Month: May 2020

Can Castor Oil Really Help Your Lashes & Brows Grow?

Hair loss is a well-known and wide-spread issue. Thinning hair can be caused by a vast array of different things, from genetics to stress to diet and prescription medications. However, while we typically think of the hair on our head when it comes to this concern, our lashes and eyebrows can also be impacted by the same reason the hair on heads begins to thin. Castor oil has been generating buzz lately, touted for its apparent ability to help promote accelerate eyebrow and eyelash re-growth. Unlike Biotin and other B-vitamins, there isn’t a ton of clinically backed research vetting the alleged connection between castor oil and accelerated hair regrowth. On the other hand, the anecdotal research is pretty compelling, with plenty of before-and-after pics scattered throughout the web.

While the academic research and clinical trials examining the oil’s ability to promote hair re-growth may be scant, that doesn’t mean the connection is to be completely discredited. In fact, castor oil does have natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal proprieties, which can thoroughly cleanse and remove dead skin and product buildup from the scalp. When the hair follicles on the scalp are clogged, this inhibits normal hair growth. Just like congested pores on your face, congested follicles on your scalp are simply no good. And, according to some castor oil manufacturers, it functions as an effective growth accelerant because it’s penetrated easily, delivering a saturated dose of Vitamin E, triglyceride fatty acids, and bond-building proteins. In short, while more research needs to be conducted for castor to earn  the FDA’s seal of approval, if you’re like us, the vast amount of “true stories” documenting its benefits are enough to convince us to try it out for ourselves.

After experiencing a month or two of non-stop stress and lack of sleep, I woke up one morning and as I looked in the mirror, I realized that my brows were noticeably thinner than a week or two ago. Of course, given my non-stop schedule that had taken over my life during the past weeks, it makes sense that the thinning brow situation would go unnoticed until that very moment. In panic mode, I immediately began to research what type of disease could be at the root of my suddenly skimpy brows, only to settle on the conclusion that it was in fact, probably stress — a very common cause of hair loss according to my bible, WebMd. Anyways, after learning that a few friends of mine had also been battling this sudden onset of thinning brows, I began to try out the oil myself to see what I could glean. I’m not sure if my restored brows were courtesy of my return to a more balanced schedule or the castor oil, but there was a visible improvement in the fullness of my brows. While I can’t speak to its impact on eyelash growth, I would imagine it would have same effect and the products below all claim to help in this department. Here are some of our favorite formulas.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

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Can Castor Oil Really Help Your Lashes & Brows Grow?

Hair loss is a well-known and wide-spread issue. Thinning hair can be caused by a vast array of different things, from genetics to stress to diet and prescription medications. However, while we typically think of the hair on our head when it comes to this concern, our lashes and eyebrows can also be impacted by the same reason the hair on heads begins to thin. Castor oil has been generating buzz lately, touted for its apparent ability to help promote accelerate eyebrow and eyelash re-growth. Unlike Biotin and other B-vitamins, there isn’t a ton of clinically backed research vetting the alleged connection between castor oil and accelerated hair regrowth. On the other hand, the anecdotal research is pretty compelling, with plenty of before-and-after pics scattered throughout the web.

While the academic research and clinical trials examining the oil’s ability to promote hair re-growth may be scant, that doesn’t mean the connection is to be completely discredited. In fact, castor oil does have natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal proprieties, which can thoroughly cleanse and remove dead skin and product buildup from the scalp. When the hair follicles on the scalp are clogged, this inhibits normal hair growth. Just like congested pores on your face, congested follicles on your scalp are simply no good. And, according to some castor oil manufacturers, it functions as an effective growth accelerant because it’s penetrated easily, delivering a saturated dose of Vitamin E, triglyceride fatty acids, and bond-building proteins. In short, while more research needs to be conducted for castor to earn  the FDA’s seal of approval, if you’re like us, the vast amount of “true stories” documenting its benefits are enough to convince us to try it out for ourselves.

After experiencing a month or two of non-stop stress and lack of sleep, I woke up one morning and as I looked in the mirror, I realized that my brows were noticeably thinner than a week or two ago. Of course, given my non-stop schedule that had taken over my life during the past weeks, it makes sense that the thinning brow situation would go unnoticed until that very moment. In panic mode, I immediately began to research what type of disease could be at the root of my suddenly skimpy brows, only to settle on the conclusion that it was in fact, probably stress — a very common cause of hair loss according to my bible, WebMd. Anyways, after learning that a few friends of mine had also been battling this sudden onset of thinning brows, I began to try out the oil myself to see what I could glean. I’m not sure if my restored brows were courtesy of my return to a more balanced schedule or the castor oil, but there was a visible improvement in the fullness of my brows. While I can’t speak to its impact on eyelash growth, I would imagine it would have same effect and the products below all claim to help in this department. Here are some of our favorite formulas.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Read More

Can Castor Oil Really Help Your Lashes & Brows Grow?

