How To Have The Ultimate Brows

Your eyebrows are the basic outline of your face and are meant to enhance your features. Having bad eyebrows can really put a damper on your self confidence and the way others perceive you. Follow these steps to get the best brows possible.  And also learn somethings that you could be doing to ruin your perfect brows.


The Perfect Brow Kit
Brow Gel- makes thin eyebrows appear thicker.
Brow Pencil- to fill in your brows. powder finishes are better.
Brow Conditioner- used to help thicken the thinner areas of your brows. (avoid applying to the whole brow. it will only make thick spots longer.)
Tweezers- to tweeze those random stray hairs.


The Right Shape For You
Just like a haircut, there are certain brow shapes that look best on certain face shapes. You want the arch of your brow to start at the outer edge of the pupil. The rest depends on the face shape.

Square Face. 
Square face means strong jawline. To distract from this, have a more bold, thick brow. Fill in your brows and let them be a bit thicker to pull the focus away from your jaw.

Round Face.
To counteract the roundness of your face, have sharp, angular brows. You want your brows to have lots of structure to them.

Long Face.
Avoid extending your brows up and avoid high arches. Instead to make your face appear shorter, make your eyebrows longer. You want your brows to extend just past the corners of your eyes. If it is thin, then use a light powder to fill in this area.

Heart Face.
Avoid heavy aches, sharp points and heavy filled in brows.  You want to keep a soft arch that hugs your brow bone. This will deter from the pointed chin.

Filling In Your Brows (The Right Way)
1. Fill In Bald Spots. Use a shade 2 shades lighter then your brow color and make short, angled strokes in the direction of the hair growth. Avoid drawing outside of your natural brow shape, it will look funny. For best results, use 2 different pencil colors one slightly lighter then your hair and one slightly darker for a more natural affect. Use lighter color from the start to the arch and the darker color from the arch to the tail.


2. Bulk Them Up. As long as you do not have thin eyebrows, you can use a tinted brow gel. Sweep in the opposite direction of hair growth, and then use whats left to sweep in the direction of the hair growth. Cover both sides makes them appear fuller.


3. Apply Powder. Use a small, brush with powder over the pencil. The powder should be in between the color of your skin and the hair color for more natural results. it will also blend the pigments.

4. Sweep. Use a brush to sweep upward and remove any excess product and soften any harsh lines.


5. Never Tweeze Gray. By tweezing gray hairs, you are just changing your brow shape and creating thin spots. See a professional and have them dye it for you. They make special dye for your lashes and brows. It is great and lasts for quite some time.


6. Fake Higher Arches. Use a highlighter or cream shadow above and below our brow that is one shade lighter then your foundation to create the illusion of a higher arch. Use your finger to blend the product until it is gone.

Brow Mistakes 

1. Keep Products Off Your Brows. Any liquid product like lotion or moisturizer can soak into the hair follicle and can cause the hair to fall out as well as prevent new hair growth. If you wouldn't put in on your scalp then avoid putting it on your brows.

2. Use The Right Mirror. Use duller lighting to tweeze your brows. It will keep things in a better perspective. Avoid magnifying mirrors. They over amplify the area which will cause you to lose perspective and over pluck.



3. Do Not Over Trim. Trimming brows should be minimal to keep them even and neatly shaped. You just need to trim the long, straggly ones. Length keeps them fuller, otherwise they can become choppy and uneven.

4. Start Your Brows Right. Look at yourself in the mirror. Where do your brows start? If they are inline with your nostrils, they are too far apart. This will actually make your eyes and nose seem wider. They should start at the bridge of your nose. It can help to slim the look of your nose, and make wide eyes look closer together.



5. Avoid Too Much Brows. Avoid over using pencils and avoid using pencils that are more than 1 shade darker than your brow color. By doing this you will enhance your eyes not distract from them and avoid the over filled in look.

6. Good Brow Pencil. Use a wax pencil to hold the hair in place. An angled pencil with a light formula will give a more natural look. Again make the shade is the right one for you.



Getting the perfect brows is not an easy thing to do especially if you are trying to do it on yourself. Skip the hasle. Brow bars are becoming extremely popular. Google brow bars in your area and go get your brows done by a professional. Use these tips for up keep and to recreate the looks at home! Have a great day and even greater brows.

~aphrodite

Tips To Getting A Better Nights Sleep

We all have those nights where you are tossing and turning all night long so it seems like you slept for maybe a total of 2 hours. This is fine if it happens every once in a while but when it starts to become a reacquiring thing, it might be time to reevaluate some things. Here are some tips on things you can do to help get a better nights sleep.


