Makeup sponges have been a makeup artist favorite for years and the rest of the world is finally catching on. Using a sponge such as the Beauty Blender leaves a gorgeous, even finish that no other beauty tool can mimic. If you use it incorrectly, however, it can also leave your wallet a little thinner. Here's why you should always wet your makeup sponge before use: 

To Save Product (and Money!)

The number one reason to wet your sponge first is to save on product. In fact, Beauty Blender even put out a post stating that's how it's intended to be used!

If you don't wet your sponge first, it will soak up that expensive product like water. Doesn't that hurt just a little to think about?

Wetting your sponge thoroughly and letting it fully expand has to be your first step. Then, when you apply foundation or other product to it, it'll already be full of water and won't soak up so much product, saving you tons of product and money. 

For Better Performance

When your makeup sponge is damp, it makes product application way easier. It goes on more smoothly and ends up in an even, streak-free finish. 

This is an especially good method if your skin is dry, as there's no brush creating flakes across the surface. Your skin will love the extra moisture!

A word of caution, however: too much water can dilute the product and mess up the texture, so make sure to wring it out well after it's fully expanded. 

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Contouring is a trending way in Beauty that has elevated makeup to a whole other level—and for the better. This makeup technique involves using dark and light colors to enhance or slim down creating the appearance of higher cheekbones and a slimmer nose and chin. but with the right products and equipment, it's easy to do on your own. 

Once you've applied your contouring makeup, remember to blend well for a flawless, natural look. However, contouring does require some practice and knowledge in order to achieve a flawlessly sculpted face. Read and learn a step-by-step guide to creating the How to apply on your face and Join Cult Cutter for more Advance Skills and techniques.

How To Contour In 5 Easy Steps -

Now that you have decided which product is suitable for your face, let's get into how to apply it to your face.

Step 1. Apply Primer and Foundation

Firstly You have to apply moisturizer, primer, and a powder foundation or liquid foundation (depending on preference and skin type) on your face. Apply your foundation using a makeup sponge or a foundation brush like the CULTCUTTER Flat Foundation Brush. If using a powder foundation, you may want to apply a finishing powder or setting powder as well.

Step 2. Contour Your Forehead

If you're new then the easiest way to get started with a powder contour and a contour brush. Begin by lightly dusting contour along the hairline, blending the product smoothly from your head to about one-third of the way to the center of your forehead.

Step 3. Contour Your Cheekbones and Jaw

After the contour around the hairline is well-blended, move down to the hollows of your cheeks. (If you don’t know where this is, suck in your cheekbones) Move the brush along that indentation, toward the center of your face, and then back out.

Once the contour along your cheekbones is blended, finish by applying contour just underneath your jawline from the bottom of your ear to just before the point of your chin. When you put all these steps together they should form a tree-like shape.

Step 4. Contour Your Nose

This is not necessary But Adding a bit of contouring to the sides of the nose is a great extra step to add if you want to boost your contouring routine. You’ll actually want to start this step by applying a highlighter along the bridge of your nose. Then, using your normal contour color, apply two lines of contour on each side of the highlight (along the sides of your nose) and blend until smooth.

Step 5. Finish with Highlighter & Bronzer

As a Last final step, finish by applying a highlighter and applying bronzer. For knowing top product picks, and want to know more extra skills check out our website which features the best session and the best product knowledge for the ultimate look.

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False eyelashes are a great option for individuals who may think their own lashes are too short or not full enough, even with the aid of mascara. For those in the theater and entertainment world, false eyelashes are a must. Today, false eyelashes are available in a wide variety of styles, sizes and types. The big news is that nearly every haute couture makeup artist places heavy accent on the eyes. Dark, smoky eyes with a thick fringe of lashes add just the right style of nuance and are increasingly becoming a popular look. 

There are 3 main types of false eyelashes: Strip lashes, individual flare lashes, and individual single lashes. Before purchasing and using false eyelashes it's important to know the differences in the options available. 

