#lookyounger Archives - Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue

10 Tips to Look Younger Instantly

Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 06:46:20 +0000

If you could wave a magic wand and look younger instantly? Would you…? Of course you would!!

Forget the magic wand… chances are your current makeup routine might be the one thing that’s pre-ageing you.

By making a few simple tweaks to your cosmetic bag you might be able to hold onto your youthful looks for a while longer.

Follow these 10 tips and notice the difference!

Tip #1 Use Primer

If you usually moisturise and then apply foundation…..try adding a layer of primer in between your moisturiser and base.

Using a primer makes your skin look smoother instantly.

Tip #2 Switch to liquid

If you usually dust on a mineral or powder foundation…. try switching to liquid formula. Powder can be too drying, enhancing dullness and wrinkles.

A luminous-finish liquid foundation will give your skin a fresh look.

Tip #3 Blush is best

If you normally use bronzer as your blush…. try dusting your cheeks with a soft shade of warm pink. We actually lose colour in our skin as we mature and a subtle pop of colour on the apples of your cheeks will give your skin a youthful glow.

Tip #4 Its all about the Brows

If you have bare there eyebrows and normally pencil them in….try feathering colour lightly from outer edge to inner corner and back again. Most women make the mistake of applying a solid block of colour at the outer edge which looks too harsh and overdone.

Use a taupe or brown eyeshadow to colour the hair and then if you need to use your pencil to fill in the arch area first, followed by the tail.

Don’t forget to look at yourself in the mirror from the distance a person would stand in front of you. They wouldn’t be up in your grill… so stand back from the mirror and get a clear perspective!

If you can’t be bothered filling in your Brows each day consider Tintin g your eyebrows or for something more semi-permanent consider trying Brow Henna.

Tip #5 Ease into eyeliner

If you usually line your upper and lower lashes in black…. try lining the bottom lashes in a softer shade and blend thoroughly.

A thin black liquid line, buried into the upper lashes, can make lids look more open but thick bold black liner on the lower lash line can have the opposite effect, making eyes look smaller.

By applying a softer shade along the bottom lashline it will add a subtle definition and enhance your eye shape. Experiment with a soft shade of brown, grey, or even a light blue!

Tip #6 Eyeshadow application

If you normally apply multiple shadow shades on your eyelid… try swiping a single shade of soft taupe shadow. You don’t need to do heavy contouring on sagging lids to make them appear more lifted. An all-over application of taupe with a luminous finish makes a statement, while creating the appearance of depth.

Tip #7 Conceale it

If you usually cover lines with concealer….try concealing just the dark shadows only and leave those wrinkles alone.

Applying concealer to crow’s feet will only highlight them, which defeats the purpose.

Apply a cover-up that’s the same shade as your skin tone along the inner corners of your eyes and blend it three-quarters of the way out, stopping before your fine lines begin.

Tip #8 Lip Service

If you usually wear lip gloss….try swapping your gloss for a lippie with a satin finish.

Lips look soft and supple when your lipstick is balmy and creamy – not wet and glittery. Plus, gloss tends to slip and slide and settle into the fine lines around your lips, which isn’t a very attractive look!

Tip #9 Nude lips aren’t for everyone

If you usually apply the same “barely-there” shade of lipstick….try experimenting with colour! As we age, it gets harder to pull off a nude lip.

A gorgeous pink or coral lip will brighten up your complexion instantly, but if you’re colour shy, dab (don’t swipe) it on your lips straight from the tube and blend with your fingertips or brush for a sheerer application and don’t forget to blot in between coats!

Tip #10 Luscious Lashes

If you usually apply mascara in the bathroom mirror….try using a magnifying mirror instead.

It can be a little depressing looking at your eye area that close up, but since lashes tend to thin out with age, a magnifying mirror can help you see and coat each and every last one.

But if you can’t be bothered putting on mascara each day consider tinting your lashes and brows or having a lash lift for gorgeous dark lashes that can up to 12 weeks.

Spread the word

Drop a Decade in an instant

Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 08:19:28 +0000

Want to drop a decade in an instant? We all want to look younger, fresher and more fabulous?

Outsmart your age by learning how NOT to add unnecessary years to your face, so you can put your most youthful face forward.

Drop a decade in a instant with Make-up Secrets

When used correctly, not only does makeup highlight the good and mask the not-so-good, but it can make anyone look more youthful.

However, certain makeup mistakes can add years to your appearance. “In general, the more makeup you wear, the older you’re going to look.”

Secret #1 Trade-in your lipstick colour

A fresh bright lipstick lightens your whole face.

The trick is to go one to two shades brighter than your favourite lipstick – not a blast of neon.

Soften mouth edges with a cotton bud to stop hard lines and line your lips with a lip liner to avoid your lippy bleeding.