1. Get On A Schedule.
Now this doesn't mean you have to go to bed and wake up at exactly the same time every day but get close. Start by going to bed at the time you normally start to feel tired at. This will start you on a normal time to fall asleep at. When you wake up in the morning, if it is on your own terms (no sudden awakenings) then this is your body's way of saying you have had enough rest. If you wake up from your alarm clock and you still feel tried and groggy, you may want to set an earlier bed time. Also, if you tend to take naps, limit them to 20 minutes or less. It will make falling asleep easier rather than harder.

2. Controlling Light Exposure. 
You want to get as much light exposure during the day and the least amount at night. This helps to keep your days and nights separate. During the day, enjoy the natural sunlight as much as possible. Whether it is going for walks, opening curtains or just going for a drive to help make you feel more alert. During the night, limit your lighting. When its time for bed, eliminate any light you can, it makes your brain think its time to sleep then.

3. Exercise Regularly.
People who exercise regularly will have a higher metabolism and more energy throughout the day. Any amount of exercise will help, but it takes time for you to see results. It is better to exercise in the morning or afternoon because your body takes time to calm down after an exercise. It is best to exercise 3 hours or early before you plan on going to bed. 

4. Eating & Drinking Right.
Eating and drinking right before bed can keep you up at night. Avoid eating anything heavy for 2 hours before you plan on going to sleep. You should also try cutting down on caffeine, not drinking alcohol before bed, and avoid drinking too many liquids before bed. It will make you have to get up more in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Some good snacks to have before bed that will help you sleep are turkey, bananas, granola with milk or yogurt, and whole grain or low sugar cereal.

5.  Get Massages.
Massages not only relax your muscles and mind but they promote overall health for your body. By getting a massage once a month, you will relieve any stress and tension that you place onto your body which makes it harder to relax. It will help to relax and clear your head so there are less thoughts to keep you up at night. After a massage, your body will be more energized and clear so you will be able to accomplish more. You can visit us at Aphrodite Spa & Salon to start receiving massages.

Try out some of these tips to help get your sleep back to where it needs to be. It won't happen right away and you may need some extra help but it is more a shot.

~aphrodite

Brushes & Make-up

Applying make-up is much harder than it looks. There are so many different types of make-up brushes and not everyone knows what they are for. We will tell you what they are for and show you what they look like. Also we will pair them with the in make-up trends for this winter and into the New Year. 

1. Lip Brush. A lip brush is used to apply lipstick for a smoother look. It works great to blend the color into the liner and if you are doing an ombre lip to blend the colors together.

The in lip colors are cherry red, plum, coral-pink, sheer browns or  nude.

2.  Liner Brush. A Liner brush is used for filling in eyebrows and for easy eyeshadow application on the upper and lower lash line. 

The trend: filled in eyebrows

3. Fan Brush. A fan brush can be used to easily apply a highlighter on your nose and cheeks. It also can be used to remove excess eyeshadow from under your eyes.

3. Multi-purpose Brush. Every girl needs one of these in there make-up kit. It can be used to apply blush, foundation, or bronzer. It allows then to be applied evenly and smoothly.

4. Contour Brush. Used to define at the jawline and cheek bones with foundation, or a bronzer. It makes the jawline look thinner and makes cheek bones more defined.

 

 5. Stippling Brush. This is used to dot on or blend in liquid foundation so it gives it a smooth, airbrushed appearance.

6. Tapered Brush. This is used to blend blush across the cheeks so there are no harsh lines or color separations. You can spot a tapered brush because the tip is rounded off instead of flat. They come in a variety of sizes.

7. Eyeshadow Brush. A basic eyeshadow brush is used to apply all over eye color in a smooth motion.

8. Angled Eyeshadow Brush. This brush is used to blend shadows into the crease of the eye socket, it can also be used for applying shadow along the lash line. They are made of foam unlike other brushes.

9. Smudgier Brush. Used to smudge eyeliner or eyeshadow for a less perfect look.

10. Blending Brush. Used to blend to eyeshadow colors together or to apply a highlighting eye color at the brow bone.

The trends: bold shadow, and naturals. What ever color you go with make sure it stands out.

 

I hope you enjoyed these trends and learned what your brushes are. 

