TOP 6 MAKEUP BAG ESSENTIALS...

Makeup is an essential part of women’s life. Most women wouldn’t leave home without makeup – by that it doesn’t mean a face slapped with makeup. Makeup is used to enhance the beauty, not to cover the real face. Women should know the tricks and techniques to enhance their features/beauty, and hide minor flaws just by using a few products in a correct way.

There should be a Makeup bag with a few essentials in every women’s bag. You never know when and where you would need it. Women should look presentable.

I will list top 6 makeup essentials that should be in the makeup bag for the time when you don’t have time to get ready and these essentials work together to create a presentable face.

1. Concealer

For me, concealer is the most essential makeup product and a must have. Unless you are blessed with naturally spotless skin, it is a must have for all the girls with dark circles, spots, pigmentations, un-even skin tones, blemishes etc. Concealer is the quickest way to fix any flaws. Just by using concealer the face starts looking flawless and clear – if used correctly and bought the right shade and product.

How should one pick a concealer?
Concealers are generally bought a half or one tone lighter than the actual skin tone. It should be pigmented and full coverage because it is mainly bought to hide the flaws. Concealer comes in different forms; liquid, cream and stick.  The form depends on the coverage, liquid being the sheer one and stick being the full coverage one.

Recommended Product
- Milani Secret Cover cream concealer

2. Pressed or Loose Powder

Pressed powder is a must in summer, especially for girls with combination to oily skin. It helps the face to stay matte and shine free. For women with dry to normal skin use the pressed powder very lightly with a fluffy brush or kabuki brush on the T-zone. Pressed powders give the face effortless look. Pick a shade that matches your skin tone.

Powders come in different forms and coverage; translucent/loose powder, pressed compact powder and pressed foundation powder. It depends on the coverage and look one opts for. Loose/translucent powders are sheer and gives you shine free look. It is good for those with naturally even skin. Where as there is pressed compact and foundation powders too. Pressed compact powders gives sheer to medium coverage, whereas foundation powders give medium to full coverage; depending how you apply it. For on-the-go makeup bag, you’ll probably like and should go for pressed powders since they come with sponges and they are not messy unlike loose powders.

Recommended pressed/loose powders..
- Milani Mineral Powder
- Tint Cosmetics Loose powder
- Tint Cosmetics dual powder 

3. Eye pencil

Eye pencils; use it either to line the waterline or the lash line, it will enhance the eyes. Perfectly kohl-d waterline makes the eyes pop and make it prominent, whereas lined on the lash line makes the smalls eyes pop and look big. If applied on both waterline and lashline, will make the eyes the most prominent. It totally depends on what one prefers. Keeping a pencil is handy, plus easy to use. Whereas keeping eye liner serves only one purpose of lining the lashline only.

Recommended Products

- Maybelline Colossal Kajal

- Rimmel London Pencil

4. Lip Color

A lip color, be it a lipstick, a lip gloss, a lip stain, lip balm or any lip product which has color in it will instantly give a boost to the entire face. Preferably, I keep those lip products that give color plus are easy on the application too. Lip glosses are easy, but can be messy at times (if your hair is open). Keep any shade form of lip product you like and find easy to apply. Keep shades closest or a tone darker than your lip color. Why? Because not every time you would want a very bold color or a very fun color. Natural lips with a slight color looks good ANYWHERE.

5. Natural Blusher

Blushers give color to the cheeks, which gives the healthy and fresh look instantly – if the correct shade is picked and applied correctly. The trick to choose a natural blush is to look at your skin, the paler the skin the lighter and the closest shade of blusher you have to pick.

Blusher comes in different textures; cream, pressed or loose form. Pressed are easy to apply but the cream stays longer and looks natural comparatively.

Blushers available for sale
- Milani

- Bh Cosmetics

6. Mascara

A Mascara is commonly used to enhance the eyes. It may darken, thicken, lengthen, and/or define the eyelashes. Normally in one of three forms. When you stand at the makeup counter or aisle, it can be confusing. Should you get lengthening, curling, thickening or non-smudging? And what, just what, is the difference between each of these anyway? (Is there a difference, or are these mascara types all hype, designed to get you to buy more than one type?) ...

Recommended Product

- Maybelline Mascara

- Milani Mascara

- Sleek Mascara

All products available for purchase...

"Look Good....Feel Good"

OyeEbony

Choosing the Right Nail polish for your Skin tone..

