Beauty and Make-up Brushes and Tools for Women - What Every Woman Should Have

Women are notorious for looking great and glam...all the time! Here's a list of beauty and make-up tools for that great glammed-up look that you want.

Make-up Brushes

• The Mascara. The mascara brush is used to curl up your lashes and make your eyes shine brighter than usual. To avoid clumping, wipe the wand with tissue before using. Then place it under your lashes, near the roots, and gently brush through. You could also use it to straighten out unruly brows.
• The Lip Brush. The nice thing about using a lip brush is that you can save about 20 more applications with your lippie. It also helps blend the color of your lippie more thoroughly. Start at lining the outer corners of your lip first, then fill in the middle area.
• The Powder/ Bronzer Brush. This double-duty brush is used to set the canvass for your face, to dust some bronzer or loose powder off, and to create an even make-up finish. When dusting, make sure to strike downwards to prevent powder particles from getting trapped under the facial hair.
• The Blush Brush. Use a soft-bristled rounded-tip blush brush to make application easier. Blush in small, circular motions. Do not strike down or up. Streakes make blushing look unnatural. Tone down the blushing with translucent powder.
• The Eye Shadow Brush. Blend hues on the lids, creases and outer corners of your eyes with an eye shadow brush for a more dramatic look. Before applying any hue, raise your eyebrows to lift the eyes and define the socket lines.
• The Eyeliner Brush. Highlight your eyes with an eyeliner brush. Also perfect for a cat's eye illusion, the eyeliner brush may be used to make your eyes look wider, longer, higher or lower than usual. Draw tiny dots along the lash line and then connect them for a cleaner finish.

Hair Brushes

• The Round Brush. You can go curly, or bounce some volume with your hair with a round-barrel brush.
• The Fine-Toothed Comb. Deal with tangles first with a toothed-comb before you use a hairbrush. The toothed-comb is also perfect for parting hairs.
• The Paddle Brush. The paddle brush is used when blow-drying to smoothen out hair tresses.

Beauty Tools

• The Mirror. A handy mirror is great for checking your look from time to time with less hassle. Avoid the trouble of checking your brows with a static mirror with the flexibility of a handy one. Plus, you don't need to join the crowd in a busy comfort room just to get a glimpse of you.
• The Nail File. File away rough skin and nail edges with a nail file for a cleaner finish. Avoid chipped nails by filing in one direction only.
• The Tweezers. Choose a slanted edge for a precise chucking of unwanted hairs.
• The Lash Curler. Prevent kinked lashes and opt out for a perfectly bended lash with a rubber-edged lash curler. To keep your lashes from breaking, make sure that you lash first before using a mascara. That also makes mascara application way easier.

How to Use Your Menstrual Cycle to Your Advantage

Hormonal fluctuations associated with your menstrual cycle affect the way you feel, making you more sad or happy in some days, more or less energetic in other days. You can use your menstrual cycle to your advantage if you know what to do when. Plan your activities and put them in sync with your hormonal changes.

Week 1: Red Alert!
You have your period and you feel slow and tired. Low levels of estrogen and testosterone drain your energy, making you more tired than usual. Because you're not at your peak, put off making decisions for next week, and do not take unnecesaary risks. Also, try to get more frequent naps to help you get energized.

Week 2: Wonder Woman!
You have lots of energy, you feel confident, you think much faster, and your memory is at its sharpest. These are because your estrogen and testosterone levels are at their highest. Maximize this week by taking tests, trying out new sports, and going out with friends. Try not to engage with slow-moving activities as they will get you bored easily.

Week 3: Decision-making.
A surge of progesterone after ovulation makes you more cautious and self-protective. You also feel slow-moving and mellow. Because you're not prone to taking risks, this is the time when you should be thinking about future activities and decision-making. Meditation, reading books and listening to slow music go with your flow, helping you ease your mind off clutter, and making you more relaxed, thus giving you the necessary atmosphere to think more about important things. If week 2 is about doing, week 3 is about thinking.

