When to Trash It

                                                               

Many women ask me about when to throw cosmetics out. Often they feel that the person behind the counter might just be trying to make a sales goal when they say its time to replenish. Well we are here to give you the straight story, no @##@$. :)

The first answer is that each type of product is different.

Below is the Nicciknows guide to when you should toss it:

1) Moisturizers, Eye Creams, Foundations and Primers: 1 year

(Not to freak you out, but cream products can develop bacteria inside over time so DO throw these out after a year....or sooner if the scent changes)

2) Mascara, Liquid Eyeliner: 4 months

(The classic 3 month recommendation has a BIT of flexibility but don't keep it too much longer...the same thing can happen with bacteria inside)

3) Lipstick, Lipgloss, Concealer, Cream Eyeshadow, Cream Blush: 1 year

(These products typically lose their fragrance and begin to smell a bit waxy when its time to throw away but they generally last a year)

4) Lip and Eye Pencils: 1 1/2 years

(These generally last for a while. Of course, if you get any sort of eye infection or fever blister, throw these out immediately.)

5) Powder including Eyeshadows, Blush, Bronzer, Loose and Pressed Powder: 2+ years

(Typically these will last as long as you want them to unless they get wet and develop a hard film over them...if that happens, toss it!)

6) Natural and Synthetic Hair Brushes: Forever IF.....

(You MUST wash your brushes on a regular basis if you want them to last. I recommend buying brush cleanser from MAC for quick fixes and washing your brushes with water and regular hair shampoo and letting them dry on a towel overnight once a month or so) 

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

                                                   

Dear Nicciknows,

I am not quite sure what the name of the product would BEE But I am searching for an eyeliner pencil that lines the INSIDE of your lower eyelid with a white-ish hue? It is supposed to make your eyes look wider when all the mascara and eyeliner is applied.

Any info on where I could find this would be great! Thanks!

Hi there,

This definitely makes your eyes looking wider and brighter! Try Stila Kajal Pencil in Topaz, ($16.50 at Beauty.com). It's a really natural looking, bright tone and the texture is VERY soft and silky but stays put!

Enjoy,

Nicciknows

How to Go Au Natural (or at least fake it really well!)

                                                             

Dear Nicciknows,

I want to know what the secret is to "undone" looking makeup. I love Jennifer Aniston's look....how she looks very put together but not made up. I'm told  that in actuality, she does wear quite a bit of makeup. How does she do it so that it looks really pretty but super natural?

Every time I go to the makeup counter, I leave looking all "makeup-y" and I want to know how to avoid that. Please help!

Sincerely,

Au Natural

Dear Au Natural,

Great question! This is something I get asked all the time! The simple answer is to select products that reflect the colors and textures that naturally occur in skin. What this means is that your skin should look as much like your skin as possible. The best products to use to create this look are creams and gels, because blend onto the skin, giving it a natural looking radiance. Powders tend to look more unnatural on the skin, but if you prefer to use powders, I'd recommend misting your face afterward with a fortified face spray like Fix+ from MAC ($16 at Macys.com).

So to get a truly au natural, perfect look, use a liquid or creme foundation with a tiny bit of setting powder over the top. Focus the setting powder in the oily areas of your face. For cheeks use a Vincent Longo Water Canvas Blush ($42.50 at Sephora.com) or a Tarte Cheekstain ($28 at Sephora.com) , blending it gently into the apples of the cheeks. For eyes use a bit of creme eyeshadow, placing a slightly darker shade on the lower lid and a lighter shade under the brow as a highlight. I love Nars Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Summer Time ($32 at Beauty.com). Keep eye liner light and as close to the eye as possible. You could rim the waterline of your eye with a soft pencil like Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($16 at Beauty.com) . Lips should be a soft naturally glossy shade like Benefit's The Lana Look Silky-Finish Lipstick in Sugar Cookie ($16 at Benefit Cosmetics).