I think it is very important for EVERYONE (male & female) to know that having nice hands and nails is very important. This is called "Grooming" it has nothing to do with following trends..naaa...In other words, give yourself a Manicure either professionally or by yourself. You just need to take care of your nails as much as you take care of your hair because your hands talk for you! They should be clean and smooth at all times. For someone like me, there's this confidence i feel when my nails look good even when i don't have a dime in my purse (lol)...apart from the fact that i'm in love with my long & slim fingers, i just feel i can only celebrate them by making them look better.

I'm soo into them...lol

Today, i will be discussing "Choosing the right nail polish for your skin tone" and i hope someone finds it useful.  Many things can influence your choice of nail color: the seasons, trends and your mood. Some say that lipstick shades that look great on your lips will also be the right color for your fingernails. That method, however, doesn’t work for colors like neon greens, yellows and blues!

More often nail color is matched to clothing. Actually the colors you wear and look good in have a lot to do with skin tone, so it makes sense that another way to tell which nail colors are right for you is by discovering what colors complement your complexion.

You might find that one shade of blue looks great on you, yet another is terrible. Or you’ll notice that a vibrant pink looks great on someone who appears to have the same complexion as you, but on you the same color looks drab. The type of pink you can wear depends on your skin tone. It can also be determined by whether the polish itself has a yellow or blue base.

So how do you know what undertones your skin has? Stand in natural light, either outside or by a window and look at your arm. Skin with pink, blue or red undertones is considered cool. Skin with golden, beige, or olive is considered warm. If you still can’t tell, look at your wrist. If your veins look blue, you have a cool undertone. If your veins look green, you have a warm undertone. If you still can’t determine your undertone, you might be neutral and you’re lucky because you can wear most colors.

Pale Complexion

Pale skin tones are considered a cool skin type. Lighter shades with pink or blue undertones are best. Pastel colors look great. Choose pinks or reds to brighten the complexion. Choose blue-based reds. If you’re pale with a warm tone, you can even try coral reds. If you’re very light, you want to avoid extremely dark or overpowering shades because these will make you look too pale. If you do wear a dark color like black, you’ll probably want to trim your nails to a shorter length.

• Polish tip: Choose a polish with a blue base.
• Shades that flatter: Pale: pastel pinks, blues and greens, pale peach, beige.
• Shades to avoid: Dark polishes like dark blue or black (unless you happen to like the Goth or vamp look), yellow, green, gold and orange.

Fair ComplexionsFair, with a warm tone, you tend to have more of a variety of shades to choose from. Cool and warm tones can wear red, but cool undertones look better in blue-based reds. Warm (golden or peachy) tones look better in red polish with yellow/orange undertones.

• Polish tip: Choose a polish with a blue base or yellow base, based on undertones.
• Shades that flatter: Beige, white and silver. (French manicures look great), light and medium toned purples, soft oranges, darker pinks, reds and berry shades.
• Shades to avoid: Very dark blue, black, green, dark orange, gold.

Tan Complexions

Tanned skin looks better in warmer colors. Lighter shades can accentuate tanned skin, like warm pale shades of brown, light blues, pinks and purples. Avoid gold, which will just blend with your skin color.

• Polish tip: Blue and (possibly) yellow base.
• Shades that flatter: Light blues, pinks and purples, tangerine, light brown, copper brown and chocolate.
• Shades to avoid: Gold and shades of gold (because it will blend in with the tanned skin and lose vibrancy).

Medium/Olive Complexions

Medium skin tones enjoy a wide range of colors. You look good in dark burgundy and wines, vibrant colors like pink, blue, yellow and orange. Silver and metallics (like metallic blue). Medium-dark can wear black, navy blue, dark pinks, burgundy. Olive skin has a combination of yellow undertone and greenish hue. It looks slightly beige with yellow undertones. Peach or gold colors enhance olive complexions. Blue-based reds and orange-reds should be avoided. Olive-dark tones look great in earthy tones and chocolate browns with red undertones. Some reds, russet for example, work well, and gold.

• Shades that flatter: Olive: peach or gold colors. Olive-medium: brown, reddish-browns, gold.
• Polish tip: Blue or yellow base.
• Medium-dark:
  
• Shades that flatter: Vibrant orange, pink and blue, light blue, lilac, silver, metallic and glittery colors.
• Shades to avoid: Dark purple, red or navy blue. Bronze colors won’t show well against your skin tone. Medium-dark: avoid paler, pastel shades, which could appear washed out.

