Fashion - http://maxpages.com/redstitch/Questions_and

"sensitive subject"
My dermatologist recently told me that I should only wear hypoallergenic makeup. I have no clue what this is, what brands to buy, or where I can get it. Help!

Okay, first of all, don't freak. Makeup that's hypoallergenic simply means it is free of any known "allergens" (potentially irritating ingredients) so you won't get hives, rashes, or zits when you wear it. (Pretty smart thinking on your derm's part, huh?) Both drug and department stores carry several hypoallergenic lines (that, thankfully, are really affordably priced). Three great ones to try: Almay. Neutrogena, and Clinique.

"arch enemy"
I have really light eyebrows and when I'm under bright lights, it looks like I don't have any brows at all! What can I do?

An ashy-colored brow powder is the answer (try Hard Candy Training Brow in Light Hair Girl, $28). To apply, swirl a tiny brush (a lip brush will work perfectly) in the powder, tap it over a tissue to get rid of any excess, then lightly trace over your natural brow. For the most natural-looking finish, start at the inside corner of your brow (near the bridge of your nose), brush up toward your arch, then brush down toward the brow's end. Because powder will fade during the day (just like eye shadow), plan to re-touch every four or five hours to keep your arches in place.

"fake flush"
I have very, very pale skin. Can you suggest a way to look like I have a little tan (without having to use lots of makeup)?

Bronzing powder's a great, low-maintenance way to get natural looking color. PRESSED bronzing powders (like Origins Sunny Disposition, $18) are especially smart because you can toss the compact in your bag for quick, mess-less touch-ups (like any blush, bronzer does fade after a few hours). Application's a piece of cake too: Dot a dime-sized dollop of oil-free moisturizer on your forehead, cheeks, and chin, and blend it in with your fingertips (the bronzing powder will stay on better if your face isn’t COMPLETELY bare). Then swirl a big fluffy brush over the bronzing powder, tap it over a tissue to get rid of any excess, and dust over your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Consider yourself sun-kissed!

"girls' night"
I need a good face mask recipe that'll be enough for five girls at a sleepover party.

This two-ingredient recipe (how easy is that?) will get rid of extra oil and deep clean pores—without making your skin feel tight and itchy afterward. In a small mixing bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups of plain (cooked and cooled) oatmeal (you can make it with 1-2/3 cups oats plus 3-1/3 cups of water) with 1-1/4 cup honey. Spread the paste onto your face with your fingertips (avoiding your eyes, of course)—and leave it on for 20 minutes. You might look goofy, but that's half the fun of girls' night, isn't it? Rinse it all off with warm water and pat your sparkling clean skin dry. Serving size: Five!

"tiny terrors"
I have these teensy hairs in BETWEEN my brows that are to short to pluck! Any advice?

If you haven't already, pick up a pair of tweezers with a pointed tip (instead of one that's slanted or flat-headed). The skinny, knife-like "fingers" on this type of tweezer really get in the pore (okay, ALMOST in) and yank out those teensy, annoying hairs. Wait, been there, didn't work, and you're STILL hairy? Then try this camouflaging trick (it works for sure): Dip a big fluffy brush in translucent loose powder. Tap the brush over a tissue to get rid of any excess powder, then dust lightly between your brows. The fine coating of powder will stick to the hairs and make them nearly invisible. How smart!

"lighten your bags!"
I have dark circles under my eyes. I don’t know what’s causing them, but I need to know what I can do to make them look better—FAST!

For the most part, dark under-eye cirlces are hereditary—you probably have them because your mom or dad has them too. You can't PREVENT dark circles, but you CAN keep them from becoming MORE noticeable by protecting your eye area with sunblock or sunglasses when you're outside (sun damage makes them look way worse). Lack of sleep can also contribute to darkness under the eyes, so don't forget your beauty sleep!
Now, how to hide them: Dab a few dots of a YELLOW-toned concealer (try Physician’s Formula Beauty Spiral Perfecting concealer in Lemon, $6.95) on the dark area under the eyes (yellow offsets violet—the discoloration that's making your under eyes appear so dark). Gently blend by patting the concealer with the pads of your fingertips. Apply a smidgen of foundation on top, blend with your fingertips, and then LIGHTLY dust with powder. C-ya, circles!

"curly q"
My hair is thick and straight—and I want curls! How can I get curly locks that last without getting a perm?