Are you constantly trying to pump volume into your flat, thin hair? We know it’s hard! While other girls have it easy with their naturally thick mane, you have to put in some extra effort to make your limp hair look fuller and dense. Having said that, are you sure you are not ruining your thin hair by making these sloppy hair care mistakes? Take a look at 5 common mistakes you shouldn’t be making, but you probably are!

Brushing wet hair 

Wet hair is brittle and weak and nobody, even those with healthy and thick hair, should brush hair when it is still soaking wet. It is worse for those who already have thin hair. It can cause breakage and even harm the health of your hair. Let your hair air-dry and use your fingers to detangle and then brush with a wide toothed comb.

Overusing hair products

Yes, you do need extra hair products and a few more minutes of blow drying to get the faux volume in your hair. But, using too much heat styling and hair products can affect your hair health. Keep product usage to a minimum and use medium heat only when necessary.

Not getting a trim often

You may love to keep your hair long, but it is better to get a haircut on a regular basis. It helps keep your hair healthy and gets rid of the dry ends that make your hair look even thinner and scanty. Also, shorter hair has more bounce to it and the ends look crisper which gives an illusion of a fuller mane.

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Feel like applying a coloured eyeliner but don’t want to invest in a separate product? Well, the beautiful mix of shades in this eyeshadow palette will come in handy. All the shimmery shades in this palette make for the perfect eyeliners to wear with your ethnic outfits or glam party wear.

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While you may think eye makeup application is a bit of a no-brainer, did you know that changing your technique based on your eye shape can make a world of difference? Just like jeans meant for your body type can offer a more flattering look, the same is true when it comes to coordinating your eye makeup with your eye shape. Sure, you could layer on eye shadow and eyeliner in the most obvious way, but when you know your eye shape and apply accordingly, they’ll pop like never before. Sounds pretty eye-catching, right? To help you perk up your peepers for their best look yet, we’ve created this super-comprehensive guide—soon enough you’ll know your eye shape and how to accent it like a pro!

HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR EYE SHAPE

Before you switch up your eye makeup technique, you’ll need to determine which eye shape you have. How you apply makeup to almond-shaped eyes might differ from how you apply makeup to downturned eyes. Not sure which eye shape you have? Consult the list below.

Almond eyes. Think: oval-shaped eyes with slightly upturned outer corners that look like—you guessed it—almonds. Known for being super-symmetrical, you can think of almond eyes as the universal shape that pairs well with just about everything.

Round eyes. Look in the mirror. What do you see? If you can see your whole iris without any of it being covered up by your top lid then say hello to your big, beautiful round eyes.

Upturned eyes. These are almond eyes with a twist. Instead of having slightly upturned corners, upturned eyes take it up a notch for a more noticeable angle, which makes the lower lid appear larger than the upper.

Downturned eyes. These are the opposite of upturned eyes—meaning the corners drop down for an upper lid that appears larger than the lower.

Monolid eyes. Just think of these as creaseless beauties.

Hooded eyes. Ever wondered why you can’t fully see your crease? When you have hooded eyes, the skin extending from your brow bone sags just a tad to conceal your crease.

Now that you have a better idea of your eye shape, it’s time to learn what you can do to really enhance them. Grab your favorite liquid liner and eye shadow palette and follow along!

THE BEST EYE SHADOW TECHNIQUE FOR YOUR EYE SHAPE

Eye makeup is huge right now and there’s never been a better time to play around with your makeup and enhance the most captivating feature on your face. There’s nothing quite like the right eye shadow technique and a little lid contouring to really accentuate and flatter your eye shape. See below for tips on applying eye shadow to each eye shape, then get to work on highlighting your beautiful eyes!

