How to Tutorial Guides

How to Guides

How to guides, tutorials, and step-by-step directions. Beauty tips and hacks for the best mascara application, How to correctly use Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, How to clean makeup brushes, How to use a mascara fan brush, etc.

How to Apply Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

January 19, 2018 · 3 Comments

I wondered about Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, how could I not, it’s everywhere, even my Mom said I should try it. But every mascara makes claims, and every mascara had its’ die-hard fans. Many “BIG LASH” mascaras seem like shellac-like lash-clumpers that turn into fallout and flakes. I want full but defined lashes from a mascara that stays put. I’ll shell out the big bucks if it works, but that’s a big IF. Here are our thoughts on Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and how to get the most out of it.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara comes in regular formula and waterproof

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara comes in a regular and waterproof formula

MY FANTASY MASCARA THEORY

I was a big fan of two discontinued Shu Uemura Mascaras, the Basic and the Fiber Extensions. I’ve never really gotten over them and I haven’t found something I ADORED since, but as faithful StyleChicks readers know, we’ve tried plenty of mascaras to forget my long-lost mascara loves. I want it to be BLACK BLACK dark, lengthening and separating, and to be able to keep a curl. I like a major lash, but reasonably natural looking, not a terrible mess of clumps and smudges and flakes.

TOO FACED’S CULT-FOLLOWING

There were the devotees who said this was the best…but I didn’t believe it until became mascara desperate and saw a 2-pack at Ulta that had a full size with a free waterproof mini. It is also $12 for the mini, which is not so little considering the full size is absolutely huge. With Ulta’s amazing return policy, what do you have to lose?

Picked up Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara with a free Waterproof mini on an Ulta haul.

PUTTING TOO FACED BETTER THAN SEX MASCARA TO THE TEST

I found the regular and the waterproof to be very similar, albeit the waterproof seems a little drier, not in a dried out way, just a slightly less wet formula.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara brush has an hourglass shape, clumps tend to accumulate at the tip and require attention to clean

THE WAND: I do like the wand brush that comes with this mascara, and it works well if you do only one coat for the day.

BUT, I prefer to do three VERY thin coats throughout the day, and this way, I get NO clumps and virtually no fallout. I apply first in the morning at home during my typical makeup routine, then a coat before lunch to refresh the curl and add some intensity. Then a fuller, more dramatic lash for dinner and after-hours plans. That sounds like a lot of mascara, but hear me out, it looks natural if applied carefully.

HOW I APPLY TOO FACED BETTER THAN SEX MASCARA

Each coat I do VERY lightly by dipping a disposable mascara wand into the tube just once per eye for both upper and lower lashes. Then I comb through with a dry disposable mascara wand or my trusty MAC or Paula Dorf Mascara Fan Brush.

MAC 205 Mascara Fan Brush Bristles allow for defined wispy mascara application

A fan brush eliminates any clumps and gives lashes a wispy look. I bring extra disposable wands with me for use during the day, and my trusty mascara fan brush, and a few cotton swabs just in case.

STYLECHICKS hack: Apply wet mascaras with disposable wands for maximum control

FIRST COAT: Thin first coat, lashes feel soft, it is difficult to hold a curl, but it is fine for the morning in the office, gives the effect of tight-lining the upper lashes
SECOND COAT: midday quick one-stroke coat to refresh for lunch plans.
THIRD COAT: A final third coat before dinner plans gives GIANT bombshell eyes. GIANT. For best curl hold all evening, I do a final thin coat of the Waterproof mascara after allowing the final coat to dry, give a quick curl, and the Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara nicely sets the curl.

After application, comb through wet lashes with a dry, clean disposable mascara wand for a well-defined lash finish that won’t clump

USING DISPOSABLE WANDS

I use Wayne Goss’ trick of bending the brush head of the mascara wand, but I use a clean disposable wand, this gives me the best access to upper and lower lashes and allows me to use the least mascara to get the best effect. I can also get in nice and close to the actual lash line, which gives a tight line effect and makes eyeliner use somewhat optional or minimal.

How to Apply Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Bend a disposable mascara wand for optimal control and to get in close on bottom lashes

The angled bent brush gives the best access to little lashes even in corners

I Forgo eyeliner other than tight lining or upper rim only for when I really want to bring it. Full-on liner is just too much, like crazy eye kind of big eye. If using eyeliner, do so very gingerly, perhaps something with a soft metallic such as a copper or taupe, or a smudge of shadow for some definition.

