Registration for our 3week training on both Makeup & Jewelry/Beads making is now OPEN!

It's 3weeks of Intensive training in all areas of Makeup/Makeovers & Jewelry/Bead making.

Jewelry Training starts on the 9th of Feb - 25th Feb and classes will hold on Mondays to Wednesdays; While Makeup Trainings will start on the 12th of Feb - 28th Feb and classes will hold from Thursdays to Saturdays.

To register for any or both courses, Kindly contact us on: 07060509277; email: perfectmelange@gmail.com ; BBM: 7AB6C3F2 ; or visit us at: 13, Majekodunmi st, off Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos by Oshopey Plaza.

...jewels, embellishments and craftsmanship..or...flick a brush to beautify

...PM

The price varies depending on the style. You can contact me on 7AB6C3F2 so we can talk better.
quote author=okwele1]how much are ur neck pieces?[/quote]

Hey Ladies, thinking of learning a skill? Jewelry making is on the high end now and it exudes your creativity.

Join our two weeks jewelry training course for beginners and professionals. Training starts on the 15th of September, 10am-2pm daily. Weekend classes are also available.

Registration forms are out and free so please contact us via email: perfectmelange@gmail.com
Call: 07060509277
Or add us on bbm: 7AB6C3F2

Hey Ladies, thinking of learning a skill? Jewelry making is on the high end now and it exudes your creativity.

Join our two weeks jewelry training course for beginners and professionals. Training starts on the 15th of September, 10am-2pm daily. Weekend classes are also available.

Registration forms are out and free so please contact us via email: perfectmelange@gmail.com
Call: 07060509277
Or add us on bbm: 7AB6C3F2

I actually have a post on eyebrows for different face shapes, you can check it out on: http://www.perfectmelange..com/2013/02/how-to-groom-your-eyebrows-perfectly-1.html

http://www.perfectmelange..com/2013/02/how-to-groom-your-eyebrows-perfectly-2_5.html

http://www.perfectmelange..com/2013/02/how-to-groom-your-eyelashes-perfectly-3.html

uzoo:


Thanks, here's the link http://productsthatactuallydowork..com/

It will be nice if you could do a tutorial on how to get the perfect arch (eye brows) for different shapes of faces.

i have an Oval face with hooded eye brows which grows in different directions ,it starts off growing nicely from the edge of my nose bridge then cuts off and begins to grow upwards and then curling backwards towards the hair on my fore head ...( its really funny because in high school my school mates called me '''chicago bulls'') you get the picture.

It actually runs in my family,so it doesnt really give me much worries ,its just that sometimes i get tweezer happy and just get rid of the curly part leaving me with half of an eye brow

Thanks a lot keep practising

Vickii Ro: Op u rock,tho I shave my brows...Dis tym,it was done a lil bit thinner dan I wud av liked so I followed ur procedures and it was totally making sense.

This is nice! Don't worry you'll be a pro soon.

chutney: After trying ur steps, dis is wat I got, bt am nt done yet...to be continued 'moro by His grace!

Its easy to get the right pencil dear, just run away from black and wine pencils and stick with shades of brown.
If your eyebrows are really dark, buy very dark shades of brown (Davis in No3, Tara in dark brow), then for people with a lighter shade of brow hair, you can buy Davis in No18 or Tara in light brown.

Saraben: nice one BT d PrblmM is getting d rite pencil...

hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!ROTFL! sorry but i had to laugh at the way you described it + Chicago bulls? Those kids are mean.

I'm thinking of doing the tutorial soon and even on different makeup applications also. Will keep u updated.

uzoo:


Thanks, here's the link http://productsthatactuallydowork..com/

It will be nice if you could do a tutorial on how to get the perfect arch (eye brows) for different shapes of faces.

i have an Oval face with hooded eye brows which grows in different directions ,it starts off growing nicely from the edge of my nose bridge then cuts off and begins to grow upwards and then curling backwards towards the hair on my fore head ...( its really funny because in high school my school mates called me '''chicago bulls'') you get the picture.