Hair loss is a well-known and wide-spread issue. Thinning hair can be caused by a vast array of different things, from genetics to stress to diet and prescription medications. However, while we typically think of the hair on our head when it comes to this concern, our lashes and eyebrows can also be impacted by the same reason the hair on heads begins to thin. Castor oil has been generating buzz lately, touted for its apparent ability to help promote accelerate eyebrow and eyelash re-growth. Unlike Biotin and other B-vitamins, there isn’t a ton of clinically backed research vetting the alleged connection between castor oil and accelerated hair regrowth. On the other hand, the anecdotal research is pretty compelling, with plenty of before-and-after pics scattered throughout the web.

While the academic research and clinical trials examining the oil’s ability to promote hair re-growth may be scant, that doesn’t mean the connection is to be completely discredited. In fact, castor oil does have natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal proprieties, which can thoroughly cleanse and remove dead skin and product buildup from the scalp. When the hair follicles on the scalp are clogged, this inhibits normal hair growth. Just like congested pores on your face, congested follicles on your scalp are simply no good. And, according to some castor oil manufacturers, it functions as an effective growth accelerant because it’s penetrated easily, delivering a saturated dose of Vitamin E, triglyceride fatty acids, and bond-building proteins. In short, while more research needs to be conducted for castor to earn  the FDA’s seal of approval, if you’re like us, the vast amount of “true stories” documenting its benefits are enough to convince us to try it out for ourselves.

After experiencing a month or two of non-stop stress and lack of sleep, I woke up one morning and as I looked in the mirror, I realized that my brows were noticeably thinner than a week or two ago. Of course, given my non-stop schedule that had taken over my life during the past weeks, it makes sense that the thinning brow situation would go unnoticed until that very moment. In panic mode, I immediately began to research what type of disease could be at the root of my suddenly skimpy brows, only to settle on the conclusion that it was in fact, probably stress — a very common cause of hair loss according to my bible, WebMd. Anyways, after learning that a few friends of mine had also been battling this sudden onset of thinning brows, I began to try out the oil myself to see what I could glean. I’m not sure if my restored brows were courtesy of my return to a more balanced schedule or the castor oil, but there was a visible improvement in the fullness of my brows. While I can’t speak to its impact on eyelash growth, I would imagine it would have same effect and the products below all claim to help in this department. Here are some of our favorite formulas.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Read More

Can Castor Oil Really Help Your Lashes & Brows Grow?

Hair loss is a well-known and wide-spread issue. Thinning hair can be caused by a vast array of different things, from genetics to stress to diet and prescription medications. However, while we typically think of the hair on our head when it comes to this concern, our lashes and eyebrows can also be impacted by the same reason the hair on heads begins to thin. Castor oil has been generating buzz lately, touted for its apparent ability to help promote accelerate eyebrow and eyelash re-growth. Unlike Biotin and other B-vitamins, there isn’t a ton of clinically backed research vetting the alleged connection between castor oil and accelerated hair regrowth. On the other hand, the anecdotal research is pretty compelling, with plenty of before-and-after pics scattered throughout the web.

While the academic research and clinical trials examining the oil’s ability to promote hair re-growth may be scant, that doesn’t mean the connection is to be completely discredited. In fact, castor oil does have natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal proprieties, which can thoroughly cleanse and remove dead skin and product buildup from the scalp. When the hair follicles on the scalp are clogged, this inhibits normal hair growth. Just like congested pores on your face, congested follicles on your scalp are simply no good. And, according to some castor oil manufacturers, it functions as an effective growth accelerant because it’s penetrated easily, delivering a saturated dose of Vitamin E, triglyceride fatty acids, and bond-building proteins. In short, while more research needs to be conducted for castor to earn  the FDA’s seal of approval, if you’re like us, the vast amount of “true stories” documenting its benefits are enough to convince us to try it out for ourselves.

After experiencing a month or two of non-stop stress and lack of sleep, I woke up one morning and as I looked in the mirror, I realized that my brows were noticeably thinner than a week or two ago. Of course, given my non-stop schedule that had taken over my life during the past weeks, it makes sense that the thinning brow situation would go unnoticed until that very moment. In panic mode, I immediately began to research what type of disease could be at the root of my suddenly skimpy brows, only to settle on the conclusion that it was in fact, probably stress — a very common cause of hair loss according to my bible, WebMd. Anyways, after learning that a few friends of mine had also been battling this sudden onset of thinning brows, I began to try out the oil myself to see what I could glean. I’m not sure if my restored brows were courtesy of my return to a more balanced schedule or the castor oil, but there was a visible improvement in the fullness of my brows. While I can’t speak to its impact on eyelash growth, I would imagine it would have same effect and the products below all claim to help in this department. Here are some of our favorite formulas.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Read More

9 Pro Makeup Artist Tips for Women 50+ That Can Really Make a Difference (Video)

9 Pro Makeup Artist Tips for Women 50+ That Can Really Make a Difference

I think
many of us can identify with the woman in one of my makeup classes for women
50+ who recently blurted out: “You wake up and feel like you’re still 30-something
and then you look in the mirror and think, ‘What the blink happened?’”

