Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Tired of shelling out for haircolor or a manicure, only to have it fade or chip far too soon? Try these tips to squeeze every penny's worth out of your beauty treatments.
1. The Treatment: Teeth Whitening
Avoid foods that stain. Don't eat or drink foods like tomato sauce, berries or red wine for 48 hours after whitening. Teeth are more porous during this time and can discolor. At other times, brush your teeth after eating or drinking these foods with a brightening product like Crest 3D Glamorous White Toothpaste ($4.25; at drugstores).
Eat raw fruits and veggies. They act as natural toothbrushes and enhance the production of saliva, which washes away sugars and food debris and prevents staining.
2. The Treatment: Brow Shaping
Grow them out. Don't wax or tweeze for three to four weeks before having your brows shaped. This gives you (or your esthetician) more hairs to work with, so you'll be sure to get the best possible brow shape and won't be dealing with pesky stragglers in a week.
Exfoliate. Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser on the brow area to remove dead skin cells. They may be holding back small hairs, which could then be missed during waxing or tweezing—leading them to pop out soon afterward.
Downplay regrowth. Fill in your eyebrows with a brow pencil, which will give them more definition and draw attention away from stray hairs that are growing back. One to try: Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil ($7.99; at drugstores). It has a built-in grooming brush to blend in color for a flawless finish.
3. The Treatment: Self-Tanning
Avoid shaving cream. Most types contain moisturizing oils that can block pores, preventing tanning products from penetrating your skin. Instead, on the day you plan to apply tanner, shave with an oil-free body wash worked into a lather. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit ($7.49; at drugstores) is oil-free and contains salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates, too.
Tan in the A.M. Self-tanner needs 6 to 8 hours to develop fully. Applied at night, it could rub off on your sheets. Put it on in the morning instead and wear loose clothing for the rest of the day.
Rinse off after a swim. Chlorine can break down the pigments in tanning products. Get it off your skin post-pool by rinsing your body with fresh water.
4. The Treatment: Facial
Wash your pillowcase at least twice a week. Resting your face on the same case every night exposes skin to breakout-causing bacteria, dirt and oil.
Load up on antioxidants. Green tea, berries, leafy greens and other foods are packed with these nutrients, which fight free radicals and improve skin tone and texture.
Use a hydrating face mask weekly. Apply it before you step into the shower, and wash the rest of your body before rinsing it off. The steam will open your pores so the mask can penetrate. One that's great for all skin types: Philosophy Lasting Hope Instant Refreshing Moisture Mask ($25; Philosophy.com).
5. The Treatment: Haircolor
Use a clarifying shampoo. The day before you color, wash your hair with a clarifier to remove the mineral buildup that hard water leaves behind. Otherwise, your color will oxidize, making it look brassy and fade faster.
Let it set. After coloring, wait 24 to 48 hours before shampooing. This gives the color time to be absorbed, so it doesn't get rinsed away.
Apply a hair mask. Coloring hair can dry it out. To boost shine—and liven up color in the process—use a weekly moisturizing hair mask. The TRESemmé Nourishing Rituals Rejuvenating Mud Masque ($4.29; at drugstores) is formulated with wildflower honey to restore moisture and add vibrance.
6. The Treatment: Manicure
Keep your nails dry. Don't let the manicurist soak your hands. Water causes nails to swell; when they're painted, the polish is more prone to cracking as they dry and contract.
Use a buffer. This tool removes ridges, creating a smooth surface that polish can adhere to easily, so make sure your manicurist buffs your nails. When doing your own, before polishing, clean them with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, then buff.
Fortify your tips. After polishing, apply a top coat to just the tips, which chip first. Let dry, then cover the entire nail. For a strong finish, brush on LCN Polish Seal ($21.90; LCNUSA.com), then hold nails under a 60-watt bulb for 3 minutes.