~aphrodite

Foods To Keep You Healthy

You are what you eat. Eating healthy can help to heal your body inside and out. Sometimes they are the best remedies for cold, flu or even to help prevent diseases. Foods have so many nutrients and healing properties that some people don't even know about. Here are some great foods to add into your diet and there positive effects.


1.  Oysters. Oysters are great for someone who doesn't get enough zinc in there diet. To get your daily value of zinc, eat one cooked or 2 raw. 

2. Flax seeds. Flax seeds are high in fiber, and can be added into any meal. Just sprinkle a few on to a salad or in some squash soup for an added crunch. They are also rich in omega 3 and antioxidants, which can help, reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. 

3. Edamame. Edamame is very high in omega 3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation. It’s also a great aid in preventing depression and heart disease. You can just sauté them up in a little butter and salt for a great snack.

4. Beans. Beans are one of the best sources of fiber and can be incorporated into many casserole or crock-pot meals. They help soak up excess cholesterol before it can stick to the walls of your artery walls and cause a blockage. They are also a great antioxidant. 

5. Garlic. Garlic is a great killer of germs, because its main component is allium sativum. It is full of antiviral and antibacterial properties. Garlic is an easy adds to any dish, just press a bit and stir it into a sauce.

6.  Blueberries. Blueberries are higher in antioxidants then most other fruits and berries. They are great in helping prevent urinary tract infections by prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the blatter. They also help soften dry skin. Just add a few to your yogurt or eat a handful as a snack.

7. Papaya. Papaya is high in vitamin a, (like most tropical fruit) which stimulates antibodies and helps to fight infections. They also help control inflammation. Add some slices into a fruit bowl or into a smoothie if you are sick to help fight it off.

8. Yogurt.  Yogurt is full of probiotics and calcium. One serving of yogurt is enough calcium for the day! Probiotics help fight off harmful bacteria’s that can cause illness and infections. So try adding a cup of yogurt into your daily routine to help prevent asthma, infections, cancer, and any gastrointestinal issues.

9. Shiitake Mushrooms. Shittake mushrooms can help reduce inflammatory proteins and enhance t-cell function. This combination helps improve your immunity. Mushrooms are not something everyone loves, so they are sometimes harder to incorporate into food. Try adding them to a pasta dish, or even simply switch to a can of cream or mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken.

10.  Oats. Oats are a great addition into your daily yogurt or you can eat some oatmeal. They taste great and can help lower blood pressure as well as cholesterol. Studies have shown that if you eat 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal or oat cereal a day, it can lower your cholesterol by up to 5% and reduce your risk of a heart attack by up to 10%. So listen to those cheerios commercials and start eating more oats!

11. Brazil Nuts. Brazil Nuts are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat out of those mixed nut tins. You can eat 1 nut a day, that is rich in selenium, which is need to help make the immune system function properly. 

12. Broccoli. Broccoli is an easy addition into any dish because it tastes good raw and cooked. It has sulfur compounds that increase our enzyme production that helps to detoxify cancer-causing compounds. 

13. Eggs. Eggs are full of vitamin a, d, b12, b2, b6, and k as well as, protein, calcium and zinc. Eating one or two eggs with breakfast in the morning will help keep you fuller longer. They are pretty much full of any nutrient you can need, so if you are lacking something in your diet, just add one egg a day.

14. Spinach. Spinach is full of vitamin a, c and k. It also has tons of vitamin e, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. It can be added into a salad or even a smoothie. Its high in flavonoid and when it is eaten every day it can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 40%. 

 
15. Mixed nuts. Mixed nuts are a great source of protein, and are easy to add into any diet. Just a handful a day, and you can live up to 2 years longer then non-nut eaters. 

16. Oranges. Oranges in the fruit or juice form are extremely high in vitamin c. If you ever feel like you are getting a cold, then drink some juice or eat an orange to help give your immune system an extra boost.

Quick Cold Fixes. 


Can't sleep? Eat some cherries or drink cherry juice. It helps promote melatonin’s that well help you fall asleep.

Coughing? Add honey to your tea or to a piece of toast. Honey will help to ease the dryness of your throat and suppress the nerve fibers that cause the coughing.

Can't Breathe? Add some peppermint to your water or tea. The menthol helps dislodge mucus and phlegm. It also helps an upset stomach. 

Cold?  Add some licorice extract to some water. It has antiviral properties to help ease your cold symptoms.

Try any of these great foods out and see how much better you feel inside and out. Have a beautiful day and Happy Thanksgiving.

~aphrodite