THE BEST EYE SHADOW FOR ALMOND EYES

You’re one lucky woman! With your slightly lifted, super-symmetrical eyes, just about any shade and style will look fabulous. Don’t know where to start? Try a classic nude smoky eye that uses a medium matte brown on your lid paired with a slightly darker shade blended into your crease. Use the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Quads in Cupa Joe to bring this look to life. When fully blended, this look will open up your eyes and accentuate your almond shape.

THE BEST EYE SHADOW FOR ROUND EYES

Contouring your peepers it the key to creating a stunning, defined end look. All you have to do is apply a medium to dark shade over the center of your lid, followed by highlighting your inner and outer corners with a lighter shade. This will draw attention to the center of your eye for an ultra-flattering look. Use the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Quads in Army Brat to put a colorful twist on an otherwise simple look.

THE BEST EYE SHADOW FOR UPTURNED EYES

Complement your upturned eyes with the help of a little dark shadow or liner placed on the outer corner of your lower lash line. Next, apply a medium-toned shadow on your lid before topping things off with a subtle highlight on your brow bone—all using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Boudoir Charme. Just don’t be too heavy-handed with your highlight, as you want it to have the same (subtle) effect that light bouncing off your skin naturally creates.

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Aloe vera has been used in medicine for thousands of years as it is believed to have potential health benefits for the skin and the body. The trendy succulent may seem innocuous to try but before you go rubbing the leaves all over your face, find out what dermatologists and physicians have to say about the best ways to use aloe vera. 

We spoke to Blanca Lizaola-Mayo, MD, Alicia Zalka, MD, Bita Nasseri, MD, and Kim Walls to get expert opinions on the different benefits aloe vera can provide. Keep reading to learn the eight best ways to use the ingredient.

Heal a Sunburn

Because aloe vera gel gives a cooling sensation and can relieve irritation, one of its top benefits is to help soothe sunburned skin. This is due to the gel's high water content, which spreads gently on the skin, and contains high concentrations of more than 75 active chemical constituents, including polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and more that work synergistically to provide relief to damaged skin. Zalka explains, “[The gel] provides a barrier to the skin protecting it from further irritation and inflammation. It acts as a moisturizer without being too heavy or greasy, replenishing needed water to the epidermis (aids in preventing transepidermal water loss TEWL).”

02 Substitute for Shaving Cream

Down to the last drop of shaving cream? Not to fear, Aloe vera gel makes for a great shaving cream replacement as it helps create a friction-free skin surface.  “Because shaving can result in skin nicks, deep exfoliation, and potentially skin irritation, fresh aloe vera gel is an excellent ingredient in shaving products to offset unintended damage,’ says Walls.

03 Lower Your Blood Sugar

Some studies have suggested that drinking Aloe vera juice can help those with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels. “Aloe vera juice could have several possible benefits for people with diabetes to achieve better fasting blood glucose levels, as well as reduce body fat and weight. However, research is still very much needed to support Aloe vera’s effectiveness in regards to lowering blood sugar and glucose levels,” says Blanca.

04 Heal Dry Skin

Nasseri confirms that aloe vera can heal dry skin as well. Whether it be your face or feet, aloe vera consists of vitamin E and vitamin C that work together to strengthen the skin’s barrier. Slather on before bed and wake up to smooth supple skin.

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Face shape is one of those physical features we might not always be actively thinking about, but it contributes to so many parts of our lives. Everything from picking a hairstyle to determining the best makeup technique and even selecting the most flattering sunglasses hinges on this specific anatomical detail. According to Tanuj Nakra, MD, board-certified cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of Avya Skincare, "The shape of our faces is a direct result of our underlying bone structure, which is based on genetics." That being said, the process of identifying your face shape certainly doesn't need to include a trip to the doctor's office.

It’s time to finally demystify the magic of identifying your face shape, and we’re here to help you do it. While we fancy ourselves quite knowledgable on a host of beauty topics, we knew an A team of cosmetic dermatologists and surgeons would be the perfect resource for breaking down the specific steps for pinpointing your face shape quickly and accurately. So we called in our favorite MDs to help us understand the ins and outs of facial structure.