Secret #2 Freshen up your foundation

Mix your foundation with a small amount of hydrating facial oil or BB Cream to lighten up coverage and add a radiant glow.

Secret #3 Being caught out without cheek colour

Streaks of blush are instantly ageing. Stripes of colour are unnatural and draw harsh lines on your face.

The secret to avoiding this is simply to blend colour with a kabuki brush.

You can also try a cream blush or a cheek stain, which you can easily blend with your fingers.

Secret #4 Using a makeup primer

In addition to a good skin care regimen that includes gentle exfoliation and moisturising, you may need to use a primer.

A thin layer of a silicone-based makeup primer can fill in lines and pores, allowing the makeup to look flawless.

Drop a decade in a instant with Skin Secrets

Putting makeup on top of skin that hasn’t been primed only accentuates any age-related imperfections you may be trying to hide — like dryness, flakiness, and large pores.

Secret #5 Find your Overnight fix

Slather on an overnight face mask and neck cream that uses skin brightening ingredients such as Vitamin C, algae extract and anti-oxidants.

Secret #6 Protect yourself

You already know you should be wearing a good quality SPF50+ sunscreen everyday, so why not look for one that is as flattering as protective? One that has a soft dewy finish will take years off.

Secret #7 Mini Massages

Giving yourself a daily morning massage with a Jade Roller using gentle pressure with helps to stimulate circulation, cells and collagen.

Massage forehead, cheeks, chin and gently pat under eyes to help with firmness and reduce bloating.

Secret #8 Regular Facials

A routine of regular in-salon facials will help keep your skin condition consistent and clear.

At home using regular weekly face scrubs with salicyclic acid deep clean skin and leave your face not only more refreshed but more receptive to your moisturiser.

And don’t forget the rest of your body, hands and feet there are scrubs on the market for each.

Secret #9 Sleep straight

If you wake up in the mornings with hard-to-shift pillow marks on your face, you might want to re-think your sleeping position.

Making the effort to sleep on your back is an important beauty investment – be sure to put a pillow under your knees to help support your spine.

Drop a decade in a instant with Hair Secrets

There is nothing more ageing for a woman who doesn’t wear age appropriate hair.

Secret #10 Hide grey roots fast

New at-home hair pigments cover up greys and regrowth instantly with a brush on palette that matches your hair colour. Genius! Tween Time Hair crayons are a must have!

Secret #11 Incorrect hair colour

Don’t dye your hair colour too dark or too light. As a general rule of thumb it is best to stay within 2 shades of your natural hair colour. Any more than that and you’ll start to look older than you actual birthdays.

Secret #12 Shine On

Shiny healthy hair makes everyone look and feel better. Hair serums and Moroccan oils are definitely the go but if you are on a budget try a mashed avocado mixed with olive oil as a hair mask.

See recipe below..

Hair Mask Recipe

Combine 1 avocado

1/4 cup of Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon of Lemon juice

mix together and leave on for 20 minutes then shampoo, rinse then follow with a small amount of conditioner.

Drop a decade in a instant with Eye Secrets

Like your skin and hair your eyes can start to give away your age.

Secret #13 Your new best friend

Meet the eyelash curler, a must for opening up tired, droopy eyelids before applying mascara.

An eyelash curler is an absolute must have in your makeup bag. It gives the illusion of bigger and brighter eyes and helps to lengthen your eyelashes.

If you want a more permanent lash curl consider our Lash Lift Service.

Secret #14 Sculpted Eyebrows

A precisely sculpted brow lifts and opens your whole eye area. If you desire a total re-shape of your brow, try our Brow Henna Service to get them coloured and professionally shaped and waxed., then you have a guideline to follow afterwards.

If you plan to maintain your shape yourself, always use your natural shape as a template and only remove the stray hairs and carefully trimming any unruly ones.

We recommend in investing in a pair of good tweezers (We use and recommend Tweezerman tweezers).

Ladies! never do the overplucked skinny eyebrow fad – it doesn’t suit any face shape and actually adds years onto your face!

Secret #15 Barely there brows

As women age their eyebrows fade in colour and lose their shape.

Don’t fill them in with a thick, dark eye pencil, consider getting them professionally tinted and waxed.

Tinting adds definition and colour to the hair whilst tinting adds definition and colour to the brow hair whilst waxing removes any unwanted hair leaving the skin smooth for your eyeshadow application.

Not to mention a shaped eyebrow will shave years off your face.

Secret #16 Always remove your eye makeup

Sleeping with mascara on means your lashes don’t have time to rejuvenate. In other words, you’re going to have dry, brittle, uneven broken eyelashes which isn’t sexy.

It is important to remove ALL make-up especially your mascara before bedtime with some Micellar water or a makeup remover suited to your skin type.