Hope this helps!

xo,

Nicciknows

The Dream of Eye Cream

                                                   

Dear Nicciknows,

Can you tell me what you think is one of the best eyecreams on the market- I'm talking for the early signs of crows feet, sensitive skin and dehydration? I need recommendations within a reasonable budget :-)

Always love your advice,

Darling from Down Under

Dear Darling from Down Under,

I am personally using (and loving) Clinique's All About Eyes Rich right now and I'm sure its the answer to all of your eye cream prayers! Not only does it feel super moisturizing; but it actually diminishes the look of undereye circles, shadows, puffs and fine lines immediately and over time. It helps boost natural collagen production and de-puffs with calming botanicals.

At $27.50 (Clinique.com), its a great price point too! To apply, pat it on gently around the eye area, morning and night.

Enjoy!

xo,

Nicciknows

Taking Care of Those Brushes

                                                          

Dear Nicciknows,

How do I keep my brushes clean?!

Thanks,

Squeaky Clean

Hi Squeaky Clean,

Great question....cleaning your brushes regularly is not only hygenic, it also lengthens the life of your brushes, allowing you to maximize your investment!

Here's what to do; while watching your favorite TV show once a week take some MAC Brush Cleanser ($10 at Macys) and put it onto a paper towel, taking each of your brushes and gently moving it back forth over the cleanser. Lay them out flat to dry over night and they are cleaned and conditioned for the following day. Note: the serious squeaky clean ladies might want to do this after each use, but in general once a week is good.

Then once a month, you'll want to give your brushes the deep clean and condition that they deserve! This will require a shampoo and conditioner from your shower, a towel, a glass and some warm water. Start by putting a quarter-sized amount of hair shampoo into the glass, then fill it up a little less then halfway with warm water. Then put the brushes in and swirl them around in the water, giving them a proper bath. Do this for about a two minutes and them take them out and rinse in cold water. Then take a bit of hair conditioner in your finger tips and apply to the brushes. Rinse the brushes well in cold water and lay flat to dry on a towel overnight. Voila, its like a new set of brushes!

Hope this helps!

xo,

Nicciknows

Makeup-less and Frustrated

                                                     

Dear Nicciknows,

I am a 23-year-old, pale skinned red head who has no clue what am I doing when it comes to make-up and application. I have gone to various counters before, but my hectic schedule mixed with general un-
excitment in what professionals have done to me has rendered me makeup-less.  I own one of everything - one mascara, one blush, etc that I whip out for the most basic application when needed.

I think I need some help. I am advancing in my political career and there are moments when meeting with elected officials requires a bit more then Walgreens pressed powder....I am wondering if you have 
suggestions about great moderately priced products that I can invest in to create a great everyday look that can be spiced up for the occasional night time affair.  I can have troublesome skin at times 
(on the oily side) and my look is usually pretty casual - Politics is mostly long hours spent behind a desk.

I'm becoming more of a grown up, and I think my makeup attitude needs to grow up with me!

Thanks!

Signed,

Makeup-less and frustrated

Hi there,

Well I thank you for your candid questions. I think other readers can benefit from your questions as well! Here are some pointers for you. For every day, I would keep it professional chic.

1) Try using a tinted moisturizer with SPF to protect that fair skin of yours. I recommend MAC Select Tint SPF 15 in NC20 or NW20 ($25 at Macys.com). It will even out your skin and still have a very natural finish. To combat your oiliness, use your pressed powder over the top.

2) Next, you'll want to add some color to your skin. You can use a bronzer and dust it lightly in a 3-shape on each side of your face and a bit down the center too. A moderately priced one to try is Almay's Bronzer in Sunkissed ($8.99 at Drugstore.com).

3) For someone with your hair color, mascara is key! It will open up your eyes tremendously. Try Lash Power in Black from Clinique, you'll love it. ($14 at Clinique.com)

4) I'm envisioning a glossy honey-colored lip for you. Try MAC Creme Lip Liner in Summerfruit ($14 at Macys.com) with Maybelline New York's Shine Seduction Lip Gloss in Nude Glow ($7.99 at CVS.com)

5) Round your new look out with a touch of blush. Try a Loreal True Match Blush in Barely Blushing ($9.86 at Drugstore.com). Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and sweep upwards like Nike swoosh, to give yourself a bit of a lift.

Hope this helps!

xo,

Nicciknows

Sun Warrior!

                                           

Dear Nicciknows,

Ok, so I have a question for you, it might be a little tricky to answer!

