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Category: Beauty

The Art of Shaving: Tips and Techniques for a Perfectly Smooth Look

Shaving is one of the first things we learn how to do during our pubescent years, but it has proven to be an art form that’s difficult to master. Generations before us have given us their personal tips, but they might not always be the right ones. If you’re one of the millions around the world who struggles with getting the right shave, here are some tips and techniques for that perfectly smooth look we all want.

Ditch the Shaving Cream

Want to know the secret to a smooth shave? Ditch the shaving cream and switch to something more moisturizing. Try using baby oil, conditioner, shaving lotion, or even a bar of moisturizing soap instead of shaving cream. They’ll be easier to shave with and will give you a nice smooth finish. 

Exfoliate 

Exfoliating your skin prior to shaving will actually help you achieve a more efficient shave and smoother skin when you’re done. Use a moisturizing body, or face scrub on the area you’ll be shaving. Rub it on in a circular motion for about 30-60 seconds, rinse, then continue with your normal shaving routine. The exfoliation will get rid of dead skin and debris, doing wonders for your skin. 

Moisturize 

It’s important to keep your skin moisturized. Doing so will leave your skin supple and make shaving all that much easier. You can do so by exfoliating the layers of dead skin, using moisturizing products to shave with, and then applying plenty of luscious lotion after you’re done. Next time you shave, your skin will be healthier and better handle the glide of the razor. 

Shave With and Against the Grain  

I’m sure you’ve seen the internet weigh in on the debate of whether to shave with or against the brain. Which is better for your skin? The answer is both. It’s been said that shaving with the grain and then using short strokes against the grain will give you the best results and the smoothest shave. 

Find the Right Razor 

Finding the right razor for you is a big deal. Selecting the perfect shaving buddy is a matter of trial and error. Try out different brands and styles of razors, even straight razors if that’s your thing. This will be especially beneficial for people who have acne or other bumps on their skin that need special care during the shaving process. Once you find the razor you’re hooked on, shaving will never be the same again. 

Use Hot Water

When shaving, using hot water will make all the difference. Shaving in the shower is the perfect way to produce a hot and steamy environment for a great shave. You’ll get a deeper shave due to the steam opening up your pores. If you prefer not to shave in the shower, cover a towel in warm water, wring it out, then cover the area you’d like to shave with the towel for a couple minutes or so to help open up those pores. 

Don’t Shave Too Regularly 

One secret to getting a great, smooth shave is to refrain from shaving too often. If you shave every day, you’re more likely to get razor burn and bumps, and you won’t get as deep of a shave. Waiting to shave allows your razor to grip the longer hairs better and pulls them out closer to the follicle. 

Tighten the Skin 

To prevent cuts and give yourself a smoother shave, try to tighten the skin around the area you’re shaving. If you’re navigating around a sensitive area or an area with a difference in texture, provide pressure above said area and push up on the skin to tighten it for a smoother and safer shave.  

The Right Swipe Every Time

While many people can master the technical aspect of shaving, they might end up getting a little bit careless with their equipment. Before each swipe of the razor, it’s important to rinse off your blade for maximum effectiveness. Also, as soon as your blade starts to get dull, replace it as soon as you can. This will allow you to get a nice even shave without worrying about patchiness.

Sun Safety

Naturally, when you’re cutting the hairs that grow out of your skin, your skin is going to become a bit more sensitive than usual. With that in mind, shaving makes it so that you’re more susceptible to damage from the sun. Try to stay covered up for about 24 hours after you shave, or use a strong sunscreen (30 SPF or higher) to avoid damage. 

With all of this in mind, there’s no exact perfect way to shave that will leave your skin completely smooth for a long period of time without irritating the skin. However, there are plenty of wrong ways, and following these steps will help to avoid those ways.

Beauty-Sleep Secrets: 5 Tips on How to Wake Up Refreshed and Rejuvenated

Are you tired of waking up groggy and unfocused after a poor night’s sleep? Do you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep? The solution to waking up refreshed and rejuvenated lies in practicing good sleep habits. Today, we will explore five beauty-sleep secrets that can help you achieve restful, quality sleep and wake up feeling energized and revitalized.

Importance of Beauty Sleep

Before we dive into our tips, it’s important to understand just how vital quality sleep is to your overall health and beauty. During sleep, your body undergoes vital restorative processes, including the production of collagen, the repair and regeneration of skin cells, and the release of growth hormones. Without restful sleep, your body cannot carry out these essential functions, which can lead to a host of negative consequences, including premature aging, a weakened immune system, and weight gain.

