In my Zoom makeup consultations, makeup classes, and presentations to women’s groups, I often ask women what their biggest makeup challenge is. As you might imagine, it ranges all over the board – from eye issues to downturned lips to how to apply makeup faster.

So today, I want to offer some tips that will help with many of the concerns you share with me. And some of these tips may surprise you. I hope you’ll find some helpful nuggets today that will make a positive difference in how your makeup looks.

Because how our makeup looks depends not only on our skin prep and the makeup products we use, but also on the techniques we use to apply it, where we apply it and the tools we use to apply it. In the accompanying video, I’ll demonstrate all 10 of these tips.

Tip #1: Start with the Lips!

Tip one is to apply a double coat of lip balm on our lips before we start our makeup routine so it will sink in while we do the rest of our makeup. Lip balm not only protects the lips but it also creates a smooth, soft surface so lipstick applies more easily and looks better. I love my Naked Bee lip balm in Coconut and Honey.

Tip #2: Think Multi-Tasking

The second tip is to consider investing in a multi-tasking product that saves time in your makeup routine. One I love is a product from the brand INNBeauty Project called a Face Glaze Skin Barrier Protect and Glow Moisturizer.

This is a unique gel cream product that’s infused with ceramides, squalene and hyaluronic acid to support the skin’s moisture barrier while also providing glow. It really transforms the look of our skin. Since it’s a hybrid product it can also act as a face primer or can be mixed with foundation.

Tip #3: The Eyes Have It!

Tip number three focuses on our eyes and how we can make our eyes look bigger by using a makeup placement technique that really makes a difference. For the first step you can take a Kleenex, paper towel or tape that isn’t terribly sticky. (You can reduce the stickiness by pulling the tape on and off the back of your hand several times.)

Then, look straight ahead into a mirror with your eyes relaxed and place the tissue or tape along the outer lower curve of your eye going up toward the temple. After putting a mid-tone eyeshadow on your brush and tapping it off, apply the shadow to the highest spot along your orbital bone in the middle of that eye.

And then – and here’s the important part – take that shadow straight across to the tissue or tape. Then fill in the lower lid and crease area with that color. This not only elongates the eye, but also lifts it. And, of course, you can always add a slightly darker shade on the outer area to create even more definition.

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!

Tip #4: Mix and Match

Our fourth tip involves foundation. I want to encourage you to mix your foundation with other products to get the look and finish you want. For instance, if you have very dry skin like I do, you may want to mix some moisturizer into your foundation. Or, if your foundation leans toward a matte look, you might want to mix in a small amount of highlighter to provide some extra glow.

Of course, it’s important to start by mixing in just a little and then adding more, if necessary, so your foundation look doesn’t go – in just a matter of minutes – to slick and oily rather than glowy! So don’t be afraid to mix face products together to get the look you want. And this also goes for other products.

For instance, if you usually wear a matte blush color, mix in just a bit of highlighter to create some extra glow on your cheekbones. Glow really translates to “radiant” which is a wonderful look for mature skin – especially dry mature skin.

Tip #5: Three Ways to Defy Gravity

Tip five actually involves three different highlighting tips that help lift our face. We want to take a slightly lighter highlight or concealer color than our skin tone and apply it going upwards (against gravity) in three areas: the inner and outer edge of the eye going up; the side of the nose going up and the upper side of the lower lip going up.

The slightly lighter color going in an upward direction draws the eyes of those looking at you upward. It’s subtle, but it does make a difference.

Tips #6: Be Careful with the Blush

To avoid applying too much blush, put some blush on the back of the hand, diffuse it with a brush and then apply the blush using the brush.

Tip #7: Keep That Blush in Place

Since blush so often seems to pull a disappearing act not long after it’s applied, tip number seven remedies this problem. After applying your blush, spray some setting spray onto a dampened makeup sponge and gently push the sponge into the blush. And make sure to push and not rub.

Then to really ensure longer lasting blush, you can repeat the process. If you prefer, you can use powder rather than setting spray, but for some of us, powder can be too drying on our skin which is why setting spray can often be a great choice.