It actually runs in my family,so it doesnt really give me much worries ,its just that sometimes i get tweezer happy and just get rid of the curly part leaving me with half of an eye brow

Guys lets face it: If you care about how you look, if you want to make a good impression, your skin is the first place to start....

I'm sure lots of guys are wondering why anyone will be writing about beauty routines for Men. Well, it won't kill you to spend a little extra time caring for your skin, neither will it hurt your masculinity.

Traditionally, men spend less time caring for their skin like women do but spend more time damaging it through outdoor sports and other outdoor activities. As we all know, you men spend more time outdoors and this exposes your skin to environmental pollutants, causing poor skin health.

Skin care for men is very easy since typically, ''Men'' don't wear makeup. So, all you need to bother about is dead skin cells, clear pores, hydration and a little bit of shine :-)

Dead Skin Cells
The uppermost layer of your skin (startum corneum) dries out and sheds after a while, allowing fresh new skin to help protect you overall skin. These dead skin cells are suppose to fall off/shed but unlike snakes and other animals that shed their skin, they need help. The only way to get rid of them is by bathing everyday.

Having your bath regularly might not even be enough to keep you clean because some dead cell fragments still remain on your skin, so the best way to get total rid of them is by Exfoliation.

Most of you men use readily available soaps to wash up, this isn't bad but regular bath soaps don't wash you clean or remove dead cells completely. Opt for an exfoliating bar soap, this easily gets rid of the dead cells & stale sweat leaving your skin looking fresh and polished.

Clear Pores
Men have 15% oilier skin and larger pores than women do, therefore daily cleansing is key.

Oily skin is more prone to clogged pores because of the level of oxidation that goes on in the skin.
Now every man needs his pores to be clear. You don't have a choice here especially if you are hairy. The amount of time you spend outdoors exposes you to dust/dirt, sweat e.t.c.
Cleansing your face regularly with toners that contain Glycolic acids or Alphy hydroxy acids help to clear your pores, making your skin firm and reducing the size of your pores.

Hydration
Alcohol is a major skin drainer and its significant to men. High consumption of alcohol dehydrates your skin, so if you must indulge, don't over do it. Also, water helps rehydrate your skin, so if you must "drink" make sure you take loads of water.

To prevent hydration, you should also moisturize your skin. This is one major procedure men don't like. About 60% of men avoid using body creams and moisturizers, I still don't understand why.....

Moisturizing your skin is one very important routine you shouldn't skip. For intensive moisture treatment, pure vitamin E or aloe vera oil can be used. If you have really oily skin, moisturizers that contain only salicyclic acid or glycolic acids should be used.

Shaving
Most men find a comfortable way to shave and stick to it. If you always have irritations from shaving, you should get a shaving cream with aloe vera and leather it up with extra water. You can also try pre-shaving oil, this helps moiturize skin and soften beard hairs.

*For razor burns which are caused by ingrown hairs, use a shaving cream that contains glycolic and salicylic acids. These are exfoliating agents that clear the pores.

Other than shaving creams, another important thing about shaving is the kind of razor you use. Electronic razors are less likely to irritate than blades but if you prefer a blade, choose a brand that has one or two blades and skip those brands with multiple blades that promise a closer shave.

*If you always have bumps and burns, you don't need a close shave. Let some hair remain in order to avoid ingrown hairs.
*Always shave in the direction that hair grows and not against the grain.
*Don't forget your aftershave lotions and toners. They contain astringents that help tighten the pores, creating a firmer skin barrier. Always ensure to avoid toners and astringents that contain alcohol, as this dries out the skin.

