Picture Perfect Makeup

With the general population being more picture obsessed than they once were and people, women in particular, looking to be seen as “picture perfect” as possible for social media and while on their day to day routine, the pressure mounds to make women’s makeup  something right out of a magazine, Fluff Magazine preferably.  With help from the expert makeup artist LeAndra France, we got the pro’s guide to keeping your face photo ready for anyone aiming to create the perfect visual effect that looks flawless on or off camera.

Name the top five makeup mistakes that unexperienced MUA’s or DIY gals make on a day to day basis?

1.  Using the wrong colors foundations and concealers. I see this a lot, either the colors are too dark or too red or pale .It is important to know undertones of the skin and match them with a concealer that hides imperfections, as opposed highlighting them.

2. Not blending makeup enough, leaving marks of demarcation at the jaw line and not applying
foundation and powders around the hairline and eyebrows are a hug No-No.

3. Misapplication of mascara is another pet peeve. One must always apply mascara on all the hairs of the lashes and making sure they apply mascara from the base of the eyelash, all the way to the top of the lash. A major mistake is when some ladies only apply mascara from the middle of the lash, to the tip which can make the lashes look very sparse.

4. I like to call it one stop contour. Not knowing your face’s shape can be a big problem, I see woman contouring and highlight every face the same way….it isn't a one technique fits all kind of deal. Everyone’s bone structure is unique and we all don't need to hollow out our cheekbones and slim our noses. Too much contouring and using the wrong technique can look very unflattering.

5. Using mineral makeup products is not a great idea. These products contain Mica, a mineral that can make your skin appear oily and very shiny, especially when the photographer’s light and flash hit it.


  What do you recommend doing to ensure that a face photographs well?

1.  Sometimes photographers lighting can be too little bright on the skin’s pigment and it in turn makes the model look very pale or ashy. It is best to darken your foundation a shade and blend it on to the ears, neck and décolletage.

*Trick of the Trade: If you get foundation on the hairline use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to wipe it off gently.

2. Using lots of shimmer and glitter is a HUGE faux pas. Glitters and shimmery products make the skin appear very shiny, or wet when the flash and lighting hit it.  Professionals call these shiny areas, Hot spots. We often recommend using matte makeup because matte makeup products won't reflect any light on camera.

*Trick of the Trade: Not using a setting powder is a big mistake. Apply setting powder to the forehead, nose and chin to avoid excess shine. Setting powders are great for protecting your foundation and concealers and keeps your beautiful makeup from melting under the hot photography lights or sun. So the more the better just make sure to pat and blend very well

3.Skin care is very important! Foundations and concealers can emphasize the look of dehydrated cracking skin and wrinkles it’s always best to do a mini facial before shoot. Doing light exfoliation on your face and lips while using of a good moisturizer and primer will help your makeup blend into your skin allowing your makeup to look flawless.

No that your camera ready and have all the tips you need to guarantee that you look your best on camera, it time to delete the filter apps and embrace the instructions that will promise perfection when it comes to makeup application for photos.

For more info on Makeup Artist LeAndra France visit her website: www.leandrafrance.com

Homemade Haircare

Being a continuous customer and purchasing pricey hair care products can be a daunting task and also drain your pockets to no end. The products that women pay the most for, are hair care products, specifically conditioners. On average women spend over $ 10,000 a year on products for their hair and in most cases, a third of that number are wasted by women who are searching for the right products that have the best results for dry damaged hair. As consumers, we are persuaded to believe that only store bought products will treat our hair issues, when in fact we have a slew of ingredients in our own homes that can treat and repair damaged or dry hair more effectively. Want to know which ingredients are most effective? Team Fluff has got you covered. Here are the top five ingredients in your home that will help you with curing your dry hair issues.

1.   Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is considered nature’s magical serum that is good for just about any and everything, including serving as a wonderful leave in treatment for dry hair. The application of coconut oil is just as easy as 1-2-3. Apply to hair and leave in for 4-6 hours and rinse.

Another alternative for the use of Coconut Oil is creating a Coconut Lavender Conditioner made from the following.

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
1 cup of organic coconut oil

Mix all of these ingredients in a bowl and warm in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes and place in a plastic container to cool for use.

2.   Eggs - Although this is not the most smell friendly approach to hair conditioning, it does work wonders for conditioning hair. Mix two eggs with half cup of olive oil. Stir the mixture and apply to your hair, leave in for an hour and rinse.

When trying to solve issues regarding dandruff, the following  egg and vinegar hair mask will work its magic and make all your dry scalp worries disappear.

Beat one egg in a bowl and mix it with 1 table spoon of vinegar and olive oil. Apply it on your hair roots and strands using a brush. Let it stay for minimum 45 minutes and wash with shampoo and rinse. No additional conditioning needed.

3.   Apple Cider Vinegar – A very effective remedy for dry hair, apply Apple Cider Vinegar to a cotton ball and gently pat to the roots of your hair, let sit for 5 minutes and rinse.

If you are looking to cleanse your hair of excess oils and buildup , Apple Cider Vinegars serves as the perfect hair clarifier .

Mix a 8 oz water bottle with half Apple Cider Vinegar and the other half with water. Rinse your hair with the mixture and leave in your hair for 5 minutes and rinse.

4.    Yogurt – Another remedy for dry brittle hair that you will need to combine with Apple Cider Vinegar and place on hair as a mask for 15 minutes and rinse.

If frizz is a problem you deal with, yogurt is also great for eliminating frizz and making your hair more manageable.

5.    Avocado – Also used as mask for conditioning, Avocado used with Apple Cider Vinegar and olive oil will serve as the perfect hydrant and detangler for unmanageable and dry hair.

Avocado is a fantastic remedy for hair loss and can help your roots maintain its elasticity to avoid breakage.

All of these all-natural ingredients will be sure to keep your mane smooth and shiny and are some of the best options aside from the chemically infused store bought products that don’t always to the trick.