Don't Settle For 'Almost Right'!!! You Can Get The Right Shade For you.

So if you're like me its very difficult to get foundation that exactly matches your skin tone. I end up having to buy two shades of foundation  and mixing them to together to get my perfect shade. I never manage to get it just right but I get it almost right.

I tried many different brands from House of Tara to MAC to Bobbi Brown to Nars to Sleek and even some whose names I struggle to pronounce. I do try the product out at shop and even have it put on my face but somehow somewhere when I get home they suddenly don't match.

 Anyways back in October I went to a makeup class by Urban Decay to learn how to apply smoke eye makeup. The teacher was great but after 3 failed attempts I just respected myself and accepted that applying my black eyeshadow and then my eye pencil in one shade was not so bad. But the journey and my money wasn't wasted as I was introduced to something called a foundation adjuster that has literally transformed my makeup and ,I am not even exaggerating, set me free. 

A foundation adjuster is a pigmented liquid than can adjust the colour or shade of your foundation. They come in various colours although why anyone would need a red, purple or green colour adjuster is beyond me. Personally I think all you need is white, to make foundation lighter and dark brown to make it darker. That's just my humble opinion. 

To my surprise though most of the big makeup brands don't offer foundation adjusters, I called them all, talk about missing a trick. Anyway after much research I narrowed it down to two main brands that I would trust....

Illamasqua £36 per 30ml

The first one is the Ilamasqua skin base mixer (this is the brand I used in the makeup class). It's a little pricey at about £36 (approx. 14,000 Naira) per 30ml, but as you only used a drop or two each time it should last a long time. It comes in a variety of colours including white, amber, terracotta and chestnut.

The different shades available

The second one and my personal favourite and one I use daily is the Body shop shade adjusting drops. These come in only 2 shades lightening and darkening (simple!). The price of this one is recession conscious at £10 (approx. 3,900 Naira) per 15ml. I just use one drop in my foundation and 'hello perfect foundation shade'. I have been using mine for about 4 months now and still have a quarter of the bottle left. I got the 2 shades but only very occasionally need the darkening shade when I get over zealous with the lightening shade. I find its easier to lighten the foundation that darken it. In other words

Body Shop adjusting drops £10 per 15ml

if you're between two shades of foundation get the darker one and then lighten it. The more drops you add the lighter it gets and a little goes a very long way so use very sparingly. It should not change the quality of your foundation. Mine doesn't changed the quality of my MAC matchmaster. My friend has used it with her NARS but I haven't tried any other brands. Please let me know if you do.

I should say that foundation adjusters are just that, they adjust your foundation and are not meant to substitute it. They should not be used on their own but always mixed with your foundation.
If you would like to get your hands on of these see www.nuerasshoppingmall.com

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Beauty Hack: How to get rid of dry cracked heel

Pumice Stone

Have you ever sat down and stared at your feet and noticed that the heel is cracked and dry and looks disgusting? So you try rubbing feet on stone like at our grandmother and mum taught or you get a pumice stone but whilst these help to remove the dead skin they don't remedy the cracked heel.

 

Well fear no more because these home remedies will solve your problem:

The first one is the oil remedy

Olive and sesame oil are great sources of vitamin E and moisturizes the skin well.

Every night before bed massage Olive or sesame oil on your heels, put on a pair of socks then go to bed and in the morning they will be softer. You can also use coconut oil for this hack.

The second is the over ripped banana.

Take an over ripped banana that is almost black and soft to touch. Just mash it up and apply it to you heels.

Leave it on for 15-20 mins then wash it off with some warm water. If you suffer from severe cracking mash an avocado with the banana as it contains essential oils.

The third and final hack is the lemon juice.

Wash your feet in warm water and dry. Then add lemon juice to 1 teaspoon of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) and rub the mixture onto your feet concentrating on your heels. Leave it on overnight and then wash off in the morning. As the mixture is a little sticky I advise you wear a pair of socks.