Where can I find body lotion with SPF (at least 15) in it?  I don't want to spend a lot and I DON'T want it to smell like I am wearing sunblock.  Any suggestions?

I have face lotion with SPF 15, but since its summer time I want to make sure I keep my arms, shoulders, and chest protected from burns and premature aging, but I don't want to smell like I am on the way to the beach.

Thanks for you help! Hope to hear back!

Gimme Shelter

Dear Gimme Shelter,

We have the answer to all your sun protection prayers! Olay Body has a fabulous product called Age Transform Intensive UV Defense Serum that is exactly what you are looking for!

Not only does it have SPF 15, it also uses a powerful complex which includes green tea and sea buckthorn extracts! With continued use, it softens skin and "hydrates to allow natural rebuilding of collagen and activation of skin's own enzymes, gently revealing younger cells at the skin's surface."

Best of all, it doesn't have the scent of a typical sunscreen at all and its only $8.99 at Drugstore.com!!

Enjoy!

Best,

Nicciknows

A Fine Line

                                        

Dear Nicciknows,

I have a question for you. Even though my foundation seems to match the color of my face, my neck seems to be lighter and I always seem to have that line of demarcation when I wear foundation. So frustrating!

What can I do to cover that line so that my foundation doesn't look so visible?!

Thanks,

Walking a Fine Line

Dear Walking a Fine Line,

Well this is something that happens with many women and most don't even notice it! So I'm glad you asked!

The truth is, your neck IS most likely lighter then both your face and chest. It is seldom ever exposed to the sun since it's shaded by your face, so there is a good chance that it is significantly lighter then your foundation.

There are two items which will solve your problem. First, a buffing brush from MAC ($40 at MAC Cosmetics). Taking this buffer brush and blending in rounded motions along your jawline will buff out the demarcation line. Then to address the problem of the color difference, take a bronzer like Benefit Cosmetics natural bronzing powder in Hoola ($28 at Benefit Cosmetics) and brush it over your neck to add some color so that it's even with your complexion!

Best,

Nicciknows

Tan thyself!

                                                      

Dear Nicciknows,

Whoa, the weather just got really hot and I'm still REALLY pale! I want to look tan but don't want to tan and damage my skin. Should I use bronzer or self-tanner? Or both?!

Also can you please tell me what the best way is to use a self-tanner for my face?

Thanks!

White Hot

Hi there White Hot,

I'm glad you asked! I'm sure many people are asking the same question. The answer is, both! To use a self-tanner in the best way, make sure to exfoliate first. Use an exfoliating treatment like Prescriptives Immediate Smooth Skin Conditioning Exfoliator ($19.50 at Prescriptives) and follow with the Lancome Flash Bronzer Deep Colour Self Tanning Gel with Pure Vitamin E ($27 at Macy's). Do this at night before bed and wake up the next morning with a perfect sun-kissed glow!

Use the bronzer sparingly and select a bronzer that is only slightly darker then your skin to avoid looking orange. Try MAC's Matte Bronze bronzer ($20 at Macy's).

Happy Spring!

xo,

Nicciknows

A Flawless Delivery

                                                   

      

Dear Nicciknows,

I am an actress and I have a big audition on Friday. I had some laser resurfacing done at my dermatologist last week and there are patches of peeling skin almost like scabs on my face. My normal foundation isn't cutting it.  What can I use to cover it?

Thank you,

A Smooth Audition

Hi Ms. Smooth Audition,

Never fear, we'll get you all camouflaged for your audition. The product you need is Laura Geller's Spackle Trio ($30 at Sephora.com). Take the face Spackle and apply over the peeling areas, being careful not to blend or rub too much. This way you'll avoid stimulating the peeling. By gently pressing the Spackle onto the peeling/scabbing areas, you'll cover the texture and allow your foundation to sit on top rather then setting into the texture of your recent procedure. After you have applied a generous amount of Spackle to the areas, go ahead and follow with your foundation but still avoid blending or rubbing too much over those areas. That's all it takes! Remember that it will always be more noticeable to you then it is to anyone else.

Watch out Angelina and Charlize! Good luck and "break a leg" as they say!

Best,

Nicciknows