Pure mineral makeup from  certified cruelty free companies, is definitely better for your skin and safer and healthier than conventional makeup, (read why here) but it takes a bit of learning as to how to create a smooth, even, professional looking coverage. This article is designed to equip you with the tools, tricks and tips, on applying and using mineral makeup like the professionals.

Many people start out with the best intentions of swapping over to mineral cosmetics in an attempt to go more natural and safer in their beauty regimes, but find themselves reverting back to their old trusty, yet toxic, synthetic based cosmetic product as they just can't achieve the same finish or coverage as they were used to. As a professional hair and makeup artist specializing in mineral makeup, I am going to arm you with some of my best tips and tricks and give you a 'mini' mineral makeup application lesson, on how to get the perfect mineral makeup look.

Do you share your lip gloss with your friends? Maybe you are still using a favourite lipstick from 10 years ago?? Never take the time to wash your makeup brushes??? As a professional hair and makeup artist with over 20 years experience, cosmetic hygiene is something I have learnt not to take lightly. Many diseases, viruses and bacterial infections have the potential to be spread and shared by doing the above.

Nowadays you can adorn your fingernails and toenails in so many creative ways. You can coat your nails in Shellac or Gels, apply the new, magnetic nail polishes, glue on acrylic nails and decorate your nails with nail art!  But are these products that make our talons look so pretty safe and did you know that many of these products are still tested on animals?!

Here in Australia summer is just around the corner, which means less clothing and alot more exposed flesh.  Our winter white limbs poke out of our shorts, skirts and singlet tops and because over many decades, society has programmed us to think that pale skin looks unhealthy and unflattering, we feel the need to bronze up and fast, but how safe are Spray Tans,  Self-Tanning Lotions, Tanning Pills and Solarium's and would you honestly know whether the products you buy to fake tan with have been tested on animals or not?

For many, money is no object when it comes to achieving that much sought after tanned look. Women and also men, invest heavily in spray tans, solarium visits and self-tanning creams, lotions & sprays, some even resort to taking tanning pills. But what ingredients are in these products? Are solarium's really all that dangerous??  LivingSafe.com.au has looked into the great tanning debate and come up with some interesting facts.