Dark Complexions

Dark complexions can wear rich, deep shades, except dark brown, which will disappear. What looks great are burgundy, vibrant purples, plums, Bright orange and pinks zap the color out of rich dark tones. Neon yellow, orange and green can be shocking—in a negative sense. Though darker shades are better, very dark tones need to be careful with deep purples, grays and black, because these shades could make the skin appear muddy and dull.

• Polish tip: Yellow or brown-based undertones.
• Shades that flatter: Deep purples, dark, yellow-based reds, dark greens, dark blues, black, chocolate-brown and gold.
• Shades to avoid: Orange, yellow, neon colors, pastels, white and silver.

If you’re not sure about how a nail color will look on you, the best way to decide whether you like it is to test it out on a fingernail. You can’t judge from the color in a bottle because achieving the color can be based on how many coats of the lacquer are applied. You could also love a color on your toenails, but be totally unimpressed when it’s applied to your fingernails.

Buy Four (4) of these Milani Nail Lacquers at N1000 and get one free. Follow @oyeebonybeautyhaven on Instagram for your trendy colours and affordable nail polish offers or call 08122220660 to get yours.

"Look Good...Feel Good"

Oye-Ebony

How to wear Beach Makeup.....

Hello Beauties,

I guess its okay to say T.G.I.F now.....i had a very long day but errrr i promise myself it wouldn't stop me from sharing this beach makeup tips with my beauties.

I know some of you have an eventful weekend planned with going to the beach or a pool party as one of your planned event , i hope you find this beach makeup tips helpful and don't forget to share with your friends.

A full face of makeup just looks wrong at the beach or by the pool. Any products you put on should be light and sheer—you want to look like a sunnier version of yourself.

•  Protect your skin. Before you apply any makeup, slather on a generous coat of sunscreen. Give it at least 20 minutes to soak in—it needs to dry for full effectiveness and so that anything you put on top won't smear. 

•  Forget flawless. In humid weather, anything that is creamy or greasy—like foundation or concealer—is going to smudge almost instantly. If you absolutely can't imagine going without coverage, try mixing a bit of foundation into your sunscreen and applying it that way. I prefer powder-based products, like a light dusting of translucent powder to combat shine. If you need to cover a blemish, use a stiff concealer brush or a Q-tip to dab a little pressed powder onto the area.

•  Bronze yourself. Any makeup you do wear should enhance your skin's natural color. Choose a bronzer in a shade that looks like a natural tan, and make sure it doesn't have any shimmer, which won't look right in the bright sun. Dust the bronzer on your eyelids, just above your cheekbones, and on the apples of your cheeks, plus a little on your forehead, temples, and chin. Follow with a tiny bit of pink powder blush on your cheeks.

•  Make it last. Most waterproof makeup sits there like glue and looks pasty. Waterproof mascara is the exception. Try a lengthening formula (the thickening and volumizing ones tend to clump). Consider a lip stain or a matte lipstick, since gloss will slide right off in the heat. I like bright colors, such as cherry red or vibrant fuchsia, which flatter tan and pink cheeks. Dab just a bit in the center of the mouth.

•  Avoid touch-ups. My general rule is that you apply makeup before you leave the house, and whatever fades, fades. The beach is not the place to reapply. If you get sweaty or your makeup feels clumpy, just dab your face with blotting paper.

Wishing you all a fun-filled weekend....

"Look Good...Feel Good"

Oye-Ebony

MILANI 2014 LIP PRODUCTS REVIEW

Hello Beauties,

I'm sure most of my readers know how much of a MILANI ADDICT i am. I absolutely love Milani Cosmetics, it is my favourite drugstore cosmetics brand! So you can imagine my excitement when I found out about their new lip products for 2014. My favourite lipsticks are the Milani colour statement line, you can check out my previous post on (http://thebeautyhavens.blogspot.com/2014/02/friends-let-friends-wear-milani.html) These NEW Milani Cosmetics lip products are available in my beauty store so i'm hoping at the end of this review you will let me know what colours you like & what products you decide to pick up! I'm glad to see a drugstore brand such as Milani make beauty and affordable beauty products available.