CONCLUSION

Currently, this is my favorite mascara, I don’t use anything else. At $23 it is a bit steep, but it lasts for as long as one should hold onto a mascara (three months). The $12 mini is not so mini, it can last you a good six weeks to two months.

Lashes can look huge with one coat from the full specially shaped brush, and it is buildable, like how I use it in multiple coats throughout the day. It does not get stiff, so lashes remain workable, but this is more difficult to curl. The waterproof leaves lashes more curl-able, with no discernable difference to me in appearance, only in the feel of the application. I personally found any of the reported Better Than Sex Mascara dupes to be flaky, whereas actually Better Than stays put. It eliminates the need for eyeliner on most days and defines the eye so well, I don’t need much else as far as eye makeup for a dramatic yet natural looking eye.

PROS:

No flaking. I mean none
Dark black that makes eyes look huge
Nice lush looking lashline

CONS:

Removing the mascara at the end of the day. I use safflower oil-soaked cotton pads, let them sit on my closed eyes for about 30 seconds to melt it all, then wash my face. Not dramatically worse than other mascaras, and there is no tugging involved if a proper oil remover is used.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara has a thick brush with an hourglass shape

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara at TooFaced.com, Ulta, Macy’s, and Sephora

Mascara Application Hack For Applying Wet Formula Mascaras

August 25, 2017 · 8 Comments

Wayne Goss has such great makeup application techniques and recently gave this simple but highly useful tip: bend the mascara wand before completely pulling it out of the tube, so the wand is at an angle.

Angled mascara brushes are not a new concept, some mascara brands even have built-in angled brushes. The angle does make an impressive difference in both control of where you apply the product and importantly, how much produce is distributed, especially getting in nice and close to the lashline.

Watch Wayne’s technique in the video below.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txZsw-ENMzk[/embedyt]

We tried the Mascara Application hack for ourselves, and it is actually pretty amazing on getting mascara right in close at the lash line, especially on the lower lashes, the shorter “arm” to the handle makes a difference in how much control there is in the application.

STYLECHICKS ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Three additional suggestions to make the most of this mascara application hack:

Bend a disposable mascara wand for optimal control and to get in close on bottom lashes

Use Disposable Wands: Instead of using the wand that comes with your mascara, use disposable mascara wands. They are very inexpensive at places like Amazon and Sallys Beauty Supply (under $10 for like 200 of them). The disposable wands are a cheaper plastic and often more flexible, thereby less subject to breaking off the wand head by accident. This way, you can bend your wand without fear of breaking it off and getting stuck, leaving you with no cap for your mascara.
Try angles other than just a 70 to 90-degree angle: You can shape the brush of your disposable mascara wand into other shapes including a c-shape to reinforce the curling capability of your wand.
Curve a disposable wand into a c-shape to enhance the curl of top lashes
FAN YOUR LASHES OUT. It is easier to manipulate the thin brush handle of a disposable wand between your fingers, so let the brush do the work to reduce smudges and fan out lashes. Rotate the thin arm between your forefinger and thumb to move the brush head so that the angle faces outward instead of inward in order to “fan out” the outer lashes, then give them one last brush forward.
CLEAN UP: You can even follow up with a clean disposable mascara wand for combing out any clumps or to get the direction of lashes just the way you would like it. Just hold the clean wand in front of your lashes and blink through the comb to remove clumps.

SIDE BONUS: Disposable mascara wands give much better control and product distribution for very wet mascaras or mascaras with fibers such as Too Faced Better Than Sex, Benefit BADgal, DiorShow, and Urban Decay Perversion Mascaras, to name a few.

Wet mascaras like Benefit BadGal and UD Perversion apply more evenly but with all the glamour when using a bent disposable mascara wand

Got any good mascara application tips to share? Tell us in the comment section below!

RESOURCES:

Wayne Goss‘ YouTube Channel
Disposable Mascara Wands:
- Face Secrets Silicone Disposable Mascara Wands come in a variety of wand shapes for thickening, lengthening, curling, and close tip work application, $3.29 at Sally Beauty Supply
- G2PLUS 100 Disposable Mascara Wands, at Amazon

How to use Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat for Anti-Aging & Face Sculpting

May 7, 2017 · 1 Comment

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat is an iconic beauty product. A brightener and anti-aging wonder. But are you using it correctly? Read these tips to find out.

