip glosses are made of natural ingredients, this claim is actually questionable. Hence, the best alternative would be to make lip gloss on your own. Here, we will take a look at some natural lip gloss recipes that one can easily make at home. Read more on how to make lip gloss.

Homemade Natural Lip Gloss Recipes

The biggest advantage of making lip gloss at home is that you can control the natural lip gloss ingredients. The ingredients used in making lip gloss are something that are usually available in most homes. This way, you can also save a lot of money, as commercial lip gloss actually costs a lot of money. Nevertheless, there are many people who think that they can make just one type of lip gloss at home. But this is not true, as it is possible to make lip gloss of different flavors and fragrances at home too. Here are some recipes for making natural lip gloss. Read more on lip gloss recipes.

Natural Lip Gloss Recipe #01

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons beeswax
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 10-20 drops jojoba oil
• 3 teaspoons cocoa butter
• Drops of vitamin E oil or honey

Preparation

In a double broiler, take beeswax, coconut oil and cocoa butter together and melt on a very low heat. Once they are completely melted, take the broiler off the stove and allow it to cool for sometime. After this is done, add jojoba oil and stir till it completely blends in the melted mixture. Take a clean container and transfer the lip gloss into it. Keep the lid of the container a little loose, so that it is possible for the moisture to escape from it. When the lip gloss is fully cooled, seal it tightly and use it whenever you want to. More on homemade lip gloss.

Natural Lip Gloss Recipe #02

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon almond oil
• 10-12 fresh cranberries
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

Take cranberries, almond oil and honey in a microwave friendly dish, and heat it for a few minutes in the microwave. After this, take the bowl out from the microwave and crush the cranberries while stirring them. Once this is done, strain the mixture through the sieve, so that you can dispose off the cranberry pieces. Transfer the mixture into an air tight container and use it whenever you want to. More on how to make your own lip gloss.

Natural Lip Gloss Recipe #03

Ingredients

• 3 teaspoons coconut oil
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 teaspoons beeswax, grated
• 1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil

Preparation

In a microwave friendly dish, take coconut oil, vitamin E oil and beeswax together. Place the dish in the microwave and heat for sometime, till the wax and the oils are completely melted. Add the vanilla extract into the container and stir to blend it with the melted ingredients. Take a clean container and pour the mixture into it. Let the mixture cool completely, before you use it. More on how to make your own liquid lip gloss.

Natural Lip Gloss Recipe #04

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1 capsule vitamin E
• 4-5 chocolate chips

Preparation

Take all the ingredients in a double broiler and heat till they are completely melted. After this is done, stir the mixture with a spoon till it becomes a smooth paste. Transfer the ingredients into a clean, air tight container. Place the container in the refrigerator to cool and use it when it solidifies completely.

These are some of the recipes of natural lip gloss that you can make at home. These recipes are quite easy and will not take much of your time. So, try to make natural lip gloss with the recipes that are given above. You can not only use the lip gloss yourself, but can also give them as gifts.

Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/natural-lip-gloss.html

Beauty Products: Cosmetics

By Buzzle Staff and Agencies

The traditional way of shopping for cosmetics often includes an excursion to the mall, an overwhelming array of beauty supply counters, and a persistent salesperson offering you the one product you never knew you needed. But finally, an alternative to this tradition has arrived. With the dawn of the World Wide Web, online shopping and information for numerous cosmetic lines is available. Most of these cosmetic sites offer online ordering, product descriptions, and beauty advice.

Web users seeking cosmetic advice and makeup tips need go no further than the web site of their favorite cosmetics line. The web sites of many companies, including Clinique, Cover Girl, Avon, Mary Kay, and Revlon offer skin typing, color selection advice, and makeup tips. Cover Girl goes the extra mile, using astrology to match your life events with beauty advice. For the international customer, Lancome offers a multilingual web site tailored to the language of your country. If searching for information on science research, look to L’Oreal’s site to learn about their studies on dermatological and cosmetic issues. The most obvious convenience of online cosmetic sites is the ability to choose and order products through the company's web site. Most sites offer this useful service to their online customers.

The next time the urge to shop for cosmetics hits, don't just run to your car and head for the nearest shopping center. Instead, jump on your computer and connect to the Internet to search for cosmetic resources online. Online cosmetic shopping opens a whole new world for customers seeking to fill their beauty needs. Whether you're seeking beauty advice and information or an easy way to purchase products, the World Wide Web is a convenient option for your cosmetic needs. 


Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-26-2000-643.asp

Beauty Basics Tips

By R.L. Fielding

Despite the media coverage of makeover reality shows, the majority of Americans are not looking for extreme transformations. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, most of us want to look better, naturally, with 68-percent preferring a subtle change. And experts agree that looking your best could be accomplished at home for considerably less.

Dr. Linda Franks, a leader in the specialized skin care frontier, says "To get that timeless, healthy look you need to start with an appropriate skincare regime. Taking good care of your skin can stave off fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and even dry skin."

Doctors say whatever your skin type, the key is to cleanse it gently.
-- Avoid hot water and use lukewarm instead, to prevent over-drying.
-- And throw in the towel – traditional washcloths are too abrasive for the face, so use your hands and fingers.

Sixty-eight-percent of women claim to have sensitive skin which means dry, tight, chapped or easily irritated skin.
-- Moisturize regularly.
-- Avoid harsh cleansers with ingredients such as fragrances, dyes and preservatives because sensitive skin is easily damaged and takes longer to recover.

If your skin is dry and easily irritated, don’t wash more than once a day. You may risk stripping the skin of its natural oils.
-- Look for non-irritating cleansing washes that are soap-free.
-- Use light, oil-free, water-based moisturizers to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
-- Make sure to choose a facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays.

Skin sensitivity may also result from the third most common, non-surgical skincare procedure known as Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a quick and easy, non-invasive procedure that helps to reveal healthier-looking skin by sweeping away dead skin cells.
-- Dr. Franks reveals that, following the treatment, the best way to avoid irritation is by opting for an ultra-gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
-- A new clinical study shows that PURPOSE gentle cleansing wash and dual treatment moisture lotion with spf 15 are compatible with this procedure.

How else can you obtain optimal skin health? Dr. Franks says, "Exercise opens up blood vessels to make skin look healthy and youthful. It’s so important for healthy skin."
-- Regular cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the skin which assists in collagen production.
-- Maintaining muscle mass through exercise can also help anchor and support skin, keeping it taut.
-- And drink up! At least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day are crucial for optimal skin hydration.

So before you sign on for an extreme and expensive makeover, just think back on some simple, beauty basics! You just might like what you see! 


Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-6-2005-74343.asp