Category: Cosmetics

The beauty industry is huge and in particular, cosmetics, have become one of the most popular topics for social media influencers on YouTube and Instagram, as millions of followers watch religiously to the latest tips and techniques to enhance, and improve physical appearance. But why are cosmetics so important for women and men? The basic answer here is that if you look good, you feel good. How we look can also improve our careers, social mobility and mental health too. Looking good is subjective, but there is science behind attractiveness including facial symmetry fullness of lips, wideness of eyes and complexion. Cosmetics allow us to hide our flaws while enhancing our prettier features. We may even choose to enhance a certain feature to feel good or to let others see our stronger features. What specifically, then, is each product doing for us? Some research has evidenced that foundation is the cosmetic that has the most impact on how women are perceived. In the work environment, complexion is shown to have a positive effect on social and work interactions because skin tone discolorations, eye bags and blemishes can make a person look tired or unhealthy. For anyone with acne scars and other blemishes the use of a concealer prior to applying foundation is even more important. As mentioned earlier, facial symmetry is a key factor in the science of attractiveness, so contouring can have an incredibly positive effect on balancing up your overall facial symmetry as well as creating more angled features. Some studies have shown that having rosy cheeks makes you look younger and more sensual to the subconscious mind so a hint of blush is a key weapon in looking younger. Al lot of attention is paid to eyes and eyebrows and quite rightly so, as eyebrows represent a framing of the eyes and their fullness is youthful. The arch of the brow can have a lifting effect of the face to help combat the effects of gravity and time on the face. Medical studies have shown that eye shadow and eyeliner enhance the colour variation around the eyes which is important aspect of attractiveness and can also make the eye look bigger which mimics youthfulness. Lips play a big part in physical attractiveness. Plump full lips are the most attractive and colour and shine also play a big part in enhancing the overall look. Lipsticks containing plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid are particularly good alternative to fillers.

All young artists started off painting pictures with their fingers. I’m sure we all remember those days in junior school too. But as we progressed to high school, we will have learnt the different grades of pencils, types of paint brushes and how sponges and palette knives can give a much more sophisticated overall look to our artwork. Well, the same can be said for the art of makeup too. Applying makeup with your fingers, however still provides an important application method and all of the World’s top makeup artists will use their fingers in some aspect of the application process for their clients. Using fingers to apply makeup can give you a more concentrated application and the natural warmth of finger application can provide easier blending in some areas of the face too. These days though, brushes, sponges and applicators dominate, and those famous beauty bloggers on YouTube and Instagram have shown us all how these magical tools can transform our look and provide a level of flawless finish not see before in the beauty world. Dubai based makeup artist, Abi Malik, has learnt the benefits of each tool over time and her advice to us is to buy quality long lasting tools and ensure all brushes, sponges and applicators are thoroughly cleaned regularly to maintain hygiene and a perfect result. ‘My number one advice is to use a sponge for your foundation and make sure the sponge is a little damp too. Sponges allow you to build coverage and give an even distribution and blend particularly around the jaw and neckline. Brushes are okay for foundation application too but you need to be more light handed with a brush to attain that non caked-on look. My personal favourite sponge to use is the Miracle Finish Sponge from Real Techniques by Sam & Nic and my go-to foundation brush is the Ecotools Classic Foundation Brush because of its nicely tapered bristles and it is 100% vegan too. Oh, and I keep them both clean by using Lottie London Soap Star Solid Brush Cleanser’ Carrying all of your makeup tools around when travelling can be a problem and there are some great solutions for multi-use tools to keep your packing light. Bare Minerals have designed a dual use cheek and eye brush in one - BM Expert Application Cheek and Eye Brush, that solves this problem. For lovers of the contoured looks so favoured by the Kardashian clan then, Real Techniques by Sam & Nic also have a brilliant streak free applicator called Blend + Blur for the perfectly symmetrical chiselled look.

Advances in beauty science have helped to introduce a range of beauty products with legendary status in the fight against the signs of aging. With ingredients like Collagen, Glycolic Acid, Retinol, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, thanks to science and medicine, these creams and serums are all now part of our daily beauty routines. So, it was only a matter of time before these proven technologies entered the cosmetics ranges too. From foundations and primers to lipsticks and mascara, all designed to provide complimentary anti-aging results to our skin care regimes. It makes perfect sense to ensue that the benefits of your skin care routines are not lost by applying a foundation or blusher with no anti-aging benefits. So, isn’t it time you took a serious look at the make-up products you have and then start to discover the best anti-aging ones you might not have that will keep you looking youthful? To help you, here is our top five Anti-aging cosmetics for 2020 DIOR DIORSKIN NUDE AIR SERUM A lightness of touch is key to maintaining a flawless, youthful look and so Dior’s innovative Nude Air Serum is one of our favourites. It is a weightless, ultra-fluid serum as light and beneficial as a breath of fresh air, for an enhanced complexion with sheer correction A cream-to-powder texture that offers the comfort and smoothing effect of a cream with the fine quality and hold of a powder. A smoothing, mattifying and long-lasting formula that glides over the eyelid and blends evenly into the skin upon application. BY TERRY TERRYBLY DENSILISS FOUNDATION This highly acclaimed Anti-wrinkle serum foundation. The Terrybly Densiliss Liquid Foundation corrects and blurs fine lines and wrinkles for an ultra-smooth, even, rejuvenated looking skin and delivers long-lasting radiant complexion. A complete anti-aging skincare-infused foundation that tackles all signs of aging, including loss of elasticity. BY TERRY HYALURONIC SHEER ROUGE LIPSTICK Another from this master of Cosmetics – Terry de Gunzburg, as the name states this sumptuous plumping lipstick contains hyaluronic acid, renowned for its moisture retaining properties. Sheer Rouge is a beautiful, balm-gel lip tint, which maintains moisture levels and enhances lip condition. PERRICONE NO MAKEUP INSTANT BLUR CONCEALER Dr. Perricone's No Makeup Instant Blur contains Alpha Lipoic Acid to drastically minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, discoloration, and fine lines. It minimizes the look of pores, redness, and fine lines both instantly and over time. Its smooth, effortless application makes it a perfect concealer, as makeup won’t cake or crease when layered and blended on top. The result is a soft-focus, satin finish that helps to soften the complexion and even skin tone.