Tip #8: A New Technique to Apply Powder

Instead of applying setting powder with a brush, put a little bit on a dampened sponge and press it onto the face. This application method helps avoid any cakiness since it’s actually adding more moisture into the skin.

Tip #9: Finishing Touch with Powder

The ninth tip involves another type of powder: finishing powder. And finishing powder does exactly what the name implies. It finishes off our makeup look by melding it all together and creating a soft—almost ethereal glow. My finishing powder of choice is Hourglasses’ Ambient Light Finishing Powder.

Tip #10: Tools are a Key

And our last tip involves some of our tools – our brushes. And yes, brushes do really make a difference in how easily our makeup applies and how good it looks.

The four brushes I have that absolutely make the biggest difference are my Sigma 25 brush for application of eyeshadow in the crease, my Sigma 4DHD brush for application of corrector and concealer under the eyes, my Sephora 56 brush for application of contour and blush and my Eve Pearl soft, dense brush #201 for foundation.

I can’t tell you how much easier these brushes make my makeup application. It’s absolutely worth it to spend a little extra money on a core group of brushes like these that are so helpful in improving the look of our makeup.

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Heather Gay’s Pink Jumpsuit & Clutch

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 3 Episode 11

Going into this episode of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, I can barely remember who is fighting with who! And then, just when I thought it couldn’t get more confusing, all of the ladies put blonde wigs on for a super random Marilyn Monroe party! I could barely tell who was who, but you’d better believe I’d recognize Heather Gay’s pink terry clutch anywhere. And while you won’t be getting your hands on her jumpsuit, if you love the bag, you can get that shipped to you Express, just in time for Christmas.

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Originally posted at: Heather Gay’s Pink Jumpsuit & Clutch

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As soon as the temperature dips below 50, my oily skin rebels. Dry patches and scaly texture are its go-to ways of showing its disagreement with the chilly weather. Both love to show up on my face, lips, hands and legs (a.k.a. everywhere), and for a while, I just ignored them. That is, up until I moved to Boston for college. That was like a skincare awakening for me because I started to do my research. With lots of trial and error, I have found five products that soothed my dry skin so well that I continue to repurchase them time and time again.

Keep reading for five tried-and-true dry skin saviors that you can shop at Amazon—and keep an eye out for the one that even Hailey Bieber swears by. Almost all of them are from drugstore brands, meaning they have drugstore price tags. You won’t be breaking the bank with any of these must-have formulas, so whip out your wallet for the sake of preventing and repairing dry winter skin.

RELATED: The 10 Best Face Moisturizers For Avoiding Dry, Cracked Skin This Winter—According To Dermatologists 

Photo: Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer 

If you’re wondering if the Hydro Boost moisturizer is worth the hype, it 100 percent is. Every time I try a new moisturizer, I can’t help but compare it to my little blue jar of Neutrogena heaven. 

Its gel-cream texture is absolutely divine, especially if you have oily skin like me. The moisturizer glides right on and immediately hydrates my skin. It’s like a tall glass of water for my complexion, which is exactly what my skin needs during the winter.

What makes its formula so universally loved? It quenches dry skin in a heartbeat thanks to the hero ingredient, hyaluronic acid. Glycerin also helps a ton with increasing hydration. The goop is super lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly. This face moisturizer never misses. 

“It is a reliable, cooling gel that delivers hydration and is great for everyday use, especially in warmer weather,” Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, previously told StyleCaster.

“It hydrates, is not oily, and is good for all skin types. It is also non-comedogenic,” Jeanine Downie, MD Director of Image Dermatology PC in Montclair, New Jersey and board-certified dermatologist, also previously told StyleCaster.

Photo: Aquaphor.

Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment

You might think I have a problem after hearing this, but I have gone through almost 15 tubes of this magical balm. Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment is a product I will never—I mean never—leave the house without. I’m sure this sounds dramatic, but I promise I’m not the only one who is a lifelong Aquaphor stan. None other than Hailey Bieber, who’s known for her plump pout, uses Aquaphor. She previously told Glamour, “It just does the job every time.” I couldn’t agree more.