Velcro rollers are the quickest, easiest way to get curl that lasts through the day (though, of course, not through your next shampoo!). Here’s how: Pick up eight to ten small Velcro rollers, then take inch-wide sections of dry hair (start around your face, leaving the back of your head for last), and spritz each with a heat activated setting spray (try Biolage Thermal Active Setting Spray, $10). Grab the end of each section with two fingers, pull it taut, slide a curler beneath the end, and roll the hair over and around it until you reach your scalp. (The rollers will stick by themselves, but you can secure with a bobbi pin for extra hold if you want.) Once all of your hair is curled up, shoot each rolled section for about thirty seconds with a blowdryer on high/hot (the heat is what makes the curls last). Unroll and gently pull through the curls with a wide tooth comb. You are now cruising through curl city!

"eyes wide open"
I have pretty small eyes. How can I make them look bigger without using lots of make up?

The easiest way to make your eyes look bigger is to curl your lashes—it widens the eyes instantly! Just use a standard metal curler (try Maybelline Eyelash Curler, $4), and start at the base of your lashes. Squeeze for a count of three, release, then “walk” your curler up halfway and squeeze again. Keep your curl in place with a coat of clear mascara (try Jane Flashes Mascara in Clearly There, $3).

"a face that lasts forever"
When I go to school at 7:30 a.m., my makeup looks great! But around 10:30 (when I have my lunch break) it starts looking bad, and by 2:30, my face is a wreck! It looks like I splashed foundation on my face in little patches and I have raccoon eyes! How can I make my makeup last?

Well, for starters, there's really no such thing as makeup that lasts for seven hours straight (if you hear of some, buy stock, then tell us!). Everything, from gloss to concealer, has to be touched up at least once a day (yes, even the so-called long-lasting formulas), so planning a quick primp session mid-morning (like during your 10:30 lunch break) would help a ton. Just pop into the bathroom and blot any oily spots with oil-free pressed powder or a blotting tissue, reapply your lip color, and pat away mascara slippage with a square of toilet paper. Choosing oil-free foundation and concealer in the first place may also cut down on the splash effect you mentioned. And using water-resistant mascara on just your top lashes may wipe out that annoying mascara migration. This plan'll hold you until 2:30 (and if you've got after-school plans, hit the bathroom again).

"curly-Q"
How can I get my curly hair to look like neat, smooth ringlets, instead of one big frizz-ball?

To get the curls you crave, start by shampooing and conditioning like always—then using a wide-tooth comb to run leave-in conditioner (try Sebastian's Potion 9) through your hair, root to end, says Jesse Sweet, a stylist at New York's Artista Salon. (Everyday stuff like blow-drying, sun exposure—even pollution—can turn ringlets into an afro, so it's really, really important that your hair be coated with a moisturizing product at all times!) After you've combed through the conditioner, pat your hair dry with a towel (never scrunch or yank—that stretches out your curls and starts the frizzing). Then squirt your styling product (gel or cream—your preference) into one palm, rub your hands together, and gently (don't pull!) run your fingers through your hair, squeezing the ends just a little. The best thing to do now is let your hair air-dry, but, if you have to blow-dry, use a diffuser attachment, and lift your hair into the diffuser cup as you blow (it's tempting, but don't scrunch). Your hair should be frizz-free once it's dry, but, if it's still not quite as smooth as you'd like, take a nickel-sized dollop of styling cream (try John Frieda Secret Weapon Styling Creme), rub it between your palms, and lightly pat your top layer of curls. Now, isn't that much better?

"ready, set, glow"
I’m sick of being pale in the winter. What (besides self-tanner, I'm not really into those) can I use to get a little, natural-looking color?

Using your regular blush—plus a little bronzer (nope, it's not just for summertime)—will do the trick. CG! recommendations: Origins' Sunny Disposition or Wet N’ Wild Powder Bronzer. To start, tap a fluffy brush over the bronzer, then sweep color over your cheekbones (especially on your apples), across your forehead, and down your nose and chin. Finish up with touch of a rosy blush (whatever you use everyday) on each cheek (aim for those apples again). You're all done—and all-aglow.

"the perfect tip trick"
Whenever I paint my nails, I always end up smudging at least one. Is there any way to fix this fast—without repainting my whole nail?

You bet. Just take your smudged nail and dip it into a Dixie cup of nail polish remover for two seconds. Take it out, gently tap the smudged spot with the tip of your pinkie finger, then reapply top coat. Perfection.

