The Best Makeup Gifts to Give to a Friend

If you love the look of long eyelashes and thick eyebrows as much as we do, you’ve probably heard about castor oil. Castor oil is said to help grow eyelashes and eyebrows like a magical serum.  A bottle of this unusual oil only costs a few dollars and it promises dramatic results. If you’re less than enthused about the state of your lashes or brows then you might be tempted to try it out! However, the jury's still out about it's lengthening abilities, so maybe you're feeling a twinge of doubt. After all, castor oil for eyelash growth is one of those things that sounds too good to be true!  With some skepticism but also a touch of hope, we delve deep to find the truth behind those castor oil claims.  What is castor oil?  Castor oil is a thick oil with a dry yet sticky texture. One of the most unique things about it is that, unlike other oils, it acts as a humectant, which means that it can pull water into the skin. Like all botanical oils, castor oil is composed of fatty acids. The main one is ricinoleic acid, which is responsible for its unique texture and also imbues it with some anti-inflammatory properties.  It’s a great moisturizing and soothing oil, although its consistency is a bit different from that of a regular moisturizer.  Does castor oil really grow eyelashes and eyebrows?   Despite the pervasive myth, it turns out that there’s little scientific basis or decent evidence to suggest that castor oil can improve lash and brow growth. However, it’s also worth noting that, to date, no one has done any extensive scientific studies to actually test castor oil for this.  Looking at beauty forums and online reviews, we found a real mish-mash of experiences, but no definitive answers. Some users who tried castor oil claim to have noticed real improvement when it comes to their lashes or brows, while others don’t see any difference. It’s impossible to quantify the varying self-reported experiences so, unfortunately, these testimonials don't really offer a conclusion.  There are also very few compelling reasons as to how castor oil could work. Some say it’s anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial, but we dismiss that immediately since other, more potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agents don’t improve lash growth.  One study suggested that ricinoleic acid might be able to inhibit prostaglandin D2, which is responsible for hair loss in men. However, the study was done with a computer simulation, so it’s not even close to being conclusive, not to mention that it’s not transferable to lash and brow growth.  Is castor oil safe for eyelashes?    Castor oil might not be an effective lash or eyebrow growth serum, but it is totally safe. There’s no harm in trying it out, as long as you go about it safely. However, before you take a bath in the stuff, we recommend doing a patch test. As with many other natural ingredients, castor oil does have a slight potential to irritate the skin.  To patch test castor oil, simply test it for a few days in a row on a patch of skin where a negative reaction will be easy to deal with. You can apply a little to your forearm, neck, or behind your ear, for example. If all goes well, you can try it on your brows or lash line next.  Keep in mind that if the castor oil gets in your eyes, it may cloud your version a bit. If it stings or irritates your skin at any point, stop using it! Additionally, castor oil can be quite dangerous if consumed, so keep it away from curious pets or children.  Bottom line    You can definitely try castor oil for eyelash and eyebrow growth, especially if you want to keep them moisturized (a proven benefit of castor oil that we love). Just remember that it’s probably not as effective as some people claim when it comes to improving hair growth.  You can always use makeup to give your brows and lashes a nice boost! Our Brow Arcade can lend a hand in adding a few hair-like strokes to your brows, while a double-dose of the Cabaret Premier Eyelash Primer and Provocation Mascara will help give the lashes some serious oomph.  No matter what route you take, we just hope you keep batting your lashes with confidence!