That's a few tips from me for you guys, so try to be a little more conscious about caring for your skin because ladies also like men that look good ;-)

Also, you can always be a part of my personal blog: www.perfectmelange..com don't forget to leave a comment

~Perfect Mélange

You go girl!
Red is never weird on dark skin, I use it everyday and I always look beautiful. Even if you're really dark, just fing a light shade of red and not wine. Keep rocking it #Redfever

C'est moi:
I love red lipstick.A make up artist refused to use it for me,she said it won't fit me cos im dark and my sis agreed too saying she's been wanting to tell me that that i use it alot and i should stop but that hasnt stop me o.A friend suggested beauty island to me.she's dark like me and it was beautiful on her.thanks for d tips.

It's not easy but we try, that's why we hv to keep practising everyday. Thanks a lot dear, will also checkout your blog. Just send me the link.

uzoo:

Yea, really i can imagine that as easy as it may sound , applying just an ordinary lipstick to get a perfect pout is quite tasking.it took me two days to get it right. Its not easy becoming a professional Make-Up artist and to think you ladies have to do like a whole bridal train in hours.Kudos and thanks for sharing this here, I have added you to my blog to get updates on make up tips,since i'm so clumsy at it...lol

I visited a friend at her studio to help me out though,but the entire look was up to me to decide what shade of red i wanted.

yaaaaay! That's really nice Uzo, will be expecting pictures.

uzoo: After reading your blog i just got my first red lipstick yesterday, practiced the application all night,i think i finally got a hang of it,fingers crossed... will be posting pictures on my blog soon.

Thanks dearie.

LoveAmaka88: Great post OP

Oh yes she is!! That's Nike of Ewar Makeovers (RIP)

Oluwafunmilayo95: BTW that lady up there is beautiful

see! That's what I tell every lady, as long as the shade is right, it'll definitely fit you.

Oluwafunmilayo95: I actually had the fear that it wouldn't fit me but after the first application, I fell in love with it.

You're welcome.

uzoo: Thanks for sharing.


Red lipstick - A classic beauty product every lady should have.

Hi guys, been a while. I always don't like to say this but it's been my regular line for a while now. I'm so sorry I haven't been writing as much as I used to but I'll try to be more regular.

This post is a little bit wordy, so I don't want to scare you by posting the full thing here.You can visit my blog for the full post: www.perfectmelange..com

Red Lipstick............ That's one lip colour I wear often or....all the time, except once in a blue moon when I have my bubble gum pink on *covers face*

I've had lots of friends ask me why I only wear this one shade of lipstick. The funny thing is, I actually have over 50 shades of lipstick but I really don't mind wearing red.

Ook! Back to the topic... Red lipsticks are one lip product that has refused to go out of trend but still, lots of ladies are too conservative or scared to wear it. I've had several wedding/event makeovers where the client refuses to let me apply red lipstick on then (my strong persuasive/convincing skills never fail me though). I find this confusing sometimes because red is vintage. If your old mothers and grandmothers could be courageous enough to wear red, why not young & vibrant you?


There's one lady I know who wears red lipstick like no other, she was a makeup artist and someone I look up to for makeup tips. She's Adenike Ogungbe (RIP) of Ewar Make-Overs, here's a picture of her rocking red ....

She knows how to use her brushes like no other....checkout some of her bridal makeovers on her blog: www.ewarberry..com

I was able to pin point a few reasons why ladies pull away from red lipsticks & I listed them below;
* Some think it just won't fit them (you haven't even tried it).
* Fear of being noticed when all you want to do is be in the shadows.
* A few people think red only fits light skinned ladies only.............

There are loads of other reasons I can't think of right now but hey! Everyone can wear red lipstick, it just depends on how you apply it. I'll be giving you a few tips on different ways to apply red lipstick to fit you. Read the full post on www.perfectmelange..com

sorry for redirecting you all. Thanks for reading

Some people have natural lip colours which could be any shade. Some as a result of Vitiligo and others could be a form of birth mark so if that's the natural colour of your lips, i advice that you leave it that way and cover with a little concealer if you so desire.

kelvin1191: @Op, what is the remedy 4 pink lips? When i was a kid, my frnds most time insult me with "see ur lips". In 2008, i went to a fed medical centre & after all the test/testis they conducted, nothing was found. I was still not convienced, they referred me to a dermatologist (consultant) @ESUTH & nothing was found. I took to smoking but still no improvment. Plz i need to get it a bit dark.