"handy work"
My hands get so dry in the winter. Are there any home remedies for scaly skin I can do myself ?

Apply a dime-sized drop of cuticle cream (try Beauty Madness Silky Hands, available at www. beautymadness.com) to your cuticles and massage gently for five to ten seconds seconds (leave a light coat of cream on both your nails and cuticles). Then take a thick hand cream (try Neutrogena Hand Cream Norwegian Formula) and rub a generous dollop into your hands for five seconds (it’s okay if your hands still feel sticky). Now wind plastic wrap around your hands—then take a warm, wet wash cloth and wrap it around both your hands. Wait three to five minutes, then remove the cloth and the plastic wrap. Ahhh— so soft.

"merry crystals!"
I have a holiday party to go to and the dress I am wearing is sleeveless. I'd like to try some body art or tattoo on my arm, but what can I put there without looking trampy?

To go more glam (and less bad girl), try a tiny crystal design instead of a tattoo. To send the right message ("I'm sweet—not scary"), pick something "pretty" like a flower or star (or call Temptu at 800-972-9682 for more original ideas).

"Cheek this out!"
What’s the right way to put on cream blush? I have very fair skin and anytime I put it on I look like a clown!

To get a natural flush with cream blush, stand in front of the mirror, smile, and dab color on the two round parts that pop out on either side of your nose (those are the apples of your cheeks). Gently blend in a circular motion—moving back toward your ear. Still overdid it? Take your face moisturizer and pat a pea-sized amount of lotion over the color to dilute and soften the finish.

"Picky, picky"
I have a party to go to tonight and a pimple popped up this morning. I picked at it (I just couldn't help it), and now it's all red and crusty. Help!

Use a cotton ball to dab on a bit of lavender or tea tree oil (just make sure the formula is suitable for oily skin) to smooth out the crustiness, make the bump flatter, and prevent infection. Wait about an hour for the oil to work, then take a cosmetic sponge and tap at the redness with some concealer (cover-up that comes in a compact or stick lasts the longest and tends to cover best). Finish up by dusting your handiwork with a little loose powder (again, to make the cover-up stay put), then hands off for the rest of the night (this time, try harder!).

"nail hazards!"
They always say to bring your own tools to your nail salon for saftey reasons. What about nail polish?

Good question! Most salon instruments (like nail clippers and orange sticks) are sanitized in between customers with an antiseptic or disinfectant to kill bacteria. But nail polishes contain their own bacteria killing ingredients (alcohol and formaldehyde) so they can be safely used by lots of customers. The only reason, really, to ever bring your own bottle is if you don't like the salon's selection of colors or if your polish contains a nail hardening additive you need to prevent peeling and splitting.

Source: myskinmd.com

"wavy locks"
I’m seeing a lot of models in magazines with big, wavy hair. My hair's naturally wavy—but it never looks as good as theirs. Any tips?

To get the rolling (frizz-free) waves you see on those pages, try these tricks from runway stylist Richard Dalton: After shampooing, towel dry your hair and scrunch a little volumizing mousse into your hair (concentrating at just the roots). Then blow-dry your hair upside down for a few minutes on a low-setting (don't blow it totally dry or you'll lose too much of the wave). Once it's no longer soaking (but still damp), flip your head back up and squirt a little texturizing cream into your palm. Rub it between your hands, then lightly apply the cream to your strands—starting at the ends and working about midway up the hair shaft (don't go all the way to the roots). Now let your hair air-dry, fluff it with your fingertips (to get a little swing), then get rolling.

"Be a star!"
I just saw Christina Aguilera’s new video “Come On Over” on MTV. Her makeup looked amazing. Can you tell me what she’s wearing?

We’ve got the real-deal goods Christina wore in “Come on Over.” All the makeup is by i nouvi cosmetics (go to www.togetfit.com to get your own).
Eye style:Apply Eye Colour in Galaxy all over the lid, then push Eye Colour in Twinkle into the crease.

Cheek chic: Brush the apples of your cheeks with blush in Future, a rosey shimmer.

Lush lips: Slick on Candy Gloss over Spice LipLiner.

Sparklers: Sprinkle Glitteratti in Liquid, a loose glitter, on eyes, face, lips and nails for a rock-star finish.

"want great skin? read this"
I always read tons about what’s good and bad for your skin, but it's usually way too much info for me to remember. Can you simplify things a littleand give me some basic rules to live by?