Keep scrolling to peep our handy face-shape chart and the three best tips for identifying yours, according to our squad of aesthetic experts. Then, read more about your specific face shape.

3 Steps to Identify Your Face Shape (It's Actually So Easy)

Face shape is one of those physical features we might not always be actively thinking about, but it contributes to so many parts of our lives. Everything from picking a hairstyle to determining the best makeup technique and even selecting the most flattering sunglasses hinges on this specific anatomical detail. According to Tanuj Nakra, MD, board-certified cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of Avya Skincare, "The shape of our faces is a direct result of our underlying bone structure, which is based on genetics." That being said, the process of identifying your face shape certainly doesn't need to include a trip to the doctor's office.

It’s time to finally demystify the magic of identifying your face shape, and we’re here to help you do it. While we fancy ourselves quite knowledgable on a host of beauty topics, we knew an A team of cosmetic dermatologists and surgeons would be the perfect resource for breaking down the specific steps for pinpointing your face shape quickly and accurately. So we called in our favorite MDs to help us understand the ins and outs of facial structure.

Keep scrolling to peep our handy face-shape chart and the three best tips for identifying yours, according to our squad of aesthetic experts. Then, read more about your specific face shape.

What is My Face Shape?

Tip #1: Trace your face.

According to Simon Ourian, MD, founder of Epione Beverly Hills, making an outline of your face in the mirror can point you in the right direction of determining your face shape. "Stand in front of a mirror and trace the outline of your face using lipstick or anything else removable," he instructs. Step back, and you can use the below guidelines to identify your face shape.  

Tip #2: Consider the relative prominence of your cheekbones and jawbone.

As Nakra puts it, "The cheekbones (maxilla) and jawbone shape (mandible) have a major impact on facial shape." He says that some other factors also contribute, such as the shape of the forehead and nose, the location of the eyes and mouth, and the prominence of facial fat pads, but the cheeks and jaw tell most of the story. "First, identify the most prominent point and location of each cheekbone.  Next, determine the shape and prominence of the jawbone. Comparing these two bony landmarks can help determine the face shape," he instructs.

Tip #3: Think outside the box.

Obviously, our faces are not going to be exact replicas of geometric shapes we learned about in school. So it's best to be less rigid with our expectations of conforming to an exact shape and leave room for other contributing factors. "The overall face shape takes into account the relative prominence of features and changes with age and weight," says Anita Patel, MD, founder of her eponymous cosmetic surgery practice in Beverly Hills. "If looking at a triangle, a youthful face has the apex at the bottom, whereas an aged look has the triangle flipped upside down, with the base at the bottom," she adds.

In addition, Ourian recommends thinking about how we apply our makeup to help make us more cognizant of our facial structure. "As a rule of thumb, consider how and why you contour and highlight certain areas of the face using bronzer, blush, and highlighter. This bone structure you exaggerate shadows and highlights, contributing to your face shape," he says. 

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Knowing your eye shape will help you apply makeup effectively. Making the best of your eye shape is as important as your color choices. The placement of your shadows and liners can make or break your eye shadow look.

Eye contouring is using makeup to change or enhance your natural eye shape and, if you have downturned, monolid, or small eyes, this will be your new favorite beauty hack. You’ll learn how to contour your eyes and look more fabulous!

Check out our infographic below:

Almond Eyes – This is considered to be the most balanced of eye shape, meaning the lid, socket and brow bone are proportioned. With this shape, you can wear any style and play with placement of colors.

Wide Set Eyes – As a general rule, the width between your eyes should be approximately one eye – if it’s more, you have wide set eyes. When it comes color placement, to balance the face, apply a medium tone to the inner corner and work out across the lid, which will make the eyes appear to be closer together. If you put a lighter color in the inner corner of the eye, you will end up making it appear that your eyes are even wider apart.