Glycerine is sold in almost every drug store/supermarket

san001: How can one get glycerin to mix pls

When it comes to moisturising your lips and keep it from being/appearing dehydrated, then chapet works just fine.

abduldope: wt abt CHAPET or CHAPICE dont de heLp

very true! Though it has to be gentle brushing which shouldnt occur everyday.

mr9ceguy3413: heard brushing your lips alongside your teeth also reduces and/or eliminates black lips... how tru is this?
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Hmm...like i said, it could be as a result of Hot or cold drinks or even some bad lip glosses. Not only lipsticks are lip products. Try some of the remedies i listed in the post to help you clear it out.

Sam-Nelson:
Thanks @op. I hav a bright lip b4 but suddenly it changed 2 dark color wheras, i'm not a smoka nd i don't use lip stik. Pls wat is glicering nd how can i get it??

Red lips could be as a result of burns also and so many other things. will do a small write up on it soon so you'll better understand

utenwuson: Nice one!!! Wat is †ђξ remedy 4 red lip?? Any solution?? Plssssss I need 2 know!

It's not a medical condition really, its just something that evolves after prolonged use of bad lip products or some of the other cause i listed above. Its natural for some people (they are born with dark lips), in this case you don't have to be bothered about working on making it but you can try to maintain its presence state.

Afam4eva: Is this supposed to be a medical condition? I've had dark lips like forever.

Darkened, chapped lips can lead to a bad first impression by making you look unclean and unhealthy. The causes of lip darkening ranges from the body's absorption of toxic ingredients to the lack of proper lip care.
If you have naturally dark lips, then this post is not for you **wink**.

As easy as it is to blame lip products for the 'gradual' darkening of your lips, you should know that lots of other things such as; smoking, consumption of tea & coffee, exposure to sunlight and dehydration can also contribute to the darkening of your lips. I've listed a couple of things that can cause your natural lip colour to change below;

Lip Products: It's true that some lip products can cause darkening but its most likely due to using products from disreputable companies or products that are already expired (If you've been using your lip products for more than two years, its time to throw them away). Except you are allergic to your lip product, it is unlikely that your favourite lipstick or lip pencil will cause a gradual darkening or change in your lip colour but to be on a safe side, it'll be better to switch to lip products made with natural ingredients in very sheer or transparent shades or stop using lip products for a few weeks and see if there'll be any improvement.

Hyper-pigmentation: The sun rays harm all parts of our body including the lips. We spend so much time protecting our skin from the sun's harmful rays and forget our lips completely. Our lips can also burn (hyperpigmentation), in fact they are very sensitive to UV rays, especially with constant exposure to the sun. Applying a lip balm with SPF 15 will do the trick and will keep your lips smooth and chap-free.

Dehydration: Not drinking enough water and constant licking of the lips can cause dehydration. As much as dehydration affects the body and skin, it also affects the lips by drying it out which causes darkening after a while. We obviously need water to survive but we aren't drinking enough. The recommended 2-3 litres of water should be taken throughout the day to keep us hydrated and healthy and our lips moisturised.

Smoking: This is one cause of lip darkening that a lot of us know about. Apart from a long list of problems linked with smoking, having dark lips and teeth is a major reason we should even quit since its physical. Its also known to cause damaging effects to the skin such as drying it out, forming wrinkles around the eyes and the mouth also.