It is also a good idea to give your eyelashes a break from wearing mascara from time to time so consider getting them professionally tinted.

Banish Your Under Eye Bags

Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 11:02:36 +0000

Do you want to banish your under eye bags?

If you suffer from dark circles or puffy eyes and are sick of your friends telling you how tired you look read on.

Puffy eyes result when eye tissue retains fluid, either due to genetics or to controllable factors such as too much alcohol, salt, allergies, even the position you sleep in.

Here are a few tips you can try to banish your under eye bags, dark circles and puffy bags and keep them at bay….

1. Drink More Water

Dehydration actually causes eye tissue to retain fluid, while drinking enough water signals your body to release it.

2. Limit certain foods

Limit sodium, as it encourages fluid retention, so do artificial sweeteners and decaffeinated drinks.

3. Reduce alcohol intake

Reduce your alcohol intake as too much heavy alcohol drinking causes dehydration.

4. Remove all makeup

Sleeping in eye makeup can irritate your eyes, causing fluids to pool, and weakens the delicate skin around the eyes, making it more likely to sink into a pouch.

5. Get enough Sleep

Make sure you get plenty of sleep not getting enough sleep can contribute to dark circles and under eye bags.

6. Change your sleeping position

Your sleep position may be contributing to under-eye bags. Thanks to gravity, sleeping on your side or stomach can encourage fluids to collect under your eyes.

If you’re a side sleeper, you may notice a heavier bag on the side you sleep on. Try to sleep on your back and place an extra pillow under your head.

7. Wear Sunscreen

Always wear a sunscreen, as ultraviolet rays damage skin and contribute to the problem.

8. Use an Eye Cream

Apply an eye cream to the eye area nightly by gently tapping your under area with your ring fingers to encourage the excess fluid to drain away.

The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate so be gentle.

9. Food allergies

Dark circles and eye bags are often linked to food allergies or intolerance, so if more sleep makes no difference, try cutting out wheat from your diet.

Remove foods such as bread, pasta, cakes and biscuits entirely from your diet for 7 days and you should see a minor change. If you can cut them out for 30 days you would definitely see a major improvement.

To calm puffy eyes try:

• Place cold spoons, slices of cucumbers, chilled tea bags, or even a package of frozen peas under your eyes.

• Place thin strips of potato underneath your eyes to reduce swelling. The starch in the potato seems to tighten the skin.

• Store eye creams in the fridge as the coldness will help to reduce the puffiness.

• Apply cold tea bags to closed eyes for 10 minutes. The caffeine and tannin contained in tea bags will help reduce swelling.

• Soothe with Rosewater by soaking 2 cotton pads in the anti-inflammatory liquid and apply to closed eyes for 10 minutes.

Spread the word

#lookyounger Archives - Elegant Nails & Beauty by Sue

10 Tips to Look Younger Instantly

If you could wave a magic wand and look younger instantly? Would you…? Of course you would!!

Forget the magic wand… chances are your current makeup routine might be the one thing that’s pre-ageing you.

By making a few simple tweaks to your cosmetic bag you might be able to hold onto your youthful looks for a while longer.

Follow these 10 tips and notice the difference!

Tip #1 Use Primer

If you usually moisturise and then apply foundation…..try adding a layer of primer in between your moisturiser and base.

Using a primer makes your skin look smoother instantly.

Tip #2 Switch to liquid

If you usually dust on a mineral or powder foundation…. try switching to liquid formula. Powder can be too drying, enhancing dullness and wrinkles.

A luminous-finish liquid foundation will give your skin a fresh look.

Tip #3 Blush is best

If you normally use bronzer as your blush…. try dusting your cheeks with a soft shade of warm pink. We actually lose colour in our skin as we mature and a subtle pop of colour on the apples of your cheeks will give your skin a youthful glow.

Tip #4 Its all about the Brows

If you have bare there eyebrows and normally pencil them in….try feathering colour lightly from outer edge to inner corner and back again. Most women make the mistake of applying a solid block of colour at the outer edge which looks too harsh and overdone.

Use a taupe or brown eyeshadow to colour the hair and then if you need to use your pencil to fill in the arch area first, followed by the tail.

Don’t forget to look at yourself in the mirror from the distance a person would stand in front of you. They wouldn’t be up in your grill… so stand back from the mirror and get a clear perspective!

If you can’t be bothered filling in your Brows each day consider Tinting your eyebrows or for something more semi-permanent consider trying Brow Henna.

Tip #5 Ease into eyeliner

If you usually line your upper and lower lashes in black…. try lining the bottom lashes in a softer shade and blend thoroughly.

A thin black liquid line, buried into the upper lashes, can make lids look more open but thick bold black liner on the lower lash line can have the opposite effect, making eyes look smaller.