Learn the Secret Hacks for YSL Touche Eclat

HOW YSL TOUCHE ECLAT WORKS

Ever watch a makeup artist “age” someone for a movie role? They add lines of a dark grayish brown darkness to select areas of the face to make it appear sagging, hollowed and haggard. Touche Eclat can be used to do the opposite by adding peachy light to these same areas. Touche Eclat brightens without being shimmery or glittery.

TOP TIPS ON HOW TO USE YVES SAINT LAURENT TOUCHE ECLAT

Some of my favorite tips include:

ANTI-AGING: Subtle signs of aging are excess darkness on some areas of the face, a light application of Touche Eclat counteracts this:
- Applying a light upside-down “U” shape in the indentation of the chin
- Applying it under the nostrils where many of us get broken red capillaries, to lift the nose, which tends to droop with age
- Apply it to the sides of the mouth where they turn down to lift drooping lips
- At the arch of the eyebrow, blend a dot of Eclat into that highpoint.
- CONCEAL LAUGH LINES: Smile and draw over the lines with the Eclat. Blend to hide the lines.
SMOKEY EYE CLEANUP: If your smokey eye has become too dark, clean it up a bit with some eclat on the highlight section. This cleans up and lightens your look without disturbing that otherwise hard-earned blended smokey look on the rest of the eye.
FOR THE UNDEREYE: If you have little in the way of dark circles, Touche Eclat is enough to brighten under the eye, but if you have something to cover, you will need more than Eclat for actual coverage. I like to use my standard foundation or concealer, and then dab a TINY bit of Eclat on top of that for some brightening. If you brighten the entire circle, there is no natural contour to your undereye, which looks old and weird. But less is more when it comes to undereye Eclat use.

YSL Touche Eclat on smile lines makes them visually disappear

Tips from the Amazing Wayne Goss, YouTube makeup artist

Wayne Goss has an excellent video that explains the dos and don’ts of Touche Eclat and shows how to use Touche Eclat to do the following:

SLIM THE NOSE: Draw a vertical stripe down the bridge of your nose makes it appear straighter
LIFT THE EYEBROW: Draw a line atop each eyebrow
ADD LIGHT: Apply to your lower forehead and feather the product upward to help draw light to your face
AWAKEN EYES: A spot in the inner-corner of the eye will make you appear more awake and looks more natural than shimmery white shadow
TOP OF THE CHEEKBONE: Just below where you do your concealer, highlight the top of the cheekbone for more light and definition.
MAKE LIPSTICK POP: after putting on lipstick, lightly apply Touche eclat to the outside areas of both your top and bottom lip as well as the cupid’s bow, to pull focus and definition to the mouth

See Wayne Goss demonstrate how to use YSL Touche Eclat:

How to get smooth feet: UTILYZE Electronic Foot File

January 17, 2017 · 2 Comments

There are many callus removal and rough foot skin treatments including salon treatments, chemical concoctions, and even garra rufa, a fish pedicure where fish eat the dead skin off the feet! But smooth, callus-free feet are easily achieved at home with the right tool. We like the Utilyze Electronic Foot File, a powerful, rechargeable device for quickly and easily getting soft, callus-free feet with smooth, flake-free heels.

Utilize Electronic Foot File

SPRING’S ALMOST HERE: TURN FANGLY FEET INTO PRETTY PIGGIES NOW
In winter, it’s easy to hide less-than-glamourous rough and dry feet in warm, thick socks and forgiving, snuggly boots. But as of this writing, spring is only two months away, and foot-flaunting open-back shoes and sandals come with it. And if a vacation to a warm weather locale is in your immediate future, getting your feet smooth and callus-free is a priority.

Utilize Electronic Foot File

TESTING THE UTILYZE ELECTRONIC FOOT FILE

I charged the device for eight hours before use; it plugs in by the included USB port charger. Once the light turns green, it is ready for use. I went to work on my callus and cringe-worthy dry heels.

I am frequently barefoot at home and have calluses on the outer side of my big toes. I tend to procrastinate on removing these calluses because it’s tediously time-consuming filing away with sanding file sticks or pumices, and the results are often just okay despite filing until my arm gets too tired. But the removal process is simple with the Utilyze Electronic Foot File. I used the File two ways by doing one big toe callus completely dry and the other big toe callus after soaking my foot to soften the callus. Both worked very well.