Have you ever been swiping on your favorite mascara or eyeliner only to find your eyes tearing up or itching?  This is more common than you might think.  Maybe it happens as soon as the product goes on, or maybe it happens later in the day. You’re left with sore eyes and smudged makeup all over your face.  You deserve better than that. And some eye makeup safety tips can help! Makeup is not meant to harm or irritate your skin. So if it is causing any irritation, that means something’s not right, and it’s time to figure out what that is. You’re one article away from a glorious, pain-free beauty routine. Let’s dive in and find out what’s irritating your eyes, and how to make sure your makeup doesn’t hurt your eyes again.  Why do my eyes hurt when I put on makeup? There are a few common things that could be irritating your eyes and making them water: Dust Allergies Dry eyes An eye infection Eye makeup irritating your eyes If watery eyes are something that happens to you often, we recommend visiting an optometrist to check if everything's okay with your eye health. Let them know the symptoms you’re experiencing, and ask them for their recommendations for treatment.  If you get the all-clear from the optometrist, the next step is to focus on the makeup you’re using around the eye area.  Here’s how to make sure your makeup doesn’t hurt your eyes.  Pay attention to ingredients you’re allergic to When you’re using makeup so close to your eyes, it’s always advised to test out a new product on a small area of skin before applying it liberally. You never know how your eyes may react to something new.  Plus, if you know you have particularly sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, it’s important to be extra careful. Figuring out the specific ingredients you’re allergic to can be tricky when there are often 20+ different ingredients in any one product. But if you do notice a bad reaction to a particular product, make a note of it and immediately stop using the product.  Check the expiry date of your products Far too many women are using out-of-date products without even realizing it. When was the last time you cleared out your makeup collection? Most products will have a recommended expiry date written on them that will be a number followed by the letter M, such as “12M”. This means it’s recommended that you keep the product for a maximum of 12 months after opening.  When it comes to eye products, expiry dates are usually shorter.  For example, you should replace most mascara tubes every 3-6 months to avoid a build-up of bacteria and prevent eye infections. If an expired product is still half-full, there’s no need to feel bad about throwing it away—your eye health is far more important! Never share makeup Maybe your mother told you this when you were younger and first learning about makeup. But in case you didn’t get that memo, we’re reminding you now! Sharing things like mascara wands and eye pencils with your besties might seem innocent and harmless, but you have no idea what you’re potentially transferring to each other’s eyes!  Avoid this at all costs! If your BFF takes offense, explain to her the dangers of makeup sharing. She’ll understand.   Make sure your brushes are clean When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? All beauty experts will tell you that this should be happening on the regular. Why? Because they gather so much dirt and bacteria every time you use them to apply makeup to your skin. You’re then potentially spreading that bacteria onto your eyelids and eyelashes. If possible, give your brushes a clean at least once a week. Clean your face before application Do you cleanse your face in the morning, or do you skip this step and go right to applying makeup? Washing your face can keep eye infections at bay by keeping oil glands of the upper and lower lashes from becoming blocked.  This is such a simple, easy step to incorporate into your routine. You can wash your face when you’re in the shower if that’s a part of your morning routine, or do it at the sink after brushing your teeth.  Avoid lining your waterline and lower lashes Your eyes might be tearing when wearing makeup because you’re applying it in places you should steer clear of. Putting eyeliner in that spot between the lashes and eyeball is a no-no. You have glands here that produce oil which keeps the tears on the surface of your eyes from evaporating.  Makeup placed in this spot can end up washing into the eye and clogging those glands.  The result? Dry eyes or tears streaming down your face. No thank you! As a general rule, avoid putting makeup too close to your eye because it’s such a sensitive area.  Swap false lashes for mascara False lashes might seem harmless, but there are risks involved. First, the glue can enter your eye and cause infections and abrasions which can lead to scars and even permanent damage. Second, artificially long lashes can actually act as a wind tunnel and attract more air and dirt particles into the eye. This will leave your eyes dirtier and drier than usual. If you want to be extra cautious, we recommend swapping your falsies for a healthy mascara. Be sure to remove your makeup every night The final step when it comes to eye makeup safety is to make sure you religiously remove all your makeup every night—no exceptions! When you’re asleep, any makeup left on your face can easily work its way into your eyes and cause irritation and damage.  Wipes alone don’t tend to thoroughly remove makeup and can end up just smudging it around your face. We recommend using a cotton pad and some micellar water to gently remove makeup. Be extra gentle when it comes to the eye area as this skin is quite delicate.  The best makeup for sensitive eyes The best makeup choice for sensitive eyes is to use hypoallergenic makeup. This is also best for anyone who regularly wears contact lenses.  Many leading cosmetic brands still use harsh chemicals and ingredients in their products that are not ophthalmologically tested.  Continuing to use products like this is bound to irritate already sensitive skin and leave your eyes tearing up when wearing makeup.  If you’re looking to switch to a gentler mascara formula, why not try our Cabaret Première mascara? This everyday classic mascara provides defined and voluminous lashes with just one coat. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, like all the products here at Vivienne Sabó!  Make the effort to take care of your beautiful eyes! We hope this has helped you understand why makeup might be hurting your eyes, plus how to banish irritation for good. Remember, your health is important, so take all the steps you can to look after yourself.  Follow these eye makeup best practices and say hello to tear-free eyes and zero smudging!    