PRODUCTS:

• New Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss
• Milani Lipstick
• New Lip Intense Liquid Color
• New Power Lip Lasting & Moisturizing Gloss Stain
• Milani Anti-feathering transparent lip liner

NEW BRILLIANT SHINE LIP GLOSS

These glosses are pigmented and the texture is quite thick. I'm very impressed by them. Normally I'd wear a gloss in the center of my lips over my lipstick for added shine, but these glosses can be worn without anything. They also come in gorgeous shades for your everyday and party look. Available in fourteen (14) lovely shades.

 

MILANI LIPSTICKS

Milani has added six new shades to their colour statement lipstick line for 2014!! They are really fabulous lip shades, especially considering the modest price. Milani Colour statement Lipsticks have vitamins A, C and E for moisture and feel lightweight. They are also paraben-free.

All six shades

Sugar Glaze, Cabaret Blend, Pink Love, Rose Femme, Pretty Natural, Cinnamon Spice

MILANI LIP INTENSE LIQUID COLOUR

These Liquid Colours are also  pretty impressive. They're basically equivalent to a liquid lipstick or lip cream. You will be needing about two coats to get your lips highly pigmented. They are extremely smooth. I would definitely suggest a lip liner to go along with these as they do feather quite a bit (good thing we now have the anti-feathering transparent lip liner from Milani) It comes in a convenient applicator so it's easier to apply within the lip line.

Available in four fantastic shades. My favourite is the fiery coral though. 

NEW!!

MILANI POWER LIP STAIN

Though i'm not a fan of the applicator. Brush tip and you twisted it and it clicked and product came out- errrr...most times, I get too much product out accidentally. However, the texture and pigmentation are really good. The colours are beautiful for daily wear and would be gorgeous on different skin tones as well. The texture was quite thick, but it did feather a bit since it is a gloss. It stays for about 2-3 hours and leaves a soft stain afterwards. It wasn't patchy or drying either.

Milani is giving you a gloss and a stain all in one! I consider this pretty cool!

This New Milani Lip stain is available in eight (8) beautiful shades and my favourite is the Raspberry Tart.

Power Lip Lasting & Moisturizing Gloss Stain: red control, carabet blend, raspberry tart, Macaroon, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Sugar, Mango Tango & Creamy cafe

MILANI ANTI-FEATHERING LIP LINER 01 "transparent" 

This transparent lipliner is another fantastic one from Milani. It prevents lipstick & lip gloss from feathering. It can also be used as a lip primer & liner filler to extend the wear of any lipstick or lip gloss. My lipstick laster longer than usual when i applied it with this pencil. It is Enriched with vitamins and moisturizing ingredients for a easy glide, smooth application. Paraben-free. Sharpens with Milani's Duo Pencil Sharpener. 

I hope this review helps you shop right. Make sure you buy from my beauty haven...follow us on Instagram @oyeebonybeautyhaven for more pictures or call +2348122220660 to place tour orders. We deliver within and outside Lagos too...I remain your number one Milani Ambassador...lol

happy shopping!!! 

"Look Good...Feel Good"

Oye-Ebony

LIP COLOURS: LIPSTICK, LIP STAIN, LIP BALM, LIP GLOSS & LIP LINER.

Hello Beauties,

I hope you all had a fun filled weekend compared to mine (will gist you later).

Today, i will be talking about the the different types of lip colours so as to help you make the right choice when you need to purchase one.

If  you've been loyal to the same lipstick brand and color for the past decade or more, you may not realize that there are many new and different products to color and brighten your lips. You can wear any of the many lip color products separately or layered together to update your look.

 There are no rules of right or wrong to lip colour, whatever you feel comfortable with is what you should use.

Before you think about lip color, though, consider lip health. Remember to protect this sensitive skin from the sun, because the lips can develop skin cancer, Look for lip color products that contain at least SPF 15 or use a lip-friendly sunscreen product. Make it part of your morning routine, before your lipstick. 

 When shopping for lip colour products, don't test samples on your lips that others have used.   You don't want to get herpes or staph infections, I suggest you put it on your hand, not your lips, unless they open something fresh for you.

Read on to learn about the different categories of lip color products available today:

Lip Gloss

When you hear the words "lip gloss," you may envision 13-year-olds applying bubble gum-colored gloss on the bus ride to school, but there are a wide variety of colors to appeal to everyone, not just adolescents.

Lip glosses cater to different needs and age groups. There are so many different kinds: full color, sheer, glitter, SPF protection. Some are more sheer and some give you a more natural look, like a hint of colour.