Tip #1: Stick to a Consistent Sleep Schedule

One of the most important steps you can take toward better sleep is establishing a consistent sleep schedule. Aim to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends and holidays. Doing so sets your body’s internal clock, helping you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed. To establish a sleep schedule that works for you, consider your lifestyle needs, including work and family obligations, and aim to get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Tip #2: Create a Sleep-Conducive Environment

Your sleep environment plays a significant role in your sleep quality. To create an environment conducive to restful sleep, consider factors such as lighting, noise, and temperature. Aim to keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, and avoid electronics and other stimulating devices. Consider investing in blackout curtains, a white noise machine, or earplugs to help block out any disruptions.

Tip #3: Develop a Relaxing Nighttime Routine

Just as your environment can impact your sleep quality, your pre-sleep routine can also play a vital role. Establish a relaxing nighttime routine that helps you wind down and prepare for sleep. Consider including activities such as reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing gentle yoga or stretching. However, be sure to avoid stimulating activities, such as watching TV or scrolling through social media, in the hours leading up to bedtime, as they can make it harder to fall asleep.

Tip #4: Choose the Right Mattress and Pillow

Your mattress and pillow also play a key role in your sleep quality. An old, uncomfortable mattress can lead to back pain and restless sleep, while an unsupportive pillow can cause neck pain and discomfort. When choosing a mattress and pillow, consider factors such as firmness, size, and support. Don’t be afraid to invest in quality sleep gear, as it can have a significant impact on your beauty sleep.

Tip #5: Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

Finally, practicing good sleep hygiene can help set the stage for quality sleep. Good sleep hygiene practices include avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, getting regular exercise, and creating a pre-sleep ritual that signals to your body that it’s time for sleep. Additionally, be sure to create a sleep-conducive environment by blocking out light and noise, keeping your sleep space cool and comfortable, and avoiding work-related activities in bed.

5 No-Make-Up Techniques to Have a More Attractive Face

Makeup is fantastic at helping women look their best. It can thicken thin eyebrows, cover up blemishes, brighten under eye circles, and enliven sallow cheeks. It’s one of the best tools women have for looking more attractive.

The problem with makeup is that it’s often used as a “Band-aid”. In other words, it covers up problems instead of fixing them. This means that when the makeup comes off, you may end up looking like a completely different person — and that’s not ideal.

For a myriad of reasons, it can be beneficial and advantageous to feel and look your best without having to rely on the crutch of makeup. 

Below, we’ve outlined 5 of our favorite tips for looking more attractive without the use of makeup. Here we go!

5 Tips for a More Attractive Face Without Makeup

1. Solidify a quality skincare routine.

You should have a morning skincare routine and a nighttime skincare routine. Make sure you have a cleanser and a moisturizer for both. These are the bare minimum requirements, but if you’d like, you can also add in a toner, an exfoliator, an emulsifying balm, or other products to combat things like wrinkles and acne.

2. Do some deep work

It’s a fact that more attractive faces tend to be smiling faces – if you’re happy, relaxed, and confident, your face will probably be at its most attractive. So remember to do something for yourself every so often – get a massage, play a sport that you like, make time for friends and be kind to yourself. If you feel like it’s gotten a little difficult to pick yourself up, consider speaking to your doctor or a professional therapist.

3. Perfect your eyebrows.

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the eyebrows are the curtains — and anyone who’s owned a bedroom knows that curtains can make or break the design of a room.

Many women struggle with unshapely, thin, over-plucked (or overgrown) eyebrows. Fix your eyebrows once and for all by having them sculpted by a professional eyebrow artist. Dyeing or tinting, laminating, waxing, plucking, threading, and tattooing are all options depending on what eyebrow issues you struggle with.

4. Improve the way you eat.

What you eat affects the way you look. If you don’t consume a healthy diet, you may have skin issues because of it.

To improve your overall nutrition, try to cut out as many processed foods and sugars as possible. Move toward more whole foods: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, seafood, and healthy fats and oils. 

Finally, drink more water. Yes, you can actually hydrate your skin from the inside out!

5. Protect your skin from the sun.

Lastly, don’t let your skin succumb to sun damage, including lines, wrinkles, sunspots, and discoloration. Every day, whether it’s sunny or cloudy, use sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend at least an SPF 50 protectant. Additionally, whenever possible, cover your face with a hat and sit in the shade. You’ll enjoy beautiful skin for years to come this way.

While makeup certainly has its place in a woman’s beauty arsenal, it goes without saying that every girl wants to feel attractive without having to cover up blemishes, dark under eye circles, patchy skin, and other skin issues. Use the tips above to help you achieve skin you can feel confident about — even without makeup.