Utilize Electronic Foot File

Some things I especially appreciated:

1) POWERFUL: Utilyze Electronic Foot File is a very powerful callus remover, but if you press the roller too hard to the skin, the motor stops. I like this feature so that the skin itself does not get damaged and there is no burning sensation from overuse.
2) EASY GRIP: It is very easy to grip and to use, my hand and arm do not get tired when using it.
3) FAST RESULTS: It is much quicker than using a manual file or pumice with far superior results
4) SAFETY: It is safer and more sanitary than other means of callus removal such as razors or grinders that cut the skin. It is CE international safety standards approved.
5) COMFORTABLE TO USE: It doesn’t feel hot to the touch during use, and it isn’t painful or uncomfortable to remove the dead skin.
6) EASY TO USE: With a manual sander or pumice stone, I used a lot of “elbow grease” to get the job done. But this device just requires a light, gentle glide over the skin. There is no need to rub or scrub, press or push the roller into the skin; the device does all the work.
7) LONG-LASTING CHARGE: So far the one charge has lasted through a few sessions and has retained the same level of power.

Utilize Electronic Foot File

RESULTS:

Utilyze Electronic Foot File made quick work of smoothing my heels; that happened quickly in a few minutes. The callus removal I did in two sessions, using the fine roller. Not being familiar with the device at first, I didn’t know if the skin could use a rest, but it probably could’ve been done in one session. So far, the calluses have not returned, and my feet stay smooth after a very quick treatment. I also lightly glided it over the soles of my feet and toes to remove general dead skin.

The results were better than I got from the decadent foot soak and pedicure treatment that came with a full spa day of beauty pampering at a very expensive salon. As relaxing as a spa foot treatment can be, I prefer having my own filing device to eliminate any risk of infection.

I was also surprised at *how* much dead skin exfoliated so quickly into a fine powdery dust, so make sure to use the device somewhere it is easy to clean up afterward or drape a towel, drape cloth or old newspapers under your feet.

Utilize Electronic Foot File

BOX CONTENTS:
The device comes boxed with the rechargeable file itself, instructions, a USB port charger, one fine roller and two coarse rollers, a roller cover cap, and a cleaning brush. The color choices are red or black.

Replacement rollers are available at Amazon when they eventually need to be replaced, but they are pretty solid and clean up well.

Utilize Electronic Foot File

CONSTRUCTION:
The device is well constructed with sturdy materials; it is suitable for professional use. There are no loose or shoddy parts. I like that it’s rechargeable so that it is a sealed device instead of requiring batteries. It comes with a three-year warranty program.

It is easy to switch out the roller heads by pressing the button on the side which releases the current roller.

Utilize Electronic Foot File

CLEANING THE DEVICE:
There is a small brush included in the kit to remove any dry skin dust debris from small crevices, and the roller quickly washed off under a running faucet.

CONCLUSION:
The Utilyze Electronic Foot File is a very powerful callus remover, suitable for men and women that gets the job done!

It is an easy, enjoyable beauty treatment that provides instant gratification of smooth, softer foot skin. It smoothes tough callused feet to as soft as silk.

Unlike hand-held foot files, The Utilyze Electronic Foot File gives very effective results and leaves my feet soft enough to ensure against snagging expensive hosiery or trouser socks. It also leaves feet smooth enough to go bare foot or wear strappy sandals. Better results than I got at the spa!

Find the Utilyze Electronic Foot File at https://www.amazon.com/UTILYZE-Rechargeable-Electronic-Pedicure-Turbo-Boost/dp/B00QXHH5Z2/.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2APaJosz6tY[/embedyt]

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

How to Drink More Water: THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE

October 4, 2016 · Leave a Comment

BEAUTY & WATER:
One of the best beauty-enhancing daily habits you can have is to drink lots of water. It keeps your skin glowing and unclogged of toxins; it gives you energy, and it helps manage weight gain. You really can’t beat the dewy glow from being well-hydrated. This is not news by any means, but it is worth discussing because accomplishing this basic beauty habit is easier said than done: guzzling your daily water intake can seem unappealing when compared to drinking delicious coffee and sugary beverages.

But it is a worthwhile beauty goal. According to a recent study, 20% of women that drank 1.5 liters of water daily saw a reduction in wrinkles after six weeks. In another study, people reported clearer skin and less acne within a week of drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. So how much water should you drink and what can help make that water appealing enough to meet your water consumption goal?