But, of course:
1.Wear sunscreen. Look for formulas with an SPF of 15 or greater—and that contain either Parsol 1789 or zinc oxide.

2. Don't use more than one skin product at a time containing alcohol. Overusing this particular ingredient may leave your skin dry, red, and dull.

3. Exfoliate (gently) once a week with a warm, wet wash cloth. Your skin will look softer—and you'll get fewer zits.

4. Moisturize—just where you need it. As a teen, products that are oil-free are best.

5. Exercise. This will increase the amount of oxygen your cells get and keep your skin tone even and fresh-looking.

6. Sleep and H2O. Try to get about 8 hours a night and drink as much water as you can stand. This will make your skin look clearer and prevent puffiness.

Source: Timeless Skin: Healthy Skin for a Lifetime by Carolyn Ash

"smooth moves"
My eyeshadow always ends up in the crease of my eyelids. How can I prevent this?

For starters, apply a thin coat of foundation and loose powder (in that order) to your eyelid so the skin there is super smooth and dry (which will keep the shadow from moving once it's on), says celebrity makeup artist Jeni Lee. Then, take an eyeshadow brush, sweep it over your shadow, and shake off any excess powder. Apply the color from the base of your lashes to the crease, then, if you wear a second, darker shade, follow the same brush-sweeping and shaking steps, and apply that color from the crease to the browbone (the trick is to not to overlap the two colors in your crease). If you notice the shadow still collects a little later in the day (or night), just take a clean cotton swab and drag it lightly through the crease to pull up any excess color.

"tanning taboo!"
I do my best to stay out of the sun, so for a glow I use self tanners. But I messed up (I guess) when I was applying and now I’m all blotchy. How do I not end up this way next time?

First of all, kudos to you for staying out of the sun. Smart girl! As for that self-tanning blotchiness, well, it's as preventable as sun damage is (when you wear sunscreen of course!). Follow these three steps: 1. Slather on an exfoliating scrub—head to toe—before you get in the shower (so that, yes, you're putting it on dry skin). Gently massage the scrub in for about a minute, then step into a warm shower and wash it all off. 2. Get out of the shower, dry off, and hang out for about fifteen minutes. (If you apply the tanner straight from the shower, your skin is at it's dryest and the lotion may "drag" over it, causing streaks and blotches.) 3. Apply the tanner body part by body part to be sure your application is super even. To better "see" where you're putting color, use one of the tinted tanners (try Estee Lauder Go Bronze). In addition to making the application easier, these formulas will also leave you with a faint glow (a glow that can also stain—so stay away from white or pastel clothing when you're coated in this stuff). Three hours later, you're good to glow.

"saving face"
I keep seeing all kinds of makeup (tinted moisturizers, powders, foundations, etc.) with SPF. Should I be changing my face products for the summer?

Actually you should be using one face product with an SPF of 15 (or greater) all year round. Even as a teenager, protecting your skin is serious business—the sun's rays do major damage now that'll show up later on (think wrinkles, sun spots, even skin cancer). Because you probably don't wear foundation on a daily basis, adding an oil-free lotion (try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion) to your a.m. regimen (apply it right after you wash) is the best way to get yourself in the habit of never leaving your house unprotected.

"fun in the sun!"
How should I protect my hair from the scorching summer sun?

Keeping a lid on it (as in a hat or scarf) is the surest way to prevent the rays from overdrying your hair—or, if you color it, from turning it a funky new hue. If you're just not the hat type (or if you don't color your hair and are aiming to have the sun lighten it naturally), the next smartest strategy is to coat your (damp) hair, root to ends, with a deep conditioner (Try Freeman Papaya ProVita Miracle Conditioner) before you head outdoors. The thick conditioner will act as both a sealant (which means it holds moisture in to keep your hair soft and shiny) and a shield against other summer hair-health villains like chlorine and salt water.

"achy breaky feet"
With summer here, I'm wearing sandals nearly every day—but my feet are really dry and not so pretty-looking. How can I get them in great shape a.s.a.p.?

To get your feet in a smooth state by tomorrow, coat your feet in Vaseline petroleum jelly tonight—then slide on a pair of cotton socks (yes, the socks will get gummy, but the jelly won't stain). Leave the jelly-sock treatment on overnight and by the next a.m., your feet will be baby's butt soft. To keep them that way, stash a pumice stone (you can find one at most bath and body sh

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Page Updated Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:33am EDT