By applying a softer shade along the bottom lashline it will add a subtle definition and enhance your eye shape. Experiment with a soft shade of brown, grey, or even a light blue!

Tip #6 Eyeshadow application

Tip #7 Conceale it

If you usually cover lines with concealer….try concealing just the dark shadows only and leave those wrinkles alone.

Applying concealer to crow’s feet will only highlight them, which defeats the purpose.

Apply a cover-up that’s the same shade as your skin tone along the inner corners of your eyes and blend it three-quarters of the way out, stopping before your fine lines begin.

Tip #8 Lip Service

If you usually wear lip gloss….try swapping your gloss for a lippie with a satin finish.

Lips look soft and supple when your lipstick is balmy and creamy – not wet and glittery. Plus, gloss tends to slip and slide and settle into the fine lines around your lips, which isn’t a very attractive look!

Tip #9 Nude lips aren’t for everyone

If you usually apply the same “barely-there” shade of lipstick….try experimenting with colour! As we age, it gets harder to pull off a nude lip.

A gorgeous pink or coral lip will brighten up your complexion instantly, but if you’re colour shy, dab (don’t swipe) it on your lips straight from the tube and blend with your fingertips or brush for a sheerer application and don’t forget to blot in between coats!

Tip #10 Luscious Lashes

If you usually apply mascara in the bathroom mirror….try using a magnifying mirror instead.

It can be a little depressing looking at your eye area that close up, but since lashes tend to thin out with age, a magnifying mirror can help you see and coat each and every last one.

But if you can’t be bothered putting on mascara each day consider tinting your lashes and brows or having a lash lift for gorgeous dark lashes that can up to 12 weeks.

Spread the word

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Drop a Decade in an instant

Want to drop a decade in an instant? We all want to look younger, fresher and more fabulous?

Outsmart your age by learning how NOT to add unnecessary years to your face, so you can put your most youthful face forward.

Drop a decade in a instant with Make-up Secrets

When used correctly, not only does makeup highlight the good and mask the not-so-good, but it can make anyone look more youthful.

However, certain makeup mistakes can add years to your appearance. “In general, the more makeup you wear, the older you’re going to look.”

Secret #1 Trade-in your lipstick colour

A fresh bright lipstick lightens your whole face.

The trick is to go one to two shades brighter than your favourite lipstick – not a blast of neon.

Soften mouth edges with a cotton bud to stop hard lines and line your lips with a lip liner to avoid your lippy bleeding.

Secret #2 Freshen up your foundation

Mix your foundation with a small amount of hydrating facial oil or BB Cream to lighten up coverage and add a radiant glow.

Secret #3 Being caught out without cheek colour

Streaks of blush are instantly ageing. Stripes of colour are unnatural and draw harsh lines on your face.

The secret to avoiding this is simply to blend colour with a kabuki brush.

You can also try a cream blush or a cheek stain, which you can easily blend with your fingers.

Secret #4 Using a makeup primer

In addition to a good skin care regimen that includes gentle exfoliation and moisturising, you may need to use a primer.

A thin layer of a silicone-based makeup primer can fill in lines and pores, allowing the makeup to look flawless.

Drop a decade in a instant with Skin Secrets

Putting makeup on top of skin that hasn’t been primed only accentuates any age-related imperfections you may be trying to hide — like dryness, flakiness, and large pores.

Secret #5 Find your Overnight fix

Slather on an overnight face mask and neck cream that uses skin brightening ingredients such as Vitamin C, algae extract and anti-oxidants.

Secret #6 Protect yourself

You already know you should be wearing a good quality SPF50+ sunscreen everyday, so why not look for one that is as flattering as protective? One that has a soft dewy finish will take years off.

Secret #7 Mini Massages

Giving yourself a daily morning massage with a Jade Roller using gentle pressure with helps to stimulate circulation, cells and collagen.

Massage forehead, cheeks, chin and gently pat under eyes to help with firmness and reduce bloating.

Secret #8 Regular Facials

A routine of regular in-salon facials will help keep your skin condition consistent and clear.

At home using regular weekly face scrubs with salicyclic acid deep clean skin and leave your face not only more refreshed but more receptive to your moisturiser.

And don’t forget the rest of your body, hands and feet there are scrubs on the market for each.

Secret #9 Sleep straight

If you wake up in the mornings with hard-to-shift pillow marks on your face, you might want to re-think your sleeping position.

Making the effort to sleep on your back is an important beauty investment – be sure to put a pillow under your knees to help support your spine.

Drop a decade in a instant with Hair Secrets

There is nothing more ageing for a woman who doesn’t wear age appropriate hair.

If you can’t be bothered filling in your Brows each day consider Tintin g your eyebrows or for something more semi-permanent consider trying Brow Henna.