How To Buy Diamond And Sapphire Rings

There are so many diamond and sapphire rings available today. Clear, blue, yellow, pink, black, classic or contemporary? If you do not know what you are looking for you can come unstuck and end up paying over the odds for an inferior ring. This guide will help you spot the best diamond and sapphire rings at the keenest prices. The best place to start is of course the web where you learn all about various styles and grades of diamond and sapphire rings. It is also worth paying a visit to your local jeweller for some face to face advise, where you can ask questions.

The main factors involved in determining the grade of a diamond are carat, clarity, cut and colour. These dynamics are also known as the four C’s and all of them should be taken into account when considering buying a ring. Some experts believe the colour of a diamond is the determining feature. Diamonds are graded on letter scale from D being a truly clear and colourless gem through to Z, which are light yellow in colour. In general the clearer the diamond the higher the value. Clarity of the gem also plays a big part in shaping the beauty and value. Some diamond and sapphire rings have inclusions inside them or on the surface which are crystals or minerals embedded in them often untraceable to the naked eye.

These flaws can detract from the brilliance of the diamond blocking the natural path of the light through the stone. The cut of a diamond is also important. You will want your diamond rings to sparkle and they will only sparkle properly with the right cut. The cut can also make the diamond appear bigger and heavier. The most popular cuts are marquise, oval,pear princess, trillion, heart and emerald. Finally, you must consider the weight of the diamond or the carat. The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is equal to two hundred milligrams of weight. So naturally the heavier the diamond the more valuable it generally will be.

However you must consider when buying diamond and sapphire rings all four factors as a clear and well-cut gemstone will fetch a higher monetary value than a poor cut one that has a higher carat weight. Sapphires are generally thought to be blue in colour however they can be found in yellow, pink, purple green and orange due to small amount of iron, titanium and chromium found in the mineral known as corundum.

It is a matter of taste but blue, green and pink are best suited for combinations of diamond and sapphire rings. Diamond and sapphire rings make beautiful engagement rings and can cost as little as $300 however you can pay literally thousands for a truly beautiful cut and large cluster diamond and sapphires. Read more...

Makeup Application Techniques For Lips and Eyes

They always say that makeup is an art. Rather than getting discouraged, there is something comforting in that. This means that with the proper instruction anybody can turn a drab look into something fantastic. All it takes is someone to show you what to do.

When you are planning for a big night out, it can be fun to try a new look. However, if you do not know what you are doing, the consequences can seem terrifying. We have all tried it, and later wished we did not. But, if you could have someone show you makeup application tips, would you be more interested in trying something new?

Learn fantastic advice about eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip liner and lip color. So, next time that you think of trying a new look, you will have the knowledge and confidence to apply a beautiful makeup application!

Brows
Next, you will be moving to the eyes. Place a small amount of color in your brows to even out the color of the brow. You may have brows that have thin or uneven spots. Use an eyeshadow powder in your brows to even them out.

Have you ever wondered where your eyebrows should begin and end?

This is where you will apply color to the brows.
Okay, here is a tip to know exactly where your brow should begin and end. To find the starting point for your eyebrows take a straight edge and hold it at the edge of your nose and inside corner of your eye. Where the straight edge meets the brow is where your brow should begin.

On the outside edge hold the straight edge at the corner of your nose and at the outside corner of your eye. This is where you should stop applying the color to create a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

Here is another tip to know where the arch of your eyebrow should be. Hold the straight edge at the corner of your nose and then across the center of your iris. This is where the arch of the eyebrow should begin.

You will want to use a shade of color that is about one to two shades lighter than the color of your hair. Then fill in and shape to make a very natural looking eyebrow.

If you are applying the eyeshadow on someone else, you will want to disinfect the brush each time before you put it back into the powder.

You can disinfect your brush by using alcohol with a special disinfectant.

Make a backward check mark with the brush, starting at the inside corner of the brow and then going backwards in a slight arch. Then fill in the color across the eyebrow. This will give you a small amount of natural color.

After you have applied your color to your brows using eyeshadow as the color or by using an eyebrow pencil, use a brow brush to reshape the brow and to even the color out going in the direction that the brow grows.

Eyeshadows
Use three different shades of eyeshadow colors.

First, you will use a lighter shade of eyeshadow color for your base. It will be applied from your eyelashes up to your brows. This helps to even out the tone of your eyelids and will make the rest of the colors go on very evenly.

The second shade of eyeshadow will be applied to your lower lid. You will apply it from the eyelashes to the crease of your eye, so that it will cover the whole lower eyelid.

The third shade will be the contour color, the darkest shade used that will be applied into the crease and to the corner of your eye.

Use an eyeshadow brush to apply the color all over your lid; this is the base shade.

Start at the center of your eye and work your way up and down applying from the eyelashes to the brow. Make sure the color is applied evenly so that the other colors go on evenly as well.

Make even strokes when applying the base shade. It is better to use longer strokes, as the colors will go on much more evenly than using short choppy strokes and it is gentler to your skin.

Next, apply the medium shade of color to the lower lids. Apply it from your lashes up to the crease in your eyelid. It goes from the center of the eye to the outside corner of the eye from the lashes up to the crease. Look for the natural crease; this is where you will stop applying the medium shade of your color.

The last portion of the eyeshadow is the contour color. It is the darkest shade that you will be using. Use an eye contour brush for the application. The contour brush is angled and has a point on the end. Place the point into the darker eyeshadow color and then apply it into the crease of your eyelids. Start in the center of the crease and work your way back and forth. Make sure to go back and forth several times blending in the crease as you go.

