Switch Up Your Smoky Eye with Ashley Benson’s Spring Look

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Who: Ashley Benson

Where: The Los Angeles premiere of Spring Breakers

Why we like it: It's often hard to find a look that's dramatic enough for evening but still appropriate for spring. Brown shaded eyes often look matronly but paired with a soft pink lip, this is a perfect look for a spring date. 

How to get it at home: Start with a fresh and dewy looking base, such as Dior's Diorskin Nude BB Creme, $44, and blend it well into the skin using your fingers. Try to keep the skin as natural as possible when you're wearing a heavy eye. Lightly groom and line your brows using Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil, $20. Quick brow tip: brush through your brows before you pencil them in to remove any foundation or moisturizer that may have settled on them.

The key to a shaded eye that doesn't look one dimensional is using different shades of the same color. The Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Rosy Tan 754, $60, is a great place to start. Use the pearl color as a brow highlighter and define the eye using the chocolate brown and taupe shades. Line the upper and lower waterline using a gel liner, such as Smashbox's Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner, $22, and smudge it into the lash line for added depth. Finish your eyes with a few coats of your favorite mascara.

To get Ashley's warm flush, try Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Calypso Coral, $25 and finish your look with Urban Decay's Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Flushed, $19.

How to Get the Perfect Glossy Red Lip, Inspired by Maleficent

ANGELINA JOLIE STARS AS MALEFICENT

This spring, one of the most beautiful actresses in the world is going to make her way onscreen in what, no doubt, will be another classic Disney film. And while we're anticipating the special effects, the drama and seeing one of our favorite fairytales reimagined, we can't help but be even more excited by the striking beauty looks that will also be on display. We're talking about Angelina Jolie, of course, in Maleficent (in theatres May 30), the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic Sleeping Beauty.

One look at the trailer and you can see she's made up to look every bit the striking villainess, wielding power through magic and those gorgeous, glossy red lips. We're betting not a few of us will be giving our matte reds a break to try a more glistening ruby effect, which is why we're about to tell you the best way to achieve it. This step-by-step process will take some time, but as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day. Perfection requires a touch of patience, but is so worth it.

What You Need: It always helps to gather your tools in advance, so round up the following: A flat angled brush, a lip brush, concealer, foundation, lip balm, clean soft bristled toothbrush, tissues, as well as translucent powder and powder brush. Of course, you'll also need the right color lip liner and lipstick. An optional addition is clear lip gloss.

Getting the Color Right: Not every red is meant for every lip. Look out for warm-toned reds if you have olive skin (your veins on the underside of your wrist have a green or yellow cast). Look for cool-toned reds if your veins look blue or purple. You can tell the difference by comparing two lipsticks side-by-side. Warm-toned colors will have an orange-based undertone while cool-toned reds have a blue base. If you're not sure, ask an employee at the makeup counter to help you. Chances are you'll be able to test one or two shades before you buy. Focus on satin finishes as opposed to matte. The satin finish has a slight sheen to it that provides for that shine. Find a complementary lip liner that's as close to the color of lipstick you choose as possible. Now you're ready for application.

The Steps:

1. Exfoliate Your Pout — If your lips are chapped or uneven, run a toothbrush gently over them. This exfoliates and removes dead skin.
    
2. Moisturize — Apply a lip balm to your kisser. Wait 10 or 15 minutes for it to absorb and do its work.
    
3. Apply the Base — For color that stays throughout the night, apply concealer to yourlips followed by foundation. Blend both well. This creates a sticky layer for lipstick and liner to adhere to. Think of it like velcro for your color.
    
4. Outline Your Lips — Next, dip the edge of the flat angled brush into your concealer and apply to the very outside edge of your lip line. Top and bottom. Blend well. This highlights your lips making them look more defined and bigger.
    
5. Color Inside the Lines — You're ready for your color. As we stated in this article, use your lip liner to create a guideline for perfect application. Make an "X" at the bow of your top lip. The top of the "X" should be a "V" that starts at each crest and ends in the center of your top lip. Next draw "<" at the left corner of your mouth, one mark for each lip. Repeat on the other side, drawing this ">". Use your marks to draw a complete line around the inside edge of your lips until they are fully lined. Once the inside edge is covered, fill in the entire surface of your lips with your lip liner.
    