The formula taps castor seed oil, glycerin, panthenol, shea butter and other nourishing ingredients. Aquaphor carries a chapstick version as well as one with SPF, but the O.G. balm is my ride-or-die.

My pro tip is to buy a few tubes and put them in places you go to often. That could be your everyday bag, bathroom and nightstand. Or maybe it’s your desk, gym tote and car. It’s whatever works for you and is most convenient so that you never have to find your lips chapped and without a quick solution.

CeraVe.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 

After applying CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream for the first time, my legs never felt softer. Even if I accidentally skip days, my skin still feels silky smooth. That just goes to show how the body moisturizer really does provide long-term results. It strengthens the skin barrier with the help of three essential ceramides, while hyaluronic acid delivers deep hydration. 

I rub this body cream all over my arms and legs and boy does the product deliver on its promises. Make sure you get the big tub. Trust me, it’ll last forever.

Photo: Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

I just bought two more boxes of the Norwegian Formula Hand Cream because my other drugstore hand cream wasn’t cutting it. There’s a cool story about how this product came to be, but I’ll tell you the abridged version. Decades ago, Norwegian fishermen created a glycerin-powered hand cream to help their hands endure harsh winters. In 1969,  Lloyd Cotsen, the president of Neutrogena at the time, was tasked with advertising the fishermen’s O.G. recipe. He tried their concoction on his own hands and couldn’t believe how well it worked. That’s the birth story of the Norwegian Formula Hand Cream and why you’ll notice Norway’s flag on the product’s packaging.

With a 40 concentration of glycerin, all you need is a tiny dot of product to feel its moisturizing effects right away. Per the brand, each tube contains around 200 applications, so basically, you’re set for the entire year. 

I can attest to this hand cream’s superpowers and have liked it so much that I put my mom and sister onto it. I know buying a six-pack seems excessive, but I swear it’s worth it. They’ll get a lot of use, and just like my Aquaphor tip, you can put a tube in all of your most-frequented places for easy access.

Photo: BeautyStat Cosmetics.

BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal Moisture Essence

This last product is my most recent find, and it’s made by a brand that Hailey Bieber uses. BeautyStat Cosmetics’ Universal Moisture Essence smoothed this one extra stubborn dry area on my face when no other product could. I tried a shea butter product that has previously helped vanish dry patches for me; I tried a TikTok-viral balm; I tried even my beloved Neutrogena Hydro Boost. When one of my coworkers handed me this essence, I didn’t think much of it. 

Now that I’ve been using it for some time, I realize I should’ve never underestimated it. After the very first application, I noticed the dryness around my nose had disappeared. I was so shocked that that was all it took. Since then, I’ve been using it every day, twice a day on my face. Although the dryness pops up every now and then, this essence has it under control for the most part.

It’s made from 100 percent pure squalane that comes from sustainable plant sugars. Squalane is a skincare essential, since it’s known to provide lots of moisture, support the skin barrier, fade hyperpigmentation, minimize visible signs of aging and (somehow) more.

Did you know that toxin buildup in the body is a major contributor to auto-immune conditions, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, endocrine disruption, and a number of other chronic health issues?

There are over 85,000 chemicals listed on the EPA’s Chemical Substance Inventory, with several thousands more that are categorized elsewhere. It’s hard to believe, but very few of those chemicals have ever been tested for possible effects to human health.

Toxins are everywhere around us and can be absorbed through our skin, ingested in our food, and breathed in from the air. When the body has an onslaught of toxins to deal with, many of them end up getting “packaged up” and stored in fat cells as described in this article.

In the long term, the accumulation of toxins can cause the fat cells to swell and become inflamed. This results in weight gain and low-level chronic inflammation that can trigger the immune system and contribute to immune system dysfunction.