A beauty makeover is more than just a funny montage in a romantic comedy.  When life seems boring and mundane, giving yourself a new look is a sure way to improve your mood. You can transform yourself from head-to-toe or opt for a simple makeover that targets just one part of your look.  No matter what kind of makeover you choose, that moment when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror with a new style is incredibly energizing! We’ve collected a few makeover tips and suggestions for how you can give yourself an easy mini-makeover at home.  DIY facial   The first step to a truly rejuvenating one-day beauty makeover is a pampering facial. It’s a great way to give the skin a pick-me-up, especially if you plan to put some makeup on after.  The ideal facial should include some exfoliation, to remove dead skin buildup and prepare the skin to accept moisture. You can make your own scrub, or use an exfoliant from your favorite skincare brand. After that, give yourself a gentle facial massage, and follow it up with a nourishing mask or a thick layer of moisturizer.  Hairstyle Changing up your hair can make the biggest difference, and it’s the one thing that many of us have neglected over the last year. If you’re ready to make a big change, you can give yourself a haircut, but for most of us, taking the time to master a new hairstyle is a safer bet.  If you’ve been wearing your hair straight for the longest time, we recommend giving a tousled, wavy look a try! It’s a French girl staple that you can achieve with the help of a texturizing spray and a large curling iron. If your hair is naturally a little wavy, you can also just go to sleep with a braid in, and you should wake up with nice, natural-looking curls.  New style    The best way to give yourself a style makeover without having to spend much money is to invest in some new accessories. It’s amazing how big of a difference a nice silk scarf or a skinny belt can make to your look! Even smaller touches, like earrings and bracelets, can amp up an outfit.  If you’re willing to invest a little more, you can give yourself a complete style makeover by upgrading your wardrobe. Your first, and most relieving step, should be to get rid of the clothes you don’t like anymore—you can take some inspiration from Marie Kondo for that!  After that, consider what kind of aesthetic you’d like to have, and browse Pinterest for inspiration! You may decide to pick up a few new outfits or a couple of separates that’ll enhance your existing wardrobe. Building a French capsule wardrobe is another great way to go about things, especially if you’d like to simplify your life with classy yet versatile clothes. Lip color   If everything we’ve suggested so far seems a little too involved, you can give yourself the most low-effort beauty makeover with a simple lipstick change. Red is our favorite color, of course, because it adds glam factor even to a totally bare face, but any vibrant color will act as a quick pick-me-up.  One of the benefits of our Matte Constance lipsticks is that they come in a duo-pack, so you can experiment with the help of two lipsticks in one!  At-home mani Giving yourself a simple manicure will help you feel polished and put together, and it’s an especially nice treat when you don’t want to fuss with hair or makeup. Every time you look down at your hands, you’ll feel a little more composed.  You don’t even have to paint your nails—the simple act of soaking your hands in water, moisturizing the cuticles, and filing your nails into a nice shape is enough on its own. However, nail polish is great, especially if you decide to get creative and experiment with nail art.  New makeup technique    You don’t have to buy dozens of new makeup products just to improve your makeup game. If you always wear natural makeup, try a smokey eye. If you’ve been doing your eyeshadow the same way for the last five years, try a newer trend like a cut crease or a fox eye.  Many of us fall into the habit of doing our makeup the same way every day (that’s actually the secret behind the 5-minute face!). However, taking the time to experiment with styles and techniques you haven’t tried before can be a lot of fun, and you might even discover something new to add to your daily look!  Up your brow game Bushy brows are in these days! Upping your brow game will bring out your eyes, and going for a fluffier look will also give you a youthful air. It’s the best makeup hack for immediately transforming your face. You’ll feel more put-together, but unlike wearing a brightly-colored lipstick, it won’t make you feel too showy.  All you need to amp up your brows is a great eyebrow makeup product, like the Brow Arcade pencil. First, brush the hairs up for a feathery look, and then add a few strokes of color to fill them in.  Hair color    Another extreme (but surprisingly quick) makeover you can do is to change your hair color! Box dyes have come a long way over the last few years, so you can achieve shiny hair all by yourself at home.  We recommend choosing a color that’s not too far from your natural shade, so you don’t have to deal with damaging bleach. The key to finding a color that really flatters you is to choose a shade that is either slightly darker or lighter than your skin tone, but with a matching undertone. For instance, gold-based shades are great for those with warm skin, while blue-based or ashy tones are best for cool skin.  Coloring your hair can be a fun way to mix things up, but we’re also big fans of keeping it totally natural! Uplifting change  Small or big, a simple makeover is an instant mood-lifter. Whether you decide to give yourself a new look or just make a few small changes, we know you’ll feel renewed, energized, and ready to face the world!