Week 4: Artistic and Creative.
Low levels of testosterone pushes you to use the right side of your brain more than usual, making you more intuitive, creative and artistic. Estrogen and progesterone are also at their lowest point, causing mood swings. Give in. Connect with creative people. Engage in expressive activities. And let your intuition flow.

The key to maximizing your mood is giving in with your hormonal directives. Your hormones basically tell you which side of you is at their best. Instead of fighting this and end up less productive, grab these opportunities to be the best that your body allows you to be.

Tips for Shopping at Zara, People Are People, Bayo and Ilaya

Shopping is all about looking for that piece that truly satisfies your need and want. One could run through an entire mall, or even venture from malls to malls, but still cannot find that one piece that says it all. Shopping means striking a balance between quality and cost-control. To help you get the most of your shopping spree at these Holywood-like stores, here are some tips for shopping at Zara, People are People, Bayo and Ilaya.

Shopping Tips for Zara

1. Explore. Zara stores are divided into TRF, women's, men's and kids' sections for easier navigation. Head towards the TRF and women's section first, mix and match some pieces you find in there, then pick up some cool things from the men's and kids' section to add to your wardrobe. Of course you're not going to find clothings that you can wear from the men's and kids' sections, but that hip cap, and that funky bracelet, might be just what you need to spice up your look.
2. Blend. Zara apparels are not only divided into sections, they are also arranged according to color. Whenever you approach a section, head straight to the colors that match your skin tone. The time it'll take you to try clothes that don't blend well could be used instead for trying out pieces that you would enjoy.
3. Ask. Zara grabbers like to try out all pieces, causing worn-out, stained and damaged clothings. Showcased pieces are expected to get damaged as more and more customers try them on. Always ask the store-keeper for a new stock to make sure that you get your choices looking at their best.

Shopping Tips for People are People

1. Demand. Bags at People are People look sophisticated, but they sometimes don't match with your style and your look, just because they're in a different color. At People are People, bags on display are in generic colors. Always ask the sales lady for other shades that could go with the style you're aiming for.
2. Hunt. Tees at People are People oftentimes differ only in their graphic designs, making each tee unique. It could take forever to decide what design best expresses your personality, but don't tire! It'll definitely be worthwhile to actually browse through the entire tee section to choose the best design that matches your style. Just make the hunting more systematic, as when you judge the tees one by one, against each other as you go through the line, so that you'll end up with just one tee after you finish the entire collection.
3. Know yourself. People are People offers a wide array of differring cuts and shapes, so it's doubtful not to get overwhelmed. You could narrow down your selection by mastering the art of self-knowing. Before you enter the store, make sure you know what shape and cut suits your frame. Not only will you cut the time and the energy to search for that best fit, you also reduce the likelihood that you'll pay for a piece that you'll later regret.

Shopping Tips for Bayo

1. Layer. Bayo offers a wide range of preppy tops. But too much preppiness might make things a little boring for you. Spice up the preppy look by choosing two unique tops that could go well with each other. For example, wear a collared shirt with puff-up sleeves beneath a cover-up, or a tube underneath a shoulder-bare half-shirt.
2. Mix mix mix. Stripes, dots, silk, denim and cotton can all work together if you just know which ones to pick. Don't be afraid to mix and match. Bayo pieces are made to look good with each other. You just have to know how to mix them up into one outfit.
3. Trademark. Pair trademark Bayo colors (such as turquoise and tangerine orange) with black and white. Black and white are the ultimate neutral colors (i.e., they perfectly complement any other colors you choose). After all, it's not harmful to let the public know you're wearing Bayo.

Shopping Tips for Ilaya

1. Bloom. The good thing about Ilaya pieces is that they can make you look and think like a flower. Make sure you don't get out of the store without seeing through Ilaya's generous selection of psychedelic floral prints.
2. Snap. Some items at Ilaya come in limited stock only. So make your reservations early while you think about which pieces to purchase.
3. Cover up. From blooming up to getting more reserved and subdued...Hide yourself with style. Snatch a glimpse from Ilaya's great collection of boleros and jackets. The cuts and shapes are totally smart and unique. Definitely muts-haves.

So there. Make visiting these stores a breeze. Knowing how to shop for these stores save you more time to check how those clothes can make you look fab.