You simply cannot avoid all of the toxins in our modern environment, so don’t stress! Following these 5 tips will help to decrease your toxin exposure significantly:

Choose Organic Foods When Possible to Avoid Pesticides Like Glyphosate

Although organic produce is not completely free of pesticides, it is significantly better than conventionally grown produce. If you cannot afford to buy organic, then purchase a natural produce wash and soak your fruits and veggies for 15 minutes.

You can also follow the EWG’s yearly “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists. The produce classified in the “Dirty Dozen” should always be purchased organic due to the high use of pesticides on these products. The produce listed in the “Clean 15” is okay to be consumed if conventionally grown, because they are less likely to be laden with pesticides.

Drink Only Filtered Water or Natural Spring Water

Unfiltered tap water can contain traceable levels of lead, aluminum, chlorine, PFAS, perchlorate, and many other compounds which can contribute to the body’s toxicity. There are many types of water filters that can fit any budget and will help to decrease the levels of potentially harmful compounds.

ZeroWater Filters are an affordable option for a countertop filter. Berkey water filters offer larger, higher quality stainless steel options in various sizes. The gold standard would be a reverse osmosis filter either for your main sink or for the entire home. (Bonus points for putting a water filter on your shower heads as well!).

Avoid BPA as Much as Possible

BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical used to make plastics. Sources report that “…in a recent unpublished study, vom Saal found that BPA affected rodent fat cells at very low doses, 1,000 times below the dose that regulatory agencies presume causes no effect in humans.”

A great way to avoid BPA is to discontinue use of any plastic water bottles and food storage containers. Opt for a stainless-steel water bottle instead, and replace your plastic containers with glass or stainless-steel options. Avoid using plastic wraps, and definitely do not heat your food in plastic wrap or plastic containers.

When plastic containers say, “microwave safe,” it means putting it in the microwave is safe for the container… not for YOU! Surprisingly, another common source of BPA is paper receipts. Decline paper receipts when you can, and opt for an emailed receipt if you need one (you’ll be helping the environment too!).

Purchase an Air Filter for Your Home

“EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times – and occasionally more than 100 times – higher than outdoor levels.” Whether you live in a new or an old home, indoor air can contain VOCs, flame retardants, toxins from flooring and paint, mold, and many other contaminants.

If affordable, a whole home air purifying system is the gold standard to reduce the toxicity of the air in your home. If you cannot afford to purchase a whole home air purifier, opt for a smaller system that you can place in the room where you spend the most time. If an air purifier is not an option for you, at least be sure to open your windows on a daily basis to allow for fresh air circulation!

Complete a Functional Medicine Liver Detox 3-4 Times Per Year

No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to live a toxin free life in the 21^st century! It is true that we have a built-in detoxification system in our bodies led by our liver and kidneys. However, our liver and kidneys do not have the natural capability to deal with the sheer magnitude of toxins that we all are faced with in modern times!

The best way to fight back against inevitable toxin exposure is to support the liver with all of the nutrients it needs to function optimally and perform all phases of detoxification. Completing a high-quality functional medicine liver detox 3-4 times per year can help to keep your total toxic burden low and offset the potential health effects of toxin buildup.

Let’s face it… toxins are everywhere! It can become overwhelming trying to avoid all of them. The truth is, it’s not possible to completely avoid exposure to toxins. The best thing you can do is control the controllable factors in your life by starting with the 5 tips above! Commit to the 5 steps in this article and you will be surprised at the health benefits that lowering your toxicity can provide!

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Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you suffer from an auto-immune condition or other chronic disease? Have you tried any of these tips, and did they make a difference for you? Have you ever completed a toxicity test or a functional medicine detox or would you consider doing so? Do you follow the Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen?

It’s that time of the year when many of us are making lists. Sometimes, we’re enumerating things to do, while other lists may include loftier goals for the coming year or names of people or events we appreciate.

I’m big on writing lists of things to do, but I am not generally a fan of expressing explicit thanks for people in my life.

However, it has been a particularly stressful year – between natural disasters, wars around the world, post-pandemic crises and various other revelations that few people could have anticipated.