• Good for... people with dry skin, because lip gloss tends to be moisturizing.
• Avoid if... you're seeking long-lasting color, since gloss comes off quicker than lipstick. It can also be messy, because it stays moist the entire time you wear it.

 

Milani Brilliant Shine gloss

Milani Haute Flash full coverage gloss

Milani Lip instense colour

Lip Balm

Lip balms have moved beyond the basic and into the cosmetics industry. Tinted balms offer a hint of color with sheer to medium coverage and a satin finish, plus moisture.

They often have SPF, which is great, plus vitamin E and shea butter, which soften the lips, It's a see-through colour, not a full-colour commitment, so you don't have to worry about looking in the mirror and making it perfect.

• Good for... people whose lips are dry or tend to chap.
• Avoid if... you seek bold, deep, dark coverage.

Carmex lip balm

Lip Stains

If you want all-day color with no upkeep, consider lip stains. These liquid-based products are painted onto the lips. Once they dry, they last 8 to 12 hours. The matte stain is so enduring, in fact, you'll need to remove it with makeup remover at the end of your day.

You have to be careful and get a perfect application, Once it's dried, it's not coming off.

Lip stains can be very drying, so it's best to apply a moisturizing balm first. Stains can also draw attention to chapped lips or wrinkles around the mouth.

• Good for... people who want all-day color and those who don't like the feel of lipstick.
• Avoid if... your lips are dry or tend to chap.

 

Milani Power lip stain

Left picture: Rimmel London lipstick

Right picture: #MilaniPowerLip in Rasperry Tart

Lipstick

Historically, lipstick was very matte with full color. (Picture Marilyn Monroe's signature red lips.) There are many more options now.

 Today, there's gloss, glaze, luster and satin finish, as well as matte, and any cosmetics line would carry 30 to 40 colors in all finishes.

Remember to reapply lipstick frequently, because most lipsticks wears off after you eat or drink.

• Good for... adding full color to the lips in a variety of colors and finishes.
• Avoid if... you want long-lasting color.

 Milani Statement Lipstick

Rimmel London Lipstick (I'm in love with their nude lippies 😍)

Long-wear Lipstick

A newer type of lipstick is thick, opaque, long-lasting lipstick for women who want to apply color in the morning and have it last all day.

Like long-lasting lip stains, long-wear lipsticks are sold in liquid form. You paint them onto your lips, where they stay in place for 8 to 12 hours after drying. You take them off with makeup remover. But that's where the similarities end.

 A tint or a stain is more like a sheer color and doesn't have any coverage.  Super-wear lipstick has a lot of coverage."

Long-wear lipsticks can feel dry, so they're usually sold with a moisturizing clear lip gloss, to be worn as a top coat.

"It feels better and gives lips a little shine," 

• Good for... people who want all-day color.
• Avoid if... your lips are dry or tend to chap.

 Mac Long wear Lipstick

Lip Liner

Many people who wear lip liner apply pencil to the outline of their lips to help their lipstick stay in place. The matte liner acts as a barrier, preventing creamier lipstick from migrating onto the skin surrounding the mouth.

Some people color in their lips entirely with liner before applying lipstick, because lipstick comes off after eating and drinking but lip liner doesn't – they don't want to be seen with bare lips surrounded by bold lip liner.

 Colouring in the lips gives you a longer-lasting look, top it with a little clear lip gloss to give it a long-lasting lipstick look, because it tends to be on the drier side."

For a seamless look, match your lip liner color to your lipstick.

• Good for... outlining the lips before applying lipstick to define the lips and create a barrier to contain lipstick.
• Avoid if... you aren't planning to wear a significant amount of lip color, such as sheer lip balm.

Milani anti-feathring lip liner (also works as a lip primer)

Bh cosmetics waterproofed lip liners ( Amazing)

Milani statement lip liners.

I hope you find this useful and please do not forget to share with a friend.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:

Mac Lipstick

Revlon Lip balm & stain

Wet n Wild lipstick

Milani Colour statement Lipstick

Milani Power Lip Stain (2014)

Milani brilliant shine gloss (2014)

Milani lip intense colour ( 2014) 

Rimmel London Lipstick

Bh cosmetics lip gloss & lip liner

All Milani and bh cosmetics products available at Oye-ebony beauty haven. Follow us on instagram @oyeebonybeautyhaven to get familiar with all products and please like our page on Facebook: oye-ebony beauty haven....

Wishing you all  a lovely week ahead. 

       

"Look Good...Feel Good"

Oye-Ebony🎀