6. Apply Your Lipstick — Apply your lip brush to your lipstick and start filling in your lips with the color. Yes, this part is tedious. Yes, it takes longer than directly applying the lipstick, but it's the best way to ensure perfect application.
    
7. Blend, Remove Excess and Powder — You're in the home stretch! Gorgeous, glossy lips here you come! Press your upper and lower lip together to blend color and give it uniformity. Open your mouth wide and make sure you've gotten completely into the corners. Take a tissue and repeat pressing lips together, with the tissue in between them to gather excess color. Take a new tissue and press it gently over lips. Now apply translucent powder over the tissue with the powder brush. The tiny pores in the tissue will allow the perfect amount of powder to be transferred to your lips, providing extra staying power.
    
8. Gloss if You Wish — You're done, if you want to be. But we recommend carrying a clear lip gloss with you if you're about to go out on the town. This way you can refresh the shiny texture in a snap without having to reapply color. And because you used lipstick, and all measures to give it staying power, instead of merely red lip gloss, you can expect that color to ride out your night right along with you. 

Why you should visit temples regularly - scientific reasons

There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here.

Now, these temples (especially the old ones like the 33000 ancient temples in Tamilnadu built according to Vedic texts) are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust.

The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life. It creates same calming effect when we are around water falls and sea.

Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress.

The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples.

This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.

Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.

The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to our brains. Please share this to all your friends on Facebook, whatsapp etc. These days much of the youngsters and many of our Hindu people have stopped going to temples because they are 'too busy' or have become 'too enlightened' by western thinking to disregard holy places. This is not right, if people see the benefits they will go to get it in this materialistic kali yuga and also somehow get spiritual enlightenment while they are there.

Beauty School: Know Your Make-Up Brushes

Make-Up Brushes 

Having the right make-up isn’t all. You also need to have the right make-up tools, i.e. the right make-up brushes! While there are a lot of make-up brushes and their variants in the market, here are just the basic ones you must know of. From why you should have it to what they’re used for – we’ll tell you everything! We know they can be a little expensive but trust us; they’re definitely worth the investment!

#1 FOUNDATION BRUSH

While there are people that like to use their fingers to apply their foundation, a foundation brush is good to evenly apply the product on your skin. It gives you an airbrushed finish, which you don’t get when you use them fingers! Brushes with synthetic bristles soak up less liquid than natural bristles do. So, if you’re using any liquid product, it may be useful to use a synthetic brush.

Foundation brush | Courtesy: www.getpretty.com.au

#2 LARGE POWDER BRUSH

You know those really fluffy brushes we’ve seen make-up artists use? Yes, those! These brushes cover most of your face and are great to set your make-up, giving it a very natural, dewy look. It can also be used to sweep away any excess eye make-up that may have fallen onto your cheeks.

Powder Brush

#3 BLUSH BRUSH

The name explains itself, doesn’t it? While using this brush, be sure not to put the bristles directly on your cheeks because it can ruin the bristles. Instead, tilt the brush and sweep outwards. FYI – The more dense the brush, the more intense the colour on your cheeks. So, pick your blush brush wisely.

Blush Brush

 #4 LARGE EYE SHADOW BRUSH

If you’re like me and are extremely finicky about your make-up getting dirty, use an eye shadow brush! Using your hands can some times put germs into your make-up, since we touching so many things throughout the day and may not even realize. (Always wash your hands before applying make-up). Using this brush makes it easier to apply eye shadow and gives you an even application. The brush needs to be flat and stiff, so it picks up a lot of colour.

Eye-Shadow brush

#5 CREASE BRUSH

Yup, you guessed right! This brush is used to apply eye shadow in the crease of your eye. It’s great to layer on the colour and you can even use this to do the smokey eye since it’s perfect for blending. The stiffer the bristles, the more colour it picks up. The softer the bristles, the more doe-eyed look you’ll get.

Crease Brush | Courtesy: www.nordstrom.com

#6 EYELINER BRUSH

This isn’t a must have if you’re using an eye pencil, but if you do use gel liners, go for an angled eye liner brush as it makes applying the liner easier. You can also use this brush to fill in your eyebrows.

Eyeliner Brush Courtesy www.helloluvvy.com

These are just some of the essential make-up brushes every woman must own! Don’t forget to clean out your brushes regularly. Also, MAC makes some great make-up brushes, but of course, there are a ton of other option you can pick from ......  :)  Do let us know your favorites.