Given all these events, I thought it would be worthwhile to express gratitude for the small but important parts of life. And also, I wanted to grumble a bit about the trend toward rudeness that seems to be increasing.

On the Positive Side

I have come to know many people who value the important things in life. They aren’t afraid to ask for help and are grateful when they receive it. They aren’t too busy to listen to your problems – in fact, they ask about them! I am happy to say I appreciate those people, as they make life run smoother.

People Who Express Gratefulness

I often take my editorial skills for granted. However, when I help out new authors who are unfamiliar with the basics of writing a book proposal or creating a table of contents, I realize how valuable my experience can be.

I am very appreciative when authors mention me in their book acknowledgements or in emails, thanking me for helping them reach their goal of completing a book.

Friends Who Listen Without Judgement

Most of us have that special ‘person’ in our lives to whom we can talk about anything, even if we haven’t been in touch regularly.

I am grateful for my early morning gym pals who will listen endlessly to my complaints about work, family, health or just about anything on my mind. I am also grateful for my out-of-town close pals who will always respond to a call or text when I’m in need of advice or just a little cheering up.

Professional Contacts Who Treat Me Like a Friend

You hope that you will become friends with colleagues or clients, but that doesn’t always happen. I am grateful for the people who will ask how I am or what’s happening with my family before we start discussing work.

I will always remember people who sent me notes or cards after my parents’ passing. In many cases, the nicest gestures were made by people I didn’t know that well. It was these acquaintances who often shined when others did not.

On the Negative Side

As a freelancer, I recognize that I’m the one who usually has to go the extra mile. I have to pitch myself and my work, and sometimes that means editing sample pages or doing a half-hour consult without getting paid.

In spite of many years of experience, I accept that this effort is sometimes required for the opportunity to get a new client. Job-seekers find themselves in similar positions; regardless of your background, you may have to provide samples or complete assignments as part of your application.

Lately, though, I’ve seen a pattern of what I’ll refer to as ‘professional rudeness’ that seems to be on the rise. Are these scenarios familiar to you?

Not Responding to Requested Material or Information That Has Been Provided in a Timely Fashion

I can get busy, and occasionally, emails will disappear into my crowded inbox. However, I usually advise people that I will acknowledge receipt of an email and say when I will be reviewing the material. In fact, when starting a new project, I tell people to follow up if I don’t respond to an email within 48 hours.

That’s pretty clear, I think. But after I have had one or more phone calls, several emails and then send a proposed agreement, why is there radio silence? I would like the person to whom I wrote say, “I have your agreement and will be reviewing it over the next week (or some other timeframe).”

We’re all busy and I have to schedule multiple projects. When someone asks for an agreement, I assume we’ll have a spoken or written conversation regarding any questions about the agreement, but that ultimately, we’ll be working together.

Confusing Communication

Recently, one author sent me a text with a screenshot of a graph that needed to be re-drawn for his book. I had to forward that text to myself to review in larger type and then send onto the publisher. But I couldn’t recall what chapter it was in; after all, I’m working on several books.

I texted back and asked the author what chapter or page number the graph was on. I’m still waiting for an answer!

Whether it’s a friend finalizing plans, a family member asking for a favor or a client with a work question, let’s keep communication clear. Provide enough details so the person getting the email or text isn’t left wondering or having to do additional research.

More, More And More

You know how kids will keep asking for something they want. You would give an explanation or answer a question, but the kids have seemingly endless responses.

As an editor, I send back material with tracked changes showing my edits along with any comments or questions. The authors will review my edits and then send back a revision or we’ll have a conversation.

However, there are those authors who will send multiple emails asking question after question about why I deleted a particular word or why I made a particular change.

There’s no reason to send multiple texts or emails with question after question. We’re all professionals, and we’re all busy. If you’re responding more than three times, then it’s time for a phone call. This principle doesn’t just apply to work but also when you’re trying to make plans with friends or family.

For the coming year, let’s all try to think about how we behave at work and at home. I believe that how you act in a professional setting is an extension of your personal behavior.

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Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are some things you are grateful for and what are you grumbling about? Please share your most recent experiences below.