HOW MUCH WATER TO DRINK?
There are various opinions on how much water one should consume daily. For the sake of your skin, it is typically 4-5 glasses a day. This is the amount needed for your organs to function properly and remove toxins from your body, including the skin. This amount also helps with clearing acne. The amount of water required varies a bit from person to person based on your weight and other health issues. As a general guide, you are hydrated enough if your urine is a light wheat color. If not, you are dehydrated, whether you feel thirsty or not.

To avoid dehydration, keep sipping water throughout the day.

THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE: HOW TO MAKE IT A DAILY WATER DRINKING HABIT APPEALING
Some people like to add a slice of lemon or infuse their water with fruit. This is helpful to make your daily water intake taste more appealing. But the biggest aid to making daily water consumption easier is often the temperature of the water: chilled water is energizing and refreshing, especially after a workout or on a hot day. Cold water is just easier to drink. It is also helpful for burning extra calories: your body burns more calories with cold water than drinking tepid, warm or hot water.

The Coldest Water Bottle is an easily portable water that keeps water at a cold temperature, providing access to icy-cold water that stays at an even cold temperature all day. It is not just a water bottle with an ice core center insert that keeps the water cooler inside the bottle. The Coldest Water Bottle keeps water at a constant ICE COLD temperature for up to 25 hours, and any ice in the bottle stays in ice form during that time.

THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE

CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
Made of stainless steel, it is a long-lasting, quality water bottle that does not need to be frequently replaced like plastic bottles. It uses double wall insulation with materials designed to keep water cold for more than 25 hours with no sweating. It floats in oceans and pools and its 99% of cup holders, so you have no excuse NOT to get your daily water intake. BPA and toxin free, it is safer than other water bottles that can quickly harbor bacteria (and odor) within its’ plastic walls.

It is made for athletes but is suitable for any environmentally conscious person who wants to carry cold water with them throughout the day or for a late-day workout. The Coldest Water bottle is intended for lifetime use.

PUTTING COLDEST WATER BOTTLE TO THE TEST
THE PROBLEM: The gym I belong to has ice-cold bottled water chilled in a vending machine for $2.50 a bottle, and each pilates class or gym session I would typically need two of these 12-ounce bottles. And sometimes after a particularly busy class, the vending machine runs out of water entirely. I tried to bring my bottled water, but I wanted the *COLD* water during and after my workout. The problem is, I go to the gym after work, so if I bring water from home, it would have to stay cold for about 11 hours by the time I get to the gym.

TESTING THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE: Turns out, the Coldest Water Bottle keeps water cold for a very long time, it keeps water cold all day and keeps a full bottle cold for a late-day workout. The ice cubes stay as ice cubes; they don’t substantially melt. I filled the bottle with ice cubes and cold water from the tap at around 7 A.M. Ten hours later the ice was still in ice cube form with no melting or “sweating.” In the meantime, the bottle sat in the warm car without the benefit of air conditioning. When I drank my water at the gym, almost twelve hours later, it was still ice cold! Pretty impressive. The leftover ice stayed unmelted afterward until I dumped it out when I got home that night, a few hours after my workout, probably hour 16 at that point. Very nice!

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaymAIT94uw[/embedyt]

CONCLUSION: A sturdy, well-constructed water bottle, just fill it with water and ice and go. Carrying a Coldest Water Bottle will remind you to drink water and keep track of how much you are drinking. It is the perfect bottle for athletes, Mom’s with thirsty kids, campers, beach-goers, or anyone who wants to have access to cold water during the day. I also find it useful for keeping some cold water in a car during the summer to stay hydrated in the case of unexpected delays or emergencies.

The Coldest Water Bottle is an environmentally friendly, cost-effective choice, saving you from buying repeated plastic water bottles. The stainless steel is sturdy without being too heavy to carry in my bag. Since I have had the bottle, I have remembered to bring water with me each day, and it stays ice cold in my bag while I am in transit. The bottle does not leak, so it is safe to put in your backpack or briefcase. The stainless steel naturally is bacteria resistant, which feels cleaner to transport around places like the gym. Since I have had the Coldest Water Bottle, I stay hydrated at the gym, at work, and I haven’t had to buy chilled plastic bottled water when I am out. A very worthwhile investment that saves both the environment and saves money on bottled water costs.

Find this great bottle at TheColdestWater.com

THE COLDEST WATER BOTTLE