Lemon and Vaseline mixture

The acidic properties of the lemon juice will soften the rough cracked heels whilst the Vaseline will nourish and moisturise them.

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Beauty hack: Got dark underarms, elbows and/or knees?

Are you tired of looking down at your underarms, knees and elbows and finding that they are a different (darker) colour to the rest of your skin?

If your answer was “YES!”  then these healthy, natural beauty hacks may come in handy. Make sure you aren’t allergic to any of the following substances.  

The first one is the lemon hack. It is very simple. All you need is a lemon and a knife and in just three easy steps your knees will become brighter. For this hack also make sure you have no cuts or soars on your knees so that it is painless.

1.    Firstly cut the lemon in half

2.    Then apply it to your knees or elbows or underarms for 5- 10 minutes

3.    And repeat it everyday until you notice a difference

CUT -APPLY-REPEAT      EASY!

For other uses of lemon visit http://junesecrets.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/7-beauty-uses-for-lemons.html

The next hack is using baking soda and milk.

MILK & BAKING SODA

1. Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl

2. Pour in 50ml of milk

3.Stir them  in together until you form a paste

4. Apply it to the areas you want to treat

5. Wait until it dries and then wash off. Repeat daily until you get desired result.

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What The Position Of Your Pimple Say About Your Health...Are you listening????

1.            You’re about to get your period

2.            Either  you’ve applied a hair product   to that area or you touch that area too much

3.            You’ve eaten greasy/oily or acidic food.

4.            You touched your face with a dirty phone or hands or you have not been cleaning your makeup brush

5.            You’re going through puberty or if you’ve been through puberty then you’re stressed

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So when's the right time to throw out your makeup???

You may have already noticed that's your makeup tends to go a bit funky after sometime. The colour or texture or even smell tends to change after a few months and some after a few years. I have to admit I have never actually inspected my makeup in anyway. I just tend to use them until they finish or until I get bored with them. So when is it time to throw out your makeup?

1. Eyeliner: 6-12 months. If it's a pencil liner then it will last a year whilst gel/liquid eyeliners will last 6 months because there is a higher risk of contamination because you are constantly dipping a brush into the pot.

2. Mascara: 2-6months. To make sure you get the full 6months from your mascara, don't pump it, this just lets in air and bacteria .

3. Eyeshadow, powder blush and other powder cosmetics: 12-36 months. These last a long time because they contain no liquid which bacteria loves. But keep an eye on the colour and the smell though.

4. Liquid foundation: 6-12 months. They are cream based and again are liquid and can thus easily get contaminated with bacteria from your fingers, brush or sponge, depending on how you apply it. Also some brands can start to separate before the suggested expiry time so keep an eye on it.

5. Lipstick: 3 years. If it changes colour, smell or feel then bin it.

6.Lipgloss: 6-12 months. Once it starts to get extra sticky then it's time for the bin.

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How to get a perfect manicure every time.

I love have my nails painted, my cuticles not so much. I work 50 hours a week, have 3 kids and a husband so a regular trip to the nail salon is out of the question. Like most mums I DIY my manicure because it not only saves time it also saves money. I am right handed so painting my left hand is not too bad but then painting my right hand now that’s a different story. I seem to get as much nail polish on my cuticles and the skin around my nail as I do my nails.  So I was very pleased when I came across this neat little trick online and decided to share it.

Apply Vaseline

Use a cotton bud to rub Vaseline around your surrounding skin and cuticles. This will protect those areas so even if you get nail polish on them it won't stick and can be washed right off. Hint: don’t get any Vaseline on your nail or the nail polish won’t stick there either. If you  do just wipe it off with another dry cotton bud. When you are done painting your nails and they are dry, you can then wipe off the Vaseline or even wash it off and ta da….. Perfect manicure every time.

You’re welcome!!!