Caffeine & Hot Stuff: Some of us can't ignore that craving & aroma of freshly brewed coffee, while some can't stop chewing ice or taking hot tea even when the sun is really hot. The same way caffeine can stain the teeth, it can also make the lips darker depending on how much you consume. Caffeine can get you through the day but can also give your lips a darker pigment with time. You can counter this effect by drinking water with your coffee or tea or try cutting back a cup or two daily.

Allergens: Allergens in skin care products can contribute to blackened lips. These allergic reactions are caused by dyes or fragrances in your lip sticks and lip glosses. These reactions can only be prevented by terminating the use of the product.


Now that we know some of the things that cause blackening of the lips, we should also know some precautions/measure to help prevent/resolve lip discolouration.


Exfoliate Your Lips: This helps remove dead skin cells from your lips, simply by using a wet baby toothbrush to scrub your lips gently to avoid hurting your delicate lips. Apply a thin coat of lip balm once you're done scrubbing, so your lips don't dry out. You can also make a yummy lip scrub by mixing sugar and honey and applying on your lips for about 5 minutes. Honey is a natural antioxidant that helps protect lips from damage and sugar will remove rough lip skin. There are also a lot of cosmetic brands that produce a wide variety of lip scrubs which you can choose from.

Makeup Cover: With the help of concealer, you can cover up any form or shade of dark lips
So don't be worried that you won't be able to wear all your favourite colours of lipstick just because your lips are turning dark.

Natural Remedy: A mixture of lime, honey and glycerine applied regularly could help lighten dark lips. Just apply it everyday for a few weeks or until you see positive effects.
* Lemon juice is also known for its skin lightening abilities. So you can make a paste of equal parts of lemon juice, flour, yoghurt and honey and rub it on your lips. Leave the paste on your lips for half an hour then wash off. You can continue this process for 2 weeks.

Keep your lips Moisturised: This keeps your lips healthy and makes them appear lighter by not drying them out. You can also try natural lip softeners such as butter or vaseline to help condition your lips. Apply either of them on your lips at night and as needed during the day to help protect your lips from darkening.

Its important we take care of our lips because as much as the eyes define the face, the lips add flavour to it..............

You all can always visit my blog www.perfectmelange..com for more beauty/makeup tips. Thanks

~Perfect Melange~

Any brand of foundation and powder that I've mentioned in this post/comments will work for. Just ensure your buy oil based foundation and powder instead of the water based types for oily skin. Also, make sure you always use a moisturiser before you apply your foundation.

chiommy1: @ perfect blend, I hav a chocolate complexion with a very dry skin, plz which foundation and powder will be gud 4me.

Oh sorry! I missd the "deep cleanser" thought u were talking about the oil eliminating.

naanxie: uhm,no! ℓ̊ tink u misunderstand me! ℓ̊ use neutrogena deep cleanser. This is neutrogena oil eliminating bla bla! Excpt u'r tellin me they perform same functions! Btw,you said nothing about the soap!

You are getting it wrong, I meant Neautrogena cleanser & Blackopal soap. Check the pictures again.

naanxie: Ok then! Am gonna try and search for neurtrogena cos ℓ̊ know how that works,ℓ̊ use the cleanser and its really good!! How much does the soap cost and where can ℓ̊ get it? Thanks!!

Avon is good too bt I'm not so familiar with it. It should be used daily but not with any other cleanser. Its best not to use more than one cleansing product at a time. That's why I said you can pair it with the blackopal cleansing bar.trust me, after using this products u face will change and b blackhead free.

naanxie: ℓ̊ agree with chloe's makeover,that neutrogena stuff is indeed difficult to get!! What if ℓ̊ use avon? Wnt that work?? Thanks! And also,shuld this be used daily along side my daily facial cleanser? Am just sick of these black heads and my oily face isn't helping matters!! Many thanks!

You'll find it in any cosmetic store in lagos island, yaba or ikeja or even others around where you live.

Chloe'sMakeover:
Please where can I get this neutrogena cleanser in lagos? It seems as scarce as water in the desert!

Thanks

You're weLcome.

park007: Many thanks