20 great tips for summerizing your appearance | Cosmetics & Makeup

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20 great tips for summerizing your appearance

20 great tips for summerizing your appearance

Does the change in season inspire you to refresh your appearance?

You don't have to indulge in a high-priced, time-consuming makeover at a spa or salon to get simple results. There are a few things you can do at home in just a couple of hours to reveal a fresher, brighter, prettier (or even handsomer, guys) you.

"You're in cuter clothes for spring," says Rosie Johnston of Rosie Jane Cosmetics. "In winter, you can kind of hide. Spring is a really great time to change your look."

Follow this guide to safely and properly give yourself a warm-weather makeover.

Add a dash of color

Hair color is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a change. Whether it's simply brightening your natural color or trying something totally new, there is an at-home kit out there for you. Here are some tips from Marcy Cona, Clairol's director of color and style:

• Determine what type of coverage you are looking for -- gray coverage, gently blending grays or a boost of shine and color. Use a kit specializing in that.

• Browse product Web sites for help. For example, Clairol.com has tools like "Shade Aid" and "Color Your Own Hair." Understand that the color on the box is not exactly the same as your hair will turn out. It will be the color of your current hair in combination with the box.

• Once home, do a strand test. Take a small section of hair from underneath the ear area, mix a small amount of color and developer, use the applicator tip and apply and let process for 10 minutes. Rinse and towel dry, blow dry and take a look at your new hair color against your skin. If you like what you see, continue your application.

Remove unwanted hair

Warm weather means two things: showing more skin and wearing less makeup. Both of which reveal more hair. At-home waxing can help you feel more confident your stubble is under control. Here are some tips from Nina Howard, owner of Bellanina Day Spa in Ann Arbor on how to properly pluck your hairs:

• Don't expect to get it perfect on the first try. There is a learning curve to waxing properly. Use the wax first on your legs or bikini. If you screw up there, the consequences won't be quite as bad.

• Use hard wax, not strips, because it gives you more control.

• Be very sanitary. There may be a small amount of blood from a bad pull. Try Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit, which has the proper skin-prep items for safe hair removal.

• Pull in the direction of the hair growth and keep the wax at a usable temperature.

• If you are using Retin-A or Accutane, do not wax -- the two cause a bad reaction.

• For the brow, put the arch in the first third of it from the side of the face. Over time, you can refine what looks best for you.

• Use tweezers to shape the brows and add pencil to really show them off.

Lighten makeup

It's time to ease up your makeup load. Why spend tons of time painting your face if it's just going to melt off anyway? Here are some tips from makeup artist Rosie Johnston on how to work with the season:

• Switch to a tinted moisturizer that contains sunscreen.

• Pastels and earth tones will help you keep it real.

• Try wearing just light coverage, lip balm and a coat of mascara. You might be surprised how good you look.

• Look for multi-purpose products that keep it easy and travel, too. There are tons of products that double as a blush and lip color.

• Always start with a clean, moisturized face.

Whiten teeth

Your smile probably gets flashed a lot more in warmer weather -- is it as bright as you'd like? Whitening your teeth can help you look younger and make you feel more confident. Here are some tips from Crest on how to get your teeth pearly white:

• Brush after whitening to reduce sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth choose a product that works in a short amount of time such as Crest Whitestrips Daily Whitening + Tartar Protection that are only worn for 5 minutes.

• You don't have to use the whole box. Just use them until your teeth are a natural shade of white.

• No need to brush before you apply the strips.

• Don't partake of anything that can stain (coffee, wine, tobacco) immediately after use.

• If you have braces, caps, crowns, veneers, fillings or dentures, these products are not for you.

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