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How to remove your makeup correctly

1. Protect your eyes – the skin around your eyes are the thinnest part of your face, so be very gentle avoid scrubbing and use gentle products. I recommend micellar water. (see my earlier post about it http://junesecrets.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-old-new-way-to-cleanse-your-face.html ) Apply 2 or 3 drops on a cotton pad hold it on your eye for 20 to 30 seconds, this allows the remover to start dissolving the makeup. Then gently rub your eyes outwards 2 or 3 times until the makeup is off. Then repeat on the other eye.

Different brands of micellar water

2. Use makeup removal wipes very sparingly – if like me, after a long day you, washing your face just seems like such a long winded process, so you use ypur makeup wipes. As I use the wipes I feel how harsh they are against my skin and I promise myself that this will be the last time. I keep my promise for all of 2 days and go right back to my old ways.

Regular use of wipes are bad for your skin so use them very very sparingly and only if you have to. That said, using the wipes is better than sleeping with your makeup on. if you must use wipes then use the micellar cleansing wipes. Also instead of using the wipes just use micellar water and cotton pad. The micellar water will moisturise as it cleans.

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8 issues only women with small boobies understand

                          

1. You’ve considered weird boob-growing methods. I remember coming across a tablet on the internet that promised to increase my breast size by 2 cup sizes. Needless to say after 6 months and my bank account £140 lighter my breast is exactly the same size. I also tried creams but I just ended up with a rash.
2. The sex move that involves your man putting his penis between your breasts is absolutely out of the question. Well I guess this means you don’t have to worry about the risk of being shot in the face by semen as he climaxes.
3. Buying sexy lingerie is huge chore because for some reason they only have women with large breasts in mind when they make them. Somebody should complain because I'm sure this is discrimination on some level.
4. Finding a sexy swimwear is near impossible because for some reason your little cherries look even smaller in them especially when wet.
5. You thank God daily for the invention of the push up bra and the gel bra because it puts the word cleavage in your dictionary and it ensures your girls get some attention.
6. You were told that after childbirth your girls will grow and that was true for some time but they didn't tell you about the other part, breastfeeding, after which your once full voluptuous pregnancy breast that looked like melons become small lemons.
7. You can’t stop staring at other women’s boobies’ and you often have to fight the urge to cup-a-feel once or twice.

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Hair Tip

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Hair tip

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Ladies With Facial Hair; This Is For Your

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Genius Hacks for Fixing Makeup Mistakes Every Woman Makes

Found this tutorial in Cosmopolitan on my travels.
1. Don't test new foundation shades on your cheek. The skin on your face, due to increased sun exposure or breakouts, isn't the same color as the rest of your body. So, if you match your foundation to your cheek, you might end up with a shade that doesn't match your neck and chest and doesn't look natural. Instead, swipe three shades of foundation right below your jawline, blend them in, and whichever shade disappears is the one you should choose.

2. Don't apply concealer before foundation. You'll just end up removing it as you apply your base. Instead, apply foundation before concealer. This way, you won't have to use as much concealer.

3. Don't apply foundation in upward strokes. Going against the grain of the little hairs on your face will make peach fuzz more visible by raising them up instead of smoothing them down. Instead, use your brush or sponge to pat the foundation on for a more airbrushed effect.
4. Don't use the same concealer to cover both under-eye circles and pimples. Your under-eye concealer, which should be a shade lighter than your skin tone, will highlight your pimple, not hide it. Instead, use a creamy cover-up that matches your skin perfectly to conceal blemishes.

5. Don't rely on just concealer when covering pimple scars. Instead, layer foundation, concealer, and setting powder to ensure the blemish is completely covered and the product won't budge.

6. Don't apply your concealer in a moon shape under your eye. Instead, draw a triangle shape to brighten the entire eye area.

7. Don't skip on moisturizer just because you have oily skin. This will dry your skin out and make it produce more oil. Instead, try an apple cider vinegar and water mixture, or green tea as a toner (both balance your skin's pH levels) before applying your moisturizer.