Close Set Eyes – As mentioned above, using the “one eye apart” rule, if you have less than an “eye width” you have close set eyes. In this case, if you add dark color to the inner eye, your will make your eyes look even closer together. You need to add light colors to the inner eye and darker to the outer eye – this will give the appearance of a balanced eye shape.

Round Eyes – This, has a very similar shape to almond eyes, but the eyeball itself is more pronounced. For this shape, you can do anything on the top (lid, crease etc.) but I would avoid using any liner on the bottom of the eye as this tends to exaggerate the roundness.

Downturned Eyes – This shape tends to have a “droopy” look to the end – to pull the eye up, make sure any liner or color you use is drawn upward from the outer corner of the eye. You can do this with the tip of a triangle sponge – after application, take the sponge and from the outer corner, just swoop upward and you will see an instant lift to the eye.

Upturned Eyes – This shape is obviously the opposite of the downturned eye, so for this shape, avoid liner that sweeps up as that will exaggerate the upturn. Rounding out and blending the outer corner will give a more balanced look. Use dark eyeshadow on the lower outer corner of the eyes. That will instantly lower down the eyes and help balance out the shape. On the lids, use a medium eyeshadow. You can use the same eyeshadow along your lower lash line. Don’t forget to highlight the brow bone.

Prominent Eyes – Some refer to this shape as “bulging” but really, it is simply that the lid is pronounced with a rather deep socket. Applying light to the lid and dark in the crease will only enhance the shape – remember light brings forward and dark recedes. For this shape, you will love your results if you apply a medium to dark tone on the lid only, with a lighter tone in the crease.

Big Eyes – This shape works best with medium tones swept around the entire eye – follow around the lash line both above and below and add a bit of dark shadow to the outer corners for a smokey look.

Deep Set – This shape is not like prominent shapes eyes – with this shape, you have a deep socket with a balanced lid – but the principle of application is the same. You want to avoid using dark colors in the crease as this will only add the deepness of your socket. Instead, add medium tones from lid into crease.

Small Eyes – With this shape, I avoid lining the entire eye with a dark liner or color as this only closes the eye more. Light to medium color around the entire eye, and line only the top lid.

Hooded Eyes – This is when the skin of the crease falls over the lid, covering most of it. I have this shape. I find most people try to minimize the “hood” by applying a dark color in the crease – BUT this doesn’t really work as hooded eyes don’t have a pronounced crease. The balance of your eyes and face will look best if you apply a darker neutral color on the lid to within ½ inch to the brow and smudge up. Then apply highlight on the frontal bone. Adding a bit of a highlight to the inner corner will open the eye. Then lots of mascara! It’s also a good idea to keep your brows well-groomed all the time so that you’ll have enough space to work with.

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About the Mascara

The award-winning Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara from Thrive Causemetics makes a bold claim: to create the look of lash extensions, without the ACTUAL lash extensions. It also claims to enhance your own natural lash health, all in an easy-to-remove formula that leaves you free of flakes, smudges, or clumps.

The product comes in both black and brown/black, costs $24 per tube, and is vegan. Added bonus: for every purchase, Thrive donates to a woman in need.

My Experience

Like I said, I’m a lash purist. My natural lashes are pretty short and straight, but I’ve never loved caking on product just to essentially scrape it off 12 hours later. (Plus, I have allergies, so I’m constantly rubbing and scratching my eyes.) 

In the past, my favorite mascara has always been the Milk Makeup Kush Mascara. It doesn’t provide much by way of length, but it’s highly volumizing and holds a curl well. Unfortunately, it’s a bit flaky, but it’s easy to remove.

I heard about the wonders of the Thrive mascara through a few friends and other publications (and through my mom, who was desperate to try it herself). Though somewhat loyal to the Milk variation, I decided to give it a purchase (and my mom bought one too!).

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