The secret to having a beautiful eye makeup application is the blending. Make sure to blend very, very well.

Start in the center and work your way to the inside corner of the eye two thirds of the way. Then fill in to the outside corner of the eye and along the bottom lashes about a third of the way in and continue blending.

Eyeliner
Next, you will be applying your eyeliner.

Start on the top lid in the center of her eyelid. When applying eyeliner, you want to make sure to use short strokes and then connect them. When using an eyeliner pencil, make sure to sharpen it to a sharp point so that the line looks very fine. You can build on it as much as you want. If you want extra eyeliner, you can add that as you go.

Start in the center of her eyelid and make a short line. Then, go from the inside corner over to the center and then from the outside corner over to the center. You want to make sure you are using short strokes then connect them. You want to look up; ensuring that it is applied evenly all the way across.

If applying on someone else, get them to look up towards the ceiling when applying the eyeliner on the bottom eyelid.

Start from the outside edge and work your way to the in. If a person has very large eyes, they may want to go all the way across. This will close the eye up and make it look smaller.

Usually, you are only going to go about three quarters of the way across (going all the way across will close the eye up and make the eye look smaller). Go about three quarters of the way across from the outside corner and then soften the look of the eyeliner on the bottom. Use a pointed Q-tip to lightly smudge the color so that it looks very even and soft.

Mascara
Next, you will be applying your mascara. When applying your mascara, make sure to take the mascara wand out of the container very slowly and work it out in a circular motion. Do not use a pumping motion. You will introduce air into the mascara and make it dry out very quickly.

If you get bacteria into the mascara, it could cause an eye infection. Be sure to replace your mascara every two to three months.

If applying mascara to someone else, get them to first look about three quarters of the way down when applying the mascara. Apply to the center of their lashes on the top and underneath their lashes. Then, get them to look straight ahead then to one side and then the other side. The changing of the direction of their eyes will allow you to get to the inside and outside lashes.

Start by applying the mascara as close to the base of the lash as you can and then wiggle your mascara wand back and forth to make sure to get in between the lashes. This will make them look fuller and thicker.

Let the mascara dry for a minute. Then go across the bottom lashes.

You can put mascara on the bottom lashes one or two ways; either by wiggling your mascara wand back and forth or you can hold your wand vertically while going across the bottom lashes. Make sure that you have all the lashes covered.

Lip liner
Always apply lip liner before applying your lip color (lip gloss or lipstick).

This will help to hold your color in place and it also helps to give a nice shape to the lips.

Trimming your lip liner to a very sharp point will give your lips a very well defined look.

When applying the lip liner start in the center of the bottom lip, then go from the outside corner to the center of the bottom lip and then the other outside corner into the center.

On the top go from the outside corner up to the peak of your top lip and then from the other outside corner up to the peak. Next, apply to the peak in the center of the top lip.

Filling your lips in with lip liner will help to hold your lipstick or lip gloss on longer.

This will give your lips color if your lipstick or lip gloss starts to fade.

Lip Color
Using a good lip brush will make your color go on very smoothly.

Using a lip brush apply the color directly to your lips.

Start in the center of the bottom lip and work your way out. If using lip stick, blot your lips and reapply.

Use a product that has shimmer in it. Apply it to the center of the bottom lip to give you that wet look that makes your lips pop!!(Tony Edwards from freearticles)



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How To Clean Jewelry

Cleaning your jewelry is important, it is amazing the germs that can form on your rings or necklaces. Many people forget this important aspect of owning a piece of jewelry and cleaning it not only makes it look better and keep its sparkle but it restores it.

If you have a silver piece of jewelry you do not need to spend huge amounts of money on specialist solutions, simply use a soft tooth brush with a mild soap.

Gently brush the item of jewelry to remove any debris, one this is done rinse the item of jewelry under a running tap then use a soft cloth to gently buff the jewelry until a stunning shine appears. Although there are many dips and solutions you can buy that you simply place your silver in the solution and remove, you need to be careful if you do decide to clean your jewelry this way. If you leave your silver in the solution for too long or do not rinse it properly once you have taken it out you may find that a white residue is left with can be unattractive.

Gold jewelry especially rings can form a greasy film making the ring look dull and no longer eye catching, the use of body lotions, creams and you skins oil can add to this build up. If you need to clean a piece of Gold jewelry remove the ring or necklace and mix together som
e mild soap or washing up liquid in a bowl of warm water. Place the gold jewelry into your solution and leave to soak for a few minutes to soften any debris or oil. Remove the jewelry from the water making sure your hands are clean, use a soft brush to gently scrub the item of jewelry until clean. Once you are happy that the jewelry is clean use a soft cloth or a polishing cloth to gently rub over the jewelry, this will restore a beautiful shine.

Platinum jewelry can be cleaned in the same way as gold and silver jewelry however it is important to remember that soaking in solutions such as ammonia can damage the jewelry, harsh chemicals are really best for hard gemstones such as diamonds. You can also have you platinum jewelry cleaned by a professional jeweller.

If you have an item of jewelry that contains a diamond, do not be fooled by the diamonds strength, quite often diamond jewelry has been coated to protect it and harsh cleaning solutions can remove the protective film.

Simply soak your jewelry in soft washing detergent then brush gently with a soft brush, using a hard bristled brush can damage some jewelry. It is important to clean your jewelry as often as you can to maintain its sparkle and to get the most out of your jewelry. Read more...