8. Don't use a cream moisturizer all over your face if you have oily skin. Instead, use a mattifying gel moisturizer on your T-zone and a cream moisturizer everywhere else.  This will fight shine while keeping your skin hydrated.

9. Don't use loose powder to fight an oily complexion. Too much powder can make your makeup look cakey. Instead, use a clear mattifier. Apply it before or after your makeup, and watch the shine disappear.

10. Don't skip oil-blotting your face. An oily T-zone can ruin a good photo. Instead, use a toilet seat cover in a pinch to dab up the extra shine.

11. Don't neglect to wash your brushes weekly. Your brushes gather germs and bacteria, and can cause breakouts. Instead, lightly rub a gentle face wash onto the bristles of your brushes and then rinse. The cleaner your brushes, the easier and better your makeup application will go on.

12. Don't apply black liner all around your eye and in your waterline. This will make your eyes appear much smaller than they are. Instead, line the top with black liner, the bottom with brown liner, and the waterline with nude liner to really open your eyes.

13. Don't pump your mascara. This pushes air into the tube, which can result in bacteria growth. Instead, scrape the end of the brush along the inside of the tube, and pull it out at an angle to grab a good amount of product while wiping off the excess.

Copyright June's Secrets 2015

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Dark Skin Is Beautiful. Say No To Skin Bleaching.

ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The Old New Way To Cleanse Your Face.

A few months ago I saw an advert on TV for a product called miceller cleansing water. I thought “here we go again another water with a fancy name to make us part with our cash, well I’m not going to fall for it.” Then a company rep from Nivea came into my store and tried to sell me miceller water. At first I stood my ground and refused but then he offered me stuff. You know how they say everyone has a price? Well mine apparently mine at the time was a free bottle of miceller water, 2 bottles of fancy body wash, lots of free fancy pens that light up when used, 4 writing pads and 2 mini clipboards.(Hanging my head in shame) A girl can only hold out for so long and did I mention the pens light up?

Anyway it turns out the product is actually brilliant, flew right off the shelf and is currently trending in Canada and the UK. So I went and did some research. It turns out that miceller water originated from France and has been around for decades. It is a skincare product that moisturises whilst removing makeup from face and eyes without the need for rinsing. To understand how this can be you need to understand what micelles are, the chemistry is pretty cool. (On goes my chemist hat)

Micelles are tiny molecules of oil suspended in droplets of water they enable you to mix oil and water to form a single even solution. Miceller water contains lots of these micelles and when you put some on a cosmetic pad and apply pressure as you rub your face you disrupt the micelle causing it to split open and when you stop applying pressure the micelle closes up again and in the process envelopes whatever isn’t water from the surface of your face. So kind of like a makeup vacuum cleaner.

I have been using it now for 4 weeks and it certainly does what is says on the tin. I don’t think it will be the only product I use to keep my face clean but it will replace my facial wipes and eye makeup remover. I still moisturise with my shea butter after using it but it comes in very handy when I’m feeling lazy (which is most of the time) or just dog tired.

I think it’s definitely one to consider including in your must have facial products. There are many out there including Nivea, La Roche, Vichy, Garnier, Lancôme, Simple etc everyone’s joined the band wagon. Don’t think you should spend more than $10 though as long as it a good company it should be fine.

Copyright June’s Secrets 2015

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Wow, Definitely Most Ingenious DIY Manicure I have Come Across Yet?

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Natural Remedies For Common Hair Problems.

1.      Castor Oil - If you have scanty or non-existent front baby hair then try applying castor oil to that area at least twice daily. It stimulates hair growth and helps retain moisture by drawing water from the atmosphere.