Yes, a few
changes have happened over the years,
but as a 60+ makeup artist who is passionate about helping women over 50 look
and feel their confident best, I’m always especially excited to offer solutions
to the array of interesting challenges that sometimes seem to pop up overnight,
like:

  • How did that brow hair turn white overnight,
    and how do I tame the wiry ones?
  • And how can I possibly use eyeliner anymore
    when I have issues with watery eyes?

With these
specific challenges in mind, I’m including below nine of my pro makeup artist
tips for those of us 50+. They can really make a difference and are demonstrated
in the video above.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

How to Tame Unruly Brow Hair

I especially love this first tip because it’s a money-saving one!

If you have a few unruly brow hairs, instead of purchasing a
separate brow gel product to keep them in line, simply take a spoolie or an old
mascara wand that you’ve cleaned, and spray some hair spray on it then comb the
hair spray through your brow hairs to keep them in place.

How to Save Money on Eyeliner
and Make It Easier to Apply

Another money-saving tip is to use eyeshadow as your eyeliner. But
just a caveat to be aware of – not every eyeshadow will work well as
eyeliner. You really have to test out a few to see which will be long-lasting
and what will work best for you.

To make it easier to apply, try using a thin, firm, angled eyebrow
brush or a flat top brush. The flat top brush picks up more product than many
other brushes so it will make your application both easier and faster.

Create Waterproof Eyeliner
from Eyeshadow If You Have Issues with Tearing or Watery Eyes

When you use eyeshadow as eyeliner, you can make it waterproof by
adding one product to the mix. One option is Makeup Forever’s Aquaseal, or you
can go with Inglot’s Duraline.

To create your waterproof eyeliner, simply put one drop of either
of these products on the back of your hand. Dip your brush into your eyeshadow
and then into the Aquaseal or Duraline, and apply the product as close as
possible to your lash line.

IMPORTANT: Make sure to wash off your brush immediately or
it will harden.

How to Make Your Eye Lashes
Look Longer and Fuller

I know eyelash curlers can be a bit intimidating, but they can
really make a huge difference in how long and full your eyelashes look. How
you use the eyelash curler can also make a difference.

Start as close to the base of your lashes as possible without
pinching your eyelid. Then, lift your elbow up so it’s horizontal to your eyes
and hold for 5 seconds. Stair step up your lashes, lift and hold for another 5
seconds, and keep doing this until you reach the top of your lashes.

How to Create Glowing Skin

To create beautiful, glowing skin, you have to remove the dead
skin cells which accumulate on your skin and make it look duller. Since your
skin cells don’t turn over as fast as they used to, exfoliating twice a week
can definitely bring about a glowing skin effect.

Using a foundation with a dewy finish (as long as you don’t have
oily skin) can also help create a soft, beautiful glow.

Create a Soft, Glowing Blush

Many women experience skin dryness with age. So, using a cream
blush rather than powder can add a beautiful, soft, seamless look. But since
many cream blushes come in a stick formulation, this is a tip that can help
with the application.

Simply take a bit of your favorite moisturizer, dot it on the back
of your hand, apply a little blush to your finger and then add a tiny bit of
the moisturizer to your finger as well. This will help the blush glide on
effortlessly and add some additional glow to your skin.

Where you put the blush is also important, since you have to work
against gravity. So, apply the blush slightly below the top of your cheekbones – starting at your ear and coming forward at a slight angle.

How to Get Rid of Shine on
the Nose

If, like me, you put powder on your nose and 10 minutes later it
looks shiny again, try this trick: apply tinted eyeshadow primer to your nose
instead of foundation.

It helps prevent the oil on your eyelids from causing eyeshadow
creasing and smudging and will help prevent the oils on your nose from coming
through and creating shine as well.

Finally, Two Tips for
Creating a Flawless Finishing Look

Many of us are used to automatically applying powder to our entire
face. But consider only applying it to where you need it most (like the T-zone
which tends to get oilier) as too much powder can start to look cakey.

Also, consider using a setting spray to set your makeup. But
rather than spraying it onto your face, spray it onto a slightly dampened makeup
sponge, and gently push the sponge into your makeup.

What are your biggest makeup woes? How do you handle them? Do you
have any favorite makeup tips you can share? If so, please do! What other makeup
challenges do you have that you’d like help solving? Let’s have a discussion
below!

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