2.      Argan Oil – There is craze about argan oil that is sweeping through the world now, but it’s not all hype. Apparently this natural oil, which is from a nut in morocco, will help repair damaged hair follicles, prevents hair breakage and keeps your hair smooth. It’s great for your natural hair and if you use Peruvian or Brazilian weave then just put a little on the weave daily to keep it shiny and healthy looking.

3.      Coconut oil - This is an excellent moisturiser for both the skin and the hair. Its moisturising properties strengthens the hair shaft and prevents split ends and improves skin elasticity.

4.      Olive oil – It is rich in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant and which promotes scalp health. Apply this to your scalp daily to prevent dandruff and itchiness.

5.      Avocado oil - Massaging avocado oil into your scalp stimulates blood flow to your hair follicles. With improved blood flow and circulation to the scalp, more nutrients can reach the follicles to stimulate new growth and healthier hair in general.

Keep in mind that any of these oils used alone is an excellent way to prevent or slow hair loss and promote healthy hair growth. But if you combine two of three of them you can see even better results. I recommend a mixture of coconut oil, castor oil and argan oil. For a conditioned, full and smooth head of hair.
copyright June's Secrets

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Are you washing your face right? Yeah I thought I was too!

I spent a fortune on face washes. I tried every one I could get my hands on but still had breakouts and my skin never quite glowed like I wanted. I always thought it was the product I was using, that I just hadn't found the right one for me. It never occurred to me that the way I was washing my face and not the just product I was using could actually be the problem. Washing your face the wrong way can cause dryness, irritation, oiliness and breakouts. Here are a few tips to consider when washing your face.

1. Use the right water temperature - Contrary to popular beliefs pores DO NOT open or close. They do not any muscles to enable them to. So I don't know where people got the notion that hot water opens your pores and cold water closes them. Hot water, whilst it feels great, does not open your pores it just  disrupts your skin's natural protective oils and causes overproduction of sebum. Lukewarm water is best to cleanse the face. It is gentle yet effective. 

2. Pick the right product - The right facial cleanser should be tough enough to remove makeup and dirt but gentle enough to not leave your skin feeling dry or striped of all its natural oils. If you are struggling to find the right product for you, may I suggest the African black soap, it is gentle and cleans thoroughly if you get the right consistency. If you usually get the raw soap then add a lot of glycerine and a little Shea butter to counteract the drying effect it can have on your skin.

3. Do not overdo it - Washing once or twice a day is adequate, anymore and you could irritate your skin and lead to overproduction of oil. If you don't wear makeup or sweat much on a day then just use lukewarm water to wash your face so you its gets a break from the barrage of products you put on it.

4. When it comes to exfoliation, think mo-de-ra-tion - Exfoliate twice weekly not daily. And use your fingertips to apply the product not a wash cloth or sponge to avoid pulling and tugging of the skin.

5. Rinse your face thoroughly - Not rinsing your face properly can cause build up of products which will clog up the pores.The jawline, hairline and nose are the most commonly neglected parts especially when you are in rush or just dog tired.

6. Avoid products that contain irritating ingredients - Ingredients like parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) can cause skin irritations so best to stir clear of them. Another reason to try the natural African black soap. Or Neutrogena and Cetaphil have a range of facial cleansers that are parabens and SLS-free.

7. Always PAT Never RUB - Rubbing tugs and pulls your skin which puts the elastin in your skin at risk. Elastin is an elastic fibrous glycoproteins which works with collagen to create skin strength, firmness and shape. So pat dry to keep signs of ageing at bay.

8. Moisturise immediately after washing - For maximum absorption apply your moisturiser immediately after washing and patting dry whilst the the skin is slightly damp. Waiting until the skin is completely dry makes it harder for the active ingredients to be absorbed. If you are looking for a moisturiser I recommend raw African Shea butter.

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7 Ways To Rock Your Short Natural Locks.

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Found this whilst helping my baby sister find ways make her natural hair more manageable.

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The Best Way To Line Your Lips Based On The Shape Of Your Lips

I think most African women will fall under large full lips.

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